(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after she was briefed on the Pentagon’s final Request for Proposal (RFP) to replace the Air Force’s fleet of aerial refueling tankers.
“I’m glad that we finally have an RFP so we can at long last move forward with a competition to get these critical aircraft into the hands of our men and women in uniform. I will be looking over the details of this final RFP to ensure that it is fair and transparent and that it provides an even playing field for our state’s workers.
“Given a fair shot, Washington state’s workers will bring home this contract. We have the skills, the technology, and the experience of having built the only combat-ready tanker to prove it. Our workers have done it before and I know they’re ready to do it again. With today’s RFP we now have the process in place that will allow our workers to deliver for our economy, military, and country.
“Our state and nation need this contract now more than ever. The bottom line is that the tanker brings jobs. Not only on the assembly lines in Everett, but also to aerospace suppliers and businesses large and small across our state and nation. Especially now, America’s tanker should be built by America’s workers. I won’t give an inch in working to ensure this competition is fair for our state, our workers, and our country’s needs.”