[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 5, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H1316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        WE NEED AMERICAN TANKERS

  (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I am outraged tonight that we are 
outsourcing our national security.
  Today, in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, we heard 
testimony that the Department of Defense has modified the Buy American 
Act with a memorandum of understanding that exempts our allies in 
Europe from the same requirements we demand of U.S. manufacturers.
  The results are that in the last three major contracts, we've lost 
them all to European manufacturers. Marine One, the replacement of the 
President's helicopter, went to a foreign manufacturer. The Light 
Utility Helicopter went to a foreign manufacturer. Last Friday, the Air 
Force announced that we are going to send the air refueling tanker to a 
foreign manufacturer.
  Today, in testimony on the other side of the Capitol, Air Force 
Secretary Michael Wynne said in a subcommittee that, according to the 
news, the European-made A330 airframe selected for the new refueling 
airplane could be used to replace a fleet of air control surveillance 
and other special mission aircraft. That would mean 200 more aircraft 
and 40,000 more jobs going to Europe overseas.
  Mr. Speaker, we've got to stop this today. Rebid the tanker contract 
because we need American tankers made by American companies with 
American workers.

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