[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12638]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1915
                       AIR FORCE TANKER DECISION

  (Mr. HARE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the Air Force tanker 
decision and its impact on our economy and jobs, especially during 
these hard economic times.
  Recently, an independent report predicted that 14,000 jobs would be 
lost if the multibillion dollar Air Force tanker contract was awarded 
to a foreign company. And the report states, ``These figures understate 
the potential losses to U.S. employment.''
  Madam Speaker, it's outrageous that the Air Force officials did not 
take into consideration the economic impact of this decision. By 
outsourcing the production of the tanker, we are denying hardworking 
Americans good, high-paying jobs, and turning a blind eye to our 
deteriorating economic situation.
  Madam Speaker, this tanker deal further jeopardizes the economic 
security of our Nation. At a time when America is facing a record-high 
level of unemployment recession, creating jobs in Europe is not in the 
best interests of the American people.
  Madam Speaker, this Congress must address the broader economic 
concerns raised by the tanker decision. We owe it to the American 
people to take advantage of the opportunity to create jobs right here 
in the United States and resuscitate our failing economy.

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