DeLauro on the Issues | Legislation

Marine One : A Source of Pride for Connecticut

Few images capture the U.S. Presidency like that of the Marine One helicopter landing on the White House lawn, the president emerging from under the blades.  It is a source of extreme pride that Marine One has been built in our state, in Stratford, for the last fifty years.

DeLauro believes that it is wrong for the president to fly in a helicopter that is not 100% American made. She was extremely disappointed that the Bush administration chose to outsource this vital and symbolic contract to the British and Italian firm AgustaWestland early in 2005.

She has introduced the Marine One Made in America Act, H.R. 459, which will require the Secretary of the Navy to procure helicopters under the VH-3D presidential helicopter fleet replacement program that are wholly manufactured in the United States. Additionally, the legislation will require the Secretary of the Navy to terminate any contract entered into after December 31, 2004 that does not meet this requirement.

Sikorsky makes the safest, most secure helicopters in the world, and the Navy has confirmed that Sikorsky had the better performing aircraft in the Marine One competition. The VH-92, a premier, state-of-the-art helicopter, won the 2002 Collier Award for greatest achievement in aerospace because it is safer, can carry more and operate more efficiently. In contrast, Canada and the United Kingdom grounded their fleets of EH-101s last summer after one British helicopter crashed and cracks in the tail rotor were discovered in several others.

Every president since President Eisenhower has flown in an American-made Sikorsky. Congresswoman DeLauro was at Sikorsky's Stratford facility when the contract was announced. She has met with employees and flown on the company's new Marine One model. And she remains committed to seeing that 'Made in America' still means something.

DeLauro on the Issues

Consumer & Privacy Issues | Education |  Energy | Environment & Open Space | Gun Safety | Homeland Security | Jobs and Economic Security | Marine One | Support for Military Families | Patients' Bill of Rights | Prescription Drug Benefit | Social Security & Retirement Security | Tax Relief for Working Families | Transportation Improvements | Veterans

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