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Jenkins Commends Passage of Bill Which Levels the Playing Field for Air Force Tanker Competition

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins issued the following statement in response to the House of Representatives passing H.R. 6540, the Defense Level Playing Field Act.

“I am proud today that the House of Representatives has passed H.R. 6540 which requires the Department of Defense to consider illegal foreign subsidies when awarding a contract for the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft.  This legislation is a slimmed down version of a bill I sponsored with Congressman Tiahrt (H.R.5298) which would have made this consideration, the policy of the Department of Defense on all contracts.  I recently sent a letter to Chairman Ike Skelton and Ranking Member Buck McKeon of the Armed Services  Committee urging them to adopt this requirement in the FY 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, but am glad to see Congress take this action on this important matter.

“The illegal subsidies provided by European Governments to Airbus have put American companies, specifically Boeing, at a significant disadvantage and it is important that the Department of Defense take these actions into account when they make their decisions.   The top priority of the next Congress must be to put hard working Americans back to work.  An important first step toward this goal will be considering illegal actions taken by foreign governments on behalf of foreign companies before awarding them U.S. Government contracts.  Kansans are ready to get to work to support our military with the best tanker possible, I am happy they will now be competing on a level playing field.”

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