Courtney, Larson, DeLauro Statement on F-35 Discussions

Hartford, CT – US Representatives Joe Courtney (CT-2), John Larson (CT-1) and Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) issued a joint statement today responding to recent comments by President-Elect Trump regarding the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter:

"Any suggestion that there is a substitute for the F-35 is total non-starter. This is a program that has been vetted ad nauseum by the Pentagon, the Congress and independent experts. There is simply no aircraft in production today that can compare with the F-35’s advanced avionics, networked capabilities and integrated stealth.

"Many years of hard work by industry and our military leaders have gotten this program on track and on a path of declining costs. Rather than waste time and money interrupting our nation's upgrade to a 5th generation fighter, it's time to work together to find more savings and efficiencies for the American taxpayer."

Courtney is the Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. Larson is a co-chair of the bipartisan F-35 Caucus. DeLauro is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.