Shelby Blocks Pentagon Nominee Over Tanker

Boeing Tanker Republican Sen. Richard Shelby is holding up
President Barack Obama's pick to lead Pentagon acquisitions because
he wants assurances that the nominee won't change the criteria in a
heated competition for a $35 billion refueling tanker contract.

by Associated Press

Published: Fri, April 03, 2009 - 10:32 am CST Last Updated: Fri, April 03, 2009 - 10:34 am CST

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican Sen. Richard Shelby is holding up
President Barack Obama's pick to lead Pentagon acquisitions because
he wants assurances that the nominee won't change the criteria in a
heated competition for a $35 billion refueling tanker contract.
Shelby and other Alabama lawmakers are worried the Pentagon
might award the contract based strictly on price without
considering additional capabilities.
They have a stake in the fight because Northrop Grumman Corp.
would assemble the plane in Mobile, Ala. The company is offering a
larger, more expensive plane than its competitor, Boeing Co.
Shelby alone can't block the nomination of Ashton Carter as a
Defense Department undersecretary, but he can delay his
confirmation.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Wait4Me Says:

Fri, Apr 03, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Are you kidding me, you are complaining taht they WANT the plane built here? Are you a Murtha/Boeing fan.

van Says:

Fri, Apr 03, 2009 at 5:06 pm

That is so wrong…can’t get what they (Sessions and Shelby) want so they are using their political power. Is someone afraid that the new acquisition chief is going to make an ACTUAL fair decision and not be influenced by big bad Shelby and Sessions. They can only delay…not stop…