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Tiahrt Pushing For New Tanker Competition

By WKRG Staff

According to a memo obtained by News 5, Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt is introducing legislation Thursday that would require the Air Force to rebid the $40 billion tanker contract. Tiahrt Pushing For New Tanker Competition

Published: Thu, June 26, 2008 - 12:21 pm Last Updated: Thu, June 26, 2008 - 12:29 pm

According to a memo obtained by News 5 (see below), Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt is introducing legislation Thursday that would require the Air Force to rebid the $40 billion tanker contract. In February, that contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman/EADS. But Tiahrt, who used to work for Boeing, thinks the Chicago-based company should have won.

KC-X TANKER RECOMPETE LEGISLATION: TO BE INTRODUCED TODAY

American Tanker Colleagues:

Mr. Tiahrt intends to introduce legislation around 2.00 PM TODAY regarding the KC-X Tanker contract. Given the GAO vindication of our efforts to reverse this decision, it is clear that the current contract to EADS must not stand. This legislation will force the Department of Defense to recompete the KC-X Tanker contract under a fair process.

Under the new competition, the Department must consider national security and industrial base concerns. It would also expand the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to foreign companies, require an independent cost estimate, and ensure the Department considers the impact of additional regulatory burden placed on American companies, but not foreign competitors.

****The legislation would only take affect if the Pentagon fails to direct award the contract to The Boeing Company.****

We apologize for the late notice. If you boss would like to be a co-sponsor, please let me know ASAP. Again, Mr. Tiahrt expects to introduce the legislation around 2.00 PM TODAY.

Best regards,
Jim James L. Richardson
Defense Appropriations Aide
Office of Congressman Todd Tiahrt
Phone: 202.225.6216
Fax: 202.225.3489

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Tiahrt Pushing For New Tanker Competition

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rmseek1234 Says:

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 3:58 pm

Thanks! Must have missed that. I think there is more money to be made (from Boeing) other than campaign contributions and that is why these two or three are so vocal about it. Can our leaders not question their motives and point this out? Is there not an Ethics Review Board or something?

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Jamie Burch Says:

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 3:52 pm

rmseek1234,

News 5 did that in March
http://www.wkrg.com/investigates/article/tanker_money_trail/11523/

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rmseek1234 Says:

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 3:45 pm

It would be interesting to check their campaign contributions, their personal accounts, and the stockholders list at Boeing. This is motivated by their wallets, not what is best for the country.

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BamaBob Says:

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 3:42 pm

Send this jerk a tee shirt!!!!!

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asda Says:

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 3:38 pm

Come on BamaBob you know where they were. Sitting in their office with the envelope full of cash saying that sounds great to me keep the money coming my way. I need to get re-elected.

Like you said bunch of Crooks. Reminds me of that movie with Eddie Murphy The Distinguish Gentleman where he plays a con man that wins a seat in Congress.

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BamaBob Says:

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 3:33 pm

Bunch of crooks! Where were they when Boeing was trying to swindle the country with the tanker lease deal?

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the inquiring mind Says:

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 2:42 pm

Boeing has too many lawmakers in their pockets it seems. All these congressmen batting for Boeing have ties directly with Boeing in some way. Souldn’t their ethics be in question?

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asda Says:

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 12:55 pm

You make a very good point. I wonder how much Boeing Stock these guys own? I again said it would be in the best interest of the Nation to have two Companies that are both located in the United States that have the ability to produce jets. If something happens to one then we would have the other to fall back on. What happens if Boeing Workers go on strike? What happens if a Hurricane hits Seattle or Mobile. We would be in a worst spot then we are now. Also bringing Competation back into the aircraft industry is a very good thing it will make Boeing actually give a fair price on aircraft.

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rmseek1234 Says:

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 12:40 pm

****The legislation would only take affect if the Pentagon fails to direct award the contract to The Boeing Company.****

Why am I not surprised that they will do ANYTHING to make sure they get the tanker? It makes me wonder how much their pockets are padded by Boeing, since stocks dropped to a record two year low for Boeing today. I bet all the terrorists are sitting back, laughing at the complete idiocy of these government bueracrats. THEY are jeopardizing national security by not providing our military with what it needs!!!!!

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