WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today released the following statement after learning of the news that the Air Force issued a temporary stop-work order on a $355 million contract that they denied to Hawker Beechcraft and instead awarded to a Brazilian-based company:

“Hawker Beechcraft deserves the good news it received today when the Air Force issued a temporary stop work order for the Light Air Support contract it awarded to Brazilian-based company Embraer.

“Hawker Beechcraft deserves answers as to why it was excluded from the competition two months ago. On every turn, the Air Force has denied the company and the congressional delegation the opportunity to understand why it made the decision. If the Air Force wants to taut transparency in this selection process, it can start with briefing me and my colleagues Congressman Mike Pompeo, Congresswoman Jenkins, and Senator Jerry Moran as we have been in regular contact with the Air Force and the General Accounting Office since Hawker learned of the decision. We all deserve answers.

“Without more information I see no reason for 1,400 U.S. jobs to be awarded to a Brazilian company with little regard to a U.S. company that has the proven equipment to do the job.”

Hawker Beechcraft is currently contesting the contract in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

-30-