WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today issued the following statement regarding the decision by the Boeing Company to close the Boeing Defense, Space & Security facility in Wichita:

“I have been honored to represent and work hard for Boeing and their talented employees for more than a decade, including helping to wage a long, but successful fight to win back the tanker contract.

“Boeing's chairman sat in my office 22 months ago during that battle and promised me, then-Senator Brownback and Congressman Tiahrt that if we won the fight to get the tanker contract back, Boeing would stay in Wichita. The chairman again promised the entire delegation the work would remain in Wichita just last February, when the tanker contract was settled in Boeing's favor.

“Today's announcement by Boeing’s leadership is hugely disappointing to me, but more importantly to the thousands of workers whose livelihoods are affected by this decision. No lawmaker can compel a private company’s economic decisions, although Governor Brownback and the congressional delegation together have made the best arguments possible for Wichita.

“While it would be easy for me to react to this very unfortunate decision with anger and resentment, that won't save a single job. Instead, I intend to roll up my sleeves and look forward, working with Governor Brownback, my delegation colleagues and other state and local leaders to promote the Air Capital of the World.”

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