WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Roberts today made the following statement regarding the Department of Defense’s Request for Proposal (RFP) to replace the nation’s aging aerial refueling tanker fleet:

"I am pleased the Department of Defense has honored its commitment to run a fair competition for the tanker contract. The RFP is fair and will provide the best tanker for our men and women in uniform. While I remain concerned about WTO implications that were not addressed in the RFP, I am confident Boeing and other bidders can compete on a more level playing field.

"Our men in women in uniform needed a new tanker yesterday. The tanker is vital to our ability to project power across the globe. Without it, we simply cannot deploy troops and assets where they are needed in a timely fashion. We have been going back and forth on this for more than seven years and we’ve failed to update the tanker for our troops who are now flying missions in planes that were first delivered during the Eisenhower Administration."

Senator Roberts continues to work in a bipartisan way with the Kansas congressional delegation and the Washington state delegation in behalf of Boeing workers.