WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today made the following remarks regarding EADS’ delayed decision to enter the competition for a new aerial refueling tanker:

"I am confident Boeing can build the best plane for the Air Force, no matter the competition," Senator Roberts said. "However, I urge the Department of Defense to run a fair competition and avoid coddling EADS to the detriment of American warfighters who have waited eight years for this contest to end and decades for a new tanker."

Senator Roberts has long fought to replace the nation’s aging tanker fleet to give men and women in uniform the safest and best plane to complete their mission. Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, which has jurisdiction on trade matters.

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