WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today released the following statement regarding the U.S. Air Force’s new Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) in the latest competition to replace the nation’s aging aerial re-fueling tanker fleet.

 “I look forward to the consideration of this draft and am confident Air Force Secretary Mike Donley and his team will make every effort to run a fair and open competition.

 “The information in the briefing I was given today was encouraging. The Air Force has presented a carefully considered framework for the competition. I intend to monitor this process closely to ensure that the taxpayer and the warfighter are fully represented.

 “However, I regret the Air Force has chosen to ignore the recent World Trade Organization’s finding that indicated Airbus received illegal subsidies for decades and that America’s Boeing Company had been disadvantaged in the global market. I urge the Air Force and the Department of Defense to take Airbus’ violations into consideration and to examine the damages as already determined by the United States Trade Representative.”

 Senator Roberts has long fought to replace the nation’s again 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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