Political Quotes

“I rise today not to offer an amendment but, first, to express my thanks and appreciation to the managers of the bill for responding to a concern that I raised. I have spoken with Chairman Levin, and his staff, Senator Warner, and his staff, as well as Chairman Inouye and Senator Stevens, and the Defense Department about the concern I have over our industrial base for the production of tactical fighters. It seems to me that the tragedy of September 11 brings with it the realization that we are in a long contest with terrorists. We are in a long, drawn out contest that may require us to provide all kinds of responses. The tactical aircraft we are planning to build in the future is just one of the tactical aircraft that we might have to provide in years beyond. So it is my concern that when the competition for the joint strike fighter--the JSF--is over, that if one of the two contestants--Boeing and Lockheed Martin are competing--is selected, if there is not production and an active role for the second one, we would be left with only one major producer of tactical aircraft. It is for that reason I have raised the concern that, either before or after the contract is let, the Defense Department and both contractors must be willing to agree that production will go on in both facilities. Boeing and Lockheed Martin are this country's sole remaining tactical aircraft manufacturers.”