Richard Shelby: “last Friday, the U.S. Air Force announced that the Northrop Grumman EADS team won the contract to assemble our…”

“last Friday, the U.S. Air Force announced that the Northrop Grumman EADS team won the contract to assemble our military's next generation of air refueling tankers, known as the KC-45. This decision awarded the largest acquisition program in the history of the Air Force. To have expected controversy not to follow, regardless of the winner, would have been a little foolish. What is unfortunate is that the uproar from the losing side is based upon mendacity rather than logic and reason. After the announcement, some falsely proclaimed that our military was selling out to a foreign country; that this award would outsource U.S. jobs; that these planes should be made in America. The facts behind this selection should allay any of my colleagues' fears or concerns. Northrop Grumman EADS capable, advanced multimission tankers will be made in America by American workers. Any assertion that this award outsources jobs to France is simply false. This award does the exact opposite. It insources jobs here. In Mobile, AL, where the tanker will be assembled and modified, 1,500 direct jobs will be created. Throughout Alabama, 5,000 total jobs will be created. This contract has ramifications well beyond my State's lines. Friday's announcement also means that 25,000 additional jobs at over 230 companies around the United States will be created by the Northrop Grumman EADS tanker win. This will result in a $1 billion annual economic impact on the United States.”