On the recordMay 25, 2011
I wouldn't blame the gentleman from Texas for supporting the V-22 when a great bit of it is built in his district and he needs to defend it. But I'd like to just repeat so that people understand this. So far, the V-22 has cost over $32 billion. When it was initiated in 1986, it was estimated to cost $39 billion. Today, it's estimated to cost $53 billion. Terminating the V-22 would save $10 billion to $12 billion over the next 10 years. Actually, it would save $2\1/2\ billion in funding for procurement of the Navy and Air Force just this year alone. With that, Madam Chair, I'd like to say if you're talking about everything on the table, look at this. It's had its turn, 20, 30 years to prove itself; and it's time that we end this relationship. I yield back the balance of my time.
