On the recordDecember 21, 2010
I rise in support of competition. Yet I also recognize as a member of the Manufacturing Caucus that Americans are ready and clamoring to build, and they want to produce and create. As they do that with their sophisticated technology, they create jobs. So I believe it is unfair that when there is a competition that our companies, in fact in our own country at the Pentagon, are competing against those companies that are subsidized. So I rise in support of this legislation, H.R. 6540, which does not in any way hamper the ability of the Pentagon to do its work, but indicates that we can build the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Program by a company that we have, in this instance Boeing, of which I am very familiar, having worked extensively with it in the NASA Human Space Exploration Program. Let us build again. Let us manufacture again. Yes, we will create jobs, but we will create and reinforce the genius of our young people who are being trained and of those scientists who have created topnotch technology. To be on the front lines, men and women who are in the United States military need the best equipment to be able to create jobs and bring manufacturing back in this country. We need to have the competitiveness and an even playing field. No subsidies. Boeing can do it. We need to have the Pentagon recognize that America is back in the saddle again.
