Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), along with a bipartisan group of Representatives, introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that will require the Department of Defense to take into account the illegal subsidies that Airbus has received from European governments when it awards a contract for the next generation of aerial refueling tankers. The amendment was cosponsored by Rep. Todd Tiahrt (KS-04), Rep. Jay Inslee (WA-01), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Rep. Mike Turner (OH-03) and Rep. Russ Carnahan (MO-03). The World Trade Organization has ruled that Airbus received billions in illegal subsidies to develop the A330 airframe, on which the Airbus tanker is based. The National Defense Authorization Act is expected to be voted on tomorrow.


“This amendment is part of my continuing efforts to force the Department of Defense to take into account the illegal subsidies that Airbus has received.  This amendment requires DOD to recognize that Airbus is pumped up on illegal fiscal steroids and factor that information into the tanker competition.

“Northwest aerospace workers are the best in the world and Boeing is ready, willing and able to build an outstanding tanker for our military.

“It is time to end the delays and move forward with a fair, open and transparent competition so we can build much-needed tankers for our men and women in uniform and create good-paying jobs in Washington state.