Thursday, March 6, 2008

Ala. Dems to Speaker Pelosi: Leave Alabama Jobs Alone!

With Alabama's Democratic Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom leading the way, the Alabama Democrats have collectively told their fellow Democrat Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to back off.

Earlier this week Folsom fired off a testy letter to Pelosi expressing his dismay and bewilderment over her call for a congressional hearing on the federal contract awarded to Northrop Grumman/EADS.

Under the new contract, Northrop Grumman/EADS will build the U.S. Air Force's aeiral refuleling tankers at Mobile's Brookley Field Industrial Complex, creating more than 2,000 new jobs in the state.

"Congressional hearings serve only to delay the positive impacts this project will have on our state and our people," Folsom said in his letter. "As you well know, the exhaustive bidding and vendor selection process required over twoyears to complete and should have answered any concerns you may now have. I find it hard to understand your sudden scrutiny of this selection."


The Alabama Senate Democratic Caucus is having the same time understanding and introduced a resolution criticizing Pelosi's call for congressional hearings.

Senate Majority Leader Zeb Little, D-Cullman, intoduced the resoluition and it was co-sponsored by a majority of the Senate, passed the Senate today with a unanimous vote.

Boeing Co. lost the $40 billion jet tanker contract to Northrop Grumman/EADS. Supporters of Boeing Co. in Congress want the contract suspended until lawmakers can review the decision.

“It is tough when you have to criticize a national leader of the Democratic Party, but this issue is not about political party. It is about what is in the best interests of Alabama and this nation," said State Sen. Pat Lindsey, D-Butler. "Speaker Pelosi should not play politics with Alabama jobs, and our Caucus will stand up to anyone, Republican or Democrat, who threatens jobs for our families."

“By every conceivable measure Northrop Grumman had the best proposal to build the tankers, and Alabama is certainly the best place in America to build the tankers. The best thing for this nation's security and the best thing for Alabama's economy is to leave this contract alone,” Lindsey said.

Little said the contract is a major coup for Alabama.

“The contract was won fair and square, and it’s time for Washington politicians to step aside and allow Alabama to get to work as soon as possible.”

State Sen. Vivian Figures of Mobile, who is running for the U.S. Senate, said the contract will have an immediate and long-term impact on Alabama.

“It was awarded on merit only, not politics, and that is the way it should be," she said. "Our military leaders made the best decision, Northrop had the best proposal and Alabama has the best workers. It's time to get out of the way and let us get to work.”

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