WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jerry Moran recently took action to promote fairness in the competition for the next generation refueling tanker. Moran joined several other members of Congress last week in introducing the Defense Level Playing Field Act to require the Department of Defense to take into consideration the impact of illegal foreign subsidies in the tanker competition, which have unfairly disadvantaged Boeing.

Earlier this year, a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel found European governments guilty of providing illegal subsidies for development of the Airbus A330 airframe, which serves as the basis for EADS’ proposal in the KC-X tanker competition.

“Kansas workers are ready to support our men and women in uniform with the best tanker. The Pentagon must not ignore the facts, that billions in illegal subsidies have put our workers at a disadvantage in this competition. Especially in this economy, the Pentagon should not be working against millions of Americans who are looking for work. If Congress does not act before adjourning this year, I will take this fight to the Senate next year and reintroduce this legislation as one of my first acts as a U.S. Senator,” said Congressman Moran.

The Defense Level Playing Field Act, H.R. 6540, is identical to an amendment agreed upon in May by a vote of 410-8 in the U.S. House of Representatives during consideration of the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. A House and Senate agreement reached last week on the Defense Authorization Act left out the level playing field provision.