03/17/2008

Associated Press

Oregon Senate candidate Jeff Merkley is weighing in on an Air Force decision to award an aerial refueling tanker contract to rivals of Chicago-based Boeing Co.

Merkley, the speaker of the Oregon House, said Congress should investigate Feb. 29 decision awarding the $35 billion contract to Boeing rival European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. and its U.S. partner, Northrop Grumman Corp.

Merkley called the contract award a threat to national security and said American tax dollars should not be used to outsource American jobs. The Boeing plan would have created about 9,000 jobs in Washington state and 225 jobs in Oregon.

Merkley is one of two Democrats seeking the Senate seat held by Republican Gordon Smith.