WASHINGTON—U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) today issued the following statement following the announcement that the KC-X tanker replacement bid process has been delayed until next year. Tiahrt was contacted by the Department of Defense announcing that the official request for proposal (RFP) has been cancelled and that no RFP will be issued under this Administration.

“I am very pleased we been successful in what we have been fighting for,” said Tiahrt. “I have been fighting for American workers to have a fair opportunity to build our next tanker. Some officials in the Pentagon insisted on throwing this competition to a French-made tanker, and we said not on our watch. We said to the Pentagon – Boeing workers need more time. We demanded fairness for Boeing workers and that’s exactly what happened with today’s decision.

“Extending the timeline and giving American workers a chance to compete is what I have been fighting for. Today the Pentagon acknowledged fatal problems in how it has handled this process and agreed with me that more time is needed for American workers to fairly compete.

"Boeing workers now have an even better opportunity to build our next tanker.

“After speaking with Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, it is clear the Pentagon has weighed the implications of a skewed competition. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Deputy Defense Secretary England made the right decision postponing this tanker proposal request until next year. By doing so, they have rejected an outright award for a French-made tanker.”