House Democrats encourage Department of Defense to bring Air Force contract jobs to Arizona

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX– House Democrats have sent a letter to Congress urging their assistance in bringing Air Force contract jobs to Arizona.

More than 20 Democratic members of the Arizona House of Representatives have signed the letter. At stake is more than 1,000 Arizona jobs and $40 million in economic impact if a critical Air Force aerial refueling tanker contract is awarded to foreign-based firm EADS over an American-based company.

During a conference call with reporters Thursday morning, Rep. Steve  Gallardo of Phoenix and Rep. Theresa Ulmer of Yuma conveyed their concerns about the contract.

“We cannot allow more of our essential manufacturing jobs to be outsourced to Europe,” Rep. Gallardo said. “A domestic contract would put men and women to work here in Arizona and create $40 million in annual economic impact to our state.”

“We must give the contract to a firm that has the best interests of our military in mind,” Rep. Ulmer said. “Hard-working men and women here in the United States deserve jobs.”