Brickley lashes out at Larson

Press release from Ann Brickley, the endorsed Republican candidate in the 1st District:

Hartford, CT --Ann Brickley, the Republican endorsed candidate for the First Congressional District said today that in the past five years Congress has spent billions funding the development of a fighter engine that would compete with the Pratt and Whitney engine which powers the Joint Strike Fighter.

Congressman John Larson did his usual song and dance by stating that the funding is a as “a prime example of wasteful spending,” (Hartford Courant, May 27) while he continues to donate thousands of dollars to the campaigns of fellow congressmen who are voting in favor of the alternate development funding. He has already contributed to more than 80 campaigns for the 2010 election. “We have now witnessed the same scenario for five years,” Brickley said. Much of the money he is contributing came from Connecticut residents supporting his campaign PAC. 

The Air Force doesn’t want the alternate engine, the Navy doesn’t want it and the Secretary of Defense said publically said it would be a complete waste of tax dollars, yet the congressional charade goes on.  “If we keep funding development there will certainly be an effort to use the engine.  This would be a catastrophic loss to Pratt and Whitney and Connecticut,” Brickley continued.

“As the number four leader in the House of Representatives, Congressman Larson should be able to stop this obscene waste and the stop should have come in the Armed Services Committee that voted to include $485 million dollars for further development of the alternative engine last week,” Brickley concluded.

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Larson speaks out against 'wasteful' engine

Press release from U.S. Rep. John Larson, the East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol:

LARSON SPEAKS ON FLOOR AGAINST F-35 EXTRA ENGINE

Stands with President, Sec Gates and Military in opposing wasteful program

Washington, DC – Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) made the following statement on the floor in support of the Pingree Amendment to strip funding for the wasteful and unnecessary F-35 Extra Engine Program from the Defense Authorization Act. (As prepared for delivery.)

“All across America families are tightening their belts - making-do with less. They expect the same from Congress. Imagine their utter frustration when they hear Congress is pushing forward an unwanted and unnecessary $3 billion program.

“Only in Washington, DC could a company that lost the competition in the private sector, and already controls 88% of the military engine market, come seeking a government-directed subsidy and call that competition. I guess competition in this town means buying two of everything with taxpayers’ money.

“The Marines, the Navy, and the Air Force have all said they don’t want it. They don’t need it. The President has called this program an example of the ‘unnecessary defense programs that do nothing to keep us safe.’ Why are we moving ahead with it?

“If we can’t cut spending here, where can we cut it? If we don’t make tough choices to rein in wasteful spending now, when will we make them?

“This is about whose side you’re on. Are you on the side of excessive spending? Or, are you on the side of saving taxpayer money and supporting our troops?”

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com