“Robert’s opposition to the Rooney Amendment was a vote to prevent a devastating $100 billion monopoly to a single-source contractor that would have driven up costs for Central and Southside Virginians. Robert’s vote against the Amendment was one to strengthen the fundamental free market principle of competition and save taxpayers in the 5th District as much as $21 billion.” – Amanda Henneberg, Spokesman for Robert Hurt
On Background: The non-partisan Government Accountability Office has twice found that by continuing the F-35 engine competition taxpayers would have reached significant savings of approximately $21 billion over the life of the program.
On Background: What Other Conservatives Are Saying About The Joint Strike Fighter
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN-06) “I support a strong national defense and fair competition in defense contracting. As such, I will vote AGAINST any amendment to kill the alternate engine program for the Joint Strike Fighter. GAO estimates that competition for the engine can save the taxpayers up to 21%, which would result in a total saving of approximately $20 billion. In the final analysis, the alternate engine program is good for the war-fighter, and the taxpayers.”
Congressman Mike Pence (IN-06) “The essential choice before us is between competition and sole source contracting. Either we can require two companies to engage in head-to-head competition each year for the next 30 years–or give one company a sole source contract worth $100 billion for the next 30 years. Which do you think is most likely to control costs and deliver the best engine to the American taxpayer?”
Congressman Jack Kingston (GA-01) “Competition is good. And over the life of the F-35, having choice will improve performance and lower cost. With tight budget realities we do not need to be penny wise and pound foolish.”
Congressman Mike Conaway (TX-11) “The Pratt & Whitney Company is desperately trying to achieve through legislation a $100 billion, 30-year, sole source engine monopoly for the Joint Strike Fighter to avoid competition in the marketplace.”
Mackenzie M. Eaglen Research Fellow for National Security, The Heritage Foundation “Congress passed an acquisition reform law that requires competition for all major subsystems, including fighter engines. This engine program would also help to ensure that the U.S. maintains engine competition for future fighter programs including potential sixth-generation aircraft.”
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