Boeing set to get extra funds for C-17 program

Published: Mar 09, 2006
Source: www.thenewstribune.com



Washington - The Boeing Co. would receive about $100 million for its C-17 transport program as part of a $92 billion emergency funding package for Iraq military operations and Hurricane Katrina recovery that is moving toward a House vote.

The money was added by the Appropriations Committee, which was set to approve the spending legislation late Wednesday, said Republican Rep. Bill Young of Florida, chairman of the defense subcommittee.

Boeing and representatives from about 150 subcontractors were in Washington on Wednesday, lobbying lawmakers to overturn a Pentagon decision to stop C-17 purchases after the 180 aircraft on order. Boeing’s Long Beach, Calif., plant would close in 2008 without additional orders; 147 of the planes have been delivered.

Young said the addition of the $100 million doesn’t signal that Congress will reverse the Defense Department. The money would allow Boeing to keep on contract companies that build specialized C-17 parts that would be necessary if more aircraft should be ordered, he said.continue..