GAO Tanker Decision: Major Victory for Washington State Aerospace Industry

The GAO found that the Air Force made significant errors when it awarded a contract to build the next generation of aerial refueling tankers to the European company Airbus, and it recommended that the service reopen the contract.

"This decision isn’t a surprise," Senator Murray said in her speech on the Senate floor "Air Force and Pentagon officials have told me time and again that they followed the law and that the contract would stand up to review. But since the very beginning, it has been very clear that the Airbus tanker did not meet the Air Force’s needs – no matter what its public relations campaign has said."

"By re-evaluating this deal with proper criteria, I’m confident the Air Force will finally agree with me, they’ll award this contract to Boeing in short order, and our airmen and women will have the best possible plane to carry out their missions." -

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Wild Sky Wilderness Bill Becomes Law!

Celebrating Wild Sky Wilderness

After 6 years of working Wild Sky Wilderness through the legislative process, U.S. Senator Patty Murray and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen celebrated the final step in the process – Presidential signing. President Bush signed Wild Sky Wilderness into law this morning, creating the first new wilderness area in the state of Washington in over twenty years. -

"I could not be more proud of the spirit of togetherness and dedication that has surrounded Wild Sky from the very beginning. Today is a tribute to so many people who never gave up and never lost sight of the goal – preserving the heart and soul of this beautiful land."

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Economic Stimulus Payments

A few weeks ago the federal government began distributing the Economic Stimulus checks that Congress recently approved.

There is still time to claim a stimulus payment. This is particularly important information if you are a senior or a disabled veteran that receives Social Security or veterans’ benefits, but may not have filed taxes this year. That is because, through efforts by Democrats in the United States Senate earlier this year, you too may be eligible for an Economic Stimulus payment.

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Supreme Court: A win for big oil

"The Supreme Court's opinion today is a disappointing and undeserved loss for the tens of thousands of families and business owners who were devastated by the Exxon Valdez disaster," Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said shortly after the ruling. "Nearly 20 years later, the Northwest's fisheries and environment are still affected by Exxon's negligence, and years of legal wrangling shouldn't allow them to fall short of their responsibility to make amends."

- Seattle PI Editorial Board - June 26, 2008

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GAO says Air Force mishandled tanker deal

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., led the charge to get the contract reconsidered, arguing from the outset that the process was deeply flawed, anti-competitive and illogical. The Air Force responded by digging in. And it's still dug in, defending its decision, even after the GAO issued its withering report.

- Tri-City Herald - June 20, 2008

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GAO decision affirms Murrray’s view of Airbus-Boeing dogfight

But there’s one clear winner at this point. Murray has taught another piece of the bureaucracy to do its homework properly before it makes a decision she’s likely to question.

It will be interesting to see if the Air Force bureaucracy can grasp that lesson any quicker than its counterparts at the federal Departments of Veterans Affairs and Energy, which Murray has sparred with in the past.

- Tri-City Herald - June 19, 2008

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