March 24, 2011        

Carson statement on stop work order for second engine

INDIANAPOLIS – Congressman André Carson released the following statement on today’s announcement by the Department of Defense (DOD) that it has issued a stop work order for the Joint Strike Fighter’s alternate engine program. The engine, developed by Rolls Royce and their partner General Electric, is produced at a Rolls Royce plant in Indianapolis.

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“First and foremost I am deeply concerned about the hundreds of hard-working Hoosiers at the Indianapolis Rolls-Royce plant who are now facing the loss of their jobs. It is unacceptable to cancel a program that supports so many jobs and has received over a decade of support from Congress with short notice and no consultation from Congress.

“The OMB and DOD have continually offered reassurance that the program will not be cancelled as long as it is still being debated in Congress.  Although H.R. 1 cut funding for the F136, it was not even considered in the Senate.  Clearly, without approval of both houses, the debate is ongoing.

“I continue to believe that innovation and competition are vital when it comes to our nation’s defense and that’s why I will continue my efforts to see that funding for this critical program is reinstated.”

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