WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Connecticut's two senators will introduce a bill that would give the White House helicopter contract to Sikorsky Aircraft.
The Navy awarded the $6 billion Marine One replacement helicopter contract to a team headed by Lockheed Martin that included a Britsh and Italian company. At least a third of the helicopter's components would be produced overseas.
Senators Joe Lieberman and Christopher Dodd plan to submit a bill that would require the entire Marine One helicopter to be made in America, their offices announced Friday. If passed the law would apply retroactively, taking the award away from Lockheed and AgustaWestland.
"Sikorsky's competition exploited loopholes in the law to win the Marine One contract, despite having substantial foreign content that violates the spirit of Buy America laws," Lieberman said.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro,D-Conn., has sponsored a similar bill in the House of Representatives.
