McCain Helps Stiff U.S. Workers in Airbus Deal

Outrage from Boeing workers and their union, the Machinists, has spilled into outrage on Capitol Hill over Pentagon's decision to award a $40 billion contract for Air Force fueling tankers to a team led by the European parent of Airbus. And angry lawmakers are pointing the finger in part at John McCain.

The New York Times reports that the Arizona senator and Republican presidential candidate is being blamed "for his role in scuttling a previous deal to let Boeing supply the tankers.  McCain has boasted of those efforts, saying he prevented wasteful spending."  Had the deal gone to Boeing, it would have supported 44,000 existing and new American jobs.

Members of the House Appropriations Committee warned that they will kill the deal if the Pentagon can not adequately explain why it made the deal with Airbus.