Bringing the Air Force Tanker project, the USS Nimitz and the P-8As to Northwest Washington

Northwest Washington’s ties to the United States armed forces are strong and proud. I am working to strengthen those ties to bring more jobs to our communities and maintain vital economic centers. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I fight every day on behalf of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines.

I fought hard with my colleagues to make sure the Air Force selected the women and men of Boeing to build the new aerial refueling tanker. That decision was right for our service members, and it was right for our community, bringing thousands of new jobs to Northwest Washington.

I worked with the Navy to bring the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier to Naval Station Everett to replace the USS Lincoln when she deployed overseas. And I announced this year that Everett will now be home to three destroyers, replacing the soon-to-be decommissioned frigates at the base. These decisions secure the long-term future of Naval Station Everett and the thousands of jobs on and off the base that support its mission.

And I am fighting to hold the Navy to its commitment to bring the new P-8A aircraft to Whidbey Island. Not only is this the best decision for our national security, it would secure the base’s position as a critical component of our nation’s long-term Asia-Pacific security mission.

These decisions take leadership and advocacy, and I am proud to be that leader and advocate every day on behalf of our workers, sailors, airmen and neighbors in Northwest Washington.