What role has been played by Washingtons Democratic senators, Cantwell and Patty Murray?
The deal is important to both of them, but neither is on the Armed Services Committee, where the significant debate is now centered. Cantwell has directed a staffer to put together facts on the deal to answer questions senators may have. For Murray, organized labor is a significant part of her base in the state, and the tanker deal represents thousands of jobs. However, the Congressional Research Service has raised questions about how many of those jobs would be new, or whether some would come from the 747 line, also facing difficulties. Critics of the deal at Taxpayers for Common Sense worry that Murray could sway the debate in Boeing’s favor by telling Democrats that she needs the deal for her 2004 re-election and to help win control of the narrowly divided Senate. Seattle Times researcher Gene Balk contributed to this report.
