Speaker calls for review of Air Force tanker contract

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called Monday for a congressional review of the Air Force's decision to select the team of Northrop Grumman Corp. and EADS, the European maker of the Airbus, for a lucrative contract to supply a new fleet of aerial refueling tankers.

"Given the ramifications of this decision for the United States, the Air Force must explain to Congress how it meets the long-term needs of our military and the American people," Pelosi said in a statement. Congress must examine the national security implications of using a foreign-built aircraft for a mission as essential as aerial refueling, she added.

Pelosi joined an increasing number of lawmakers who have expressed concern after Friday's announcement by the Air Force to select the Northrop Grumman/EADS team over U.S. aerospace giant Boeing Co. for the tanker contract, potentially worth $40 billion. The contract award prompted outcries from both ends of the political spectrum that American jobs will be lost to Europe.

A House leadership aide said some Democrats brought their concerns to the speaker. "She's not saying don't do it," the aide said. "She's just saying we should make sure . . . questions are answered."