Video: Raw: Murray questions Gates over lost Boeing contract

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SEATTLE - Senator Patty Murray had a respectful but very direct interaction Tuesday with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates over why Boeing lost a $35 billion air tanker contract.

During the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee Tuesday, leaders wanted to know how the Air Force came to its decision to award the billion dollar tanker bid to European owned Airbus. Murray said it doesn't make sense because Boeing's tanker is safer.

"Now I have to say I am deeply concerned that the EADS platform has a lower score on survivability  than the Boeing 767 shouldn't we be buying the most survivable tanker?" Murray, (D)-Washington, told Gates. 

"Again I'm no expert on this, but just based on our experience of five years of war in Iraq that survivability of the tanker has not been a particular problem," Gates replied.

Murray said she is still not getting the answers she is looking for.

"I had meetings and asked questions of the Air Force the National Guard, the Air Force Reserve and members of your staff regarding cost and process and I have to tell you I am still not satisfied," said Murray.

Gates deflected most of Murray's questions and deferred to the General Accounting Office, who is investigating the Air Force's decision after Boeing appealed the contract decision.

"The only comment I would make because I am far from expert on this subject is that I look forward to the completion of the GAO response to the protest that was filed to see how they come out on it," said Gates.

Answers to failed Boeing contract elusive

Murray in the past has asked some pointed and pertinent questions, but the answers from Defense Department subordinates have been elusive.

CNN

Sen. Patty Murray at a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee meeting on March 12, 2008.

"We're going to find ourselves several years from now, not only giving away $40 billion worth of economic development to a foreign country, but finding ourselves having to pay huge increase tax costs because we have to build the infrastructure as well," said Murray last week.

Murray lobbed criticism on top Pentagon officials in the past several weeks on the $35 billion air tanker refueling contract. Her questions only resulted in Pentagon officials saying they were not part of the decision making process.