The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine supports 27,000 good-paying jobs and nearly 100 small business suppliers across the State of Connecticut. For the last decade, it has exceeded expectations and powered the F-35 jet through three major upgrades, even though the engine itself has not been upgraded. 

In the face of opposition from special interest groups supporting a costly alternative engine to the Connecticut-built F135, I led a coalition of machinists and Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle in support of engine modernization, which would save taxpayers billions of dollars and secure thousands of manufacturing jobs in our state for decades to come. This week, President Biden endorsed our plan to modernize the F135 and bolster Connecticut’s manufacturing supply chain in his budget request.

I joined executives from Pratt & Whitney, local labor leaders, and machinists who work on the F135 engine to celebrate this victory at the International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 1746 in East Hartford on Thursday.  

Rep. Larson with Pratt & Whitney President Shane Eddy, President of Military Engines Jill Albertelli, IAM Local Lodge 1746 President Howie Huestis and members, and Connecticut AFL-CIO President Ed Hawthorne 

The fight is not over. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Caucus, I will continue to work with my colleagues, local partners, and President Biden to secure support for the future of Connecticut manufacturing in this year’s budget. 

To follow what I’m working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram.     

Regards,

John B. Larson
Member of Congress