Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) has decided to look into the arrangement Boeing has just made with the Justice Department to end a three-year investigation—and not stop there. According to the Associated Press news service, Warner wants to review the mechanics that led to defense contracts for other companies, as well. The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee may have been prompted by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a frequent critic of Air Force acquisition efforts, who told reporters after hearing of the Boeing deal that it might be time for a hearing on the matter. It appears, though, that Warner has decided to broaden the scope beyond the Air Force and the Darleen Druyun affair, which continues, at Air Force urging, to receive a fair amount of review by the DOD IG, which released another audit report last week.
Lawmakers are growing impatient for an overdue fighter recapitalization study from the Air Force, and members say they'll demand more detailed justifications for future aircraft retirements.