Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts) and Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut) have called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Boeing executives. letter On Wednesday, the company accused it of putting profits ahead of safety.
“For years, the federal government has accused Boeing of prioritizing profits over passenger safety without holding fully accountable Boeing and its executives directly responsible for compromising passenger safety. We have condemned Boeing,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. .
“[T]”The combination of relatively small fines and slow efforts to improve aircraft safety has proven insufficient to bring about real change at the company,” they added.
Lawmakers also noted that Boeing has had three CEOs in the past six years.
Last month, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker testified before the Senate about Boeing's shortages. The agency's memo highlighted that aircraft manufacturers had inadequately trained personnel and had not conducted adequate quality checks.
Boeing has experienced several highly publicized technical failures this year, including the mid-air explosion of a door plug on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 in January. The Boeing 737-9 MAX made an emergency landing at the Portland airport, with no fatalities. Passengers were shaken, and several required short-term treatment for apparently non-life-threatening injuries.
Whitaker's testimony also came after Boeing's 33,000 machinists went on strike. The company had made its “best and last” offer to the union, proposing a schedule of wage increases and increased severance benefits.
Boeing declined to comment when contacted.
The Hill also contacted the FAA and the Department of Justice.
