- Lawmakers grilled Boeing CEO David Calhoun about the company’s safety standards during a hearing on Tuesday.
- Ahead of the hearing, a Senate subcommittee released a new report filled with new allegations against Boeing.
- But Calhoun insisted at the hearing that he was “proud” of the company’s safety standards.
Boeing Chief Executive Officer David Calhoun defended the company’s safety record at a Senate hearing on Tuesday amid continuing safety concerns that have plagued Boeing planes in recent months.
During the hearing, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri grilled Calhoun, accusing him of “cutting corners.”
“You’re eliminating safety procedures. You’re putting strain on employees. You’re cutting jobs because you’re trying to squeeze every penny you can out of this company,” Hawley said in a video of the hearing posted to YouTube. “You’re trying to strip Boeing.”
Hawley also cited the approximately $33 million in compensation Calhoun received last year and asked why he has not yet resigned.
“Senator, I’m going to get this done. I’m proud to serve in this office. I’m proud of our country’s safety record. And I’m very proud of the people of Boeing,” Calhoun said.
“Are you proud of your safety record?” Senator Hawley interjected.
“I’m proud of all the actions we’ve taken,” Calhoun said.
“Frankly, I think it’s a tragedy that you’re still in office,” Senator Hawley responded.
Calhoun became Boeing’s president in January 2020, when the company’s 737 Max jets were grounded after two crashes killed 346 people.
Family members of those killed in the 2018 crash of Lion Air Flight 610 and the 2019 crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 also attended the hearing, some holding up photos of their lost loved ones.
The hearing marks the first time that Boeing officials have appeared before Congress since the 737 Max 9. Door plug It exploded from an Alaska Airlines plane in January.
Calhoun announced in March that he would retire at the end of the year, but the company has struggled to find a replacement.
Hours before the hearing, a subcommittee investigating Boeing’s safety practices released a 204-page report that included new whistle-blower allegations that defective parts were lost in the 737 program and may have ended up in new planes.
Boeing did not respond to a request for comment about Calhoun’s interactions with Sen. Hawley, but a representative told BI the company is reviewing the new whistleblower allegations.
A Boeing spokesman said, “Our top priority is ensuring the safety of our planes and our customers, and we continue to encourage employees to come forward with any concerns they may have.”
