UPDATE: Chambliss to co-chair U.S. Senate Aerospace Caucus

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss will co-chair the U.S. Senate Aerospace Caucus during the upcoming 112th Congress.

“Ensuring a strong aerospace industry is critical to our national defense,” Chambliss said in a statement. “…I look forward to advancing the priorities of this caucus in the 112th Congress.”

U.S. Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Kit Bond, R-Mo., started the Aerospace Caucus in May 2010. Among the caucus’ responsibilities are promoting development programs aimed at preparing Americans for aerospace industry careers and advocating for increased government investment in aviation development and infrastructure.

“(We) launched this caucus to protect and advocate a strong, secure and competitive American aerospace industry,” Bond said in a statement. “As a long-time supporter of this critical industry and a founding member of the Aerospace Caucus, I am confident Sen. Chambliss will continue that fight.”

In a statement, Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO Marion C. Blakey said Chambliss throughout his career “has demonstrated clear leadership on issues important to our industry and our nation.”