Tuesday, February 09, 2010 - 9:33:49 AM

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Senator Schumer on VH-71 - 8/3/2009

Senator Charles Schumer says there's reason to believe Lockheed Martin's VH-71 helicopter won't face the same fate as the F-22 fighter plane program President Obama recently shot down.

"We have lots of other fighters," he said. "The VH-71 is unique."

Schumer says the copters protect the president and are used frequently, while F-22s aren't often used by soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Even though Obama has issued a veto advisory on funding for the VH-71s, Schumer says this is different from the veto threat placed on the F-22s.

"What the president issued was the second level. It wasn't good that he issued it, believe me, but it could've been worse," Schumer said.

Lockheed Martin says it plans to continue shutting down the VH-71 program until it receives word of any changes from Washington, but local officials say having Schumer's support gives them reason to be optimistic.

The senator praised grassroots efforts to save the program.

"I asked him, I said, 'Senator, what can we do? What can we do to help? He said, 'Keep writing, keep putting the pressure on," said Martha Sauerbrey, president and CEO of the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce.

Schumer says that's what he'll be doing in Washington -- working to save the program, although no one connected with the Obama administration has pledged definite support.

"I've said, 'Look: we know your position, but don't stand in the way if we prevail.' They haven't said, 'yes,' they haven't said, 'no,'" said Schumer.

Schumer says the question of VH-71's fate will be resolved by October 1 -- the day the country's new budget is put into effect.

***FOX 40's Sarah Blazonis Reporting***

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