On 6/18/2024, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley highlighted Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun’s salary — $32.8 million this year, which is a 45% increase over last year — and asked what Calhoun gets “paid to do exactly.”

“I get paid to run the Boeing company,” Calhoun answered.

Hawley asked if transparency and safety are part of that job description, and Calhoun said yes.

“If safety is a component of your $33 million compensation package, how can you qualify for any of this?” Hawley said. “I think the truth is, Mr. Calhoun, you’re not focused on safety, you’re not focused on quality, you’re not focused on transparency.”

Later in the exchange, Hawley challenged Calhoun even more.

“It’s working out great for you. For the American people, they’re in danger; for your workers, they’re in peril; for your whistleblowers, they literally fear for their lives; but you’re getting compensated like never before”

Calhoun has already announced plans to retire by the end of this year. But for Senator Josh Hawley, that’s not soon enough.

In a brutal back and forth hearing on Boeing’s broken safety culture, the Missouri Republican questioned Calhoun about how much money he was paid. Calhoun declined to answer directly, responding only “It’s a big number.”

Hawley cited the $32.8 million in salary that was reported by Boeing for his pay in 2023, which was a 45% increase over the previous year.

After Calhoun conceded the company had not seen a profit in his four years as CEO and that its stock price was down over that period, Hawley cited the salary and pay raise again and said, “If anyone has come out of this deal good, it’s you,”

“Why haven’t you resigned?” Hawley followed up.

“Senator, I’m sticking this through. I’m proud of having taken the job. I’m proud of this safety record, and I’m proud of our Boeing people,” Calhoun replied.

“You’re proud of this safety record?” Hawley asked incredulously.

“I’m proud of every action we have taken,” Calhoun replied.

“Every action you’ve taken?” Hawley asked again.

“Yes, sir,” Calhoun said.

“Wow. There’s some news for you,” Hawley concluded.

Hawley accused Calhoun of trying to blame the company’s problems on the employees, when it’s actually the management’s fault.

“I don’t think the problem’s with the employees,” Hawley said. “I think the problem’s with you. You. It’s the c-suite. It’s the management. It’s what you’ve done to this company. That’s where the problem is.”

Hawley said Boeing’s machinists and engineers are probably the best in the world.

“You’re the problem,” he said to Calhoun. “And I just hope to God you don’t destroy this company before it can be saved.”

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Hawley to Boeing CEO Calhoun: $33M per year, 45% increase, Why haven’t you resigned? You’re the problem