Boeing CEO Faces Grilling from Senator Hawley over Safety Culture and Executive Compensation

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Investigations in Washington, where he faced tough questions from Senator Josh Hawley. During the hearing focused on Boeing’s safety culture, Hawley grilled Calhoun about his significant earnings from the company.

Hawley pointed out that Boeing reported Calhoun’s 2023 salary at $32.8 million, a substantial increase from the previous year. Despite the fact that Boeing failed to turn a profit during Calhoun’s four years as CEO and its stock price decreased over that time, Hawley questioned why Calhoun hadn’t resigned yet. He implied that Calhoun had benefitted greatly financially from his position at Boeing, drawing attention to the disparity between the company’s performance and the CEO’s earnings.

In response to Hawley’s persistent questioning, Calhoun expressed pride in his tenure at Boeing, citing his commitment to the job and the company’s safety record. However, Hawley challenged Calhoun on his assertion of pride in Boeing’s safety record, to which Calhoun confidently reiterated his satisfaction with the actions taken by the company.

The tense exchange between Senator Hawley and CEO Calhoun underscored concerns about executive compensation and corporate accountability, particularly in light of Boeing’s safety issues and financial performance. Hawley’s pointed questioning highlighted the contentious relationship between the company’s leadership and lawmakers seeking answers and accountability.