The decision did not sit well with Boeing supporters on Capitol Hill.

"They shouldn't cave to more games from a foreign competitor," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington. "I believe in fair and open competition, but this is no time to put American service members and workers on hold while a foreign company waffles."

Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kansas, said it would be a mistake to "yield to international politics."

Tiahrt said he had talked with Ashton Carter, the Pentagon's undersecretary for acquisition, who indicated that the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. had requested a 90-day extension of the bid deadline.

"For us to yield to international politics would not be in the best interest of our fighting men and women," said Tiahrt.