Biden To Oshkosh On Friday, Where Company Is Laying Off Workers Due To Defense Cuts

The Pentagon buys fewer vehicles from Oshkosh Corp.

A military vehicle passes by the Oshkosh plant in Wisconsin October 12, 2011. Image by Darren Hauck / Reuters

Vice President Joe Biden is campaigning in Oshkosh on Friday, a day after one of the largest area employers announced 450 layoffs — the result of expected cuts to the Department of Defense.

Oshkosh Corp. will layoff 450 manufacturing workers in January, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Thursday, saying the Pentagon is expected to purchase few of the company’s military vehicles. The military cut its requested budget for ground vehicles by 32 percent in the 2013 fiscal year.

The timing of the visit was noted by the Romney campaign. The Republican nominee has proposed increasing military spending — especially the number of ships in the Navy.