Alinghi announced this week it had signed another Team New Zealand member, navigator Mike Drummond, who was also akey figure in New Zealand's design team.
Rep. Mike Ross, D-Arkansas, and akey leader of the conservative Democratic group known as the Blue Dogs, told reporters he shares Elmendorf's concerns.
Last season's relegation, coupled with the financial uncertainty at Newcastle as a result of owner Mike Ashley's frustrated attempts to sell the club has resulted in the sale of a number of key players this summer.