Washington (CNN) Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told Senate lawmakers Thursday that he has not spoken to anyone in the administration about the Boeing 737 Max 8 jet and has not been briefed on any of the problems related to the aircraft despite working for the company for 31 years prior to taking a job at the Pentagon.

His testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee comes one day after President Donald Trump announced the US decision to ground all 737 Max jets in the aftermath of Sunday's Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash.

Specifically, Shanahan was grilled by Connecticut Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who pressed the former Boeing executive on his knowledge of issues related to the Boeing-made jet.

Blumenthal: I'd like to know whether you have spoken about the Boeing 737 Max 8 to anyone in the administration, in the Department of Transportation or in the White House?

Shanahan: Senator, I've not spoken to anyone regarding the 737 Max.

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