Pfizer Inc.'s record of job cuts after acquisitions is nowdrawing heat from both sides of the Atlantic. U.S. and statepoliticians yesterday joined their U.K. counterparts in questioningthe economic impact of the drugmaker's push to buy AstraZenecaPlc.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Delaware Governor JackMarkell said they fear the deal will lead to job losses in theirstates in a letter to Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Ian Read. Theletter was released hours after Senator Carl Levin said he iswriting legislation to block U.S. companies from shifting theirlegal addresses overseas to avoid U.S. taxes, a move Pfizer hasproposed as part of the transaction.

The U.S. backlash follows Read's commitment to U.K. officialsthat Pfizer would keep at least 20 percent of the combinedcompany's R&D workers and substantial manufacturing plants inthe U.K. for at least five years. The governors wrote that theywant some assurances as well.