Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Donald M. Payne voted in favor of major military procurement reform today that will save taxpayers billions of dollars each year, while keeping Americans safe with the most advanced weapons systems available. The legislation will now go to President Obama to be signed into law.  The Weapons Acquisition System Reform Act of 2009, S 454, will revolutionize the way we select and oversee major purchases and it will give the American people confidence that their tax dollars are being well spent. 

Payne said, "This Congress and President Obama have made transparency and accountability in Washington a priority.  This legislation will help root out the fraud, waste and abuse that have plagued our military procurement processes." 

A report by the Government Accountability Office found that as of 2009 the Pentagon’s 96 largest acquisition programs were $296 billion over budget.  That is more than the amount the government spends on salaries and health care for the entire American military for two full years.  These same programs are also, on average, 22-months behind schedule.

Payne said, "The waste in our military spending is out of control and must end.  The American people deserve to know that their government is getting the most for each tax dollar we spend.  In these times of economic distress, American families are tightening their belts and saving money where they can.  We must do the same here in Washington."

This legislation will substantially beef up the oversight of the Pentagon’s system for acquiring weapons and will promote the greater use of competition in awarding contracts.  It will require the Secretary of Defense to designate an official as the Department’s principal expert on performance assessment in acquisition and mandate that weapons systems that fail to meet the standards and schedules set out face annual reviews from oversight officials and increased scrutiny by Congress.  It will also require the Pentagon set up a new system to track the cost overruns and schedule changes that happen early on in the procurement process – when most of the waste and the least of the oversight currently occur.
 
"With these reforms, we are taking bold steps to save taxpayers billions of dollars and restore integrity to our procurement process," said Payne.  "We are protecting the American people and keeping our military strong while reining in out of control costs and abusive practices."

###