President Obama speaks at a White House ceremony in the Rose Garden where he signed the "Weapons Acquisition System Reform Bill, cosponsored by Neil and Chairman Skelton, second from right. Photo/Office of Rep. Ike Skelton.
Neil was part of a White House ceremony in the Rose Garden today (5/22/09) when the President signed a bill, cosponsored by Neil, that will save U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars.
The House and Senate on Thursday, May 21, 2009, gave final approval to the legislation, the "Weapons Acquisition System Reform Bill," that will revolutionize the way the U.S. government selects and oversees major purchases, while keeping the nation safe with the most advanced weapons systems available.
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 an average of 22-months behind schedule.
“A few American companies have wreaked havoc on our country’s economy and provoked national outrage because they put profits above market stability, the long-term benefit of their customers and any sense of business ethics,” U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie told a House Judiciary Committee hearing last month when he testified on the House version of the measure.
“Wars have always been huge and highly profitable business, but never have we seen the pursuit of profit practiced with more cavalier disregard for the health and safety of our troops, the success of our reconstruction efforts or the continuing support of the American public,” said Abercrombie. “Some government contractors have declared open season on the U.S. taxpayer.
Read Neil's news release about the bill's final passage. And, see and read more about this issue:
See a video report about Neil's testimony to the House Judiciary Committee on this issue; and
See a related video of a speech Neil gave to a Washington, D.C. conference of defense industry and media representatives when he spoke about the need to address the critical, immediate needs of U.S. troops and to take a more realisitc approach to funding the Army's multi-billion dollar modernization program called the "Future Combat Systems." He also addresses this issue in a news release.
