Dhs Acquisition Reform Act of 2019

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Homeland Security is tasked with some of the most critical national security functions in the Federal Government. The Department is responsible for securing our borders, defending our cyber networks, safeguarding air travel, and protecting our ports. To carry out these important missions, it is imperative that DHS acquire the proper tools and equipment and maintain proper oversight of such acquisitions.

Both the Government Accountability Office and the DHS Office of Inspector General have reported on the persistent challenges that DHS has faced for years in managing its major acquisition programs. The Department's shortcomings in the management of these programs come with a hefty price tag for American taxpayers, to the tune of billions of dollars annually.

GAO reviewed acquisitions at DHS in 2016 and found that 8 of 25 major acquisition programs experienced cost overruns, schedule slips, or both. On average, these programs' cost estimates ballooned by $1.7 billion, and the key deadlines were missed by almost a year. Only 3 out of 25 major acquisition programs were on track to meet their original schedule and cost goals.

GAO has also found that DHS components have not implemented acquisition policy consistently. In 2012, GAO determined that only 4 out of 66 programs had all the required documents approved in accordance with DHS policy, and in 2015, GAO determined that DHS did not conduct needed operational testing on all acquisition programs.

Although DHS has taken steps in recent years to improve acquisition management, this process remains ripe for waste, fraud, and abuse. The Department continues to struggle to ensure that major acquisition programs adhere to their budgets, timelines, and capability goals.

To be clear, it is taxpayers who are on the hook for all of this. We must remember that every inefficiency in government spending results in an additional financial burden that must be covered by the citizens of this country.

As egregious as the cost overruns may be, the consequences of not providing the proper tools on time are even more dire. If DHS cannot provide proper oversight of its major acquisition programs, then the Department cannot provide the tools they need to execute their missions to keep Americans safe.

This bill goes a long way to correct some of the current shortfalls in the acquisition process, which will help ensure we are being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and protecting the integrity of these programs. It gives new authority over these billion-dollar programs to the Under Secretary for Management as the Chief Acquisition Officer. It fosters more thoughtful management of major acquisition programs using private-sector best practices and bolsters oversight and accountability measures.

These changes will help move the necessary tools into the hands of those protecting our homeland in a timely and efficient manner without foisting a financial burden on Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of my bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3413 is necessary to provide robust oversight of major acquisition programs to help ensure that these programs meet cost, schedule, and performance goals, and that taxpayer money is not wasted.

A previous version of this bill passed the House in the 115th Congress by a vote of 407-1.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to, once again, pass this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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