Smith Votes for Accountability in Acquisition of Major Weapons Programs

Press Release

Smith Votes for Accountability in Acquisition of Major Weapons Programs

Today, in an effort to rein in excessive cost in the development of major weapons programs, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) voted in favor of the Weapons Acquisition System Reform Through Enhancing Technical Knowledge and Oversight (WASTE TKO) Act of 2009.

"Tax payers deserve accountability and transparency when it comes to the use of their money - especially in relation to national security," said Congressman Adam Smith. "To ensure our military continues to be the best in the world we must utilize every dollar spent on National Defense in the most efficient and effective way. When it comes to our major weapons programs this is not always the case. WASTE TKO will help substantially improve the oversight of our major weapon systems acquisitions and reduce excessive cost growth."

The Government Accountability Office recently speculated that as of 2009 the Department of Defense (DOD) had $296 billion of cost growth on 96 major weapons systems. While some have put the number closer to $166 billion, the need for action is apparent. The bill moves to address cost growth in three significant ways by:

Requiring the Secretary of Defense to designate an official as the Department's principal expert on performance assessment in acquisition. This official will provide the Department and Congress with unbiased evaluations of just how successful or unsuccessful our acquisition programs are. This individual will ensure that Congress has the most accurate information to evaluate;

Mandating that weapons systems not meeting the standards set for entering system development get additional annual reviews from oversight officials, and additional scrutiny from Congress;

Requiring the Department to set up a new system to track the cost growth and schedule changes that happen prior to the decision where system development begins. Currently, there is no process to review alternative solutions when cost or schedule growth occurs during this period.

The Obama administration has been calling for acquisition reform. In response, the House Armed Services Committee created the Panel on Defense Acquisition Reform, chaired by Rep. Robert Andrews (D-N.J.). The panel then worked with Chairman Skelton to draft the legislation passed by Congress today. After the Memorial Day break, the panel will meet again to develop further recommendations to be incorporated into future legislation, including the FY10 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

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