Opening Statements

Today, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery, at the Full Committee's hearing entitled, "Oversight and Reform of the Department of Defense ‘4th Estate.'" For testimony and other information and to watch the hearing click here.

"Over the years, Congress has focused most of its attention on the military services and on weapons and equipment, personnel, and policy issues. We have paid relatively little attention to the rest of DOD that make up the 'Fourth Estate.' In fact, one expert has said, 'the Fourth Estate is untouched by human hands.' Yet, this portion of the Department of Defense spends about 20 percent of the budget, includes about 25 percent of the civilian workforce, and hires about 600,000 contractors.

As we are working to get more value for the taxpayer dollar, to get more resources into the hands of the warfighter faster, and to make the Department more agile and innovative in facing the wide array of security challenges before us, we cannot neglect to examine this large portion of DOD.

Yesterday, I offered a proposal to make reforms in a portion of the Fourth Estate. I look forward to receiving reactions to that legislative text.

But beyond the specific proposals, I believe that it is essential that we work across the entire Department, leaving no stone unturned, to ensure that the warfighters have the best that this country can provide and that this enormous organization is ready and able to defend our nation."