Contact: Loren Dealy (Skelton) 202-225-2539 Josh Holly (McHugh) 202-226-3988
Fran Tagmire (Andrews) 856-546-6438 Anna Koch (Conaway) 202-225-3605
WASHINGTON, DC – Today Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member John M. McHugh (R-NY), along with Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) and Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), announced that they would be introducing the Weapons Acquisition System reform Through Enhancing Technical Knowledge and Oversight (the WASTE TKO Act).
“I am very pleased to introduce this legislation that will inject greater efficiency into the weapons acquisition system and truly ensure we get the most bang for our taxpayer buck,” Chairman Skelton said. “Our bipartisan proposal contributes many good ideas to the defense acquisition reform effort. I look forward to working with our Senate colleagues to work through our differences and generate a final product that enacts the best ideas in both bills.”
“Our effort officially adds a Committee voice to the conversation about reforming the Pentagon’s system for acquiring weapons. We know from experience that the sins which cause cost overruns are generally created in the initial stages of the acquisition process. This legislation properly reforms and increases focus on the early stages of that system, requiring the evaluation of alternative solutions at more critical points and independent oversight earlier in the process,” Ranking Member McHugh said. “We look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues to enact meaningful reform in the Department of Defense.”
“Congress has recently learned that the Department of Defense is wasting taxpayer dollars through the way it buys weapons,” added Representative Andrews. “This bill reduces wasteful Defense spending and helps to ensure that the taxpayer dollars are maximized when buying the best weapons to keep America safe.”
“This bill will provide necessary oversight early in product development to proactively avoid costly mistakes and sub-par performance. Through the appointment of independent officials to review acquisition programs, more informed decisions will be made and there will be greater ability to review alternative program solutions throughout the process, without adding unnecessary additional layers of bureaucracy. I am looking forward to continue working with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to ensure that this bill gets to the House floor and gets the recognition it deserves,” Representative Mike Conaway concluded.