Providing For Passage Of H.R. 2101, Weapons Acquisition System Reform Through Enhancing Technical Knowledge And Oversight Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

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Mr. FLEMING. Madam Speaker, I thank Ranking Member McHugh and also Chairman Skelton. I rise to speak about and to support H.R. 2101.

We must continue providing a strong national defense while reining in out-of-control cost growth in the development of major weapons systems. Taxpayers deserve to get the most bang for their buck, especially when national security matters are involved. Cost overruns in major defense weapons systems are a huge drain on the defense budget.

This bill accomplishes this in three ways, number one, by ensuring accuracy of information for performance assessment; number two, providing intensive care to sick programs, sometimes they need just a little nudge to get back on track; and, number three, tracking cost growth in the early stages of development. By the time a program reaches milestone B, 75 percent of its costs are already locked in. Currently, there is no process to review alternative solutions when cost or schedule growth occurs during this period.

Now, there is a companion bill in the Senate we have already discussed, the Levin-McCain legislation. And members on the House Armed Services Committee share the concerns addressed in the Senate bill. By comparison, about 25 percent of the two bills are the same, about 50 percent of the provisions are overlapping, and about 25 percent of our solutions on the House side are in addition. H.R. 2101 takes a different approach from the Levin-McCain legislation bill in how it addresses issues of systems engineering and other matters.

In summary, Madam Speaker, I support H.R. 2101, and I ask that my fellow Members support it as well.

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