Brad Ellsworth: “I rise today in strong support of this critically important defense acquisition reform legislation. Last year, Mr.…”

“I rise today in strong support of this critically important defense acquisition reform legislation. Last year, Mr. Chair, Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate came together to pass bipartisan major weapons system acquisition reform legislation. Last year's reform effort aimed to reel in the cost overruns of approximately $300 billion in major weapons systems. The bill we are considering today, the IMPROVE Acquisition Act, serves as a worthy companion to the acquisition reform overhaul by focusing on how the Department of Defense procures approximately $200 billion a year in services. The ideas included in this bill were realized through a year's worth of hearings held by the Defense Acquisition Reform Panel. I was honored to participate in the seven-member panel which was tasked by Chairman Ike Skelton to conduct a comprehensive review of the defense acquisition system. Thanks to the focused leadership of Chairman Rob Andrews and Ranking Member Mike Conaway, the panel put forward final recommendations that have guided us to this point. Today we will be voting on a reform package that will strengthen the defense acquisition workforce.”