Political Quotes

“Let me start by thanking the chairman and ranking member of the committee and the subcommittee for their leadership on this thoughtful legislation to deliver long-needed reforms to our military acquisition. I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous work of the Armed Services Committee's bipartisan Panel on Acquisition Reform, led of course by Mr. Andrews of New Jersey and Mr. Conaway of Texas. My amendment builds upon the panel's recommendations for getting the most out of the industrial base. Defining and assessing the industrial base has been an ongoing challenge for both the Department of Defense and Congress, dating back to the creation of the Armed Forces themselves. One of the key findings of the panel was the need to cast a wider net in terms of defining the industrial base beyond the traditional players. Many of today's technology innovations are being brought forth by small- and mid-sized companies that are more commercial in nature and don't fit the traditional mold of the industrial base. While we must preserve those unique industrial capabilities that have made our Armed Forces the world's most advanced military force, we also must adjust to the innovative changes within the supply chain to ensure that we provide our troops with the tools they need to perform their duties.”