Defense Reform

HASC Defense Reform

FY 2021 Reform Efforts

Military Family Readiness

For FY21 Ranking Member Thornberry (R-TX) and Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS) proposed a Military Family Readiness legislation they intend to offer for inclusion in the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act. 

A fact sheet summarizing the legislation can be found here.

Legislative text can be found here.

Expanding Acquisition Reform

For FY21, Ranking Member Thornberry proposed his latest Department of Defense reform legislation. Consistent with his past efforts, Thornberry is releasing this discussion draft and soliciting feedback well ahead of the FY21 NDAA markup. 

This effort expands the scope of Thornberry’s reform efforts beyond acquisition to focus on the sustainment process, vulnerabilities in the Defense Industrial Base, and formalizing the Pentagon’s internal reform process. 

A fact sheet summarizing the legislation can be found here

proposed legislative text can be found here. 

 

FY 2020 Reform Efforts

On May 16th, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released his proposals to reform how the Department of Defense (DOD) does business.  This is the fifth year that Congressman Thornberry has offered reform proposals for inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).  

The House Armed Services Committee has led Congress in enacting significant defense reforms with strong bipartisan support.  Among these reforms are over sixty of Rep. Thornberry’s proposals that have been enacted by Congress.  As a result of these and other efforts, anyone entering military service today will reap the benefits of these reforms over the course of their career.  Specifically, these reforms will improve agility, cut bureaucracy, promote justice, provide better benefits, and save the taxpayer billions. 

Ranking Member Thornberry's Reform Proposals For FY20:

The Continuing Acquisition Reform Act, enforces those reforms already enacted by Congress, continues reform momentum by acting on the recommendations of congressionally chartered panels, and lays the foundations for an enduring culture of reform and excellence in acquisitions.

The Accelerating Defense Innovation Act, is intended to enhance pathways for small entrepreneurial companies to innovate and commercialize their innovations in DOD markets.  The proposal institutes a pilot program within the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to improve access for small business innovators while ensuring that additional mechanisms, like the Rapid Innovation Fund, are calibrated to take advantage of these innovations.  The proposal will increase DOD level of engagement with commercial technology companies, create opportunities for new technologies to grow out of universities and DOD laboratories, and introduce small businesses to cybersecurity best practices early in their journey. 

 

 

FY 2019 Reform Efforts

 

Accelerating the Pace of Acquitions Reform Act of 2018

Comprehensive Pentagon Bureaucracy Reform and Reduction Act

 


H.R. 2511 - Defense Acquisition Streamlining and Transparency Act

On May 18, 2017, Chairman Thornberry introduced H.R. 2511, The Defense Acquisition Streamlining and Transparency Act, a bill to include empowering the Pentagon to use E-Commerce for commercial-off-the-shelf items, as well as reforming the defense contract audit process and the acquisition of services.

PDF iconH.R. 2511 - Defense Acquisition Streamlining and Transparency Act

PDF iconH.R. 2511 - Cover Memo

PDF iconH.R. 2511 - Fact Sheet

 

H.R. 4741 - Acquisition Agility Act

On March 15, 2016, Chairman Thornberry introduced H.R. 4741 The Acquisition Agility Act, a bill to enact reforms in the defense acquisition system to ensure that the military can respond to rapidly changing threats.  Bill text and other materials can be found below.

Acquisition Agility Act.pdf - Bill Text

PDF iconAcquisition Agility Act Memo

PDF iconAcquisition Agility Act Fact Sheet

 

 


March 25, 2015 - Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith jointly introduced H.R. 1597, a bill aimed at reforming the DoDs broken acquisition system.  The legislation is intended as a discussion draft.  The legislation and can be found below.  

H.R. 1597 - Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act

Chairman Thornberry's Proposal

March 23, 2015 - Chairman Thornberry unveiled his defense reform proposal at the Center for Strategy and International Studies.  His remarks, video of the event and additional information can be found below.

FY16NDAA Defense Reform Fact Sheet

20150323 Chairman Thornberry's Remarks on Reform