Today, 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). In each case, Thornberry has released a discussion draft of the legislation several weeks ahead of the Committee’s consideration of the 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. You can find more information about Rep. Thornberry’s FY20 reform proposals, and his past proposals, here.
This year, Ranking Member Thornberry is releasing two proposals. The first, 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. You can find a fact sheet on the Continuing Acquisition Reform Act here, a summary of reforms where Rep. Thornberry would like to see more progress, and legislative text.
The second proposal, 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. Click here for a fact sheet on the Accelerating Defense Innovation Act as well as legislative text.
May 16, 2019
Press Release