Senators McCain and Levin Release Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Report on Defense Acquisition Reform

Defense Acquisition Reform: Where do we go from here?

(Released by the U.S. Senate Permanent Committee on Investigations, October 2, 2014)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Carl Levin (D-MI), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), today released a bipartisan report entitled DEFENSE ACQUISITION REFORM: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? A Compendium of Views by Leading Experts [PDF] The report encompasses a collection of 31 essays that PSI solicited from a variety of defense acquisition experts who offered their views on defense acquisition reform. While in this report the Subcommittee makes no recommendations of its own, the expert views on defense acquisition reform contained within it are intended to help develop a comprehensive record on shortcomings in the acquisition process that may inform congressional deliberations in the future.

“Our current defense acquisition system has been plagued with inadequate planning, redundant processes, and mismanagement that have resulted in the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars and delayed the delivery of needed capability to our service men and women,” said Senator McCain. “For these reasons, the defense acquisition process must continue to be reformed. I thank all those who contributed to this project. It is my hope that this compilation of expert views will promote an informed discussion on defense acquisition reform among policymakers and defense industry leaders.”

“This compendium includes the views of a wide range of experts on steps that could be taken to improve the defense acquisition system,” said Senator Levin. “It will be an important tool for Congress as it considers possible legislation in this area. I congratulate Senator McCain for his initiative in carrying out this project.”


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