Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform is a Step in the Right Direction (Rep. Ike Skelton)

I thank my colleagues for their hard work on producing the Weapon Systems Acquisition Act of 2009, and I look forward to watching the President sign this important piece of legislation. Reforming the system we use to buy major weapon systems is not only good for taxpayers, it’s good for the security of our nation.

Too often under the current system, we end up with too few weapons that cost us too much and arrive too late. This leads to shortfalls on the battlefield that can cost lives. That is why it is so important that our defense budget is spent in the most effective ways possible. While this bill does not mean the end of our efforts to reform the defense acquisition system, it is an important and essential step.