Weekly Spotlight: It’s the season

Delivered to our subscribers on Saturdays, the Weekly Spotlight is a roundup of POGO's latest work and announcements. Sign up to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox.

Once again, the season of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is upon us. Congress has begun the months-long process of deliberation over the policy bill that will authorize the Department of Defense’s (DOD) spending for the coming fiscal year. It’s our opportunity to press for changes that will reduce wasteful spending and improve effectiveness at the Pentagon.

Next week, the House Committee on Rules may be meeting to determine which proposed amendments to the NDAA will make the cut for a floor vote — just one of the many pit stops the bill will make in the coming months. We’re pushing hard for amendments that would scrap unfunded priorities (wish)lists, rein in wasteful spending on boondoggle weapons systems, improve military family housing, and make it harder for contractors to price gouge the Pentagon.

With the lengthy process of NDAA negotiations and votes ahead of us, this will not be the last time we’ll be in touch about this important bill. For more on what’s happening at the Pentagon, subscribe to our military intelligence newsletter, The Bunker.

PODCAST

Announcing Bad Watchdog Season 2

In the wake of 9/11, and in fear of another attack, members of Congress agreed to create a powerful new agency, the Department of Homeland Security.  Now, more than 20 years later, the agency has exploded in size.

Listen Now

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“[If corruption allegations] have to be that blatant and that explicit and that obvious, then that basically allows for all kinds of bad behavior and all kinds of shenanigans, all kinds of skullduggery, including the types of stuff that [Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)] has been charged with.”

Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, Senior Government Affairs Manager, in PBS News Hour

ONE LINERS

“We’re sold a bill of goods that ... can’t meet our readiness needs. Then we’re out trillions of dollars.”

Liz Hempowicz, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs, on Federal News Network