(Illustration: Ren Velez / POGO)
Press Release
Congress Must Pass Landmark Nunn-McCurdy Reform
New legislation would curb Pentagon overspending and strengthen oversight of failing programs.
Washington, D.C. — Today, new legislation was introduced that would strengthen the Nunn-McCurdy Act, setting the stage for increased congressional oversight and ending the Pentagon’s decades-long pattern of overrunning costs without consequences. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Carlos Giménez (R-FL), comes as Pentagon spending approaches $1 trillion annually while major weapons programs continue to experience massive cost growth.
Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, Acting Vice President of Policy & Government Affairs at the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), issued the following statement:
“For decades, the Pentagon has treated taxpayer dollars like Monopoly money, with weapons programs doubling or tripling in cost while systems are delivered years behind schedule. The current version of the Nunn-McCurdy Act, which is meant to deter overspending and inefficiency, is good in theory. But in practice, it has become an exercise in simply checking a box.
“Real savings are sitting right in front of us in Pentagon programs that have been failing for decades. New provisions to this legislation will finally give Congress real teeth to hold the Pentagon accountable, allowing the law to function as it should. When programs spiral out of control, it shouldn’t just be up to the Secretary of Defense to make a decision that could cost taxpayers billions. Under the new law, the Pentagon’s programs would no longer get third, fourth, or fifth chances. Instead, programs get no more than two opportunities to prove that they can keep their costs under control. Otherwise, they can face automatic termination.
“This bill will force difficult decisions about programs that should have been canceled years ago — and that’s the point. With bipartisan support for this bill, it’s clear that this isn’t a Democratic or Republican issue but a matter of common sense. Congress should pass this bill immediately to restore accountability to Pentagon spending and ensure every tax dollar goes toward actually defending America, not enriching Pentagon contractors.”
