Altmire Votes to Prevent Wasteful Government Spending

May 22, 2009

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- In a move that could save taxpayers billions of dollars, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) voted yesterday to crack down on wasteful government spending at the Pentagon. The Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act (S.454) will help prevent cost overruns by strengthening oversight of the Pentagon’s weapons acquisition program, promoting greater competition, and preventing conflicts of interest in the acquisition process. This legislation was signed into law by the president today.

“Today it is more important than ever that we look for ways to cut government waste and save taxpayer dollars,” Congressman Altmire said. “I am hopeful that this new law will put to end years of cost overruns at the Pentagon that have cost American taxpayers billions of dollars. We owe it to the American people to do everything we can to ensure that their money is being used as wisely and as efficiently as possible.”

A report from the Government Accountability Office in March found that the Pentagon’s 96 largest acquisition programs had cost overruns of $296 billion and were on average 22 months behind schedule.

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Watch Jason’s acceptance speech after receiving the Special Recognition Award from the American Legion.