House Armed Services Chairman Duncan Hunter berated the lack of stability in major acquisition programs, saying Wednesday that the “DOD budget legacy is one of missed procurement opportunities.” He called budget decisions made on the F-22A, the Joint Strike Fighter alternate engine, and others over the last few years “difficult to understand.” His bottom line: “Frequent changes in acquisition programs lead to increased program costs, and in the end, result in fewer platforms being fielded.”
President Donald Trump on July 4 signed into law $150 billion in defense funds as part of the tax-and-spending package known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” after congressional Republicans approved the legislation in narrow, drawn-out votes earlier this week.