Getting Taxpayers a Better Bang for their Buck from Military Contracts

This was a GOP Oversight roundtable held on June 10, 2026, focused on improving the efficiency and accountability of military contracts and defense acquisitions. The discussion highlighted longstanding issues with the Department of Defense's (DoD) weapons system acquisitions, including chronic delays, cost overruns, and delivery of obsolete or underperforming systems. Witnesses from the Government Accountability Office, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, and policy organizations emphasized the need for acquisition reform, including iterative development approaches, better contract oversight, and stronger enforcement of cost and performance accountability. Specific procurement challenges discussed included the F-35 program's cost growth and sustainment issues, the use of Other Transaction Authority Agreements (OTAAs) which reduce transparency and competition, and the need for portfolio management to prioritize capabilities over rigid platform development. Legislative proposals mentioned included limiting stock buybacks and executive compensation for defense contractors until they meet performance standards, and restoring stricter cost and pricing data requirements to protect taxpayers. The meeting underscored bipartisan agreement on the urgency of reforming defense procurement to deliver timely, cost-effective capabilities to warfighters while safeguarding taxpayer dollars.