Thornberry offers NDAA reform proposals, discussion draft for committee review

U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), ranking member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, for the fifth consecutive year released proposed reforms of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

Rep. Thornberry on May 16 provided two reform proposals for inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, H.R. 2500, and released a discussion draft for consideration by the Armed Services Committee.

The U.S. Senate also is considering the same-named S. 1215 in that chamber’s Armed Services Committee.

A statement from the lawmaker’s office said the proposed reforms would cut bureaucratic red tape, promote justice, provide better benefits, and save money for American taxpayers.

Rep. Thornberry’s first proposal is the Continuing Acquisition Reform Act, which would enforce current DOD reform laws and create the foundation for better acquisitions.

The second proposal, the Accelerating Defense Innovation Act, would provide better ways for small companies to commercialize their innovations in DOD markets, Rep. Thornberry’s office said, adding that it would establish a pilot program within the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to improve access for small business innovators.

The Accelerating Defense Innovation Act also would increase the DOD’s engagement with commercial technology companies, create opportunities for new technologies to grow out of universities and DOD laboratories, and introduce small businesses to cybersecurity best practices, according to Rep. Thornberry’s staff.