The Pentagon's struggles with defense acquisition are well-documented, with the U.S. military lagging behind in critical areas such as hypersonic weapons and autonomous technologies. While the Defense Department and Congress recognize the need for reform, the current system is broken, with defense spending remaining stubbornly slow and wildly over budget. The defense industry's consolidation has led to a slower, less innovative sector, with the Big Five contractors dominating the market. This has resulted in over budget and behind schedule acquisitions, with the U.S. defense budget being three times that of China's. The Pentagon's communication with Congress is also lacking, with members of the House and Senate not receiving consistent information on how the military is countering threats. The National Defense Authorization Act and the defense appropriations bills represent some of the few consistently bipartisan pieces of legislation Congress has approved in recent years. However, continuing resolutions have become more common and have caused delays to new programs, ballooning costs, and reduced military readiness. Congress must take bold action to address these issues, including more aggressive oversight, antitrust actions, and the introduction of legislation to review the existing capacity of the organic industrial base. By promoting innovation, taking the right risks, and institutionalizing some bold steps, Congress and the Defense Department can transform today's military and tomorrow's force.
