Us Congress House Bill HB9664

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/18/24
• Refer: 9/18/24

Caption

Accurate Industrial Policy Budgeting Act of 2024

Impact

The bill's implications suggest a shift towards more accountable budgeting practices within the DoD. By requiring maximum production rates to be specified, the bill aims to ensure that budget items accurately reflect the capabilities and costs of procurement. This could potentially lead to more informed decision-making by legislators and help to ensure that military spending aligns with actual production capabilities, fostering a more strategic allocation of resources.

Summary

House Bill 9664, titled the Accurate Industrial Policy Budgeting Act of 2024, seeks to enhance transparency in the budgeting process of the Department of Defense (DoD). The legislation mandates that the Secretary of Defense include maximum production rates for procurement contracts in the annual budget materials submitted to Congress. This requirement aims to provide Congress and the public with clearer expectations regarding the performance and costs associated with defense goods procurement.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding HB 9664 include concerns about the potential need for classified information exemptions. The bill allows the Secretary of Defense to waive the requirement for providing production rates if the related information is classified. This provision could potentially limit transparency in certain situations, raising questions about the accountability of defense spending. Critics may argue that allowing these waivers could provide avenues for obscuring critical budgetary details that Congress should be privy to.