John Garamendi (D-CA)
To amend title 10 to shorten breach reporting timelines, increase program transparency, and improve congressional oversight of Department of Defense cost overruns with respect to the cost growth for major systems, and for other purposes.
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to amend title 10 to improve oversight and transparency regarding Department of Defense cost growth. It seeks to shorten the timelines for reporting breaches and requires notifications to Congress within 30 days. The legislation introduces a new designation for major subprograms when end items exceed specific cost thresholds. It also mandates the inclusion of operations and support costs for the life cycle of programs. Finally, the bill establishes rules for terminating major defense acquisition programs that experience a second critical cost breach.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill increases oversight of Department of Defense cost growth to ensure more responsible use of taxpayer funds.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates public disclosure of cost breach reports on the Department of Defense website.
- Scored +3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill aims to control cost growth and terminate inefficient defense programs to manage total expenditures.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Accountability and Transparency: The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to make certain reports publicly available on a Department of Defense website (Section 4, Section s 4376(b)(3)(B)).
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Faster Information Sharing: It shortens the timeline for notifying Congress of cost breaches to within 30 days of a report or determination (Section 1, Section 4374).
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Improved Oversight of Large Expenditures: By designating end items as major subprograms if they require more than $500,000,000 in total expenditure, the Secretary ensures more specific acquisition reporting (Section 2, Section 4203(a)(1)).
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Comprehensive Cost Tracking: The amendment requires the inclusion of operations and support costs for the entire life cycle of major defense acquisition programs or designated subprograms (Section 3, Section 4214(a)(2)).
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Prevention of Repeated Cost Overruns: The bill prevents the Secretary from submitting a written certification for a program that has already experienced more than one unit cost increase resulting in a reassessment (Section 4, Section 4376(b)(4)(A)).
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Value-Based Program Termination: The bill requires the consideration of termination plans designed to maximize the value of funds already obligated or expended (Section 4, Section 4376(b)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Mandatory Program Termination: The Secretary is required to terminate a major defense acquisition program no later than 90 days after a reassessment if the program has experienced a second critical breach (Section 4, Section 4376(b)(4)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill increases oversight of Department of Defense cost growth to ensure more responsible use of taxpayer funds. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill aims to control cost growth and terminate inefficient defense programs to manage total expenditures. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — By mandating the termination of programs with repeated critical cost breaches, the bill helps prevent long-term uncontrolled spending.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates public disclosure of cost breach reports on the Department of Defense website. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases the federal government's oversight and authority over Department of Defense acquisition programs.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this reduce what is spent on the military? — The bill mandates program termination for certain cost-inefficient defense acquisitions, potentially reducing overall spending.
- 7/14/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Carlos GimenezRepublican · Florida
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois