U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has expressed support for Secretary Hegseth’s recent speech on acquisition reform. The speech outlined measures to modernize the defense procurement process and strengthen the nation’s defense industrial base.
Secretary Hegseth highlighted Senator Wicker’s leadership in promoting acquisition reform through the FORGED Act, a bipartisan initiative aimed at streamlining defense contracting and encouraging innovation. The secretary also supported several of Wicker’s key priorities, including adopting a “commercial first” approach to leverage private-sector solutions, expanding the defense industrial base by bringing in new technology companies, and empowering acquisition staff with portfolio management tools for more efficient delivery of capabilities.
“Secretary Hegseth’s recognition of the FORGED Act and commitment to these reforms mark a pivotal moment for our national security,” said Senator Wicker. “By prioritizing commercial innovation and empowering our acquisition professionals, we are building a more agile defense enterprise. These reforms will be a game changer for U.S. defense, ensuring our military has the advanced equipment needed to deter adversaries like China and Russia. We look forward to implementing these priorities in the next National Defense Authorization Act.”
