Votes on NDAA Begin Today: POGO Pushing for Three Important Reforms

By SUZANNE DERSHOWITZ

Last night the House Rules Committee decided which amendments to the massive defense budget, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2013, the House will vote on today. Of the nine amendments POGO picked as high-priority reforms, three will be facing the vote.

There are two amendments to cut waste we strongly support:

• Amendment #9 would replace the costly variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jet with Super Hornets, which cost far less to buy and operate but rival the F-35 in capabilities.
• Amendment #11 would delay development of the new long-range, super high-tech bomber aircraft for which there is no urgent need.

Another key reform offered by James Lankford (R-OK) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Amendment #132, would help stop contractors from using U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund human trafficking.

Under the aegis of the U.S. government, thousands of modern-day slavers have been providing logistical support for U.S. troops in U.S. war zones. Amendment #132 would tackle this pernicious and ongoing problem.

Last year the Commission on Wartime Contracting issued a report saying it uncovered evidence of the recurrent problem of human trafficking in Iraq and Afghanistan by labor brokers and subcontractors. Commissioner Dov Zakheim later told a Senate panel that the Commission had only scratched the “tip of the iceberg.” Because existing prohibitions on trafficking have failed to suppress it, the Commission recommended strengthening enforcement tools. This amendment would do just that.

In March, Rep. Lankford introduced the End Trafficking in Government Contracting Act of 2012, which included POGO’s recommendations for ending human trafficking in U.S. war zones. The Lankford-Connolly anti-human trafficking amendment would close loopholes in existing regulation and increase enforcement capabilities. It would require companies to closely monitor and report the activities of their subcontractors down the supply chain. It would also expand the definition of “fraudulent recruiting” to apply to laborers who work on U.S. government contracts outside the U.S., mandating responsible labor recruitment practices.

POGO urges Representatives to vote YES on Amendments #9, #11, and #132! Check back for updates on the House version of the NDAA and stay tuned for the Senate deliberation of the bill, which begins next week.

Suzanne Dershowitz is POGO’s public policy fellow.

Follow @suziedershowitz