Bills · HR 4372
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4372Armed Forces and National Security
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.
INTRO JUL 14· LAST ACTION JUL 14
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
4BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill addresses a persistent issue: the tendency for large defense programs to experience significant cost overruns and schedule delays, costing taxpayers billions of dollars. By shortening reporting timelines and requiring more detailed cost breakdowns, it aims to provide earlier warnings and greater transparency into potential problems.
The most significant change is the "two strikes and you're out" rule for critical cost breaches. If a program repeatedly fails to control its costs, this bill removes the discretion to continue it, potentially preventing further wasteful spending. This means if the bill becomes law, the government might terminate failing programs sooner, saving money, whereas if it doesn't pass, programs could continue to accumulate costs even after multiple breaches, with less public oversight.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Shortens the deadline for the Department of Defense to report significant cost increases (Nunn-McCurdy breaches) for major defense programs to Congress to 30 days.
This ensures Congress receives crucial information about budget overruns much faster, allowing for more timely oversight.
PROVISION 02
Requires major defense acquisition programs to designate and report separately on individual 'end items' (major components) if each is projected to cost over $500 million over its lifetime.
This provides a more granular view of costs within complex programs, making it easier to pinpoint specific drivers of cost growth.
PROVISION 03
Mandates the public availability of all reports to Congress regarding major defense acquisition programs that have experienced critical cost overruns.
This significantly increases transparency, allowing the public to see justifications for continuing or terminating programs.
PROVISION 04
Establishes that if a major defense acquisition program experiences a second critical cost breach, the Secretary of Defense must terminate the program within 90 days.
This creates a strict 'two-strikes' rule, significantly limiting the ability to continue programs that repeatedly fail on cost control.
PROVISION 05
Requires termination plans for breached programs to consider options that maximize value to the government, such as completing items already in production if resale value exceeds completion cost.
This ensures that even when a program is terminated, efforts are made to recover or minimize losses for the taxpayer.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 4
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
16
BILLS LED
15
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 50%
DEM 3 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUL 14
Introduced in House
JUL 14
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4372
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 14, 2025
Last actionJul 14, 2025
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 14, 2025
House BillHR 4372Armed Forces and National Security
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.
INTRODUCED JUL 14, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 14, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
4
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
