Congressman Rob Wittman brought together senior defense officials and industry executives for a roundtable discussion on May 1 in Williamsburg, Virginia, focusing on strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base and speeding up delivery of critical military capabilities.
The meeting addressed urgent challenges facing the nation’s military preparedness, including expanding production capacity, accelerating acquisition timelines, integrating new technologies into operational use, and bolstering workforce and supply chain resilience. These issues are seen as vital to maintaining the United States’ military advantage amid evolving global threats.
“What we heard today was clear: America has the innovation and industrial strength to lead, but our processes and bureaucracy continue to hamper progress,” said Rep. Wittman. “Ensuring our warfighters have the capabilities they need requires a stronger, more responsive industrial base and a procurement system that can keep pace with evolving threats. The greatest risk is not a lack of capability — it is the pace at which we deliver it. I will continue working with the Department of War and our industry partners to remove barriers and deliver results.”
Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey said collaboration between government agencies and private industry is essential for improving acquisition outcomes and ensuring timely delivery of needed capabilities.
Participants agreed that prioritizing speed, scale, and innovation is necessary for maintaining U.S. military leadership globally. Congressman Wittman said he will keep working with federal leaders to advance policies supporting efficiency in acquisitions while leveraging Virginia’s significant contributions to national defense; in fiscal year 2024 alone, defense spending made up 10% of Virginia’s gross domestic product—the second highest share among all states.
Rob Wittman has represented Virginia’s 1st district in Congress since replacing Jo Ann Davis in 2007 according to Wikipedia. He previously served in both the Virginia House of Delegates as well as on Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors from 2006 through 2007 according to his official biography. Born in Washington D.C., Wittman currently lives in Montross at age 64 as reported by Vote Smart. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981 according to VT Magazine.
