WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) successfully passed his first bill through committee Wednesday after the Homeland Security Committee unanimously approved the DHS Multiyear Acquisition Strategy Act. The legislation [H.R. 1249]* seeks to streamline the Department of Homeland Security’s acquisition process to promote strategic investment as well as cost-savings for taxpayers.

DHS programs cost taxpayers over $7 billion annually. Although the department has taken measures to improve acquisition management, it continues to be at high risk for waste, fraud, and abuse.

“The Department of Homeland Security has faced longstanding challenges in managing its major acquisition programs. If the department is unable to effectively oversee its major acquisition programs, then they will be unable to provide frontline operators with the technologies and resources that are necessary to perform their vital duties,” said Fitzpatrick. “This bill requires DHS to establish a strategy as part of each Future Years Homeland Security Program to navigate acquisitions, while also allowing flexibility to deal with ever-changing threats and risks. By passing this bipartisan measure we can ensure an effective and efficient DHS while protecting taxpayer dollars.”

“I am pleased to work with Congressman Fitzpatrick on his bill to streamline the major acquisitions program at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),” said Homeland Security Chairman Mike McCaul. “The more money wasted on unnecessary overhead costs, the less resources the Department has to fulfil its key mission of protecting our homeland. This bill will ensure that DHS operates in a more efficient manner and can better stay ahead of threats to our country.”

Fitzpatrick’s DHS Multiyear Acquisition Strategy Act now heads to the full House for a vote.