Among recent legislation worth noting, the House late last month passed by an overwhelming 417 to 3 vote the Improve Acquisition Act (HR 5013), sponsored by Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.), who co-chaired the House Armed Services Committee’s Panel on Defense Acquisition Reform, which made its final report in March. According to a committee release, the measure would clean up waste, fraud, and abuse, saving potentially $135 billion over five years. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), committee chairman, said in floor remarks that last year’s legislation focused on weapons system, but that’s “only a small piece” of defense acquisition spending. (HR 5013 section analysis) ¦ Congress last month unanimously passed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act (S 1963), authored by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, that would provide support to wounded warrior families. President Obama signed the measure May 5.
We looked back on the past 12 months to find the stories that resonated the most with you, our audience, and these 10 topped the list. Maybe you missed one the first time around, or perhaps you’d like to revisit a favorite.