Congressman Rob Wittman brought together senior defense officials and industry executives, including Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey, for a roundtable discussion on May 1 focused on Virginia’s role in national defense, the strength of the U.S. defense industrial base, and speeding up delivery of critical military capabilities.
The meeting addressed issues such as expanding production capacity, accelerating acquisition timelines to keep up with threats, integrating new technologies into operational use more quickly, and strengthening workforce and supply chain resilience. These priorities were highlighted as essential for maintaining U.S. military readiness.
“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 Duffey said collaboration between government agencies and private companies is important for improving acquisition outcomes.
Participants agreed that prioritizing speed, scale, and innovation is necessary for maintaining U.S. military advantage in an increasingly complex global environment. Congressman Wittman said he plans to work with both Department of War leadership and industry stakeholders on policies aimed at strengthening the defense industrial base.
In fiscal year 2024 alone, defense spending accounted for 10% of Virginia’s gross domestic product—the second highest share among all states—according to information provided by Congressman Wittman’s office.
Wittman has served in Congress representing Virginia’s 1st district since replacing Jo Ann Davis in 2007 according to his biography. He previously served in both the Virginia House of Delegates and Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors from 2006 to 2007 as reported by his official website. Born in Washington D.C., Wittman currently lives in Montross according to congressional records, after graduating from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981.
