[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 46 (Friday, March 10, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H1261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         DEFENSE CONSOLIDATION

  (Mr. DELUZIO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DELUZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss how defense industry 
consolidation is hurting the American people and our national security.
  A 2022 Defense Department report shows the intense constriction of 
the defense industrial base. In 1990, there were 51 prime defense 
contractors but since then, small and mid-sized contractors have been 
gobbled up. Now there are just five--a 90 percent reduction.
  At the same time, suppliers have disappeared. Tactical missile 
suppliers dwindled down from 13 to 3. Satellite suppliers fell from 
eight to four.
  This deprives the American people of competition for key elements of 
our defense, and military leaders have complained that current 
contractors often deliver behind schedule, poor quality products, at 
too high a cost.
  This lack of competition is leaving us ill-prepared and risks our 
national security and readiness.
  The way I see it, a weak or, frankly, nonexistent antitrust 
enforcement allowed this to happen.
  We have got to step in to promote competition, to give smaller 
contractors a chance to grow, and to stave off further consolidation.

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