H.R. 4323: To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide rapid acquisition authority to the Secretary of Defense to respond to combat emergencies.

108th Congress · introduced 2004-05-11 · Armed Forces and National Security · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

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Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2004-05-11 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Hunter, Duncan [R-CA-52] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 234 (2004): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, HR4323 (2004-06-14), Passed. See all
Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide rapid acquisition authority to the Secretary of Defense to respond to combat emergencies.

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to rapidly acquire, as specified herein, equipment needed by a combatant commander to eliminate a combat capability deficiency that has resulted in combat fatalities. Requires the Secretary, not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to develop a process for such rapid acquisition authority and submit to Congress a detailed explanation of the process, including procedures to be followed in carrying out the process. Requires the process to provide for the following: (1) a requirement that the process be used only to acquire the minimum amount of equipment needed until the needs of the combatant commander can be fulfilled under existing acquisition policies; (2) a goal of awarding a contract for the equipment within 15 days after receipt of a request from a commander; and (3) in a case in which the equipment cannot be acquired without an extensive delay, a requirement for an interim solution to minimize the combat capability deficiency and combat fatalities until the equipment can be acquired. Requires the process to provide for the waiver of the applicability of laws, policies, directives, and regulations related to: (1) the establishment of the requirement for the equipment; (2) the research, development, test, and evaluation of the equipment; and (3) the solicitation and selection of sources, and the award of the contract, for procurement of the equipment. Permits the use of such authority only: (1) after the Secretary of Defense, without delegation, determines in writing that there exists a combat capability deficiency that has resulted in combat fatalities; and (2) to acquire equipment in an amount aggregating not more than $100,000,000 during a fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to notify the congressional defense committees within 15 days after each use of the acquisition authority provided in this Act.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House without amendment), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide rapid acquisition authority to the Secretary of Defense to respond to combat emergencies.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House without amendment)

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Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Hunter, Duncan [R-CA-52] · 4 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4323, A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide rapid acquisition authority to the Secretary of Defense to respond to combat emergencies (2004-06-07); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4323, A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide rapid acquisition authority to the Secretary of Defense to respond to combat emergencies (2004-06-07)

Cosponsors on this site

Recorded votes

House roll call 234 (2004): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, HR4323 (2004-06-14): Passed

Words on this page, explained (2)

Fiscal year: The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Most states use July 1 to June 30.
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House without amendment)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-108hr4323.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/108/hr>

Record fed-us-cong108-hr4323 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108