Primers

[Rocky Raab]

You must not shop often enough, Joe! Some of us have known about a growing shortage of components for almost a year now.

Government procurement is a strange and convoluted thing. Assuming the need was identified early enough, there had to be studies to decide how much to buy, and of what. Then they had to write a purchase request. Then at least two groups had to see if there was a) really a need and b) how best to fill it. Then they had to work up a budget - and who would foot it. Even if it gets that far, it isn't the President who says "Go ahead" but sub-committees and committees and finally the House. Maybe it gets worked into the next years' budgets, maybe not (the favorite place for Congress to cut money is Defense, ya know; NEVER social programs). Change from one party to the other in Congress and it can be back to square one.