Jay Block, a state senator representing New Mexico’s 12th District, has called for an overhaul of the defense acquisition process to reduce waste and ensure military capabilities remain current. He made this statement on X on April 8.
"We must fix the acquisition process to ensure our tax dollars are not being wasted," said Block. "I trust Pete Hegseth, Elon Musk, and the President Donald Trump to reform how we acquire capabilities. We must do it faster to avoid new capabilities being outdated when fielded. We intend to spend every taxpayer dollar wisely — on lethality and readiness."
According to Reuters, on April 9, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating a review of U.S. Department of Defense procurement practices. The directive aims to reform foreign military sales by eliminating bureaucratic delays and expediting equipment transfers to allies. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz said that the current system suffers from "inconsistencies and inefficiencies" that could undermine U.S. military readiness. The reform is intended to shorten delivery timelines, enhance deterrence, and strengthen strategic partnerships worldwide.
As reported by Breaking Defense, the U.S. Department of Defense has submitted a fiscal year 2025 budget request totaling $849.8 billion. Of that amount, $167.5 billion is designated for weapons procurement and $143.2 billion for research, development, testing, and evaluation. Key allocations include $49.2 billion for nuclear modernization, $28.4 billion for missile defense systems, and $9.8 billion for hypersonic and long-range missile capabilities. The operations and maintenance budget totals $339.6 billion, reflecting a continued focus on military readiness.
According to Politico, U.S. defense acquisition programs continue to face cost overruns and delivery delays, particularly in naval shipbuilding. The Constellation-class frigate program is now five years behind schedule. In response, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, to review shipbuilding practices across the Navy and Coast Guard. This initiative aims to revitalize the U.S. commercial shipbuilding industry and address systemic inefficiencies in military procurement.
Jay C. Block is a Republican member of the New Mexico State Senate representing District 12 as of January 2025. A retired U.S. Air Force officer, Block served at Kirtland Air Force Base and later worked at the Pentagon before joining the state legislature.
