Senate Banking Committee hearing urges bipartisan reauthorization and targeted modernization of the Defense Production Act

At a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Chairman Tim Scott and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren said Congress must reauthorize the Defense Production Act before it lapses in September and consider targeted reforms to keep the law focused on national defense and emergency response.

The DPA, enacted in 1950, gives the president authorities to prioritize contracts, fund industrial capacity and coordinate with industry during crises. Witnesses at the hearing said the statute remains essential but needs updates to reflect modern supply-chain threats, cyber risk and the strategic competition with China.

Witnesses outlined specific changes they said Congress should consider. Dr. John McGinn, executive director of the Brownie Center for Government Contracting at George Mason University, recommended keeping the DPA focused on defense and national emergencies while modernizing Title I allocation procedures, making Title III more agile and usable, and refreshing Title VII governance. McGinn also urged removing the current non‑delegable requirement that the president personally sign each Title III determination and…