Title: Obama signs $680 billion defense bill

" Good afternoon. I have often said it. Meeting our greatest challenges. Would require not only change pulses of Washington but changing the way business is done in Washington. That it would require a government that's more efficient and effective. And less influenced by lobbyists and parochial politics and I'm pleased to say that when it comes through the defense bill. I'm about to -- in -- we've taken some important steps. Towards that goal. I wanna acknowledge. -- Outstanding vice president Joe Biden. Attorney general Eric Holder is."

" We're."

" All members of congress are joining us here today thank you very much for your outstanding work. I didn't get members got. That's commander in chief. I won't always do whatever it takes to keep the American people say to defend this nation. That's why this bill provides for the best military in the history of the world. It reaffirms our commitment. To our brave men and women in uniform and a wounded warriors. It expands family leave rights for the family members of our troops and veterans. And it makes investments in the capabilities necessary to meet 40% for -- But. I have always rejected the notion that we have to waste billions. Of dollars of taxpayer. Money. To keep this nation secure in fact I think the wasting these dollars makes us less secure. That's why we have passed a defense bill that eliminates song of the waste and inefficiency in our defense process. Reforms that will better protect our nation better protect our troops and save taxpayers. Tens of billions of dollars. At the outset let me just say that this effort would not have been possible without. An extraordinary. Secretary of defense so I -- thank public. Having served under eight presidents of both parties. This is a man who understands that our defense budget is about politics it's about the security of our country. And knows whatever dollar wasted is dollar we can't spend to care for our troops or protect the homeland. Over the last several months he took the fight congress. He challenged conventional thinking. And he emerged with several critical victories so on behalf of the American people wanna thank you -- for your short area. Now Bob could have been successful have not been. For the next personal and introduce admiral Mike Mullen the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff he provided wise counsel. And start with us in our efforts to initiate reforms even though -- probably occasionally cause heartburn. Inside the Pentagon as well because changes are. And so I'm very grateful for his leadership and excellent -- please get. Finally I wanna. Thank other members of congress a particular senators Carl Levin and John McCain and congressman Ike Skelton and Buck McKeon. As. Chairman and ranking members there respective committees they did an outstanding. Now this bill isn't perfect. This builds an important step forward but it's just the first step. There's still more waste we need to cut there's still more -- that we need to win. Change in the culture in Washington will take time and sustained effort. And that's why secretary gates and I will continue waging these battles in the months and years ahead. But I will say that when secretary gates and I first proposed going after -- wasteful projects. There were a lot of people in this town who didn't think was possible. Who were certain we were gonna -- We're certain that we would get steamrolled who argued that the special interest were too entrenched in the Washington. Was simply to set its -- So I think it's important note today. We -- the wrong. They were putting an end to some wasteful projects that lawmakers have tried to kill four years. We're Democrats because secretary gates and I both know that we can't build 21 century military we need. Unless we fundamentally reform the way our defense establishment does business. The Government Accountability Office GAO has looked him in 96 major defense projects from the last year. And found cost overruns that totaled 296. Billion dollars. Amount of money that -- paid our troops salaries and provide benefits for their families for more opening your. And we don't know where this kind of -- comes. Indefensible. No bid contracts that cost taxpayers billions -- make contractors rich special interest -- a lot of projects are years behind schedule and billions over budget. Entrenched lobbyists pushing weapons that even our military says it doesn't want and doesn't need. -- impulse Washington win political points back home by building things that we don't need it -- we can't afford. This -- would be unacceptable to many -- the time when we're fighting two wars and facing. A serious deficit it's inexcusable it's unconscionable. It's an affront to the American people into our troops in the past -- stop. Already got put an end to unnecessary no bid contracts. I signed bipartisan legislation to reform defense procurement so weapons systems don't spin out of control. And even as we made critical investments in the equipment and weapons our troops do indeed we're eliminating tens of billions of dollars. In waste we don't. No longer will we be spending nearly two billion dollars to buy more F 22 fighter jets that the Pentagon says they don't need. This bill also terminates troubled and massively over budget programs such as future combat systems airborne lasers -- combat search and rescue helicopter. Any new presidential helicopter the cost nearly as much as Air Force One. I won't be flying. At the same time we accelerated or priest weapons programs need to confront real and -- ports. The joint strike by. The littoral combat ship and more helicopters reconnaissance support for our troops at the and this bill also reduce waste -- contract system as well as our reliance on private contractors for jobs that federal employees have the expertise and training to. So today are pleased to save that we approve that change is possible. -- May not come quickly. World wants but if you push hard enough it does come eventually. Now speaking of that there's one wore long awaited change contain with in this legislation that'll be talking about warm. What more later today. After more than a decade of opposition and boy we've passed inclusive hate crimes legislation. To help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like who they've loved how they prayed. -- Promised Judy Shepard. When she saw me in the Oval Office and this they would come I'm glad that she and her husband Dennis could join us for this event. I'm also honored to have the family. The late Senator Ted Kennedy who fought so hard for this legislation and -- you. After terror everybody who's here I just want you all to know up -- here the work detective to help. This date make mistake possible so and thank you for joining us here that saw. I'm gonna sign this piece of legislation thank you all for go to -- put it back. There you go up."