Statement of Gary Kalman, Democracy Advocate
U.S. PIRG
applauds the Senate for approving a critical measure last night to provide much
needed oversight and accountability for private contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan. In adopting the Webb-McCaskill
amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill, Senators send a powerful message
about the importance of reining in those who see themselves as unaccountable to
the American people.
Private
contractors have been given an awful lot of money and continuing stories of
troubling incidents strongly suggest there is inadequate oversight and
accountability.
More than
$450 billion has been appropriated for reconstruction efforts with much of the
money going to the 180,000 contractors working in the two countries. The public deserves to know that their tax
dollars are being used effectively to further the nation’s priorities. Until now, that has not happened.
The
amendment establishes an eight member bipartisan panel to: (1) review contracts
for reconstruction efforts and logistical support for the troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan; (2) review contracts involving security and intelligence functions
in Iraq and Afghanistan; (3) strengthen the role of the Special Inspector
General for Iraqi Reconstruction; and (4) assign the Special Inspector General,
working in coordination with the Commission, the responsibility to perform
audits of contracts awarded for work in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom.
We thank
Senator James Webb (VA) and Senator Claire McCaskill (MO) for their leadership
on this issue.
