Democrats Want More Oversight on Iraq Contracts

Democrats Want More Oversight on Iraq Contracts
Tue May 18, 2004 03:18 PM ET


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic lawmakers complained on
Tuesday some companies given deals to manage billions of dollars of Iraqi
contracts had a conflict of interest and urged the Pentagon to do its own
oversight work.

In a letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, four lawmakers asked
him not to "abdicate" oversight responsibilities for U.S.-funded contracts
in Iraq via seven program management contracts issued in March.

"The defense department is contracting out the oversight of the hen house
to the foxes," said Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden. "Watching out for taxpayer
dollars is a government function," he told a news conference.

Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Reps. John Dingell of Michigan
and Henry Waxman of California also signed the letter and said they
would try to amend defense authorization bills in the Senate and the House of Representatives to
have seven contracts terminated and get the Pentagon to do its own oversight.


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http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=5182806

they should be insisting on Congressional oversight, because that's the only thing that'll force any other oversight.