Obama's Security Contractors Admendment Wins Senate Approval

[illinoisprogressive]

Legislation demands answers on role of contractors in Iraq

September 28, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the United States Senate accepted an amendment to the Defense Department Authorization bill introduced by U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) that will require federal departments to compile and report information to Congress on the role of private security contractors in Iraq.

“There are too many unanswered questions about the role of private security contractors in Iraq and it’s time for answers,” Senator Obama said. “The American people have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent in Iraq and the role that security contractors are playing. This legislation will start getting the information we need to make sure their operations are going forth in a way that doesn’t hinder our military’s efforts to bring this war to a responsible end. I reiterate my calls on President Bush to immediately begin bringing these answers to Congress.”

Obama originally offered the Transparency and Accountability in Military and Security Contracting Act (S. 674) in February.

With an estimated 48,000 private security employees operating in Iraq, and more than 1,000 contractors killed since 2003, little is known about what functions these security contractors are performing, how much their services are costing, and what rules of engagement they are following.

Specifically, Obama’s amendment will direct federal departments and agencies to report to Congress on the following within 90 days:

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48733564_barack_obama_barack_obama_obama_iraq_security_contractors_amendment_wins_approval_senate