Sheila Jackson-Lee: "There is ... no excuse for the de facto legal immunity" for contractors in Iraq

[marmar]

from AP, via Yahoo:


House OKs bill to prosecute contractors
By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 32 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - The House passed a bill Thursday that would make all private contractors working in Iraq and other combat zones subject to prosecution by U.S. courts. It was the first major legislation of its kind to pass since a deadly shootout last month involving Blackwater employees.

Democrats called the 389-30 vote an indictment of the shooting incident there that left 11 Iraqis dead. Senate Democratic leaders said they planned to follow suit with similar legislation and send a bill to President Bush as soon as possible.

"There is simply no excuse for the de facto legal immunity for tens of thousands of individuals working in countries" on behalf of the United States, said Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas.

The FBI is currently leading an investigation into the Sept. 16 shootout, although administration officials acknowledge they are unsure whether U.S. courts would have jurisdiction in the case or others like it.

In a separate incident, a drunk Blackwater employee left a Christmas eve party in Baghdad and fatally shot the guard of one of Iraq's vice presidents. That contractor was fired, fined and returned home to the United States, but no charges have been filed. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071004/ap_on_go_co/congress_blackwater

[bullimiami]

1. well thats veto proof and bushs friends are going to be pissed.

[me b zola]

3. What are the odds we will see an executive order?n/t

[ceile]

2. Thank you, Sheila!

See! We do have some voices of reason down here in TX.

[me b zola]

4. I really like Shelila Jackson-Lee

I would love to see her in the Senate.