From Senator Webb's office:
WEBB CALLS FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION DOLLARSThe following is a statement from Senator Jim Webb of Virginia in response to the audit released today by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction:
"Today, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction has provided another quarterly report-to add to the countless audits-showing the fraud and abuse that plagues the Iraq reconstruction effort. This report begins to scratch the surface, but we need to be able to address the totality of the problem and how to solve it.
"It has been reported that corruption is so widespread in Iraq that one-third of all rebuilding contracts are under criminal investigation.
"The American people deserve to know where the $35 billion in taxpayer dollars allotted for Iraq reconstruction have gone.
"I call on my Senate colleagues to join me in renewing our commitment to get all the facts onto the table. We need to have immediate transparency and accountability for past Iraq reconstruction spending, and we need a clear formula for moving forward.
"The president plans to come to us next week for additional reconstruction funding in Iraq to the tune of $1.2 billion. I cannot see myself voting for any additional funding until we get clear transparency and strong assurances that this sort of mismanagement has been alleviated. It won't be business as usual when this Congress proceeds with future spending requests."
Yep, I think it's time for the "modern day Truman Commission" that Webb talked about during the campaign.