This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
WASHINGTON - Rep. Jim Matheson and his fellow Blue Dog Democrats are asking the head of the House Armed Services Committee to include language in upcoming defense legislation that would demand more accountability in the conduct of the Iraq war.
"Many billions of taxpayers dollars have been spent with private contractors in Iraq. We need an honest and transparent accounting of how contracts have been awarded, where the money has gone and what has been accomplished," said Matheson.
The caucus of moderate Democrats introduced legislation earlier this year that would require regular reports to Congress on how Iraq reconstruction money is being spent. The plan also would create a commission to investigate how contracts are awarded and reports of war profiteering, and would require Iraq funding to go through the regular appropriations process, rather than emergency supplemental bills.
"It is our constitutional obligation as members of Congress to provide greater oversight and demand greater accountability for this war," the 34 Blue Dog members wrote in a letter to the House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo.
- Robert Gehrke