Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Combating War Profiteering
As Prepared for Delivery
March 20, 2007
Thank you Mr. Chairman for recognizing the need to hold a hearing on
this very important issue. I have to leave to chair my own hearing on
Chad and the Central African Republic, but I would like to make a few
brief comments about the importance of strong oversight and accountability
of U.S. taxpayer dollars going to Iraq.
The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction plays a crucial
role in investigating and reporting fraud and misuse of Iraq reconstruction
funding. I recognize the difficult task that SIGIR staff has and commend
the SIGIR for its efforts to bring increased transparency to U.S.
reconstruction spending. I support efforts to ensure that SIGIR’s
unique role is preserved as long as this Administration continues
to request emergency funding for the Iraq war.
That said, I believe that we can do even more to deal with those who
waste or fraudulently use Iraq reconstruction funds. I strongly encourage
all U.S. government agencies involved in oversight activities in Iraq
to work together to aggressively pursue allegations of misuse and to
penalize those who use U.S. taxpayer dollars for personal gain. I look
forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that Congress is providing
adequate resources to ensure that oversight activities in Iraq are robust
and effective.
SIGIR has played a significant role in targeting abuse of the U.S.
contracting system in Iraq, and I want to briefly touch on the potential
for SIGIR to strengthen oversight activities in Afghanistan. While
Afghanistan receives significantly less funding than Iraq, we also
need to ensure that taxpayer funding for reconstruction in Afghanistan
is adequately distributed and accounted for. Today, as we examine
the value of having strong oversight in Iraq, we should also take
into consideration the value it could add in Afghanistan, and I look
forward to continued discussions with my colleagues and Mr. Bowen
about a potentially expanded role for SIGIR.
Once again, I thank you for the important role work you and your
staff are doing to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are being well
spent.
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