Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement today regarding a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (H.R. 5122) that will terminate the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, a federal oversight agency, on October 1, 2007. 

“I denounce this last minute termination clause that was slipped into the Defense Authorization Bill.”

“Waste, fraud and abuse is rampant and plagues our efforts in Iraq.  American’s demand oversight of their tax dollars that are being spent overseas.  We need this oversight office to confront and repair the mistakes this administration has made.”

“This provision is yet another example of where Republican leadership and the Administration have gone wrong. 

“If Republican’s can’t formulate the strategic military objectives that are needed to bring stability to Iraq and bring our U.S. military forces home, then how can they decide a termination date for an Iraq war oversight office?

“Congress needs to do its job of oversight to combat waste, fraud and abuse in Iraq.  At the very least we must reinstate the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, to investigate Halliburton contracts, the misuse and manipulation of intelligence and other abuses. 

Larsen represents Washington state’s 2nd Congressional district.  He serves on the House Armed Services Committee.

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