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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, local Congresswoman Kirsten
Gillibrand voted for H. Res. 734, a Resolution written by the
Government Reform and Oversight committee, expressing displeasure with
the Administration for attempting to cover up corruption in Iraq by
retroactively classifying portions of previously public documents.
"Last November, American voters asked for Congress to provide more
oversight over the Iraq war," said Congresswoman Gillibrand, a member
of the House Armed Services Committee, "Today I was pleased to cast yet
another vote in favor of providing more transparency to the running of
this war."
Previously, Congresswoman Gillibrand, who
traveled to Iraq earlier this year, voted to require an independent GAO
Report on 18 benchmarks for progress in Iraq in order to provide the
public with an accurate assessment of our progress. In September, the
Armed Services Committee received the results from the report.
Specifically, the independent report found that "the Iraqi government
met 3, partially met 4, and did not meet 11 of its 18 benchmarks.
Overall, key legislation has not been passed, violence remains high,
and it is unclear whether the Iraqi government will spend $10 billion
in reconstruction funds."
Congresswoman Gillibrand also
supported the creation of the Independent Jones Report to assess the
readiness of the Iraqi Security Forces and participated in many of the
228 hearings (152 House hearings & 76 Senate hearings) that have
been held on issues related to the Iraq War since the beginning of the
110th Congress.
"Congress is finally providing the
oversight that has been missing since the beginning of the Iraq War,"
said Congresswoman Gillibrand. "And in the last few weeks, we have
also begun to tackle the problem of out-of-control and unaccountable
contractors."
Two weeks ago, the House passed H.R.
2740, Holding Security Contractors in War Zones Overseas Accountable
and last week she voted for the War Profiteering Prevention Act (HR
400). These bills were designed to ensure that there is oversight over
all private security contractors in war zones overseas and that they
will be held accountable for any criminal behavior.
The
Defense Appropriations bill also includes funding to provide more
oversight of military contractors, including funding to improve the
oversight of contractors, and a requirement that the Secretary of
Defense develop minimum standards for all contractors performing
security functions.
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