Bill Clinton: “that is an eloquent summation as to why I have joined with my colleagues in introducing the Sunshine In Iraqi…”

“that is an eloquent summation as to why I have joined with my colleagues in introducing the Sunshine In Iraqi Reconstruction Contracting Bill. Tonight President Bush will address our Nation and will tell the world that Operation Iraqi Freedom's military action is over, at least insofar as major military engagements may be required. We know we will have continuing problems, like those we have seen in the last few days. But it is true we are now moving toward the second phase, which is the rebuilding of Iraq. So this colloquy we are having today is especially timely because of the President's announcement this evening. With respect to our going forward, I think the important points the Senator from Oregon has made need to be underscored because, for many of us, we want to see the plans that have been explained in the last several weeks about the rebuilding effort move forward as expeditiously and cost-effectively as possible. We know, as we just heard from the distinguished Senator, that a number of contracts have already been let. They have been no-bid or closed-bid contracts. As one follows the information about these contracts in the press, it has become clearer and clearer this has been in the planning for quite some time and it has been largely the province of a rather small group of insiders.…”