John Tierney: “I just want to make mention, without repeating what the gentlewoman has said, this Government Reform Committee, the full…”

“I just want to make mention, without repeating what the gentlewoman has said, this Government Reform Committee, the full committee in the House, has only had four hearings on Iraq contracting during this entire process. In the other body, despite Senator Lautenberg's repeated requests, the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs over there has not held a single hearing on this issue. In the House Armed Services Committee, they have conducted oversight hearings on some issues related to military operations and protecting our troops, but they have not explored the issue of contracting since it was touched upon in June of 2004. That is quite a contrast with the original Truman Committee, which held 432 public hearings, 300 executive sessions, had 1,800 witnesses testify and issued 51 reports, all the while saving the taxpayer $15 billion and saving countless lives in the process. The Truman Committee was unanimously respected for its focus on fact- finding and its refusal to succumb to partisan consideration, and that is what this commission would do as well. It is needed, because last week a Federal jury found two employees of Custer Battles had cheated the government on a contract to provide Iraq with new currency, and some $10 million in damages.…”