On the recordJune 7, 2016
as the Senate works on the Defense bill, it is important to note the shameful squandering of taxpayer money by a defense contractor accused of willfully exposing U.S. soldiers to toxic chemicals while they served in Iraq. In 2003, courageous American soldiers, including members of Oregon's National Guard, were given the task of protecting workers of Kellogg Brown & Root, KBR, at the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant in southern Iraq. Some of these soldiers are suing KBR on the grounds that the contractor knowingly exposed them to dangerous carcinogenic substances such as sodium dichromate and hexavalent chromium. Many of these soldiers have reported serious illnesses, and at least one has already passed away at a surprisingly young age. KBR has fought this case, as is their right, and normally this would not be an issue for the Congress, but this is not a normal case because KBR isn't paying for the case. The American taxpayer is picking up the bill. KBR's contract with the Pentagon includes an indemnification clause. This, of course, is legalese that means that the U.S. taxpayer is on the hook not only for any damages incurred as a result of the contractor's actions but also for legal bills and administrative costs incurred during legal battles. It makes no difference if the contractor is at fault or not. In this case KBR has run up exorbitant and wasteful legal bills in the course of its lengthy legal defenses against the soldiers' claims.…
