Thomas Daschle: “As I said, it is very disturbing because there have already been serious concerns raised about the lack of scrutiny…”

“As I said, it is very disturbing because there have already been serious concerns raised about the lack of scrutiny, auditing, and transparency with regard to the billions of dollars that are now being committed in Iraq. The Defense Contract Audit Agency has now been charged not only with taking responsibility for an audit, but they have also begun consideration of a criminal investigation. Clearly, if there is a possibility of a kickback, a criminal investigation is certainly warranted. I am troubled by the lack of any expressed concern in the Congress. There has been virtually no oversight in either the House or the Senate. When matters of this magnitude and concerns of this level are addressed on the front pages of some of the most prominent newspapers in the country, I cannot think of a more important wakeup call for us. One of our primary roles as Members of Congress, of course, is oversight, to make sure that the money we authorize and appropriate is not only spent well but is spent as the American people would expect it.”