Political Quotes

“I say to my good friend, yes, there are instances of fraud and abuse, and work has been done by the Armed Services Committee Readiness Subcommittee. I believe Senator Akaka is on that committee from your side of the aisle. It is a lot of work. It is not as if somebody is sitting on their hands. Fraud, waste and abuse within the Federal contracting system, while not pervasive, is a significant problem that we as a Congress must, and are, addressing. The potential for fraud, waste and abuse is not limited to just Iraq and Afghanistan. Through the use of normal committee legislative tools and processes we have uncovered fraudulent and wasteful cases and are conducting systemic oversight. The Armed Services Committee has conducted numerous hearings and briefings on acquisition oversight and reform (including oversight of contracting in Iraq) and has initiated investigations by the GAO and the Inspector General on DOD acquisition practices and programs. Other committees, such as Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Foreign Relations, with jurisdiction over government contracting, have similar oversight records. The Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction was established to look at Iraqi contracting. The special IG routinely briefs this Committee and others on its findings.…”