Napolitano Joins Unanimous Democrat Call for Congressional Oversight of U.S. Operations in Iraq

(Washington D.C.)- Democrats on the House International Relations Committee (HIRC) today unanimously demanded hearings on U.S. efforts to reconstruct Iraq that are surrounded by charges of waste, fraud and abuse. All 23 Democratic members of HIRC cited the billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars pouring into Iraq without any scrutiny or transparency.

Napolitano (D-Norwalk) signed onto the letter to Chairman Henry Hyde (R-IL), in which committee Democrats wrote, “The corruption and incompetence surrounding the rebuilding of Iraq has badly damaged America’s image, not just in Iraq, but throughout the world. Our nation’s reputation for honest, efficiency, and good government has been badly tarnished and respect for our power has been undermined.”

Recent reports by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction cast serious doubts on the results and effectiveness of the United States reconstruction plan, including the failure to complete three-quarters of oil and gas reconstruction projects, half of all electricity projects and about 40% of water and sanitation projects financed with U.S. support.

“The Republican-controlled Congress has failed in its duty to investigate and oversee post-war Iraq rebuilding efforts. Not one single hearing has been held to look into the reported misspending or disappearance of hundreds of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars in Iraq, including no oversight of billion-dollar “no-bid” contracts,” said Napolitano. “Meanwhile, Gulf Coast residents and our working families across America tighten their belts and make more sacrifices as they continue to struggle to meet their daily needs of food, medicine, housing, safety and education. Our money should be reinvested at home where it’s most needed.”

To read the letter to Chairman Hyde, click here.

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