Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Administration Attempting To Shift Iraqi Money Oversight

A fight in Congress over the money flared in the final hours before the spending bill was approved, when a group of senators wrote an amendment that would have given Mr. Bowen oversight responsibility for the new money.

What happened next is a matter of dispute. The measure's sponsors say they asked Republican Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to allow the measure to be brought to a vote but were turned down. Mr. Cochran denies receiving such a request and says the amendment's sponsors could have formally introduced the measure but chose not to, according to his spokeswoman, Margaret Wicker.

The bill passed the Senate without the amendment. As the House version of the spending bill makes the State Department inspector general responsible for the new money, it is likely the funds ultimately will be treated that way. "This is nothing more than a transparent attempt to shut down the only effective oversight of this massive reconstruction program which has been plagued by mismanagement and fraud," said Sen. Patrick Leahy (D., Vermont).

This administration's constant stealing of American money is so pervasive, now, that they don't even try to hide their contempt for Congress and it's role in oversight. Every day, every hour, all these people do is craft ways to take money from the public and give it to themselves, their friends and associates. It disgusts me. It should disgust the average American, yet 31% still approve of this president and his disgusting choices.

No comments: