Schiff Supports Military Funding; Calls for Greater Accountability Over Reconstruction Expenditures
WASHINGTON, DC - Due to the lack of accountability provisions and inadequate assurances that reconstruction funds will be properly awarded and spent, U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) voted "no" today on the $87 billion emergency supplemental appropriations request for Iraq and Afghanistan.
Following the vote, Rep. Schiff, a member of the House International Relations Committee and co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security, issued the following statement:
"The House supplemental appropriations bill failed to provide adequate assurances that our troops would get the supplies they need to perform their duties, that the Administration has corrected deficiencies in its post-war planning and strategy, that reconstruction work would be conducted in a cost-effective manner, and that other nations of the world would share in the immense costs. The Administration must improve the quality of its post-war planning and provide more information to the Congress and American people about how it will use this funding to ensure our success in Iraq and Afghanistan. Any appropriation must not be a blank check, but should require frequent reporting and consultation with Congress.
"After visiting Iraq in August and Afghanistan a year ago, I could not be more impressed with the young people who are standing in harms way every day on our behalf. Our first priority must be to meet the needs of our troops and keep them safe. It has been alarming to learn over the past several months that many soldiers lack Kevlar vests, that there are insufficiently armored vehicles, that spare parts and other essential supplies have not reached our troops. Our troops deserve better and this must be corrected immediately.
"It is also essential that the Administration demonstrate that it has a well thought-out post-war plan for Iraq's reconstruction. When Ambassador Bremer testified before the House International Relations Committee, I asked him how much of the pre-war planning was of use to him in the post-war period. His answer was both candid and astounding: He never read the post-war plan. Never had time to. The lack of adequate post-war planning and the resulting frequent changes in strategy on political and reconstruction issues have hurt our effort significantly.
"Americans must also not bear this burden alone. It is in the profound interest of the world community that Iraq be placed on the road to self-governance and not be allowed to descend into chaos. The resolution, passed recently by the United Nations, is a positive step forward, but those words must be followed by deeds; other nations must contribute troops and funds towards the security and reconstruction in Iraq.
"Moreover, private companies must not be allowed to profit from the vast sums expended in Iraq. Open bidding processes should be used whenever possible and great scrutiny must be applied to any and all contracts awarded. Maximum use of Iraqi labor should be employed to further obtain Iraqi support for the reconstruction.
"And finally, to the degree we must finance the lion’s share of the military and reconstruction efforts, this burden must not be allowed to fall to the very soldiers and their children in the future. We should not debt finance this war or its aftermath.
"I strongly urge my colleagues on the Conference Committee to include provisions which ensure that the protection of our forces is the first imperative, that inadequacies in our intelligence gathering and post-war planning are immediately addressed, and that specific accountability measures for post-war reconstruction funding and frequent status reports to Congress are required in the final bill."
Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Burbank, Alhambra, Altadena, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.