DAVIS, BLUE DOGS INTRODUCE PLAN FOR FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT IN IRAQ January 19, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis today joined his Blue Dog colleagues to introduce a resolution honoring our soldiers while requiring greater financial oversight on how taxpayer money is being spent on military and reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

"The brave men and women of our armed forces are to be commended for their unyielding bravery. They deserve our respect," Davis said. "After nearly four years of operations in Iraq we have seen hundreds of billions spent in support, and countless millions, if not billions of waste and fraud. We need detailed accounting of how taxpayer money is being spent."

The resolution requires the Defense Department and the Iraq Reconstruction Inspector General to prepare an unclassified report for Congress every ninety days with a classified appendage if necessary. The report is to contain detailed accounting of how funds in Iraq have been spent thus far; detailed accounting of contracts, including the methods by which such contracts were awarded and contractors selected; and a description of efforts to obtain support and assistance from other countries toward the rehabilitation of Iraq.

From the onset of the war, the Administration has sent Congress emergency supplemental appropriations requests. The resolution says from fiscal year 2008 and beyond funding requests must come through the regular appropriations process.