Iraq Contracting Fraud tackled by Kerry and Dorgan
Senator John F. Kerry and Sen. Byron Dorgan sponsored legislation that punishes war profiteers and protects whistleblowers. According to Senator Kerry, in a Boston Herald article " Millions have been wasted in the Iraq reconstruction effort. It’s a disgrace that we have to answer to parents who ask how we can allow corporate cheaters to reap massive profits on the battlefield of Iraq when their sons and daughters are serving without proper equipment." The legislation seeks to prevent Defense Contractor fraud, waste and abuse.
Pamela Leavy, Editor of the Democratic Daily Blog, wrote an excellent Section- by- Section Analysis of the Honest Leadership and Accountability in Contracting Act Legislation. Key Highlights:
1. Punishes War Profiteers – Sec. 101 -Max. 20 years in prison and minimum $1 million in fines
2. Cracks Down on Big Corporate Cheaters – Sec. 102 - suspension and debarment
3. Requires Full Disclosure of Contract Abuses – Sec. 103 - greater transparency in contracting
4. Forces Real Contract Competition – Secs. 201 and 202 no umbrella contracts over $100 million
5. Bans Corporate Cronyism in Contracting – Sec. 211 - requires conduct contract oversight
6. Eliminates Conflicts of Interest for Federal Contracting Employees – Sec. 212 -
7. Ends Cronyism in Key Government Positions – Sec. 301 end unqualified political appointees from holding key jobs relating to (1) federal contracting or (2) public safety.
8. Strengthens Whistleblower Protections – end retaliation against whistleblowers
Read Pamela's Section Analysis of the Honest Leadership and Accountability in Contracting Act
