Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) have sponsored a bill (S. 1825) that would set up a commission to investigate and reform wartime contracting. It is likely the bill will be introduced as an amendment to the Defense Reauthorization Act that is currently being debated in the Senate. OMB Watch has sent a letter of support to Congress urging adoption of Webb's potential amendment. The Project on Government Oversight, Government Accountability Project, and Taxpayers for Common Sense also support the bill. The commission, modeled on the Truman Committee that exposed $15 billion of waste and fraud in World War II contracting, would be given subpoena powers and a broad and ambitious mission. The proposal would also expand the powers of the Special Inspector General for Iraqi Reconstruction (SIGIR), which has a proven record of exposing waste, fraud and abuse. If enacted, the commission will have the opportunity to focus more attention on reforming the government contracting process generally. The commission would perform three essential functions:

• Investigate wartime contracting and procedures
• Recommend changes to reform and improve contracting procedures
• Expand the authority of the SIGIR

Oversight of wartime contracting is one of the most critical tasks facing Congress. Much of the military functions in Iraq and Afghanistan have been performed by contractors. Yet, the public and policymakers know little about how well contractors have performed and the full extent of contractor waste, fraud and abuse. Recent problems with private contractors that provide security in Iraq, such as Blackwater, USA, have brought to light additional reasons why a comprehensive look at contracting during the wars is necessary. Furthermore, contract oversight is becoming increasingly important outside of Iraq and Afghanistan operations. Total funding devoted to contracting by all federal agencies has doubled since 2000. Senate leaders have not yet agreed to allow a vote on the Webb/McCaskill bill as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act.