Good news this morning for oversight of government contracts that might be a precursor to a more vigilant Congress in 2007. After Democrats recently vowed to pass legislation to save oversight of Iraqi reconstruction efforts, Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) have unanimously passed a bill (S. 4046) out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee that would retain the Office of Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction through most of 2008, according to BNA ($$). The Collins/Lieberman legislation was developed in response to a provision in the FY 2007 Defense Authorization bill passed earlier this year that would have eliminated the special Inspector General's office on October 1, 2007. Both Collins and Lieberman expressed outrage that the office had been scheduled for elimination. Collins called it "inconceivable" that the office would be closed so soon, adding, "This office has proven to be a much-needed watchdog, auditing reconstruction contracts in Iraq and spotlighting numerous cases of waste, fraud, and abuse and we must keep the watchdog on the job." Lieberman added that the Special Inspector has done a "great job uncovering billions of taxpayer dollars wasted through abuse and mismanagement of Iraqi projects" and that his work is "critically important." The language in S. 4046 would keep the Special IG's office open 10 months after 80 percent of reconstruction funds have been spent. Similar legislation was introduced in the House this week by future Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO). Nice to see Congress moving in the right direction on oversight of federal contracts, especially in Iraq. Now that he has helped to save his job, hopefully incoming Chairman Lieberman will hold hearings next year to actually hear what the Special Inspector General has to say.