The U.S. Congress is moving to crack down on fraud associated with wartime contracts, with the House of Representatives on track to pass legislation on Tuesday that would make it easier to convict companies working abroad, according to AP. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Neil Abercrombie, would create a new federal criminal statute banning contracting abuse associated with military operations and reconstruction efforts. It also would ensure federal courts have jurisdiction in all cases, closing what Abercrombie says is a loophole in existing law that has let many contractors off the hook. «The problem is that the U.S. occupation of Iraq has been viewed by some as 'open season' on the American taxpayer,» said Abercrombie, said the bill's Democratic sponsor, Neil Abercrombie. A similar measure by Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Democrat, was approved in April by the Senate Judiciary Committee. A spokesman for Leahy said Republican objections have prevented it from getting a quick floor vote. The proposal is the latest attempt by Democrats to pass legislation that both attracts enough Republican votes to pass and highlights management problems associated with the war. Still lacking a veto-proof majority to force troops home, Democrats have decided to delay debate on President George W. Bush's war spending request until early next year.
