The complexities of U.S. defense contracting in Iraq and some of the resulting irregularities are reviewed in a newly updated report from the Congressional Research Service.
“Given the size and scope of the contracts in Iraq, and the challenge of managing billions of DOD-appropriated dollars, many have suggested it appropriate to inquire whether these types of contracts can be managed better,” the CRS report delicately stated.
See “Defense Contracting in Iraq: Issues and Options for Congress” (pdf), updated November 15, 2007.
Other noteworthy new CRS reports obtained by Secrecy News include the following (all pdf):
“North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons: Latest Developments,” November 21, 2007.
“Russian Energy Policy toward Neighboring Countries,” November 27, 2007.
“Foreign Aid Reform: Issues for Congress and Policy Options,” November 7, 2007.
“Defense: FY2008 Authorization and Appropriations,” updated November 28, 2007.
“Botnets, Cybercrime, and Cyberterrorism: Vulnerabilities and Policy Issues for Congress,” updated November 15, 2007.
The public rarely sees the quiet, often messy work that goes into creating, passing, and implementing a major piece of legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act.
If this proposed rule were enacted it would have deleterious effects on government workers in general and federal researchers and scientists, specifically.
When we introduce “at-will” employment to government employees, we also introduce the potential for environments where people are more concerned about self-preservation than service to others.
There is no better time to re-invigorate America’s innovation edge by investing in R&D to create and capture “industries of the future,” re-shoring capital and expertise, and working closely with allies to expand our capabilities while safeguarding those technologies that are critical to our security.