In Light of KBR and Qarmat Ali, U.S. Congress to Consider Forcing Greater Military Transparency

On May 25, 2011, United States Representatives from Oregon spearheaded an amendment to the House Defense Authorization bill in an effort to creat greater transparency in government contracting.

The effort is the latest attempt to rectify problems highlighted by a number of lawsuits, including those filed by National Guard soldiers against Kellogg, Brown, and Root (KBR). KBR contracted with the National Guard to provide protection at their Qarmat Ali water treatment plant during the Iraq War. The no-bid contract between KBR/Halliburton and the US Goverment at issue in the case still remains classified.

The House is expected to vote on the bill by Friday, May 27, 2011.

Doyle currently represents National Guard soldiers and members of the British Royal Air Force in their lawsuit against KBR for exposure to sodium dichromate (hexavalent chromium) at the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant.

More information is available here.