Whistleblowers using Iraq contracting tip line, lawmaker says

[Robbien]

House Government Reform ranking member Henry Waxman, D-Calif., a government contracting critic, says he is fed up with the Bush administration rebuffing requests for information on reconstruction contracting business in Iraq.


So, Waxman has set up his own Internet tip line to attract government whistleblowers to feed him information. And the response since the tip line was initiated late last Friday has been big, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.


"We've had a good initial response," she said. "Over 100 tips" have been filed into the office, she said. Waxman's Special Investigations Division plans to follow through on them. "All deal with Iraq," she added.


Waxman, who helped spur the current investigation into alleged overpricing of fuel by Halliburton Co. subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root, has been trying to root out waste, fraud and corruption in government contracting. A Defense Department audit has found that KBR may have overpriced fuel imported to Iraq from Kuwait by $61 million. President Bush said last Friday that Halliburton -- formerly headed by Vice President Cheney, who denies any dealings with his former company -- would be required to repay any overcharges.

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1203/121603cdpm2.htm

comment: further in the article it says Waxman has three whistleblower hotlines and one of them is for specifically "seeks information about any government official who leaks the name of U.S. intelligence agents". Waxman is my hero.

[wryter2000]

1. Go, Henry W.

:yourock:

[catzies]

2. Rep. Waxman is terrific. Wish he was my congressman.

I live north of his district, but I'm glad he's in the California delegation!

[tlcandie]

3. Sounds all great and everything, but let me hang myself with a question..

Can this cabal tap those lines and get that info first had and take care of the informant? Trace the call even?

[soothsayer]

7. yeah, but once they develop a pattern of retaliation against whistleblwrs

it would be even WORSE for ol' halliburton

so hopefully they're smart enuff to realize that

[wabeewoman]

4. The courage and common sense of one man...

Why aren't all of our elected representatives like Waxman?

[denverbill]

5. Good going Henry!!! Kudos!

Let's root out the corruption and waste these Republicans are letting slide.

[cthrumatrix]

6. maybe shrubs next press conference he can deny this as well......

[Just Me]

8. This is WONDERFUL!!!

I've been advocating for whistle-blower support and protections for quite some time now. It is inspiring to see someone take a step in that direction. Hooray for you, Waxman!!!

[pinto]

9. 'tho portrayed as a "wild eyed" liberal by some, Waxman's wiley, whistle-

blowers have federal protection under labor laws....ha!

[mikehiggins]

10. let's hope Waxman doesn't fly on any small planes

Accidents happen, especially to people who look into contractors like Halliburton.

[proud patriot]

11. YAY!!!!!!!!!

Waxman Waxman your the man Wooo Hoo !