Pentagon Must Justify Questionable Iraq Contract

On October 25, I sent a letter to the Pentagon demanding justification for a recent $6 million contract that was awarded to the Lincoln Group for public relations work in Iraq, during which time the company was under investigation by the Department of Defense Inspector General.  The Lincoln Group has been under intense scrutiny over reports that it had placed false news stories in the media about American actions in Iraq as part of a contract it had with the Pentagon in 2005.  I am extremely concerned that taxpayer dollars have been spent attempting to influence the media rather than providing adequate equipment for our men and women on the front lines.  I will not rest until the Pentagon comes clean about this questionable expenditure.

An audit was launched in 2006 by the Inspector General to investigate “Information Operations” in the Middle East, including the work of the Lincoln Group.  It concluded that the Pentagon did not provide adequate oversight of the Lincoln Group contract and did not comply with federal contracting regulations.  Still, the Pentagon awarded this $6 million contract even before the Inspector General completed its report.

The way to win the war in Iraq is to change our strategy and our policy.  It is vital that we win the hearts and minds of Iraqis, but to do so, we must stabilize the country and reduce violence.  It is not clear to me that the Lincoln Group contract accomplishes this goal.  I will continue to ask tough questions and demand answers for our nation’s policies in Iraq.

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