WASHINGTON — Violent acts by private security contractors in Iraq have sparked a major new confrontation between Congress and the White House, with lawmakers on Wednesday moving to ensure that the armed guards be held accountable under U.S. law if they harm Iraqi civilians without justification.
With bipartisan support, the House is expected today to take up legislation that would make it clear that U.S. laws apply to all armed private contractors hired for overseas missions.
The measure was intended by supporters to clarify a federal statute that many contend allows private security guards protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq and elsewhere to avoid prosecution for shooting without cause.
However, the White House, backed by some of its allies in Congress, expressed "grave concerns" and said in a statement that the measure would place "inappropriate and unwarranted burdens" on the U.S. military in war zones.
Backers expected the bill, sponsored by Rep. David E. Price (D-N.C.), to pass with bipartisan support in a House vote today. Senate supporters were preparing to offer a corresponding measure. Administration officials did not say whether a veto would be considered if the measure passes.
Whatever the outcome, the fight has further inflamed debate over an increasingly controversial aspect of the U.S. mission in Iraq: the use of tens of thousands of heavily armed private security contractors. It also appeared to widen the gap between congressional war critics and the White House over the war and U.S. efforts to combat terrorism.
The question of contractor accountability has sparked several government reviews and has become an issue in the national presidential campaign.
In one review by the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Wednesday that military experts urged a series of steps to provide improved accountability.
Gates said the recommendations for tightened oversight of Pentagon contractors "look very reasonable to me and I anticipate that we will move forward toward trying to implement them."
In debate on the House floor, Democrats called for greater accountability for the U.S. private security presence in foreign countries. Some Republicans defended the status quo as necessary to advance the U.S. war effort -- even though lax oversight of the contractors has drawn sharp criticism from the Iraqis and their fledgling government.
