Brown, Ayotte Release "No Contracting with the Enemy" Legistlation

Statement

U.S. Senators Scott Brown (R-MA) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) this week introduced legislation called "No Contracting with the Enemy."

According to recent reports from government agencies, contractors in Afghanistan are funneling American tax dollars to Afghan warlords and strongmen, including the Taliban, in exchange for protection and other services.

The bill introduced by Brown and Ayotte would make it easier for U.S. contracting officials to void any such contract, as identified by the Department of Defense and the Department of State, at no cost to our government.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that our hard-earned tax dollars are being used by the enemy to harm our soldiers and undermine our efforts in Afghanistan," said Brown, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "While members of our military are risking their lives, we need to do everything possible to support their mission and protect their safety. Our legislation addresses a very serious problem facing our soldiers, and I am proud to introduce it with Senator Ayotte."

"The U.S. spends billions of dollars in contracting in Afghanistan each year to support American troops and advance our counterinsurgency strategy. Unfortunately, because of insufficient oversight, a significant portion of our contracting dollars in Afghanistan have ended up in the hands of powerbrokers and insurgents who undermine our interests and attack our brave troops. It is simply unacceptable that when we identify contracts or contractors who are working with our enemies it often takes months to stop the flow of funds," said Ayotte, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The U.S. is at war in Afghanistan, and our contracting laws and regulations need to reflect that reality. This legislation seeks to cut through the red tape and ensure that enemies of the United States do not benefit in any way from our taxpayer dollars."

Source