The White House "strongly opposes" U.S. Rep. David Price’s bill to bring private security contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan under U.S. criminal code.
Among the bill’s provisions are setting up FBI investigators in Iraq and Afghanistan to investigate suspected crimes by private security contractors, reports Barb Barrett.
The Bush administration issued a statement this morning that it has “grave concerns” about the bill, but supports accountability and would be willing to work with Congress to repair the legislation.
The White House said the bill was vague about who would be subject to U.S. law, resulting in "extreme litigation."
It says the bill's outcome could threaten ongoing national security activities abroad and would burden the Department of Defense, forcing that agency to help out the FBI even as it is trying to conduct a war.
More after the jump.
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Price, a Chapel Hill Democrat, has argued that private security contractors are acting without accountability, and his work has gained new attention in the wake of the Blackwater USA shooting in Baghdad last month. At least 11 Iraqis died in the incident.
Blackwater president Erik Prince defended his workers Tuesday on Capitol Hill, but he also said he supported Price’s legislation and welcomed clarity on accountability.
Price's bill is scheduled to be debated and voted on this afternoon in the full House.
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