Stop Outsourcing Security

Floor Speech

(Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, in case there was any doubt that we need to get rid of private security contractors in Iraq, just look at yesterday's headline story in the Washington Post: ``How Blackwater Sniper Fire Felled 3 Iraqi Guards. Witnesses call shooting unprovoked, but State Department cleared its security team after a brief probe.''

That shooting took place February 7, and just yesterday we found out about it. Isn't it obvious that the State Department is unable or unwilling to control these armed mercenaries whose reckless behavior fans the flames of hatred against all Americans, including our young troops in harm's way? Isn't it obvious that for-profit companies like Blackwater who are being paid billions of taxpayer dollars have forfeited their right to work in Iraq? Defense Secretary Robert Gates said they are working ``at cross purposes to our larger mission in Iraq.''

I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Stop Outsourcing Security Act, H.R. 4102, and begin now to phase out these unaccountable private security contractors before they do any more damage.

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