SENATE VOTES TO KEEP IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION WATCHDOG OFFICE OPEN
WASHINGTON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voted on Tuesday to keep alive the federal agency that looks for waste and fraud in taxpayer-financed reconstruction projects in Iraq, hoping to reverse a recently passed law that would close the office next year.
On a voice vote, the chamber embraced a bipartisan plan to keep the office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction open until 10 months after 80 percent of the funds for Iraqi reconstruction have been spent, whenever that is.
“The important work of this watchdog must continue, as long as American funds are being used for Iraqi reconstruction,” said Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican and co’sponsor of the plan with Sen. Russ Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat.
