House Democrats extend warm welcome to KBR
WASHINGTON â?? A representative from giant military contractor KBR got a rare friendly reception Thursday from House Democrats during a hearing examining construction problems at the $592 million U.S. Embassy being built in Iraq.
KBR has come under fire in Congress and elsewhere regarding possible overcharges and sloppy paperwork relating to its contract to provide logistical support to the military in Iraq. The company has said it is cooperating with the government in trying to address those concerns.
Congressional Democrats also have been skeptical about KBR's military contracts, in no small part because Dick Cheney headed KBR's former parent, Halliburton, before he became vice president.
No Democrat in the House has been more dogged about keeping tabs on KBR's performance than Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
So it was an odd day Thursday when Karl Demming, KBR's technical professional leader for specialties in Baghdad, appeared before Waxman's committee to testify about problems with the electrical work performed by State Department contractor First Kuwaiti General Trade and Contracting Co. in a housing facility for embassy security guards.
Kitchen crews had been in for a surprise when trying to turn on appliances to begin serving meals for the 1,200 people who would be housed in the facility: Workers suffered minor electrical shocks and electric wires began to melt, Demming said.
Placing blame
With Democrats prodding him on and Republicans scrambling to downplay the importance of his testimony, Demming told the panel that KBR officials investigating the incident learned the contractor had installed counterfeit wiring.
Describing First Kuwaiti's performance as "OK," Demming said he would have concerns about the firm's work on the full embassy project.
The Kuwaiti company did not send an official to testify. But the Associated Press reported that the company said in a statement said it was doing a good job against the difficult backdrop of rising violence.
The State Department's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations had tried to blame KBR for the incident.
"The issues with the ... wiring melting was a function of KBR installing considerable (sic) more equipment ... than that originally designed and anticipated," according to State Department cables released by the committee.
Demming said officials knew what extra equipment KBR staffers would be bringing over to the kitchen.
KBR spokeswoman Heather Browne said Thursday that the company's initial assessments determined the problems were not related to its work and that subsequent inspection reports confirmed that determination.
Charles Williams, director and chief operating officer of the State Department's Overseas Building Operations, argued the guard camp is only a temporary facility that would not be subject to the same kind of rigorous inspection as a permanent facility.
And he insisted First Kuwaiti officials have never been shy about fixing problems when asked.
"I've never seen a perfect project," Williams said.
Williams assured lawmakers the world's largest embassy will open in September â?? on time and on budget.
The goodwill is short-lived
Waxman applauded KBR's cooperation with his committee. Besides agreeing to have Demming testify, KBR officials provided documents and briefed committee staffers. "They took these steps even though they know that I have been outspoken about my concerns about other KBR projects in Iraq," Waxman said.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said Democrats were finally treating KBR as it deserved to be, as a competent, knowledgeable contractor.
But he predicted: "The sweet-talking about KBR is going to last exactly one hearing."
House Democrats extend warm welcome to KBR | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
A nice warm welcome from the Dems........very shocking to say the least.
Have a good one!:s4:
House Democrats extend warm welcome to KBR
But he predicted: "The sweet-talking about KBR is going to last exactly one hearing.".....................................So,,, what do you make of this remark? I certainly hope those idiot democrats get tough on Cheneys lying cheating company, Probably stole a few hundred from me personally (my share of the National debt) I don't see many changes on the horizon as far as congress cutting their lobby monies, hopefully they will install more social coverage like universal health care and get rid of the entrenched Insurance lobby, doubtful but do-able
House Democrats extend warm welcome to KBR
Quote:
Originally Posted by medicinal
But he predicted: "The sweet-talking about KBR is going to last exactly one hearing.".....................................So,,, what do you make of this remark?
Talk is cheap....goes with politicians.
hopefully they will install more social coverage like universal health care and get rid of the entrenched Insurance lobby, doubtful but do-able
LOL...if ya click your heels three times you'll be back in Kansas too.
Have a good one!:s4:
House Democrats extend warm welcome to KBR
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud
A nice warm welcome from the Dems........very shocking to say the least.
with delusions (a subject i am well versed on) of filling not only congress but the white house as well, they know full well which side their bread is buttered on. looks like they're lining up for their seats on the gravy train.
a politician is a politician is a politician.
House Democrats extend warm welcome to KBR
Quote:
Originally Posted by delusionsofNORMALity
with delusions (a subject i am well versed on) of filling not only congress but the white house as well, they know full well which side their bread is buttered on. looks like they're lining up for their seats on the gravy train.
a politician is a politician is a politician.
My my, you're such a cynic, where is your altruistic mode. I'd say there at least three congressmen that have our best interest at heart, just can't think of their names.
