Three years ago I proposed that we needed an independent war profiteering commission–modeled on the Truman Commission–to expose and eliminate the staggering waste, mismanagement and corruption of Iraq Reconstruction under the Bush Administration. Monday, the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan held its first hearing in the same room where the Truman Commission did its historical work.

The first panel of witnesses included Senators Jim Webb and Claire McCaskill who introduced the legislation to create this bipartisan commission made up of non-elected officials. In his opening statement Senator Webb said:

Let’s start with the premise that every interested American knows that there was rampant fraud, waste and abuse following the invasion of Iraq. They all know it. And they want us to demonstrate that we’re willing to do something about it, not simply in terms of process, but in terms of accountability.

The Commission’s mandate is necessarily broad and it includes “assessment of the systemic problems identified with interagency wartime contracting, the identification of instances of waste, fraud and abuse, and ensuring accountability for those responsible.” Senator Webb made it clear the Commission will be given whatever is necessary, including subpoena power.

After billions have been squandered on no-bid, unaccountable contracts; after soldiers have been sickened, injured or killed due to shoddy contractor performance; after Iraqi civilians have lost their lives to reckless security contractors…today marks an important day as we continue to extricate our nation from the Bush legacy and renew our democratic path.