Yesterday, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced legislation to reduce the number of private military contractors the U.S. employs in war zones.
Called the “Stop Outsourcing Security Act,” the legislation aims to reduce the number of private military contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan — there are now more than 22,000 — and would require Congressional oversight for contracts worth more than $5 million.
Schakowsky wrote of the legislation: “Our reliance on private, for-profit companies for the business of waging war is extremely dangerous. It’s time we move to eliminate the use of these unaccountable and controversial mercenaries.”
Sanders added:
I believe that it is wrong and extremely dangerous for private companies to perform mission critical functions in the field of war. Private contractors do not operate within the traditional military chain of command. They are not subject to the same rigorous standards of vetting and training as are members of our armed forces. Most importantly, when push comes to shove, they answer to a corporate CEO, not a uniformed commander. And let’s be clear – the function of a private corporation is to make as much money as possible, not to serve the best interests of the people of the United States or our policies.
The new legislation comes ahead of today’s Senate hearing on private military contractor Blackwater’s involvement in the May 2009 killing of two Afghan civilians.
