PORTLAND -- Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer is fighting for accountability in war contracts after dozens of Oregon veterans claim they were exposed to cancer-causing chemicals while serving in Iraq.
Those troops were providing security at a project run by war contractor Kellogg Brown & Root, or KBR.
"Why shouldn't the public know what was in this contract," asked Blumenauer. "We're going to try and see if we know what's going on."
That is why the congressman wrote a letter to the Defense Secretary demanding accountability and transparency. He wanted to know why KBR was granted immunity and under what terms. He also wanted to know if any other contractors have similar deals.
"Luckily they say this doesn't happen very often," said Blumenauer. "But (they) wouldn't reveal the terms of the immunity."
In addition to those answers, the Secretary of the U.S. Army told Blumenauer the army considers the use of indemnification provisions only in extraordinary circumstances.
"This is a big deal, it could impact a lot of people," said Blumenauer. "I want to make sure we're not granting them immunity when it could actually lead to putting our soldiers at risk."
"For the soldiers it's important, really important, the story gets told," said David Sugerman, who is representing the soldiers. "We're really glad Congressman Blumenauer is digging into this."
Right now the terms of KBR's immunity deal are classified. Blumenauer pledges to work with the Obama administration to declassify that information.
