[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H7217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INDEMNIFICATION

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, in working with 26 Oregon National Guard 
members who have filed a lawsuit against defense contractor KBR, I 
discovered these Oregon veterans have a compelling case that, while 
serving in Iraq, KBR's negligence resulted in their poisoning by 
hexavalent chromium, a very potent carcinogen. In the legal 
proceedings, KBR recently revealed the existence of a still-classified 
contract clause that could shift the cost of all the damages and court 
fees onto the Department of Defense and, of course by extension, the 
U.S. taxpayers.
  I vowed to fight to end a contracting flaw that can shield 
contractors from their own reckless behavior and removes incentives for 
them to operate responsibly. Today I will introduce legislation that 
will set important long overdue limits to indemnification agreements 
and to correct this problem with congressional oversight of the defense 
contracting process. I hope my colleagues will join me in passing this 
legislation before the end of the session.

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