Today the House with a vote of 395-21 passed the Iraq Corruption Resolution, introduced on Friday, October 12, 2007, by Chairmen Waxman and Tierney. In his statement on the House floor, Chairman Waxman called the State Department abuses of the classification system “outrageous” and demanded answers to questions about corruption in Iraq.

H.Res. 734 expresses the sense of the House that the State Department has abused its classification authority by withholding from Congress and the American people information about the extent of corruption in the Maliki government. The resolution further condemns the State Department for retroactively classifying documents that had been widely distributed previously as unclassified, and by directing its employees not to answer questions in an open forum that call for “Broad statements/assessments which judge or characterize the quality of Iraqi governance or the ability/determination of the Iraqi government to deal with corruption, including allegations that investigations were thwarted/stifled for political reasons.” Cosponsors include Reps. Tierney, Maloney, Lynch, Yarmuth, Braley, Norton, McCollum, Van Hollen, and Schakowsky.
Chairman Waxman today released a new fact sheet that responds to the inaccurate and misleading statements contained in the State Department’s October 15 response to the Committee.

Video of the October 16 Debate on the House Floor

Video Clips on Iraqi Corruption

Click below to see highlight video clips of the hearing on Iraqi corruption.

Judge Radhi describes the extent of corruption in Iraq.

Judge Radhi discusses the Iraqi government's reluctance to prosecute officials.

Judge Radhi talks about the intimidation and violence experienced by his anti-corruption staff.

Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen recognizes the legitimate role of Congressional Oversight in Iraq.

State Department Ambassador Lawrence Butler refuses to answer questions from Chairman Waxman.

Chairman Waxman discusses why the State Department should comply with Congressional Oversight requests.

Rep. Lynch reprimands the State Department for refusing to comply with Congressional oversight.

Rep. Tierney reprimands the State Department for retroactively classifying key reports and documents.