U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

49–006 

" ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 109TH CONGRESS

2d Session 

REPORT

2006

109–397 

REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTING THE 

SECRETARY OF STATE AND SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PROVIDE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CERTAIN DOCUMENTS IN THEIR POSSESSION RELATING TO ANY ENTITY WITH WHICH 

THE UNITED STATES HAS CONTRACTED FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS PURPOSES CONCERNING IRAQ 

ADVERSE REPORT 

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

ON

H. RES. 685 

together with 

DISSENTING VIEWS 

MARCH 16, 2006.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 

printed 


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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES 

ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS

DUNCAN HUNTER, California, Chairman 

CURT WELDON, Pennsylvania 

JOEL HEFLEY, Colorado 

JIM SAXTON, New Jersey 

JOHN M. MCHUGH, New York 

TERRY EVERETT, Alabama 

ROSCOE G. BARTLETT, Maryland 

HOWARD P. ‘‘BUCK’’ MCKEON, California 

MAC THORNBERRY, Texas 

JOHN N. HOSTETTLER, Indiana 

WALTER B. JONES, North Carolina 

JIM RYUN, Kansas 

JIM GIBBONS, Nevada 

ROBIN HAYES, North Carolina 

KEN CALVERT, California 

ROB SIMMONS, Connecticut 

JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia 

W. TODD AKIN, Missouri 

J. RANDY FORBES, Virginia 

JEFF MILLER, Florida 

JOE WILSON, South Carolina 

FRANK A. LOBIONDO, New Jersey 

JEB BRADLEY, New Hampshire 

MICHAEL TURNER, Ohio 

JOHN KLINE, Minnesota 

CANDICE S. MILLER, Michigan 

MIKE ROGERS, Alabama 

TRENT FRANKS, Arizona 

BILL SHUSTER, Pennsylvania 

THELMA DRAKE, Virginia 

JOE SCHWARZ, Michigan 

CATHY MCMORRIS, Washington 

MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas 

GEOFF DAVIS, Kentucky 

IKE SKELTON, Missouri 

JOHN SPRATT, South Carolina 

SOLOMON P. ORTIZ, Texas 

LANE EVANS, Illinois 

GENE TAYLOR, Mississippi 

NEIL ABERCROMBIE, Hawaii 

MARTY MEEHAN, Massachusetts 

SILVESTRE REYES, Texas 

VIC SNYDER, Arkansas 

ADAM SMITH, Washington 

LORETTA SANCHEZ, California 

MIKE MCINTYRE, North Carolina 

ELLEN O. TAUSCHER, California 

ROBERT A. BRADY, Pennsylvania 

ROBERT ANDREWS, New Jersey 

SUSAN A. DAVIS, California 

JAMES R. LANGEVIN, Rhode Island 

STEVE ISRAEL, New York 

RICK LARSEN, Washington 

JIM COOPER, Tennessee 

JIM MARSHALL, Georgia 

KENDRICK B. MEEK, Florida 

MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO, Guam 

TIM RYAN, Ohio 

MARK UDALL, Colorado 

G.K. BUTTERFIELD, North Carolina 

CYNTHIA MCKINNEY, Georgia 

DAN BOREN, Oklahoma 

ROBERT L. SIMMONS, Staff Director 


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C O N T E N T S 

Page 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 1 

Background .............................................................................................................. 2 

Executive Communication ...................................................................................... 3 

Legislative History .................................................................................................. 3 

Committee Position ................................................................................................. 4 

Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 4 

Oversight Findings .................................................................................................. 4 

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 4 

Record Vote .............................................................................................................. 4 

Dissenting Views of Neil Abercrombie ................................................................... 6 


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49–397 

109TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 109–397 

REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF 

STATE AND SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PROVIDE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CERTAIN DOCUMENTS IN THEIR POSSESSION RELATING 

TO ANY ENTITY WITH WHICH THE UNITED STATES HAS CONTRACTED 

FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS PURPOSES CONCERNING IRAQ 

MARCH 16, 2006.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. HUNTER, from the Committee on Armed Services, 

submitted the following 

ADVERSE REPORT 

together with 

DISSENTING VIEWS 

[To accompany H. Res. 685] 

The Committee on Armed Services, to whom was referred the 

resolution (H. Res. 685) requesting the President and directing the 

Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense provide to the House 

of Representatives certain documents in their possession relating to 

any entity with which the United States has contracted for public 

relations purposes concerning Iraq, having considered the same, report unfavorably thereon without amendment and recommend that 

the resolution not be agreed to. 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

House Resolution 685, introduced on February 15, 2006, by Representative Dennis Kucinich, requests the President and directs the 

Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State to transmit to the 

House of Representatives information in the possession of the 

President, the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of State relating to ‘‘any entity (including the Rendon Group and the Lincoln 

Group) with which the United States has entered into a contract 

for public relations purposes concerning Iraq insofar as such documents related to such contract.’’ The resolution requests relevant 

documents regarding three issues: (1) communications between 

United States government officials and any contractor relating to 

the contract; (2) any proposed or realized public relations work by 

any such contractor for the United States pursuant to the contract; 


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or (3) the business relationship arising from such contract between 

the United States and any such contractor, i.e. billing statements. 

Clause 7 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives 

provides for a committee to report on a qualifying resolution of inquiry, such as H. Res. 685, within 14 legislative days or a privileged motion to discharge the committee is in order. H. Res. 685 

was referred to the Committee on Armed Services on February 15, 

2006. 

Under the rules and precedents of the House, a resolution of inquiry is one of the means by which the House may request information from the head of one of the executive departments. It is a 

simple resolution making a demand of the head of an executive department to furnish the House of Representatives with specific information in the possession of the executive branch. It is not used 

to request opinions or to require an investigation on a subject. 

BACKGROUND

On November 30, 2005, the Los Angeles Times published an article which alleged that the U.S. military in Iraq paid Iraqi newspapers to publish dozens of articles written by Americans but presented to the Iraqi press as news accounts written by independent 

journalists. The Times story stated that the articles were written 

by U.S. military ‘‘information operations’’ personnel and were 

translated into Arabic and placed in Baghdad newspapers with the 

assistance of at least one defense contractor, identified as the Lincoln Group. According to the report, ‘‘dozens’’ of these types of articles were published. 

On December 2, 2005, the U.S. command in Iraq acknowledged 

that ‘‘we have offered articles for publication to Iraqi newspapers 

and in some cases articles have been accepted and published as a 

function of buying advertising and opinion/editorial space, as is 

customary in Iraq.’’ On December 8, 2005, General George W. 

Casey, Jr., the commander of the Multi-National Force Iraq, appointed Rear Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk to review the allegations. 

On January 11, 2006, the Department of Defense announced that 

the Van Buskirk investigation was nearly complete. On February 

17, 2006, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld stated during 

a television interview that the U.S. military had stopped paying 

Iraqi newspapers to publish pro-American articles. On February 

21, 2006, Secretary Rumsfeld indicated during a press conference 

that he had misspoken during the television interview. He clarified 

his remarks to indicate that he did not have any knowledge as to 

whether or not the payments had stopped and reiterated that the 

program was under review. 

In a letter dated today, March 13, 2006, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England confirmed that the Department has several 

ongoing reviews regarding public relations contracts in Iraq. In the 

letter he indicated that the Department of Defense Inspector General is reviewing activities related to the specific issues raised by 

H. Res. 685 and confirmed that General Casey’s review of the Lincoln Group contract ‘‘is nearing completion.’’ Secretary England indicated that the Department of Defense will fully brief the committee on these issues at the conclusion of the ongoing investigations. 


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In light of the ongoing investigations and the willingness of the 

Department to fully cooperate with the committee, the committee 

concluded that transmittal of the materials identified in H. Res. 

685 was not necessary at this time. Therefore, the committee ordered the resolution to be reported adversely. 

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, Washington, DC, March 13, 2006. 

HON. DUNCAN HUNTER, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you for the opportunity to comment 

on House Resolution 685 regarding public relations contracts in 

Iraq. 

The Department fully agrees with your assessment that truthful 

and transparent interaction with the press is vital to the United 

States’ success in the ongoing war on terrorism. The United States 

faces a determined enemy that attempts to manipulate the media, 

often with the purpose of further endangering U.S. forces. Our 

challenge is to aggressively provide information to the public to 

both inform them and to counter disinformation. 

The Department has several ongoing and pending reviews. In response to requests from members of Congress, the Department of 

Defense Inspector General is reviewing activities related to the 

exact issues raised in the resolution. Those reviews are in progress, 

and the Department is prepared to brief appropriate committees of 

Congress when those reviews are complete. 

Additionally, the Commander, Multi-National Forces-Iraq, ordered a review of the Lincoln Group Contract in late 2005 to address questions as to the propriety and efficacy of those programs. 

The review is nearing completion, and the Department is prepared 

to brief appropriate committees of Congress when it is completed. 

One of the eight ongoing studies from the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review is focused on this issue and is intended to ensure that 

DoD organization, training, and doctrine are appropriate to the 

challenge. The Department must have the most modern tools and 

authorities to inform the public and counter the enemy’s 

disinformation in a manner that upholds our own standards of 

truthfulness and transparency. Again, the Department would be 

pleased to offer briefings to concerned members and staff to acquaint them with the range of issues and challenges. 

Sincerely, 

GORDON ENGLAND, Deputy Secretary of Defense. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

As noted above, H. Res. 685 was introduced on February 15, 

2006, and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. 

On March 14, 2006, the Committee on Armed Services held a 

markup session to consider H. Res. 685. The committee reported 

adversely the resolution by a record vote of 31 ayes to 19 noes, a 

quorum being present. 


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COMMITTEE POSITION

On March 14, 2006, the Committee on Armed Services met in 

open session and reported adversely the resolution H. Res. 685 to 

the House by a record vote of 31 ayes to 19 noes, a quorum being 

present. 

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

Pursuant to clause 3(d) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, the committee estimates the costs of implementing the resolution would be minimal. The Congressional Budget Office did not provide a cost estimate for the resolution. 

OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

With respect to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the committee reports that the findings 

and recommendations of the committee, based on oversight activities pursuant to clause 2(b)(1) of rule X, are incorporated in the descriptive portions of this report. 

With respect to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives and section 308(a)(1) of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974, this legislation does not include any new 

spending or credit authority, nor does it provide for any increase 

or decrease in tax revenues or expenditures. 

With respect to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, performance goals and objectives can not 

be explained, because the resolution does not require any new 

funding. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the committee finds that the rule does not 

apply because H. Res. 685 is not a bill or joint resolution that may 

be enacted into law. 

RECORD VOTE

In accordance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, record and voice votes were taken with 

respect to the committee’s consideration of H. Res. 685. 


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DISSENTING VIEWS OF CONGRESSMAN NEIL 

ABERCROMBIE 

I was sincerely disappointed with the committee’s recommendation to unfavorably report House Resolution 685 to the full House. 

I feel that Mr. Kucinich’s resolution was a straightforward request 

for information from the President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense regarding contracts entered into by the United 

States for public relations services. I supported this resolution because ensuring the effective use of taxpayer dollars is a critical responsibility of Congress and because Congressman Kucinich originally asked for these documents in December of 2003 yet has received no reply from the Department of Defense. 

It could well turn out that the activities Mr. Kucinich seeks information on are entirely appropriate, legal, and effective. I welcome a debate on that very issue. However, the mere possibility 

that this program is on track does not obviate Congress’s oversight 

responsibilities regarding the Department of Defense. 

Congressman Kucinich requested the information outlined in the 

resolution from the Secretary of Defense more than two years ago 

and has not received any information in return. To this member, 

the DOD’s reluctance to provide this information constitutes either 

a deliberate attempt to hide the facts or a blatant disregard for 

Congress’s oversight responsibilities. Either way, the DOD’s behavior to date warrants additional investigations by this committee 

into these public relations programs, and I welcome the Chairman’s 

commitment to hold hearings in the near future. 

The letter from Deputy Secretary England presented by Chairman Hunter during the hearing, while good news, does not answer 

the specific request Mr. Kucinich makes in the resolution. Instead, 

it simply offers ‘‘briefings’’ on internal ‘‘reviews’’ being conducted by 

the DOD Inspector General and Commanders in Iraq. Clearly, a 

briefing on a review is not the same thing as actually getting access to the documents requested by Congressman Kucinich. Briefings have some utility, but I do not believe they are a substitute 

for the committee doing its own serious investigatory work. 

I look forward to working with the Chairman to look into this important issue in the future. 

NEIL ABERCROMBIE

Æ 


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