IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 494
To create a select committee to investigate the awarding and carrying out 
of contracts to conduct activities in Afghanistan and Iraq and to fight 
the war on terrorism. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 20, 2004
Mr. LEACH submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Rules 
RESOLUTION 
To create a select committee to investigate the awarding 
and carrying out of contracts to conduct activities in 
Afghanistan and Iraq and to fight the war on terrorism.
Whereas challenges to the national security have forced 
America to commit very large sums of Government funds 
to support operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and im-
prove the security for the homeland; 
Whereas Congress has a responsibility to ensure comprehen-
sive oversight when Government funds are at issue; 
Whereas the great size of the funds involved, together with 
the necessary speed with which these funds are com-
mitted, presents a challenge to the traditional oversight 
function of Congress;
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Whereas conflicts of interest and Government overcharging 
are a danger whenever large sums of money are at stake, 
and are particularly unseemly in times of war; 
Whereas in this age of global economic interdependence, the 
Administration has made a commitment to let contracts 
to foreign as well as domestic companies; 
Whereas oversight should not be considered a partisan activ-
ity but viewed solely in the context of preserving public 
resources and bolstering people’s confidence in the Gov-
ernment; 
Whereas the Truman Committee in World War II stands as 
a constructive precedent for bipartisan oversight of war-
time contracting; 
Whereas the Truman Committee was established within a 
Congress controlled by the same party as the Executive; 
Whereas in times marked by corporate abuses and cheating, 
the integrity of the procurement process is of paramount 
importance to sustain the public’s support for govern-
ment programs; and 
Whereas whatever the merits of Government policy, the pub-
lic has a right to expect that war profiteering does not 
occur and that its resources are carefully disbursed and 
honestly spent.
Resolved, That, until otherwise provided by law, there 
is hereby created a select committee to investigate the 
awarding and carrying out of contracts to conduct activi-
ties in Afghanistan and Iraq and to fight the war on ter-
rorism (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘select committee’’).
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MEMBERSHIP AND FUNCTIONS 
SEC. 2. The select committee is to be composed of 
15 Members of the House, to be appointed by the Speaker 
(of whom 7 shall be appointed upon the recommendation 
of the minority leader), one of whom shall be designated 
as chairman from the majority party and one of whom 
shall be designated ranking member from the minority 
party. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the 
select committee shall be filled in the same manner in 
which the original appointment was made. The select com-
mittee shall conduct an ongoing study and investigation 
of the awarding and carrying out of contracts by the Gov-
ernment to conduct activities in Afghanistan and Iraq and 
to fight the war on terrorism and make such recommenda-
tions to the House as the select committee deems appro-
priate regarding the following matters—
(1) bidding, contracting, and auditing stand-
ards in the issuance of Government contracts; 
(2) oversight procedures; 
(3) forms of payment and safeguards against 
money laundering; 
(4) accountability of contractors and Govern-
ment officials involved in procurement; and
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(5) penalties for violations of law and abuses in 
the awarding and carrying out of Government con-
tracts. 
RULES AND PROCEDURE 
SEC. 3. (a) QUORUM.—One-third of the members of 
the select committee shall constitute a quorum for the 
transaction of business except for the reporting of the re-
sults of its study and investigation (with its recommenda-
tions) or the authorization of subpoenas, which shall re-
quire a majority of the committee to be actually present, 
except that the select committee may designate a lesser 
number, but not less than two, as a quorum for the pur-
pose of holding hearings to take testimony and receive evi-
dence. 
(b) POWERS.—For the purpose of carrying out this 
resolution, the select committee may sit and act during 
the present Congress at any time and place within the 
United States or elsewhere, whether the House is in ses-
sion, has recessed, or has adjourned and hold such hear-
ings as it considers necessary and to require, by subpoena 
or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such wit-
nesses, the furnishing of information by interrogatory, and 
the production of such books, records, correspondence, 
memoranda, papers, documents, and other things and in-
formation of any kind as it deems necessary, including 
classified materials.
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(c) ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENAS.— A subpoena may be 
authorized and issued by the select committee in the con-
duct of any investigation or series of investigations or ac-
tivities, only when authorized by a majority of the mem-
bers voting, a majority being present. Authorized sub-
poenas shall be signed by the chairman or by any member 
designated by the select committee, and may be served by 
any person designated by the chairman or such member. 
Subpoenas shall be issued under the seal of the House 
and attested by the Clerk. The select committee may re-
quest investigations, reports, and other assistance from 
any agency of the executive, legislative, and judicial 
branches of the Government. 
(d) MEETINGS.—The chairman, or in his absence a 
member designated by the chairman, shall preside at all 
meetings and hearings of the select committee. All meet-
ings and hearings of the select committee shall be con-
ducted in open session, unless a majority of members of 
the select committee voting, there being in attendance the 
requisite number required for the purpose of hearings to 
take testimony, vote to close a meeting or hearing. 
(e) APPLICABITIES OF RULES OF THE HOUSE.—The 
Rules of the House of Representatives applicable to stand-
ing committees shall govern the select committee where 
not inconsistent with this resolution.
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(e) PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.—There shall be paid 
out of the applicable accounts of the House such sums 
as may be necessary for the expenses of the select com-
mittee. Such payments shall be made on vouchers signed 
by the chairman of the select committee and approved in 
the manner directed by the Committee on House Adminis-
tration. Amounts made available under this subsection 
shall be expended in accordance with regulations pre-
scribed by the Committee on House Administration. 
REPORTS 
SEC. 5. The select committee shall from time to time 
report to the House the results of its study and investiga-
tion, with its recommendations. Any report made by the 
select committee when the House is not in session shall 
be filed with the Clerk of the House. Any report made 
by the select committee shall be referred to the committee 
or committees that have jurisdiction over the subject mat-
ter of the report.
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