From the Washington Post: "Prompted by last month's deadly shootings in Baghdad by armed guards working for Blackwater USA, the House voted overwhelmingly yesterday to place all private contractors working in Iraq and other combat zones under the jurisdiction of U.S. courts."
The House of Representatives passed bill H.R. 2740, "MEJA Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007," in roll call vote 940. The bill moves to the Senate for consideration. House Report 110-352 clarifies the intent and implications of the bill.
The State Department has created a panel to "review the State Department's security practices in Iraq." The Department has issued a brief press statement on an initial assessment of Blackwater operations. The State Department site also includes links to a June 21, 2007, Congressional Research Service report, "Private Security Contractors in Iraq: Background, Legal Status, and Other Issues," to information on the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and to other statements.
On October 2nd, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing on "Private Security Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan," with an emphasis on Blackwater operations. The hearing web page includes links to witness statements and related documents (memos, emails, invoices, etc.). The Committee website includes links to a staff memorandum on Blackwater activities in Iraq and other documents.
Source: Weisman, J. (5 Oct. 2007). "House Acts in Wake of Blackwater Incident: Measure Is Passed to Place Wartime Contractors Under U.S. Courts' Jurisdiction." Washington Post. A06.
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