The U.S. Senate has passed a defense bill that includes wartime contracting provisions sought by Sen. Claire McCaskill.
The Democratic senator from Missouri says the bill would "bring some real accountability to wartime contracts." But Tuesday's Senate vote is not the end of the matter. The provisions still must survive a joint conference committee of House and Senate members, and then receive final approval from both chambers.
The legislation restricts pass-through contracts, in which more than half the labor costs are carried out by subcontractors not specifically identified in the contract.
McCaskill says the measure also will create additional oversight responsibilities for inspectors general that look into overseas military operations and bring greater transparency and competition to the contracting process.