there is a santa claus

The Senate approved a requirement on Thursday that all future contracts to rebuild Iraq be granted on an open and competitive basis. It was the first of several planned efforts by lawmakers of both parties to demand greater accountability from the Bush administration before approving its $87 billion spending request for Iraq and Afghanistan.

The amendment was sponsored by Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Read the rest in the Senate Votes to Require Open Bidding on Contracts in the New York Times.