Back on Capitol Hill, Bremer Is Facing a Cooler Reception

Republicans to Join Democrats in Criticizing Decisions in Iraq

By Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Washington Post

The last time L. Paul Bremer testified before Congress, he was lauded as an American hero. Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.) congratulated Bremer, who was leading the U.S. occupation authority in Iraq, for a "tremendous success." Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) commended his "energy and focus." Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-N.M.) praised his "brilliant analysis."

When Bremer returns to Capitol Hill today to appear before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, he will receive a far less effusive reception than he did in September 2003. The now-ruling Democrats plan to pounce on him for disbanding Iraq's army, firing many members of the Baath Party, hiring GOP loyalists and not fully accounting for the spending of billions of dollars in Iraqi oil revenue.

Fellow Republicans have pointed questions for the first time in public as well.

"Had Bremer made better decisions, we would be in a very different place today," said Rep. Christopher Shays (Conn.).

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