SIGAR Chief Defends Performance

Arnold Fields, head of the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, defended his performance during a congressional hearing Thursday (Nov. 18), where he said his impoverished childhood allowed him to identify with the plight of many Afghans.

Fields said funding delays have hampered SIGAR’s work. The agency has completed 34 audits with only four involving specific contracts, The Washington Post reports.

“I have built SIGAR from nothing but legislation,” he said, adding that he would focus on auditing contracts.

Fields’ job troubles are far from over. A bipartisan group of senators is urging U.S. President Barack Obama to remove Fields, the Post reports.