WASHINGTON (CNN)  -- The Bush administration said Wednesday it opposes a bill that would bring private military contractors overseas under U.S. law, warning it would have "unintended and intolerable consequences" for national security. An Iraqi woman walks past a car damaged in the September 16 incident involving Blackwater. Its sponsor, North Carolina Democratic Rep. David Price, said the bill would clear up questions such as those raised by last month's Baghdad shootings involving contractors from the U.S. security firm Blackwater USA. Price introduced the measure in January, and the Judiciary Committee approved the bill in August. The House of Representatives was expected to begin debate on the bill Wednesday afternoon, with a vote tentatively scheduled Thursday morning.
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Bill would allow American courts to prosecute crimes in a war zone overseas
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White House: Bill would cause "unintended and intolerable" consequences
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Bill sponsor Rep. David Price blasts WH, calling concerns unfounded
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House expected to debate bill Wednesday and vote on it Thursday
But @placeholder authorities said Blackwater contractors fired indiscriminately at civilians, killing as many as 20 at two scenes in western Baghdad.