Chronology of Committee Work

Background Documents

Further Correspondence on Holocaust-Era Insurance Claims

Continuing the Committee's investigation, Reps. Waxman and Burton have sent additional letters requesting information relevant to the resolution of insurance claims of Holocaust victims.

Questions on U.S. Government Objections to Soft Drink and Obesity Link

Rep. Waxman writes HHS Secretary Thompson to ask why the U.S. government is objecting to a draft report from the World Health Organization that calls for a reduction in soft drink consumption as part of a global strategy to fight obesity.

Special-Interest Provisions Buried in Homeland Security Bill

A new minority staff fact sheet summarizes the numerous special-interest provisions buried in the homeland security bill (H.R. 5710) that limit the liability of drug companies, airline carriers, airline security companies, and other manufacturers. Rep. Waxman writes OMB Director Daniels to inquire about the provisions that would change the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in a way that benefits manufacturers Eli Lilly and Dow Chemical, and to HHS Secretary Thompson to call his attention to the provisions that provide liability protection for makers of the smallpox vaccine, yet fail to provide appropriate compensation for those who may be injured by the vaccine.

Rep. Waxman's Floor Statement on the Homeland Security Bill

Speaking on the House floor, Rep. Waxman said that while it is clear that federal departments are not working together as they should to protect our nation, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 has serious flaws and may well cause more problems than it solves.

Reports on Nursing Home Conditions

Since November 1999, the Special Investigations Division has prepared reports for members on nursing home conditions in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and other areas. These reports have confirmed that many nursing homes violate federal health and safety standards and that these violations often involve the serious neglect and mistreatment of residents.

Majority of Texas Nursing Homes are Understaffed

A new report released by Rep. Ciro Rodriguez and Rep. Gene Green found that the vast majority of Texas nursing homes are understaffed and fail to comply with federal standards.

FDA Takes Action Against Unsafe Colored Contact Lenses

In an advisory to U.S. consumers, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Lester M. Crawford warned of the dangers of unsupervised use of colored contact lenses and promised the agency would use "the full range of its statutory authorities" to assure that colored lenses are safe and dispensed only with a prescription. Rep. Waxman will continue to closely monitor FDA actions in this area.

Applying Energy Regulations to Texas

Rep. Waxman sent a letter to Energy and Commerce Chairman Billy Tauzin and Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee Chairman Joe Barton regarding their insistence that new controversial electricity laws apply to each of the contiguous states but Texas.

Contradictions in EPA Statements on Hydraulic Fracturing

In an Oct. 1 letter to EPA Administrator Whitman, Rep. Waxman asked why technical data submitted to Congress was changed to minimize the risk that hydraulic fracturing, an oil and gas extraction technique promoted by Halliburton, would contaminate underground sources of drinking water. In a follow-up letter to Administrator Whitman, Rep. Waxman details contradictions in EPA statements on whether EPA changed its data on hydraulic fracturing in a way that benefits Halliburton.

Metabolife Records Show Company Knew of Adverse Health Effects

A report released by Sen. Durbin, Rep. Waxman, and Rep. Davis examines 13,000 adverse event reports received by Metabolife, the largest manufacturer of ephedra-containing dietary supplements. The records include nearly 2,000 reports of significant adverse reactions including deaths, heart attacks, and strokes

Enforcement of FDA Ad Regulations Drops Precipitously

In a letter to HHS Secretary Thompson, Rep. Waxman reveals that FDA enforcement actions against drug manufacturers for false or misleading claims in drug advertisements have dropped by 70% under the Bush Administration.

Social Security and Working Families in Los Angeles County

A report released by Rep. Waxman analyzes the impact of federal deficits on the Social Security contributions of working families in Los Angeles County.

Hearing on 'The Holocaust Victims Insurance Relief Act of 2001'

The Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management and Intergovernmental Relations held a hearing on H.R. 2693, the Holocaust Victims Insurance Relief Act of 2001.

Concerns About Ephedra-Containing Supplements

Rep. Waxman and other members have written Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson to share their concerns about ephedara-containing dietary supplements.

Tobacco Companies Still Deny Harm of Cigarettes

As criticism of the tobacco industry has accelerated in recent years and calls for product regulation have grown, tobacco companies have defended themselves by saying they are now "responsible" corporations that aim to communicate honestly about their products. A new report released by Rep. Waxman examines recently submitted filings by the five largest cigarette manufacturers in the civil suit brought by the United States Department of Justice to evaluate the truthfulness of company statements.

Rep. Waxman Urges FTC to Reject Smokeless Claims

Rep. Waxman and Sen. Dick Durbin wrote the Federal Trade Commission to urge that the agency not permit smokeless tobacco to be marketed as a "safer" alternative to smoking. Citing new evidence that smokeless tobacco products are being marketed heavily in youth-oriented magazines, Rep. Waxman and Sen. Durbin also asked the National Association of Attorneys General to investigate the compliance of the United States Smokeless Tobacco Company with the multi-state Master Settlement Agreement which governs the way tobacco products are advertised and marketed in the U.S.

Luggage Screening Machines Not Used to Full Capacity

In a letter to Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge and Transportation Secretary Mineta, Rep. Waxman and Rep. Oberstar express concern that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been, and continues to be, severely deficient in screening luggage for explosives at our nation’s airports. According to recent data, TSA is using less than 3% of existing explosive detection machines at maximum capacity levels.

Health Professional, Industry, and Advocacy Groups Oppose FDA Plan

On Aug. 26, Rep. Waxman wrote HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson to protest a dangerous FDA plan to make colored contact lenses available to children and others without medical supervision or manufacturing standards. Since then, Rep. Waxman's position that colored contact lenses are medical devices has received strong support from the major organizations representing eye health professionals, pediatricians, the major manufacturers of colored lenses now legally available in the United States, and Prevent Blindness, a national advocacy organization devoted to eye health and safety. Sen. Edward Kennedy has also written in opposition to the FDA plan.

Rep. Waxman asks EPA for Information Provided by Electric Utilities and Unions

Rep. Waxman asks EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman to release the information that convinced the EPA to reject a proposal that would have protected public health and the environment better than the President's Clear Skies Initiative.

Justice Department Responds to GAO Brief

The Justice Department files a brief with the court responding to GAO's latest brief regarding a motion to dismiss.

Letter to Army Secretary White on Enron Stock and Fake Trading Floors

Rep. Waxman and Senator Barbara Boxer ask Army Secretary Thomas White whether the Enron stock he divested more than 90 days after his appointment was held in an illiquid private equity fund, as he has previously stated, and if it was not, than to explain why he waited more than 90 days to divest these holdings. Rep. Waxman and Senator Boxer also ask Secretary White about news accounts that Enron Energy Services (EES) set up a fake trading floor to mislead visiting analysts while Secretary White was EES vice chairman.

Major Deficiencies in Homeland Security Bill

The Government Reform Committee minority staff released a summary of the major deficiencies in the legislation creating a new Department of Homeland Security, as well as other provisions affecting the jurisdiction of the Committee.

Energy Bill Rewards Industry Contributors

A new report by the Special Investigations Division for Rep. Waxman finds that energy interests that gave millions of dollars in campaign contributions will receive billions of dollars in tax breaks and subsidies.

Administration's Changes Undermine Medical Privacy Rule

Six members write Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson with questions on the Administration's proposed changes to the medical privacy rule, including the creation of a broad loophole through which drug companies could access patient health records without patient permission.

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