Chronology of Committee Work

Committee Requests EPA Study on Air Emissions of Microwave Popcorn

Following a briefing by EPA, the Oversight Committee and the Science and Technology Committee request a copy of EPA’s study of the research into the air emissions of microwave popcorn.

Waxman Expresses Concern Over State Department’s Handling of Blackwater Shooting

Today Chairman Waxman wrote to Secretary Rice following reports that a Blackwater contractor, who was fired after he shot and killed an Iraq security guard, was hired by Combat Support Associates, another private contractor, to work in the region two months later.  A letter was also sent to the President of Combat Support Associates requesting information about the former Blackwater contractor.

Members Question the Effectiveness of Youth Abstinence Programs

Today Chairman Waxman, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos, and Congresswoman Barbara Lee reiterated their concern about the implementation of youth abstinence programs in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). They requested detailed information about how the Administration intends to monitor the implementation of its policies and a description of all planned evaluations of the effectiveness of abstinence programs.

Hearing: Assessing the State of Iraqi Corruption

The Committee held a hearing to evaluate the status of corruption in the Iraqi government and whether U.S. government efforts to address this continuing problem have been adequate. The following witnesses testified: Judge Radhi Hamza al-Radhi, former head of the Iraqi Commission on Public Integrity; Mr. David Walker, Comptroller General of the United States; Mr. Stuart Bowen, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction; Ambassador Lawrence Butler, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near East Affairs, U.S. Department of State; and Ms. Claudia Rosett, Journalist-in-Residence, Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

House Passes Legislation for Enhanced Independence of Inspectors General

On October 3, 2007, the House overwhelmingly passed legislation to provide greater independence and accountability for Inspectors General in executive branch departments and agencies.

Legislation Will Ban Lead in Toys for Young Children

Citing recent recalls and the longtime failure of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect children from hazardous levels of lead in consumer products, Rep. Henry A. Waxman, together with Reps. Bobby L. Rush, Christopher P. Carney, and Keith Ellison, today introduced the Lead Free Toys Act to ban lead from toys, toy jewelry, and other products used by children under age six. Sen. Barack Obama introduced the companion bill in the Senate today.

Waxman Questions Why Drug Companies Continue to Market Cold Medicines to Infants

Today Chairman Waxman wrote to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the trade association that represents manufacturers of over-the-counter drugs. In his letter, Chairman Waxman asks the CHPA why its member companies continue to market over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for use in infants even after the CHPA has said to FDA that these products should not be sold for use in children under two.

Hearing on Private Security Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan

On October 2nd, the Oversight Committee held a hearing to examine the mission and performance of private military contractor Blackwater USA in Iraq and Afghanistan. Erik Prince, the owner of Blackwater, testified as well as three State Department officials.

New Questions About Blackwater Actions in Iraq

Previously undisclosed information reveals (1) Blackwater has engaged in 195 “escalation of force” incidents since 2005, an average of 1.4 per week, including over 160 incidents in which Blackwater forces fired first; (2) after a drunken Blackwater contractor shot the guard of the Iraqi Vice President, the State Department allowed the contractor to leave Iraq and advised Blackwater on the size of the payment needed “to help them resolve this”; and (3) Blackwater, which has received over $1 billion in federal contracts since 2001, is charging the federal government over $1,200 per day for each “protective security specialist” employed by the company.

Whistleblowers in State IG Investigation Report Threats of Retaliation

Investigators working for Howard Krongard, the State Department Inspector General, say they were told “Howard can fire you” and “You have no protection against reprisal” if they cooperate with the Oversight Committee’s investigation.

Incident Reports Fault Blackwater in Fallujah Ambush

According to incident reports and eyewitness accounts written after the March 2004 ambush and mutilation of four Blackwater employees in Fallujah, Blackwater ignored multiple warnings, cut essential personnel from the mission, and sent an unprepared team “into the hottest zone in Iraq in unarmored, underpowered vehicles.”

State Department Prohibits Officials from Discussing Iraqi Corruption

In a letter sent to Secretary Rice, Chairman Waxman objects to the State Department’s instruction to its officials that they cannot communicate with the Committee about corruption in the Maliki government unless the Committee agrees to treat all information, including “broad statements/assessments,” as national security secrets. Other points of growing contention between the Committee and the State Department include Secretary Rice’s refusal to testify.

Update: The State Department has sent a new letter to Blackwater informing Blackwater that the company should provide documents to the Committee.

White House Approved Lobbying Effort to Block Approval of California Vehicle Standards

Internal e-mails show that Transportation Secretary Mary Peters personally directed a behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign approved by the White House to oppose EPA approval of California’s landmark standards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

Committee Issues Subpoenas to State Department

After the State Department failed to meet a deadline for providing documents and making witnesses available, Chairman Waxman issued four subpoenas, including one for documents and three for depositions of State Department officials, regarding the Committee's investigation into corruption in Iraq.

Members Raise Concerns about EPA’s Screening Program for Endocrine Disruptors

Today Chairman Waxman, along with Reps. Davis, Cummings, Van Hollen, Norton, Gilchrest, and Moran, wrote to EPA Administrator Johnson expressing concerns about EPA’s failure to implement a screening program for endocrine disruptors, as required by law.  Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with important hormonal and developmental processes, causing reproductive and other harms to humans and other species. EPA’s efforts to protect the American public from dangerous endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been characterized by missed deadlines, prolonged delays, and inadequate incorporation of public input. 

Committee Invites Blackwater Chairman to Testify

Chairman Waxman has asked Erik Prince, Chairman of the Prince Group and Blackwater USA, to testify before the Oversight Committee on October 2, 2007, regarding the mission and performance of Blackwater and its affiliated companies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chairman Waxman Reiterates Request for Information from State Department about Corruption in Iraq

After receiving an insufficient response from the State Department, Chairman Waxman reiterates his request that Secretary Rice make available information pertaining to the Committee’s investigation into corruption in Iraq. Following an initial review of documents at the State Department, the Committee requests that State provide copies of reports prepared by the Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT) relating to the Iraqi Commission on Public Integrity and that OAT officials be made available for the Committee to interview.

Committee Approves Several Bills at Business Meeting

This morning at 10 a.m., the full committee approved H.R. 1236, which gives the Postal Service permanent authority to issue a postage stamp supporting breast cancer research; H.R. 1110, which amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis; and several postal naming and commemorative resolutions.

Chairmen Waxman and Miller Raise Concerns Over Potential Risk of Popcorn Fumes

Chairmen Waxman and Miller request information about the potential health risks of diacetyl, an artificial butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn and other foods, which can cause severe lung disease in workers and may also pose serious health risks to consumers.

EPA Approves New Coal-Fired Power Plant Without CO2 Controls

The Environmental Protection Agency has ignored the recent Supreme Court decision that CO2 is an air pollutant under the federal Clean Air Act and approved a permit for a new coal-fired power plant without regulating its CO2 emissions or considering the impact of the new power plant on global warming.

Questions Raised about the Conduct of the State Department Inspector General

According to seven current and former officials, State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard has repeatedly interfered with on-going investigations to protect the State Department and the White House from political embarrassment.

Chairman Waxman’s Statement on Blackwater USA Controversy

Chairman Henry A. Waxman released a statement this afternoon following the press accounts that Iraq had revoked the license of U.S. contractor Blackwater.

Chairman Waxman Responds to Davis’s Request

Chairman Waxman sent a letter to Ranking Minority Member Tom Davis responding to his request that the Committee ask the National Archives for records of the Clinton Administration.

GAO Report Reveals Serious Shortcomings in National Strategy to Counter Pandemic Influenza

Chairman Waxman, along with Rep. Tom Davis, Rep. Bennie Thompson, and Sen. Judd Gregg, release a new GAO report revealing serious shortcomings in the nation’s pandemic preparedness.

GAO Find President's 2005 Social Security Tour Cost Taxpayers Millions

After long delays, due in part to the refusal of the White House to cooperate, today Chairman Waxman released a GAO report assessing the costs to taxpayers of a 2005 White House initiative to support the President’s efforts to privatize Social Security.

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