Chronology of Committee Work

House Rebukes State Department

On Tuesday, the House overwhelming passed the Iraq corruption resolution, H.Res. 734, which condemns the State Department for withholding information about Iraqi corruption from the Congress and the American people. The strongly worded rebuke passed by a vote of 395-21.

H.Res. 734 expresses the sense of the House that the State Department has abused its classification authority by withholding from Congress and the American people information about the extent of corruption in the Maliki government. The resolution further condemns the State Department for retroactively classifying documents that had been widely distributed previously as unclassified, and by directing its employees not to answer questions in an open forum.

Full Text of H.Res. 734
Fact Sheet on H.Res. 734

House Passes Resolution on Iraq Corruption

Today the House with a vote of 395-21 passed the Iraq Corruption Resolution, introduced on Friday, October 12, 2007, by Chairmen Waxman and Tierney. In his statement on the House floor, Chairman Waxman called the State Department abuses of the classification system “outrageous” and demanded answers to questions about corruption in Iraq.

Private Medicare Drug Plans: Seniors and Taxpayers Hurt by High Expenses, Low Rebates

A new report on the Medicare Part D program reveals that the high administrative costs of the private Part D insurers, combined with their inability to negotiate significant drug savings, will cost taxpayers and seniors $15 billion in 2007.

Information Requested on Oil Exploration Contract in Iraq

Chairman Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Kucinich wrote to Hunt Oil CEO Ray Hunt and Ambassador Ryan Crocker requesting information about a recent oil exploration contract Hunt Oil signed with Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government.

Chairmen Call for “Honest Answers” about Corruption in Iraq

House Chairmen Waxman, Lantos, Skelton, and Obey write the Secretary of State to express their concern about endemic corruption in Iraq and the refusal of State Department officials to answer basic questions about the impact of corruption within the Maliki government on the chances of success in Iraq.

Chairman Asks FERC About Role in Combating Global Climate Change

Today Chairman Waxman asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) about its role in combating the threat of global climate change in light of the Commission’s broad authority over many elements of the U.S. energy sector. In a letter to FERC Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher, Chairman Waxman requested details about FERC’s climate change policy and its efforts to support state and federal actions to promote renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

Fictitious American Spectator Story Creates Confusion

On October 8, 2007, the American Spectator printed a fictitious story alleging that Congressman Waxman and the House Oversight Committee were investigating conservative and Republican talk show radio programs. The American Spectator report is completely false and was written without any documentation or attribution. There is not now nor has there ever been any investigation of this subject. But even though there is no truth to the story, the hoax has been repeated on Fox News (transcript) and several blogs (Family Research Council, Instapundit, RenewAmerica).

The American Spectator should immediately retract its report and apologize for the confusion its fictitious report has caused. Moreover, anyone concerned about the false reporting should contact the American Spectator at (703)807-2011 to register your views.

Documents Show Extensive Flaws in Iraq Embassy Construction

Documents obtained by the Oversight Committee depict widespread defects in fire detection systems, fire service mains, fire sprinklers, fire-proof construction materials, and electrical wiring throughout the Embassy complex. Other documents implicate the Managing Partner of First Kuwaiti, the prime contractor, in an illegal kickback scheme to obtain subcontracts under the Army’s multi-billion logistical support contract.

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.

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