Chronology of Committee Work

White House Security Violations May Be Widespread

Contrary to the recent claims of White House spokesperson Dana Perino, there is evidence that the White House has repeatedly failed to investigate security violations, take corrective action following breaches, and appropriately protect classified information.

Chairman Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Kucinich Respond to Letter from NIEHS Regarding the Publication of Environmental Health Perspectives

Chairman Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Kucinich have responded to a letter from Samuel Wilson, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), regarding the new Request for Proposals for the publication of Environmental Health Perspectives.

Rep. Waxman Reiterates Committee Request for Shell, Exxon Testimony on Gas Temperature Changes and Pricing

In letters to Exxon Mobil and Shell Oil, Chairman Waxman asks the companies to voluntarily provide witnesses for a Domestic Policy Subcommittee hearing on temperature-based expansion and contraction of gasoline and the resulting effect on gas prices. Neither company provided a witness for the subcommittee’s first hearing on the issue, and Chairman Waxman writes that he would “like to avoid the necessity to issue a subpoena.”

Rep. Waxman Questions Energy Department’s Inconsistent Statements about the Santa Susana Field Lab Cleanup

In a letter to DOE Secretary Bodman, Chairman Waxman asks for clarification of inconsistent statements the Department has made about the cleanup of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory and the Energy Technology and Engineering Center. DOE’s actions and track record suggest the Department may not intend to conduct a court-ordered Environmental Impact Statement before continuing its cleanup activities at the site. Chairman Waxman asks DOE to detail its plan, commit to complying with the court order, and honor its commitment to fund an EPA radiological survey of the site.

The Government's Response to the Nation's Emergency Room Crisis

On Friday, June 22, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing on the response of the Department of Health and Human Services to the nation’s emergency room crisis.

Vice President Exempts His Office from the Requirements for Protecting Classified Information

The Oversight Committee has learned that over the objections of the National Archives, Vice President Cheney exempted his office from the presidential order that establishes government-wide procedures for safeguarding classified national security information. The Vice President asserts that his office is not an “entity within the executive branch.”

Reps. Waxman and Davis Set Deadline for CEQ Documents

In a letter to Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Connaughton, Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis set a firm deadline for the White House to provide climate change documents that were requested eleven months ago. Despite numerous discussions and requests, CEQ has withheld over 500 responsive documents from the Committee.

Inadvertent File-Sharing May Continue to Pose A Significant Risk to Personal Privacy and National Security

In letters to LimeWire and Streamcast, developers of popular “peer-to-peer” file sharing programs, Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis requested information about potential privacy and security risks. Despite a voluntary pledge by several peer-to-peer companies to prevent the use of features that cause inadvertent file sharing, recent developments suggest that inadvertent file-sharing may still be a significant problem.

The Use of RNC E-mail Accounts by White House Officials

Chairman Waxman releases a report detailing the use of RNC political e-mail accounts by 88 White House officials. Senior advisor Karl Rove sent and received at least 140,216 e-mails on his RNC e-mail account, more than any other White House official, including over 75,000 e-mails communicating with individuals using official ”.gov” e-mail accounts. Deposition testimony from Susan Ralston, Mr. Rove’s former executive assistant, provides evidence that the White House Counsel’s office may have known in 2001 that Mr. Rove was using his RNC e-mail account for official correspondence but took no action to preserve these official communications.

Rep. Waxman Questions GSA Plans to Contract Out Contract Oversight

In a letter to GSA Administrator Lurita Doan, Chairman Waxman asks for a briefing on GSA’s plans to expand the role of contractors into contract oversight and management. He also asks that GSA halt implementation of the proposal until Congress has a chance to conduct its oversight.

Hearing Examines Statements Made by GSA Administrator Doan

The Oversight Committee held a hearing on June 13, 2007, to examine statements made by GSA Administrator Lurita Doan that impugn the reputation of federal officials who cooperated with a Committee investigation into Ms. Doan’s conduct at the General Services Administration.

Chairman Waxman Reiterates Request for DOT Documents Related to Lobbying

Rep. Waxman responds to Secretary Peters and reiterates his request for documents and an interview relating to the Department lobbying Members of Congress to oppose efforts by California and other states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

Hearing on White House Use of Iraq War Intelligence Postponed

In letters to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former CIA Director George Tenet, Chairman Waxman explains that the previously scheduled hearing on the White House’s use of pre-war intelligence regarding Iraq’s nuclear program has been postponed while the Committee continues to interview senior government officials and review documents being provided by the CIA and State Department.

Committee Marks Up Carbon-Neutral Government Act

The Oversight Committee held a business meeting to consider the Carbon-Neutral Government Act (H.R. 2635), which is designed to reduce the emissions of the federal government, currently the largest energy consumer in the United States.

Rep. Waxman Introduces Bill to Make Federal Government Carbon-Neutral

On June 7, 2007, Chairman Waxman introduced the Carbon-Neutral Government Act, H.R. 2635, which would promote federal leadership in the fight against global warming by making the federal government’s operations carbon-neutral by 2050.

Chairman Waxman Asks Towers Perrin to Reconsider Refusal to Cooperate with the Committee

In a letter to Mark Mactas the CEO of Towers Perrin, Chairman Waxman asks Towers Perrin to reconsider its refusal to cooperate with the Committee’s inquiry into potential conflicts of interest relating to the advice consultants provide to corporate boards on executive compensation.

Hearing on FDA’s Role in Evaluating Safety of Avandia

On June 6, 2007, the Committee held an oversight hearing on the role of the Food and Drug Administration in evaluating the safety of Avandia, a diabetes drug taken by about one million Americans. At the hearing, the Committee examined the failure of FDA to obtain an adequate post-market clinical trial designed to assess whether patients taking Avandia are at increased risk of heart attack.

Chairman Waxman Asks EPA to Clarify the Administration's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy

In a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, Chairman Waxman asks the EPA to clarify the Administration’s position on whether greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced.

Committee Requests GAO Investigation of Federal Crop Insurance Programs

Following the Committee’s May 3 hearing on waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal crop insurance program, Chairman Waxman, Ranking Member Davis, and Committee Member Jim Cooper ask the Government Accountability Office to investigate the program. Specifically, the Committee asks GAO to examine financial arrangements between the insurance companies, sales agents, and farmers and ranchers who participate in the program.

Committee Requests Documents From Doan Investigation

Chairman Waxman requests from the Office of Special Counsel documents related to its investigation of Hatch Act violations by GSA Administrator Lurita Doan. The OSC concluded that Administrator Doan violated the Hatch Act, which prohibits executive branch officials from engaging in partisan politics while on duty, in official government work spaces, or with government equipment.

Hearing on Mental Health Problems Confronting Soldiers Returning from Iraq, Afghanistan

On Thursday, May 24, 2007, the Committee held an oversight hearing on mental health problems confronting soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Committee heard from afflicted soldiers and their families, examined the ability of the DOD and the VA to screen, treat, and track returning soldiers who are at risk, and assessed the impact that these illnesses are having on military readiness and military families.

Chairman Waxman Responds to White House Counsel Fred Fielding's May 18 Letter

In a letter to White House Counsel Fred Fielding, Chairman Waxman explains that, as the principal oversight body of the House of Representatives, it is the Committee’s constitutional obligation to investigate the role played by the White House and National Security Council in the false and misleading intelligence that precipitated the war in Iraq.

Hearing Examines Achievements and Opportunities for Climate Protection Under the Montreal Protocol

On Wednesday, May 23, 2007, the Committee held an oversight hearing on achievements and opportunities for climate protection under the Montreal Protocol. This international environmental treaty established legally binding controls on the production and consumption of substances that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer.

Former Rove Aide Testifies to Committee but Refuses to Answer Questions Related to Abramoff Contacts with the White House

At a deposition earlier this month, Susan Ralston, the former executive assistant to Karl Rove, responded to questions in a number of areas but would not answer questions about White House contacts with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and her lawyer said Ms. Ralston would assert her Fifth Amendment privilege if compelled to testify. In a memo, Chairman Waxman explains the Committee will seek testimony from Mr. Abramoff’s former lobbying associates and former and current Administration officials before considering Ms. Ralston’s request for immunity.

Waxman, Davis Request GAO Survey of Government-Encouraged Broadband Deployment

Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis ask GAO to conduct a survey of all actions undertaken by the federal government to encourage broadband deployment.

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