Chronology of Committee Work

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.

Chairman Waxman Questions Interior Department’s Failure to Comply with Energy Policy Act

Chairman Waxman writes to Secretary Kempthorne to question the Department of Interior’s refusal to comply with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requirement to study the effects of coal bed natural gas production on surface and ground water resources in six western states, and to insist that the Department comply with the law.

Committee Requests Information on Reports of Lost White House E-mails

Chairman Waxman wrote to request information from the White House Office of Administration about reports that millions of e-mails that may have been lost from the White House e-mail system.

Chairman Waxman Raises Concerns About NTP Contracting Report

In a letter to Dr. John Bucher, Associate Director of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), Chairman Waxman raises concerns over an agency analysis of potential conflicts of interest in current NTP contracts.  Noting that analysis relied on self-certifications by contractors, Chairman Waxman requests copies of the contractors’ full responses and the agency's plan for conducting an objective assessment of conflicts of interest that does not rely on self-certification.

Chairman Waxman Requests Documents Regarding ATSDR’s “Health Consultation” on Formaldehyde Levels in FEMA Trailers

Chairman Waxman requested documents from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) regarding the “health consultation” it provided to FEMA on formaldehyde levels in tested trailers. The ATSDR consultation ignored established safety recommendations for formaldehyde exposure and downplayed the health risks posed by the formaldehyde levels in the tested trailers. ATSDR recently changed course by acknowledging that the tested FEMA trailers had formaldehyde levels that can adversely affect human health.

Committee Asks Agencies about White House “Asset Deployment” Meetings

Chairman Waxman writes to federal agencies requesting documents about their involvement in White House “asset deployment” meetings held to discuss the use of federal resources to promote the reelection of President Bush and Republicans in Congress.

Committee Requests Information on Drug Testing Policies at TNA Entertainment

Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis request information regarding the drug testing policies of TNA Entertainment.

GAO Finds Problems with Defense Department Contract in Iraq

Chairman Waxman releases a GAO report analyzing the Defense Department’s decision to pay KBR nearly all of the $221 million in costs that the Defense Contract Audit Agency questioned during its audits of the Restore Iraqi Oil contract for reconstruction work on Iraq’s oil infrastructure. The report finds multiple violations of federal acquisition regulations and procedures, placing millions of taxpayer dollars at risk and leaving questions unanswered.

Department of Justice Responds to Chairman Waxman Regarding Political Briefings

The Department of Justice responds to Chairman Waxman’s inquiry about political briefings the White House gave to executive agency officials. DOJ has identified 11 White House briefings provided to Department of Justice officials by the Office of Political Affairs, most of which included political updates.

House Passes Carbon-Neutral Government Legislation

On August 4, 2007, the House passed H.R.3221, the “New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act,” by a vote of 241-172. The legislation incorporates various legislative initiatives for energy independence and reducing global warming, including the Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007 (H.R. 2635).

Rep. Waxman Introduces H.R. 3448, The Global Climate and Ozone Layer Protection Act of 2007

Rep. Waxman introduced H.R. 3448, the “Global Climate and Ozone Layer Protection Act of 2007.” This consensus legislation, which is supported by both industry and environmentalists, will significantly reduce emissions of substances that deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming.

Reps. Waxman and Capps Introduce H.R.3447, the Surgeon General Independence Act

Today Reps. Waxman and Capps introduced legislation to protect the Surgeon General from political interference. The Surgeon General Independence Act (H.R.3447) clarifies that the Surgeon General’s work must be guided by the best available public health science, provides budget autonomy for the Surgeon General's Office, stipulates that a Surgeon General can only be removed from office with good reason, and protects future Surgeon General Reports and Calls to Action from interference by only allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to block publication.

Chairman Waxman Requests Documents Regarding Controversial Clean Air Act Rulemaking

Chairman Waxman wrote to EPA Administrator Johnson to request documents concerning a proposed controversial change to regulations under the Clean Air Act which would weaken existing protections for many national parks and other areas with pristine air quality.   Chairman Waxman also requested a 60 day extension of the public comment period, which is scheduled to end August 6, 2007. 

H.R. 928, the Improving Government Accountability Act

On August 2, 2007, the full committee reported H.R. 928, the Improving Government Accountability Act. Introduced by Rep. Cooper on February 8, 2007, H.R. 928 updates the Inspector General Act of 1978 to promote independence and accountability for Inspectors General in executive branch departments and agencies.

White House Offers Accommodation on Tillman Investigation

In a letter to White House Counsel Fred Fielding, Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis respond favorably to his offer to make senior officials available for interviews, with no preconditions for future actions.

Full Committee Business Meeting

The Oversight Committee will hold a business meeting on Thursday, August 2nd, to consider several bills, resolutions, and postal naming measures.

The Tillman Fratricide: What the Leadership of the Defense Department Knew

On Wednesday, August 1, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing to examine what senior Defense Department officials knew about U.S. Army Corporal Patrick Tillman’s death by fratricide.

Hearing on FEMA Preparedness in 2007 and Beyond

The Committee will hold a hearing entitled “FEMA Preparedness in 2007 and Beyond” on Tuesday, July 31 focusing on the changes FEMA has undergone and not undergone in order to ensure that the federal government is prepared for and ready to respond to the next catastrophic disaster. The hearing will also examine the disaster preparedness roles for other relevant agencies within federal, state, and local government.

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