The Honorable Mike Leavitt
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201

Dear Secretary Leavitt:
We are alarmed by a recent memo sent by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to its employees that encourages the purchase of foreign vehicles. It is our hope that your agency will refrain from sending out similar communications that make product endorsements, particularly by non-U.S. companies.

In an email sent to all HHS employees, with the subject line "HHS Energy News Report" dated August 2007, the department advises its employees to "make a smart choice when selecting a vehicle to drive..." The memo advises employees to buy smaller sedans instead of popular sport utility vehicles (SUVs); discusses how automobiles are responsible for air pollution, oil spills, pollution of our water supplies, and damage to natural habitats; and includes a "Top 12" list that fails to include any vehicle made by a U.S. automobile manufacturer.

The HHS should refrain from steering its employees toward certain brands and models. What authority does your agency have in advising employees on a private purchase? It seems to us the time and effort that went into producing this document could have been better spent preventing disease, assuring food and drug safety, improving children's health, and other programs the HHS has authority over.

You may be interested to know that U.S. auto manufacturers sell a wide range of fuel efficient, clean fuel cars, SUVs, and trucks. Consumers can choose from a wide variety of models made by American auto companies that get over 30 miles per gallon. Importantly, U.S. auto manufacturers have pledged to roll out significantly more models of clean, fuel efficient vehicles that use flex-fuel, hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid, clean diesel, and other cutting-edge technologies. Consumers do not have to buy a foreign-made car or truck to enjoy all the benefits and advantages that come with a fuel efficient vehicle.

We trust that your agency will exercise better discretion when sending out an internal memo that encourages its employees to buy foreign vehicles.

Sincerely,

DAVE CAMP
CANDICE MILLER
TIM WALBERG
MIKE ROGERS
VERN EHLERS
FRED UPTON
JOHN DINGELL
DALE KILDEE
BART STUPAK
THAD MCCOTTER
JOE KNOLLENBERG
CAROLYN KILPATRICK
SANDER LEVIN
PETE HOEKSTRA
JOHN CONYERS

(####)

Home Page  |  In the News