Chronology of Committee Work

Chairman Waxman Requests Information about Medtronic’s Sprint Fidelis Leads

Today Chairman Waxman wrote to FDA requesting information about the Agency’s approval of Medtronic’s Sprint Fidelis leads, which are components used in implantable cardiac defibrillators. Medtronic voluntarily recalled the product after it was revealed that 2.3% of patients with the implanted leads would experience potentially life-threatening malfunctions.

Committee Investigates State Department Contract to Train Iraqi Police

Chairman Waxman writes Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to renew the Committee’s request for documents about the State Department’s $1 billion contract with DynCorp to train Iraqi police forces.

Evidence of Tax Evasion by Blackwater

New documents suggest that Blackwater may have engaged in significant tax evasion, failing to withhold and pay millions of dollars in Social Security, Medicare, unemployment, and related taxes, and sought to conceal its conduct from Congress and law enforcement officials.

Chairman Waxman Seeks Further Information on Blackwater Contracts

Chairman Waxman wrote to Erik Prince, Secretary Rice, and Secretary Gates, requesting further information on Blackwater’s no-bid contracts, additional incidents involving their personnel in Iraq, and payments made to the families of Iraqis killed by Blackwater.

Hearing Examines Black Carbon and Global Warming

On Thursday, October 18, 2007, the Committee held a hearing to examine the climate change and other impacts of black carbon emissions. Black carbon is better known as soot and results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. The Committee received testimony about the significant global and regional effects of black carbon, its sources, and the positive effect reductions in emissions would have on both climate change and public health worldwide.

Chairman Waxman Urges FTC to Investigate Peer-to-Peer Networks

Chairman Waxman, along with a bipartisan group of 18 other representatives, urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate recent disclosures regarding inadvertent file sharing over peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and to take steps to ensure that potential risks posed by P2P networks are incorporated into the Commission’s ongoing efforts to combat identity theft.

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.

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.

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