Chronology of Committee Work

153 Members of Congress Ask HHS to Withdraw Medicaid Payment Rule

Chairman Waxman leads a large bipartisan group in requesting that the Department of Health and Human Services withdraw a proposed rule that would fundamentally alter the financing and payment arrangements of many state Medicaid programs. HHS estimates show that safety net providers would lose at least $3.8 billion in federal Medicaid payments over the next five years, undercutting emergency and trauma care capacity in many of our nation's strategic cities.

Committee Examines Political Interference with Climate Science

This hearing examined evidence and allegations of political interference with the work of government climate change scientists under the current Administration.

Waxman Questions White House Security Practices

Rep. Waxman asks White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten to explain why the White House failed to conduct any investigation following the disclosure of Valerie Plame Wilson’s covert CIA employment. The letter follows the testimony of the Director of the Office of Security at the White House, James Knodell, that the White House Security Office did not follow the investigative steps prescribed by Executive Order 12958.

Hearing Examines Exposure of Covert CIA Agent Valerie Plame Wilson's Identity

The Oversight Committee held a hearing on whether White House officials followed appropriate procedures for safeguarding the identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson. At the hearing, the Committee received testimony from Ms. Wilson and other experts regarding the disclosure and internal White House security procedures for protecting her identity from disclosure and responding to the leak after it occurred.

House Passes the Accountability in Contracting Act

On March 15, 2007, the House passed H.R. 1362, the “Accountability in Contracting Act," by a vote of 347-73. The legislation, reported by the Oversight and Armed Services Committees, would change federal acquisition law to require agencies to limit the use of abuse-prone contracts, to increase transparency and accountability in federal contracting, and to protect the integrity of the acquisition workforce.

Chairman Waxman Applauds Passage of Open Government Bills

Today the House of Representatives passed four good government bills. H.R. 985 enhances protections offered to federal whistleblowers, H.R. 1255 strengthens the Freedom of Information Act, H.R. 1255 makes clear that presidential records belong to the public, and H.R. 1254 requires organizations that raise money for presidential libraries to disclose information about their donors.

Committee Reports Favorably on DC Voting Rights

The District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 will provide District of Columbia residents a vote in the House of Representatives. The bill permanently increases the size of the House by two members. One seat will go to the District of Columbia and the other seat will go to the next state in line to get a congressional seat.

Department of Justice Responds to Committee Inquiry on Oil Leases

The Department of Justice responded to a letter sent by Reps. Waxman, Davis, Issa, and Watson that asked Attorney General Gonzalez to review a legal analysis concluding that the Administration has legal recourse to recover billions of dollars in lost revenue on defective oil and gas leases issued in 1998 and 1999. In the letter, the Justice Department explains their inability to offer their views since the Department of the Interior's (DOI) authority to impose these provisions in leases is currently in litigation. The Justice Department also states that the facts are still under review.

Documents Requested in Alleged Scheme to Misappropriate Taxpayer Dollars

Chairman Waxman requests documents related to an alleged scheme to misappropriate millions of dollars from the U.S. Treasury.

Waxman Renews Niger Queries

Chairman Waxman asks Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to respond to a series of unanswered letters, including two letters raising questions about the President’s claim that Iraq sought uranium from Niger.

US Trade Policies Restrict Access to Life Saving Medicines

Rep. Waxman and other members write to US Trade Representative Susan Schwab to express their concern that the US is elevating intellectual property protection at the expense of public health in recent Free Trade Agreements with Peru, Colombia and other developing countries.

Chairman Waxman Responds to FDA Commissioner's Statement on Tobacco Regulation

Chairman Waxman sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach urging him to reconsider his position on proposed tobacco legislation. The bill would empower FDA to regulate tobacco products in order to protect the public health.

Committee Reports Favorably on Four Good Government Bills

The Oversight Committee reported out four bills: The Presidential Donation Reform Act, the Presidential Records Act Amendments, the Freedom of Information Act Amendments, and the Accountability in Contracting Act.

Democrats Request Clarification of Administration Stance on Mail Searches

Oversight Committee Chairman Waxman, Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes, and Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr., ask Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez about the Administration’s interpretation of its authority to search mail without a warrant.

Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007

On March 5, 2007, Reps. Wm. Lacy Clay, Todd Russell Platts, and Henry A. Waxman introduced H.R. 1309, the Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007. This legislation contains a dozen substantive provisions that will increase public access to government information by strengthening the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Documents Reveal New Allegations Against GSA Administrator

Chairman Waxman calls a hearing on new allegations regarding efforts by GSA Administrator Lurita Doan to award contracts to her longtime friend, Edie Fraser, as well as new claims that the Administrator personally intervened on behalf of other contractors and asked GSA officials to assist Republicans in the next elections.

Chairman Waxman Requests Research and Marketing Information from Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Companies

As part of the Committee’s oversight of the marketing practices of the pharmaceutical and device industry, Chairman Waxman sent letters (1) to Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals requesting information related to Zyprexa (olanzapine) and Seroquel (quetiapine), drugs used to treat bipolar disease and schizophrenia; (2) to Boston Scientific Corporation and the Cordis Corporation requesting information on the companies’ drug coated stents; and (3) to Cephalon regarding Actiq, a powerful narcotic lollipop, and Fentora, a narcotic lozenge, both approved to treat pain associated with cancer.

Chairman Waxman Raises Concerns About EPA’s Handling of LNG Project on California Coast

In a letter to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chairman Waxman discloses that documents the Committee has received raise new questions about how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is handling the air permit application for the BHP Billiton liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating storage and re-gasification project off the coast of Ventura County, California.

Former Head of Walter Reed Hospital Testifies Before National Security Subcommittee

On March 5, 2007, the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs held a hearing today on the conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The Subcommittee heard testimony from affected soldiers, family members, and military officials.

Democrats Inquire on Status of Offices of Women’s Health in HHS

Representative Waxman and other Members of Congress criticize a reported budget cut at the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health and request a briefing on the status of all women’s health offices and programs at the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007

On March 1, 2007, Rep. Henry A. Waxman along with Reps. Platts, Clay, and Burton introduced H.R. 1255, the Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007, to nullify a 2001 presidential executive order and restore public access to presidential records.

The Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2007

On March 1, 2007, Rep. Henry A. Waxman along with Reps. Duncan, Clay, Platts, and Emanuel introduced H.R. 1254 the Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2007, to require the disclosure of donors to presidential libraries.

DOD Announces Withholding of $20 Million from KBR

In response to a Committee oversight hearing, the Department of Defense announced that it would withhold $19.6 million in unjustified charges attributable to KBR’s improper use of security subcontractors.

Chairmen Waxman and Boxer Request Information on Contractor Conflicts of Interest

In a letter to the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Chairmen Waxman and Boxer request a briefing regarding allegations that the private contractor managing a government center on chemicals and reproductive risk has conflicts of interest.

Views and Estimates Regarding the President's Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2008

The Congressional Budget Act and House rules require every standing committee to submit views and estimates on the President’s budget to the Budget Committee. On Wednesday, February 28, the Oversight Committee considered views and estimates on the Fiscal Year 2008 budget.

Displaying Items 526 to 550 of 1458:

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