Chronology of Committee Work

Chairman Waxman Issues a Subpoena for Clean Water Act Documents

Chairman Waxman issued a subpoena to compel the EPA to provide documents relating to the agency’s faltering enforcement of the Clean Water Act.

Defense Department Agrees to Cooperate with Investigation into Sexual Assault in the Military

Defense Department officials notified Committee staff that Secretary Gates has agreed to comply with the Committee’s subpoena and make Dr. Kaye Whitley available to testify.

Chairman Waxman Renews Request for Information on Impacts of EPA Court Losses

In a letter to EPA, Chairman Waxman reiterates and expands his request for information on the costs of EPA’s numerous losses in court, which include taxpayer dollars wasted and delays in public health and environmental protections.

Chairman Waxman Questions Corps of Engineers’ L.A. River and Santa Cruz River Decisions

In a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers, Chairman Waxman and Chairman Oberstar requested information about whether the Corps is undermining the Clean Water Act with recent decisions affecting the Los Angeles River and Santa Cruz River.

EPA Provides Analyses of Greenhouse Gas Reductions from Transportation

In response to Chairman Waxman’s inquiry, EPA provided analyses EPA had conducted of reductions that would be necessary from the transportation sector to meet a range of global warming goals.

Committee Seeks Information About Documents Withheld Under Executive Privilege

Chairman Waxman sent letters seeking additional information about documents withheld from the Committee under claims of executive privilege by President Bush, including documents relating to whether the White House complied with the Clean Air Act on important environmental decisions and documents relating to the outing of covert CIA official Valerie Plame Wilson.

Chairman Waxman Delivers Democratic Radio Address

On August 2, 2008, Chairman Waxman delivered the Democratic Radio Address. In his address, Chairman Waxman discussed critical legislation passed by the House this week that addresses the health and safety of America’s children.

Chairman Waxman Sets Deadline for EPA Clean Water Documents

In a letter to EPA Administrator Johnson, Chairman Waxman and Chairman Oberstar requested that documents regarding EPA’s faltering enforcement of the Clean Water Act be provided to the Committees by August 14, 2008.

Chairman Waxman Releases Statement on Desert Rock Coal-Fired Power Plant Announcement

Chairman Henry A. Waxman released a statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency issuance of an air permit for the Desert Rock Energy Facility, a new coal-fired power plant.

New Source Review Rule Could Worsen Global Warming

In response to Chairman Waxman’s inquiry, EPA reveals that its proposed rule to weaken the Clean Air Act new source review requirements for power plants could allow power plants to increase their CO2 emissions by up to 74 million tons per year, which is roughly equivalent to the total annual CO2 emissions of about 14 average coal-fired power plants.

Committee Holds Hearing on Deficient Electrical Systems at U.S. Facilities in Iraq

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing titled, “Deficient Electrical Systems at U.S. Facilities in Iraq” on Wednesday, July 30, 2008, in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.

House Passes Bill to Strengthen GAO

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 6388, the Government Accountability Office Improvement Act of 2008. Chairman Henry A. Waxman and 18 other committee chairs introduced this legislation to strengthen the Government Accountability Office and restore GAO’s authority to pursue litigation if documents are improperly withheld from the agency.

Chairman Waxman Responds to Reps. Issa and Souder

Chairman Waxman wrote to Reps. Issa and Souder to respond to their request that the Committee investigate allegations that mortgage lenders provided preferential treatment for members of Congress and congressional staff.

Chairman Waxman Urges Special Counsel to Step Down

Chairman Waxman wrote to Scott Bloch to express his concerns about the effectiveness of the Office of Special Counsel and to urge Bloch to step down to protect the interests of the agency and those it is charged to protect.

Inspector General Questions Blackwater Small Business Contracts

In response to a request from Chairman Waxman, the Inspector General of the Small Business Administration released a report concluding that Blackwater may have “misrepresented” its small business status in order to win 39 government contracts worth more than $100 million.

New GAO Report Reveals Continuing Problems Resolving Medicare Drug Plan Complaints and Grievances

A new GAO report released today finds that almost three years after the Part D drug program went into effect, CMS still faces significant and continuing problems resolving complaints and grievances filed by seniors and the disabled. The report was requested by Reps. Henry A. Waxman, John Dingell, Charles Rangel, Pete Stark, and Frank Pallone, and Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Chairman Waxman Requests Information on Billions in Universal Service Fund Subsidies

Chairman Waxman wrote to 24 companies to request information about their use of Universal Service Fund (USF) subsidies. Collectively, the companies receive billions of dollars to provide service in “high-cost” areas throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Along with his letter, Chairman Waxman released FCC data listing the top corporate recipients of USF subsidy dollars.

Committee Exchanges Correspondence with U.S. Ambassador to Albania Regarding AEY Investigation

Chairman Waxman responds to a letter received from U.S. Ambassador John Withers regarding the Committee’s inquiry into the conduct of the Ambassador and Embassy officials.

Chairman Waxman Questions GSA Advisory Panel

Chairman Waxman wrote to GSA Acting Administrator Bibb to question whether the Multiple Award Schedule Advisory Panel is a wise use of taxpayers’ money given that no officials other than former Administrator Doan have expressed the view that it is necessary.

Committee Holds Hearing on Medicare Part D

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing titled, “The Medicare Drug Benefit: Are Private Insurers Getting Good Discounts for the Taxpayer?” on Thursday, July 24, 2008, in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.

Chairman Waxman Presses EPA for Clean Water Documents

In a letter to EPA Administrator Johnson, Chairman Waxman and Chairman Oberstar requested that EPA work with the Committee to set a timeline for the production of documents regarding EPA’s faltering enforcement of the Clean Water Act.

Business Meeting

The Committee held a business meeting in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building, on July 23, 2008.

Committee Investigates Disabled Access for New Department of Transportation Headquarters

Chairman Waxman wrote to DOT, GSA, and the developer responsible for the construction of the new headquarters to request information regarding allegations that the building is not compliant with requirements concerning accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Committee Continues Investigation of Widespread Electrical Problems in Iraq

Chairman Waxman requests additional information about Defense Department and KBR failures to address defective electrical systems throughout Iraq that have caused hundreds of fires and resulted in multiple fatalities.

Committee Approves Tillman Report

A Committee report on the investigations into the death of Corporal Patrick Tillman and the capture of Private Jessica Lynch discloses important new details about the incidents, but could not resolve “the key issue of what senior officials knew” because “the investigation was frustrated by a near universal lack of recall.”

Displaying Items 1 to 25 of 1311:

Previous Page • Next Page

[1] • [2] • [3] • [4] • [5] • [6] • [7] • [8] • [9] • [10] • [11] • [12] • [13] • [14] • [15] • [16] • [17] • [18] • [19] • [20] • [21] • [22] • [23] • [24] • [25] • [26] • [27] • [28] • [29] • [30] • [31] • [32] • [33] • [34] • [35] • [36] • [37] • [38] • [39] • [40] • [41] • [42] • [43] • [44] • [45] • [46] • [47] • [48] • [49] • [50] • [51] • [52] • [53]