[House Report 110-930]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 110-930
_______________________________________________________________________
Union Calendar No. 603
ACTIVITIES
of the
COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM
ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS
FIRST AND SECOND SESSIONS
2007-2008
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/congress/
index.html
http://www.house.gov/reform
January 2, 2009.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
ACTIVITIES REPORT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT
REFORM
110th Congress
2d Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Report
110-930
_______________________________________________________________________
Union Calendar No. 603
ACTIVITIES
of the
COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM
ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS
FIRST AND SECOND SESSIONS
2007-2008
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/congress/
index.html
http://www.house.gov/reform
January 2, 2009.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM
HENRY A. WAXMAN, California, Chairman
EDOLPHUS TOWNS, New York TOM DAVIS, Virginia
PAUL E. KANJORSKI, Pennsylvania DAN BURTON, Indiana
CAROLYN B. MALONEY, New York CHRISTOPHER SHAYS, Connecticut
ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland JOHN M. McHUGH, New York
DENNIS J. KUCINICH, Ohio JOHN L. MICA, Florida
DANNY K. DAVIS, Illinois MARK E. SOUDER, Indiana
JOHN F. TIERNEY, Massachusetts TODD RUSSELL PLATTS, Pennsylvania
WM. LACY CLAY, Missouri CHRIS CANNON, Utah
DIANE E. WATSON, California JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee
STEPHEN F. LYNCH, Massachusetts MICHAEL R. TURNER, Ohio
BRIAN HIGGINS, New York DARRELL E. ISSA, California
JOHN A. YARMUTH, Kentucky KENNY MARCHANT, Texas
BRUCE L. BRALEY, Iowa LYNN A. WESTMORELAND, Georgia
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of PATRICK T. McHENRY, North Carolina
Columbia VIRGINIA FOXX, North Carolina
BETTY McCOLLUM, Minnesota BRIAN P. BILBRAY, California
JIM COOPER, Tennessee BILL SALI, Idaho
CHRIS VAN HOLLEN, Maryland JIM JORDAN, Ohio
PAUL W. HODES, New Hampshire
CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY, Connecticut
JOHN P. SARBANES, Maryland
PETER WELCH, Vermont
JACKIE SPEIER, California
Phil Barnett, Staff Director
Earley Green, Chief Clerk
Lawrence Halloran, Minority Staff Director
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
----------
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, January 2, 2009.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Ms. Speaker: By direction of the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform, I submit herewith the
committee's activities report for the 110th Congress.
Henry A. Waxman,
Chairman.
?
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Introduction..................................................... 1
I. Oversight Accomplishments.........................................2
II. Legislative Accomplishments......................................10
III.Full Committee Proceedings.......................................33
IV. Subcommittee Activities..........................................52
A. Domestic Policy....................................... 52
B. Federal Workforce..................................... 81
C. Government Management................................. 95
D. Information Policy.................................... 110
E. National Security and Foreign Affairs................. 123
(v)
Union Calendar No. 603
110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 110-930
======================================================================
ACTIVITIES OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM
_______
January 2, 2009.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Henry A. Waxman, from the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, submitted the following
REPORT
ACTIVITIES OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM,
110TH CONGRESS, 1ST AND 2D SESSIONS, 2007 AND 2008
INTRODUCTION
During the 110th Congress, the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform held 203 oversight hearings and reported or
discharged 372 bills and resolutions to the House for
consideration. Significant reforms involving federal
procurement practices, open government, and the independence of
Inspectors General were enacted into law.
Major investigations included examination of waste, fraud,
and abuse in Iraq reconstruction and other government
contracting; the activities of Blackwater and other private
security contractors; the politicization of science in federal
agencies; White House mismanagement of federal records; the
Wall Street financial crisis and CEO compensation; the high
cost of prescription drugs; formaldehyde levels in FEMA
trailers; the treatment of wounded returning soldiers at Walter
Reed Army Medical Center; and misleading veterans' charities.
Other investigations examined the disclosure of CIA agent
Valerie Plame Wilson's identity, the fratricide of Army Ranger
Patrick Tillman, and the use of steroids in Major League
Baseball.
In the 110th Congress, the Committee Chair was Henry A.
Waxman and the Ranking Member was Tom Davis. To carry out its
duties as effectively as possible, the Committee at the
beginning of the 110th Congress established the following five
standing subcommittees: Subcommittee on Domestic Policy;
Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the
District of Columbia; Subcommittee on Government Management,
Organizations, and Procurement; Subcommittee on Information
Policy, Census, and National Archives; and Subcommittee on
National Security and Foreign Affairs.
This report describes the Committee's major oversight and
legislative accomplishments, provides a chronological summary
of Committee proceedings, and summarizes activities of the
Subcommittees during the 110th Congress.
I. Oversight Accomplishments
Pursuant to Rule X, Clause 2(d) of the Rules of the House,
the Committee on Oversight adopted an oversight plan at the
commencement of the 110th Congress consisting of topics
designated for investigation, evaluation, and review by the
Committee. The topics were selected by Chairman Henry A.
Waxman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, Rep.
Tom Davis, other members of this Committee, and other
Committees.
The plan highlighted intended subjects of oversight,
including:
Agriculture, including policies regarding
the safety of our food supply;
Energy and environment, including
governmental and nongovernmental activities and
policies relating to global warming, the extent to
which government agencies responsible for public health
and environmental protection are fulfilling their
responsibilities, and the nation's ability to develop a
sustainable energy sector;
Government contracting, including the causes
and effects of the recent increase in procurement, the
importance of safeguards like competition from the
procurement process, and shortfalls in the acquisition
workforce;
Healthcare, including alleged waste, fraud,
and abuse in the nation's healthcare system; federal
policies and programs that aim to prevent and treat
HIV/AIDS, as well as those related to reproductive
health; and the extent to which government health
programs are driven by sound scientific evidence rather
than political considerations;
Homeland security, including alleged
procurement abuses at the Department of Homeland
Security, and how effectively DoD, DHS, and state
governors work together to promote security;
Federal emergency management, including
government activities in the wake of Hurricane Katrina;
Iraq reconstruction and troop support,
including allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse in the
use of private contractors conducting reconstruction
and troop support activities; and, among other topics,
The White House, including the efficiency
and effectiveness of operations of the Executive Office
of the President and the Office of the Vice President.
The Committee's oversight of these and many other issues in
the 110th Congress resulted in substantial cost savings for
American taxpayers and improvement in the effectiveness and
efficiency of our government. Following are highlights of major
oversight accomplishments of the Committee in the 110th
Congress.
A. AGRICULTURE
Crop Insurance. On May 3, 2007, a Committee hearing
disclosed billions of dollars of waste, fraud, and abuse in the
federal crop insurance program. At the hearing, GAO testified
that over 40% of program funding--over $10 billion--never
reached the farmers that the program is designed to assist.
Witnesses identified billions of dollars in excess subsidies
for the private insurers that administer the program.
On June 18, 2008, Congress passed (over President Bush's
veto) the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (H.R.
6124). Provisions in this legislation contain reforms to the
crop insurance program that will produce significant savings
for the taxpayer. The legislation reduces excessive subsidies
for insurers, provides new funding for program enforcement, and
modifies other provisions resulting in waste and abuse by
farmers and insurers, saving an estimated $3.4 billion over the
next decade.
B. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Uranium contamination in the Navajo Nation. On October 23,
2007, the Committee held a hearing on the health and
environmental impacts of uranium contamination in the Navajo
Nation in the aftermath of decades of uranium mining and
milling. Representatives of the Navajo Nation described
widespread contamination of the surface and groundwater around
four former milling sites and 520 abandoned uranium mines and
the health risks that this contamination presents. Five federal
agencies--the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the
Department of Energy (DOE), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Indian
Health Service (IHS)--testified on the limited steps taken to
date to clean up the contamination. The hearing represented the
first occasion on which the five responsible agencies had met
to discuss solutions.
On June 16, 2008, the five agencies jointly submitted to
the Committee a five-year plan to begin cleaning up the
widespread uranium contamination in the Navajo Nation. Since
that time, EPA assessed 70 houses and other structures near the
abandoned mine sites for contamination and began demolishing
contaminated structures.
Allegations concerning the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences. In early 2007, Chairman Waxman
and Domestic Policy Subcommittee Chairman Dennis Kucinich began
investigating questions about the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and its then-director,
Dr. David Schwartz. Chairmen Waxman and Kucinich expressed
concern about potential conflicts of interest relating to an
NIEHS proposal to privatize aspects of the journal
Environmental Health Perspectives. The members also sought
information relating to allegations of other misconduct by Dr.
Schwartz.
In August 2007, the Director of the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) announced there would be a comprehensive review of
Dr. Schwartz's conduct, and Dr. Schwartz temporarily stepped
down from his position. Dr. Schwartz was never reinstated as
Director. In February 2008, he formally tendered his
resignation. In April 2008, NIH's Office of Management
Assessment released a review of NIEHS management which
documented numerous problems with the institute's programs and
procedures and suggested recommendations for reform.
Environmental Study of Santa Susana Field Laboratory in Los
Angeles. The Santa Susana Field Laboratory in Los Angeles is a
cold war legacy site with numerous toxic and radiological
contamination issues in need of remediation. On May 23, 2007,
Chairman Waxman learned that the Department of Energy was
preparing to demolish structures at the Santa Susana Field
Laboratory without completing an environmental impact statement
as required by a federal court. Chairman Waxman wrote DOE to
express his concerns and to request an assurance that an EIS
would be prepared prior to the remediation. On June 27, 2007,
the Department of Energy announced that it would comply with
Chairman Waxman's request.
C. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING
GSA Outsourcing. On June 14, 2007, Chairman Waxman
requested that the General Services Administration delay
implementation of a proposal to expand GSA's use of contractors
to conduct contract oversight and management until GSA could
demonstrate whether necessary safeguards were in place. Based
on findings of the Committee and other oversight entities
regarding other federal agency outsourcing of contracting
oversight, Chairman Waxman expressed concern that GSA's
proposal could result in the improper outsourcing of inherently
governmental functions, contractor conflicts of interest, and
erosion of procurement oversight by federal officials that
could lead to additional waste, fraud, and abuse.
The next day, GSA announced that it had suspended its plans
to outsource contract support services until it understood and
responded to congressional concerns. After further consultation
with Committee staff, GSA agreed to produce an ordering guide
to help buyers identify government functions that cannot be
outsourced and prevent contractor conflicts of interest.
D. HEALTHCARE
Healthcare-Associated Infections. On April 16, 2008, the
Committee held a hearing on healthcare-associated infections, a
leading cause of death for Americans. A GAO report prepared for
Chairman Waxman was released at the hearing, which recommended
that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must
identify priorities and do more to promote implementation of
best practices to reduce healthcare associated infections. A
subsequent Committee staff report released on September 22,
2008, showed that the majority of state hospital associations
have not adopted a proven program which could save thousands of
lives and billions of dollars.
On September 23, 2008, at a conference of infection control
professionals, HHS announced a ``national action plan'' to
address the problem of healthcare-associated infections. On
October 1, 2008, the HHS Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality also announced a series of grants to ten states to
reduce these infections.
Lead in Children's Toys. Since 2005, Chairman Waxman has
investigated the dangers to children from lead in toys,
jewelry, and other products. A December 2006 report released by
Chairman Waxman found exceptionally high levels of lead even in
products sold in the Capitol gift shops.
On July 31, 2008, Congress passed Chairman Waxman's Lead
Free Toys Act (H.R. 3473) as part of H.R. 4040, a bill to
reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This law will
require immediate reductions in the amount of lead in
children's products and contains the world's strongest
restrictions on lead in children's products.
Compendium of HIV Prevention Interventions. In May 2006,
Ranking Member Waxman wrote to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) to ask why the agency had failed to update
the Compendium of HIV Prevention Interventions with Evidence of
Effectiveness, first released in 1999. The Compendium describes
programs identified by CDC's scientific staffs as having been
shown to reduce risk behaviors and HIV transmission and is used
by health professionals in the field to maximize the
effectiveness of their prevention efforts. In the May 2006
letter and follow-up correspondence, Mr. Waxman expressed
concern that even though CDC scientists had identified
additional effective programs in the seven years since the
Compendium was first issued, the CDC had not released an
update.
In response to Mr. Waxman's inquiries, CDC posted a full
update to the Compendium on its website in November 2007.
Safety of Diabetes Drug Avandia. On June 6, 2007, the
Committee held a hearing on the role of the Food and Drug
Administration in evaluating the safety of Avandia, a widely
used diabetes drug. The hearing followed the publication of
data indicating that the drug might put patients at higher risk
of heart attacks. On the day of the hearing, FDA announced
plans to add a ``black box'' warning on the drug's label
alerting patients and physicians about the increased risk of
heart failure.
In July 2007, the FDA convened an advisory committee to
review the data on the safety of Avandia. The recommendations
of the advisory committee led to the addition of another
``black box'' warning for heart problems in November 2007. FDA
also requested that the manufacturer conduct a long-term study
to determine the safety of Avandia.
Conflicted Contractor at National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences. In February 2007, Chairman
Waxman and Senator Barbara Boxer raised concerns about the
potential conflicts of interest of Sciences International, a
private contractor at the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences (NIEHS) that was involved in reviewing the
health risks of a chemical called bisphenol-A. In response to
these concerns, NIEHS investigated and terminated Sciences
International's contract.
In April 2007, NIEHS, the National Toxicology Program
(NTP), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) also
committed to taking several additional actions. First, NIH
initiated a broad review of NIH-wide and center-specific
conflicts of interest policies to determine whether they are
adequate. Second, NIEHS developed specific language on
conflicts of interest for inclusion in new contracts. Third,
NTP conducted an independent review of the bisphenol-A
evaluation. Fourth, a working group of NTP's Board of
Scientific Counselors evaluated all 44 NTP contracts for
potential or actual conflicts of interest.
In September 2008, NTP issued its report on bisphenol-A,
finding that the chemical is potentially dangerous to human
development and reproduction and may be linked to breast and
prostate cancer.
E. HOMELAND SECURITY
Deepwater Coast Guard Program. On February 8, 2007, the
Committee held a hearing that examined procurement and
oversight problems in the Coast Guard's Deepwater program, a
multi-year $24 billion plan to refurbish the Coast Guard's
offshore fleet. The hearing identified the Coast Guard's
decision to turn over the design and production of the new
ships to a private-sector entity called Integrated Coast Guard
Systems (ICGS), a joint venture of defense contractors Lockheed
Martin and Northrop Grumman, as a key cause of cost overruns
and defective ships. In April 2007, the Coast Guard announced
it was taking control of the project away from ICGS and was
initiating proceedings to recoup some of the taxpayer funds
ICGS had used to build the defective ships.
F. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Formaldehyde in Federal Emergency Management Agency
trailers. On July 19, 2007, the Committee held a hearing on
formaldehyde levels in FEMA trailers provided to displaced
evacuees from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The hearing revealed
that FEMA officials in Washington had ignored multiple warnings
about high formaldehyde exposures in FEMA trailers because
testing ``would imply FEMA's ownership of the issue.''
The hearing and the Committee's ongoing investigation has
led to multiple reforms. At the hearing, FEMA Administrator
David Paulison announced that FEMA would ask the Centers for
Disease Control to conduct comprehensive testing of the air
quality of the trailers. Shortly after the hearing, FEMA also
announced that it would discontinue deploying travel trailers
for use by displaced disaster victims and would stop selling
surplus units to the public.
In December 2007, Congress directed in a consolidated
appropriations measure that FEMA work with the CDC to complete
the testing and develop policies concerning families remaining
in FEMA issued trailers. In February 2008, CDC announced the
test results, which confirmed high levels of formaldehyde in
trailers. On February 14, FEMA announced that it would
immediately begin relocating those families living in trailers
with high levels of formaldehyde.
On July 9, 2008, the Committee held a second hearing to
examine the role and responsibility of the trailer
manufacturers. This hearing revealed that the major
manufacturer of FEMA trailers was aware of the high
formaldehyde levels as early as March 2006, but failed to warn
the occupants of the trailers or advise FEMA of its findings.
G. IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION AND TROOP SUPPORT
Improper Billing under the LOGCAP Contract. On February 7,
2007, the Committee held a hearing to examine the use of
private military contractors in Iraq. In response to Chairman
Waxman's inquiries, the Defense Department announced that KBR
had improperly billed the government for private security
services under the logistical support contract known as
``LOGCAP'' and that the Department would withhold $19.6 million
in unjustified charges. Since then, KBR has disclosed to
investors that up to $400 million in payments to the LOGCAP
contract could be in jeopardy.
Deficient Electrical Systems at U.S. Facilities in Iraq. On
March 19, 2008, Chairman Waxman requested documents from the
Defense Department related to reports that at least 12 service
members in Iraq had died as the result of accidental
electrocutions attributable to faulty wiring. On July 30, 2008,
the Committee held a hearing to examine electrical problems
leading to the injuries and deaths of military personnel and
the Defense Department's management and oversight of
contractors. The hearing revealed that the Defense Department
had neglected numerous warnings of widespread electrical
hazards throughout Iraq because ``neither LOGCAP nor DCMA have
sufficient skill sets or expertise to perform adequate
oversight of electrical work being performed by KBR.''
The hearing and the Committee's ongoing investigation has
led to increased oversight of electrical systems in Iraq. In
July 2008, the Army modified the LOGCAP contract to mandate
inspections and require training and certification of
electricians. On September 8, 2008, the Army informed the
Committee that it would reopen the investigation into the death
of Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth, a Special Forces soldier who was
electrocuted while taking a shower in his living facilities.
Three days later, the Army issued a Corrective Action Request
to KBR, finding ``serious contractual noncompliance'' relating
to the company's ``outstanding electrical and quality issues''
in Iraq.
Baghdad Embassy Construction. On July 26, 2007, the
Committee held the first congressional hearing on the Baghdad
Embassy construction project, examining evidence of substandard
work by the prime contractor, First Kuwaiti General Trading &
Contracting Company. On October 9, 2007, and February 9, 2008,
Chairman Waxman disclosed additional evidence of extensive
flaws in the construction of the Iraq Embassy.
These investigations have led to new oversight of the
embassy construction project. In December 2007, Gen. Charles
Williams, the director of the State Department's Bureau of
Overseas Building Operations, resigned from his position. The
Committee has also learned that the two top State Department
officials in charge of the Embassy construction project, James
Golden and Mary French, have also resigned. The Department of
Justice is now conducting a criminal investigation into the
matter.
Private Security Contractors in Iraq. The Committee held
hearings on February 7, 2007, and October 2, 2007, on private
military contractors in Iraq. At the October 2 hearing, Erik
Prince, the Chairman of the Prince Group LLC and Blackwater
USA, was questioned about the actions of Blackwater under its
$1.6 billion contract with the State Department. A staff
memorandum released by Chairman Waxman showed that Blackwater
had engaged in 195 ``escalation of force'' incidents since
2005, including over 160 incidents in which Blackwater fired
first.
Following the Committee hearings, the House passed H.R.
2740, a bill to expand the Military Extraterritorial
Jurisdiction Act to provide federal criminal jurisdiction over
the conduct of private military contractors working in
proximity to a contingency operation, such as Blackwater
personnel working for the State Department in Iraq. Congress
also strengthened the Defense Department's oversight of
security contractors in the Defense Authorization Act of 2007.
Other reforms were implemented administratively. On October
24, 2007, Assistant Secretary of State Richard Griffin, a
witness at the Committee's October 2, 2007, hearing and the
head of Diplomatic Security Service charged with overseeing
Blackwater's activities, resigned his position. At a hearing on
October 25, 2007, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
acknowledged that the State Department's oversight of
Blackwater had been inadequate and agreed to adopt several
reforms, including (1) installing video cameras on protection
detail vehicles; (2) requiring the presence of a State
Department security official on each protection mission; (3)
establishing investigative teams to respond to incidents; and
(4) appointing an Incident Review Board to consider possible
referrals to the Justice Department.
On June 30, 2008, Congress enacted the Government
Contractor Accountability Act (H.R. 3928) as part of the 2008
Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 2642). This legislation
requires privately held government contractors like Blackwater
to disclose information about the salaries of their top
executives.
Care of Wounded Soldiers. Since February 2007, the
Oversight Committee and its Subcommittee on National Security
and Foreign Affairs have held four hearings on the care of
wounded soldiers, including the first congressional hearing on
conditions at Walter Reed. Multiple reforms have resulted from
these hearings.
Less than a week after the National Security Subcommittee
held the first hearing on the conditions at Walter Reed on
March 5, 2007, the top Army officer responsible for the
failures at Walter Reed, the Surgeon General of the Army, Lt.
Gen. Kevin Kiley, was forced to resign.
The Committee hearings also prompted administrative reforms
at the Defense Department and the Veterans Administration in
2007, including a streamlined disability evaluation process,
enhanced incentives to recruit and retain qualified military
medical and mental health personnel, increased reliance on
independent ombudspersons to help wounded warriors cut through
red tape, the expanded application of Warrior Transition Units
for returning soldiers with injuries or mental health concerns,
more comprehensive application of mental health and traumatic
brain injury screenings, and the reduction of specious
discharges for returning soldiers with mental health concerns.
In addition, the Committee's inquiry led to changes in the
application of the ``A-76'' outsourcing process. After the
Committee's March 5, 2007, hearing produced evidence that
disruptions caused by the outsourcing process contributed to
the conditions at Walter Reed, the Army announced a freeze in
the A-76 process at Walter Reed and other Army medical
facilities.
H. WHITE HOUSE
Management of White House e-mail records. In March 2007,
the Committee began an investigation into the use of RNC e-mail
accounts by White House officials and the potential loss of
presidential records. This investigation revealed that 88 White
House officials held RNC e-mail accounts while serving in the
White House, that these officials used the RNC e-mail accounts
to conduct official government business, and that there was
extensive destruction of these e-mails by the RNC. A related
investigation examined the failure of the White House to
properly archive millions of e-mails sent to and from its
official White House servers.
In response to the Committee's investigation, the House in
July 2008 passed the Electronic Communications Preservation Act
(H.R. 5811). This legislation directs the Archivist to
establish standards for the capture, management, and
preservation of electronic messages that are presidential
records.
In addition, the White House responded to the Committee's
investigation with reforms that may reduce the use of political
e-mail accounts for official business. Soon after the start of
the Committee's investigation, the White House rewrote its
staff guidance on the use of e-mail. The White House also
provided official blackberries to all staff in the Office of
Political Affairs.
Travel by Officials of the Office of National Drug Control
Policy. A Committee investigation revealed that John Walters,
the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control
Policy, and his deputies traveled to 20 events with vulnerable
Republican members of Congress in the months prior to the 2006
elections. The trips were paid for entirely by federal
taxpayers and several were combined with the announcement of
federal grants or actions that benefited the districts of the
Republican members.
As a result of this investigation, Congress reduced the
travel budget for the Office of National Drug Control Policy by
25% for fiscal year 2008. The budget limitation included an
express warning that travel by agency officials ``should occur
for official business reasons only, not for political gain.''
I. OTHER WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE
Defense Base Act Insurance. On May 15, 2008, the Committee
held a hearing to examine the costs to taxpayers of Defense
Base Act (DBA) Insurance. Federal law requires that all federal
contractors working overseas obtain DBA insurance for their
workers. Information obtained by the Committee revealed that
from 2002 through 2007, the top four insurers made almost $600
million in excess profits from coverage provided under the DBA
program. On September 27, 2008, the House and Senate passed S.
3001, the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2009. This legislation required that the Department
of Defense develop a new, more cost-effective strategy for
obtaining Defense Base Act insurance for agency contractors.
Alleged Misconduct at the General Services Administration.
In March 2007, the Committee commenced an investigation into
allegations that Lurita A. Doan, the Administrator of the
General Services Administration, had urged GSA employees to use
government resources to help Republican candidates. Based on
the Committee's investigation and its own fact-gathering, the
Office of Special Counsel, the executive branch agency
responsible for enforcing the Hatch Act, found that
Administrator Doan had violated the Hatch Act. On June 8, 2007,
the Special Counsel reported this finding to President Bush and
recommended that he discipline her ``to the fullest extent''
for her actions. On April 29, 2008, President Bush asked Ms.
Doan to step down from GSA. James A. Williams was nominated by
President Bush to succeed Ms. Doan.
Alleged Abuses by State Department Inspector General. In
August 2007, Chairman Waxman commenced an investigation into
the performance of State Department Inspector General Howard J.
Krongard, particularly his alleged failure to authorize
investigations into waste, fraud, and abuse in State Department
activities in Iraq. On November 14, 2007, the Committee held a
hearing on Mr. Krongard's conduct and Chairman Waxman released
a staff report that described evidence that Mr. Krongard had
failed to investigate reports of wasteful spending and
procurement fraud relating to Iraq and Afghanistan, failed to
cooperate with Justice Department investigations relating to
the Iraq War, and exhibited a lack of independence from the
State Department on audits and investigations. The hearing also
revealed that Mr. Krongard's brother, former CIA Executive
Director Buzzy Krongard, was a member of the Advisory Board of
Blackwater USA, a company that was the subject of an
investigation that Mr. Krongard had temporarily halted.
In response to the Committee's investigation, the Inspector
General opened investigations into fraud at the U.S. embassy.
On December 7, 2007, Mr. Krongard resigned from his position as
Inspector General, effective January 15, 2008. In June 2008,
President Bush nominated Thomas Betro to be the new Inspector
General.
Part III provides additional details on the individual
oversight hearings the Committee held in the 110th Congress.
II. Legislative Accomplishments
A. BILLS AND AMENDMENTS ENACTED INTO LAW
H.R. 390, the Preservation of Records of Servitude,
Emancipation, and Post-Civil War Reconstruction Act. Introduced
on January 10, 2007, by Rep. Tom Lantos, this legislation
requires the establishment of a national database in the
National Archives to preserve and make accessible and
searchable, records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil
War reconstruction. Under H.R. 390, grants will be made
available to states, colleges and universities, and
genealogical associations, to preserve similar records in their
possession and make them available electronically.
History: Introduced on January 10, 2007; Committee passed
on January 11, 2007; House passed January 14, 2007; provisions
of this bill were included in S. 3477, which was signed into
law on October 13, 2008.
H.R. 401, the National Capital Transportation Amendments
Act. Introduced by Rep. Tom Davis on January 11, 2007, the bill
authorizes federal funding for capital improvements and
critical preventive maintenance needs for the Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and improves
accountability at WMATA.
History: Introduced January 11, 2007; Committee passed May
9, 2007; signed into law as Title VI of H.R. 2095, the Railroad
Safety Enhancement Act.
H.R. 1236, To amend title 39, United States Code, to extend
the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a
semipostal to raise funds for breast cancer research.
Introduced by Rep. Clay on February 28, 2007, the bill extends
the sale of the Breast Cancer Research Semi-postal Stamp (BCRS)
from December 31, 2007, to December 31, 2011. After the Postal
Service's administrative costs are accounted for, monies raised
above the regular postage rate are transferred to the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Defense (DoD) for
breast cancer research efforts.
History: Introduced on February 28, 2007; Committee passed
September 20, 2007; House passed October 30, 2007; a
substantially similar bill, S. 597, was signed into law on
December 21, 2007.
H.R. 1309, Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007.
Introduced by Rep. Clay on March 5, 2007, the bill increases
public access to government information by strengthening the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
History: Introduced on March 5, 2007; Committee passed
March 12, 2007; House passed March 14, 2007; a substantially
similar bill, S. 2488, was signed into law on December 31,
2007.
H.R. 1362, the Accountability in Contracting Act.
Introduced by Rep. Waxman on March 6, 2007, H.R. 1362 required
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. Provisions
requiring the public disclosure of justifications for sole-
source contracts and the disclosure of contractor overcharges
were enacted as part of H.R. 4986, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.
History: Introduced March 6, 2007; Committee passed March
12, 2007; House passed March 15, 2007; portions signed into law
January 28, 2008.
H.R. 2635, the Carbon-Neutral Government Act. Introduced by
Rep. Waxman on June 7, 2007, the Carbon-Neutral Government Act
aims to freeze and dramatically reduce the federal government's
greenhouse gas emissions until the government is carbon-neutral
in 2050. It also includes specific requirements for agency
actions to help the government meet these goals. Provisions of
this bill were incorporated into H.R. 3221.
History: Introduced on June 7, 2007; Committee passed on
August 3, 2007; H.R. 3221 passed the House on August 4, 2007;
some of the provisions of H.R. 3221 were signed into law as
part of H.R. 6 (P.L. 110-140).
H.R. 3033, the Contractors and Federal Spending
Accountability Act. Introduced by Rep. Maloney on July 12,
2007, the bill requires a database of information on contractor
and grantee integrity and performance.
History: Introduced on July 12, 2007; Committee passed
March 13, 2008; House passed April 23, 2008; signed into law as
section 872 of S. 3001, the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2009.
H.R. 3928, the Government Funding Transparency Act.
Introduced by Rep. Christopher Murphy on October 23, 2007, the
bill amends the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency
Act of 2006 to require the names and total compensation of the
five most highly compensated officers, if (1) the entity in the
preceding fiscal year received 80% or more of its annual gross
revenues and $25 million or more in annual gross revenues from
federal awards; and (2) the public does not have access to
information about the compensation of the entity's senior
executives through reports filed under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 or the Internal Revenue Code.
History: Introduced October 23, 2007; Committee passed
(amended) March 13, 2008; House passed April 23, 2008; signed
into law as section 6201 of H.R. 2642, the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2008.
H.R. 4220, the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008.
Introduced by Rep. Emerson on November 15, 2007, the bill would
encourage the donation of excess food to nonprofit
organizations that provide assistance to food-insecure people
in the United States in contracts entered into by executive
agencies for the provision, service, or sale of food.
History: Introduced on November 15, 2007; Committee passed
December 12, 2007; House passed December 17, 2008; signed into
law as S. 2420 on June 20, 2008.
H.R. 5683, the Government Accountability Office Act of
2008. Introduced by Rep. Danny K. Davis on April 2, 2008, the
bill improves the oversight, administration, and pay adjustment
functions at GAO.
History: Introduced on April 2, 2008; Committee passed May
22, 2008; House passed June 9, 2008; signed into law September
22, 2008.
H.R. 5712, the Close the Contractor Fraud Loophole Act.
Introduced by Rep. Welch on April 3, 2008, the bill requires
contractors to report violations of criminal law and
overcharging on federal contracts, whether performed
domestically or overseas.
History: Introduced April 23, 2008; Committee passed
(amended) April 22, 2008; House passed April 23, 2008; signed
into law as section 6101 of H.R. 2642, the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2008.
B. BILLS PASSED BY THE HOUSE
H.R. 404, the Federal Customer Service Enhancement Act.
Introduced by Rep. Cuellar on January 11, 2007, the bill
requires the Office of Management and Budget to develop
customer service standards and performance measures for federal
agencies and requires the head of each agency to collect
information from its customers regarding the quality of its
services.
History: Introduced January 11, 2007; Committee passed June
12, 2007; House passed July 23, 2007.
H.R. 752, the Federal Electronic Equipment Donation Act.
Introduced by Rep. Butterfield on January 31, 2007, the bill
directs Federal agencies to donate excess and surplus Federal
electronic equipment, including computers, computer components,
printers, and fax machines, to qualifying small towns,
counties, schools, nonprofit organizations, and libraries.
History: Introduced January 31, 2007; Committee passed
April 9, 2008; House passed May 21, 2008.
H.R. 985, the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act.
Introduced by Rep. Waxman on February 12, 2007, the bill offers
improved protections to federal whistleblowers who report
wrongdoing to authorities. Federal employees and contractors
are privy to information that enables them to play an essential
role in ensuring government accountability.
History: Introduced on February 12, 2007; Committee passed
March 9, 2007; House passed March 14, 2007.
H.R. 1254, the Presidential Library Donation Reform Act.
Introduced by Rep. Waxman on March 1, 2007, the bill would
require the disclosure of donors to presidential libraries.
History: Introduced March 1, 2007; Committee passed March
9, 2007; House passed March 14, 2007.
H.R. 1255, the Presidential Records Act Amendments.
Introduced by Rep. Waxman on March 1, 2007, the bill would
nullify a 2001 presidential executive order to restore public
access to presidential records.
History: Introduced March 1, 2007; Committee passed March
9, 2007; House passed March 14, 2007.
H.R. 1433, District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act.
Introduced by Rep. Norton on April 18, 2007, the bill would
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. Based on the 2000 decennial census
and apportionment calculations, Utah will get the second seat
until the reapportionment taking place after the 2010 Decennial
Census.
History: Introduced March 9, 2007; Committee passed March
13; the House passed a similar measure (H.R. 1905) April 19,
2007.
H.R. 1873, the Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act.
Introduced by Rep. Braley on April 17, 2007, the bill contains
provisions concerning contract bundling, government procurement
goals for small business contracts, and the accuracy of
contracting data maintained in federal databases. As reported
by the Oversight Committee, the bill expands the definition of
contract bundling to ensure that small businesses have access
to work previously available for small business. The bill also
improves the current bundling dispute process by allowing small
businesses to request that the Small Business Administration
(SBA) appeal a contract award to the contracting agency on
their behalf and by requiring agencies to provide written
responses to SBA. In addition, the bill would provide for the
establishment of appropriate limitations on the award of
contracts without competition to Alaska Native Corporations and
other economically disadvantaged Indian tribes.
History: Introduced on April 17, 2007; Committee passed May
1, 2007; House passed May 10, 2007.
H.R. 3548, the Plain Language in Government Communications
Act. Introduced by Rep. Braley on September 17, 2007, the bill
requires agencies to use plain language in government documents
related to obtaining a service or a benefit. Examples of such
documents include letters from the Social Security
Administration about Social Security benefits or a notice from
the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the GI bill. The
bill defines plain language as ``language that the intended
audience can readily understand and use because it is clear,
concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices of
plain language writing,'' and requires agencies to use plain
language in any new document that explains how to obtain a
benefit or service or that is relevant to obtaining such a
benefit or service.
History: Introduced September 17, 2007; Committee passed
March 13, 2008; House passed April 14, 2008.
H.R. 3774, the Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance
Act. Introduced by Rep. Danny Davis on October 9, 2007, the
bill would promote diversity in the Senior Executive Service
(SES). It requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to
establish an office to oversee the SES, requires agencies and
OPM to consider diversity when designating members of SES
candidate evaluation panels, and requires each agency to submit
a plan to OPM on how the agency will enhance and maximize
opportunities for the advancement and appointment of
minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities to the
SES.
History: Introduced October 9, 2007; Committee passed May
1, 2008; House passed June 3, 2008.
H.R. 4106, the Telework Improvements Act. Introduced by
Rep. Danny Davis on November 7, 2007, the bill requires the
head of each agency to establish a policy that allows
authorized employees to telework. The bill provides a number of
exceptions for situations such as an employee who cannot
perform his or her job off-site. The bill requires the General
Services Administration (GSA) to issue guidance (coordinating
where appropriate with OPM and FEMA) on questions of
eligibility, information security, making telework part of the
agency's goals, and continuity of operations planning.
History: Introduced November 7, 2007; Committee passed
March 13, 2008; House passed June 3, 2008.
H.R. 4108, a bill to amend section 3328 of title 5, United
States Code, relating to Selective Service Registration.
Introduced by Rep. George Miller on November 7, 2007, the
legislation would provide for exemptions from determinations of
ineligibility for federal employment for individuals who have
received an honorable discharge from the armed services or who
have performed at least ten years of federal service.
History: Introduced on November 7, 2007; Committee passed
November 8, 2007; House passed December 11, 2007.
H.R. 4791, the Federal Agency Data Protection Act.
Introduced by Rep. Clay on December 18, 2007, the bill would
strengthen current requirements for protecting sensitive data
that is stored or transmitted by federal agency information
systems.
History: Introduced December 18, 2007; Committee passed May
21, 2008; House passed June 3, 2008.
H.R. 4881, the Contracting and Tax Accountability Act.
Introduced on December 19, 2007, the bill would establish a
process to prevent companies with seriously delinquent federal
tax debts from receiving new contracts.
History: Introduced December 19, 2007; Committee passed
March 13, 2008; House passed April 14, 2008.
H.R. 5687, the Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments.
Introduced by Rep. Clay on April 3, 2008, the bill amends the
Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and
accountability of federal advisory committees.
History: Introduced April 3, 2008; Committee passed April
9, 2008; House passed June 24, 2008.
H.R. 5781, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act.
Introduced by Rep. Maloney on April 14, 2008, the bill would
amend Title 5 of the U.S. Code and the Congressional
Accountability Act to provide four work weeks of paid parental
leave for all federal employees.
History: Introduced April 14, 2008; Committee passed April
16, 2008; House passed June 19, 2008.
H.R. 5787, the Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement
Act. Introduced by Rep. Moore on April 14, 2008, the bill
allows agencies to retain all of the proceeds from the sale of
surplus property instead of depositing them in the Treasury.
The agencies may only use these funds for real property
disposal activities, subject to appropriations. The bill also
directs GSA to make the initial payment for the direct and
indirect costs associated with selling the surplus property.
History: Introduced April 14, 2008; Committee passed May 1,
2008; House passed May 21, 2008.
H.R. 5811, the Electronic Communications Preservation Act.
Introduced by Rep. Waxman on April 15, 2008, the bill would
modernize the requirements of the Presidential Records Act and
the Federal Records Act to ensure that vital records, including
e-mail records, are preserved.
History: Introduced April 15, 2008; Committee passed May 1,
2008; House passed July 9, 2008.
H.R. 6388, the Government Accountability Office Improvement
Act. Introduced by Rep. Waxman on June 26, 2008, along with 18
other Committee Chairs, the bill would authorize the
Comptroller General to sue for access to documents needed to
discharge his duties. Other provisions of this bill give GAO
authority to interview federal employees and administer oaths.
The bill also affirms GAO's right to obtain records from three
agencies that have sometimes thwarted GAO oversight by denying
access to documents: the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Federal
Trade Commission.
History: Introduced June 26, 2008; Committee passed July
16, 2008; House passed July 29, 2008.
H.R. 6500, the Thrift Savings Plan Enhancement Act.
Introduced by Rep. Waxman on July 15, 2008, the bill would
provide for the automatic enrollment of new federal employees
in the Thrift Savings Plan, and make other improvements.
History: Introduced by Rep. Waxman on July 15, 2008;
Committee passed July 16, 2008; House passed July 30, 2008 as
part of H.R. 1108.
H.R. 6575, the Over-Classification Reduction Act.
Introduced by Rep. Waxman on July 23, 2008, the bill would
address the continuing problem of over-classification of
information in the federal government. The bill requires the
Archivist to resolve the problem of over-classification by
standardizing the use of classifications and by establishing
methods to increase oversight of the classification process.
These include requiring random inspector general audits of
classified information; establishing a process for those
challenging classification decisions; requiring individuals to
include personal identifiers when classifying information; and
increased training.
History: Introduced on July 23, 2008; Committee passed July
23, 2008; House passed September 9, 2008.
H.R. 6576, the Reducing Information Control Designations
Act. Introduced by Rep. Waxman on July 23, 2008, the bill would
require the Archivist of the United States to promulgate
regulations regarding the use of the more than 100, and
growing, information control designations used by the federal
government.
History: Introduced on July 23, 2008; Committee passed July
23, 2008; House passed July 30, 2008.
H.R. 6842, the National Capital Security and Safety Act.
Introduced by Rep. Norton on September 9, 2008, the original
bill would have required the District of Columbia to revise its
laws regarding the use and possession of firearms as necessary
to comply with the requirements of the Supreme Court in the
case of District of Columbia v. Heller. A substitute amendment
altered the bill on the House floor to remove the District's
ban on semiautomatic weapons, weaken the ability of law
enforcement to track firearms used in crimes, and allow people
to obtain firearms without a criminal background check.
History: Introduced September 9, 2008; Committee passed
September 10, 2008; House passed September 17, 2008.
H.R. 7217, the Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement
Act. Introduced by Rep. Moore on September 29, 2008, the bill
allows the General Services Administration (GSA) to help pay
the costs of other agencies' disposal activities. In
particular, GSA will be able to help agencies pay costs with
regard to properties that have yet to be declared excess. These
costs include environmental cleanup, demolition, surveying, and
life cycle costing. The bill would also allow agencies to
retain the proceeds of sales of surplus property and is
substantially similar to H.R. 5787.
History: Introduced September 29, 2008; House passed
September 29, 2008.
H.R. 7216, a bill to amendment section 3328 of title 5,
United States Code, relating to Selective Service registration.
Introduced by Rep. George Miller on September 29, 2008, the
bill would provide for exemptions from determinations of
ineligibility for federal employment for individuals who have
received an honorable discharge from the armed services and for
the Selective Service System, instead of the Office of
Personnel Management, to establish the process for deciding if
an applicant for federal employment has knowingly and willingly
failed to register.
History: Introduced on September 29, 2008; House passed
September 29, 2008.
C. BILLS PASSED BY THE COMMITTEE
H.R. 984, the Executive Branch Reform Act. Introduced by
Rep. Waxman on February 12, 2007, the bill would have made
several changes to lobbying and lobbying disclosure laws. It
would have required all political appointees and senior
officials in federal agencies and the White House to report the
contacts they have with private parties seeking to influence
official government action. It would also have created a ban to
prevent lobbyists who enter government services from working on
issues affecting their former clients.
History: Introduced February 12, 2007; Committee passed
February 14, 2007.
H.R. 1054, the District of Columbia Legislative Autonomy
Act. Introduced by Rep. Norton on February 14, 2007, the bill
amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to eliminate
congressional review of newly-passed District laws.
History: Introduced February 14, 2007; Committee passed
August 2, 2007.
H.R. 1433, the District of Columbia House Voting Rights
Act. Introduced by Rep. Norton on March 9, 2007, the bill would
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. Based on the 2000 decennial census
and apportionment calculations, Utah will get the second seat
until the reapportionment taking place after the 2010 Decennial
Census.
History: Introduced March 9, 2007; Committee passed March
19, 2007; House debated the bill, but postponed consideration
April 19, 2007.
H.R. 2081, a bill to amend the District of Columbia Home
Rule Act. Introduced by Rep. Norton on May 1, 2007, the bill
would amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to increase
the salary of the Chief Financial Officer of the District of
Columbia. The legislation amends the District of Columbia Home
Rule Act to increase the salary of the Chief Financial Officer
of the District of Columbia to 150% of the rate of basic pay
for level I of the Executive Schedule.
History: Introduced May 1, 2007; Committee passed May 1,
2007.
H.R. 2780, a bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to
clarify the method for computing certain annuities. Introduced
by Rep. Moran on June 19, 2007, the bill would permit the use
of high-three average salary computations for full- and part-
time work whether the work was performed before or after 1986,
eliminating the adverse effect of part-time service performed
late in an employee's career, and provide a simplified annuity
computation in cases involving part-time service.
History: Introduced June 19, 2007; Committee passed March
13, 2007.
H.R. 5912, a bill to make tobacco products nonmailable.
Introduced by Rep. McHugh on April 29, 2008, the bill would
make cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and roll-your-own tobacco
nonmailable under the Postal Code. It would permit the Postal
Service to apply civil penalties for violations, and to issue
and enforce orders against those who violate the provisions for
commercial or money-making purposes. It would also permit
states to bring civil actions to enforce the provision, with
prior notice to the Postal Service.
History: Introduced April 29, 2008; Committee passed May 1,
2008.
D. RESOLUTIONS APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE
All of the following measures except H. Res. 641 were
approved by the House.
H. Con. Res. 62, supporting the goals and ideals of a
National Children and Families Day, in order to encourage
adults in the United States to support and listen to children
and to help children throughout the nation achieve their hopes
and dreams, and for other purposes.
H. Con. Res. 71, commemorating the 85th Anniversary of the
founding of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive
Association, a leading association for the nation's 1.3 million
American citizens of Greek ancestry, and Philhellenes.
H. Con. Res. 87, supporting the goals and ideals of a world
day of remembrance for road crash victims.
H. Con. Res. 88, honoring the life of Ernest Gallo.
H. Con. Res. 105, supporting the goals and ideals of a
National Suffragists Day to promote awareness of the importance
of the women suffragists who worked for the right of women to
vote in the United States.
H. Con. Res. 117, commemorating the 400th Anniversary of
the settlement of Jamestown.
H. Con. Res. 138, supporting National Men's Health Week.
H. Con. Res. 142, expressing the sense of the Congress that
there should be established a National Pet Week.
H. Con. Res. 143, concurrent resolution honoring national
historic landmarks.
H. Con. Res. 148, recognizing the significance of national
Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
H. Con. Res. 155, recognizing the historical significance
of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of
Congress that history should be regarded as a means for
understanding the past and more effectively facing the
challenges of the future.
H. Con. Res. 165, supporting the goals and ideals of
National Teen Driver Safety Week.
H. Con. Res. 172, honoring the life of each of the nine
fallen City of Charleston firefighters who lost their lives in
Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2007.
H. Con. Res. 193, recognizing all hunters across the United
States for their continued commitment to safety.
H. Con. Res. 195, expressing the sense of the Congress that
a National Dysphagia Awareness Month should be established.
H. Con. Res. 198, expressing the sense of Congress that the
United States has a moral responsibility to meet the needs of
those persons, groups and communities that are impoverished,
disadvantaged or otherwise in poverty.
H. Con. Res. 205, supporting the goals and ideals of
National Women's Friendship Day.
H. Con. Res. 210, supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle
Cell Disease Awareness Month.
H. Con. Res. 211, supporting the goals and ideals of World
Diabetes Day.
H. Con. Res. 215, supporting the designation of a week as
``National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External
Defibrillator Awareness Week.''
H. Con. Res. 223, honoring professional surveyors and
recognizing their contributions to society.
H. Con. Res. 254, recognizing and celebrating the
centennial of Oklahoma statehood.
H. Con. Res. 273, recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the
National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
H. Con. Res. 281, celebrating the birth of Abraham Lincoln
and recognizing the prominence the Declaration of Independence
played in the development of Abraham Lincoln's beliefs.
H. Con. Res. 286, expressing the sense of Congress that
Earl Lloyd should be recognized and honored for breaking the
color barrier and becoming the first African American to play
in the National Basketball Association League 58 years ago.
H. Con. Res. 292, honoring Margaret Truman Daniel and her
lifetime of accomplishments.
H. Con. Res. 310, expressing support for a national day of
remembrance for Harriet Ross Tubman.
H. Con. Res. 334, supporting the goals and objectives of a
National Military Appreciation Month.
H. Con. Res. 351, honoring the 225th Anniversary of the
Continental Congress meeting in Nassau Hall, Princeton, New
Jersey, in 1783.
H. Con. Res. 360, recognizing the important social and
economic contributions and accomplishments of the New Deal to
our Nation on the 75th anniversary of legislation establishing
the initial New Deal social and public works programs.
H. Con. Res. 364, recognizing the Significance of National
Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
H. Con. Res. 365, honoring the life of Robert Mondavi.
H. Con. Res. 370, expressing support for designation of
September 2008 as Gospel Music Heritage Month and honoring
gospel music for its valuable and longstanding contributions to
the culture of the United States.
H. Con. Res. 376, congratulating the 2007-2008 National
Basketball Association World Champions, the Boston Celtics, on
an outstanding and historic season.
H. Con. Res. 378, expressing support for designation of
September 6, 2008, as Louisa Swain Day.
H. Con. Res. 386, recognizing and celebrating the 232nd
anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
H. Con. Res. 429, recognizing the importance of the United
States wine industry to the American economy.
H. Res. 15, mourning the passing of President Gerald
Rudolph Ford and celebrating his leadership and service to the
people of the United States.
H. Res. 42, recognizing Ann Richards's extraordinary
contributions to Texas and American public life.
H. Res. 49, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that there should be established a National
Letter Carriers Appreciation Day.
H. Res. 53, recognizing the life of Lamar Hunt and his
outstanding contributions to the Kansas City Chiefs, the
National Football League, and the United States.
H. Res. 58, to honor Muhammad Ali, global humanitarian, on
the occasion of his 65th birthday and to extend best wishes to
him and his family.
H. Res. 69, recognizing and honoring Benny Parsons and
expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to
his family on his death.
H. Res. 89, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that a day should be established as Dutch-
American Friendship Day to celebrate the historic ties of the
United States and the Netherlands.
H. Res. 90, congratulating Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears
and Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts on becoming the first
African-American head coaches of National Football League teams
to qualify for the Super Bowl.
H. Res. 127, recognizing and celebrating the 50th
anniversary of the entry of Alaska in the Union as the 49th
State.
H. Res. 130, congratulating the National Football League
champion Indianapolis Colts for winning Super Bowl XLI and for
bringing the City of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana
their first Lombardi Trophy.
H. Res. 136, commending the Girl Scouts of the United
States of America on the occasion of their 95th anniversary,
for providing quality age-appropriate experiences that prepare
girls to become the leaders of tomorrow and for raising issues
important to girls.
H. Res. 162, recognizing the contributions of the Negro
Baseball Leagues and their players.
H. Res. 179, expressing support for a National Foster
Parents Day.
H. Res. 180, honoring the life and achievements of Leo T.
McCarthy and expressing profound sorrow on his death.
H. Res. 189, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day should
be established.
H. Res. 198, recognizing the significance of Black History
Month.
H. Res. 223, supporting the goals and ideals of a National
Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.
H. Res. 245, recognizing the religious and historical
significance of the festival of Diwali.
H. Res. 257, supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic
Cancer Awareness Month.
H. Res. 273, supporting the goals and ideals of Financial
Literacy Month, and for other purposes.
H. Res. 291, supporting the goals and ideals of Peace
Officers Memorial Day.
H. Res. 303, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that a day ought to be established to bring
awareness to the issue of missing persons.
H. Res. 307, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that public servants should be commended for
their dedication and continued service to the Nation during
Public Service Recognition Week, May 7 through 13, 2007.
H. Res. 345, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the
Archdiocese of New York.
H. Res. 361, recognizing and honoring Jack Valenti and
expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to
his family on his death.
H. Res. 389, supporting the goals and ideals of Malaria
Awareness Day.
H. Res. 442, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that a National Youth Sports Week should be
established.
H. Res. 471, congratulating the National Hockey League
Champions, the Anaheim Ducks, on their victory in the 2007
Stanley Cup Finals.
H. Res. 488, congratulating the Detroit Tigers for winning
the 2006 American League Pennant and for bringing the City of
Detroit and the State of Michigan their first trip to the World
Series in 22 years.
H. Res. 490, honoring the 2007 NBA Champion San Antonio
Spurs.
H. Res. 501, commending Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros
for reaching 3,000 base hits as a Major League Baseball player
and for his outstanding service to baseball and the Houston,
Texas, region.
H. Res. 519, honoring the life and accomplishments of
renowned artist Tom Lea on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
H. Res. 528, commemorating the 300th anniversary of the
Town of New Milford, Connecticut.
H. Res. 537, expressing support for the designation and
goals of National 9-1-1 Education Month and for other purposes.
H. Res. 544, expressing the sympathy and pledging the
support of the House of Representatives and the people of the
United States for the victims of the devastating thunderstorms
that caused severe flooding in 20 counties in eastern Kansas
beginning on June 26, 2007.
H. Res. 551, acknowledging the progress made and yet to be
made to rebuild the Gulf Coast region after Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita.
H. Res. 553, mourning the passing of former First Lady,
Lady Bird Johnson, and celebrating her life and contributions
to the people of the United States.
H. Res. 554, supporting the goals and ideals of National
Passport Month.
H. Res. 578, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that there should be established a National
Watermelon Month.
H. Res. 584, supporting the goals and ideals of National
Life Insurance Awareness Month.
H. Res. 588, recognizing Martha Coffin Wright on the 200th
anniversary of her birth and her induction into the National
Women's Hall of Fame.
H. Res. 605, supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star
Mothers Day.
H. Res. 630, congratulating the Warner Robins Little League
Baseball Team from Warner Robins, Georgia, on winning the 2007
Little League World Series Championship.
H. Res. 641, acknowledging the importance of understanding
the history of the United States of America and recognizing the
need to foster civic responsibility in all citizens.
H. Res. 654, congratulating the Phoenix Mercury for winning
the 2007 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Championship.
H. Res. 663, supporting the goals and ideals of Veterans of
Foreign Wars Day.
H. Res. 671, supporting the goals and ideals of National
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
H. Res. 684, congratulating Shawn Johnson on her victory in
becoming the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Champion in women's
gymnastics.
H. Res. 687, recognizing Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh,
C.S.C., for his contributions to the civil rights movement in
the United States, his tireless work to reduce the threat of
nuclear conflict, and his efforts to secure the peaceful
resolution of international conflicts.
H. Res. 695, expressing the support of the House of
Representatives for the designation of a National Fire Fighter
Appreciation Day to honor and celebrate the fire fighters of
the United States.
H. Res. 697, commending Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett
Favre for establishing a National Football League record for
most career touchdown passes, and for other purposes.
H. Res. 728, expressing the support and sympathy of the
House of Representatives and the people of the United States
for the victims of the devastating flooding that occurred
across many parts of Ohio in August 2007 and commending the
communities, volunteer organizations, churches and emergency
response agencies for their continuing work to restore the
affected areas across the state.
H. Res. 759, recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Mass
Movement for Soviet Jewish Freedom and the 20th Anniversary of
the Freedom Sunday Rally for Soviet Jewry on the Mall in
Washington, D.C.
H. Res. 778, honoring the first responders and supporting
the victims of the Southern California wildfires.
H. Res. 782, expressing the sense of the House with respect
to the Boston Red Sox victory in the 2007 Major League Baseball
World Series.
H. Res. 787, expressing the support and sympathy of the
House of Representatives and the people of the United States
for the victims of the tragic fire that occurred on Ocean Isle
Beach, North Carolina, on October 28, 2007.
H. Res. 785, recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Robstown,
Texas.
H. Res. 808, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
H. Res. 816, congratulating the Colorado Rockies on winning
the National League Championship.
H. Res. 851, honoring local and state first responders, and
the citizens of the Pacific Northwest in facing the severe
winter storm of December 2 and 3, 2007.
H. Res. 856, expressing heartfelt sympathy for the victims
and families of the shootings in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday,
December 5, 2007.
H. Res. 867, commending the Houston Dynamo soccer team for
winning the 2007 Major League Soccer Cup.
H. Res. 886, expressing sympathy to the victims and
families of the tragic acts of violence in Colorado Springs,
Colorado and Arvada, Colorado.
H. Res. 892, expressing support for designation of a
National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day.
H. Res. 923, recognizing the State of Minnesota's 150th
anniversary.
H. Res. 931, expressing support for designation of February
17, 2008, as Race Day in America and highlighting the 50th
running of the Daytona 500.
H. Res. 942, recognizing the significance of Black History
Month.
H. Res. 952, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that there should be established a National
Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in the United
States.
H. Res. 960, congratulating the National Football League
champion New York Giants for winning Super Bowl XLII and
completing one of the most remarkable postseason runs in
professional sports history.
H. Res. 970, expressing support for designation of June 30
as National Corvette Day.
H. Res. 984, expressing support for the designation of July
26, 2008, as National Day of the Cowboy.
H. Res. 994, expressing support for designation of a
National Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day.
H. Res. 1000, to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the
Naming of Pittsburgh as the culmination of the Forbes Campaign
across Pennsylvania and the significance this event played in
the making of America, in the settlement of the continent, and
in spreading the ideals of freedom and democracy throughout the
world.
H. Res. 1002, expressing support for the designation of a
Public Radio Recognition Month.
H. Res. 1005, supporting the goals and ideals of Borderline
Personality Disorder Awareness Month.
H. Res. 1016, expressing the condolences of the House of
Representatives on the death of William F. Buckley, Jr.
H. Res. 1021, supporting the goals, ideals, and history of
National Women's History Month.
H. Res. 1026, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the
founding of the Congressional Club.
H. Res. 1029, congratulating and recognizing Mr. Juan
Antonio Chi-Chi Rodriguez for his continued success on and off
of the golf course.
H. Res. 1073, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that public servants should be commended for
their dedication and continued service to the nation during
Public Service Recognition Week, May 5 through 11, 2008.
H. Res. 1091, honoring the life, achievements, and
contributions of Charlton Heston and extending its deepest
sympathies to the family of Charlton Heston for the loss of
such a great generous man, husband, and father.
H. Res. 1113, celebrating the role of mothers in the United
States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.
H. Res. 1114, supporting the goals and ideals of the Arbor
Day Foundation and National Arbor Day.
H. Res. 1122, recognizing Armed Forces Day.
H. Res. 1128, expressing support of the goals and ideals of
National Carriage Driving Month.
H. Res. 1132, supporting the goals and ideals of Peace
Officers Memorial Day.
H. Res. 1143, supporting the goals and ideals of the apple
crunch and the nation's domestic apple industry.
H. Res. 1144, expressing support for the designation of a
Frank Sinatra Day, in honor of the dedication of the Frank
Sinatra commemorative stamp.
H. Res. 1152, honoring Arnold Palmer for his distinguished
career in the sport of golf and his commitment to excellence
and sportsmanship.
H. Res. 1153, celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage
Month.
H. Res. 1202, supporting the goals and ideals of a National
Guard Youth Challenge Day.
H. Res. 1219, celebrating the symbol of the United States
flag and supporting the goals and ideals of Flag Day.
H. Res. 1237, recognizing the historical significance of
Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the
House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a
means for understanding the past and more effectively facing
the challenges of the future.
H. Res. 1262, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the Secretary of Commerce should use all
reasonable measures to ensure that every person is counted in
the 2010 decennial census.
H. Res. 1275, honoring the life of Timothy John Russert,
Jr., public servant, political analyst, and author.
H. Res. 1283, expressing heartfelt sympathy for the victims
and their families following the tornado that hit Little Sioux,
Iowa, on June 11, 2008.
H. Res. 1311, expressing support for the designation of
National GEAR UP Day.
H. Res. 1356, celebrating the 221st anniversary of the
signing of the Constitution of the United States of America,
and for other purposes.
H. Res. 1375, recognizing and supporting the goals and
ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month.
H. Res. 1392, supporting the goals and ideals of National
Life Insurance Awareness Month.
H. Res. 1418, congratulating Michael Phelps, 2008 Beijing
Summer Olympics champion swimmer, on winning eight gold medals
in the Games of the XXIX Olympiad and becoming one of the most
highly decorated athletes in Olympic history.
H. Res. 1420, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives regarding the terrorist attacks launched
against the United States on September 11, 2001.
H. Res. 1436, congratulating the Waipio Little League
baseball team for winning the 2008 Little League World
Championship.
H. Res. 1453, supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle
Cell Disease Awareness Month.
H. Res. 1494, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the
Christian Science Monitor newspaper.
H. Res. 1499, Designating the third week of October as
``National Estate Planning Awareness Week.''
E. POSTAL NAMING MEASURES
1. Enacted
H.R. 49, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1300 North Frontage Road West in
Vail, Colorado, as the ``Gerald R. Ford Jr. Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 335, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 152 North 5th Street in Laramie,
Wyoming, as the ``Gale W. McGee Post Office.''
H.R. 414, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 60 Calle McKinley, West in Mayaguez,
Puerto Rico, as the ``Miguel Angel Garcia Mendez Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 433, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1700 Main Street in Little Rock,
Arkansas, as the ``Scipio A. Jones Post Office Building.''
H.R. 437, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 500 West Eisenhower Street in Rio
Grande City, Texas, as the ``Lino Perez Jr. Post Office.''
H.R. 514, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 16150 Aviation Loop Drive in
Brooksville, Florida, as the ``Sergeant Lea Robert Mills
Brooksville Aviation Branch Post Office.''
H.R. 521, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island,
Illinois, as the ``Lane Evans Post Office Building.''
H.R. 577, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 3903 South Congress Avenue in Austin,
Texas, as the ``Sergeant Henry Ybarra III Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 625, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 4230 Maine Avenue in Baldwin Park,
California, as the ``Atanacio Haro-Marin Post Office.''
H.R. 954, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 365 West 125th Street in New York,
New York, as the ``Percy Sutton Post Office Building.''
H.R. 988, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside,
California, as the ``Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post
Office.''
H.R. 1260, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 6301 Highway 58 in Harrison,
Tennessee, as the ``Claude Ramsey Post Office.''
H.R. 1335, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 508 East Main Street in Seneca, South
Carolina, as the ``S/Sgt Lewis G. Watkins Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 1384, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 118 Minner Street in Bakersfield,
California, as the ``Buck Owens Post Office.''
H.R. 1402, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 320 South Lecanto Highway in Lecanto,
Florida, as the ``Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 1425, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 4551 East 52nd Street in Odessa,
Texas, as the ``Staff Sergeant Marvin `Rex' Young Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 1434, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 896 Pittsburgh Street in Springdale,
Pennsylvania, as the ``Rachel Carson Post Office Building.''
H.R. 1617, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 561 Kingsland Avenue in University
City, Missouri, as the ``Harriett F. Woods Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 1722, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 601 Banyan Trail in Boca Raton,
Florida, as the ``Leonard W. Herman Post Office.''
H.R. 2025, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 11033 South State Street in Chicago,
Illinois, as the ``Willye B. White Post Office Building.''
H.R. 2077, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 20805 State Route 125 in Blue Creek,
Ohio, as the ``George B. Lewis Post Office Building.''
H.R. 2078, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 14536 State Route 136 in Cherry Fork,
Ohio, as the ``Staff Sergeant Omer T. `O.T.' Hawkins Post
Office.''
H.R. 2089, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 701 Loyola Avenue in New Orleans,
Louisiana, as the ``Louisiana Armed Services Veterans Post
Office.''
H.R. 2127, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 408 West 6th Street in Chelsea,
Oklahoma, as the ``Clem Rogers McSpadden Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 2276, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 203 North Main Street in Vassar,
Michigan, as the ``Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 2309, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 3916 Milgen Road in Columbus,
Georgia, as the ``Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Post Office Building.''
H.R. 2467, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 69 Montgomery Street in Jersey City,
New Jersey, as the ``Frank J. Guarini Post Office Building.''
H.R. 2563, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 309 East Linn Street in Marshalltown,
Iowa, as the ``Major Scott Nisely Post Office.''
H.R. 2570, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 301 Boardwalk Drive in Fort Collins,
Colorado, as the ``Dr. Karl E. Carson Post Office Building.''
H.R. 2587, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 555 South 3rd Street Lobby in
Memphis, Tennessee, as the ``Kenneth T. Whalum, Sr., Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 2654, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 202 South Dumont Avenue in
Woonsocket, South Dakota, as the ``Eleanor McGovern Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 2688, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 103 South Getty Street in Uvalde,
Texas, as the ``Dolph S. Briscoe Jr. Post Office Building.''
H.R. 2765, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 44 North Main Street in Hughesville,
Pennsylvania, as the ``Master Sergeant Sean Michael Thomas Post
Office.''
H.R. 2778, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 3 Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle,
New York, as the ``Robert Merrill Postal Station.''
H.R. 2825, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 326 South Main Street in Princeton,
Illinois, as the ``Owen Lovejoy Princeton Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 3052, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 954 Wheeling Avenue in Cambridge,
Ohio, as the ``John Herschel Glenn Jr. Post Office Building.''
H.R. 3106, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 805 Main Street in Ferdinand,
Indiana, as the ``Staff Sergeant David L. Nord Post Office.''
H.R. 3196, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 20 Sussex Street in Port Jervis, New
York, as the ``E. Arthur Gray Post Office Building.''
H.R. 3233, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at Highway 49 South in Piney Woods,
Mississippi, as the ``Laurence C. and Grace M. Jones Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 3297, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 950 West Trenton Avenue in
Morrisville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Nate DeTample Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 3307, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 570 Broadway in Bayonne, New Jersey,
as the ``Dennis P. Collins Post Office Building.''
H.R. 3308, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 216 East Main Street in Atwood,
Indiana, as the ``Lance Corporal David K. Fribley Post
Office.''
H.R. 3325, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 235 Mountain Road in Suffield,
Connecticut, as the ``Corporal Stephen R. Bixler Post Office.''
H.R. 3382, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 200 North William Street in
Goldsboro, North Carolina, as the ``Philip A. Baddour Sr. Post
Office.''
H.R. 3446, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 202 East Michigan Avenue in Marshall,
Michigan, as the ``Michael W. Schragg Post Office Building.''
H.R. 3468, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1704 Weeksville Road in Elizabeth
City, North Carolina, as the ``Dr. Clifford Bell Jones Sr. Post
Office.''
H.R. 3470, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 744 West Oglethorpe Highway in
Hinesville, Georgia, as the ``John Sidney `Sid' Flowers Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 3511, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 2150 East Hardtner Drive in Urania,
Louisiana, as the ``Murphy A. Tannehill Post Office Building.''
H.R. 3518, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1430 South Highway 29 in Cantonment,
Florida, as the ``Charles H. Hendrix Post Office Building.''
H.R. 3530, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1400 Highway 41 North in Inverness,
Florida, as the ``Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Weaver Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 3532, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 5815 McLeod Street in Lula, Georgia,
as the ``Private Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office.''
H.R. 3569, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 16731 Santa Ana Avenue in Fontana,
California, as the ``Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building.''
H.R. 3572, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 4320 Blue Parkway in Kansas City,
Missouri, as the ``Wallace S. Hartsfield Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 3720, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 424 Clay Avenue in Waco, Texas, as
the ``Army PFC Juan Alonso Covarrubias Post Office Building.''
H.R. 3721, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1190 Lorena Road in Lorena, Texas, as
the ``Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry Post Office Building.''
H.R. 3803, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 3100 Cashwell Drive in Goldsboro,
North Carolina, as the ``John Henry Wooten Sr. Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 3936, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 116 Helen Highway in Cleveland,
Georgia, as the ``Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Building.''
H.R. 3974, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 797 Sam Bass Road in Round Rock,
Texas, as the ``Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 3988, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 3701 Altamesa Boulevard in Fort
Worth, Texas, as the ``Master Sergeant Kenneth N. Mack Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 4009, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 567 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer,
Michigan, as the ``Turrill Post Office Building.''
H.R. 4010, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 100 West Percy Street in Indianola,
Mississippi, as the ``Minnie Cox Post Office Building.''
H.R. 4166, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 701 East Copeland Drive in Lebanon,
Missouri, as the ``Steve W. Allee Carrier Annex.''
H.R. 4185, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 11151 Valley Boulevard in El Monte,
California, as the ``Marisol Heredia Post Office Building.''
H.R. 4203, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 3035 Stone Mountain Street in
Lithonia, Georgia, as the ``Specialist Jamaal RaShard Addison
Post Office Building.''
H.R. 4210, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 401 Washington Avenue in Weldon,
North Carolina, as the ``Dock M. Brown Post Office Building.''
H.R. 4211, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 725 Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids,
North Carolina, as the ``Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post
Office.''
H.R. 4240, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 10799 West Alameda Avenue in
Lakewood, Colorado, as the ``Felix Sparks Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 4454, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 3050 Hunsinger Lane in Louisville,
Kentucky, as the ``Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes
of Louisville Memorial Post Office Building'' in honor of the
servicemen and women from Louisville Kentucky who died in
service during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
H.R. 5135, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 201 West Greenway Street in Derby,
Kansas, as the ``Sergeant Jamie O. Maugans Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 5168, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 19101 Cortez Boulevard in
Brooksville, Florida, as the ``Cody Grater Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 5220, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 3800 SW. 185th Avenue in Beaverton,
Oregon, as the ``Major Arthur Chin Post Office Building.''
H.R. 5395, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 11001 Dunklin Drive in St. Louis,
Missouri, as the ``William `Bill' Clay Post Office Building.''
H.R. 5400, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 160 East Washington Street in Chagrin
Falls, Ohio, as the ``Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 5472, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, as the ``Julia M. Carson Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 5477, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 120 South Del Mar Avenue in San
Gabriel, California, as the ``Chi Mui Post Office Building.''
H.R. 5479, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 117 North Kidd Street in Ionia,
Michigan, as the ``Alonzo Woodruff Post Office Building.''
H.R. 5483, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 10449 White Granite Drive in Oakton,
Virginia, as the ``Private First Class David H. Sharrett II
Post Office Building.''
H.R. 5489, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 6892 Main Street in Gloucester,
Virginia, as the ``Congresswoman Jo Ann S. Davis Post Office.''
H.R. 5517, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 7231 FM 1960 in Humble, Texas, as the
``Texas Military Veterans Post Office.''
H.R. 5528, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 120 Commercial Street in Brockton,
Massachusetts, as the ``Rocky Marciano Post Office Building.''
H.R. 5631, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1155 Seminole Trail in
Charlottesville, Virginia, as the ``Corporal Bradley T. Arms
Post Office Building.''
H.R. 5975, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 101 West Main Street in Waterville,
New York, as the ``Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Post Office.''
H.R. 6061, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 219 East Main Street in West
Frankfort, Illinois, as the ``Kenneth James Gray Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 6085, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 42222 Rancho Las Palmas Drive in
Rancho Mirage, California, as the ``Gerald R. Ford Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 6092, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 101 Tallapoosa Street in Bremen,
Georgia, as the ``Sergeant Paul Saylor Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6150, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 14500 Lorain Avenue in Cleveland,
Ohio, as the ``John P. Gallagher Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6197, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 7095 Highway 57 in Counce, Tennessee,
as the ``Pickwick Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6199, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 245 North Main Street in New City,
New York, as the ``Kenneth Peter Zebrowski Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 6229, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 2523 7th Avenue East in North Saint
Paul, Minnesota, as the ``Mayor William `Bill' Sandberg Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 6338, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 4233 West Hillsboro Boulevard in
Coconut Creek, Florida, as the ``Army SPC Daniel Agami Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 6437, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 200 North Texas Avenue in Odessa,
Texas, as the ``Corporal Alfred Mac Wilson Post Office.''
H.R. 6558, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1750 Lundy Avenue in San Jose,
California, as the ``Gordon N. Chan Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6681, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 300 Vine Street in New Lenox,
Illinois, as the ``Jacob M. Lowell Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6834, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 4 South Main Street in Wallingford,
Connecticut, as the ``CWO Richard R. Lee Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 6847, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 801 Industrial Boulevard in Ellijay,
Georgia, as the ``First Lieutenant Noah Harris Ellijay Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 6859, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1501 South Slappey Boulevard in
Albany, Georgia, as the ``Dr. Walter Carl Gordon, Jr. Post
Office Building.''\1\
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\1\Cleared for White House 11/20/2008 but not yet signed.
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H.R. 6874, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 156 Taunton Avenue in Seekonk,
Massachusetts, as the ``Lance Corporal Eric Paul Valdepenas
Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6902, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 513 6th Avenue in Dayton, Kentucky,
as the ``Staff Sergeant Nicholas Ray Carnes Post Office.''
H.R. 6982, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 210 South Ellsworth Avenue in San
Mateo, California, as the ``Leo J. Ryan Post Office Building.''
S. 171, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 301 Commerce Street in Commerce,
Oklahoma, as the ``Mickey Mantle Post Office Building.''
S. 1352, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 127 East Locust Street in Fairbury,
Illinois, as the ``Dr. Francis Townsend Post Office Building.''
S. 2174, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 175 South Monroe Street in Tiffin,
Ohio, as the ``Paul E. Gillmor Post Office Building.''
S. 2272, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service known as the Southpark Station in Alexandria,
Louisiana, as the John ``Marty'' Thiels Southpark Station, in
honor and memory of Thiels, a Louisiana postal worker who was
killed in the line of duty on October 4, 2007.
S. 2478, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 59 Colby Corner in East Hampstead,
New Hampshire, as the ``Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post
Office.''
S. 3015, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 18 S. G Street, Lakeview, Oregon, as
the ``Dr. Bernard Daly Post Office Building.''
S. 3082, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1700 Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City,
Missouri, as the ``Reverend Earl Abel Post Office Building.''
S. 3241, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1717 Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce,
Florida, as the ``CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building.''
2. Approved by the House
H.R. 1734, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue in
Portland, Oregon, as the ``Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Post
Office.''
H.R. 3034, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 127 South Elm Street in Gardner,
Kansas, as the ``Private First Class Shane R. Austin Post
Office.''
H.R. 3911, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 95 Church Street in Jessup,
Pennsylvania, as the ``Lance Corporal Dennis James Veater Post
Office.''
H.R. 4342, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 824 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton,
Florida, as the ``Dan Miller Post Office Building.''
H.R. 4774, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 10250 John Saunders Road in San
Antonio, Texas, as the ``Cyndi Taylor Krier Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 5506, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 369 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in
Jersey City, New Jersey, as the ``Bishop Ralph E. Brower Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 5932, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 2801 Manhattan Boulevard in Harvey,
Louisiana, as the ``Harry Lee Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6168, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint
Charles, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 6169, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin,
Missouri, as the ``Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 6198, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1700 Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City,
Missouri, as the ``Reverend Earl Abel Post Office Building.''
Companion bill S. 3082 was enacted into law.
H.R. 6208, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in
Chesterfield, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Matthew P.
Pathenos Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6226, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 300 East 3rd Street in Jamestown, New
York, as the ``Stan Lundine Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6489, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 501 4th Street in Lake Oswego,
Oregon, as the ``Judie Hammerstad Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6585, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 311 Southwest 2nd Street in
Corvallis, Oregon, as the ``Helen Berg Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6772, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1717 Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce,
Florida, as the ``CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building.''
Companion bill S. 3241 was enacted into law.
H.R. 6837, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 7925 West Russell Road in Las Vegas,
Nevada, as the ``Private First Class Irving Joseph Schwartz
Post Office Building.''
3. Approved by Committee
H.R. 706, to redesignate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 2777 Logan Avenue in San Diego,
California, as the ``Cesar E. Chavez Post Office.''
H.R. 915, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 110 East Alexander Street in Three
Rivers, Texas, as the ``Veterans Memorial Post Office.''
H.R. 2300, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 127 East Locust Street in Fairbury,
Illinois, as the ``Dr. Francis Townsend Post Office Building.''
Companion bill S. 1352 was enacted into law.
H.R. 3729, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 427 North Street in Taft, California,
as the ``Larry S. Pierce Post Office.'' Companion bill S. 2110
was enacted into law.
H.R. 3744, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 411 Mount Holly Road in Fairdale,
Kentucky, as the ``Lance Corporal Robert A. Lynch Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 3952, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 901 Pleasant Street in Attleboro,
Massachusetts, as the ``Max Volterra Post Office Building.''
H.R. 4284, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service known as the Southpark Station in Alexandria,
Louisiana, as the John ``Marty'' Thiels Southpark Station in
honor and memory of Mr. Thiels, a Louisiana postal worker who
was killed in the line of duty on October 4 2007. Companion
bill S. 2272 was enacted into law.
H.R. 4826, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 88-40 164th Street in Jamaica, New
York, as the ``Clarence L. Irving Sr. Post Office Building.''
H.R. 5601, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 7925 West Russell Road in Las Vegas,
Nevada, as the ``Sergeant Irving Joseph Schwartz Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 5933, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 5351 Laplaco Boulevard in Marrero,
Louisiana, as the ``Lionel R. Collins Sr. Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 5978, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 76 Brookside Avenue in Chester, New
York, as the ``1st Lieutenant Louis Allen Post Office.''
H.R. 6187, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 4244 University Way NE. in Seattle,
Washington, as the ``Jacob Lawrence Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6265, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 41 Purdy Avenue in Rye, New York, as
the ``Caroline O'Day Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6286, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1025 Nevin Avenue in Richmond,
California, as the ``Harold D. McCraw, Sr. Post Office
Building.''
H.R. 6342, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 440 2nd Avenue in Gallipolis, Ohio,
as the ``Bob Evans Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6584, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 19300 South Molalla Avenue in Oregon
City, Oregon, as the ``Alice Norris Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6586, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 3624 Commercial Street Southeast in
Salem, Oregon, as the ``Sue Miller Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6836, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 140 Merriman Road in Garden City,
Michigan, as the ``John J. Shivnen Post Office Building.''
H.R. 6956, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 12877 Broad Street in Sparta,
Georgia, as the ``Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post Office Building.''
H.R. 7286, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 46-02 21st Street in Long Island
City, New York, as the ``Geraldine Ferraro Post Office
Building.''
III. Chronology of Full Committee Proceedings
Business meeting to approve the committee's rules of
procedure, establish subcommittee jurisdictions, and approve
member assignments (January 18, 2007).
Hearing on ``Allegations of Political Interference with the
Work of Government Climate Change Scientists'' (January 30,
2007). Witnesses: Dr. Francesca Grifo, Senior Scientist and
Director of the Union of Concerned Scientists, Scientific
Integrity Program; Rick Piltz, Director of Climate Science
Watch; Dr. Drew Shindell, atmospheric physicist at NASA's
Goddard Institute for Space Studies; Dr. Roger Pielke,
political scientist and University of Colorado professor.
Hearing on the ``Impact of CPA Decision-making on Iraq
Reconstruction'' (February 6, 2007). Witnesses: Ambassador L.
Paul Bremer, Former Administrator, Coalition Provisional
Authority; Stuart W. Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General for
Iraq Reconstruction; David Oliver, Former Director of
Management and Budget, Coalition Provisional Authority;
Ambassador Timothy Carney, Coordinator for Economic Transition
in Iraq, U.S. Department of State (State Department refused to
allow him to testify).
Hearing on ``Iraq Reconstruction: Reliance on Private
Military Contractors'' (February 7, 2007). Witnesses: Kristal
Batalona, Daughter of Wesley Batalona; Kathryn Helvenston-
Wettengel, Mother of Stephen Helvenston; Rhonda Teague, Wife of
Michael Teague; Donna Zovko, Mother of Jerry Zovko; The
Honorable Tina Ballard, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy
and Procurement, U.S. Army; Andrew G. Howell, General Counsel,
Blackwater USA; R. Timothy Tapp, Managing Director, Business
Operations, Regency Hotel & Hospital Co.; W. Steve Murray Jr.,
Director of Contracting, ESS Support Services Worldwide; George
Seagle, Director of Security, Government and Infrastructure
Division, KBR; Tom Flores, Senior Director, Corporate Security,
Fluor Corporation; Alan Chvotkin, Senior Vice President and
Counsel, Professional Services Council.
Hearing on ``Management of Large Homeland Security
Contracts: Deepwater and SBInet'' (February 8, 2007).
Witnesses: Richard Skinner, Inspector General, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security; David Walker, Comptroller General of the
United States, Government Accountability Office; Elaine Duke,
Chief Procurement Officer, Department of Homeland Security;
Greg Giddens, Director, SBI Program Executive Office,
Department of Homeland Security; Admiral Thad Allen,
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard; Rear Admiral Gary Blore,
Deepwater Executive Officer, U.S. Coast Guard; Jerry W.
McElwee, Vice President, Boeing SBInet Program, Boeing Advanced
Systems; Leo Mackay, President, Integrated Coast Guard
Solutions (Lockheed Martin); Philip Teel, President, Northrop
Grumman Ship Systems.
Hearing on ``Allegations of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in
Pharmaceutical Pricing: Financial Impacts on Federal Health
Programs and the Federal Taxpayer'' (February 9, 2007).
Witnesses: Dr. Steven Schondelmeyer, PharmD, PhD., Professor
and Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Systems,
University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy; Gerard F.
Anderson, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Health Policy and
Management Director, Center for Hospital Finance and
Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health;
James W. Moorman, President and CEO, Taxpayers Against Fraud;
Lew Morris, Counsel, Office of the Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services; John Dicken, Director,
Health Care, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Patrick J.
O'Connell, Chief, Civil Medicaid Fraud, Attorney General of
Texas; Ron Tenpas, Associate Deputy Attorney General, U.S.
Department of Justice.
Business meeting to mark up H.R. 895, The Whistleblower
Protection Enhancement Act, H.R. 984, The Executive Branch
Reform Act, and H. Res. 42, recognizing Ann Richards's
extraordinary contributions to Texas and American public life
(February 14, 2007).
Hearing on ``Iraq Reconstruction: An Overview'' (February
15, 2007). Witnesses: David M. Walker, Comptroller General of
the United States, Government Accountability Office; Stuart W.
Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction;
William H. Reed, Director, Defense Contract Audit Agency.
Hearing on ``Reform to the Presidential Library Donation
Disclosure Process'' (February 28, 2007). Witnesses: Sharon
Fawcett, National Archives and Records Administration; Celia
Viggo Wexler, Common Cause; Sheila Krumholz, Center for
Responsive Politics.
Business meeting to consider views and estimates on the FY
2008 budget, H. Con. Res. 62, supporting the goals and ideals
of a National Children and Families Day, in order to encourage
adults in the United States to support and listen to children
and to help children throughout the nation achieve their hopes
and dreams, and for other purposes, and H. Res. 162,
recognizing the contributions of the Negro Baseball Leagues and
their players (February 28, 2007).
Business meeting to consider H.R. 1254, The Presidential
Library Donation Reform Act, H.R. 1255, The Presidential
Records Act Amendments, H.R. 1309, The Freedom of Information
Act Amendments, H.R. 1362, the Accountability in Contracting
Act, H. Res. 89, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that a day should be established as Dutch-
American Friendship Day to celebrate the historic ties of the
United States and the Netherlands, H. Res. 136, commending the
Girl Scouts of the United States of America on the occasion of
their 95th anniversary, for providing quality age-appropriate
experiences that prepare girls to become the leaders of
tomorrow and for raising issues important to girls, and H. Res.
198, recognizing the significance of Black History Month (March
8, 2007).
Business meeting to consider the District of Columbia House
Voting Rights Act of 2007, and H.R. 2780, a bill to amend title
5, United States Code, to clarify the method for computing
certain annuities (March 13, 2007).
Hearing on ``White House Procedures for Safeguarding
Classified Information'' (March 16, 2007). Witnesses: Ms.
Valerie Plame Wilson, former employee, Central Intelligence
Agency; Dr. James Knodell, Director, Office of Security, The
White House; Mr. Bill Leonard, Director, Information Security
Oversight Office, National Archives and Records Administration;
Mr. Mark Zaid, Attorney; Ms. Victoria Toensing, diGenova &
Toensing, LLP.
Hearing on ``Allegations of Political Interference with
Government Climate Change Science'' (March 19, 2007).
Witnesses: Philip Cooney, former chief of staff of the White
House Council on Environmental Quality; Dr. James Hansen,
director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies; George
Deutsch, former NASA public affairs officer; James Connaughton,
Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality;
Dr. Roy Spencer, Principal Resident Scientist and the
University of Alabama.
Hearing on ``Safe and Affordable Biotech Drugs: The Need
for a Generic Pathway'' (March 26, 2007). Witnesses: Dr. Janet
Woodcock, M.D., Food and Drug Administration; Ganesh
Venkataraman, Ph.D., Research Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.;
Geoffrey Allan, Ph.D., Insmed Incorporated; Bill Schwieterman,
M.D., Tekgenics Corporation (formerly with FDA's Center for
Biologics); Theresa Lee Gerrard, Ph.D., TLG Consulting, Inc.
(formerly with Amgen and FDA's Center for Biologics); Inger
Mollerup, Novo Nordisk A/S; Nelda Barnett, AARP; Scott D.
McKibbin, State of Illinois; Mary Nathan, National Organization
for Rare Disorders (NORD); Yvonne Brown, National Multiple
Sclerosis Society; Jonah Houts, Express Scripts, Inc.; Priya
Mathur, California Public Employees' Retirement System
(CalPERS); Henry Grabowski, Ph.D., Duke University.
Hearing on ``Allegations of Misconduct at the General
Services Adminstration'' (March 28, 2007). Witnesses: The
Honorable Chuck Grassley, U.S. Senator; The Honorable Lurita
Doan, Administrator, General Services Administration; Brian D.
Miller, Inspector General, GSA.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 1124, the DC Tuition
Assistance Grant program, H. Con. Res. 71, commemorating the
85th Anniversary of the founding of the American Hellenic
Educational Progressive Association, a leading association for
the nation's 1.3 million American citizens of Greek ancestry,
and Philhellenes, H. Con. Res. 88, honoring the life of Ernest
Gallo, H. Res. 179, expressing support for a National Foster
Parents Day, H. Res. 273, supporting the goals and ideals of
Financial Literacy Month, and for other purposes, H.R. 625, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 4230 Maine Avenue in Baldwin Park, California, as
the ``Atanacio Haro-Marin Post Office,'' H.R. 988, to designate
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside, California, as the
``Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post Office,'' H.R. 1402, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 320 South Lecanto Highway in Lecanto, Florida, as
the ``Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office
Building,'' H.R. 1425, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 4551 East 52nd Street in
Odessa, Texas, as the ``Staff Sergeant Marvin `Rex' Young Post
Office Building,'' and H.R. 1434, to designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 896 Pittsburgh
Street in Springdale, Pennsylvania, as the ``Rachel Carson Post
Office Building'' (March 29, 2007).
Business meeting to consider H.R. 401, the National Capital
Transportation Amendments Act (April 18, 2007).
Hearing on ``Misleading Information from the Battlefield''
(April 24, 2007). Witnesses: Mary Tillman, mother of Cpl. Pat
Tillman; Kevin Tillman, brother of Cpl. Pat Tillman; Jessica
Lynch, former Private, U.S. Army; Dr. Gene Bolles, former Chief
of Neurosurgery, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany;
Hon. Thomas F. Gimble, Acting Inspector General, Department of
Defense; Brigadier General Rodney Johnson, Army Criminal
Investigative Command; Specialist Bryan O'Neal, U.S. Army;
Senior Chief Petty Officer Stephen White, Navy SEAL; Lt. Col.
John Robinson, formerly of U.S. Army Central Command (CENTCOM).
Business meeting to consider a motion to subpoena the
Executive Office of the President for contracts and contacts
between the White House and MZM, Inc (April 25, 2007).
Hearing on ``The Food and Drug Administration's Critical
Mission and Challenges for the Future (May 1, 2007). Witnesses:
Donald Kennedy, Ph.D., former FDA Commissioner (1977-1979);
Frank Young, M.D., Ph.D., former FDA Commissioner (1984-1989);
David Kessler, M.D., J.D., former FDA Commissioner (1990-1997);
Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., FDA Commissioner.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 1873, the Small Business
Fairness in Contracting Act, H.R. 3772, the Senior Executive
Service Diversity Assurance Act, H.R. 5787, the Federal Real
Property Disposal Enhancement Act, H.R. 5811, the Electronic
Communications Preservation Act, H.R. 2081, a bill to amend the
District of Columbia Home Rule Act, H. Con. Res. 105 supporting
the goals and ideals of a National Suffragists Day to promote
awareness of the importance of the women suffragists who worked
for the right of women to vote in the United States, H. Con.
Res. 117, commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the settlement
of Jamestown, H. Res. 53, recognizing the life of Lamar Hunt
and his outstanding contributions to the Kansas City Chiefs,
the National Football League, and the United States, H. Res.
291, supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial
Day, H. Res. 307, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that public servants should be commended for
their dedication and continued service to the Nation during
Public Service Recognition Week, May 7 through 13, 2007, H.R.
1260, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 6301 Highway 58 in Harrison, Tennessee, as
the ``Claude Ramsey Post Office,'' H.R. 1335, to designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 508
East Main Street in Seneca, South Carolina, as the ``S/Sgt
Lewis G. Watkins Post Office Building,'' H.R. 1617, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 561 Kingsland Avenue in University City, Missouri,
as the ``Harriett F. Woods Post Office Building,'' H.R. 1722,
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 601 Banyan Trail in Boca Raton, Florida, as the
``Leonard W. Herman Post Office,'' and H.R. 2025, to designate
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
11033 South State Street in Chicago, Illinois, as the ``Willye
B. White Post Office Building'' (May 1, 2007).
Hearing on ``Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in the Federal Crop
Insurance Program'' (May 3, 2007). Witnesses: Eldon Gould,
Administrator of USDA's Risk Management Agency; Michael Hand,
Deputy Administrator for Compliance, USDA Risk Management
Agency; Phyllis Fong, USDA Inspector General; Lisa Shames,
Acting Director for Natural Resources and the Environment, GAO;
Bruce Babcock, Director of Iowa State University's Center for
Agricultural and Rural Development; Dr. Bruce Gardner,
University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural
Resources; Steve Ellis, Vice President, Taxpayers for Common
Sense.
Hearing on the ``Montreal Protocol and Global Warming''
(May 23, 2007). Witnesses: Dr. Guus Velders, Senior Scientist
on Ozone Layer Depletion, Climate Change, and Air Quality,
Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency; Allan Thornton,
Executive Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency;
Dr. Mack McFarland, Global Environmental Manager, DuPont.
Hearing on ``Invisible Casualties: The Incidence and
Treatment of Mental Health Problems by the U.S. Military'' (May
24, 2007). Witnesses: Army Specialist Thomas Smith; Richard and
Carol Coons, Parents of Army Master Sergeant James Coons;
Tammie LeCompte, Wife of Army Specialist Ryan LeCompte; Army
Specialist Michael Bloodworth; Dr. Thomas Insel, Director,
National Institute of Mental Health; Dr. Michael E. Kilpatrick,
Department of Defense, Deputy Director, Deployment Health
Support, accompanied by Dr. Jack Smith, Acting Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Clinical and Program Policy; Dr.
Antonette Zeiss, Department of Veterans Affairs, Deputy Chief
Consultant, Office of Mental Health Services, accompanied by
Dr. Al Batres, Chief Officer, Office of Readjustment
Counseling; Dr. John A. Fairbank, Duke University, Member,
Institute of Medicine Committee on Veterans' Compensation for
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; Major General Gale S. Pollock,
Army Surgeon General.
Hearing on ``FDA's Role in the Evaluation of Avandia's
Safety'' (June 6, 2007). Witnesses: Andrew C. von Eschenbach,
M.D., Commissioner, FDA; Steven Nissen, M.D., Chairman,
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine; Bruce M. Psaty, M.D.,
Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Services;
Co-director, Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, University of
Washington; John B. Buse, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine
and Chief, Division of Endocrinology, University of North
Carolina School of Medicine; Moncef Slaoui, Ph.D., Chairman,
Research and Development, GlaxoSmithKline.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 2635, the Carbon Neutral
Government Act, H.R. 404, the Federal Customer Service
Enhancement Act, H. Con. Res. 87, supporting the goals and
ideals of a world day of remembrance for road crash victims, H.
Con. Res. 142, expressing the sense of the Congress that there
should be established a National Pet Week, H. Con. Res. 148,
recognizing the significance of national Caribbean-American
Heritage Month, H. Con. Res. 155, recognizing the historical
significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the
sense of Congress that history should be regarded as a means
for understanding the past and more effectively facing the
challenges of the future, H. Con. Res. 195, expressing the
sense of the Congress that a National Dysphagia Awareness Month
should be established, H. Res. 189, expressing the sense of the
House of Representatives that a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans
Day should be established, H. Res. 257, supporting the goals
and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and H. Res.
361, recognizing and honoring Jack Valenti and expressing the
condolences of the House of Representatives to his family on
his death (June 12, 2007).
Hearing on ``New Allegations Against GSA Administrator
Lurita Doan: Retaliation Against Government Officials
Cooperating with Investigators'' (June 13, 2007). Witness:
Lurita Doan, head of the General Services Administration.
Hearing on the ``Response of the Department of Health and
Human Services to the Nation's Emergency Care Crisis'' (June
22, 2007). Witnesses: Dr. William Schwab, professor and chief,
department of traumatology and surgical critical care,
University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Ray Johnson, associate director
of the department of emergency medicine, Mission Hospital
Regional Medical Center; Dr. Bob O'Connor, professor and
chairman, department of emergency medicine, University of
Virginia; Dr. Kevin Yeskey, Director of the Office of
Preparedness and Emergency Operations and Acting Deputy
Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Assistant Secretary
for Preparedness and Response at HHS; Dr. Walter Koroshetz,
Deputy Director, National Institute of Neurological Diseases
and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health
and Human Services.
Hearing on ``Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at K-Town: How
Mismanagement Has Derailed DOD's Largest Single Facility
Construction Project (June 28, 2007). Witnesses: Mr. Gregory D.
Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special
Investigations, Government Accountability Office; Mr. Terrell
G. Dorn, Director, Physical Infrastructure, Government
Accountability Office; Mr. Bruce A. Causseaux, Senior Level
Contract and Procurement Fraud Specialist, Forensic Audits and
Special Investigations, Government Accountability Office;
Brigadier Gen. Danny K. Gardner, Director of Installations and
Mission Support, United States Air Forces in Europe.
Hearing on ``The Surgeon General's Vital Mission:
Challenges for the Future'' (July 10, 2007). Witnesses: Dr.
Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General; Dr. C. Everett Koop,
former Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, former Surgeon
General.
Hearing on FEMA's Toxic Trailers (July 19, 2007).
Witnesses: Dr. Scott Needle, Pediatrician, American Academy of
Pediatrics; Ms. Mary DeVany, Industrial Hygienist, DeVany
Industrial Consultants; Mr. Paul Stewart, Travel Trailer
Occupant, December 2005-March 2006; Mrs. Lindsay Huckabee,
Mobile Home Occupant, December 2005-Current; Mr. James Harris,
Jr., Travel Trailer Occupant, April 2006-Current; The Honorable
R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management
Agency.
Hearing on ``Inadvertent File Sharing over Peer-to-Peer
Networks'' (July 24, 2007). Witnesses: Ms. Mary Koelbel Engle,
Associate Director for Advertising Practices, Bureau of
Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission; Mr. Thomas D.
Sydnor, II, Attorney-Advisor, Copyright Group, Office of
International Relations, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; Mr.
Daniel G. Mintz, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of
Transportation; Mr. M. Eric Johnson, Professor of Operations
Management, Director, Glassmeyer/McNamee Center for Digital
Strategies, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College; General
Wesley K. Clark, Chairman and CEO, Wesley K. Clark &
Associates, Board Member--Tiversa, Inc.; Mr. Robert Boback,
CEO, Tiversa, Inc.; Mr. Mark Gorton, Chief Executive Officer,
The Lime Group.
Hearing on ``Allegations of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at the
New U.S. Embassy in Iraq'' (July 26, 2007). Witnesses: Mr. John
Owens, Former Employee, First Kuwaiti Trading & Contracting
Company; Mr. Rory Mayberry, Former Subcontractor Employee,
First Kuwaiti Trading & Contracting Company; Mr. Karl Demming,
KBR; Major General (Retired) Charles E. Williams, Director,
Office of Overseas Building Operations, Department of State;
Mr. William Moser, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisitions,
Department of State; Hon. Patrick Kennedy, Director, Office of
Management Policy, Department of State; Mr. Howard J. Krongard,
Inspector General, Department of State.
Hearing on FEMA Preparedness in 2007 and Beyond (July 31,
2007). Witnesses: Mr. R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal
Emergency Management Agency; Major General Terry Scherling,
Director of the Joint Staff, National Guard Bureau; Mr. Matt
Jadacki, Deputy Inspector General, Office of the Inspector
General, Department of Homeland Security; Mr. Al Ashwood,
Director, Oklahoma State Emergency Management Agency,
President, National Emergency Management Agency; Mr.
Christopher Geldart, Director, Office of National Capitol
Region Coordination; Mr. Dewayne West, Director of Emergency
Management for Johnston County, North Carolina, National
Association of Counties, the International Association of
Emergency Managers; Mr. Darrell Darnell, Director, District of
Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency; Mr.
William Jenkins, Director, Homeland Security & Justice Issues,
Government Accountability Office; Ms. Kathleen Tierney,
Director, Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado-
Boulder.
Hearing on ``The Tillman Fratricide: What the Leadership of
the Department of Defense Didn't Know'' (August 1, 2007).
Witnesses: The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld, former Secretary of
Defense; Gen. John P. Abizaid (Retired), Former Commander, U.S.
Central Command; Gen. Richard B. Myers (Retired), Former Chair,
Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen. Bryan Douglas Brown (Retired),
Former Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command; Lt. Gen.
Philip R. Kensinger, Jr. (Retired), Former Commander, U.S. Army
Special Operations Command.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 1054, the District of
Columbia Legislative Autonomy Act, H. Res. 544, expressing the
sympathy and pledging the support of the House of
Representatives and the people of the United States for the
victims of the devastating thunderstorms that caused severe
flooding in 20 counties in eastern Kansas beginning on June 26,
2007, H. Res. 554, supporting the goals and ideals of National
Passport Month, H.R. 2778, to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 3 Quaker Ridge Road in
New Rochelle, New York, as the ``Robert Merrill Postal
Station,'' and H.R. 3106, to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 805 Main Street in
Ferdinand, Indiana, as the ``Staff Sergeant David L. Nord Post
Office'' (August 2, 2007).
Business meeting to consider H.R. 1236, To amend title 39,
United States Code, to extend the authority of the United
States Postal Service to issue a semipostal to raise funds for
breast cancer research, H. Con. Res. 193, recognizing all
hunters across the United States for their continued commitment
to safety, H. Con. Res. 210, supporting the goals and ideals of
Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, H. Res. 291, supporting
the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day, H. Res.
584, supporting the goals and ideals of National Life Insurance
Awareness Month, H. Res. 605, supporting the goals and ideals
of Gold Star Mothers Day, H. Res. 641, acknowledging the
importance of understanding the history of the United States of
America and recognizing the need to foster civic responsibility
in all citizens, H. Res. 663, supporting the goals and ideals
of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day, H.R. 2089, to designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 701
Loyola Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the ``Louisiana
Armed Services Veterans Post Office,'' H.R. 2276, to designate
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 203
North Main Street in Vassar, Michigan, as the ``Corporal
Christopher E. Esckelson Post Office Building,'' H.R. 3233, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at Highway 49 South in Piney Woods, Mississippi, as the
``Laurence C. and Grace M. Jones Post Office Building,'' H.R.
3297, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 950 West Trenton Avenue in Morrisville,
Pennsylvania, as the ``Nate DeTample Post Office Building,''
H.R. 3307, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 570 Broadway in Bayonne, New Jersey,
as the ``Dennis P. Collins Post Office Building,'' H.R. 3308,
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 216 East Main Street in Atwood, Indiana, as the
``Lance Corporal David K. Fribley Post Office,'' H.R. 3325, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 235 Mountain Road in Suffield, Connecticut, as the
``Corporal Stephen R. Bixler Post Office,'' H.R. 3382, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 200 North William Street in Goldsboro, North
Carolina, as the ``Philip A. Baddour Sr. Post Office,'' H.R.
3518, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1430 South Highway 29 in Cantonment,
Florida, as the ``Charles H. Hendrix Post Office Building,''
and H.R. 3530, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1400 Highway 41 North in Inverness,
Florida, as the ``Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Weaver Post
Office Building'' (September 20, 2007).
Hearing on ``Private Security Contracting in Iraq and
Afghanistan'' (October 2, 2007). Witnesses: Erik Prince,
Chairman, the Prince Group, LLC and Blackwater USA; Ambassador
David M. Satterfield, Special Adviser, Coordinator for Iraq,
Department of State; Ambassador Richard J. Griffin, Assistant
Secretary, Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Director of the
Office of Foreign Missions, Department of State; William H.
Moser, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Logistics Management,
Department of State.
Hearing on ``Assessing the State of Iraqi Corruption''
(October 4, 2007). Witnesses: 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; Ms.
Claudia Rosett, Journalist-in-Residence, Foundation for Defense
of Democracies.
Hearing on ``EPA Black Carbon and Global Warming'' (October
18, 2007). Witnesses: Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson, Prof. of Civil and
Environmental Engineering, Atmosphere/Energy Program, Stanford
University; Dr. Tami C. Bond, Asst. Prof. of Civil and
Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign; Dr. V. Ramanathan, Prof. of Climate and Atmospheric
Sciences, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of San
Diego; Dr. Charles Zender, Assoc. Prof. of Earth System
Science, University of California at Irvine; Dr. Joel Schwartz,
Professor of Environmental Epidemiology, Harvard University.
Hearing on ``The Health and Environmental Impacts of
Uranium Contamination in the Navajo Nation'' (October 23,
2007). Witnesses: The Hon. George Arthur, Chairman, Resources
Committee, Navajo Nation Council; The Hon. Stephen Etsitty,
Director, Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency; Dr.
Doug Brugge, Associate Professor, Tufts University School of
Medicine; Mr. Larry King, Gallup, New Mexico; Ms. Edith Hood,
Church Rock, New Mexico; Mr. Phil Harrison, Window Rock,
Arizona; Mr. Ray Manygoats, Tuba City, Arizona; The Hon. Wayne
Nastri, Regional Administrator, Region 9, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency; Mr. David Geiser, Deputy Director, Office of
Legacy Management, U.S. Department of Energy; Dr. Charles L.
Miller, Director, Office of Federal and State Materials and
Environmental Management Programs, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission; Mr. Robert G. McSwain, Acting Director, Indian
Health Service; Mr. Jerry Gidner, Director, Bureau of Indian
Affairs.
Hearing on the State Department and the Iraq War (October
25, 2007). Witness: Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State.
Hearing on ``Oil and Gas Exemptions in Federal
Environmental Protections'' (October 31, 2007). Witnesses: Ms.
Amy Mall, Senior Policy Analyst, Natural Resources Defense
Council; Mr. Kendrick Neubecker, on behalf of Trout Unlimited,
Carbondale, Colorado; Dr. Theo Colborn, President, the
Endocrine Disruption Exchange; Dr. Daniel Teitelbaum, M.D.,
P.C., Medical Toxicologist, President, Medical Toxicology and
Occupational Medicine, Denver, Colorado; Mr. Steve Mobaldi,
Grand Junction, Colorado; Ms. Susan Wallace-Babb, Winnsboro,
Texas; Dr. David E. Bolin, Deputy Director, State Oil and Gas
Board, State of Alabama; Mr. Robert Anderson, Deputy Assistant
Director for Minerals, Realty and Resource Protection, Bureau
of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior; Mr.
Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
Hearing on ``The Administration's Regulatory Actions on
Medicaid: The Effects on Patients, Doctors, Hospitals, and
States'' (November 1, 2007). Witnesses: David Parrella,
director of the Connecticut Medicaid program; Barbara Miller,
Maryland resident and former Medicaid beneficiary; Twila
Costigan, foster care worker from Montana; Denise Herrmann,
school nurse from Minnesota; Dr. Sheldon Retchin, Vice
President for Health Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth
University in Richmond; Dr. Angela Gardner, Vice President of
the American College of Emergency Physicians and an emergency
doctor from Galveston, Texas; Dr. Marjorie Kanof, Managing
Director of the Health Care Division at the Government
Accountability Office (GAO); Dennis Smith, Director of the CMS
Center on Medicaid and State Operations.
Hearing on ``Drug-Resistant Infections in the Community:
Consequences for Public Health'' (November 7, 2007). Witnesses:
Dr. Julie Louise Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention; Dr. James Burns, M.D.,
M.B.A., Chief Deputy Commissioner for Public Health, Virginia
Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia; Dr. Elizabeth A.
Bancroft, M.D., S.M., Medical Epidemiologist, Los Angeles
County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles, California;
Dr. Robert S. Daum, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, University
of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Mr. Steven L. Walts, Ed.D.,
Superintendent of Schools, Prince William County Schools,
Manassas, Virginia; Dr. Eric Gale, M.D., Bronx Regional Medical
Director, Institute for Family Health.
Hearing on ``EPA Approval of New Power Plants: Failure to
Address Global Warming Pollutants'' (November 8, 2007).
Witnesses: The Honorable Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator,
Environmental Protection Agency; Mr. Ron Curry, Secretary, New
Mexico Environment Department; Mr. David Doniger, Policy
Director, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council;
Dr. Daniel M. Kammen, Director, Renewable and Appropriate
Energy Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley; Mr. John
Cline, Partner, Troutman Sanders LLP.
Hearing on ``Assessing the State Department Inspector
General (November 14, 2007). Witness: The Honorable Howard J.
Krongard, Inspector General, U.S. Department of State.
Hearing on ``One Year Later: Have TSA Airport Security
Checkpoints Improved?'' (November 15, 2007). Witnesses: Mr.
Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special
Investigations, Government Accountability Office; Mr. John
Cooney, Assistant Director, Forensic Audits and Special
Investigations, Government Accountability Office; The Honorable
Edmund ``Kip'' Hawley, Administrator, Transportation Security
Administration.
Hearing on ``Executive Pay: The Role of Compensation
Consultants'' (December 5, 2007). Witnesses: Charles Elson,
John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance, University of
Delaware; Meredith Miller, Assistant Treasurer for Policy,
Connecticut State Treasurer's Office; Daniel F. Pedrotty,
Director, Office of Investment, AFL-CIO; Houman Shadab, Senior
Research Fellow, Mercatus Center, George Mason University;
James F. Reda, Managing Director, James F. Reda & Associates;
Donald Lowman, Managing Director, Towers Perrin; Michael
Powers, Global Practice Leader for Executive Compensation and
Corporate Governance, Hewitt Associates; George Paulin,
Chairman and CEO, Frederick W. Cook & Co.; Charles Scott,
President of Human Capital Consulting, Mercer Human Resources
Consulting.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 4220, the Federal Food
Donation Act of 2008, H. Con. Res. 198, Expressing the sense of
Congress that the United States has a moral responsibility to
meet the needs of those persons, groups and communities that
are impoverished, disadvantaged or otherwise in poverty, H.
Con. Res. 254, recognizing and celebrating the centennial of
Oklahoma statehood, H. Res. 816, congratulating the Colorado
Rockies on winning the National League Championship, H.R. 3468,
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 1704 Weeksville Road in Elizabeth City, North
Carolina, as the ``Dr. Clifford Bell Jones Sr. Post Office,''
H.R. 3720, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 424 Clay Avenue in Waco, Texas, as
the ``Army PFC Juan Alonso Covarrubias Post Office Building,''
H.R. 3721, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1190 Lorena Road in Lorena, Texas, as
the ``Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry Post Office Building,''
H.R. 3803, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 3100 Cashwell Drive in Goldsboro,
North Carolina, as the ``John Henry Wooten Sr. Post Office
Building,'' H.R. 3988, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 3701 Altamesa Boulevard in
Fort Worth, Texas, as the ``Master Sergeant Kenneth N. Mack
Post Office Building,'' H.R. 4210, to designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 401 Washington
Avenue in Weldon, North Carolina, as the ``Dock M. Brown Post
Office Building,'' H.R. 4211, to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 725 Roanoke Avenue in
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, as the ``Judge Richard B.
Allsbrook Post Office,'' H.R. 4240, to designate the facility
of the United States Postal Service located at 10799 West
Alameda Avenue in Lakewood, Colorado, as the ``Felix Sparks
Post Office Building,'' S. 2174, to designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 175 South Monroe
Street in Tiffin, Ohio, as the ``Paul E. Gillmor Post Office
Building,'' H.R. 3911, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 95 Church Street in Jessup,
Pennsylvania, as the ``Lance Corporal Dennis James Veater Post
Office,'' and H.R. 4342, to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 824 Manatee Avenue West
in Bradenton, Florida, as the ``Dan Miller Post Office
Building'' (December 12, 2007).
Hearing on ``Assessing Veterans'' Charities'' (December 13,
2007). Witnesses: The Honorable Charles Grassley, United States
Senator; Ed Edmundson, Father of a wounded veteran; Bonnie
Carroll, Executive Director, Tragedy Assistance Program for
Survivors; Tracy L. McCurdy, Director, Pennsylvania Bureau of
Charitable Organizations; Daniel Borochoff, President, American
Institute of Philanthropy; Bennett Weiner, Chief Operating
Officer, Better Business Bureau; Robert M. Friend, President,
American Veterans Coalition; Pamela L. Seman, Executive
Director, Disabled Veterans Association.
Hearing on ``The Mitchell Report: The Illegal Use of
Steroids in Major League Baseball'' (January 15, 2008).
Witnesses: The Honorable George Mitchell, former United States
Senator; Mr. Bud Selig, Commissioner, Major League Baseball;
Mr. Donald M. Fehr, Executive Director, Major League Baseball
Players Association.
Hearing on ``Assessing Veteran's Charities--Part Two''
(January 17, 2008). Witnesses: Roger Chapin, President, Help
Hospitalized Veterans, Inc. and Coalition to Support America's
Heroes Foundation; Richard Viguerie, President, American Target
Advertising; Geoff Peters, President, Creative Direct Response;
Belinda J. Johns, Senior Assistant Attorney General, California
Attorney General's Office.
Hearing on ``Addressing the Screening Gap: The National
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program'' (January
29, 2008). Witnesses: Rosemarie Henson, Deputy Director,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
Lisa Mariani, Assistant Branch Chief, Program Services Branch,
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention; Gail Carey, recipient of
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program benefits and
volunteer, American Cancer Society; Dr. Otis Brawley, Medical
Director, American Cancer Society; Shelley Fuld Nasso,
Director, Public Policy, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy
Alliance; Pama Joyner, PhD, Director, Breast and Cervical
Health Program, Washington State Department of Health; Dr.
Thomas Hoerger, Director, RTI-UNC Center for Excellence in
Health Promotion Economics and RTI Health Economics and
Financing Program.
Business meeting to consider H. Con. Res. 273, recognizing
the 50th Anniversary of the National Academy of Recording Arts
& Sciences, H. Res. 867, commending the Houston Dynamo soccer
team for winning the 2007 Major League Soccer Cup, H.R. 3532,
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 5815 McLeod Street in Lula, Georgia, as the
``Private Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office,'' H.R. 3936, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 116 Helen Highway in Cleveland, Georgia, as the
``Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Building,'' H.R. 4203, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 3035 Stone Mountain Street in Lithonia, Georgia, as
the ``Specialist Jamaal RaShard Addison Post Office Building,''
H.R. 4454, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 3050 Hunsinger Lane in Louisville,
Kentucky, as the ``Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes
of Louisville Memorial Post Office Building'' in honor of the
servicemen and women from Louisville Kentucky who died in
service during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi
Freedom, H.R. 5135, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 201 West Greenway Street in
Derby, Kansas, as the ``Sergeant Jamie O. Maugans Post Office
Building,'' S. 2272, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service known as the Southpark Station in
Alexandria, Louisiana, as the John ``Marty'' Thiels Southpark
Station, in honor and memory of Thiels, a Louisiana postal
worker who was killed in the line of duty on October 4, 2007,
and S. 2478, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 59 Colby Corner in East Hampstead,
New Hampshire, as the ``Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post
Office'' (January 29, 2008).
Hearing on ``Myths and Facts About Human Growth Hormone, B-
12, and Other Substances'' (February 12, 2008). Witnesses: Dr.
Susan Shurin, Deputy Director, National Heart, Lung and Blood
Institute, National Institutes of Health; Dr. Thomas T. Perls,
MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director, New
England Centenarian Study, Boston University School of
Medicine; Dr. Alan D. Rogol, MD, Ph.D, Professor of Clinical
Pediatrics, University of Virginia; Professor of Clinical
Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, also
representing the Endocrine Society; Dr. Todd Schlifstein,
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hospital for Joint
Diseases.
Hearing on ``The Mitchell Report: The Illegal Use of
Steroids in Major League Baseball, Day 2'' (February 13, 2008).
Witnesses: Roger Clemens, Major League Baseball player; Brian
McNamee, Former Major League Baseball Strength and Conditioning
Coach; Charlie Scheeler, Investigator on Senator Mitchell's
staff.
Hearing on ``Electronic Records Preservation at the White
House'' (February 26, 2008). Witnesses: Alan R. Swendiman,
Director, Office of Administration; Theresa Payton, Chief
Information Officer, Office of Administration; The Honorable
Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States; Gary M. Stern,
General Counsel, National Archives and Records Administration;
Sharon Fawcett, Assistant Archivist for Presidential Libraries.
Hearing on ``Executive Compensation II: CEO Pay and the
Mortgage Crisis'' (March 7, 2008). Witnesses: Dr. Susan M.
Wachter, Richard B. Worley Professor of Financial Management,
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; The Honorable
William F. Galvin, Secretary of State, the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts; The Honorable Brenda L. Lawrence, Mayor, City of
Southfield, MI; Dr. Anthony Yezer, Professor of Economics, The
George Washington University; Ms. Nell Minow, Editor and Co-
Founder, The Corporate Library; Mr. Charles Prince, Former
Chairman and CEO, Citigroup; Mr. Richard D. Parsons, Chair,
Personnel and Compensation Committee, Citigroup; Mr. E. Stanley
O'Neal, Former Chairman and CEO, Merrill Lynch; Mr. John D.
Finnegan, Chair, Management Development & Compensation
Committee, Merrill Lynch; Mr. Angelo R. Mozilo, Founder and
CEO, Countrywide Financial Corporation; Mr. Harley W. Snyder,
Chair, Compensation Committee, Countrywide Financial
Corporation.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 2780, a bill to amend
title 5, United States Code, to clarify the method for
computing certain annuities, H.R. 3033, the Contractors and
Federal Spending Accountability Act, H.R. 3548, the Plain
Language in Government Communications Act, H.R. 4106, the
Telework Improvements Act, H.R. 4881, the Contracting and Tax
Accountability Act, H.R. 3928, the Government Funding
Transparency Act, H. Con. Res. 310, expressing support for a
national day of remembrance for Harriet Ross Tubman, H. Res.
578, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that
there should be established a National Watermelon Month, and H.
Res. 886, expressing sympathy to the victims and families of
the tragic acts of violence in Colorado Springs, Colorado and
Arvada, Colorado, H. Res. 892, expressing support for
designation of a National Funeral Director and Mortician
Recognition Day, H. Res. 952, expressing the sense of the House
of Representatives that there should be established a National
Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in the United
States, and H. Res. 994, expressing support for designation of
a National Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day, H. Res.
1005, supporting the goals and ideals of Borderline Personality
Disorder Awareness Month, H. Res. 1016, expressing the
condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of
William F. Buckley, Jr., H. Res. 1021, supporting the goals,
ideals, and history of National Women's History Month, H.R.
4185, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 11151 Valley Boulevard in El Monte,
California, as the ``Marisol Heredia Post Office Building,''
H.R. 5395, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 11001 Dunklin Drive in St. Louis,
Missouri, as the ``William `Bill' Clay Post Office Building,''
H.R. 5472, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, as the ``Julia M. Carson Post
Office Building,'' H.R. 5479, to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 117 North Kidd Street
in Ionia, Michigan, as the ``Alonzo Woodruff Post Office
Building,'' H.R. 5483, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 10449 White Granite Drive in
Oakton, Virginia, as the ``Private First Class David H.
Sharrett II Post Office Building,'' H.R. 5489, to designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6892
Main Street in Gloucester, Virginia, as the ``Congresswoman Jo
Ann S. Davis Post Office,'' H.R. 5517, to designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7231 FM
1960 in Humble, Texas, as the ``Texas Military Veterans Post
Office,'' H.R. 5528, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 120 Commercial Street in
Brockton, Massachusetts, as the ``Rocky Marciano Post Office
Building'' (March 13, 2008).
Hearing on the 2010 Census (April 9, 2008). Witnesses: The
Honorable Steven H. Murdock, Director, U.S. Census Bureau; The
Honorable Preston Jay Waite, Deputy Director, U.S. Census
Bureau; Mathew Scire, Director, Strategic Issues, Government
Accountability Office; David Powner, Director, Information
Technology Management Issues, Government Accountability Office;
Dr. Jason F. Providakes, Senior Vice President and General
Manager, Center for Enterprise Modernization, The MITRE
Corporation; Ms. Cheryl L. Janey, President, Civil Programs,
Harris Corporation.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 752, the Federal
Electronic Equipment Donation Act, and H.R. 5687, the Federal
Advisory Committee Act Amendments, H. Res. 1026, recognizing
the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Congressional
Club, H.R. 5631, to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1155 Seminole Trail in
Charlottesville, Virginia, as the ``Corporal Bradley T. Arms
Post Office Building,'' and H.R. 1734, to designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 630
Northeast Killingsworth Avenue in Portland, Oregon, as the
``Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Post Office'' (April 9, 2008).
Hearing on ``Healthcare-Associated Infections: A
Preventable Epidemic'' (April 16, 2008). Witnesses: Don Wright,
MD, MPH, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services; Cynthia Bascetta,
Director for Health Care Issues, Government Accountability
Office; Peter J. Pronovost, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Center
for Innovation in Quality Patient Care and Assistant Professor,
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at
Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine; John Labriola,
Senior Vice President and Hospital Director, William Beaumont
Hospital-Royal Oak; Leah Binder, Chief Executive Officer, The
Leapfrog Group; Edward Lawton, a survivor of hospital-acquired
infections; Betsy McCaughey, PhD, Founder and Chairman, the
Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 5781, the Federal
Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, H. Res. 49, expressing the
sense of the House of Representatives that there should be
established a National Letter Carriers Appreciation Day, H.
Res. 127, recognizing and celebrating the 50th anniversary of
the entry of Alaska in the Union as the 49th State, H. Res.
1073, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that
public servants should be commended for their dedication and
continued service to the nation during Public Service
Recognition Week, May 5 through 11, 2008, H. Res. 1091,
honoring the life, achievements, and contributions of Charlton
Heston and extending its deepest sympathies to the family of
Charlton Heston for the loss of such a great generous man,
husband, and father, and H.R. 5477, to designate the facility
of the United States Postal Service located at 120 South Del
Mar Avenue in San Gabriel, California, as the ``Chi Mui Post
Office Building'' (April 16, 2008).
Hearing on ``Domestic Abstinence-Only Programs: Assessing
the Evidence'' (April 23, 2008). Witnesses: The Honorable Lois
Capps, U.S. Representative (CA-23); The Honorable Sam
Brownback, U.S. Senator (KS); Ms. Shelby Knox, Youth Speaker;
Mr. Max Siegel, Policy Associate, AIDS Alliance for Children,
Youth, and Families; Dr. Georges Benjamin, M.D., Executive
Director, American Public Health Association; Dr. Margaret
Blythe, M.D., Chair, Committee on Adolescence, American Academy
of Pediatrics; Dr. John Santelli, M.D., M.P.H., Department
Chair, Professor of Clinical Population and Family Health,
Mailman School of Public Health and Professor of Clinical
Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia
University; Dr. Stan Weed, Ph.D., Director, Institute for
Research and Evaluation; Mr. Charles Keckler, Acting Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Policy, Administration for Children and
Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Dr.
Harvey Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D., President, Institute of Medicine
of the National Academies; Dr. Marcia Crosse, Director,
Healthcare, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
Hearing on ``Oversight of Defense Department Acquisitions''
(April 29, 2008). Witnesses: Michael J. Sullivan, Director,
Acquisition and Sourcing Management, Government Accountability
Office; James Finley, Deputy Undersecretary for Acquisition and
Technology; David Patterson, Principle Deputy Undersecretary of
Defense for Comptroller.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 5787, the Federal Real
Property Disposal Enhancement Act, H.R. 3772, the Senior
Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act, H.R. 5912, a bill to
make tobacco products nonmailable, H.R. 5811, the Electronic
Communications Preservation Act, H. Res. 923, recognizing the
State of Minnesota's 150th anniversary, H. Res. 1113,
celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and
supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day, H. Res. 1114,
supporting the goals and ideals of the Arbor Day Foundation and
National Arbor Day, H. Res. 1122, recognizing Armed Forces Day,
and H. Res. 1132, supporting the goals and ideals of Peace
Officers Memorial Day (May 1, 2008).
Hearing on ``The Lack of Hospital Emergency Surge Capacity:
Will the Administration's Medicaid Regulations Make It Worse?''
(May 5-6, 2008). Witnesses: Bruce Hoffman, Ph.D., Professor,
Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Security Studies
Program, Georgetown University; Lisa Kaplowitz, M.D., Deputy
Commissioner for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Virginia
Department of Health; Roger Lewis, M.D., Ph.D., Department of
Emergency Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; Jay Wayne
Meredith, M.D., Professor and Chairman, Department of General
Surgery, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center; Colleen
Conway Welsh, Ph.D., Dean, Vanderbilt School of Nursing; The
Honorable Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary, Department of Health
and Human Services; The Honorable Michael Chertoff, Secretary,
Department of Homeland Security.
Hearing on ``Should FDA Drug and Medical Device Regulation
Bar State Liability Claims?'' (May 14, 2008). Witnesses: Dennis
and Kimberly Quaid, parents of newborn twins, Thomas Boone
Quaid and Zoe Grace Quaid, who were victims of a heparin
overdose; William H. Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Medical
Device Safety Institute, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center, Boston; Aaron S. Kesselheim, M.D.,
J.D., Harvard Medical School, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology;
David A. Kessler, M.D., J.D., Professor of Pediatrics and
Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University
of California, San Francisco; David Vladeck, J.D., Professor of
Law, Georgetown University Law Center; Gregory Curfman, M.D.,
Editor, New England Journal of Medicine; Christine Ruther,
President & Chief Engineer, C&R Engineering, Inc.; State
Representative David Clark (R-Utah), National Conference of
State Legislatures (NCSL); John E. Calfee, Ph.D., American
Enterprise Institute; Randall Lutter, Ph.D., Deputy
Commissioner for Policy, Food and Drug Administration.
Hearing on ``Defense Base Act Insurance: Are Taxpayers
Paying Too Much?'' (May 15, 2008). Witnesses: Mr. Richard
Ginman, Deputy Director of Defense Procurement and Acquisition
Policy, U.S. Department of Defense; Mr. Shelby Hallmark,
Director of Workers' Compensation Programs, U.S. Department of
Labor; Mr. William H. Moser, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau
for Administration Logistics Management, U.S. Department of
State; Mr. James Dalton, P.E., Chief, Engineering and
Construction, U.S. Corps of Engineers; Mr. Joseph P. Mizzoni,
Deputy Auditor General for Acquisition and Logistics; Mr. John
K. Needham, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management
Issues, Government Accountability Office.
Business meeting to consider H. Con. Res. 334, supporting
the goals and objectives of a National Military Appreciation
Month, H. Res. 1144, expressing support for the designation of
a Frank Sinatra Day, in honor of the dedication of the Frank
Sinatra commemorative stamp, H. Res. 1152, honoring Arnold
Palmer for his distinguished career in the sport of golf and
his commitment to excellence and sportsmanship, and H. Res.
1153, celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May
15, 2008).
Hearing on ``EPA's New Ozone Standards'' (May 20, 2008).
Witnesses: Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency; Susan E. Dudley, Administrator
of OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs; Dr.
Rogene Henderson, Chair, Clean Air Scientific Advisory
Committee; Dr. Francesca Grifo, Senior Scientist, Union Of
Concerned Scientists; Michael Goo, Climate Legislative
Director, Natural Resources Defense Council; Dr. Roger O.
McClellan, Advisor, Toxicology and Human Heath Risk Analysis;
Alan Charles Raul, Partner, Sidley Austin, LLP.
Hearing on ``Accountability Lapses in Multiple Funds for
Iraq'' (May 22, 2008). Witness: Mary L. Ugone, Deputy Inspector
General for Auditing, U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the
Inspector General.
Hearing on ``Examining Grantmaking Practices at the
Department of Justice'' (June 19, 2008). Witness: Mr. J. Robert
Flores, Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention.
Business meeting to consider H. Con. Res. 365, honoring the
life of Robert Mondavi (June 20, 2008).
Hearing on ``Examination of AEY Contracts with the U.S.
Government'' (June 24, 2008). Witnesses: Brigadier General
William N. Phillips, U.S. Army, Commanding General, Picatinny
Arsenal, Commander, Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle
Management Command; Mitchell A. Howell, Executive Director,
Ground Systems and Munitions Division, Defense Contract
Management Agency, U.S. Department of Defense; Stephen D. Mull,
Acting Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Political
Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State; Jeffrey Parsons,
Executive Director, Army Contracting Command.
Hearing on ``Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at K-Town: One Year
Later'' (June 25, 2008). Witnesses: Mr. Gregory D. Kutz,
Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special Investigations,
Government Accountability Office; Mr. Terrell G. Dorn,
Director, Physical Infrastructure, Government Accountability
Office; Mr. Bruce A. Casseaux, Senior Level Contract and
Procurement Fraud Specialist, Forensic Audits and Special
Investigations, Government Accountability Office; Maj. Gen.
Mark Rogers, Vice Commander, United States Air Forces in
Europe; Judith Garber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State,
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of
State.
Hearing on ``Governance and Financial Accountability of
Rural Cooperatives: The Pedernales Experience'' (June 26,
2008). Witnesses: The Honorable Troy Fraser, Chair, Business
and Commerce Committee, Texas Senate; The Honorable Patrick
Rose, Texas House of Representatives; Mr. John Watson, member
of Pedernales Electric Cooperative; Mr. Carlos Higgins, member
of Pedernales Electric Cooperative; Mr. Juan Garza, current
General Manager of Pedernales Electric Cooperative; Mr. Glenn
English, CEO of National Rural Electric Cooperative
Association.
Hearing on ``Manufacturers of FEMA Trailers and Elevated
Formaldehyde Levels'' (July 9, 2008). Witnesses: Dr. Michael
McGeehin, Director, Environmental Hazards and Health Effects,
National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention; Mr. Jim Shea, Chairman, Gulf Stream
Coach, Inc.; Mr. Steve Bennett, President, Pilgrim
International, Inc.; Mr. Ronald J. Fenech, President, Keystone
RV, Inc.; Mr. Peter Liegl, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Forest River, Inc.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 6388, the Government
Accountability Office Improvement Act, H.R. 6500, the Thrift
Savings Plan Enhancement Act, H. Con. Res. 364, recognizing the
Significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, H.
Res. 1128, expressing support of the goals and ideals of
National Carriage Driving Month, H. Res. 1143, supporting the
goals and ideals of the apple crunch and the nation's domestic
apple industry, H. Res. 1202, supporting the goals and ideals
of a National Guard Youth Challenge Day, H. Res. 1262,
expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the
Secretary of Commerce should use all reasonable measures to
ensure that every person is counted in the 2010 decennial
census, H. Res. 1311, expressing support for the designation of
National GEAR UP Day, H.R. 6229, to designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at 2523 7th Avenue
East in North Saint Paul, Minnesota, as the ``Mayor William
`Bill' Sandberg Post Office Building,'' H.R. 6338, to designate
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
4233 West Hillsboro Boulevard in Coconut Creek, Florida, as the
``Army SPC Daniel Agami Post Office Building,'' H.R. 6437, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 200 North Texas Avenue in Odessa, Texas, as the
``Corporal Alfred Mac Wilson Post Office,'' and H.R. 6226, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 300 East 3rd Street in Jamestown, New York, as the
``Stan Lundine Post Office Building'' (July 16, 2008).
Hearing on ``Business Practices in the Individual Health
Insurance Market: Terminations of Coverage'' (July 17, 2008).
Witnesses: Keith and Heidi Bleazard, Logan, Utah; Dale Bonner,
California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing
Agency; Kevin Lembo, Connecticut State Healthcare Advocate;
Abby Block, Director, Center for Drug and Health Plan Choice,
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Stephanie W.
Kanwit, Special Counsel and Healthcare Consultant.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 6575, the Over-
Classification Reduction Act (July 23, 2008).
Hearing on ``The Medicare Drug Benefit: Are Private
Insurers Getting Good Discounts for the Taxpayer?'' (July 24,
2008). Witnesses: Stephen Schondelmeyer, Pharm.D., Ph.D.,
Professor and Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Care and
Health Systems, University of Minnesota; Gerard Anderson,
Ph.D., Professor and Director, Center for Hospital Finance and
Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins
University; Fiona M. Scott Morton, Ph.D., Professor of
Economics, Yale School of Management, Yale University; Kerry
Weems, Acting Administrator, Center for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Mark
Merritt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pharmaceutical
Care Management Association; Rick Smith, Senior Vice President
for Policy, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers
Association (PhRMA); Paul Precht, Director of Policy and
Communications, Medicare Rights Center; Judith Stein, Executive
Director, Center for Medicare Advocacy.
Hearing on ``Deficient Electrical Systems at U.S.
Facilities in Iraq'' (July 30, 2008). Witnesses: U.S. Senator
Bob Casey, (D-PA); Gordon S. Heddell, Acting Inspector General,
U.S. Department of Defense; Don Horstman, Deputy Inspector
General for Policy and Oversight, U.S. Department of Defense;
Charlie E. Williams, Jr., Director, Defense Contract Management
Agency; Keith Ernst, Former Director, Defense Contract
Management Agency; Jeffrey P. Parsons, Executive Director, Army
Contracting Command, U.S. Army; Tom Bruni, Theater Engineering
and Construction Manager, KBR, Inc.
Hearing on ``Impact of Proposed Legislation on the District
of Columbia's Gun Laws'' (September 9, 2008). Witnesses: Cathy
Lanier, Chief, District of Columbia Police Department; Phillip
D. Morse, Sr., Chief, United States Capitol Police; Kevin C.
Hay, Deputy Chief, United States Park Police; Robert Campbell,
Director of Security, Washington Nationals Baseball Club.
Business meeting to consider H.R. 6842, the National
Capital Security and Safety Act, H. Con. Res. 223, honoring
professional surveyors and recognizing their contributions to
society, H. Con. Res. 351, honoring the 225th Anniversary of
the Continental Congress meeting in Nassau Hall, Princeton, New
Jersey, in 1783, H. Con. Res. 376, congratulating the 2007-2008
National Basketball Association World Champions, the Boston
Celtics, on an outstanding and historic season, H. Con. Res.
386, recognizing and celebrating the 232nd anniversary of the
signing of the Declaration of Independence, and H.R. 6199, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 245 North Main Street in New City, New York, as the
``Kenneth Peter Zebrowski Post Office Building'' (September 10,
2008).
Hearing on ``The Domestic Epidemic is Worse than We
Thought: A Wake-Up Call for HIV Prevention'' (September 16,
2008). Witnesses: Julie Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., Director,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Kevin Fenton, M.D.,
Ph.D., Director, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis,
STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention; Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director, National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National
Institutes of Health; David Holtgrave, Ph.D., Professor and
Chair, Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins
Bloomberg School of Public Health; Adaora Adimora, M.D.,
M.P.H., Division of Infectious Diseases, UNC School of
Medicine; George Ayala, Psy.D., RTI International and AIDS
Project Los Angeles; Heather Hauck, M.S.W., LICSW, Director,
Maryland AIDS Administration, and Chair-Elect, National
Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors; Frank J.
Oldham, Jr., President, National Association of People with
AIDS.
Hearing on ``The Causes and Effects of the Lehman Brothers
Bankruptcy'' (October 6, 2008). Witnesses: Dr. Luigi Zingales,
Professor of Finance, University of Chicago; Dr. Robert F.
Wescott, President, Keybridge Research LLC; Nell Minow,
Chairman of the Board and Editor, The Corporate Library;
Gregory W. Smith, General Counsel, Colorado Public Employees'
Retirement Association; Peter J. Wallison, Arthur F. Burns
Fellow in Financial Policy Studies, American Enterprise
Institute; Richard S. Fuld, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Lehman Brothers Holdings.
Hearing on the ``Causes and Effects of the AIG Bailout''
(October 7, 2008). Witnesses: Eric R. Dinallo, Superintendent,
New York State Insurance Department; Lynn E. Turner, former
chief accountant, Securities and Exchange Commission; Robert B.
Willumstad, former Chief Executive Officer, AIG; Martin J.
Sullivan, former Chief Executive Officer, AIG.
Hearing on ``Credit Rating Agencies and the Financial
Crisis'' (October 22, 2008). Witnesses: Jerome Fons, former
executive, Moody's Corporation; Frank Raiter, former executive,
Standard & Poor's; Sean Egan, Managing Director, Egan-Jones
Ratings; Deven Sharma, President, Standard & Poor's; Raymond W.
McDaniel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Moody's
Corporation; Stephen Joynt, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Fitch Ratings.
Hearing on ``The Role of Federal Regulators in the
Financial Crisis'' (October 23, 2008). Witnesses: Alan
Greenspan, former Chairman, Federal Reserve; John Snow, former
Secretary of the Treasury; Christopher Cox, Chairman,
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Hearing on ``Hedge Funds and the Financial Market''
(November 13, 2008). Witnesses: Professor David Ruder,
Northwestern University School of Law, Former Chairman, U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission; Professor Andrew Lo,
Director, MIT Laboratory for Financial Engineering,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of
Management; Professor Joseph Bankman, Stanford University Law
School; Houman Shadab, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center,
George Mason University; John Alfred Paulson, President,
Paulson & Co., Inc.; George Soros, Chairman, Soros Fund
Management, LLC; James Simons, President, Renaissance
Technologies, LLC; Philip A. Falcone, Senior Managing Partner,
Harbinger Capital Partners; Kenneth C. Griffin, Chief Executive
Officer and President, Citadel Investment Group, LLC.
Hearing on the Collapse of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
(December 9, 2008). Witnesses: Leland Brendsel, former CEO,
Freddie Mac; Daniel Mudd, former CEO, Fannie Mae; Franklin
Raines, former CEO, Fannie Mae; Richard Syron, former CEO,
Freddie Mac.
IV. Subcommittee Activities
A. SUBCOMMITTEE ON DOMESTIC POLICY
The Subcommittee on Domestic Policy has jurisdiction over
domestic policies, including matters relating to energy, labor,
education, criminal justice, and the economy. The Subcommittee
also has legislative jurisdiction over the Office of National
Drug Control Policy. During the 110th Congress, Dennis Kucinich
served as Chairman and Darrell Issa as Ranking Member.
1. Overview by Issue Area
The Domestic Policy Subcommittee's jurisdiction is broad.
As such, in the 110th Congress, the Subcommittee held oversight
hearings covering eleven discrete policy areas. The
Subcommittee concentrated its efforts in four of these areas,
holding seven hearings and publishing four major letters
concerning housing and finance; three hearings and three major
letters on a health-related issue; four hearings and two major
letters on a tax-related topic; and three hearings, one major
letter and one report on an environmental topic.
a. Housing and Finance
The Subcommittee devoted six hearings to the foreclosure
crisis. According to recent figures, nearly one million
subprime borrowers have failed to make their mortgage payments
for 60 days or more. In the third quarter of 2008 alone,
264,000 foreclosure proceedings were brought against subprime
borrowers. There could be as many as one million new
foreclosure starts on subprime loans this year, which would
represent a 13% increase over the previous year.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\See Appendix: Mortgage Loss Mitigations Statistics Industry
Extrapolations (Quarterly for 2007 and 2008) (derived from HOPE NOW
Loss Mitigation National Data) (online at: http:// www.hopenow.com/
upload/data/files/HOPE%20NOW%20Loss%20Mitigation%20National%20
Data%20July%2007%20to%20September%2008.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The meltdown of the subprime mortgage market and the
deflation of the housing price bubble, which have dominated
recent national economic news, actually began earlier than
2008. Its worst consequences were apparent in certain regions
of the country (e.g., the Great Lakes) and certain low-income
neighborhoods in cities across the nation. Cities such as
Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, and Buffalo, New York,
which have large concentrations of low-income residents as well
as stagnant economic growth, were the first large cities to be
affected by a wave of subprime mortgage lending and by
widespread borrower default on those loans. The seeds for the
current national crisis were present in the earlier regional
crises. Large numbers of subprime and other risky loans
continued to be made all across the country in 2005, 2006, and
2007, as relatively low national default averages masked the
warning signs from these early regional crises.
The Subcommittee began its examination of the foreclosure
problem in 2007 with two hearings that focused on subprime
lending and bank regulation.\3\ The Subcommittee paid
particular attention to Cleveland, Ohio. At the time, a number
of hearing witnesses testified that the local crisis was a
harbinger of a national problem. Indeed, a wave of foreclosures
did erupt in the past twelve months across the South,
Southwest, and California. It has caused the failure of large
lending institutions (Washington Mutual, IndyMac) and
investment banks (Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers) with large
subprime exposures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\See Domestic Policy Subcommittee, Oversight and Government
Reform Committee, Hearings on Foreclosure, Predatory Mortgage and
Payday Lending in America's Cities, 110th Cong. (Mar. 21, 2007) (online
at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_house
_hearings&docid=f:37416.pdf); and Foreclosure at the Front Step of the
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, 110th Cong. (May 21, 2007) (http://
frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.
cgi?dbname=110_house_hearings&docid=f:40152.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
However, the problems characterizing subprime mortgages are
not limited to those loans. Other kinds of mortgages are
vulnerable to widespread default. Alt-A loans are expected to
experience similar vulnerability. Both Alt-A and subprime loans
were originated in large numbers without verification of income
or assets.\4\ The problems facing Alt-A loans are especially
significant for loans made in the West, where housing price
deflation puts many borrowers significantly ``under water,''
meaning that their loans far exceed the market value of the
house.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\Amy Crews Cutts and William A. Merrill, Interventions in
Mortgage Default: Policies and Practices to Prevent Home Loss and Lower
Costs, Freddie Mac Working Paper #08-01, at 22 (Mar. 2008) (estimating
that 80% of Alt-A's made in 2006 and 2007 were made without
verification).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Subcommittee held two more hearings in May 2008 on the
phenomenon of vacant and abandoned houses caused by the
foreclosure crisis.\5\ The first hearing examined the negative
spill-over effects from the concentrations of vacant houses and
the victims of this trend. These effects include: Declining
property values of surrounding houses, loss of equity held by
neighbors in these houses, loss of rental income to
neighborhood landlords and sales to neighborhood merchants,
increases in crime rates, increases in municipal costs for
policing, a greater incidence of fire (due to vandalism and
arson), increased demolition and building inspection costs,
increased legal expenses, increased demand on city social
service programs, and a direct loss of property tax
revenues.\6\ The second hearing considered how to allocate
federal aid to cities and localities to address the problems
caused by vacant and abandoned houses.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\See Domestic Policy Subcommittee, Oversight and Government
Reform Committee, Hearing on Neighborhoods: The Blameless Victims of
the Subprime Mortgage Crisis, 110th Cong. (May 21, 2008) (online at:
http://domesticpolicy.oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1961) and Joint
Hearing with Housing & Community Opportunity Subcommittee, Financial
Services Committee, Targeting Federal Aid to Neighborhoods Distressed
by the Subprime Mortgage Crisis, 110th Cong. (May 22, 2008) (online at
http://domesticpolicy.oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1968).
\6\William C. Apgar, Mark Duda, and Rochelle Nawrocki Gorey, The
Municipal Cost of Foreclosures: A Chicago Case Study, Homeownership
Preservation Foundation, Housing Finance Policy Research Paper Number
2005-1, at 10-11 (Feb. 27, 2005) (online at www.995hope.org/ content/
pdf/Apgar_Duda_Study_Full_Version.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In July 2008, Congress enacted H.R. 3221, the Housing and
Economic Recovery Act which, among other things, authorized
$3.9 billion in new federal funds to enable state and local
governments to acquire and rehabilitate homes made vacant by
the foreclosure crisis. The Subcommittee's oversight was
instrumental in the development of the final allocation formula
adopted by HUD.\7\ In Fall 2007, the Subcommittee also held a
hearing on the inadequate enforcement of the Community
Reinvestment Act (CRA) by bank regulators.\8\ Lack of CRA
enforcement contributed to the need for, and emergence of, poor
credit options.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\Letter from Dennis J. Kucinich to Steve Preston, Secretary, U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (July 31, 2008). Chairman
Kucinich's letter argued that HUD had discretion to interpret H.R.
3221's allocation formula, and that HUD had already performed the
necessary research to craft an allocation formula in preparing its
testimony before the Subcommittee on May 22, 2008. Namely, HUD's
testimony emphasized the importance of using US Postal Service data to
determine actual vacancy rates and rates of actual increase in
vacancies, as well as utilizing a small unit of analysis (census tract)
for comparing jurisdictions' needs. HUD's final allocation formula
reflected these Subcommittee priorities.
\8\See Domestic Policy Subcommittee, Oversight and Government
Reform Committee, Hearing on Upholding the Spirit of the CRA: Do CRA
Ratings Accurately Reflect Bank Practices, 110th Cong. (Oct. 24, 2007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In October 2008, Congress enacted the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act of 2008. The Act authorized creation of the
Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), a $700 billion fund to
address the slowdown in lending and to increase foreclosure
prevention efforts.\9\ The Act envisaged the purchase of
various kinds of assets and the promulgation of rules by
Treasury on an emergency basis to address these problems. On
November 12, 2008, Secretary of Treasury Henry M. Paulson, Jr.
announced that he would not use the authorized funds to
purchase troubled mortgage assets and implement a plan to
reduce foreclosures on those mortgages.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\See Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-
343.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On November 14, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing with
the top Treasury official in charge of the TARP. After
receiving testimony confirming that Treasury had not, and would
not, use TARP funds for foreclosure prevention despite
unequivocal congressional intent and statutory language,
Chairman Kucinich sent a letter to Representative Barney Frank,
Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. The letter
relayed the Subcommittee's findings and recommended that
Congress inform the White House that it will withhold the
second installment of funding for the TARP pending a new
Administration.
The Subcommittee also examined risks to small investors
posed by new hedge fund offerings. In 2007, a new financial
investment became available to small investors. The management
entities of two hedge funds, Fortress Investment Group and
Blackstone Group L.P. (Blackstone), opened the door to direct
investment by small investors in entities that had previously
been limited only to large, mostly institutional investors, and
extremely wealthy individuals.
In multiple meetings between Subcommittee staff and staff
from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), it
became clear that the SEC was planning on allowing the initial
public offering (IPO) of Blackstone to proceed without further
considering whether the partnership should be considered an
investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act of
1940,\10\ without demanding adequate disclosure of Blackstone's
financial holdings, and without further considering the
national security and tax implications of the IPO. On July 21,
2008, Chairman Kucinich and Chairman Waxman of the Oversight
and Government Reform Committee jointly issued a letter to SEC
Chairman Christopher Cox requesting that the SEC delay approval
of the IPO until the SEC reviewed the issues further and
congressional hearings were held.\11\ The SEC refused to delay
the IPO.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\15 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 80a-1-a-64.
\11\Letter from Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich and Rep. Henry A. Waxman to
Christopher Cox, Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(July 21, 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Subcommittee subsequently held a hearing, ``After
Blackstone: Should Small Investors Be Exposed to Risks of Hedge
Funds,'' which focused on the nature of the new risks presented
to investors by the public offerings of shares in alternate
asset management entities and the adequacy of existing
investment company regulations. The concerns raised at the
hearing proved to be prescient: Blackstone Group LP has lost
over 80% of its value after going public, and the federal
regulatory deficiencies that allowed for inadequate disclosure
to investors and the use of under-regulated and overly
leveraged financial instruments are now recognized as prime
contributors to the ongoing financial crisis.
b. Health
At the request of Subcommittee member Representative Elijah
E. Cummings, the Subcommittee examined the provision of dental
care to children under Medicaid. In February, 2007, a twelve-
year-old Maryland boy named Deamonte Driver died from a brain
infection caused by untreated tooth decay. He was enrolled in
Medicaid and had been assigned to United HealthCare, a national
Managed Care Organization with a large presence in the State of
Maryland.
On May 2, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Evaluating Pediatric Dental Care under Medicaid'' to question
the director of Medicaid, the Maryland State Medicaid Director
and United HealthCare (United). The Subcommittee expanded its
examination of the case by analyzing thousands of records
produced by United. The Subcommittee concluded: (1) Deamonte
was one of 10,780 Medicaid-enrolled children who had not seen a
dentist in four or more years, (2) most of the dental services
provided by the MCO were delivered by only seven dentists, (3)
and the MCO's directory of providers was virtually useless. In
response, the MCO conceded that the Subcommittee's findings
were correct and committed to rectifying its own operational
shortcomings.
In 2008, the Subcommittee held two additional hearings on
pediatric dental care. On February 14, 2008--a year after the
death of Deamonte and nine months after the Subcommittee's
first hearing on the matter--the Subcommittee held a hearing to
evaluate the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services's (CMS)
reforms in pediatric dental care under Medicaid. The hearing
revealed the inadequacy of CMS's reforms, prompting the
Subcommittee to encourage CMS to do more to achieve greater
access to, and utilization of, pediatric dental care.\12\ The
hearing, ``One Year Later: Medicaid's Response to System
Problems Revealed by the Death of Deamonte Driver,'' exposed a
failure of leadership at Medicaid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\See Domestic Policy Subcommittee, Oversight and Government
Reform Committee, Hearing on Medicaid's Response to Systemic Problems
Revealed by the Death of Deamonte Driver, 110th Cong. (Feb. 14, 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortly after the hearing, the Director of Medicaid
resigned. The Subcommittee sent his replacement a detailed list
of policy priorities. These included:
(1) Conduct an EPSDT compliance review of the Medicaid
dental programs in the states and the District of Columbia that
had less than a 30% utilization rate in 2006.
(2) Ensure that every state has a periodicity schedule and
therefore met the federal requirement mandated by the OBRA
1989.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1989, Pub. L. No. 101-
239.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Locate the findings of the Oral Health Technical
Advisory Group (TAG), convened between 1999 and 2000, which
addressed reimbursement rates as a policy matter and were
redacted from CMS's Dental Guide in 2004. If appropriate,
publish those policy recommendations now.
(4) Conduct an audit of Georgia's Medicaid dental program
and assess whether or not actions taken by the state's MCOs in
2006 threatened access to dental care for Medicaid-eligible
children in violation of federal law.
(5) Identify more promising dental practices to highlight
on CMS's nascent web page dedicated to outstanding models for
increasing access to dental care. Additionally, encourage the
commitment of additional funding to launch dental demonstration
programs in a select number of states.
(6) Make the Form CMS-416 more reliable to facilitate
proper assessment of the efficacy of each State's EPSDT
program.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\Letter from Dennis J. Kucinich to Dennis Smith, Director, CMS
(Apr. 1, 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medicaid notified the Subcommittee that they would adopt
all of the Subcommittee's recommendations as policy priorities.
Shortly after the release of its investigatory findings in
October 2007, the Subcommittee expanded its investigation. The
Subcommittee sought to evaluate whether United's dismal
provider network in Prince George's County and its utilization
rate throughout Maryland were unique. The Subcommittee expanded
its review of United to include Apache County, Arizona; Essex
County, New Jersey; Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; and
Providence County, Rhode Island. In addition to evaluating
United's performance in these jurisdictions, the Subcommittee
also evaluated the performance of three other MCOs with
presences in those counties and states, including: HealthChoice
in Arizona, Keystone Mercy in Pennsylvania, and Amerigroup in
New Jersey and Maryland.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\Document Request from Dennis J. Kucinich to United (Jan. 8,
2008); Document Request from Dennis J. Kucinich to HealthChoice (Apr.
28, 2008); Document Request from Dennis J. Kucinich to Amerigroup;
(Apr. 28, 2008); Document Request from Dennis J. Kucinich to Keystone
Mercy (Apr. 28, 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Subcommittee reviewed the dental claims in FY 2006 for
each of these MCOs and found that:
(1) The percentage of children enrolled in Medicaid
without dental services for four consecutive years
between 2003 and 2006 ranged between 25% and 31% across
all states and MCOs;
(2) In all jurisdictions and among all MCOs examined,
between two and nine dentists performed 50% of all
services rendered to children enrolled in Medicaid in
FY 2006; and
(3) The dental provider networks among United and the
other MCOs are better than United's network in Prince
George's County but still far from adequate.
On September 23, 2008, the Subcommittee held its fourth
hearing, entitled, ``Necessary Reforms to Improve Access to,
and Utilization of Pediatric Dental Care Under Medicaid.'' The
new acting director of Medicaid reported significant progress
in the implementation of reforms sought by the Subcommittee,
such as locating the findings of the Oral Health Technical
Advisory Group (TAG) convened between 1999 and 2000, which
addressed reimbursement rates as a policy matter and were
redacted from CMS's Dental Guide in 2004. CMS empowered a new
Oral Health TAG to review, edit, and republish those findings.
The new acting director also heeded the Subcommittee's call
to identify the most promising dental practices nationwide and
to promote those as models for other state Medicaid programs in
conferences as well as on the Agency's website. Perhaps most
importantly, CMS's new leadership conducted an Early and
Periodic Screening and Diagnosis Treatment compliance review of
the Medicaid dental program in the states and the District of
Columbia that had less than a 30% utilization rate in 2006. CMS
has also followed up with the District of Columbia and state
programs to address their poor performance and ensure that they
increase access to pediatric dental care.
c. Veterans
The Subcommittee examined the effects of privatization on
the delivery of timely and accurate payments to veterans by the
Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). Retroactive pay
awards to eligible retired veterans with disabilities were
enacted by Congress in 2003 and 2004, but delays in delivering
the new benefit were significant. DFAS determined that more
than 133,000 potentially eligible veterans were waiting for
adjudication of their claims three years after Congress enacted
the laws. The backlog grew to over 217,000 veterans as the
delays compounded.
To determine the causes of the delays in the VA Retro
program, the Subcommittee staff reviewed a total of 16,000
pages of documents produced separately by DFAS and Lockheed
Martin, the contractor, and also interviewed disabled veterans
whose VA Retro payments had been delayed or denied. The
investigation found that DFAS awarded a no-bid, cost plus fixed
fee contract to Lockheed for the work to compute the
retroactive pay awards, known as the VA Retro program. Lockheed
originally agreed to a deadline of November 2007 to work
through the backlog of VA Retro cases. But Lockheed missed that
deadline and every succeeding one. By March 1, 2008, over
60,000 eligible veterans still had not had their cases reviewed
for payment.
For its part, Lockheed was unable to automate calculation
of VA Retro claims, as both Lockheed and the federal government
had intended. The reasons were several: the individual
circumstances of the disabled veterans were complicated and
difficult to translate into reliable computer programming
rules, and the databases necessary to automate did not exist at
the project's inception. The government also bore
responsibility. The VA and the military services were slow to
put the data in the necessary form for automation.
While Lockheed moved to hire more staff to perform the
calculations manually, productivity remained low and top DFAS
managers were concerned about the high number of errors their
quality control auditors were detecting. But the federal
government was powerless to hold the contractor accountable
because the contract did not provide for penalties for poor
contractor performance.
In an effort to rescue the program from further delay, DFAS
suspended its own quality control procedures, effectively
allowing Lockheed to verify the accuracy of its own
calculations. This, in combination with assigning federal
workers to augment Lockheed's workforce, finally had the
desired effect: By the end of June 2008, DFAS and Lockheed
announced the VA Retro backlog had been eliminated, and
Lockheed had received $18.74 million for the VA Retro program.
One of those veterans whose eligibility was initially
denied struggled for one year to get DFAS to reevaluate his
denial. Eventually, he prevailed after producing documentation
that would have also been available to Lockheed, and was
ultimately awarded a $15,000 retroactive payment. He told the
Subcommittee, ``Most guys who get a letter saying they get zero
money would never challenge it. They wouldn't know how. I'd be
surprised if they understand what they get in the mail. And
lots of guys will just trust their government. I get sad to the
point of crying seeing the guys in worse shape than me. [But]
DFAS wants us to die or just give up trying [to get our
benefits].''
On July 15, 2008, the Subcommittee released the following
findings in a report:\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\Domestic Policy Subcommittee, Oversight and Government Reform
Committee, Report on ``Die or Give Up Trying'': How Poor Contractor
Performance, Government Mismanagement and the Erosion of Quality
Controls Denied Thousands of Disabled Veterans Timely and Accurate
Retroactive Retired Pay Awards, 110th Cong. (July 15, 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delays in the implementation and execution of the
VA Retro program were significant. Government mismanagement and
poor performance by Lockheed resulted in a delay of five and
one-half years to review the claims of eligible disabled
veterans after Congress created new benefits for retired
veterans with combat-related and service-related disabilities.
Up to 8,763 disabled veterans died before their
cases were reviewed for VA Retro eligibility.
DFAS found Lockheed's performance deficient but
was unable to assess penalties by the contract's terms.
DFAS cut back quality control and used federal
workers to supplement Lockheed's workforce to decrease payment
backlog.
DFAS bypassed GAO regulations on statistical
sampling in federal quality-control procedures.
Lockheed applied a weaker standard to quality
assurance than the standard mandated by GAO.
Up to 60,051 payments to veterans were issued
after a suspension of quality control measures went into effect
on March 1, 2008.
At least 28,283 veterans were denied retroactive
pay based on determinations made wholly without quality
assurance review.
On, July 16, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Examining Contractor Performance and Government Management of
Retroactive Pay for Retired Veterans with Disabilities.'' This
hearing examined the reasons for the significant delay in
delivering the retroactive pay award to disabled retired
veterans and assessed the government's management of the
program. Zack E. Gaddy, the director of the Defense Finance and
Accounting Service, and Joseph Cipriano, President, Lockheed
Martin Business Process Solutions, testified at the hearing.
The hearing and report produced significant changes at DFAS
and the VA Retro program: DFAS agreed to conduct a
comprehensive review of all ``No Pay Due'' determinations and
all payments in excess of $2,500 to determine if errors were
made. DFAS recently reported to the Subcommittee that an
internal audit had found significant rates of error by Lockheed
in both ``No Pay Due'' determinations and payments made in
excess of $2,500.
d. Tax
The Subcommittee examined the circumstances and policy
justifications surrounding the use of tax-exempt financing for
private uses, notably the construction of professional sports
stadiums. State and local officials have frequently agreed to
finance construction of professional sports stadiums, and the
cost is high. Often, proposals to publicly finance construction
of professional sports stadiums are packaged as economic
development or revitalization strategies.
By 2001, taxpayers had spent about $17.5 billion on 99
major league sports facilities. Taxpayers also assume a large
share of costs for new professional sports facilities. Among
new professional sports facilities built since 1990, the
average public share of costs is estimated to be 80%. The
subsidy includes outright building costs, which average $124
million per facility; $48 million in foregone tax collections
per stadium; and $24 million in land and infrastructure per
stadium. Taxpayer expenditures on sports stadiums often occur
in cities with significantly disintegrating public
infrastructure. For example, in Cleveland there are five
structurally deficient bridges and three publicly financed
professional sports stadiums. In Minneapolis--the site of the
August 1, 2007 I-35W bridge collapse that killed 13 people--
there are 10 structurally deficient bridges. Just a year before
the tragic bridge collapse, taxpayers financed a new stadium
for the Minnesota Twins.
The Subcommittee held two hearings in 2007 to evaluate the
promises made to cities which finance professional sports
stadiums, as well as the extent to which public infrastructure
funding is diverted toward professional sports stadiums.\17\
The hearings also examined federal enforcement of Treasury
Department regulations pertaining to issuance of tax-exempt
bonds for professional sports stadiums. The Subcommittee's
hearings on stadium financing established the following: (1)
local, state, and federal authorities massively subsidize the
construction of professional sports stadiums; (2) on a federal
level, the subsidization primarily takes the form of allowing
municipalities to issue federally tax-exempt bonds that are
used for the construction of the stadiums; (3) professional
sports franchises have great leverage in negotiations with
municipalities for new sports stadiums because the franchises
themselves are able to leverage their monopoly status to
threaten to move unless their demands are met; (4) the weight
of economic analysis has established that, even from the
perspective of municipalities, the public subsidization of
professional sports stadiums is not an efficient mechanism to
foster economic growth; and (5) federal subsidization in effect
means that the federal taxpayer is abetting municipalities in
bidding wars among themselves to keep or lure franchises from
other cities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\Domestic Policy Subcommittee, House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, Build It and They Will Come: Do Taxpayer-Financed
Sports Stadiums, Convention Centers and Hotels Deliver as Promised for
America's Cities?, 110th Cong. (Mar. 29, 2007) (online at
frwebgate.access.gpo.gov / cgi-bin /
getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_house_hearings&docid=f:38037.pdf) and
Professional Sports Stadiums: Do they Divert Public Funds from Critical
Public Infrastructure?, 110th Cong. (Oct. 10, 2007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Subcommittee examined Treasury regulations pertaining
to the public financing of sports stadiums with Payments-In-
Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT). Chairman Kucinich sent a letter to the
Treasury Department expressing concern about Treasury's
interpretation of its PILOT regulations. The Subcommittee also
investigated allegations that the City of New York
misrepresented the actual value of land and stadium in its
application for permission to finance the new Yankee Stadium
with PILOT-backed tax exempt bonds. The Subcommittee's
investigation revealed serious discrepancies and questionable
assertions in the City's petition, and Chairman Kucinich wrote
to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to report the
preliminary results of the Subcommittee majority staff's
investigation.
The Subcommittee held two additional hearings on the topic
in September and October 2008.\18\ The hearings examined
whether the use of the federal tax code to subsidize the
construction of professional sports stadiums and arenas
furthers the public interest, and examined alleged
improprieties in the financing process. The Subcommittee's
investigation into alleged improprieties in the appraisal of
the new Yankee Stadium is ongoing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\18\See Domestic Policy Subcommittee, House Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform, Hearing on Gaming the Tax Code: the New York
Yankees and the City of New York Respond to Questions About the New
Yankee Stadium, 110th Cong. (Oct. 24, 2008); Hearing on Gaming the Tax
Code: Public Subsidies, Private Profits, and Big League Sports in New
York, 110th Cong. (Sept. 18, 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
e. Environment
At the request of Subcommittee member Representative Diane
E. Watson, the Subcommittee examined the environmental risks of
dental mercury amalgam.
Dental mercury amalgam, also known as ``silver fillings,''
is largely comprised of mercury. Dental offices are the third-
largest user of mercury, after wiring device/switch makers and
manufacturers of measuring and control instruments. Mercury
contained in the existing dental fillings of U.S.-based
patients comprises over half of all mercury in use today,
amounting to over 1000 tons.
Dental amalgam is a significant source of mercury waste in
the environment, especially in wastewater. The dental industry
uses about approximately 40 tons of mercury per year.\19\ The
mercury is used in the formation of dental amalgams. Of these
40 tons, it is estimated that approximately 6.5 tons are
disposed of by being washed down the drain.\20\ A 2005 study by
the World Health Organization concluded that mercury from
amalgam and laboratory devices accounts for 53% of total
mercury emissions to water worldwide, and that one-third of the
mercury in the sewage system comes from dental amalgam flushed
down the drain.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\Domestic Policy Subcommittee, Oversight and Government Reform
Committee, Testimony of Dr. Richard D. Fischer, Hearing on Assessing
State and Local Regulation to Reduce Dental Mercury Emissions, 110th
Cong. (July 8, 2008).
\20\Jay A. Vandeven, and Steve. L. McGinnis, An Assessment of
Mercury in the Form of Amalgam in Dental Wastewater in the United
States, Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, at 349-366 (2005).
\21\World Health Organization, Mercury in Health Care (Aug. 2005)
(online at www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/medicalwaste/
mercurypolpaper.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another study conducted by the Association of Metropolitan
Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) in 2002 found that dental uses were
``by far'' the greatest contributors of mercury load to
municipal wastewater, on average contributing 40%, over 3 times
the next greatest contributor.\22\ For example, the Central
Contra Costa County Sanitary District estimates that each
dental practice contributes 0.4 to 0.5 ounces of mercury per
year totaling approximately 50% of the mercury in its
wastewater. Mercury that settles in wastewater eventually finds
its way into the air and water, where it may become a serious
environmental and public health issue.\23\ In the New England
region alone, over 10,000 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, and
over 46,000 miles of river are listed as impaired for fish
consumption due to mercury.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\22\Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies, Evaluation of
Domestic Sources of Mercury, Household Mercury Poses National Clean
Water Compliance Concerns (Aug. 2002).
\23\Domestic Policy Subcommittee, Oversight and Government Reform
Committee, Testimony of Dr. Richard D. Fischer, Hearing on Assessing
State and Local Regulation to Reduce Dental Mercury Emissions, 110th
Cong. (July 8, 2008).
\24\Domestic Policy Subcommittee, Oversight and Government Reform
Committee, Testimony of Dr. C. Mark Smith, Hearing on Assessing State
and Local Regulation to Reduce Dental Mercury Emissions, 110th Cong.
(July 8, 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mercury from dental amalgams is also a source of airborne
emissions, though the amount is not known precisely. EPA
estimates airborne mercury attributable to sludge incineration
to be 0.6 tons per year annually. This figure may significantly
undercount sludge-related mercury pollution, however. For
example, the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use
Management estimated that mercury emissions in the northeast
amount to 0.5 tons per year. EPA estimates that total mercury
emitted as a byproduct of cremation of human remains is about
0.3 tons per year. However, EPA's estimate might significantly
understate the magnitude of mercury emissions from this source.
A newly published article by an EPA environmental scientist
estimates mercury emissions from cremation to be ten times more
than the EPA estimate, at about three tons per year. The total
amount of mercury emissions attributable to dental offices
could be as high as nine to ten tons per year.
At the request of Subcommittee member Representative Diane
E. Watson, the Subcommittee held one hearing in 2007,
``Environmental Risks of and Regulatory Response to Mercury
Dental Fillings,'' which assessed the government's regulatory
response to mercury in dental fillings. In 2008, the
Subcommittee conducted a national survey of local and state
regulatory responses to dental mercury followed by a hearing on
July 8, 2008, ``Assessing State and Local Regulations to Reduce
Dental Mercury Emissions.''
The Subcommittee found that nearly all state and local
governments have existing water quality standards that set a
limit for the acceptable level of mercury in discharge
concentrations. For example, King County, Washington's limit is
0.2 milligrams parts per million, and Madison, Wisconsin, has a
limit of 1.3 milligrams parts per trillion. To meet such
limits, state and local governments must either prevent the
mercury from being discharged or treat the wastewater before
releasing it into the effluent. The most economical way to
achieve the standard is through the installation of mercury
amalgam separators in dentists' offices.
Most state and local governments have adopted either a
voluntary or a mandatory approach to the installation of
separators. The survey found that successful voluntary programs
were incentivized programs that offered less cumbersome
compliance requirements and were underpinned with the threat of
a mandatory program. The Subcommittee found that the exception
to this rule was Duluth, Minnesota, where the small number of
dentists and dental offices allowed the Western Lake Superior
Sanitary District to have a hands-on approach not possible in
larger cities.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\25\Phone conversation between Subcommittee staff and Tim Tuominen,
Lead Chemist, Western Lake Superior Sanitary District. (June 2, 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most of the state or local governments the Subcommittee
surveyed initiated a voluntary program before enacting
regulations, ordinances, or statutes mandating the installation
of amalgam separators and a recycling program. Governments tend
to switch to a mandatory program only when their voluntary
programs fail to achieve their desired compliance goals. The
disparity in compliance achieved between voluntary and
mandatory programs is illustrated in the chart below. Note that
the chart also indicates the impact that the separators have
had on dental mercury emissions in wastewater.
CHART: EFFICACY OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANDATORY PROGRAMS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offices with Offices with
Name of state, county, or Date of program separators separators Reduction in mercury
municipality implementation Compliance deadline installed before installed after contamination levels
program program
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washington State (Excluding King August of 2003.......... August of 2005.......... <5% 80% Too early to tell
County).
Massachusetts........................ April of 2006........... June of 2007............ 70-75% 95% 47.6%
King County, WA...................... July of 2001............ July of 2003............ 3% 97% 51.1% to 57.0%
Central Contra Costa County, CA...... April of 2006........... February of 2008........ 15% 98% 69.8%
Narragansett Bay Commission Area of July of 2004............ July of 2005............ 0% 100% 32.0%
Rhode Island.
Milwaukee, WI........................ January of 2004......... February of 2008........ 1% 91% 72.6%
Wichita, KS.......................... April of 2000........... July of 2003............ 2% 98% 42.6%
Solon, OH............................ August of 2004.......... August of 2005.......... 0% 100% 52.7% to 73.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Subcommittee survey and hearing culminated in the
publication of a federal guide to assist local and state
regulators in their efforts to reduce dental mercury emissions.
The report concluded that dental mercury emissions were most
successfully curtailed by mandatory requirements to install and
use mercury separation technology or voluntary programs
enforced by the threat of a mandatory provision.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\26\Domestic Policy Subcommittee, Oversight and Government Reform
Committee, Report on Reducing Dental Mercury Emissions: Installing
Amalgam Separators and Achieving Compliance, 110th Cong. (Sept. 10,
2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Subcommittee also examined the environmental effects of
the water bottling industry on rural communities. The
consumption of bottled water is expanding both domestically and
globally. The demand for bottled water has put new stresses on
groundwater supplies and on associated wetlands, watersheds,
and riparian environments, and on the environment of rural
communities. On aggregated levels, the United States leads the
world in total bottled water consumption. In 2002, 6,018.5
million gallons of bottled water were consumed in the United
States. Since 1992, the annual percentage increases have ranged
from 8.2% to 18.4%, which translates to 21.1 gallons per person
per year.
The domestic water bottling industry has traditionally been
comprised of a number of corporations, including many local
entities. In recent years, however, the industry has undergone
significant consolidation. The largest bottler of water in the
United States is Nestle Waters of North America, a subsidiary
of Nestle, the largest food manufacturer in the world, which
has a 32% domestic market share.
The environmental impacts of the bottled water industry are
often highly concentrated in rural communities. The
Subcommittee held a hearing on December 12, 2007, entitled
``Assessing the Environmental Risks of the Water Bottling
Industry's Extraction of Groundwater.'' The hearing examined
the broader policy context of the water bottling industry; the
impact on communities of water bottling plants; the geological/
hydrological dynamics and environmental effects of extraction
on the surrounding watersheds, wetlands, and riparian systems;
the growth, practices, and policies of the water bottling
industry; and the adequacy of state property rights, state
permitting systems, and federal regulations in addressing these
issues.
f. Emergency Preparedness
At the request of Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member
Darrell E. Issa, on December 10, 2007, the Subcommittee held a
hearing, ``What the October Wildfires Reveal about Preparedness
in Southern California,'' to examine Southern California's
preparation for future wildfires. The hearing was in response
to a wildfire that began on October 21, 2007, in Witch Creek, a
rural area in the foothills of San Diego. Three days after the
commencement of the fire, the Governor declared a state of
emergency. President George W. Bush issued a major disaster
declaration for the State of California and ordered federal aid
to supplement state and local response efforts. At the height
of the disaster, 23 fires were burning. By the time all the
fires were contained, 368,000 acres of land had been burned,
1,700 homes were destroyed, and 10 people lost their lives.
According to testimony received at the hearing, the
frequency and ferocity of wildfires in California is on the
rise due to global warming, wildland-urban interface, and dry
shrub. Southern California previously endured significant fires
in 1970, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1993, and 2003. Both the 2003
and 2007 fires were considered ``100 year'' fires for their
unusual ferocity and extent. The hearing revealed that the
damage caused by the Witch Creek fire could have been much
worse were it not for the capable response efforts of local,
state, and federal emergency responders. However, the absence
of additional fires in San Diego's surrounding counties and in
Northern California significantly helped to make the story of
the October 2007 wildfires a success.
g. Agriculture
The Subcommittee examined the adequacy of United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations and oversight to
protect farmers and consumers. On March 13, 2008, the
Subcommittee held a hearing, ``Is USDA Accounting for Costs to
Farmers caused by Contamination from Genetically Engineered
Plants?'' The hearing questioned the adequacy of USDA's
enforcement of a provision of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (NEPA), which requires consideration of the effects
on farmers from contamination by genetically engineered (GE)
plants that occurs before the plants are approved for testing
or when they are deregulated by USDA's Animal and Plant
Inspection Service.
Contamination of conventional crops by GE plants can occur
in several ways. First, GE plants can pollinate non-genetically
engineered plant species if allowed to flower. Second, GE
plants can grow as ``volunteers'' from a seed that was
unintentionally left in soil from a previous growing season.
Finally, GE plants can be mixed together with non-genetically
engineered product in the grain-handling and/or food-processing
system. Both field tests of regulated GE plant varieties as
well as planting of deregulated varieties pose risks of
contaminating non-GE crops. Although USDA points out that
incidents of contamination are rare,\27\ when contamination has
occurred, the consumer market--both domestic and
international--has responded immediately, and farmers have
incurred large costs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\27\USDA, Report of LibertyLink Rice Incidents (Oct. 5, 2007)
(online at www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2007/10/content/
printable/RiceReport10-2007.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEPA requires the federal government to consider the
environmental impacts of proposed government actions in the
federal decision-making process.\28\ The Act requires federal
agencies to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed federal
actions that have a ``significant'' effect on the
environment.\29\ NEPA defines ``significance'' with ten
characteristics, codified at 40 C.F.R. Sec. 1508.27. The Act
also created the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to
coordinate government-wide compliance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\28\42 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 4321-45.
\29\42 U.S.C. Sec. 4332. NEPA requires that all agencies of the
federal government report on the environmental effects of all proposed
government actions ``significantly affecting the quality of the human
environment.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEPA does not require that the federal government undertake
the least environmentally harmful action, only that the federal
government account for the potential harm caused by the
proposed action. Additionally, NEPA mandates that federal
government evaluate alternatives to the proposed action. As the
Supreme Court explained in Robertson v. Methow Valley Citizens
Council, ``NEPA itself does not mandate particular results, but
simply prescribes the necessary process.''\30\ The Court
further explained that ``NEPA merely prohibits uninformed--
rather than unwise--agency action.''\31\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\30\490 U.S. 332, 350 (1989).
\31\Id. at 351.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEPA requires federal agencies to report on the economic
impact of proposed federal actions when those economic impacts
are caused by the environmental impact. CEQ NEPA regulations
state, ``[W]hen an environmental impact statement is prepared
and economic or social and natural or physical environmental
effects are interrelated, then the environmental impact
statement will discuss all of these effects on the human
environment.''\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\32\40 C.F.R. Sec. 1508.14
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the entire 20-year history of its biotech crop program,
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has only
conducted four EISs. Two of the EISs were ordered by courts in
2007. The third and fourth were programmatic EISs initiated by
the USDA in 2007 in connection with promulgation of new
Genetically Modified Organism regulations. According to APHIS,
the reason for the small number of EISs--in contrast to its
issuance of thousands of notifications, permits, and
deregulations--is that APHIS determined in nearly all cases
that its proposed action, whether a notification or permit, did
not have a ``significant'' impact as defined by NEPA.\33\
However, in two recent cases, federal district courts reviewed
APHIS's determination of ``no significant impact'' for proposed
actions related to two GE plants, Roundup Ready alfalfa and
creeping bentgrass; held that APHIS's interpretation was
inconsistent with the Act; and ordered APHIS to prepare EISs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\33\Conversation between Subcommittee majority staff and APHIS
staff (Feb. 29, 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Subcommittee also examined USDA's regulation of food
inspection. On January 30, 2008, the Humane Society of the
United States released to the media video obtained by an
undercover investigator at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing
Company of Chino, California. The video documented inhumane
handling of non-ambulatory, or downed, cattle and raised
questions regarding the possibility of tainted meat being
introduced into the food supply. In response to the Humane
Society's allegations, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer issued
a statement expressing the USDA's confidence in the
``inspection system and the food safety regulations that ensure
the safety and wholesomeness of the food supply.''
Secretary Schafer called for an investigation by the Office
of the Inspector General in conjunction with the USDA's Food
Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS). Hallmark/Westland voluntarily
suspended operations on February 1, 2008, prior to issuance of
a Notice of Suspension by FSIS. On February 17, 2008, Hallmark/
Westland voluntarily recalled 143 million pounds of fresh and
frozen beef dating back to February 1, 2006. The meat recall
was the nation's largest ever. Approximately 50 million pounds
had been distributed to federal nutrition programs in at least
45 states under the National School Lunch Program and programs
for the poor and elderly. In press briefings concerning the
beef recall, USDA officials repeatedly affirmed that the
incidents at Westland/Hallmark represented an aberration in the
meat industry.\34\ Dr. Kenneth Petersen said, ``FSIS believes
this to be an isolated incident of egregious violations to
humane handling requirements and the prohibition of non-
ambulatory disabled cattle from entering the food supply.''\35\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\34\See, e.g., USDA, Press Briefing on Humane Handling Procedures
of Hallmark/Westfield Company (Feb. 8, 2008) (online at www.usda.gov/
wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_ 1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2008/
02/0037.xml); USDA, Questions and Answers Regarding the Humane Society
of the United States' Handling Allegations, (Feb. 6, 2008) (online at
www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/
7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=Inhumane FAQs.xml); USDA,
Technical Briefing Regarding Inhumane Handling Allegations (Jan. 31,
2008) (online at www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/
7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true& contentid=2008/02/0028.xml).
\35\USDA, Questions and Answers Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co.
(Feb. 17, 2008) (online at www.fmi.org/foodsafety/usdaqawestland.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Subcommittee discovered, however, that USDA had
conducted two audits at Westland/Hallmark in the previous three
years--once in 2005 and again in 2007. The 2005 audit cited
minimal infractions--namely that the plant used its electronic
prod excessively. The plant responded that the excessive use
was due to a lack of battery power in the equipment and
immediately rectified the shortcoming.\36\ In 2007, the USDA
audit noted no infractions and instead gave Westland/Hallmark
glowing reports.\37\ Only a few months later, a Humane Society
undercover investigation revealed that the USDA's findings were
a poor reflection of the dismal reality of operations at
Hallmark/Westland.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\36\Interview of Steven Mendell, Owner, Hallmark/Westland Meat
Packing Co., by Subcommittee Staff (Mar. 28, 2008); see also FSIS,
Report of Human Handling Verification Visit of Hallmark/Westland Meat
Packing Company FSIS Form 6000-31 (Dec. 8, 2005).
\37\See FSIS, Report of Human Handling Verification Visit of
Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company FSIS Form 6000-31 (May 18,
2005).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The contrast between the Humane Society's investigation and
the USDA audits raises a significant question: if the USDA did
not know of the egregious practices that took place at
Westland/Hallmark before the dissemination of the Humane
Society video, then how could it be confident that similar
practices are not taking place at slaughter plants nationally?
In addition to alerting food safety authorities of possible
risk resulting from beef contamination, the Humane Society
video also made clear that USDA oversight is not infallible.
On April 17, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``After the Beef Recall: Exploring Greater Transparency in the
Meat Industry'' to examine that question. Subsequently, the
Subcommittee expanded its investigation to include issues of
agency treatment of whistleblowers. That investigation is
ongoing.
h. Drug Policy and Crime
The Subcommittee held two oversight hearings in the 110th
Congress in its exercise of its oversight and legislative
responsibility for drug policy and the Office of National Drug
Control Policy (ONDCP).
On September 30, 2007, the Subcommittee held a field
hearing in Baltimore, ``Combating Drug Abuse and Drug-related
Crime: What Is Working in Baltimore,'' to study the provision
and coordination of multiple services to at-risk juveniles and
young adults, including mental health and substance abuse
treatment, job training and housing. The City of Baltimore has
struggled with significant drug abuse and drug-related violence
problems for many years. Recently, Baltimore has undertaken
innovative steps to address these problems, including drug
courts and treatment modalities. Drug courts utilize a
multidisciplinary and integrated approach that incorporates
collaboration among courts, government, and community
organizations.
The challenges still facing Baltimore's drug-control
efforts provide a lens through which to assess ONDCP and
federal drug policy priorities. Because of inadequate federal
funding for treatment and drug courts, many of the slots in
Baltimore's innovative programs are reserved for those who
already have had multiple encounters with the criminal justice
system. Thus, first-time offenders who are easier to reach are
not offered the type of intensive monitoring, treatment, and
array of services that have been found to be most effective. In
Baltimore as in the rest of the country, there is a huge
treatment gap: many drug abusers in need of treatment cannot
get it.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) funding through block grants to states forms an
important component of federal assistance to local treatment
programs, and has declined in recent years. With respect to the
overall drug control budget, treatment is disproportionately
under-funded given the treatment gap and treatment's
demonstrated cost-effectiveness compared to other drug-control
strategies like drug interdiction, source country eradication,
and enforcement. Baltimore's experience also highlights the
need for the federal government to foster and fund greater
service coordination and for extensive monitoring of outcomes
to determine which broad strategies and specific programs work.
Finally, Baltimore's effective and innovative incorporation of
harm reduction programs into its drug-control strategy--
including methadone provision, needle exchange, and
buprenorphine to combat heroin addiction--demonstrates that
scientifically tested harm reduction programs have the
potential to reduce drug-related harms without increasing drug
abuse.
On March 12, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing, ``The
National Drug Control Strategy for 2008, the Fiscal Year 2009
National Drug Control Budget, and Compliance with ONDCP
Reauthorization Act of 2006: Priorities and Accountability at
ONDCP,'' which addressed priorities in the nation's drug
policy. On December 29, 2006, Congress passed the ONDCP
Reauthorization Act of 2006, Pub. L. 109-469 (Reauthorization
Act), which authorized certain funding levels of ONDCP's
proprietary programs (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas,
National Youth Antidrug Media Campaign, and Drug Free
Communities Support Program) and set numerous reporting
requirements to ensure ONDCP's accountability. ONDCP
Reauthorization was the product of a long bipartisan effort
with a key role played by this Committee.
Hearing witnesses suggested that ONDCP was funding and
supporting supply-side drug-control programs, such as source-
country eradication and interdiction at the expense of demand-
side initiatives, such as drug use prevention and treatment.
This balance has been criticized by those who cite social
scientific research demonstrating that, per dollar spent,
demand-side initiatives, especially drug treatment, are more
effective at combating drug abuse. Second, the hearing adduced
serious questions about ONDCP's transparency and
accountability. At the hearing, much of the data presented by
ONDCP in its publications was challenged as inaccurate or
misleading, and the progress that ONDCP has attributed to
federal drug control operations was criticized as overstated
and a product of cherry-picked data and shifting objectives.
ONDCP also was criticized for being out of compliance with
either the Reauthorization Act's reporting requirements or its
obligation to revert to a more inclusive National Drug Control
budget.
Since the hearing, Subcommittee staff has continued to work
with the relevant congressional appropriations staff to ensure
that ONDCP remains accountable to congressional oversight and
has met with ONDCP staff and relevant stakeholders to help
improve ONDCP's operation and federal drug policy priorities.
On May 10, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing, ``Lethal
Loopholes: Deficiencies in State and Federal Gun Purchase
Laws,'' which assessed the adequacy of a federal database used
for checking the criminal and mental health records of gun
purchasers. In 2004, nearly 30,000 Americans died by gunfire
and more than twice that number were treated in emergency rooms
for non-lethal firearm injuries. Social science has
demonstrated that violence levels are related to the relative
availability of firearms to high-risk individuals.
Forty years after the passage of the Gun Control Act,
individuals who are prone to use guns illegally are still
getting guns legally. This pattern was repeated in the shooting
on the campus of Virginia Tech, which took the lives of 32
people. The Subcommittee examined loopholes and deficiencies in
firearm purchasing prohibitions, the quality of the federal
databases used in background checks prior to legal purchase of
guns, and state efforts to stop illegal sales of guns. The
hearing also looked at inconsistencies among the states in
their supplemental gun prohibition laws.
i. Science
The Subcommittee examined a controversial leadership
initiative at the National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences (NIEHS). NIEHS, one of the National Institutes of
Health's (NIH) 27 institutes and centers, researches the links
between environment and human health and reports its results to
improve public health. NIEHS also hosts the peer-reviewed
Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), the leading
environmental sciences journal and the National Toxicology
Program (NTP), which evaluates chemicals and other agents that
may harm human health.
Soon after becoming the director of NIEHS on April 4, 2005,
Dr. David Schwartz set in motion a new set of research
priorities for NIEHS. His primary goal was to shift significant
resources toward clinical research that was focused on
discoveries that would contribute to treating or curing disease
once the patient was already afflicted. There was also an
effort to shift resources away from projects or programs that
represented anything other than scientific research.
In March, 2007, the Subcommittee, in conjunction with the
Oversight and Government Reform Committee, began an inquiry
into Dr. Schwartz's conduct as Director. Several similar
investigations by House and Senate committees were subsequently
launched. The inquiries looked into several allegations,
including conflicts of interest, financial misconduct,
profiting from his title as Director, and extremely low morale
and lack of confidence among NIEHS employees. In August 2007,
Dr. Schwartz was asked to temporarily step down as director of
NIEHS while the NIH conducted its own internal investigation.
The Subcommittee held a hearing entitled ``Will NIEHS's New
Direction Protect Public Health?''
The Subcommittee also began an investigation into the
health dangers posed by cell phone use. On September 25, 2008,
the Subcommittee held a hearing on the status of medical
research on the connection between cell phone use and human
health effects. The hearing, ``Tumors and Cell Phone Use: What
the Science Says,'' examined potential links between mobile
phone use and health effects.
The scientific evidence linking cell phones to health
effects is inconclusive. There is neither enough evidence to
say there is a link nor enough to rule it out. The CTIA, an
international industry trade group representing all wireless
communication sectors, maintains that ``when it comes to your
wireless device you can rest assured the scientific evidence
states wireless devices do not pose a risk to you or your loved
one.''\38\ Other scientists are less certain. A recent study
summarizing the evidence of negative health effects of
prolonged cell phone use found a higher frequency of occurrence
of two types of brain cancers: glioma, a cancer of glial cells
in the brain, and acoustic neuroma, a rare cancer of a nerve in
the inner ear.\39\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\38\CTIA, (online at www.etia.org/consumer_info/safety/index.cfm/
AID/10371) (accessed on Sept. 23, 2008).
\39\David O. Carpenter and Cindy Sage, Setting Prudent Public
Health Policy for Electromagnetic Field Exposures, Reviews on
Environmental Health, at 91-117 (Apr.-June 2008) (online at
www.scribd.com/doc/4090137/ Setting-Prudent-Public-Health-Policy-for-
Electromagnetic-Field-Exposures):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evidence was also found to be growing for links to
neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease).
The evidence for associations with other health effects is not
as strong. They include ``spontaneous abortion, shifts in red
and white blood cell counts, increased mutations in lymphocytes
(white blood cells), and changes in brainwave activity,''
``reduced male fertility,'' parotid gland tumors, and
``behavioral problems of emotion and hyperactivity around the
age of school entry'' with prenatal and postnatal exposure.
j. Labor
The Subcommittee examined the enforcement of labor laws in
New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Following the devastation
caused by Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, President Bush
suspended numerous labor laws and employee immigration
documentation requirements. The stated intent of these actions
was to encourage the speedy clean-up and reconstruction of New
Orleans. The Subcommittee found that the Administration's
policies helped to create an environment of widespread
workplace law violations.
The Subcommittee held two hearings on the topic:
``Evaluating the Labor Department in New Orleans: DOL's
Performance in Investigating and Prosecuting Wage and Hour
Violations and Protecting Guest Workers'' (field hearing in New
Orleans) and ``The Adequacy of Labor Law Enforcement in New
Orleans.''
Over the course of its investigation, the Subcommittee
discovered a significant legal loophole that left non-
agricultural guest workers, or H-2B visa holders, vulnerable to
egregious exploitation including trafficking. The Subcommittee
has made several attempts to rectify this loophole, including
submitting comments to the Department of Labor's proposed
rulemaking and advocating on behalf of a group of Indian
workers who are victims of such trafficking. The Subcommittee
continues to examine this matter in its effort to provide
better protections for non-agricultural guest workers.
Chairman Kucinich and Ranking Member Darrell Issa
introduced H.R. 3875, a bipartisan bill that seeks to provide
greater protection to workers in New Orleans who have been
denied the wages they earned during the clean-up and
reconstruction effort of the ravaged city.
k. Energy
At the request of full Committee Ranking Member Tom Davis,
on April 25, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing, ``Federal
Electric Transmission Corridors: Consequences for Public and
Private Property,'' on implementation of a controversial
provision relating to the siting of electric transmission
lines. Section 1221 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 granted
the federal government new powers to authorize the siting of
electric transmission lines and eminent domain authority to
energy companies seeking to construct those transmission
lines.\40\ Traditionally, this was the exclusive authority of
the states. The hearing examined implementation of Section 1221
by the Department of Energy (DOE) and its upcoming designation
of regions of the country as National Interest Electric
Transmission Corridors (NIETCs). DOE's designations could have
a profound impact on property owners and citizens living within
the corridors, the country's energy infrastructure, and the
environment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\40\Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109-58.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Subcommittee also examined a controversy in gasoline
measurement standards. The amount of gasoline by weight in a
gallon pumped during the hot summer months is less than the
same gallon pumped during cold winter months. This is due to a
physical phenomenon known as thermal expansion. Oil companies
have been aware of the thermal expansion of gasoline for over
100 years, and since the 1920s they have compensated for this
variation in transactions at the wholesale level. Compensation
is applied by mathematically adjusting a given volume of
gasoline at a given temperature to a standard temperature and
volume.
However, oil companies have not compensated for temperature
at the retail level. The result is that the oil companies can
buy gasoline at one temperature and sell it at another, thereby
creating an opportunity for arbitrage, also known as the ``hot
fuel premium.'' Existing technology that can correct for
temperature at the retail level (known as Automatic Temperature
Compensation or ATC) has been available for sale in Canada
since the 1980s, and recently, the State of California
certified it for use there. The oil industry opposes the
deployment of this technology in the United States.
The Subcommittee held two hearings and issued two reports.
The reports estimated the national hot fuel premium to be about
$1.5 billion in summer 2007. The hearings were entitled ``Hot
Fuel: Big Oil's Double Standard for Measuring Gasoline'' and
``ExxonMobil and Shell Answer Questions About Hot Fuel.''
2. Key Letters and Reports
a. Housing and Finance
Letter from Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich to Barney Frank,
Chairman, House Financial Services Committee (Apr. 22, 2008).
This letter suggested a number of modifications to the funding
allocation formula contained in H.R. 5818, the Neighborhood
Stabilization Act of 2008, including targeting neighborhoods
with high concentrations of vacant properties.
Letter from Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich to Steve Preston,
Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department (July 31,
2008). This letter suggested that HUD had statutory discretion
to improve upon the targeting formula in H.R. 3221, and
suggested that HUD develop an allocation formula based on its
testimony before a Domestic Policy Subcommittee hearing on May
22, 2008. That testimony discussed how federal aid could be
targeted based on concentrations of vacant properties.
Letter from Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich to Editor, New York
Times (Oct. 26, 2008). This letter commented that principal
reductions on at-risk mortgage loans have a higher rate of
preventing redefault than other kinds of loan modifications,
and warned that the Treasury Department was not using properly
funds that Congress had authorized to promote foreclosure
prevention.
Letter from Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich to Barney Frank,
Chairman, House Financial Services Committee (Nov. 17, 2008).
This letter relayed findings from a November 14, 2008, hearing
of the Domestic Policy Subcommittee with Mr. Neel Kashkari,
Interim Assistant Secretary for Financial Stabilization and the
top Treasury official at the TARP. The letter discussed the
ways in which Treasury was failing to use the TARP as Congress
intended, and suggested that Congress should inform the White
House that it would withhold the second installment of $350
billion in funds for the TARP until a new Administration takes
office.
b. Health
Letter from Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich and Rep. Elijah E.
Cummings to Jonathan Dinesman, United HealthCare Group, and
Susan Tucker, (Maryland) Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene (Oct. 2, 2007). This letter presents the findings of a
Subcommittee majority staff investigation into the adequacy of
access to dental care for Medicaid beneficiaries in the State
of Maryland and the circumstances of Deamonte Driver's death
due to untreated tooth decay. Those findings include: Deamonte
Driver was one of over 10,780 Medicaid-eligible children in
Maryland who had not seen a dentist in four or more consecutive
years, and most of United HealthCare's dental provider network
was inactive, for a variety of reasons, making access to dental
care for United HealthCare-enrolled beneficiaries difficult.
Letter from Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, to Dennis Smith,
Director, Center for Medicaid & State Operations (Apr. 14,
2008). This letter outlines a number of policy recommendations
for improving access to pediatric dental care under Medicaid,
as well as a number of recommendations at improving federal
oversight of the Medicaid program.
Letter from Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich to Herb Kuhn, Acting
Director, Center for Medicaid & State Operations (Sept. 19,
2008). This letter presented findings from the Subcommittee's
majority staff's investigation of Medicaid pediatric dental
care in several states. Those findings were: a high percentage
of children enrolled in Medicaid did not receive dental care
for four or more consecutive years; few dentists provided the
majority of care to Medicaid enrollees who are children; and
that dental provider networks are characterized by
inaccuracies, making access to dental care difficult. Similar
letters were sent to every State Medicaid Director, as well as
the Medicaid Managed Care Organizations surveyed.
c. Veterans
Report, ``Die or Give Up Trying'': How Poor Contractor
Performance, Government Mismanagement and the Erosion of
Quality Controls Denied Thousands of Disabled Veterans Timely
and Accurate Retroactive Retired Pay Awards, 110th Cong. (July
15, 2008). This report found a pattern of mismanagement and
inadequate contractor performance in the calculation and
distribution of payments to veterans eligible for combat-
related special compensation and concurrent retired and
disability pay.
d. Tax
Letter from Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich to Eric Solomon,
Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, Department of Treasury, and
Douglas Shulman, Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service (May
23, 2008). This letter raised concerns about Treasury's
interpretation of regulations pertaining to the use of payments
in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) to finance tax-exempt bonds for
construction of professional sports stadiums.
Letter from Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich to Michael R.
Bloomberg, Mayor, City of New York (Oct. 14, 2008). This letter
presents evidence of inaccuracies and possible material
misrepresentations made by the City of New York to IRS in
pursuit of PILOT-backed tax-exempt bonds for construction of a
new Yankee Stadium.
e. Environment
Letter from Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich to Dr. Andrew von
Eschenbach, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (July
28, 2008). This letter details findings of Subcommittee's
investigation into FDA compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) with respect to its
classification of dental mercury as a medical device. The
letter stressed that there was no evidence in the FDA
administrative record that FDA had ever considered
environmental impacts of classification or reclassification of
mercury-related dental devices before foregoing an EA or EIS.
Report, Reducing Dental Mercury Emissions: Installing
Amalgam Separators and Achieving Compliance, 110th Cong. (Sept.
10, 2008). This report, from a Subcommittee majority staff
survey of state and local authorities, found that dental
mercury emissions were most successfully curtailed by mandatory
requirements to install and use mercury separation technology,
or voluntary programs underpinned with the threat of a
mandatory provision.
f. Energy
Report, American Consumers Will Pay a Hot Fuel Premium,
110th Cong. (June 7, 2007). This report found that 513.8
million gallons of gasoline sold in the summer of 2007 would be
attributable to the thermal expansion of gasoline, and that
consumers would pay a hot fuel premium during the summer in the
range of $1.5 billion.
3. Hearings
In the 110th Congress, the Domestic Policy Subcommittee
held 31 hearings, receiving testimony from 217 witnesses.
``Foreclosure, Predatory Mortgage & Payday Lending in
America's Cities'' (March 21, 2007). Witnesses: Mr. James
Rokakis, Cuyahoga County Treasurer, Cleveland, OH; Ms. Inez
Killingsworth, President, East Side Organizing Project,
Cleveland, OH; Mr. Bill Rinehart, Vice President and Chief Risk
Officer, Ocwen Financial Corp., West Palm Beach, FL; Mr. Josh
Nassar, Vice President, Center for Responsible Lending,
Washington, DC; Professor Dan Immergluck, Georgia Institute of
Technology, Atlanta, GA; and Mr. Harry Dinham, President,
National Association of Mortgage Brokers, Mclean, VA; Ms. Rita
L. Haynes, CEO, Faith Community United Credit Union, Cleveland,
OH; Mr. Ed Jacob, Northside Community Federal Credit Union,
Chicago, IL; Mr. David Rothstein, Policy Matters Ohio,
Cleveland, OH; Ms. Fran Grossman, ShoreBank Corp., Chicago, IL;
Ms. Jean Ann Fox, Consumer Federation of America, Washington,
DC; Mr. Calvin Bradford, National Training & Information
Center, Chicago, IL; Mr. Thomas FitzGibbon, Jr., MB Financial
Bank, Rosemount, IL; Mr. Jim McCarthy, President, Miami Fair-
Housing, Dayton, OH; Professor Michael T. Maloney, Department
of Economics, Clemson, SC.
``Build It and They Will Come: Do Taxpayer-Financed Sports
Stadiums, Convention Centers and Hotels Deliver as Promised for
America's Cities?'' (March 29, 2007). Witnesses: Ms. Joyce
Hogi, Bronx, NY; Mr. Frank Rashid, Detroit, MI; Mr. Nick
Licata, President, Seattle City Council, Seattle, WA; Mr. Neil
de Mause, author, Brooklyn, NY; Mr. Brad Humphreys, Ph.D.,
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL; Heywood
Sanders, Ph.D., University of Texas, San Antonio, San Antonio,
TX; Mr. Dennis Zimmerman, Falls Church, VA; Mr. Bob Murphy,
President, Dayton Dragons, Dayton, OH; Mr. Michael Decker,
Senior Managing Director, Research and Public Policy, The
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association,
Washington, DC; Mr. Donald Korb, Chief Counsel, Internal
Revenue Service.
``Federal Electric Transmission Corridors: Consequences for
Public and Private Property'' (April 25, 2007). Witnesses:
Representative Bill DeWeese, Majority Leader, Pennsylvania
House of Representatives; Assemblyman Paul D. Tonko, Chair,
Committee on Energy, New York State Assembly; Mr. Kurt Adams,
Chairman, Maine Public Utilities Commission; Ms. Elizabeth
Merritt, Deputy General Counsel, National Trust for Historic
Preservation; Mr. Paul D. Koonce, Chief Executive Officer,
Dominion Resources, Inc.; Mr. Chris Miller, President, Piedmont
Environmental Council; Mr. Kevin Kolevar, Director, Office of
Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Department of
Energy.
``Evaluating Pediatric Dental Care Under Medicaid'' (May 2,
2007). Witnesses: Ms. Laurie Norris, Staff Attorney, Public
Justice Center; Dr. Frederick Clark, DDS, Dentist, Prince
George's County, National Dental Association, member; Dr.
Norman Tinanoff, DDS, Chair, Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Dental School, University of Maryland; Mr. James Cosgrove,
Ph.D., Director, Health Care, Government Accountability Office;
Mr. Dennis Smith, Director, Center for Medicaid and State
Operations Health and Human Services; Ms. Susan Tucker, MBA,
Executive Director, Office of Health Services, Maryland
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene; Dr. Allen Finklestein,
Chief Dental Officer, United Health Care; Ms. Jane Perkins,
Legal Director, National Health Law Program.
``Lethal Loopholes: Deficiencies in State and Federal Gun
Purchase Laws'' (May 10, 2007). Witnesses: Ms. Robyn Thomas,
Executive Director, Legal Community Against Violence; Mr. Paul
Helmke, President, Brady Campaign Against Handgun Violence; Mr.
John Feinblatt, Criminal Justice Coordinator for New York; Ms.
Rachel L. Brand, Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal
Policy, U.S. Department of Justice; Mr. Stephen R. Rubenstein,
Chief Counsel, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms &
Explosives (will not testify, but will answer questions);
Professor Daniel Webster, Johns Hopkins University; Professor
Susan Sorenson, University of Pennsylvania; Mr. Ron Honberg,
Director of Policy and Legal Affairs, National Alliance on
Mental Illness.
``Foreclosure and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland''
(May 21, 2007). Witnesses: Mr. Charles Bromley, Adjunct
Faculty, Levin College of Urban Affairs; Mr. Jim Rokakis,
Treasurer, Cuyahoga County; Ms. Barbara Anderson, Board Member,
East Side Organizing Project; Ms. Sandra F. Braunstein,
Director, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs; Mr.
Raymond Pianka, Judge, Cleveland Municipal Housing Court; Ms.
Kathleen Engel, Professor, Marshall School of Law; Mr. Alex J.
Pollock, Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute; Ms.
Marlanne McCarty-Collins, Senior Vice President for Insight
Bank.
``Hot Fuels: Big Oil's Double Standard for Measuring
Gasoline'' (June 8, 2007). Witnesses: Mr. Richard Suiter,
Weights & Measures Coordinator, National Institute of
Technology and Standards; Mr. Michael Cleary, Chairman,
National Conference on Weights and Measures; Mr. Martin
Gafinowitz, CEO, Gilbarco Veeder-Root; Mr. John Seibert, Owner-
Operator Independent Truck Drivers Association; Mr. Rex
Tillerson, CEO, ExxonMobil (invited) Mr. John Hofmeister,
President, Shell (invited); Mr. R. Timothy Columbus, General
Counsel, National Association of Convenience Stores, and
General Counsel, Independent Gasoline Marketers of America.
``Adequacy of Labor Law Enforcement in New Orleans'' (June
26, 2007). Witnesses: Mr. Jeffrey Steele, Former employee of
the Army Corps of Engineers; Mr. Ted Smukler, Director of
Public Policy, Immigrant Worker Justice; Ms. Jennifer
Rosenbaum, Staff attorney, Immigrant Justice Project, Southern
Poverty Law Center; Mr. Saket Soni and Mr. Jacob Horowitz, New
Orleans Workers Center for Racial Justice; Mr. Paul DeCamp,
Administrator, Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards
Administration, Department of Labor; Ms. Tracie Washington,
President and CEO, Louisiana Justice Institute; Ms. Catherine
Ruckelshaus, Litigation Director, National Employment Law
Project.
``After Blackstone: Should Small Investors Be Exposed to
Risks of Hedge Funds?'' (Wednesday, July 11, 2007). Witnesses:
Mr. Andrew ``Buddy'' Donahue, Director of the Division of
Investment Management, Securities & Exchange Commission;
Professor Mercer Bullard, University of Mississippi Law School;
Professor John Coffee, Columbia Law School; Mr. Joseph Borg,
President of the Board of Directors of the North American
Securities Administrators Association (NASAA); Mr. Peter
Tanous, President and CEO, Lynx Investment Advisory, LLC.
``ExxonMobil and Shell Answer Questions About Hot Fuel''
(July 25, 2007). Witnesses: Mr. Ben Soraci, U.S. Retail Sales
Director, ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company; Mr. Hugh Cooley,
Vice President and General Manager, National Wholesale and
Joint Ventures, Shell Oil.
``Combating Drug Abuse and Drug-related Crime: What Is
Working in Baltimore?'' (October 1, 2007). Witnesses: Ms. Lena
Franklin, Director Recovery in Community; Ms. Rita Fayall,
Program Coordinator, Meet Me Halfway Village Center; Mr. Leon
Faruq, Program Director, Operation Safe Streets East; Ms.
Sheryl Goldstein, Director, Mayors Office on Criminal Justice
Dr. Josh Sharfstein, Commissioner, Baltimore City Health
Department; The Honorable Ellen M. Heller, Retired,
Administrative Judge and Judge in Charge of the Civil Docket,
Circuit Baltimore City; The Honorable Jamey H. Weitzman,
Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Baltimore City; The Honorable
David W. Young, Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Baltimore
City; Dr. Philip J. Leaf, Professor, John Hopkins Bloomberg
School of Public Health.
``Will NIEHS' New Direction Protect Public Health?''
(September 25, 2007). Witnesses: Dr. Samuel H. Wilson, Acting
Director, NIEH; Mr. George W. Lucier, Ph.D., Former Editor in
Chief of EHP, and former Associate Director of NTP; Dr. Lynn
Goldman, Professor, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School
of Public Health; Ms. Peggy Shepard, Executive Director, WE ACT
for Environmental Justice; Ms. Stefani D. Hines, M.A., M.S.,
Member, National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council
(NAEHSC), Environmental Health Specialist at the University of
New Mexico in Albuquerque.
``Professional Sports Stadiums: Do They Divert Public Funds
from Critical Public Infrastructure?'' (October 10, 2007).
Witnesses: Mr. Eric Solomon, Assistant Secretary for Tax
Policy, Department of Treasury; Mr. Arthur J. Rolnick, Senior
Vice President and Research Director, Federal Reserve Bank of
Minneapolis; Professor Judith Grant Long, Assistant Professor
of Urban Planning, Graduate School of Design, Harvard
University; Professor David P. Hale, Director, Aging
Infrastructure Systems Center of Excellence, University of
Alabama; Ms. Bettina Damiani, Director, Good Jobs New York; Mr.
Steven Maguire, Ph.D., Specialist in Public Finance,
Congressional Research Service.
``Upholding the Spirit of the CRA: Do CRA Ratings
Accurately Reflect Bank Practices?'' (October 24, 2007)
Witnesses: Ms. Sandra Thompson, Director, Division of
Supervision and Consumer Protection, Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation; Ms. Sandra F. Braunstein, Director, Division of
Consumer and Community Affairs, Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System; Ms. Montrice Yakimov, Managing Director
for Compliance and Consumer Protection, Office of Thrift
Supervision; Ms. Ann Jaedicke, Deputy Comptroller for
Compliance Policy, Comptroller of the Currency; Mr. Calvin
Bradford, Board Member, National Training and Information
Center; Mr. James H. Carr, Chief Operating Officer, National
Community Reinvestment Coalition; Mr. Richard Marsico,
Professor of Law, New York Law School, Director Justice Action
Center; Mr. Hubert Van Tol, Director, Economic Justice, Rural
Opportunities, Inc.
``Evaluating the Labor Department in New Orleans: DOL's
Performance in Investigating and Prosecuting Wage and Hour
Violations and Protecting Guest Workers'' (October 29, 2007).
Witnesses: Professor Luz Molina, Clinical Professor, Law Clinic
and Center for Social Justice, Loyola Law School; Mr. Jeffrey
Steele, Former Clean-up Worker in New Orleans Tyrone Wilson,
Former Clean-up Worker in New Orleans; Mr. Alfred McQuirter,
Former Clean-up Worker in New Orleans; Mr. Rodney Smith, Former
Clean-up Worker in New Orleans; Mr. Jaime Games, Worker; Mr.
Sabulal Vijayan, Guest Worker; Ms. Maria Eugenia, Guest Worker;
Mr. Rolando Sanchez, Guest Worker; Mr. Axel Landivar, Guest
Worker; Mr. Daniel Castellanos, Former Guest Worker and
Organizer with the New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial
Justice; * Mr. Jacob Horowitz, New Orleans Workers' Center for
Racial Justice, provided translation for Panel II.; Ms. Barbara
Hicks, Director, Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards
Administration, Department of Labor District Office, New
Orleans.
``Environmental Risks of and Regulatory Response to Mercury
Dental Fillings'' (November 14, 2007). Witnesses: Mr. Ephraim
King, Director, Office of Science and Technology, Office of
Water, Environmental Protection Agency; Dr. Norris Alderson,
Director, Office of Science and Health Coordination, Food and
Drug Administration; Mr. Ray Clark, Senior Partner, The Clark
Group LLC; Mr. Bruce Terris, Partner, Terris, Pravlik &
Millian, LLP; Mr. C. Mark Smith, Co-Chair, Mercury Task Force,
New England Governor's Conference; Mr. Michael Bender,
Executive Director, Mercury Policy Project; Dr. Rod Mackert,
DDS and faculty member, Medical College of Georgia.
``What the October Wildfires Reveal About Preparedness in
Southern California'' (December 10, 2007). Witnesses: Mr. Tony
Morris, Founder and Researcher, Wildlife Research Network; Mr.
Jeffrey Bowman, Former Fire Chief, City of San Diego Fire-
Rescue Department; Ms. Tracy Jarman, Fire Chief, City of San
Diego Fire-Rescue Department; Mr. P. Michael Freeman, Fire
Chief, Los Angeles County Fire Department; Mr. Chip Prather,
Fire Chief, Orange County Fire Authority; Mr. Ruben Grijalva,
Director, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; Mr. Ron
Roberts, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, County of San Diego;
Ms. Nancy Ward, Region 9 Administrator, FEMA; Mr. Mark Rey,
Undersecretary for National Resources and the Environment, U.S.
Department of Agriculture; Mr. Steve Poizner, Commissioner,
California Department of Insurance; Ms. Tracy Nelson, Chairman,
La Jolla Indian Reservation.
``Assessing the Environmental Risks of the Water Bottling
Industry's Extraction of Groundwater'' (December 12, 2007).
Witnesses: Mr. Richard McFarland, McCloud Watershed Council;
Ms. Terry Swier, Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation; Mr.
Bill McCann, Save Our Groundwater; Ms. Heidi Paul, Vice
President, Corporate Affairs, Nestle Waters North America,
Inc.; Ms. Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director, Food & Water
Watch; Professor David W. Hyndman, Department of Geological
Sciences, Michigan State University; Professor Noah D. Hall,
Wayne State University Law School; Mr. Joseph K. Doss,
President and CEO, International Bottled Water Association; Mr.
James Wilfong, Executive Director, H2O for ME.
``One Year Later: Medicaid's Response to Systemic Problems
Revealed by the Death of Deamonte Driver'' (February 14, 2008).
Witnesses: Mr. Dennis Smith, Director, Center for Medicaid and
State Operations; Dr. Jim Crall, Director, Oral Health Policy
Center, Professor and Chair, Section of Pediatric Dentistry,
UCLA School of Dentistry; Dr. Burton Edelstein, Founding Chair,
Children's Dental Health Project Professor and Chair, Social
and Behavioral Sciences, Columbia University College of Dental
Medicine.
``The National Drug Control Strategy for 2008, the Fiscal
Year 2009 National Drug Control Budget, and Compliance with the
ONDCP Reauthorization Act of 2006: Priorities and
Accountability at ONDCP'' (March 12, 2008). Witnesses: Mr. John
P. Walters, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy;
Mr. John Carnevale, Ph.D., President, Carnevale Associates,
LLC; Ms. Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, Ph.D., Co-Director, RAND Drug
Policy Research Center.
``Is USDA Accounting for Costs to Farmers Caused by
Contamination from Genetically Engineered Plants?'' (March 13,
2008). Witnesses: Mr. Harvey Howington, Conventional and GE
Grain Grower, Lepanto, Arkansas; Mr. Todd Leake, Conventional
and GE Grain Grower, Emerado, North Dakota; Mr. Don Cameron,
Conventional, Organic and GE Crop Grower, Helm, California; Mr.
Fred Kirschenmann, Organic Grain Grower, Medina, North Dakota;
Professor Colin Carter, Agricultural Economist, University of
California, Davis; Mr. Ray Clark, Senior Partner, The Clark
Group LLC, Washington, DC; Ms. Cindy Smith, Administrator,
Animal and Plant Inspection Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
``After the Beef Recall: Exploring Greater Transparency in
the Meat Industry'' (April 17, 2008). Witnesses: Dr. Richard
Raymond, Undersecretary, USDA, Food Safety; Ms. Lisa Shames,
Director GAO, Natural Resources and the Environment; Mr. Stan
Painter, Chairman, National Joint Council of Food Inspection
Locals, American Federation of Government Employees; Dr. Temple
Grandin, Professor, Colorado State University; Mr. Bev
Eggleston, Owner, Ecofriendly Foods, LLC; Mr. Joel Salatin,
Owner, Polyface Farms; Mr. Patrick Boyle, CEO, American Meat
Institute; Mr. Wayne Pacelle, CEO, Humane Society of the United
States; Dr. John J. McGlone, Fellow, American Humane &
Professor, Texas Tech University; Mr. Adam Aronson, CEO,
Arrowsight.
``Neighborhoods: The Blameless Victims of the Subprime
Mortgage Crisis'' (May 21, 2008). Mr. Daniel T. Kildee,
Treasurer, Genesee County, Michigan; Ms. Nancy Floreen,
Councilmember, Montgomery County, Maryland; Mr. John Talmage,
President and CEO, Social Compact; Ms. Vicki Been, Elihu Root
Professor of Law and Professor of Public Policy; Co-Director,
Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, New York
University School of Law; Ms. Phyllis G. Betts, Director,
Center for Community Building and Neighborhood Action, School
of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, University of Memphis; Mr.
Alan Mallach, Senior Fellow, National Housing Institute; Mr.
Doug Leeper, Code of Enforcement Manager, City of Chula Vista,
California; Mr. Dean Baker, Co-Director, Center for Economic
Policy Research.
``Targeting Federal Aid to Neighborhoods Distressed by the
Subprime Mortgage Crisis'' (Thursday, May 22, 2008). Witnesses:
Mr. Frank S. Alexander, Professor of Law, Emory University
School of Law; Mr. Todd M. Richardson, Director, Program
Evaluation Division, Office of Policy Development and Research,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Mr. Thomas G.
Kingsley, Urban Institute; Mr. Christopher Walker, Local
Initiatives Support Corporation.
``Assessing State and Local Regulations to Reduce Dental
Mercury Emissions'' (July 8, 2008). Witnesses: Mr. Michael
Bender, Executive Director, Mercury Policy Project; Dr. Rich
Fischer, Former President, International Academy of Oral
Medicine and Toxicology; Mr. Curt McCormick, former
Administrator, EPA Region 8; Mr. William Walsh, Counsel,
American Dental Association; Ms. Pat Magnusson, King County,
Seattle, Industrial Waste Investigator; Ms. Ann Farrell,
Director, Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District,
Engineering Department; Dr. Marc Smith, Deputy Director,
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection & Co-
chair, New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers
Mercury Task Force; Mr. Owen Boyd, CEO, Solmetex.
``Examining Contractor Performance and Government
Management of Retroactive Pay for Retired Veterans with
Disabilities'' (July 16, 2008). Witnesses: Mr. Zack E. Gaddy,
Director, Defense Finance and Accounting Service; Mr. Joseph
Cipriano, President, Lockheed Martin Business Process
Solutions; Mr. Gordon Heddell, Acting Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Defense Office of Inspector General; Mr. Pierre
Sprey, Independent Statistics Expert.
``Gaming the Tax Code: Public Subsidies, Private Profits,
and Big League Sports in New York'' (September 18, 2008).
Witnesses: Mr. Stephen Larson, Associate Chief Counsel,
Financial Institutions and Products, Internal Revenue Service;
Assemblyman Richard L. Brodsky, 92nd Assembly District, New
York State; Professor Clayton Gillette, New York University
School of Law; Professor Brad R. Humphreys, Department of
Economics, University of Alberta.
``Necessary Reform to Pediatric Dental Care Under
Medicaid'' (September 23, 2008). Witnesses: Mr. Herb Kuhn,
Acting Director, Center for Medicaid and State Operations; Ms.
Alicia Cackley, Acting Director, Health Care Team, Government
Accountability Office; Ms. Susan Tucker, MBA, Executive
Director, Office of Health Services, Maryland Department of
Health & Mental Hygiene; Mr. Patrick Finnerty, Director,
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services; Dr. Mark
Casey, DDS, MPH, Dental Director, North Carolina Division of
Medical Assistance; Ms. Linda Smith Lowe, Esq., Public Policy
Advocate, Georgia Legal Services Program; Dr. Jane Grover,
American Dental Association; Dr. Jim Crall, Director, Oral
Health Policy Center, Professor and Chair, Section of Pediatric
Dentistry, UCLA School of Dentistry.
``Tumors and Cell Phone Use: What the Science Says''
(Thursday, September 25, 2008). Witnesses: Mrs. Ellie Marks,
Lafayette, California; Mr. Julius Knapp, Director, Office of
Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications Commission;
Dr. David O. Carpenter, Director, Institute for Health and the
Environment, University of Albany; Dr. Ronald B. Herberman,
Director, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.
``Gaming the Tax Code: the New York Yankees and the City of
New York Respond to Questions About the New Yankee Stadium''
(October 24, 2008). Witnesses: Mr. Randy Levine, President, New
York Yankees; Ms. Martha Stark, Commissioner, New York City
Economic Development Corporation; Mr. Seth Pinsky, President,
New York City Economic Development Corporation; Assemblyman
Richard L. Brodsky, 92nd Assembly District of New York State.
``Is Treasury Using Bailout Funds to Increase Foreclosure
Prevention, as Congress Intended?'' (November 14, 2008).
Witnesses: Mr. Neel Kashkari, Interim Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury for Financial Stability and Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury for International Economics and Development;
Professor Michael Barr, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Community Development, Department of Treasury, University of
Michigan Law School & Center for American Progress; Professor
Anthony B. Sanders, W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona
State University; Ms. Alys Cohen, Staff Attorney, National
Consumer Law Center; Mr. Larry Litton, Chairman, Litton Loan
Servicing LP; Mr. Stephen S. Kudenholdt, Partner, Thacher
Proffitt & Wood; Mr. Thomas Deutsch, Deputy Director, American
Securitization Forum.
4. Legislation
The Subcommittee worked on two measures:
Rep. Kucinich's amendment to H.R. 5818, which modified the
purposes of the legislation to emphasize the problems posed to
neighborhoods by increasing rates of vacant and abandoned
properties and changed the state-to-local jurisdiction funding
formula to ensure that up-to-date vacancy statistics are used
to suballocate the funds where they are most needed. The House
adopted the amendment on May 7, 2008.
H.R. 3875, a bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Kucinich on
October 17, 2007. This measure seeks to provide greater
protection to workers in New Orleans who have been denied the
wages they earned during the clean-up and reconstruction effort
of the ravaged city.
B. SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL WORKFORCE, POSTAL SERVICE, AND THE DISTRICT
OF COLUMBIA
The Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and
the District of Columbia has jurisdiction over federal employee
issues, the municipal affairs (other than appropriations) of
the District of Columbia, and the Postal Service. The
Subcommittee's jurisdiction includes postal namings, holidays,
and celebrations. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Danny K. Davis
served as Chairman and Rep. Kenny Marchant as Ranking Member.
1. Overview by Issue Area
a. Federal Workforce
(1) Pay for Performance
On February 12, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled, ``Robbing Mary to Pay Peter and Paul: The
Administration's Pay for Performance System.'' The hearing
examined the implementation of pay-for-performance systems at
the Internal Revenue Service and the Securities and Exchange
Commission. It also examined the Director of National
Intelligence's proposal to implement a pay-for-performance
system across the intelligence community. The impact on pay,
morale, minorities, and labor-management relations was also
examined. Witness testimony revealed a number of problems in
the design and implementation of these systems, which have led
to labor disputes, adverse impacts on protected classes,
confusion over what precisely constitutes ``good'' job
performance, diminished employee morale, failure to provide
cost of living increases to employees who meet performance
expectations, and the use of invalidated performance management
systems that were developed without the input or support of
employees.
(2) GAO
Over the past two years, the Subcommittee has conducted
vigorous oversight of the new personnel system at the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) to determine whether it
is modern, effective, credible, transparent, and whether there
are adequate safeguards in place to ensure fairness and prevent
politicization and abuse. The Subcommittee sought to determine
whether it was a good model that could be implemented
governmentwide.
The criteria for the Subcommittee's review were established
by GAO as the appropriate basis for federal agencies to develop
and implement new pay systems. However, the Subcommittee found
that GAO failed to meet these criteria when implementing its
own newly developed pay system. The Subcommittee found that GAO
employees who met or exceeded performance expectations in 2006
and 2007 did not receive an annual cost of living increase
(COLA). Furthermore, the decision to deny these employees their
COLA was based on a poorly executed compensation study
conducted by Watson Wyatt Worldwide. The Subcommittee also
found a lack of transparency in the new system; a lack of
employee involvement in the development of the system; and that
the system has an adverse impact on minorities and tenured
employees.
The Subcommittee documented these findings in the record
established during the Subcommittee's joint House/Senate
hearing on GAO's pay system, which was held in May 2007, as
well as at the Subcommittee's November 2007 hearing on Senior
Executive Service (SES) diversity in legislative branch
agencies.
Unfortunately, throughout the course of GAO's
implementation of the most significant package of personnel
reforms in its history, the agency never surveyed its employees
to obtain their views on the new system. During the May 2007
hearing, Chairman Davis asked GAO's Employee Advisory Council
to work with the Subcommittee to develop and deploy such a
survey. The survey was deployed on November 14, 2007, and
closed on December 14, 2007, with a 71% response rate. GAO will
be briefing Subcommittee staff on the survey findings.
The Subcommittee staff has also been monitoring the
disparity between African-American performance ratings and
Caucasian performance ratings at GAO. The staff has and will
continue to be briefed by the Ivy Consulting Group hired by GAO
to study this matter.
The Subcommittee's investigation culminated in the passage
of H.R. 5683, the ``Government Accountability Act of 2008.''
Provisions of the bill were discussed at a March 13, 2008,
hearing on GAO personnel reforms. Chairman Danny K. Davis
introduced H.R. 5683 on April 2, 2008. It addressed a number of
issues related to pay and personnel matters, access to
information, and internal operations at GAO.
The legislation supplements GAO's pay-for-performance pay
system with a ``floor guarantee'' for employees. The ``floor
guarantee'' provision will ensure that in the future GAO
employees who are performing at a satisfactory level will
receive at least as much as the annual adjustment under the GS
system. However, the bill maintains some of GAO's flexibility
to set an annual across-the-board increase. The bill also
includes important provisions that will enhance the ability of
GAO to perform its oversight functions. In addition, the bill
provides for salary increases and lump sum payments to GAO
employees who were denied cost of living increases in 2006 and
2007.
The bill was marked up by the Subcommittee on April 3,
2008, was amended, and was favorably reported out of the full
Committee on May 22, 2008. H.R. 5683 passed the House on June
9, 2008, the Senate on August 1, 2008, and was signed into law
on September 22, 2008. (Public Law No. 110-323)
(3) Diversity
Federal workforce diversity has been a longstanding
priority of Chairman Davis. At his request, GAO has been
carefully examining this issue for several years. In 2001 and
2003, GAO issued reports on diversity in the Senior Executive
Service (SES). GAO released its third report on the issue in
December 2008. The third report examined whether or not the
federal government has made any progress in diversifying the
SES and examined the diversity in the senior ranks of the
Postal Service.
During this Congress, the Subcommittee held important
hearings on the issue of diversity in the federal workplace.
The first, held on May 10, 2007, examined diversity at the
highest levels of executive branch agencies and the Postal
Service. The second hearing, held on November 13, 2007,
coincided with the release of a Subcommittee report entitled,
``Senior Executive Service: Women and Minorities are
Underrepresented in Most Legislative Branch Agencies.'' The
hearing and the report revealed that the SES at each
legislative branch agency (the Government Accountability
Office, the Library of Congress (LOC), the Congressional Budget
Office (CBO), the Government Printing Office (GPO), the U.S.
Capitol Police (USCP), and the Architect of the Capitol (AOC))
was less diverse with respect to minorities than its workforce
as a whole in FY 2007 and less diverse with respect to women in
four of the agencies.
In a letter dated November 14, 2007, Chairman Davis
requested that the Inspectors General (IGs) for the legislative
branch agencies conduct a review of their respective diversity
offices. The Subcommittee followed up on its request to
legislative branch inspector generals to audit their respective
agency's diversity offices with a hearing on September 16,
2008.
The hearing revealed that the percentage of the female SES
members is low in some agencies (e.g. GPO, 11.5%) in comparison
to (a) the percentage of female SES members in the other
legislative branch agencies (the average of the other four
agencies is 37%), (b) the percentage of female executive branch
SES members in 2007 (28.6%) or (c) the percentage of women in
individual agencies' workforces (42.4% in GPO in 2007).
The summary IG report revealed that the AOC and GPO have
increased minority representation since 2002. While this is
good news, GPO (the agency with the greatest percentage
progress) still had the lowest minority representation
percentage of the five agencies (18.5%), and the actual
increase was from one minority in the SES (out of 21) to three
(out of 26). At AOC, the increase was from two minorities in
the SES (out of 15) to five (out of 27).
The report went on to say that minority representation at
the other three agencies (GAO, LOC and USCP) ``has been
relatively stable.'' Actually, in all three agencies, the
percentage of minorities in the SES went down somewhat (e.g.,
from 16.7% to 14% at USCP).
The summary report stated that the agencies ``have
generally made strides in improving diversity in developmental
pools, particularly the representation of women.'' However, the
percentage of the developmental pool constituting women at the
AOC went down, from 25% in 2002 to 23% in 2007. The percentage
of the developmental pool constituting women at the LOC
increased by only one percentage point in five years (from
39.6% to 40.6%). Also, the percentage of the developmental pool
constituting minorities fell at AOC substantially (from 25.0%
(4 of 16) to 12.8% (5 of 39)). On the other hand, the increase
in the percentage of women in the developmental pool at GPO was
remarkable (from 3.1% (one of 32) to 29.1% (23 of 79)).
Notwithstanding this progress, the data reveals that GPO is
still next to the bottom in this category.
In September of 2007, GAO hired the Ivy Planning Group, an
independent management and training consulting contractor, to
assess why persistent gaps exist in performance rating averages
between African-American and Caucasian GAO analysts. The Ivy
Group completed its study and testified before the
Subcommittee.
Among other things, the Ivy Group found:
There are differences in ratings between African
American analysts and Caucasian analysts in general, by
competency, pay band, team, and location, and regardless of the
race of the rater, the differences are statistically
significant.
The same factors impact African American and
Caucasian analysts' ratings differently. For example, having a
Ph.D. has a statistically significant positive effect for
Caucasian analysts but no effect for African American analysts.
Caucasian analysts receive a ratings benefit from
being assigned to high risk projects compared to African
American analysts who receive no statistically significant
benefit from being assigned to a high risk project.
On average, raters of all races rated African
American analysts lower than Caucasian analysts. The
differences were statistically significant when the rater was
African American, Hispanic, or Caucasian. Based on this data,
rater race demographics did not influence Caucasian analysts'
ratings.
With the exception of the average rating for
improving professional competence, African American analysts'
mean scores were lower than Caucasian analysts' mean scores
across all competencies. Two of the three competencies that
were dropped in 2004 (improving professional competence and
facilitating and implementing change) are two of the three
competencies for which the differences were not statistically
significant. While not statistically significant, they are the
competencies for which African American analysts performed
better.
It is clear that the legislative branch agencies have a lot
more work to do to diversify their senior ranks and that more
oversight is needed in this area.
H.R. 3774, the Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance
Act of 2007, was introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Danny K.
Davis on October 9, 2007. The purpose of H.R. 3774 is to
promote diversity in the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The bill requires federal agencies to put in place systems
that will attract and retain minorities in the SES. At a joint
House and Senate Federal workforce Subcommittee hearing on
April 3, 2008, GAO testified that a significantly lower number
of minorities and women are members of the SES in comparison to
the numbers of minorities and women employed in the GS-15 and
GS-14 levels, the feeder pools for the SES. According to GAO,
in 2007, minorities made up 22.5% of the employees in the SES
development pool while only making up 15.8% of the SES. The
purpose of H.R. 3774 is to ensure that there is not only a
vibrant and diverse SES workforce but also that all qualified
employees have the opportunity to become members of the SES.
On April 15, 2008, the Subcommittee favorably reported H.R.
3774 to the full Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
On May 1, 2008, the full Committee ordered the bill reported,
as amended, by voice vote. The bill was amended to address
concerns raised by the Office of Personnel Management and
Department of Justice that the bill was unconstitutional
because it required SES selection panels to be comprised of
three members of which one was required to be a woman and
another to be a minority. H.R. 3774 passed the House on June 3,
2008.
(4) Telework
During previous Congresses, Chairman Davis has advocated
for and introduced legislation to encourage teleworking in the
federal government to better address emergency preparedness and
continuity of operations.
On May 7, 2007, Chairman Davis, along with Chairman Waxman,
and Ranking Members Tom Davis and Kenny Marchant, wrote to 25
federal departments and agencies requesting information on
their telework programs. What the Subcommittee learned from
agency responses was that telework is being inconsistently
defined and implemented across the federal government.
On November 6, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled, ``Telework: Breaking New Ground.'' The hearing
examined why telework continues to be underutilized by federal
agencies and what improvements are needed to allow more federal
employees to participate in telework programs.
To address the underutilization of teleworking across the
federal government, Chairman Davis and Chairman Waxman
introduced the ``Telework Improvement Act of 2007,'' H.R. 4106,
which breaks new ground by ensuring that eligible federal
employees have the opportunity to telework and that agencies
are incorporating telework into their continuity of operations
planning. The bill includes measures to improve the efficiency
of the federal workforce through the revitalization of telework
guidelines and procedures.
H.R. 4106 is the result of bipartisan congressional
cooperation and consultation with the OPM and other relevant
government agencies. As the bill moved through the process,
provisions were added to address the concerns of members of
Congress and the Administration and ensure the proper oversight
and implementation of the government's telework program. H.R.
4106 was approved by the House on June 3, 2008.
(5) Leave
On March 6, 2008, the Subcommittee and the Joint Economic
Committee held a hearing titled ``Investing in the Future of
the Federal Workforce: Paid Parental Leave to Improve
Recruitment and Retention.'' The hearing examined H.R. 3799,
the ``Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2007'' (the
Act). Introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney on October 10, 2007,
the Act provides that all federal employees receive eight weeks
of full pay and benefits, while continuing to accrue leave, for
leave taken for the birth or adoption of a child. Rep. Maloney
also serves as Vice Chair of the Joint Economic Committee.
The federal government trails other Organization for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in this
area. The European Union, for example, requires that member
countries offer 14 weeks of pay maternity leave. This boosts
women's employment by increasing the likelihood that women will
return to their jobs after childbirth. In general, research
shows that paid family leave benefits can lead to increased
productivity and morale, reduce absenteeism, and lower turnover
and training costs. However, companies can see the benefits of
paid family leave most directly in terms of reduced turnover
costs. Women who had access to leave--either paid or unpaid--at
the birth of their first child are more likely to go back to
their job after childbirth. Research further confirms that paid
leave is a better retention policy than unpaid leave because
the probability of returning to the same employer after having
a child is 5.4% greater for women who received paid maternity
leave compared to those who received unpaid maternity leave.
To address concerns raised by the Administration and
members of Congress, Rep. Maloney reintroduced H.R. 3799 as
H.R. 5781, the ``Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of
2008,'' on April 14, 2008. After discussions with Chairman
Davis, provisions were added that directed GAO to study and
submit to Congress a written report of the ``feasibility and
desirability'' of offering an insurance benefit to federal
employees (not to include parental leave) that would provide
wage replacement during periods related to serious health
conditions.
The Subcommittee held a markup on April 15, 2008, to review
and strengthen the bill. During the Subcommittee markup, H.R.
5781 was amended by Chairman Waxman to provide four weeks
instead of eight weeks of paid parental leave as a way to
address potential cost concerns. H.R. 5781 as amended was
approved by the Subcommittee by voice vote. The Oversight
Committee marked up the bill on April 16, 2008, and ordered the
bill to be reported without recommendation.
Ultimately, Chairman Davis' provision requiring GAO to
conduct a feasibility study on a type of ``disability
insurance'' was removed from the bill when it was considered by
the House on June 19, 2008. However, the Chairman made a direct
request to GAO to execute the report, which GAO agreed to do.
H.R. 5781 passed the House.
(6) Health Care
On Wednesday, December 3, 2008, the Subcommittee held a
hearing to examine the Federal Employees Health Benefits
Program Plan (FEHBP) benefit design decisions and the changes
to the 2009 Blue Cross Blue Shield (the Blues) health benefit.
Specifically, the hearing addressed changes in payment for
services provided by non-participating providers (except in
cases of medical emergency or accident).
What emerged as the most controversial change to the Blues
2009 benefit plan is that beneficiaries will be responsible for
paying up to $7,500 for surgery performed by a non-
participating physician, expect in the case of medical
emergencies and accidents. Previously, beneficiaries have been
responsible for paying 25% of the plan's allowance, plus 100%
of any billed amount above the plan allowance.
The hearing witnesses included representatives from OPM,
the Blues, an out-of-network physician, and an FEHBP
consultant. While the Blues testified that they had made a
mistake and were willing to renegotiate the 2009 non-
participating provider surgical benefit, OPM said that it was
not. Members expressed concern that subscribers to Blue Cross
Blue Shield would be unaware of the increased costs given that
Open Season (the period in which federal employees are allowed
to change health plans) would close in just a few days (on
December 8) and urged OPM to work with the Blues to reconsider
the controversial benefit option. Chairman Davis specifically
called on OPM to delay the closing of Open Season and
renegotiate with the Blues.
The Subcommittee's hearing on the issue and Chairman Davis'
advocacy on behalf of federal employees led to a reversal of
course by OPM. Two days after the Subcommittee hearing, OPM
announced that subscribers could delay their decision to choose
a health plan until January 31, 2009, and that it would
renegotiate the non-participating provider surgical benefit
with the Blues.
(7) Other Matters
The Subcommittee held several other hearings on issues
ranging from the federal government's policies on hiring ex-
offenders to how locality pay is calculated to recent
legislative proposals to phase out the non-foreign cost-of-
living allowance in exchange for locality pay for federal
civilian employees living in Alaska, Hawaii, and the United
States territories.
The Subcommittee is prepared to renew its efforts to pass
legislation that has moved through the Subcommittee but has
stalled in the Senate and continue its oversight of such areas
as pay-for-performance, diversity in the federal workplace, and
FEHBP.
b. Postal Service
(1) General Oversight
On April 17, 2007, the Subcommittee held the first postal
oversight hearing in over ten years. The hearing, entitled,
``U.S. Postal Service: 101,'' was an overview of the Postal
Service's operations and business processes; mail growth and
delivery services; and infrastructure and realignment. This
hearing identified areas for oversight and future postal
hearings, which included hearings including contracting out of
postal services and postal rate increases.
After receiving numerous complaints about mail delivery
services in Chicago, the Subcommittee held a hearing on May 31,
2007, at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago. The hearing
examined mail delivery challenges in Chicago and what reforms
or new systems need to be implemented to address them. The
hearing spurred improvement by the Chicago Performance Cluster
in all three service standards for the third quarter of FY 07
(7/1/07-9/30/07) as compared to the second quarter (4/1/07-6/
30/07). Overnight service was 94% on-time, up from 93%; two-day
service was 93% on-time and three-day service was 90% on time,
up from 90% and 85% respectively.
On July 19, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing to
examine the Postal Service's plans to outsource mail delivery
and other postal functions. While the Postal Service noted the
efficiencies and cost savings of contracting out postal
services, no independent study had been conducted by the Postal
Inspector General or GAO to document any savings to the Postal
Service. Furthermore, members questioned whether mail delivery,
which many may consider an inherently governmental function,
should be contracted out.
The hearing led to an agreement between the Postal Service
and the National Association of Letter Carriers which included
new limits on contracting out the work of city letter carriers
in more than 3,000 city delivery installations and placed a
six-month moratorium on contracting out city carrier delivery
services elsewhere in the country. During the moratorium, a
union-management task force will be created to develop
contracting out policy that will take into account the
interests of all parties including the general public.
(2) Implementation of Postal Reform Law
The Subcommittee held its first postal hearing during the
second session on February 28, 2008. The hearing, titled,
``Implementation of the PAEA of 2006,'' examined the degree to
which the Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission
(PRC) successfully implemented the ``Postal Accountability and
Enhancement Act of 2006'' (PAEA). It was determined from
witness testimony that the Postal Service and the PRC were
making good progress in implementing PAEA. In fact, the PRC had
developed the final regulations to implement new modern
ratemaking and classification systems for market dominant and
competitive mail products eight months ahead of the statutory
deadline.
On May 8, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
economics of universal mail. The hearing examined the degree to
which the Postal Service had taken advantage of the provisions
in PAEA to enhance its economic viability. The Postmaster
General, Jack Potter, testified that overall mail volume
declined by 3% in Quarter I and 3.3% in Quarter II, which were
among the largest declines in postal history. At the same time,
the Postal Service reached 96% on-time first class mail
delivery for the fourth consecutive quarter. Mr. Potter also
stated that the Postal Service had a 92% favorability rating
from the American people.
(3) Network Plan
The Subcommittee held a postal hearing on July 24, 2008,
entitled, ``The Three R's of the Postal Network Plan:
Realignment, Right-Sizing, and Responsiveness.'' The hearing
examined how the Postal Service's network plan, issued in June
2008, would impact the mailing industry, the public, the postal
workforce, and the future economic health of the Postal
Service. Witnesses implored the Postal Service to right-size
their operational network due to declining mail volumes. The
Postmaster General testified that the Office of Personnel
Management had given approval for the Postal Service to
introduce a voluntary early retirement program to right-size
its workforce.
While members of Congress have expressed concern about the
future economic viability of the Postal Service, they are also
concerned that some cost saving initiatives that are being
discussed would adversely impact the postal workforce. Two
bills were introduced to protect the jobs of postal workers and
limit the Postal Service's flexibility in realigning the
network.
(4) Legislation
Rep. Stephen Lynch introduced H.R. 4236, ``Mail Network
Protection Act of 2007.'' The bill required the Postal Service
to bargain with postal unions before entering into a contract
for mail processing, mail handling, or surface transportation.
Senator Tom Harkin introduced S. 1457, the ``Mail Delivery
Protection Act of 2007.'' The bill prohibited the Postal
Service from contracting out the delivery of mail on any route
with one or more families per mile.
On April 24, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R.
5912, ``Making Tobacco and Cigarettes NonMailable,'' which was
introduced by Chairman Henry Waxman. In addition to prohibiting
certain tobacco products for transport by the Postal Service,
the bill contained protections for donors to charities who are
solicited by mail. H.R. 5912 was introduced to improve on
provisions in H.R. 2932, which was introduced by Rep. John
McHugh. The bill made cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and roll-
your-own-tobacco ``nonmailable'' matter and that would be
prohibited from being deposited in the mail, carried, or
delivered through the mail.
In a November 25, 2008, report entitled, ``Form 10-K,'' the
Postal Service reported a year-to-date deficit of $2.3 billion.
In the month of August 2008 alone, the Postal Service reported
a net loss of about $960 million. During that month, revenue
was about 10% below the level in August 2007, despite a 2.9%
price increase implemented in May 2008. Overall mail volume was
down 11.7% from the same period last year. In a September 25,
2008, meeting with Chairman Davis, the Postmaster General said
that the projected FY 2008 net loss for the Postal Service was
$2.8 billion. The $2.8 billion in net loss would be added to
the $4.2 billion the Postal Service had to borrow from the
Federal Financing Bank for the two previous fiscal years.
To address the financial crisis of the Postal Service, on
December 20, 2008, Rep. McHugh introduced and Chairman Davis
cosponsored H.R. 7313. The bill amends chapter 89 of title 5,
United States Code, to allow the Postal Service to pay its
share of contributions for annuitants' health benefits out of
the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund. The
legislation would continue requiring the Postal Service to make
its yearly payment into the retiree health benefits fund, but
would permit the Postal Service to pay its yearly retiree
health premiums to the Office of Personnel Management out of
the accrued funds in the Retiree Health Benefits Fund. This
fund currently has a balance of over $25 billion. If enacted,
H.R. 7313 will address the Postal Service's immediate financial
crisis by reducing the Postal Service's expenses by roughly
$2.3 billion in FY2009, or $28.1 billion through 2016.
c. District of Columbia
The Subcommittee worked closely with Delegate Eleanor
Holmes Norton to hold hearings and move legislation critical to
the District of Columbia.
(1) Criminal Justice
On Tuesday, October 16, 2007, the Subcommittee held a
hearing on whether or not DC prisoners were being adequately
prepared for re-entry into society with equal access to Bureau
of Prisons (BOP) services. Subcommittee staff joined Delegate
Norton on her visit to Rivers Correctional Institution (RCI) in
Winton, North Carolina, and to the Federal Correctional
Institution in Cumberland, Maryland, in preparation for the
hearing. The hearing examined the drug treatment, vocational
training and transitional programming available at BOP
facilities and whether such services are available at RCI, a
privately run institution under contract with BOP, that houses
DC inmates. Testimony at the hearing made clear that RCI did
not offer DC inmates the same level of vocational services that
is offered at BOP facilities. As a result of the hearing, RCI
is working with BOP to improve the range and quality of its
vocational offerings for DC inmates.
The Subcommittee followed up on those hearings with a March
11, 2008, hearing on the parole, supervised release, and
revocation of District offenders. As a result of enactment of
the ``National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government
Improvement Act of 1997'' (The Revitalization Act), the federal
government assumed oversight authority and fiduciary control
over the District of Columbia's Court System, Pretrial Services
Agency, Public Defender Service, and adult probation and parole
supervision services.
The federal and District governments developed and set into
motion a plan to transfer the responsibility of housing adult
felons convicted of violating the D.C. Code from the requisite
District of Columbia authorities to the Federal Bureau of
Prisons. The transfer of responsibility for all sentenced
District felons to the Federal Bureau of Prisons has been
successfully accomplished in step with the requirements of the
Revitalization Act. However, the resulting situation has
produced a host of new policy issues and challenges, including
ensuring the fair treatment and equal access of D.C. inmates to
BOP programs in comparison to other federally housed prisoners,
and addressing the geographical challenges of keeping inmates
connected to their families and communities.
This shift in responsibility brought with it significant
changes to D.C.'s traditional sentencing system, which were
required as a pre-condition for the federal government assuming
responsibility for the incarceration of felons convicted of
D.C. Code violations. These changes included the elimination of
parole, the replacement of indeterminate sentencing with new
determinate sentencing guidelines, and the enactment of
mandatory minimum drug sentences.
Since the abolishment of the D.C. Board of Parole on August
5, 2000, direct authority for parole matters, conditions of
supervised release and revocation proceedings concerning D.C.
code violators has rested with the United States Parole
Commission (USPC). In light of the numerous policy and
procedural concerns that have been raised since the transfer of
authority, the Subcommittee determined that a thorough
examination of the USPC's application of D.C. parole laws and
regulations in making its release and revocation decisions for
D.C. code offenders was warranted.
Another major by-product of the Revitalization Act was the
creation of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency
(CSOSA) as an independent federal agency with the
responsibility for providing supervision of all D.C. code
offenders on probation, parole, and supervised release. To this
end, CSOSA's main functions include reducing re-arrests,
improving education and job skill levels, offering programs to
address drug or alcohol dependency, operating community service
programs, and providing overall supervision and support to
approximately 15,500 offenders on parole, probation, or
supervised release.
In addition, the Subcommittee held a hearing on June 10,
2008, to examine the federal government's policies on hiring
ex-offenders, which appeared to be inconsistent from agency to
agency. As a result, the Office of Personnel Management is
surveying federal agencies to assess their policies on hiring
ex-offenders.
(2) WASA
On Tuesday, April 15, 2008, the Subcommittee convened a
hearing to examine proposed capital improvement projects of the
District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) and
drinking water quality. While WASA has made significant
improvements over the years, it continues to grapple with
enormous capital infrastructure costs, system modernization
challenges, and fully meeting the Clean Water Act standards and
Environmental Protection Agency permitting requirements. The
hearing also examined H.R. 5778, the ``District of Columbia
Water and Sewer Authority Independence Preservation Act,''
which was introduced by Rep. Chris Van Hollen to address the
governance of WASA.
The legislation provided the legal authority for WASA to
function as a fully independent authority, by officially
shifting oversight of the agency's financial operations and
personnel matters from the DC Chief Financial Officer to WASA's
Board of Directors. H.R. 5778 passed the House on June 9, the
Senate on June 16, 2008, and was signed into law on July 15,
2008. (Public Law No: 110-273)
(3) Legislation
H.R. 1124, ``To Extend the District of Columbia Access Act
of 1999,'' was introduced by Ranking Member Tom Davis and
cosponsored by Delegate Norton and Chairman Danny Davis. This
measure provides for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program
(DC TAG), federal government scholarships to District high
school students to attend public colleges and universities in
the United States. Since 1999, DCTAG has doubled the total
number of District students attending college. The Subcommittee
held a hearing on this bill, and H.R. 1124 quickly moved
through the Subcommittee and full Committee, was approved by
the House on May 14, 2007, and was signed into law on October
24, 2007.
Two bills of importance to the self governance of the
District of Columbia, H.R. 733, the ``District of Columbia
Budget Autonomy Act of 2007,'' sponsored by Rep. Tom Davis and
Delegate Norton, and H.R. 1054, the ``District of Columbia
Legislative Autonomy Act of 2007,'' sponsored by Delegate
Norton, were the subject of a June 7, 2007, Subcommittee
hearing. H.R. 733 would allow the District to enact its own
local budget without annual congressional oversight and H.R.
1054 would amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to
eliminate the congressional review of newly-passed District
laws. Both bills were favorably reported out of the
Subcommittee on June 21, 2007.
Chairman Danny K. Davis introduced H.R. 5551, to increase
the hourly rate of attorneys representing indigent defendants
in the District of Columbia from $65 to $80. The legislation
was the subject of a March 11, 2008, Subcommittee hearing. The
bill authorized the increases provided under the FY 2008
Consolidated Appropriations Act. H.R. 5551 passed the House on
April 1, 2008, the Senate on September 18, 2008, and was signed
into law on October 2, 2008. (Public Law No: 110-201)
S. 550, introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka, preserved existing
judgeships on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by
increasing the number of judges permitted to serve on the
Court. The bill ensured that the Superior Court of the District
of Columbia has a sufficient number of judges to fairly and
swiftly handle pending caseloads. S. 550 passed the Senate on
February 2, 2008, the House on April 1, 2008, and was signed
into law on April 18, 2008. (Public law No: 110-335)
At the request of Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, on April
24, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing to examine H.R. 1246,
the ``District of Columbia Attorney Establishment Act of
2007.'' Part of Delegate Norton's ``Free and Equal''
legislative series, the bill amended the ``District of Columbia
Home Rule Act'' to establish an elected Office of the District
Attorney for the District of Columbia. The newly created office
would have the authority to represent the District government
in the prosecution of all local and civil cases. Currently, the
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia performs both the
federal and local prosecutor functions with respect to all
adults charged with felonies.
On July 15, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing to
consider H.R. 5600, the ``District of Columbia Court, Offender
Supervision, Parole, and Public Defender Employees Equity Act
of 2008.'' The bill, which was introduced by Delegate Norton
and Rep. Tom Davis, would permit certain former District
employees who were transferred to the federal government after
enactment of the Revitalization Act, to have periods of service
performed prior to 1997 included as part of the years of
service used to determine the time at which such employees
would be eligible to retire under the Federal Employee
Retirement System or the Civil Service Retirement System. The
Subcommittee marked up H.R. 5600 on September 16, 2008, and
adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute that was
offered by Chairman Danny K. Davis. The amendment added
language to the original bill to ensure that all affected
District employees would be covered by the measure.
Delegate Norton introduced H.R. 6322, the ``Public Charter
Schools Home Rule Act of 2008,'' to allow the District
government to exercise authority over the Public Charter School
Board in the same manner as the District government may
exercise authority over other government entities. The
Subcommittee marked up and approved the bill on July 15, 2008.
The full Committee ordered the bill to be reported favorably by
a voice vote on July 16, 2008.
2. Reports
Reflecting the Subcommittee's longstanding interest in the
diversity of the federal workforce and the SES corps in
particular, the Subcommittee held a hearing on November 13,
2007, on the underrepresentation of women and minorities in the
senior executive service of legislative branch agencies. The
hearing was based on a report titled ``Senior Executive
Service: Women and Minorities are Underrepresented in Most
Legislative Branch Agencies.'' The report, which was prepared
by the Subcommittee staff for Chairman Davis, is the first
report to examine the diversity of the SES, and SES equivalent
positions, in legislative branch agencies.
Among other things, the report found that the
representation of minorities in the legislative branch SES has
stagnated and the representation of women improved only
slightly between FY 2002 and FY 2007. Also, the average total
compensation for minorities and women in FY 2007 was less than
their non-minority and male counterparts.
3. Subcommittee Proceedings
Hearing on ``Federal Personnel Reforms'' (March 8, 2007).
Hearing on ``Impact of the District of Columbia College
Access Act on Higher Education in the District of Columbia''
(March 22, 2007).
Business meeting to mark up H.R. 1124, District of Columbia
College Access Act of 1999, and H.R. 1054, DC Legislative
Autonomy (March 27, 2007).
Briefing with Postal Rate Commission (April 11, 2007).
Hearing on ``The U.S. Postal Service: 101'' (April 17,
2007).
Hearing on ``Ensuring Diversity at the Senior Levels of the
Federal Government and the Postal Service'' (May 10, 2007).
Joint House and Senate hearing on Personnel Reforms at the
Government Accountability Office (May 22, 2007).
Field hearing on Chicago Postal Delivery Issues (May 31,
2007).
Hearing on District of Columbia Autonomy (June 7, 2007).
Subcommittee hosted OPM Briefing on Locality Pay in non-
foreign areas (June 28, 2007).
Hearing on ``Ensuring a Merit-Based Employment System: An
Examination of the Merit Systems Protection Board and the
Office of Special Counsel'' (July 12, 2007).
Hearing on ``Inquiring Minds Want to Know: What is the
Postal Service Contracting Out?'' (July 19, 2007).
Hearing on ``The Postal Service: Planning for the 21st
Century, Infrastructure and Realignment'' (July 26, 2007).
Hearing on ``Federal Pay Policies and Administration''
(July 31, 2007).
Hearing on ``Federal Benefits: Are We Meeting
Expectations?'' (August 2, 2007).
Business meeting to mark up H.R. 2780 amended, (D. Davis
amendment) Reemployed annuitants; H.R. 1236 amended, (Clay
amendment) Breast Cancer Research; H.R. 3551, OSC and MSPB
Reauthorization Bill (Jordan amendment failed); and H.R. 1110,
Pretax premiums for health insurance (TRICARE) (September 18,
2007).
Hearing on ``Doing Time: Are DC Prisoners Adequately
Prepared for Reentry?'' (October 16, 2007).
Hearing on ``Will Increased Postal Rates Put Postal Mailers
Out of Business?'' (October 30, 2007).
Hearing on ``Telework: Breaking New Ground'' (November 6,
2007).
Hearing on ``Senior Executive Service Diversity at
Legislative Branch Agencies'' (November 13, 2007).
Hearing on ``Federal Agency Pay for Performance Systems''
(February 12, 2008).
Business Meeting to mark up H.R. 4106--the ``Telework
Improvement Act of 2007'' (February 28, 2008)
Hearing on ``Implementation of the Postal Accountability
Enhancement Act of 2006'' (February 28, 2008).
Hearing on Federal Family Leave (March 6, 2008).
Hearing on District of Columbia Parole and Revocation and
District of Columbia Court Compensation (March 11, 2008).
Included a hearing panel on H.R. 5551 and S. 550.
Hearing on Government Accountability Office Personnel
Reform Legislation (March 13, 2008).
Business Meeting to mark up H.R. 5683--the ``Government
Accountability Office Act of 2008'' (April 3, 2008).
Joint House and Senate Hearing on Senior Executive Service
Executive Branch and U.S. Postal Service Diversity (April 3,
2008).
Hearing on District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
General Oversight (April 5, 2008). Included a panel on H.R.
5778--the ``District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
Independence Preservation Act.''
Business Meeting to mark up H.R. 3774, the ``Senior
Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act'' and H.R. 5718, the
``Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act'' (April 15, 2008).
Hearing on District Attorney for the District of Columbia
(April 24, 2008).
Hearing on Nonmailable Tobacco and Cooperative Mail and
Charities (April 24, 2008).
Business Meeting to mark up H.R. 5550, to ``increase the
maximum age to qualify for coverage as a child under the health
benefits program for federal employees'' and H. R. 5912, to
``make cigarettes and certain other tobacco products
nonmailable'' (April 29, 2008).
Hearing on Thrift Savings Board Automatic Enrollment and L
Fund Default (Hearing One) (April 29, 2008).
Hearing on Raising the Age for Young Adult Dependent
Coverage Under Federal Employee Health Benefits Program
(Hearing Two) (April 29, 2008).
Hearing on The Economics of Universal Mail (May 8, 2008).
Hearing on Part-Time Reemployment of Federal Annuitants
(May 20, 2008).
Hearing on Federal Government Policies on Hiring Ex-
Offenders (June 10, 2008).
Hearing on Locality Pay (June 24, 2008).
Hearing on Thrift Savings Plan and Minority Contracting
(July 10, 2008).
Business Meeting to mark up H.R. 6322, the, ``Public
Charter School Home Rule Act of 2008'' (July 15, 2008).
Hearing on District of Columbia Court, Offender
Supervision, Parole, and Public Defender Employees Equity Act
of 2008 (July 15, 2008).
Hearing on ``The Three R's of the Postal Network Plan:
Realignment, Right-Sizing and Responsiveness'' (July 24, 2008).
Hearing on the Hatch Act (September 11, 2008).
Business Meeting to mark up H.R. 5600, the ``District of
Columbia Court, Offender Supervision, Parole, and Public
Defender Employees Equity Act of 2008'' (September 16, 2008).
Hearing on Legislative Branch Inspector General Reports on
Diversity (September 16, 2008).
Hearing on ``2009 Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Benefit:
What it Means for Federal Employees'' (December 3, 2008).
4. Resolutions and Postal Naming Measures
During the 110th Congress, the Subcommittee received over
370 referrals of resolutions and postal naming measures. The
Committee marked up 123 resolutions and 106 postal namings.
C. GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND PROCUREMENT
The Subcommittee on Government Management, Organizations,
and Procurement has jurisdiction over the management of
government operations, reorganizations of the executive branch,
and federal procurement. Rep. Edolphus Towns served as Chairman
and Rep. Brian Bilbray as Ranking Member in the 110th Congress.
1. Oversight
9/ 11 Health Effects: Federal Monitoring and Treatment of
Residents and Responders (February 28, 2007).
The hearing continued from previous Congresses the
Committee's oversight of the federally funded programs that
medically monitor and treat individuals who were exposed to the
toxins of Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks at the
World Trade Center. The health effects attributable to the
attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) were both immediate and
long-term, and they are still not fully understood more than
five years after the attacks. Hundreds of thousands of people-
including first responders from all 50 states, and area
residents, office workers, and school children-may have been
exposed to an array of dust, smoke and toxic pollutants. Two
major federally funded programs provide medical monitoring and
treatment to first-responders and others who participated in
the WTC rescue, recovery and clean-up operations: the FDNY
Monitoring and Treatment Program, which monitors and treats
firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics,
officers and FDNY retirees, and the WTC Medical Monitoring and
Treatment Program, for volunteers and area residents. Funding
concerns limit the ability of the programs to monitor and treat
health problems associated with exposure to the toxins of
Ground Zero. The hearing reviewed how programs could be
modified and expanded to provide health care to all responders
who are ill from their work at Ground Zero.
Witnesses: Dr. John Agwunobi, Assistant Secretary for
Health, Department of Health and Human Services and Chair of
HHS task force on 9/11 health issues; Dr. John Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOSH),
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of
Health and Human Services and Federal 9/11 Health Coordinator;
Ms. Linda I. Gibbs, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services,
City of New York; Mr. Edward Skyler, Deputy Mayor for
Administration, City of New York; Dr. Robin Herbert, Director,
World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program Data and
Coordination Center, Mt. Sinai Hospital; Dr. Joan Reibman,
Director, World Trade Center Environmental Health Center at
Bellevue Hospital; Mr. Marvin Bethea, Paramedic and 9/11
Responder, New York City; Mr. John Sferazo, Ironworker and 9/11
Responder, New York City.
Federal Financial Statements for FY 2006: Fiscal Outlook,
Management Weaknesses and Consequences (March 20, 2007).
The hearing reviewed issues that prevent the federal
government from receiving a clean audit opinion. The Government
Management Reform Act of 1994 (GMRA) requires all agencies
covered by the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 to have
agency-wide audited financial statements. For the purposes of
government auditing, there are three types of audit opinions
agencies can receive on their financial statements:
unqualified, qualified, and disclaimer. An ``unqualified''
opinion is granted when an auditor has concluded that an
agency's statements are free of error and present an accurate
picture of assets, liabilities, and net position at the time of
their submission. A ``qualified'' opinion is issued when an
agency's statements were deemed satisfactory with the exception
of a few specific instances that cannot be completely verified.
Lastly, a ``disclaimer'' is issued in cases where the auditor
cannot substantiate the financial statements of an agency using
the supporting documentation provided. The financial reporting
requirements of GMRA have prompted improvements in federal
accountability. In fiscal year 1996, only 6 of the 23 CFO Act
agencies received unqualified opinions. By comparison, 19 out
of 24 CFO Act agencies received unqualified opinions for fiscal
year 2006.
Witnesses: The Honorable David M. Walker, Comptroller
General of the United States, Government Accountability Office;
The Honorable Linda Combs, Controller, Office of Management and
Budget, Executive Office of the President; The Honorable James
T. Campbell, Acting Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of
Energy; Mr. William Maharay, Deputy Inspector General of Audit
Services, U.S. Department of Energy; The Honorable David
Norquist, Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; Mr. James L. Taylor, Deputy Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
Hearing on Tax Collection Bills (April 19, 2007).
The Subcommittee held a hearing on two bills related to tax
collection. H.R. 1870, the Contractor Tax Enforcement Act,
would prohibit delinquent federal tax debtors from being
eligible to contract with federal agencies. H.R. 1865 would
authorize a pilot program for local governments to offset
federal tax refunds to collect local tax debts. Contractors owe
the federal government billions of dollars in delinquent taxes.
GAO reported that roughly 33,000 civilian agency contractors
owed over $3 billion in unpaid federal taxes as of September
30, 2004. Another GAO report on tax abuses by contractors
working for the Department of Defense (DOD), the largest
purchaser of goods and services in the federal government,
found that over 27,000 DOD contractors owed nearly $3 billion
in unpaid taxes. The Contractor Tax Enforcement Act is designed
to mandate that tax compliance be a prerequisite for receiving
a federal contract. H.R. 1865 would create a pilot program
allowing localities to collect past-due, legally enforceable
tax debts through reduced federal tax refunds, similar to
existing programs that offset federal refunds to collect unpaid
state taxes and child support obligations. The hearing reviewed
the policy goals and issues of administration for the
legislative proposals.
Witnesses: The Honorable Paul A. Denett, Administrator,
Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Office of Management and
Budget; The Honorable Russell George, Treasury Inspector
General for Tax Administration, Internal Revenue Service; Mr.
Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special
Investigations, U.S. Government Accountability Office; The
Honorable Mick Cornett, Mayor, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,
representing the U.S. Conference of Mayors; The Honorable
Barbara Ford-Coates, Tax Collector, Sarasota County, Florida,
representing the National Association of Counties and the
National Association of County Treasurers and Finance Officers;
Ms. Patricia Weth, Deputy Treasurer, on behalf of The Honorable
Francis X. O'Leary, Treasurer, Arlington County, Virginia.
9/ 11 Health Effects: Environmental Impacts for Residents
and Responders (April 23, 2007).
The hearing continued the Subcommittee's review of the
federal response to the 9/11 attacks and implementation of
federally funded programs. The collapse of the Twin Towers on
September 11 released a massive dust cloud containing thousands
of tons of coarse and fine particulate matter, cement dust,
glass fibers, asbestos, lead, hydrochloric acid, and other
toxic pollutants. This cloud traveled from Ground Zero across
the East River and through Brooklyn and residents may have been
exposed to an array of dust, smoke, and toxic pollutants. On
September 18, 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announced that the air outside of Ground Zero was ``safe to
breathe'' and that ``ambient air levels were unlikely to cause
short-term or long-term health effects to the general
population.'' EPA's initial evaluation concerning air safety
was made in an environment of uncertainty and without
``sufficient data and analyses,'' according to the EPA's Office
of Inspector General. Consequently, the original residential
testing and cleanup program did not include the Borough of
Brooklyn, or other boroughs outside Manhattan. This hearing
examined the scientific evidence of environmental contamination
in Brooklyn and other boroughs, the potential health effects on
area residents, steps taken by federal, state, and local
governments, gaps in agency coordination, and potential next
steps to ensure the health of New York residents and others.
Witnesses: Hon. Yvonne Graham, Deputy Brooklyn Borough
President; Mr. Kwai-Cheung Chan, former Assistant Inspector
General for Program Evaluation, Environmental Protection
Agency; Mr. David Newman, Industrial Hygienist, New York
Committee for Occupational Safety and Health; Mr. Patrick
Roohan, Director, Bureau of Program Quality, Information and
Evaluation, New York State Department of Health; Dr. Anthony
Szema, Assistant Professor of Medicine, SUNY-Stony Brook School
of Medicine; Ms. Suzanne Mattei, Executive Director, Sierra
Club of New York City; Mr. Peter Gudaitis, Executive Director,
New York Disaster Interfaith Services.
Hearing on H.R. 2635, The Carbon-Neutral Government Act of
2007 (May 17, 2007).
This hearing received testimony regarding the greenhouse
gas emissions resulting from the operation of the federal
government and how to reduce the federal government's
contribution to global warming. H.R. 2635, the Carbon-Neutral
Government Act, would require federal agencies to inventory
their greenhouse gas emissions, freeze emissions in 2010, and
then reduce net emissions over time to achieve zero emissions
by 2050. The bill directs EPA to set annual government-wide
emissions targets to achieve these reductions. It also requires
agencies to develop plans to meet these targets and publicly
report progress on implementing their plans and reducing
emissions on an annual basis. The legislation requires existing
facilities to benchmark their energy performance annually using
the Energy Star for Buildings benchmarking tool, which is a
simple process that shows how a building compares to similar
buildings in its energy use. The bill further targets the
efficiency of day-to-day operations by strengthening the
requirements for procurement of energy efficient products and
barring the General Services Administration (GSA) from listing
inefficient products in GSA schedules in product categories
where more efficient products are available.
Witnesses: Ms. Emily Figdor, Director, Federal Global
Warming Program, U.S. Public Interest Research Group; Mr.
Jeffrey Harris, Vice President for Programs, Alliance to Save
Energy; Mr. Marshall Purnell, FAIA, President-Elect, The
American Institute of Architects.
Federal IT Security: The Future for FISMA (June 7, 2007).
The hearing reviewed the Federal Information Security
Management Act (FISMA) and federal agency efforts to improve
the security, integrity, and reliability of the federal
government's information systems. In its FY 2006 report to
Congress on FISMA implementation, OMB stated that progress was
made in increasing the number of systems certified and
accredited, but agencies demonstrated mixed results in
upgrading the quality of their certification and accreditation
processes. During FY 2006, agency Inspectors General identified
and reported significant flaws in compliance efforts at
specific agencies in several key areas. According to agency
IGs, only 19 out of 25 agencies were reported to have an
effective process in place to remedy identified security
weaknesses or vulnerabilities. In addition, 9 out of 25
agencies were rated as poor or failing in terms of maintaining
a quality certification process for their systems. The hearing
examined whether the measures used to report on FISMA
compliance are providing adequate information for assessing
agency security practices and whether new metrics should be
developed to do a better job of identifying system
vulnerabilities.
Witnesses: The Honorable Karen S. Evans, Administrator,
Office of E Government and Information Technology, Office of
Management and Budget; Mr. Gregory C. Wilshusen, Director,
Information Security Issues, Government Accountability Office;
Mr. Vance Hitch, Chief Information Officer, Department of
Justice; Mr. Phil Bond, President and CEO, Information
Technology Association of America; Mr. Paul Kurtz, Partner &
Chief Operating Officer, Good Harbor Consulting, LLC; Mr. John
W. Carlson, Executive Director, Financial Services Roundtable/
BITS; Mr. James Andrew Lewis, Director and Senior Fellow,
Technology and Public Policy Program, Center for Strategic and
International Studies.
Inspectors General: Independence and Accountability (June
20, 2007).
The Inspector General Act of 1978 (IG Act) created
independent offices in executive departments and agencies
headed by Inspectors General. Inspectors General (IGs) serve as
the principal watchdogs of the nation's major federal agencies
and are responsible for conducting and supervising audits and
investigations in an effort to prevent and detect fraud and
abuse in their agencies' programs and operations. To
effectively carry out their mission, Inspectors General must be
independent and objective, which requires that they be
insulated from improper management and political pressure. This
hearing reviewed how IGs in federal departments and agencies
can maintain independence from political pressure, whether IGs
have the resources and authority required to fulfill their
duties, and how IGs who fail to perform with integrity can be
held accountable. The hearing also discussed H.R. 928, the
Improving Government Accountability Act, sponsored by Rep. Jim
Cooper. The Improving Government Accountability Act would
strengthen the role of the IGs in providing independent
oversight within federal agencies. It includes provisions for
(1) a defined term of office for the IGs and conditions for
removal, (2) IGs to submit their budgets directly to OMB and
Congress, (3) the statutory establishment of a combined PCIE
and ECIE Council, (4) changes in IG investigative and law
enforcement authorities, and (5) the application of semiannual
reporting requirements with respect to inspection reports and
evaluation reports.
Witnesses: The Honorable Clay Johnson, Deputy Director for
Management, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office
of the President and Chair, President's Council on Integrity
and Efficiency and Executive Council on Integrity and
Efficiency; The Honorable Phyllis Fong, Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Agriculture and Chair, Legislation Committee,
President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency; Ms. Christine
Boss, Inspector General, National Science Foundation and Vice-
Chair, Executive Council on Integrity and Efficiency; The
Honorable Eleanor Hill, former Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Defense; The Honorable Ken Mead, former Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Transportation; The Honorable Nikki
Tinsley, former Inspector General, Environmental Protection
Agency; Mr. Jeffrey Steinhoff, Managing Director, Government
Accountability Office; Ms. Vanessa Burrows, Congressional
Research Service; Mr. Fred Kaiser, Congressional Research
Service.
Federal Contracting: Do Poor Performers Keep Winning? (July
18, 2007).
Using case studies at federal departments, this hearing
explored the disconnect between the requirement to take past
performance seriously and the minimal effects of a poor track
record. The goal of the hearing was to explore what changes are
needed so that government contracts are awarded to companies
experienced in delivering results, not just experienced in
getting government contracts. Federal agencies are required by
statute to award contracts to a responsible source that has a
satisfactory performance record and a satisfactory record of
integrity and business ethics. In addition to the threshold
qualification of responsibility, for major contracts the
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requires contracting
officers to consider past performance as part of the source
selection process. However, cases suggest that poor performance
often does not prevent contractors from receiving future work
from the government, and that there is an apparent disconnect
between actual contract performance, how performance reviews
are calculated, and the weight given to past performance in the
selection process for new contracts. The hearing reviewed
contracts at the Department of Energy and Department of
Homeland Security that were renewed or extended despite serious
performance problems on existing contracts.
Witnesses: Mr. William Woods, Director, Acquisition and
Sourcing Management, Government Accountability Office; Mr.
William Desmond, Associate Administrator, National Nuclear
Security Administration, Department of Energy, accompanied by
Mr. Tyler Przybylek, Senior Adviser to the Administrator,
National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy;
The Honorable Gregory Friedman, Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Energy; Ms. Elaine Duke, Chief Procurement
Officer, Department of Homeland Security; The Honorable Richard
Skinner, Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security.
9/11 Health Effects: The Screening and Monitoring of First
Responders (September 10, 2007).
This hearing updated the Subcommittee's previous hearings
on health care for 9/11 responders with new reports from the
Government Accountability Office and the New York City
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and discussed possible
federal legislation to consolidate and fund screening and
treatment programs. GAO updated an extensive study of 9/11
health programs, finding that HHS programs for monitoring and
treating 9/11 responders are not comprehensive and have been
hindered by bureaucratic obstacles. GAO found that HHS's WTC
Federal Responder Screening Program stopped scheduling
screening examinations from January 2007 to May 2007 because
there was a change in the administration of the WTC Federal
Responder Screening Program, and certain interagency agreements
were not established in a timely way to keep the program fully
operational. In April 2006 the program also stopped scheduling
and paying for specialty diagnostic services because a contract
with the program's new provider network did not cover these
services. Almost a year later, the contract was modified, and
the program resumed scheduling and paying for these services in
March 2007.
Witnesses: Ms. Cynthia Bascetta, Director, Health Care,
Government Accountability Office; Dr. Lorna Thorpe, Deputy
Commissioner of Health, New York City Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene, and Director, Division of Epidemiology; Dr.
Spencer Eth, Senior Vice President and Medical Director,
Behavioral Health Services, St. Vincent Medical Centers of New
York; Mr. Thomas McHale, Detective, Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey Police.
Federal Contracting: Removing Hurdles for Minority-Owned
Small Businesses (September 26, 2007).
This hearing examined the 8(a) business development program
and other contracting programs that are designed to assist
small and disadvantaged business owners in accessing the
federal marketplace. In May 2007, the House approved the Small
Business Fairness in Contracting Act (H.R. 1873), which would
increase the percentage of contracts awarded to small
businesses to 25% and the government-wide procurement goal for
small disadvantaged businesses from 5% to 8%. The Small
Business Administration (SBA) is responsible for assisting
executive branch agencies in the administration of federal
procurement programs. Agency heads are responsible for
achieving small business goals within their agencies. The 1978
Small Business Act required all federal agencies with
procurement powers to establish an Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and appoint a
director to head the office. The Act charges each agency's
OSDBU director with promoting the interests of small and
disadvantaged businesses pursuing federal contracts. Section
15(k)(3) of the Small Business Act requires that OSDBU
directors be responsible only to and report directly to agency
heads or deputy agency heads. A GAO study found that nearly
half of the OSDBU directors did not report directly to the
agency head or deputy agency heads. Several OSDBU directors
indicated that they reported to lower level agency officials.
The hearing also discussed barriers embedded in the contracting
process itself that can impede minority firms from winning
government contracts.
Witnesses: Mr. Calvin Jenkins, Deputy Associate
Administrator, Office of Government Contracting and Business
Development, U.S. Small Business Administration; Mr. Anthony
Martoccio, Director, Office of Small Business Programs,
Department of Defense; Mr. William B. Shear, Director,
Financial Markets and Community Investment, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Mr. Preston Jay Waite, Deputy Director,
U.S. Census Bureau; Mr. Michael L. Barrera, President & CEO,
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Damon
Kinnebrew, Treasurer, Association of Minority Enterprises of
New York; Ms. Allegra F. McCullough, Former SBA Associate
Deputy Administrator, Government Contracting & Business
Development; Mr. Anthony W. Robinson, President, Minority
Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund.
Technology for Secure Identity Documents (October 18,
2007).
This hearing examined the different technology options for
identification documents, such as chips, security printing, and
other commercially available technologies, to learn the
relative levels of security that different technologies
provide, as well as the costs and scalability associated with
each. Identification documents issued by the federal and state
governments vary widely in their format and in what data is
included. Concerns about immigration, homeland security, and
identity theft have prompted calls for more secure
identification cards for use in everyday transactions such as
boarding airplanes, opening bank accounts, and verifying
employment eligibility. Multiple, overlapping programs exist at
the federal and state levels to issue more secure
identification documents. Federal government identity documents
include passports; passport cards under the Western Hemisphere
Travel Initiative; the Transportation Worker Identity
Credential; immigration documents such as green cards, work
permits, and border crossing cards for non-U.S. citizens;
enhanced Social Security cards; the Common Access Card for
Department of Defense personnel and contractors; and
identification cards for federal employees and contractors
required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12. At the
state level, the federal REAL ID act sets minimum standards for
state driver's licenses and identification cards, focusing on
verification of identity documents during the issuance process.
The various identity cards use different technologies to
increase security. These technologies can be divided into two
types--physical security features and information technology
features. Selecting the best technology for secure
identification often requires choices to be made among
security, cost, and privacy. Cost and infrastructure concerns
limit the widespread deployment of smart cards for everyday
transactions. Without the proper infrastructure, smartcards do
not provide added security without physical security features
as well. Witnesses discussed the practical limitations in terms
of logistics and cost of deploying the most advanced security
features widely, along with the benefits and potential cost
savings of high security documents.
Witnesses: Ms. Kathy Kraninger, Director, Screening
Coordination Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mr.
Benjamin M. Brink, Assistant Public Printer for Security and
Intelligent Documents, Government Printing Office; Mr. David M.
Temoshok, Director, Identity Policy and Management, Office of
Government-wide Policy, General Services Administration; Ms.
Bonnie Rutledge, Director, Vermont Department of Motor
Vehicles; Ms. Kathryn K. Alsbrooks, Director, U.S. Federal
Programs, Lasercard Corporation; Mr. Neville Pattinson, Vice
President, Gemalto Inc., representing the Secure ID Coalition;
Mr. Reed Stager, Digimarc Corporation, representing the
Document Security Alliance.
Too Many Cooks? Coordinating Federal and State Health IT
(November 1, 2007).
This hearing explored current federal, state, and local
efforts to transform the health care landscape using health IT
and how agencies and stakeholders can coordinate to meet the
needs of our nation's most vulnerable populations. Legislative
efforts on health IT date back to 2001, when the Senate
proposed Health Information Exchange (HIE) grants for hospitals
and nursing homes and reimbursement to hospitals for costs
incurred to develop IT systems. In 2003, the Medicare
Modernization Act (MMA) required the Secretary of Health and
Human Services to adopt electronic prescription standards and
establish a Commission for Systemic Interoperability. MMA also
included a provision to invest in infrastructure for
transmitting clinical data to improve outcomes in selected
high-risk populations. In past Congresses, health IT bills have
passed either one body or the other, but haven't been enacted
into law. Federal contracts have been awarded to six states to
support state and regional data sharing, coordinate state and
local health IT, and demonstrate improvements in health quality
and safety. States recognize that health IT will require
significant upfront investments, with over half of state
leaders saying that funding will be a challenge. Another
primary concern about the adoption of health IT is how
standards should be adopted and how current grants and
contracts facilitate the connection between health IT and
reducing health disparities. Other challenges addressed
included privacy of personal health information and the
historical distrust of federal and state health initiatives by
minority populations, and the resistance by patients from low-
income backgrounds, or who are limited English proficient to
identifying themselves to federal programs.
Witnesses: Dr. Robert M. Kolodner, National Coordinator for
Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human
Services; Ms. Cheryl Austein Casnoff, Associate Administrator,
Office of Health Information Technology, Health Resources
Services Administration; Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, Director,
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Ms. Christine
Bechtel, Vice President of Public Policy & Government
Relations, eHealth Initiative; Dr. Winston Price, Chair, Health
IT and Transparency Advisory Board, State of Georgia; Ms. Lori
Evans, Deputy Commissioner for Health IT Transformation, State
of New York; Dr. Farzad Mostashari, Assistant Commissioner,
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, City of New York; Dr.
Neil Calman, President, The Institute for Urban Family Health.
9/11 Health Effects: Why Did HHS Cancel Contracts for
Responder Health Care? (January 22, 2008).
This hearing continued the Subcommittee's oversight of
management and contracting for health care for police, fire and
recovery workers who responded to the attacks on the World
Trade Center on September 11, 2001. On October 23, 2007, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a
request for proposals to create a World Trade Center Business
Process Center. Proposals were due on December 19, 2007. On
December 13, 2007, CDC abruptly cancelled the solicitation. A
procurement official from CDC claimed that the solicitation was
cancelled due to cost concerns, even though bids that would
estimate costs had not yet been submitted. The hearing
questioned why the solicitation was suddenly canceled and
examined the serious adverse impact of delays on the program,
particularly for responders living outside of the NYC area.
Witnesses: Dr. Jim Melius, Chair, Advisory Board, WTC
Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program; Ms. Cynthia Bascetta,
Director, Health Care, Government Accountability Office; Mr.
Kevin Mount, retired heavy equipment operator, NYC Department
of Sanitation, currently a Florida resident; Mr. Joseph
Libretti, ironworker, Local 580, currently a Pennsylvania
resident; Mr. Frank Fraone, Operations Chief, Menlo Park, CA
Fire Department.
Military Base Realignment: Contracting Opportunities for
Impacted Communities (February 8, 2008).
A major vehicle for achieving cost savings is the
consolidation of defense facilities, which has periodically
been done through the base realignment and closure process
(BRAC). This hearing examined whether BRAC contracting
opportunities are accruing to small, local, veteran-owned, or
minority-owned businesses, and whether state and local
governments have input into contracts awarded in their
communities. Federal contracts for the renovation, expansion,
and construction of DOD facilities are awarded by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and Naval Facilities Engineering Command.
Cost estimates to implement BRAC have increased from $21
billion to $31 billion. There are presently three million
veteran small business owners. Although Congress has enacted a
governmentwide procurement goal of 3% for service-disabled
veteran-owned businesses (SDVOBs), every year since that law
has been in place the Department of Defense has failed to meet
it. For FY 2006, the SBA reported that DOD awarded 0.67% of
contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned firms. The hearing
reviewed planning to fully extend business opportunities to
small and minority business contractors, especially veteran-
owned businesses.
Witnesses: Mr. Timothy Foreman, Director, Office of Small
and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Secretary of the Navy;
Ms. Tracey Pinson, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization, Secretary of the Army; Ms. Luwanda
Jenkins, Special Secretary, Governor's Office of Minority
Affairs, State of Maryland; Mr. Hubert Green, President, Prince
George's County Black Chamber of Commerce; Mr. John Watkins,
President, Ingenium Corporation; Mr. Rick Weidman, Executive
Director, Policy & Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of
America.
Surplus Property: Improving Donation and Sales Programs
(February 13, 2008).
This hearing reviewed GSA rulemaking on surplus property
transfer programs and H.R. 752, the Federal Electronic
Equipment Donation Act of 2007. This bill, sponsored by Rep.
G.K. Butterfield, directs the GSA to give highest preference to
schools, local governments, and other qualifying recipients
located in Enterprise Communities and Empowerment Zones (EC/EZ)
when transferring surplus computers and related equipment. The
language in this bill draws largely from Executive Order 12999,
titled ``Educational Technology: Ensuring Opportunity for All
Children in the Next Century.'' H.R. 752 requires the GSA to
give highest preference to EZ or EC recipients when
transferring the equipment. Witnesses testified on the
efficiency of existing processes and proposed changes.
Witnesses: Ms. Becky Rhodes, Deputy Associate
Administrator, General Services Administration; Ms. Estelle
Sanders, Mayor, Town of Roper, North Carolina; Mr. Shane
Bailey, President, National Association of State Agencies for
Surplus Property; Mr. John Rosenthall, President, Small Towns
Alliance; Mr. Thomas Williams, President, National Auctioneers
Association.
Federal IT Security: A Review of H.R. 4791 (February 14,
2008).
This hearing reviewed the 2002 Federal Information Security
Management Act (FISMA) and federal agency efforts to improve
the security, integrity, and reliability of the federal
government's information systems. In addition, the hearing
focused on legislation introduced by Chairman Clay and Chairman
Towns that will amend FISMA by establishing new agency
requirements for securing personal or sensitive data. FISMA
reauthorized and strengthened provisions in the Government
Information Security Reform Act that require federal agencies
to identify and minimize potential risks to the security of
their information and information systems. According to CRS,
agencies reporting incidents of potentially compromised data
during FY 2006 included the Departments of Veterans Affairs,
Transportation, and Energy, and the Internal Revenue Service.
H.R. 4791, the Federal Agency Data Protection Act, would
strengthen current requirements for protecting sensitive data
that is stored or transmitted by federal agency systems. The
bill would amend FISMA by adding several new information
security policies and procedures for OMB, agencies, and agency
contractors.
Witnesses: The Honorable Karen S. Evans, Administrator,
Office of E-Government and Information Technology, Office of
Management and Budget; Mr. Gregory C. Wilshusen, Director,
Information Security Issues, Government Accountability Office;
Mr. Alan Paller, Director of Research, SANS Institute; Mr.
Bruce McConnell, President, McConnell International, LLC; Mr.
Tim Bennett, President, Cyber Security Industry Alliance.
Federal Security: ID Cards and Background Checks (April 9,
2008).
This hearing examined Homeland Security Presidential
Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which requires all federal employees
and contractors to undergo background checks and to use a
standardized identification card. To standardize the federal
government's use of identification cards, the directive
requires the creation of a federal standard for secure IDs, to
be issued to employees following background checks; that these
IDs be used to gain physical access to federal facilities and
logical access to federal information systems with the use of
electronic authentication; and that these IDs be interoperable
across the entire federal government. This hearing reviewed
OMB's performance issuing policies and guidance and ensuring
compliance of HSPD-12. GAO found that agencies have made
progress in completing the necessary background checks for
employees, but the HSPD-12 program is incurring high costs.
Witnesses: The Honorable Karen Evans, Administrator for E-
Government and Information Technology, Office of Management and
Budget; Ms. Kathy Dillaman, Associate Director of
Investigations, Office of Personnel Management; Ms. Linda
Koontz, Director, Information Management Issues, Government
Accountability Office, accompanied by Ms. Brenda Farrell,
Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Government
Accountability Office; Mr. Michael Sade, Acting Deputy
Assistant Commissioner for Integrated Technology Service,
Federal Acquisition Service, General Services Administration;
Mr. Thomas Wiesner, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Office of
the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management,
Department of Labor; Mr. Robert Zivney, Vice President,
Marketing, Hirsch Electronics, representing the Security
Industry Association; Mr. Benjamin Romero, Chair, Information
Technology Association of America Security Clearance Reform
Task Group, representing the Security Clearance Reform
Coalition.
Hearing on H.R. 5712 & H.R. 5787 (April 15, 2008).
This legislative hearing reviewed H.R. 5712, the Close the
Contractor Fraud Loophole Act, and H.R. 5787, the Federal Real
Property Disposal Enhancement Act. H.R. 5712 would revise
regulations requiring contractors that discover fraud to report
it to appropriate government authorities to remove an exemption
to the reporting requirement for contracts performed overseas.
The hearing examined how such an exemption came to be proposed
in regulations, in light of extensive evidence of fraud in
overseas contracting, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. H.R.
5787, the Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement Act,
reforms the law governing federal surplus land to give agencies
incentives to sell or otherwise dispose of unneeded property.
Under existing law, funds from the sale of surplus real and
related personal property by the General Services
Administration are returned to the Treasury. H.R. 5787 would
allow agencies to retain all of the proceeds from the sale of
surplus property. The agencies may only use these funds for
real property capital improvements and disposal activities,
subject to appropriations.
Witnesses: The Honorable Paul Denett, Administrator for
Federal Procurement Policy, Office of Management and Budget;
Mr. Barry Sabin, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal
Division, U.S. Department of Justice; Mr. David Drabkin, Acting
Chief Acquisition Officer and Senior Procurement Executive,
General Services Administration; Ms. Colleen Preston, Executive
Vice President, Professional Services Council.
Management of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (May 14, 2008).
Discrimination in the delivery of services to minority and
limited-resource farmers and the treatment of minority
employees at the USDA is a longstanding problem that resulted
in a multi-billion dollar settlement of a class-action
discrimination suit by black farmers. In light of the USDA's
history of civil rights abuses, Congress enacted legislation
intended to end discriminatory practices within the Department.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR)
was created in March 2003 to provide overall leadership and
coordination of all civil rights programs across the
Department. This hearing reviewed the USDA's implementation of
this latest reorganization and management of the agency's civil
rights enforcement. According to GAO, the ASCR repeatedly
withheld access to certain records, instructed employees not to
cooperate with GAO, and actually forced GAO investigators to
depart from USDA premises when GAO was seeking to interview
USDA employees as part of its review. GAO was later permitted
to conduct interviews when accompanied by USDA Inspector
General. Although Congress instituted a series of reforms to
ensure the Office of Civil Rights was given resources,
autonomy, and authority, delays in processing discrimination
complaints and the lack of diversity among county-level
officials remain a problem within the USDA. The hearing
questioned whether there has been any improvement in the
management of the USDA's civil rights programs.
Witnesses: Mr. John Boyd, President, National Black Farmers
Association; Ms. Lesa Donnelly, Adviser for Women's Issues,
USDA Coalition of Minority Employees; Mr. Lupe Garcia,
President, Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers of America, Inc.; Mr.
Phil Givens, President, Phil Givens Company, representative of
Native American farmers; Mr. Lawrence Lucas, President, USDA
Coalition of Minority Employees; The Honorable Margo McKay,
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of
Agriculture; The Honorable Phyllis Fong, Inspector General,
U.S. Department of Agriculture; Ms. Lisa Shames, Director,
Agriculture and Food Safety, U.S. Government Accountability
Office.
Oversight of Federal Financial Management (June 3, 2008).
The hearing examined the results of GAO's audit of the
federal government's consolidated financial statement (CFS) for
the fiscal year ending in 2007. The Government Management
Reform Act of 1994 (GMRA) requires all agencies covered by the
Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 to have agency-wide
audited financial statements beginning in fiscal year 1996. For
the purposes of government auditing, there are three types of
audit opinions agencies can receive on their financial
statements: unqualified, qualified, and disclaimer. An
``unqualified'' opinion is granted when an auditor has
concluded that an agency's statements are free of error and
present an accurate picture of assets, liabilities, and net
position at the time of their submission. A ``qualified''
opinion is issued when an agency's statements were deemed
satisfactory with the exception of a few specific instances
that cannot be completely verified. Lastly, a ``disclaimer'' is
issued in cases where the auditor cannot substantiate the
financial statements of an agency using the supporting
documentation provided. For fiscal year 2007, 19 of the 24
agencies received unqualified audit opinions. The hearing also
reviewed compliance with the Improper Payments Information Act
of 2002 (IPIA). The IPIA requires annual reviews of all agency
programs that may be susceptible to improper payments, but a
GAO review in 2007 indicates that not all agencies reported
conducting risk assessments.
Witnesses: The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro Acting Comptroller
General of the United States, Government Accountability Office;
Mr. Daniel Werfel, Acting Controller, Office of Management and
Budget, Executive Office of the President; The Honorable J.
David Patterson, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
(Comptroller), Department of Defense.
ID Cards: Reissuing Border Crossing Cards (June 25, 2008).
The State Department and the Department of Homeland
Security's Citizenship and Immigration Services agency issue
the Border Crossing Card (BCC) to Mexican nationals who are
frequent visitors to the United States. Between 2008 and 2012,
the State Department projects that 5.75 million BCCs will
expire and need to be replaced, creating increased demand for
renewals. The hearing examined the steps the State Department
is taking to meet demand, including hiring temporary consular
staff and contracting with the private sector for application
intake. The hearing also reviewed questions about the physical
security of the card.
Witnesses: Mr. Tony Edson, Acting Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State; Ms. Colleen M.
Manaher, Director, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative,
Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; Mr. Jess Ford, Director, International Affairs and
Trade, Government Accountability Office; Mr. Aaron Fuller,
President, Computer Sciences Corporation, Inc.; Mr. Rick
Patrick, Senior Vice President for Federal Programs, L-1
Identity Solutions, Inc.; Mr. William T. Alsbrooks, former
Group Vice President, Information Systems Credential Technology
Group, General Dynamics.
Management of the Digital TV Transition: Is New York City
Prepared? (July 18, 2008).
On February 17, 2009, television stations nationwide will
turn off their analog broadcasts and will broadcast only in
digital format. The Subcommittee reviewed management of federal
programs to assist with the transition, including controls over
a program to issue vouchers to citizens to purchase converter
boxes. The hearing examined the impact of the transition and
outreach to heavily-impacted neighborhoods in New York City.
Witnesses: Mr. Bill Ritter, Anchor, WABC-TV, New York, NY;
Mr. Mark Lloyd, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives,
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; The Honorable Meredith
Attwell Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications
and Information, National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, Department of Commerce; Ms. Monica Shah Desai,
Chief of the Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission.
Passing the Baton: Preparing for the Presidential
Transition (September 24, 2008).
The hearing assessed preparations for the presidential
transition and reviewed expert research on federal executive
management challenges surrounding the transition. GAO
highlighted executive management challenges that they believe
the incoming Administration will need to confront from the
first days of its term. These include oversight of financial
institutions, the ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan,
DOD and DHS readiness, the 2010 census, and other high-risk
areas.
Witnesses: The Honorable Clay Johnson, Deputy Director for
Management, Office of Management and Budget; The Honorable Gene
L. Dodaro, Acting Comptroller General of the United States,
Government Accountability Office; Ms. Gail Lovelace, Chief
Human Capital Officer, General Services Administration; Dr.
Martha Kumar, Professor, Department of Political Science,
Towson University; Ms. Doris Hausser, National Academy of
Public Administration; Dr. Don Kettl, Professor, Fels Institute
of Government, University of Pennsylvania; Ms. Patricia
McGinnis, President and CEO, Council for Excellence in
Government.
2. Legislation
During the 110th Congress, 13 bills originating in the
Government Management Subcommittee were passed in the House of
Representatives, with six becoming law.
The following bills were signed into law, either as
standalone bills or through inclusion in other legislation:
H.R. 928, Inspector General Reform Act of 2008
(Rep. Cooper), which enhances the effectiveness and
independence of Inspectors General, who are the principal
watchdogs of federal programs.
H.R. 3033, Contractors and Federal Responsibility
Act (Rep. Maloney), which creates a comprehensive, centralized
database that lists civil, criminal and administrative
proceedings concluded by federal and state governments against
federal contractors and grantees.
H.R. 3179, Local Preparedness Acquisition Act
(Rep. Towns), which allows state and local governments to
purchase homeland security equipment using the federal
government's pre-negotiated favorable pricing.
H.R. 3928, Government Contractor Accountability
Act (Reps. Christopher Murphy and Welch), which requires any
company or organization receiving 80% or more of their revenue
from federal contracts to disclose the salaries of their most
highly-compensated officers.
H.R. 5712, Close the Contractor Fraud Loophole Act
(Rep. Welch), which closes a loophole in a proposed rule so
that mandatory fraud reporting requirements would apply to U.S.
contractors working overseas as well as to contractors working
here at home.
H.R. 6073 (Rep. Foxx), to provide that federal
employees receiving their pay by electronic funds transfer
shall be given the option of receiving their pay stubs
electronically.
The following bills passed the House:
H.R. 180, Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act
of 2007 (Rep. Lee), which requires disclosure of investments
and business interests in certain industries in Sudan.
H.R. 404, Federal Customer Service Enhancement Act
(Rep. Cueller), which requires the establishment and
enforcement of customer service standards for federal agencies.
H.R. 752, Federal Electronic Equipment Donation
Act (Rep. Butterfield), which directs federal agencies to
transfer excess computer equipment to local schools and
educational nonprofits.
H.R. 4881, Contracting and Tax Accountability Act
(Reps. Ellsworth and Towns), which withholds most federal
contracts from companies that are delinquent on their federal
taxes.
H.R. 5787, Federal Real Property Disposal
Enhancement Act of 2008 (Rep. Moore), which requires GSA to
identify and dispose of excess properties, evaluate disposal
costs and benefits, and prioritize disposal decisions based on
agency missions and anticipated future need for holdings.
H.R. 6113, Paperwork Assistance Act (Rep. Boyda),
which requires a federal agency to include on all government
forms a website and telephone number for questions about the
form.
H.R. 6406 (Rep. Larson), to elevate the Inspector
General of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to a
presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed position.
D. INFORMATION POLICY, CENSUS, AND NATIONAL ARCHIVES
The Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and
National Archives has jurisdiction over public information and
records laws such as the Freedom of Information Act, the
Presidential Records Act, and the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, the Census Bureau, and the National Archives and Records
Administration. Rep. William Lacy Clay served as Chairman and
Rep. Michael Turner as Ranking Member during the 110th
Congress.
1. Oversight
a. Census
(1) Budget Issues
A substantial part of the Subcommittee's oversight
activities involved the Census Bureau and plans for the 2010
Census. The Subcommittee interacted with the Census Bureau on a
myriad of issues during both sessions of the 110th Congress.
The Subcommittee paid particular attention to budget issues as
they affected Census preparations.
Congress has routinely exempted the Census from the flat-
line funding requirements of a Continuing Resolution (CR) in
other years, most notably in 1998 and 1999 prior to Census
2000. On October 7, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Critical Budget Issues Affecting the 2010 Census''
to bring into focus what would happen if the Administration did
not request an exemption from a flat-line CR for the Census
Bureau. The objective was to take clear steps to insure that:
There would be no scaling back, cancellation or
delay in the Dress Rehearsal as planned.
Nothing in the CR language would hinder, delay or
deny the planned funding and execution of the contracts for the
handheld computers, the advertising program, the partnership
program, or the data capture program.
That OMB would use every means necessary to grant
Bureau of the Census officials any waivers or exemptions from
Administration spending restrictions in order for them to meet
these goals.
Census Bureau officials made it clear that a CR which did
not exempt the Census would have significant, negative
consequences for the intricate decade-long plan for the 2010
Census. Administration witnesses emphasized that without such
language, a CR would dramatically jeopardize the accuracy,
cost, and coverage of the 2010 Census.
Despite the efforts of the Subcommittee in FY 2008, the
Continuing Resolution (CR) passed without an exemption and the
Bureau had to cancel various aspects of its dress rehearsal. In
FY 2009, the Bureau was facing the same funding shortfalls and
risking further problems with the planning and implementation
of the 2010 Census. The Subcommittee, with the assistance of
the full Committee and congressional leadership, successfully
persuaded the Administration to request an exemption for FY
2009 Continuing Resolution and the 2010 Census was spared
further harm from the budget process.
(2) Field Data Collection Automation
The Subcommittee was very active in its oversight of the
Field Data Collection Automation (FDCA) system. The
Subcommittee monitored the Bureau's progress constantly
regarding FDCA. This involved regular briefings from Census,
GAO, and the contractors and consultants involved with the FDCA
system. Some of the results of this oversight are discussed
chronologically below.
In April 2006, the Census Bureau entered into a contract
with the Harris Corporation to develop an FDCA system. Under
the contract, Harris was supposed to build handheld computers
for data collection in two phases: address canvassing prior to
the census and non-response follow-up as part of the census
process, as well as provide support for the field operations.
The contract was a cost-plus contract with an initial estimated
value of $600 million. GAO issued warnings about the state of
the FDCA project in April 2007 testimony before Congress,
cautioning that inadequate contract management could lead to
cost-overruns and inadequate performance of the handheld
computers. According to GAO, the Census Bureau's actions
``raised serious questions about the Bureau's preparations for
conducting the 2010 Census. GAO recommended numerous corrective
actions to address the risks associated with the 2010 Census,
but many of them were not implemented.
Around the same time, the Census Bureau asked a private
consultant, the MITRE Corporation, to assess the FDCA program
and Harris Corporation's progress in meeting the contract's
goals. MITRE delivered its report to the Census Bureau in June
2007, underscoring GAO's findings that the FDCA contract was
off track.
In December 2007 testimony, GAO reiterated what it had been
saying now for several years, again raising concerns about the
viability of the handheld technology and the Census Bureau's
ability to manage the risks threatening the FDCA project.
In March 2008, GAO designated the 2010 Census as a high-
risk area that warranted immediate attention as a result of the
Census Bureau's failure to strengthen its systems testing and
risk management activities, define performance requirements for
the handheld computers, and develop a comprehensive plan to
control its costs and manage operations. According to GAO, the
Census Bureau's actions ``raised serious questions about the
Bureau's preparations for conducting the 2010 Census.
With the full Committee, the Subcommittee held joint
hearings in April and June 2008, continuing to urge the Census
Bureau, the Commerce Department, and the Bush Administration to
recognize and move forward on the recommendations of the GAO
and MITRE Corporation.
Due to this serious mismanagement, the Census Bureau was
forced to abandon its plans for the handheld computers to
gather data from households that did not mail in their census
forms, or non response follow-up (NRFU), and to revert to a
paper census. These changes will cost the taxpayer up to $3
billion. For years, the Government Accountability Office and
other auditors raised concerns about the Census Bureau's
management of the contract. But the Census Bureau failed to
respond to these concerns with any sense of leadership or
urgency.
When the Bureau decided to abandon its plans to use the
handheld computers for NRFU, they had to rework their contract
with Harris Corporation. Although the original cost estimate
for the reworked contract was $1.3 billion, following stringent
oversight by the Subcommittee and full Committee the final cost
was reduced to approximately $800 million, saving taxpayers
$500 million.
Throughout the 110th Congress, the Subcommittee held
numerous oversight hearings on many different aspects of the
2010 Census. The Subcommittee supplemented these risk
management hearings continually with meetings and briefings
with Census, GAO, and the contractors and consultants regarding
many issues. Subjects examined included Census preparations;
Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA); dress rehearsal; group
quarters; SIPP (Survey on Income and Program Participation);
community partnerships; Census undercount; Census in schools;
Census data and its use in the development process;
recruitment, hiring and training a diverse workforce;
communications campaign; and U.S. Territories' Census data.
b. Information Policy
Chairman Clay submitted and received responses to questions
submitted to the Honorable Jim Nussle, Director of the Office
of Management and Budget on June 12, 2008, regarding improving
federal statistics on disability that stemmed from the hearing
on June 4, 2008. OMB agreed to include the six disability
questions from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey
(ACS) in all federal surveys that request data about race, sex,
age and ethnicity, including the American Housing Survey (AHS).
They will also suggest that the ACS disability questions be
considered as part of the redesigned survey and will study
which other surveys would be appropriate to have the disability
questions.
The Subcommittee also examined how well the Department of
Homeland Security is fulfilling its role as the leading federal
agency charged with coordinating response and recovery efforts
in the event of a major Internet disruption. In addition, the
Subcommittee reviewed the roles and responsibilities of private
sector stakeholders in the development of Internet recovery
plans and heard their recommendations for improving the
nation's cyber security policy framework.
Further, the Subcommittee examined issues relating to the
protection of patient privacy and the establishment of a
framework for a uniform national health privacy standard. The
subcommittee also provided oversight to review the integrity of
Electronic Voting Systems.
c. National Historical Publications and Records Commission
The Subcommittee conducted oversight over the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the
grant-making arm of the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). NHPRC was targeted in the President's
proposed FY 2009 budget for zero funding for grants and zero
funding for staff to administer the agency and its programs.
For FY 2009, the Subcommittee supported full funding for
national grants, for staffing, and other administrative costs.
On March 11, 2008, Chairman Clay sought to increase the
funding of the NHPRC with H.R. 5582, which would authorize
appropriations for the National Historical Publications and
Records Commission for FY2010-FY2014 at $20 million per year.
The bill sought to increase funding by $10 million over
existing funding. Although the re-authorization was not enacted
in this Congress, the Subcommittee was able to include
authorization for funding to establish a national database for
records of servitude, emancipation and post Civil War
Reconstruction in S. 3477, which passed in the House on
September 27, 2008.
d. FOIA
Chairman Clay introduced H.R. 1309, the Freedom of
Information Act Amendments of 2007, which provided a bipartisan
approach to streamlining the FOIA process and increasing
transparency in government. Two key provisions within the OPEN
Government Act include expanding access to attorney's fees for
citizens who successfully challenge an agency's denial of
information, along with the creation of a new FOIA tracking
system for pending requests. In addition, the Act requires
agencies to disclose the type of FOIA exemptions used to redact
specific information sought after in many requests. Lastly, the
bill will establish a government-wide ombudsman to help reduce
the number of requests that are eventually resolved through
costly and time-consuming litigation. This bill passed in 2007
and was signed into law in December, 2007.
The Subcommittee also examined the plans for the structure
and function of the government-wide ombudsman, the Office of
Government Information Services (OGIS), which is charged with
reviewing the FOIA policies and procedures of administrative
agencies to make sure they are in compliance with the new law.
Congress placed OGIS within the National Archives and Record
Administration to serve as an impartial mediator to resolve
disputes between FOIA requestors and administrative agencies.
The Subcommittee provided the U.S. Archivist with an
opportunity to share his strategic plan to implement the law
and establish OGIS. The Subcommittee also heard from the open
government community about how to structure a highly functional
office that will make FOIA work more effectively.
e. FISMA
The Subcommittee reviewed the 2002 Federal Information
Security Management Act (FISMA) and federal agency efforts to
improve security, integrity, and reliability of the federal
government's information systems. In addition the Subcommittee
examined whether the information assurance activities of
private sector entities, including their cyber security best
practices, would be appropriate. Chairman Clay, along with
Chairman Waxman and Subcommittee on Government Management,
Organization and Procurement Chairman Towns, spearheaded the
passage of H.R. 4791, the Federal Agency Data Protection Act.
This measure amended FISMA by establishing new agency
requirements for securing personal or sensitive data. The
inquiries were coordinated with the Subcommittee on Government
Management, Organization and Procurement and the full
Committee.
2. Legislation
H.R. 1309. Chairman Wm. Lacy Clay introduced, with
Committee Chairman Waxman and Rep. Platts, the Freedom of
Information Act Amendments of 2007. H.R. 1309 provides a
bipartisan approach to streamlining the FOIA process and
increasing transparency in government. Two key provisions
within the Act include expanding access to attorney's fees for
citizens who successfully challenge an agency's denial of
information, along with the creation of a new FOIA tracking
system for pending requests. In addition, the Act requires
agencies to disclose the type of FOIA exemptions used to redact
specific information sought after in many requests. Lastly, the
bill will establish a governmentwide ombudsman to help reduce
the number of requests that are eventually resolved through
costly and time-consuming litigation. H.R. 1309 was passed by
the House in March 2007. On December 18, 2007, the House passed
a substantially similar bill, the OPEN Government Act of 2007
(S. 2488), which was signed by President Bush on December 31,
2007.
H.R. 4791. This bill was introduced by Chairman Clay along
with Chairman Waxman and Chairman Towns and passed the House on
June 3, 2008. This bill strengthens requirements for ensuring
the effectiveness of information security controls over
information resources that support federal operations and
assets. The bill amends tile 44 of the United States Code as
follows:
Defines ``personally identifiable information'' as
any information about an individual maintained by a federal
agency, including information about the individual's education,
finances, medical, criminal, or employment history, that can be
used to distinguish or trace such individual's identity or that
is otherwise linked or linkable to the individual.
Includes within the information security duties of
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and
requires agencies to update their information security programs
including requirements for maintaining a current inventory of
such systems, implementing information security requirements
for mobile digital devices maintaining or transmitting such
information, and developing, implementing, and overseeing
remediation plans to address vulnerabilities in information
security protections.
Requires the Director to report to Congress a
summary of information security breaches reported by agencies
to the Director and the federal information security incident
center.
Requires the Director to oversee the establishment
of policies, procedures, and standards for agencies to follow
in the event of a breach involving the disclosure of personally
identifiable information
Requires agency heads to delegate to their Chief
Information Officer the authority to ensure compliance and to
enforce information security requirements, including developing
and maintaining an inventory of personal computers, laptops or
hardware containing personally identifiable information.
Requires agencies to include in their information
security programs: procedures for notifying individuals whose
personally identifiable information may have been compromised
or accessed following a breach; and procedures for the timely
reporting of breaches involving personally identifiable
information.
Includes among functions of Chief Human Capital
Officers the prescription of policies and procedures for exit
interviews of employees, including a full accounting of all
federal personal property assigned.
Requires agency heads to implement expeditiously
and revise as necessary a plan to ensure the security and
privacy of information collected or maintained by or on behalf
of agencies from the risks posed by certain peer-to-peer file
sharing programs and requires the Comptroller General to review
and report to specified congressional committees on the
adequacy of such plans.
Requires audits (currently, evaluations are
required) of agency information programs and practices to
determine whether information security controls are effective.
Amends the E-Government Act of 2002 to require the
Director to develop best practices for agencies to follow in
conducting privacy impact assessments.
H.R. 5687. This bill was introduced by Chairman Clay and
Chairman Waxman and passed the House on June 24, 2008. It
amended the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) to increase
the transparency and independence of federal advisory
committees. It also requires appointments to advisory
committees to be made without regard to political affiliation
or activity, and requires the public disclosure of any conflict
of interest.
3. Proceedings
(1) Hearings
``The Presidential Records Act of 1978: A Review of the
Executive Branch Implementation and Compliance'' (March 1,
2007).
This hearing examined issues relating to the implementation
of the Presidential Records Act of 1978, including the history
of the Act, the role of the National Archives and Records
Administration in releasing presidential records to the public,
and the likely impact of Executive Order 13233 on research.
Witnesses: Dr. Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United
States; Dr. Harold Relyea, a Specialist in American Government
with the Congressional Research Service of the Library of
Congress; Dr. Robert Dallek, Presidential biographer and
historian; Mr. Thomas Blanton, Director of the National
Security Archive at George Washington University; Dr. Anna
Nelson, Distinguished Historian in Residence at The American
University; Mr. Scott Nelson, Senior Attorney at the Public
Citizens Litigation Group; and Mr. Steven Hensen, representing
the Society of American Archivists.
``Ensuring Fairness and Accuracy in Elections Involving
Electronic Voting Systems'' (April 18, 2007).
This hearing examined the use of modern electronic voting
systems and the potential vulnerabilities associated with them.
Witnesses: The Honorable Robin Carnahan, Secretary of
State, State of Missouri; The Honorable Gracia M. Hillman,
Commissioner, U.S. Election Assistance Commission; Mr. Randolph
Hite, Director, Information Technology Architecture and
Systems, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Avi R. Rubin,
Ph.D., Technical Director, Information Security Institute,
Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University; Mr.
John S. Groh, Vice President, Election Systems & Software
International, and Chairman, Election Technology Council; and
Diane Golden, Ph.D., Director, Missouri Assistive Technology
Council (on behalf of the National Association of Assistive
Technology Act Programs).
``Progress of the 2010 Reengineered Census'' (April 24,
2007).
This hearing examined the Census Bureau's progress on the
2010 Reengineered Census, which was developed by the Bureau in
response to a 2001 congressional mandate that the Bureau
overhaul the census process to reduce the undercount and cost
of the decennial census. The subcommittee also examined the
Bureau's process for monitoring contracts for the 2010 Census.
Witnesses: The Honorable Robert L. Bowser, Mayor, East
Orange New Jersey, Vice Chair, Urban Economic Policy Committee
of the U.S. Conference of Mayors; The Honorable Preston Jay
Waite, Associate Director for Decennial Census, U.S. Bureau of
the Census; The Honorable Kenneth Prewitt, professor, Columbia
University, Director, U.S. Bureau of the Census (1998-2001);
Mathew J. Scire, Director, Strategic Issues, Government
Accountability Office; Michael Murray, Vice President of
Program, Civil Business Unit, Government Communications
Systems, Harris Corporation; Karen Narasaki, President and
Executive Director, Asian American Justice Center; and Joseph
Salvo, Ph.D., Director, Population Division, New York City
Department of Planning.
``Certification and Testing of Electronic Voting Systems''
(May 7, 2007).
This hearing examined issues relating to the certification
and testing of electronic voting systems under the Help America
Vote Act of 2002. The hearing was held in New York, NY.
Witnesses: The Honorable Donetta L. Davidson, Chairman,
U.S. Election Assistance Commission; Mark W. Skall, Chief,
Software Diagnostics and Conformance Testing Division, National
Institute on Standards and Technology; Douglas A. Kellner, Co-
Chair, New York State Board of Education; Dr. David Wagner,
Associate Professor, Computer Science Division, University of
California, Berkeley; Lawrence Norden, Brennan Center for
Justice, New York University School of Law; John Washburn,
VoteTrustUSA Voting Technology Task Force; and Mac J.
Slingerlend, President and CEO, CIBER, Inc., accompanied by
John Pope, Vice President for Contracts.
``Federal IT Security: The Future of FISMA'' (Joint
Hearing) (June 7, 2007).
This hearing reviewed the 2002 Federal Information Security
Act (FISMA) and federal agency efforts to improve security,
integrity, and reliability of the federal government's
information systems. In addition, the hearing examined whether
the information assurance activities of private sector
entities, including their cyber security best practices, would
be appropriate models for improving the information security of
federal agencies. The hearing was held with the Subcommittee on
Government Management, Organization and Procurement.
Witnesses: The Honorable Karen S. Evans, Administrator,
Office of E-Government and Information Technology, Office of
Management and Budget; The Honorable Vance Hitch; Chief
Information Officer, U.S. Department of Justice; Gregory C.
Wilshusen, Director, Information Security Issues, Government
Accountability Office; Phil Bond, President and CEO,
Information Technology Association of America; Paul Kurtz,
Partner & Chief Operating Office, Good Harbor Consulting, LLC;
John W. Carlson, Executive Director, Financial Services
Roundtable/BITS; and James Andrew Lewis, Director and Senior
Fellow, Technology and Policy Program, Center for Strategic and
International Studies.
``Protecting Patient Privacy in Healthcare Information
Systems'' (June 19, 2007).
This hearing examined issues relating to the protection of
patient privacy and the establishment of a framework for a
uniform national health privacy standard.
Witnesses: Valerie C. Melvin, Director of Information
Management Issues, Government Accountability Office,
accompanied by Linda D. Koontz, Director for Information
Management Issues, Government Accountability Office; Mary R.
Grealy, President, Healthcare Leadership Council; Byron
Pickard, President, American Health Information Management
Association; and Peter Swire, Senior Fellow, Center for
American Progress.
``2010 Census: Improving Local Government Participation in
LUCA'' (June 26, 2007).
This hearing examined issues relating to the Local Update
of Census Addresses program. Specifically, the Subcommittee
discussed ways to increase local government participation in
the program.
Witnesses: The Honorable Heather Hudson, Vice President,
National Conference of Black Mayors and Mayor, Greenville, MS;
The Honorable Charles Louis Kincannon; Mathew Scire, Director,
Strategic Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Keith
Hite, President, National Association of Towns and Townships
and Executive Director, Pennsylvania State Association of
Township Supervisors; and Robert Coates, Governor's census
Liaison, Office of State Budget Management, State of North
Carolina. Written testimony was submitted by Mary Heim, Chief,
Demographic Unit, Department of Finance, State of California.
``2010 Census: Reducing the Undercount in the Hispanic
Community'' (July 9, 2007).
This field hearing examined the Census Bureau's efforts to
use community partnerships and other forms of outreach and
education to ensure full participation and an accurate
enumeration of the Hispanic/Latino population in the 2010
Census. The hearing was held in San Antonio, Texas.
Witnesses: The Honorable Charles Louis Kincannon, Director,
U.S. Bureau of the Census; the Honorable Kevin Wolff, City
Council member, Mayor Pro Tem, City of San Antonio; Steven
Saldana, President, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San
Antonio; Arturo Vargas, Executive Director, National
Association of Latino Elected Officials Educational Fund; L.
Diane Bennett, President and CEO, Kineta Corp, Charlotte, NC;
and Lydia Camarillo, Vice President, Southwest Voter
Registration Education Project.
``2010 Census: Recruitment, Hiring, and Training a Diverse
Workforce'' (July 26, 2007).
This hearing examined the Census Bureau's plans for
achieving a diverse workforce, particularly with respect to the
2010 decennial Census. The Subcommittee evaluated the Bureau's
progress toward achieving its stated goal of increasing the
diversity of its workforce from enumerators to senior level
management.
Witnesses: The Honorable Charles Louis Kincannon, Director,
U.S. Bureau of the Census; Mathew Scire, Director of Strategic
Issues, Government Accountability Office; Leigh A. McMGee,
Chair, Census Advisory Committee on the American Indian and
Alaska Native Population; Dr. Bernie Miller, Chair, Census
Advisory Committee on the African American Population; Deeana
Jang, Policy Director, Asian Pacific Islander Health Forum;
Rosa Rosales, National President, League of United Latin
American Citizens; and Stephen J. Pemberton, Chief Diversity
Office and Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion, Monster
Worldwide, Inc.
``Utilizing Public Policy and Technology to Strengthen
Organ Donor Programs'' (September 25, 2007).
This hearing examined the state of organ donation
nationwide and efforts to increase the number of available
donations. Specifically, the subcommittee reviewed public and
private sector activities intended to strengthen organ
procurement and transplantation systems nationwide.
Witnesses: James Burdick, M.D., Director, Division of
Transplantation, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Health Resources
and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services; Clive O. Callender, M.D., FACS, Founder and
Principal Investigator, National Minority Organ Tissue
Transplantation Education Program; Caverson Walls, kidney
donor, professional basketball player; Elizabeth Rubin, former
President and current Board member, Transplant Recipients
International Organization (TRIO); Timothy L. Pruett, M.D.,
Strickler Family Professor of Transplantation and Surgery,
University of Virginia, and President, Organ Procurement and
Transplantation Network/United Network of Organ Sharing; Susan
Dunn, President-elect, Association of Organ Procurement
Organizations, President and CEO, Donor Alliance, Inc.; and
Jeffrey S. Crippin, Past President, America Society of
Transplantation, Medical Director, Liver Transplantation
Program, Barnes Jewish Hospital, and Professor of Medicine,
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
``Critical Budget Issues Affecting the 2010 Census''
(October 16, 2007).
This hearing examined the impact of a continuing resolution
(CR) on the operations of the 2010 Census. The subcommittee
started the process to ensure that, as negotiations commenced
for the 2008 Continuing Resolution, there would be no scaling
back, cancellation, or delay in the Census dress rehearsal as
planned, and nothing in the CR language would hinder, delay or
deny plans, funding and execution of operations.
Witnesses: The Honorable Otto J. Wolfe, Chief Financial
Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, U.S.
Department of Commerce; The Honorable Charles Louis Kincannon,
Director, U.S. Bureau of the Census; and The Honorable Preston
Jay Waite, Deputy Director, U.S. Bureau of the Census.
``Cybersecurity: A Review of Public and Private Efforts to
Secure Our Nation's Internet Infrastructure'' (October 23,
2007).
This hearing examined how well the Department of Homeland
Security is fulfilling its role as the leading federal agency
charged with coordinating response and recovery efforts in the
event of a major Internet disruption. In addition, the
subcommittee reviewed the roles and responsibilities of private
sector stakeholders in the development of Internet recovery
plans and heard their recommendations for improving the
nation's cyber security policy framework.
Witnesses: The Honorable Gregory T. Garcia, Assistant
Secretary for Cyber Security and Communications, Department of
Homeland Security; Gregory C. Wilshusen, Director, Information
Technology, Government Accountability Office; Daniel S. Ross,
Chief Information Officer, State of Missouri; John T. Sabo,
President; Information Technology-Information Sharing &
Analysis Center; Ken Silva, Chief Security Office, VeriSign,
Inc.; Larry Clinton, President, Internet Security Alliance;
Catherine T. Allen, Chairman & CEO, Santa Fe Group; and
Kiersten Todt Coon, Vice President for Risk Management, Good
Harbor Consulting, LLC.
``Census Data and Its Use in the Development Process''
(October 29, 2007).
This hearing examined issues relating to census data and
their use in community development programs, including the
impact of the accuracy of census data on community development;
how census data is used in community development programs; and
how stakeholders in the community development process use
census data in decision making. The hearing was held in Dayton,
Ohio.
Witnesses: The Honorable Dean Lovelace, Commissioner,
Dayton City Commission; Mathew Scire, Director, Strategic
Issues, Government Accountability Office; Steve Kelley,
Director, Office of Strategic Research, Ohio Department of
Development; Dan Barton, President, Grafton Hill Neighborhood
Association; David Bohardt, Vice President, St. Mary
Development Corporation; Teresa Brandt, President, Dayton View
Historic; Theresa Gasper, President, Full Circle Development,
LLC; Karin Manovich, Historic South Park, Incorporated; and
Idotha Bootsie Neal, President, Wright Dunbar, Inc. Written
testimony was submitted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census.
``A Review of the Census Bureau's Risk Management
Activities for IT Acquisitions'' (December 11, 2007).
This hearing examined the Census Bureau's planning and
management of key information technology systems and
infrastructure for the 2010 Census and the Bureau's response to
recommendations by the Government Accountability Office in its
report titled ``Information Technology: Census Bureau's Needs
to Improve Its Risk Management of the Decennial Systems'' (GAO-
08-79).
Witnesses: The Honorable Charles Louis Kincannon, Director,
U.S. Bureau of the Census; David Powner, Director, Information
Technology Management Issues, Government Accountability Office;
Mathew Scire, Director, Strategic Issues, Government
Accountability Office; Cheryl L. Janey, President of Civil
Programs, Harris Corporation; Judy Marks, President, Lockheed
Martin Transportation and Security Solutions; and Tom Romeo,
Director, Federal Civil Agencies, IBM Global Business Services.
``Federal IT Security: A Review of H. R. 4791'' (Joint
Hearing) (February 8, 2008).
This hearing examined the 2002 Federal Information Security
Management Act (FISMA) and federal agency efforts to improve
the security, integrity, and reliability of the federal
government's information systems. In addition, the hearing
focused on H.R. 4791, which amended FISMA by establishing new
agency requirements for securing personal or sensitive data.
The hearing was held with the Subcommittee on Government
Management, Organization and Procurement.
Witnesses: The Honorable Karen S. Evans, Administrator,
Office of E-Government and Information Technology, Office of
Management and Budget; Gregory C. Wilshusen, Director,
Information Security Issues, Government Accountability Office;
Alan Paller, Director of Research, SANS Institute; Bruce
McConnell, President, McConnell International, LLC; and Tim
Bennett, President, Cyber Security Industry Alliance.
``Privacy: The Use of Commercial Information Resellers by
Federal Agencies,'' (March 11, 2008).
This hearing examined the role of commercial information
resellers in gathering data about individuals on behalf of
agencies, and whether there are adequate privacy safeguards in
place for such transactions. In addition, the hearing reviewed
provisions contained in H.R. 4791 that would establish new
privacy related safeguards and restrictions on agencies that
obtain information about individuals from commercial
information resellers.
Witnesses: The Honorable Karen S. Evans, Administrator,
Office of E-Government and Information Technology, Office of
Management and Budget; Linda D. Koontz, Director, Information
Management Issues, Government Accountability Office; Hugo
Teufel III, Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland
Security; Ari Schwartz, Deputy Director, Center for Democracy
and Technology; Stuart Pratt, President, Consumer Data Industry
Association; and Paula J. Bruening, Deputy Director, Center for
Information Policy Leadership.
``Examining the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA)--
Current Issues and Developments'' (April 2, 2008).
This hearing examined the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), its implementation, and changes needed to increase the
transparency and independence of advisory committees.
Witnesses: Robin Nazzaro, Director, National Resources and
Environment, Government Accountability Office; Robert Flaak,
Director, Committee Management Secretariat, General Services
Administration; Sidney A. Shapiro, Associate Dean for Research
and Development, Wake Forest School of Law on behalf of the
Center for Progressive Reform; and Frank Wilson, Committee
Management Officer, Department of Defense.
``2010 Census: Progress on the Development of the Field
Data Collection Automation Program (FDCA)'' (Joint Hearing)
(April 9, 2008).
This hearing examined the Bureau's progress on completion
of the requirements for the two systems, schedules, costs, and
the Commerce Secretary's plans for implementing the
recommendations of the 2010 Census Risk Reduction Task Force
and expert panel, and the Bureau's actions on GAO
recommendations. The hearing was held with the full Committee.
Witnesses: The Honorable Steven H. Murdock, Director, U.S.
Census Bureau; Mathew Scire, Director, Strategic Issues,
Government Accountability Office; David Powner, Director,
Information Technology Management Issues, Government
Accountability Office; Dr. Jason F. Providakes, Senior Vice
President and General Manager, Center for Enterprise
Modernization, The MITRE Corporation; Dr. Glenn S. Himes,
Executive Director, Center for Enterprise Modernization, The
Mitre Corporation; Judy F. Marks, President, Transportation and
Security Solutions, Lockheed Martin Corporation; and Cheryl L.
Janey, President, Civil Programs, The Harris Corporation.
``H.R. 5811, The Electronic Communications Preservation
Act'' (April 23, 2008).
This hearing examined H.R. 5811, which aims to modernize
federal record keeping by requiring agencies to begin
preserving electronic records electronically. The bill requires
such electronic preservation for electronic communications such
as e-mails, but recommends that agencies preserve all
electronic records electronically. In addition, H.R. 5811
provides for oversight of the maintenance and preservation of
presidential records, including e-mails sent and received by
presidential advisors. The bill calls on the Archivist of the
United States to establish standards for the management and
preservation of these records and to certify that the president
is meeting those standards.
Witnesses: Linda Koontz, Director, Information Management
Issues, Government Accountability Office; Gary Stern, General
Counsel, National Archives and Records Administration; Paul
Wester Jr., Modern Records Program, National Archives and
Records Administration; and Patrice McDermott, Director,
Openthegovernment.org.
``Census Data: Special Issues Related to U.S. Territories''
(Joint Hearing) (May 21, 2008).
This hearing examined the disparate treatment of the U. S.
Territories by the Census Bureau and the unavailability of
current and reliable data of these areas. The hearing also
provided an opportunity for representatives from these
territories, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Interior
Department's Office of Insular Affairs to inform the
subcommittees on how this data deficiency impedes local and
federal government officials, academics and private sector
representatives from carrying out their responsibilities. This
hearing was held with the Insular Affairs Subcommittee of the
House Committee on Natural Resources.
Witnesses: Thomas Mesenbourg, Acting Deputy Director, U.S.
Bureau of the Census; Nikalao Pula, Director, Office of Insular
Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior; The Honorable Felix
P. Camacho, Governor of Guam; Mr. Fransciso Cimadevilla, Vice
President and Editor in Chief, Casiana Communications; and
Frank L. Mills, Director, Eastern Caribbean Center at the
University of the Virgin Islands.
``Does Federal Statistical Data Adequately Serve People
Living with Disabilities?'' (June 4, 2008).
This hearing examined the federal government's efforts to
collect reliable data to evaluate policy and measure the
quality of life of people living with disabilities.
Witnesses: Steven Tingus, Deputy Assistance Secretary for
Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services; Mr. Daniel Bertoni, Director, Education, Workforce
and Income Security Issues, Government Accountability Office;
Honorable Anthony Coelho, Former member of Congress, Author of
the Americans with Disabilities Act; Ms. Pat Pound, Vice
Chairperson, National Council on Disability; Eddie Glenn
Bryant, Governor's Committee on Employment of People with
Disabilities, Dr. Holly Hollingsworth, Associate Research
Professor, Occupational Therapy, Washington University School
of Medicine.
``2010 Census: Assessing the Census Bureau's Progress''
(Joint Hearing) (June 11, 2008).
This hearing examined the Bureau's progress announcing a
major redesign of the 2010 Census with a particular focus on
development and implementation of key plans and milestones,
preparation for address canvassing, which is set to begin in
early 2009; and negotiations with Harris Corporation over the
cost of the FDCA contract. The hearing was held with the full
Committee.
Witnesses: Honorable Steven H. Murdock, Director, U.S.
Census Bureau; Arnold A. Jackson, Associate Director for
Decennial Census, U.S. Census Bureau; David Powner, Director,
Information Technology Management Issues, Government
Accountability Office; Mathew Scire, Director, Strategic
Issues, Government Accountability Office; Dr. Jason F.
Providakes, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Center
for Enterprise Modernization, The MITRE Corporation; Dr. Glenn
S. Himes, Executive Director, Center for Enterprise
Modernization; and Michael P. Murray, Vice President, Programs,
The Harris Corporation.
``2010 Census: Using the Communications Campaign to
Effectively Reduce the Undercount'' (July 10, 2008).
This hearing examined the Census Bureau's plan to use the
2010 Integrated Communications Campaign to help ensure that
hard-to-count communities are not disproportionately under
counted. The hearing also explored whether the Bureau was on
course to build upon the successful accomplishments of the 2000
Census.
Witnesses: The Honorable Steven H. Murdock, Director, U.S.
Bureau of the Census; Jeff Tarakajian, Executive Vice President
of Client Services, DraftFCB; Mark Neuman, Chair, 2010 Census
Advisory Committee; Roderick Harrison, Director of DataBank,
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies; Dr. Barbara A.
McKinzie, Chair, 2010 Census Subcommittee, National Pan
Hellenic Council; and David J. Lange, General Manager,
Scholastics Marketing Partners, Scholastic, Inc.
``Implementation of the Office of Government Information
Services'' (September 17, 2008).
This hearing examined the structure and function of the
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) established by
the Openness Promotes Effectiveness in Our National Government
Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-175). The hearing addressed members'
concerns that delays in structuring the office would lead to a
backlog which would effectively undermine its purpose. The
hearing provided the Archivist with an opportunity to share
with members planning activities to date and a vision of how
the OGIS will be structured. Additionally, several experts
offered recommendations on how to best structure the OGIS to
ensure its success.
Witnesses: Honorable Allen Weinstein, Archivist, National
Archives and Records Administration; Thomas Blanton, Director,
National Security Archive at George Washington University;
Patrice McDermott, Director, Openthegovernment.org; Rick Blum,
Coordinator, Sunshine in Government Initiative; and Terry
Mutchler, Executive Director, Pennsylvania's Office of Open
Records.
``How Information Policy Affects the Competitive Viability
of Small and Disadvantaged Business in Federal Contracting''
(September 24, 2008).
This hearing examined obstacles that negatively affect
opportunities for small businesses to grow and succeed. The
hearing also reviewed some of the information, data and
assumptions dealing with the subject of minority contracting
and federal programs with a particular focus on how they
addressed discrimination against minority businesses.
Witnesses: Thomas Boston, Economist, Georgia Tech
University; Jon Wainwright, National Economic Research
Associates (NERA); Anthony Brown, Senior Associate, MGT of
America; Mr. Anthony Robinson, President, Minority Business
Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc.; and Earl
Peek, President, Diamond Ventures, LLC.
(2) Business Meetings
Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007 and
Presidential Records Act (March 6, 2007).
This business meeting was held to review and mark up the
Freedom of Information Act (H.R. 1309) and the Presidential
Records Act (H.R. 1255). The Subcommittee approved H.R. 1309
and H.R. 1255 by voice vote and reported the bills to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Federal Data Protection Act (April 16, 2007).
This business meeting was held to review and mark up the
Federal Agency Data Protection Act. The Subcommittee approved
H.R. 4791 by voice vote and reported the bill to the Committee
on Oversight and Government Reform.
Plain Language in Government Communications Act (January
24, 2008).
This business meeting was held to review and mark up the
Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007(H.R.
3548). The Subcommittee approved H.R. 3548 by voice vote and
reported the bill to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform.
E. NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs
has oversight jurisdiction over national security, homeland
security, and foreign affairs. Rep. John F. Tierney served as
Chairman and Rep. Christopher Shays as Ranking Member during
the 110th Congress.
Over the 110th Congress, the National Security and Foreign
Affairs Subcommittee conducted robust, sustained, and
constructive oversight on a wide range of subjects; held 33
hearings; and organized countless briefings and fact-finding
travel by Subcommittee members. The Subcommittee's oversight
efforts touched on five continents, dozens of countries, and
outer space.
The Subcommittee conducted oversight of, among others, the
Defense Department, the State Department (including USAID), and
the Veterans Administration, including investigating how well
these and other national security agencies coordinate together.
The Subcommittee also examined numerous companies and non-
governmental organizations. In addition to the summaries below,
testimony, member statements, and archived webcasts can be
found on the Subcommittee's website: http://
nationalsecurity.oversight. house.gov/.
1. Pakistan
U.S. relations and efforts with the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan and its people were a central focus of the
Subcommittee during the 110th Congress. Pakistan has manifest,
strategic importance to the United States, particularly in
light of its effect on U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, its nuclear
tensions with India, and its struggles to inculcate democracy
and quell militant extremism.
The Subcommittee conducted a significant series of
oversight activities aimed at: understanding the nature of the
threats to U.S. national security emanating from Pakistan's
terrorist presence and growing insurgency; evaluating the
scope, effectiveness, and relative balance of U.S. assistance
to Pakistan; assessing U.S. policies' effect on Pakistan's own
efforts to bolster democratic institutions and civil society in
order to deliver on its promise of democracy; and promoting
U.S. policies designed to enhance a long-term, strategic,
people-to-people relationship.
a. Hearings
On May 9, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Extremist Madrassas, Ghost Schools, and U.S. Aid to
Pakistan: Are We Making the Grade on the 9/11 Commission Report
Card?'' Witnesses included: Mr. Christopher Kojm, former
President of the
9/11 Public Discourse Project and Deputy Director of the 9/11
Commission; Dr. Samina Ahmed, South Asia Project Director,
International Crisis Group; Ms. Lisa Curtis, Senior Research
Fellow, South Asia, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage
Foundation; and Mr. Craig Cohen, Deputy Chief of Staff, and
Fellow, Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project, International
Security Program, Center for Strategic & International Studies.
On July 12, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Pakistan at the Crossroads; Afghanistan in the
Balance.'' Witnesses included: the Hon. Richard A. Boucher,
Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian
Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
On December 19, 2007, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Pakistani Elections: Will They be Free and
Fair or Fundamentally Flawed?'' Witnesses included: the Hon.
Thomas A. Daschle, former two-time Senate Majority and Minority
Leader and co-author of the pre-election assessment report on
Pakistan commissioned by the National Democratic Institute; Mr.
Thomas E. Garrett, Regional Program Director, Middle East and
North Africa for the International Republican Institute; and
Mr. Mark L. Schneider, Senior Vice President, International
Crisis Group.
On January 29, 2008, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Pakistani Elections: Will They be Free and
Fair or Fundamentally Flawed? (Part II).'' Witnesses included:
the Hon. Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary of State,
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of
State.
On June 24, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Oversight of U.S. Coalition Support Funds to
Pakistan.'' Witnesses included: Mr. Charles Michael Johnson,
Jr., Director, International Affairs and Trade Division, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; Mr. Steve Sebastian,
Director, Financial Management and Assurance Team, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; Maj. Gen. Bobby Wilkes, USAF
(Ret.), Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South Asia,
Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense;
Mr. John P. Roth, Deputy Comptroller (Program/Budget), Office
of the Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller), U.S. Department
of Defense; and Amb. Stephen D. Mull, Acting Assistant
Secretary of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S.
Department of State.
On September 24, 2008, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Oversight of U.S.-Pakistan Relations: From Ad
Hoc and Transactional to Strategic and Enduring.'' Witnesses
included: Ms. Lisa Curtis, Senior Research Fellow, South Asia,
Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation; Dr. C. Christine
Fair, Senior Political Scientist, RAND Corporation; Dr. Daniel
Markey, Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia,
Council on Foreign Relations; and Mr. Brian Katulis, Senior
Fellow, Center for American Progress.
b. Official Travel/Delegations
The Subcommittee led a congressional delegation
that conducted oversight in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and
Peshawar, Pakistan, on April 1-3, 2007. The delegation examined
U.S. relations with, and domestic stability in, Pakistan,
including the status of democratization, efficacy of U.S. aid,
and state of counter-terrorism operations. The delegation was
led by Subcommittee Chairman Rep. John F. Tierney (D-MA) and
included Subcommittee Members Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), as well as Subcommittee guest Rep.
George Miller (D-CA) and Subcommittee staff.
The Subcommittee led a congressional delegation
that conducted oversight in Islamabad and Peshawar, Pakistan,
on September 11-12, 2007. The delegation examined U.S.
relations with, and domestic stability in, Pakistan, including
the status of democratization, efficacy of U.S. aid, and state
of counter-terrorism operations. The delegation was led by Rep.
Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and included Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY),
Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA), and Subcommittee staff.
The Subcommittee led a congressional delegation
that conducted oversight in Karachi and Islamabad, Pakistan, on
March 27-29, 2008. The delegation examined U.S. relations with,
and domestic stability in, Pakistan, including democratization,
efficacy and accountability of U.S. aid and military
reimbursements, and counter-terrorism actions. The delegation
was led by Subcommittee Chairman Rep. John F. Tierney (D-MA)
and included Subcommittee Member Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and
Subcommittee staff, as well as Subcommittee guests Rep. Jim
Moran (D-VA), Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rep. Keith Ellison
(D-MN), and Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY).
c. Other
On July 31, 2007, the Subcommittee hosted a
meeting with the Pakistani-American Leadership Conference and
the Karachi Chamber of Commerce.
On January 22, 2008, the Subcommittee hosted a
briefing by the Pakistan Movement for Justice Party. The
briefing was led by Mr. Imran Khan, leader of the Movement for
Justice Party.
On January 23, 2008, the Subcommittee hosted a
briefing by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Briefers included
Ms. Sherry Rehman, Member of Parliament and President of
Central Policy Planning, PPP, and Dr. Javaid Laghari, Senator
and Leadership, PPP.
On March 7, 2008, the Subcommittee hosted a
briefing on Pakistan and Afghanistan by the National Democratic
Institute. Briefers included: Mr. Peter M. Manikas, Senior
Associate and Regional Director, National Democratic Institute;
and Ms. Sheila Fruman, Senior Resident Director, National
Democratic Institute.
On August 20, 2008, the Subcommittee hosted a
briefing on pending legislation designed to establish
Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in Pakistan. Briefers
included staff of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative,
the Department of Defense, and the Department of State.
On September 25, 2008, the Subcommittee majority
staff released a report titled ``U.S. Coalition Support Funds
to Pakistan: From Ineffective, Unaccountable Reimbursements to
a Long-Term, Strategic Relationship.''
2. Afghanistan
U.S. military and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan
garnered substantial attention by the Subcommittee during the
110th Congress and necessitates continued and sustained
oversight. The security situation in Afghanistan has
deteriorated significantly during this period, Afghanistan's
nascent government continues to struggle with capacity and
corruption, the efforts by the various U.S. agencies involved
in Afghanistan requires greater coordination, and U.S. and
international donor development efforts continue to face
crucial challenges of security, accountability, and
sufficiency. The Subcommittee pursued significant oversight
focused on U.S. interagency efforts to assist the Afghanistan
government and people in their security and development
strategies.
a. Hearings
On July 12, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Pakistan at the Crossroads; Afghanistan in the
Balance.'' Witnesses included: the Honorable Richard A.
Boucher, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South and
Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
On June 18, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Oversight of U.S. Efforts to Train and Equip Police
and Enhance the Justice Sector in Afghanistan.'' Witnesses
included: Mr. Charles Michael Johnson, Jr., Director,
International Affairs and Trade Division, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Mr. Frank Ward, Deputy Assistant
Inspector General for Inspections, U.S. Department of State;
Maj. Gen. Bobby Wilkes, USAF (Ret.), Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Defense for South Asia, Office of the Secretary of Defense,
U.S. Department of Defense; Amb. David T. Johnson, Assistant
Secretary of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs; Mr. Mark Ward, Senior Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Asia Bureau, U.S. Agency for International
Development; and Mr. Bruce Swartz, Deputy Assistant Attorney
General, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice.
b. Official Travel/Delegations
The Subcommittee led a congressional delegation
that conducted oversight in Kabul and Asadabad, Afghanistan, on
April 4-5, 2007. The delegation examined the progress of U.S.
efforts in Afghanistan, with particular focus on security,
political reform, drug control policy, and reconstruction. The
delegation was led by Subcommittee Chairman Rep. John F.
Tierney (D-MA) and included Subcommittee Members Rep. Betty
McCollum (D-MN) and Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), as well as
Subcommittee guest Rep. George Miller (D-CA) and subcommittee
staff.
The Subcommittee led a congressional delegation
that conducted oversight in Kabul and Nuristan Province,
Afghanistan, on September 12-13, 2007. The delegation assessed
the progress of U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, with particular
focus on security and counter-terrorism. The Delegation was led
by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and included Rep. Brian Higgins
(D-NY), Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA), and Subcommittee staff.
The Subcommittee led a congressional delegation
that conducted oversight in Kabul and Herat, Afghanistan, on
March 25-26, 2008. The delegation examined progress in
Afghanistan, with particular focus on the efficacy and
accountability of U.S. aid, and on the security situation and
counter-terrorism efforts. The delegation was led by
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. John F. Tierney (D-MA) and included
Subcommittee Member Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Subcommittee
staff, as well as Subcommittee guests Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA),
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), and
Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY).
c. Other
On July 12, 2007, the Subcommittee hosted a
briefing with Afghanistan's Ambassador to the U.S., Amb. Said
Tayeb Jawad.
On March 7, 2008, the Subcommittee hosted a
briefing on Pakistan and Afghanistan by the National Democratic
Institute. Briefers included: Mr. Peter M. Manikas, Senior
Associate and Regional Director, National Democratic Institute;
and Ms. Sheila Fruman, Senior Resident Director, National
Democratic Institute.
On April 10, 2008, the Subcommittee hosted a
briefing with U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Amb. William
Wood.
On April 30, 2008, the Subcommittee hosted a
briefing on the State Department's Public-Private Partnership
for Justice Reform in Afghanistan. The Subcommittee was briefed
by Amb. Thomas Schweich, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, U.S.
Department of State.
On June 18, 2008, the Subcommittee hosted a
meeting with a group of Afghan Members of Parliament and
Ministry of Interior officials. The Afghan delegation included
members of the Committee on National Defense and the Committee
on Internal Security in the Afghan Parliament.
On June 26, 2008, the Subcommittee hosted a
briefing on the state of independent media in Afghanistan.
Briefers included Aaron Lobel, President, American Abroad
Media, and Saad Mohseni, Chairman, Moby Media Group.
3. Iran
U.S. relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran were the
subject of significant Subcommittee hearings and activities. As
the United States has had no formal relations with Iran for
decades, the Subcommittee held a series of hearings and
numerous briefings to better understand the current Iranian
government and leadership, its populace, and the significance
of Iran for the region.
Subcommittee efforts also sought to provide a full
accounting of the interactions between the Bush Administration
and Iran, particularly through hearing from U.S. government
officials directly involved in such interactions. Finally, the
Subcommittee explored the prospects and consequences for
various alternative approaches to Iran, including diplomacy and
military action.
a. Hearings
On October 30, 2007, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Iran: Reality, Options, and Consequences. Part
1--Iranian People and Attitudes.'' Witnesses included: Ken
Ballen, President of Terror Free Tomorrow; Karim Sadjadpour, an
associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace;
and Dr. Kenneth Katzman, Middle East Specialist with the
Congressional Research Service.
On November 7, 2007, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Iran: Reality, Options, and Consequences. Part
2--Negotiating with the Iranians: Missed Opportunities and
Paths Forward.'' Witnesses included: Ambassador James Dobbins,
Director of the International Security and Defense Policy
Center at RAND Corporation; Hillary Mann Leverett, Principal
and CEO of Strategic Energy and Global Analysis, LLC; Dr. Flynt
Leverett, Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation; Mr.
Lawrence Haas of the Committee on the Present Danger; and Dr.
Suzanne Maloney, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute.
On November 14, 2007, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Iran: Reality, Options, and Consequences. Part
3--Regional and Global Consequences of U.S. Military Action in
Iran.'' Witnesses included: Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, USA
(Ret.); Dr. Paul Pillar of Georgetown University; Lt. General
Paul Van Riper, USMC (Ret.); Mr. Ilan Berman, Vice President
for Policy at the American Foreign Policy Council; and Colonel
Samuel B. Gardiner, USAF (Ret.).
4. Africa
a. AFRICOM
The Subcommittee devoted significant attention to oversight
of the Department of Defense's establishment of its new
combatant command, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). In
October 2008, AFRICOM assumed control of all Defense Department
activities on the African continent, an area of responsibility
that was formerly divided between U.S. European Command
(EUCOM), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and U.S. Pacific
Command (PACOM).
AFRICOM represents a significant new government entity in
terms of costs, personnel, physical plant, authorities and
responsibilities. It also has engendered significant
controversy arising from African concerns that AFRICOM
represents a U.S. ``invasion'' of the continent, and general
concerns that AFRICOM symbolizes the militarization of
diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, and development.
The Subcommittee has undertaken oversight efforts to assess
the Defense Department's existing activities on the African
continent; to ascertain AFRICOM's future planning objectives;
and to evaluate AFRICOM's interactions with African nations,
multilateral organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and
other U.S. government agencies.
(1) Hearings
On July 15, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``AFRICOM: Rationales, Roles, and Progress on the Eve of
Operations.'' Witnesses included: Ms. Theresa Whelan, Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, Office of
the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense; Amb. Mary
C. Yates, Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Activities, U.S.
Africa Command; Maj. Gen. Michael A. Snodgrass, Chief of Staff,
U.S. Africa Command; Ms. Lauren Ploch, Analyst in African
Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division, U.S.
Congressional Research Service; and Mr. John Pendleton,
Director, Force Structure and Defense Planning Issues, U.S.
Government Accountability Office.
On July 23, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``AFRICOM: Rationales, Roles, and Progress on the Eve of
Operations--Part 2.'' Witnesses included: Amb. Jim Bishop, Vice
President for Humanitarian Policy and Practice, InterAction;
Dr. Stephen Morrison, Director of Africa Programs, Center for
Strategic & International Studies; Ms. Kathleen Hicks, Senior
Fellow in International Securities, Center for Strategic &
International Studies; and Mr. Mark Malan, Peace-building
Program Officer, Refugees International.
(2) Official Travel/Delegations
The Subcommittee led a congressional staff
delegation that conducted oversight in Paris, France; Bamako
and Kati, Mali; Nairobi and Lamu, Kenya; Djibouti, Djibouti;
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and Stuttgart, Germany, on October 18-
28, 2008. The delegation examined U.S. national security
interests and programs on the African continent, with
particular focus on AFRICOM, Defense Department interagency
participation and coordination in Africa, the activities of the
Combined Joint Task Force--Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and the
Trans-Sahara Counter-Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP).
b. Darfur
U.S. efforts in Darfur, Sudan, were an important part of
the Subcommittee's oversight work in the 110th Congress. As
part of its review, the Subcommittee examined ways to encourage
the government of Sudan to help end the conflict in Darfur,
including by putting pressure on international partners of the
government--such as the People's Republic of China.
Following the guidance of advocacy groups and policy
experts, the Subcommittee sought to bring attention to Darfur
before the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics in hopes of increasing
China's willingness to apply pressure to its Sudanese partners.
The Subcommittee was instrumental in raising congressional and
public awareness about the Darfur crisis as well as the
relationship between China and the government of Sudan.
(1) Hearings
On June 7, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Darfur and the Olympics: A Call for International
Action.'' Witnesses included Nick Anderson and Ana Slavin,
founders of Dollars for Darfur, Northfield Mount Hermon School;
Daoud Ibrahaem Hari, interpreter and Darfuri refugee; Joey
Cheek, Olympic gold medalist in 2004 at the Turino Winter
Olympic games; Tegla Loroupe, 2006 United Nations Ambassador of
Sport and a 2000 Summer Olympic athlete; John Prendergast,
Senior Advisor to the International Crisis Group and Co-Founder
of the ENOUGH Campaign; and Ambassador Lawrence Rossin (Ret.),
Senior International Coordinator for the Save Darfur Coalition.
(2) Official Travel/Delegations
The Subcommittee led a congressional delegation
that included meetings with international aid workers and
visits to Darfur refugee camps in Chad in September 2008. The
delegation included: Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MN), Rep. Brian
Higgins (D-PA), Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA), and Subcommittee
staff.
5. Latin America and Energy Security
The Subcommittee investigated the current and projected
state of Latin America's energy resources and the resulting
implications for regional stability and U.S. national security.
Specifically, the Subcommittee conducted oversight with regard
to the need for integration of U.S. national security and
energy policies, and explored challenges and opportunities for
energy cooperation in Latin America.
a. Hearings
On March 11, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``National Security and Latin America: Challenges and
Opportunities on Energy Cooperation.'' Witnesses included:
David Goldwyn, President of Goldwyn International Strategies
LLC; Paulo Sotero, Director of the Brazil Institute of the
Woodrow Wilson Center; Dr. Ray Walser Ph.D., Senior Policy
Analyst for Latin America at The Heritage Foundation; and Eric
Farnsworth, Vice President of the Council of Americas.
b. Other
On January 29, 2008, the Subcommittee held a
briefing with Teodoro Petkoff, a prominent politician and
newspaper editor in Venezuela, to discuss the current situation
in Venezuela, including the internal political dynamics, as
well as prospects for improved relations between the United
States and Venezuela.
6. Iraq
The Subcommittee has pursued numerous oversight projects
and initiatives related to Iraq, including conducting oversight
of waste, fraud, and abuse of U.S. taxpayer dollars in Iraq.
These activities have included oversight of U.S. efforts to
ensure the security of weapons stockpiles; waste, fraud, and
abuse at the new U.S. Embassy in Iraq; accountability for small
arms given to the Iraqi Security Forces; and U.S. policy on
Iraqi refugee resettlement.
a. Hearings
On March 22, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Iraq: IEDs and Munitions, Are They Secured?''
Witnesses included: Ms. Davi D'Agostino, Director, Defense
Capabilities and Management with Government Accountability
Office, who testified on the release of a report by GAO; and
Lieutenant General Gregory S. Newbold, retired from the U.S.
Marine Corps.
On July 26, 2007, the Subcommittee held a joint
hearing with the full Oversight Committee titled ``Allegations
of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at the New U.S. Embassy in Iraq.''
Witnesses included: Mr. John Owens, Former Employee, First
Kuwaiti Trading & Contracting Company; Mr. Rory Mayberry,
Former Subcontractor Employee, First Kuwaiti Trading &
Contracting Company; Mr. Karl Demming, KBR; Major General
(Retired) Charles E. Williams, Director Office of Overseas
Building Operations, U.S. Department of State; Mr. William
Moser, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisitions, U.S.
Department of State; Hon. Patrick Kennedy, Director, Office of
Management Policy, U.S. Department of State; and Mr. Howard J.
Krongard, Inspector General, U.S. Department of State.
b. Official Travel/Delegations
The Subcommittee led a congressional delegation
that conducted business in Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon on January
6-11, 2008. The delegation included: Rep. Steven Lynch, Rep.
Robert J. Wittman, Rep. Peter Welch, and Subcommittee staff.
The Subcommittee led a congressional delegation
that conducted business in Iraq on October 8-10, 2008. The
delegation included: Rep. Steven Lynch, Rep. Todd Platts, Rep.
Michael H. Michaud, and Subcommittee staff.
c. Other
On July 20, 2007, the Subcommittee hosted a
briefing by Refugees International to report findings from its
trip to visit refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.
Beginning in September 2007, the Subcommittee
raised concerns about arms accountability procedures in Iraq
with the Inspector General's office of the Department of
Defense. The Department of Defense Inspector General released a
subsequent classified report, ``Assessment of the
Accountability of Arms and Ammunition Provided to the Security
Forces of Iraq,'' to the Subcommittee on July 3, 2008.
On July 23, 2008, the Subcommittee, with
coordination and leadership by Rep. Peter Welch, hosted a
briefing on Iraqi refugees by Jonathan Finer, a correspondent
for The Washington Post who worked in the Baghdad Bureau, and
Naseer Nouri, a former interpreter and correspondent for The
Washington Post.
6. ``Taking Care of Our Troops''
Over the course of the 110th Congress, the Subcommittee
conducted extensive, sustained, and constructive oversight
aimed at ensuring that the United States is doing everything
possible to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our
troops and their families, including with rigorous oversight
over the military healthcare system as well as efforts to
prevent, treat, and prosecute sexual assaults.
a. Military Healthcare and Veterans
Following reports of unsanitary living conditions and
unacceptable treatment of wounded service members and veterans
at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Subcommittee committed
itself to the investigation of military housing, standards of
care, and long-term physical and mental health care for
seriously injured soldiers. The Subcommittee sought to ensure
that the solemn promises of our nation to its war heroes are
kept, and that the highest standards of care are given to
wounded service members and veterans.
The Subcommittee's oversight efforts included briefings,
hearings, and site visits to Department of Defense and Veterans
Affairs medical treatment facilities. The Subcommittee also
maintained oversight of agency coordination and transition of
active duty soldiers into the Veterans' Administration system.
(1) Hearings
On March 5, 2007, the Subcommittee held a field
hearing at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC,
titled ``Is This Any Way To Treat Our Troops? The Care and
Conditions of Wounded Soldiers at Walter Reed.'' Witnesses
included: Specialist Jeremy Duncan; Annette McLeod, Wife of
Cpl. Wendell ``Dell'' McLeod; Staff Sgt. John Daniel Shannon;
Lieutenant General Kevin C. Kiley, M.D., U.S. Army Surgeon
General; Major General George W. Weightman, Commander (former),
Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Ms. Cynthia A. Bascetta,
Director, Health Care, U.S. Government Accountability Office;
General Peter Schoomaker, Chief of Staff of the Army; and
General Richard A. Cody, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.
On April 17, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Is This Any Way to Treat Our Troops?--Part II: Follow-
Up on Corrective Measures Taken at Walter Reed and Other
Medical Facilities Caring for Wounded Soldiers.'' Witnesses
included: Togo D. West, Jr., Former Secretary of Veterans
Affairs and Former Secretary of the Army; Jack Marsh, Former
Secretary of the Army; Arnold Fisher, senior partner Fisher
Brothers New York and chairman of the Board for the Intrepid
Museum Foundation; Lawrence Holland, senior enlisted advisor to
the Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs; Charles ``Chip''
Roadman, former Air Force surgeon general; Michael L.
Dominguez, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
(Personnel and Readiness), U.S. Department of Defense; Major
General Gale S. Pollack, Army Surgeon General (Acting) and
Commander, U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM); and Major
General Eric Schoomaker, Commander, Walter Reed Army Medical
Center.
On September 26, 2007, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Third Walter Reed Oversight Hearing: Keeping
the Nation's Promise to Our Wounded Soldiers.'' Witnesses
included: Mr. John Pendleton, Acting Director, Health Care,
U.S. Government Accountability Office; Mr. Daniel Bertoni,
Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; the Honorable Michael L.
Dominguez, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
(Personnel and Readiness), U.S. Department of Defense; the
Honorable Patrick W. Dunne (RADM ret.), Assistant Secretary for
Policy and Planning, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Major General Eric Schoomaker, Commander, Walter Reed Army
Medical Center.
On February 27, 2008, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``One Year after Walter Reed: An Independent
Assessment of the Care, Support, and Disability Evaluation for
Wounded Soldiers.'' Witnesses included: Mr. John Pendleton,
Acting Director, Health Care, U.S. Government Accountability
Office; Mr. Daniel Bertoni, Director, Education, Workforce, and
Income Security, U.S. Government Accountability Office;
Lieutenant General Eric Schoomaker, Surgeon General/Commander
U.S. Army Medical Command; the Honorable Michael L. Dominguez,
Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and
Readiness), U.S. Department of Defense; and the Honorable
Patrick W. Dunne (RADM ret.), Assistant Secretary for Policy
and Planning, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2) Other
The Subcommittee investigated the use of private
contractors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The
Subcommittee also toured and requested documents regarding
finances and reimbursement by patients treated at Ward 72 of
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Eisenhower Executive
Nursing Suite.
Subcommittee staff attended a briefing by the
President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded
Warriors on June 27, 2007.
Subcommittee members and staff visited Walter Reed
Army Medical Center on September 24, 2007, to meet with
soldiers and administrators and assess whether conditions had
improved there since the Subcommittee's March 2007 field
hearing.
The Subcommittee sponsored a briefing on the U.S.
Army's Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force on January 16, 2008,
by Brigadier General Don Bradshaw.
The Subcommittee sponsored a July 22, 2008,
briefing on the Army Barracks Modernization Program following
reports of unsanitary living conditions at Ft. Bragg, NC.
Subcommittee staff conducted a site visit of
Richmond VAMC on October 7, 2008, following complaints of
unsanitary conditions and poor administrative response to
patient needs.
At the Subcommittee's request, the Government
Accountability Office report ``Veterans Disability Benefits:
Better Accountability and Access Would Improve the Benefits
Delivery at Discharge Program'' (GAO-08-901) was issued on
September 9, 2008.
At the Subcommittee's request, the Government
Accountability Office report ``Military Disability System:
Increased Supports for Servicemembers and Better Pilot Planning
Could Improve the Disability Evaluation Process'' (GAO-08-1137)
was issued on September 24, 2008.
At the suggestion of Subcommittee Chairman John F.
Tierney, the U.S. Army looked into the feasibility of
establishing ombudsman offices within the Army Medical Command.
As of November 2008, about 60 Army ombudsmen were employed at
32 locations in the United States and abroad. The ombudsman
system also includes an anonymous website submission system.
b. Military Sexual Assault
The Subcommittee conducted robust, bipartisan oversight
into the response and prevention of sexual assaults in the
military, including having conducted hearings to determine why
this pernicious problem continues to be inadequately addressed
within the Department of Defense.
(1) Hearings
On July 31, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Oversight Hearing on Sexual Assault in the Military.''
Witnesses included: Honorable Louise M. Slaughter, Member of
Congress (NY-28); Honorable Jane S. Harman, Member of Congress
(CA-36); Ms. Ingrid Torres, MSW, CSW, Washington, DC; Mrs. Mary
Lauterbach, Mother of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, Vandalia,
Ohio; Mr. Michael Dominguez, Principal Deputy Under Secretary
for Defense (Personnel and Readiness); Lieutenant General
Michael D. Rochelle, Deputy Chief of Staff G-1, United States
Army; and Ms. Brenda S. Farrell, Director, Defense Capabilities
and Management, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
On September 10, 2008, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Oversight Hearing on Sexual Assault in the
Military--Part 2.'' Witnesses included: Dr. Kaye Whitley,
Director, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, U.S.
Department of Defense; and Ms. Brenda S. Farrell, Director,
Defense Capabilities and Management, U.S. Government
Accountability Office.
(2) Other
At the Subcommittee's request, the Government
Accountability Office report ``Military Personnel: The DOD and
Coast Guard Academies Have Taken Steps to Address Incidents of
Sexual Harassment and Assault, but Greater Federal Oversight Is
Needed'' (GAO-08-296) was released on January 17, 2008.
The Subcommittee sponsored a briefing on July 10,
2008, by the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding military
sexual trauma. Briefers included: Dr. Gerald Cross, Principal
Deputy Under Secretary for Health and Dr. Antonette Zeiss, VHA-
Mental Health Services.
At the Subcommittee's request, the Government
Accountability Office report ``Military Personnel: DOD's and
the Coast Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
Programs Face Implementation and Oversight Challenges'' (GAO-
08-924) was released in August 2008.
c. Missile Defense
The Subcommittee conducted robust and sustained oversight
of the U.S. ballistic missile defense system, the largest
research development program in the Department of Defense,
consisting in recent years of over $10 billion a year.
The initial stage of this investigation culminated in a
series of three hearings. Themes explored during this
investigation included: examining the threats and realities
associated with ballistic missiles; determining how that
ballistic missile threat compares to other vulnerabilities
facing the United States; weighing the technical prospects for
success in the U.S.'s missile defense efforts, especially with
the ground-based, mid-course system; and measuring the costs
involved in this effort.
This series of hearings aimed to achieve the most accurate
picture possible of where the U.S. currently stands on its
missile defense efforts, and to provide a solid foundation for
efficient and effective decision-making going forward.
(1) Hearings
On March 5, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Oversight of Ballistic Missile Defense (Part 1):
Threats, Realities, and Tradeoffs.'' Witnesses included: Mr.
Joseph Cirincione, President of the Ploughshares Fund; Mr.
Steven Hildreth, Specialist in National Defense, Foreign
Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division, Congressional Research
Service; Mr. Baker Spring, F.M. Kirby Research Fellow in
National Security Policy at the Heritage Foundation; and Dr.
Stephen E. Flynn, Ph.D., CMD, USCG (ret.), Senior Fellow for
National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
On April 16, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``What are the Prospects, What are the Costs?: Oversight
of Missile Defense (Part 2).'' Witnesses included: Dr. Lisbeth
Gronlund, Senior Scientist and Co-Director of the Global
Security Program with the Union of Concerned Scientists; Dr.
Richard L. Garwin, Ph.D., Fellow Emeritus, Thomas J. Watson
Research Center, IBM; Mr. Jeff Kueter, President, The George C.
Marshall Institute; and Mr. Philip E. Coyle, III, Senior
Advisor with the Center for Defense Information.
On April 30, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled, ``Oversight of Missile Defense (Part 3): Questions for
the Missile Defense Agency.'' Witnesses included: Lieutenant
General Henry A. ``Trey'' Obering III, Director of the Missile
Defense Agency, Department of Defense; Mr. Philip E. Coyle,
III, Senior Advisor with the Center for Defense Information;
Dr. Henry F. Cooper, Ph.D., Chairman of High Frontier; and Mr.
Joseph Cirincione, President of the Ploughshares Fund.
(2) Official Travel/Delegations
The Subcommittee led a congressional delegation
that conducted business in Prague, Czech Republic, on March 29,
2008. The delegation was led by Subcommittee Chairman John F.
Tierney (D-MA) and included Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and
Subcommittee staff, and Subcommittee guest Members Rep. Jim
Moran (D-VA), Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rep. Keith Ellison
(D-MN), and Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY). The Subcommittee met
with key Czech legislators and civil society members to discuss
the U.S. proposal to build a missile defense radar station in
the Czech Republic.
(3) Other
On March 4, 2008, the Subcommittee hosted a
briefing by the Missile Defense Agency on agency activities.
On April 9, 2008, the Subcommittee hosted a
delegation of legislators from the Czech Republic focused on
the U.S. proposal to build a missile defense radar station in
the Czech Republic.
7. Nonproliferation
Oversight of nuclear weapons activities was a high priority
for Subcommittee actions during the 110th Congress. Topics of
Subcommittee hearings included the monitoring of present and
future U.S. responsibilities in the current nuclear regime; the
potential for the militarization of space; and the effect of
planned deployments or changes to the U.S. nuclear posture,
such as the continued deployment and testing by the Missile
Defense Agency of a missile shield, and its effect on relations
with foreign countries. In addition, the nuclear activities of
Iran, Russia, and Pakistan were also topics of Subcommittee
investigations. This multifaceted approach, which entailed
careful examination of U.S. compliance with international
treaty obligations and the role of current U.S. agencies,
Administration programs, and policies in these areas, led to
several oversight hearings and actions.
a. Weaponization of Space
(1) Hearings
On May 23, 2007, the Subcommittee held an
oversight hearing titled ``Weaponizing Space: Is Current U.S.
Policy Protecting Our National Security?'' The hearing was held
to explore the Administration's military and diplomatic
policies toward the use of space. The hearing examined the 2006
National Space Policy (unclassified version) and the impact of
Administration policies on the use of space by other countries
and on space debris mitigation, such as that created by the
January 2007 anti-satellite test by the People's Republic of
China. Witness included: Major General James B. Armor, Jr.,
Director, National Security Space Office, U.S. Department of
Defense; Hon. Donald Mahley, Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Threat Reduction, U.S. Department of State; Dr. Laura Grego,
Ph.D. Staff Scientist, Global Security Program, Union of
Concerned Scientists; Ms. Theresa Hitchens, Director, Center
for Defense Information; Mr. Jeff Kueter, President, The George
C. Marshall Institute; and Mr. David Cavossa, Executive
Director, Satellite Industry Association.
(2) Other
As a result of questions raised by the
Subcommittee's May 2007 hearing, the Subcommittee requested
that the GAO compare the current National Space Policy with
that issued by previous Administrations, and that given the
increasing number of civil, commercial, and military satellite
objects in space, whether rules of the road type guidelines and
increased international cooperation on space issues are needed.
The Subcommittee was also interested in determining the extent
to which the U.S. military is taking a risk-based approach to
dealing with the emerging threats to space-based assets, from
an all-hazards perspective. This would include a comprehensive
review of threats, identifying critical space assets, weighing
risk, and determining ways to mitigate the risk, including
through the use of diplomatic tools.
In September 2008, the GAO issued a report titled
``U.S. Efforts to Protect Space Assets and Capabilities''
(classified).
b. International Nonproliferation Efforts
(1) Hearing
The Subcommittee sponsored a briefing on June 27,
2007, titled International Perspectives on Strengthening the
Nonproliferation Regime. Briefers included: the Hon. Martin
Briens, Counselor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of
France; Alexei Arbatov, Ph.d., former member of the Russian
parliament and currently a scholar in residence at the Carnegie
Moscow Center; Pierre Goldschmidt, Ph.d., Former IAEA Deputy
Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards,
former Director General of company responsible for fuel supply
and spent fuel management of seven Belgian nuclear plants, and
currently a Visiting Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace; George Perkovich, Ph.d., Vice President
for Studies--Global Security and Economic Development, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace; and Mr. Henry Sokolski,
Executive Director, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center.
8. Defense Department Acquisitions, Property Controls, and Supplier
Base
The Subcommittee has actively explored instances of waste,
fraud, and abuse in the Department of Defense's acquisitions
process, including by conducting a hearing focused on the
overall picture of the current state of Defense Department
acquisitions as well as with separate and ongoing Subcommittee
investigations.
The Subcommittee also conducted oversight of the Department
of Defense's disposal and controls over excess military
property. The Subcommittee requested that the GAO investigate
whether sensitive military equipment and supplies were being
made available to the general public, such as via purchases and
auction sales on the Internet.
Finally, the Subcommittee initiated an investigation into
the Defense Department's own knowledge of its defense supplier
base.
(1) Hearings
On April 29, 2008, the Subcommittee, in
conjunction with the full Oversight and Government Reform
Committee, held a hearing titled ``Oversight of Defense
Department Acquisitions.'' Witnesses included: Michael J.
Sullivan, Director of Acquisition and Sourcing Management with
the GAO; James Finley, Deputy Undersecretary for Acquisition
and Technology with the Department of Defense; and David
Patterson, Principle Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for
Comptroller.
On April 10, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Investigation into the Sale of Sensitive, In-Demand
Military Equipment and Supplies on the Internet.'' This hearing
followed an undercover investigation tasked by the Subcommittee
and carried out by the GAO's Special Investigations Unit.
Witnesses included: Mr. Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director of
Forensic Audits and Special Investigations with the Government
Accountability Office; Mr. Charles W. Beardall, Deputy
Inspector General for Investigations with the Department of
Defense; Mr. Tod Cohen, Vice President for Government
Relations, eBay Inc.; Mr. Jim Buckmaster, CEO of
Craigslist.org; Mr. Alan F. Estevez, Principal Assistant Deputy
Under Secretary of Defense (Logistics and Materiel Readiness)
with the U.S. Department of Defense; and Ms. Sarah H. Finnecum,
Director of Supply and Maintenance Directorate with the United
States Army, G-4 (Logistics).
(2) Other
On October 7, 2008, at the request of the
Subcommittee, the GAO issued a report titled ``A Departmentwide
Framework to Identify and Report Gaps in the Defense Supplier
Base Is Needed'' (GAO-09-5).
9. Emerging Thinking in National Security Strategy
The Subcommittee devoted substantial attention to
highlighting the best of emerging thinking in overarching
national security strategy. This inherently interagency subject
area was a natural fit for the Subcommittee's broad oversight
jurisdiction. The Subcommittee explored guiding security
principles and innovative thinking with the benefit of the
perspective gained over the seven years following the September
11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
a. Hearings
On October 10, 2007, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Six Years Later: Assessing Long-Term Threats,
Risks and the U.S. Strategy for Security in a Post-9/11
World.'' Witnesses included: Mr. Walter Isaacson, President &
CEO, The Aspen Institute; Dr. Robert J. Lieber, Professor &
International Relations Field Chair, Georgetown University; and
Jessica T. Mathews, President, Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace.
On November 6, 2007, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Six Years Later (Part II): 'Smart Power' and
the U.S. Strategy for Security in a Post-9/11 World.''
Witnesses included: the Hon. Richard L. Armitage, former Deputy
Secretary of State; and Dr. Joseph S. Nye, Jr., former
Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security
Affairs and Chairman, National Intelligence Council.
On February 14, 2008, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Six Years Later (Part III): Innovative
Approaches to Combating Terrorists.'' Witnesses included: Col.
Michael J. Meese, US Army, Professor and Head, Social Sciences
Department, United States Military Academy, West Point; Dr.
Angel Rabasa, Senior Policy Analyst, RAND Corporation; Dr.
Amitai Etzioni, University Professor, The George Washington
University; and Dr. Daniel L. Byman, Director, Center for Peace
and Security Studies, Georgetown University.
10. The Future of American Diplomacy
The Subcommittee investigated the effectiveness of current
American diplomatic efforts, with a particular focus on the
impact of post-9/11 security measures on U.S. embassy
activities and outreach. More broadly, the Subcommittee
evaluated the overarching purposes of U.S. diplomatic presence
abroad and best practices for maintaining and improving U.S.
relations with foreign governments and the people those
governments represent.
a. Hearing
On January 23, 2008, the Subcommittee held a
hearing titled ``Fortress America Abroad: Effective Diplomacy
and the Future of U.S. Embassies.'' Witnesses included:
Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering, former Undersecretary of State
for Political Affairs (1997-2001); Ambassador Marc A. Grossman,
former Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs (2001-
2005) and currently Vice Chairman of the Cohen Group; Dr. Jane
C. Loeffler, author of The Architecture of American Diplomacy
and Fortress America, and Mr. John K. Naland, President of the
American Foreign Service Association (AFSA).
11. International Police Training
The Subcommittee began an investigation into the current
efforts by the United States government--through a variety of
departments--to assist other countries in training their police
forces. This investigation included a preliminary hearing on
the State Department's Antiterrorism Assistance Program.
a. Hearing
On June 4, 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing
titled ``Oversight of the State Department's Antiterrorism
Assistance Program.'' Witnesses included Charles M. Johnson,
Jr., Director, International Affairs and Trade, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Deputy
Coordinator, Programs, Policy, Budget and Operations, Office of
the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, U.S. Department of State;
and Lynda Tibbetts, Acting Director, Office of Antiterrorism
Assistance, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of
State.