Chronology
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Weaknesses in FDA's Food Safety System
Rep. Waxman releases a fact sheet explaining that the growing incidence of contamination in fresh produce is a symptom of weaknesses in the federal food safety system.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Democratic Medicare Drug Reforms Could Save Seniors Billions of Dollars
Democratic members of Congress have proposed reforms of the Medicare drug benefit that could save the average senior almost $500 per year and eliminate the donut hole, without any increased costs to the taxpayer.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Senior Democrats Reject Superficial Bush Counterterrorism Plan Before Elections
Rep. Waxman joins senior Democratic members of Congress in rejecting President Bush's decision to roll out a superficial counterterrorism plan directly before midterm elections.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Bush Cabinet Secretaries Have Frequently Traveled on Private Jets at Taxpayer Expense
Rep. Waxman reveals that Bush agency heads have taken 125 trips to over 300 locations aboard private jets, helicopters, and other aircraft at taxpayer expense and urges OMB Director Rob Portman to impose a moratorium on this luxury travel.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Based on Claritin-D Advertisement, Rep. Waxman Renews Request That FDA Investigate Phenylephrine Oral Nasal Decongestants
Citing a new Claritin-D advertisement, Rep. Waxman renews his request that the FDA investigate whether phenylephrine oral nasal decongestants are effective. In the ad, Schering-Plough announced that it will not reformulate Claritin-D, a pseudoephedrine-based oral nasal decongestant, to switch to phenylephrine.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Further Action Needed by DOD to Prepare for Pandemic Influenza
Reps. Waxman and Davis today released a GAO report detailing the Department of Defense's pandemic influenza preparedness efforts. While the department has taken some important steps, accountability, funding, and communications need to be clearer and more focused across the Department to fully prepare for the threat.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Waxman Asks Mehlman about Abramoff U2 Tickets, Releases Mehlman Financial Disclosure Form
Rep. Waxman asks former White House Director of Political Affairs, Ken Mehlman, whether he accepted tickets to a U2 concert from Jack Abramoff and, if he did accept the tickets, why he failed to report them on his 2001 financial disclosure form.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Committee Report Finds Data Breaches Throughout Federal Government
In a report released today, Reps. Davis and Waxman summarize information provided to the Committee by 19 federal departments and agencies regarding the loss or compromise of personal information since January 2003. The report finds that every agency has experienced at least one such breach and that the agencies do not always know what information has been lost or how many individuals could be affected.
Friday, October 13, 2006
US Trade Policies Threaten Access to Medicines
Rep. Waxman and Sen. Kennedy have requested that GAO investigate the impact of US trade policy on access to medicines in the developing world. The request stemmed from a concern that despite the US obligation to respect public health in its trade negotiations, the Administration has prioritized intellectual property rights above access to medicines.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
HHS Misled Public about Medicare Drug Premiums; Seniors Will Pay Significantly More in 2007
The Department of Health and Human Services erred when it claimed that seniors would not face premium increases for their Medicare Part D coverage in 2007. A new analysis released by Rep. Waxman shows that for the average senior, premiums will increase by over 10%, with some seniors enrolled in the lowest-priced plans facing even larger increases.
Update: Includes Rep. Waxman's Reponse to Administrator McClellan's Statement
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Rep. Waxman Questions Timing of NARA Inquiry
Rep. Waxman today wrote to Chairman Davis regarding the timing of a request for materials from the National Archives and Records Administration relating to Samuel R. Berger, former National Security Advisor to President Clinton, which followed on the heels of a request by Republican members for a Committee investigation of Mr. Berger.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Rep. Waxman Statement on Resignation of Susan Ralston
Rep. Waxman responds to the White House announcement that Susan Ralston, aide to Karl Rove, has resigned because of findings in the Committee's report on lobbyist Jack Abramoff's ties to the White House.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Abramoff Ties to White House More Extensive Than Previously Known
Following Mr. Abramoff's guilty plea in January, President Bush and other top White House officials issued repeated statements that Mr. Abramoff was a virtual stranger to the White House. The documents reviewed by the Committee tell a different story. They show that between January 2001 and March 2004, there were 485 lobbying contacts between Mr. Abramoff and his associates and White House officials.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Rep. Waxman Statement on Iraq Reconstruction Efforts
At a hearing today, Rep. Waxman highlighted a new report from the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction regarding the dilapidated facilities at the Baghdad Police College, which the Army and the Parsons Company spent $75 million to build, as well as a new report by the Government Accountability Office identifying a record $3.5 billion in questioned and unsupported contractor charges in Iraq. Rep. Waxman called for a fundamentally new direction in Iraq.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Rep. Waxman Releases Internal Commerce Department E-Mails on Climate Change
Rep. Waxman requests Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez explain emails that appear to show that his office denied a media request to interview a NOAA scientist who had concluded that global warming may lead to more dangerous hurricanes.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
100+ Members of Congress Urge EPA to Allow States to Tackle Global Warming
Rep. Waxman and more than 100 colleagues call upon EPA to allow states to move forward with stronger state auto emissions standards to fight global warming pollution.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Senior Democrats Urge Hastert to Hold Hearings on Increase in Global Terrorist Threat
House Democratic Leader Pelosi, Rep. Waxman, and other senior Democratic members today sent a letter to Speaker Hastert urging him to hold hearings on a new classified report by the nation’s 16 intelligence agencies reportedly concluding that the Bush Administration’s actions in Iraq are increasing the danger of terrorism against the United States, spawning a new generation of Islamic radicalism.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Rep. Waxman Commends Royal Society for Efforts Against Scientific Misinformation
Rep. Waxman commends the Royal Society for its efforts to persuade ExxonMobil to cease funding organizations that spread misinformation on global warming. He shares a document that the ExxonMobil-funded American Petroleum Institute sent to misinform Members of Congress about the validity of certain global warming scientific studies.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Based on a New Study, Rep. Waxman Renews Request for FDA Investigation of Phenylephrine Decongestants
Citing a study conducted and completed in 2006, Rep. Waxman renews his request that FDA investigate whether pheylepherine oral nasal decongestants are effective. Manufacturers have begun to offer alternatives that eliminate pseudoephedrine and relay instead on phenylephrine, which permits them to be sold over-the-counter without any restrictions.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Rep. Waxman Presses for Explanation of CDC’s Failure to Update HIV Compendium
Rep. Waxman sends follow up letters to HHS and CDC regarding CDC’s inadequate response to his query about the HIV Compendium. The Compendium, a key compilation of evidence-based prevention measures, has not been updated since its 1999 release, although government experts have identified multiple new proven programs.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Rep. Waxman Requests Documents on FDA Inspections of Fresh Produce Firms
Following the 20th outbreak of E. coli linked to fresh produce since 1995, Rep. Waxman requests FDA inspection and enforcement records related to spinach and other fresh produce firms, including any record of enforcement actions recommended by FDA staff but ultimately not taken.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The Middle Class Squeeze
Since President Bush took office in January 2001, real incomes have fallen while costs have soared, creating a middle-class economic squeeze. A new report prepared for Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Henry A. Waxman finds that working families have seen their real income drop by almost $1,300 since 2000, while the costs of health insurance, gasoline and home heating, and attending college have increased by almost $5,000 annually.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Rep. Waxman's Remarks on Climate Change
At a hearing today, Rep. Waxman spoke about the Bush Administration's poor record on climate change and the need for a new direction in overcoming the challenges presented by global warming.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Rep. Waxman Requests Documents and Briefing on CPA Cronyism Allegations
In light of recent media reports contradicting Pentagon claims that political ideology played no role in hiring practices at the Coalition Provisional Authority, Rep. Waxman requests that the Pentagon produce documents related to the screening and hiring of "temporary political appointees" to fill key roles in the Iraq reconstruction effort.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Reps. Hoyer and Waxman Ask for Independent Investigation into CPA Hiring
Following reports of undue political influence in hiring employees for the Coalition Provisional Authority, Reps. Hoyer and Waxman call for an independent investigation.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Rep. Waxman Works to Increase Flu Immunization Rates Among Health Care Workers
Rep. Waxman asks the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take greater steps to ensure that health care workers get their annual flu shots. Higher immunization rates among health care workers will not only keep them healthier, it will keep their patients healthier as well.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Rep. Waxman Requests GAO Study on EPA Budget Cuts
Reps. Waxman, Gordon, and Dingell request that the GAO examine the Administration's plan to cut funding for the Environmental Protection Agency's library system by over 30 percent. The budget cut will force EPA to substantially restructure library services by closing some libraries and reducing hours and services at others.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Drug Company Profits Soar Under Medicare Drug Plan
Today the Democratic Truth Squad released a new analysis that reveals pharmaceutical industry profits increased by over $8 billion in the first six months after the Medicare drug plan went into effect.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Rep. Waxman's Remarks at Congressional Oversight Symposium
Rep. Waxman's remarks focus on the need for effective congressional oversight to rein in the excesses of the executive branch.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Reps. Waxman and Gordon Release GAO Report on the Data Quality Act
The report finds that in the first two years of the Act, there were 80 substantive challenges to agency information, with the majority coming from industry interests. Responding to these challenges can cost agencies significant time and resources.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Committee Requests Response to Report from Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service
Reps. Waxman and Davis request additional information about the activities of Azeezaly Jaffer, former Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications at the Postal Service, who was found in a report by the Inspector General to have engaged in a wide range of misconduct.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Restoring Honesty and Accountability in Washington
Over the last five years, public confidence in the federal government has plummeted. Reports of enormous waste, fraud, and abuse have squandered both taxpayer dollars and public support. Rep. Henry A. Waxman and Democratic Members of the Committee on Government Reform have developed six proposals to restore honesty and accountability in government.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Democratic Truth Squad Introduces 'Clean Contracting Act'
Today the House Democratic Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Truth Squad introduced the "Clean Contracting Act of 2006." The bill would end the abusive contracting practices that have been rampant under the Bush Administration and promote greater transparency and accountability in federal contracting.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Rep. Waxman's Statement on Iraq Reconstruction Efforts
In a statement at a subcommittee hearing on Iraq reconstruction, Rep. Waxman says that the U.S.'s effort has been largely a failure and asks the Bush Administration and Congress to have an honest discussion on how to move forward.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Rep. Waxman Urges NFL to Reexamine Drug Policy
In the wake of new reports about widespread use of HGH by NFL players, and new information in the case of Carolina Panthers players who used numerous performance enhancing drugs, Rep. Waxman asks the NFL to reassess its drug policy.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Rep. Waxman Inquires About Omission of Evolutionary Biology from Federal Grant Program
Rep. Waxman asks for details regarding the exclusion of evolutionary biology, a core component of the biological sciences, from the eligibility rules for the Department of Education's new "National Smart Grant" program.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Hurricane Katrina Contracts
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Bush Administration turned to private contractors to provide relief and recovery services worth billions of dollars. At the request of Reps. Waxman, Cardoza, Obey, Tanner, Norton, and Tierney, this report identifies 19 Katrina contracts, collectively worth $8.75 billion, that have experienced significant overcharges, wasteful spending, or mismanagement.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Rep. Waxman Requests Investigation of Effectiveness of Phenylephrine Nasal Decongestants
Rep. Waxman asks FDA to investigate whether phenylephrine oral nasal decongestants are effective. Manufacturers have begun to offer alternatives that eliminate pseudoephedrine and rely instead on phenylephrine, which permits them to be sold over-the-counter without any restrictions. Medical studies indicate that phenylephrine may be no more effective than placebo in alleviating nasal congestion, raising questions regarding FDA’s conclusion that the drug is safe and effective for over-the-counter use.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Rep. Waxman Requests Medicaid Documents to be Properly Posted on Website
Rep. Waxman asks that guidance letters provided to state Medicaid programs be provided on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services website in a format generally accessible to standard computer users.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
FEMA Trailers Exhibit Unsafe Levels of Formaldehyde Gas
Reps. Waxman and Melancon request information from FEMA regarding hazardous levels of formaldehyde gas, a respiratory irritant and carcinogen, detected in FEMA-issued trailers used for housing Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Tests reveal that 94 percent of trailers tested had indoor levels of formaldehyde above EPA safety guidelines.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Rep. Waxman Requests Investigation Into Poor Mail Service in Los Angeles Area
Rep. Waxman requests that the USPS Inspector General initiate an investigation to identify the cause of the continuing delays at the Los Angeles mail processing center. An anonymous report received by Rep. Waxman shows unacceptable delays in both first class and periodical mail, confirming reports by constituents of poor mail service.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Homeland Security Contracts Waste Hundreds of Millions of Taxpayer Dollars
Ranking Member Waxman and Chairman Davis release a comprehensive report on homeland security contracting that finds pervasive mismanagement and waste. According to the report, noncompetitive contracts have soared over 700% in just three years, and the total value of the Department’s wasteful contracts exceeds $34 billion.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
GAO finds EPA Failing to Protect Public Health from Toxic Air Pollution
In a new report, GAO finds that sixteen years after Congress passed the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, EPA has failed to carry out many of the Act’s requirements to protect Americans from cancer-causing toxic air pollution.
Monday, July 24, 2006
EPA Rulemaking Delay May Harm Public Health
Rep. Waxman, along with Sens. Boxer and Obama, protests an EPA plan to further delay the final Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule, which is already years overdue. Another year of delay will allow more children to be exposed to hazardous lead contamination in their homes and undermine the public health.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Federal Prosecutors Are Underfunded and Understaffed
Reps. Waxman and Conyers reveal that U.S. Attorney offices across the nation are being undermined by attorney vacancies and lack of funding, with some offices facing shortages of even basic supplies, like binder clips and envelopes. In staff interviews, Assistant U.S. Attorneys reported that the problems are affecting the outcome of both criminal and civil cases.
Friday, July 21, 2006
FDA Scientists Disclose Political Interference within the Agency
Rep. Waxman writes Secretary Leavitt about a survey that reveals that many FDA scientists have been asked "to provide incomplete, inaccurate or misleading information" to the public and elected officials.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Committee Requests Bush Administration Climate Change Documents
In a letter to the President's Council on Environmental Quality, Ranking Member Waxman and Chairman Davis request documents related to CEQ’s review and editing of government reports on global warming.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Federal Government Red Tape Soaring Under Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
A new study released by Reps. Henry A. Waxman and Stephen F. Lynch shows that the federal paperwork burden has grown to record levels under the Bush Administration, with the new Medicare prescription drug program adding over 200 million hours of government red tape.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Federally Funded Pregnancy Resource Centers Mislead Teens about Abortion Risks
A new study released by Rep. Henry A. Waxman finds that federally funded pregnancy resource centers often mislead pregnant teens about the medical risks of abortion, telling investigators who posed as pregnant 17-year-olds that abortion leads to breast cancer, infertility, and mental illness.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Rep. Waxman Statement on Administration’s Strategy in Iraq
At a hearing today, Comptroller General David Walker called President Bush's national strategy for Iraq "inadequate," particularly with respect to benchmarks for a viable exit strategy. In Rep. Waxman’s statement at the hearing, he called for "specific, substantive, and straightforward" answers from the Administration on how the Administration plans to lead Iraq and the United States out of the war.
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