Mark's Weekly Update

 

Hillary Clinton Aides Plead the Fifth

It is clear that during Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State, the State Department did not comply with federal laws on preserving records. This week, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee examined the issue to question witnesses and get to the bottom of what happened.

Paul Combetta and Bill Thornton--two Secretary Clinton aides who used BleachBit to erase her emails (after a subpoena was issued)--pled the Fifth before the Oversight Committee and would not answer questions. Bryan Pagliano--a Clinton aide who maintained her private server--would not comply with a Congressional subpoena and refused to appear before the Committee.

The American people can judge for themselves what this means. However, I believe Mr. Combetta, Mr. Thornton, and Mr. Pagliano owe it to the public to be transparent and honest about what happened with Secretary Clinton’s email server. Furthermore, a "red line in the sand" has to be drawn on Mr. Pagliano's refusal to comply with a subpoena and appear before the House Oversight Committee. The Committee is examining all of its options to hold him accountable for refusing to show up. Watch the video here to see Mr. Combetta refuse to answer Chairman Chaffetz's question about who instructed him to use BleachBit on the emails, and click here to read more information on Mr. Pagliano.

Bryan Pagliano, who set up Secretary Clinton’s private server (photo from Washington Times)

 

FBI Redactions of State Department Documents

Back in July of this year, FBI Director James Comey committed to turning over all documents in Secretary Clinton's investigative file to the House Oversight Committee. When the Committee received the documents, we learned that some of them were missing or heavily redacted, even though much of the information in them was unclassified. The documents we received did not represent the complete investigation file we requested.

At the time, the Committee received no explanation as to why documents were ommitted, even though the FBI had turned over a complete, un-redacted file of the same documents to an outside group. This week, when I asked Jason Herring of the FBI, he claimed the FBI did not turn the documents over to Congress because they "contained classified information." When I followed up and asked if he would turn over all of the unclassified material to Congress, he refused to say "yes."

This lack of transparency is wrong, and the Committee has responded by issuing a subpoena for the full set of documents. Watch my questioning here, and click here to see Chairman Chaffetz serve Mr. Herring with a subpoena.

 

Questioning Mr. Jason Herring with the FBI

Heritage Action Conservative Leadership Award

This week I was honored to receive the Heritage Conservative Leadership Award--and just as honored to be introduced by the gentleman from Virginia, my good friend Congressman Dave Brat!

Heritage Action for America offered the award to recognize select officials for their leadership in the conservative movement. Thank you to the hard-working people at Heritage for the work you do to promote conservative principles and hold our government accountable. Additionally, I want to congratulate two giants in the conservative movement, Senator Mike Lee and Governor Phil Bryant of Mississippi, on their awards as well and for everything they do with the goal of returning power back to the American people.

Accepting the Heritage Action Conservative Leadership Award

 

Spending Time with Two Great Americans

Speaking of the Heritage Action Awards, it was great to run into two of my good friends while there—Congressman Dave Brat and Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch! Both of these men are relentless fighters for conservative values and principles and the rule of law.

 

With Rep. Dave Brat and Tom Fitton

House Oversight Committee Hearing on Obamacare

The House Oversight Committee held a hearing to question healthcare professionals on why Obamacare premiums continue to rise, even when this administration has repeatedly promised that they would not.

During the hearing, I had an opportunity to fill in for Chairman Chaffetz during the questioning. One of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle pointed out that the system must be fine, because none of the healthcare professional witnesses we were questioning were "outraged" about Obamacare.

As it turns out, none of the witnesses actually use Obamacare. Watch here to see more.

Filling in for Chairman Chaffetz and questioning witnesses on Obamacare

 

Remembering 9/11

Last week I was honored to attend multiple services in Western North Carolina honoring one of the most sobering days in our nation’s history—the 15th anniversary of September 11, 2001. The services included Henderson County Patriot Day, a 9/11 Remembrance Day hosted by Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, a memorial service at the Clyde Fire Department, and a ceremony held by Pole Creek Baptist Church in Candler, NC (which also fell on the same day as the church’s 100th anniversary). While these three services came with reminders of a dark day in our country’s past, they also brought to mind the heroic acts of first responders on that day and the bravery of our military men and women who fight every day to protect us. May we never forget their sacrifice and never forget the precious lives lost on 9/11.

Speaking at Henderson County Patriot Day

Meeting everyone at the 9/11 ceremony at Trinity Baptist Church

Speaking at the Clyde Fire Department 9/11 Memorial Service

Honoring Pole Creek Baptist for 100 years of faithful service, and pausing to remember the victims of 9/11

 

Introducing a Bill on GAO Protest Authority

This week, I introduced a bill that will extend the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) authority to hear protests over civilian agency contracts.

Whenever the government issues civilian agency contracts, individual contractors are permitted to protest the government’s decision before the GAO to ensure transparency and a fair process. A contractor can protest any civilian agency award over $10 million before the GAO. However, under current law, the GAO’s authority to hear civilian award protests will expire on September 30, 2016. My bill would make the GAO’s authority permanent, similar to their permanent authority to hear Department of Defense task order protests. This will ensure that contractors to civilian agencies have the same rights as contractors to defense agencies.

I look forward to advocating for this common sense reform. While no one would accuse our federal government of being fair and transparent, those are standards I am committed to working for in Congress. To read more about the bill, click here.

 

The North Carolina Mountain State Fair

It was a pleasure to see old and new friends last weekend at one of Western North Carolina’s finest traditions—the NC Mountain State Fair! Thanks to everyone who stopped and took a minute to say hello!

Meeting visitors at the fair!

With Jack Ruff of the NC Apple Growers Association

With Ken & Marilyn Cole (from Buncombe County), enjoying some incredible homemade ice cream!

Enjoying the rides with my wife, Debbie!

 

Forest Service Open Houses

I want to remind everyone that the Forest Service will be hosting six open house sessions where members of the public can come and make their voices heard on the new wilderness revision plan. Copied below is a schedule, and if you would like to read more about these sessions, click here.

Open House Schedule:

The open houses will have a flexible format allowing the public to come at any time during the specified hours and talk directly with Forest staff one-on-one. District rangers and members of the forest plan revision team will be present from 3 to 6 pm on each of the following days and locations:

• September 15, Nantahala Ranger District Office, 90 Sloan Rd, Franklin
• September 22, Cheoah Ranger District Office, 1070 Massey Branch Rd, Robbinsville
• September 27, Tusquitee Ranger District Office, 123 Woodland Dr, Murphy
• October 6, Grandfather Ranger District, 109 Lawing Dr, Nebo
• October 12, Pisgah Ranger District Office, 1600 Pisgah Hwy, Brevard
• October 13, Appalachian Ranger District Office, 632 Manor Rd, Mars Hill