This is the weekly review of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The big news last week was the Walter Reed hearing: "Is this Any Way to Treat our Troops? The Care and Conditions of Wounded Soldiers at Walter Reed".
Bigger news for the coming week - Valerie Plame and possibly Patrick Fitzgerald will testify about the disclosure of CIA agent Plame's identity by White House officials. This will probably be one of the highest rated C-SPAN broadcasts ever. If you can't get on their stream, I'm sure the Committee website will also have a Webcast.
Wowza! Waxman is on a roll...more details below.
Week Ahead
Hearings
- Tuesday, March 13: Full Committee business meeting on the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007
10:00 am, in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building
- Friday, March 16: Full Committee hearing on the Disclosure of CIA Agent Valerie Plame Wilson's Identity and White House Procedures for Safeguarding Classified Information
10:00 am, in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building
After numerous requests for hearings on the Plame outing (dating back to September 2003), Waxman is finally running the show and getting his way. Stock up on popcorn for LiveBlogging and stories galore right here on Daily Kos and throughout the blogosphere. Cycloptichorn has a good preview and discussion of the Plame hearing.
House Floor Action
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Week in Review: 03/04/07 - 03/10/07
- March 5: Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs hearing on "Is this Any Way to Treat our Troops? The Care and Conditions of Wounded Soldiers at Walter Reed"
Witnesses:
Panel I:
- Specialist Jeremy Duncan
- Annette McLeod, Wife of Cpl. Wendell "Dell" McLeod
- Staff Sgt. John Daniel Shannon
Panel II:
- Lieutenant General Kevin C. Kiley, M.D., (former, as of today!) 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
Panel III:
- General Peter Schoomaker, Chief of Staff of the Army
- General Richard A. Cody, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army
First I have to give a hand (or a salute) to the first panel of witnesses to testify at the hearing: two injured soldiers, and the wife of another Iraq War vet. Their testimony was brutally honest and heartbreaking.
Watch this clip of Sgt Shannon. His voice is breaking with anger for what he and other wounded soldiers have been through trying to get treatment and well-deserved benefits.
Here's a quote from Ranking Member Tom Davis' opening statement:
Building 18 is one visible symptom of a far more insidious and pervasive malady. All the plaster and paint in the world won’t cure a system that seems institutionally predisposed to treat wounded soldiers like inconveniences rather than heroes.
On the long road home from war, this is a place wounded soldiers and their families should be embraced, not abandoned. They should be healed and nurtured, not left to languish or fend for themselves against a faceless bureaucratic Hydra.
I highly recommend reading through the LiveBlog diaries for Panel I and Panel II to get a sense of the questions and responses from the witnesses. Major General Weightman was the first to take the fall for this scandal. Just announced today was the resignation of General Kevin Kiley. His testimony consisted of dumping all the responsibility on "Junior management". Well guess what, in the face of public outrage, that dog don't hunt. America is finally starting to hold its leaders accountable. Let's hope that this moves further up the chain, if you know what I mean. ;-)
- March 6: Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives business meeting on H.R. 1309, The Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007 and H.R.1255, Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007
All of these bills were voted out of Committee and put on the Union Calendar for full House discussion.
- March 8: Full Committee Business Meeting on The Presidential Donation Reform Act, the Presidential Records Act Amendments, the Freedom of Information Act Amendments, and the Accountability in Contracting Act.
All of these bills were voted out of Committee and put on the Union Calendar for full House discussion.
- March 8: Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia Subcommittee hearing on The Status of Federal Personnel Reform
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Legislation - NEW
Here are the bills & resolutions introduced last week - listed under the Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over the matter.
Domestic Policy
- H.R.1369 : To amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to expand the scope of the Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14]
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National Security and Foreign Affairs
- H.R.1357: To require divestiture of current investments in Iran, to prohibit future investments in Iran, and to require disclosure to investors of information relating to such investments.
Sponsor: Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18]
- H.R.1400 : To enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by imposing additional economic sanctions against Iran, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Lantos, Tom [CA-12]
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Government Management, Organization, and Procurement
- H.R.1362 : To reform acquisition practices of the Federal Government.
Sponsor: Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30]
- H.R.1395 : To prevent abuse of Government credit cards.
Sponsor: Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2]
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Information Policy, Census, and National Archives
- H.R.1309 : To promote openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1]
- H.R.1314 : To provide that only certain forms of identification of individuals may be accepted by the Federal Government and by financial institutions.
Sponsor: Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7]
- H.R.1326 : To promote openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Smith, Lamar [TX-21]
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Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia
- H.CON.RES.82 : Expressing the sense of the Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued in honor of the USS New Jersey and all those who served aboard her.
Sponsor: Rep Ferguson, Mike [NJ-7]
- H.CON.RES.84 : Encouraging recognition of February 13th of each year for the founding for the Negro Leagues in Kansas City, Missouri.
Sponsor: Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5]
- H.CON.RES.87 : Supporting the goals and ideals of a world day of remembrance for road crash victims.
Sponsor: Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19]
- H.CON.RES.88 : Honoring the life of Ernest Gallo.
Sponsor: Rep Cardoza, Dennis A. [CA-18]
- H.CON.RES.89 : Expressing the sense of the Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued honoring Varian Fry, and that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.
Sponsor: Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9]
- 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".
Sponsor: Rep Barrett, J. Gresham [SC-3]
- 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".
Sponsor: Rep McCarthy, Kevin [CA-22]
- H.R.1389 : To establish the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Sarbanes, John P. [MD-3]
- H.R.1399 : To restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia.
Sponsor: Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4]
- 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".
Sponsor: Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5]
- 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".
Sponsor: Rep Conaway, K. Michael [TX-11]
- H.R.1433 : To provide for the treatment of the District of Columbia as a Congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC]
- 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".
Sponsor: Rep Altmire, Jason [PA-4]
- H.RES.223 : Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.
Sponsor: Rep Shadegg, John B. [AZ-3]
- H.RES.225 : Congratulating Tony Dungy, a native of Jackson, Michigan, for leading the Indianapolis Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI.
Sponsor: Rep Walberg, Timothy [MI-7]
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Legislation - UPDATES
- H.R.1254 : To amend title 44, United States Code, to require information on contributors to Presidential library fundraising organizations.
Sponsor: Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] Cosponsors (15)
Latest Major Action: 3/9/2007 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 19.
- H.R.1255 : To amend chapter 22 of title 44, United States Code, popularly known as the Presidential Records Act, to establish procedures for the consideration of claims of constitutionally based privilege against disclosure of Presidential records.
Sponsor: Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] Cosponsors (14)
Latest Major Action: 3/9/2007 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 20.
- H.R.985: To amend title 5, United States Code, to clarify which disclosures of information are protected from prohibited personnel practices; to require a statement in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements to the effect that such policies, forms, and agreements are consistent with certain disclosure protections, and for other purposes. (AKA Whistleblower Act)
Sponsor: Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] Cosponsors (29)
Latest Major Action: 3/9/2007 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 18.
- 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.
Sponsor: Rep Hoekstra, Peter [MI-2] (introduced 1/23/2007) Cosponsors (59)
Latest Major Action: 3/8/2007 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- 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.
Sponsor: Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] (introduced 2/7/2007) Cosponsors (68)
Latest Major Action: 3/8/2007 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- H.RES.162 : Recognizing the contributions of the Negro Baseball Leagues and their players.
Sponsor: Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] (introduced 2/14/2007) Cosponsors (66)
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2007 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- H.RES.180 : Honoring the life and achievements of Leo T. McCarthy and expressing profound sorrow on his death.
Sponsor: Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] (introduced 2/16/2007) Cosponsors (60)
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2007 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
- H.RES.198 : Recognizing the significance of Black History Month.
Sponsor: Rep Green, Al [TX-9] (introduced 2/27/2007) Cosponsors (80)
Latest Major Action: 3/8/2007 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- 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".
Sponsor: Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] (introduced 1/17/2007) Cosponsors (84)
Latest Major Action: 3/5/2007 Presented to President.
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LAWS
Of the 112 Bills that have come through the Oversight and Reform Committee thus far, 5 have now been signed into Law. As you may have already guessed (from my previous diary), they are all laws for naming Post Offices.
Congratulations Bill!
Public Laws
- 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".
Sponsor: Rep Udall, Mark [CO-2]
Public Law No: 110-7
- 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".
Sponsor: Rep Cubin, Barbara [WY]
Public Law No: 110-8
- 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".
Sponsor: Rep Snyder, Vic [AR-2]
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-9
- 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".
Sponsor: Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5]
Public Law No: 110-10
- 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".
Sponsor: Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-25]
Public Law No: 110-11
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