Henry Waxman

September 19, 2007 -- Chairmen Waxman and Miller request information about the potential health risks of diacetyl, an artificial butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn and other foods, which can cause severe lung disease in workers and may also pose serious health risks to consumers.    » read more »

September 17, 2007 -- Oversight Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman released the following statement this afternoon following the press accounts that Iraq had revoked the license of U.S. contractor Blackwater:

“The controversy over Blackwater is an unfortunate demonstration of the perils of excessive reliance on private security contractors. The Oversight Committee will be holding hearings to understand what has happened and the extent of the damage to U.S. security interests.”

Source: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

August 09, 2007 -- House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Waxman releases a GAO report analyzing the Defense Department’s decision to pay KBR nearly all of the $221 million in costs that the Defense Contract Audit Agency questioned during its audits of the Restore Iraqi Oil contract for reconstruction work on Iraq’s oil infrastructure. The report finds multiple violations of federal acquisition regulations and procedures, placing millions of taxpayer dollars at risk and leaving questions unanswered.

Report Introduction:

DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT    » read more »

Letter Precedes Tomorrow’s House Oversight Hearing on the Office of the Surgeon General

Washington, D.C., July 9, 2007—In a letter sent today to U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, the American Public Health Association reinforced the importance of the Office of the Surgeon General in helping protect and promote the nation’s health and underscored three principles essential to its functioning.    » read more »

June 27, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, DC — Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), and Oversight and Government Reform Information Policy Subcommittee Chairman Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO) today called upon Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to explain his role in the Vice President’s extraordinary attempt to remove his office from executive branch oversight and the subsequent refusal to comply with procedures to protect classified information in the Office of the Vice President (OVP).    » read more »

Last year, Rep. Henry A. Waxman released the first comprehensive assessment of government contracting under the Bush Administration. The report, entitled Dollars, Not Sense: Government Contracting Under the Bush Administration (link), found that between 2000 and 2005, federal procurement spending rose by over 80%, no-bid and other contracts awarded without full and open competition increased by over 100%, and contract mismanagement led to rising waste, fraud, and abuse in federal procurement.    » read more »

June 26, 2007 -- Contrary to the recent claims of White House spokesperson Dana Perino, there is evidence that the White House has repeatedly failed to investigate security violations, take corrective action following breaches, and appropriately protect classified information.

In a letter to White House Counsel Fred Fielding, Chairman Waxman describes evidence that:    » read more »