Latest News
Comer: We Must Safeguard Taxpayer Dollars and Combat Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) delivered opening remarks at a full committee hearing titled “The Government Accountability Office’s 2023 High Risk List.” In his opening statement, Chairman Comer emphasized that the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) 2023 High Risk List will assist the committee’s efforts to combat waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in the federal government and safeguard taxpayer dollars. The High Risk List is a critical tool for evaluating whether federal programs are working as designed for the American people. Chairman Comer stressed that federal government programs created and funded by Congress must fulfil their missions, but the GAO has determined that many are bloated, struggle to meet their objectives, and have become vulnerable to serious fraud and waste. To prevent waste and ensure accountability, he concluded that Congress must conduct more oversight, tracking, and data collection to determine how taxpayers’ dollars are being spent.
Comer & McClain Continue Probe of Rampant Fraud in California’s Unemployment Insurance System
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) are continuing their investigation into the state of California’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) System which has been plagued by rampant waste, fraud, and abuse of U.S. taxpayer dollars. In the letter, which follows previous requests, the Republican lawmakers again press California Employment Development Department (EDD) Director Nancy Farias for documents and information which the Department has refused to produce.
Hearing Wrap Up: Congress Must Utilize GAO’s High Risk List to Effectively Combat Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a hearing titled “The Government Accountability Office’s 2023 High Risk List.” At the hearing, members emphasized that federal government programs created and funded by Congress must fulfil their intended purpose and meet mission objectives. However, massive programs have struggled to fulfill their responsibilities and are vulnerable to serious waste and fraud. Outside of COVID relief programs, members highlighted how the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) has identified roughly $250 billion taxpayer dollars lost to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement annually. Members stressed that the GAO’s 2023 High Risk List will assist the committee’s efforts to prevent waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
Wenstrup: Americans Deserve to Know if the American Federation of Teachers Role in Editing CDC School Reopening Guidance was More Political than Scientific
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) opened today’s hearing “The Consequences of School Closures, Part 2: The President of the American Federation of Teachers, Ms. Randi Weingarten” by emphasizing the importance of investigating school closure decisions — specifically the role the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) played in developing and influencing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “science-based” school reopening guidance. Chairman Wenstrup highlighted the scientific support for safely reopening schools and laid out the inaccurate recommendations promoted by the AFT. He also cited emails between the CDC and AFT that called into question whether Ms. Weingarten and her organization had political motivations which prevented our children from returning to the classroom. To prepare our country to address a future pandemic, the Select Subcommittee will continue its investigation into all available evidence and hold Ms. Weingarten accountable if the facts prove that she prioritized politics over the education of America’s children.
Hearing Wrap Up: Chinese Criminal Rings Provide Financial Services and Materials Used by Cartels for Fentanyl and Illicit Drug Trafficking; Biden Administration Must Do More
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
The Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services held a hearing titled, “China in Our Backyard: How Chinese Money Laundering Organizations Enrich the Cartels.” Subcommittee members discussed with witnesses how Chinese Money Laundering Organizations (MLOs) have taken a central role in washing illicit funds stemming from cartels’ production and sale of fentanyl and other illegal narcotics in addition to providing cartels with the necessary precursor elements to produce fentanyl coming across the U.S. southern border. Subcommittee members also examined measures that Congress can take the crack down on Chinese MLOs and why the Biden Administration has not exhausted its tools in combating these illicit activities through sanctions and other measures.
Comer Threatens Subpoena to Obtain Information on John Kerry’s Role in the Biden Administration
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) sent a final letter to U.S. Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken requesting all documents and information related to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC) John Kerry’s role within the Biden Administration. John Kerry continues to negotiate deals with foreign governments, including the Chinese Communist Party, that potentially undermine the United States’ interests and the Biden Administration has refused to respond to Committee requests for information on Kerry’s powerful, unchecked position.
Wenstrup Leads Response to Attempted Interference in COVID-19 Origins Investigation by Chinese Embassy
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) and all Republican members of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic are requesting the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China make five Chinese scientists available for in-person, transcribed interviews related to the origins of COVID-19. Earlier this month, the Chinese Embassy contacted Chairman Wenstrup’s staff expressing firm opposition and “grave concern” with the Select Subcommittee’s COVID-19 origins hearing and called on Chairman Wenstrup to conduct an investigation based on “science.”
Republicans to Visit Iron Range to Witness Permitting Challenges and Hear Community Input **Media Advisory**
By Interior Newswire Report | May 1, 2023
On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) is hosting members for site visits and a field hearing in Mountain Iron, Minn. to examine the Iron Range's mineral potential and hear from local community leaders
Statement from U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 28, 2023
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today made the following statement.
Graham, Blumenthal Reintroduce EARN IT Act
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 28, 2023
Legislation encourages Big Tech to take online child sexual exploitation seriously
Celebrating Conservation on Earth Day
By Interior Newswire | Apr 24, 2023
In honor of Earth Day, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement:
Biden Administration's Actions Jeopardize Forest Health
By House Committee on Natural Resources | Apr 24, 2023
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced several forestry-related initiatives, including a new report and field guidance on old-growth and mature forests on federal lands, a new rulemaking on climate resilience and a new reforestation report, all of which could have significant ramifications on forest management.
Westerman, Tiffany Investigate Pelosi's Presidio Park Payout
By Interior Newswire Report | Apr 24, 2023
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Subcommittee on Federal Lands Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife and Parks Assistant Secretary Shannon Estenoz, requesting information on the transfer of $200 million to a luxury park in U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) district. In part, the members wrote:
Biden Administration Ignores Struggling Families, Chooses Messaging Over Action
By Interior Newswire Report | Apr 24, 2023
Biden administration announced the creation of a new office of environmental justice within the White House Council on Environmental Equity (CEQ). House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:
Westerman, Gosar Investigate DOI's Classified Material Vulnerabilities
By Interior Newswire Report | Apr 24, 2023
In light of recent high-profile leaks of classified U.S. government documents, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland, requesting information on DOI's plans to mitigate hacking and cybersecurity threats. In part, the members wrote:
Haaland Fails to Answer for Reckless Spending and Anti-American Energy Agenda
By Interior Newswire Report | Apr 24, 2023
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources on the administration's Fiscal Year 2024 budget, her first time before the committee in nearly two years.
Republicans Begin Investigating Skyrocketing National Park Maintenance Backlogs
By Interior Newswire Report | Apr 24, 2023
Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight hearing to examine the growing deferred maintenance backlog of the National Park Service (NPS). Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) issued the following statement in response:
Committee Spotlights Outdated Endangered Species Act
By Interior Newswire Report | Apr 24, 2023
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries held a hearing on legislation centered around reforms to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) issued the following statement in response:
Natural Resources Republicans Fulfill Commitment to America in First 100 Days
By Interior Newswire Report | Apr 24, 2023
House Republicans marked the first 100 days of the 118th Congress. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) released the following statement in response:
Committee Members Visit California to Witness Water Storage Challenges, Community Impacts
By Interior Newswire Report | Apr 24, 2023
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) joined Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) and other members of Congress on field tours and a hearing to learn more about the ongoing water issues in California and how they have impacted local communities.