Hearings

Sep 28, 2016

Cybersecurity: Ensuring the Integrity of the Ballot Box

PURPOSE: To understand the scope and scale of cyber threats to the U.S. election system. To discuss efforts underway at all levels of government to secure elections systems against possible cyber threats. BACKGROUND: Elections are administered on a state-by-state and often county-by-county basis. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission is an independent, bipartisan commission that develops guidance ...

Sep 23, 2016

Reviewing the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Prohibition on Houseboats

PURPOSE: To review the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) proposed policy on houseboats, including the impact of the policy on houseboat owners and surrounding communities. To evaluate the purported water quality improvements TVA contends will result from the policy. BACKGROUND: TVA's Board of Directorsapproved a policy to prohibit new floating houses on all of its reservoirs and to require the removal of ...

Sep 23, 2016

Vacant Federal Properties

PURPOSE: To examine properties held by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the statutory requirements for real property disposal. To consider potential legislative solutions for handling vacant federal properties. BACKGROUND: The federal government is the largest single holder of real property in the United States, with more than 273,000 buildings at an operating cost exceeding $18.7 billion. USDA ...

Sep 22, 2016

Examining Billion Dollar Waste through Improper Payments

PURPOSE: To examine agency compliance with improper payment laws and the role of Treasury's Do Not Pay Center (DNP) in reducing improper payments. BACKGROUND: The Improper Payments Information Act (IPIA) requires federal executive branch agencies to review all programs and identify those that may be susceptible to significant improper payments. Improper payment estimates across the federal government for FY ...

Sep 22, 2016

Closing the Talent Gap in Federal IT

PURPOSE: To evaluate how private and educational sectors are addressing the talent gap. To explore ways to close the talent gap. BACKGROUND: Modernizing the federal government's IT requires investment in the talent necessary to identify, operate, and innovate federal IT. Recent reports will be discussed during the hearing:

Sep 22, 2016

Examining Misconduct and Mismanagement at the National Park Service

TAKEAWAYS: NPS employees and supervisors who have engaged in misconduct or mismanagement have not been held accountable by leadership at the agency. Misconduct often goes unaddressed and perpetuates an environment where bad behavior is condoned or covered up. Current NPS employees testified that a culture of tolerance and acceptance of misconduct plagues the agency. A lack of leadership leads to a hostile work environment including a fear of ...

Sep 22, 2016

Examining Preservation of State Department Federal Records

This is a continuation of the hearing that began on September 13, 2016.

Sep 21, 2016

Reviewing the Rising Price of EpiPens

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a bipartisan hearing with officials from Mylan, which dramatically increased its prices for EpiPens.   "There is justified outrage from families and schools across the country struggling to afford the high cost of EpiPens.  We look forward to receiving answers next week from Mylan about its dramatic price hike for this life-saving medication.  We also plan ...

Sep 14, 2016

Radicalization in the U.S. and the Rise of Terrorism

PURPOSE: To address the scope of radicalization, and assess what steps can be taken to mitigate the rise of terror via lone wolf attacks and organized terrorist plots. BACKGROUND: There have been numerous terrorist atrocities conducted by radicalized individuals ...

Sep 14, 2016

Examining the Affordable Care Act’s Premium Increases

TAKEAWAYS: Despite President Obama’s promise that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) would lower health insurance premiums, costs have steadily increased since enactment. Premiums are expected to increase at an even higher rate for the 2017 plan year than in either ...