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Subcommittee on National Security, Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT)

"Energy costs for the average American family have risen significantly in the last twelve years. Since 2000, the amount that families spend on energy has increased to 20 percent of real income, up from 12 percent in 2001."

"Each year the U.S. spends billions of taxpayer dollars on direct assistant to the government of Afghanistan, often with little oversight as to how the money is allotted, distributed, and invested. This hearing will examine the federal government’s oversight process for direct assistance funds."

“In the 21st century, we must have zero tolerance for fraudsters, criminals, or tax cheats receiving taxpayer money through grants or contracts,” said Issa.

“Based on documents the Committees have obtained, EPA is clearly deviating from President Obama’s openness initiative and from the letter of the law. It also appears that EPA is hiding information the public has a right to know in violation of Federal law,” wrote Sen. Vitter and Reps. Issa and Smith.

“[T]he Committee seeks information about a number of issues including outdated FOIA regulations, exorbitant and possibly illegal fee assessments, FOIA backlogs, the excessive use of exemptions, and dispute resolution services,” the Oversight leaders write.

Chairman’s Preview Statement OGR Full Committee Hearing: "Government Spending: How Can We Best Address the Billions of Dollars Wasted Every Year?"

“While I wish Secretary Chu well in his future endeavors and respect his contributions to his country as a scientist, the direction the Department of Energy has taken under his leadership has been disconcerting."

In this hearing, the Committee will hear testimony from non-governmental organizations about the issues within the federal government that are contributing to waste and inefficiency.