ICYMI: Oversight Democrats Get an “F” in Oversight
WASHINGTON—The Lugar Center today issued its congressional oversight report card for 2021 and gave the Democrat-led House Committee on Oversight and Reform a failing grade. Notably, Oversight Democrats received an “A” from 2019-2020 during the Trump Administration but have now received an “F” during the Biden Administration, demonstrating their oversight stops during a Democrat administration. Oversight Republicans, led by Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.), have repeatedly called on Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) to hold hearings this year about government waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, but she has refused.
“Under Democrat leadership, the House Oversight and Reform Committee is failing to meet its mission of identifying and preventing government waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement,” said Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.). “Republicans have demanded over a dozen hearings and investigations into important issues warranting the committee’s attention, such as President Biden’s border crisis, reopening schools, COVID origins, IRS leaks, and unemployment fraud. But Democrats are flunking out of Congress by refusing to hold any hearings on these pressing matters since a Democrat now occupies the White House. Republicans will continue to push forward on our committee’s mission to ensure our government is transparent and accountable to the American people.”
Oversight Republicans have requested over a dozen hearings and investigations in the 117th Congress:
On February 11, Republicans called for a hearing on massive unemployment fraud in California where benefits were sent to murderers on death row, deceased individuals, and organized crime members in China and Russia. Chairwoman Maloney refused to hold a hearing on this gross mismanagement of taxpayer dollars.
On February 24, Republicans called on Chairwoman Maloney to compel New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to testify under oath regarding his deadly order sending COVID-positive patients to nursing homes and his subsequent cover-up. Republicans renewed their request on March 5. Democrats have not subpoenaed Governor Cuomo nor called a hearing on this abuse.
On February 25, Republicans called for a hearing on reopening America’s public schools. Ongoing virtual school has harmed students’ well-being. Failing grades, mental health issues, and suicides are up across the board. Since Republicans first called for a hearing, it was revealed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allowed a teachers union to interfere in its scientific guidance, effectively recommending 90 percent of schools remain shuttered. Republicans also called for an investigation into the impact school closures are having on students with disabilities on March 8. Democrats have not held a single hearing on reopening schools nor launched an investigation.
On March 4, Republicans called on Democrats to hold a hearing on President Biden’s border crisis and renewed the request on March 25, and June 2. Since President Biden assumed office, masses of children have been held in overcrowded facilities during a pandemic and past the legal timeframe, apprehensions at the southwest border are at a 21-year high, the human smuggling industry is booming, and deadly drugs like fentanyl are pouring across the border. Democrats have refused to hold a hearing on the Biden Administration’s mismanagement of the border.
On April 26, Republicans called for a hearing on Mayor Bowser’s solitary confinement of D.C. inmates. Under the excuse of pandemic precautions, inmates essentially have been held in universal solitary confinement as they are confined to their cells for 23 hours a day. This has resulted in severe effects on the inmates, including many sleeping at odd hours of the day, talking to themselves, others growing extensive beards and hair because the barber shop closed. Democrats have failed to address this issue.
On May 24, Republicans called for an investigation into the Wuhan lab leak. There is growing evidence Communist China started the pandemic, covered it up, and is responsible for the deaths of almost 600,000 Americans and millions more worldwide. Democrats have refused to launch an investigation, saying they are too busy investigating the Trump Administration.
On June 16, Republicans called for a hearing on the IRS leaking thousands of Americans’ sensitive tax information. Democrats have refused to hold a hearing.
On June 17, Republicans called for a hearing on reports that $400 billion in pandemic-assistance unemployment benefits were stolen, with as much as half of the funds going to international criminal organizations. Chairwoman Maloney has not scheduled a hearing.
On July 12, Republicans called for hearing on the records request backlog at the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration’s National Personnel Records Center. The backlog is affecting veterans and their families seeking records for the purpose of ensuring proper military honors at a funeral, small business loans, medical claims, veteran benefits, and more. Republicans are awaiting a response from Chairwoman Maloney.