Results for: House Oversight Committee

Attorney General Merrick Garland faces possible contempt of Congress charges after House committees voted to hold him in contempt for not providing an audiotape of an interview between Special Counsel Robert Hur and President Biden. Republicans believe the recording could reveal cognitive decline in the president, while Garland maintains the transcript is accurate. If the full House votes in favor of contempt, it is uncertain whether the Justice Department would prosecute Garland. However, Republicans are considering inherent contempt, which allows Congress to discipline individuals without relying on other branches of government. This has not been used since 1934 and could lead to the arrest and detention of Garland.

A House Committee on Oversight and Responsibility report has highlighted the shortcomings of the Biden administration’s energy policies, claiming that they have led to higher gas prices, an unstable electrical grid, and confusion about new cars and appliances. The report emphasizes the administration’s aim to increase electrification while simultaneously hindering the growth potential of power producers, resulting in expensive regulatory hurdles and increased costs for consumers and businesses.

The House Oversight Committee has initiated an investigation into the effects of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs on the US military. The investigation focuses on concerns that promotions within the military are being based on race, gender, and ethnicity rather than merit. A report by the anti-DEI organization STARRS revealed that many recruits and their families are expressing dismay at DEI training in the armed forces.

President Biden’s assertion of executive privilege over audio recordings of his interviews with Special Counsel Robert Hur has sparked debate among legal experts. While the White House maintains that the move was made at the request of Attorney General Merrick Garland to protect law enforcement files, some experts believe it’s a political decision designed to hide potentially embarrassing information. The House Judiciary and Oversight Committees have subpoenaed the materials but have been met with resistance from the Justice Department, which invoked executive privilege. Despite the president’s privilege assertions, the House may still vote to hold Garland in contempt.

A heated exchange erupted during a House Oversight Committee markup on Thursday, involving Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. The incident began when Ocasio-Cortez criticized fellow Democrat Sen. John Fetterman for mocking a House markup. Fetterman later apologized, but Ocasio-Cortez responded sharply, accusing him of failing to stand up against bullying and racism. Greene then made a comment about Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s eyelashes, prompting Ocasio-Cortez to call for a point of order and denounce the remark as unacceptable.

The House Oversight and Judiciary Committees will hold a meeting on Thursday to discuss a resolution to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. The committees are seeking the audio recording of President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur during the probe into Biden’s handling of classified documents. According to Committee Chair James Comer, the Justice Department’s refusal to provide the audio files is impeding their investigation into Biden’s retention of classified documents and his suitability for office. The committees previously subpoenaed the recordings in March, but the DOJ stated it would only provide transcripts. Despite the release of a transcript, the committees believe the audio recording is crucial to their inquiry.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Pamela Smith will testify before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday regarding the ongoing anti-Israel protests and the encampment on the campus of George Washington University (GWU). The protests have escalated in intensity, with demonstrators calling for the “guillotine” for school administrators and defacing a statue of former President George Washington. The hearing will focus on the city’s response to the unlawful activity and antisemitism associated with the protests.

The Republican-led impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden has hit a roadblock as House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer reportedly grows increasingly frustrated with the investigation’s lack of progress. Comer is said to be considering closing the inquiry as he eyes higher office ambitions. Despite denials from the committee, sources indicate that the investigation is winding down. Comer has also drawn criticism from fellow Republicans for his handling of the probe, with some suggesting he may have overreached in his claims against Biden.