AGENDA: PROPOSED BILLS ON UNFUNDED MANDATES, ELECTRONIC MESSAGE PRESERVATION, MUCH MORE
by Sharon Rondeau
(Mar. 15, 2018) — On Thursday morning, the U.S. House Oversight & Government Reform Committee is holding an open hearing to advocate for or opine against 17 measures encompassing mandates affecting states and local communities which are not fully funded by the U.S. government; the issuance of “guidance” documents by government “agencies”; and competition between private and public entities.
The hearing is streaming live here: https://oversight.house.gov/markup/full-committee-business-meeting-55/
Contentiousness between Democrats and Republicans was apparent early in the hearing, which commenced at 10:00 a.m. EDT, with Democrat Mike Connolly stating that “13 letters” have been sent by the minority making “requests for information” which have reportedly gone unanswered by the majority.
On questions about the security clearance process of former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter, Connolly claimed that the White House “blew us off.”
Connolly indicated that Democrats wish to speak with White House adviser Jared Kushner on a number of issues and asked that a subpoena be issued, to which Gowdy said the hearing was not the “proper forum” in which to request one.
While acknowledging Gowdy’s response, Connolly responded that “on this side of the aisle, we will persist.”
The meeting was presided over by committee chairman Trey Gowdy, who is not seeking re-election in November.
The last nine of the bills deal with the designation of certain post offices to be known by the names of U.S. military members killed during the course of their service.