Clemens Wants Ex-Trainer's Lawsuit Tossed Nov 13, 2009
Former New York Yankees baseball pitcher Roger Clemens, right, and his former personal trainer Brian McNamee, left, testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, before the House Oversight, and Government Reform committee hearing on drug use in baseball. (AP). (CBS News)
CEO succession plan a mystery at Bank of America Nov 12, 2009
Lewis testifies before House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which opens a probe on the Merrill acquisition. Aug. 3. (USA Today -- Money)
The White House and Abramoff: 70 more contacts revealed Nov 8, 2009
New documents from the White House and other federal agencies show 70 previously undisclosed contacts between Abramoff or his associates and White House officials, according to the draft report, which was produced by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Those documents confirm an additional 84 contacts the committee had already figured out by combing through Abramoff's billing records back in 2006. (Salon)
Bank of America’s travails put Boston duo into spotlight Nov 8, 2009
As part of their investigations of the Merrill deal, both New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and the US House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform subpoenaed documents of Bank of America directors. One of the documents that has surfaced is an e-mail exchange between Gifford and May during a crucial moment in the Merrill saga - while on a conference call with other directors to discuss cutting Bank of America s dividend, and the $20 billion in additional federal money. (Boston Globe)
Transition Woes: Networx structure remains a sticking point Nov 7, 2009
In a March 2005 hearing before the House Government Reform Committee, AT&T Inc., MCI Communications Inc. and Sprint Government Systems backed GSA while Broadwing Communications LLC, Level 3 Communications Inc. and Verizon Federal Business pushed for a unified approach for the contracts. With no direct way to compete for Universal business, the Enterprise contract does not provide the government with sufficient options, said Shelley Murphy, then president of Verizon federal markets. (FCW.com)
Mass. bank officials to testify on Merrill Lynch deal Nov 6, 2009
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will a hold a hearing Nov. 17 at which senior executive Brian Moynihan and directors Charles K. Gifford, former chief executive of , and Thomas May, CEO of , have been asked to testify, according to three people briefed on the matter. All three live in the Boston area and are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. (Boston Globe)
Audit questions $1.4b in Halliburton bills Nov 6, 2009
Whether the explanation is gross incompetence or deliberate malfeasance, the result is the same: The taxpayers are getting bilked," Representative Henry A. Waxman of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee, said yesterday at a hearing Democrats held to highlight the report. ''This special treatment must end." ... Audits are part of the normal contracting process, and it is important to note that the auditors' role in the process is advisory only" to the other... (Yahoo News -- Halliburton)
The Death of Deliberative Democracy Nov 6, 2009
Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., locked Republicans out of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee room to prevent them from meeting when Democrats weren't present. In June, Pelosi's Imperial Congress severely curtailed debate on the House cap-and-tax bill and rammed a 309-page manager's amendment through the legislative grinder at 3 a.m., which no one read before the vote just hours later. (Townhall.com)
Bank of America’s top lawyer lacked active license Nov 5, 2009
New York Democrat Edolphus Towns, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, noted that Bank of America abruptly replaced its then-general counsel, Timothy J. Mayopoulos, with Moynihan on Dec. 10. Mayopoulos told congressional investigators he had concluded Bank of America did not have a valid legal reason to cancel the Merrill deal. (Boston Globe)
Georgia builders appeal for federal help Nov 3, 2009
They appeared before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's Domestic Policy Subcommittee, headed by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Congress Asks for Probe of Clemens Nov 3, 2009
Several witnesses and other evidence contradicted Clemens's claims in a sworn deposition Feb. 5 and under oath Feb. 13 during a hearing in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, committee chairman Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif. and ranking member Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va. (Yahoo News -- Drugs in Sports)
Bill Aimed at Attracting Federal Travel Oct 31, 2009
It is expected that Coble's bill will be referred to the House Government Reform Committee. Contact Florence Gilkeson at (910) 693-2479 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot. (The Pilot Newspaper)
Pay czar: No need to take on more authority Oct 29, 2009
Feinberg told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that he rejected compensation plans by six of the seven companies because they were contrary to the public interest. That the companies submitted such proposals, he acknowledged, indicated a lack of understanding over the public outrage over high pay at bailed out firms. (MSNBC -- Business)
Nightmare On Wall Street To Continue Oct 29, 2009
This was just one of the mind-boggling chapters of the AIG misadventure on display during last week's House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing with Neil Barofsky, special inspector general of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Chairman Edolphus Towns, who has emerged as a leader in trying to uncover what really happened during the financial meltdown, noted that in response to the public outcry over the last round of bonuses, AIG at the time agreed to repay $45 million to the... (CBS News -- Opinion)
Reform group seeks rewrite of Calif. Constitution Oct 29, 2009
Momentum for major government reform has accelerated over the past year, as California's economy has tanked and its lawmakers have appeared increasingly inept. Among the efforts to reform state government is one started by the Legislature itself. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Pay Czar Says Authority Should Not Be Expanded Oct 28, 2009
"The Federal government should not enter the business of micromanaging compensation practices beyond these seven companies by expanding my jurisdiction or broadening my discretionary authority," Feinberg said in testimony to the House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform committee. " (Reporting by Rachelle Younglai, writing by David Lawder; Editing by Andrew Hay) Copyright 2009 Reuters News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or... (ABC News -- Wire)
House Panel Probing Mortgage Practices Oct 27, 2009
Edolphus Towns, chair of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Countrywide was the largest U.S. mortgage lender before the company was bought by Bank of America in July. (Realtor Magazine Online)
Odd Subpoena Imperils Inquiry Oct 27, 2009
An unusual arrangement concocted last week by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to share subpoenaed documents with the House ethics panel could create enforcement hurdles in its search for mortgage documents. LOG IN NOT A SUBSCRIBER. (Roll Call)
House Committee Issues Subpoena in Countrywide Probe Oct 25, 2009
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee issued a subpoena Friday night demanding loan information related to all current and former House Members who may have received mortgages from Countrywide Financial's VIP loan program but it will take precautions not to identify incumbent lawmakers during its investigation. According to a copy of the subpoena posted late Friday evening, the committee has called for "all documents, including e-mails, related to covered borrowers serviced by... (Roll Call)
Frustration mounts over closed-door water talks Oct 25, 2009
At a hearing on government reform this week, Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Thousand Oaks (Ventura County), said the Legislature was becoming a "dog and pony show" on important issues like the budget because of the private meetings. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Negotiations to Continue on Countrywide Subpoena Oct 24, 2009
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee members will continue negotiations over the terms of a subpoena to be issued for Countrywide s VIP loan program, after failing to reach agreement Friday afternoon. Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) announced Friday that the panel will launch an investigation of mortgage lenders, including the Countrywide VIP loan program that ranking member Darrell Issa (R-Calif. (Roll Call)
U.S. House Committee To Subpoena Countrywide Records Oct 24, 2009
D-N.Y., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, part of a broader committee investigation of the role mortgage lenders played in the collapse of the financial services industry and resulting recession. Committee Republicans said late Friday that the subpoena had not been served and members were discussing draft language. (FOX61, CT)
House Panel Agrees on Countrywide Subpoenas Oct 24, 2009
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee agreed Friday night to demand loan information related to all House Members, House aides and federal employees in a seven-page subpoena targeting a VIP program offered by the mortgage lender Countrywide. According to a statement Friday night by ranking member Darrell Issa (R-Calif. (Roll Call)
Editing Scientists: Science and Policy at the White House Oct 23, 2009
But the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform found that during Connaughton's tenure and the issue remains fraught with controversy: Just how much editing of government-funded science was done, and will it continue in future ... Lawyer Philip Cooney, a CEQ chief of staff and a 15-year veteran of the American Petroleum Institute, spent the first term of the administration editing science reports from various agencies on climate change to downplay the role of greenhouse gas emissions... (Scientific American)
Two Democrats Join GOP Call for Countrywide Probe Oct 23, 2009
Two Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are joining with panel Republicans in formally calling for Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) to launch an investigation of the Countrywide VIP loan scandal. The American people deserve to the know the truth about these lending practices, and if they had undue influence on federal housing or financial policy based on awarding VIP loans to federal officials, Reps. (Roll Call)
Teamwork takes center-stage at GCN Awards Gala Oct 23, 2009
But he still took time to thank the people he worked with in his congressional office and on the Government Reform Committee. The Gala also honored the winners of the , which in August recognized up-and-coming IT leaders in government and industry. (FCW.com)
Bank of America hesitated on Merrill Lynch deal, probe finds Oct 22, 2009
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, along with other authorities, has been probing the circumstances of the deal for months. Last week, Bank of America provided about 1,000 pages of documents that shed new light on the bank's internal communications and interaction with its outside lawyers. (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
Towns Walks on Thin Caucus Ice Oct 22, 2009
Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) is facing heat from up and down the Democratic ladder after locking Republicans out of his committee room this week in an ongoing spat over a mortgage lending controversy. Towns move set off alarms in House Democratic leadership, with top staffers voicing growing concern Wednesday that the Oversight chairman is losing control of his panel amid a showdown with ranking member Darrell Issa (R-Calif. (Roll Call)
Documents in BofA Probe Apparently Show CEO Misled Feds Oct 22, 2009
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has been probing the circumstances of the deal for months, , the New York attorney general and others. House investigators interviewed Mayopoulos on Monday, the Observer said, after the bank's board of directors decided to waive attorney-client privilege. (Law.com)
Republicans Feel Locked Out Again — Literally This Time Oct 21, 2009
A spokesman for House Oversight and Government Reform ranking member Darrell Issa (R-Calif ... Jenny Thalheimer Rosenberg, a spokeswoman for Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), acknowledged the move was retaliatory. (Roll Call)
Mass. banking trio face queries Oct 21, 2009
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee plans to interview two key board members, former chief executive Charles K. Gifford, chief executive Thomas May, and senior bank executive Brian Moynihan, according to government sources. The committee originally planned to question May and Gifford about the deal at a public hearing in Washington tomorrow. (Boston Globe)
WATCHDOG: Bailout Has Helped Wall St., But Infuriated Main St. Oct 21, 2009
Special Inspector General Neil Barofsky of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) testifies during a hearing before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Capitol Hill Oct. 14, 2009 in Washington, D.C. Barofsky testified on the results of his audit report of the bonus payment to AIG executives. (Alex Wong/Getty Images). (ABC News)
Merrill Lynch saga detailed in bank e-mails Oct 20, 2009
Kurt Bardella, spokesman for California Representative Darrell E. Issa, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in a statement called the deal a collaborative effort orchestrated by Ken Lewis, Henry Paulson, Ben Bernanke, Timothy Geithner and Larry Summers. He further said, As a result of this collaboration, the taxpayers ended up footing the bill so Bank of America didn t have to absorb Merrill Lynch s losses. (Boston Globe)
US warns it needs credible Afghan partner Oct 19, 2009
it would be reckless to make a decision on US troop level if, in fact, you haven't done a thorough analysis of whether in fact there's an Afghan partner ready to fill that space," top White House advisor, chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel told CNN television. Two months after Afghanistan's August 20 presidential elections, the count has been bogged down by allegations of widespread fraud and ballot-box stuffing mostly in favor of President Hamid Karzai. Karzai, a key US ally who has led his country... (Channelnewsasia.com)
GOP Whip Team Has Yet to Pay Dues Oct 19, 2009
ranking member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has given $11,300 more than his $200,000 commitment. Rep. (Roll Call)
US Congress calls on BofA directors to testify - source Oct 18, 2009
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has asked Charles Gifford and Thomas May to appear on Thursday, Oct. 22, the source said. The request comes just days after the bank decided to waive its legal privileges protecting names of those who made decisions on the Merrill merger. (Business Report, South Africa)
Bank of America directors head to D.C. Oct 17, 2009
Boston banker Charles Chad Gifford, the former chief executive of who sold that institution to Bank of America, and chief executive Thomas May have agreed to appear at a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing Thursday, according to Kurt Bardella, a spokesman for Representative Darrell Issa, a California Republican and the ranking minority member of the committee. Other expected witnesses include former Bank of America general counsel Timothy Mayopoulos, Federal Deposit... (Boston Globe)
E-mails show Bank of America concern over Merrill Lynch deal Oct 15, 2009
The e-mails and other documents were provided to New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Both are investigating whether the bank properly disclosed information to its shareholders about aspects of the Merrill deal, including the company's mounting losses. (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
Business briefs Oct 15, 2009
AIG probeThe US Congress will soon probe executive compensation at compa nies such as AIG and Bank of America receiv ing significant taxpayer funds, Chairman Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) of the House Oversight and Government Reform panel said ... The US Congress will soon probe executive compensation at compa nies such as AIG and Bank of America receiv ing significant taxpayer funds, Chairman Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) of the House Oversight and Government Reform panel said. (New York Post -- Business)
Bailout watchdog hits Treasury on AIG Oct 15, 2009
Even if no one told Geithner about the payments, this is a failure of communication and a failure of management, Barofsky told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform yesterday. Geithner has been the head of an organization that was involved in the bailout of AIG since last years. (Boston Globe)
WATCHDOG: AIG Bonus Blame Is on Geithner Oct 15, 2009
"It was a failure of oversight by Treasury" that led to the spring's bonus fiasco, watchdog told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee this morning, a failure for which he said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner was ultimately responsible. Treasury essentially of AIG's compensation structures to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which was "a recipe for disastrous consequences," said Barofsky, the. (ABC News)
GCN's 2009 Executives of the Year Oct 15, 2009
During seven terms in Congress, Tom Davis led what became the Government Reform Committee and was widely known as the leading congressional expert on technology and procurement. "FISMA is a little outdated today, but at least on the cyber side it brought together the fact that there was no coordination in the agencies, they werent accountable and there was no credit for people who were doing it right.". (FCW.com)
Clemens: Friend Andy Pettitte 'misheard' steroid talk Oct 15, 2009
"I've never given Roger B-12," McNamee told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Clemens' testimony to the panel examining performance-enhancing drug use in America's pastime also failed to jibe with an affidavit provided by fellow New York Yankees ace Andy Pettitte, who has told the committee that in 1999 or 2000 Clemens "told me he had taken HGH.". (Yahoo News -- Drugs in Sports)
Were Clemens' 'implausible' comments perjury? Oct 15, 2009
Against that backdrop, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday formally asked the U.S. Justice Department to begin an investigation into whether Clemens lied under oath. The lawmakers didn't seek a perjury probe of Clemens' chief accuser, former Yankees trainer Brian McNamee. (Yahoo News -- Drugs in Sports)
FBI to Review Whether Roger Clemens Lied to Congress Oct 15, 2009
Clemens's denials were contradicted by sworn testimony from former trainer and ex-teammate , which raised ``significant questions'' about Clemens's truthfulness, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman and ranking Republican said in the letter to Mukasey. The request to open an investigation into the congressional testimony of Roger Clemens has been turned over to the FBI and will receive appropriate investigative action,'' bureau spokesman said. (Yahoo News -- Drugs in Sports)
Pay czar asks AIG not to pay promised bonuses Oct 14, 2009
The report will be the subject of a hearing before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Wednesday. READ THE REPORT. (USA Today -- Money)
U.S. Treasury Didn't Watch `Controversial' AIG Bonuses, TARP Report Finds Oct 14, 2009
Barofsky is scheduled to testify at 10 a.m. today at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing held by Chairman , a New York Democrat. In March, AIG awarded about $165 million to employees in the unit blamed for the insurers near-collapse. (Bloomberg -- US)
Calendar of Major Business Events for Wednesday Oct 13, 2009
WASHINGTON House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on bonuses paid out by American International Group Inc.. NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. (ABC News -- Wire)
Rangel: Political liability for Dems in 2010? Oct 10, 2009
Darrell Issa, a ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said in a statement: "If you don't drain the swamp, you'll end up with a lake. This isn't an isolated incident -- it's a pattern of behavior.". "If the chairman of the committee charged with writing our tax laws didn't know he should be reporting assets and income received from property and rent, then he's criminally negligent," he said. (CNN -- US)
Congress to review blocked doping suspensions Oct 9, 2009
As ranking Democrat and then chairman of the Government Reform Committee, he was involved in hearings on steroid use in Major League Baseball. In the Senate, Pennsylvania Democrat Arlen Specter, who held a hearing last week on steroids in dietary supplements, recently told the AP he was looking into possible legislation so that federal law would govern in cases like the Vikings. (ESPN -- Football)
Holder's Witch Hunt Oct 8, 2009
He was the Chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight from 1997-2002. Reader Comments: () Here are a few of the comments submitted by our readers. (Human Events Online)
ACORN Charges Republican McCarthyism Oct 8, 2009
in his position as the top Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has been a leader in seeking accountability from ACORN, issuing a comprehensive (pdf) back in July questioning the group s criminal enterprise -style financial structure ... Republican staff on the Oversight and Government Reform committee yesterday said they were examining newly acquired internal ACORN documents in their ongoing look into ACORN s funding structure. (Human Events Online)
Audit questions $1.4b in Halliburton bills Oct 7, 2009
Whether the explanation is gross incompetence or deliberate malfeasance, the result is the same: The taxpayers are getting bilked," Representative Henry A. Waxman of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee, said yesterday at a hearing Democrats held to highlight the report. ''This special treatment must end." ... Audits are part of the normal contracting process, and it is important to note that the auditors' role in the process is advisory only" to the other... (Yahoo News -- Halliburton)
Government Reform Could Change VSAC Oct 6, 2009
Winooski, Vermont - October 5, 2009. Congress is considering a major overhaul of the federal student loan program. (WCAX.com, VT)
Sex and security in Afghanistan Oct 6, 2009
Deliberately withholding documents relating to violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act allegedly committed by AGNA's program manager and other AGNA employees when responding to a document demand from US Congressman Henry Waxman on behalf of the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. This is not the first time issues of private military and security contractors and sex have come up. (Asia Times Online)
House bill seeking government P2P ban gets boost Oct 6, 2009
Security firm Tiversa Inc. has provided the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee with more reasons to ban peer-to-peer networks in government -- some 200 sensitive military documents it recently accessed via such technology. More IDG Headlines. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
Congress Asks for Probe of Clemens Oct 6, 2009
Several witnesses and other evidence contradicted Clemens's claims in a sworn deposition Feb. 5 and under oath Feb. 13 during a hearing in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, committee chairman Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif. and ranking member Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va. (Yahoo News -- Drugs in Sports)
Groups request halt of National Animal ID (2) Oct 4, 2009
Washington, D.C. In formal correspondence sent today to the leaders of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, two national groups and nine others all from different states requested that Congress immediately halt any further advancement of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and to conduct an oversight hearing on the U.S. Department of Agriculture s (USDA s) NAIS activities to carefully and... (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
BofA: Will feds have say in CEO? Oct 3, 2009
And this summer, Lewis was called to testify before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about the federal role in the Merrill deal. Since then, Lewis has been in a standoff with Committee Chairman Ed Towns (D-N.Y.) over the disclosure of documents related to his testimony and the Merrill acquisition. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Outside Groups Chastise Ethics Panel Over OCE Clash Oct 3, 2009
Government reform advocates chastised the House ethics committee on Friday, asserting in a letter to House leaders that the panel acted inappropriately when it publicly challenged an Office of Congressional Ethics investigation last month. LOG IN NOT A SUBSCRIBER. (Roll Call)
House Oversight Chairman Locks Horns With Ranking Member Oct 2, 2009
The once-cordial relationship between House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) and ranking member Darrell Issa (R-Calif. is quickly turning sour in an escalating spat over failed mortgage giant Countrywide s controversial loans to public officials. (Roll Call)
Use of czars is troubling Oct 1, 2009
Currently, the bill has 113 cosponsors and is before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. My staff and I work for you. (Brewton Standard, AL)
Ex-Moody's workers allege misconduct to House committee Oct 1, 2009
Seeking accountability for the role of the ratings industry in the financial crisis, members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday questioned a high-level Moody's executive, who denied the former employees' claims. At the same time, some lawmakers warned the public to watch for new moves by the rating agencies on emerging investments they said could spark the next financial blowup. (Republican-American)
Lawmaker wants to hold ratings firms liable for inaccuracies Oct 1, 2009
Seeking accountability for the role of the ratings industry in the financial crisis, members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee questioned a high-level Moody s executive, who denied the former employees allegations. The rating agencies had to downgrade thousands of the securities last year as home-loan delinquencies soared and the value of those investments plummeted. (Boston Globe)
Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis leaving by year's end Oct 1, 2009
Despite that, BofA paid the Merrill bonuses, leading to investigations by New York Attorney General , the and the U.S. House of Representatives' Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The chairman of the House committee, Rep. (USA Today -- Money)
