Wenstrup to hold hearing on HHS’s intentional obstruction
WASHINGTON — Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) will hold a hearing titled “Overseeing the Department of Health and Human Services’ Compliance with Congress” to demand accountability from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) after months of deliberate stonewalling and relentless attempts to evade the Select Subcommittee’s investigations.
HHS has repeatedly frustrated legitimate Congressional oversight efforts by redacting documents unnecessarily, slow walking easily attainable productions, refusing to answer basic questions, and misleading Select Subcommittee staff regarding participation in transcribed interviews. Between February 2023 and January 2024, the Select Subcommittee offered HHS numerous, reasonable accommodations and acted in good faith to facilitate the timely and fulsome production of documents. Despite these efforts, the Biden Administration has intentionally obstructed the Select Subcommittee’s investigation at every turn. This hearing with HHS Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Dr. Melanie Egorin, is necessary to rectify past behavior and prevent future delay tactics.
“HHS has spent the last year intentionally avoiding lawful Congressional oversight. When the Select Subcommittee requested documents, HHS ignored our letters and provided suspect excuses. When we asked for important testimony, HHS seemed to purposefully mislead Select Subcommittee investigators. This pattern of avoiding accountability to the American people can not, and should not, be tolerated any longer. The Department must be held responsible for its parade of delays, excuses, and obfuscation. Complying with Congressional oversight is not optional, and next week’s necessary hearing will reveal just that. If HHS continues to obscure the Select Subcommittee’s investigation, we will be forced to evaluate the use of the compulsory process. The buck stops with Assistant Secretary Egorin.” said Chairman Wenstrup.
WHAT: Hearing titled “Overseeing the Department of Health and Human Services’ Compliance with Congress”
DATE: Wednesday, January 31, 2024
TIME: 10:00 AM ET
LOCATION: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building