Minnesota Congresswoman Placed on Oversight Committee

Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum has been placed on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by Henry Waxman (D-CA).  According to a constituent email sent by McCollum, the committee has “jurisdiction to conduct oversight of all federal departments, agencies and programs.” 

Under Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), the committee intends to implement vigorous oversight of the Iraq War and contracting issues during the 110th Congress.  This appointment is a tremendous responsibility, especially at a time when President Bush is escalating the U.S. involvement in Iraq’s civil war.

Although Nancy Pelosi has said in the past that impeachment was not a priority for the Democratic House Caucus, the OGR Committee is also where investigations into President Bush’s and Vice President Cheney’s conduct of office could occur.

The full text of the press release can be ready below the fold.Speaker Pelosi Appoints McCollum to House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Friday, January 12, 2007

Washington, DC – Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has announced the appointment of Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.  Oversight and Government Reform is the primary investigative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives with jurisdiction to investigate all federal departments, agencies and programs.  Under the chairmanship of Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA), the committee intends to implement vigorous oversight of the Iraq War and contracting issues during the 110th Congress.

“Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats are committed to conducting vigorous oversight of the Bush administration’s failed Iraq policy,” said McCollum.  “This appointment is a tremendous responsibility, especially at a time when President Bush is escalating the U.S. involvement in Iraq’s civil war.  The American people are demanding answers and they deserve a Congress to that will hold this White House accountable for the foreign policy disaster they have created.  I intend to ask tough questions about of the Bush administration and I expect honest answers.”

McCollum is also a member of the House Appropriations Committee, an exclusive committee assignment.  House rules prohibit members from serving on committees in addition to an exclusive committee without a waiver from the Speaker and the Democratic Caucus.  At the request of Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Waxman, McCollum will serve on both committees during the 110th Congress.  McCollum previously served as a member of the Government Reform Committee during the 108th Congress when the Democratic minority was investigating links between Vice President Cheney and Halliburton’s non-compete contracts in Iraq.