ICYMI: House Appropriators Continue Their Accountability and Oversight Responsibilities
ICYMI, House Appropriators continued their accountability and oversight responsibilities last week by holding a series of hearings, inviting witnesses from the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Institutes of Health, and Tribal communities.
Social Security Administration Hearing
Members pressed Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O'Malley on the agency’s employee overtime and paid leave policies. Asked by Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) if he believes employees should return to the office, the Commissioner confidently said, “No, sir, I don’t,” which flies in the face of the Americans they should be serving.
Lawmakers also noted the agency’s poor customer service ratings, its struggles with modernization, and delays in processing customer claims within a reasonable timeframe.
Assessing the Veterans Health Administration FY25 Potential Shortfall Hearing
Due to repeated and avoidable budgeting errors at the Biden-Harris Department of Veterans Affairs, Appropriators on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee questioned the agency’s budgeting practices. Lawmakers focused their questions on the steps the agency plans to take to restore the trust of the veterans it serves.
National Institutes of Health Hearing
Healthy citizens are a vital aspect of a healthy country. Appropriators on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee pressed the National Institutes of Health Director, Monica Bertagnolli, on the agency’s ability to conduct reliable widespread clinical studies, produce nonpartisan data, and the agency’s role in ensuring taxpayer dollars are utilized as they were intended.
Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Hearing
Indigenous women and girls face a murder rate that is ten times higher than the national average. In response, Members of the Interior and Environment Subcommittee, led by Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID), invited Tribal witnesses to discuss ways to counter these jarring statistics.
The first panel featured Native women who are at the forefront of advocating for change and raising awareness of their community's struggles. The second panel included Tribal leaders who outlined strategies for how Appropriators can directly contribute to finding solutions. In a unified effort, Members committed to bringing much-needed attention and resources to address this urgent and heartbreaking issue.
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