Test of these taking back power from the executive branch is often a challenge that requires overriding a president ial veto which is increasingly difficult. A return to normal appropriations, increase in legislative oversight, particularly by a spending authority, an earmark reform that both returns the practice while strengthening its integrity requires no president ial signoff. In fact each step rests solely within the purview of congress and it would allow legislators to increase capacity, better represent their constituents, uphold their oath and recommit to the spirit and letter of article i of the constitution. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Were going to head into questions. Im going to yield my time to representative scanlan. I know you have another hearing to get to. Thank you so much, i appreciate it. And thank you, chairman kilmer and vice chair graves for holding this hearing. Weve had a number of hearings talking about kind of the Practical Impact of issues so its re
Im chairman kilmer. Im excited to be here the first day of the new year. We had an incredibly productive last year with 45 recommendations to make congress more effective and officiate so it can better serve the American People. Im proud of what we accomplished as a committee so far and equally proud how we accomplished our Work Together. Every member of this committee has been fully engaged in the committees work and taken realtime to think about the issues in our mandate and their own perspectives and really listen and consider their colleagues perspective. This committee has worked because theyre finding Collaborative Solutions to the challenges this institution faces. The key word here is invested. Whether were talking about businesses or organizations or governments depend on people invested in the work that theyre doing and thats fundamental. Successful institutions also invest in themselves, their employees, infrastructure, overall Work Environment and experience. They think and
Coming up this morning, Theodore Johnson of the Brennan Center will join us to talk about the africanamerican vote in campaign 2020. Of the university of Virginia Center of politics will discuss the latest news in campaign 2020. Be sure to watch washington journal live at 7 00 eastern this morning. Join the discussion. Examinest, a hearing Congress Constitutional role as a coequal branch of government. We hear about the role of earmarks and transparency and how increased funding and staffing can lead to a more effective government. This is two hours, 15 minutes. The committee will come to order without objection. Articlering is titled one, capacity and equipping congress to better serve the american people. I now recognize myself for five minutes to give an opening statement. Im excited to be here today, gaveling in the first hearing of the new year. This committee has had a productive last year, passing 45 recommendations focus on making congress more effective and efficient so it can
Hello. Mr. Bob woodward, congressman chavez, Michael Horowitz, good afternoon to you all. My name is Camille Nelson and i have the great privilege of serving as the dean of American University Washington College of law. It is pi great pleasure to welcome you to this beautiful campus for such an important conversation on government oversight and accountability in conjunction with the launch of our new student publication, oversight project. Org. This project is yet another example of the stellar work of our student leaders in creating a go to source about the work of federal oversight, accountability and ethics wash dogs. We do not be more proud of our students, their effort and enthusiasm here at Washington College of law. And our law Cool Community is a especially gracteful that the launch of this project is made possible and elevated with the cadre of leading experts who will share their insights on oversight and accountability with us today. So my warm welcome to all of you, again,
Americans also want to know why american ceos and executives continue t basic responsibility that theydeaths every day of the year in this country. And that was representative mike synar, a democrat of oklahoma. In 1994, at a highly publicized hearing on tobacco. And this week on our series. Congress investigates. Well, it was in april of 1994 that ceos Tobacco Companies went before congress as part of an investigation into Health Hazards posed by their products. Hour hearing was controversial. And it led to toopanies admitting their products were addictive. Industry followed. Joining us fhe tobacco debate and the 1994 hearings is elise payne, director of the d. C. Office of the levin center for oversight and democracy. Elise bean we had been debating the impact of Tobacco Products for decades. By that point. About 1994 that brought this all together . Well, i think the key was an announcement by the food and Drug Administration. And commis kessler that they had evidence that the Tobac