United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform

United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform is a United States congressional committee that oversees the federal government and investigates abuses of power. The committee has a long history, dating back to 1816, when it was established as the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments. Over the years, the committee has undergone several name changes, with its current name being adopted in 2007. The committee is composed of members from both the Democratic and Republican parties, including notable members such as Elijah Cummings, Trey Gowdy, and Darrell Issa.

● History

The committee's history dates back to 1816, when it was established as the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments. During the American Civil War, the committee played a crucial role in investigating war profiteering and corruption in the Union Army. In the 1920s, the committee investigated the Teapot Dome scandal, which involved President Warren G. Harding's Interior Secretary, Albert Fall. The committee has also investigated notable events such as the Watergate scandal, the Iran–Contra affair, and the Benghazi attack. Notable chairmen of the committee include John N. Garner, Hugo Black, and Dan Burton, who have worked with other notable figures such as J. Edgar Hoover, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton.

● Jurisdiction

The committee has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues, including federal budget and spending, government agency operations, and federal law enforcement. The committee also oversees the General Services Administration, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the United States Postal Service. In addition, the committee has jurisdiction over issues related to national security, including cybersecurity and counterterrorism. The committee works closely with other committees, such as the House Appropriations Committee and the House Judiciary Committee, as well as with agencies such as the FBI and the DHS, and with notable figures such as Robert Mueller, James Comey, and Michael Flynn.

● Membership

The committee is composed of members from both the Democratic and Republican parties. The committee is currently chaired by Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland's 8th congressional district, and the ranking member is James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky's 1st congressional district. Other notable members of the committee include Carolyn Maloney, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jim Jordan, who have worked with other notable figures such as Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, and Mitch McConnell. The committee also has a number of subcommittees, which are chaired by members such as Gerry Connolly and Raja Krishnamoorthi, who have worked with agencies such as the CIA and the NSA.

● Subcommittees

The committee has several subcommittees, including the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, and the Subcommittee on Government Operations. These subcommittees are responsible for investigating specific issues and overseeing specific government agencies, such as the DOJ and the FTC. The subcommittees are also responsible for holding hearings and gathering evidence, and have worked with notable figures such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor. The subcommittees are composed of members from both parties, and are chaired by members such as Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley, who have worked with agencies such as the EPA and the DOL.

● Notable investigations

The committee has conducted a number of notable investigations over the years, including investigations into the Trump–Ukraine scandal, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the January 6 United States Capitol attack. The committee has also investigated issues related to voter suppression and election security, and has worked with agencies such as the FEC and the CISA. Notable investigations have also included the Fast and Furious scandal, the Benghazi attack, and the IRS targeting controversy, which involved notable figures such as Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Eric Holder. The committee's investigations have led to the passage of several notable laws, including the Whistleblower Protection Act and the Inspector General Act, and have worked with notable figures such as John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Chuck Grassley.