MRJ asked me a question on the recent oversight investigation of the GSA. I watched a part of the hearings and I was waiting on her reply in another topic but I don't guess I will get it. MRJ made the assertion that there are politically motivated investigations in DC and this provides cover for her stance on the OIG investigation of GIPSA.
GSA basically looks over procurement of 1/4 govt. assets and manages them to a degree (buildings). GSA is tasked with preauthorizing vendors. The GSA has to follow certain rules that are set up to make the organization efficient, fair, and non political.
During the hearings the administrator admitted that she attended a meeting on govt. property as did most of her appointed staff. This meeting was set up by Carl Rove's office and was of a political nature. The Hatch Act prohibits certain political uses of govt. property. This was one possible illegality that the committee uncovered in its hearing. The matter was referred to the investigatory arm of oversight (Investigator General--IG). This kind of infraction was not an infraction the IG investigates and turned it over to the investigative authority that enforces this law.
Another incident involved Mrs. Doan's involvement of a specific contract with Sun Microsystems. Sun had earlier been found to have given better contract terms to non government entities than it gave the govt. A report was made that estimated the increase in cost to the govt. was in the range of $70 million dollars. The GSA's contract officer was hesitant to put Sun on the preferred contract list without qualifications. Mrs. Doan stepped in and ostensibly had the contract officer replaced. The contract with Sun was approved without qualifications. This was reported to the IG for investigation.
Another incident involved Mrs. Doan allegedly awarding a contract to an acquaintance on diversity (women and minorities getting GSA contracts) without it being a competitive bid. The "contract" was later not performed and Mrs. Doan claimed it was not a contract and therefore did not violate the rules against non competitive contracts being awarded (to friends).
During the investigation of Mrs. Doan, it was determined that Mrs. Doan's account was not credible and an investigation into the matter was launched by the IG.
Mrs. Doan moved to make some funds that were part of the IG's budget (pre audit funds) unusable for the IG. The matter was referred to members of Congress. The move by Mrs. Doan was rescinded.
Senator Charles Grassley (republican) came before the oversight committee and argued that the actions of the administrator threatened the IG's office and was not appropriate for government oversight that required independence of the IG's office from those whom it had jurisdiction.
During the hearing, held by Henry Waxman (D), the ranking republican, Mr. Davis, argued that at least in this hearing the republican appointed administrator and IG were present whereas in the Clinton administration, the investigations on Clinton's misuse of the FBI files had many witnesses that avoided the subpoenas of Congress by leaving the country.
MRJ, YES, I BELIEVE THIS IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO HOLD THESE HEARINGS AND FIND THE TRUTH. IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO HOLD THE BUREAUCRACIES RESPONSIBLE. THEY HAVE A LOT OF POWER AND OVERSEE A LOT OF MONEY. THESE HEARINGS ARE NECESSARY EVEN IF THEY DON'T FIND ANYTHING.
One of the common threads in this hearing, the AG hearings, and some of the other hearings on the Hill has been the political interference that Carl Rove (sp?) and his office has had on the functioning of the bureaucracies of the government.
Govt. employees have a duty to carry out the responsibility of the appointed position, not use it for political gain. This is becoming all too common in the last two administrations.
To his credit, Charles Grassley -R (who I think is one of the best Senators in the Senate) speaks out against abuses of the govt. and speaks out for the checks and balances the law puts into place regardless of party. Senators like this are credible and serve with integrity. They bring integrity to our government. Congressmen who play the party system, do not.
Govt. power should not be abused for personal or political gain. Appointments should be made so that the office duties are carried out more efficiently. They should not be used for purely political gain of the party in office.
I hope this answers your question on the GSA oversight investigation and would appreciate a response, MRJ.
GSA acts as a catalyst for nearly $66 billion in federal spending—more than one-fourth of the government's total procurement dollars. The agency also influences the management of federal assets valued at nearly $500 billion. These assets include more than 8,300 government-owned or leased buildings, an interagency fleet of 170,000 vehicles, and technology programs and products ranging from laptop computers to systems that cost over $100 million.
GSA basically looks over procurement of 1/4 govt. assets and manages them to a degree (buildings). GSA is tasked with preauthorizing vendors. The GSA has to follow certain rules that are set up to make the organization efficient, fair, and non political.
During the hearings the administrator admitted that she attended a meeting on govt. property as did most of her appointed staff. This meeting was set up by Carl Rove's office and was of a political nature. The Hatch Act prohibits certain political uses of govt. property. This was one possible illegality that the committee uncovered in its hearing. The matter was referred to the investigatory arm of oversight (Investigator General--IG). This kind of infraction was not an infraction the IG investigates and turned it over to the investigative authority that enforces this law.
Another incident involved Mrs. Doan's involvement of a specific contract with Sun Microsystems. Sun had earlier been found to have given better contract terms to non government entities than it gave the govt. A report was made that estimated the increase in cost to the govt. was in the range of $70 million dollars. The GSA's contract officer was hesitant to put Sun on the preferred contract list without qualifications. Mrs. Doan stepped in and ostensibly had the contract officer replaced. The contract with Sun was approved without qualifications. This was reported to the IG for investigation.
Another incident involved Mrs. Doan allegedly awarding a contract to an acquaintance on diversity (women and minorities getting GSA contracts) without it being a competitive bid. The "contract" was later not performed and Mrs. Doan claimed it was not a contract and therefore did not violate the rules against non competitive contracts being awarded (to friends).
During the investigation of Mrs. Doan, it was determined that Mrs. Doan's account was not credible and an investigation into the matter was launched by the IG.
Mrs. Doan moved to make some funds that were part of the IG's budget (pre audit funds) unusable for the IG. The matter was referred to members of Congress. The move by Mrs. Doan was rescinded.
Senator Charles Grassley (republican) came before the oversight committee and argued that the actions of the administrator threatened the IG's office and was not appropriate for government oversight that required independence of the IG's office from those whom it had jurisdiction.
During the hearing, held by Henry Waxman (D), the ranking republican, Mr. Davis, argued that at least in this hearing the republican appointed administrator and IG were present whereas in the Clinton administration, the investigations on Clinton's misuse of the FBI files had many witnesses that avoided the subpoenas of Congress by leaving the country.
MRJ, YES, I BELIEVE THIS IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO HOLD THESE HEARINGS AND FIND THE TRUTH. IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO HOLD THE BUREAUCRACIES RESPONSIBLE. THEY HAVE A LOT OF POWER AND OVERSEE A LOT OF MONEY. THESE HEARINGS ARE NECESSARY EVEN IF THEY DON'T FIND ANYTHING.
One of the common threads in this hearing, the AG hearings, and some of the other hearings on the Hill has been the political interference that Carl Rove (sp?) and his office has had on the functioning of the bureaucracies of the government.
Govt. employees have a duty to carry out the responsibility of the appointed position, not use it for political gain. This is becoming all too common in the last two administrations.
To his credit, Charles Grassley -R (who I think is one of the best Senators in the Senate) speaks out against abuses of the govt. and speaks out for the checks and balances the law puts into place regardless of party. Senators like this are credible and serve with integrity. They bring integrity to our government. Congressmen who play the party system, do not.
Govt. power should not be abused for personal or political gain. Appointments should be made so that the office duties are carried out more efficiently. They should not be used for purely political gain of the party in office.
I hope this answers your question on the GSA oversight investigation and would appreciate a response, MRJ.