Bridgeport, CT — Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) will host in the following public event open to the press on Thursday, May 28th.
Congressional Oversight During the COVID Pandemic
Congressman Jim Himes will join Congressman Jamie Raskin, a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Walter Shaub, former Director of the Office of Government Ethics and Senior Advisor at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, for a conversation about the need for strong, constitutionally-based Congressional oversight. Over the last three months, Congress has authorized about $3 trillion to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, a disproportionate amount of federal relief benefited well-connected corporations. This revealed the need for oversight of these funds. In addition, abuse of power in other sectors has not stopped just because we are experiencing a national health emergency. The discussion will take place virtually, via Zoom.
“I’m pleased to be joined by Representative Raskin from the House Oversight Committee and Walter Shaub, the go-to expert on ethics in Washington, for this vital discussion,” said Himes. “Oversight is one of the fundamental powers of the Congress and the American people are depending on us to fulfill that duty during this crisis and beyond.”
“In order to legislate effectively with respect to COVID-19 and indeed any other public policy problem, Congress needs to assemble information to determine what is happening in the Executive Branch and in the country,” said Rep. Raskin. “Alas, this Administration has refused and ignored dozens and dozens of Congressional subpoenas and requests for information that we need to do our jobs. Madison said that ‘those who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.’ Without that knowledge, we lose the power of self-government. Oversight is essential if democracy is going to work.”
"The Trump administration's continued assault on accountability measures in our government erodes the good faith the public has in our government to do the right thing,” said Shaub. “We must continue to shine a light on some of the administration's most flagrant and offensive transparency and ethics violations."
WHEN: Thursday, May 28th at 7 P.M.
WHERE: Please join the discussion at www.facebook.com/repjimhimes/live