Blog Post

"The President vetoed our troops and the American people. His stubborn commitment to a failed strategy in Iraq is incomprehensible. He committed our great military to a failed strategy in violation of basic principles of war. His failure to mobilize the nation to defeat world wide Islamic extremism is tragic. We deserve more from our commander-in-chief and his administration."

-Maj. Gen. John Batiste, USA, Ret.

According to the non-partisan Brookings Institution, the Iraqis are failing to meet the benchmarks laid out by President Bush himself in January and included in the House and Senate passed Iraq Accountability Act. If the President vetoes this bill, he vetoes accountability.

As noted this morning, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is holding a hearing: "The FDA's Vital Mission and Challenges for the Future." The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) plays a large and influential role in the health and safety of the American people. FDA is responsible for ensuring that drugs and devices are safe and effective, and that food is uncontaminated and properly labeled.

The Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law has just approved a subpoena for James B. Comey, a former deputy attorney general, in the continuing investigation into the firings of US Attorneys. As Subcommittee Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez explains, Mr. Comey has agreed to comply with the subpoena and will appear before the committee on May 3, 2007.

Subcommittee Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez:

On May 10, U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings will appear before the Committee on Education and Labor to testify about the department's oversight of programs under its control, including the college loan programs and the Reading First program for young children.

At 1:00 this afternoon, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing on the mission of the FDA. News today gives ample reason for increased oversight, making the front pages of both the Washington Post and USA Today.

Pet Deaths Spur Call for Better FDA Screening

Rick Weiss and Ariana Eunjung Cha, Washington Post - May 1, 2007