Letter to Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of the Department of Treasury - Pascrell Demands Answers on China Currency Manipulation
Letter
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I write to express my dismay with your failure to provide Congress with the statutorily required semi-annual report on whether China or any other country is manipulating its currency. It is impossible to make effective policy without having the requisite data upon which to formulate that policy. That report was due April 15, 2020. I request that you provide us it immediately.
In addition, I am disappointed with your repeated failures to respond to questions both during congressional hearings and the Questions for the Record of our Committee hearings. As popularly elected representatives, Congress has a responsibility to the American people to provide oversight of the executive branch's policy and implementation of the laws passed by Congress. As a member of a separate, co-equal, branch of government you are obligated to be responsive to inquiries from Members of Congress. Since 2017 this administration has ignored its constitutional responsibilities to the detriment of democracy and transparency.
For example, the Ways and Means Committee continues to await your answers to Questions for the Record of the Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Administration's FY 2021 budget on March 3, 2020. In particular, my questions on currency manipulation remain outstanding even as the U.S. Commerce Department proceeds with rules and investigations in this area. Without answers to Member's inquiries, it is difficult to know if whether the actions of the Commerce Department are consistent across the administration and with congressional policy.
Congressional oversight is a crucial element of good government in our democracy, which the Founders in their wisdom established with three co-equal branches of government. Despite the exhortations of Donald Trump, the chief executive isn't the only arm of our federal government and is in fact the Article II branch -- with Congress the Article I branch. This system of checks and balances has served our nation well for over 240 years.
I respectfully, but urgently request that you devote yourself to responding to Congressional inquiries, whether in person in our hearings or in the follow-up questions. I await your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Source