Braley Leads Oversight Committee Questioning of Embattled GSA Chief Lurita Doan
Press Release
Braley Leads Oversight Committee Questioning of Embattled GSA Chief Lurita Doan
Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Waterloo) led the questioning in an Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing regarding possible violations of the Hatch Act by Lurita Doan, the Administrator of the General Services Administration.
"Government employees should be held accountable for their actions, just like everyone else," Braley said. "Judging from the facts at hand, it appears as though Ms. Doan has violated the law, and she should thus be disciplined. Even the US Office of Special Counselan independent federal investigative agencyhas advised President Bush to discipline Ms. Doan for her violation of the Hatch Act.
"People have lost faith in their government because of ethical lapses and scandals. I hope this hearing sends a message that I will be working hard on the Oversight Committee to hold government employees accountable and eliminate fraud and abuse of taxpayer resources by government agencies."
The Hatch Act prohibits government employees from engaging in partisan political activities at work or on government property.
In March, the Oversight Committee investigated allegations that Doan had violated the Hatch Act by participating in a political briefing held by White House advisor Karl Rove and asking how the GSA could "help our candidates' in the next elections." Rep. Braley's questioning of Doan at the hearing found a large audience on the internet.
The video of that questioning can be found at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VePqzIrR-ao.
Last week, the US Office of Special Counsel advised President Bush that Doan should "be disciplined to the fullest extent for her serious violation of the Hatch Act." The "fullest extent" of discipline for a political appointee, such as Doan, is termination of their appointment.
The Office of Special Counsel also noted Doan's lack of remorse in its recommendation to the President: "Despite engaging in the most pernicious activity prohibited by the Hatch Act, Administrator Doan has shown no remorse and lacks an appreciation for the seriousness of her violation."
According to their website, the US Office of Special Counsel's duties include promoting "compliance by government employees with legal restrictions on political activity by providing advisory opinions on, and enforcing, the Hatch Act."
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