General Motors CEO To Testify Before DeGette And Energy And Commerce Committee Over Vehicle Safety Problems

Press Release

As the Detroit News reported today, General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Bara will testify on April 1, 2014 before the Energy & Commerce's Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee following GM's recall that is linked to 13 deaths due to the faulty ignition switch that causes airbag failure. The Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee -- on which U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) serves as Ranking Member -- will also hear from The National Highway Traffic Safety (NHSTA) Acting Administrator David Friedman.

"I am eager to hear from GM and NHSTA about what they knew, when they knew it, and why these troubling patterns were not identified earlier," said DeGette. "We need to get to the bottom of why it took a decade to act after so many safety complaints, injuries, and deaths. I will use the full investigative power of our committee to ensure everything possible is done to keep drivers and passengers safe. We cannot accept the unnecessary loss of more lives."

Last month, GM announced recalls for six vehicles models totaling an approximately 1.6 million vehicles worldwide. Two weeks ago, the New York Times reported on incidents involving GM vehicles and possible delays by the NHTSA in identifying problems. GM and NHSTA have both provided briefings to the Energy and Commerce Committee's staff as the first step in the investigation. Last week, DeGette and bipartisan leaders requested information, documents, and communications from GM and NHSTA related to the vehicle incidents and delays.

The recall covers six GM models: 2005-7 Chevrolet Cobalts; the 2007 Pontiac G5; 2003-7 Saturn Ions; 2006-7 Chevrolet HHRs; 2006-7 Pontiac Solstices and the 2007 Saturn Sky.

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