File:2020 11 23 US Committee on Oversight letter to GSA Emily W Murphy re President-Elect Biden.pdf

English: 2020 11 23 US Committee on Oversight letter to GSA Emily W Murphy re President-Elect Biden

Dear Administrator Murphy:

Last week, we requested that you brief us and our Ranking Members on your ongoing refusal to grant the Biden-Harris Transition Team access to critical services and facilities specified in the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 and millions of dollars in funding that Congress appropriated on October 1, 2020, for transition activities under the Act. We asked for this briefing to occur by today, and we explained that the results of your briefing would help inform whether we bring you, your Deputy, your Chief of Staff, and your General Counsel to testify at a public hearing.

Earlier today, our staff received an email from your office indicating that your Deputy would provide the briefing instead of you, but that this briefing would not occur until next week. Your staff’s email also indicated that you may have some type of problem with your ability to set up video-conferencing this week.

We cannot wait yet another week to obtain basic information about your refusal to make the ascertainment determination. Every additional day that is wasted is a day that the safety, health, and well-being of the American people is imperiled as the incoming Biden-Harris Administration is blocked from fully preparing for the coronavirus pandemic, our nation’s dire economic crisis, and our national security.

In order to address the logistical concerns raised in your staff’s email, we are willing to host the briefing. We can use Webex, Teams, or any other platform that Americans across the country now use routinely. If you are unable to utilize one of those platforms, we will set up a conference call via telephone.

In the spirit of accommodation, we are willing to host this briefing tomorrow at a time that is convenient for you. We are currently reserving 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m., and we can also work with you to accommodate another time tomorrow. In order to arrange this briefing, we ask for your response by 5 p.m. today.

The Committee on Oversight and Reform is the principal oversight committee of the House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X. The Committee on Appropriations has oversight of executive departments and agencies to assist in the determination of appropriation of revenue for the support of the Government under House Rule X.

Sincerely,

Carolyn B. Maloney

Nita M. Lowey

Gerald E. Connolly

Mike Quigley