Cummings, Connolly block Metro Inspector General testimony

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH), Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, sent a letter to Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) asking them to reconsider their decision to deny the Republican request that Geoffrey Cherrington, the Inspector General for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), testify at a Government Operations Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday about the inspector general community.

Chairman Cummings and Chairman Connolly recently asked Inspector General Cherrington to examine allegations against District of Columbia Councilmember Jack Evans. In the past, Cherrington has raised concerns about the independence and resources provided to his office.

Excerpts from the letter:

“Aside from violating House rules and long-standing Committee practice, your refusal to allow Mr. Cherrington to testify prevents Members from assessing whether his office can fully and independently examine the allegations levied against District of Columbia (DC) Councilmember Jack Evans-an examination that you asked him to do.”

“Although Mr. Cherrington is not a member of [the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency], he can testify about the challenges facing inspectors general-like him-who do not have statutory protections guaranteeing independence and adequate resources. This perspective alone would be beneficial for all Members to hear.”

“Documents produced to the Committee also suggest that Evans may have attempted to misuse Mr. Cherrington’s authority by directing him to initiate an investigation that would advance Evans’s personal business interests. Although we understand that you may invite Mr. Cherrington to testify in October, we assume that you would want to ensure now-as early as possible-that Mr. Cherrington could conduct a thorough and independent examination of Evans’s misconduct.”