Just a few months into the 117th Congress, oversight and investigations are an integral part of the Congress’s agenda, and all signs indicate that this work will remain a priority in the months ahead. Congressional committees have broad authority to investigate, and members of Congress, for better or worse, have never been afraid to use this authority to investigate matters in the public and private sectors. As then-Senator Harry Truman put it, shortly after resigning as chairman of one of the most significant investigating committees in American history, “the power of investigation is one of the most important powers of Congress. The manner in which the power is exercised will largely determine the position and prestige of the Congress in the future.”
Any individual or organization that Congress has targeted knows all too well how disruptive a congressional investigation can be. However, the downsides of these investigations can be mitigated when the practices and priorities of the investigating committee are understood. Join Erik Jones, a Venable partner and former chief investigative counsel in Congress, and associate Brian Tengel for an overview of congressional investigations, followed by a discussion with the chief counsel for the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Topics will include the Oversight Committee’s investigations and oversight agenda, policy priorities, and best practices to consider when responding to the committees and appearing at hearings.
Moderator
Erik Jones, Partner, Venable (formerly Chief Investigative Counsel, Senate Commerce Committee; Counsel, House Oversight Committee)
Speakers
Alexandra Golden, Chief Counsel, U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Brian Tengel, Associate, Venable LLP