House GOP members requested a year ago that the Department of Health and Human Services provide information into how it funds Obamacare’s Basic Health Program, a service that provides health coverage to low-income Americans. This week, HHS finally complied –with "one heavily redacted page of one document."
Republicans responded to the White House’s lame excuse for an answer with a frustrated letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell.
"The pattern of conduct to this point suggests that the department intends to frustrate our legitimate efforts to conduct oversight of the Basic Health Program," House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, wrote.
Last year, the White House shelled out tens of millions of dollars for the Basic Health Program without congressional approval. Republicans had every right to be suspicious. Where does HHS get the authority to use IRS money to pay for the program? the legislators demanded.
The agency’s silence speaks volumes. Perhaps they are not responding because they know that they don’t have rationale to use taxpayer money for the program.
Of course, stonewalling Congress’ attempts to find answers is what we’ve come to expect from the Obama administration. Just consider how the White House has ignored the House Select Committee on Benghazi’s efforts to bring witnesses forward to provide details about the night of the terror raid.
As long as there is any chance of the White House being portrayed in a bad light, you can bet they will continue pretending not to hear Congress’ questions.
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