Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, released the following statement on Oversight Republicans’ decision to abandon official hearings in favor of informal roundtables, designed to look like hearings, but with no formal rules, procedure, or power, specifically to block bipartisan subpoena motions. A memo detailing this issue was distributed to Democratic Committee Members, which can be found here.
“Chairman Comer and Republican leaders are now canceling hearings and are running scared from Oversight Democrats. They want to eliminate our ability to make motions, call witnesses, and subpoena Administration officials. After seven bipartisan motions resulting in 18 successful subpoenas, it seems that the White House and the Speaker are now trying to stop our progress. But we won’t stop fighting until we get justice for the Epstein survivors and stop the Trump corruption,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.
Since Ranking Member Garcia began leading the Minority in July 2025, Oversight Democrats have successfully supported seven bipartisan subpoena motions, resulting in 18 subpoenas, including subpoenas advancing the Epstein investigation. Unlike formal hearings, roundtables carry no rules, require no witnesses to testify under oath, and provide no opportunity for Members to offer motions or subpoenas. They also strip minority Members of basic protections guaranteed under House rules, including the right to invite witnesses and have their questioning time respected. Republican Subcommittee Chair Rep. Glenn Grothman (WI-06) acknowledged the roundtable strategy openly at a March 26, 2026 roundtable, stating that the shift away from formal hearings was driven by concern over Members making motions mid-hearing.
###