Righting the Ship: The Coast Guard Must Improve its Processes for Addressing Harassment, Bullying, and Retaliation

Hearing

Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Time: 11:00 AM Location: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515

There was no video broadcast for this event.

Agenda

 

CHAIRMAN RASKIN'S OPENING STATEMENT

CHAIRWOMAN MALONEY'S OPENING STATEMENT

PURPOSE & BACKGROUND

• In December 2018, the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a report finding that a Lieutenant Commander stationed at the Coast Guard Academy “was retaliated against on the basis of her complaints, in violation of the Military Whistleblower Protection Act.” The OIG’s report also identified “potential disparities” and inconsistencies in the handling of harassment complaints at the Academy.

• Reps. Cummings and Thompson, in consultation with Rep. Courtney, conducted an eighteen-month-long investigation to examine the handling of complaints of harassment and retaliation at the Coast Guard Academy and the Academy’s responses to disparities identified in the Equity Scorecard review.

• The Coast Guard repeatedly obstructed the Committees’ investigation by delaying the delivery of requested documents and heavily redacting them.

• On Wednesday, December 11, the Committees will release a joint staff report outlining the findings of the investigation.

Witnesses

WITNESSES

Admiral Karl Schultz (Invited)
Commandant
United States Coast Guard

Vice Admiral Michael McAllister (Minority Witness)
Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Mission Support
United States Coast Guard

Lieutenant Commander Kimberly Young-McLear
Permanent Commissioned Teaching Staff
United States Coast Guard Academy

Jackson Eaton
Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Special Reviews and Evaluations
Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General