“Grave Concerns” Raised About Accuracy of Michigan Governor’s Testimony Before Congress

Apr 7, 2016
Press Release

“Grave Concerns” Raised About Accuracy of Michigan Governor’s Testimony Before Congress

 

Cummings Requests Meeting with Snyder, Mayor, Local Officials

 

Washington, D.C. (Apr. 7, 2016)—Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter raising serious new questions about whether Michigan Governor Rick Snyder testified accurately before the Committee on March 17 when he claimed under oath that he had been coordinating with Flint Mayor Karen Weaver and other local officials.  Documents suggest that as Snyder gave that sworn testimony, his top aides had been working behind the scenes on a comprehensive 75 point plan that they withheld from the Mayor until the evening after Snyder testified.

“Your actions raise grave concerns about the accuracy of your testimony before our Committee,” Cummings wrote.  “If you withheld information about your 75 point plan from Mayor Weaver and other local leaders until after your appearance before our Committee, that would appear to directly contradict your testimony on March 17.”

Cummings’ letter explains that it was not until 7:12 p.m. that same night that Snyder’s office sent an email informing the Mayor that they would be releasing his plan, which apparently had been in the works for weeks.  Cummings asked Snyder to produce emails and other documents relating to his testimony before the Committee and his decision to withhold this information from the Mayor.

“Your continued refusal to engage in real consultation with the elected leaders of Flint is bewildering, and it contradicts one of the key lessons of your own Task Force,” Cummings wrote.  “As a direct result, your 75 point plan looks more like a press release than a substantive or collaborative approach, and it fails to address many of the key problems identified by Mayor Weaver and other local officials.”

Cummings requested an in-person meeting with Snyder next week in Michigan, and he asked that Mayor Weaver, Flint City Council President Kerry Nelson, and Rep. Dan Kildee be allowed to attend. 

Click here to read today’s letter. 

Issues: 
114th Congress