GovernmentExecutive.com

The chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Thursday asked the head of the General Services Administration to testify regarding statements she made during an investigation into potential violations of a law limiting political activity in the federal workplace.

In a letter to GSA Administrator Lurita Doan, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., said he was concerned about her allegations that employees who testified about her statements at Jan. 26 meeting at GSA headquarters were biased and poor performers.

Waxman also said Doan may be asked other questions at the hearing relating to the veracity of her statements to the committee and to Office of Special Counsel investigators. Waxman asked Doan to appear on June 7 at 10 a.m.

“Government employees who cooperate with congressional and federal investigations perform a vital service to the nation,” Waxman said in the letter. “It would be a serious abuse if your statements were part of an effort to retaliate against these witnesses for cooperating with the Oversight Committee's investigation.”

A GSA spokeswoman said that the agency had just received the letter Thursday evening. She said that Doan will review it and respond to Congress.--Daniel Pulliam