Correspondence

The Honorable Victoria A. Lipnic 
Acting Chair 
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 
131 M Street, NE 
Washington, DC 20507 

Dear Acting Chair Lipnic: 

Th_e Committee on Education and the Workforce (Committee) congratulates you on President 
Trump's decision to name you as acting chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). As you know, the EEOC's day-to-day operations, Commission decisions, 
and the general counsel's actions are all under the Committee's jurisdiction. We are eager to establish an effective and collaborative working relationship with you and your staff during the 
115th Congress. A significant part of that relationship entails the Committee's continuing oversight efforts to ensure good governance and the protection of taxpayer dollars. Working 
together, we can identify and abate fraud, waste, and abuse, as well as better ensure federal 
policies are efficient, effective, and accountable to the American people. 

Congress' broad authority to conduct oversight and investigative actions is inherent in Article I of the Constitution.  The Supreme Court also has repeatedly ruled that the power to conduct oversight is an essential function of Congress.  Additionally, House rules provide direction to standing committees in matters of oversight. Specifically, House Rule X outlines the organization, general oversight responsibilities, and special oversight functions assigned to standing committees. The Committee takes these responsibilities seriously and reserves the right to review and investigate any issues within its jurisdiction. 

Rigorous oversight takes many forms. Official hearings, letters, document requests, briefings, roundtables, and informal communications are all an important part of the Committee's oversight responsibilities and will help inform legislative actions throughout the 115th Congress. Further, the Committee views oversight as a tool to analyze the efficacy of federal laws, regulations, and programs and to increase transparency regarding the administration's decision-making. These practices will produce more beneficial policies and ensure tax dollars are well-spent. 

Again, congratulations on your new position. We look forward to working with you, your colleagues on the Commission, and the general counsel's office to help ensure that the EEOC is abiding by the law. In an effort to begin collaboration on common priorities and to build a foundation for a strong working relationship, we encourage your legislative affairs staff to schedule an introductory meeting with Committee staff. We look forward to working together in creating an efficient, accountable government that appropriately serves the American people. Our best wishes. 

Sincerely, 

Virginia Foxx
Chairwoman 

Bradley Byrne
Chairman
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections 

CC:
The Honorable Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, Ranking Member
The Honorable Chai R. Feldblum, Commissioner 
The Honorable Jenny R. Yang, Commissioner 
The Honorable Charlotte A. Burrows, Commissioner 
Mr. James Lee, Acting General Counsel 

For a PDF of the letter, click here.