Leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have
asked numerous federal agencies to reveal the extent of
awards, contracts and other agreements between their
employees and outside entities. The request is a follow-up
to an ongoing investigation into the management and ethics
at the National Institutes of Health, involving arrangements
between agency employees and outside interests.
“We hope that the disturbing practices discovered at NIH
are not commonplace,” said Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, the
committee chairman.
The letters went to the departments of Commerce, Energy,
and Health and Human Services, as well as to many regulatory
and health and safety agencies.