On June 24, 2009, the Committee adopted a resolution establishing an investigative subcommittee to investigate officially-connected travel in 2007 and 2008 that was sponsored, funded, or organized by an organization known as Carib News or Carib News Foundation. This Committee-initiated action follows the discretionary review of allegations undertaken by the Chair and Ranking Republican Member of the Committee in accordance with House and Committee rules and precedent.
The subcommittee will have jurisdiction to conduct a full and complete inquiry into allegations that have arisen regarding the sponsorship of the travel in 2007 and 2008. At the conclusion of its inquiry, the subcommittee is to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the full Committee.
Members who participated in the trips include Representative Carolyn C. Kilpatrick, Representative Donald M. Payne, Representative Bennie G. Thompson, Representative Charles B. Rangel, and Delegate Donna M. Christensen. The rules potentially implicated include the House gift rule (House Rule 25, clause 5), and other rules and laws, regulations, or other standards of conduct applicable to the conduct of Members, Delegates, or Employees of the House in the performance of their duties or the discharge of their responsibilities.
Representative G.K. Butterfield will serve as Chair of the investigative subcommittee, and Representative J. Gresham Barrett will serve as Ranking Republican Member. The other two members of the subcommittee are Representative Brad Miller and Representative Michael K. Simpson. No other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules.