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December 09, 2019

Oversight and Homeland Security Subcommittees to Examine Findings of Investigation into Coast Guard’s Handling of Harassment, Bullying, and Retaliation Allegations

(WASHINGTON) - On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and Rep. Lou Correa, the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, will hold a joint hearing to examine the results of an investigation into how the Coast Guard is handling complaints of harassment and bullying.  The investigation was initiated 18 months ago by then-Ranking Member Elijah E. Cummings and then-Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, in consultation with Representative Joe Courtney.

WHERE:  2154 Rayburn House Office Building 

WHEN:  Wednesday, December 11, 2019

TIME:  10:00 a.m. EST

The hearing will broadcast here. 

PURPOSE & BACKGROUND

  • In December 2018, the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a report finding that a Lieutenant Commander stationed at the Coast Guard Academy “was retaliated against on the basis of her complaints, in violation of the Military Whistleblower Protection Act.”  The OIG’s report also identified “potential disparities” and inconsistencies in the handling of harassment complaints at the Academy.
  • Reps. Cummings and Thompson, in consultation with Rep. Courtney, conducted an eighteen-month-long investigation to examine the handling of complaints of harassment and retaliation at the Coast Guard Academy and the Academy’s responses to disparities identified in the Equity Scorecard review.
  • The Coast Guard repeatedly obstructed the Committees’ investigation by delaying the delivery of requested documents and heavily redacting them. 
  • On Wednesday, December 11, the Committees will release a joint staff report outlining the findings of the investigation.

WITNESSES

  • Admiral Karl L. Schultz (invited), Commandant, United States Coast Guard
  • Vice Admiral Michael F. McAllister (minority witness), Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, United States Coast Guard
  • Lt. Cmdr. Kimberly Young-McLear, Ph.D., Permanent Commissioned Teaching Staff, United States Coast Guard Academy
  • Mr. Jackson Eaton, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Special Reviews and Evaluations, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General

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Press Contact

Aryele Bradford (Oversight) 202-226-5181
Adam Comis (Homeland Security) 202-225-9978