GSA proposes to brief Congress next week on presidential transition

The General Service Administration (GSA) is offering to provide a briefing to major congressional committees on the presidential transition process next week in response to a request from House Democrats, who insisted on Monday that the agency did much more quickly to respond to their request.

The House Oversight and Reform and Supply Committees sent a letter Thursday to GSA Administrator Emily Murphy requesting a briefing by Monday of this week on why she had not signed the process , known as verification, to officially recognize Joe bidenJoe Biden Biden appoints Linda Thomas-Greenfield as UN ambassador: reports Scranton dedicates ‘Joe Biden Way’ to honoring President-elect Kasich: Republicans ‘either echo’ or ‘fear’ ‘by Trump PLUS as president-elect and unlock federal resources to begin the transition.

A GSA spokesperson said Monday that the agency’s deputy administrator, Allison Brigati, would give a 30-minute briefing to House committee chairs and rank-and-file Republican members on November 30.

The GSA will also be offering an in-person briefing that day to staff on the Senate Appropriations, Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and Environment and Public Works committees. The spokesperson added that staff from the House Supply Committees and the Oversight and Reform Committees are invited to attend the Senate briefing.

But the chair of the House Monitoring and Reform Committee Carolyn MaloneyCarolyn Bosher MaloneyBiden helps: First Cabinet picks to be announced Tuesday, with GSA blockade preventing background checks Democrats brace for latest surveillance showdown with Trump House committee chairs demand briefing from chief of the GSA on the presidential transition PLUS (DN.Y.), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Nita LoweyNita Sue LoweyBiden helps: Cabinet’s first picks to be announced on Tuesday, GSA lockdown preventing background checks US economy rushes ‘COVID cliff’ with programs set to expire Democrats are preparing for the latest showdown with Trump. (DN.Y.) and Reps. Gerry ConnollyGerald (Gerry) Edward Connolly Democrats gear up for latest surveillance standoff with Trump Biden campaign pushes GSA chief to approve civil rights group’s transition, watchdog formally asks Twitter to suspend Trump’s account for PLUS misinformation (D-Go.) And Mike QuigleyMichael (Mike) Bruce Quigley Democrats debate fate of Trump polls if Biden wins Womack to replace Graves on Financial Services subcommittee Preventing next pandemic requires new bill’s global solutions MORE (D-Ill.), Who chairs the relevant subcommittees, criticized the GSA’s offer as insufficient and asked Murphy to brief them on Tuesday.

“We cannot wait another week for basic information on your refusal to make the verification decision,” they wrote in a letter to Murphy on Monday. “Every extra day wasted is a day when the safety, health and well-being of the American people are threatened as the new Biden-Harris administration is prevented from fully preparing for the coronavirus pandemic, the terrible economic crisis of our country. country our national security. “

More than two weeks since the presidential race was called for Biden by the Associated Press and all major news networks, Murphy has yet to begin the transition process. President TrumpDonald John Trump Biden appoints Linda Thomas-Greenfield as UN ambassador: reports Scranton dedicates’ Joe Biden Way ‘to honor President-elect Kasich: Republicans’ either in complete block’ or ‘have fear ” of Trump MORE refused to concede the election and continues to pursue lengthy lawsuits in states where Biden holds a significant lead.

In last week’s letter, House Oversight and Reform Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney (DN.Y.), House Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey (DN.Y.), and Reps Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), who chairs the relevant subcommittees, wrote that a briefing “would help” whether they would call Murphy and other senior officials of the GSA to testify in a public hearing.

Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy Pelosi US Economy Sinks Towards ‘COVID Cliff’ With Programs Set To Expire Democrats Prepare For Latest Surveillance Showdown With Citizens And Trump Divided Administration – Call To Action For common ground PLUS (D-Calif.) Reported last week that Democrats begin by requesting a briefing, rather than immediately issuing subpoenas or calling hearings, to maintain a “unifying” post-election environment.

“Let’s take our time. Let’s give them a chance. And that’s why we don’t have a hearing, we just have a briefing,” Pelosi said at a press conference on Capitol Hill on Friday.

But Pelosi also said the House could play an expanded role if Trump continues to block the transition.

“I’m not the type to show my hand, but nonetheless, we’re ready. We are ready, ”Pelosi said.

Biden warned that a delay in the transition process could lead to more deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic and make it more difficult to distribute vaccines early next year.

With no access to federal funds for the transition, Biden’s team solicited funds from donors large and small to help offset the cost.

A growing number of GOP lawmakers in the House and Senate are urging Trump to concede the election and allow the transition to begin, including in Sens. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt Romney Democrats reject calls for Biden to play hard on Cabinet choices Hogan “ embarrassed that more people ” in the GOP are “ not speaking out ” against Trump’s Democrats preparing for the latest showdown with Trump MORE (Utah), Rob portmanRobert (Rob) Jones Portman Democrats reject calls for Biden to play hard on Cabinet picks Leadership changes at largest cyber agency raise national security concerns Senate passes bill to secure Internet-connected devices against cyber vulnerabilities LEARN MORE (Ohio) and Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph Toomey Court of Appeals declares NSA bulk telephone data collection illegal Dunford steps down as chair of coronavirus watch group GOP senators are pushing for swift and partial reopening of the PLUS economy (Pennsylvania.).

Updated at 3:20 p.m.