POLITICO's Pulse Check

How a top Democrat is approaching this year's investigations

Episode Summary

Rep. Diana DeGette, the new chair of oversight and investigations for the Energy & Commerce Committee, explains how she's investigating the Trump administration and the health care industry.

Episode Notes

"In our view, our jurisdiction is the world... Every time you watch the nightly news, [I] come up with at least three new ideas for hearings."

Rep. Diana DeGette, the Colorado Democrat leading oversight for the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, joins POLITICO's Dan Diamond to discuss why she prioritized hearings on family separations, vow an investigation of high insulin prices, reflect on her mentor John Dingell and more.

MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

DeGette's subcommittee held its first hearing last week, focused on HHS' role in family separations.

DeGette, alongside GOP Rep. Tom Reed, probed the high prices of insulin last year.

DeGette says she has questions about HHS' new fetal tissue policy.

Planned Parenthood's Leana Wen was on the podcast last week. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley also joined POLITICO in recent weeks to discuss his priorities.

Bob Carey, the former head of the HHS refugee office, joined the podcast last year to explain the refugee office and his concerns about the Trump administration's policies. Rep. Joe Kennedy, who's DeGette's vice-chair on the subcommittee, joined the podcast in 2017 to discuss his career and focus on health care.