DeGette and other Energy and Commerce Committee Leaders Call on DEA to “Stop Playing Games”

Washington, DC – Bipartisan Energy and Commerce Committee leaders today held a press conference to provide an update on their ongoing investigation into alleged pill dumping in the state of West Virginia. The leaders spoke to continued stonewalling by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), despite numerous requests for basic information.

"My colleagues and I are fed up with the DEA's intransigence and withholding of information on what's happening in West Virginia, which has national implications," said DeGette, who is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. "The DEA refuses to cooperate; the redacted documents they've just sent us are pitiful."

"We worked with the DEA at every turn, believing that we could be partners in this effort. We should be partners in this effort. But to our surprise and dismay, DEA has all but stonewalled our investigation," Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) said. "…We are done waiting for their cooperation."

Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Gregg Harper (R-MS) stressed that while the bipartisan investigation's focus is on West Virginia, it is a nationwide problem. He added, "This is just not acceptable. …We urge the DEA to stop playing games."

Talking about the opioid crisis' impact in West Virginia, Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) shared some of the committee's findings and local statistics, including the fact that West Virginia is ranked the number one state in the country for overdoses. "It's just ravaging West Virginia," McKinley said.