Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette to announce investigation of GM recall

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette is expected to announce Friday that she will lead an investigation into the matter of a General Motors recall of 1.6 million vehicles with faulty ignition switches.

DeGette, the ranking Democratic member of the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. to detail the congressional investigation, her office said in a news release.

On March 11, members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked GM CEO Mary Barra for documents and field reports related to the recall. Earlier this month, Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), previewed the investigation and hearing that DeGette will detail on Friday.

Barra and senior officials from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration will be questioned at the public phase of the House investigation, which begins April 1, the release said.

DeGette will be joined by Danny Katz, state director of Colorado Public Interest Research Group, who will share public safety tips for driving. DeGette will also speak on the local impact of the recall, the release said.

GM recalled last month 1.6 million compact cars with a known defect. The defects have been linked to the deaths of 13 people.

GM said that the organization knew of a problem with ignition switches that have moved out of place in certain vehicles and caused engines and electrical power to shut off. The defect can disable power-assisted brakes and steering, as well as front air bags.

The recalled vehicles include models of the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Saturn Ion, Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky that were sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Investigations into GM's slow response to the issue have also been taken up by the Justice Department and Senate.