Crawford is in the unusual position of both acting commissioner and the president’s nominee to head the agency. He had been scheduled to testify in March before the Committee that writes the appropriations bill, but the White House abruptly cancelled his appearance, said Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX).
Meanwhile, his nomination has been stalled in the Senate amid allegations that he gave preferential treatment to another FDA employee. Plus the agency’s handling of over-the-counter post-sex contraceptives has also created controversy.
For its part, the Appropriations Committee is looking for answers to its own questions. It wants Crawford to explain staff bonuses totaling more than $19 million since 2003, and also why the agency plans to hire writers and social scientists, but no additional doctors.
In response to his failure to appear, the committee voted May 25 to withhold $5.8 million in administrative funds while it approved $100 billion for FDA, the Agriculture Department and related agencies.
“This is a matter of accountability to the Congress,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) during the hearing. “The FDA is facing serious scientific and management challenges which could have equally serious public health consequences.” Meanwhile, Craig Stevens, a spokesman for the Health and Human Services Department, noted: “Protocol dictates that nominees are deferential to the Senate committee with jurisdiction.”
In a similar move, the committee withheld some funds for the Homeland Security Department after that agency failed to update Congress.
