Source: The American Prospect
by Kiren Gopal
“In April 1994, former Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) convened a landmark series of ‘Big Tobacco’ hearings. CEOs like William Campbell of Philip Morris testified under oath that ‘nicotine is not addictive.’ The hearings drew considerable public attention and helped catalyze legal action, leading to a historic settlement where tobacco companies agreed to pay over $200 billion. … That hearing was held in a subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, but Waxman would go on to chair the House Oversight Committee, serving as the top watchdog of the Bush administration. In the time since, Democrats have failed to use the political theater and drama of congressional oversight to produce enough ‘nicotine is not addictive’ moments that clarify for the American people who stands against corporate greed and deception. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could fix that.” (05/02/25)
https://prospect.org/politics/2025-05-02-how-aoc-can-make-oversight-great-again/