{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mcclain.house.gov/2021/8/rep-mcclain-demands-answers-doj-gov-whitmers-handling-nursing-home-patients", "Rep. McClain Demands Answers from DOJ on Gov. Whitmer\u2019s Handling of Nursing Home Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic", "2021-08-02", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Lisa C. McClain", "M001136", "mcclain.house.gov", "mcclain", "https://mcclain.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) requested Inspector General Horowitz, at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), investigate why the DOJ decided to forgo an investigation of the State of Michigan\u2019s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Gretchen Whitmer\u2019s decision to place patients infected with COVID-19 into long-term care facilities.\n\nReps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Tim Walberg (R-MI) joined McClain in demanding answers.\n\n\u201cThousands of Michigan families deserve to know why the State of Michigan and Gov. Whitmer chose to put their loved ones\u2019 lives at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d said Rep. McClain. \u201cThe least the Department of Justice can do is thoroughly investigate why those with the coronavirus were placed into long-term care facilities, which led to thousands of deaths. We are demanding answers because no one seems to want to investigate Gov. Whitmer\u2019s mishandlings of this crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cMichiganders who lost loved ones deserve answers. The Justice Department\u2019s refusal to investigate the role Governor Whitmer\u2019s decisions played in these tragic nursing home deaths is unacceptable. It is my hope the Inspector General will provide clarity as to why the Department of Justice has failed to pursue this inquiry as well as provide closure to families across Michigan,\u201d said Rep. Huizenga.\n\nFor a copy of the letter, click here. The full text is below.\n\nAugust 2, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Michael E. Horowitz\n\nInspector General of the Department of Justice\n\nDepartment of Justice Office of Inspector General\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530\n\nDear Inspector General Horowitz,\n\nWe write to you today concerning the Department of Justice\u2019s recent decision to not investigate the State of Michigan\u2019s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer\u2019s decision to place patients infected with COVID-19 into long-term care facilities. As we have learned over time, the elderly are the most vulnerable to COVID-19.\n\nIn August of 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice requested data[1] from Governor Whitmer and three other states concerning nursing homes and COVID-19 deaths. The department was concerned that these governors had \u201cissued orders which may have resulted in the deaths of thousands of elderly nursing home residents.\u201d[2] As of July 21st, 2021, there have been 5,681 deaths in Michigan long-term care facilities.[3]\n\nOn July 22nd, 2021, it was reported that DOJ official, Steven Rosenbaum, sent a letter to Governor Whitmer\u2019s Chief of Staff, Mark Totten, informing him of the Department\u2019s decision to forgo an investigation into the governor\u2019s coronavirus decisions.[4]\n\nThis decision has thousands of Michiganders across the state concerned. Families all across the state are demanding answers for why their loved ones were locked in facilities with Covid-carrying individuals. For over a year, Michiganders have demanded answers from their governor to no avail. Last year, it seemed that the Department of Justice was going to finally get answers, from Governor Whitmer for the people of Michigan. On July 22nd, 2021, that hope faded with the Department\u2019s decision.\n\nFor that reason, we are requesting that you open a formal inquiry into why the Department of Justice will not conduct an investigation into Governor Whitmer\u2019s decision to place COVID-19 infected patients in long-term care facilities.\n\nOn behalf of the thousands of mourning Michigan families, we are requesting you pursue answers to the following question in the course of your investigation:\n\nWho made the final decision within the department to forgo an investigation?\n\nWhat data or information did the Department acquire from the Governor of Michigan that exonerated her of any wrongdoing?\n\nWas anyone within the Administration in contact with officials at DOJ concerning the Michigan inquiry?\n\nWas anyone within the Executive Office of the President in contact with officials at DOJ concerning the Michigan inquiry?\n\nWe are requesting a formal, in-person briefing from your office on whether you choose to open an investigation into the Department of Justice\u2019s decision. We appreciate you and your department\u2019s dedication to oversight within the Department of Justice. We look forward to speaking with you and your staff on your decision.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mcclain.house.gov/2021/8/rep-mcclain-demands-answers-doj-gov-whitmers-handling-nursing-home-patients"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7115960363298655, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}