Hearing on Politicization Surgeon Generals

The Oversight Committee holds a hearing, "The Surgeon General's Vital Mission: Challenges for the Future." The hearing focuses on the importance of the Surgeon General's Office, the need to preserve the Surgeon General's independence, and recent limitations on the Surgeon General's ability to carry out its public health education mission. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton questions Richard Carmona, who resigned as Surgeon General in 2006, testifies about what he viewed as political and partisan pressure regarding issues ranging from stem cell research to abstinence-only education.