Barra’s Testimony Released Ahead of House Meeting
GM CEO: "...my sincere apologies to everyone who has been affected by this recall…especially to the families and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured. I am deeply sorry.”
GM CEO Mary Barra’s testimony has been released ahead of her meeting with Congress.
This afternoon, Mary Barra will go before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight to testify on behalf of General Motors regarding the 2.53 million vehicles recalled for faulty ignition switches. While she will not be taking the hill until 2 pm EST, Barra’s testimony has already been released online (via USA Today), wherein she apologizes once more to the families who have suffered and promises transparency.
“As soon as l learned about the problem, we acted without hesitation. We told the world we had a problem that needed to be fixed. We did so because whatever mistakes were made in the past, we will not shirk from our responsibilities now and in the future. Today’s GM will do the right thing.
“That begins with my sincere apologies to everyone who has been affected by this recall…especially to the families and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured. I am deeply sorry.”
Barra’s testimony, while acknowledging the separation from “Old GM” and “New GM,” does not specify whether or not the company will waive the liability immunity it earned when it emerged from bankruptcy in 2009. Barra does, however, state that GM “will hold ourselves fully accountable.” Per the terms of the bankruptcy settlement, GM cannot be held legally or civilly accountable for any accidents prior to July 10.
According to The New York Times, GM was found to have threatened the families of at least two victims who died in crashes related to the ignition switch issue. In one instance, a family whose lawsuit regarding the death of their son was dismissed as “frivolous” by GM attorneys because his death occurred seven days prior to the emergence of “The New GM.”
Barra’s testimony can be read in full below. For more news following her 2pm EST appointment with the House, which is appropriately titled “The GM Ignition Switch Recall: Why Did It Take So Long?,” check back in with us here at The News Wheel.
Kyle S. Johnson lives in Cincinnati, a city known by many as “the Cincinnati of Southwest Ohio.” He enjoys professional wrestling, Halloween, and also other things. He has been writing for a while, and he plans to continue to write well into the future. See more articles by Kyle.