Mary Barra Expected To Have More Answers For Congress On June 18 Hearing

General Motors CEO Mary Barra was criticized for tiptoeing around the questions asked during her last visit to Congress over hearings on the company’s ignition switch safety recall. But during her next session in the hot seat, Barra will be more upfront and forthcoming, according to a report from The Detroit News.

Barra is set to testify before a subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on June 18 alongside internal investigator Anton Valukas. The 320-page scathing report on the automaker put together by Valukas revealed a flawed company culture at GM, leading to the release of 15 of its employees and the punishment of 5 more.

“Mr. Valukas’ exhaustive report revealed disturbing truths about GM’s systemic and cultural failures that allowed this problem to go undiagnosed for over a decade, but many questions remain unanswered about the recalls and resulting changes within the company,” Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, chair of the House committee, and Rep. Tim Murphy, chair of the panel that will question Barra, said in a statement. “This testimony by Barra and Valukas is a critical step in our ongoing investigation to uncover the facts as we determine what went wrong and what we can do to prevent future tragedies.”

During her last trip to Capitol Hill, Barra couldn’t answer questions put forth by Congress, saying many of the answers were pending on the Valukas Report. She pledged to return once the internal investigation was complete.

“Ms. Barra wants to return to Congress and update the House Energy and Commerce Committee members on the actions GM is taking in response to the ignition switch recall. As outlined by Ms. Barra last week, these efforts include fixing the failures identified in the Valukas report, building a culture centered on safety, quality and excellence, and doing what’s right for victims and their families,” GM spokesman Greg Martin said in a statement.