Blumenthal calls on GM CEO to testify

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said he wants the CEO of General Motors to testify before Congress on the faulty ignition switch scandal.

“GM CEO Mary Barra should be called to testify before the appropriate congressional committees to answer these questions and explain GM’s delay in notifying drivers and federal regulators,” Blumenthal said Monday.

{mosads}Blumenthal’s comments came after new documents were disclosed that show GM bought 500,000 more ignition switches shortly before notifying the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the dangerous defect in the part.

Blumenthal questioned if the delayed notification was intentional.

“These documents raise deeply disturbing questions about the validity of the Valukas report, as well as the timeline of GM’s effort to protect its car owners,” Blumenthal said. “The question is why the delay and how many lives were put at risk since GM waited at least two months before issuing a recall even though it had already decided to order parts.”