2.6.1983

Rita Lavelle, Reagan Superfund administrator, is fired.  Dingell and his subcommittee conduct oversight hearings into the effectiveness of EPA's clean up of toxic waste sites under the Superfund program and uncover allegations of lack of enforcement, political manipulation and unethical behavior.  Later, Dingell discovers that Lavelle lied to Congress about when she learned about her former employer being a polluter to a Superfund site and when she recused herself from meetings and involvement in the case.
Lavelle was convicted and served five months in prison for lying to Congress about her activities concerning the Aerojet/Stringfellow Acid Pit case. 

Lavelle's "dismissal triggered the investigations that led to the departure of more than a dozen top agency officials, including EPA Administrator Anne M. Burford (formerly Gorsuch)."

The Washington Post said at the time of her conviction: "We prefer the tone set by the committee chairman, John Dingell, who took no pleasure in Miss Lavelle's 'difficulties' and pointed out that the whole 'unfortunate situation' could have been avoided if she had simply told the truth."(WP, 1.10.84)

2.12.1983

Dingell introduces "domestic content"legislation to require Japanese car manufacturers to produce more of their parts and labors in the US.  (Daily Telegram, 2.12.83)

1983-84

Medical device safety requirements are issued by the FDA due to ongoing pressure by the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.  (Activity Report of the Committee on Energy and Commerce 1983-84)

1983-84

Dingell's Oversight Subcommittee conducts two major investigations that end up saving the American taxpayer $92 million by forcing the Department of Energy to pursue oil overcharge settlements and recovering hundreds of millions of dollars from American businesses occurring from unfair labor practices.  (Activity Report of the Committee on Energy and Commerce 1983-84)

8.15.1983

Chrysler pays off the guaranteed loans, which the government guaranteed, seven years early and at $350 million profit to the US Treasury.