Energy Department Picks Winners And Losers?

Energy Department and White House officials are set to appear before a House Energy and Commerce committee hearing today. The committee is looking into Energy's loan guarantee program, which lost $500 million after betting on high-profile solar panel manufacturer, Solyndra, which went bankrupt last week. Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said the government should not try to pick winners and losers. Executives from Solyndra were invited but are expected to appear next week. Some lawmakers suggest politics was behind the loan guarantee, since a major Solyndra investor also raised money for the president's 2008 election campaign.