WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce detailed its hearing and vote schedule for the week of May 7, 2012. Continuing its focus on protecting jobs and innovation, the Subcommittee on Health will consider and vote on legislation to reauthorize and establish various FDA user fee programs. Additionally, the committee will examine bipartisan energy legislation aimed at ensuring electric grid reliability and facilitating development of new hydropower projects. And as part of ongoing efforts to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, the committee will continue its review of administration spending, examining the Department of Health and Human Services budget.
On Tuesday, May 8, the Subcommittee on Health will hold a markup to consider legislation ensuring the continuation of various FDA user fee programs including the existing Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) and Medical Device User Fee Act (MDUFA), which facilitate the review and approval of life-saving and life-improving drugs and medical devices. Both programs play important roles in ensuring patients receive quality care and access to new therapies while promoting innovation and job creation. In addition, the legislation establishes a new program for generic drugs and biosimilars, which would help expedite their approval and bring savings to American patients. The committee will announce its schedule for a Full Committee markup of this legislation in the coming days.as they are posted.
On Wednesday, May 9, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will continue its hearing on the American Energy Initiative with a review of two pieces of bipartisan legislation: the “Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2012" and the “Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2012."
H.R. 4273, the Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act, sponsored by Reps. Pete Olson (R-TX), Lee Terry (R-NE), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Gene Green (D-TX), Mike Doyle (D-PA), and Charles Gonzalez (D-TX), will ensure America’s power companies are able to comply with DOE emergency orders to maintain grid reliability without facing penalties for violating potentially conflicting environmental laws. The Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act, sponsored by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), will help facilitate the development of new hydropower projects across the country. A background memo, witness list and legislative text will be posted here when they become available.
Also on Wednesday, May 9, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing on “Budget and Spending Concerns at HHS." This is the fourth in a series of hearings on the administration’s efforts to identify wasteful, duplicative, or excessive spending by agencies within the jurisdiction of the Energy and Commerce Committee. As the nation’s debt approaches $16 trillion, this hearing aims to evaluate the results of HHS’ spending-reduction initiatives through the proposed FY 2013 budget, as well as to assist HHS in identifying and prioritizing further targets for potential elimination or cuts for congressional consideration. A background memo and witness list will be posted here when they become available.
Hearing and Vote Details
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
10:00 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Health
Markup to consider a Committee Print to authorize various FDA user fee programs
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
9:00 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
The American Energy Initiative: Hearing on the “Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2012" and the “Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2012"
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
10:00 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Hearing on “Budget and Spending Concerns at HHS"
