WASHINGTON, DC - The House Energy and Commerce Committee today announced its hearing and vote schedule for the week of February 4, 2013. The committee will launch a new energy hearing series with a review of North America’s abundant energy resources and continue efforts to promote Internet freedom. The committee will also vote on the oversight plan for the 113th Congress.
On Tuesday, February 5, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will launch its “American Energy Security and Innovation" hearing series as part of the committee’s ongoing effort to create jobs, spur economic growth, and explore pathways to increase energy independence and innovation. The series’ first installment, “An Assessment of North America’s Energy Resources," will examine America’s vast resource base and explore the possibility of achieving North American energy independence. The subcommittee will hear testimony from top energy and market analysts who will highlight the benefits and opportunities of America’s new energy landscape. A majority memorandum and a witness list are posted here. Witness testimony will be posted at the same link when available.
Also on Tuesday, February 5, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology and the Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Terrorism Nonproliferation, and Trade and the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations will hold a joint hearing to discuss efforts by some countries to expand international regulation of the Internet. In the 112th Congress, the House and Senate overwhelmingly adopted resolutions opposing efforts at the World Conference on International Telecommunications to regulate the Internet and its content. However, despite the United States’ opposition, a number of countries agreed to provisions that recognize an increased role for the International Telecommunications Union, an agency of the United Nations, in Internet governance.
The subcommittees will also be discussing legislation to affirm that it is the policy of the United States to promote a global Internet free from government control. Legislative text will be provided in advance of the hearing. A majority memorandum and witness list are posted here. Witness testimony will be posted at the same link when available.
Also on Tuesday, February 5, the full Energy and Commerce Committee has scheduled a business meeting to consider the committee’s oversight plan for the 113th Congress. Opening statements will be given Tuesday, and the business meeting will reconvene Wednesday morning for consideration of the plan. An electronic copy of the oversight plan can be found on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s website here. A background memo, amendments, and votes will be available at the same link as they are posted.
Hearing and Meeting Details:
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
10:00 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Hearing on “American Energy Security and Innovation: An Assessment of North America’s Energy Resources"
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
10:30 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Joint hearing on “Fighting for Internet Freedom: Dubai and Beyond"
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
4:00 p.m. (Opening Statements Only)
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Full Committee on Energy and Commerce
Business meeting to consider the committee’s oversight plan
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
9:30 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Full Committee on Energy and Commerce
Reconvene business meeting to consider the committee’s oversight plan
PLEASE NOTE: The committee is transitioning to paperless hearings in the 113th Congress, and will therefore no longer be producing paper copies of witness testimony, bill text, or other hearing documents. All materials will be posted and available for print on the committee’s website. For special requests, please contact the committee.
