WASHINGTON, DC - The House Committee on Energy and Commerce today announced its schedule for the week of April 8, 2013. The Health Subcommittee will begin the week by examining two critical user fees for our nation’s animal producers, pet owners, veterinarians, and consumers. The Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee will continue its Our Nation of Builders series with a focus on auto manufacturing while the Energy and Power Subcommittee will hold a hearing on H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, legislation to advance completion of the Keystone XL pipeline. On Thursday, the Health Subcommittee will hear from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission regarding their recommendations for reform; meanwhile, the Environment and the Economy Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Coal Ash Recycling and Oversight Act of 2013. Additionally, on Friday, the Energy and Power Subcommittee will review draft legislation to protect consumers from higher energy costs. Finally, the Communications and Technology Subcommittee will mark up legislation to protect Internet freedom.
On Tuesday, April 9, the Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on “Reauthorization of Animal Drug User Fees: ADUFA and AGDUFA." To ensure that America continues to keep its place as the world leader in medical innovation, this hearing will examine the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) and the Animal Generic Drug User Fee Act (AGDUFA), which expire at the end of fiscal year 2013. Reauthorization of these laws is essential to ensure that the Food and Drug Administration can continue the timely review of new and generic animal drugs. Members will review the user fee programs and how the proposed new agreements will build on their success. A Majority Memorandum, copies of the discussion drafts, and a witness list are posted here; witness testimony will be available at the same link as it is posted.
On Wednesday, April 10, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will hold a hearing on “Our Nation of Builders: Powering U.S. Automobile Manufacturing Forward." The hearing continues the subcommittee’s Our Nation of Builders hearing series with a focus on auto manufacturing, one of the largest and most significant sectors of America’s economy. The subcommittee will examine the current status of auto manufacturing in the United States and discuss opportunities for improvement and growth in the sector. Witnesses will include senior executives from auto companies and parts suppliers, with vast experience in manufacturing here and abroad, who will describe the strengths and weaknesses of doing business in the U.S.as they are posted.
Also on Wednesday, April 10, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a hearing on “H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act." Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) authored H.R. 3 to clear away all remaining federal roadblocks preventing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. This bipartisan bill will eliminate the need for a Presidential Permit, address all other necessary federal permits, and limit litigation that could doom the $7 billion jobs and energy infrastructure project. Similar legislation was necessary in 1973 to achieve construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. For a summary of H.R. 3, click here.as they are posted.
Beginning on Wednesday, April 10, and continuing on Thursday, April 11, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will begin a markup of legislation making it the policy of the United States to promote a global Internet free from government control. The bill contains the same language that unanimously passed the House and Senate last year, elevating it to official U.S policy rather than merely a sense of the Congress in light of continued international efforts to regulate the Internet. An electronic copy of the discussion draft can be found on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s website here. A Majority Memorandum, amendments, and votes will also be available at the same link as they are posted.
On Thursday, April 11, the Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on “Strengthening Medicare for Seniors: Understanding the Challenges of Traditional Medicare’s Benefit Design." As the subcommittee continues efforts to strengthen Medicare, it will examine the challenges with its traditional benefit design and hear from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission regarding their recommendations for reform.as they are posted.
Also on Thursday, April 11, the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy will hold a hearing on a discussion draft of the Coal Ash Recycling and Oversight Act. The discussion draft provides a state-based regulatory framework for the safe management, re-use, and disposal of coal residuals. The draft mirrors the text of S. 3512 in the 112th Congress, which was introduced in the Senate with strong bipartisan support, and is similar to Rep. David McKinley’s legislation, H.R. 2273, which passed the House in 2011 by a bipartisan vote of 267 to 144.as they are posted.
On Friday, April 12, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a hearing on a “Discussion Draft of H.R.__, the Energy Consumers Relief Act." To help shield Americans from higher energy costs and provide greater transparency, the Energy Consumers Relief Act will require that before EPA finalizes any new energy-related rules estimated to cost more than $1 billion, the agency must submit a report to Congress detailing certain cost, energy price, and job impacts, and the Secretary of Energy must make certain additional determinations relating to the rule. The Act would protect consumers by prohibiting EPA from finalizing those energy-related rules that are estimated to cost over $1 billion and that are determined to cause significant adverse effects to the economy.as they are posted.
Hearing and Vote Details:
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
4:00 p.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Health
Hearing on “Reauthorization of Animal Drug User Fees: ADUFA and AGDUFA"
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
10:00 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Hearing on “H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act"
10:15 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
Hearing on “Our Nation of Builders: Powering U.S. Automobile Manufacturing Forward"
4:00 p.m. (Opening Statements Only)
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Markup of H.R. __, A Bill to Affirm the Policy of the United States Regarding Internet Governance
Thursday, April 11, 2013
10:00 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Health
Hearing on “Strengthening Medicare for Seniors: Understanding the Challenges of Traditional Medicare’s Benefit Design"
10:30 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy
Hearing on “Discussion Draft of H.R. ___, The Coal Ash Recycling and Oversight Act of 2013"
2:15 p.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Continuation of markup of H.R. __, A Bill to Affirm the Policy of the United States Regarding Internet Governance
Friday, April 12, 2013
9:30 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Hearing on a “Discussion Draft of H.R.__, the Energy Consumers Relief Act"
