WASHINGTON, DC - The House Committee on Energy and Commerce today announced its hearing and vote schedule for the week of April 15, 2013. Beginning on Tuesday, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hear from FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to examine the facts surrounding the deadly meningitis outbreak that has claimed 53 lives to date and left hundreds ill. On Thursday, the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee will review draft legislation seeking strategies to attract foreign investments to the United States, and the Health Subcommittee will hear from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the administration’s budget. The committee will also mark up legislation to allow construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.
On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing on “A Continuing Investigation into the Fungal Meningitis Outbreak and Whether It Could Have Been Prevented." FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg will be the sole witness. As of today, 53 people have died and almost 700 others have been stricken with meningitis or other fungal infections after receiving contaminated injections made by the New England Compounding Center (NECC) and shipped to healthcare facilities across the country. This hearing is part of the subcommittee’s ongoing investigation, including a Nov. 14, 2012, hearing, of the FDA’s history with NECC and its sister company, Ameridose, to determine whether this tragedy could have been prevented had the agency taken action under its existing authorities.as they are posted.
Also on Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a markup of H.R. 3, “The Northern Route Approval Act." H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, is a legislative solution to eliminate the bureaucratic hurdles blocking construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and allow this landmark jobs and energy project to move forward. The legislation, authored by Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE), will address all necessary federal permits for the project and limit legal challenges that could further delay construction. An electronic copy of the bill 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 18, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will hold a legislative hearing on a Discussion Draft of H.R. ____, “The Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2013." The subcommittee will discuss draft legislation, sponsored by subcommittee Chairman Lee Terry (R-NE), which seeks strategies to attract foreign direct investment to the United States. The discussion draft calls on the Secretary of Commerce to lead an interagency review and report to Congress on ways to make the United States more competitive in attracting global investment.as they are posted.
Also on Thursday, the Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on “A Financial Review of the Department of Health and Human Services and Its FY 2014 Budget." The subcommittee will hear from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius regarding HHS’ spending proposal for Fiscal Year 2014, which includes changes to key entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid and outlines implementation for the president’s health care law that is supposed to be fully implemented in less than 9 months.as they are posted.
Hearing and Vote Details:
Tuesday, April 16
10 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Hearing on “A Continuing Investigation into the Fungal Meningitis Outbreak and Whether It Could Have Been Prevented"
2 p.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Markup of H.R. 3, “The Northern Route Approval Act"
Thursday, April 18
9:30 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
Hearing on a Discussion Draft of H.R. ____, “The Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2013"
10 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Health
Hearing on “A Financial Review of the Department of Health and Human Services and Its FY 2014 Budget"
