WASHINGTON, DC - The House Energy and Commerce Committee today announced its hearing and vote schedule for the week of July 8, 2013. Beginning on Monday, the Subcommittee on Health will continue its review of the current Medicaid system and examine ideas for reform. On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will review legislation to modernize natural gas pipeline permitting, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will continue its examination of cyber threats and security solutions. Beginning on Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will convene a markup to advance America’s energy infrastructure and help create jobs. Thursday, the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy will hold its second hearing on the Toxic Substances Control Act while the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing examining proposals to improve FCC process.
On Monday, July 8, the Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on “Making Medicaid Work for the Most Vulnerable." The hearing will be the third in a series examining the current Medicaid system and ideas for reform. In 2012, 72 million Americans, or nearly 25 percent of the population, were enrolled in the Medicaid program at some point in the year − more recipients than any other government health care program, including Medicare. Moreover, the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, unless repealed, could grow enrollment by nearly 26 million - resulting in the largest expansion of the program in history. Witness testimony will be available at the same link as it is posted.
On Tuesday, July 9, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a hearing on H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act. Authored by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS), the legislation seeks to facilitate the construction of new natural gas pipeline projects by modernizing the permitting process and expediting approvals. It would spur job growth and provide greater certainty for interstate natural gas pipeline projects while preserving the critical environmental review processes necessary for each natural gas pipeline project. Members will hear from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and representatives of the pipeline industry, including construction and utility companies. Witness testimony will be available at the same link as it is posted.
Also on Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing on “Cyber Espionage and the Theft of U.S. Intellectual Property and Technology." The subcommittee will continue the committee’s review of cyber threats and security solutions with a hearing examining the scope and nature of threats from cyber espionage to U.S. intellectual property and technology. Specifically, members will review proposed policy solutions to better protect U.S. intellectual property and technology from cyber threats emanating from state actors, including best practices, enhanced information sharing, and public-private partnerships. A Majority Memorandum and witness list are posted here. Witness testimony will be available at the same link as it is posted.
On Wednesday, July 10, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power has scheduled a markup to consider three bills: H.R. 1582, the Energy Consumers Relief Act; H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act; and H.R. 83, a bill that would require the Secretary of the Interior to develop action plans to address the energy needs of the insular areas of the United States and the Freely Associated States. NOTE: The markup will convene for opening statements only on Tuesday and reconvene on Wednesday to vote on the legislation.
H.R. 1582, the Energy Consumers Relief Act, sponsored by Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), would provide that before the Environmental Protection Agency finalizes an energy-related rule costing 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 additional energy and economic determinations with respect to the rule. The act would prohibit EPA from finalizing a rule if the Energy Secretary, in consultation with other relevant agencies, determines the rule would cause significant adverse effects to the economy.
H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act, sponsored by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS), is commonsense legislation that would modernize the federal review process for natural gas pipeline permit applications. The legislation seeks to facilitate the construction of new natural gas pipeline projects by bringing predictability to the permitting process and expediting approvals. It would provide greater certainty for interstate natural gas pipeline projects while preserving the critical environmental review processes necessary for each natural gas pipeline project.
H.R. 83, sponsored by Rep. Donna Christensen (D- VI), would require the Secretary of the Interior to assemble a team of technical, policy, and financial experts to address the energy needs of the insular areas of the United States and the Freely Associated States through the development of an energy action plan aimed at increasing the use of energy resources, and for other purposes.
Electronic copies of the legislation can be found on the committee’s website here. A background memo, amendments, and votes will be available at the same link as they are posted.
On Thursday, the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy will hold a hearing on “Regulation of New Chemicals, Protection of Confidential Business Information, and Innovation." The hearing builds upon on a recent June 13, 2013, hearing which examined the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA). The subcommittee will focus on TSCA’s role in the manufacture and processing of new chemicals and the protection of confidential business information (CBI).as they are posted.
Also on Thursday, July 11, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing on “Improving FCC Process." The subcommittee is continuing efforts to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Last Congress, the House approved H.R. 3309, the FCC Process Reform Act, and H.R. 3310, the FCC Consolidated Reporting Act, with bipartisan support. Members will review discussion drafts similar to the legislation approved last Congress as they continue their efforts to streamline obligations of the FCC and improve decision-making while reducing regulatory burdens facing job creators.as they are posted.
Hearing and Vote Details:
Monday, July 8
4 p.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Health
Hearing on “Making Medicaid Work for the Most Vulnerable"
Tuesday, July 9
10 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Hearing on H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act
10:15 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Hearing on “Cyber Espionage and the Theft of U.S. Intellectual Property and Technology"
4 p.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Markup on H.R. 1582, the Energy Consumers Relief Act, H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act, and H.R. 83
(Opening Statements Only)
Wednesday, July 10
9:30 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Reconvening of Markup on H.R. 1582, H.R. 1900, and H.R. 83
Thursday, July 11
9:30 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy
Hearing on “Regulation of New Chemicals, Protection of Confidential Business Information, and Innovation"
10:30 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Hearing on “Improving FCC Process"
