WASHINGTON, DC - The House Committee on Energy and Commerce today announced its hearing schedule for the week of Sept. 16, 2013. On Wednesday the committee will examine the Obama administration’s climate plan and will continue its review of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). On Thursday the committee will examine the implementation and readiness of the president’s health law and also mark the five year anniversary of Keystone XL pipeline’s application to the State Department.
On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Energy and Power Subcommittee will hold a hearing to review “The Obama Administration’s Climate Change Policies and Activities." On August 6, 2013, the subcommittee sent requests to 13 federal agencies seeking witnesses to testify at the hearing. Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) sent a follow up letter September 4 reiterating his request to the federal agencies for witnesses. Although agencies were given over six weeks notice, the only confirmed attendees are Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. In the letter to each of the agencies, Chairman Whitfield wrote, “At the hearing, we seek to hear from relevant Federal agencies about U.S. climate change policies and the administration’s second term climate agenda, and to obtain fuller information regarding the Federal government’s past, current, and planned domestic and international activities, climate research programs, initiatives, and new regulatory requirements." He also requested that the agencies provide specific information relating to various aspects of climate change activities in the submitted testimony from each agency. A Majority Memorandum, witness list, and complete witness testimony will be posted here when they become available.
Also on Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Environment and the Economy Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Regulation of Existing Chemicals and the Role of Pre-Emption under Sections 6 and 18 of the Toxic Substances Control Act." The hearing builds on the subcommittee’s previous hearings examining the TSCA held on June 13 and July 11. This hearing will provide members of the subcommittee a chance to review Section 6 of the law concerning the regulation of existing chemicals and Section 18 governing pre-emption of state efforts when the federal government has already taken action.as they are posted.
On Thursday, Sept. 19, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Two Weeks Until Enrollment: Questions for CCIIO." With just two weeks remaining before open enrollment for the president’s health care law, members will receive a status update on implementation and readiness from Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) Director Gary Cohen. When appearing before the subcommittee in April, Cohen told members that implementation of the law is “on track." Since that hearing, the administration has delayed two key parts of the health care law, the employer mandate and income verification. Members look forward to the opportunity to get answers regarding the effects of the law on the American people and job creators across the country.as they are posted.
Finally, on Thursday, Sept. 19, the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Keystone’s Red Tape Anniversary: Five Years of Bureaucratic Delay and Economic Benefits Denied." TransCanada first submitted its application to the U.S. State Department to construct the Keystone XL pipeline on Sept. 19, 2008. Despite years of environmental review and public support for the pipeline, the administration continues to delay approval of this critical energy infrastructure project, which is estimated to create thousands of American jobs and pour billions of dollars into the U.S. economy. Next week’s hearing will feature witnesses who will address, from different perspectives, the economic benefits of completing the pipeline; benefits that are being lost as a result of the administration’s delay.as they are posted.
HEARING DETAILS
Wednesday, September 18
10:15 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Hearing on “The Obama Administration’s Climate Change Policies and Activities"
2 p.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy
Hearing on “Regulation of Existing Chemicals and the Role of Pre-Emption under Sections 6 and 18 of the Toxic Substances Control Act"
Thursday, September 19
10 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Hearing on “Two Weeks Until Enrollment: Questions for CCIIO"
10:15 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
Hearing on “Keystone’s Red Tape Anniversary: Five Years of Bureaucratic Delay and Economic Benefits Denied"
