WASHINGTON, DC - The House Committee on Energy and Commerce today announced its hearing schedule for the week of Nov. 11, 2013. The committee will convene eight hearings as part of its ongoing pursuit of policies that create jobs, modernize outdated regulations for the innovation era, and protect community and state based initiatives.
On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will hold a hearing on H.R. 1518, a bill to amend the Horse Protection Act. Witness testimony will also be posted at the same link when available.
Also on Wednesday, Nov. 13, the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy will hold a hearing on “S. 1009 - The Chemical Safety Improvement Act." The subcommittee has held three hearings in the 113th Congress examining the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) including practical effects of its regulatory implementation. Next week, members will begin examining efforts to reform the statute with a review of S. 1009, the Chemical Safety Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation authored by Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) and the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). As part of the ongoing effort to improve chemical safety regulation, the subcommittee will take a thoughtful look at the proposed Senate bill and how it addresses reform of the program. Witness testimony will also be posted at the same link when available.
Finally, on Wednesday, Nov. 13, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing on “Challenges and Opportunities in the 5 GHz Spectrum Band." As part of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) were instructed to examine the possibility of expanding unlicensed use of the 5 GHz band. Continuing the subcommittee’s ongoing oversight of the law’s implementation, members will hear from stakeholders about challenges presented by adding expanded unlicensed use in the band as well as opportunities for new and innovative technologies and services. Witness testimony will also be posted at the same link when available.
On Thursday, Nov. 14, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a hearing on “EPA’s Proposed GHG Standards for New Power Plants and H.R. __, Whitfield-Manchin Legislation." The subcommittee will continue its oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed greenhouse gas New Source Performance Standards for new power plants. Members will also discuss draft legislation authored by subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) to address EPA’s pending greenhouse gas rules affecting electricity generation. The bipartisan legislation will ensure America can maintain a diverse and affordable electricity portfolio, which includes the use of coal, natural gas, nuclear power, and renewables.as they are posted.
Also on Thursday, Nov. 14, the Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on “Obamacare Implementation Problems: More than Just a Broken Website." Prior to the launch of HealthCare.gov and the start of open enrollment, the Obama administration promised repeatedly that everything was “on track." Reality, however, has been much different. The health care law is more than the broken website, it is a broken law. Each day, media reports warn of the law’s failures in protection of consumer information, premium rate shocks, loss of coverage and access to doctors, and a ballooning expansion of Medicaid causing a serious strain to the program. Next Thursday’s hearing will examine these issues as the subcommittee continues its thoughtful review of the Obamacare program.as they are posted.
Finally, on Thursday, Nov. 14, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing on “The Impact of Patent Assertion Entities on Innovation and the Economy." The subcommittee is investigating recent trends in patent assertion practices to gain a better understanding of their impact on businesses, both large and small, and on fostering an innovative marketplace. Members will begin their review with an examination of demand letters and other pre-litigation behaviors.as they are posted.
On Friday, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will hold a hearing on “Our Nation of Builders: Training the Builders of the Future." The hearing will continue the subcommittee’s Nation of Builders series with a focus on industry efforts to bridge the gap in the American workforce. At previous Nation of Builders hearings, manufacturing witnesses have highlighted the challenges of finding qualified workers to fill thousands of open technical positions. A workforce educated in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields is essential for America’s manufacturing industry to remain competitive and innovative. Next Friday’s hearing will help illuminate current efforts to boost STEM education and vocational training in order to produce a skilled and capable manufacturing workforce.as they are posted.
Also on Friday, the Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on “Reviewing FDA’s Implementation of FDASIA." In July of 2012, President Obama signed committee-passed legislation, the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act. The law reauthorized FDA user fees to facilitate the review of life-saving and life-improving drugs and medical devices, spurring investment and job creation. It also took action to curb drug shortages and speed the approval of groundbreaking treatments that will save and improve lives. Next Friday’s hearing will allow members an opportunity to review the implementation of the law and seek an update from FDA drug and device centers on its strategies for innovation and security of the drug supply chain.as they are posted.
Hearing Details:
Wednesday, November 13
10 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
Hearing on “H.R. 1518, a bill to amend the Horse Protection Act"
10:15 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy
Hearing on “S. 1009, The Chemical Safety Improvement Act"
2 p.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Hearing on “Challenges and Opportunities in the 5 GHz Spectrum Band"
Thursday, November 14
9:30 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Hearing on “EPA’s Proposed GHG Standards for New Power Plants and H.R. __, Whitfield-Manchin Legislation"
10 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Health
Hearing on “Obamacare Implementation Problems: More than Just a Broken Website"
2 p.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Hearing on “The Impact of Patent Assertion Entities on Innovation and the Economy"
Friday, November 15
9:30 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
Hearing “Our Nation of Builders: Training the Builders of the Future"
10 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Health
Hearing on “Reviewing FDA’s Implementation of FDASIA"
