WASHINGTON, DC - The House Energy and Commerce Committee today announced its hearing schedule for the week of March 31, 2014. The committee will continue its investigation into the General Motors recall, discuss the concerns regarding FDA’s proposed changes to generic drug labeling, examine the polices being pursued by both the EPA and DOE, work to protect Internet freedom, and review legislation regarding how to best help families experiencing a mental health crisis.
On Tuesday, April 1, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing featuring testimony from GM CEO Mary Barra and NHTSA Acting Administrator David Friedman. The committee is investigating GM’s and NHTSA’s response to consumer complaints related to stalling, airbag non-deployment, and ignition switch problems. GM announced a recall in February covering over 1.6 million vehicles worldwide to correct the problems, but reports indicate drivers first complained of the safety defects over 10 years ago. The company has stated that the defects may have been linked to 31 frontal crashes and a dozen fatalities.as they are posted.
Also Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Health will discuss the FDA’s proposed changes to generic drug labeling requirements. Recently, Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) led a group of House and Senate lawmakers in a letter to the Food and Drug Administration voicing concerns over the FDA’s proposed changes to the generic drug labeling requirements.
On Wednesday, April 2, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power and the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy will hold a joint hearing to review the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed budget and priorities. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy is scheduled to testify.as they are posted.
Also Wednesday, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing to examine ways to ensure the security, stability, resilience, and freedom of the global Internet. This hearing begins the committee’s aggressive oversight following the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announcement that it is asking the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to determine what steps can be taken to move Domain Name Systems (DNS) functions into the multi-stakeholder model without jeopardizing the security and freedom that have fostered the Internet’s success.as they are posted.
On Thursday, April 3, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hear from Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz about DOE’s proposed budged request and the agency’s agenda.as they are posted.
Also Thursday, the Subcommittee on Health will discuss how to best help families experiencing a mental health crisis. Subcommittee members will review H.R. 3717, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, legislation introduced by Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA). H.R. 3717 builds on the committee’s review of the nation’s mental health system and would take steps to address the weaknesses the committee found. The legislation seeks to improve access to and delivery of psychiatric care for patients and families most in need of services. It would address the psychiatric inpatient bed shortage, offer more alternatives to institutionalization, encourage greater research and innovation in treating serious mental illness, and address the issue of those with mental illnesses in the criminal justice system.as they are posted.
Hearing Details:
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
2 p.m.
2123 Rayburn HOB
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Hearing on “The GM Ignition Switch Recall: Why Did It Take So Long?"
3 p.m.
2322 Rayburn HOB
Subcommittee on Health
Hearing on “Examining Concerns Regarding FDA’s Proposed Changes to Generic Drug Labeling"
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
10 a.m.
2123 Rayburn HOB
Subcommittee on Energy and Power and Environment and the Economy
Hearing on “The Fiscal Year 2015 EPA Budget"
10:30 a.m.
2322 Rayburn HOB
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
“Ensuring the Security, Stability, Resilience, and Freedom of the Global Internet."
Thursday, April 3, 2014
10 a.m.
2123 Rayburn HOB
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Hearing on “Fiscal Year 2015 Department of Energy Budget"
10:30 a.m.
2322 Rayburn HOB
Subcommittee on Health
H.R. 3717, the “Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2013"
