The House Energy and Commerce Committee has scheduled a markup on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building to resume consideration of H.R. 8, “The North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015." The full committee also will consider reconciliation recommendations that will defund Planned Parenthood, invest in women’s health care, and protect taxpayer dollars from the health care law’s Prevention and Public Health Fund. Finally, members will vote on legislation to protect children from exposure to liquid nicotine. Members will convene for opening statements only on Tuesday and reconvene on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 10:00 a.m.
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) commented, “It is our responsibility in Congress to advance the priorities of the American people. Next week we will take an important step in the effort to turn the page on the laws written during the days of energy scarcity, moving forward to embrace our energy abundance with policies that say yes to energy. We also will take steps to protect taxpayer dollars from programs and organizations that do not live up to the standards and priorities of the American people. As this committee continues to investigate Planned Parenthood and its affiliates, the flow of taxpayer dollars should end. We will continue working on solutions that live up to the expectations and priorities of the American people, help create jobs, keep energy affordable, and improve our energy security."
H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act
Members will consider the committee’s long-awaited comprehensive energy bill that seeks to capitalize on America’s energy abundance. Over the past year the committee has held several legislative hearings and received testimony from 9 government witnesses, including the Secretary of Energy and 38 private sector organizations. Members have carefully refined the feedback they’ve received into four titles - modernizing energy infrastructure, 21st century workforce, energy security and diplomacy, and energy efficiency and accountability. A manager’s amendment is expected ahead of the markup.
Reconciliation Recommendations
Members also will consider reconciliation recommendations that will save more than $1 billion in taxpayer dollars. The legislation will defund the Prevention and Public Health Fund created in the president’s health care law. This slush fund gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services billions of dollars to spend each year with no check on if the funds are spent responsibly. The package also will defund Planned Parenthood and instead invest in higher quality health care options for women that protect all human life.
H.R. 3242, The Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act
This bipartisan legislation would ensure that liquid nicotine (a product used in open system e-cigarettes and other e-smoking applications) is sold in child-resistant packaging. Liquid nicotine can come in many colors and flavors and can appear attractive to children, leading to accidental poisoning. This legislation would simply require child-resistant packaging for liquid nicotine containers and was approved by the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee in July.
Electronic copies of the legislation can be found online here. A background memo, amendments, and votes will be available at the same link as they are posted. Related Items
* Markup of H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015; H.R. 3242, Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act of 2015; and Proposed Matters for Inclusion in Reconciliation Recommendations.
