In 2015 the Energy and Commerce Committee’s extensive work attracted plenty of interest. See below for some of the committee’s 2015 highlights in photos.
A breakthrough, bipartisan win that was years in the making. H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, permanently repealed the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate, accomplished important entitlement reforms, and protected seniors’ access to their doctors. H.R. 2 was signed into law on April 16, 2015, and was just the beginning of the committee’s bipartisan #RecordOfSuccess.
Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and committee members rally in support of legislation to build the Keystone XL pipeline. Although President Obama vetoed the bill that said #Yes2Energy and yes to jobs, the committee was successful in lifting the 40-year-old ban on crude oil exports.
Chairman Upton and Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) greet Noah Coughlan, a remarkable patient advocate who ran 3,100 miles across the county to raise awareness for rare diseases. Coughlan completed his run just days before the House overwhelmingly approved H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act.
2015 marked another year of aggressive oversight by the committee. Michael Horn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Group of America, testified before #SubOversight regarding the automaker’s emissions scandal.
As part of #SubCMT’s Disrupter Series, the friendly skies of 2123 RHOB had a special guest during its hearing on the economic impacts of drones.
BONUS PIC: Lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, Chairman Upton dons a Mets cap to fulfill a friendly wager with Ranking Member (and Mets fan), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).
All of us at the Energy and Commerce Committee wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
