WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives passed three more Energy and Commerce Committee bills this week, further advancing the committee’s proud bipartisan #RecordOfSuccess.
Legislative Highlights:
S. 483 (H.R. 471), the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2016
* The legislation will help combat our country’s growing drug overdose epidemic by increasing collaboration between the Drug Enforcement Agency and those that distribute medication. H.R. 471, the House companion to S. 483, was authored by full committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Reps. Tom Marino (R-PA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Judy Chu (D-CA), and passed the House in April 2015.
STATUS: The bill is pending the president’s signature.
S. 2512 (H.R. 4400), the Adding Zika Virus to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act
* The bill adds the virus to the list of tropical diseases under the program, and awards a voucher to the sponsor of a new drug or biological product that is approved to prevent or treat a tropical disease. H.R. 4400, the House companion to S. 2512, was authored by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN).
* STATUS: The bill is pending the president’s signature.
H.R. 2666, the No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act
* The bill, authored by committee member Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), would prohibit the FCC from regulating the retail rates charged by Internet service providers for broadband Internet access, just as the administration promised.
STATUS: The legislation awaits Senate consideration.
“It was a big week as our work to make a real difference continues," said Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “From collaboratively fighting prescription drug abuse, to improving our response to the Zika virus, protecting the public health remains a top priority. We also passed a solution to prohibit the FCC from regulating broadband retail rates - which the administration had initially promised but has since walked back. Our proud bipartisan record of success continues to grow, and our important work continues."
