Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby Rush (D-IL) sent a letter to Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Energy Subcommittee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) today requesting that the upcoming - Tuesday, November 7th - Energy Subcommittee hearing on two bills be postponed due to the lack of witnesses from both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE).
“We respectfully request this hearing be postponed until representatives from EPA and DOE are available to testify before the Subcommittee to express their views on the legislation and the subject matter addressed by the bills," Pallone and Rush wrote to Walden and Upton. “All told, these bills would make substantial changes to the popular Energy Star Program and efficiency standards for ceiling fans, and should not be rushed through the Committee process without adequate input from the agencies tasked with executing these potential changes."
The hearing continues a frustrating trend in this Congress that has seen the Committee hold numerous legislative hearings without witnesses from the Trump Administration there to testify. Pallone and Rush have repeatedly raised their objections to the Committee allowing the Administration to shirk its duty to participate in this vital part of the legislative process.