02/25/2025 at 10:30AM
Full committee markup of:
AUTHORIZATION AND OVERSIGHT PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 119th CONGRESS
Rule X, clause 2(d) of the Rules of the House requires each standing Committee to develop an oversight plan for the two-year period of the Congress and to submit the plan to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and to the Committee on House Administration not later than March 1 of the first session of the Congress.
This is the oversight plan of the Committee on Energy and Commerce for the 119th Congress. It includes areas where the Committee expects to conduct oversight during the 119th Congress, subject to staff and resource limitations, but does not preclude oversight or investigation of additional matters. The Committee will continue to consult with other committees that have jurisdiction over the same or related laws, programs, or agencies with the objective of ensuring maximum coordination and cooperation. Specifically, the Committee will continue to work with other committees to facilitate expiring programs, coordinate with the Congressional Budget Office regarding lapsed authorizations and upcoming expirations, and hold member and staff-level meetings with relevant committees and House and Senate conferences.
During the 119th Congress, the Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold hearings and conduct rigorous oversight over matters within its jurisdiction. The Committee will conduct thorough oversight, reach conclusions based on an objective review of the facts, and treat witnesses fairly. The Committee will request information in a responsible manner that is calculated to be helpful to the Committee in its oversight responsibilities. The Committee’s oversight functions will focus on (1) cutting government spending through the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse; and (2) ensuring laws are adequate to protect the public interest or are being implemented in a manner that protects the public interest, without stifling economic growth. The Committee will use the information it collects through its oversight to inform the reauthorization of certain lapsed programs within its jurisdiction.
HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE ISSUES
BIOLOGICAL THREAT PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
The Committee will conduct oversight of the federal government’s policies and procedures relating to pandemic prediction, prevention, preparedness, and response. The Committee will conduct oversight of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the role of federal agencies’ in research and grantmaking policies and procedures, including how the federal agencies approve and monitor grants and subgrantees and the use of indirect costs to ensure the safe, appropriate, and efficient use of federal tax dollars.
The Committee will also examine issues related to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This will include CDC’s role in preparing for and responding to emerging biological threats and infectious diseases. In addition, many of the authorities used by the federal government to prepare for and respond to chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats expired at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2023. The Committee intends to examine those authorities and reauthorize those necessary with appropriate changes to reflect the abuse of power and lack of transparency in scientific recommendations witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee also plans to examine the overarching pandemic and biodefense leadership structure, and how it could be strengthened to ensure we are best prepared for future public health security threats.
ILLICIT DRUGS AND SUBSTANCE USE AND MISUSE
Illicit fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances are the deadliest drug threat in the history of the U.S. Currently, fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. Oversight of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is necessary to gain insight into the fentanyl trafficking problem, including both precursor production in Mexico that has migrated from China, and trafficking in the U.S. Additionally, the Committee will conduct oversight of the role of social media in facilitating fentanyl distribution throughout the U.S., particularly in transactions involving minors.
While Congress made inroads last year in expanding access to treatment for substance use disorders by lifting the institutions for mental diseases (IMD) exclusion for substance use disorder treatment, further review of the IMD exclusion and its impacts on access to mental health care are needed. The Committee will conduct oversight of the Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act) and reauthorize those expiring authorities with any changes necessary if such authorities should be reauthorized.
HEALTH CARE COSTS
The Committee will continue to examine issues related to the affordability of health care, including areas where federal government intervention has contributed to increased costs for patients and families. The Committee will work with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address fraud and streamline our health care system on behalf of American patients. HHS plays a critical role as the primary regulator of the commercial health insurance market, in addition to promulgating Medicare and Medicaid payment rules, and implementing policies that improve health cost transparency. Ensuring that these protections are implemented in line with congressional intent will result in lower costs for families, employers, and taxpayers alike. It is also crucial that the Committee work with HHS to identify regulations contributing to market dynamics—such as consolidation—that are increasing health care costs.
Chronic diseases account for most illness, disability, and death in the U.S. and are significant contributors to health care costs. Currently, ninety percent of U.S. annual health care expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions. The Committee will examine the factors contributing to the rising prevalence of chronic disease in the U.S., as well as analyze efforts to treat and prevent chronic disease.
ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS
The Committee will review Medicare and Medicaid, two of the most significant drivers of the federal budget deficit and resulting debt. The total number of beneficiaries and the average spending per beneficiary in each program have grown significantly over the past decade. Making sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely is imperative to ensuring the long-term sustainability of each program so that it can continue to support the most vulnerable, especially pregnant mothers, children, seniors, and the disabled. The Committee will examine and review Medicare and Medicaid management and activity as it relates to ongoing Committee efforts to prevent bias, waste, fraud, and abuse in federal health care programs. Ensuring responsible stewardship of each program can also help protect beneficiaries from unscrupulous actors seeking to defraud the program rather than improve the health of their enrollees.
In addition, with the granting of sweeping authority for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to set the prices for drugs for seniors, the Committee will work to ensure the program is operating transparently with the public. The Committee will work to ensure the program is achieving value for current and future seniors and identify ways to protect and promote seniors’ access to innovative new cures and treatments. The Committee will also inform the public of the consequences recent changes have generated not just on critical medical innovation, but Part D plan design and patient choice, and access to lower cost generic and biosimilar alternatives. The Committee will also continue to monitor CMS’s process and decisions with respect to Medicare coverage policy, including national coverage determinations, and take action, if necessary, to ensure seniors and people with disabilities can access drugs that their doctors determine are best for them.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
The Committee will work to ensure that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is fulfilling its mission to ensure that regulated drugs and medical devices are safe, effective, and available to American patients in an expeditious fashion. Further, the Committee will examine supply chain resilience, and opportunities to incentivize and promote domestic manufacturing.
The Over-The-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee program (OMUFA) expires at the end of FY 2025 and must be reauthorized for FY 2026 through FY 2030. The Committee will consider the proposed agreement for OMUFA’s timely reauthorization of these authorities and examine how the program is working to ensure that patients may continue to rely on safe and effective medications and products.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ISSUES
NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY
During the 119th Congress, the Committee will examine issues relating to national energy policy, including U.S. policies that relate to the exploration, production, distribution, and consumption of electricity, oil and natural gas, coal, hydroelectric power, nuclear power, renewable energy, and geothermal. The Committee will examine the impact of government policies and programs on the efficient and effective exploration, production, storage, supply, marketing, pricing, and regulation of domestic energy resources, including issues relating to the nation’s energy infrastructure. The Committee will continue to examine safety and security issues relating to energy exploration, production, distribution, and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The Committee will conduct oversight of the administration’s energy policies and the impact these policies are having on supply chains, critical minerals, dependence on China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and domestic production of energy.
ELECTRICITY SYSTEM AND ELECTRIC UTILITY MARKETS
During the 119th Congress, the Committee will undertake a review of the nation’s electricity system. This effort will include a review of the federal electricity policies of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relating to competitive wholesale power markets, transmission, generation infrastructure upgrades, and compliance with relevant statutes. The Committee will also examine the activities of the DOE, FERC, and states relating to electric industry restructuring, consumer protection, and the development of wholesale markets for electricity. Furthermore, the Committee will continue to examine the activities of the DOE and FERC with respect to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations affecting the electricity sector, including regulatory requirements that may impact consumer prices and electricity grid reliability. In addition, the Committee will examine threats to the U.S. electric grid, including cybersecurity and physical threats.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The Committee will continue to assess federal programs setting energy efficiency standards for motor vehicles, crafted by EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and home appliances and other products, crafted by the DOE, to ensure that the programs are implemented in a manner that maximizes the benefit to consumers. In the case of motor vehicle standards, the Committee will also assess the merit of having two federal agencies operating parallel efficiency programs. The Committee will continue to promote energy efficiency initiatives to create jobs, reduce costs for businesses and consumers, and improve our nation’s energy security. This may include federal programs setting energy efficiency standards for motor vehicles, appliances, and other products, to ensure that the programs are implemented in a manner that rewards innovation, ensures benefits for consumers and businesses, enhances U.S. energy security, and protects the environment. In addition, the Committee will continue its oversight of waivers under the Clean Air Act in connection with motor vehicle emissions standards, to ensure that a national marketplace of affordable vehicles is available to consumers.
MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ITS NATIONAL LABORATORIES
The Committee will oversee the governance, management, and operations at the DOE, including oversight, management, and operations of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the national laboratories. The Committee’s oversight work will include the continued review of security and safety reforms at NNSA and the DOE facilities, ongoing safety and security matters, and the Office of Environmental Management’s cleanup program. This work will also include the Committee’s special oversight functions over programs and activities relating to nonmilitary energy research and development and include programs across the DOE to safeguard technology and intellectual property from transfer to foreign adversaries.
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
The Committee will continue to examine the actions of the DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in connection with the obligations of these agencies under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, including licensing activities for the Yucca Mountain repository.
DOE ENERGY GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAMS
The Committee will continue to review management and implementation of clean energy and advanced technology grant and loan programs authorized under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and other statutes; the development of new technologies, products, and businesses including clean energy, advanced coal, nuclear, and other technologies; and the impact of DOE grant, cost-sharing, and loan spending on the domestic supply, manufacture, and commercial deployment of clean and advanced energy products and other technologies. The Committee will also conduct oversight over the DOE’s grant and loan programs that fund production in foreign jurisdictions, particularly in facilities controlled by China and the CCP.
THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
The Committee will continue to review the activities of the NRC. The Committee will examine the NRC’s budget requests and conduct oversight of the manner in which the Commission discharges its various responsibilities, including its statutory responsibilities, licensing activity, the safety and security of nuclear power facilities and nuclear materials licensees, and the Commission’s regulatory actions.
EPA ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT, AND OPERATIONS
During the 119th Congress, the Committee will undertake a review of the EPA’s mission and purpose, including a review of Reorganization Plan 3 of 1970, which established the EPA as an independent agency, and implementation of the principles of cooperative federalism embedded in the environmental statutes within the EPA’s jurisdiction. The Committee will also conduct general oversight of the EPA, including review of the agency’s funding decisions, resource allocation, grants, research activities, compliance and enforcement actions, public transparency, implementation of new statutory authorities, such as the IIJA and IRA, and respect for economic, procedural, public health, and environmental standards in regulatory actions. Further, the Committee will review the government’s activities in cross-cutting policy areas, such as hydraulic fracturing and carbon capture, utilization, and storage research and regulation.
CLEAN AIR ACT
The Committee will continue to review significant rulemakings under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the potential economic and job impacts of those rulemakings on the energy, manufacturing, industrial, and construction industries, and other critical sectors of the U.S. economy, as well as any public health and environmental benefits of the regulations. The Committee’s review will include oversight of the EPA’s decisions, strategies, and actions to meet CAA standards, and the current role of cost, employment, and feasibility considerations in CAA rulemakings. The Committee will also continue to review the EPA’s regulation of motor vehicles, airplanes, locomotives, and other mobile sources, which includes federal and state mandates on the use of electric vehicles and the implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The Committee will continue to examine the EPA’s efforts to regulate domestic emissions under the CAA, including the regulation of greenhouse gases based on its endangerment findings. The Committee will consider whether such agreements and regulatory efforts are scientifically and statutorily well-grounded and carried out in accordance with federal law. The Committee will also review the activities undertaken in this area by the DOE, HHS, and other agencies within the Committee’s jurisdiction, including efforts to prepare for and respond to weather events and natural disasters in the future. Further, the Committee will continue to monitor international negotiations on efforts to control and regulate global emissions and assess the need for U.S. engagement in light of the related decisions made by adversarial nations such as China.
ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES
The Committee will monitor EPA implementation of reforms made to Title I of the Toxic Substances Control Act. These efforts will include program management, the use of chemical risk analysis in environmental assessment programs, and the EPA’s implementation of these programs in accordance with the law. The Committee will also review deadline management and consistency of implementation, ensuring that confidential business information is protected from unwarranted disclosure, and make certain that EPA provides the appropriate consideration of risks and the societal impacts of trade-offs during the evaluation and regulatory process.
DRINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND REGULATION
The Committee will conduct oversight of the operation of the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund program authorized under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Included will be an examination of EPA involvement in state functions and state funding uses, efficiencies that could be realized in managing this funding that maximize its effectiveness, and the use of this funding for leveraging other investments. In addition, the Committee will conduct oversight of EPA regulatory actions under section 1412 of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the protocol it uses to issue health advisories under the same section of law.
SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
The Committee will review EPA implementation of various regulatory programs established under the most recent administration, including regulations regarding the definition of solid waste and coal ash. The Committee will also examine the EPA’s ability to promote resource efficiency, recycling, and reuse with respect to hazardous materials. Further, the Committee will review the EPA’s air emission standards under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
CERCLA (SUPERFUND) AND BROWNFIELDS
The Committee will monitor the EPA’s implementation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). These efforts will include an examination of state cleanup programs and a comprehensive analysis regarding whether cleanup under state programs would result in greater efficiency in the process. The Committee will also conduct oversight of EPA regulatory actions under CERCLA, including any designations made by EPA under CERCLA. Furthermore, the Committee will examine the EPA brownfields program, including statutory implementation, the challenges of program operation, and whether changes to the program would result in more effective and efficient cleanup and redevelopment of abandoned and blighted properties.
COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUES
A MODERN COMMUNICATIONS FRAMEWORK FOR THE INNOVATION AGE
The Committee will continue to exercise its jurisdiction over wired and wireless communications to ensure our nation’s policies governing voice, video, audio, and data services are promoting investment, innovation, and job creation. The country’s current regulatory regime takes a siloed approach in which different technological platforms—such as wireline, wireless, broadcast, cable, and satellite—are regulated differently based on regulations that may be decades old. As we move deeper into the Internet era, however, providers are increasingly using these platforms to offer the same or similar services. The Committee will examine whether these regulations should be updated or removed to better meet the communications needs of the country and ensure its citizens enjoy cutting-edge services and the economic benefits they bring.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
During the 119th Congress, the Committee will conduct oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), including efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the Commission’s processes. The Committee will also continue to conduct oversight of the FCC’s decisions and their impact on innovation and the U.S. economy. Among other things, the Committee will evaluate the impact generally of FCC actions on voice, video, audio, and data services, media, public safety, broadband mapping, and security of our networks. The Committee will also investigate any cases of waste, fraud, and abuse.
NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
During the 119th Congress, the Committee will conduct oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), including its administration of broadband grant programs created in the IIJA and efforts to bring transparency and accountability to NTIA’s processes. Further, the Committee will review NTIA’s authorities to determine whether NTIA is keeping pace with the technological advancement of the communications marketplace. The Committee will also investigate any cases of waste, fraud, and abuse.
SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT
The Committee will conduct oversight of the FCC’s and the NTIA’s management and allocation of the nation’s spectrum for commercial and government use. Wireless technology utilizing a broad range of spectrum frequencies is increasingly being used to provide voice, video, audio, and data services to consumers and to serve the needs of our nation’s government agencies. The Committee will evaluate spectrum-management policies to ensure efficient use of the public airwaves for innovative communications services. The Committee will also examine whether plans for allocating spectrum maximizes broadband deployment and encourages investment. The Committee will pay particular attention to NTIA’s implementation of the National Spectrum Strategy, which required studies intended to make more spectrum available for commercial wireless services.
AVAILABILITY OF BROADBAND
The Committee will investigate whether regulatory policies are helping or hindering broadband deployment. In particular, the Committee will examine the need for reforms to state and federal permitting processes to speed the deployment of fiber optic systems and 5G wireless services. Additionally, the Committee will conduct oversight of funding mechanisms for broadband deployment and adoption, including the $9 billion per year Universal Service Fund, the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant program created in the IIJA, and other federal grant programs that could be awarded for broadband deployment. Specifically, the Committee will examine what procedures are in place to control waste, fraud, and abuse, whether the funds are appropriately targeted, and the impact of the funding on jobs and the economy.
INTERNET
The Committee will exercise its jurisdiction over wired and wireless communications to ensure continued growth and investment in the Internet. In particular, the Committee will monitor efforts to employ the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance—in which governmental and non-governmental entities develop best practices for the management of Internet networks and content. The Committee will also monitor international efforts to replace multistakeholder governance with domestic regulation and international multilateral institutions and will continue to support U.S. leadership in these international standards setting bodies.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS
The Committee will examine whether the communications needs of first responders are being met. The Committee will examine the progress being made to ensure that first responders have interoperable communications capabilities among local, state, and federal public safety officials. The Committee will also examine the progress being made by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) in carrying out the mandates of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. In addition, the Committee will conduct oversight related to the implementation of legacy 911 and Next Generation 911 (NG911) services. The Committee will review efforts to promote deployment of these advanced systems and challenges to realizing ubiquitous NG911.
COMMERCE, MANUFACTURING, AND TRADE
CONSUMER PRIVACY AND DATA SECURITY
In the 119th Congress, the Committee will examine issues relating to data privacy and security, including what information about Americans is collected by service providers and the how to improve consumer protections and security, without stifling beneficial innovations, such as artificial intelligence applications and other digital products and services. Further, the Committee will continue to review the manner in which fraud and other criminal activities affect e-commerce. The Committee will also explore privacy and cybersecurity policies surrounding the Internet of Things and blockchain technologies.
The Committee will investigate the impact of social media, including the algorithms used by social media companies to cause the ever-increasing use of and dependence on these platforms, particularly by children. Additionally, the Committee will conduct oversight of social media and technology companies’ policies and procedures regulating publication, appeals processes regarding censorship and deplatforming, censorship, and handling of claimed misinformation.
The Committee will investigate and conduct oversight of the collection and use of data by social media platforms, technology companies, and data brokers particularly by applications owned by or influenced by the CCP.
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
The Committee will examine the policy framework being developed for autonomous vehicles. Autonomous vehicles hold the promise to reduce traffic fatalities greatly, while at the same time expanding mobility options for senior citizens and Americans living with disabilities. The U.S. must lead in setting the standards for the development of this technology and its deployment, along with ensuring that the potential of revolutionary change to the sector is not damaged by frivolous litigation and unnecessary regulation with no benefit to Americans.
MANUFACTURING
The Committee will explore the state of manufacturing in the U.S. to identify factors that are hampering or furthering U.S. competitiveness, especially against the growing CCP threat. The Committee will review the issues presented by the globalization of production and manufacturing networks, the availability of critical minerals and resiliency of supply chains, the integrity of products and components assembled overseas, and the impact on national security. For example, the Committee will examine ways to promote domestic manufacturing, such as drug and medical device manufacturing, to minimize the CCP’s role in these processes and products. The Committee will also examine how artificial intelligence and emerging technology can help the U.S. maintain its competitive edge in advanced manufacturing.
TRADE
The Committee will examine trade negotiations to ensure that foreign governments are not imposing non-tariff trade barriers, such as regulations or other requirements, that harm the competitiveness of U.S. businesses, and their ability to support jobs in the U.S., especially as it relates to the flow of data across borders, including a successor agreement to EU-U.S. Privacy Shield.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
The Committee will work with the Department of Commerce to promote U.S. manufacturing, including but not limited to semiconductors and microelectronics, emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. This also includes export and trade-related efforts to lower or eliminate non-tariff barriers and harmonize regulation of products sold internationally, such as cross border data flows, where other countries share our health, safety, and consumer protection goals.
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
The Committee will continue oversight of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and its implementation and enforcement of laws and regulations, the effectiveness of the agency’s structure, research activities, investigations, import surveillance, and enforcement actions relating to the safety of consumer products.
NHTSA MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
The Committee will continue oversight of NHTSA, including the effectiveness of the agency’s structure, regulations, research activities, investigations, and enforcement actions pertaining to motor vehicle safety. The committee will examine how NHTSA is working on requirements established in the IIJA, and their Standing Government Order.
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
The Committee will conduct oversight of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) management and operations, including the impact of its decisions and actions on the general public and the business community, with a particular focus on how the FTC conducts its business while not creating undue burdens for legitimate businesses, its determination of priorities, and the need, if any, for refinement of its authorities. The Committee will explore the FTC’s role relative to emerging technologies and sectors of the economy. Additionally, the Committee will examine how the agency is utilizing specific bureaus, or lack thereof, including the Bureau of Economics, while pursuing enforcement and regulatory action.
MISCELLANEOUS
CYBERSECURITY
The Committee will exercise its jurisdiction over cybersecurity to ensure the country is well protected while at the same time avoiding one-size-fits all approaches that hinder the flexibility of commercial and governmental actors to combat the rapidly evolving threats. The Committee will also review the efforts of agencies within its jurisdiction to secure their networks. In doing so, the Committee will explore current cybersecurity threats and strategies to address those threats. The Committee will also examine government initiatives to improve cybersecurity both in the public and private sectors, and review efforts at agencies within the Committee’s jurisdiction to regulate cybersecurity. The Committee will also examine the security of the Internet of Things, discovery and disclosure of cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework.
BIOTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
The Committee will continue its examination of the roles of HHS agencies in assisting the nation’s detection, warning capability, and response to potential biological attacks. In addition, the Committee will evaluate the potential impact and preparedness of the nation’s public health system. The Committee will continue to review the implementation of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 by HHS, and the extent of the coordination between HHS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), especially as it relates to Project BioShield.
FEDERAL OVERSIGHT OF HIGH-CONTAINMENT BIO LABORATORIES
The Committee will examine issues related to high-containment bio laboratories, which handle some of the world’s most exotic and dangerous diseases, including anthrax, smallpox, foot and mouth disease, and the Ebola virus. Among the issues under review are the adequacy of the security and practices of high-containment bio laboratories, federal efforts to oversee the laboratories, and whether some of these efforts are duplicative and overlapping. The Committee will continue its oversight into issues raised by the improper storage and handling of federal select agents at CDC, NIH, and FDA labs.
ANTI-TERRORISM SECURITY FOR CHEMICAL FACILITIES
The Committee will continue its oversight of DHS’s implementation of the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Program, originally authorized in Section 550 of Public Law 109-295, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007 – now in Title XXI of the Homeland Security Act. The Committee will continue to examine whether taxpayer funds are spent prudently and the extent to which DHS is advancing the purpose of securing chemical facilities against terrorist threats.
GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC AND RISK ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS
During the 119th Congress, the Committee will examine issues relating to the numerous federal science programs assessing public health risks, including the Integrated Risk Information System at the EPA, the Report on Carcinogens produced by the National Toxicology Program at HHS, and assessments proposed or ongoing in other federal departments and agencies. The Committee will review programs to assess the objectives, transparency, objectivity, validity, and integrity of scientific assessments that inform regulatory and public health policies.
CONTROLLING SPENDING
The Committee will examine departments and agencies under its jurisdiction to ensure adequate and prompt implementation of recommendations from the administration, the Offices of Inspectors General, the Government Accountability Office, and other sources to achieve cost savings or eliminate wasteful spending.
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
In June 2006, the Bush Administration issued a National Infrastructure Protection Plan. This plan created a process by which DHS is to identify critical assets and assess their vulnerabilities and risks due to loss or natural disaster. During the 119th Congress, the Committee will review the Department’s activities with respect to identifying high-priority assets and implementing plans to protect these assets in areas within the Committee’s jurisdiction. The Committee will also examine the statutory and other activities of DOE, FERC, EPA, and other federal agencies related to the physical and cybersecurity of the nation’s critical infrastructure within the jurisdiction of the Committee. Further, the Committee will examine the roles and responsibilities of the private sector, which owns and operates the bulk of the nation’s critical infrastructure assets.
NUCLEAR SMUGGLING
The Committee will continue to monitor federal government and private sector efforts at border crossings, seaports, and mail facilities. The Committee’s review will analyze and assess U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the DOE’s efforts, including international efforts, aimed at detecting and preventing the smuggling of dangerous commerce, particularly nuclear and radiological weapons of mass destruction.
AUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAMS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE
During the 119th Congress, as part of both its oversight and legislative agenda, the Committee on Energy and Commerce will review the authorizations of agencies and programs within its jurisdiction and, specifically with regard to lapsed authorizations, determine whether the program should be reauthorized or terminated. Each subcommittee will conduct oversight of these programs and offices, including hearings, outreach to the executive branch, and requests for information to gather the necessary information to support these determinations. The Committee’s authorization work will include, but not be limited to, the following departments and agencies: Consumer Product Safety Commission; Department of Energy; Department of Health and Human Services; Environmental Protection Agency; Federal Communications Commission; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Federal Trade Commission; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; National Telecommunications and Information Administration; Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration.