U.S. House Chairman Talks Energy and Commerce Agenda
House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (MI-6) met with members of the media and private industry this morning to discuss his committee's agenda for the 112th Congress.
Mr. Upton did his best to be noncommittal on a number of questions inquiring about specific proposals he was going to push through the committee to address his party's concerns with measures supported by his Democratic colleagues and the President, although there were some revelations about the Chairman's future plans.
Mr. Upton's committee worked to successfully repeal Democrats' signature legislation to reform the country's health care system as one of the first orders of business for his committee and the House as a whole. As a part of the GOP's message, the Energy and Commerce Committee will now focus on drafting proposals to replace it.
Mr. Upton pointed to a bill sponsored by Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) that would allow consumers to shop for insurance plans across state lines. He also emphasized the need to address tort reform and have a dialogue with governors over the uncertainty of health exchanges and the "unfunded mandate" in the new law that requires states to expand Medicaid coverage and provides a federal cost share of between 50 and 75 percent during the first three years of expansion.
Expanding Medicaid coverage was a main feature of Democrats' plan to reduce the number of uninsured, but the overall bill failed to attain universal coverage. Responding to a question regarding Republicans' desire to outdo Democrats on the issue of the uninsured, Mr. Upton said that it was too early in the session to determine what proposals would gain steam, but he did stress that insurance should continue to be employer-based and that more incentives for preventative care are necessary.
When the conversation shifted to energy and telecommunications policy, Mr. Upton's message was clear: government needs to get out of the way and let the markets work:
-On EPA regulating green house gases: "The Clean Air Act does not give EPA authority to regulate GHG.
-On climate change: "If you look at tthis year, the last year was the warmest year on record-the warmest decade on record. I accept that. I do not tsay that it's manmade."
-On whether there should be a price on carbon: "No."
-On FCC's order in favor of net neutrality: "We are going to use every tool in the toolbox to stop it."
Mr. Upton also indicated that House Republicans are going to have a more open process than Democrats. He indicated that the first display of this will come later this week when the House considers a continuing resolution to fund government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. "We're going to have a vote-a-rama - lots of votes on lots of subjects."
The Energy and Commerce Committee's hearing schedule is packed this week, touching on health, energy and telecommunications policy. Click here for a list of this week's hearings.
*This post courtesy of Chris Wagner of Clark Hill's Government and Public Affiars group.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 6:51PM 