WASHINGTON, D.C. - Jobs and the economy. These are the main focus of House Republicans, and they continue to be top concerns among Americans. And with an underperforming economy that actually shrunk in the first quarter of 2014, it’s now more important than ever to concentrate on an agenda to boost the economy and create jobs. On Tuesday, June 10, the Energy and Commerce Committee will vote on H.R. 4795, the Promoting New Manufacturing Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) that will improve the permitting process for new U.S. factories and expansions - providing the foundation for private investments in good-paying jobs. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (June 2, 2014) - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency released a proposed rule to regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants. This regulation is a follow up to last year’s proposed regulations on new power plants and part of the administration’s greater “War on Coal.” Coal is responsible for nearly 40% of America’s electricity generation. The regulations proposed today will have a devastating impact on the economy, energy prices, grid reliability, and jobs. Last week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a report revealing that the regulations will cost the economy $50 billion a year in GDP between now and 2030 and will result in the loss of 224,000 jobs a year over the same timeframe. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders today responded to the administration’s announcement on EPA’s plan to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants. The Energy and Power Subcommittee will hold a hearing to review EPA’s proposal the week of June 16. Additional details on the hearing will be announced. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the House Natural Resources Committee approved H.R. 4742, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act by a bipartisan vote of 24-17. This legislation would renew and amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (last reauthorized in 2006 and expired in 2013) to ensure that this fundamentally sound legislation works in the best interest of both fish and fishermen. Read more »
WASHINGTON, DC – The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), today approved a discussion draft of the Promoting New Manufacturing Act by a bipartisan vote of 14 to 8. As a key component of the committee’s effort to build the Architecture of Abundance, this legislation takes a critical step toward cutting red tape, supporting our country’s manufacturing renaissance, and creating thousands of high-paying jobs for hard-working Americans. The legislation facilitates the construction of new factories by increasing transparency and promoting more timely issuance of permits required under the Clean Air Act’s New Source Review (NSR) preconstruction permitting program. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) delivered the following opening statement (as prepared) at today’s Full Committee Markup of H.R. 4742, “Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act.” Read more »
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Kristi Noem joined more than 170 Members of Congress on a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to extend the comment period on its upcoming regulation of greenhouse gases from existing power plants, expected to be released on June 2. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (May, 22,2014) - Earlier this week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a plan to help 94 national forests in 35 states deal with insect and disease threats that increase the risk of catastrophic wildfire. The designations were made possible by the passage of the 2014 Farm bill, which amended the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 to allow the Forest Service to more efficiently plan and accomplish restoration treatments. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) issued the following statement today on President Obama’s use of the Antiquities Act to unilaterally designate nearly 500,000 acres in New Mexico as the Organ Mountain–Desert Peak National Monument: Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on “American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for American Manufacturing.” This hearing examined the growing job opportunities in the manufacturing sector made possible by America’s energy renaissance that’s being fueled by increased energy production. Read more »
