UPTON DETAILS ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE'S ACTIONS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE 112TH CONGRESS "OUR AGENDA IS A JOBS AGENDA".

WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce:

U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) today provided a first quarter progress report to committee members and the House Republican leadership on the panel's work in the first three months of the 112th Congress. In the memo to committee members, released today, Upton outlines the committee's focus on job creation, energy security, health care reform, reducing wasteful government spending, and protecting individual freedom.

"In the three months since we accepted the voters' charge to lead the U.S. House of Representatives, Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee have led the way in transforming the People's House into a listening, can-do Congress. We fulfilled our pledge to run the House differently, with more openness and accountability. And we are tackling the most vexing problems confronting America: unemployment, a still-struggling economy, an assault on individual freedom never seen before, and spiraling annual deficits and long-term debt," wrote Chairman Upton.

The first quarter update includes summaries of the key issues being addressed by each of the Energy and Commerce Committee's six subcommittees.

The Health Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA), is playing an instrumental role in the broader GOP effort to repeal Obamacare and replace it with reforms the nation can afford. Over three months, the committee held 11 hearings and launched investigations into several elements of the health care law.

The Energy and Power Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), leads the way as Republicans underscore the commitment to an "all of the above" approach to America's growing energy needs. The subcommittee recognizes that expanded domestic energy production means lower prices, more American jobs, and greater energy security.

The Communications and Technology Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), is standing up for American innovation and job creation by spearheading a Resolution of Disapproval to overturn the FCC's controversial Internet regulations. The subcommittee is also preparing to review the FCC's process and examine how to ensure the most efficient and effective spectrum allocation.

The Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), keeps a focus on the economy and examining job creation in today's economic and regulatory climate. The subcommittee is working to improve the Consumer Product Safety law enacted in 2007 and will lead the committee's efforts on privacy matters.

The Environment and the Economy Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), has convened several hearings to examine U.S. environmental policies, particularly laws and regulations that have been imposed without consideration of their economic consequences. The subcommittee is working to ensure linkages between our environmental and economic interests in order to promote job creation and environmental safety.

The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), has conducted hearings and launched investigations into a broad range of issues in the committee's jurisdiction, all with the intent of protecting taxpayers and rooting out wasteful spending or mismanaged programs. The subcommittee is holding the administration to its promises of transparency and working to identify and eliminate any waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.

"Our agenda is a jobs agenda," wrote Upton. "When we see a health care law that drags down our economy, drives up government spending, and burdens job creators, we have a duty to conduct strong oversight and work to repeal it. When we see regulations run amok, threatening to drive U.S. jobs overseas and make energy cost more, we have a duty to change course and stop the reckless bureaucratic rulemaking. And when a federal power grab threatens the innovation and investments that have driven entire industries to spring up from nothing, we have a duty to overrule the unelected bureaucrats and protect the Internet from government regulation.

"In April and beyond, we will continue to tackle these and all issues in the Energy and Commerce Committee's jurisdiction. We will remain squarely focused on the priorities we set forth in January: creating jobs, cutting wasteful spending, and reducing the size and scope of government in order to expand individual liberty. In short, we are hard at work getting America working again."

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