Hearing of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce - Full Committee Markup

Statement

"Good morning. Thank you, Chairman Waxman for scheduling today's important markup. Among the five legislative measures we are taking action on today, three of the bills came before and were favorably reported out of my subcommittee, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, on June 30, 2010.

"Before trying to rally support among the full Committee for these three bills, I want to address the obvious importance of H.R. 5626, the "Blowout Prevention Act."

"As Americans bear witness, day after day, to the tens of millions of gallons of crude oil that has gushed into the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. government has tried mightily to understand what caused the explosion and the resulting blowout.

"H.R. 5626 will enhance well control maintenance to ensure proper controls over conditions within well bores, and also establishes standards and procedures that further the proper use of appropriate safety equipment, and practices, during drilling activities at covered oil and gas wells.

"The economic and non-pecuniary losses associated with the on-going Macondo oil well spill has been staggering and mount, exponentially, on a daily basis. Some studies have estimated that the tourism-related areas of Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Mississippi are responsible for as much as 15 percent of the total job base in those areas, and that leisure travel and recreational fishing and charter boat reservations are down by as much as 50 percent and 90 percent, respectively, in at least one of those states.

"These highly alarming statistics attest to the devastating effects of the Macondo oil spill on these states' economies and the balance sheets and financial statements of affected tourism businesses.

"These people, their businesses, and the means by which they make their livings must not and will not be ignored by this committee.

"I have directed my subcommittee staff to begin preparing for a hearing, later this month, on the Macondo oil spill's impact on the tourism industry in the Gulf States. What we hope to accomplish through that hearing is to provide key and valuable information about government and, possibly, other assistance which may be available to travel and tourism companies doing business in and around the gulf.

"In this way, the Committee on Energy and Commerce will continue to help the tourism industry and those workers that rely heavily on visitor spending to overcome the miserable conditions in which they find themselves. And perhaps, in even a small way, this committee's actions might help to mitigate some of the severe losses already suffered by the people and businesses in the Gulf Coast States."

"In my time remaining, I'd like all of you to know that H.R. 2480, the "Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010," H.R. 4501, the "Guarantee of a Legitimate Deal Act," and H.R. 1796, the "Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act" are all high caliber bills, which should be reported favorably out of the full committee today.

"My subcommittee has held several hearings on these three bills to evaluate their respective merits, identify potential areas for improvement, and to consider alternatives for achieving critical safety and consumer protection objectives while, at the same time, imposing the least burdens possible on affected stakeholders and industries.

"And, finally, I would be remiss if I did not publicly acknowledge the hard work and commitment of my highly capable and resourceful subcommittee staff which, at times, has included volunteers from other subcommittees' staff. My staff has done a yeoman's job this session in helping Members to prepare for hearings and markups, draft complex legislation for introduction and consideration, and helping to move a considerable number of bills through the committee process. And for all of that and more, I say "thank you" for the work you do for the subcommittee and, especially, for the American people.

"With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time."

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