Pitts' Subcommittee the House's Most Productive in 2013

Press Release

As the House of Representatives adjourned for 2013; the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee led all other subcommittees in number of bills enacted into law this year. The Health Subcommittee also held the second greatest number of hearings and passed the second highest number of bills out of subcommittee.

"Even in a tough political environment, the Health Subcommittee worked along bipartisan lines to make our country a healthier place to live," said Pitts. "From protecting the lives of infants to safeguarding pharmaceuticals, we've had some notable successes. I am very proud of the work we did this year."

As of today, Congress and the President have enacted only 57 laws this year. More than one out of every ten of these laws fell under the jurisdiction of the Health Subcommittee, which Pitts has led since 2011.

"The Health Subcommittee has devoted much of its time to overseeing the controversial rollout of Obamacare. We've been working to protect Americans from a partisan health law, but that has not prevented us from working to advance good bipartisan ideas," said Pitts. "The two parties disagree on a lot when it comes to health care, but with hard work we can find areas of common purpose.

"There are a number of bills approved by the subcommittee in 2013 that we will focus on getting into law next year. This includes my bill to renew a program that helps train pediatricians. We also want to pass the bill to permanently reform the way doctors are paid under Medicare. This will ensure that seniors can continue to see the doctor that they know and trust. I expect that we will continue to be productive next year as well."

The full list of laws enacted into law follows:

H.R. 307, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act
S. 330, the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act
H.R. 2094, the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act
H.R. 3204, the Drug Quality and Security Act
S. 252, the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act
S. 622, the Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Reauthorization Act

Source