Media

Today, President Obama officially rejected construction of the Keystone Pipeline. Over the course of seven years, Congress has voted several times to allow for construction of the pipeline. Congressman Gus Biliraks (R-FL) released the following statement:

Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) today introduced legislation to reauthorize the Congenital Heart Futures Act. This bipartisan legislation raises awareness of the continuing impact congenital heart defects have throughout patients' lifespans, promotes more research at NIH, and encourages the development of lifelong, specialized care for patients with a congenital heart defect.

Last night, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health advanced legislation to help patients, consumers, and families in communities across the country.

The subcommittee advanced several measures including H.R. 2017, the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act and H.R. 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.

On Tuesday, the U.S. House passed without opposition a measure condemning the rising tide of anti-Semitism in Europe and urging the federal government to work with other countries and Jewish groups to fight against it.

Two members of the Florida delegation--Republican U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Democrat U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch--were original co-sponsors of U.S. Rep. Chris Smith's, R-NJ, resolution. Smith and the two Florida representatives are co-chairs of the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism.

Yesterday, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a follow up hearing to continue its examination of the inappropriate use of position and the misuse of the relocation program and incentives at the VA.

This hearing builds on the discussion during a hearing on October 21 in which Deputy Inspector General Linda Halladay provided disturbing testimony of malfeasance at the VA.

Today, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health continued work to improve Medicare and Medicaid.

Members discussed proposals to improve Medicare and Medicaid for the most vulnerable, and ensure government operates as effectively and efficiently as possible. The following bills were discussed:

Today, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade and Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a joint hearing to discuss the status of EU Safe Harbor negotiations and the impact of transatlantic data flows from the recent European Court of Justice decision.

Witnesses from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The Brookings Institute, the Business Software Alliance, and the Electronic Privacy Information Center discussed the next steps for the Safe Harbor agreement which allows for the secure transfer of consumer data between the U.S. and the EU.