LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Today, U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley), a member of the prestigious House Committee on Energy and Commerce, chose the subcommittees he will serve on, as part of that committee, during the 114th Congress.
“Health care, manufacturing, trade and the environment are major industries within the San Fernando Valley and the entire Los Angeles Region,” said Cárdenas. “As the former owner of a small business and an engineer, I understand the impact of laws and regulations on our businesses. As a parent, I realize many of them are critical to keeping our families and children safe. As a legislator, I hope I can balance those needs and improve understanding of this committee’s impact in Los Angeles, and throughout our nation.”
Cárdenas chose to serve on the Subcommittee on Health, which deals with public health; research and development; health information technology, privacy, and cybersecurity; Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance; regulating food, drugs, and cosmetics; and federal departments dealing with health care and medicine.
Cárdenas also selected the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, which has jurisdiction over interstate and foreign commerce; the Federal Trade Commission; sports-related matters; consumer affairs and protection; data security; the Consumer Product Safety Commission; motor vehicle safety; and regulation of travel and tourism.
Finally, Cárdenas will also serve on the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, which deals with all matters related to soil and water contamination; waste products; water, including fracking; toxic substances; and noise.
As the oldest and most prestigious committee in the House of Representatives, the Energy and Commerce Committee has led on trade and commerce, while also focusing on consumer protection, beginning in 1906 with the Pure Food and Drug Act.
More recently, the landmark Affordable Care Act came from legislation debated for more than 100 hours in hearings conducted by committees including Energy and Commerce. The committee is expected to be at the epicenter of upcoming debates on net neutrality, changes to the Affordable Care Act, energy policy and media consolidation, including the Comcast-Time Warner merger.
