“There’s a couple of things we need to bear in mind regarding energy needs of our country,” said Congressman Michael Burgess (26th District) during a recent interview at The News Connection office. “This country needs an energy source in order to run its economy, even though we may not agree on what the source is. From a local perspective, there are questions as to whether or not drilling… Read more »

After a panel of experts echoed his concerns this week, a top House Energy and Commerce Republican stepped up his charge that Democratic leadership on the committee is ignoring the fact that FDA may be struggling with safety concerns surrounding the healthcare reform law provisions that created the accelerated biosimilars approval pathway. A July 19 panel of medical experts sponsored… Read more »

Republicans urged Congress and the FDA Monday to consider patient safety issues when establishing an approval pathway for generic versions of biologic drugs. The panel, hosted by Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, focused on provisions of the healthcare overhaul law that authorize the FDA to approve generic biologic drugs, often called biosimilars or follow-on biologics. Biologics are… Read more »

Family, freedom and serving his country are what Staff Sgt. Zackary Filip sees as his rewards for military service. The Denton native received a more tangible award Wednesday when he was named the Army Times 2010 Soldier of the Year. Filip was presented with the award at an event in Washington, D.C., after U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, escorted him to the stage.… Read more »

The House Republican Policy Committee has been described as “the ‘think tank’ for House Republicans.” Recently the suggestion has been made that, in order to save money, perhaps Republicans no longer need their think tank. I could not more strongly disagree. If the question is, do we save money or the Policy Committee, I would submit we must be bold enough to do both. The Policy… Read more »

Rep. Mike Burgess (R-Texas), top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce oversight subcommittee told HUMAN EVENTS the administration is still blocking local plans for rock berms to protect the marshes. “Right now, of course, the obstruction is the administration,” Burgess said after the tour’s conclusion. “In fact, BP, in this instance, has agreed to pay for the rocks and has the rocks sitting in barges on the Mississippi River apparently waiting on the okay from the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency to build the rock berms.” And the rocks -- bought and paid for by BP -- continue to sit on the barges. Read more »

At Tower 55, the more than 100 freight and passenger trains crossing the busy intersection daily must wait for a green or yellow signal to pass through. If they get a red light, they must stop and wait, clogging the tracks and causing backups that can stretch for miles. Local, state and federal officials saw the slow process firsthand Wednesday morning as they rode a BNSF Glacier… Read more »

Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are asking the agency that oversees Medicare to provide 2010 enrollment data for the Medicare prescription drug program so they can track changes sparked by the healthcare reform law. The open enrollment period for the 2011 Medicare benefits begins Nov. 15. In a letter sent Friday to acting CMS administrator Marilyn Tavenner,… Read more »

House Republicans are questioning the Obama Administration about why permits have not been re-issued to allow drilling to resume in shallow water in the Gulf of Mexico. Rep. Bill Cassidy (R.-La.), at a House National Resources Committee hearing on Wednesday, sought questions about the de-facto drilling moratorium from Michael Bromwich, the new director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy… Read more »

To listen to the audio of the address, click here. Texas Republican Rep. Michael Burgess took a strong stand on the new health care reform law yesterday morning, arguing that opponents must stop its implementation by targeting its funding. He also predicted that there would not be a permanent fix to the Medicare sustainable growth rate until at least after the 2010 election.… Read more »