U.S. Congressman Michael Burgess (R-Lewisville) had a long conversation with a large number of his constituents Wednesday night. He called it a Tele Town Hall. It was like a conference call, with 5,830 people listening. Many of them asked questions or expressed concerns. Health care seemed to be at the top of the list. That may have been partly because many people in Burgess’ 26th… Read more »

The House Energy and Commerce Committee on the evening of May 21 passed the biggest piece of the Obama administration and Congressional Democrats' agenda to put the federal government in charge of the American economy. On a 33 to 25 vote, the Committee approved the "American Clean Energy and Security Act," H. R. 2454. The 946-page energy-rationing bill is better known as Waxman-Markey,… Read more »

It was a tough week for Rep. Joe Barton, R-Arlington. Two years after he had to give up the powerful chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to the new Democratic majority, Barton, still the panel’s top Republican, watched grimly as the panel’s Democrats rolled over his GOP alternative energy plan. They rejected 54 of 56 GOP amendments, and with just one… Read more »

A House committee will vote today on climate-change legislation to reduce greenhouse gases and boost solar and wind power after Democrats and Republicans agreed to hold another hearing on the plan next month. Representative Joe Barton of Texas, the senior Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said members of his party would clear the way for a vote later today. Since… Read more »

Congress Urged to Support Bill for Bone Health Promotion and Research Washington, D.C. (May 21, 2009) – The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) in conjunction with the National Coalition for Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases held a briefing on Capitol Hill today to engage Congress in an action plan for making bone health a national priority and encourage lawmakers to sign on… Read more »

The House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday chugged sluggishly in its first day of marking up climate and energy legislation. The panel approved an already announced "cash for clunkers" deal giving thousands of dollars to consumers to trade in older cars for newer, more fuel-efficient models. New cars in the program must get at least 22 miles per gallon, with the size of… Read more »

It was one of those instances where everything hung in the balance. For just a moment Monday afternoon, everyone kept still in the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing room. Like game that doesn’t move in the brush after it’s been spotted by a hunter, lawmakers, staff, journalists and lobbyists froze and held their breath. Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) asked unanimous… Read more »

While the vast majority of aircraft mechanics are well trained and competent, a News 8 Investigation found decades of problems with the way the FAA is certifying and testing aircraft mechanics. News 8 found that many people working on aircrafts in North Texas may not be able to read repair manuals because they can't speak English. Now, North Texas congressional representatives are… Read more »

Rep. Michael C. Burgess, Texas Republican, said Monday that it's going to be hard for Democrats or Republicans to come up with a detailed health care reform bill that won't immediately be picked apart by the other party. "No one has really identified the specifics yet because then it becomes very easy to pick things apart," said Mr. Burgess, who practiced medicine for more than two… Read more »

As House Republicans work on a statement of principles that should be followed in the health care overhaul, GOP members and allies said at a forum Monday that the focus has to remain on quality of care. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, R-Texas, the chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus, said cost is a major topic for both patients and doctors. “Quality on health care is hard to… Read more »