RUSH URGES UNITED, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO BLOCK THE SHIFT OF THE ENERGY PORTFOLIO FROM THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE TO THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

WASHINGTON -- In a hand-delivered letter, this afternoon, to Democratic and Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush sent a clear, urgent message to his colleagues to unanimously reject rumored attempts to move the energy portfolio from the Energy and Commerce Committee to the Natural Resources Committee.  Rush has served on this committee since the 104th session of Congress (1995-1997) and, currently, is Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.  Rush’s personal communication to all members of the full Energy and Commerce Committee read as follows:

"Dear Colleague:

"After reading the Roll Call article (Nov. 17th) detailing the attempted power-grab by the expected Chairman-elect of the Natural Resources Committee to strip the Energy and Commerce Committee of one of its most important areas of jurisdiction, I was alarmed and astonished.  The article, entitled "Hastings Wants Energy Portfolio for Natural Resources," caused me great apprehension as this maneuvering would strip our committee, which many of us have constructively worked together on for many years, of its primary area of jurisdiction—national energy policy.

"You may remember a similar, successful attempt to strip our committee of its financial services portfolio in the 107th Congress. This time, however, as Members of the Committee, it is imperative that we all join together in a bipartisan manner to emphatically and forcefully reject this most recent attempt to erode our authority.  This is not a Democrat or Republican issue but, rather, an issue of overreach by other committee heads for their own selfish purposes. I implore all Energy and Commerce Committee members to stand united and make it known that, in no uncertain terms, we will not allow this to happen.

"We must not permit the natural process of selecting new leadership on our committee to be viewed as an opportunity to strip our committee of its responsibilities and jurisdictional authority.
"I urge all Members to stand with me and make our position known to leadership on both sides of the aisle.  Thank you for your time and consideration on this most important issue and I look forward to speaking with you promptly on this matter."

Sincerely,

Bobby L. Rush
Member of Congress

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NOTE:   Here's a link to the Roll Call story by Jackie Kucinich: http://www.rollcall.com/news/-200723-1.html