PANEL WILL PLAY CRUCIAL ROLE IN DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND ALL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO COMMERCE, ENERGY & HEALTHCARE

Washington, Dec 16, 2010 -

“The American electorate made it clear in November that they want limits on the government, accountability from its agencies, and restraint in federal spending,” stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL).  “I look forward to chairing the Energy & Commerce Committee’s Oversight Subcommittee and reining in excessive federal regulations, holding all federal agencies accountable to the American public, and increasing transparency in the private sector.”

Said Stearns, “In a republic such as ours, oversight is imperative in safeguarding the freedoms we enjoy and upholding the principles of limited government. Our founding Fathers were explicit in empowering the House of Representatives to provide a check on the powers of the Executive Branch.Under the current majority, little has been done in this area. Now, with a new majority, it is time for a new and fundamentally different approach in demanding accountability.”  

The Oversight Subcommittee will focus on curbing regulations and mandates that hamper job creation and economic development, including the healthcare law enacted earlier this year.  Added Stearns, “I appreciate this opportunity to exercise oversight over healthcare, energy, foreign and domestic commerce, telecommunications, and the environment, and I look forward to working with Chairman Upton in the next Congress in changing the direction of our nation.”  The former chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, John Dingell (D-MI), said that the Committee “claims jurisdiction over anything that moves, burns or is sold.”