Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District
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Inslee Appointed to Powerful Energy and Commerce Committee
6 January 2005
This afternoon, the House Democratic Steering Committee appointed U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee to the powerful Committee on Energy and Commerce in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 109th Congress. Members of Congress from Washington State, including U.S. Reps. Norm Dicks, Adam Smith, Jim McDermott, Brian Baird and Rick Larsen, supported Inslee's appointment to the Committee. Inslee will serve as the lone Democrat from the Pacific Northwest on the panel that oversees issues vital to Washington State's energy, technology and health care interests.
"Washington State has finally received a much-needed voice in Congress on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I look forward to vigorously representing the needs of our state," said Inslee. "This appointment is an important opportunity to protect the Northwest's unique energy situation with the Bonneville Power Administration, advance renewable energy programs and ensure the federal government's commitment to cleaning up Hanford."
"I will use my seat on the Committee to promote policies that enhance innovation and growth in our region's hi-tech and biotech sectors. I am also committed to advancing our state's position with State Children's Health Insurance Program funding, and Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements."
"I'm proud to name Congressman Inslee to the Energy and Commerce Committee," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said. "Jay will be a strong voice on the Committee for consumers and joins a proud tradition of Washingtonians serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Jay is an extremely talented Member, and he will be an outstanding addition to the Committee."
As the only Member from Washington State on the Committee, Inslee will serve as an important regional voice on many issues, including:
- Energy Supply and Environmental Oversight:
- Hi-Tech, Biotech, Consumer Privacy and Media Diversity:
- Health Care:
The Committee develops national energy policy and Inslee will use his assignment to promote his New Apollo Energy Project, which focuses on creating renewable energy technologies that expand job growth in the Pacific Northwest, reduce global warming, and protect national security. Since the Committee has jurisdiction over nuclear waste facilities, Inslee will work to ensure that the Department of Energy does not shirk its Hanford clean up duties for high-level and low-level radioactive waste. Inslee will also fight to protect the Northwest's low hydroelectric power rates through Bonneville, and push for refunds from Enron. The Committee also oversees efforts to curb global warming, and Inslee will work to promote the Climate Stewardship Act, which creates a market-driven system to encourage companies to reduce greenhouse gases.
The Puget Sound region and the Pacific Northwest are home to some of the leading hi-tech and biotech companies in the country, and the world. The Committee has jurisdiction over issues that affect these industries, including approving new drugs, regulating Internet commerce, overhauling the nation's telecommunications laws, and improving consumer protections. U.S. Rep. Inslee has visited and worked closely with many Northwest companies on these issues and will use his seat on the Committee to advocate for policies that lead to innovation and competitiveness for the region's telecom, IT and life sciences industries. Inslee has also been a leader in electronic privacy and anti-spyware efforts, and as a member of the Committee will push to improve consumer privacy, defend media diversity and increase broadband access in our communities.
The Energy and Commerce Committee oversees health care issues and Inslee will focus on several pressing issues affecting health care in Washington State. Inslee will work to fix a current inequity under which Washington State is prevented from spending a large percentage of its State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) funding. Inslee will also focus on addressing the current geographic disparity where Washington State medical providers and hospitals receive lower rates of reimbursements than other states from Medicaid and Medicare. Inslee will also monitor how the Committee plans to examine the potential cardiovascular safety issues surrounding COX-2 inhibitor drugs, such as Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra.
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