Energy and Commerce Committee

The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest continuous standing committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. It was originally established in 1795 to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.

Today, the Committee has the broadest jurisdiction of any authorizing committee in Congress. It legislates on a wide variety of issues, including:

• Health care, including mental health and substance abuse
• Health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid
• Biomedical research and development
• Food, drug, device and cosmetic safety
• Environmental protection 
• Clean air and climate change
• Safe drinking water
• Toxic chemicals and hazardous waste
• National energy policy
• Renewable energy and conservation
• Nuclear facilities
• Electronic communications and the internet
• Broadcast and cable television
• Privacy, cybersecurity and data security
• Consumer protection and product safety
• Motor vehicle safety
• Travel, tourism and sports   
• Interstate and foreign commerce

The Committee also oversees several federal departments and agencies, including:

• Department of Health and Human Services
• National Institutes of Health
• Food and Drug Administration
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Indian Health Service
• Environmental Protection Agency  
• Department of Energy
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission    
• Federal Communications Commission
• Federal Trade Commission
• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Transportation
• Department of Homeland Security

Health:

The Health Subcommittee has key jurisdiction as the federal government continues working to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including oversight of the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over legislation addressing public health, mental health, health insurance, hospitals, biomedical research, drug abuse and addiction treatment, and more.

Consumer Protection and Commerce:

The Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee has direct jurisdiction over the Federal Trade Commission, which is responsible for regulating commercial practices and large mergers that require antitrust scrutiny. As a critic of large digital platforms, Trahan will have a seat on the panel with the power to demand accountability for the dangerous spread of disinformation that has proliferated online. Other online areas of jurisdiction include privacy, data security, and consumer protections. The Subcommittee also has oversight over sports-related matters, including professional baseball changes and decisions by the NCAA regarding student-athletes’ ability to profit off their own name, image, or likeness. Additional information about the Subcommittee can be found here.

Oversight and Investigations:

The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee is tasked with conducting oversight of all agencies, departments, and programs that the full Committee oversees. When warranted, the Subcommittee spearheads investigations and publishes reports on its findings.

Congressional Caucus Membership

• Progressive Caucus

• New Democrats

• Congressional Hispanic Caucus

• Pro-Choice Caucus

• LGBT Equality Caucus

• Black Maternal Health Caucus

• Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus

• Small Brewers Caucus

• Diversifying Tech Caucus

• Portuguese-American Caucus

• Air Force Caucus

• Army Caucus

• Freshman Working Group on Addiction

• Autism Research and Education Caucus

• Baby Caucus

• Blue Collar Caucus

• Building Trades

• Cambodia Caucus

• Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers

• College Affordability Caucus 

• Community Colleges

• Congressional Peace Corps Caucus

• Fusion Energy Caucus 

• Latino-Jewish Congressional Caucus

• Longterm Care Caucus

• Lung Cancer Caucus

• Multiple Sclerosis Caucus

• National Guard and Reserve Caucus

• Pandemic Preparedness Caucus

•  Quiet Skies Caucus

• Romania Caucus

• Save Minor League Baseball Task Force

• Servicewomen and Women Veterans Caucus

• Skin Cancer Caucus

• Ukraine Caucus

• Women in STEM Caucus

• Women Veteran Task Force