Again, the Senate and House are both in session and we are
starting to see more congressional hearings being scheduled. This week we will
be seeing four hearings that may be of specific interest to readers of this
blog; a visit by the new DHS Secretary, rail transportation safety, a
biosecurity hearing and a field hearing looking at the Freedom spill. I’m
posting this a little earlier than normal because the field hearing is taking
place on Monday.
Currently there are no bills scheduled for floor
consideration in either house that would be of specific interest to readers of
this blog. That could certainly change as the week progresses, particularly in
the Senate where the schedule is not disclosed in advance for the ‘minor’ bills
that will be considered.
Freedom Spill
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
will be holding a field
hearing on Monday in Charleston, WV looking at the Charleston, West
Virginia Chemical Spill. The Committee web site has a pretty decent summary
of the facts about the spill. There are nine witnesses scheduled including a number
of local officials. Sen. Manchin (D,WV) is scheduled as is Dr. Moure-Eraso (CSB
Chairman). The star witness (if he shows) will be Gary Southern, the President
of Freedom Industries.
Bad news, no live web cast of this hearing. Nothing about a
recorded web cast though.
Biosecurity
The Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications
Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee will be holding a
hearing looking at “Bioterrorism: Assessing the Threat”. Hopefully this
will include a discussion about how bioterrorism preparedness programs will aid
in preventing natural pandemics.
New DHS Secretary
Secretary Johnson will appear before a hearing of the House
Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss “the Secretary’s Vision for
the Future – Challenges and Priorities”. Nothing major expected here, but it
will be interesting to see what differences in focus we will see with the new
Secretary.
Rail Safety
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
will be holding a hearing Thursday looking at “Enhancing our Rail Safety:
Current Challenges for Passenger and Freight Rail”. No witness list is
available yet but the Committee hearing page notes that the hearing will
include “discussion of recent high-profile rail accidents [presumably including
various crude oil train wrecks], positive train control implementation, and
other key safety challenges”.
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