Congresswoman Doris Matsui Announces Committee Assignments for the 112th Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 20, 2011

CONTACT: MATSUI PRESS OFFICE
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Doris Matsui Announces Committee Assignments for the 112th Congress
Role on Energy and Commerce Will Help Sacramento's Clean Energy, Health Care, and Technology Sectors

Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) announced her committee assignments for the 112th Congress. The Congresswoman will continue to represent Sacramento on the influential House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which she was first appointed to in 2008.

There is critical work that must be done in this Congress to ensure our middle-class can thrive and to move our nation further toward an economic recovery. The Energy and Commerce Committee holds jurisdiction over many of the crucial issues facing our economy and our nation, including economic opportunity, environmental concerns, clean energy, and health care, Congresswoman Matsui said. I will work with my colleagues on the Committee to address these issues and more as we continue to strengthen the American economy and responsibly reduce the deficit.

Congresswoman Matsui will serve on both the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy and the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Both of my subcommittee assignments will be beneficial in advancing legislation that addresses Sacramento's priorities and tackles the issues facing our nation as a whole, remarked Matsui. I am pleased to serve on the Environment and the Economy Subcommittee, so that I can continue working to grow America's clean energy sector and advance Sacramento's clean technology economy. There is a lot of important work to be done, such as ensuring we have clean-air and continuing to create new clean energy jobs. I plan to work tirelessly to ensure Sacramento remains on a path to become a national leader in producing clean energy technologies. I am also pleased to continue serving on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee where I will persist in working to make broadband internet affordable and accessible to all.

During the 111th Congress, Congresswoman Matsui introduced the Clean Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act, which would assist small and medium-sized clean technology businesses export their goods and services. She also introduced the Small Business Clean Energy Financing Act to help small businesses gain access to necessary capital. Both in Congress and in Sacramento, Congresswoman Matsui has been focused on expanding the clean technology sector and providing local companies with federal assistance they need to make America globally competitive.

Congresswoman Matsui also introduced the Broadband Affordability Act to establish a program that would enable low-income customers in urban and rural areas to purchase broadband service at a reduced price. She has been an active champion of affordable broadband services, and is consistently working to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have the tools they need to innovate and succeed.

Congresswoman Matsui's role on the Energy and Commerce Committee has also allowed her to work on meaningful health care legislation. During the 111th Congress, she not only worked closely on the Affordable Care Act, but also introduced such bills as the Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act, the Wellness Trust Act, Public Health Workforce Investment Act, and Community Mental Health and Addiction Safety Net Equity Act. Congresswoman Matsui's Wellness Trust Act became the basis for the preventive care initiatives included in the health care law. Her Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Disease and Research Treatment Act, which funds research on acquired bone marrow failure diseases, was passed by the House.

My place on the Energy and Commerce Committee has provided, and will continue to provide, me with an opportunity to grow Sacramento's clean energy, health care, and technology sectors, Matsui added. As the 112th Congress begins, I encourage my constituents to continue an active dialogue with me about how we can improve our economy, create jobs, and continue to strengthen our schools, our levees, and our community as a whole. I remain steadfast in my commitment to representing Sacramento's interests in Congress, and working every day to ensure Sacramento remains a wonderful place to live and work.

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