Whitfield Tapped as Ranking Member of House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection

From the Office of Congressman Ed Whitfield
Thursday, February 24, 2010

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) was appointed to serve as Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection (CTCP) today, taking on a leadership role on a powerful House Subcommittee charged with overseeing interstate and foreign commerce, product safety as well as a number of different issues which impact the economy and consumers.

“The CTCP Subcommittee plays a critical role in shaping policies that will help spur economic growth and increase consumer safety and protections,” Whitfield said. “I am proud to have this opportunity to help lead this important Subcommittee as we work to turn our economy around and ensure the public is safeguarded.”

Whitfield previously served as Ranking Member of the CTCP Subcommittee in the 110th Congress. The Ranking Member is the most-senior minority party member of a committee. The Chairmanship of a committee is held by a member of the majority party. In his new capacity as Ranking Member, Whitfield will help lead CTCP Subcommittee hearings and markups and play an integral role in shaping legislation passed through the Subcommittee.

“With his years of experience on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Whitfield will do a great job in his leadership role on the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection,” Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Joe Barton said. “I look forward to working with Congressman Whitfield to promote policies that sustain economic growth while assuring consumer protections.”

The CTCP Subcommittee has jurisdiction over interstate and foreign commerce; regulation of commercial practices, including sports-related matters; consumer affairs, consumer protection and consumer product safety (the CPSC); motor vehicle safety; and regulation of travel and tourism. During the 110th Congress, Whitfield played a large role in shaping the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, critical legislation overseen by the Subcommittee which set unprecedented safety standards for children’s toys in the U.S. and reformed the commission charged with keeping the public safe from potentially harmful or hazardous products.

Whitfield has served on the Energy and Commerce Committee since being elected to Congress in 1994. The Congressman also serves on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittees on Health as well as Energy and Environment.