U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce

The U.S. House Commerce Committee on Energy and Commerce residing at 2125 Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC is the oldest (208 years) legislative standing committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. It has served as the principal guide for the House in matters relating to the promotion of commerce and to the public?s health and marketplace interests.

History

The Committee was originally formed as the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures on December 14, 1795. Prior to this, legislation was drafted in the Committee of the Whole or in special ad hoc committees, appointed for specific limited purposes. However the growing demands of the new nation required that Congress establish a permanent committee to manage its Constitutional authority to ?regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States.?

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December 14 - 1795

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From this time forward, as the nation grew and Congress dealt with new public policy concerns and created new committees, the Energy and Commerce Committee has maintained its dominant and central position as Congress?s monitor of our nation?s commercial progress ? a focus reflected in its changing jurisdiction, both in name and practice.

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In 1819, the Committee?s name was changed to the Committee on Commerce, reflecting the creation of a separate Manufacturers Committee and also the increasing scope of and complexity of American commercial activity, which was expanding the Committee?s jurisdiction from navigational aids and the nascent Federal health service to foreign trade and tarrifs. Thomas J. Bliley, who chaired the Committee from 1995 to 2000, chose to use this traditional name, which underscores the Committee?s role for Congress on this front.

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In 1891, in emphasis of the Committee?s evolving activities, the name was again changed to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce ? a title it maintained until 1981, when, under incoming Chairman John D. Dingell, the Committee first assumed what is now its present name to emphasize its lead role in guiding our nation?s energy policy, which is essential for assuring commercial prosperity.

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