The Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia will hold a hearing entitled, "2009 Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Benefit: What it means for Federal employees." The hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The Subcommittee will examine the changes in Blue Cross Blue Shield's benefits and premiums for the 2009 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. For further information regarding the hearing, please contact the Subcommittee Staff Director, Tania Shand, at 202-225-5147.

The Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia will hold a hearing entitled, "2009 Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Benefit: What it means for Federal employees." The hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The Subcommittee will examine the changes in Blue Cross Blue Shield's benefits and premiums for the 2009 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. For further information regarding the hearing, please contact the Subcommittee Staff Director, Tania Shand, at 202-225-5147.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 3, 2008 CONTACT Marcus A. Williams 202) 226-5845 Chairman Danny K. Davis Responds to Enrollee Outrage Over BCBS 2009 Changes Rep. Davis' (D-IL) and Members of the Subcommittee requested that the Office of Personnel Management extend the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Open Season for millions of federal employees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Select Committee, 202-225-4081

Auto Bailout Hearing to Explore Energy Independence Implications

Fuel Economy, Reducing Oil Dependence at Core of Strengthening Auto Industry, Economy

As Congress considers a multi-billion dollar program of loans to America’s auto industry, many measures of success or failure exist for the industry and the government’s attempts to help the automakers. Chief among those measures of success is how effectively America’s auto industry, and the industry as a whole, is transformed to build cars for the future that reduce our dependence on oil. Will the auto industry meet the fuel economy rules passed by Congress and signed into law nearly a year ago, which could revitalize the industry? Should American taxpayers expect even higher fuel economy performance in return for their investment of additional billions in loans? Do the auto companies’ plans impair their ability to meet the current fuel economy regime?

A panel of auto industry and fuel economy experts will discuss these questions and other energy implications of the automotive industry loan program at a hearing next Tuesday before Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Chairman Markey authored the House language that became the current fuel economy standards of at least 35 mile per gallon by 2020.

WHAT: Select Committee hearing: “The Energy Independence Implications of the Auto Bailout Proposal.”

WHERE: Capitol Complex, Washington, DC, Room TBD

WHEN: Tuesday, December 9th, 2008, 10 AM

WHO: Witnesses to be announced soon

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