Hearings taking place in the House of Representatives today:

The House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection

Environmental Protection Agency scientists will testify and be questioned about the the health effects of phthalates and bisphenol-A in consumer products. Given the existence of research indicating that these chemicals can cause cancer, diabetes and obesity in humans, there are grave concerns about what led the EPA to delay efforts to inform consumers about the risks of using products containing phthalates and bisphenol-A.

Representative Bobby Rush chairs the subcommittee.

The Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, 2:00 PM

John Bellinger, the legal adviser to the Department of State, will testify and be asked questions about the Bush Administration’s practice of extreme rendition, in which prisoners in United States custody are knowingly sent to be interrogated by nations that routinely use torture.

Representative William Delahunt chairs the subcommittee.

The Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans, 2:00 PM

On the upcoming annual International Whaling Commission meeting. This year’s meeting will be held in Santiago, Chile from June 23-27. This year, for the first time in a long while, some nations have begun to hunt whales.

A live webcast of the hearing will be available. Representative Madeleine Bordallo chairs the subcommittee.