SEC. 144. POWERS. (a) Hearings.—The Commission or, at its direction, any panel or member of the Commission, may, for the purpose of carrying 115 STAT. 2456 out the provisions of this subtitle, hold hearings and take testimony to the extent that the Commission or any member considers advisable. (b) Information.—The Commission may secure directly from any Federal department or agency information that the Commission considers necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this subtitle.