; and (L) research into the discovery and development of alternative energy supplies; and (7) the efficiency and economy of all branches and functions of Government with particular references to the operations and management of Federal regulatory policies and programs. (b) Extent of inquiries In carrying out the duties provided in subsection (a), the inquiries of this committee or any subcommittee of the committee shall not be construed to be limited to the records, functions, and operations of any particular branch of the Government and may extend to the records and activities of any persons, corporation, or other entity. (c) Special committee authority For the purposes of this section, the committee, or any duly authorized subcommittee of the committee, or its chairman, or any other member of the committee or subcommittee designated by the chairman is authorized, in its, his, her, or their discretion— (1) to require by subpoena or otherwise the attendance of witnesses and production of correspondence, books, papers, and documents; (2) to hold hearings; (3) to sit and act at any time or place during the sessions, recess, and adjournment periods of the Senate; (4) to administer oaths; and (5) to take testimony, either orally or by sworn statement, or, in the case of staff members of the Committee and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, by deposition in accordance with the Committee Rules of Procedure. (d) Authority of other committees Nothing contained in this section shall affect or impair the exercise of any other standing committee of the Senate of any power, or the discharge by such committee of any duty, conferred or imposed upon it by the Standing Rules of the Senate or by the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946. (e) Subpoena authority All subpoenas and related legal processes of the committee and any duly authorized subcommittee of the committee authorized under S. Res. 73, agreed to February 12, 2015 (114th Congress), are authorized to continue.