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H.R. 6192 protects Americans from federal mandates that drive up costs Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 6192 , which will stop the Biden administration’s attack on consumer freedom and preserve the affordability, availability, and quality of the household appliances Americans rely on. Her prepared remarks are below: “I would like to start by thanking the bill sponsor, Mrs. Debbie Lesko of Arizona, and the Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee for advancing this bill through regular order. “The U.S. is blessed with tremendous natural resources. We have the cleanest oil and natural gas in the world, emissions-free nuclear, hydropower, and renewables. “We also have the world’s best workforce, and an innovative spirit that has contributed to technological breakthroughs that have changed the world. “For centuries, American innovation has led to new technologies that have improved people’s lives. “From the light bulb and the home refrigerator to air conditioning, the washing machine, and the dishwasher, these inventions are ingrained in modern life, and they were not the result of aggressive government mandates or regulation—but of American ingenuity.” OUT OF CONTROL APPLIANCE MANDATES “Sadly, the Biden administration’s war on American energy is now reaching inside Americans’ homes. “Through sue-and-settle agreements with radical environmental activists, the Department of Energy has reached backroom deals to impose new regulations on dozens of appliances that Americans rely on every single day. “Last year, the Biden administration attempted to ban gas stoves. “Thankfully DOE changed course after bipartisan opposition and an overwhelming vote by Congress to reverse the ban. “These new mandates are forcing people to spend more for less reliable options. “This comes at a time when Americans are already being crushed by rising costs thanks to Bidenflation. “By continuing to double down on policies like these, the Biden administration is showing just how out of touch they are with the financial struggle the vast majority of Americans are feeling. “Americans simply can’t afford President Biden’s rush-to-green agenda." HANDS OFF OUR HOME APPLIANCES “The bill led by Mrs. Lesko seeks to protect Americans from federal mandates that result in minimal energy savings while significantly driving up costs for consumers. “It ensures that DOE is only allowed to adopt efficiency regulations on home appliances that are cost-effective, technologically feasible, and save a significant amount of energy. “This will benefit Americans across the country, and should be a bipartisan issue, which is why I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation to send a strong message to the Biden Administration.”

On the House Floor: H.R. 6192 to reform the Energy Policy Conservation Act The Biden administration is waging war on American energy, and this war is making its way into Americans’ homes. President Biden and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Granholm are sacrificing peoples’ ability to purchase affordable and reliable products for their homes in their pursuit of a radical rush-to-green agenda. Housing prices and utility bills are already too high for Americans, but that isn’t stopping the administration from continuing to impose burdensome regulations. Since taking office, the Biden administration has been attacking common and popular household appliances in the name of “energy efficiency.” In fact, last year the Biden administration proposed a ban on gas stoves as part of its war against fossil fuels. More recently, the DOE has announced plans to regulate washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and more, which is forcing people to spend more for less reliable options. Even worse, these new regulations fail to accomplish their stated goals as they will NOT save a significant amount of energy and are NOT cost-effective. For example, the DOE’s own analysis finds that efficiency mandates on dishwashers could increase the upfront cost by 28% and it could take consumers 12 years to payback the increased costs on a product that may only last 7-12 years.    This comes at a time when Americans are already being crushed by rising costs thanks to Bidenflation. By continuing to double down on policies like these, the Biden administration is showing just how out of touch they are with the financial struggles the vast majority of Americans are feeling. In contrast, House Republicans are leading to protect Americans from federal mandates that result in minimal energy savings while significantly driving up costs. Today, the House will consider H.R. 6192, the Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act , led by Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), to preserve the affordability, availability, and quality of the household appliances Americans rely on every day. Here’s why H.R. 6192 is important: Enacted in 1975, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) provides specific criteria the DOE must follow in order to propose a new appliance efficiency standard. The DOE may only propose a new standard if it results in a significant conservation of energy, is technologically feasible, and economically justified. The Biden administration has consistently ignored these critical consumer protections by proposing and finalizing standards that violate the statute. H.R. 6192 would prevent this abuse by: Eliminating unnecessary and duplicative rulemaking requirements  Authorizing the Secretary of Energy to amend or revoke a standard if it increases costs for consumers, does not result in significant energy or water savings, is not technologically feasible, or results in the unavailability of product  Protecting affordability by requiring the DOE to consider the cost to low-income households and the full-life cycle cost of appliances when determining if the new standard is economically justified  Establishing minimum thresholds for energy or water savings that must be achieved before imposing new standards  Prohibiting the Secretary of Energy from banning products based on what type of fuel that product uses (no natural gas bans)  Bottomline:  At a time when the American people are struggling under the crushing weight of Bidenflation, the last thing they need is more government mandates that drive up costs and fail to achieve their stated mission.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) praised the inclusion of H.R. 7520, the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024, and H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, in the 21 st Century Peace Through Strength Act that passed the House today. “These bills are the result of diligent and bipartisan work to protect Americans’ data and address the serious national security threat posed by our adversaries. Today’s vote is a clear victory for protecting Americans online and off, but there is still work to be done,” said Chair Rodgers and Ranking Member Pallone. “Companies and bad actors are collecting troves of our data unchecked and using it to exploit, monetize, and manipulate Americans of all ages. This cannot be allowed to continue, which is why today’s actions are an important step forward as the Energy and Commerce Committee continues to work together on tech accountability measures.”

Vote YES on H.R. 1023 to Repeal the EPA’s Green Slush Fund and the Harmful Natural Gas Tax Washington D.C. —   House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 1023, the Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act . The bill, led by Energy and Commerce Republican Gary Palmer (R-AL), will repeal the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) $27 billion green bank slush fund and stop it from imposing a tax on natural gas. Chair Rodgers prepared remarks: “I rise in support of H.R. 1023, the ‘Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act.’ “I want to thank the bill sponsor, Mr. Gary Palmer of Alabama, and the Members of the Energy and Commerce. “The U.S. has been blessed with tremendous natural resources, which we’ve been able to harness as a result of free market principles and an entrepreneurial spirit that’s uniquely American. “We’ve harnessed the power of nuclear energy, electrified millions of rural American’s homes with clean hydropower, and ushered in the Shale Revolution—which continues to create millions of new jobs, bring manufacturing back to the U.S., and revitalize communities across the country. “As a result, America is more energy secure today than ever before. “This legacy is under threat. Since day one, President Biden has been taking steps to shut down American energy. “On his first day in office he ended the Keystone XL Pipeline. “He’s actively taking steps to ban gas stoves and liquefied natural gas exports, tear down hydropower dams, force electric vehicle mandates on Americans, and impose a tax on natural gas. “His so-called ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ provided the EPA with tens of billions of taxpayer dollars to launder to extreme, liberal special interest allies—who will ultimately make us more reliant on China by forcing Americans to rely on cheap Chinese batteries and solar panels manufactured with slave labor and the worst environmental standards on the planet. “H.R. 1023 is an important step towards ending the President’s radical rush to green agenda. “It repeals the EPA’s $27 billion-dollar Green Bank slush fund, and it’s recently proposed natural gas tax. “The EPA doesn’t want Congress or the American public to know how their taxpayer dollars are spent, so they give it to radical environmentalists to spend in secret. “This legislation will also repeal the EPA’s recent proposed natural gas tax. “This tax drives up costs on everything from our grocery bills to our energy bills. “It will force good-paying American jobs overseas and make us more dependent on foreign energy sources. “I strongly support H.R. 1023, the ‘Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act,’ which promotes American energy leadership and security—something that’s vital to building on our legacy of improving lives, helping to lift people out of poverty, and raising the standard of living across the country and the world. “I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in voting YES on this important bill.”

The legislation would prohibit data brokers from selling Americans’ sensitive personal information to our foreign adversaries Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., (D-NJ) released the following joint statement today after the House passed H.R. 7520, the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 , by a vote of 414 - 0: “Today’s overwhelming vote sends a clear message that we will not allow our adversaries to undermine American national security and individual privacy by purchasing people’s personally identifiable sensitive information from data brokers. H.R. 7520 is another key step towards strengthening data protections and safeguarding our nation from foreign adversaries. “The legislation builds on our efforts in the House last week to pass H.R. 7521—with overwhelming and bipartisan support—and serves as an important complement to more comprehensive national data privacy legislation, which we remain committed to working together on. We're encouraged by today’s strong vote, which should help build momentum to get this important bipartisan legislation, as well as more comprehensive privacy legislation, signed into law this Congress.” Rodgers and Pallone introduced H.R. 7520 earlier this month, and it is cosponsored by Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), as well as Reps. Rick W. Allen (R-GA), and Lori Trahan (D-MA). The bill passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee with a unanimous vote of 50-0. Bill text of H.R. 7520 is available HERE . 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released a statement applauding H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act , which passed out of the House today with a strong bipartisan vote of 352-65. “H.R. 7521 is the result of diligent and bipartisan efforts to protect Americans’ data and address the serious national security threat posed by our enemies. Applications controlled by foreign adversaries can be weaponized to target, manipulate, and surveil millions of Americans. This cannot continue. I commend Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) as well as our colleagues, Reps. Gallagher and Krishnamoorthi, for their leadership on this important legislation. I urge our colleagues in the Senate to act as swiftly as the House and advance this bill to the President’s desk.” 

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act . The bipartisan legislation will protect Americans by preventing foreign adversaries, such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), from targeting, surveilling, and manipulating the American people through applications, like TikTok. “I rise today in support of H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. “Foreign adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party, pose the greatest national security threat of our time. “TikTok’s access to 177 million American users makes it a valuable propaganda tool for the CCP to exploit. “Over the past week, we saw in real time how CCP-controlled TikTok used its influence and power to force users to contact their representatives if they wanted to continue using the app. “This is just a small taste of how the CCP weaponizes applications it controls to manipulate tens of millions of people to further its agenda. “Today’s legislation will end this abuse by preventing apps controlled by foreign adversaries from targeting, surveilling, and manipulating the American people. “We have given TikTok a clear choice: Separate from your parent company ByteDance, which is beholden to the CCP, and remain operational in the United States, or side with the CCP and face the consequences. “The choice is TikTok’s. “Companies controlled by a foreign adversary, like the CCP, will NEVER embrace American values like freedom of speech, human rights, the rule of law, and a free press. “If given the choice, they will always choose the path for more control, more surveillance, and more manipulation. “And in the case of TikTok, we wouldn’t even know. “Today we will send a clear message that we will not tolerate our adversaries weaponizing our freedoms against us.”

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statements after the House passed six bipartisan health bills within the Committee’s jurisdiction:   On H.R. 498, t he 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act , which passed the House unanimously:  “Americans in crisis must be able to reach the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline without delays. This bipartisan legislation, led by Rep. Obernolte, will strengthen cybersecurity at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to better protect the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline from hacks or disruptions, better ensuring Americans can access this critical service in their moment of need.”  Note : H.R. 498 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 46 to 0 on March 24, 2023.  On H.R. 3838, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act, which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 382 to 12:  “The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, often from causes that are entirely preventable. This crucial legislation will help s upport mothers throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum . I commend Reps. Burgess, Carter, and Cammack for their work on this bipartisan legislation.”   Note : H.R. 3838 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 50 to 0 on July 19, 2023.  On H.R. 3821, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act, which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 413 to 7:  “Firefighters regularly put their lives in harm's way to protect their community. Their work often exposes them to toxic substances, tragically leading to higher rates of cancer. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes a voluntary registry for firefighters who are battling cancer, which helps researchers better study the links between toxic exposures and cancer. I thank Rep. Fitzpatrick for his leadership on this bipartisan bill.”  Note : H.R. 3821 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 51 to 0 on July 19, 2023.  On H.R. 3836, the Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act , which passed the House unanimously:  “It’s critical that patients can access their primary provider for everything from routine checkups to referrals for more intensive health issues. Access to primary care generally leads to better health outcomes in the long run. I thank Rep. Crenshaw for his leadership of this bipartisan bill, which clarifies that states can innovate in providing primary care services in their Medicaid programs.”  Note : H.R. 3836 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 51 to 0 on July 19, 2023.  On H.R. 3843, the Action for Dental Health Act , which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 391 to 32:  “Dental health is an important component of individuals’ overall health. This legislation will support state and local efforts to bolster the dental workforce help prevent the predicted shortages in this crucial field. I thank Dr. Simpson for his leadership of this bipartisan legislation.”  Note : H.R. 3843 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 50 to 0 on July 19, 2023.  On H.R. 3391, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 , which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 384 to 4:  “While major advancements in health care diagnostics and treatments have improved the cancer survival rate among children, we still have more work to do. This bipartisan legislation directs the National Institutes of Health to prioritize and better coordinate pediatric research. This is another important step in our efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of our nation’s children. I’m grateful to Reps. Cole and Bilirakis for their leadership of this effort.”  Note : H.R. 3391 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 50 to 0 on July 19, 2023. 

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of H.R. 6544, the Atomic Energy Advancement Act . The bipartisan legislation, led by Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO), will encourage and support advancements in nuclear energy by modernizing and improving the current processes at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.  “I urge support of the Atomic Energy Advancement Act.” “I rise in strong support of this legislation, H.R. 6544, the ‘Atomic Energy Advancement Act.’  “We have worked very hard, and most agree that a robust and growing nuclear industry is critical for reducing emissions, providing reliable, affordable, clean energy to Americans.  “Nuclear energy can help us build durable economic and strategic relationships around the world, especially as the influence of China and Russia in this industry grows.    “We know our allies are eager for American leadership and technology, and our nuclear industry is ready to lead.   “The Energy and Commerce Committee has a rich history of plowing the hard ground necessary to legislate and coming together on solutions that improve people’s lives and make our country stronger and prosperous.  “H.R. 6544 continues that leadership, and I’m grateful for the leadership of the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Jeff Duncan, as well as the Ranking Member, Diana DeGette, and the Ranking Member of the Full Committee, Frank Pallone, for working together so we can move this legislation forward and help maintain a robust and growing nuclear industry, which is vital to delivering reliable, affordable, and clean energy to all Americans.    “This much needed modernization of our regulatory framework will restore America’s nuclear dominance, encourage innovation, enable industry to deploy safe, reliable nuclear energy, and usher in a new era of U.S. energy leadership.