Welcome to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce

WASHINGTON, D.C . – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, delivered the following opening statement at today’s markup of two bills. Chairman Guthrie’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Thank you all for being here today as we prepare to consider two bills that would strengthen our ever-important public safety communications infrastructure. “Many of us have seen natural disasters up close and personal in our districts, and our constituents deserve the best version of the infrastructure and alert systems we are considering today. “In moments of crisis, every American must be able to trust that our networks are strong and reliable. FirstNet is a central part of that mission, and why I am looking forward to advancing the bipartisan First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act today. “That’s why it's so important that we remove the legislative ambiguity currently plaguing the program, while preserving the importance of the FirstNet Board and the voices of first responders. “Since our hearing and markup in the beginning of February, we have worked tirelessly with first responders and public safety officials to incorporate wide-ranging edits and technical assistance to make this bill as strong as possible. “We have run a very open process, and we truly appreciate their efforts to engage with us and find common ground wherever possible in this reauthorization. “I would also like to thank the sponsors of this bill, Representatives Dunn and McClellan, for their leadership and commitment to improving accountability, reliability, and transparency in the FirstNet program. “Our markup today also includes the Mystic Alert Act, led by Representative Pfluger, which will facilitate the use of satellite alerts to quickly convey information about potential threats in areas where traditional cell service may not be available. “We had multiple members of this Committee, including my friend from Texas Mr. Pfluger, who experienced first-hand the horrific events last summer. That’s why I’m glad we’ve been able to advance this bill today. “On so many issues, the Energy and Commerce Committee is the place where we are able to work in a bipartisan way and advance strong, commonsense legislation. So, I’ll close by thanking Ranking Member Pallone and his staff for working closely with us to advance these joint priorities.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, led by Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), reported two bills to the full House of Representatives. “Many of us have seen natural disasters up close and personal in our districts, and our constituents deserve the best version of the infrastructure and alert systems we are considering today,”   said Chairman Guthrie.  “On so many issues, the Energy and Commerce Committee is the place where we are able to work in a bipartisan way and advance strong, commonsense legislation.” Legislative Vote Summary: H.R. 7386 ,  The First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 51 yeas – 0 nays. H.R. 7022 ,  Mystic Alerts Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 52 yeas – 0 nays. Watch the full markup  here . Below are key excerpts from today’s markup: Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) on H.R. 7386, The First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act:  “We heard directly from NTIA's public testimony that they rely on the board to provide crucial expertise and direction on the needs of public safety. This legislation preserves that existing relationship and goes even further to strengthen public safety's voice by requiring two additional seats on the board to be dedicated to public safety. I firmly believe this legislation will pave the way for a stronger and more resilient First Responder Network Authority.” Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02) on H.R. 7386, The First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act: “ FirstNet is not just a network. It is the backbone of public safety communications in this country. When Congress first established the First Responder Network, the objective was clear – build a preemptive network for first responders that they could rely on. These brave men and women, the ones who step forward while others step back, who risk their lives to protect our communities, deserve nothing less than a resilient communication system.” Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) on H.R. 7022, Mystic Alerts Act:  “Many of you know this is a personal issue for me. After the July 4th flooding that swept through central Texas, including the all-girls Camp Mystic, where two of my daughters were attending, I knew that Congress had to act and had to act quickly to improve the redundancy and the reliability in the wireless emergency alert system, to ensure that alerts reach families and first responders even in the most challenging circumstances. H.R. 7022, the Mystic Alerts Act is the result of these efforts, and this legislation ensures that during natural disasters wireless emergency alerts can still be delivered via satellite.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – This week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is holding two Subcommittee Hearings and one Full Committee Markup. Read more below.  FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP: The Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a markup of two bills to reauthorize FirstNet and modernize the emergency alert system.  DATE:  Wednesday, March 25, 2026   TIME:  10:15 AM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING:  The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology is holding a hearing to review the 1996 Telecom Act.   DATE:  Thursday, March 26, 2026   TIME:  10:15 AM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING:  The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health is holding a hearing on how the Committee is cracking down on illicit drug threats in order to protect Americans families and keep communities safe.  DATE:  Thursday, March 26, 2026  TIME:  2:00 PM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging coordination across agencies to establish clear, unified positions for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27) in Shanghai, China. KEY EXCERPTS: “We appreciate that, despite the location and the inevitable challenges that come with it, your Administration recognizes that the United States should remain an active participant in this conference. Participants will make key decisions that will establish the spectrum bands and technical rules for next-generation communications technology, including 6G, for the satellite and commercial mobile radio industries.” […] “To ensure our best opportunity for success at WRC-27, it is essential that our nation coordinates across all federal agencies and with the private sector to establish clear, unified positions for WRC-27.” […] “Failing to establish clear national positions on these matters risks undercutting our own advocacy and giving the PRC the upper hand.” Background: Under CCP leadership, the PRC has made significant strides in their quest to overtake the United States as the world’s technology leader by subsidizing and stealing technology across a wide range of industries, including communications technologies, all of which puts Americans at risk. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)—who will host WRC-27—is responsible for international coordination of communications services, including global spectrum allocations and satellite orbits. The ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference takes place later this year and will oversee the election of multiple positions within the organization, including Secretary-General, the 48-seat Council that governs the ITU, and 12 Radio Regulations Board members. CLICK HERE   to read the full letter. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, are continuing their ongoing investigation into waste, fraud, and abuse within Medicaid programs by sending letters to ten additional states to request information and documents on the actions each state is taking to strengthen Medicaid program integrity. These requests come amidst reports and law enforcement actions that have demonstrated high levels of Medicaid fraud across numerous states. For example, in Massachusetts, a woman pleaded guilty to fraudulently billing MassHealth for $500,000 in Personal Care Attendant, home health, and adult foster care services after enrolling disabled, elderly, and homeless people in services without their knowledge or consent and billing Medicaid as their caretaker despite not providing these services. In Colorado, two individuals were charged in separate cases for defrauding Health First Colorado’s non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) program. The first defendant allegedly billed over $1 million in NEMT rides—$400,000 of which were billed for rides for herself and family members, and most of which were not associated with transportation to medical appointments. The second defendant billed Health First Colorado for $3.3 million in NEMT rides, including $283,000 for 64 rides for a single beneficiary, $165,000 of which occurred after the beneficiary had died. In Oregon, a woman was sentenced to federal prison for using stolen identities to submit fraudulent health care claims to Oregon’s Medicaid Program, totaling over $3 million and triggering $1.5 million in fraudulent Medicaid reimbursements. In New York, two individuals involved in a Brooklyn-based scheme involving adult day cares and home health  pleaded guilty   to $68 million in Medicaid fraud over a seven-year period. In addition, two men in Queens who owned adult daycare centers and a pharmacy  were recently charged  with $120 million in alleged Medicaid and Medicare fraud schemes. This included illegal kickbacks to Medicaid recipients to fill prescriptions at their pharmacies and enroll in their adult day care. It’s no secret that Medicaid fraud schemes have possibly cost the program billions of dollars annually across the country. These schemes contribute greatly to rising health care costs and strain our health care system, all at the expense of Medicaid beneficiaries and taxpayers. The Committee on Energy and Commerce is committed to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in our government health programs like Medicaid to ensure Americans who need them get the quality, affordable care they deserve. Chairmen Guthrie, Joyce, and Griffith issued the following statements regarding the ongoing investigation: “Fraud shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It's our most vulnerable Americans who are most at risk from fraudsters diverting precious resources intended for critical, needed care , ” said Chairman Guthrie. “ We owe it to our fellow Americans to preserve the Medicaid program for those that need it most, and states have an important role to play in ensuring that Medicaid programs operate with integrity. The Committee will continue to combat rampant waste, fraud, and abuse across the entire country.” "Medicaid was established to ensure the most vulnerable Americans are never left behind. That is why fraud and abuse within Medicaid will not be tolerated. Medicaid fraud robs both taxpayers and patients, and we will pursue it wherever it hides," said Rep. John Joyce, M.D. "Expanding this investigation is part of our responsibility in Congress to ensure that the government upholds the standards it was created to serve. Our Committee will work diligently to strengthen the integrity of the Medicaid system and to ensure that those who engage in fraudulent misuse or abuse are held fully accountable." “Americans support federal health care programs that serve American communities, not fraudsters! Led by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, this latest series of letters is the next step in our investigations to protect our social safety net programs and secure them for the most vulnerable Americans,” said Rep. Griffith. “Republicans in Congress will continue to do the necessary legwork to investigate allegations of waste, fraud and abuse within our Medicaid system.” BACKGROUND: In January, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, wrote to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and the Temporary Commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Human Services, Shireen Gandhi, requesting communications, documents, and information to better understand the ongoing Medicaid fraud occurring in the state of Minnesota and actions the state is taking to strengthen program integrity. On February 3, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing titled Common Schemes, Real Harm: Examining Fraud in Medicare and Medicaid . During this hearing, expert witnesses testified on common examples of Medicaid fraud schemes and the potential scale of fraud in Medicaid programs nationwide. Now, as part of the Committee’s ongoing efforts to address Medicaid fraud, the Committee sent letters to CA , CO , MA , ME , NE , NY , OR , PA , VT , and WA . Each of these states displayed concerning cases of Medicaid fraud over the last several years. The purpose of this investigation is to assess the extent of fraud in state Medicaid programs and understand what states are doing to address the issue and protect the integrity of Medicaid for Americans. Read More About this Ongoing Investigation: CLICK HERE to read the New York Post's exclusive coverage of the letter.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment sent a letter to David Gadis, the Chief Executive Officer of DC Water requesting information on the failures that led to the spill in the Potomac River and what steps are being taken to ensure it is contained. “The Committee has concerns about how this incident will impact public health, safe drinking water, the environment, interstate commerce, and tourism, all of which fall within the Committee’s jurisdiction,” said Chairmen Guthrie, Joyce, and Palmer. “DC Water is responsible for delivering drinking water and wastewater services to communities in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia (DC), as well as the federal government, including operation and maintenance of the 54-mile Potomac Interceptor line. The Committee is requesting documents and information from DC Water about what is already being referred to as ‘one of the largest sewage spills in U.S. history.’” Key excerpt from the letter: “Public health warnings have been given for people and pets to avoid contact with water from the Potomac River and to avoid fishing, rowing, and other activities in the area.The warnings to avoid the contaminated water come shortly before the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which is centered around the Tidal Basin along the Potomac River, and the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, both of which are expected to attract millions of visitors to the District of Columbia. “An incident of this size and scale presents a significant threat to the public health and welfare of the affected communities, and swift mitigation of these risks is critical. Understanding the nature of how this incident occurred and how future incidents of this scale may be prevented in the future is imperative.” CLICK HERE to read the full letter. BACKGROUND: The letter comes as Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland residents continue to deal with the fallout of the spill that occurred on January 19, 2026, and now has resulted in e. coli levels at the spill site measuring at hundreds of times above EPA safety thresholds. As part of its oversight authority, the Committee is requesting information on what DC Water knew about the risk of a potential spill prior to January, documents discussing why emergency contracting was warranted to repair the pipe, why any approved contracts were not implemented, as well as actions DC Water has taken to address the environmental impacts of the spill.