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Washington, D.C. —  Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing titled “ Looking Back Before Moving Forward: Assessing CDC's Failures in Fulfilling its Mission .” Excerpts and highlights below: HOLDING THE CDC ACCOUNTABLE “Today’s hearing will focus on understanding the scope of what is wrong at the CDC so that we can begin to fix it. “This is not about villainizing the CDC, it’s about accountability. “Accountability for children kept out of school, who are dealing with mental, social, and emotional health issues, small business owners who watched their life’s work dry up, for people who lost their jobs because of vaccine mandates. “The CDC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic created a crisis in confidence in the agency. “The pandemic made it overwhelmingly clear that the CDC has serious, foundational problems and the roots, in many cases, span multiple administrations.” RECKONING WITH THE SCOPE OF CDC’S COVID-19 FAILURES “From the start of the pandemic, it was clear how challenging the novel coronavirus would be to contain, which was made even more difficult because of how underprepared CDC was to respond to the emerging threat. “No doubt that a virus as transmissible as SARS-CoV-2 was always going to be difficult. But in the earliest days of the pandemic, the CDC’s faulty test kits set us back. “Without testing we could not effectively slow the spread of the virus when cases amounted to just a few embers. “People also counted on the CDC to provide timely and clear guidance based on the best available science to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. “Yet, time and again CDC’s guidance failed to meet this expectation and instead consistently issued guidance that lacked clarity and the best available science. “More consequentially, CDC’s guidance reflected the agency’s preferred policy outcomes or political considerations. “At its worst, CDC released guidance that was influenced by teachers’ unions and was a significant signal to states that they weren’t fully confident in schools’ ability to return to school safely, despite earlier versions of the guidance suggesting otherwise. “Our children are paying a terrible price academically, physically, and emotionally for the CDC’s shortcomings. “Bad science in CDC guidance, when used to justify mandates, destroyed lives. “CDC public communications on COVID-19 vaccines were just as bad. Simply put, CDC overpromised when it should have known better. “CDC leadership told the public that vaccines prevented transmission while the agency was receiving reports of breakthrough infections among the vaccinated. “CDC downplayed the existence of adverse events while it was receiving reports of post-vaccination myocarditis in young men. “The CDC’s decades of experience running mass vaccination programs should have prepared it to manage the administration of COVID-19 vaccines. “The CDC knows only 30 to 40% of people get an annual flu shot—that vaccine hesitancy did not just begin with the COVID-19 vaccine.” THE PATH FORWARD FOR THE CDC “It is going to be a long road to rebuild this trust—and the agency cannot go it alone. “Many of the CDC’s COVID-19 failures have their roots in longstanding problems at the agency. “The CDC needs to address its failures with openness and, frankly, humility. “I am deeply worried that CDC’s insular, academic culture will prevent it from learning the right lessons. “Outgoing Director Walensky launched a reorganization of the CDC. Whether it survives her departure is unclear. “Whether the reorganization would address CDC’s foundational problems is also unclear. “This committee intends on conducting oversight to ensure the agency gets back on track. “The CDC still hasn’t provided this Committee with the information needed to independently assess the reorganization. “As Chairman Griffith noted, a conclusory letter sent to us the night before a hearing isn’t sufficient, but I do look forward to obtaining more details from the agency about this restructuring plan in the coming weeks.” THE NEED TO AUTHORIZE THE CDC “I’ll close by noting that Congress is not without blame for the current state of the CDC. “The CDC has never been authorized, Congress has never—in a single voice—told the CDC what its mission is and is not. That must be fixed. “This Committee’s majority is committed to working on CDC reform. “Today’s hearing, Dr. Miller-Meeks’ RFI, and our ongoing oversight of CDC’s reorganization are the first steps towards getting the agency back on track. “In addition to this work, I look forward to our health legislative hearing next week to reauthorize immediate preparedness and response programs. “It is critical we come together to assure the American people the federal government is equipped for the immediate response for all types of public health hazards—such as a pandemic, or a chemical, nuclear, radiological, biological or cyber-attack.”

Washington, D.C. —  House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered opening remarks at today’s Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee hearing titled “ Building Blockchains: Exploring Web3 and Other Applications for Distributed Ledger Technologies .” Excerpts and highlights below: ADVANCING AMERICAN TECHNOLOGICAL LEADERSHIP “This committee plays a vital role in advancing American competitiveness and global technological leadership with our values as you stated, Mr. Chairman, freedom, human rights, and human dignity. “Blockchains, web3, and other applications of distributed ledger technologies represent a new technological shift comparable to the breakthrough of the internet. “We need to ensure that America—not China or Europe—is charting our path to lead in the deployment and standard setting of these technologies. “Our mission on Energy and Commerce is to help foster and promote innovation and American technological leadership. “We led on passing the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which was foundational to the evolution of the internet. “The innovation and entrepreneurship that followed represented some of the greatest accomplishments in American history, and the world. “We must ensure we can lead the next era of American innovation and entrepreneurship with a regulatory environment that keeps pace with the constantly evolving tech sector. “That’s especially true with blockchains.” E&C CONTINUES TO LEAD IN BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGIES “For this reason, in 2016, the Energy and Commerce Committee held one of the first Congressional hearings on blockchains. “In the years since, the technology has continued to advance as entrepreneurs have found new and exciting applications. “Additionally, at the end of 2020, my legislation, the American COMPETE Act, was signed into law which required the Department of Commerce to study ways the U.S. can advance several emerging technologies. “Part of the legislation in the package, led by Representatives Guthrie and Soto requires a study on blockchains and ways the Federal government could promote American leadership and adoption. “We continue to wait for this forthcoming report from the Biden administration to provide the Committee with pro-innovation recommendations. “Unfortunately, the report is now far beyond its statutory deadline, as well as the requested extension we allowed.” LOSING GROUND TO OUR ADVERSARIES “As with any new technology, we must move quickly. “While the U.S. led in the creation of the internet, we could easily fall behind with web3, the next generation of the internet. “According to public filing data, less than 40 percent of blockchain companies are headquartered in the U.S., and that number continues to decline. “As we saw with Huawei and 5G, when we don’t lead, our adversaries fill the void.” STRENGTHENING PRIVACY PROTECTIONS “It is critical that America leads, especially given the implications of these new technologies. “Big Tech has developed tools that interact to track Americans both online and offline. “Technologies like distributed ledgers can align with the goals of comprehensive data privacy legislation, by enabling people to reclaim control over their personal online data and limiting any one company’s ability to control and collect the information that we share online.” PROTECTING SMALL BUSINESSES “As these technologies are deployed, and the U.S. develops standards to regulate them, we also have a responsibility to ensure entrepreneurs and small businesses can continue to thrive. We’ve often celebrated they’re the engine of our economy. “While larger companies can navigate complicated regulations, like GDPR in Europe or a patchwork of state laws, smaller businesses cannot afford the high compliance costs. “Embracing innovation, entrepreneurship, and free markets is what’s made America a global technological leader, not overly prescriptive regulations. “While securities and commodities are just one of the many use cases of blockchain technologies, there is a reason the Gramm Leach Bliley Act doesn’t regulate, nor should it, the use of Americans’ personal information outside of the financial sector. “Congress needs to have a conversation about what blockchains are, and are not, to ensure the heavy hand of government regulation doesn’t force blockchain startups to re-evaluate if America is the best location to begin their business. “When this committee worked on the Telecom Act, we never could have predicted the power of the Internet. “Now, as then, we do not know how powerful blockchain technologies will be, but we do know America should lead the way. “I look forward to an informative discussion today.”

Washington, D.C. —  Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) delivered the following opening remarks during today’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing titled “ Looking Back Before Moving Forward: Assessing CDC's Failures in Fulfilling its Mission .” Excerpts and highlights below: THE CDC FAILED TO MEET ITS EXPECTATIONS “Welcome to today’s hearing to look back and take stock of the recent performance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the CDC. “I speak for many of my colleagues when I say that the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that we did not have the CDC we thought we had. “Before I continue my remarks, I want to be clear: the COVID-19 pandemic was an immense challenge for public health agencies, healthcare providers, every level of government, and the American People. “There were always going to be mistakes made and we need to avoid the distortions of hindsight. “I also believe that there are many hardworking, talented doctors and public health experts working at the CDC who want to do their part to keep Americans safe. “One of my biggest frustrations, however, with the CDC is that when you look at all of the talent, all of the scientific knowledge, technical resources, and immense funding we have put into the agency, the end product is somehow less than the sum of its parts. “It's reasonable for the American people to expect CDC to use the best available science when preparing guidance and recommendations.” THE CDC APPEARED TO WORK BACKWARDS “All too often during the pandemic, the CDC appeared to work backwards. “The agency seemed to first decide its preferred policy outcome, whether that was universal masking, vaccine mandates, shutting down businesses, or school closures. “Once the policy was decided, the agency sought out data supporting that policy. “Data that could undermine CDC’s preferred outcome was ignored or discounted, particularly if the data came from outside the CDC. “As we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC’s recommendations carry great weight. “There is perhaps no better example of this than the process creating CDC’s school reopening guidance. The damage wrought by school closures has been enormous and well documented. “I do not believe my kids' education has recovered yet from these closures, even as we speak. “The single biggest factor determining whether schools were in-person or remote was the political power of public-school teachers' unions. “At a time when parents and school systems were desperate for accurate public health guidance, the CDC allowed the group most opposed to reopening to directly edit its finalized guidance. “CDC Director Dr. Walensky was even forced to state on national television that her school reopening statements, many took as a CDC position, she made were given ‘in a personal capacity.’ “As best I can tell this was the only time she spoke ‘in a personal capacity’ on an issue related to CDC guidance while agency Director.” THE CDC IGNORED VACCINE EFFICACY EVIDENCE “In addition, when the Department of Labor issued its nationwide vaccine mandate for companies with 100 or more employees in November 2021, it cited CDC science and guidance more than 80 times to justify the mandate. “At the time the mandate was issued, there was a growing body of evidence, largely ignored by the CDC, indicating that the vaccines did not stop transmission. “Thankfully, the Supreme Court struck down this mandate after only two months, ruling it as unconstitutional. “The CMS vaccine mandate for healthcare providers, which only ended on May 1st of this year, also relied heavily on the CDC, citing to the agency over 50 times. “Thousands of healthcare workers, who were heralded as heroes during the early months of the pandemic, lost their jobs in part because of CDC’s reluctance to admit that the limitations of the COVID-19 vaccines and failure to acknowledge that natural immunity can confer adequate protection. “The problems at the CDC that led to the failures we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic are not new. The CDC made mistakes during its response to Ebola and Zika and other smaller, localized events. “What differentiates the mistakes made during COVID-19 was the scale of the emergency and the impact of those failures on the American people.” THE NEED FOR A REVIEW AND TRANSPARENCY “It is appropriate that the CDC’s failures during COVID-19 prompted the agency to conduct an internal review. “The first step is admitting you have a problem. This review has now led to a reorganization that appears, on its face, to be extensive. But there’s no way for us to tell without more information from CDC. “As part of the reorganization, CDC has asked Congress for extensive legal authorities that would require state and local governments, pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare providers to report to the CDC health-related information. “This also had huge implications for privacy and data security. “In May, this Committee wrote to Director Walensky, requesting information and documents related to the review and reorganization. “Congress needs this information to understand and independently assess CDC’s reorganization. “Congress is constitutionally entitled to this information. “We did, however, receive a four-page letter last night that mostly reflects what is already posted on their website. “I hope that CDC will provide the complete documentation requested in our letter that they did not provide last night. “In closing, until we get full cooperation, the CDC’s request for new legal authorities cannot move forward. “In today’s hearing, we will hear from witnesses who will help us explore what reforms are appropriate and necessary at the CDC.”

Washington, D.C. —  Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) delivered opening remarks at today’s Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee hearing titled “ Building Blockchains: Exploring Web3 and Other Applications for Distributed Ledger Technologies .” Excerpts and highlights below: THE IMPORTANCE OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGIES “Cryptocurrencies and certain financial aspects of blockchains have hijacked the public’s attention when it comes to this emerging technology. “Today’s hearing will highlight that blockchains are not just impacting Wall Street but are also changing Silicon Valley, and the internet as a whole. “It is essential that Congress accurately understand what it is regulating before it does so. “This is a complicated topic, which is why I’m looking forward to the superb panel of experts educating us here today. “The core issue is about how data is organized, preserved, and protected, which is the jurisdiction of this subcommittee. “As I understand it, a blockchain is a linked list, or ledger, of transactions stored on a network of computers. “Blockchains are composed of building blocks of data chained together cryptographically. “We will walk through these technical components today and discuss what it means for blockchains to be decentralized, immutable, and open. “But to step back from these terms, what we are really discussing here is a new, foundational technology that can provide individuals and businesses new ways to access, record, and validate digital activity online.” BLOCKCHAINS PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES “Web 1.0, the original World Wide Web, lasted from roughly 1993 to 2004, and was characterized by dial up and AOL. “It was replaced by Web 2, which is the current internet we know well, and has been characterized by smartphones and Big Tech platforms. “Web3, which encompasses nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and other use cases, is the emerging internet built on top of blockchains and is characterized by increased user control, decentralization, and transparency. “Using these technologies, developers are building new decentralized social media, new messaging apps, new ways to stream music, and new privacy enhancing technologies just to name a few. “Blockchains are not a crypto casino. In fact, according to one report, despite crypto prices falling roughly $2 trillion—a 70 percent decline—blockchain developers have only declined 10 percent. “There are respected developers who aren’t trying to make a fast buck, but rather they’re building a new evolution of the internet. “But this technology goes beyond just Silicon Valley. Blockchains, Web3, and other distributed ledger technologies are just tools. “Like the internet, blockchains will impact many areas of our jurisdiction and can help address challenges with our current internet ecosystem, bolster supply chains, verify information, and increase efficiency for businesses.” THE FTC SHOULD LEAD AGAINST BAD ACTORS “However, we shouldn’t treat this technology as a cure-all. “There are still technical challenges such as scaling, data availability, and cybersecurity. There are also human challenges such as fraudsters and compliance with law enforcement. “As with any new technology, scams do exist in the blockchain ecosystem. “As this committee knows well, the number one federal regulator of scams and fraud is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and that’s where we want its focus. “Instead of diverting resources to fight legal battles over possible competition theories, the FTC should focus on protecting Americans from fraudsters, as these bad actors migrate from older technologies to these new technologies. “Last Congress, my bill the RANSOMWARE Act was signed into law. This legislation requires the FTC to increase cooperation with foreign law enforcement and report on Ransomware and other cyber-security-related attacks. “When international hackers target Americans using blockchains, the FTC should take a lead role in ensuring they are made whole. “Blockchains present an incredible opportunity, but also come with unique challenges. “Regardless, the United States must lead on the international stage so our adversaries do not have an opportunity to set the rules of the road. “We must lead with our values for freedom, human rights, and human dignity. “I look forward to working with members on both sides of the aisle to ensure these technologies are anchored here in the U.S. and we are central to that discussion.”

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) today announced a subcommittee legislative hearing titled “Examining Proposals that Provide Access to Care for Patients and Support Research for Rare Diseases.”  "The committee is working to reauthorize key programs that provide access to care for mothers, children, cancer patients and first responders, as well as support research for rare diseases. This legislative hearing will give our members a chance to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs and discuss legislation to continue them,” said Chairs Rodgers and Guthrie.   The Chairs also added, “It is critical to protect young children from being subjected to experimental procedures that can cause irreversible damage, require medical care for life, and lead to permanent infertility. Funding for teaching programs at children’s hospitals should not go to institutions that conduct such procedures, which other countries are abandoning after reviewing the latest outcome data. We hope this Committee can come together and agree to stand up and protect the innocence of children.” Subcommittee on Health hearing titled “ Examining Proposals that Provide Access to Care for Patients and Support Research for Rare Diseases ”   WHAT: A subcommittee legislative hearing to discuss programs that provide access to care for mothers, children, cancer patients, and firefighters as well as research into rare diseases.  DATE : Wednesday, June 14, 2023   TIME : 10:30 AM EDT   LOCATION : 2322 Rayburn House Office Building   WITNESSES : Witnesses will be announced and are by invitation only.  LEGISLATION AND PROPOSALS UNDER CONSIDERATION:   H.R. 3226 , the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023 (Reps. Anna Eshoo, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Robin Kelly, Jen Kiggans, Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Michael Burgess)    H.R. 3838 , the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 (Reps. Michael Burgess, Diana DeGette, Buddy Carter, Robin Kelly, Kat Cammack, and Kathy Castor)   H.R. 3843 , the Action for Dental Health Act of 2023 (Reps. Robin Kelly and Mike Simpson)   H.R.__ , the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2023 (Reps. Michael Burgess, Danny Davis, and Buddy Carter)    H.R. 3821 , the Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act of 2023 (Reps. Bill Pascrell, Brian Fitzpatrick, Steny Hoyer, and Mike Bost)   H.R. 2365 , the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act (Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Paul Tonko)    H.R. 3391 , the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 (Reps. Jennifer Wexton, Tom Cole, Debbie Dingell, and Gus Bilirakis)    H.R. 3887 , the Children’s Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023  (Rep. Dan Crenshaw) H.R. 3836 , the Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act (Reps. Dan Crenshaw, Kim Schrier, Lloyd Smucker, and Earl Blumenauer)  This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/ . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Jolie Brochin with the Committee staff at Jolie.Brochin@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Christopher Krepich at Christopher.Krepich@mail.house.gov .  

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) today announced a subcommittee legislative hearing titled “Legislative Solutions to Bolster Preparedness and Response for All Hazards and Public Health Security Threats.” “As public health threats and hazards evolve, so must our efforts to prepare and respond—whether they be chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, a cyberattack, or another emerging infectious disease. We must take lessons learned from past experiences as well as advice from experts in emerging fields to secure the safety and wellbeing of the American people. We look forward to discussing solutions to prepare for the next generation of threats and hazards that we may face,” said Chairs Rodgers and Guthrie.   Subcommittee on Health hearing titled “Legislative Solutions to Bolster Preparedness and Response for All Hazards and Public Health Security Threats.”   WHAT: A subcommittee legislative hearing to discuss solutions for preparedness and response to public health security threats and hazards.  DATE : Tuesday, June 13, 2023   TIME : 10:30 AM EDT   LOCATION : 2322 Rayburn House Office Building   WITNESSES : Witnesses will be announced and are by invitation only.  LEGISLATION AND PROPOSALS UNDER CONSIDERATION :  H.R. __ , To reauthorize certain programs under the Public Health Service Act with respect to public health security and all-hazards preparedness and response, and for other purposes. (Rep. Richard Hudson)  H.R. __ , the Public Health Guidance Transparency and Accountability Act (Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers)  H.R. __ , the PHEMCE Advisory Committee Act (Rep. Richard Hudson)   H.R. __ , the PHE Congressional Review Act of 2023 (Reps. Greg Murphy and Brett Guthrie)  H.R. __ , the Improving Contract Transparency for the SNS Act (Rep. Morgan Griffith)   H.R. __ , the Improving Contract Transparency at BARDA Act (Rep. Morgan Griffith)   H.R. __ , the Biosecurity Infrastructure for Operational (BIO) Early Warning Act (Reps. Dan Crenshaw and Scott Peters)   H.R. 3813 , the CDC Leadership Accountability Act (Rep. Brett Guthrie)    H.R. 3631 , the State Strategic Stockpile Act of 2023 (Reps. Buddy Carter and Chrissy Houlahan)  H.R. 3577 , the Medical and Health Stockpile Accountability Act of 2023 (Reps. Richard Hudson and Josh Gottheimer)  H.R. 3837 , the Improving Public Health Preparedness Act (Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks)  H.R. 3832 , the Disease X Act of 2023 (Reps. Lori Trahan, Michael Burgess, Dan Crenshaw, and Susie Lee)  H.R. 3613 , the Doctors at the Ready Act (Reps. Kim Schrier and Bill Johnson)  H.R. 2416 , To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a military and civilian partnership for trauma readiness grant program. (Reps. Michael Burgess and Kathy Castor)  H.R. 3840 , the Ensuring Sufficient Supply of Testing Act (Reps. Neal Dunn and Debbie Dingell)  H.R. 3795 , To amend the Public Health Service Act to require the development of a diagnostic testing preparedness plan to be used during public health emergencies, and for other purposes. (Reps. Greg Pence, Kim Schrier, Larry Bucshon, and Andre Carson)  H.R. 3703 , the Helping Evaluate Appropriate Logistical Infrastructure for National Government (HEALING) Response Act of 2023 (Reps. Bob Latta and Robin Kelly)  H.R. 3742 , To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to evaluate the Federal Government’s collection and sharing of public health data to respond to public health emergencies. (Reps. Scott Peters and Brett Guthrie)   H.R. 3820 , To amend the Public Health Service Act to strike the requirement that the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention be appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate (Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.)  H.R. 3794 , the Fast-Track Logistics for Acquiring Supplies in a Hurry (FLASH) Act of 2023 (Rep. Robert Garcia)  H.R. 3791 , the Improving Data Accessibility Through Advancements (DATA) in Public Health Act (Reps. Lauren Underwood, Ami Bera, Kathy Castor, and Rosa DeLauro)  This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/ . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Jolie Brochin with the Committee staff at Jolie.Brochin@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Christopher Krepich at Christopher.Krepich@mail.house.gov .

Washington, D.C. —  House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered opening remarks at today’s Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Materials Subcommittee hearing titled “ Clean Power Plan 2.0: EPA’s Latest Attack on America’s Electric Reliability .” In addition, Energy and Commerce Republicans sent a letter today to EPA Administrator Regan demanding the agency extend its comment period for its strict, costly proposed greenhouse gas and power plant rules. Excerpts and highlights below from Chair Rodgers’ remarks: CELEBRATE AMERICAN ENERGY, DON’T SHUT IT DOWN “Energy is foundational to everything we do and America’s ability to harness it, through innovation and entrepreneurship, has completely transformed the human condition. “Energy powers our economy and it’s why America is leading in lifting people out of poverty and raising the standard of living. “We’ve achieved this while being a leader in emissions reductions and maintaining some of the highest environmental and labor standards in the world. “In order to build on this remarkable legacy, we must continue to innovate and take advantage of our abundant natural resources for a diverse energy mix. “Today, however, more and more people in America are being forced to face threats of blackouts and brownouts. “This is happening across the country. “In California, ‘rush-to-green' policies are driving out baseload and dispatchable generation in exchange for less reliable, weather dependent substitutes. “This crisis is playing out in Texas too, where overreliance on weather-dependent sources has limited its capacity to endure severe regional weather. “Last year, the North American Reliability Corporation—NERC—warned that more than half the nation was at an elevated risk of forced blackouts during the summer. “This year, NERC is projecting that number will be roughly two-thirds of the nation.” THE EPA’S ABUSE OF POWER “The reliability of our electric grid is essential to America’s health and safety. “Rushing to dismantle our nation’s electricity generation is not how we improve people’s lives and well-being. “Yet the EPA has sought to use the Clean Air Act to restructure the American power sector by shutting down coal-fired power plants and shifting electricity generation to weather-dependent sources. “These efforts to transform the nation’s electricity system would have damaging and lasting effects on reliability for Americans across the country and would go well beyond the EPA’s congressionally mandated authority. “The Supreme Court ruled just that, in West Virginia v. EPA, when it found that EPA’s efforts to circumvent Congress and restructure the U.S. power sector through the Clean Air Act were unconstitutional. “Given the Court’s ruling, the EPA must be completely transparent with the public about how its sweeping new rules could jeopardize the reliability of our electric grid and shut down our economy. “This morning, the Committee sent a letter to EPA Administrator Regan demanding the agency extend its comment period for the proposed greenhouse gas and power plant rules. “The EPA is seeking to set strict, costly, and untested standards on both new and existing natural gas generators and remaining coal generators and the Agency is doing it on extremely fast compliance timelines. “This is unacceptable.” THE EPA’S PLAN JEOPARDIZES ENERGY RELIABILITY & AFFORDABILITY “This complex proposal would affect the entire U.S. coal generating fleet, all future natural gas power plants, as well as existing plants producing more than 300 megawatts of power. “These changes will have a chilling effect on American natural gas, which is critical for generating electricity across the country. “It will make life more expensive across the board. “It is clear these profound changes sought by the EPA pose risks to the structure of our entire electric generation and energy mix. “The comment period on the proposal should be extended to enable stakeholders time to evaluate and respond fully. “In order to ensure the American people have access to affordable, reliable energy to keep them safe, fed, and warm, it’s vital that we, the Committee of jurisdiction, understand and take actions to address the EPA’s proposals and what they mean for the nation’s electricity systems as well as America’s energy leadership. “That is our goal today.”

Washington, D.C. —  Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) delivered opening remarks at today’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing titled “ Listen Here: Why Americans Value AM Radio .” Excerpts and highlights below: THE INTEGRAL ROLE OF AM RADIO “AM radio has been an integral part of our society for well over a century, connecting Americans to local news and serving as the backbone to our nation’s emergency communications infrastructure. “More than 45 million Americans tune into AM radio each month. They rely on it for local news, weather, sports, and emergency alerts. “Its unique frequency characteristics allow signals to travel far and wide, overcoming geographical barriers and reaching both urban and remote areas. “This makes AM radio an invaluable tool during times of crisis. “When hurricanes, tornadoes, or other natural disasters strike, AM radio remains steadfast, providing vital information to those in affected areas when other communication channels fail. “In fact, a few years ago, I was traveling through my district when it came on the radio that there was a tornado on the ground. “I switched to my local AM radio station playing in real time weather alerts that allowed me to know the exact path of the tornado. “With that information, I was able to safely drive home, avoiding the storms’ path. “In times of emergency, information is power, and AM radio remains a primary source for emergency reports.” AM RADIO IS KEY TO LOCAL NEWS AND THE COMMUNITY “Local broadcasters have long served as the trusted voice delivering real-time updates, weather alerts, evacuation instructions, and other critical information that can mean the difference between life and death. “Beyond emergency situations, AM radio plays a key role in local news and community engagement. “From news and cultural progams, to sports coverage and talk shows, AM radio keeps us connected to our community. These stations provide a platform for discussion, education, and entertainment. “Importantly, AM radio reaches a wide demographic, ranging from seniors to rural and underserved communities. “It serves as a source of information that is accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status or access to the Internet.” SOME AUTO MANUFACTURERS TAKING AWAY AM RADIO “Today’s hearing is a result of announcements by many car manufacturers that they intend to remove AM radio in certain vehicles due to the interference between the AM radio receivers and batteries in electric vehicles. “As some manufacturers shared in response to a letter I led last month with my colleague, the gentleman from Indiana’s sixth District, the electromagnetic waves emitted by an electric vehicle’s battery interfere with the incoming AM radio waves, causing the sound to buzz and fade. “To solve this interference, some auto manufacturers are installing shields and filters to protect the receiver against this interference. “In other cases, it appears that cars are equipping their new models with AM radio capability, but have it disabled. “However, some automakers are considering or are actively removing AM radio receivers from new vehicles altogether, regardless of engine type. “I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today about the public safety dangers of removing AM radio and possible solutions to combatting signal interference. “Removing AM radio receivers from vehicles means individuals may miss out on critical—life saving—updates. “We must ensure that no community is left behind, no voice is silenced, and no emergency response is compromised.”

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered opening remarks at today’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing titled “ Listen Here: Why Americans Value AM Radio .” Excerpts and highlights below: AM RADIO IS VITAL FOR RURAL AMERICANS “My constituents in Eastern Washington rely on AM radio. “It is how they hear the news in their communities, listen to sports, and receive information during emergencies. “In many parts of my district, FM radio is spotty and there is no access to broadband, so AM radio is the only option. “Which is why it’s concerning that some vehicle manufacturers have taken steps recently to remove AM radios from new car models. “This is in part a result of the Biden administration’s rush to green agenda as they push for electric vehicles, because electric vehicle batteries cause interference to AM frequencies, resulting in bad reception. “The decision to remove AM radio from cars would affect tens of millions of Americans—some estimates suggest that more than 45 million Americans tuned into AM radio each month. “While people in some parts of the country have been able to take advantage of alternative options in vehicles for accessing AM radio, like through a streaming service, many parts of the country still lack access to reliable broadband services, meaning this option would be unavailable. “That includes people in my community who are raising the alarm and sending the message that they like their AM Radio.” AM RADIO SAVES LIVES “They’re concerned that they could lose access to vital information services like the National Public Warning System. “Unlike its FM counterpart, AM radio signals travel long distances and pass through obstacles such as buildings, hills, and dense vegetation. “These characteristics ensure that potentially lifesaving information reaches a large audience, especially in rural areas with limited access to other forms of communication. “The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has also worked to reinforce AM Radio base stations to mitigate risks resulting from events like natural disasters.” KEEPING COMMUNITIES INFORMED & CONNECTED “And rural communities in particular rely on the services provided by AM radio, especially when they have only limited access to high-speed broadband and streamed services, or don’t have any access at all. “These services are important for farmers and ranchers, who use AM radio to receive information on the weather, crop reports, and other vital information for their livelihoods. “AM radio fosters a sense of local identity, connecting people through regional programming that reflects the unique perspectives and traditions of their communities. “Local media on AM radio is closer to the people, telling the stories and sharing the perspectives that the national news doesn’t cover and sometimes ignores, and it plays a crucial role in government accountability, acting as a watchdog for local school boards, county officials, regional courts, and other government bodies. “Further, AM radio continues to be a key outlet for talk radio shows to connect with audiences across the country. “Rush Limbaugh, for instance, had around 15 million listeners tuning in each week to his show, which was broadcast across 650 stations at its peak. “These are vital sources of information that keep people engaged and connected to their local community, region, and the voices and perspectives they value in their lives. “Whether they’re tuning in for local news, agricultural and weather reports, information during an emergency, or to listen to their favorite talk radio personality, AM radio continues to be a popular way for Americans to stay connected. “I look forward to our discussion, and I’m grateful for our experts today who share our goal to both celebrate American innovation, ensure people can use this critical communications tool, and the listen to AM Radio stations important to them.”