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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, led by Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), reported two pieces of legislation to the full House of Representatives. Chairman Guthrie issued the following statement after the conclusion of the markup.  “Today , the Committee voted in favor of both the SCORE Act and OMUFA reauthorization, reporting both favorably to the full House of Representatives,” said Chairman Guthrie. “These bills both have bipartisan support, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass them both through the full House, so we can protect college athletes and protect patients' access to safe over-the-counter drugs . ”  Legislative Vote Summary:   H.R. 4312 , Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 30 yeas – 23 nays. H.R. 4273 , Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 51 yeas – 0 nays. Watch the full markup here . Below are key excerpts from today’s markup: Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) on the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act: “So far this year, we’ve had two subcommittee hearings, convened multiple bipartisan roundtables, and received input from hundreds of voices across the college sports ecosystem. This has been a multi-year endeavor, which has culminated with this [bill]. This bill has a wide range of support from stakeholders across the landscape of college sports.” Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) on the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act: “The bill needs strong preemption, because a patchwork of state laws is unsustainable and leads to competitive disadvantages between schools. Without preemption, athletes in different schools will face unequal opportunities, confusing standards, and enforcement gaps, undermining both competition and athlete protections.” Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05) on the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments: “The Over-the-Counter (OTC) Monograph Drug User Fee Program (OMUFA) at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gives consumers access to manage their own care in a safe and affordable manner. The changes in this amendment help to facilitate wider and additional stakeholder engagement through the OMUFA process.”  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, led a hearing titled Strengthening American Energy: A Review of Pipeline Safety Policy. “Pipelines are not only vital for the safe transportation of the reliable energy that Americans rely upon, but they will continue to ensure our nation’s energy dominance,” said Chairman Latta . “ Today’s hearing offered the opportunity to address multiple issues including rule making for the PIPES Act, closing penalty loopholes for pipeline vandalism, and examining ways that certain technologies, like AI, can be used to increase efficiencies in the pipeline system." Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11): “Would you agree that if we’re going to meet the rising demand, while also keeping the lights on, that we need to get serious about modernizing and expanding our natural gas infrastructure?” Mr. Moriarty: “ Yes, I would agree with that. Natural gas pipelines are the safest way to move the energy that this nation needs. And there’s ever more demand for energy across our surface territories, which is the United States. And to meet those demands, we need to construct and safely operate pipelines as well as LNG storage facilities.” Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15): “Mr. Moriarty, you mentioned that one of the top risks you perceive for pipeline safety is in fact cybersecurity. Would you share with us a bit more about the cyber threat landscape you are seeing and how you’re partnering with federal agencies like the FBI and CISA to meet that threat?” Mr. Moriarty: “ Because of the cyber threat, we took our SCADA system, which is responsible for the safe operations of our systems, off our corporate system and we put it into what we call a DMZ zone, which means nobody can get access to it. So, even if there is a breach somewhere on our system, it won’t get into the pipeline safe operation. Every day, we have threats we have a scoreboard where we see threats coming in in real time. Because of the investments we have made, most of those are stopped before they become a real threat.” Congressman Rick Allen (GA-12): “Building up our pipeline capacity is critical to delivering affordable energy to our constituents across the country and our allies. We’ve heard from the witnesses that pipelines are the safest way to deliver energy. As we are working on modernizing the role of Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, it is critical we ensure it works to enhance our pipeline infrastructure.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, delivered the following opening statement at today’s Full Committee Markup. Chairman Guthrie’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Thank you all for being here today as we consider two important, bipartisan bills. First, we will continue our work to strengthen college athletics and the NIL environment for our student-athletes through the SCORE Act. I especially want to thank Chairman Bilirakis and Congressman Fry for their hard work getting us to this full committee markup today. I also want to thank Representatives Bynum and Figures for working across the aisle with us to improve this bill and find common ground. “Complex legal, operational, and policy questions have left student-athletes—and the universities they represent—on unstable ground, and student-athletes, programs, and conferences have all told us that a clear, national standard would strengthen this uniquely American institution. “Following the critical House settlement last month, it’s clear this is the moment to act and support the new era of college athletics. But our work at three House Committees, culminating in the SCORE Act, didn’t start last month. Since the beginning of this Congress, we have worked in a bipartisan way to develop a framework that codifies new NIL, health, and academic protections for players and provides stability for universities. “In March, we held both a bipartisan roundtable and a subcommittee hearing with witnesses representing players, coaches, and athletic directors. “Over a month and a half ago, we shared draft bill text with my friends across the aisle in search of common ground and compromise, and in June, we publicly released a discussion draft while continuing good faith negotiations. “Earlier this month, we negotiated a bipartisan deal and introduced the SCORE Act, and over the past week we have continued to work to find a compromise that would garner support from Democrat Members of this Committee. “In response to these conversations, we made edits to improve student-athlete representation in decision-making processes, narrowed preemption, clarified and narrowed the antitrust language, and added additional enforcement mechanisms. “This has been a long and open process, which we have approached with an open mind, and I remain hopeful that we will be able to continue growing this coalition and building more support for this commonsense bill, but we cannot delay. “Without this bill, student-athletes will be left to fend for themselves against bad actors, non-revenue generating sports could face devastating cuts, and legal uncertainty will continue to hang over college sports. “The SCORE Act delivers exactly what is needed: student-athlete benefits, stability, and transparency. “Today, we are also considering H.R. 4273, the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments, otherwise known as ‘OMUFA,’ led by Representatives Latta and DeGette. This is the first reauthorization of OMUFA, and I look forward to continuing our bipartisan work to get this bill across the finish line by the September 30th expiration.  “As our FDA witness stated last week, without a timely reauthorization, certain FDA actions could be delayed by a decade or longer. “I appreciate all the work that’s gone into this bill and will continue to engage with stakeholders and our Senate colleagues to work towards commonsense solutions that support innovation and ensure patients have access to safe and effective products.”  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, led a hearing titled Ensuring Patient Safety: Oversight of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant System. “What happened in these cases cannot go without discussion and oversight. Transparency is key to improving the system and maintaining public trust,” said Chairman Joyce . “The federal government plays a critical role in ensuring the organizations tasked with administering and overseeing our nation’s organ procurement and transplant system operate safely, effectively, and in accordance with the law. This Committee has, and will continue, to follow the facts so that we can restore trust and accountability within the system.”   Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02): “We just need everybody here today—and both panels—to admit that we have issues we have to fix and not just point fingers. I think that's been a concern by some of us on our side of the dais, and I think both sides of the aisle. As you saw, the HRSA report that the OPO on the index case essentially said everything is working, and we know everything's not working—but we need everything to work—and it starts by acknowledging that we have a role in the process of fixing this. We need to admit we have issues. We need to admit there are issues that need to be fixed, and we need to come together and be constructive because I can tell you, as a son of someone that we were praying was going to have an opportunity to have an extended life, I've seen it. And there are families out there today in the same situation we were in.” Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06): “The Association of Organ Procurement Organizations publicized an open letter characterizing the ongoing effort to improve patient safety through enhanced oversight as a ‘misinformation conspiracy campaign’ and concluded it is time to stop. Among the signatories to this letter were more than 20 UNOS staff signing with their corporate affiliation. Dr. McBride, did you sign that letter? ” Dr. Maureen McBride: “Yes, I did.” Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06): “Why?” Dr. Maureen McBride: “Congressman, let me start off by saying that I disagree with the way that letter has been characterized.”   Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03): “As everyone knows, this committee has been investigating corruption from organ contractors for more than a year. In fact, I was in the last hearing that we had on this, and it was quite a contentious hearing. One issue that's pretty close to my heart is ensuring equal access for life saving transplants for patients with disabilities. Just last month, the House passed a bipartisan bill that I was proud to lead alongside my friend and colleague, Debbie Dingell, to end organ transplant discrimination against individuals with disabilities. It is with total horror that I read a recent investigative report highlighting one of the most horrific cases of patient abuses. ” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman John Joyce (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled Ensuring Patient Safety: Oversight of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant System . Subcommittee Chairman Joyce's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning, and welcome to today’s hearing entitled Ensuring Patient Safety: Oversight of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant System. I want to begin this hearing by saying that it is an honor to serve as Chairman of this Subcommittee and I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis to shed light on many areas in need of oversight and reform. “Just last year, more than 48,000 organ transplants were performed in the United States. Many of us know someone who is an organ donor or organ recipient. They might be relatives. neighbors, friends, or coworkers. These procedures are often lifesaving and can extend an individual's life by years, if not decades. While organ transplants are a relief to so many families, there is another side of the story that is equally as important, that of the donors and their loved ones. “In September of last year, this Subcommittee held a hearing to conduct oversight of the organ transplant and procurement system, as well as implementation of the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act, which was signed into law in September 2023. “During that hearing, certain allegations came to light, raising concerns whether practices and procedures were putting patient safety at risk. Following this hearing, the Health Resources and Services Administration, or HRSA, directed the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, or investigate this issue to better understand what transpired in one of these alleged incidents. “HRSA also conducted its own investigation. The agency compiled a report that describes practices at the organ procurement organization (OPO)—formerly known as the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA)—but is now known as Network for Hope. The report also details the failures by the OPO and the OPTN to adequately recognize and respond to poor patient care and quality practices. HRSA then issued a corrective action plan to the OPTN, directing them to take specific actions to address the concerns identified in the reviews. “I ask unanimous consent to enter HRSA's report, dated March 25, 2025, and HRSA's corrective action plan dated May 28, 2025, into the hearing record. Without objection so ordered. “The report provides a detailed overview of HRSA's investigation, including about what is referred to as the index case; additional cases that HRSA reviewed; actions taken by the OPTN, the OPTN contractor (UNOS), and KODA; and, finally, KODA's organ procurement in recent years. “As part of its review of the cases beyond the index case, HRSA focused on the overall medical presentation and initial and subsequent neurologic status of patients, staff interactions with patient families and primary medical teams, and evidence of robust documentation and quality assurance procedures. Lastly, the report includes an appendix consisting of OPTN's findings following the HRSA-directed review. “For every doctor, the most important tenet in the patient-physician relationship is above all, do no harm, but what happened in these cases fractured the physician-patient relationship and saw patients subjected to pain and suffering that never should have occurred. As Members of Congress, we all swore an oath to protect the Constitutional right to life afforded to all Americans. These incidents cannot be allowed to stand without strict investigation and oversight in the spirit of this Constitutional oath.   “The federal government plays a critical role in ensuring the organizations tasked with administering and overseeing our nation’s organ procurement and transplant system operate safely, effectively, and in accordance with the law. Transparency is key to improving the system and repairing public trust. This Committee has, and will continue, to follow the facts so that we can restore trust and accountability within the system.  “I want to thank the witnesses from both panels for joining us today. I look forward to hearing from each of you about the challenges facing the organ procurement and transplant system, the ways that the system can be improved, and how we can ensure the safety of all patients who elect to be organ donors.”  ###

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.  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is holding a hearing on ensuring the nation’s organ procurement and transplant system prioritizes patient safety.  DATE: Tuesday, July 22, 2025  TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy is holding a hearing on pipeline safety policy and will examine the reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) pipeline safety program.   DATE: Tuesday, July 22, 2025  TIME: 10:30 AM ET  LOCATION: 2322 Rayburn House Office Building  FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a markup of two bills.   DATE: Wednesday, July 23, 2025  TIME: 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  Strengthening American Energy: A Review of Pipeline Safety Policy. Subcommittee Chairman Latta's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Welcome to today’s hearing, “Strengthening American Energy: A Review of Pipeline Safety Policy.” And thank you to our witnesses for your participation. “Today, we will examine the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) pipeline safety program. “PHMSA is a Department of Transportation agency tasked with developing and enforcing federal safety regulations for the nation’s onshore pipeline infrastructure and the transportation of hazardous materials. “The witnesses before us represent different segments of PHMSA’s regulated community and can provide important perspectives on the reauthorization of PHMSA. “Pipelines are the safest and most efficient mode of transportation for oil, natural gas, liquid energy products, and hazardous materials, and they play an instrumental role in delivering the products that drive our nation’s economy forward. “The agency has about 3.3 million miles of pipelines under its purview. In order to ensure these pipelines are operated in a safe and reliable manner, PHMSA partners and coordinates with States to administer pipeline safety programs and inspect infrastructure within a state's boundaries. “PHMSA was last authorized in the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act (PIPES) of 2020, through Fiscal Year 2023. “I hope we can work in a bipartisan fashion this Congress with our House and Senate colleagues to reauthorize PHMSA to continue carrying out its mission and associated duties. This subcommittee has a responsibility to ensure PHMSA maintains a strong focus on safety and operates within its statutory authorities. “The PIPES Act of 2020 included several statutorily mandated rulemakings that never fully got out the door under the previous administration. Today, the subcommittee will examine implementation of the PIPES Act to ensure PHMSA is on track to carry out Congressional intent in a cost-effective and workable manner. “Additionally, the subcommittee will examine new challenges and opportunities for pipeline safety. “For example, the replacement of aging infrastructure must be a top priority for PHMSA, States, and pipeline operators, but it presents cost and operational challenges. “Especially as energy demand is projected to increase significantly in the immediate future, the upgrading of our natural gas network must be prioritized to ensure the safe transportation of natural gas and other important energy sources and products. “While substantial progress has been made in replacing aging pipes, there is still work to be done. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses on how PHMSA can best address the remaining 1 percent of iron distribution pipes. “American innovations and new technologies, like artificial intelligence technology, also present opportunities to bolster the quality of risk assessments and advance safety towards our collective goal of zero incidents. However, these technologies will also pose challenges to information and operational security. It is important that a PHMSA reauthorization gives the agency the tools needed to have an effective approach for the opportunities and challenges ahead.  “In his confirmation hearing last week, Paul Roberti, President Trump’s nominee for PHMSA administrator, committed to pursuing opportunities to utilize new, cost-effective technologies to enhance safety. The subcommittee hopes to collaborate with PHMSA and pipeline operators in this endeavor. “A PHMSA reauthorization must prioritize the improvement of the agency’s core responsibility: safety. I am concerned that the previous administration advanced extraneous priorities and set safety to the side. However, President Trump’s administration has recommitted to this critical mission, and I hope this Committee can produce a reauthorization that maintains safety as the cornerstone of PHMSA’s pipeline safety program. “Pipelines are imperative to public safety and the energy security of our nation. I look forward to hearing from pipeline operators today as we build on American energy leadership.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman John Joyce (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, issued the following statement regarding findings from a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) report outlining concerning patterns in our nation’s organ procurement and transplant system.  “ HRSA’s report contains shocking new information about practices and procedures that may put patients at risk of preventable harm in the organ procurement and transplant system,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Joyce. “The ‘index case,’ and others examined by HRSA in the report, are troubling example of threats to patient safety, and what has transpired within these cases cannot go without further analysis and investigation. Oversight and transparency are critical to both improving the system and maintaining public trust. This Committee will continue to engage in open discussions surrounding these systemic issues to protect patients and their families and restore faith in our nation’s organ procurement and transplant system.”   Click HERE to read the full agency report.   Click HERE to read the full corrective action plan.   Background:   The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, led by Chairman John Joyce (PA-13), is holding a hearing titled Ensuring Patient Safety: Oversight of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant System .   WHAT: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing on ensuring the nation’s organ procurement and transplant system prioritizes patient safety.  DATE: Tuesday, July 22, 2025  TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board wrote the following op-ed this week highlighting the need unleash reliable American energy including natural gas, oil, coal, hydropower, and nuclear, and discussing why subsidies for unreliable energy sources fail to meet the needs of American communities. Key Takeaways: Americans need reliable baseload power, not subsidized renewables that will fail to meet our energy needs. As energy demand increases, proven sources like natural gas, oil, coal, hydropower, and nuclear are the only way to ensure a reliable and stable energy grid. The Inflation Reduction Act increased subsidies for wind and solar in ways that have distorted energy investments. Because the subsidies can offset more than 50% of a project’s cost, solar and wind became more profitable to build than new baseload gas plants, which jeopardizes our grid. Power shortfalls are projected for 2030, with 104 gigawatts of baseload power being retired in the next five years. Even if that production is replaced, as planned, with solar and wind, shortfalls will still exist. Coal, nuclear and gas plants are still needed to back up solar and wind, but they cannot remain profitable if they are only operating part-time. As a result, many plants have been forced to close. In Case You Missed It… “Democrats are attacking the GOP’s budget bill for phasing out subsidies for wind and solar power, claiming this will cause power shortages and higher electric rates. The evidence suggests the opposite, as a new Energy Department study illustrates. “As we’ve been writing for years, the reliability of the U.S. electrical grid is in trouble. The Energy report projects potential power shortfalls in 2030, as 104 gigawatts of baseload power retire in the next five years. But here’s the really bad news: That shortfalls will exist even if that production is replaced, as expected, with 209 gigawatts of the mostly solar and wind generation under development. “Americans would lose power in 2030 for an average of 817.7 hours (34 days), assuming typical weather conditions. If heat waves or storms stress the grid, outages could reach 55 days. Even without plant shutdowns, Americans would lose power for 269.9 hours (11 days) amid demand growth. The power shortages would be worse in middle America, where demand is growing fastest owing to AI data centers and renewables are displacing coal and gas. “How can this be? The answer is that the Inflation Reduction Act turbo-charged subsidies for wind and solar in ways that are distorting energy investment. Because the subsidies can offset more than 50% of a project’s cost, solar and wind became more profitable to build than new baseload gas plants. The credits enable wind and solar to under-price coal and gas plants in competitive power markets. “Any wonder that solar, wind and batteries (which also qualify for IRA subsidies) are projected to make up 93% of new utility-scale electricity capacity this year? Coal, nuclear and gas plants are still needed to back up solar and wind, but they can’t make a profit running only some of the time. Thus many have been closing, jeopardizing grid reliability. “The renewable lobby claims that new gas plants can’t be built in time to meet rising power demand. Ergo, the argument goes, taxpayers must subsidize wind and solar to meet electric demand. But if what they say is true, why do wind and solar need subsidies? There will be a market incentive to build wind and solar anyway. “It’s true there’s a shortage of new gas turbines owing to surging global demand. But turbine manufacturers are expanding production, and the phaseout of the IRA tax credits will provide them with more certainty to make investments in new capacity. “Turbine makers expanded production in the early 2000s as demand for new gas plants rose, but they were left with excess capacity when demand weakened last decade. That was in part because federal subsidies and state renewable mandates encouraged utilities to procure power from solar and wind in lieu of gas. “Wind and solar projects also face long wait-times to connect to the grid—from four to nine years according to a recent study. The IRA increased delays by increasing the projects in the pipeline. So the phaseout of the tax credits could benefit renewable projects that don’t need subsidies to be economic. “ The claim that tax credits reduce electric rates is contradicted by experience. Wind and solar must be backed by peaker gas plants or batteries, which both cost more than three times as much as baseload power. Renewables also cause price spikes when there are power shortages, and they require more transmission investments to balance fluctuations in loads and frequencies. “All of this is why Texas’s residential power prices have risen some 40% over the last seven years. The renewable lobby says the financial benefits of the tax credits are passed onto electric customers, which may be true when state-regulated utilities build projects. But the credits usually pad the profits of independent generators. “The best way to make the grid reliable again is to let supply and demand work in energy markets without the distortions of mandates and subsidies. The GOP budget bill takes a step in that direction that should be welcomed.” ###