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Washington, D.C. — In a new letter, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-TX), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-ID), and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) are pressing Secretary of State Antony Blinken to clarify the leadership structure of the Biden administration as it sets climate policy on the international stage.  BACKGROUND :  In January 2024, the White House announced that Secretary John Kerry would be leaving the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC) role and that John Podesta would “continue to lead […] global climate efforts” by assuming the role of Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy  Rather than nominate Mr. Podesta to the SPEC role, which would require confirmation with the advice and consent of the Senate under legislation signed into law in 2021, President Biden appointed Mr. Podesta to a new position based in the White House that appears to have striking similarities to the SPEC role previously held by Secretary Kerry.  As the Republican leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee described in a March 5, 2024, letter to President Biden, the administration appears to be deliberately evading congressional oversight of its international climate policy by appointing Mr. Podesta to an advisory position in the White House.  The response from the White House Counsel’s office to the Committees stated, “On January 31, 2024, the White House announced President Biden’s appointment of Mr. Podesta to serve as Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. Mr. Podesta now leads interagency coordination of the Administration’s international climate policy agenda.”  It also stated, “Mr. Podesta’s role is not a replacement for SPEC, and the State Department will continue to lead international climate diplomacy, including negotiations, for the United States.”  Despite the White House’s assertion that Mr. Podesta would coordinate “interagency” efforts, he has met with foreign leaders on at least two occasions since assuming his new position.  KEY EXCERPT :  “Mr. Podesta’s coordination with the SPEC office and international representation of the United States in meetings with foreign leaders to discuss international climate policy appear to far exceed the characterization of Mr. Podesta’s role in the initial response to the Committees as merely leading ‘interagency coordination’ for the administration’s international climate policy.  “In light of this apparent overlap of duties between what Secretary Kerry undertook as the SPEC and what Mr. Podesta is now undertaking as a ‘Senior Advisor,’ we request information on the roles and responsibilities of the SPEC and the Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, as well as information on ongoing or planned coordination between these two entities.”  CLICK HERE to read the full letter. 

Washington D.C. — The Energy and Co mmerce Committee advanced proposals today that will extend Americans’ access to telehealth services, strengthen and preserve Medicaid, and encourage innovation to help children with rare diseases. In a Subcommittee markup, the Health Subcommittee forwarded 21 pieces of legislation to the Full Co mmittee for consideration.  As Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) said , “Telehealth has proven to be vital for patients across the country—especially in rural areas, like my district in Eastern Washington. “I look forward to advancing this legislation today and am committed to continue working to address any outstanding concerns and to ensuring the legislation is fully paid for before we consider them at the Full Committee. “I am also pleased we are considering several bipartisan bills to support and build upon efforts to increase access to care, raise awareness, and improve coordination across our federal government for programs related to autism and lung cancer.”  Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) added , “We will be considering legislation to support our workforce and improve access to care for Americans across the country. “This includes the Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act , which will cut red tape for pediatricians, and my bill, H.R. 468, the Building America’s Healthcare Workforce Act , which will help build a more robust workforce pipeline for our nation’s nursing homes. “Both bills come at a critical moment for our country.” Legislative Vote Summary: H.R. 3227 ,  the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 13 Yeas to 12 Nays. H.R. 468 ,  the Building America’s Health Care Workforce Act , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 14 Yeas to 8 Nays. H.R. 3433 ,  the Give Kids a Chance Act , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 16 Yeas to 11 Nays. H.R. 7188 ,   the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 27 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 6020 ,  the Honor Our Living Donors Act , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 24 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 455 ,  to amend the Controlled Substances Act to fix a technical error in the definitions , was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 24 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 7213 ,  the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024 , was forwarded, as amended, by a roll call vote of 22 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 4534 ,  the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2023 , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 21 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 670 ,  the Think Differently Database Act , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 20 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 8084 ,  the LIVE Beneficiaries Act , was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 18 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 7858 ,  the Telehealth Enhancement for Mental Health Act of 2024 , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 22 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 8111 ,   the To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure the reliability of address information provided under the Medicaid program , was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 22 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 8089 ,   the Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act of 2024 , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 22 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 8112 ,  To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to further require certain additional provider screening under the Medicaid program , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 23 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 6033 ,  the Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge (SPEAK) Act of 2023 , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 23 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 7623 ,  the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 21 Yeas to 0 Nays. H.R. 1406 ,  the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a voice vote. H.R. 7856 ,  the PREVENT DIABETES Act , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a voice vote. H.R. 5394 ,  the Expanding Remote Monitoring Access Act , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a voice vote. H.R. 1199 ,   the Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023 , was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a voice vote.  H.R. 4758 ,  the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act , was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a voice vote. 

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s markup of 23 legislative proposals to extend Americans’ access to telehealth services, strengthen and preserve Medicaid, and encourage innovation to help children with rare diseases.  “Over the past several weeks, the Health Subcommittee has led the way bringing forward solutions to address some of the biggest challenges facing patients and our health care system. “Today we’re continuing that effort by advancing critical legislation that will help patients access life-saving cures, enable seniors to continue receiving care from the comfort of their homes, strengthen the Medicaid program for vulnerable patients, and support our workforce so that every American can get the care that they need. “We now have FDA approved therapies that in many instances are the only treatments available for rare disease patients and their families. “Part of the reason for the rapid development of these therapies is because of the congressionally established Pediatric Rare Disease Priority Review Voucher program in 2012. “Over 50 vouchers have been awarded as a result of this program, 39 for pediatric rare diseases and over half of which have been awarded over the past five years. “That’s why I am glad we’re considering legislation which would continue life-saving access to therapies for kids living with rare diseases who currently lack access to any treatments. “I would like to thank Representative Bilirakis for his leadership on this legislation and encourage my colleagues to support advancing the bill to the full committee today.” CONTINUING TELEHEALTH SERVICES FOR MEDICAID RECIPIENTS “The acceleration of telehealth has also transformed our health care system, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. “Over 30 million seniors on Medicare utilized telehealth services throughout the first few months of the pandemic, giving beneficiaries the chance to have routine health care visits from the comfort of their homes. “Congress extended these flexibilities beyond the Public Health Emergency, but they are set to expire at the end of this year. “I would like to thank Representative Carter for his steadfast leadership on H.R. 7623, The Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024. “This legislation serves as an important guidepost to the work we’re doing today. “This policy extends the current telehealth flexibilities in our committee’s jurisdiction for an additional two years and includes other reforms. “While we have seen a number of positive developments in health over the past decade, not everything has been positive. “We have seen an explosion in the rate of improper payments in the Medicaid program, reaching $50 billion in improper payments in 2022 alone.” STEPS TO ADDRESS STATE MEDICAID PROGRAM INTEGRITY “The Energy and Commerce Committee has done extensive work over the past several years to address these challenges, most recently considering a number of legislative solutions to stabilize the program. “Among these ideas, we will be considering four bills that take steps to addressing key program integrity issues facing the Medicaid programs, such as increasing the frequency that State Medicaid programs check to make sure that they are not paying for deceased beneficiaries and requiring regular updates of address information for beneficiaries so that we don’t pay for care for people who live out of state. “I would like to thank Representatives Bilirakis, D’Esposito, Garcia, and Miller-Meeks for leading these bills and encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.” IMPROVING CARE FOR OUR SENIORS AND PATIENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY “Last, but certainly not least, we will be considering legislation to support our workforce and improve access to care for Americans across the country. “This includes the Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act, which will cut red tape for pediatricians, and my bill, H.R. 468, the Building America’s Healthcare Workforce Act, which will help build a more robust workforce pipeline for our nation’s nursing homes. “Both bills come at a critical moment for our country. “Our health care system is facing stark workforce shortages that existed before the pandemic but have only grown more severe in recent years. “Since 2020, over 500 nursing homes have closed across the United States and another 150,000 nurses are needed to reach pre-pandemic staffing levels. “In closing, I would like to thank my colleagues for bringing forth the solutions we’re advancing today. “Patients, providers, and taxpayers will all greatly benefit from the important bipartisan work we are doing today.” 

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening re marks at today’s Health Subcommittee markup of 23 legislative proposals to extend Americans’ access to telehealth services, strengthen and preserve Medicaid, and encourage innovation to help children with rare diseases.  “Today we will consider bipartisan legislation to extend telehealth flexibilities that are set to expire at the end of this year.    “While continuing these flexibilities for seniors will require an investment by Congress, it is crucial that we continue to allow seniors to access health care via telehealth if they choose.” EXTENDING ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH “The bills we are considering today will protect seniors access to telehealth for an additional two years. “They improve upon the bipartisan work of past Congresses by adding new program integrity safe-guards, and some of the bills will also expand how seniors can benefit from telehealth. “I commend Representatives Carter, Joyce, Balderson, James, Bilirakis, and the many other members on both sides of the aisle for their continued hard work on advancing these policies. “Telehealth has proven to be vital for patients across the country—especially in rural areas, like my district in Eastern Washington. “I look forward to advancing this legislation today and am committed to continue working to address any outstanding concerns, and to ensuring the legislation is fully paid for, before we consider them at the full committee. “I am also pleased we are considering several bipartisan bills to support and build upon efforts to increase access to care, raise awareness, and improve coordination across our federal government for programs related to autism and lung cancer.” ENCOURAGING INNOVATION THROUGH THE FDA “Lastly, the committee is working on a six-year reauthorization of the rare pediatric disease priority review voucher program ahead of its Sept. 30 expiration. “We've heard testimony on the importance of this program, and this week the Dion family has been meeting with offices to share their story. “When Peter and Maggie Dion were born, they were each discharged from the hospital with a clean bill of health and initially seemed to hit their developmental milestones. “Peter loved to fish for tuna with his dad. Maggie enjoyed dance and running with her mom. “Everything changed when Peter was almost 10 and was struggling to climb up a set of stairs. “Peter was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy, limb-girdle type 2C. “Later that year, his then six-year-old sister Maggie was also diagnosed with the same disease. “This type of muscular dystrophy is a rapidly progressive muscle wasting disease, and there is currently no cure. “As their father put it, there are so many genetic variations, doctors ran out of letters in the alphabet to identify the condition. “The prevalence of the disease is low as is. “And with over 30 subtypes of the disease, each requiring a different gene replacement therapy, spurring the much-needed research and development proves challenging without additional incentives. “Without the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program, Maggie and Peter’s parents say their chances of getting treatments for their kids becomes almost impossible. “For anyone who doubts why this program is needed, I urge you to consider the Dion family and their story. “And, sadly, it is a story known to many families.” RARE DISEASE RESEARCH “Just this week, the National Organization of Rare Diseases, which represents patients with rare diseases and their families, released analysis of the importance of the PRV program. “It is clear from their analysis that the program is successful, but the report also provides important insights on how long it can take to see that success. “Drugs take years—and hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars—to develop. “While the rare pediatric PRV program was started in 2012, more than half of the designations, awards, and voucher redemptions came in the last four years. “I want to thank Mr. Bilirakis, Ms. Eshoo, and many others for all their work on the rare disease legislation being considered today. “These bills will strengthen the orphan drug pathway, make sure drugs are studied for children battling cancer, and continue the important PRV program. “I am proud of all the work and patient voices reflected in the legislation before us today. “I also know that more can and should be done. “This subcommittee has heard testimony on many other proposals, such as my legislation to improve access to home and community-based services in Medicaid. “I look forward to continuing to work with members to move those forward in the future.” 

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s subcommittee hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 National Telecommunications and Information Administration Budget.”  NTIA MUST RESPONSIBLY MANAGE THE BEAD PROGRAM   “Today, members of this committee expect an update on America’s largest investment to bridge the digital divide: the BEAD program.  “This $42.45 billion dollar fund is statutorily obligated to connect unserved and underserved Americans to reliable broadband Internet so that they are able to reap the benefits that come with connectivity.  “Since we last spoke, states submitted their initial proposals for this funding.  “Louisiana, the first state to submit their Volume II application, celebrated the approval of their initial proposal on December 15, 2023.  “Now, over four months later, NTIA has only approved the Volume II applications for three additional states: Kansas, Nevada, and West Virginia.  “I hope NTIA will not miss the statutory timeline for this program. It is essential for you to work diligently to keep this program on track to close the digital divide.  “While it is important to have reasonable processing timelines for this program, ensuring that BEAD is a program that broadband providers will be willing to participate in is also essential.  “In February, the Department of Commerce Office of the Inspector General echoed the sentiment that Republicans have stated since the passage of the infrastructure law: the BEAD program must be technology neutral to fit the broadband needs of the different states and territories.  “The OIG warned that NTIA must relax the fiber preference and Extremely High-Cost threshold to take into consideration the limited availability of resources to support a fiber preference.  “Ignoring innovations in unlicensed fixed wireless and satellite technologies will make the BEAD program a 'deploy as much fiber as possible' program instead of the 'connect every American' program that Congress directed.” WORKING WITH STATE REGULATORS “In addition, members of this committee have expressed concern about NTIA forcing states to regulate broadband rates, imposing burdensome labor requirements, and ignoring other congressional directives. “Now that OIG has confirmed our earlier fears, we hope you will finally listen to the other concerns we have raised. “I expect that we will hear today from the Assistant Secretary and my Democrat colleagues about the need to provide funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program. “I will just note that the Senate is controlled by your party and has yet to send a solution to the House. “We have also not been asked to work on reforms to the program that would earn our support to fund. “However, I am actively participating in the bipartisan, bicameral USF Working Group, which is working on a long term, sustainable solution to ensuring that the Affordable Connectivity Program is sustainable long term, and I would encourage all of my colleagues to support that effort. “Broadband is only one facet of our conversation today. “NTIA’s work spans from leading the executive branch in studies on federal spectrum use, reports on artificial intelligence and quantum computing, to spurring innovation in public safety and open radio access networks.” NTIA REAUTHORIZATION “As NTIA’s mission continues to expand, it is important Congress’ intent for the agency remains clear. Reauthorizing the NTIA is still a top priority for this committee, and I look forward to my bill with the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee being considered by the full House this week that will do just that. It has now been over 30 years since NTIA was last authorized.  “It is our duty to provide direction to the executive branch agencies within our jurisdiction and this committee takes that role seriously.  “We must move H.R. 4510, the NTIA Reauthorization Act through the Senate and to the Presidents desk.  “I must note I was disappointed, following our December oversight hearing, that we did not receive answers in the 30 days we requested on the additional questions we sent you, and instead, got a response months later on April 19th.  “This delay is unacceptable.  “As Members of Congress, and your oversight committee, you have a responsibility to respond to inquiries in a timely manner.  “Following this hearing, we expect prompt responses to our questions.” 

Washington D.C. — This week, the House of Representatives passed eight bills from the House Energy and Commerce Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee. The bills increase price transparency in ticketing, promote resilient supply chains, enhance product safety standards, and more. Upon House passage, Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statements: H.R. 4310, the Youth Poisoning Protection Act : “With self-poisonings on the rise since 2017, we must protect children from products with extremely high concentrations of sodium nitrite. I thank Reps. Trahan, Carey, Porter, and Stewart for their crucial legislation that will help prevent sickness or even a tragic loss of life.” H.R. 4814, the Consumer Safety Technology Act : “As emerging technologies like AI and blockchain change rapidly and become engrained in our society, we have an opportunity to use these new tools to improve important product safety protections. I applaud Reps. Soto, Burgess, Trahan, and Guthrie for their leadership to ensure federal agencies stay up to date with new technologies.” H.R. 5390, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act :   “This bipartisan legislation helps strengthen our domestic supply chain by reviewing where we can bolster American manufacturing and become less reliant on China. I commend Reps. Miller-Meeks, Bucshon, Spanberger, Kuster, and Schrier for their important work to help win the future and beat China.” technologies.” H.R. 1797, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act : “If lithium-ion batteries are not safely used, charged, and stored, they are prone to starting fires—threatening people’s safety. This much-needed legislation will create product safety standards for these batteries, including when coming in from China. I commend Reps. Torres, Garbarino, Clarke, Ryan, Bowman, D’Esposito, Espaillat, and Goldman for their leadership to protect Americans from these dangers.” H.R. 6572, the Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2023 :  “By supporting competitiveness in emerging technologies like blockchains, America—not China—will lead the next era of innovation and entrepreneurship. I commend Reps. Bucshon and Blunt Rochester for championing this legislation to ensure our regulatory environment keeps pace with constantly evolving technology.” H.R. 6571, the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2023 : “American supply chain resiliency is key to the development and competitiveness of U.S. production and manufacturing. I thank Reps. Bucshon and Blunt Rochester for their bipartisan legislation to strengthen our supply chains and help cement our leadership in the development and deployment of emerging H.R. 6132, the Awning Safety Act of 2023 :   “The Awning Safety Act is key to creating important safety standards for retractable awnings. I thank Reps. Balderson and Castor for their bipartisan leadership on this legislation to improve product safety and reduce the use of potentially dangerous awnings, preventing injury or even a tragic loss of life."  NOTE: Chair Rodgers, Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) also released the following joint statement on H.R. 3950, the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act : “This consensus legislation will end deceptive ticketing practices that frustrate consumers who simply want to enjoy a concert, show, or sporting event by restoring fairness and transparency to the ticket marketplace. After years of bipartisan work, we will now be able to enhance the customer experience of buying event tickets online. We look forward to continuing to work together to urge quick Senate passage so that we can send it to the President's desk to be signed into law.”

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Chair Buddy Carter (R-GA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s subcommittee hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Environmental Protection Agency Budget.” RUSH-TO-GREEN AGENDA IS DESTROYING AMERICAN MANUFACTURING   “I recently assumed the gavel of this subcommittee and am privileged to be able to lead this panel’s important work to advance policies which provide for environmental protection while also growing our manufacturing and industrial base.  “My district in southeast Georgia features over 100 miles of pristine coastline, the Okefenokee Swamp, and thriving forestlands.  “These are resources we cherish and strive to protect for future generations.  “We are also one of the fastest growing economies in the country.  “Billions of dollars of investment are flowing to my district, fueled by Georgia’s pro-business policies, low-electricity rates, and access to the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick.  “To the detriment of my district and the stated goals of this administration, the EPA’s regulatory agenda is poised to choke the prospects for increased prosperity.  “The recently finalized Particulate Matter—PM2.5—standard will gridlock permitting at new and expanded manufacturing facilities.  “By placing the standard so close to the natural background level, studies indicate that nearly 80 percent of manufacturing projects would fail to obtain a permit, including the $5.5 billion Hyundai EV battery plant in my district.  “Luckily, this investment received its permit before the standard was revised.  “China controls over seventy-five percent of the EV battery supply chain and actions like the PM2.5 standard threaten to tighten their chokehold on battery manufacturing.  “Meanwhile, the EPA, in its zealous rush to green agenda, has mandated that almost 70 percent of new passenger vehicles sold by 2032 be electric.  “I am not anti-EV. I believe there is a market for EVs, and we should be building up our entire supply chain, including in Georgia, to reduce reliance on China.  “However, I am anti-mandate. The EPA’s EV mandate reduces consumer choice, and its efforts to limit new critical mineral refining ties us to China and threatens grid reliability.”  EPA’S ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH DOESN’T WORK   “While the administration pushes grandiose electrification visions, the EPA seems to have forgotten that electricity does not come from the plug.  “The illegal Clean Power Plan 2.0 threatens to shutter 16 percent of our reliable, baseload generation that comes from coal-fired power—stranding assets, raising rates, and increasing blackouts.  “Section 111 of the Clean Air Act requires the 'best system of emission reduction' to be ‘adequately demonstrated.’  “By mandating that states require coal-fired plants with a useful life beyond 2039 achieve 90 percent carbon capture by 2032, the EPA overstepped its authority and will land itself back in crosshairs of the Courts.  “No coal-fired power plant in North America has achieved a 90 percent capture rate. There are no projects to demonstrate this even close to deployment. Guesswork is not a basis for telling states what standards to set.  “The EPA does not even have a history of timely permitting the injection wells necessary for carbon sequestration.  “I note, two states EPA has finally allowed to do this have permitted more injection sites in just two years than the EPA has in a decade—not a sign that EPA is serious about relying on this technology.”  IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH STATE REGULATORS   “I am surprised, that since you are a former State regulator, the administration has not more effectively leveraged your experience and relationships with your co-regulators, the States.  “Unfortunately, a much different relationship has been fostered and it is my view that the agency has drifted far from the statutory principle of cooperative federalism. “Last year’s Interstate Transport Rule underscores this sad situation. “In the rule, the EPA denied 21 State Implementation Plans for ozone standards and less than one month later, the agency imposed Federal Implementation Plans on 23 states, nearly half of the country. “Now, the agency finds itself again in the Supreme Court. Something that could have been avoided if the agency had worked with its co-regulators. “Today, we will explore these regulatory topics, as well as the agency’s activities with its massive infusion of funding from the IRA. “It is imperative that Congress conducts robust oversight of the more than $41.5 billion given to EPA in the IRA, including the $31 billion in taxpayer funds the EPA was provided for its green bank and environmental justice block grant programs.”

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Environmental Protection Agency Budget.”  “Today we will discuss the President’s budget and priorities for the Environmental Protection Agency. “This committee plays a critical role in ensuring U.S. energy and economic security and leadership. “For decades, America has led the world in innovation and entrepreneurship, while continuing to maintain some of the highest environmental standards in the world. “We should be proud of this legacy and work together to advance smart policies that continue to build that legacy for generations to come.” ENABLING A RADICAL AGENDA “But sadly, the Biden administration and congressional Democrats are working to dismantle that legacy. “Their spending and regulatory policies continue to put America on a dangerous path that threatens our economic and energy security, while enriching our adversaries, like China, and making us beholden to them for critical materials. “The Biden administration and its allies have done this in ways that lack transparency and prevent accountability for their actions that threaten the American manufacturing and energy resources. “This is not acceptable in a free and democratic society. “Since President Biden took office, the EPA has been given $109 billion in additional funding and grown its workforce to over 15,000 employees. “President Biden’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2025, contains almost $11 billion in new funding requests for EPA—an increase of more than 8 percent from the current year. “This is 16.3 percent more than when the Biden administration came into office. “His proposed budget also calls for more than 2,000 new employees—a 12 percent increase over this fiscal year and almost 20 percent—or a one fifth increase in EPA bureaucrats since taking office, all to accelerate his radical rush-to-green agenda.” HARMFUL TO AMERICANS “Americans are already feeling the impacts of this agenda. “Since the Biden administration took office, electricity prices have risen 30 percent. “That's 50 percent more than the overall pace of inflation. “Unilateral actions like those taken by the administration continue to drive out affordable, reliable baseload generation needed to keep energy prices low and the lights on. “Grid operators and others have been sounding the alarm for years, warning that the U.S. is on a dangerous and unsustainable path. “Continuing this trend will mean higher prices and what the grid experts have warned the committee about: catastrophic blackouts. “In addition, the auto waivers for California and other allied states, as well as the federal mandates on car makers, are taking away affordable and practical transportation from Americans. “Ask any car dealer. “Their lots are full of EVs that won’t sell, and they have limited access to the vehicle models people actually want.” EPA IS COMPLICIT IN ECONOMIC HARM “The Biden administration’s regulatory machine has finalized 125 rules resulting in over one TRILLION dollars of new regulatory costs on American businesses. “These are costs that eventually will fall on the American people. “EPA rules are a critical part of the Biden agenda, and the agency’s policies, like the new PM2.5 standards, will make permitting for new manufacturing and development nearly impossible across the country. “We want to understand why EPA thinks the U.S. will be able to maintain economic leadership with these anti-manufacturing, anti-American policies, all of which enrich and make us more reliant upon China. “If we are serious about growing our economy and not China’s, we need a predictable and realistic regulatory environment, we need EPA to actually meet statutory deadlines for new chemical reviews, and we need data driven decisions that appropriately balance a healthy environment with a healthy economy. “EPA must return to its core mission, which does not include undermining the economic prosperity of the United States or driving costs up across the board for Americans.” 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following joint statement after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced suspension and proposed debarment of EcoHealth Alliance from receiving federal funding. “This announcement is welcomed but long overdue. Not only did EcoHealth Alliance intend to mislead the federal government through research proposals, but EcoHealth’s President Peter Daszak also lied to Congress. This deception and obstruction alone are enough to merit debarment and come in addition to EcoHealth’s mishandling of taxpayer-funded grant money and failure to conduct meaningful oversight of the now-debarred Wuhan Institute of Virology. “We commend the U.S. Right to Know for uncovering the notes from the DEFUSE Project grant application that revealed Daszak’s deception, as well as members from both sides of the aisle who worked to hold him accountable.”