News

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) today announced a hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Consumer Product Safety Commission Budget.” “The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has a long history of important, bipartisan work that has helped raise the standard of safety for the goods that people utilize every single day from infant sleeping products to home improvement supplies. More recently, however, the Biden administration has been pushing the CPSC away from its core safety mission towards a radical rush to green agenda, prioritizing actions like banning gas-powered appliances, which millions of households rely on,” said Chairs Rodgers and Bilirakis. “We look forward to hearing from CPSC Chair Hoehn-Saric and the other Commissioners and discussing how we can return the agency to focusing on its intended mission of keeping the American people safe.” Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Consumer Product Safety Commission Budget.” WHAT: Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce hearing to discuss President Biden’s FY 2025 budget request for the Consumer Product Safety Commission. DATE: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 TIME: 2:00 PM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building WITNESSES: Hon. Alexander Hoehn-Saric, Chair, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission   Hon. Peter A. Feldman, Commissioner, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission   Hon. Richard Trumka Jr., Commissioner, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission   Hon. Mary T. Boyle, Commissioner, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission   Hon. Douglas Dziak, Commissioner, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission 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 Alex Khlopin at Alex.Khlopin@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov . 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) today announced a hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Budget.” “A robust nuclear energy industry is critical for providing affordable clean energy to Americans. It has the potential to bolster critical baseload power supply and improve grid reliability. This Congress, the Energy and Commerce Committee led in passing the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act. This legislation will modernize and improve licensing processes at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), ensuring we continue to grow this key part of America’s energy mix," said Chairs Rodgers and Duncan . This hearing is especially timely, given that the ADVANCE Act was recently signed into law, and we look forward to discussing next steps to ensure the NRC is implementing the law effectively and in accordance with Congressional intent in order to power the future and cement U.S. energy leadership for decades to come.” Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, & Grid Security hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Budget.” WHAT: Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security hearing to discuss President Biden's FY 2025 budget request for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission   DATE: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 TIME: 10:00 AM LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building WITNESSES: Hon. Christopher T. Hanson, Commissioner, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Hon. David A. Wright, Commissioner, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Hon. Annie Caputo, Commissioner, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Hon. Bradley R. Crowell, Commissioner, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 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 Kaitlyn Peterson at Kaitlyn.Peterson@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@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) announced a Subcommittee hearing titled “Are CDC's Priorities Restoring Public Trust and Improving the Health of the American People?” “Of all the government agencies that have broken the public’s trust, the CDC is at the top the list. Unfortunately, the agency’s current priorities—like climate change and social determinants of health—do not instill confidence that the agency is focused on its core mission of improving public health and preventing the spread of diseases,” said Chairs Rodgers and Guthrie. “This hearing will give our Members an opportunity to hear directly from CDC officials on what steps the agency is taking to regain public trust and protect the health and wellbeing of the American people.”  Subcommittee on Health hearing titled "Are CDC's Priorities Restoring Public Trust and Improving the Health of the American People?"   WHAT : A hearing to discuss the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) priorities to ensure it is working to regain public trust and protect the health and wellbeing of the American people.  DATE : Tuesday, July 23, 2024  TIME : 10:30 AM ET  LOCATION : 2322 Rayburn House Office Building  WITNESSES :  Dr. Karen Hacker, M.D., M.P.H. , Director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   Dr. Allison Arwady, M.D., M.P.H. , Director, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   Dr. Daniel Jernigan, M.D., M.P.H. , Director, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, M.D., M.P.H. , Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   Dr. Henry Walke, M.D., M.P.H. , Director, Office of Readiness and Response, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   Dr. Jennifer Layden, M.D., Ph.D. , Director, Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   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 Emma Schultheis with the Committee staff at Emma.Schultheis@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Christopher Krepich at Christopher.Krepich@mail.house.gov .

Washington D.C. — In a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) are pressing for more information on FERC’s ability to address the growth in electricity demand, particularly from the rapid growth of AI data centers. KEY LETTER EXCERPT: “After years of minimal growth, electricity demand in the United States is projected to grow nationally at a significant pace through the end of the decade. It is anticipated that much of this demand growth will come from a surge in the number of data centers and the growing uses of artificial intelligence (AI) by data centers, onshoring of industry and manufacturing, and increased electrification. Estimates show annual growth of 5 to 6 percent through the end of the decade, a tenfold increase in the growth rate from current levels. By the end of the decade, data centers, which are driving increases in electricity demand, could consume as much as 9.1 percent of all electricity in the United States. "Unlike many sources of demand that consume electricity at a lower energy density, data centers consume large quantities of power at a near constant level throughout the year. This surge in demand for reliable and dispatchable baseload generation comes at a time when the NERC has repeatedly raised concerns over the adequacy and reliability of the grid. These risks are due to a confluence of factors, including state and federal policies that have forced premature retirements of reliable generation without adequate replacement generation resources and electric infrastructure. FERC’s recent summer assessment lists data center demand growth as a driver for increased demand while acknowledging that supply shortages are possible this summer.” BACKGROUND: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security held a hearing on June 4, 2024 to discuss the energy demands of emerging technologies, like Artificial Intelligence, and how to ensure that America continues to be a technological leader. Some experts project a ten-fold increase in the growth rate of new power demand, compared with the past decade. Data centers that process AI and digital transactions are a major driver of this increase in demand. Biden Administration actions, like the Clean Power Plan (CPP) 2.0, are accelerating the retirement of baseload power sources, which are essential for providing the 24/7/365 energy needed to power our technological future. E&C Republicans led a join resolution of disapproval on June 5, 2024 to halt President Biden’s CPP 2.0 which will shut down critical baseload energy generation. Chair Rodgers and Carter released a statement on April 25, 2024 blasting the EPA’s devastating power plant rules that would shut down American energy. The Chair requested the FERC Commissioners provide the following information by July 30, 2024: Explain what FERC is doing to assess the challenges of this new demand growth from data centers and industrial sectors. Explain what options FERC is considering to address this new demand growth to assure reliable, affordable delivery of power in the FERC regulated markets. What effect will demand growth have on capacity prices? Are the FERC jurisdictional wholesale markets prepared to withstand retirement projections and coinciding demand increase projections? The potential for co-locating data centers or industrial loads presents the risks of taking baseload, reliable generation off the grid at the expense of ratepayers. Is FERC monitoring the potential for merchant generators to enter into behind-the-meter agreements with data centers? What actions is FERC considering to address the incentives and impacts of any loss of load due to out-of-market financial arrangements? If state and federal policies do not adjust to preserve adequate baseload generation, how will the growing demand for reliable energy add additional costs and strain to our grid? CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Buddy Carter (R-GA) sent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan a letter demanding additional details regarding the agency’s efforts to designate additional per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). KEY LETTER EXCERPT: “We are particularly concerned with the scope of any new designations made by EPA, including the EPA’s ability to obtain and use the data necessary to understand the technical and economic feasibility of such a designation. “The Agency’s purposeful cooperation with scientific experts, who know these substances, is relevant to the cleanup levels for which those sites might be subject and will, ultimately, determine how quickly these sites will be cleaned up under CERCLA’s strict, joint and several, and retroactive liability scheme. For these reasons, it is imperative this Committee follow up with you and seek additional information about the potential scope of additional actions under CERCLA to address PFAS releases.”   BACKGROUND: PFAS are not a single chemical, but rather an entire group of 14,000 synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of common applications.   On April 17, 2024, the EPA designated two PFAS substances, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), as “hazardous substances” under CERCLA.   During Administrator Regan’s appearance before the Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials, he was asked if the EPA would designate PFAS substances beyond PFOA and PFOS as “hazardous substances.” In response, he stated, “We will.” Later, the EPA stated the agency “will go through a rulemaking process” for the designation of additional PFAS chemicals as CERCLA hazardous substances.  Given that PFOA and PFOS are just a fraction of the entire PFAS class, the Chairs are demanding details regarding the EPA’s efforts to designate additional PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under CERCLA, and whether they will be transparent with the public regarding those efforts. CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Full Committee Business Meeting to approve the transfer of the official classified transcript from the March 7, 2024, executive session titled “Legislation to Protect American Data and National Security from Foreign Adversaries” to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in accordance with House Rules. “Good morning and welcome to today’s Committee business meeting. “The action we are taking is significant to preserving this Committee’s hard work to protect the American people and our national security.” THE THREAT POSED BY THE CCP “Foreign adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party, pose the greatest national security threat of our time. “Our adversaries are actively working to undermine America’s global leadership. “It has been a bipartisan priority for this Congress and this Committee to take action to counter that threat. “The Energy and Commerce Committee led on the most significant effort to date to do that, passing H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act , which has been signed into law. “Our efforts began on March 23, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing with the CEO of TikTok—his first appearance before Congress—to understand the risks posed by this CCP-controlled app. “That hearing further confirmed our greatest fears—that the CCP is weaponizing applications, like TikTok, against the American people. “Nearly a year later, on March 7, 2024, the Committee held a legislative hearing titled 'Legislation to Protect American Data and National Security from Foreign Adversaries.' “At that hearing, we heard from the intelligence community about the dangers posed by applications, like TikTok, that are controlled by foreign adversaries who are determined to exploit and weaponize Americans’ data and the importance of Congress taking action to defend the American people against this threat. “H.R 7521 gave TikTok a simple choice: divest from your parent company, which is beholden to the Chinese Communist Party, and remain operational in the United States or side with the CCP and face a ban. “Since then, the CCP has made it clear that it has no intention of giving up control over applications, like TikTok, further solidifying that the CCP is using these applications in nefarious ways against the American people.” TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE “Rather than divest, TikTok has filed suit against the United States to try and undermine the law this Committee passed. “I am confident this legislation will withstand legal scrutiny. “In June, this Committee received a formal request from the DOJ to receive a copy of the executive session transcript from our March 2024 hearing to assist in their litigation. “According to rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee must vote to release evidence or testimony taken in executive session. “We will vote to do that this morning and in doing so, will continue our efforts to protect the American people from foreign adversaries. “Companies controlled by a foreign adversary, like the CCP, will never embrace American values, virtues of our society and culture like freedom of speech, human rights, the rule of law, a free press, and others. “Our adversaries choose to rule through fear and control. “If given the choice, they will always choose the path for more control, more surveillance, and more manipulation. “This foreign interference and manipulation is not welcome here and we will do whatever it takes to stop it.”

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Communications Commission Agency Budget.”  FCC REGULATIONS WILL HARM DEPLOYMENT “Bridging the digital divide is one of this Committee’s top priorities, and it is the FCC’s statutory responsibility to assist us in this effort. “But unfortunately, the FCC has been failing in its mission. “The Commission’s recent action to reclassify broadband Internet access as a public utility under Title II of the Communications Act, as well as the agency’s broad rules on digital discrimination, have undermined our efforts to ensure every American has access to broadband. “This could not have come at a worse time. “We are on the verge of closing the digital divide. “Congress has dedicated billions of dollars to achieve this effort, including $42 billion dollars for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. “Those efforts are undercut when the Commission then places heavy-handed regulations and micromanages providers, making it harder to encourage participation in these programs, to deploy and operate new networks, and get more people connected." HISTORY HAS PROVEN TITLE II IS UNNECESSARY “As has already been proven once, Title II is a solution in search of a problem. “It’s a century old framework designed to address telephone monopolies, whereas today’s broadband marketplace is incredibly competitive. “These regulations will hurt consumers most, resulting in higher prices and slower internet speeds. “The FCC has failed to learn from previous efforts and has no legitimate justification for these heavy-handed regulations. “The talking points that these regulations protect consumers from harmful ISP practices are not rooted in fact and have already been disproven once by the incredible performance of our networks, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The facts are that speeds are up, investment in broadband networks is up, and prices for consumers are down. “The fast lanes, blocking, and throttling of traffic that Democrats warned about never transpired. “Our light-touch regulatory environment works and turning away from this success with unnecessary regulations is the wrong action.” UNLAWFUL ACTIONS BY THIS FCC “Reclassifying broadband under Title II is not only bad policy, it is also unlawful. “As the Republicans on both this Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee wrote to the Commission before its decision, the FCC has no authority to reclassify broadband. “That is Congress’ job, as the Supreme Court recently confirmed. “The FCC doesn't get to just claim something is necessary for American national security in order to do whatever they want. “That is for Congress to decide, as it has in numerous instances recently with things like our TikTok legislation, establishing the rip-and-replace program, and passing the Secure Equipment Act. “The decision on how to regulate broadband can have significant economic and political consequences, and requires the FCC have clear authorization from Congress in order to act. “When it comes to Title II, we have given the Commission no such authority. “This is not the first time this FCC has exceeded their authority. “Last December, the agency approved rules on data breach notifications that mirror the rules that Congress disapproved of in 2017 through the Congressional Review Act procedures. “The CRA forbids the FCC from enacting rules that are 'substantially the same' as those Congress rejected. “And now the FCC is circulating an order that would regulate the use of artificial intelligence in political ads—a task that does not fall under the jurisdiction of the commission, and which drew condemnation from the Federal Election Commission, the independent agency who does hold that authority. “This pattern of the FCC abusing its authority and ignoring Congressional direction is just another example of the Biden Administration’s efforts to assert more federal control over the American people’s lives. “This must end, and I look forward to the courts stepping in to overturn these unlawful power grabs. “This agency is pursuing a partisan agenda that ignores Congress and fails to solve the actual problems impacting Americans like illegal robocalls, or permitting reform to help deploy broadband faster, or additional ways to secure our networks from the threats posed by our adversaries. “Today’s hearing presents an opportunity to hold the FCC accountable for its actions. “I look forward to our discussion today.” 

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 Federal Communications Commission Agency Budget.”  “This is the third time we’ve had the FCC before us this Congress, and I am pleased that we are maintaining a cadence of consistent oversight hearings. “I want to start by offering the Committee’s condolences to Chairwoman Rosenworcel on the passing of her father. We hope that your memories of him have helped you cope during this difficult time. Although we disagree on policy, we can come together to share each other’s grief.” BIDEN’S BROADBAND TAKEOVER “The last time the FCC was before us, we discussed its role in President Biden’s broadband takeover and its overregulation of the communications industry. “Unfortunately, the agency has only continued down this path. “Earlier this year, the FCC voted to reclassify broadband as a common carrier under Title II of the Communications Act. “Under the guise of ‘net neutrality,' this action expands the FCC’s authority over broadband, allowing the agency to impose burdensome regulations that will make it harder for providers to deploy broadband. “As I have stated before, this action is absolutely unnecessary. In 2017, after the FCC reversed the Obama FCC’s reclassification of broadband, the Democrats told the world that we would get the internet one-word-at-a-time and that the internet as we knew it would end. “As we all know, none of those fears came true. “I asked my office to keep track of how many of my constituents called in after the repeal to say they lost their internet—and I received zero calls. “Instead, broadband networks thrived because of increased investment by private companies that has led to higher speeds and lower prices. “Indeed, our networks survived the ultimate stress test when they withstood increased usage as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, when almost every aspect of everyday life went online.” BURDENSOME REGULATIONS LIMIT INTERNET ACCESS “Contrast what happened in the United States to what happened in Europe, where regulators had to ask websites like YouTube and Netflix to throttle and degrade service to withstand the increased demand. “At our last hearing, Chairwoman Rosenworcel attributed our success to states enacting their own net neutrality policies but that couldn’t be further from the truth. “The internet continued to function normally between the repeal and states enacting their laws, only a few states acted, and none enacted anything close to the utility-style regulations that the FCC repealed and is now reimposing. “The true source of success for our networks was the light-touch regulatory framework that the FCC just moved away from. “This action is just one of many taken by this FCC to hinder United States leadership in technology. The effect of these decisions is that deploying broadband and providing service will be more challenging for providers. “These actions could not come at a worse time. Congress provided $42.5 billion to close the digital divide. The Commission is undermining that effort by imposing regulations that will make it more expensive and more burdensome to deploy, when they should be doing the opposite. “I urge the FCC to reverse course and restore the light-touch regulatory environment that allowed broadband investment to thrive. “I have many questions about the direction the Commission is taking, and I thank the Commissioners for being here today. I look forward to discussing these and other important issues before the Commission.”

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chair Tom Carper (D-DE), and Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), today celebrated President Joe Biden’s signing of S. 870, which includes the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act , into law.  “The Energy and Commerce Committee has a rich history of advancing major bipartisan solutions, and I’m extremely proud that our years of hard work to strengthen American nuclear energy have paid off with this significant legislation that will improve energy reliability and reduce costs for American families and businesses,” said Chair Rodgers. “This is a major victory for the American people and will help cement U.S. energy leadership for decades to come. I want to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to get this legislation signed into law, especially the Chair of our Energy Subcommittee and bill author Rep. Jeff Duncan.”  “Nuclear power plays an important role in producing carbon-free power for our electric grid, and now our nuclear industry will have the framework it needs to strengthen America’s energy leadership,”  said Ranking Member Pallone.  “By ensuring we can deploy safer and more reliable nuclear power, the ADVANCE Act will help combat our dependence on dirty fossil fuels, strengthening our energy independence and securing our economic security. I’m grateful to have worked alongside my colleagues to get this across the finish line.” “Today is a momentous day for our climate and America’s clean energy future,” said Chairman Carper . “The urgency of the climate crisis demands a swift transition to cleaner energy sources. Fortunately, the ADVANCE Act  will support this transition. This bipartisan law will strengthen our energy and national security, lower greenhouse gas emissions and create thousands of new jobs, while ensuring the continued safety of this zero-emissions energy source. I’m thankful to each of my colleagues who helped write and pass this bill and to President Biden for signing it into law.” “With the ADVANCE Act being signed into law, we secured a landmark win for the future of nuclear energy here in America,”  Ranking Member Capito said. “Getting substantive, bipartisan policy across the finish line isn’t always easy, but this is the result of years of work to build widespread consensus about the benefits of advanced nuclear reactors to our electric grid, economy, and environment. I’m thrilled the ADVANCE Act is now law to enable the deployment of new nuclear and help keep the United States as the world’s nuclear energy leader.”