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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, wrote letters to eight Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) grant recipients. In Case You Missed It: “SCOOP: Biden-era grant program described as ‘gold bar’ scheme by Trump EPA administrator under scrutiny” Fox News Alec Schemmel April 11, 2025 Republicans in Congress are launching a probe into a Biden-era green energy grant program that sent billions in funding to climate groups tied to Democrats and former President Joe Biden’s allies. GOP leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent letters to the eight nonprofits awarded grants from the $20 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), seeking answers to ensure the Biden Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) followed proper ethics and conflict of interest protocols in distributing the funds. In February, the Trump administration’s EPA announced it would take steps to get the money back, citing concerns over a lack of oversight related to how the money was being disbursed. In the announcement, new EPA administrator Lee Zeldin cited comments from a former Biden EPA political appointee, who described disbursements made through GGRF as akin to “tossing gold bars off the Titanic,” because Biden officials were allegedly trying to get money out the door before Trump took over. It was also revealed that $2 billion from GGRF went to a Stacy Abrams-linked group, Power Forward Communities, which had not been established until after the Biden administration announced the GGRF application process. Meanwhile, during Power Forward’s first few months of operations – prior to receiving the funding – the group reported just $100 in revenue. Climate United, another group that received the most money from the GGRF, roughly $7 billion, currently staffs a former Biden climate advisor who worked during the last two years of the former president’s term. The same group is also run by a CEO with ties to the Obama administration and a board member who was among those invited to Biden’s signing ceremony for his multitrillion-dollar infrastructure bill in 2021.  Several GGRF grant recipients have ties to Democrats and Biden advisors, and some were reportedly founded shortly before or after the Biden administration announced the program. Meanwhile, these groups, according to Zeldin, had sole discretion on how to use the funds. House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., alongside fellow committee members Reps. Gary Palmer of Alabama and Morgan Griffith of Virginia, both Republicans, said in a joint statement that their investigation into the GGRF recipients will be “key” to understanding whether these funds were allocated “fairly and impartially to qualified applicants,” while also helping to determine the manner in which the money has been used. “The Committee has had concerns about the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program since its creation—including concerns about the program’s unusual structure, a potential lack of due diligence in selecting award recipients, and the recipients’ ability to manage the large influx of federal dollars they received from the EPA,” the lawmakers said in their statement. “A recent Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing that examined these concerns coupled with the speed with which money was pushed out the door by the Biden Administration’s EPA heightened the Committee’s concerns and raised additional questions about certain Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund recipients.”  Several of the groups that were recipients of GGRF money sued the Trump administration in March over its attempts to rake back the funds.  Subsequently, Obama-appointed Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a temporary restraining order preventing the EPA from freezing $14 billion in GGRF funds awarded to three of the climate groups.  Background: The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) authorized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create and implement a $27 billion GGRF program. Of this appropriation, $20 billion was awarded to just eight grant recipients; with $14 billion awarded to three grant recipients under the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) program and $6 billion awarded to five grant recipients under the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program.   Letters:  National Clean Investment Fund Program Recipients Coalition for Green Capital Climate United Fund Power Forward Communities   Clean Communities Investment Accelerator Program Recipients Justice Climate Fund Opportunity Finance Network Inclusiv Native CDFI Network Appalachian Community Capital ###

Revelations come following release of new Committee report Washington D.C. — This weekend, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined Fox & Friends to discuss a new Committee Report on the failures of the Biden-Harris Clean School Bus Program. Highlights and excerpts from the interview below: On Defending American Leadership:   “This is a so-called clean school bus program, and it’s just another part of the Biden-Harris administration’s rush-to-green [agenda]. “We’ve seen them mandating electric vehicles, banning gas stoves, really shutting down American energy.   “But unfortunately, it’s an agenda where the Chinese Communist Party is leading, and America is dependent upon China because they control 90 percent of supply chains for electric batteries.   “This is not the agenda that America needs. We need an agenda of American innovation and free markets, not one where we are dependent upon China. ”  On the Exorbitant Price Tag of Electric Buses:   “Whether it’s Wisconsin or North Dakota or Washington State, they are unreliable.   “We do not have the infrastructure [to support electric school buses], and they are expensive.   “This is a program where the Biden-Harris administration wanted to hand out free school buses across the nation, but unfortunately, they’re not free.   “They’re very expensive, as you mentioned—$381,000.   “These are hard-earned taxpayer dollars that are going to fund part of their so-called green energy agenda.  “There are other clean alternatives, if it really was a clean bus program, that are about $140,000.   “But unfortunately, the administration is mandating this agenda that is expensive, unreliable, and also makes us even more dependent upon the Chinese Communist Party because they control 90 percent of the supply chains.”   CLICK HERE to read more about the Clean School Bus report.

Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is holding an Oversight Subcommittee hearing anti-doping measures ahead of the 2024 Olympic games. Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined Spectrum News to highlight the importance of this hearing. Highlights and excerpts from the interview below:   “[This] is an oversight hearing to ask tough questions to ensure transparency and accountability and give people here at home, and around the world, the confidence that the rules are being followed.”   [...]  “The United States contributes millions of dollars to the World Anti-Doping Agency, and it's important that we are getting answers.”  [...]  “Our athletes train for years. They dedicate their lives to training and participating and being able to compete at the Olympics and our responsibility is to ensure that this is a level playing field.”  “That's why we're holding this hearing, so that we can root on the best of the best from the United States as they compete in Paris at the Olympics.”  Background:   The Committee’s hearing comes after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) allowed 11 Chinese swimmers to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite testing positive for banned performance-enhancing substances in the lead up to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.  The United States is the primary funder of WADA, contributing over $3 million of taxpayer money this past year alone.  WADA President Witold Banka was invited to testify but declined.  Hearing Details: DATE: Tuesday, June 25, 2024   TIME: 7:00 PM ET   LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building   CONFIRMED WITNESSES: Mr. Michael Phelps, Olympic Athlete Ms. Allison Schmitt, Olympic Athlete   Mr. Travis Tygart, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Click here for more coverage on the hearing. 

Effort to begin conversation to revamp the public health agency, restore public trust Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) today unveiled a framework that lays out the current challenges facing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and contains recommendations for reform. CLICK HERE to view the full framework. In a joint opinion piece with House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Chair Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Chair Rodgers makes the case for why reform is needed and asks for stakeholders to engage thoughtfully in the effort: "Let us be clear: We support the NIH and the critical role it plays in serving Americans, furthering scientific discovery, and ensuring the U.S. remains the world's leading pioneer in basic science and biomedical research innovation. But historical support for what an agency should or could be cannot prevent us from seeking to build upon past lessons or correct areas that have fallen short. "Our message to scientists, researchers, patient advocates, colleagues, and the American people is simple: Our door is open. Work with us. Be a partner. A deliberative, engaging process will lead to better outcomes for all. The framework being released today is just the start of a robust conversation, not a finished product. "The U.S. became a world leader in biomedical innovation because Americans are resourceful, resilient, and entrepreneurial. Let us continue to build on that legacy and work to ensure the NIH continues to deliver on the promises of hope for those in need." CLICK HERE to read the full opinion piece. CLICK HERE for a one-pager on the framework.  Stakeholders who wish to submit any feedback on the framework or provide additional thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for reform can do so by emailing NIHReform@mail.house.gov by August 16, 2024. The framework comes following the release of an interim staff report regarding the Committee’s ongoing investigation into a proposed MPXV project at the NIH, which uncovered a lack of oversight and transparency from the Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. KEY REPORT EXCERPT :  Ultimately, this investigation and interim report underscore the importance of restoring public trust in our government health agencies as well as Congress reasserting its Article I authority. Transparency and accountability are the most pressing remedies.  It also comes amid the Committee’s ongoing investigation into sexual harassment at the NIH and at NIH grantee institutions.  READ : August 10, 2021 : E&C Republican Leaders Question NIH’s Handling of Sexual Harassment Complaints     August 11, 2022 : E&C Republican Leaders follow up with NIH on Insufficient Response to its Letter on the NIH’s handling of Sexual Harassment     November 30, 2022 : E&C Republicans to NIH: Turn Over Previously Requested Information Ahead of New Congress     March 14, 2023 : E&C Republicans Press NIH for Information on Handling of Sexual Harassment Complaints     October 6, 2023 : E&C Republicans Signal Intent to Issue Subpoena to Obtain Information on NIH’s Handling of Sexual Harassment if Questions Go Unanswered     January 26, 2024 : Chair Rogers notifies NIH of Imminent Subpoena     February 5, 2024 : Chair Rodgers Subpoenas NIH for Documents Related to Investigation into Sexual Harassment at NIH and NIH Grantee Institutions    February 20, 2024 : HHS responds on behalf of NIH to offer a rolling in camera document review to the Committee. Documents produced in the review have been highly redacted, including the redaction of the names of individuals convicted of criminal offenses, public news articles about individuals who have been found guilty of harassment, and redaction of the names of the institutions where the abuse occurred—effectively preventing the Committee from understanding if NIH continues to fund work performed by substantiated abusers at other institutions—a practice known as “pass the harasser.”    April 16, 2024 : E&C Republicans Expand Investigation into Sexual Harassment at NIH to now Include Review of HHS Office of Civil Rights Compliance Role   May 9, 2024 : E&C Republicans ask Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to provide the Committee with the legal basis requiring HHS to redact or hide the names of researchers determined to have committed sexual misconduct.  May 30, 2024 : Evidence Uncovered by E&C Republicans Refutes Secretary Becerra’s Assertion that HHS Takes Action to Prevent Sexual Abusers from Receiving Taxpayer Funding

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined CNBC’s Last Call to discuss the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing on meeting the energy needs of emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, while maintaining an affordable, reliable electric grid. Highlights and excerpts from the interview below: On Meeting the Energy Needs of Our Digital Future:    “The hearing today highlighted how important reliable baseload energy is to new technologies, whether it is AI or other technologies . Today we were focusing on the massive data centers that are being built, massive amounts of data that’s being collected and stored, and that all requires reliable energy.    “You think about advanced manufacturing and bringing those technologies to the United States. Again, it is dependent upon energy, and it is foundational to our lives.  “ We need more energy, not less , but we continue to see policies from the administration that are shutting down energy ... their policies are making it harder.  “If we are going to embrace artificial intelligence and everything it offers to us as a nation, it is going to require a lot more energy. That is why we have been continuing to focus on the importance of this baseload reliable energy.”  On the Importance of Reliable Energy:   “Baseload means twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It means that we have to have reliable energy, and that’s so foundational to our lives. We all are dependent upon it.   “What we heard today is that we are going to need at least double, some are predicting even more baseload.   “Down in the Georgia region, where they finally did permit a new nuclear plant, the new Vogtle plant, they said they’re going to need at least the electricity generation equal to five of those Vogtle plants moving forward.   “That’s why the Energy and Commerce Committee has been leading on streamlining the permitting process through a major nuclear package, hydropower, also dealing with natural gas pipelines .    "Permitting is probably the number one barrier to doing anything in the United States of America, including building these energy projects that are so foundational to our lives, our future, and these new technologies.” Don’t miss what E&C Republicans said about the hearing:  Don’t miss in E&E Daily: Energy, Climate and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) set the tone by focusing on competition with U.S. adversaries, namely China. AI, cryptocurrencies and data centers make up about 2 percent of global energy demand, according to the International Energy Agency. That’s only expected to increase in the coming years.   “Communication, new frameworks and long-term planning are vital to meeting the technology and energy needs of this decade and decades to come,” said Duncan.   CLICK HERE to read Chair Rodgers opening remarks.  CLICK HERE to read Subcommittee Chair Duncan’s opening remarks.

Today, the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee is holding a markup of the American Privacy Rights Act to establish one national standard for data privacy and security for people of all ages— including kids —in all 50 states. The bipartisan, bicameral draft legislation gives Americans control over where their information goes and who can sell it, empowers individuals to enforce their data privacy rights, and reins in Big Tech. Don’t miss key excerpts from NBC’s article highlighting the bill below: “The presidential election is a little more than five months away, but key Republicans and Democrats in Congress see a critical window to pass sweeping legislation to shield the online data of both children and adults from Big Tech companies. “‘I believe that there’s a moment here where, on behalf of the American people, Congress needs to act,’ House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., said in an interview on the steps of the Capitol. “‘There’s a recognition, on behalf of protecting our kids online, in protecting all Americans, that we need to ensure that there are privacy rights in place … and that our identity is being protected online and that we’re in control of our data,’ she said. “The Energy and Commerce subcommittee that oversees online data will take the first step in trying to advance the privacy legislation, holding a markup Thursday on the American Privacy Rights Act, broad legislation that includes privacy protections for kids and adults, as well as the Kids Online Safety Act.” [...] “A revised draft bill was announced this week to address critics’ concerns. “The American Privacy Rights Act would create national consumer data privacy rights and set federal standards for securing people’s data rather than have a patchwork of state laws. Among other things, the legislation would require companies to be clear about how they use people’s data and ‘give consumers the right to access, correct, delete, and export their data,’ according to a bill summary. The bill would also limit how companies collect and use data and ban transferring certain data to third parties without consent. “The measure includes the bipartisan bill to protect kids' and teens' online data, known as COPPA 2.0. “‘I see the American Privacy Rights Act as foundational to protecting kids online, foundational to protecting our individual identity online,’ McMorris Rodgers said. “The bipartisan privacy bill is gathering momentum just weeks after McMorris Rodgers and Cantwell reached a compromise on legislation that forces TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the popular video-sharing app or face a ban in the U.S. President Joe Biden signed the TikTok bill into law as part of a larger national security package.” CLICK HERE to read the full article. CLICK HERE to learn more about how APRA is foundational to protecting kids online. CLICK HERE for how APRA will help small businesses grow and thrive.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined host Nicki Reisberg on the Scrolling 2 Death podcast . Chair Rodgers shared how the American Privacy Rights Act will give people the right to control their data and is foundational to protecting kids online . Highlights and excerpts from the interview below: On the Importance of Protecting Kids Online: “First and foremost, I am a mom. We have three kids. Our oldest is 17, Cole, and then we have girls that are 10 and 13.   “Really, these Big Tech platforms have become my biggest fear. When you think about digital data, it’s deeply personal.    “It's central to a person's identity, and right now these algorithms that have been developed by these companies are specifically designed, not just to get our kids addicted to the platforms and keep them on these platforms as long as possible, but it also leads to harms against our children.   “A third of our teens right now say that they're almost constantly scrolling on some form of social media. “I think that's why the name of your podcast is spot on, because, really, our kids are scrolling to death, and these platforms are intentionally targeting our children with addictive content that leads to dangerous, and too often, life-threatening behaviors.   “Just recently, the Surgeon General of the United States of America talked about us having a loneliness epidemic.”  [...]   “What we're seeing is that this crisis is being driven because kids are spending more time online.   “Whether it's you, Nikki, or for my husband and I, or millions of parents across the nation, it really is a battle for our kids' development, their mental health, and ultimately their safety. That's why we must build a better future for our children.   “Our children are our future, and reining in Big Tech is a big part of what needs to happen to people, but especially our children, back in control of who they are, what they think, and how they live their lives.”  On Demanding Accountability from Big Tech: “Currently, Big Tech lacks accountability, and it's because they are immune from most civil liability because of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.   “This is a law that was passed back in 1996. So, it was well before most of these companies even existed.   “But, under Section 230, they were to moderate content that was illegal or illicit, and they were to be held accountable for that.   “Unfortunately, the way that the courts have interpreted Section 230, they have become almost immune from any accountability and immune from liability because of illegal or illicit activity.   “If you look in our society, other companies, other industries don't receive this kind of protection.   “And Big Tech is using this law to shield them from any responsibility and accountability, as their platforms are involved in [causing] immense harm to people and especially our children.  “The story that you just shared, unfortunately, is repeated over and over and over, and what is happening today is that these platforms and companies are profiting from children.   “They're developing algorithms that are pushing harmful content to our kids.   “They're refusing to strengthen their protections against bad actors, and we see more predators, more drug dealers, sex traffickers, extortionists, or cyber bullies, and it's our kids that are paying the price at the expense of their mental health.   “So, what we need is a reset, and that's what the package of bills that we are moving forward right now is focused on.   “We have the American Privacy Rights Act focused on creating a national standard [for] privacy [and] data security.  “We also have legislation around Section 230 that would sunset Section 230 and give Big Tech a choice either to work with Congress to ensure the internet is a safe and healthy place or lose those liability protections.   “This would ensure that the social media companies are being held accountable for failing to protect our kids online. We also have bills that are focused specifically on kids, KOSA and COPPA, which is the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.   “All of these bills are really focused on ushering in a new era on the internet, one that would be defined by individual control and free expression, prosperity, innovation, but most importantly, accountability and safety.”  On the Path to Reform Section 230: “We are continuing to move forward. The Section 230 bill is important, because, as you as you said, this is where the social media platforms are gaining this shield of immunity.   “Right now, even though the law says that they are to be moderating content that is illegal or illicit, I have a constituent, Molly Cain, who lost her son when he bought a pill online. This was Snapchat. But it was an anti anxiety pill he thought he was buying. Instead, it was laced in fentanyl, and he died.   “This type of a story where the tech company or the platform is not held accountable is repeated because of the way the courts have interpreted Section 230. So, what we're doing this week is moving forward on the legislation in the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has been at the forefront of these issues for decades."   [...]  “The goal here is to force Congress to reform this bill by certain date or the tech companies will just lose their immunity. So, we're going to be moving these bills through subcommittee, and that's the first step.  “Then they'll go to the Full Committee but [we’re] continuing to build support. It's really important that people that care about these issues are reaching out to Members on both sides of the aisle, right now, to voice their support for these bills.   “We're taking on some of the largest companies in America right now. They have a lot of resources, and my hope is that it will be moms and parents and kids that have been harmed that really rise up all across this country to voice support.”  On Limiting the Amount of Data Big Tech Can Collect: “We're going to continue to take steps. These are very complicated issues.   “As I mentioned, the Committee has been working on them for decades, but I really believe that now is the time that we have some solutions that have bipartisan support that we can get onto the President's desk. Congress needs to act.  “We have the American Privacy Rights Act. That's foundational to protecting our kids online, as well as protecting all Americans online. This would set up a national privacy standard, as well as protecting data online in all 50 states for all ages. Fundamentally, it is built upon data minimization.   “It just limits, from the very beginning, the amount of data that companies can collect, and this will restrict a company's ability to track, predict, and manipulate people for profit without their knowledge and consent.   “In addition, it will strengthen protections for children when Big Tech is using this data to track and target our kids online by creating dangerous algorithms.”  [...] “The bill also gives individuals an ability to turn off targeted advertising. That is another way that companies track every aspect of our lives, like our location data, our clicks, our search history, and it would require companies to review their algorithms to ensure that they're not endangering children through malicious content, which we all see is leading to these downward spirals.   “So, that's the American Privacy Rights Act. That's foundational, and then the kids bills complement this effort.   “We have the [Kids] Online Safety Act (KOSA), and then COPPA. [...] We had one lady young lady who testified her name was Ava, and she shared her personal story.  “It was really powerful to hear her talk about how they were collecting massive amounts of data on her. They were able to exploit her vulnerabilities. They understood her vulnerabilities, and then they targeted her through the ads, and they led her down this path that led to ads around bikinis and then it was exercise videos and then it was dieting tips.   “Then, finally, she found herself with an eating disorder, and she was so grateful that she was able to break out of that, but she just shared that because of the amount of data they collected, they weaponized that data against her and really exploited her vulnerabilities.”   On Working with the Senate and the White House to Pass Comprehensive Data Privacy: “Senator Maria Cantwell is the Chairwoman in the Senate of the Commerce Committee. We're working together on the privacy bill.   “There's been a lot of hearings, we've received a lot of feedback, and we continue to get input from Members and stakeholders, but I'm really encouraged by the support that we're hearing from, from Members and stakeholders on Capitol Hill, but also people all across the country. “This really is the time for people to make their voices heard, and demand that Congress take action to protect our kids online.” 

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined NBC News’s The Chuck ToddCast with host Chuck Todd. Chair Rodgers reflected on her time in Congress as well as her top priorities to rein in Big Tech, including Section 230 reform and the American Privacy Rights Act. On Section 230 Reform: “This is the moment. It's been an is sue before Congress for years, ever since Section 230 was put into place in 1996 in the Telecommunications Act. “The agreement for Big Tech—they weren't big at that time, because it was even before Google and Twitter and Facebook—was they were to moderate content, illegal, illicit in exchange for these liability protections. “It's just very different. They have broken trust. They are not doing what they are [supposed] to be doing under Section 230. “The courts have ruled in such a way that they have basically given them unlimited liability protections. “I believe that this is a time when we—Congress—must act to protect individuals online, to protect our personal privacy rights online. The Energy and Commerce Committee has been working on this for decades, and we have a bill. “We have the Section 230 bill, we have the American Privacy Rights Act that Senator Cantwell as the Chair of [Senate] Commerce has hammered out with me, and I believe that there is a sense among Members on both sides of the aisle that the American people know this needs to happen, and this is our moment.” On Protecting Americans Data from Big Tech: "Americans have no real understanding as to how much data is being collected. “Right now, there is no limit. So, tech companies, other companies, businesses are collecting unlimited amounts of data.” [...] “I think there's a growing concern among Americans that they are concerned about the amount of data, especially with AI, and this new world where there's going to be even larger data sets and computations. The individual is just going to get lost in that whole new world. That only increases the cry that we need to protect our identity online. “We need to have individual privacy rights online, and I can tell you that this is an issue at home. When I talk about it, it's one that gets the heads nodding.” [...] “[The American Privacy Rights Act] is protecting individuals, but especially our kids. Parents are very concerned about the amount of time that kids are spending online [...] The way that [the algorithms] are structured right now is to get your kids online, pull them in, and take them down destructive paths.” On Tech Companies Avoiding Responsibility: “That's where Section 230 comes into play, because they got the liability protections in exchange for this commitment that they would be moderating this content. “Now we know that they have established algorithms that have become really about keeping us online for profit. “There's this sense that they're putting their own profit ahead of what is best for us as a people, best for our children. “We passed the TikTok bill earlier this year, and the President signed it into law, forcing the divestiture of TikTok. “When we passed that bill, we weren't sure what the outcry was going to be, because people said, 'Oh, it's so popular...all these kids...177 million Americans', and yet there hasn't been this overwhelming outcry from the users. “I think it is because, in our heart of hearts, a lot of people know that something needed to take place.” On Protecting Americans from Applications Controlled by Foreign Adversaries, like TikTok: “The bill targeted TikTok, but it also targets other apps that would be controlled by foreign adversaries.” [...] “We defined [foreign adversary] as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.” [...] “You remember the previous administration had attempted to force TikTok to divest because of the national security concerns, and the courts had ruled that they didn't have the authority to do that. “So, there was a sense that Congress needed to act to clarify that there are laws on the books for foreign ownership, yet the CFIUS laws and the other laws were not covering these apps. They're relatively new. “So, I believe that a targeted approach was important, but Members on both sides of the aisle were saying we need to address the [conduct of] technology companies that are headquartered in the United States of America. “We need a privacy standard in the United States of America. We need to protect our kids online. “There was this drumbeat that was certainly a part of that debate.”  On Who Should Control Americans Data: “Well, ultimately, you should have control over your data.” [...] “The approach that I've taken in this proposal [the American Privacy Rights Act ] is to put into law a privacy right. I know there's this debate around ownership and if they should have to pay the individual. “We're putting into law a privacy right, so that a company, or any kind of a business entity that's collecting data, can collect only [data] for their business, for their service. “You would have a right to know what that profile is. “This is called data minimization. “So, we minimize the amount of data that they can collect, and then anything beyond that, you would have to opt-in.” On Minimizing the Data Companies can Collect on Individuals: “We need a reset. We need to reset the internet to empower the individual. “So now what this would do is reset where the individual will have a right to know what the profile is and make sure it's actually an accurate profile. “Then, if your data is being sold, you're notified of that. So, it puts the burden on the business, the tech company, to actually notify you, and if you don't want your data to be sold, if you don't want it to be transferred, if you don't want them to know your location, then you can opt-out of that. “Right now, it's notice and consent, and that is the way it currently operates. “We're doing a reset to data minimization, and it puts the individual in charge of their data.” On Stopping the Collection of Children’s Data: “There's other laws that compliment this privacy law that you hear about: KOSA, the Kids Online Safety Act, COPPA, Children Online Privacy Protection Act , Section 230. I see them all as different pieces of what needs to happen to really do a reset to protect our identity online.” On Protecting Small Businesses: “Europe did pass a privacy law and I believe 80% of the world live in a country that has a privacy law in place. We don't. “[Europe’s data privacy bill] was put into place and it's very bureaucratic, it's very regulatory and it has is raised costs, especially the small businesses and the startups. “We want to make sure that [we support our small businesses]. “Part of Section 230 was to encourage liability protections for the small businesses and the startups, so that they can grow, and we have more competition.” [...] "We include a right to cure for businesses that, you know, so they would have a right to get it right. “If you're under 40 million, you're not included. If you're not selling data, you're not included in this. "It's only if you're actually in the business of collecting data and selling it to another entity that you would be [subject to the provisions of the American Privacy Rights Act]. CLICK HERE to listen to the full podcast. CLICK HERE to learn more about the American Privacy Rights Act.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to talk about today’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on the Change Healthcare cyberattack. Highlights and excerpts from the interview below:  On What to Expect at This Afternoon’s Hearing:   “This is an important Oversight Subcommittee hearing for the Energy and Commerce Committee. We expect to get a comprehensive report from Mr. Witty from UnitedHealth as to what happened, why Americans have had their personal health information made available on the dark web, what they're doing to fix this problem, and then also what we and what UnitedHealth must do to ensure that this never happens again.  “UnitedHealth is very large, and millions of families and taxpayers pay billions of dollars to UnitedHealth in premiums, and we need to make sure that their personal health information is protected from these kinds of cyberattacks.”  On Attempts to Catch the Cyber Criminals:   “UnitedHealth decided to pay the ransom. We're going to ask questions as to why they decided to pay the ransom, in this case, because we know that when you pay the ransom, that only incentivizes more of the harmful behavior by those that are perpetrating these kinds of cyber attacks.   “We have been spending a lot of time and had numerous hearings around cybersecurity. Just two weeks ago, we had a hearing on cybersecurity as it relates to health care, on what steps we need to be taking to protect personal, sensitive health information that has been made available on the dark web, in this case, which is very harmful to millions of Americans.  “This is a very serious issue, and that's part of the purpose of the hearing today.”   On the Role of Congress Intervening to Protect Patients’ Data:   “This hearing is part of us getting answers. We need to better understand what happened, why it happened, and then we will look at what steps we need to be taking. Certainly cybersecurity, whether it's in healthcare or other sectors, is top of mind for Americans as we see more and more of our information online. “The Committee is working on protecting American privacy rights online. We've also worked on the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act to give Americans more ownership over their data, but also to understand what the prices are.   “In this case, United has become very large, and the individual, unfortunately doesn't always have a lot of power and control in this, so I believe it's very important that we get legislation that's going to help patients understand what the prices are. We have United as a very large health insurance company that maybe doesn't want to pay the prices, only the doctors that are providing the care and that can be problematic.”  [...]  “We have looked at the consolidation, and we passed legislation with overwhelming support— the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act —to address this consolidation to provide more competition in the marketplace, which ultimately brings down costs and gives consumers more choices.   “We're working with the Senate to get them to take action on this, because we're overall concerned about these larger and larger health care systems.”