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WASHINGTON, D.C . – Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, delivered the following opening statement at today’s markup of seven bills. Subcommittee Chairman Palmer’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Welcome to today’s Environment subcommittee markup of seven (7) bills to improve the process for establishing and implementing the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and to streamline environmental reviews and the New Source Review pre-construction permitting program under the Clean Air Act. “No one questions that the Clean Air Act has been important in helping to improve air quality since the law was first enacted more than half a century ago. However, the law has not been significantly amended since 1990 and has not kept pace to meet the economic and security risks facing this country. “The commonsense permitting reforms contained in these seven bills are needed to improve the Clean Air Act so the United States can continue to be the world leader in economic prosperity, technological innovation, and environmental quality. “At subcommittee hearings in June and September, we heard testimony from several witnesses that the air quality standards for fine particulate matter and ozone that were issued by the Biden-Harris administration will stifle economic growth and be nearly impossible for states and regulated industries to meet because they are so close to background levels and that decisions on whether a state is meeting the standards should not be impacted by pollution caused by wildfires and from international sources outside of the state’s control. “We also heard testimony from top state environmental regulators that several of the deadlines in the Clean Air Act are impossible for EPA and states to implement. For example, several witnesses said it would make sense to extend the timeframe for reviewing air quality standards from every five years, as it is in current law, to every 10 years.  “We also heard testimony from multiple witnesses that the current pre-construction permitting and environmental review provisions of the Clean Air Act can slow down or even block construction of high-tech manufacturing and energy projects that we need more of in this country to win the race for critical minerals and advanced semiconductors against China. “The seven bills that we will be marking up are: “H.R. 6409, Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability (FENCES) (Rep. Pfluger). This bill would clarify that foreign air pollution is not to be considered when deciding if a State or air district is meeting an air standard. “H.R. 4218, Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform (CLEAR) Act (Rep. Carter) This bill makes several improvements to the process for establishing and implementing the air quality standards program under the Clean Air Act. "H.R. 4214, Clean Air and Building Infrastructure Improvement Act (Rep. Allen) This bill clarifies when a new air standard has to be factored into preconstruction permits under the Clean Air Act. “H.R. 161, New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act (Rep. Griffith) This bill clarifies what kind of construction or modifications of existing facilities would trigger permitting under the Clean Air Act. “H.R. 6373, Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act (Rep. Palmer) This bill would allow the President to waive the requirement that facilities that are critical to our national security – including critical mineral processing facilities -- offset emissions as part of the permitting process. “ H.R. 6398, Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations (RED Tape) Act (Rep. Joyce) This bill would streamline the environmental review and permitting process. “The passage of these bills will go a long way toward improving our infrastructure and making permitting more predictable and cost-effective. Some of these bills include ideas that we have considered in previous years, but some of them offer creative solutions based on feedback we have received. “I urge all of my colleagues to support these pieces of legislation, and I yield back.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, led a markup of several bills to reform permitting under the Clean Air Act. “No one questions that the Clean Air Act has been important in helping to improve air quality since the law was first enacted more than half a century ago. However, the law has not been significantly amended since 1990 and has not kept pace to meet the economic and security risks facing this country,” said Chairman Palmer. “The commonsense permitting reforms contained in these seven bills are needed to improve the Clean Air Act so the United States can continue to be the world leader in economic prosperity, technological innovation, and environmental quality.” Legislative Vote Summary: H.R. 6409 , the Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability (FENCES) Act, was reported to the full committee, by a roll call vote of 14 Yeas to 11 Nays. H.R. 4218 , the Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform (CLEAR) Act, was reported to the full committee, by a roll call vote of 14 Yeas to 10 Nays. H.R. 6387 , the Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act, was reported to the full committee, by a roll call vote of 13 Yeas to 10 Nays. H.R. 4214 , the Clean Air and Building Infrastructure Improvement Act, was reported to the full committee, by a roll call vote of 12 Yeas to 10 Nays. H.R. 161 , the New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act, was reported to the full committee, by a roll call vote of 12 Yeas to 11 Nays. H.R. 6373 , the Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act, was reported to the full committee, by a roll call vote of 12 Yeas to 10 Nays. H.R. 6398 , the Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations (RED Tape) Act, was reported to the full committee, by a roll call vote of 12 Yeas to 10 Nays. Watch the full markup here . Below are key excerpts from today’s markup: Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) on H.R. 4218, the Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform (CLEAR) Act: “This is not about choosing between the environment and development. This is about common sense. We should not penalize states that are impacted by events out of their control, and they should not be penalized for taking action to prevent exceptional events. Georgia is a top state for business in America. It has been for 12 years. Even with our growth, Georgia's air has never been cleaner since monitoring began years ago. As our witnesses stated in legislative hearing we had on this bill, if we give our state officials the time they truly need to implement regulations, while also ensuring that they are not punished for background levels from natural sources, we can have lasting, meaningful policy and economic growth.” Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) on H.R. 6409, the Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability (FENCES) Act: “Back home in my district in the Permian Basin, we saw this play out recently when the Biden EPA floated a possible non-attainment designation that created real uncertainty. Even the hint of non-attainment sends a signal that permits could slow down, costs could rise, and long-term planning becomes harder for producers and communities alike at no fault of their own. That experience made it clear that these designations are too consequential to get wrong. Local communities should not be burdened by regulatory consequences tied to emissions that come from foreign sources or unavoidable natural events. The FENCES Act levels the playing field, sets the table for fairness, and it's about giving states regulatory certainty. It's about keeping American industries competitive while still upholding environmental standards.” Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) on H.R.6398, the RED Tape Act: “This bill eliminates the requirement for the EPA to conduct a duplicative review and publicly comment on other agencies Environmental Impact Statements. This legislation keeps in place the initial environmental review required for federal projects and regulations under NEPA. It simply eliminates a bureaucratic and redundant secondary review that only serves to further delay the permitting and construction of critical projects. In order for America to remain competitive in the global economy, we must take steps to ensure timely and predictable outcomes for any new projects or regulations.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – This week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is holding one Full Committee Hearing and two Subcommittee Markups. Read more below. SUBCOMMITTEE MARKUP: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment will hold a markup of seven bills to reform permitting under the Clean Air Act.  DATE: Wednesday, December 10, 2025   TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building SUBCOMMITTEE MARKUP: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will hold a markup of 18 bills to protect children and teens online.  DATE: Thursday, December 11, 2025  TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: The Committee on Energy and Commerce is holding a Member Day Hearing to allow all Members of the House of Representatives an opportunity to testify before the Committee. DATE: Friday, December 12, 2025 TIME: 9:00 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, announced a hearing titled Legislative Improvements to Public Safety Communications in the United States . “Emergency communications are the backbone of police, fire, and emergency medical services,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Hudson. “Modernizing and strengthening these operations are critical to improving public safety in both urban and rural American communities. We look forward to evaluating the ways we can better equip first responders to safely and effectively do their jobs.” Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing titled Legislative Improvements to Public Safety Communications in the United States . WHAT: Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing to discuss public safety communications in the United States. DATE: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 TIME: 10:15 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building This hearing will focus on the following bills: H.R. 6505 , Next Generation 9-1-1 Act (Reps. Hudson and Carter (LA)) H.R. 5200 , Emergency Reporting Act (Reps. Matsui and Bilirakis) H.R. 5201 , Kari’s Law Reporting Act (Reps. Matsui and Bilirakis) H.R. 2076 , LuLu’s Law (Rep. Palmer) H.R. 1094 , Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act (Rep. Pfluger) H.R. ____ , Mystic Alert Act (Rep. Pfluger) H.R. 1519 , Public Safety Communications Act (Rep. Cammack) This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Noah Jackson with the Committee staff at Noah.Jackson@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Daniel Kelly at Daniel.Kelly@mail.house.gov .

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, announced a subcommittee markup of 18 bills to protect children and teens online. WHAT : Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade markup of 18 bills. DATE: Thursday, December 11, 2025 TIME: 10:15 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building Items to be considered: H.R. 6290 , Safe Social Media Act (Reps. Bentz and Schrier) H.R. 6259 , No Fentanyl on Social Media Act (Reps. Evans and Dingell) H.R. 6289 , Promoting a Safe Internet for Minors Act (Reps. Lee-FL and Soto) H.R. 6437 , Kids Internet Safety Partnership Act (Reps. Fry and Landsman) H.R. 5360 , AI Warnings And Resources for Education (AWARE) Act (Reps. Houchin and Auchincloss) H.R. 6499 , Assessing Safety Tools for Parents and Minors Act (Reps. Fulcher and Landsman) H.R. 2657 , Sammy’s Law (Reps. Wasserman Schultz and Carter-GA) H.R. 6265 , Safer Guarding of Adolescents from Malicious Interactions on Network Games (GAMING) Act (Rep. Kean) H.R. 6273 , Stop Profiling Youth and (SPY) Kids Act (Rep. Miller-Meeks) H.R. 6253 , Algorithmic Choice and Transparency Act (Rep. Cammack) H.R. 6489 , Safeguarding Adolescents From Exploitative (SAFE) Bots Act (Rep. Houchin) H.R. 1623 , Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net (SCREEN) Act (Rep. Miller-IL) H.R. 6257 , Safe Messaging for Kids Act of 2025 (Rep. Dunn) H.R. 3149 , App Store Accountability Act (Rep. James) H.R. 6333 , Parents Over Platforms Act (Reps. Auchincloss and Houchin) H.R. 6292 , Don’t Sell Kids’ Data Act of 2025 (Rep. Pallone) H.R. 6484 , Kids Online Safety Act (Rep. Bilirakis) H.R. 6291 , Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (Reps. Walberg and Lee-FL) This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning this hearing, please contact Alex Khlopin at Alex.Khlopin@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Daniel Kelly at Daniel.Kelly@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, announced a subcommittee markup of seven bills. WHAT : Subcommittee on Environment markup of seven bills. DATE: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 TIME: 10:15 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building Items to be considered: H.R. 6409 , Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability (FENCES) (Rep. Pfluger) H.R. 4218 , Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform (CLEAR) Act (Rep. Carter) H.R. 6387 , Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act (Rep. Evans) H.R. 4214 , Clean Air and Building Infrastructure Improvement Act (Rep. Allen) H.R. 161 , New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act (Rep. Griffith) H.R. 6373 , Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act (Rep. Palmer) H.R. 6398 , Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations (RED Tape) Act (Rep. Joyce) This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at  energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Jackson Rudden with the Committee staff at  Jackson.Rudden@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Ben Mullany at  Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov .

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, issued the following statement after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it will hold a workshop on age verification technology. “As the digital economy continues to evolve at a rapid pace, we must ensure that new and emerging technologies are put to work to empower parents and safeguard children and teens,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Bilirakis. “Age verification and estimation practices hold great promise to build a safer online world for America’s young people. We thank President Trump, Chairman Ferguson, and Commissioner Meador for holding this timely workshop on age verification and estimation practices and look forward to advancing our shared goal of keeping the next generation safe.” CLICK HERE to read the FTC’s announcement. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – In case you missed it, Breitbart recently published an article highlighting a GAO report requested by Chairman Brett Guthrie and other House Republican leaders, which exposed significant waste, fraud, and abuse in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans. In Case You Missed It: “House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO), and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) said a GAO report has revealed the staggering level of fraud that occurs thanks to Obamacare subsidies. “The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the massive levels of fraud that comes with the Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC), an Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, subsidy to health insurers to lower the monthly health insurance premiums. “Democrats shut down the government for weeks over the looming end-of-year expiration of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit (EPTC), a more generous version of the APTC that the left-leaning party boosted through the Biden-era, coronavirus stimulus plan, the American Rescue Plan. Democrats continued the subsidies through the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, which will expire at the end of 2025. “The GAO, as part of its analysis, conducted covert operations, which included fictitious identities that flood insurers with unjustified subsides. It found that 100 percent of the fake applicants were approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as recently as 2024, with 90 percent of the fraudulent applicants continuing to receive coverage in 2025. “Chairman Guthrie, Jordan, and Smith requested the GAO investigation; they said the GAO study reifies Republicans’ concerns about these Obamacare subsidies. “‘Republicans have consistently prioritized protecting patients and taxpayers by ridding our federal health programs of the waste, fraud, and abuse that ultimately drive up costs for patients,’ Chairman Guthrie in written statement. “He continued, ‘Republicans have sounded the alarm on the flawed structural integrity of Obamacare and how Democrats’ failed policies to temporarily prop up the program have exacerbated fraud, hurt patients, increased the burden on American taxpayers, and artificially masked the true health care affordability crisis plaguing Americans today. The concerning findings from GAO’s report further confirm that Republican efforts to strengthen, secure, and sustain our federal health programs are critical and necessary to ensure access to quality health care at prices Americans can afford.’ “‘For years, we were told we could keep our plan, keep our doctor, and premiums would go down. None of it happened. This new report confirms what we already knew: under Obamacare, hardworking Americans saw their premiums skyrocket and their healthcare choices shrink, all while fraud benefitted insurance companies. Obamacare was built on lies and broken promises that hurt families and drove up costs,’ Jordan said in a statement to Breitbart News. “‘While Democrats defend waste, fraud, and abuse, Republicans are taking action to lower health care costs and protect care for all real, living Americans. GAO’s troubling report is the smoking gun that shows how this broken system, shielded by Democrat policies, has led to the federal government shoveling tens of billions of tax dollars to insurance companies through identity fraud and caused health care costs to skyrocket for all Americans,’ Smith explained. “Prior research from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and other outside organizations have found that millions may be enrolled in Obamacare improperly, resulting in as much as $27 billion in improper payments. “The GAO report found :   58,000 Social Security numbers that received the APTC matched Social Security Administration death data 7,000 people who had Social Security were dead before coverage began, meaning the applications used Social Security numbers of dead people $94 million in APTC was sent to health insurers on behalf of deceased people “GAO noted in its report its had frequently warned that Obamacare subsidies are and have been at risk of fraud. Republicans have been sounding the alarm about Obamacare subsidy fraud. “‘While Obamacare fraud is being confirmed by GAO, CMS, CBO and other outside reports, patients are suffering. They face higher health care costs and denied claims or delayed care when their providers struggle to verify which insurance is valid due to these fraud schemes. Rather than simply rubber stamp more bad spending and failed policies, we must take action to prevent further harm.’ “Meanwhile, Republicans have worked to restore integrity in the American healthcare system. The Big Beautiful Bill stipulates full income and eligibility verification before subsidies are issued, ends ‘anytime’ enrollment abuse that would fuel fraudulent enrollment, and closing loopholes that would allow illegal aliens and other ineligible groups of people to access taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits. “Instead of using Obamacare subsidies that fuel health insurers’ profits, President Donald Trump has called to send federal healthcare dollars straight to the American people so they can use their money according to their healthcare needs. “House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) said in a statement: “‘It was Democrats who created this shoddy subsidy program with no financial controls, no income cap, and no guardrails against the most blatant fraud, including the approval of subsidies for thousands of dead people. ... “‘There is absolutely no justification for perpetuating these subsidies or the failed government-controlled Obamacare system Democrats are artificially propping up. Instead, Republicans should continue to implement reforms that lower costs, expand affordable options, and protect American taxpayers.’ “The president wrote : “‘I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE, and have money left over.’ “‘In other words, take from the BIG, BAD Insurance Companies, give it to the people, and terminate, per Dollar spent, the worst Healthcare anywhere in the World, ObamaCare,’ the president added.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, announced a Member Day hearing. “The Energy and Commerce Committee leads on issues central to the lives of all Americans,” said Chairman Guthrie and Ranking Member Pallone. “We welcome all Members to testify before the Committee on the priorities within our jurisdiction that matter most to their constituents. We look forward to their participation, and we welcome ideas from across the House for discussion.” WHAT: Full Committee Member Day hearing to allow all Members of the House of Representatives an opportunity to testify before the Committee. DATE: Friday, December 12, 2025 TIME: 9:00 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The markup 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 Annabelle Huffman with the Committee staff at  Annabelle.Huffman@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Matt VanHyfte at  Matt.Vanhyfte@mail.house.gov .  ###