News

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

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) announced steps to remove 2.8 million duplicative enrollees in two or more Medicaid and/or ACA exchange plans.  “I applaud President Trump for taking decisive action to remove 2.8 million duplicative enrollees from State Medicaid programs and ACA exchanges, a move that will uphold the integrity of these programs by rooting out corrosive waste, fraud, and abuse,” said Chairman Guthrie . “This builds upon work by House Republicans in the OBBBA that gives tools to CMS and the States to prevent wasteful spending like this from happening again.”   Background:    According to CMS, a recent analysis of 2024 enrollment data identified 2.8 million Americans either enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in multiple states or simultaneously enrolled in both Medicaid/CHIP and a subsidized Affordable Care Act (ACA) Exchange plan.  Stopping duplicative enrollment in government health programs has the potential to save taxpayers approximately $14 billion annually.  As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act , CMS now has new tools to prevent future incidences like that leads to the federal government paying twice for the same person’s care—saving billions and restoring integrity to the system.  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, led a hearing titled Legislative Proposals to Maintain and Improve the Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, and Over-the-Counter Medicines .   “Today’s legislative hearing is necessary to continue essential programs that are vital to our health care infrastructure. Many of the bills before us expire at the end of this fiscal year and must be reauthorized,” said Chairman Griffith. “Considering each of these reauthorizations is an important step forward to ensure each program is working as intended.”   Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02): “We’re estimated to be over 170,000 physicians short in the next decade. Title VII and Title VIII were created to help increase participation in the health care workforce. How can these programs be improved?” Dr. Candice Chen, MD, MPH: “I think the most important thing is that they are reauthorized. These programs have been very impactful. We find that our health profession training programs rely on them to support training that is focused on areas of need– whether it's specialties and professions, as well as integrating content into curriculum and training.” Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05): “Five years ago, I worked with my Energy and Commerce colleagues to modernize how the FDA regulates most OTC medicines with the enactment of the OMUFA program. These revolutionary changes made the 40-year-old system more efficient, transparent, and open to innovation. I'm very proud to once again be leading this reauthorization of such a critical program. The OMUFA program has drastically reduced the burden on our health care system by lowering the number of visits consumers need to make to a doctor to obtain a prescription for a simple treatment.” Congressman Michael Rulli (OH-06): “I’m proud to join as an original co-sponsor to Chairman Carter's bipartisan H.R. 2493, the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act. It extends grants and helps rural residents who have trouble accessing health care. I think this is a really interesting bill for myself because I think this is one of the first times that I've actually seen on the hill– versus the state House years that I did– where we have bipartisan support for our cause. I think it's really reassuring and refreshing to see such a bipartisan approach to this problem.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement after President Trump signed the HALT Fentanyl Act into law.  “Today, America celebrates the passage of legislation that equips law-enforcement officers with necessary tools needed to combat the fentanyl crisis, promotes effective research of schedule I substances, and works to keep extremely lethal and dangerous drugs off of our streets,” said Chairman Guthrie . “I want to thank President Trump for his continued commitment to keeping illicit substances out of our country, and the HALT Fentanyl Act works directly in line with that mission. As the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, I’m proud to have been a part of creating such critical legislation that permanently places fentanyl-related substances into schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act to ensure law enforcement can crack down on drug traffickers that have wrought havoc on our communities for too long.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, delivered the following opening statement at today's hearing titled Beyond the Blue Bin: Forging a Federal Landscape for Recycling Innovation and Economic Growth . Subcommittee Chairman Palmer's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning, and welcome to today’s subcommittee hearing entitled Beyond the Blue Bin: Forging a Federal Landscape for Recycling Innovation and Economic Growth. “Before we begin, I’d like to thank Chairman Guthrie for the opportunity to lead the Environment Subcommittee. I’d also like to thank Chairman Griffith for his excellent leadership of the Subcommittee and wish him the best as the new Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health. And to Ranking Member, Mr. Tonko, I look forward to working with you. “As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I focused on the importance of critical minerals to our national security and holding the Environmental Protection Agency accountable. I look forward to continuing that important work in this new role. “Waste and recycling are generally considered to be regional issues, regulated at the state and local level. However, we will hear testimony today about the national and economic security implications of recycling policy. “In his first days in office, President Trump emphasized the need to secure our critical mineral and material supply chains. We must use an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to ensuring our ability to access these critical minerals and materials, which is why electronic waste (e-waste) is so important for our future. “With the growth of data centers and use of technology, e-waste is accumulating at higher rates every year, with billions of dollars in losses as this technology reaches its end of life. E-waste is a commodity that can be repurposed in our fight to not only be energy independent, but energy dominant. “Let me be clear – we will not recycle our way out of these issues. However, as we look to build out our mining capacities, e-waste recycling innovation provides vital short and long-term support for our needs as a nation. “The President also issued an executive order on the importance of Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements. “As part of the negotiations for the global plastics treaty, the Biden-Harris administration announced support for bans on plastics and a cap on plastic production. That would not be in America’s interest. “I look forward to hearing from our witnesses about the role that American businesses can play in innovating and developing technologies to take advantage of the opportunities in the recycling industry. “The threat China poses to the United States and our allies cannot be overstated. We will hear from our witnesses today on how we can use recycling as a tool to compete with China and protect our communities. “Thank you to our witnesses for being here today. It is my understanding we have not had a hearing on this topic in some time, and I appreciate my colleagues engaging on this important issue. I look forward to our discussion.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, led a hearing titled Beyond the Blue Bin: Forging a Federal Landscape for Recycling Innovation and Economic Growth. “It’s time to ensure that government red tape isn’t preventing investments in new technologies and methods that can help support recycling here at home. Today’s hearing was an opportunity to discuss these issues and look at long term solutions that support both mechanical and advanced recycling here in the United States,” said Chairman Palmer. “Finding ways to harness e-waste recycling will be critical as we look to find new sources of critical materials to support our economy and national security, and we cannot afford to let these vital materials go to waste.”   Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02): “I think we’re on the same page we want to strive to build a more innovative economy that incorporates advanced recycling and revitalizes American manufacturing. We need two key elements: clear rules at home and strong leadership abroad. First, we have to provide regulatory clarity and certainty, this is essential for innovation for investment and for scaling domestic recycling infrastructure. You can’t build the future on a regulatory framework that is often shaped by climate alarmism and instead of commonsense.”   Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01): “It’s an economic and a national security imperative, as well as an environmental issue. Iowa’s manufacturing sector depends on recycled materials as feedstocks, yet we're watching China and other competitors purchase our scrap at above market prices while our own factory struggled to source domestic materials. The data shows we're landfilling millions of tons of valuable manufactured materials every year — materials that should be creating jobs and strengthening supply chains right here in America. In Iowa alone, we're capturing less than half of our aluminum cans and only 15% of our steel cans — despite having to deposit on aluminum cans. That's not just waste, it's a lost economic opportunity for our manufacturers and increased dependence on foreign suppliers.” Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01): “We use plastic in everything. We store our food that way. We use it in medicine. You can't walk into my pharmacy and not see syringes. We use a lot of plastic, but when we're talking about the future of plastics, we need to work towards making a more circular economy. My district is home to Eastman Chemical Company and it's the largest dedicated advanced recycling facility in the world. In Kingsport, Eastman’s been taking plastics that normally would go into the landfill and then instead use the materials for the recycling process, and they can convert them and create new plastic materials that have the same quality and integrity as plastics that were made directly from petrochemicals.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman John Joyce (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, announced a hearing titled Ensuring Patient Safety: Oversight of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant System.   “The Committee is continuing oversight of our nation’s organ procurement and transplant system. Shocking information obtained by the Committee has shone a spotlight on ongoing patient safety concerns, lack of transparency, and mismanagement occurring within this system,” said Chairman Guthrie and Chairman Joyce . “This hearing is an opportunity to build upon previous bipartisan oversight work by this Committee and better understand how entities within the organ procurement and transplant system intend to institute reforms. Our members are committed to following the facts wherever they may lead with the goal of improving the organ procurement and transplant system in the United States and restoring faith in the system.”   Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing titled Ensuring Patient Safety: Oversight of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant System .   WHAT: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing on ensuring the nation’s organ procurement and transplant system prioritizes patient safety.  DATE: Tuesday, July 22, 2025  TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  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 Annabelle Huffman at Annabelle.Huffman@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Katie West at Katie.West@mail.house.gov .   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled Legislative Proposals to Maintain and Improve the Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, and Over-the-Counter Medicines. Subcommittee Chairman Griffith’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Today’s legislative hearing is necessary to continue essential programs that are vital to our health care infrastructure.  “Many of the bills before us expire at the end of this fiscal year and must be reauthorized.   “One of the bills that will be discussed today is H.R. 4273, the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments, led by Mr. Latta and Ranking Member DeGette.   “The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which passed in 2020, modernized the regulation of over-the-counter monograph drugs and products. It also created a new user fee program to support this new framework, also known as OMUFA.   “Generally, a company can market an over-the-counter drug if they either submit a new drug application or go through the over-the-counter monograph process.   “Prior to 2020, this involved a lengthy, burdensome three-phase, rulemaking process.  “This led to Congress creating a new regulatory framework that allows FDA to issue administrative orders determining that a product is generally recognized as safe and effective, or GRASE, and simultaneously establishing a new user fee program to help ensure this process is effective and streamlined.   “This is the first reauthorization of OMUFA.  “We hope to work in a bipartisan way to address any outstanding issues to ensure this program is functioning how Congress initially intended, including minimizing regulatory burdens, supporting innovation, and increasing access to products in a safe and efficient manner.   “We will also consider other legislation that will help encourage the FDA to be more flexible in their review processes.   “H.R. 3686, the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act, led by Dr. Joyce and Mrs. Dingell, would require the FDA to consider the use of certain real-world, evidence-based and non-animal testing methods when it comes to evaluating new sunscreen active ingredients in the United States.   “We are behind other countries in bringing innovative sunscreens to market, and this bill would help to bridge that gap.  “During our last hearing on OMUFA, we had a robust discussion around the need for more innovative sunscreens to be available in the United States.   “I look forward to the discussion around these policies today.  “Along similar lines, the FDA must keep pace with current technological advancements, which includes greater utilization of non-animal testing methods.   “H.R. 2821, led by Reps. Carter and Barragan, would help support FDA’s efforts to do just that.   “Congress gave FDA this ability in 2022 when the FDA Modernization 2.0 was signed into law, but the FDA has failed to fully implement these practices.   “This legislation would require the FDA to finally update its regulations to account for non-animal testing. “This bill does not require non-animal testing; it simply provides the option if companies wish to pursue less costly methods, such as computer AI modeling or organ chip testing.   “There are also two important reauthorizations in front of us today that serve a vital role in helping our medical workforce, which are the Title VII and Title VIII reauthorizations.   “These programs allocate resources for scholarships and educational assistance, so students from underserved backgrounds, who are often from rural areas, can pursue medical careers and help support the medical workforce that Americans widely rely upon.   “It is crucial for Congress to take a close look at these programs to ensure resources are going to areas and patients who need it most.  “We are also discussing legislation that will continue grants for certain health care services in rural areas and help to increase the use of telehealth, so patients can access care more easily.  “Reauthorizing the Telehealth Resource Centers Grant Program will support our telehealth infrastructure that has become a lifeline for both providers and patients across the country– especially in rural areas.   “Considering each of these reauthorizations is an important step forward to ensure each program is working as intended.  “I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today regarding the importance of these programs, and to ensure they are reauthorized in a timely manner.”   ###