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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, sent a letter to Steven S. Cliff, Ph.D., Executive Officer of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), demanding answers and documents that the Committee previously requested from CARB on California’s refusal to follow the law and implement the Clean Air Act as written by Congress. The Committee also requested transcribed interviews of six individuals if CARB fails to provide the previously requested information by December 5, 2025.    “The Committee’s August 11, 2025, letter requested information and documents from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) about California’s enforcement of state vehicle emission standards that disregard recent Congressional actions to disapprove waivers of federal preemption under the Clean Air Act,” said Chairmen Guthrie, Joyce, and Palmer. “Unfortunately, CARB’s responses to date have been woefully inadequate and do not satisfy the Committee’s important oversight interests in this matter.” Key excerpt from the letter: “Clean Air Act section 209(a) preempts states from adopting or attempting to enforce any emissions control standard for new motor vehicles or engines, or any condition precedent to the initial retail sale, registration or inspection of such vehicle or engine. Under section 209(b), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may waive federal preemption, allowing California to establish state motor vehicle emission standards. However, Congress passed with bipartisan support, and President Trump signed, three resolutions under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) disapproving three waivers of preemption that the Biden-Harris Administration previously granted.” “Due to CARB’s failure to make a good faith effort to provide the requested information and documents, the Committee requests transcribed interviews with the following individuals if CARB fails to provide the requested information and documents by December 5, 2025: Lauren Sanchez, CARB Chair (from September 2025 to present); Liane Randolph, Former CARB Chair (from December 2021 to September 2025); Steven Cliff, CARB Executive Officer; Shannon Dilley, CARB Chief Counsel; Christopher Grundler, CARB Deputy Executive Officer – Mobile Sources & Incentives; and Robin Lang, Division Chief, CARB Emissions Certification & Compliance Division. “The Committee requests that these transcribed interviews be completed no later than December 12, 2025.” Background: Since President Trump signed the three Congressional Review Act resolutions into law, revoking California’s ability to set state emission standards that mandate the sale of EVs, the state cannot move forward with plans to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles. The Committee’s August 11, 2025, request sought answers about California’s apparent enforcement of the preempted standards and requested copies of related documents, such as internal guidance CARB provided to its staff, communications with other states, internal correspondence between CARB officials and the Governor’s Office and the Office of Attorney General, and other internal documents concerning CARB’s response to the disapproval of the waivers of federal preemption. The requested information and documents will help the Committee understand how California is implementing the Clean Air Act in light of the federal preemption of state emission standards, and whether the waiver authority in Clean Air Act section 209(b) should be eliminated or otherwise modified. CLICK HERE to read the full letter .

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, led a hearing titled Innovation with Integrity: Examining the Risks and Benefits of AI Chatbots . “AI chatbots are increasingly integrated into the lives of many Americans, and yesterday’s hearing offered the opportunity to have a balanced, frank conversation about the potential benefits and harms of AI chatbots to Americans,” said Chairman Joyce, M.D. “It is important that we consider the implications of these technologies as we promote AI innovation while protecting the most vulnerable among us.” Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from yesterday’s hearing: Congressman Rick Allen (GA-12): “We’ve seen cases of teens who spend hours a day on AI chatbots. Some of these conversations are mundane. [But] there are examples [of] self-harm and sexualized material. A growing number of teens are becoming emotionally dependent on these. From a clinical standpoint, are there design practices or guardrails that platforms should consider, especially for entertainment or companionship, to prevent minors from forming unsafe or addictive relationships from these systems?” Dr. Torous: “We’re still learning about these parasocial relationships where people make these relationships with these bots. These are not objects; these are not people. And in some ways, I think a useful analogy I can tell patients is think of an AI like a self-help book. [...] I think where it crosses the line is when the self-help book stops giving basic self-help, starts getting too personal, starts talking about deeper issues. So, I think it’s possible for the bots to operate as self-help books by having very clear guardrails where they stop and where they hand you off to a person.” Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID-01): “Kids are wired to form attachments with things that act friendly. What we don’t want happening is a chatbot taking the role of teaching a child right and wrong. With AI utilization increasing in children, are you concerned that children may look up to a faceless chatbot as a sort of parental authority or figure? And how do we propose that parents and educators prevent that from happening?” Dr. Wei: “A lot of times, teens and children turn to AI chatbots first for homework or for useful purposes, and then it can shift. And that’s where that shift is. We don’t know the long-term effects of AI companions and chatbots in terms of emotional relationships. It’s a frictionless relationship. It doesn’t offer the same kinds of moral guidance like you referenced or the complexity of human dynamics. So, we still need to understand better how to help kids navigate that, while still being able to use AI for good purposes.” Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09): “Kids deserve the same safety mindset online that we bring to car seats, playgrounds, and stranger danger. Unfortunately, we have seen heartbreaking stories recently that are cause for concern and action by this committee. Our job is to set clear guardrails so the best ideas can scale safely.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, delivered the following opening statement at today's hearing titled Innovation with Integrity: Examining the Risks and Benefits of AI Chatbots. Subcommittee Chairman Joyce’s opening statement as prepared for delivery:  "Good afternoon, and welcome to today's hearing entitled 'Innovation with Integrity: Examining the Risks and Benefits of AI Chatbots' “Generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are computer programs powered by large language models that simulate human conversation with a user. AI chatbots are increasingly integrated into the devices we use daily. For example, chatbots are built into search engines, social media platforms, and even some vehicle onboard software systems.    “Moreover, chatbots are widely accessible and easy to use. A user simply enters a prompt—usually in the form of a command or question—and the chatbot responds almost instantaneously with human-like responses. With advanced processing capabilities, chatbots can summarize complex concepts, streamline customer service inquiries, and generate content on demand. Beyond their practical research and business uses, chatbots are also utilized for entertainment, therapy, and companionship by both adults and young people.    “With continual prompts, users can cultivate a dialogue with a chatbot that can feel like a real interpersonal relationship. Through natural language processing, chatbots are designed to effectively engage with users in a human-like way that can instill a sense of comfort and companionship for the user.    “Additionally, Americans are increasingly engaging with chatbots for mental health support. For some, turning to a chatbot for therapy can be helpful in limited circumstances when they have nowhere else to go. Under the wrong circumstances, however, these chatbot relationships can go wrong.    “First, users can feel a false sense of anonymity with chatbots, sharing personal or sensitive information that is not protected by confidentiality obligations. Moreover, chatbots retain data to enhance their ‘memory,’ which improves the quality of their interactions with users. This data is also used to train the chatbot’s base model to improve the accuracy of responses across the platform.    “In addition to chatbots retaining data to improve their models, AI chatbots have been subject to data breaches and if conversation data falls into the wrong hands, sensitive personal information can be obtained by malicious actors.    “Second, chatbots are designed to maximize engagement with users. As a result, sycophantic chatbots have been found to affirm harmful or illogical beliefs, providing vulnerable users with perceived support for unhealthy behaviors such as self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide. For children and adults with a propensity for mental illness, this can be particularly problematic.    “Many of us are familiar with recent cases where a relationship with chatbots has proven harmful –sometimes deadly—for some users. Since AI chatbots emerged, there have been cases of adults and teens attempting or committing suicide after long-term relationships with chatbots. In some cases, the chatbots encouraged or affirmed suicidal ideations.    “Two months ago, the Federal Trade Commission launched an inquiry to understand what steps seven major AI chatbot companies are taking to protect children and teens from harm.1 I am hopeful that this inquiry will shed light on ways that these technologies can be improved to keep children safe.    “My goal today is to have a balanced, frank conversation about the potential benefits and harms of AI chatbots to Americans. It is important that we consider the implications of these technologies as we balance the benefits of AI innovation with protecting the most vulnerable among us.    “I want to thank the witnesses for being here today, and I look forward to hearing from you on this important topic.”    ###

Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing titled  Innovation with Integrity: Examining the Risks and Benefits of AI Chatbots . WHAT:  Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing investigating the safety of AI chatbots. DATE:  Tuesday, November 18, 2025 UPDATED TIME:  1:30 PM 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 Jackson Rudden at Jackson.Rudden@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 John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting a briefing to better understand the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recent actions and ongoing work to enhance safety within the organ procurement and transplantation system. On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced major efforts to improve safety, transparency, and efficiency within the organ procurement and transplantation system, including the decertification of an organ procurement organization (OPO) for the first time in U.S. history. According to the announcement , the decision was made “after an investigation uncovered years of unsafe practices, poor training, chronic underperformance, understaffing, and paperwork errors.” The Committee has a history of ensuring patient safety remains the highest priority in our organ procurement and transplantation system, as evident from the Committee’s work last Congress on organ transplantation and donation issues as well as its oversight this Congress. As a part of its ongoing investigation, the Committee requests that CMS respond to questions, including those related to the decertification of the OPO in South Florida and the prevalence of incidents similar to those outlined in the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) investigative report, to ensure patient safety remains a top priority. Read the full letter HERE . “While the Committee applauds efforts taken by CMS to uphold the highest standards of care to which all OPOs are expected to adhere, HHS’s announcement decertifying the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency illustrates the urgency of this moment and why the subcommittee is not finished with our oversight of the organ transplant system,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Joyce. “It is our moral obligation as members of Congress to establish safeguards and prevent these harmful practices from persisting further, and we look forward to obtaining answers from the agency about the prevalence of these incidents, as well as how CMS plans to proceed with prioritizing patient safety first and foremost.” Background: During the 118th Congress, the Committee on Energy and Commerce led the passage of the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act to both modernize the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and allow HRSA to institute a competitive contracting process to find the best contractors for various OPTN functions. This legislation was signed into law on September 22, 2023.  On March 20, 2024, the Committee launched an investigation into the organ procurement and transplantation system by sending a letter to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) requesting information related to concerns surrounding data security and operability, patient safety and equity, and conflicts of interest.   On March 20, 2024, the Committee also sent a letter to HRSA requesting information related to implementation of the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act as well as other concerns related to effective oversight and management.  On September 11, 2024, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing that focused on the implementation of reforms at the OPTN, including the need for stronger oversight and accountability as well as ongoing patient safety concerns.  During the hearing, questions were raised related to allegations of mismanagement and patient safety concerns after patients began exhibiting signs of increased neurologic function after being previously deemed suitable as an organ donation candidate. Several of these allegations, particularly those related to patient safety, were later substantiated through the findings contained in HRSA’s March 2025 report.  On March 24, 2025, HRSA’s Division of Transplantation issued a report that summarized the findings of its investigation into KYDA, the OPO now known as Network for Hope, which serves Kentucky and parts of Ohio, West Virginia, and Indiana.   HRSA’s investigation examined an “index case” and an additional 351 unique cases of authorized, not recovered (ANR) patients. This means that the patients were considered for donation after circulatory death recovery, but no organs were transplanted. The report showed that nearly 30 percent of the cases “had concerning features.” The concerning features included problems with patient-family interactions, medical assessments and team interactions, recognition of high neurologic function, and recognition and documentation of drugs in records.  On May 28, 2025, HRSA issued a corrective action plan to the OPTN, which directed the OTPN to take specific actions within a specified period of time, including developing a 12-month OPTN monitoring plan for KYDA to address concerns identified. The corrective action plan also requires the OPTN to propose policies for public comment to improve safeguards for potential donation after circulatory death (DCD) patients in the organ procurement process and increase information shared with patient families regarding DCD organ procurement.  On July 22, 2025, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing examining concerning practices within our nation’s organ procurement and transplant system that were identified by HRSA’s investigation.  On September 12, 2025, the Committee sent a bipartisan letter to HRSA requesting a briefing on its ongoing oversight of patient safety in our nation’s organ procurement and transplant system. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – This week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is holding two Subcommittee Hearings and two Subcommittee Markups. Read more below. SUBCOMMITTEE MARKUP: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a markup of 28 bills to streamline broadband permitting. DATE: Tuesday, November 18, 2025  TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is holding a hearing to examine the risks and benefits of AI chatbots. DATE: Tuesday, November 18, 2025  TIME: 2:00 PM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building SUBCOMMITTEE MARKUP: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy will hold a markup of eight bills to reform appliance and building policies. DATE: Wednesday, November 19, 2025  TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade is holding a hearing to examine time, travel, and tourism. DATE: Thursday, November 20, 2025  TIME: 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, sent a letter to Gene Dodaro, the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), requesting an assessment of available or emerging technologies and materials that could be used to supplement critical minerals in semiconductors. “Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements are essential for technologies used in many sectors of the economy, including energy, transportation, national defense, health care, and consumer electronics,” said Chairmen Joyce and Palmer . “These minerals are vulnerable to supply-chain disruptions for several reasons, including U.S. reliance on foreign sources, as well as the rapid growth in demand for critical minerals in the U.S. and abroad.” CLICK HERE to read the full letter. The letter asks the GAO to examine: The status of domestic technologies and supplemental materials, such as critical minerals found in mine waste, tailings, or reclaimed from end-of-life batteries and electronic waste, that can serve as substitutes for foreign-sourced critical minerals from non-allied nations needed for semiconductors and energy grid or power electronics, including impacts on material and product performance. Key technological challenges to the development or adoption of these domestic supplemental and materials to advance the diversification of U.S. critical mineral sources. BACKGROUND: In May, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on ways to enhance our critical mineral supply chains. Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans are committed to strengthening our critical mineral supply chains and finding solutions to reduce our reliance on foreign sources, particularly when it comes to foreign adversaries like China. The Trump Administration has also worked hard to bolster these supply chains. Critical minerals are essential to American technologies and industries, and finding innovative domestic solutions that can contribute to our independence from non-allied nations is essential as we work to onshore American innovation and strengthen our national security. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, announced a hearing titled Innovation with Integrity: Examining the Risks and Benefits of AI Chatbots. “The rapid advancement of AI holds tremendous promise for the future, but recent stories about AI chatbots’ interactions with users have raised serious concerns about the potential impact of chatbot use on the health and wellbeing of those who engage with these platforms,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Joyce. “While some AI chatbot providers have taken steps to address these concerns, additional oversight is needed to better understand risks to users when interacting with these technologies. This hearing will allow the Committee to examine the risks, what safeguards are in place, and how to ensure users—especially children and teens—can stay safe while using chatbots. We must continue working to facilitate AI innovation and global leadership in new technologies while also guarding against compromises to the safety and wellbeing of online users.” Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing titled Innovation with Integrity: Examining the Risks and Benefits of AI Chatbots. WHAT: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing investigating the safety of AI chatbots. DATE: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 TIME: 2:00 PM 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 Jackson Rudden at Jackson.Rudden@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, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting information on how far-left organizations received billions of dollars in the final days of the previous administration through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF).  “In the final days of the Biden-Harris Administration, the EPA put their far-left allies ahead of the American people, giving away Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grants worth nearly $30 billion to recipients who were not equipped to receive such large amounts of funding,” said Chairmen Guthrie, Joyce, and Palmer. “By requesting documentation about this grant process from the EPA, Republicans on the Committee on Energy and Commerce are continuing our work to root out waste, fraud, and abuse while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”  This letter follows requests sent to eight nonprofits who were awarded more than $20 billion earlier this year through the GGRF. Key excerpt from the letter: “The Committee finds the potential for financial mismanagement particularly worrisome, as some of the grantees’ previous revenues were only a small fraction of the GGRF funds they received, which raises questions about whether the grant recipients can adequately manage grant amounts that are significantly larger than their previously documented revenue.” “The Committee seeks to ensure that the federal government is a good steward of taxpayer dollars and to continue supporting EPA’s efforts in combatting waste, fraud, and abuse within the GGRF program. To assist with the Subcommittee’s investigation of GGRF and support the Administration’s efforts, the Committee requests the following documents no later than November 19, 2025: The complete grant file for the three NCIF grantees and the five CCIA grantees, including the application submitted by the organization with all supporting documentation and appendices, any additional information requested by EPA, and any memos on changes to the grant terms and conditions. The scoring breakdown and rational for each score for all the NCIF and CCIA applicants included in the final rankings lists for the top-ranked applications, including any changes to scoring or rescores and rationale for why those changes occurred. Any checklist or guidance for EPA grants employees on what steps they should be taking to conduct appropriate pre-award due diligence and to ensure all required paperwork and documentation is submitted and verified. This should include briefing materials used to advise the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Chief of Staff, General Counsel, Associate Administrator for Mission Support, and Associate Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation about the selection of NCIF grantees and CCIA grantees. Any reports received from Citibank or the U.S. Treasury regarding the account balances or transactions histories of the GGRF accounts for the three NCIF grantees and the five CCIA grantees and any of their sub-awardees. Any progress reports received from the three NCIF grantees and the five CCIA grantees. The names of all panel chairs, senior review panels, selection officials, and all individuals involved in the review panels for all the NCIF and CCIA applicants included in the final rankings lists for the top-ranked applications.” 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.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter. Read More About this Ongoing Investigation: “SCOOP: Biden-era grant program described as ‘gold bar’ scheme by Trump EPA administrator under scrutiny” –   Fox News “EXCLUSIVE: Key Committee Demands Docs in Biden ‘Gold Bars’ Probe” – Daily Caller ###