News

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  Converting Energy into Intelligence: the Future of AI Technology, Human Discovery, and American Global Competitiveness . Chairman Guthrie's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “I want to thank our witnesses for being here and traveling long distances to be here.  “This hearing came from a Library of Congress presentation that Dr. Schmidt held on his book 'Genesis', that he wrote with Henry Kissinger, Henry Kissinger’s last book. “I walked away, thinking we needed to have the entire Congress hear your presentation. So, we’re doing it with the entire Energy and Commerce Committee. “Because, I think an author always wants to know when they write a book, will somebody read my book? And then if they read the book, then will it have an impact? “Well, today, you and all the witnesses are before the full Energy and Commerce Committee. “Our dear colleague, and the dear husband of our colleague, Debbie Dingell, used to say that if it’s moving, it’s energy, if it isn’t, its commerce, something to that effect. “So, we have a large jurisdiction. I say it takes energy to move commerce. I can’t improve on Chairman Dingle, but that’s my version of it. “And so, we’re having a full committee hearing. We typically do this in subcommittee, but this touches all jurisdictions, and I think everybody needs to hear it. If you think about it, it’s going to take enormous energy to beat China to AI in doing that, we have to protect the environment. “Our telecom and privacy, through our commerce and telecom committees, will be dealing with this, and AI has particularly health care applications. So, it touches all of our jurisdictions. “Dr. Schmidt, when I walked away from the Library of Congress, and I read your book, it gave me a sense of mission, and a direction I want to take this committee in the time that I’m chairman. To sum up what you said, it’s the US versus China. “And who will win the war for AI? Essentially, this is as important as the dollar being the reserve currency in the world. It’s that important, that’s what is before us. “What I hear from people in this space, is that we have the brain power and we have the capital, what we need is the energy and the correct regulatory framework. “We have an example of what not to do, and I believe you said in your presentation, Dr. Schmidt, is that Europe has chosen not to grow. We can’t look there as an example, we have to work through it our ourselves. “Some of Europe’s regulatory framework, written specifically to disadvantage American companies, has made them non-competitive. “Europe and the US had a similar sized economy in 2008, and I’ve read that our economy is now about 80% larger. So, what do we need to do? The reason we want to do a full committee hearing is that we have to have broad consensus on how we work together. It has to be Democrat and Republican. “People who invest tell me it’s tough to invest based on congressional cycles or presidential cycles when the rules are going to change every two to four years. And so, what I would like to do in this committee is come up with a regulatory framework and an energy policy that most of us can agree on and build a broad consensus on how we develop massive amounts of energy, while protecting our environment. Dr. Schmidt, you said all energy resources are needed and then AI will develop solutions to deal with climate change. “To put this in perspective, a Microsoft data center can use as much power as the city of Seattle, is what I’ve been told. On the regulation side of it, we have to protect our privacy. Yesterday we had a markup of our bills on children’s privacy and children’s safety, and we have to protect our privacy. “I think all of us want our privacy protected. We can’t do it in a heavy-handed way that stifles innovation, and as I said, we have to look at our friends across the Atlantic. But I think we need to more intently look across the Pacific to a nation determined to win. “China has specifically said they are going to win the war on AI, and we are taking up the challenge to prove to them that the American entrepreneur and the American intellect will win the war on AI, but they have to have the energy and the regulatory environment to do so. “So, if this committee gets it right, America will win. It may win anyway, but we need to be there to make that happen. And if you look at ‘what if China wins?’ We just had an oversight hearing addressing how a medical device from China had an [IP address connected] to the University of Beijing. “What did that mean? We know they’re using everything they can to get information they need on us. “So, we must win. We will win. And for the sake of the world, we have to win. And I’m determined, through this hearing, that all of us will work together, because all of us are dedicated to winning.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, released the following statement celebrating the work being done by President Trump to support American coal and its role in domestic energy production. “Today’s executive order is an important step toward ensuring American energy dominance. As a baseload power source, coal provides reliable and affordable power for our communities, and it can help to power our AI future, too.” said Chairman Guthrie. “Our coal industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and generates billions of dollars for our economy annually, and it does so in cleaner, safer ways than ever. By cutting red tape and expanding access to this importance resource, President Trump is keeping his promise to lower energy prices, support the development of more baseload power, and stand with American workers.” Background: President Trump’s Executive Order directs the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council to designate coal as a “mineral” under Executive Order 14241, entitling coal to all of the benefits of that prior order, which takes action to increase American mineral production. Further, the order directs relevant agencies to identify coal resources on Federal lands, lift barriers to coal mining, and prioritize coal leasing on those lands. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee markup. Chairman Guthrie's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Thank you all for being here today for this markup as we look to advance legislation affecting Americans in the most personal ways. From reauthorizing key programs addressing substance use disorder, to protecting Americans online from sexual exploitation, the Committee on Energy and Commerce is working to address the biggest issues facing our country and our constituents. “Every bill we are considering today is bipartisan, and in many cases members of this Committee have been working together on them over several Congresses. Every bill today either passed out of the Committee unanimously and through the House last year with strong bipartisan votes or were negotiated and agreed upon on a bipartisan, bicameral basis at the end of last year. Every single bill we are considering had bipartisan agreement last Congress, and I am hope we can pick up where we left off to move them all forward today. “Earlier this Congress, Ranking Member Pallone and I testified before the House Administration Committee to talk about our Committee budget, and I really appreciate what the Ranking Member said at that hearing about some of the legislation we are considering today. “He said, 'While we were not able to get these bipartisan bills and provisions signed into law last Congress, I know that we are committed to getting them done this Congress.' “I am glad to report that we are moving those bills forward because they make our country stronger, and we need to pass this critical legislation.  “In particular, we will advance health care legislation to lower costs for patients, support cancer research, and address substance use disorder.  “I’m thankful to all of my colleagues who have supported this legislation to increase access to care for patients and their families.  “Today, we also have an opportunity to advance multiple bills that will strengthen our communications infrastructure and better prevent attacks from our adversaries, who are continually seeking to compromise our critical infrastructure. These bills will help fortify our networks against their threats.  “While technological leadership is critically important to our national security and economic prosperity, as a father and grandfather, I am extremely concerned by the stories we are all hearing from parents about the potential unintended consequences of new technologies.   “From protecting Americans from romance scams to increasing price transparency in ticketing and lodging, today should be a chance to celebrate bipartisan wins that serve our constituents.   “I am still hopeful that we can make progress soon on some of the other bills I have discussed with my friends across the aisle, but nonetheless, we are marking up some outstanding legislation today, and I want to thank all of our sponsors for their hard work getting us to this point.  “I always say the work we do here in the House affects people in their homes. This legislation makes American homes safer, healthier, and more prosperous.   “Thank you all for your hard work, and I look forward to advancing this legislation out of Committee.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, led by Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), reported 20 pieces of legislation to the full House of Representatives. “Today’s markup featured a variety of bills aiming to bolster our economy, protect Americans’ online safety, and strengthen consumer safety standards,” said Chairman Guthrie. “Thank you to the sponsors of each individual piece of legislation, as they all mark a significant step forward in ensuring a safer and more prosperous nation for future generations.”   Legislative Vote Summary:  H.R. 1442 , the Youth Poisoning Protection Act , was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 50 yeas – 1 nay.          H.R. 973 , the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act , was reported to the full House by voice vote.       H.R. 633 , the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes On Websites and Networks (TAKE IT DOWN) Act , was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 49 yeas – 1 nay.          H.R. 1664 , the Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025 , was reported to the full House by voice vote.       H.R. 2444 , the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2025 , was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 50 yeas – 1 nay.        H.R. 2480 , the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act , was reported to the full House by voice vote.     H.R. 1402 , the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act , was reported to the full House by voice vote.     H.R. 1479 , the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025 , was reported to the full house by voice vote.     H.R. 859 , the Informing Consumers About Smart Devices Act , was reported to the full House by voice vote.    H.R. 2481 , the Romance Scam Prevention Act , was reported to the full House by voice vote.     H.R. 617 , the American Music Tourism Act of 2025 , was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 52 yeas – 1 nay.      H. R. 2269 , the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act , was reported to the full House by voice vote.   H.R. 906 , the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency (FACT) Act , was reported to the full House by voice vote.  H.R. 2449 , the Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced (FUTURE) Networks Act , was reported to the full House by voice vote. H.R. 2458 , the Secure Space Act , was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 52 yeas – 1 nay.     H.R. 866 , the Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security (ROUTERS) Act , was reported to the full House, as amended, by voice vote. H.R. 2482 , the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Reauthorization Act of 2025 , was reported to the full House by voice vote. H.R. 2399 , the Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 , was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 51 yeas – 1 nay.     H.R. 2037 , the OpenRAN Outreach Act , was reported to the full House by voice vote. H.R. 1717 , the Communications Security Act , was reported to the full house by a roll call vote of 50 yeas – 1 nay.     Watch the full markup here . Below are key excerpts from today’s markup: Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) on the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act: “This legislation is about protecting consumers and ensuring fans can enjoy live events by improving ticket price transparency. HR 1402 requires all event ticket sellers to display the total ticket price, including all required fees upfront, provide refunds for canceled or postponed events and protect consumers from deceptive ticketing websites. This bill also prohibits speculative ticket sales, which is the practice of selling tickets that one does not actually possess. By eliminating this loophole, we are ensuring fairer access to tickets for all fans.” Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) on the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes On Websites and Networks (TAKE IT DOWN) Act: “We've heard time and again of the horrific stories of people ranging from celebrities to 14-year-old girls that have been victimized by this harmful content by strangers or even their peers. While AI has the potential to be harnessed for incredible things, there are far too many predators out there who abuse its power to exploit innocent people, which is why Congress must implement decisive federal guidelines. Myself, as a father of three girls, it's sickening, it's harmful, and it must stop. Big tech will not remain complicit anymore. They will take it down. This commonsense legislation is simple and should be a no-brainer to support. It would criminalize the publication of nonconsensual sexually exploitative images, including AI generated deep fakes and require platforms to remove them. This legislation has also been narrowly crafted to ensure that it does not affect consensual and constitutionally protected speech, which brings me back to the fact that this should be a no brainer to support.” Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) on the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act: “The flood of shoddily manufactured lithium-ion batteries into the United States with no serious safety standards has led to deadly fires and explosions and has even led to the deaths of innocent people and first responders. In New York city alone, these batteries have caused 850 fires since 2021, resulting in more than 450 injuries and 34 tragic deaths. Just this year, 279 immobility fires have been reported already – a staggering increase from 44 in 2020. This problem isn't just limited to New York. Across the country, families have been left homeless and first responders put in danger by low quality batteries powering many of these e-bikes and. shooters. HR 973, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, sponsored by my colleague Representative Richie Torres, is a commonsense solution that will set clear safety standards for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in immobility devices, ensuring that only safe tested products reach American consumers.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, along with advocates for the TAKE IT DOWN Act, issued the following statements of support after the bill was reported out of Committee by a vote of 49 to 1. “No man, woman, or child should be subjected to the spread of explicit AI images meant to target and harass innocent victims. I am so thankful for our outstanding advocates and legislators who have worked hard to raise awareness and build a strong coalition to support this bipartisan bill,”   said Chairman Guthrie .  “Today, the Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced the bill to the full House of Representatives, where I look forward to, once again, voting in favor of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, so that we can send it to the President’s desk for signature.” “I remain dedicated to championing child well-being, ensuring that every young person can thrive and ‘Be Best.’ Thank you to the House Energy & Commerce Committee for advancing the TAKE IT DOWN Act. This marks a significant step in our bipartisan efforts to safeguard our children from online threats,”  said First Lady Melania Trump.   “I urge Congress to swiftly pass this important legislation. Together, we can create a safer, brighter future for all Americans!” “I am glad we are one step closer to protecting victims of online sexual exploitation. Giving victims rights to flag non-consensual images and requiring social media companies to remove that content quickly is a pivotal and necessary change to the online landscape,”  said Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. “ And by ensuring that AI-generated deep-fake content is included in these protections, Congress is showing its commitment to fighting 21st Century harms that are plaguing our children and grandchildren.” “In February, our family mourned the loss of our loving son and brother, Elijah Heacock, after he fell victim to an extortion scheme on the internet,”  said Shannon Cronister-Heacock, mother of Elijah Heacock.  “We are grateful for the support of Chairman Guthrie and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for passing the TAKE IT DOWN Act today to ensure that no parent, sibling, or loved one experiences a similar tragedy in the future. This bill honors Elijah’s life, and we are appreciative of Congress’ actions to protect children online and save lives.” “I was only fourteen years old when one of my classmates created deepfake, AI nudes of me and distributed them on social media. I was shocked, violated, and felt unsafe going to school. Thankfully, I was able to work with Senator Ted Cruz’s office to write the TAKE IT DOWN Act — and today is an important milestone towards that bill becoming law, so that no other girl has to go through what I went through without legal protections in place,”   said Elliston Berry, survivor and advocate .  “Thank you to Chairman Guthrie for prioritizing the TAKE IT DOWN Act for committee passage.” “At 14, for almost two years, I stood alone, advocating for AI deep fake laws to protect us after my school’s inaction and lack of accountability insulted my self-respect. This journey is dedicated to every woman and teenager who was told to stay silent and move on. It is also a testament to the courageous bipartisan leaders who stood beside me, proving that change is possible. Today, we celebrate a critical step towards the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act into federal law,”   said Francesca Mani, AI victim turned advocate & TIME100 AI Most Influential Person.   “A heartfelt thank you to Chairman Guthrie for standing with us and making swift committee passage possible. We are no longer alone.” “Today, we celebrate an important victory with House committee passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a federal safeguard against non-consensual AI-generated intimate images,”   said Dorota Mani, an educator, advocate, and mother .  “This important legislation, which is now well on its way to the President’s desk, staunchly defends our women and children while preserving every American’s dignity and rights.” “Survivors—both minors and adults—deserve protection and justice. Every survivor should be able to report their abuse to law enforcement, have their abuse content removed fully and abusers should be found and held appropriately accountable. Image-based sexual abuse is sexual assault facilitated online. You cannot accidentally sexual assault someone offline and the same should be true for the online. The harms of all forms of image-based sexual abuse—including deepfake abuse—quickly follow that victim home, to school, to work and anywhere they try to exist after such a profound and public trauma,”   said Andrea Powell, Co-Founder and Chief of Impact, Alecto AI .  “Alecto AI supports the TAKE IT DOWN Act because we believe that in its passage, we will be getting closer to a world where young women and girls don’t have worry that being online means being targets of sexual violence. All survivors deserve protection and justice.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –  Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, led by Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), will mark up 26 bills, including H.R. 2483, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation, which is co-led by Chairman Guthrie and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), has received widespread support from over 160 vital substance use disorder treatment and recovery organizations. Here’s what they’re saying: “The state of behavioral health in America remains a national crisis, with millions of people across the nation experiencing an SUD and 1 in 5 Americans experiencing an MH condition each year,” said Debbie Witchey, MHA, President and CEO of Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW). “The SUPPORT Act is critical to effectively addressing SUDs and co-occurring MH conditions. Its policies and provisions will continue to embrace prevention, treatment, and a pathway to recovery.” “Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a nearly 24% decline in drug overdose deaths from September 2023 through September 2024. The number of overdose deaths during this 12-month period was the lowest since June 2020,” said Advocates for Opioid Addiction Treatment (AOAT). “Without question, the bipartisan SUPPORT Act of 2018, which expanded access to treatment and began addressing treatment workforce shortages played a critical role in reversing the tragic and deadly overdose trend and saving lives.”  “Overdose rates are beginning to drop slightly, and we firmly believe that our investment in recovery support services is a major reason why. The SUPPORT Act gave rise to the Building Communities of Recovery Program, which seeks to mobilize and connect a broad array of community-based resources for persons with substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring substance use and mental disorders (COD),” said Patty McCarthy, CEO of Faces & Voices of Recovery. “You have our full-throated support for the passage of this legislation, and we look forward to your continued commitment to the advancement of SUD treatment and recovery.”  Background:  H.R. 2483, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes key public health programs focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery for patients with substance use disorder that were established in the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act, which was signed into law in 2018. Full list of supporting organizations:  A Stepping Stone to Success Active Minds ADA Women's Center Addiction Policy Forum Addiction Professionals of North Carolina Advocates for Opioid Addiction Treatment (AOAT) Akin American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) American Association of Addiction Nursing American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) American Foundation for Suicide Prevention American Jail Association American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) Association of Prosecuting Attorneys Barbie Girl Ink LLC Behavioral Health Foundation Beyond Addiction Boone County Drug Prevention Coalition Brain First Family Center Bridging Hope, Inc. Brightpoint Bring Light Save Life C.A.R.E CADCA California Consortium of Addiction Programs & Professionals Centerstone Center for Adolescent Behavioral Health Research, Boston Children's Hospital Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Children’s Hope Alliance Command Destinations Community in Connection Couve Collective Crossroads To Intervention, Inc Crosswinds Recovery Dayspring Foundation DePaul’s NCADD-RA Devin J. Norring Foundation Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. (EIC) Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, & Action (EDC) Faces & Voices of Recovery First Step Counseling & Educational Services Families Forward Michigan FASCETS Center for Neurodiversity FASD Changemakers FASD Collaborative Project FASD Network of Northern California FASD Network of Southern California FASD Strong FASD United FASDNow! Florissa Pediatric Development Center FLOW Counseling & Guidance, Pllc Formed Families Forward Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina Freund & Associates, LLC Functional Link Occupational Therapy Grant a Gift Autism Foundation Harm Reduction Research Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson Hawaii FASD Action Group Healthcare Leadership Council Heart & Soul Speech Hopewell HOR Community Solutions, LLC Huntington, WV QRT (Quick Response Team) Hurley House IC&RC Illuminate Colorado InforMATION, LLC Inseparable Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition Jenks Forensic Addictions Services JLM Research and Evaluation Kansas FASD Support Network, Inc Kasper’s FASD Life Coaching & Training Kentucky Alliance of Recovery Services Kohnlinq, Inc. Latino Ministers of New Jersey For Justice Liberation Programs Long Island Recovery Association Maddie Wright Foundation Madison County Recovery Allies Magical Manners Club for Boys & Girls Maryland Legislative Coalition Meadows Behavioral Healthcare Mental Health America Mental Health Colorado Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) Merakey Michigan Coalition for Fetal Alcohol Resources Education and Support Mighty Crow Milford Prevention Council Mississippi Society of Addiction Medicine Missouri Works Initiative Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health, Inc. NAMI Southeastern Arizona National Alliance for Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Solutions (NACATS) National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) National Alliance on Mental Illness, Southeastern AZ National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH) National Association for Children of Addiction National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers National Behavioral Health Association of Providers National Council for Mental Wellbeing National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) National District Attorneys Association NCFASD Informed, Inc. Neuro.behavioral.connections New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. New Jersey Center for Empowerment and Community Development New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare No More ODs, Inc. Objective Recovery, Inc. Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services Oregon Council for Behavioral Health PACID: Parent Advocates for Adult Children with IDD Power Forward, Inc. Prevention Action Alliance RASE Project ReBuilding Bridges Consulting, LLC Recovery Revolutionists Rockland Recovery Homes, Inc. Sacred Hearts Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine Sage Advice Therapy LLC Salisbury Elks #699 SC FASD COLLABORATIVE SEIU Local 500 Serenity Now - Nar-Anon Chapter Shatterproof Skyland Trail South Florida Wellness Network St. Joseph's Behavioral Health Center Supporting Community in Recovery Fund/Yakima Valley Community Foundation TASC, Inc. (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities) Teton County Health Department - Prevention Texas FASD Network The BROCK Foundation The Florida Center The Florida Center for Early Childhood The Kennedy Forum The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers The Papillion Center Kentucky The Sanctuary Foster Care Services Thrive Family Recovery Resources Treatment Communities of America Tyler's Redemption Place University of Washington UT Tyler School of Medicine Valley Court Diversion Programs Village Collaboration Station, PC Wake Up Nevada LLC WeKonnect LLC Westcare White Flint Family Pharmacy WV Drug Intervention Institute Wyoming County Special Needs Association 101 Ways 21-14 CAF Click here to for full bill text of H.R. 2483. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, issued the following statement after President Trump delayed enforcement of the TikTok divestiture requirement in response to progress towards a deal: “We are glad to hear about significant progress towards separating TikTok from entities connected to the Chinese Communist Party. While there are remaining details that must be worked out, any deal must finally end China’s ability to surveil and potentially manipulate the American people through this app,” said Chairmen Guthrie, Bilirakis, and Hudson. “Our Committee will remain vigilant in protecting our national security and standing up for American interests across the board.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, issued the following statement after Dr. Mehmet Oz was confirmed by the Senate to serve as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). “CMS plays an integral role in ensuring Americans can access health care, particularly for seniors, pregnant women, children, and individuals with disabilities,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Carter . “Dr. Oz is an accomplished physician, an innovator, and a world-class communicator, who will help modernize the agency by utilizing new cutting-edge technology that empowers health care providers to better serve the American people. We look forward to partnering with him to improve health outcomes for Americans.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman John Joyce (PA-13), Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23), and Congressman John James (MI-10), along with Members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, California Republicans, and Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, introduced three Congressional Review Act resolutions that would undo harmful rules created under President Biden’s EPA. These three Congressional Review Act resolutions would reverse radical regulations that established a de facto ban on the use of gas-powered vehicles, heavy trucks, and diesel engines over the next decade. “The American people should choose what vehicle is right for them, not California bureaucrats. By submitting the three California waivers to Congress, Administrator Zeldin is ensuring that Congress has oversight of these major rules that impact every American,” said Chairman Guthrie . “The Committee has been committed to addressing this issue since California first attempted to create a de facto EV mandate. Energy and Commerce Republicans will continue to fight against far-left policies that would harm consumers and will now work to ensure that the Congressional Review Act process finally puts these issues to rest. Thank you to Congressman Joyce, Congressman Obernolte, and Congressman James for your work to ensure that families and businesses can continue to choose the vehicles they need.” “Since arriving in Washington, I have fought to protect consumer freedom and allow American families to choose the vehicle that best fits their budget and needs,” said Vice Chairman John Joyce, M.D. “The introduction of this resolution to overturn California’s ban on gas-powered vehicles is long overdue. Thank you to Chairman Guthrie and Chairman Capito for their leadership on this issue, and I look forward to seeing this legislation swiftly pass through Congress so President Trump can permanently protect the freedom of the open road for all Americans.” “As a representative of California, I’ve seen firsthand how burdensome regulations from the California Air Resources Board have hurt businesses and hardworking Americans by imposing costly mandates instead of allowing the market to drive innovation,” said Congressman Obernolte. “Congress must exercise its oversight authority to ensure these policies do not become the national standard. It is critical we protect jobs, supply chains, and the ability of consumers to choose what is best for them and their families.” “The Biden administration left behind comply-or-die Green New Deal mandates that threaten to crush our trucking industry and drive up costs for hardworking Americans,” said Congressman James. “I know — my family has a trucking company. Republicans are working hard to implement President Trump’s America First agenda, and the first step is repealing the rules and waivers that contributed to Bideninflation!”  “During the Biden administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allowed a series of stringent, environmentally charged regulations on vehicles that would effectively overhaul the marketplace and steer consumers toward purchasing electric vehicles,” said Congressman Fulcher. “I am honored to join my colleagues in introducing a legislative package to repeal these overreaching federal mandates and preserve consumer freedom and choice in the automotive and heavy-duty truck markets,”  “California’s sweeping and unachievable emissions mandates are a direct assault on everyone who lives, works, or does business in our state,” said Congressman LaMalfa . “These regulations drive up costs, limit consumer choice, and force trucking and automotive industries into an impossible transition timeline. Californians are already paying some of the highest fuel and energy costs in the country. These rules are causing the cost of new and used cars and trucks to increase for everyone. If you want to buy an electric vehicle, buy one, but everybody else shouldn’t be forced into this mandate. The Federal Government cannot allow one state to destroy the American car and truck market. Instead of making life even more expensive, we should focus on what consumers want. I’m pleased to support this effort to stop California’s insanity and protect drivers and consumers across my state and the country.”  “The Newsom Administration’s irrational plan to ban gas-powered cars and trucks is an affront to the freedom of Californians and an economic burden to the whole country,” said Congressman Kiley. “ The Biden Administration aided and abetted this insanity with special waivers. With the Congressional Review Act resolutions introduced today, we have an opportunity to return to economic reality and restore common sense.”  “Biden’s EPA waivers effectively allowed one state’s woke agenda to dictate national policy. It’s not the government’s role to decide what vehicle Americans must drive,” said Chairwoman McClain. “These waivers bypass Congress and ignore millions of Americans who rely on affordable, reliable transportation. Instead, we should have a little more faith in the American people to choose what’s best for them. It’s time we end this regulatory overreach.”  Background:  Making these changes at a time when the United States is unprepared for a full transition to electric vehicles would have massive consequences for American communities. With states making up more than 40% of the auto market following California’s emissions standards, implementing Californias EV mandate would result in a nation-wide shift in the vehicles that are available for purchase, and in fact could lead to a shortage of the vehicles consumers need.   H.J. Res. 88 , introduced by Congressman Joyce (PA-13), would reverse the EPA’s decision to approve a waiver granted to California allowing the State to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. H.J. Res. 89 , introduced by Congressman Obernolte (CA-23), would put an end to the EPA’s decision to allow California to implement its most recent nitrogen oxide (NOx) engine emission standards, which create burdensome and unworkable standards for heavy-duty on-road engines. H.J. Res. 87 , introduced by Congressman James (MI-10), would reverse the EPA’s decision to approve a waiver granted to California allowing the State to mandate the sale of zero-emission trucks. ###