News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, announced a hearing titled Examining Policies to Enhance Seniors’ Access to Breakthrough Medical Technologies. “More than 68 million Americans rely on Medicare for life-saving treatments and critical care. Unfortunately, outdated coverage policies and bureaucratic hurdles can delay or leave seniors without access to the most innovative and effective treatments and services,”  said Congressmen Guthrie and Griffith.  “This hearing will examine policies to establish Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection tests, enhance transparency and accountability in the CMS coverage process, and cut red tape to ensure beneficiaries can access the latest breakthrough medical devices and technology.” Subcommittee on Health hearing titled Examining Policies to Enhance Seniors’ Access to Breakthrough Medical Technologies WHAT: Subcommittee on Health hearing to discuss legislation that improves seniors’ access to cutting-edge health innovation. DATE: Thursday, September 18, 2025 TIME: 9:30 AM ET LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building This hearing will focus on the following bills:  H.R. 842, Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (Rep. Arrington) H.R. ____, [Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act of 2025]  H.R. ____, [To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure transparency in the national coverage determination process under the Medicare program and to make certain adjustments to Medicare local coverage determinations.]  H.R. 3826, Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2025 (Rep. Schrier) This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. This hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions about 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.  – Today, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement regarding the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC)  decision  to launch an inquiry into artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots acting as a companion: “Artificial intelligence has unleashed exponential levels of innovation, yet we are alarmed by recent incidents concerning the use of AI chatbots by minors. While some AI chatbot providers are taking steps to address such horrific and disturbing instances, additional investigation is needed to ensure children and teens are not in danger when using these services,”  said Chairman Guthrie and Ranking Member Pallone.   “We strongly support this action by the FTC and urge the agency to consider the tools at its disposal to protect children from online harms. We are also hopeful Congress will be able to build on this work with durable, bipartisan legislation to protect children online and empower parents.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, led a markup of several public health reauthorization bills. “As we must do with every authorization bill that moves through this committee, it is critical that we evaluate the impacts these programs have had, and not only ensure the money is being spent as it was originally intended, but also ensure patient privacy is protected ,” said Chairman Griffith. “ Considering each of these reauthorizations is an important step forward to ensure each program is working as intended, and we will continue to examine these programs as we move to full committee .” Legislative Vote Summary: H.R. 4262 , To reauthorize programs related to health professions education, and for other purposes, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote. H.R. 3593 , Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote. H.R. 2493 , Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote. H.R. 3419 , To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote. H.R. 3302 ,  Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2025, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote. H.R. 2846 , To amend title II of the Public Health Service Act to include as an additional right or privilege of commissioned officers of the Public Health Service (and their beneficiaries) certain leave provided under title 10, United States Code to commissioned officers of the Army (or their beneficiaries), was reported to the full committee by a voice vote. H.R. 4709 ,  Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2025, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote Watch the full markup here . Below are key excerpts from today’s markup: Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) on the To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs : “This bill reauthorizes the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration. These programs aim to improve access to telehealth services by providing technical assistance and other support methods to providers in rural and frontier communities, so patients in these areas can more easily access necessary telehealth services. Approximately 22,000 patients across the country have benefited from these programs. We must continue these vital resources to help improve health outcomes in underserved communities.” Chairman John Joyce (PA-13) on the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025: “The Improving Care in Rural America [Reauthorization Act] is legislation that accomplishes something that is so important for the constituents that don't have that access to screening, that don't have that access to care, and it is important that we reauthorize this. Representative Carter, in his legislation, understands that rural America is often left behind. This is a bipartisan piece of legislation that addresses that issue, that understands that we have a responsibility to all of our constituents, to all of America.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, led a hearing titled Building the American Dream: Examining Affordability, Choice, and Security in Appliance and Buildings Policies . “ Over the last decade, it has become apparent that the statutory process for energy efficiency standards is broken. We must reform the process to restore consumer choice, appliance affordability, and true energy savings as the foundation of DOE’s Appliance and Equipment Standards Program,” said Chairman Latta . “Everyone here supports true energy efficiency and the benefits it yields to our constituents. However, over the last several years, the focus has clearly strayed from enhancing efficiencies and realizing cost savings. This misdirection has gone well beyond DOE’s energy conservation standards—we have also seen a misalignment of priorities in building codes, performance standards, and state local restrictions on the use of fossil fuels.” Watch the full hearing here .     Below are key excerpts from yesterday’s hearing:   Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14): “There’s no reason why the Department of Energy, or anybody else, should be mandating that Texans have to have a certain efficiency. No two homes are alike. No two homeowners are alike, and we all know our own individualized circumstances and preferences better than any one size fits all regulatory process. And so, with the furnace rule that will take effect in 2028, there are a lot of homes that won’t get the furnace that makes the most sense for them.” Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12): “How do decisions by local officials to phase out natural gas use, which may seem like local, isolated decisions, negatively impact consumers and consumers in other regions or other states?” Mr. Steffes: “Thank you, Congressman. This is a straightforward question of supply and demand. For the customers that I serve, a lot of their needs are heating. Natural gas heating, hot water heating, cooking. If you mandate in our communities that no more natural gas will be used, then those customers are going to find another way to provide heating. They’re not going to go without heat. They will use electric heat that will add additional demand to the electricity market. While it’s very difficult to add supply, additional demand without supply increases prices.” Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07): “Instead of empowering families, the federal government has been telling the people how long that their dishwashers can operate and what kind of stove they can buy, and even how much water that the showerhead could use. And so, my bill—the Saving Homeowners from Overregulation with Exceptional Rinsing (SHOWER) Act— restores some of that common sense. Let’s get back to it. And it’s a core. It’s about protecting families from bureaucratic overreach. We see this time and time again where the ivory tower of Washington, D.C. comes in their infinite wisdom and tells the rest of everybody how to live. Mr. Lieberman, can you describe the whiplash regulations between the last few administrations as they relate to showerhead water flow?” Mr. Lieberman: “Well, actually, the showerhead saga has been going on since 1992. There was the energy policy act of 1992, which originally had these showerhead provisions. Some people don’t like the lower flow. I think it’s quite frankly, a very silly regulation. If the shower is hitting you with too much water, you turn the knob down.”

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 hearing titled From Gridlock to Growth: Permitting Reform Under the Clean Air Act .  “Red tape and burdensome permitting requirements are stifling U.S. economic growth and sending American jobs overseas,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Palmer . “In order to secure our critical infrastructure and onshore American jobs, our Subcommittee will hold a hearing to examine outdated and ineffective regulations that are disconnected from the goals of the Clean Air Act. Earlier in this Congress, our committee began important work on permitting reform and will continue that work in this hearing that will offer our members the chance to address these critical permitting issues that have limited growth and limit innovation. The Committee will take up legislation with common sense solutions that reduce unreasonable regulatory burdens while continuing to protect our environment.” Subcommittee on Environment hearing titled From Gridlock to Growth: Permitting Reform Under the Clean Air Act. WHAT: Subcommittee on Environment hearing to discuss permitting reform under the Clean Air Act. DATE: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 TIME: 2:00 PM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building The hearing will focus on the following bills: H.R. 161 , New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act (Rep. Griffith)  H.R ____ , Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events Act (FIRE) Act  H.R ____ , Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations Act (RED Tape) Act H.R ____ , Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability (FENCES) Act H.R ____ , Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act 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.  – Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, delivered the following opening statement at today’s health subcommittee markup of several public health reauthorization bills. Subcommittee Chairman Griffith's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Today’s markup is a critical step to get these bills across the finish line before they expire at the end of this fiscal year. “The legislative hearing we held in July allowed us to hear from expert witnesses and understand the impact of some of these programs. “Two very important reauthorizations in front of us serve a vital role for our health care workforce, which are the Title VII and Title VIII reauthorizations. “H.R. 4262, the EMPOWER for Health Act, championed by Rep. Schakowsky from Illinois, reauthorizes the Title VII programs that help bolster our physician community by prioritizing recruitment and retention. “This will continue to incentivize more individuals to enter the health workforce and expand access to care in rural and underserved areas. “H.R. 3593, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act, being led by Rep. David Joyce from Ohio, reauthorizes Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, which plays a meaningful role in supporting the development of our nation’s nurses. This reauthorization includes many important grant programs that help strengthen the nursing workforce and increase educational opportunities for both nurses and faculty at nursing schools. “The program also allows for loan repayment opportunities that are needed to incentivize more people to enter the nursing workforce. “We have all heard about the need for more health care workers in this country, and the reauthorization of these programs is a step in the right direction toward addressing that need. “Congress will continue to take a close look to ensure these taxpayer-funded programs are properly targeted and allocate resources to areas and patients who need it most. “We are also marking up H.R. 2493, the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act, an important bill carried by Rep. Carter of Georgia. This bill reauthorizes the Rural Health Services Outreach programs which aim to support and promote health care services in rural areas. “This program was signed into law in 2020 under President Trump’s first administration. It promotes innovative solutions that help people in rural communities get the care they need, such as increased access to preventative health services and screenings, chronic care management, and other forms of care that are needed in our rural areas across the United States. “Another important bill before us today is H.R. 3419, the Telehealth Network and Telehealth Resource Centers Grant Program Reauthorization Act, led by Rep. Valadao from California. This bill helps to increase education of the use of telehealth across the country. “Reauthorizing the Telehealth Resource Centers Grant Program will support our telehealth infrastructure that has become a lifeline for both providers and patients– especially in rural areas. These resource centers serve as the main hub for technical assistance and support for telehealth in their respective regions. “The University of Virginia is currently the resource center for my district and for the Mid-Atlantic region. They have experienced a 24 percent increase in telehealth visits from their program from FY24 to FY25. “This type of increase is happening across the country, and it is likely to continue growing. “As we look to extend telehealth flexibilities this year, we must reauthorize these centers to ensure our states are keeping up with the most recent technology and sharing their expertise so patients can have access to the care they need. “Other reauthorization bills that are before us, being led by Rep. Ocasio-Cortez from New York and Rep. Morrison from Minnesota, will help reduce the rate of infant mortality, improve perinatal outcomes, and expand access to screenings and services for newborns at risk for certain disorders. “Allowing for early newborn screening can save lives, create better outcomes, and reduce long term health care costs. “As we must do with every authorization bill that moves through this committee, we must evaluate the impacts these programs have had, and not only ensure the money is being spent as it was originally intended, but also ensure patient privacy is protected. “Considering each of these reauthorizations is an important step forward to ensure each program is working as intended, and we will continue to examine these programs as we move to full committee. “I look forward to moving these bills out of the health subcommittee.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08), Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, issued the following joint statement in response to a newly released Government Accountability Office (GAO) report . The report articulates the need for greater transparency and reporting measures in order to improve the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid’s (CMS) National Coverage Determination (NCD) process for the approximately 68 million beneficiaries under its purview. “The GAO report makes clear that CMS must do more to provide transparency and accountability in its coverage decisions. Seniors should never be left waiting without clear answers about whether Medicare will cover the treatments and services their doctors recommend,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Smith . “Such clarity would also inspire confidence in American innovators to develop the next treatments and cures for patients. Greater openness in the National Coverage Determination process is essential to ensure trust, timely access to care, and confidence that decisions are being made fairly and consistently. We will continue exercising oversight to make sure CMS meets its responsibility to the more than 68 million Americans who rely on Medicare.”  Background:   In its report, GAO found that while CMS generally meets its specified time frames for the coverage determinations it considers, in cases where determinations are not yet considered, there is little to no explanation or specified timeline for when CMS will ultimately make a determination. This means that seniors and their health care providers and innovators are often left in the dark as to whether a particular medication or service is covered by Medicare, which may force patients to delay treatment until a coverage decision is granted by CMS. In a recent example, the Biden-Harris Administration’s CMS used a blanket NCD to restrict Medicare coverage for an entire class of Alzheimer’s treatments despite Food and Drug Administration approval for the same class of drug. The opaque nature of CMS’s current determination process leaves beneficiaries waiting, in some cases years, for access to a treatment or service their doctor has already deemed medically necessary. Highlights from the GAO Report :  CMS has not identified or assessed the causes of delays in coverage determinations.  Some coverage analyses exceeded timelines by as much as 351 days, including reviews of a cancer cell therapy and medical equipment for pain management.   CMS officials acknowledged they do not currently document analysis delays. The GAO report follows a 2023 letter submitted by the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Health and Human Services Secretary and CMS Administrator, highlighting grave concerns with CMS’s coverage process and the need for timelier updates.  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  Public Safety Communications in the United States . Subcommittee Chairman Hudson's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning, and welcome to today’s hearing on the state of public safety communications in the United States. I am looking forward to hearing from our witnesses about the needs of our first responders and how to improve communications for public safety.  “Communications systems are crucial for our public safety organizations. Our first responders need reliable connections to be able to answer calls for help. “We have unfortunately experienced many instances where our public safety communications didn’t work, and the consequences were devastating. “During the horrific terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, our communications networks were overloaded, resulting in calls being dropped or not going through. “More recently, although significantly improved from 2001, in my home state of North Carolina we felt the severe impacts from the Hurricane Helene devastation – ultimately preventing people from calling 9-1-1 and receiving life-saving care. “These are just two examples of major events where a lack of public safety communications cost hundreds and thousands of lives. “Today’s first responder communications landscape looks vastly different than that of 2001. “After 9/11, Congress stood up the 9/11 Commission, which released recommendations to prepare for and guard against future attacks. “One of those recommendations led to Congress establishing the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), a nationwide broadband network specifically built for public safety. “FirstNet was allocated 20 megahertz of spectrum and $7 billion to build out the network in all 50 states and territories. In 2017, AT&T was selected to deploy this network, and since then, other providers offer competitive services to serve public safety. “With FirstNet’s statutory authority set to expire in 2027, it’s time for Congress to assess the progress made by FirstNet to ensure the law requirements are being met and it is adequately serving the needs of our public safety community. “Additionally, our 911 call centers are working to deploy advanced technology, known as ‘Next Generation 911’. Next Generation 911 is a critical technology upgrade for our first responders and I have been a long-time supporter of its deployment nationwide. “This internet protocol-based system at our 911 call centers will open the door for advanced tools for both the public and our first responders to use. “NG911-equipped centers are able to receive text messages, photos and videos to help aid response efforts. This technology also allows for seamless integration of artificial intelligence for cybersecurity purposes or to aid call takers in times of large call volumes or provide real time language transcription or even translation.  “Once fully deployed, NG911 will be able to provide specific geolocation data for wireless callers, known as a dispatchable location. This accurate location will let first responders know the exact location of a caller automatically, instead of just the nearest cell tower. “Similar technologies are also being implemented to transmit vertical location data, which can help first responders locate the exact floor of someone in a high-rise building. “Equipping our first responders with this information can improve response times and help save lives. Importantly, this technology allows calls to be transferred or re-routed to other call centers, in the event a call center is taken offline due to an outage or natural disaster. “Our public safety and law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to help us in our times of need, and we must make sure they have the best tools to do their jobs. “Today, we will hear from our witnesses about the state of public safety communications and whether public safety needs are being met. We will hear about what tools and technologies are most effective for them to do their job, and where improvements can be made.  “I look forward to hearing from the witnesses today about these issues and how Congress can stand ready as a partner. “I now yield five minutes to my colleague, Ranking Member Matsui, for her opening statement.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled Building the American Dream: Examining Affordability, Choice, and Security in Appliance and Buildings Policies . Subcommittee Chairman Latta’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: Subcommittee Chairman Latta’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Welcome to today’s hearing, ‘Building the American Dream: Examining Affordability, Choice, and Security in Appliance and Buildings Policies.’ Thank you to our witnesses for your participation. “Today, we will discuss policies that have raised energy and product prices for American families and business owners, put home ownership out of reach, and jeopardized grid reliability. “Many of these policies have been implemented in the name of energy efficiency. But, the forced electrification from the Left does not equate to increased energy efficiency, and it ignores affordability and consumer choice. “Energy conservation will play an important role in meeting our nation’s growing energy demand, however, consumer choice, affordability, and innovation must be prioritized in the execution of those goals. “Over the last decade, it has become apparent that the statutory process for energy efficiency standards is broken. We must reform the process to restore consumer choice, appliance affordability, and true energy savings as the foundation of DOE’s Appliance and Equipment Standards Program. “Everyone here supports true energy efficiency and the benefits it yields to our constituents. However, over the last several years, the focus has clearly strayed from enhancing efficiencies and realizing cost savings. “This misdirection has gone well beyond DOE’s energy conservation standards—we have also seen a misalignment of priorities in building codes, performance standards, and state local restrictions on the use of fossil fuels. “Nowhere is that more reflected than in the cost of homes. Over the last 15 years, home prices have steadily increased, putting the dream of home ownership out of reach for millions of Americans. “Today, more than 80 percent of adults in the United States say housing affordability is a problem in the city or county in which they live, and homeowners now spend 34 percent more on household appliances than in 2010.   “While there are a variety of factors that have contributed to these rising costs, we cannot ignore the impact misguided policies have had. “The Biden administration tied Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding to the forced adoption of the 2021 model energy codes, which restricted the use of gas and promoted electrification even if it was not an appropriate choice for consumers. This was done despite their own data that showed homes with natural gas hookups are over 3 times more affordable than electric options. “But the Biden administration didn’t stop there. DOE issued a rule to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in all new and modified federal buildings beginning in 2030. This would have included military installations and housing, some residential buildings, and sites of critical national security importance—like the Pentagon. “Not only would this compromise our security, but the rule would also have actually increased energy usage and added further strain to our nation’s electric grid. “We must strike a healthy balance between utilizing affordable energy and implementing common sense, effective energy conservation measures. “Again, I thank our witnesses for their participation today and look forward to hearing their perspectives.” ###