Chairman Guthrie Delivers Floor Remarks on Republicans’ Work Uplifting Rural America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, delivered remarks on the House floor regarding H.Res. 1182, a resolution highlighting Republicans’ work to uplift rural communities across America.

Chairman Guthrie’s remarks on H.Res. 1182, as prepared for delivery:

“Good afternoon. I am pleased to be here today to discuss a resolution demonstrating the work House Republicans continue to do to improve the lives of the American people, especially those who live in rural parts of our great nation.

“We’re here to discuss H. Res. 1182 to cut through the noise that Democrats continue to make in opposition to the President and to congressional Republicans.
“It seems that no matter how reasonable, or even how bipartisan a policy has been in the past, Democrats choose partisan politics over the American people.

_“Take for example, our work in Congress along with the Administration to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in government health programs.

“Energy and Commerce Republicans have prioritized restoring program integrity in our government health programs throughout this entire Congress, starting with H.R. 1 by ensuring critical safety net programs can continue to serve their intended purpose of protecting our most vulnerable Americans, to now, launching a nationwide investigation into Medicaid programs across the country.

“It’s disheartening that Democrats refuse to come to the table to safeguard pregnant women, their children, low-income seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

“Republicans will continue advancing policies that protect important federal programs, but we are here today primarily to highlight the many ways in which House Republicans are unleashing growth in the economy following years of heavy-handed government intervention under the Biden-Harris Administration.

“We are creating the right environment for individual Americans to set their own course and achieve their own dreams.

“For example, we have enacted legislation to unleash domestic energy production, such as reversing Department of Energy restrictions on LNG exports and requiring FERC approval of grid planning policies to preserve reliability to keep the lights on for American families and businesses.

“We have worked to ensure that rural manufacturers are not unfairly penalized for emissions they did not create, and we passed commonsense reforms to support Clean Air Act permitting and permitting relief for broadband deployment.

“House Republicans have worked to enhance health care quality and access, through the Working Family Tax Cuts and Lower Health Care Premiums for All Act. We have bolstered health resources for rural communities through the Rural Health Transformation Program—the most significant investment of its kind in history. We also enacted the SUPPORT Act and HALT Fentanyl Act, which provide crucial resources to rural communities devastated by the opioid crisis.

“House Republicans have worked hard—and continue to work hard—this Congress to accelerate economic growth and opportunity for the American people.”