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:

“Good afternoon everybody, and welcome to today’s markup, which is a rare opportunity to address issues spanning the full jurisdiction of this Committee, from unleashing American energy to ending costly EV mandates, advancing American innovation to truly strengthening the Medicaid program for the most vulnerable Americans, and improving Americans’ access to quality health care. 

“The House Budget Committee has tasked us with identifying $880 billion in savings and new revenue. 

“We’ve worked diligently to meet that target by ending wasteful Green New Deal-style spending, supporting the rapid innovation of American industry and federal agencies, and eliminating the waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid that jeopardizes care for millions of women, children, people with disabilities, and elderly Americans. 

“To ensure American energy dominance, we will secure our energy infrastructure by taking steps to refill our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which strengthens our energy security and supports our national security. In order to support the abundant energy production that will be necessary to secure our grid, and in order to increase revenue, we will expand the use of user fees to help streamline the siting and permitting of new oil, natural gas, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen pipelines.

“We can save $172 billion over the next 10 years by repealing burdensome Biden-Harris Administration regulations, and over $100 billion by eliminating EV mandates imposed by the vehicle emission and CAFE standards that have failed to serve American taxpayers.

“And through investments to modernize the Department of Commerce, we can integrate AI systems to make the Department more secure and effective. To protect the integrity of this project, we are implementing guardrails that protect against state level AI laws that could jeopardize our technological leadership.

“Our legislation will raise $88 billion of new revenue through a historic agreement reauthorizing the FCC’s spectrum auction authority, while protecting U.S. national security. 

“Biden-era inflation has left Americans struggling to access affordable health care.

“The issue has been exacerbated by the decisions of left-leaning state governments to spend taxpayer dollars on illegal immigrants. We make no apologies for prioritizing Americans in need over illegal immigrants and those who are capable but choose not to work.

“Our priority remains the same: strengthen and sustain Medicaid for those whom the program was intended to serve: expectant mothers, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.

“We are prepared to stop the billions of dollars of waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicaid program by beginning to rein in loopholes, ensuring states have the flexibility to remove ineligible recipients from their rolls, and removing beneficiaries who are enrolled in multiple states. These are all commonsense policies that will return taxpayer dollars to middle-class families.

“Medicaid was created to protect health care for Americans who otherwise could not support themselves, but Democrats expanded the program far beyond this core mission. That’s why we are establishing common sense work requirements for capable, but not working adults in the expansion population. Let me be clear – these work requirements would only apply to able-bodied adults without dependents who don’t have a disqualifying condition, encouraging them to re-enter the workforce and regain their independence.

“All of this is part of our effort to strengthen Medicaid for the people that need it most. 

“When President Trump delivered his second inaugural address, he promised “a revolution of common sense” that would launch a generation of growth, prosperity, and health. 

“This reconciliation bill is critical to that promise the President and Congressional Republicans made to the American people.

“Today, we bring before the committee a package that unleashes American energy dominance, advances innovation, and protects access to care for our most vulnerable. 

“Each of these is a core part of our effort to re-spark the American Dream and ensure our country will always be the land of opportunity.

“I have no doubt that we will have some robust discussions today about these proposals. These discussions are important, and I look forward to using this time to address the issues that matter most to the American families we serve. So, I thank you all for your hard work as we continue our work to serve the American people.”

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