Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) released the following statements after the House passed two Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee bills:

Regarding H.R. 382, the Pandemic is Over Act (Sponsored by Subcommittee Chair Guthrie):

“Last night, President Biden decided to follow the Republican lead and announced a decision to end the PHE. However, it shouldn’t take until May to unwind these unchecked government powers and spending. Today’s vote affirms that it’s long past time for this administration to stop relying on a crisis that no longer exists to make unilateral decisions.”

Regarding H.R. 497, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act (Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Duncan):

“Vaccine mandates did not build trust in the vaccine. These types of actions have only created a dangerous level of resentment and increased public distrust toward the government acting like an authoritarian regime, seizing more command and control in our lives and health care decisions. Worse, the mandates have exacerbated the workforce shortages threatening Americans' access to quality, timely care. Because the Biden administration has refused to end its unscientific and harmful mandate, Congress was forced to act. We thank Rep. Duncan for his leadership on this legislation and urge the Senate to consider without delay.”