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House Passes Energy and Commerce Resolution to Recognize the Importance of Protecting Rural Communities Across America

Apr 22, 2026
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued a statement following House adoption of H.Res. 1182, a resolution highlighting ways in which House Republicans have sought to strengthen rural communities this Congress.

“Republicans, through the extensive work accomplished this Congress, have proven to be the party that no longer allows rural America to fall through the cracks,” said Chairman Guthrie. “From the creation of the historic Rural Health Transformation Program—a $50 billion investment directly into rural health care—to the expansion of telehealth services, to supporting the development of affordable and reliable energy, working to increase connectivity, and pausing Democrat-created Disproportionate Share Hospital payment cuts, we have made it clear that our work to protect and strengthen rural communities remains a top priority.”

Background on H.Res. 1182:

  • H.Res. 1182 is a resolution promoting the importance of our rural communities across America.

  • The Republican Conference has spent the better part of this Congress to ensure rural communities have expanded access to quality health care.

  • Some of the most notable work by Republicans this Congress to promote the long-term success of rural communities include but are not limited to:

  • A critical investment of $50 billion to all 50 states through the creation of the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program—the most historic investment in rural health in the history of the United States;

  • The passage of important legislation like H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act, and H.R. 2483, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, which counter the flow of illicit fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances and provide related resources for our communities;

  • The expansion of telehealth resources through the passage of H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026—which implements a 2-year telehealth extension—and the H.R. 783, the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act—which expanded telehealth flexibility to include cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation services;

  • Encouraging the use of satellite connectivity to send alert messages in hard-to-reach areas to improve public safety capabilities through H.R. 7022, the Mystic Alerts Act;

  • Closing the digital divide by strengthening safeguards used to vet applicants seeking Universal Service Fund funding and ensuring the program is serving hard-to-reach areas, through H.R. 2399, the Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025;

  • Reducing the regulatory barriers to precision agriculture by directing the FCC to review certain rules and develop recommendations for rule changes through H.R. 1618, the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act;

  • Extending Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments;

  • Lowering the cost of health care for all American families through legislation like H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, which the Congressional Budget Office affirmed will lower health care premiums by an average 11 percent through appropriating cost sharing reductions;

  • Streamlining enrollment processes for eligible out-of-State Medicaid and CHIP providers through H.R. 1598, the Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act;

  • Supporting commonsense permitting reform through H.R.6398, the Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations (RED Tape) Act; and

  • Helping to lower energy costs for hardworking families through H.R. 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act.