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Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) today announced a hearing titled “Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Communications Commission Budget.”  “The U.S. maintains some of the most preeminent broadband networks in the world. This has resulted in lower costs and faster, more reliable services to Americans that have helped cement American innovation and leadership in next-generation technologies. Our networks have benefitted from a light-touch regulatory approach, which has allowed them to adapt and thrive. Unfortunately, recent actions by the FCC, including burdensome new regulations, threaten that light-touch system and people’s access to these critical services. We look forward to discussing with FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and the other Commissioners how we can return the FCC to its mission of ensuring universal access to broadband services and closing the digital divide.”  Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing titled: “Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Communications Commission Budget.”   WHAT: Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing on the budget for the Federal Communications Commission.  DATE: Tuesday, July 9, 2024  TIME: 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  WITNESSES: The Honorable Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission  The Honorable Brendan Carr, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission  The Honorable Geoffrey Starks, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission  The Honorable Nathan Simington, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission  The Honorable Anna Gomez, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission  This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/ . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Noah Jackson at Noah.Jackson@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov .

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) announced a hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Trade Commission Budget.” “The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) mission is to ensure that it enhances consumer welfare without imposing undue burdens on business. We have been very clear over the last few years via hearings, letters, and legislation when we have seen a departure from that mission,” said Chairs Rodgers and Bilirakis. “After much delay, the FTC finally has five commissioners in place. We look forward to hearing from FTC Chairwoman Khan and the other four Commissioners on how to make sure the Commission stays focused on its mission of protecting the American people from actual harms and not getting distracted by ambiguous aims and theoretical goals.” Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Trade Commission Budget.” WHAT: Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce hearing to discuss President Biden’s FY 2025 budget request for the Federal Trade Commission. DATE: Tuesday, July 9, 2024 TIME: 10:30 AM ET LOCATION: 2322 Rayburn House Office Building WITNESSES:   The Honorable Lina M. Khan , Chair, Federal Trade Commission  The Honorable Rebecca Kelly Slaughter , Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission  The Honorable Alvaro Bedoya , Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission  The Honorable Melissa Holyoak , Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission  The Honorable Andrew N. Ferguson , Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/ . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Alex Khlopin at Alex.Khlopin@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov . 

Washington, D.C. — In new letters to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General and Government Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller General, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO), and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) ask for systemic reviews of Obamacare enrollment to determine the breadth of improper enrollment and its underlying causes.  The letters come following the release of a paper from Paragon Health Institute, which estimates that four to five million people are improperly enrolled in fully-subsidized Obamacare plans at a cost of $15 to $26 billion per year to taxpayers.  KEY EXCERPT FROM THE LETTERS:   The Democrat-passed tax-and-spend laws resulted in tens of billions of additional taxpayer dollars being spent to prop up Obamacare plans by increasing subsidies given to insurance companies far above those originally authorized by Congress. Recently, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that making those subsidy levels permanent would add nearly $400 billion to the deficit on top of the hundreds of billions in existing Obamacare spending.  A key feature of this expansion increases subsidies for insurance companies such that the full cost of premiums for individuals with incomes between 100 and 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is paid for by American taxpayers, often referred to as “zero-premium” plans. This policy, coupled with the Biden administration's regulatory actions to eliminate program integrity controls in the federal exchanges, such as prohibiting key eligibility verification procedures, appears to have created both the incentive and opportunity for individuals and brokers to misstate enrollees’ income to place them in benchmark plans receiving the maximum subsidy.  Individuals enrolled in this income cohort nationwide exceed the total number of potentially eligible individuals. This problem appears to be particularly acute in certain states, with some reporting hundreds of thousands, and, in one case, millions more individuals enrolled in these plans than are reasonably likely to be eligible. More than half of all enrollees in the federal exchange now report incomes between 100 and 150 percent of FPL—notably higher than the historical average of roughly 40 percent—further demonstrating the breadth of the enrollment incongruity.  While individuals may reasonably misestimate their income at any given point, the scale of the problem suggests malicious intent from certain actors involved. There have been documented issues with broker behavior surrounding these “zero-premium” plans, with reports and litigation detailing practices of consumers having their plan switched by such brokers without their consent.  Estimates show the cost of improperly enrolled individuals in “zero-premium” plans are $15 billion to $20 billion per year and potentially as high as $26 billion per year. If these estimates are accurate, it implies that these improper payments represent more than half the cost of making the expanded subsidies permanent.  Runaway deficits and debt are threatening to breach historic levels in the next decade, and, by 2054, the cost of simply servicing our national debt will more than double relative to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), crowding out other important national priorities. Given this grave situation, it is critical that the federal government safeguard increasingly scarce resources to ensure that every dollar spent goes as far as possible to improve Americans’ wellbeing.  CLICK HERE to read the letter to HHS Inspector General Christi Grimm. CLICK HERE to read the letter to GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro.

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released this statement following the Supreme Court’s decision in Ohio v. EPA : “The Supreme Court made the right decision to stay enforcement of the Biden EPA’s harmful rule and to allow completion of judicial review. This decision relieves states of the tremendous costs and harms from complying with a rule that is likely to be overturned. The compliance burdens this rule requires threaten to further undermine electric reliability and raise utility bills for Americans. The agency clearly overstepped its statutory authority to usurp states’ responsibilities for putting together emissions plans to address their responsibilities to neighboring states. I hope this decision compels President Biden to reverse course on his radical rush-to-green agenda and start working with states to bring more reliable, affordable power online, not less.” CLICK HERE to read about Chair Rodgers's April 2024 amicus brief with Senators Capito and Wicker. 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement after the United States Supreme Court struck down the “Chevron Deference” in Loper Bright Enterprises, et al. v. Raimondo : “Article I of the Constitution established Congress’s role to write the laws of the land—not the Executive Branch. The Supreme Court’s ruling today will help restore the proper balance of power as the Founders envisioned it. Moving forward, major decision-making authority will no longer automatically be deferred to unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats. Power has been placed back in the hands of the American people and their elected representatives, as the Constitution prescribes.” 

Washington D.C. —  House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement regarding the American Privacy Rights Act : “For every parent, for individual liberty, and for the future of this country, we will continue our pursuit to give Americans privacy rights online. “Everyone knows someone who has suffered because of the current state of the online ecosystem. It is happening with alarming frequency, especially to our children. The American people are exhausted, anxious, and losing hope with the status quo. “At its core, the massive commercial surveillance of data is fueling the problem. Nearly every data point imaginable is being collected on us with no accountability. They are using our data against us, sowing division, manipulating truth, and diminishing our personal identities. “We cannot continue down this path. The American people are asking Congress to step up and pass a privacy bill. It is foundational to our future and the next generation. “Today, I’m calling for all moms, dads, and freedom-loving Americans to join me in this fight."

Washington D.C. —  House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Commerce Budget.” “Thank you, Chair Bilirakis. “I appreciate your continued leadership on so many issues important to this committee, many of which touch the Department of Commerce, like travel and tourism.   “And welcome back, Secretary Raimondo.   “We appreciate you being here and your cooperation with the Committee as we work to ensure America’s continued economic and technological leadership.  “This Committee plays a vital role in preserving and bolstering that leadership, which is currently being threatened by countries, like China.  “It’s critical that we work together to ensure that America is setting rules of the road for the technologies of tomorrow.   “In part, that requires that we make sure these technologies are developed here in the U.S. in an ecosystem that promotes America’s values   “As you know, this Committee has a rich history of bipartisanship, and we’ve worked this past Congress to advance U.S. priorities domestically and internationally.   “Your department plays a key role in implementing the policies we advance, from improving data privacy, to strengthening supply chains, to helping to build emerging technologies. “Those efforts are essential as we work towards our shared goals of winning the future and beating China.”  AMERICAN PRIVACY RIGHTS ACT    “Tomorrow this committee will markup the American Privacy Rights Act .     “This bipartisan legislation will not only give Americans the right to privacy and control over their data, but it will also benefit the Department of Commerce when representing American business interests on the world stage.     “According to the most recent data from the International Association of Privacy Professionals, almost 80 percent of developed countries have some form of comprehensive data privacy laws on the books, with one very notable exception—the U.S.   “This lack of comprehensive privacy protections puts us at a competitive disadvantage and prevents us from clearly articulating how to balance personal rights with promoting innovation.   “That’s especially true when dealing with allies in the European Union who can disproportionately influence outcomes through GDPR and other laws.   “These overly burdensome foreign regulations hamper innovation at the expense of Americans.   “Passing APRA will send a clear message to the world that we are serious about protecting our data and provides the opportunity to put our imprint on future international laws, like rules on cross-border data flow.     “If we fail to do this, adversaries will fill the void and weaken our leadership ability, as well as leave Americans’ information open to exploitation from them.”  AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN AI AND CHIPS    “Getting APRA across the finish line is also essential to our shared goal of cementing U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.  “Your goals to promote cutting edge semiconductor technology through the CHIPS program, as well as your efforts to promote AI safety, are not mutually exclusive.     “We need to ensure America is leading both in semiconductor and AI technology development.   “And that means fostering a healthy business environment, securing our supply chains, and streamlining—rather than restricting—permitting to secure the domestic supply of critical materials necessary for these technologies.     “Otherwise, we will cede our leadership in AI and other technologies of the future to China and others.   “Money and mandates are not enough.   “We must have an approach that fosters the culture of ingenuity and entrepreneurship America needs to move our country forward.   “This subcommittee has worked on several important solutions this past Congress that Chair Bilirakis alluded to.     “I hope that we can continue to move these priorities forward to improve the deployment of emerging technologies, encourage foreign investment into American companies, streamline permitting for our critical supply chains, and enhance our nation’s cybersecurity.   “We look forward to working with you on these efforts and continuing to build on the economic legacy that has made this country great.” 

Washington D.C. —  House Energy and Commerce Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s subcommittee  hearing  titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Commerce Budget.”  DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MUST STRENGTHEN U.S. COMPETITIVENESS “I would like to welcome everyone to today’s hearing where we will be examining and discussing the Department of Commerce’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request.  “I want to thank Secretary Raimondo for appearing before us and look forward to conducting important Congressional oversight of this agency as we look to fund ways to strengthen our economy and compete on the global stage.  “This Committee has been active on both of these fronts.  “Last month, the House passed H.R. 6571, the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act, led by Reps. Bucshon and Blunt Rochester, which would establish a mapping program at the Department of Commerce to examine our supply chains to better prepare our economy for any future shocks that we may see.  “Monitoring these trends will help protect us from reliance on our nation’s enemies and instead help industries to adapt quickly.  “The Department would also be tasked with partnering with the private sector to better understand vulnerabilities in our supply chains, including supply chains for emerging technologies, and provide recommendations for promoting emerging technologies and making critical supply chains more resilient and closer to home.  “Secretary Raimondo, thank you for being here before us to discuss these issues.”  SECURING AMERICAN SUPPLY CHAINS   “I’m interested to hear from you on these supply chain issues, as well as the state of our country’s global competition with China, and the status of our travel and tourism sector.  “Last Congress, we worked on a bipartisan basis with Rep. Schakowsky to pass the Restoring Brand USA Act and the Visit America Act to ensure the U.S. remains a top destination for visitors around the globe, and that we have oversight mechanisms and a plan in place at Commerce to prepare the nation for the next decade in travel and tourism trends.  “I am concerned that the U.S. is starting to lag behind other top nations in the travel sector, and I look forward to discussing ways to modernize and advance our nation’s tourism priorities through your Department by reducing red tape and bureaucratic barriers and instead embrace the power of our private sector and our great local economies.”  ENABLING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES   “Lastly, I hope to be able to discuss the continued importance of American leadership in emerging technologies, such as blockchain, A.I., and quantum computing.  “Our Subcommittee has again conducted bipartisan work on these topics, including passing H.R. 6572, the Deploying American Blockchains Act, in May, which will direct the Department of Commerce to take action in promoting U.S. competitiveness in the deployment and use of blockchain technologies.  “We cannot cede American leadership in these fields, and it is critical that we continue to employ new strategies that let innovators thrive here in the United States.  “That also includes the critical infrastructure manufacturing necessary to develop these emerging technologies.  “Rep. Miller Meeks’ bill that we passed would do just that by finding pathways to increase our capacity for domestic manufacturing, reducing barriers to entry, and becoming less reliant on countries like China for critical components necessary for these innovations to continue.  “With all of these pieces of legislation I hope we can get those past the Senate and across the finish line to the President’s desk.  “Secretary Raimondo, I look forward to hearing from you about how we can align these goals, secure American leadership, reduce red tape for industry stakeholders—we cannot let a ‘top-down’ approach get in the way and hope that we can instead let the American innovative economy thrive.  “The Budget needs to reflect these key priorities without breaking the bank, and I am interested to hear your perspective.” 

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing titled “Examining Anti-Doping Measures in Advance of the 2024 Olympics.”  “Thank you, Chair Griffith, and thank you to our highly decorated panel of witnesses whose Olympic careers have inspired an entire generation of Americans.  “Tonight’s hearing comes at an important moment as we are just one month away from the start of the 2024 Summer Olympic games in Paris.  “We will be examining how the World Anti-Doping Agency’s polices—and their failure to enforce those policies—on the use of banned performance enhancing drugs and how that is undermining the integrity of the Olympic games.”  WADA REFUSES ACCOUNTABILITY   “It is completely unacceptable that World Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Banka, whose agency received over three million in U.S. taxpayer dollars this past year, declined to join us tonight.  “Doping scandals have real effects on our athletes, including American swimmers, who must abide by the strictest anti-doping standards enforced by USADA, and include requirements like random testing.  “These anti-doping standards should be applied evenly to ensure a level playing field and that the best athlete wins.”  CHINESE DOPING SCANDAL “Recent reporting unveiled that just weeks before the 2021 Olympic games in Tokyo, 23 members of the Chinese swimming team tested positive for a banned substance—Trimetazidine or TMZ.   “The Chinese authorities dismissed the positive tests, telling the World Anti-Doping Agency this was all a mistake because the banned drug—which is found only in pill form—somehow ended up in the kitchen of a hotel that all 23 swimmers were staying at, and they all somehow unknowingly ingested this banned substance.  “The World Anti-Doping Agency’s review somehow concluded this explanation was plausible and no further investigation was necessary.  “It’s important to note that those swimmers won several medals, including three golds.  “WADA has consistently failed to be transparent or accept any responsibility for its actions.  “And it’s not just the US Congress.  “WADA also declined a hearing invitation from the German Bundestag that was scheduled earlier this month.    “How many more Olympic athletes have to lose out on winning medals and proudly singing their country’s national anthem before the World Anti-Doping Agency decides to enforce its rules uniformly?  “Everyone watching the Olympics in Paris and in their homes next month should know that the system is not rigged against athletes who compete the right way.  “I look forward to hearing from all of you on this important topic.”