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Washington, D.C. — In a letter today to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf, M.D., a bipartisan group of House Energy and Commerce Committee Leaders requested a briefing about the presence of counterfeit Ozempic and other semaglutide products in the United States’ medical supply chain.  The letter was signed by Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ); Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Ranking Member Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA); and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Ranking Member Kathy Castor (D-FL).   KEY LETTER QUOTE : “In addition to concerns about integrity gaps in the legitimate supply chain, we are also concerned about counterfeit Ozempic entering through illegal channels. For example, in June of this year, Eli Lilly issued an open letter expressing concern that counterfeit versions of its own drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, were being sold online, through social media and at medical spas. On May 1, 2024, a Department of Justice press release reported that work by FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations resulted in the arrest of an individual for selling misbranded and adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok. The Committee fully supports these continued investigations of unlawful sales.”   BACKGROUND :   The FDA alerted the public on December 21, 2023, to the presence of counterfeit Ozempic injection products in the legitimate drug supply; an investigati ve article l ater found that thousands of counterfeit Ozempic pens had arrived in a warehouse in Elmira, New York, as early as the fall of 2023. The fact that counterfeit medications made it into the legitimate medical supply chain raises concern about potential gaps in our supply chain security infrastructure.    This threat continues to grow.   CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Soros-linked fund to acquire more than 200 local radio stations weeks before election Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) led 40 of her Republican colleagues in demanding answers from the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding her recent decision to fast-track a media deal allowing the Fund for Policy Reform, a group aligned with Democratic mega-donor George Soros, to buy over 200 radio stations just weeks before the 2024 election. With a party line vote of 3-2, the decision at the Commission level by the Democratic members of the FCC to temporarily waive the required national security review and allow excessive foreign ownership of American radio stations is deeply disturbing. KEY LETTER EXCERPT: “It is highly concerning that the FCC did not follow regular order for a transaction of this magnitude. Licensees and investors need certainty that the FCC will follow its rules and procedures when approving transactions so that the broadcast industry can have the resources it needs to continue serving the public.”  BACKGROUND: Audacy, Inc., a radio broadcasting group, which owns more than 200 radio-station licenses, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.  Audacy’s filings revealed that a George Soros-backed group known as the Fund for Policy Reform had acquired at least 40 percent of Audacy’s debt.   Audacy estimated that, upon emerging from bankruptcy, 25 percent or more of its stock would be indirectly foreign owned, which triggers FCC review.   This review process requires national security agencies to review the transaction and offer any policy or national security concerns.   On September 30, 2024, the FCC released an Order granting a temporary waiver of this review process, delaying a national security review until after the bankruptcy process is complete and allowing foreign control of a significant number of radio stations across the entire United States, weeks before a national election. CLICK HERE to read Breitbart's exclusive coverage. CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Washington, D.C — In a new letter to Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Director Renee Wegrzyn, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (E&C) and House Committee on Education and the Workforce (E&W) request information on how ARPA-H is ensuring that institutions and individuals involved in the research projects it funds comply with Title VI to ensure a harassment and discrimination-free environment.  This letter comes after a rise in antisemitism on college and university campuses, including Columbia University and the University of California, San Francisco where ARPA-H currently funds research. It is signed by E&C Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), E&C Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), E&C Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), E&W Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and E&W Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Chair Burgess Owens (R-UT).  KEY EXCERPT :  “Due to ongoing reports of antisemitism across colleges and universities, federal and congressional investigations into potential civil rights violations at these institutions, and an ongoing congressional investigation into HHS’s and NIH’s handling of these concerns at HHS-funded institutions, the Committees are seeking more information about how ARPA-H ensures that those involved in projects it funds comply with Title VI and relevant civil rights laws to ensure a research environment free of harassment and discrimination, especially towards those of Jewish faith and heritage.”  BACKGROUND :  ARPA-H is an independent agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  ARPA-H reports directly to the Secretary of HHS.  In the last year, ARPA-H has funded more than $595 million in research projects through ISOs and BAA with more than $506 million going to universities and research institutions and the rest to companies or organizations. Some of these research projects include:  August 30, 2024: Up to $39.5 million to Columbia University   August 22, 2024: Up to $7 million to the University of Pennsylvania   August 13, 2024: Up to $18.4 million to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign  July 10, 2024: Up to $27 million to the Wyss Institute at Harvard University  June 12, 2024: Up to $24 million to Yale University School of Medicine  April 1, 2024: Up to $35 million to the University of California, San Francisco  September 26, 2023: Up to $104 million to Harvard Medical School  September 25, 2023: Up to $26 million to Stanford University  Of the fourteen university-based projects ARPA-H funded in the last year, eleven (including the eight listed above) are at universities that were recently or are currently under federal and/or congressional investigation for potential Title VI violations and/or are being sued in federal court for permitting antisemitic behavior on campus.  Columbia University has been sued in federal court, is currently undergoing several investigations by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, and is undergoing investigation by congressional committees, for complaints of antisemitism.  The Committee on Energy and Commerce is currently investigating the University of California, San Francisco regarding concerns of antisemitism at the university, medical school, and associated medical centers.  The U.S. Department of Education recently closed its investigation into the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign with a resolution agreement that found the university was not meeting its obligation under Title VI as it relates to complaints of shared ancestry discrimination—including 135 complaints of anti-Jewish discrimination.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed that the Biden-Harris administration is failing to enforce the accuracy and completeness of prices posted under price transparency rules implemented by the former administration. “The American people are facing ever increasing health care costs, yet the Biden-Harris administration is failing to ensure price transparency rules are followed and pricing information is accurate. Americans cannot wait any longer; Congress must act,” said Chair Rodgers. “The House passed the bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act to build upon and strengthen those rules, which more than 90 percent of Americans support. I will continue working with the Senate to pass this into law to provide patients with the information needed to make the right care decisions for themselves and their loved ones.”  The GAO provided its analysis in response to a November 2022 bipartisan request from then Committee Chair Frank Pallone, Jr., (D-NJ) and then Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers.  GAO KEY FINDINGS & SELECT QUOTES :  GAO found that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has not taken action to assess the accuracy and completeness of required price disclosures by hospitals and recommended that the CMS Administrator take action to do so.  “CMS has not assessed whether hospital price transparency machine-readable files are sufficiently complete and accurate to support program goals, and accordingly whether additional enforcement actions are needed. According to federal internal control standards, agencies should identify, analyze, and respond to risks related to achieving agency goals.”   [...]   "The Administrator of CMS should assess whether hospital price transparency machine-readable files are sufficiently complete and accurate to be usable for supporting CMS’s program goal and implement any additional cost-effective enforcement activities as needed. Such an assessment could include soliciting stakeholder feedback or conducting a study of hospital file completeness and accuracy.”   LOWER COSTS, MORE TRANSPARENCY ACT :  After conducting bipartisan oversight of the transparency rule in the 117th Congress, Chair Rodgers led the bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act through regular order, culminating in the House passing it with 320 yes votes.  READ :  The House Passed a Long-Needed Health Care Price Transparency Measure   Bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act Saves Seniors Money, Strengthens Medicare   How the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act Helps Patients   Former Speaker Newt Gingrich: The one health care solution to protect everyone from outrageous medical bills   Chair Rodgers: Health Care Price Transparency Will Make a Meaningful Difference for Patients   Nearly 90 Percent of Americans Support Health Care Price Transparency

Bilirakis-led bill heads to the President’s desk Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement after the Senate passed H.R. 7189, the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act , unanimously. The bill, led by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), previously passed the House unanimously on September 23, 2024, will now be sent to the President’s desk. “With more than 40,000 babies in the United States born with a heart defect each year, Congress answered the American people’s call for action. This bipartisan legislation will support research and education regarding congenital heart disease, as well as the impact heart defects have on individuals throughout every stage of life. I commend Rep. Bilirakis for championing this effort and look forward to the President signing it into law,” said Chair Rodgers . “ As a co-founder of the Congenital Heart Caucus, I’ve become familiar with the struggles patients with congenital heart disease and their families face. Our legislation will bring us one step closer to enhancing better treatment options and improving outcomes for all patients suffering with this condition. We’ve seen that this program yields positive results, and, when it is signed into law, it will help future generations live longer, healthier lives,"  said Congressman Bilirakis . H.R. 7189 reauthorizes and makes improvements to the national congenital heart disease research, surveillance, and awareness program at the CDC through fiscal year 2029. It passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024.

Washington, D.C. — In response to a recent finding that top National Institutes of Health (NIH) official Dr. Eliezer Masliah falsified research information, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:  “These findings are deeply troubling and worsen an already growing distrust of the NIH’s scientific research. We expect full transparency with Congress and the public regarding the matter. While Republicans have historically championed the NIH, these types of misconduct—coupled with the agency’s lack of cooperation throughout our ongoing COVID-19, MPXV, and sexual harassment investigations—make it difficult to continue such robust support,” said the Chairs. “The responses to the Committee’s NIH reform framework overwhelmingly agreed that a comprehensive review of NIH is needed. We urge experts and stakeholders to continue engaging in constructive discussion to strengthen the NIH, protect taxpayer dollars, and restore trust in government health agencies.”  A Science magazine article also further details the allegations, which were in part confirmed by the NIH. In June 2024, Chair Rodgers unveiled a framework that lays out the current challenges facing the NIH and contains recommendations for reform. CLICK HERE for a one-pager on the framework.  CLICK HERE to read Chair Rodgers opinion piece with House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Chair Robert Aderholt (R-AL) regarding the effort.

Revelations come following release of new Committee report Washington D.C. — This weekend, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined Fox & Friends to discuss a new Committee Report on the failures of the Biden-Harris Clean School Bus Program. Highlights and excerpts from the interview below: On Defending American Leadership:   “This is a so-called clean school bus program, and it’s just another part of the Biden-Harris administration’s rush-to-green [agenda]. “We’ve seen them mandating electric vehicles, banning gas stoves, really shutting down American energy.   “But unfortunately, it’s an agenda where the Chinese Communist Party is leading, and America is dependent upon China because they control 90 percent of supply chains for electric batteries.   “This is not the agenda that America needs. We need an agenda of American innovation and free markets, not one where we are dependent upon China. ”  On the Exorbitant Price Tag of Electric Buses:   “Whether it’s Wisconsin or North Dakota or Washington State, they are unreliable.   “We do not have the infrastructure [to support electric school buses], and they are expensive.   “This is a program where the Biden-Harris administration wanted to hand out free school buses across the nation, but unfortunately, they’re not free.   “They’re very expensive, as you mentioned—$381,000.   “These are hard-earned taxpayer dollars that are going to fund part of their so-called green energy agenda.  “There are other clean alternatives, if it really was a clean bus program, that are about $140,000.   “But unfortunately, the administration is mandating this agenda that is expensive, unreliable, and also makes us even more dependent upon the Chinese Communist Party because they control 90 percent of the supply chains.”   CLICK HERE to read more about the Clean School Bus report.

Washington D.C. — Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading to stop the Biden-Harris administration from imposing unaffordable electric vehicle mandates that will jeopardize our auto industry and hand China the keys to our energy future. Members spoke on the House Floor in support of H.J. Res. 136, led by Rep. John James (R-MI), which passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 215-191. The legislation will end the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) unrealistic tailpipe emissions rule, which, by the EPA’s own admission, would effectively require at least two-thirds of all new cars in the United States to be electric by 2032. As Chair Rodgers said , “Over and over again, the Biden-Harris Environmental Protection Agency has doubled down on its radical rush-to-green energy agenda. The EPA’s latest tailpipe emissions rule is not really about reducing air pollution—it’s about forcing Americans to drive electric vehicles.” Don’t miss these key moments from E&C Republicans:

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement after the House passed nine health bills:  “These bipartisan bills will help improve the health and wellbeing of the American people, including individuals battling Alzheimer’s and children suffering from rare diseases, as well as those living with a disability. I’m grateful to my Energy and Commerce colleagues for moving the bills through regular order and will work to see them signed into law.”  BACKGROUND :  H.R. 8108 – To amend title XIX of the SSA to add a Medicaid State plan requirement with respect to determination of residency of certain individuals serving in Armed Forces:   Led by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)  Requires States to continue to provide Medicaid coverage for (or retain waiting list placement for) active-duty military families who are receiving home and community-based services (or are on the waitlist to receive such services) in the event that the family moves out of state for military relocation.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on September 18, 2024.  S. 133 – NAPA Reauthorization Act :  Led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)  Reauthorizes and makes improvements to the National Alzheimer’s Project including expanding the membership of the project’s advisory council.   Passed the House unanimously.  House companion (H.R. 619), led by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Chris Smith (R-NJ), passed out of the House Energy and Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024.  S. 134 – Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act :  Led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)  Requires the NIH to continue to submit an annual budget estimate to Congress to achieve the initiatives and goals included in the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease.  Passed the House unanimously.  House companion (H.R. 620), led by Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Paul Tonko (R-NY), passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024.   H.R. 6829 – HEARTS Act :  Led by Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)  Promotes student access to AEDs and CPR in schools, including educational materials, training programs, and equipment.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024.  H.R. 3884 – Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act :  Led by Reps. Michael Burgess, M.D., (R-TX) and Danny Davis (D-IL)  Reauthorizes programs and activities under the CDC and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) aimed to support research, prevention, and treatment for sickle cell disease and other heritable blood disorders through fiscal year 2028.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on July 19, 2023.  H.R. 2706 – Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act :  Led by Reps. Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI)  Prohibits health care providers and other entities from denying or restricting an individual's access to organ transplants solely based on an individual's disability, except in limited circumstances.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024.  H.R. 5526 – Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act :  Led by Reps. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)  Amends the physician self-referral law to permit Medicare patients to receive prescription drugs via caregivers picking up drugs on the patient’s behalf or via mail or couriers delivering the drug to the patient in instances when a provider prescribes a drug to be dispensed by a pharmacy that falls under the self-referral law’s definition of an in-office ancillary service.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on June 12, 2024.  H.R. 3433 – Give Kids a Chance Act :  Led by Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA)  R eauthorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rare pediatric disease priority review voucher (PRV) program through fiscal year 2029.  Requires the FDA to establish an office in an Abraham Accord country.  Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect registration fees and distribute these fees to support the operation of Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on September 18, 2024.  H.R. 7189 – Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act :  Led by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Darren Soto (FL)  Reauthorizes and makes improvements to the national congenital heart disease research, surveillance, and awareness program at the CDC through fiscal year 2029.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024.