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Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) released a statement today following the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to end the agency’s unnecessary reconsideration of existing air quality standards for ozone, which provide ample protections from air pollutants. “We are pleased that Administrator Regan has chosen to cease EPA’s unnecessary reconsideration of existing air quality standards for ozone. Protecting people from harmful air pollutants is a key responsibility of the EPA, which confirmed the existing ozone standards as protective of public health just three years ago after an exhaustive scientific review, pursuant to the Clean Air Act’s statutory process.  “We hope the Administrator will take similar action regarding his reconsideration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standards, which were also confirmed as protective of public health in 2020, following an exhaustive review that was required by law. Any decision by the Administrator to circumvent this process for PM2.5 compromises trust in the EPA and threatens much needed U.S. manufacturing and economic development in communities across the country.”

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, released findings of a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that both members previously requested titled, “Nuclear Power: NRC Needs to Take Additional Actions to Prepare to License Advanced Reactors.” “Restoring American nuclear energy leadership is essential for reducing emissions, providing reliable, affordable, clean energy to Americans, and for building durable economic and strategic relationships around the world,” Chair Rodgers said .“This report’s recommendations align with the Energy and Commerce Committee’s bipartisan legislative efforts and reinforce the need for a modern, efficient, predictable regulatory environment to ensure a robust nuclear industry. I look forward to continuing this important bipartisan work to help usher in the next wave of American nuclear energy.” In February 2022 , Chair Rodgers and Senator Capito wrote the GAO to request an assessment of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) preparedness to review and approve advanced nuclear reactor applications. The GAO report today made four recommendations to the NRC, which closely align with steps taken in Congress to ensure the NRC is fully prepared to efficiently license advanced nuclear reactors. “With this report, the GAO confirms that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission needs to do more to prepare to efficiently review and approve advanced nuclear reactor designs,” Ranking Member Capito said. “The United States should lead the world in developing and deploying reliable advanced nuclear energy, and Congress is poised to provide the NRC the tools and direction to enable the safe use of these technologies. We took a major step forward in accomplishing these shared goals with the inclusion of my bipartisan bill, the “Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act” (ADVANCE Act), in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the ADVANCE Act is signed into law this year.” LINKS: The full GAO report with recommendations to the NRC can be found here . The initial February 2022 request from Capito and McMorris Rodgers can be found here . For more information on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s nuclear energy legislative efforts, click here . More information on Capito’s ADVANCE Act, which the Senate passed in July, can be found here .

House Republicans are fulfilling our Commitment to America to address the most pressing issues facing our nation. This month, Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans are back home in their districts talking about Republican solutions to lower the cost of living, improve people’s quality of life, boost our energy security, create jobs, cut China out of our supply chains, and reduce emissions. Check out these updates: Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) , Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) , and Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) participated in the West Texas Legislative Summit to discuss how, to win the future, America must lead in energy production and innovation. Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) hosted a roundtable discussion with America’s Coal Association. Unlike the Biden administration’s radical rush-to-green energy agenda that threatens our energy security and makes us more reliant on China, House Republicans are leading on an all-of-the-above energy approach to restore American energy dominance. For example, Energy and Commerce Republicans are pushing back on harmful EPA regulatory proposals, like the Clean Power Plan 2.0, which threatens the reliability of our grid. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) met with Orion Engineered Carbons to talk about their innovative, specialty chemicals that are used for lithium-ion batteries. Right now, China produces around 75 percent of all lithium-ion batteries and is dominating the electric vehicles market. E&C Republicans are leading on solutions to ensure America—not China—is in the driver’s seat of our automotive future. Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA) spent time with the Jefferson Energy Cooperative to talk about the need for affordable, reliable energy, which is foundational for a strong economy. When the price of energy goes up, everything else costs more. H.R 1 is projected to lower energy bills by $795 per year for American   families. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) visited the Guernsey Power Station, a critical natural gas-fired energy facility, to learn how their operations are helping deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy to millions of Americans. Republicans are leading to stop President Biden’s war on natural gas, including by repealing his natural gas tax and de facto ban on natural gas cooking appliances. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) joined J&J Gas Service, a local and family-owned business, to hear about the challenges they are facing as a result of President Biden’s war on American energy production. Under the Biden administration, gas prices have increased nearly 62% and natural gas prices are up more than 40% . Energy Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) wrote an op-ed in The Washington Times about the future of clean, reliable, and affordable nuclear power. E&C Republicans are leading solutions for efficient, predictable licensing and deployment which will allow for the expansion of nuclear energy.  Don’t miss: Chair Rodgers is leading on H.R. 1042, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, to ban fuel imports from Russia and send a strong signal to the market that will help restore American nuclear leadership. Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) met with a local car dealership to talk about H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, a bill he is leading to prevent the Biden administration from banning the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles. Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-ID) had similar conversations with the Idaho Automobile Dealers Association about preserving people’s freedom to buy reliable, affordable vehicles. Unlike the Biden administration, Republicans are leading on solutions to increase—not limit—people's choices and access to vehicles. Click here to watch our June 22, 2023, Environment Subcommittee hearing with the EPA on the impacts of Biden’s rush-to-green agenda on transportation affordability. Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) wrote an op-ed for The Washington Times highlighting why, instead of regulating the choice out of Americans’ lives, we should trust that Americans will make the best choices for themselves. As Rep. Latta said, “with the average cost at $64,000, most American families cannot afford to make the quick transition to an electric vehicle.” 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Full Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) wrote to Meta and other online marketplaces today requesting information regarding efforts to end the sale of banned and recalled hazardous products on their platforms. KEY EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTER TO META: “The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is tasked with keeping the public safe from consumer products that pose an unreasonable risk of injury or death. In addition to its own work, the CPSC relies on online marketplaces, like Meta, to keep consumers safe by preventing the posting for sale of products that are known to be dangerous. It is our understanding that Meta has been falling short on this mission.” […] “Meta’s failure to prevent recalled products from being posted for sale on its platform has resulted in your users and their children being placed at risk of purchasing and using a product that CPSC has found to pose a serious risk of injury and potential death.” BACKGROUND: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) relies on online marketplaces to keep people safe by proactively preventing the sale of products that are known to be dangerous.  Recent reports suggest that at least one platform, Meta, has fallen short of that responsibility, despite numerous takedown requests from CPSC. CPSC has issued takedown requests to various platforms, including several takedown requests for recalled products related to infant deaths. CPSC has formally issued an approximately one thousand take down requests a month for these products. To date, the volume of takedown requests has not slowed, and CPSC staff is unaware of any proactive measures by the platform in question  to prevent these postings in the future. This lapse has resulted in thousands of users and their children being put at risk of using a product that has been found to pose serious risk of injury and potential death. The Chairs and Ranking members asked companies to provide answers to the following questions by August 31, 2023: What systems do you have in place to ensure recalled products that the CPSC has determined pose a serious risk of injury and potential death are not able to be posted to your marketplace? Do you have a compliance staff dedicated to consumer product safety issues? If so, how many full and or part time staff are on that team? What actions do you take to monitor CPSC recalls? What actions will you take to ensure that the Fisher Price Rock ‘n Play, Boppy Newborn Lounger, and similarly designed and/or other recalled products are not available on your platform moving forward? Are there statutory issues that are creating a gray area where it is unclear what the platform’s responsibilities are? Will you commit to working with the Committee to find a solution to this, to ensure that CPSC’s resources are not wasted on sending thousands of takedown requests for products that pose a known hazard and are for sale on your marketplace? CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Meta. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Amazon. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Walmart. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Target. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Bikelist. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Ebay. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Etsy. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Goldin. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Kidizen. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Mercari. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to OfferUp. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Poshmark. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Reverb. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to TikTok. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Pinduoduo. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Alibaba. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Shein.

Reports Were Ordered by E&C Legislation on American Competitiveness in Emerging Technologies Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement on the completion of several strategic reports compiled by the Department of Commerce regarding the state of American leadership in key emerging technology sectors. “Over three years ago, Committee Republicans authored legislative proposals to secure American leadership in emerging technologies critical to our long-term global competitiveness, like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the ‘Internet of Things.’ Those bills became the bipartisan American COMPETE Act of 2020, which required the Department of Commerce to evaluate America’s competitiveness in emerging technologies. “Ultimately, the best way to ensure the U.S. dominates in these vital technologies is by embracing innovation and entrepreneurship. That’s the American way. We'll never outspend China and trying to do so will only cede our leadership and technology future to the Chinese Communist Party. We will review these long-awaited reports and hope they will help us continue our efforts to strengthen American technological leadership and beat China.” NOTE: The American Competitiveness of a More Productive Emerging Tech Economy Act, or the American COMPETE Act, passed the House in 2020 and was included as part of H.R. 133, the Consolidation Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law No. 116-260).

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement regarding the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s "Inflation Reduction Act" that has failed to reduce inflation or to make life more affordable than it was when he first took office.  “Last Congress, President Biden and Democrats doubled down on a reckless tax-and-spending spree claiming that it would reduce inflation and make life more affordable. One year later, inflation has risen an additional three percent, and people are still paying higher costs to feed their families, keep the lights on, and fill up their gas tanks than when President Biden took office. His disastrous agenda has led innovators to stop research into new, potentially lifesaving treatments and cures, while also increasing our reliance on China.  “Republicans have solutions to combat the consequences of the Radical-Left’s agenda and make life better for people. Those solutions include H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, to unleash American energy and lower costs, as well as other efforts to mitigate drug shortages, preserve people’s access to health care, and cut China out of our supply chains. This is how we improve people’s lives, reduce inflation, and build a more secure American future.” 

One year ago, President Biden signed the Democrats’ so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” into law, promising it would reduce inflation and make life more affordable for Americans. Unfortunately today, people continue to struggle more than they did when the president first took office: Inflation is up more than 15 percent. The cost of groceries for Americans has risen approximately 20 percent . U.S. gas prices are up nearly 62 percent. Natural gas prices are up more than 40 percent. His policies have led innovators to stop research into potentially new treatments, including for brain cancer and leukemia. The bill is expected to increase launch prices of drugs according to a CBO analysis . Polling shows that a majority of Americans disapprove of the state of the economy under President Biden. Even he regrets naming the bill the Inflation Reduction Act, since it ultimately “has less to do with inflation.” Republicans warned this Inflation Expansion Act was, in fact, a massive down payment on the Green New Deal that would fail to strengthen our economy and continue to make life unaffordable for people. Here are some of the worst provisions from President Biden’s Inflation Expansion Act: A natural gas tax. It’s a tax on every part of our lives. This burdensome tax harms communities and shuts down production. This has done nothing to ease prices for Americans from heating homes and buying goods, to manufacturing thousands of essential, everyday products, the cost of living is still higher for people than it was when he first took office. President Biden’s latest efforts to ban natural gas stoves and appliances doubles down on this war on American energy. An EPA-run climate bank. It’s an unaccountable $27-billion-dollar, taxpayer-funded slush fund for liberal pet projects and Democratic cronies. It fails to ensure accountability or transparency in how the resources are used, heightening the risk for overspending, fraud, and abuse. Furthermore, loopholes in the bill’s electric vehicle tax provisions will lead to an increased reliance on China. An EPA school bus and garbage truck program. The program is a $1 billion giveaway that Americans were forced to foot the bill for. Reportedly, the school busses hardly work . DOE Loan Guarantee Program is Solyndra on steroids. $250-billion-dollars—expensed to the taxpayer—in government handouts to fund the Left’s rush-to-green pet projects. This amount of spending is unprecedented. Meanwhile, hardworking Americans are paying more across the board than when President Biden took office and cannot afford for the administration to waste hundreds of billions of dollars on a political agenda that forces an expensive energy transition, threatens energy reliability, increases costs, and makes America reliant on the Chinese Communist Party. The Democrats’ drug pricing scheme. The scheme means less innovation and fewer cures, as well as increased reliance on Chinese medical manufacturing and supply chains. Drug developers have already suspended development of medicines to treat multiple blood cancers. It’s expected to lead to higher launch prices , meaning more expensive drugs for patients. House Republicans are leading on solutions to combat the consequences of the Far-Left Inflation Expansion Act and make life better for the American people. H.R. 1. Earlier this year, House Republicans passed H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, to unleash American energy production and help bring down energy costs. H.R. 1 would claw back the Democrats’ $27-billion-dollar climate bank and repeal the natural gas tax, while lifting barriers to expanding our energy supplies and build more pipelines. This is just one part of House Republicans’ all-of-the-above energy approach to secure American jobs and ensure energy is affordable and reliable for people across the country. Protecting Gas Stoves.  With strong bipartisan votes, Republicans also passed H.R. 1640, the Save Our Gas Stoves Act, and H.R. 1615, the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act, to stop President Biden’s de facto ban on natural gas cooking appliances and protect Americans’ choices, wallets, and jobs. Access to Care : Just last month, Chair Rodgers released a discussion draft of policies designed to mitigate drug shortages and preserve access to care for patients who rely on medicines with currently fragile supply chains. Oversight. President Biden spent an unprecedented amount of taxpayer dollars through his Inflation Expansion Act, and Americans have a right to know exactly how that money is being spent. Energy and Commerce Republicans are conducting thorough oversight efforts to ensure tax dollars aren’t being wasted, abused, or used in fraudulent ways. CLICK HERE to read more about committee Republicans’ investigation into tax loopholes in the IRA’s electric vehicle tax provisions that risk increasing America’s reliance on China. CLICK HERE to read more about the committee’s oversight of the drug price-setting fund. BOTTOM LINE: Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading on solutions to boost energy production, lower costs across the board, and make life more affordable for people. That is how we build a more secure American future. CLICK HERE to view the statement from Chair Rodgers.

Agency Received Nearly $9 Billion in COVID Supplemental and 9-8-8 Hotline Funds   Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), on behalf of the Health and Oversight Subcommittee Republicans, sent a letter to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) requesting a full accounting of how the agency spent more than $8 billion that it was allocated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter is a continuation of the Committee’s investigation into the COVID supplemental funds received by SAMHSA and awarded to states. Previous responses from SAMHSA did not detail how much of these funds have been spent and how these expenditures were used. KEY EXCERPTS: “Unfortunately, even after prompting by the Committee staff, SAMHSA is not providing the full accounting for billions of dollars in expenditures as requested. SAMHSA needs to be fully forthcoming with information about nearly $8 billion in COVID supplemental funds received by SAMHSA and awarded to states. “In addition, SAMHSA reported more than $900 million has been “invested” in the 9-8-8 crisis care system since FY 2022. This is a massive amount of money, and SAMHSA has not produced specific data showing how these funds are being used, or even if they are being used. “SAMHSA’s description of the December 2022 cybersecurity incident impacting the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is also troubling. SAMHSA reported that it is still awaiting the final report from its third-party security assessor.” “Further, SAMHSA suggested that the Committee direct detailed questions to the FBI, given the ongoing nature of the investigation. Given that this incident is being investigated by law enforcement, this indicates a much more significant and concerning event.” CLICK HERE to read the full letter. CLICK HERE to read the Committee’s April 2023 letter to SAMHSA.

Washington, D.C. —  House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), on behalf of the Health and Oversight Subcommittee Republicans, sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra. The letter requests the documents signed by HHS Secretary Becerra appointing Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo to a five-year term to serve as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Last month, the committee  uncovered  that Secretary Becerra failed to properly appoint 14 Institute and Center (IC) directors at the NIH. The committee is seeking assurances that Dr. Marrazzo has or will be properly appointed in accordance with the Constitution and the 21 st  Century Cures Act. KEY EXCERPTS : “ We write today because we are concerned that you may be continuing on an unconstitutional appointment process  in an effort to avoid accountability for your previous failure to properly reappoint the 14 IC Directors in December 2021. “On August 2, 2023, the NIH issued a press release announcing the appointment of Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and that she would oversee NIAID’s $6.3 billion budget. The press release stated that Dr. Lawrence Tabak, the Acting Director for the NIH, named her to this position.   The press release included no statement from you or any indication that you had a role in her appointment . HHS has acknowledged the Secretary must appoint NIH IC directors . The May 5, 2023, response letter from Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary Melanie Egorin stated the HHS Secretary is the approving official for NIH IC director appointments and the NIH director is the recommending official.  Her letter unequivocally states: “ NIH IC Directors are recommended for appointment by the NIH Director and approved for appointment by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) .”  Further, you signed affidavits of reappointment with prospective effect of certain NIH IC directors in June 2023.  Your affidavits expressly invoked the Appointments Clause, which tacitly acknowledges that the IC Directors are inferior officers of the United States ." […] “Further, even under HHS’s changed position, Dr. Tabak, as the Acting NIH Director, lacks the authority to make Dr. Marrazzo’s appointment, if in fact he made the appointment.” […] “Since the enactment of the 21st Cures Act in 2016, it is our understanding that the  HHS Secretary in the previous administration personally approved the appointments of NIH IC directors.  This precedent, the clear commands of the U.S. Constitution’s Appointments Clause along with your affidavits of prospective reappointments and HHS correspondence indicate you are required to appoint all NIH IC Directors, including Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo to be the Director of NIAID .” CLICK HERE  to read the full letter. CLICK HERE  to read more about the committee’s investigation and findings. CLICK HERE  to read a transcript of Chair Rodgers’ questioning of Secretary Becerra regarding the appointment of IC Directors at a July 26 th  hearing.