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Do you know how much personal information on you and your family is available online for d ata brokers to harvest without your knowledge?   Data brokers are aggregating your online information to build profiles on you and your family members, which they then sell to anyone willing to pay. That includes government agencies, which are paying these data brokers to spy on Americans, creating an ecosystem of surveillance that jeopardizes peoples’ data privacy and security, and violates our civil liberties.  HOW THE GOVERNMENT IS USING DATA BROKERS TO SPY ON AMERICANS:   A California County hired a data broker to track the location and number of people attending church during government-enforced COVID-19 lockdowns. The location data was so specific that the county was able to identify how many people visited each structure within the church’s property.  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) used taxpayer dollars to hire a data mining and surveillance company to screen travelers , including U.S. citizens, by linking people’s social media posts to personal information like their Social Security number and location data. This is particularly troubling given DHS’ recent attempt to establish a disinformation governance board to surveil and censor Americans online.  The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) used a data broker company to collect personal data on investigative journalist Matt Taibbi who—through his Twitter Files reporting—was exposing the government's collusion with Big Tech to censor Americans and control what they see online. The IRS visited Taibbi’s home unannounced the same day he testified before Congress on the weaponization of the federal government.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) paid $420,000 to a data broker for access to Americans’ location data, which was harvested from tens of millions of Americans’ phones. This data was then used by the CDC to monitor whether Americans were complying with curfews and track who was visiting K-12 schools.  BOTTOM LINE: The Energy and Commerce Committee is investigating data brokers’ unrestrained collection of Americans’ data, and their ability to sell our most sensitive information to anyone including to government agencies. This is the type of behavior we would expect from the Chinese Communist Party—not the United States.   NEXT STEPS: The best way to protect Americans’ personal information online and end this surveillance state is with a comprehensive data privacy and security law, which would:  Give Americans more control over their data;   Bring these data brokers out from the shadows; Preserve law enforcement’s ability to protect their communities; and   Prevent the government from buying data from data brokers to violate people's civil liberties.   Read more about the Energy and Commerce Committee's bipartisan efforts to strengthen data security and privacy protections for Americans across the country, no matter where they live.   Expert Warns Data Brokers Profit from Unregulated Surveillance   We’ve Waited Long Enough for a National Privacy Standard  

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) today announced a subcommittee field hearing titled "Addressing the Opioid Crisis: Examining the SUPPORT Act Five Years Later."  "With the fentanyl crisis raging on across our communities, it’s critical that we find ways to more effectively provide support for people struggling with substance use disorder. By strengthening programs that help people manage addiction and by lifting them out of despair with opportunities to live a full life, we can save lives and help people reach their full potential. Our members will hear from experts in the community and convene this hearing in Central Pennsylvania where the opioid epidemic has claimed tens of thousands of lives over the past decade—just as it has in Washington State, Kentucky, and other parts of the country,” said Chairs Rodgers and Guthrie.   Subcommittee on Health hearing titled "Addressing the Opioid Crisis: Examining the SUPPORT Act Five Years Later."   WHAT : A subcommittee field hearing to discuss the opioid crisis and reauthorizing key portions of the SUPPORT Act.  DATE : Friday, June 9, 2023  TIME : 9:30 AM ET  LOCATION : Gettysburg National Park Visitor's Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325  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 Jolie Brochin with the Committee staff at Jolie.Brochin@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Christopher Krepich at Christopher.Krepich@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) today announced a hearing titled “Building Blockchains: Exploring Web3 and Other Applications for Distributed Ledger Technologies.” “The applications of emerging technologies have the potential to increase digital commerce, strengthen our supply chains, and enhance data privacy and security. It is critical that the U.S. lead in the development of distributed ledger technologies, like blockchain,” said Chairs Rodgers and Bilirakis. “If we cede our leadership, other countries like China will set the rules for more control, continue to suppress freedom, and beat us in the global economy. We look forward to holding this hearing to discuss how to build a regulatory environment that rewards innovation, entrepreneurship, and ensures American leadership in the next transformational technology.” Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce hearing titled “Building Blockchains: Exploring Web3 and Other Applications for Distributed Ledger Technologies.” WHAT: Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee hearing on strengthening American leadership in blockchain technology. DATE: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 TIME: 10:00 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building 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 Jessica Herron at Jessica.Herron@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 Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today announced a subcommittee hearing titled “Looking Back Before Moving Forward: Assessing CDC's Failures in Fulfilling its Mission.” “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has broken the American people’s trust through its mismanagement of recent responses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its leadership has publicly acknowledged the agency’s failures and committed to reform through its ‘Moving Forward Initiative.’ However, we are concerned with the lack of transparency around how the CDC developed and is implementing the initiative. Restoring public trust will require public discussion of the causes of CDC’s missteps from across the public health sector to inform necessary solutions,” said Chairs Rodgers and Griffith.  Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing titled “Looking Back Before Moving Forward: Assessing CDC's Failures in Fulfilling its Mission.”   WHAT : A subcommittee hearing to discuss CDC reform.  DATE : June 7, 2023  TIME : 10:30 AM ET  LOCATION : 2322 Rayburn House Office Building  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 Lauren Eriksen with the Committee staff at Lauren.Eriksen@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Christopher Krepich at Christopher.Krepich@mail.house.gov . 

Washington, D.C. — Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Doris Matsui (D-CA) today announced the Communications and Technology Subcommittee will hold a hearing on June 6, 2023, to examine the role of AM radio following reports that it may be removed in certain vehicles.  Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing titled: “Listen Here: Why Americans Value AM Radio”   WHAT: Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing on importance of AM radio in new cars.  DATE: Tuesday, June 6, 2023  TIME: 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  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 .  NOTE: On May 23, 2023, the Energy and Commerce first announced its plans to hold this hearing. CLICK HERE to read statements from Chair Rodgers, Ranking Member Pallone, Subcommittee Chair Latta, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Matsui. 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) today announced a hearing titled “Clean Power Plan 2.0: EPA’s Latest Attack on America’s Electric Reliability.”  “Energy is foundational to our way of life in America. It's because of our abundant and reliable energy resources that we have led the way in lifting people out of poverty, raising the standard of living, and reducing emissions,” said Chairs Rodgers and Johnson. “President Biden’s rush-to-green, so-called climate agenda is reversing this progress by shuttering reliable baseload power sources, raising costs, and threatening energy blackouts. This hearing will explore how the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest proposed power plant rules could make these problems worse and add new costly burdens to important energy sources like natural gas, which is responsible for a significant portion of emission reductions. We look forward to hearing from expert witnesses on why the EPA should abandon these dangerous efforts and focus instead on ensuring reliable and affordable energy for our communities across the nation.”  WHAT: Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee hearing titled “Clean Power Plan 2.0: EPA’s Latest Attack on America’s Electric Reliability.”  DATE: June 6, 2023  TIME: 10:30 AM  LOCATION: 2322 Rayburn House Office Building         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 Kaitlyn Peterson at Kaitlyn.Peterson@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov .  

Lawmakers leave door open to compelling testimony if Becerra refuses to cooperate House Republicans are holding the Biden administration accountable for the surge of migrants flowing across our border illegally and the exploitation of unaccompanied migrant children that has followed.  Despite publicly committing to Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith that he would “absolutely” be willing to appear before the Subcommittee, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra has failed to make good on his promise.  On Friday, E&C Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Subcommittee Chair Griffith sent Secretary Becerra a letter demanding that he testify. In the letter , the Chairs outlined the great lengths to which they’ve gone to accommodate Secretary Becerra’s travel schedule and venue preference. They have offered a hearing date of June 13 or June 14.  READ: Exclusive Coverage on FOX News : Becerra’s appearance is being sought as the U.S. is continuing to deal with a migrant crisis at the southern border now in its third year. While the primary agency dealing with the migrant surge is the Department of Homeland Security, unaccompanied minors encountered by  Border Patrol  are transferred into HHS custody, at which point officials attempt to find sponsors—typically a relative or parent—for them.  According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) statistics, the number of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) who arrive at the border has increased from 33,239 in fiscal year 2020 to more than 146,000 in fiscal year 2021 and 152,000 in fiscal year 2022. So far in fiscal year 2023, there have been more than 70,000 encounters of UACs.  […]  The Times reported how officials  reportedly ignored  signs of "explosive" growth in the child labor force, while staff members claimed Becerra pushed for discharging minors even quicker.  "If Henry Ford had seen this in his plants, he would never have become rich and famous," he was quoted by the Times as telling staff. "This is not the way you do an assembly line."  […]  "In the event you do not select either of the above dates, the Committee will be forced to consider other avenues to secure testimony from you that is needed to fulfill our constitutional mandate to oversee the administration of these programs," they say.   CLICK HERE to read more from FOX News.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Secretary Becerra. 

Did NIH Know that Decorated Scientist Planned to Conduct Gain-of-Function Research?  Washington, D.C. — 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), on behalf of the Health and Oversight subcommittee Republicans, sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services requesting that the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) top expert on pox viruses sit for a videotaped, transcribed interview regarding the mysterious discontinuation of his proposed experiment to supercharge the mpox virus.  BACKGROUND:   In a September 2022 Science article , Dr. Bernard Moss of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) discussed a specific mpox project:  From the article: “Moss has been trying for years to figure out the crucial difference between two variants of monkeypox virus: clade 2, which until recently was found only in West Africa and is now causing the global outbreak, and clade 1, believed to be much deadlier, which has caused outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo for many decades. He’s found that clade 1 virus can kill a mouse at levels 1000 times lower than those needed with clade 2. To find out why, Moss and his colleagues swapped dozens of clade 2 genes, one at a time, into clade 1 virus, hoping to see it become less deadly, but with no luck so far. Now, they are planning to try the opposite, endowing clade 2 virus with genes from its deadlier relative.”  The effect of the project would be to supercharge the less lethal but much more transmissible variant of the mpox virus that caused the recent U.S. epidemic by combining it with a highly lethal variant found only in the Congo Basin.  Energy and Commerce Republicans requested in a March 30, 2023, letter documents related to the experiment described in the Science article.  On April 26, 2023, NIH responded by noting the proposal did not go forward but did not explain how that occurred or how NIH could even be sure that the experiment was not already conducted.  KEY EXCERPT:   “You informed us that the study discussed by Dr. Moss 'has not been formally proposed, and NIAID has no plans to move forward with this research.' This is a stunning admission. Dr. Moss has been with the NIH since 1966, is one of the leading authorities on pox viruses, and one of the NIH’s most accomplished researchers. He has received numerous awards and prizes. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Microbiology, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and president of the American Society for Virology. Dr. Moss is currently an editor of Virology and a member of several editorial boards. Dr. Moss’s comments to Science indicate to us that he gave the study in question much thought and effort, and that he believed in going forward with the mpox study. The admission that he did not formally propose this research, and the NIAID has no plans to pursue it seems extraordinary. It seems unlikely that Dr. Moss changed his mind. On the other hand, it is hard to believe the NIAID has apparently overruled one of its most highly respected scientists. These circumstances demand a detailed explanation about what happened with this research project publicized by Dr. Moss.”  CLICK HERE to read the full letter. 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) today announced a hearing titled “Oversight of NRC: Ensuring Efficient and Predictable Nuclear Safety Regulation for a Prosperous America.”  “Nuclear energy is a key ingredient to our energy mix. It is how we win the future with reliable, affordable, and clean energy that powers our way of life, reduces emissions, keeps the lights on, builds stronger communities, and keeps our economy going. We look forward to hearing the commissioners' perspective on what makes sense for a modern safety regulator to assure efficient, predictable regulation that provides for a robust and growing industry, consistent with the goals of the Atomic Energy Act.    Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, & Grid Security hearing titled “Oversight of NRC: Ensuring Efficient and Predictable Nuclear Safety Regulation for a Prosperous America.”   WHAT: Energy, Climate, & Grid Security Subcommittee hearing on ensuring efficient and predictable nuclear safety regulation.  DATE: June 14, 2023  TIME: 10:00 AM  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building         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 Kaitlyn Peterson at Kaitlyn.Peterson@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov .  NOTE: In April, a bipartisan group of committee leaders sent letters to nuclear energy stakeholders requesting information on the NRC’s regulatory efforts to ensure safe, efficient, predictable regulation for the nuclear industry in the U.S. CLICK HERE to read the letter.