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Happy Earth Day! On Earth Day, we are celebrating how America has led the world in reducing emissions—and we’ve done it while raising the standard of living, fighting poverty, and maintaining the highest environmental and labor standards in the world.   How has this been possible? By taking advantage of America’s abundant and diverse energy resources—like natural gas, hydropower, and nuclear power—and leading the world in developing clean technologies to utilize them.  Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading on all-of-the-above energy solutions to reverse the negative consequences of President Biden’s radical rush-to-green energy agenda, which undermines our economy and slows progress to reduce emissions.  UNLEASHING CLEAN NATURAL GAS:   Unleashing energy production and exporting U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) to our allies is KEY to lowering costs, strengthening democracy and our geopolitical power, AND lowering emissions worldwide. President Biden’s ban on American LNG exports—a blatant political decision—jeopardizes all of this.  The development and revolution of American natural gas has helped reduce U.S. emissions in the energy sector by 25% from 2008 to 2018. Today, America’s CO2 emissions are at the lowest levels since the 1990s. The Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal called President Biden’s decision " a win for political symbolism, not the climate ” and “ Biden’s Worst Energy Decision .” We agree. That’s why the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7176, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act , to reverse President Biden’s ban on American LNG exports and secure American energy and environmental leadership. EXPANDING HYDROPOWER: Hydropower is the largest source of clean, renewable energy in the country. It’s strengthened our energy grid and lowered energy costs for families and businesses—all while reducing carbon emissions. Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading to expand hydropower through H.R. 4045 , the Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act. This legislation, which was passed out of Committee and advanced to the House Floor, would reform the licensing process to protect existing hydropower resources and remove barriers to rapidly expand hydropower development.  Despite the many benefits of hydropower, the Biden administration has colluded with extreme activists to tear down dams in the Pacific Northwest. Dams in the Columbia Snake River system provide more than one third of all the hydropower capacity in the United States. In Washinton State, hydropower accounts for 70 percent of the electricity consumed. Breaching the dams would NOT be good for the environment—removal of the dams will reduce hydropower production and make America more reliant on the world’s biggest polluter, China. LEADING IN NUCLEAR POWER: Nuclear energy is key for reducing emissions and providing reliable, affordable, clean energy to Americans. In 2022, Nuclear power plants—which do not emit greenhouse gases—operated at full capacity more than 92% of the time . We’re leading on H.R. 6544, the Atomic Energy Advancement Act, to encourage and support advancements in nuclear energy by modernizing and improving the current processes at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill, which passed the House with bipartisan support, will help usher in a new era of U.S. energy leadership. DON’T MISS: E&C Republicans in the Washington Times Rep. Buddy Carter: Conservatives are leading the clean energy expansion Georgia is also home to the well-known Vogtle nuclear power plant, the first newly constructed nuclear reactor to be built in the United States in over three decades. That feat is made possible through American innovation and ingenuity. Once all of Vogtle’s four units are online, it will be the largest nuclear reactor in the country. And despite facing headwinds, the project marked the beginning of the return of American nuclear energy leadership a crucial aspect of our ability to meet climate and clean energy goals while providing reliable, affordable energy to Americans. Rep. Jeff Duncan: Biden’s LNG freeze: A backward step for all humanity America has been blessed with an abundance of energy resources. Oil and gas producers in the U.S. work daily to make energy clean, reliable, and affordable for Americans and people in the unempowered world. The Biden administration’s January decision to ban new permits for LNG export facilities will raise costs in the U.S. and prevent us from supplying our allies and those in the developing world.   Rep. Bob Latta: Baseload capacity is key to American energy success Instead of rushing into a ‘green’ energy transition, we should follow a pragmatic approach to an ‘energy expansion’ movement. Looking ahead, the House Energy and Commerce Committee has a crucial role to play in shaping America’s energy future. By fostering collaboration between industry stakeholders, policymakers, and environmental advocates, the committee can develop visionary solutions that balance the essentials of economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and energy security. We need to focus on bolstering the capacity and resiliency of our energy grid to accommodate a diverse array of energy sources, including renewables, natural gas, and nuclear power.   Rep. Brett Guthrie: America must reclaim energy independence Demand for energy is growing in the United States, and the time to reclaim our role as a leading energy producer is well overdue. Like many states, Kentucky is home to one of our best resources: proud and tested energy workers. That’s why I introduced the Nuclear for Brownfields Site Preparation Act, which I am happy to report recently passed the House as part of the Atomic Energy Advancement Act. This helps to make use of our existing infrastructure and our critical energy workforce while bolstering our grid with the increased energy we need to power our economy. Rep. Kelly Armstrong: Energy policy should help hardworking Americans, not radical environmentalists North Dakotans are a major contributor to increased U.S. energy production and we help the United States lead in emissions reduction across the world. Despite the narrative coming from the environmentalist left, the United States has proven that the best way to reduce emissions is to empower innovation and technological advancements, not double down on onerous regulations that do nothing to keep the air and water clean. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks: Reduce emissions, not choices America is making great progress. In 2023 alone, the United States cut emissions by 3%, outpacing many other nations including China. Our efforts in oil and gas production have also set global standards for cleanliness, demonstrating our commitment to responsible environmental stewardship while ensuring energy security. Additionally, the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) are approximately 40% lower than the gas supplied by Russia, the second largest exporter of LNG. Rep. August Pfluger: Unlocking America’s energy potential by reversing Biden’s LNG export ban Opponents of LNG exports often cite environmental concerns, but the reality is that American natural gas is among the cleanest and most efficient energy sources available. Technological advancements have enabled significant reductions in emissions intensity, with producers leading the way in implementing innovative solutions to minimize environmental impact. We must continue to incentivize emissions reductions through technologies like LNG, not pit one energy source against another. Rep. Tim Walberg: EV mandates are misguided Not only would these misguided regulations limit consumer choice; they would also increase our reliance on China. The United States does not yet have the domestic critical mineral supply chain necessary to support the proposed transition. As China currently controls 90% of the EV supply chain in aggregate, any push to make EVs the dominant type of vehicle on the market would essentially hand China the keys to America’s auto future. [...] The United States would also be relying on minerals from China, which has an atrocious track record when it comes to environmental and labor standards. As much as we would like to decrease our nation’s emissions, greenhouse gases, and criteria pollutants are a global issue and do not stop at international borders.   Rep. Debbie Lesko: China, with the help of the EPA, is coming for your car As we have seen especially in recent months an over-reliance on electric vehicles is not what this country needs or even wants. In fact, the scheme to flood the industry with electric vehicles is playing right into the Chinese Communist Party’s hands and plans to establish a greater world dominance. China controls many key aspects of the supply chain, and American providers struggle to keep up with the lower prices from our adversary and rival from the other side of the world.  

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is leading to advance the American Privacy Rights Act , which establishes strong data privacy protections for people of every age in every state. Last week, the Committee held a legislative hearing to consider data privacy and security proposals that eliminate the existing patchwork of state laws, protect children online, set clear national data privacy rights, and give Americans the ability to enforce their privacy rights.  Kara Frederick, Director of the Tech Policy Center at the Heritage Foundation, said this on Fox & Friends about the American Privacy Rights Act : “This is the moment. This is the first time the United States could actually pass a national data protection framework which protects us, young and old. [The American Privacy Rights Act] is the thing we should be training our focus on because it underpins everything that kids can do on social media and every predation that Big Tech can train on young children.” Politico Pro – Morning Technology: “ On the same page: One area of consensus was APRA’s data minimization standard [...] which requires a company to only collect the information that’s necessary to provide its services to users.  “Five out of the six witnesses Wednesday said data minimization is the most essential provision in APRA.  “This provision would be a shift from the current data collection model of 'notice and consent,' where companies can collect and use data for purposes disclosed in their privacy policies unless a person opts out.”  [...]  “APRA even came up when the discussion switched to bills about children’s safety online, including the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0). Companions to both bills have advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee and are awaiting a Senate floor vote.” Washington Post: “House lawmakers pledged to take swift action on data privacy and children’s online safety at a key legislative hearing Wednesday.” [...] “Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee touted the breakthrough deal struck by Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) as a significant step forward in the debate over privacy protections. Several expressed confidence that Congress will finally get a national law on the books after years of false starts. “'I’m fired up. We’ve got to get this done,’ said Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), whose subcommittee held the hearing. ‘I’m fired up, too. […] We do need to get this done,’ echoed Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.).” The Verge: “Legislators are ‘fired up’ about what they see as an actual chance at passing comprehensive privacy reform.  “ We might really do it this time. “That was the takeaway that House lawmakers were eager to impart at a hearing in the Energy and Commerce subcommittee on innovation, data, and commerce (IDC). Comprehensive data privacy legislation is on the table yet again—but this time, it’s different.” [...] “Comprehensive privacy protection has been a shared bipartisan goal for years but has failed to become law due to disagreements on the finer points: Should they preempt state legislation that’s provided some baseline protections in the absence of federal ones? Should individual consumers have a private right of action to sue for violations of their data rights? “This is the closest that Congress has gotten to advancing comprehensive privacy legislation in some time.”  Read more coverage from Yahoo News , The National Desk , and Inside Radio . CLICK HERE to watch Chair Rodgers on NewsNation discussing the American Privacy Rights Act .

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement after the Biden administration announced its final Minimum Staffing Rule and Medicaid Access Rule:  “The President’s one-size-fits-all, Washington-knows-best approach to long-term care is an unfunded mandate that will drive up costs and threaten access for patients. The minimum staff-to-patient ratio is unworkable for nearly 80 percent of nursing homes, requiring facilities to increase costs for patients or close their doors to new patients. The so-called ‘access rule’ creates untenable standards for home health agencies to meet. Both rules in practice will result in reduced access to care for those that need it most and their families." BACKGROUND :  The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing in October 2023, after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed the rules. Witnesses, including providers and former state officials, criticized the rules for putting access to care in jeopardy for millions of Americans.  Chair Rodgers also joined House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) in urging the administration to withdraw the minimum staffing rule.  Reps. Greg Pence (R-IN) and Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) introduced H.R. 7513 , the Protecting America’s Seniors Access to Care Act , which would block the finalization of the Minimum Staffing Rule. 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) praised the inclusion of H.R. 7520, the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024, and H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, in the 21 st Century Peace Through Strength Act that passed the House today. “These bills are the result of diligent and bipartisan work to protect Americans’ data and address the serious national security threat posed by our adversaries. Today’s vote is a clear victory for protecting Americans online and off, but there is still work to be done,” said Chair Rodgers and Ranking Member Pallone. “Companies and bad actors are collecting troves of our data unchecked and using it to exploit, monetize, and manipulate Americans of all ages. This cannot be allowed to continue, which is why today’s actions are an important step forward as the Energy and Commerce Committee continues to work together on tech accountability measures.”

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier today announced a final rule designating Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). “This new rule falls woefully short of adequately addressing the legitimate and significant implementation and environmental questions raised by tens of thousands of stakeholders since this rulemaking process began. The agency’s decision to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA will have permanent, far-reaching implications for manufacturers, consumers, municipalities, landowners, and disposal companies. It will also have the effect of jeopardizing people’s access to essential services that we all rely on every single day. The reality is these and other efforts by the EPA are making life less affordable for Americans and jeopardizing America's economic leadership.” 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) announced a series of upcoming budget hearings with Biden administration officials as part of the Committee’s ongoing efforts to hold the administration accountable on behalf the American people. “President Biden’s radical, out-of-touch, tax-and-spend agenda will only make the inflation crisis he caused worse for the American people. By bending to the whims of his left-wing base, he’s sacrificing freedom and prosperity for all Americans,” said Chair Rodgers . “It’s nearly three and a half years into his presidency, and all the Biden administration has to show is a war on American energy, a worse national and cybersecurity posture, and a weakened American role on the world stage. These hearings will give our Members the opportunity to ensure this administration is transparent and accountable to the American people.” The following administration officials will testify for budget hearings:  Wednesday, May 1 Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Hearing with the Department of Energy:   Hon. Jennifer Granholm, Secretary, Department of Energy   Tuesday, May 7 Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Hearing with the Federal Communications Commission:   Hon. Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission   Hon. Brendan Carr, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission   Hon. Nathan Simington, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission   Hon. Geoffrey Starks, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission   Hon. Anna Gomez, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission   Wednesday, May 15 Subcommittee on Environmental, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Hearing with the Environmental Protection Agency:   Hon. Michael Regan, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency   Wednesday, May 15 Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Hearing with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration:   Hon. Alan Davidson, Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration   This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearings 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 Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearings, please contact Noah Jackson at Noah.Jackson@mail.house.gov .  If you have any questions concerning the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security or Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials hearings, 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 .

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 that UnitedHealth Group, Inc., CEO Andrew Witty will testify before the Subcommittee on May 1. UnitedHealth is the parent company of Change Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest providers of health care payment management systems, which experienced a cyberattack on its platforms on February 21, 2024. "Americans are still dealing with the fallout of the Change Healthcare hack. Individuals and smaller providers, in particular, have struggled financially following the cyberattack, threatening critical access for patients,” said Chairs Rodgers and Griffith. “While we’re disappointed that UnitedHealth could not join us for the recent Health Subcommittee hearing on cybersecurity, we look forward to learning more on what happened in the lead up to, and in the weeks following, the attack. This hearing will help inform the Committee as we continue working toward solutions that protect the health and well-being of all Americans.” WHAT : A hearing to discuss the cyberattack on Change Healthcare and how it impacts patients and providers. DATE : Wednesday, May 1, 2024     TIME : 2:00 PM ET LOCATION : 2123 Rayburn House Office Building WITNESSES : Andrew Witty, CEO, UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   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 Kennedy with the Committee staff at Lauren.Kennedy@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Christopher Krepich at Christopher.Krepich@mail.house.gov .  NOTE :  On April 15, the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Full Committee and Health and Oversight subcommittees wrote a letter to Mr. Witty seeking more information about the cyberattack.

Next Steps for the American Privacy Rights Act House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined NewsNation’s Markie Martin on Wake Up America this morning to discuss the Committee’s legislative hearing on the American Privacy Rights Act as well as next steps for the draft legislation. Highlights and excerpts from the interview below: PUTTING AMERICANS IN CONTROL OF THEIR DATA “[This bill] would mean that you would be able to know what profile [companies] have collected on you. “There would be a limited amount of data that would be collected to begin with, sensitive data, like your location data and your search engine history—personal information that identifies you. [...] “It puts individuals back in control. This is important to all Americans. “Parents are calling upon Congress to act because we know that too many people are being targeted, especially our kids, and manipulated for dangerous purposes.” DANGERS OF UNCHECKED DATA COLLECTION "Ultimately it is Big Tech that is manipulating how you think and how you act. “We heard testimony yesterday at the hearing from a young lady, Ava, who talked about the troves of data, really an arsenal of data, that had been collected on her by her search history, but also just staying on a post for too long. “They were able to identify her vulnerabilities and ultimately take her down this path that led to an eating disorder. “And unfortunately, these are the kinds of stories that are repeated over and over where they're able to predict how we think and how we act and, too many times, bad actors are using it for purposes that are very destructive.” NEXT STEPS FOR THE AMERICAN PRIVACY RIGHTS ACT “Members on both sides of the aisle know that we need to act. “I'm really excited that we've been able to hammer out an agreed upon proposal that is bipartisan and also bicameral. House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats coming together. “We've been working on this for years, but now is the time to act. “At yesterday's hearing in the House, members on both sides of the aisle expressed so much encouragement for a draft proposal, a national privacy standard, that we will be able to put into place to protect all Americans online, but especially our children. “Many members have been involved in efforts through the years but the time to act is now and we've reached an agreement on a draft bill that we plan to keep moving through this process. “As the Chair of the Committee, we had the hearing, now we're going to start working through actually introducing the bill, as well as the kids’ online safety bills, and moving them through the legislative process to get them onto the Floor and ultimately the President's desk.”  

Tune in to the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Legislative Hearing on Proposals to Protect People Online Meet Ava Smithing.   A Nashville, Tennessee-native, she grew up playing volleyball, including at the Stevens Institute of Technology where she earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 2023.  She’s now among those leading the charge to ensure that Americans—especially young people—can use social media platforms without being targeted or manipulated.   In her role as Director of Advocacy at the Young People’s Alliance, Ava is stepping up to confront a challenge that she and so many other young people face today: social media companies exploiting Americans’ mental health.  Big Tech platforms collected and then weaponized Ava’s data—like her age, location, and gender—against her. According to Ava, “they used my data to infer what other types of ads and content I might ‘like,’ leading me down a pipeline from bikini ads, to exercise videos, to dieting tips, and finally to eating disorder content.”  By monitoring her post engagements and what she spent time viewing, social media companies could track Ava’s vulnerabilities. These platforms were able to drive her into a downward spiral that resulted in a threat to her well-being. In her case, watching one video for just a little too long encouraged the algorithm to funnel harmful content into Ava’s feed.  Ava says, “How was I—a 14-year-old child—supposed to understand that social media platforms would use my age, location, and gender to target me with advertisements designed to instill insecurity in me?”  Today, Ava is flipping the script. As an advocate, she is leading to promote kids’ safety online through a national data privacy standard so people can control their data and be protected from manipulative algorithms.  Last week, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced a comprehensive data privacy bill, the American Privacy Rights Act.    Support for establishing privacy rights has more momentum than ever, in no small part because people like Ava are speaking up about the consequences of companies’ unchecked power.  Among its protections, the American Privacy Rights Act will establish the ability for users opt-out of targeted advertising. Ava said that if such an option existed when she first joined social media, she may never have been put in harm’s way.  The bill also requires companies to review their algorithms to ensure they do not endanger children through malicious content suggestions. This will stop the downward spiral that exploits so many children online.  The Energy and Commerce Committee is holding a legislative hearing at 10:00 AM today to consider proposals to protect kids online and advance strong comprehensive data privacy protections. Ava Smithing will highlight why these proposals are critical for Americans who want to use the internet without being targeted and manipulated by the sites they visit. Be sure to tune in!