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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 FERC: Adhering to a Mission of Affordable and Reliable Energy for America.”  “The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) plays a critical role in ensuring Americans have access to abundant, affordable, reliable energy. Yet recent steps taken by the commission suggest it is making decisions to advance a rush-to-green agenda that threaten our grid reliability and go beyond its statutory authority. We look forward to hearing directly from FERC commissioners at this hearing to ensure they’re adhering to the commission’s core mission of ensuring affordable and reliable energy for America.”  Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, & Grid Security hearing titled “Oversight of FERC: Adhering to a Mission of Affordable and Reliable Energy for America.”   WHAT: Energy, Climate, & Grid Security Subcommittee hearing on returning FERC to its core mission of ensuring affordable and reliable American energy  DATE: June 13, 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 .  CLICK HERE to read the letter sent to FERC Commissioners demanding they return the agency to its core mission to help deliver abundant, reliable, and affordable energy for Americans.  CLICK HERE to read the letter sent to FERC Commissioners urging them to stop prioritizing the left’s political agenda over making energy more reliable.  CLICK HERE to read the letter to FERC requesting information on how they plan to incorporate guidance from the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in a way that does not jeopardize American energy security. 

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. 

House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans spoke in favor of S.J. Res. 11 , a resolution to disapprove of the EPA’s final rule, “Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards.” It passed the House Tuesday by a vote of 221-203. BOTTOMLINE: The EPA’s own estimates say their emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks could cost more than $8,000 per semi-truck. This will jack up prices for everything transported by truck, including food, clothing, building materials. The American people can’t afford this regulation and it’ll force small operators close up shop, which will wreak havoc across our supply chains. More from E&C Republicans below:

Solutions to Lower Health Care Costs, Boost Broadband Deployment, and Bolster Energy Security Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Full Committee markup of 19 bills to lower health care costs, boost broadband deployment, and bolster energy security. Remarks as prepared for delivery: LOWERING HEALTH CARE COSTS & INCREASING TRANSPARENCY “I’m proud this committee is building on its rich history of delivering on important priorities at the very center of improving people’s lives and raising the standard of living. “We will begin our markup today with legislation from our Health subcommittee. “Our solutions will lower costs for Americans and provide more health care price transparency, responsibly fund community health centers and diabetes research, prevent harmful cuts to hospitals that serve the most vulnerable patients, train more doctors in our communities, and improve FDA’s review of animal drugs used by farmers and pet owners. “We are taking action to make the health care system more patient-friendly so that people can access health care when they need it and at a cost they can afford. “Just recently, I read in the Washington Post of the craziness of the American health care system—insurers denying a baby’s coverage to stay in the NICU for a fourth day by saying in a letter, ‘you are drinking from a bottle’ and ‘you are breathing on your own.’ “I can’t imagine what it was like being the new, tired parents of a NICU baby and receiving that harsh and cold letter. “To put patients and their needs first, we had a long discussion about the bills in Health subcommittee in both bipartisan legislative hearing and markup. “Today, is a very important step, but just a first step in our effort to improve how the health care system works for patients.” CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE “Next, we’ll move to our Communications and Technology Subcommittee solutions to help close the digital divide and lift permitting burdens so we deploy broadband faster, with less government waste, and more efficiently. “High-speed broadband is an important part of our economy, yet many Americans, including in Eastern Washington, do not have access to reliable broadband. “In order to deploy broadband, providers need to go through burdensome permitting processes at the federal, state, and local level and the time to receive approval on a permit can range from several months to several years. “Congress provided an unprecedented amount of spending—more than 42 billion dollars—for broadband deployment. “Without reforms to the permitting processes, this money could be wasted. “Our legislation would cut the red tape and ensure that this money can reach rural, unserved Americans quickly. “We’re moving forward on several of these bills in a bipartisan way but I am disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle are not joining us on our other solutions. “Regardless, we are moving forward to deliver for the American people.” SPECTRUM AND AMERICAN LEADERSHIP “Finally, on spectrum, we are acting again to reauthorize the FCC’s spectrum auction authority, this time for three years. “The Spectrum Auction Reauthorization Act would extend spectrum auction authority, make important changes to existing spectrum auction processes, and direct spectrum auction proceeds to fund critical programs. “This bill would promote our national security by providing $3.08 billion for our small communications providers to remove Huawei and ZTE from their networks. “It would authorize and fund Next Generation 9-1-1 technology to help our public safety officers and make sure Americans can reach emergency responders when they need it most. “Most importantly, this bill is a product of long bipartisan, bicameral negotiations, and I urge my colleagues to vote yes.” BOLSTERING AMERICA’S ENERGY SECURITY & PROTECTING APPLIANCE FREEDOM “On the energy front, we are continuing our mission to make energy more affordable and strengthen American energy security. “Nuclear is a key part of our energy mix and right now America is dangerously reliant upon Russia’s supply of nuclear fuels for our existing nuclear power plant fleet. “My legislation—the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act—bans fuel imports from Russia and sends a strong signal to the market that will help restore American nuclear leadership and fuel infrastructure. “We also will be considering two bills from Representatives Lesko and Armstrong that prevent DOE and the CPSC from universally banning gas stoves. “The Biden administration is trying to use the federal government’s power to dictate every aspect of our lives from what kind of car we can drive to how Americans are allowed to cook food for our families. “If a celebrity chef can be exempted by local Democrats by Palo Alto’s natural gas stove ban, surely we can all agree today to allow every hardworking person of this country to decide for themselves what stove is in their kitchen. “Finally, I’m pleased that Mr. Walberg, Ms. Schrier, and Ms. Blunt Rochester are leading on two cybersecurity bills to continue the Committee’s bipartisan leadership on protecting our critical energy infrastructure. “Again, thank you to all my colleagues who are leading in this markup. “It’s a reflection of our most important responsibilities as duly-elected members of the People’s House to listen to those we serve, engage in the battle of ideas, and find solutions to make people’s lives better. “I look forward to our discussion today. Let’s get to work.”

In a Full Committee markup today, the Energy and Commerce Committee passed solutions that will secure our critical energy infrastructure, strengthen America’s nuclear energy industry, and protect people’s freedom of choice when it comes to their home appliances. Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) on H.R. 1042, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act : “Nuclear is a key part of our energy mix and right now America is dangerously reliant upon Russia’s supply of nuclear fuels for our existing nuclear power plant fleet. “My legislation—the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act—bans fuel imports from Russia and sends a strong signal to the market that will help restore American nuclear leadership and fuel infrastructure.” Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) on securing Americans’ access to affordable and reliable home appliances:  “Americans should be free to choose what cooking product they use in their homes and this bill ensures that. “I urge my colleagues to support the legislation in front of us today which puts the American people first and prioritizes delivering affordable, reliable, and clean energy to all Americans.” Legislative Vote Summary: H.R. 1160 , the Critical Electric Infrastructure Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Act , sponsored by Reps. Tim Walberg and Kim Schrier, was reported favorably, as amended, to the House by a vote of 49-1. H.R. 3277 , the Energy Emergency Leadership Act , sponsored by Reps. Tim Walberg and Lisa Blunt Rochester, was reported favorably, without amendment, to the House by a vote of 48-0. H.R. 1042 , the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act , sponsored by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, was reported favorably, as amended, to the House by a vote of 29-21. H.R. 1640 , the Save Our Gas Stoves Act, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Lesko, was reported favorably, without amendment, to the House by a vote of 31-18. H.R. 1615 , the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act , sponsored by Rep. Kelly Armstrong, was reported favorably, without amendment, to the House by a vote of 29-19.

Washington. D.C. —  House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor today in support of S.J. Res. 11 , a resolution to disapprove of the EPA’s final rule, “Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards.” AMERICA CAN'T AFFORD BIDEN’S HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK STANDARD “I rise in support of S.J. Res. 11. “The resolution reverses EPA’s extreme emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks. “President Biden is shamelessly pushing electrification of the entire transportation sector without regard for the significant environmental, economic, and national security risks it will cause. “We should not allow the Biden administration to continue implementing this plan without additional congressional guidance. “Heavy-duty trucks are essential to the transport of agricultural products and consumer goods to people across the country. “In short, availability of trucking is directly tied to our standard of living, food security, and ability to afford everyday life. “EPA’s heavy duty truck rule applies to trucks of all sizes from the Ford F-250 to semi-trucks. “EPA’s own estimates say this could cost more than $8,000 per semi-truck to meet their standards. “The costs will be passed on directly to Americans, many of whom are living paycheck to paycheck. “Imagine someone who is already being forced to make tough choices for their family at the grocery store, the gas pump, the pharmacy. “Virtually every product they’re buying—as well as the ones they can no longer afford—is transported by truck at some point. “With the EPA’s rule, they will be paying and sacrificing even more—for food, clothing, fixing their homes, and trying to provide for their families. “EPA’s regulatory effort on heavy-duty trucks would impose expensive regulations, increase costs for trucking companies—many of which are small businesses, and ultimately fail to significantly reduce emissions. “The American people cannot afford the financial burdens. “It is our responsibility as Members of Congress, the elected representatives of the People, to address agency overreach, especially when it would directly and negatively impact the lives of Americans and drive inflation higher. “I would like to thank Senator Fischer and Representative Nehls for leading on the Senate and House resolutions on this important issue. “I urge my colleagues to support S.J. Res. 11.”

Proposed Standards Will Make it Harder for Americans to Afford New Cars Washington, D.C. — 151 House Republicans, led by Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging him to rescind the agency’s proposed emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles and heavy-duty trucks. The EPA’s ill-conceived effort is just their latest attempt to carry out President Biden’s radical rush-to-green agenda, which will take away Americans’ choice when it comes to the kind of vehicle they drive—and arm-twist people into buying vehicles they can’t afford.   CLICK HERE to read exclusive coverage from Fox News.  Excerpts and highlights from the letter:   "We write to express deep concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) proposed standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles and heavy-duty trucks. The proposals are the latest effort by the Biden administration to commandeer America’s transportation sector and force its complete vehicle electrification under the guise of mitigating climate change.    "The light- and medium-duty vehicle proposed standards are unworkable and impractical. EPA estimates that the proposed standards would lead to electric vehicles (EVs) accounting for 67 percent of new light-duty vehicle sales and 46 percent of new medium-duty vehicle sales in the United States by model year 2032. The projected statistics are a far cry from the current EV market share of 4.5 percent, making these standards a deliberate market manipulation to prop up EVs. Furthermore, a rapid shift towards EVs would benefit only the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as China has a stranglehold on the critical minerals supply chain and manufacturing of EV batteries. For example, China currently controls 50 to 70 percent of global lithium and cobalt refining that are necessary for EV batteries.  "Additionally, EVs are not necessarily better for the environment in terms of emissions reductions.  Specifically, over its lifetime, an EV only has lower emissions than an internal combustion engine vehicle if it travels between 28,069 and 68,160 miles and remains in service for more than 10 years – circumstances which are not being realized today.   "Worst of all, the proposed standards would make life harder and even more unaffordable for Americans and their families. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price of an EV is $65,291, which is $17,197 more than the average price of an internal combustion engine vehicle. Insurance for electric cars costs $206 per month on average, which is $44 more per month than insuring a gas-powered car. Pricing is especially important, because access to a car is tied to improved economic outcomes for low-income households. Americans should not be forced into paying an excessive amount for a car they do not want and cannot afford. Also, the lack of driving range continues to be a problem with EVs. Forcing rural America into a largely EV future is condemning these communities into isolation.    "Given that the recent EPA announcement was only a proposal, we strongly urge you to rescind this ill-considered effort . Americans want the ability to choose the vehicle that best meets their needs, that is reliable, and that they can afford -- not be forced into buying an EV." CLICK HERE to read the full letter.   NOTE: The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee held a hearing on April 19 to expose the environmental, human rights, and national security risks of the Biden Administration's rush-to-green policies. CLICK HERE to watch the hearing and read opening statements and witness testimony.  

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) today announced a full committee markup of 19 bills. “The Energy and Commerce Committee is plowing the hard ground to improve people’s lives and raise their standard of living. This week, we are advancing solutions to lower health care costs and increase transparency, bolster American’s energy supply, and lift barriers that are hindering deployment of broadband. I’m thankful for all our members who are leading on bills and look forward to our work on Wednesday," said Chair Rodgers.   WHAT : A full committee markup of 19 bills.  DATE: Wednesday, May 24, 2023  TIME : 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION : 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The markup 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 markup, please contact Jolie Brochin at Jolie.Brochin@mail.house.gov .  For press related quotes regarding the Subcommittee on Health legislation, please contact Christopher Krepich at Christopher.Krepich@mail.house.gov . For press related questions regarding the subcommittees on Communications & Technology and Energy, Climate Change, and Grid Security, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov .  Legislation to be considered: H.R. 1418 , the Animal Drug User Fee Amendments of 2023 , as amended by the Subcommittee on Health (Reps. Greg Pence and Kim Schrier) H.R. 2544 , the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act (Reps. Larry Bucshon and Robin Kelly) H.R. 3561 , the Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 (Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Frank Pallone Jr.)   H.R. 2666 , the Medicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act , as amended by the Subcommittee on Health (Reps. Brett Guthrie and Anna Eshoo)    H.R. 3284 , the Providers and Payers COMPETE Act (Reps. Michael Burgess and Debbie Dingell)    H.R. 3290 , To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure transparency and oversight of the 340B drug discount program (Rep. Larry Bucshon)    H.R. 3285 , the Fairness for Patient Medications Act (Rep. Morgan Griffith)    H.R. 3309 , the Standard Fees to Expedite Evaluation and Streamlining Act or the Standard FEES Act (Reps. Gary Palmer and Patrick Ryan)   H.R. 3293 , the Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act (Reps. Jeff Duncan and Angie Craig)   H.R. 3299 , the Deploying Infrastructure with Greater Internet Transactions and Legacy Applications Act or DIGITAL Applications Act (Reps. Kat Cammack and Doris Matsui)   H.R. 3283 , the Facilitating the Deployment of Infrastructure with Greater Internet Transactions and Legacy Applications Act or Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act (Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Debbie Dingell)   H.R. 3343 , the Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act (Reps. August Pfluger and Darren Soto) H.R. 3565 , the Spectrum Auction Reauthorization Act of 2023 (Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Frank Pallone, Jr.)  H.R. 3557 , the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023 (Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, Nathaniel Moran, and Neal Dunn ) H.R. 1160 , the Critical Electric Infrastructure Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Act (Reps. Tim Walberg and Kim Schrier)    H.R. 3277 , the Energy Emergency Leadership Act (Reps. Tim Walberg and Lisa Blunt Rochester) H.R. 1042 , the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act , as amended by the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security (Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers) H.R. 1640 , the Save Our Gas Stoves Act (Rep. Debbie Lesko) H.R. 1615 , the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act (Rep. Kelly Armstrong)

House Republicans are leading on solutions like H.R. 1, the “Lower Energy Costs Act,” which will unleash American energy, lower prices, create jobs, reduce emissions, strengthen our national security, and secure our supply chains. This will raise the standard of living for all Americans. As House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) said on the House Floor in support of H.R. 1: “Here in the United States of America, we are blessed with the ability and resources to continue to raise the standard of living globally and even lift people out of poverty. “Our goal is to celebrate how our abundant energy resources have unleashed prosperity and invited people from around the globe to come to America to achieve their hopes and dreams.” Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held hearings recently with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and urged the Biden administration to reverse its anti-American energy policies that will leave Americans dangerously reliant on the Chinese Communist Party for our energy needs. Highlights from the hearings below: “Republicans are for energy innovation because we just simply cannot de-industrialize the United States in pursuit of the 100% use of wind and solar power generation, which seems to be the administration’s current policy. The results would be disastrous. So, we’re not going to go along with this idea of the ESG inspired, so-called, ‘energy transition,’ that is now synonymous with the fantasy that the world will totally shut down the use of oil, natural gas, and coal. Yes, Republicans do care about the climate and the environment, but we also believe we need to bring reason to the discussion. Perhaps rather than a premature energy transition, we could change the conversation to an energy journey, one with very real grid reliability, grid resilience, safety, security, and economic considerations to address along the way,” Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) said. “Republicans on Energy and Commerce have solutions to reverse the Democrats’ regressive energy agenda. H.R. 1, the ‘Lower Energy Costs Act’ passed the House a few weeks ago with a bipartisan vote. The legislation would create a regulatory structure that encourages investment and innovation to bring all forms of energy online,” Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) said. “China actually has a stranglehold on the lithium supply chain and, they have invested $6 billion worth of assets in lithium in Chile, Canada, and Australia, and currently hold north of 60% of the refining capacity. There’s one mine in the United States, and it cannot cover 20% of the current EV consumption,” Vice Chairman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) said. “Especially after EPA's announcement of its newest crackdown on fossil fuel plants, what are we going to do in our country to mitigate coal and natural gas power plant closures and ensure that America doesn’t fall prey to grid failures like China did?” Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) said. “We’ve cleaned up our environment to a great degree, better than any other country in the world, with natural gas,” Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) said. “Why in the world would we want to increase funding for the Department of Energy when it appears to be going after consumer choice and quite frankly, Americans?” Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) said. “I speak for 750,000 constituents that are extremely worried about the overreach and the attack and the assault on American energy,” Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) said.