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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, led a hearing titled Securing America’s Energy Infrastructure: Addressing Cyber and Physical Threats to the Grid . “Addressing cyber and physical threats represents another challenge to the reliable delivery of energy and power. Incapacitating the grid with cyber or physical attacks will have widespread, devastating impacts, which makes security particularly vital to our nation's security, economy, our health, and welfare,” said Chairman Latta. “Addressing these threats is difficult. The avenues for malicious attack only increase with increased digitization, and the growing linkages of gas pipelines, new generating resources, and expanded transmission.” Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from yesterday’s hearing: Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12): “Two weeks ago, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission released their 2025 report to Congress. In this report, the commission stated that the extensive use of Chinese components in the U.S. grid creates risks for cyber espionage and sabotage. As our nation looks to increase grid resiliency and reliability in the face of historic electricity demand growth, Congress and all relevant energy stakeholders must work to reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries, such as China, to meet our energy needs.” Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11): “Mr. Ball, in your testimony, you indicated that the PRC campaigns, like Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, represent the most persistent and adaptive threats targeting our infrastructure. We know that the Chinese Communist Party is actively seeking to do damage and gather intelligence. But can you describe, at an operational level, what utilities are doing differently today than has been done before to detect and to stop these campaigns, and then what gaps still exist that we need to be worried about?” Mr. Ball: “ I think the best way to describe that is that we see an industry that is evolving in its capabilities, and it’s based on awareness. We have seen a significant awakening, and I’m not saying it’s enough, but we have seen a significant awakening to the threat within our industry. And, you know, when it boils down to it, despite the sophisticated capabilities that threat actors like the PRC have, a lot of the things that make us resilient still boil down to basic practices and making yourself and our utilities more resilient. We need to continue to bolster that capability for our industry, whether it’s large ISOs or down to the municipals and cooperatives. I think you’re hearing even today how this industry is awake to that. And I think we need to continue to empower them to be able to build a more resilient system.” Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23): “Mr. Chairman, our witnesses know better than anyone how frequently adversaries test our defenses and target the operators who keep power flowing. As we consider these vulnerabilities, we must also recognize the broader point: cyber and physical threats don’t just expose weaknesses in the electrical system — they highlight the danger of relying on a single source of energy. When states or cities adopt policies that eliminate natural gas or restrict access to other fuels, they don’t just limit consumer choice — they reduce resiliency. Electricity is essential, but it only works when the grid is functioning. If a cyberattack or a physical incident takes the grid offline, everything that depends on electricity stops. Natural gas and propane, however, can be delivered directly to the home or facility and continue to operate independently of the electrical grid. They provide heat, hot water, cooking capabilities, and even fuel for backup generators during an outage. These fuels don’t replace electricity, but they give families, hospitals, and emergency services a critical lifeline when the grid is down. Removing these options leaves communities with only one energy source to rely on — and one point of failure.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – This week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is holding two Subcommittee Hearings and one Full Committee Markup. Read more below.  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade is holding a hearing to examine ways to protect children and teens online.  DATE: Tuesday, December 2, 2025  TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy is holding a hearing to discuss the cyber and physical security of our electric grid.  DATE: Tuesday, December 2, 2025  TIME: 10:30 AM ET  LOCATION: 2141 Rayburn House Office Building  FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP: The Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a markup of 15 bills.  DATE: Wednesday, December 3, 2025  TIME: 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building     ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled Securing America’s Energy Infrastructure: Addressing Cyber and Physical Threats to the Grid. Subcommittee Chairman Latta’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning and welcome to today’s hearing. We will examine how the electric industry is addressing cyber and physical threats to the electric grid—a key component of our nation’s critical energy infrastructure. “We will look at the challenges to securing this infrastructure at a time of tremendous growth in power demand. “This hearing will inform the Subcommittee on current initiatives and practices to secure our nation’s critical electric infrastructure from the various malicious threats to the delivery of power. “This year we have frequently heard about the challenges to the reliable delivery of energy and power. “Grid operators have testified about the massive premature loss of dispatchable baseload power in our electric grid without adequate replacement. This has resulted in increased blackout risks in certain regions of the nation during times of peak demand. “Addressing cyber and physical threats represents another challenge to the reliable delivery of energy and power. Incapacitating the grid with cyber or physical attacks will have widespread, devastating impacts, which makes security particularly vital to our nation’s security, economy, our health, and welfare. “Addressing these threats is difficult. The avenues for malicious attack only increase with increased digitization, and the growing linkages of gas pipelines, new generating resources, and expanded transmission. These linkages have been rapidly increasing as the nation works to meet growing power demand, particularly from AI and manufacturing. “As the public security assessments note, the nation faces an evolving landscape of threats – from nation states to criminal and ideologically motivated cyber attackers. “Russia has long been a persistent threat to our energy systems. Yet China has become particularly worrisome. “Even as we race with China on AI, the U.S. intelligence community reports in its public assessments that China remains the most active and persistent threat to American critical infrastructure networks. China’s proxies have pre-positioned attack capabilities in American infrastructure, to be used during a major crisis or conflict. “More local risks relating to physical attacks also threaten communities and other important infrastructure. “Just two years ago, this Subcommittee held a field hearing in North Carolina to examine the threats surrounding an attack on electric substations. The attack in question left 30,000 people without power and exposed how targeted physical attacks can impact people and industry, even the military, in critical regions.   “Addressing cyber and physical threats is made more complicated by individual utilities’ particular capabilities, resources, and access to threat intelligence and other information. “Our witnesses this morning will help us understand how the industry works to overcome these challenges. “We’ll hear testimony from grid executives representing both investor-owned utilities and the nonprofit Cooperatives—which together cover the bulk of American electric infrastructure. “We’ll also hear from the head of the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center, or E-ISAC. This operation, run by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, or NERC, provides important information-sharing services to assist industry with critical infrastructure threats. “Given that Congress has charged NERC with assuring reliability of the electric system, a perspective on what is necessary to coordinate grid security to effectively address growing vulnerabilities will be important. “We’ll hear from a grid security expert at Carnegie Mellon who has been active on the National Security Council. “And, finally, we’ll hear from the Associate Laboratory Director for national security at Idaho National Laboratory. He will provide insights into threats and into how the U.S. government is working to help industry be more informed about the most consequential risks, and to better plan and protect our grid. “Energy and Commerce has led on enactment of several laws over the past decade to ensure appropriate national attention to cyber and physical risks in our nation’s critical energy infrastructure. “This work ranged from clarifying government authorities in the Federal Power Act to authorizing several technical assistance and information sharing programs to assist utilities of all sizes. “The hearing today should inform us as we seek to update and reauthorize various provisions that aim to make the nation more secure.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled Legislative Solutions to Protect Children and Teens Online . Subcommittee Chairman Bilirakis’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning, and welcome to today’s hearing to discuss legislative solutions to protect children online.  “Our children are facing an online epidemic. This issue is personal – we have parents on both sides of the aisle, and we all have constituents who have been affected. They are why we’re here today. “We’re examining almost twenty bills, which together form a comprehensive strategy to protect kids online. Our approach is straightforward: protect kids, empower parents, and future proof our legislation as new risks and technologies emerge. “These bills are not standalone solutions. They complement and reinforce one another to create the safest possible environment for children. There is no one-size-fits-all bill to protect kids online--and our plan reflects that. “Parents must be empowered to safeguard their children online. Just as a parent can observe their children’s activities and social behaviors at home and at school functions, so should they be able to check on their kid’s activities online. Our bills ensure parents have the tools and resources to keep their children safe in the modern world. A child’s life in the 21st century is much more complex than generations past, and parents need the tools to adapt. “Our bills are mindful of the Constitution’s protections for free speech. We’ve seen it in the states –laws with good intentions have been struck down for violating the First Amendment. We are learning from those experiences because a law that gets struck down in court does not protect a single child. And the status quo is unacceptable. “All our bills employ this strategy–including the Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, that I am proud to lead. KOSA sets a national standard to protect kids across America. It mandates default safeguards and easy-to-use parental controls to empower families. “It blocks children from being exposed to or targeted with ads for illegal or inappropriate content like drugs and alcohol. It takes on addictive design features that keep kids hooked and harm their mental health. And most importantly, it holds Big Tech accountable with mandatory audits and strong enforcement by the FTC and state attorneys general. “I made precise changes to ensure KOSA is durable. Don’t mistake durability for weakness – this bill has teeth. By focusing on design features rather than protected speech we will ensure it can withstand legal challenge while delivering real protections for kids and families. “I am proud of the members of this subcommittee for working on legislation to address a myriad of harms and challenges. This issue is personal to every one of us up here, and it shows in the number of bills before us today. I know this is a shared, bipartisan goal – my office is open, call me, or find me on the floor. Let’s find a way to work together and save America’s kids from the threats they are facing online.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, led a legislative hearing titled Legislative Solutions to Protect Children and Teens Online. “For too long, tech companies have failed to adequately protect children and teens from the dangers of the online world. Today, we examined a suite of online safety bills designed to address the growing challenges facing our kids in the digital age,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Parents, educators, and lawmakers all agree that meaningful, lasting protections are urgently needed—and today’s discussion marked an important step toward achieving them.” Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02): “We’re living through a crisis right now. We’ve handed our children’s devices that are more powerful than the most powerful computers that sent men to the moon, but we’ve failed to install the digital equivalent of seatbelts and smoke detectors.” Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15): “Digital technologies change so fast that even the most engaged parents struggle to keep up with the latest apps and features. That’s why the Promoting a Safe Internet for Minors Act would direct the FTC to launch a nationwide education campaign to help kids and parents learn how to stay safe.” Congressman John James (MI-10): “Just as brick-and-mortar stores are held responsible for selling age restricted materials like tobacco or alcohol to minors, the App Store Accountability Act will hold digital app stores accountable for providing adult or addictive material to minors as well.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, announced a hearing titled Legislative Solutions to Protect Children and Teens Online . “For too long, tech companies have failed to adequately protect children and teens from perils online. One week from today, this Committee will begin advancing a suite of online safety bills to address the challenges facing our kids in the digital age,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Bilirakis. “Parents and lawmakers both agree on the importance of enacting meaningful protections that can stand the test of time, so we look forward to this important first step.” Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing titled Legislative Solutions to Protect Children and Teens Online. WHAT: Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing to examine ways to protect children and teens online. DATE: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 TIME: 10:15 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building The hearing will focus on the following bills: H.R. 6291 , Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (Reps. Walberg and Lee)  H.R. ____ , Kids Online Safety Act (Rep. Bilirakis)  H.R. ____ , Reducing Exploitative Social Media Exposure for Teens (RESET) Act (Rep. Houchin)  H.R. 2657 , Sammy’s Law (Reps. Wasserman Schultz and Carter-GA)   H.R. 3149 , App Store Accountability Act (Rep. James)  H.R. 1623 , Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net (SCREEN) Act (Rep. Miller-IL)   H.R. 6290 , Safe Social Media Act (Reps. Bentz and Schrier)  H.R. 6253 , Algorithmic Choice and Transparency Act (Rep. Cammack)  H.R. 6259 , No Fentanyl on Social Media Act (Reps. Evans and Dingell)  H.R. 6289 , Promoting a Safe Internet for Minors Act (Reps. Lee and Soto)  H.R. ____ , Safeguarding Adolescents From Exploitative (SAFE) Bots Act (Reps. Houchin and Auchincloss)  H.R. ____ , Kids Internet Safety Partnership Act (Rep. Fry)  H.R. 5360 , AI Warnings And Resources for Education (AWARE) Act (Reps. Houchin and Auchincloss)  H.R. 6265 , Safer Guarding of Adolescents from Malicious Interactions on Network Games (GAMING) Act (Rep. Kean)  H.R. ____ , Assessing Safety Tools for Parents and Minors Act (Reps. Fulcher and Landsman)  H.R. 6273 , Stop Profiling Youth and (SPY) Kids Act (Rep. Miller-Meeks)  H.R. 6257 , Safe Messaging for Kids Act (Rep. Dunn)   H.R. 6292 , Don’t Sell Kids’ Data Act of 2025 (Rep. Pallone)  H.R. ____ , Parents Over Platforms Act (Reps. Auchincloss and Houchin) This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning this hearing, please contact Alex Khlopin at Alex.Khlopin@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Daniel Kelly at Daniel.Kelly@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, announced a hearing titled Securing America’s Energy Infrastructure: Addressing Cyber and Physical Threats to the Grid . “Ensuring that our energy infrastructure, including the electric grid, can provide reliable power is one of our Committee’s top priorities,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Latta. “Protecting against threats of malicious cyber or physical attacks to our grid infrastructure is essential for national security, economic security, and the safety of tens of millions of Americans. This hearing will offer our members the chance to hear from experts who understand the realities of grid security threats and who can inform Congress about what is necessary to secure the electric grid.” Subcommittee on Energy hearing titled Securing America’s Energy Infrastructure: Addressing Cyber and Physical Threats to the Grid.   WHAT: Subcommittee on Energy hearing to discuss the cyber and physical security of our electric grid.  DATE: Tuesday, December 2, 2025   TIME: 10:30 AM ET LOCATION: 2141 Rayburn House Office Building This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/ . If you have any questions concerning this hearing, please contact Calvin Huggins at Calvin.Huggins1@mail.house.gov . If you have an y press-related questions, please contact Ben Mullany at Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, led a hearing titled Daylight and Destinations: Examining Time, Travel, and Tourism. “Travel and tourism are vital engines for local communities across the country and for our national economy. During this week’s CMT hearing, we discussed the importance of programs such as Brand USA and how Congress can strengthen the travel and tourism industries,”  said Chairman Bilirakis. “We also examined a range of perspectives on Daylight Saving Time—a practice that touches nearly every American and merits careful evaluation. Our discussion focused on its real-world impacts and the factors Congress must consider as we assess potential reforms. It was a productive and insightful dialogue.” Watch the full hearing here. Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman Tom Kean (NJ-07): “Miss Maietta, the state of New Jersey is pleased to host eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The hospitality industry is critical to hosting these important matches. Could you please share how the hospitality industry is preparing for these highly anticipated events?” Ms. Rosanna Maietta: “We are accustomed to holding and hosting big events all the time, but of course, bringing in so many people at the same time does present some unique challenges, but also opportunities. Right now, our industry is working very closely with law enforcement, city officials, and all stakeholders involved to ensure that we are prepared. I would encourage those lines of communication to stay open. Thank you for serving on the [2026 FIFA World Cup] Caucus. We commend the administration for setting up task forces around these events to ensure that they go off without a hitch.” Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07): “We have roughly 790,000 people that live in the district, but every year the Myrtle Beach area sees 18 million come to our area. If you take it proportionally, there are 20 visitors for every one resident. Tourism in the Grand Strand generates tens of billions of dollars in economic impact and supports tens of thousands of jobs. In the district, we talk about tourism, but we’re really talking about the livelihoods of the folks that I represent.” Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08): “What happens at the local level when a hotel or some other sort of lodging venue closes? Can you speak on the impact that that has on a local economy?” Ms. Maietta: “Operating costs have risen four times faster than revenue in the last five years. What we are seeing is small businesses—our industry is primarily made up of small businesses—simply can’t afford to stay open. So, we’ve seen closures, and that impacts jobs and the local community that relies on the hotel to create more economic flow.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled Daylight and Destinations: Examining Time, Travel, and Tourism. Subcommittee Chairman Bilirakis’s opening statement as prepared for delivery:  “Good morning, and welcome to today’s hearing examining time, travel, and tourism and how they can strengthen our economy and our communities. Thank you to our witnesses for their testimony. “For me, this topic hits home. I grew up in Tarpon Springs, Florida, where the Sponge Docks and our annual Epiphany celebration have welcomed visitors from around the world for generations. In Florida’s 12th District of Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties—tourism supports family-owned restaurants, hotels, and outfitters, helping to sustain our Nature Coast way of life.  “In Crystal River you can swim with the manatees. In Weeki Wachee Springs, you can see the famous live Mermaid show. And in Pasco County is home to a vibrant sports tourism industry with countless kayaking waterways and the AdventHealth Ice Rink. “To further highlight the importance of tourism to the State of Florida, I’d like to introduce for the record a study commissioned by Visit Florida showing tourism’s economic impact in the state; as well as Visit Florida’s Marketing Effectiveness survey revealing tourist preferences and ways to boost demand. (so ordered). “Nationwide, travelers spent roughly $1.3 trillion last year, generating nearly $3 trillion in economic output and supporting over 15 million jobs. International visitors alone spent over $250 billion. As we prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, we have a once-in-a-generation runway to welcome the world and spread those benefits to communities large and small. “A critical tool here is Brand USA, our public-private partnership that markets American destinations abroad. I was proud to author the bipartisan Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act of 2014 to reauthorize Brand USA, because it helps attract visitors without relying on taxpayer dollars for funding. We should ensure Brand USA remains strong and accountable as the global competition for travelers intensifies. To achieve that, I filed legislation yesterday with Mrs. Castor to increase funding for Brand USA, as we gear up for the America 250 celebrations. “Today we’ll also examine the tradeoffs to commerce, health, and safety that come with Daylight Saving Time and any adjustments to our clock changing practices. Many argue that more evening daylight boosts consumer activity and tourism; others raise valid concerns about sleep, road safety, and school routines. “Our job is to take actions that help American workers, businesses, and visitors alike, so we can deliver wins for communities like mine and yours—giving families and businesses opportunity and certainty, whether we ‘lock the clock’ or maintain the status quo.” ###