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Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) commended the passage of H.R. 1123, the Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act, which was passed on the House floor by suspension yesterday:  “In order for America to lead the development of next generation communications technologies, it is imperative that our networks are secure. We commend Representatives Cammack and Eshoo for their bipartisan work on the Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act. This legislation will reinforce the security of our networks by requiring the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to examine potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”  The Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act as amended ( H.R. 1123 ), cosponsored by Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Kat Cammack (R-FL), was passed out of the House with bipartisan support.  

Washington, D.C. —  Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor during debate on H.R. 185 , a bill to end the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for people traveling to the United States. Excerpts and highlights below: MOVING AMERICA BACK TO NORMAL “I rise today in support of H.R. 185, which provides another opportunity to recognize COVID-19 is an endemic and move our country back to normal. “Last week, we had a couple of bills dealing with COVID—one vaccine mandate for health care workers, which is the only CMS vaccine mandated for health care workers—and my bill to declare the emergency over. “President Biden actually did announce that the emergency is going to be over on May 11, so we have a lot of work to do moving forward. “Now we move forward to ask for support for HR 185, which provides another opportunity for us to move our country back to normal.” REPEALING AN OUT OF TOUCH POLICY “H.R. 185, introduced by Mr. Massie, a Member of the Rules Committee and a fellow Kentuckian, would finally put an end to the CDC’s requirement for international travelers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination before entering the United States through air—through flying to this country. “The bill would also prevent the CDC from implementing any similar mandates to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the United States through air. “This policy is out of touch with the rest of the world. “The U.S. is the only country in North America with this requirement, and most other countries have no testing or vaccination requirements at all. “Also, the Biden administration fails to provide exceptions for religious or moral reasons. “As with other vaccine mandates, this requirement will not end on May 11, and thus far, the administration has not indicated any plans to change it. “It is long past due to end this mandate. “Doing so will align the United States with the rest of North America’s COVID-19 vaccine policy for people coming into the country and recognize COVID-19 is an endemic—rather than a pandemic. “Further, this will serve as an important check-and-balance against President Biden’s overreaching polices by requiring the President to come to Congress in order to enact similar policies in the future.”

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 H.R. 497, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act:   “I rise in strong support of Rep. Duncan’s bill, H.R. 497, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act.    "I want to join in offering my heartfelt condolences to the gentleman from California, Representative Garcia, who lost his mom early on in this pandemic in 2020.   "I also want to note that in November of 2021, long after the date it became available, the vaccines did not prevent the transmission of COVID-19.   "So, we’ve known since November of 2021 that the vaccines do not prevent transmission of COVID-19, yet the Biden administration released their interim final regulation requiring this vaccination for all Medicare and Medicaid providers.    "This bill is long overdue to repeal what is an egregious mandate and to return the decision making to our health care workers as well as providing relief to health care facilities who are struggling to hire frontline health care workers today.     “Because of this mandate, facilities all across this country are being forced to require all their employees, including support staff, such as cooks and cleaners, to get a COVID-19 vaccination within a matter of weeks, regardless of prior infection or they face civil monetary penalties, denial of payment for new patients, or even termination of their entire Medicare and Medicaid provider agreement.    “Health care workers have been forced to choose between violating their own personally held beliefs and their health decisions informed by their doctor’s medical advice or potentially lose their job and livelihood, be forced to move from their communities, and struggle to provide for their families and pay their bills during record high inflation.   “This mandate did NOT build trust in the vaccine. It’s only further eroded trust — Americans’ trust in our public health officials and institutions.     “The CDC and other institutions have acknowledged that the vaccines do not prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus, which reinforces that this is just an authoritarian mandate, and it doesn’t not protect vulnerable patients. This is not about science.  “In my home state, the Washington State Hospital Association estimated that 2 percent of the workforce has been lost because of the state mandate.   “Now that may not seem like a lot, but at a time of unprecedented health care shortages, we need every nurse, every doctor available to be able to be hired and help meet the needs of patients. This is a burden on our already struggling system.   “There is no reason that this administration should continue this policy, but since they have not taken action, Congress must step in again as we did when we removed the mandate for our troops last year.   “I’m hopeful that some of our Democrat colleagues will recognize the toll this mandate has placed upon our already-stressed workforce and join in supporting this legislation.   “Let’s return critical health care decisions to doctors and their patients.   “It’s time for us to close this chapter of the pandemic and mandates and start looking ahead.     “I urge my fellow colleagues to support this legislation.” 

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 H.R. 382, the Pandemic is Over Act :  "I appreciate the Gentleman's leadership on the Health Subcommittee as well as for bringing forward this legislation today. I think it's very important legislation—H.R. 382, the Pandemic is Over Act.  “Just to recap: Three years ago today, HHS Secretary Alex Azar declared a Public Health  Emergency for the emerging threat that was the novel coronavirus. The U.S. had just identified its first official case just over a week prior.    “Within one year of the anniversary of the PHE, thanks to early leadership from President Trump and Operation Warp Speed, an authorized vaccine helped prevent thousands of hospitalizations and deaths.    “Three years later, it is estimated that 95 percent of those over 16 have been vaccinated or had COVID-19.    “Earlier in January—President Biden extended the Public Health Emergency for the twelfth time—continuing to use the pandemic and national and public health emergency authorities to achieve progressive policy goals.   “This includes pushing for indefinite extensions on the moratorium on evictions, the suspension of student loan interest payments, and attempts to require masking in public transit.       “So last week, House Republicans announced we would bring this bill—along with Rep. Paul Gosar’s bill to end the COVID-19 national emergency—to the floor today.    “And now, just yesterday, the Biden administration decided to announce their plans to end the Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023, which CNN has reported only came after House Democrats were worried about voting against this bill without a White House plan in place.   “Whatever the reason or rationale for their announcement—I am pleased that the administration is following House Republicans lead to finally abiding by President Biden’s own acknowledgment 4 months ago that the ‘pandemic is over.’    “But it shouldn’t take another three months to unwind this authoritarian control.    “It’s long past time for the Biden administration to stop relying on an emergency that no longer exists to make unilateral decisions.    “I urge my fellow Democratic colleagues to join with their Democratic administration and House Republicans in voting 'YES' on H.R. 382, declare the COVID-19 pandemic over, give Americans their lives back, and work to develop policies so we are better prepared moving forward.     “The Senate voted in a bipartisan way to end the National Emergency, and I hope ending this bill also will gain bipartisan support as well.” 

House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans advocated for strengthening the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) last week on the House Floor and successfully passed H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act , out of the House Friday by a bipartisan vote of 221-205.  H.R. 21 would prevent the SPR from being abused by the President through politically motivated, “non-emergency” sales, which will strengthen America’s energy security and ensure this strategic asset is available during true supply emergencies. Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and other committee members applauded bipartisan passage of H.R. 21 on Friday.  “President Biden has turned a longtime bipartisan strategic asset, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, into a political tool to cover up the consequences of his expensive rush-to-green agenda,” Chair Rodgers said. “H.R. 21 provides a path towards making energy more affordable and reliable for Americans by preserving the SPR’s vital and central purpose—to provide the oil supplies Americans need during true emergencies, not drain them away for non-emergency, political purposes. I am honored to join my Republican colleagues in passing this important bill to strengthen American energy security and leadership.”   “The Biden administration abused the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as a political ploy in an attempt to hide the damage of its failed energy polices. The SPR was drained to a near 40 year low, leaving us vulnerable in the event of an emergency,” Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) said . “The Strategic Production Response Act will rein in the abuse of our reserves and set us on a path to empower energy producing states like North Dakota to provide reliable and needed energy,” said Congressman Armstrong.  “The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is intended for emergency use only. Evidently, the president’s idea of ‘strategy’ means using the SPR to evade the consequences of his own disastrous policies. This White House has issued no plan to restock the millions of barrels they have drained from our reserves, leaving the United States extremely vulnerable in the event of an actual emergency such as a natural disaster,” Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA) said . “American families are currently struggling through the worst energy crisis in decades. Instead of playing politics with the SPR, President Biden must flip the switch on domestic production and unleash American energy dominance. The Strategic Production Act will go a long way toward replenishing the fuel which this president has so thoughtlessly withdrawn, putting our national security at risk.”  Energy and Commerce Republican members joined Chair Rodgers on the House Floor to urge members to support H.R. 21 and end President Biden’s politicization of the SPR.   Check out these highlights from Energy and Commerce Republicans: 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) applauded the House passing H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act, which would help ensure the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is available during a true energy emergency and not abused for non-emergency, political purposes. “President Biden has turned a longtime bipartisan strategic asset, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, into a political tool to cover up the consequences of his expensive rush-to-green agenda. H.R. 21 provides a path towards making energy more affordable and reliable for Americans by preserving the SPR’s vital and central purpose—to provide the oil supplies Americans need during true emergencies, not drain them away for non-emergency, political purposes. I am honored to join my Republican colleagues in passing this important bill to strengthen American energy security and leadership.”

Washington, D.C. —  House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) led debate on the House Floor today to promote H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act . Below are highlights and excerpts from her remarks: PLACING AMERICA OVER CHINA “Two weeks ago, this body sent a strong message that we must ensure our nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) will not advance the energy interests of China over the energy security interests of Americans. “The bill today will help ensure this vital American energy asset – and American security interests — will not be drained away for non-emergency, political purposes. “This bill is about restoring America’s energy security. “It provides a path towards making energy more affordable for Americans, who are looking to us to help ease the pain at the pump. “H.R. 21 does this by preserving the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for its vital and central purpose — to provide the oil supplies Americans need during true emergencies: emergencies like supply disruptions that threaten the nation’s economy, or the loss of oil production due to hurricanes and other disasters. “Put simply, under this bill, if an administration chooses to use the reserve for non-emergency political purposes, it will first have to plan that an equal amount would be reinstated from American energy resources. “The SPR should be used as a tool of ‘last resort.’ This is sensible energy policy.” BIDEN JEOPARDIZING AMERICA’S ENERGY SECURITY “It is also urgent policy.  At present, the SPR’s ability to protect Americans has been put at risk by this administration. "More than 250 million barrels of oil, approximately 40% of the reserve, has been drawn down in less than two years - more than all former presidents in history, combined, all to cover up historically high gas prices in an election year. That's irresponsible. "The Biden administration has undermined our nation's ability to respond to true energy emergencies by mismanaging our nation's strategic energy stockpile. "At the same time, the Administration has taken every action to suppress America's mighty energy-production abilities. "Unbelievably, the Biden administration has turned to Venezuela and Saudi Arabia to pump more oil instead of working to lift their regulatory restraints on American energy producers. "America's oil production and refining capacity remains one million barrels below peak levels under the prior administration. We have the world's most abundant resources and the capacity to product millions more barrels per day. “America should never be at the mercy of OPEC or Russia. “Energy security is economic security, it’s national security, it’s all connected. It’s foundational to everything.” UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY AGENDA “We should be unleashing American energy on all fronts. “Don’t forget, the U.S. has some of highest environmental and labor standards in the world and we’ve been a leader in bringing down carbon emissions, we did this by embracing innovation and our abundant natural resources, not by shutting down entire industries. “Right now, America is suffering through the worst energy crisis in decades, and gas prices are still surging upwards. “President Biden and the Democrats’ radical ‘rush to green’ agenda has made life unaffordable for people across the country. “It has driven up inflation, strained household budgets, and weakened our electric grid and gas prices have risen to the highest levels in history. “Some were forced to pay more than $6 dollars per gallon. Gas prices are still 40% higher today and diesel prices are up almost $2 a gallon more than when President Biden took office. “It is time to flip the switch. It’s time to end the politically motivated abuse of the SPR and focus on American energy and American security. “Let’s send a strong signal this Congress that we stand for energy security, preserving the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, restoring America’s energy dominance, and providing for the prosperity of all Americans.”

Washington, D.C. — Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans spoke on the House Floor yesterday in support of H.R. 22, the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act , which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support 331-97. Led by Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), the members condemned the Biden administration’s reckless depletion of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)—which helped China build the world’s largest government-controlled stockpile—and demanded the administration work to unleash American energy. Chair Rodgers released the following statement following passage of H.R. 22: “To cover up his failed policies driving our energy and inflation crisis, President Biden is draining our nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves at an alarming rate. America’s SPR – once the world’s largest stockpile – has been depleted to the lowest levels since 1983. To date, President Biden has released more from the SPR than all U.S. presidents in history combined. Millions of barrels of that oil have gone to China, which now has the world’s largest government-controlled stockpile of oil. Draining our strategic reserves for political purposes and selling it to China is a significant threat to our national and energy security. This must be stopped, which is why I’m proud to join my Republican colleagues in passing H.R. 22, one of the most bipartisan votes on an energy bill in many years and multiple Congresses. There’s more to come. This is just the beginning.” Below are highlights from E&C Members who spoke on the House floor in favor of H.R. 22: Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX): “The Republican majority is wasting no time in making good on our Commitment to the American People to reverse this reckless agenda that the Biden administration has followed. Republicans understand that energy policy is foundational to a thriving and dynamic national economy.” Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) : “For the first two years of the Biden administration, we have seen an unprecedented level of hostility toward America’s energy producers. The administration has made every effort to undermine, avoid, and restrict oil and gas production in North America while at the same time moving to drain our strategic reserves in an attempt to offset the price increases caused by the President’s own policies.” Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY): “The problem we’re facing today is because of President Biden and the Democrats in Congress’ war on American oil. That’s the problem we’re here to address. The price of gasoline hit over $5 a gallon in the height of this war on oil. $4.80 a gallon in Kentucky when it was just over $2.20 when President Biden took office. American families are hurting because of this. Small business owners are hurting because of this, and they continue to struggle.” Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) : “Drawing down these reserves to cover up failed policies is wrong. But doing it and then selling that oil to China, our chief adversary, is un-American.” Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) : “This administration, who has put a stranglehold on domestic production by canceling pipelines, reducing drilling, halting leases, and proposing burdensome regulations, they’re now telling the American taxpayers, ‘sorry, we depleted your national reserves, sold some of it to China, and now we won’t refill it because it’s too expensive.’ Aren’t they the ones making oil more expensive? It’s as if President Biden thinks the SPR is his ‘Strategic Political Reserve’ to be used as a band aid for his failed energy policies.” Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) : “In an attempt to lower energy prices, the administration has sold millions of barrels of petroleum from our strategic reserve, depleting our own supply, and helping China to build the world’s largest crude oil reserve. This must stop.” Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) : “President Biden has sold our valuable Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China while Americans face the highest energy prices in a generation and a federal government that has failed to adequately address it by unleashing our own energy potential. And every barrel sold to China makes that decision even more damaging.” Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) : “For political purposes President Biden sold off a strategic asset of this nation. He started dumping oil out of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, put it out there so that China could buy it, and China did buy it.” Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) : “Instead of utilizing the vast American resources we cleanly produce, including in Utah, the President chose to use this country’s strategic reserve to try to lower prices. On the other hand, in fact, the President did this while attacking energy jobs in Utah by suspending energy development on federal lands and raising the royalty to produce oil.” Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) : “While this administration has continued to shift blame for the rising prices, President Biden is draining our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, meant for emergencies, by selling off some of these reserves in a band aid solution for his policy failures.” Rep. John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA) : “Instead of incentivizing companies to use the resources that we have in Pennsylvania, Biden targeted American energy producers with new regulations that made natural gas and oil more expensive for American families.” Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) : “60 percent of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is housed in my district.” “SPR was not intended to be used as a political tool to bring down gasoline prices in an election year.” Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) : “Instead of supporting American energy producers and reversing their disastrous energy policies, the Biden administration decided to drain our energy reserves to the lowest levels since 1983. So who benefitted from this decision to drain these reserves? The Chinese Communist Party, now the largest government-controlled petroleum reserve in the world.”

Washington, D.C. —  House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) spoke on the House floor in favor of H.R. 22, the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act. Below are highlights and excerpts from her remarks: AMERICA’S ENERGY CRISIS “Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 22, the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act. “America is suffering through the worst energy crisis in decades. “President Biden and the Democrats’ radical ‘rush to green’ agenda is making life unaffordable for people across the country. “It is driving record inflation, straining household budgets, and weakening our electric grid. “Under President Biden and the Democrats' control of Congress, gas prices rose to the highest levels in history. “Some were forced to pay more than $6 dollars per gallon. Gas prices are still 40% higher today and diesel prices are up almost $2 a gallon more than when President Biden took office. “The federal government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers, especially when it makes us dangerously dependent on China for critical minerals, solar panels, and batteries to produce our own energy and electricity, and strengthens Russia and OPEC’s grip on world oil and gas markets.” POLITICALLY MOTIVATED SPR RELEASES BENEFIT CHINA “Now, to cover up his failed policies driving our energy and inflation crisis, President Biden is draining our nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves at an alarming rate. “America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve – once the world’s largest stockpile – has been depleted to the lowest levels since 1983. “President Biden released an unprecedented 250 million barrels of oil in less than two years, more than all former U.S. presidents in history combined. “And we know much of that oil went to China because our refineries and pipelines are full. It has nowhere to go here. “In April, the Biden administration sold a million barrels directly to a state-owned Chinese company. “Millions more barrels went to overseas traders who eventually sent it to China. “We also know that China is ramping up its purchases of crude oil from Russia and the U.S. to boost its own reserves. “China now likely controls the world’s largest government-controlled stockpile of oil, with almost a billion barrels, at the expense of American taxpayers and our energy security. “America’s SPR is meant for true energy supply disruptions, like those caused by hurricanes and natural disasters, not to help China. “Draining our strategic reserves for political purposes and selling portions of it to China is a significant threat to our national security. “The administration is not just hurting our own ability to respond to emergencies and national security events, they are actively bolstering the oil reserves of our most dangerous geopolitical adversary, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). “This is unacceptable and it must stop. “I urge my colleagues to support this bill and prohibit the sale and export of SPR crude oil to China. “H.R. 22 prevents the Secretary of Energy from selling any products from the SPR to any entity owned, under the control or influence of the CCP or selling to any other entity that intends to export to China.” FLIP THE SWITCH ON AMERICAN ENERGY “Enacting H.R. 22 and preventing the Biden administration from wasting our strategic reserves is the first step towards flipping the switch and unleashing American energy production. “America has led the world in reducing carbon emissions and promoting innovation by utilizing our abundant, clean, affordable, and reliable energy. “We can restore this leadership without sacrificing our energy security or making everyday life unaffordable for people. “That starts by enacting smart, workable, all of the above strategies that build on this legacy by lowering costs and emissions across the country. “It includes making our infrastructure and electricity grid more resilient, unleashing innovation for cleaner natural gas, emissions-free hydropower and nuclear power, and carbon capture technologies. “Republicans support a level playing field with a balance of energy sources, but without handing the keys to our energy future over to the Chinese Communist Party. “It’s time to cut the red tape and expand energy production here at home, modernize our infrastructure, invest in new technologies, and create new opportunities for jobs and economic development here at home. “I look forward to passage of this bill today and I am eager to get to work with my colleagues on additional solutions to make energy cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable for all Americans.”