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Bilirakis-led bill heads to the President’s desk Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement after the Senate passed H.R. 7189, the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act , unanimously. The bill, led by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), previously passed the House unanimously on September 23, 2024, will now be sent to the President’s desk. “With more than 40,000 babies in the United States born with a heart defect each year, Congress answered the American people’s call for action. This bipartisan legislation will support research and education regarding congenital heart disease, as well as the impact heart defects have on individuals throughout every stage of life. I commend Rep. Bilirakis for championing this effort and look forward to the President signing it into law,” said Chair Rodgers . “ As a co-founder of the Congenital Heart Caucus, I’ve become familiar with the struggles patients with congenital heart disease and their families face. Our legislation will bring us one step closer to enhancing better treatment options and improving outcomes for all patients suffering with this condition. We’ve seen that this program yields positive results, and, when it is signed into law, it will help future generations live longer, healthier lives,"  said Congressman Bilirakis . H.R. 7189 reauthorizes and makes improvements to the national congenital heart disease research, surveillance, and awareness program at the CDC through fiscal year 2029. It passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement after the House passed nine health bills:  “These bipartisan bills will help improve the health and wellbeing of the American people, including individuals battling Alzheimer’s and children suffering from rare diseases, as well as those living with a disability. I’m grateful to my Energy and Commerce colleagues for moving the bills through regular order and will work to see them signed into law.”  BACKGROUND :  H.R. 8108 – To amend title XIX of the SSA to add a Medicaid State plan requirement with respect to determination of residency of certain individuals serving in Armed Forces:   Led by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)  Requires States to continue to provide Medicaid coverage for (or retain waiting list placement for) active-duty military families who are receiving home and community-based services (or are on the waitlist to receive such services) in the event that the family moves out of state for military relocation.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on September 18, 2024.  S. 133 – NAPA Reauthorization Act :  Led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)  Reauthorizes and makes improvements to the National Alzheimer’s Project including expanding the membership of the project’s advisory council.   Passed the House unanimously.  House companion (H.R. 619), led by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Chris Smith (R-NJ), passed out of the House Energy and Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024.  S. 134 – Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act :  Led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)  Requires the NIH to continue to submit an annual budget estimate to Congress to achieve the initiatives and goals included in the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease.  Passed the House unanimously.  House companion (H.R. 620), led by Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Paul Tonko (R-NY), passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024.   H.R. 6829 – HEARTS Act :  Led by Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)  Promotes student access to AEDs and CPR in schools, including educational materials, training programs, and equipment.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024.  H.R. 3884 – Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act :  Led by Reps. Michael Burgess, M.D., (R-TX) and Danny Davis (D-IL)  Reauthorizes programs and activities under the CDC and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) aimed to support research, prevention, and treatment for sickle cell disease and other heritable blood disorders through fiscal year 2028.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on July 19, 2023.  H.R. 2706 – Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act :  Led by Reps. Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI)  Prohibits health care providers and other entities from denying or restricting an individual's access to organ transplants solely based on an individual's disability, except in limited circumstances.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024.  H.R. 5526 – Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act :  Led by Reps. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)  Amends the physician self-referral law to permit Medicare patients to receive prescription drugs via caregivers picking up drugs on the patient’s behalf or via mail or couriers delivering the drug to the patient in instances when a provider prescribes a drug to be dispensed by a pharmacy that falls under the self-referral law’s definition of an in-office ancillary service.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on June 12, 2024.  H.R. 3433 – Give Kids a Chance Act :  Led by Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA)  R eauthorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rare pediatric disease priority review voucher (PRV) program through fiscal year 2029.  Requires the FDA to establish an office in an Abraham Accord country.  Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect registration fees and distribute these fees to support the operation of Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on September 18, 2024.  H.R. 7189 – Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act :  Led by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Darren Soto (FL)  Reauthorizes and makes improvements to the national congenital heart disease research, surveillance, and awareness program at the CDC through fiscal year 2029.  Passed the House unanimously.  Passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on March 20, 2024. 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) issued the following statement after H.R. 2365, the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act , was signed into law: "This bipartisan legislation will help support research into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with Parkinson’s disease, which an estimated one million Americans live with every day. It is a huge step forward for patients, their loved ones, and caretakers working to support those battling the disease,” said Chairs Rodgers and Guthrie. "We commend Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Paul Tonko for shepherding this legislation through the Energy and Commerce Committee, both chambers of Congress, and to the President’s desk.” Congressman Bilirakis also added, “I celebrate this important milestone in memory of my dear brother, other family members, and on behalf of all Americans who are still struggling with this debilitating disease. It takes a terrible toll on the physical, emotional and economic well-being of everyone involved. The lack of treatment options leave patients, families, and American taxpayers in a terrible quandary. We must change our approach to get better results, which is exactly what our legislation will do. It builds upon past successes and strives to replicate other national project models that have helped advance health care goals and treatment options. This critical legislation will provide hope to those who are suffering and hopefully lead to better patient outcomes with less expensive disease management. I thank my colleagues and the many patient advocates who helped us get the bill across the finish line!” H.R 2365 was reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 47 – 0 on December 6, 2023. It passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 407 – 9 on December 14, 2023, and passed by the Senate unanimously on May 23, 2024. President Biden signed H.R. 2365, the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act , into law on July 2, 2024. 

Washington D.C. —  Today, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) released the following statement on H.R. 3950, the  Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act,  which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 388 - 24: “This consensus legislation will end deceptive ticketing practices that frustrate consumers who simply want to enjoy a concert, show, or sporting event by restoring fairness and transparency to the ticket marketplace. After years of bipartisan work, we will now be able to enhance the customer experience of buying event tickets online. We look forward to continuing to work together to urge quick Senate passage so that we can send it to the President's desk to be signed into law.” The TICKET Act would increase transparency and fairness in the live event ticket marketplace by:  Requiring the total price of an event ticket be displayed upfront, inclusive of all fees Banning the sale of a ticket that a seller does not have (“speculative ticketing”) Guaranteeing refunds for event cancellations and postponements  Requiring clear disclosures and banning deceptive URLS to protect consumers from fraudulent ticketing websites Requiring the Federal Trade Commission study and report on enforcement of the BOTS Act (Pub.L. 114-274)

Washington D.C. — This week, the House of Representatives passed eight bills from the House Energy and Commerce Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee. The bills increase price transparency in ticketing, promote resilient supply chains, enhance product safety standards, and more. Upon House passage, Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statements: H.R. 4310, the Youth Poisoning Protection Act : “With self-poisonings on the rise since 2017, we must protect children from products with extremely high concentrations of sodium nitrite. I thank Reps. Trahan, Carey, Porter, and Stewart for their crucial legislation that will help prevent sickness or even a tragic loss of life.” H.R. 4814, the Consumer Safety Technology Act : “As emerging technologies like AI and blockchain change rapidly and become engrained in our society, we have an opportunity to use these new tools to improve important product safety protections. I applaud Reps. Soto, Burgess, Trahan, and Guthrie for their leadership to ensure federal agencies stay up to date with new technologies.” H.R. 5390, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act :   “This bipartisan legislation helps strengthen our domestic supply chain by reviewing where we can bolster American manufacturing and become less reliant on China. I commend Reps. Miller-Meeks, Bucshon, Spanberger, Kuster, and Schrier for their important work to help win the future and beat China.” technologies.” H.R. 1797, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act : “If lithium-ion batteries are not safely used, charged, and stored, they are prone to starting fires—threatening people’s safety. This much-needed legislation will create product safety standards for these batteries, including when coming in from China. I commend Reps. Torres, Garbarino, Clarke, Ryan, Bowman, D’Esposito, Espaillat, and Goldman for their leadership to protect Americans from these dangers.” H.R. 6572, the Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2023 :  “By supporting competitiveness in emerging technologies like blockchains, America—not China—will lead the next era of innovation and entrepreneurship. I commend Reps. Bucshon and Blunt Rochester for championing this legislation to ensure our regulatory environment keeps pace with constantly evolving technology.” H.R. 6571, the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2023 : “American supply chain resiliency is key to the development and competitiveness of U.S. production and manufacturing. I thank Reps. Bucshon and Blunt Rochester for their bipartisan legislation to strengthen our supply chains and help cement our leadership in the development and deployment of emerging H.R. 6132, the Awning Safety Act of 2023 :   “The Awning Safety Act is key to creating important safety standards for retractable awnings. I thank Reps. Balderson and Castor for their bipartisan leadership on this legislation to improve product safety and reduce the use of potentially dangerous awnings, preventing injury or even a tragic loss of life."  NOTE: Chair Rodgers, Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) also released the following joint statement on H.R. 3950, the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act : “This consensus legislation will end deceptive ticketing practices that frustrate consumers who simply want to enjoy a concert, show, or sporting event by restoring fairness and transparency to the ticket marketplace. After years of bipartisan work, we will now be able to enhance the customer experience of buying event tickets online. We look forward to continuing to work together to urge quick Senate passage so that we can send it to the President's desk to be signed into law.”

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statements after the House passed six bipartisan health bills within the Committee’s jurisdiction:   On H.R. 498, t he 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act , which passed the House unanimously:  “Americans in crisis must be able to reach the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline without delays. This bipartisan legislation, led by Rep. Obernolte, will strengthen cybersecurity at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to better protect the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline from hacks or disruptions, better ensuring Americans can access this critical service in their moment of need.”  Note : H.R. 498 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 46 to 0 on March 24, 2023.  On H.R. 3838, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act, which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 382 to 12:  “The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, often from causes that are entirely preventable. This crucial legislation will help s upport mothers throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum . I commend Reps. Burgess, Carter, and Cammack for their work on this bipartisan legislation.”   Note : H.R. 3838 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 50 to 0 on July 19, 2023.  On H.R. 3821, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act, which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 413 to 7:  “Firefighters regularly put their lives in harm's way to protect their community. Their work often exposes them to toxic substances, tragically leading to higher rates of cancer. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes a voluntary registry for firefighters who are battling cancer, which helps researchers better study the links between toxic exposures and cancer. I thank Rep. Fitzpatrick for his leadership on this bipartisan bill.”  Note : H.R. 3821 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 51 to 0 on July 19, 2023.  On H.R. 3836, the Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act , which passed the House unanimously:  “It’s critical that patients can access their primary provider for everything from routine checkups to referrals for more intensive health issues. Access to primary care generally leads to better health outcomes in the long run. I thank Rep. Crenshaw for his leadership of this bipartisan bill, which clarifies that states can innovate in providing primary care services in their Medicaid programs.”  Note : H.R. 3836 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 51 to 0 on July 19, 2023.  On H.R. 3843, the Action for Dental Health Act , which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 391 to 32:  “Dental health is an important component of individuals’ overall health. This legislation will support state and local efforts to bolster the dental workforce help prevent the predicted shortages in this crucial field. I thank Dr. Simpson for his leadership of this bipartisan legislation.”  Note : H.R. 3843 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 50 to 0 on July 19, 2023.  On H.R. 3391, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 , which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 384 to 4:  “While major advancements in health care diagnostics and treatments have improved the cancer survival rate among children, we still have more work to do. This bipartisan legislation directs the National Institutes of Health to prioritize and better coordinate pediatric research. This is another important step in our efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of our nation’s children. I’m grateful to Reps. Cole and Bilirakis for their leadership of this effort.”  Note : H.R. 3391 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 50 to 0 on July 19, 2023. 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) applauded the passage of H.R. 813, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act, a bipartisan solution to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and expand job opportunities for Americans:  “Strengthening American competitiveness against China is a top priority for the Energy and Commerce Committee. In order to achieve this, the U.S. needs to be an attractive place for companies to invest, especially for manufacturing our next generation technologies that are critical to the future. We applaud our colleagues, Congressman Pence and the bill’s cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, for their efforts to enhance our technological and economic leadership so that America continues to be the number one place to invest and create opportunities for a better life.”  The Global Investment in American Jobs Act ( H.R. 813 ), led by Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN), was passed out of the House with a bipartisan vote of 386-22.  

To stop President Biden’s de facto ban on gas cooking appliances, Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading on two bills, both of which passed the People’s House this week with bipartisan support.  H.R. 1615, the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act (Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-ND) , will prohibit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from implementing a ban on gas stoves. This bill passed the House 248-180.  H.R. 1640, the Save our Gas Stoves Act (Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-AZ) , will prohibit the Department of Energy (DOE) from implementing a ban on gas stoves. This bill passed the House 249-181.  As Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) said, “Congress must intervene to stop the war that President Biden and Democrats are waging on reliable, affordable energy, and the choices people make to provide for their families.” Watch her full remarks on H.R. 1615 HERE and on H.R. 1640 HERE .  Don't miss Energy and Commerce Republicans on the House Floor sharing why they are protecting people’s freedom to decide for themselves what stove is in their kitchen.

Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans, led by Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), spoke on the House Floor today in support of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. Don’t miss Energy and Commerce Republicans share how H.R. 1 will make life affordable again in America.