News

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta (R-OH), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) wrote to NPR CEO Katherine Maher regarding reports of political and ideological bias at the taxpayer-funded public radio organization. In addition to requesting answers to questions, the letter requests Ms. Maher appear before the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee for a hearing on May 8, 2024. "The Committee has concerns about the direction in which NPR may be headed under past and present leadership. As a taxpayer funded, public radio organization, NPR should focus on fair and objective news reporting that both considers and reflects the views of the larger U.S. population and not just a niche audience," the Chairs wrote.   They continued , "We also find it disconcerting that NPR’s coverage of major news in recent years has been so polarized as to preclude any need to uncover the truth. These have included news stories on matters of national security and importance, such as the Mueller report, the Hunter Biden laptop, and the COVID-19 origins investigation. On each of these issues, NPR has been accused of approaching its news reporting with an extreme left-leaning lens." “In light of the recent, disturbing revelations about National Public Radio (NPR) and its leadership, I’ve directed Chair McMorris Rodgers and the Energy and Commerce Committee to conduct an investigation of NPR and determine what actions should be taken to hold the organization accountable for its ideological bias and contempt for facts. The American people support the free press but will not be made to fund a left-leaning political agenda with taxpayer funds.” said Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) regarding the effort. CLICK HERE to read the letter.

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee hearing titled “Preserving Americans’ Access to AM Radio."  SAVE AM RADIO “I appreciate the witnesses being here to provide their perspectives on the important legislation being discussed to preserve the American people’s access to AM radio. “This committee is at the forefront of advancing legislation that will strengthen American leadership in cutting-edge technologies. “At the same time, as we make the transition to these new technologies, it is vital that we’re mindful of unintended consequences and how these kinds of transitions can impact our communities. “Communities across the country are now beginning to feel the impact of some automakers deciding to permanently remove AM radio from new vehicle models. “At a hearing last year, this Committee discussed how important access to AM radio continues to be for many of our constituents. “For the people of Eastern Washington, it's how they hear the news in their communities, listen to sports, and receive critical information during emergencies. “In some parts of my district, people have limited access to FM radio and broadband, so AM radio is the only source of information. “Eastern Washington is far from unique when it comes to our reliance on AM radio. “Many members of this committee have constituents who find themselves in similar situations. “That’s why it’s concerning that some auto manufacturers have taken steps to remove AM radios from new vehicle models while disregarding for the impact. “This decision would affect tens of millions of Americans—some estimates show that more than 45 million Americans tune into AM radio each month.” PRESERVING OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL AND INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS “AM radio is unique—not only is it free to consumers but, in comparison to alternatives, it can be transmitted over long distances with relatively low power. “It also provides an existence for small broadcasters, especially religious and minority broadcasters, that are highly valued by many Americans, myself included. Removing AM radios from vehicles puts their future at risk. “I know some people are quick to dismiss this issue by saying there are plenty of outlets for such content. “But while people in some parts of the country have been able to take advantage of alternative options in vehicles for accessing AM radio, like streaming services or satellite radio, these options are still unavailable in many places.” VITAL IN EMERGENCIES “We also know from our hearing last year that AM is especially resilient and dependable in emergencies. “It is a core piece of our National Public Warning System—a system used by national, state, and local authorities to communicate life-saving information. “Members up and down the dais, across both sides of the aisle, have had first-hand experiences dealing with natural disasters in their states, including wildfires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, even earthquakes. “And while other forms of communication have failed during these incidents, AM radio has often remained resilient, operational and has been a calming voice in the storm when on the go. “Just this week, it was reported that, when tornadoes swept across the Midwest, many people were receiving critical emergency updates via AM radio in their cars.” TIME TO MOVE FORWARD “We're at a moment where we as the representatives of the people are being forced to intervene on behalf of them, because their concerns continue to be ignored by corporations making consumer vehicles. “I do not consider a mandate on manufacturers to continue including AM radio in vehicles lightly. “But the reality is that automakers have been aware of these bipartisan, bicameral concerns for a long time, and have yet to adequately address them with any private sector solutions. “It’s disappointing, and ultimately, it’s why we’re here today having this discussion. “Whether they’re tuning in for local news, agricultural and weather reports, information during an emergency, or to listen to their favorite talk radio personality, AM radio continues to be a trusted way for Americans to stay connected. “AM radio fosters a sense of local identity, connecting people through regional programming that reflects the unique perspectives and traditions of their communities. “It’s closer to the people, telling the stories and sharing the perspectives that the national news doesn’t cover and sometimes ignores, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring local government accountability. “I look forward to moving past this issue and getting back to working in a bipartisan manner on other key issues for the future of vehicles in this country, like Autonomous vehicle legislation, so that America remains the leader in automotive innovation, not China. “I look forward to a productive discussion today. “As we discuss how to navigate our increasingly digital world, let us not forget the enduring and necessary role AM radio continues to play for people across the country.” 

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Health Subcommittee hearing titled “Legislative Proposals to Increase Medicaid Access and Improve Program Integrity.”  “Many in this Committee are familiar with my son Cole and his story.   “For those unfamiliar, Cole was born with Down syndrome. Just yesterday, we celebrated his 17th birthday. “Over the past seventeen years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting countless families with kids just like Cole, and they all want the same thing: for their kids to have every chance in the world to succeed and live up to their God-given potential. “I’ve dedicated much of my career here in Congress to being an advocate for people with disabilities.  “That’s why I’m grateful for today’s hearing where we will discuss solutions to support access to long-term care for people with disabilities.” MEDICAID AND LONG-TERM CARE “The Medicaid program was designed as an important safety net for those who truly need assistance and otherwise might not get the vital care that they deserve. “Unfortunately, Medicaid doesn’t always live up to this mission. “States have waitlists for home and community-based services, key long-term care services to empower people with disabilities to live independently in their communities, allowing them to reach their full potential. “I’ve met too many people over the years who have struggled to get off these waitlists or who have been afraid to pursue jobs out of state and risk being moved to the back of a new state’s waitlists. “So, I’m pleased that we’re discussing potential solutions to start making sure Medicaid is best serving those who need it most. “For example, my bipartisan legislation with Ranking Member Pallone will increase flexibility for states to offer more care by reducing these waitlists and making sure each state is tracking and reporting waitlists statistics uniformly. “We’ll also discuss bipartisan legislation from Representatives Kiggans and Kaptur that would ensure coverage of home and community-based services for Medicaid-eligible dependents of active-duty military families. “As co-chair of the Military Families Caucus, I’m proud to support this legislation which would mean individuals won’t lose coverage when their families move for a new assignment.” OTHER MEDICAID PROPOSALS “There are over a dozen other important pieces of legislation that will be discussed today.   “We’ve worked closely with the Ranking Member and his team on these bills—the majority of which are bipartisan.  “I recognize that not all of them are perfect in their current form.  “For example, I have concerns with H.R. 8115 and how it would upend the shared state-federal partnership of the Medicaid program.  “It’s important though that we discuss and debate the merits of each bill today, through regular order, and continue to work in a bipartisan manner to find solutions that we can all agree on.  “Today, we get the chance to change that.”  MEDICAID RULES   “Unfortunately, while we work to develop bipartisan legislative solutions, the Biden administration is making it more difficult for people with disabilities to access care.  “By setting unattainable staffing requirements, I fear that the Minimum Staffing Rule will force nursing homes to close or reduce the number of seniors served, and the Medicaid Access Rule’s so-called ‘80/20’ policy will lead to home care agencies reducing the amount of care that they can provide.  “Lastly, the recently finalized Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment Rule is estimated by CMS’s own actuary to increase federal spending by tens of billions of dollars over the next five years, all without Congress taking a single vote on any of the policies and in the face of widespread opposition from disability advocates and states.   “In contrast, today we will begin reasserting Congress’s Article I authority by taking back control of the policymaking process.   “We’ll consider legislation from Mr. Pence and Ms. Cammack that repeal these rules and, hopefully, avoid the negative consequences I previously mentioned. “This hearing is a great example of the Energy and Commerce Committee plowing the hard ground necessary to legislate with bipartisan proposals to make sure the Medicaid program is working as intended. “I look forward to today’s hearing and to continuing to work together to advance these solutions.”

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Buddy Carter (R-GA) announced a hearing titled “EPA’s RMP Rule: Failures to Protect the American People and American Manufacturing.” “The EPA’s proposed RMP rule is expensive, over-the-top, and not rooted in reality. It is just the latest example of President Biden bending to radical environmentalists at the expense of America’s economic prosperity. Furthermore, the rule’s requirement that manufacturers publicly disclose their facilities’ vulnerabilities puts a target on their backs, opening them to attack and posing a serious security risk. We look forward to learning more from stakeholders next week about the negative impacts this poses for U.S. manufacturing and the American economy.” Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee hearing titled “EPA’s RMP Rule: Failures to Protect the American People and American Manufacturing.” WHAT: A subcommittee hearing to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency’s harmful RMP rule. DATE: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 TIME: 10:30 AM ET LOCATION: 2322 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 . 

E&C Republicans Are Holding Granholm Accountable for Her Radical Agenda Americans are suffering because the Biden administration’s energy crisis is increasing costs across the board. From the grocery store to the gas pump, President Biden and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Granholm’s continued actions to undermine American energy are driving up the cost of every purchase people make. To make life affordable again, the DOE must abandon its rush-to-green agenda. Ahead of Secretary Granholm’s appearance before the House Energy and Commerce Committee tomorrow, these are the top questions we have: With energy prices up across the board since President Biden took office, why won’t you commit to supporting the Lower Energy Costs Act ? Since day one in office, the Biden administration has worked to undermine America’s global leadership in clean, affordable, and reliable energy. For example, under Secretary Granholm’s leadership, the administration has: Drained the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to the lowest level since 1983  Begged OPEC, Russia, and Venezuela to pump more oil while shutting down energy production here at home  Promoted an anti-fossil fuel agenda by stalling energy infrastructure projects  Blocked oil and gas development and production on federal lands and waters  Banned new liquified natural gas (LNG) export facility permits  Canceled critical mineral mining projects  Pressured banks and financial institutions to stop investing in fossil energy projects  Limited development of oil and gas resources in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, set up by Congress for the nation’s energy security Additionally, the administration’s anti-American energy agenda has led them to undermine hydropower in the Pacific Northwest, implement an unworkable and overreaching Clean Power Plan 2.0 , and impose new particulate matter standards that crush American manufacturing. The list is long, but one thing is clear: each of these drastic measures raise costs for families and businesses, while stifling America’s energy and environmental leadership. H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act , would help regain energy dominance, lower prices, create jobs, reduce emissions, strengthen our national security, and secure our supply chains. Why are you forcing Americans to drive unaffordable electric vehicles? Americans don’t want the Biden administration’s aggressive EV mandates —they want to choose what vehicle best suits their needs. That’s exactly what nearly 5,000 American car dealers told President Biden—twice—after EVs stacked up on their lots. Just like Energy and Commerce Republicans, they’re demanding the Biden administration “hit the brakes” on its unrealistic agenda. This forced EV transition also plays right into China’s hands. China controls the vast majority of critical minerals mining, processing, and manufacturing for electric vehicles. Despite the consequences, the Biden administration continues to take actions that would require two thirds of all new vehicles be electric by 2032. In addition to forcing Americans to buy a more expensive vehicle, electricity prices are up 29% since President Biden took office. Simply put, Secretary Granholm’s EV mandates are driving up costs for Americans at a time when Biden’s energy crisis is already hurting every family. Why does the Biden administration repeatedly take action to increase home energy costs and worsen the housing affordability crisis ?   Housing prices and utility bills are already too high for Americans, but that hasn’t stopped President Biden and Secretary Granholm from continuing to impose burdensome regulations on homes and apartments. Starting with a ban on gas stoves, the Biden administration decided to start attacking common and popular household appliances in the name of “energy efficiency.” The DOE proceeded to then target washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and more. Even more recently, the DOE imposed expensive, new energy codes that will only increase costs for Americans already struggling to get by. This rush-to-green agenda may appease President Biden’s radical political allies, but it does not help hardworking Americans—it just only exacerbates Biden’s energy crisis and the housing shortage Americans are facing. Why is the Biden administration undermining energy-producing communities, like Port Arthur, Texas , through their LNG export ban instead of unleashing clean, reliable, and affordable energy? Clean, affordable, and reliable American LNG is the lifeblood of many American communities. As America has become the number one producer and exporter of LNG in the world—despite President Biden's actions—we have strengthened our economy, lowered costs for families, and reduced emissions more than any other nation in the world.   Secretary Granholm’s claim that the administration’s de facto LNG export ban will only last a year proves it is nothing more than an election year stunt to win over the far-Left. Studies show that LNG exports could add upwards of 453,000 jobs and would provide a lifeline to our allies so they are not reliant on Russia for natural gas. President Biden and Secretary Granholm’s decision to halt LNG exports jeopardizes our economy, environment, and our national security.  Why did you secretly meet with the Chinese Communist Party’s top energy official just days before the Biden administration announced it would release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve? Secretary Granholm had multiple conversations with the Chinese Communist Party’s top energy official just days before the Biden administration announced it would release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in 2021. By selling our strategic energy supplies to the CCP, the Biden administration is propping up China at the expense of American national and energy security. As a result, President Biden drained our emergency oil reserve to its lowest level in 40 years. That’s why Energy and Commerce led on H.R. 22 and H.R. 21 , both of which passed the House with bipartisan support, to prevent this abuse.

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s subcommittee hearing titled “Legislative Proposals to Increase Medicaid Access and Improve Program Integrity.”  “Today, we will hear from Dr. Daniel Tsai, the Director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, about some of the most pressing challenges facing the Medicaid program.   “Over 75 million Americans are covered by Medicaid, a number that approached nearly 100 million during the pandemic.  “According to the Congressional Budget Office, federal spending on Medicaid is expected to increase from around $550 billion in fiscal year 2023 to almost $800 billion in fiscal year 2033.  “And that does not include state spending. Continued unchecked growth in the program will inevitably lead to decreased spending on other important priorities such as education or increases in taxes at the state and federal level.”  HHS OIG EVEN ACKNOWLEDGES THERE IS A COMPELLING NEED TO PROTECT AGAINST MEDICAID IMPROPER PAYMENTS   “During an Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing two weeks ago, we heard about the increase in improper payments and the risks they pose to the program, which totaled more than $50 billion last fiscal year.  “In the hearing, we heard from the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General, who stated that there is a 'compelling need to prioritize program integrity to protect against improper payments.'  “As a former state legislator, I know the work it takes to ensure Medicaid beneficiaries maintain access to high-quality health care services while maintaining vigilance over the program. “Part of that work is engaging with CMS to approve State Plan Amendments and 1115 waivers in a timely manner, so that States can administer the program. “However, according to the National Association of Medicaid Directors in a recent Health Affairs article, CMS is taking more than 15 months to approve new waivers, which is a breach in the state and federal relationship in running this program. “Yet instead of addressing these backlogs and working to ensure that the program is better managed, CMS has chosen to impose new, sweeping regulations on States that will lead to increased spending and a decrease in services to beneficiaries.” THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S HARMFUL ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL MANDATES WILL THREATEN PATIENT ACCESS TO CARE “I am extremely concerned about two of these Rules in particular — the nursing home Minimum Staffing Rule and the Medicaid Access Rule — both of which threaten access to long-term care services for Medicaid beneficiaries by setting arbitrary staffing and pay standards.  “While I agree that we need to do more to ensure our frontline caregivers and clinical care providers are compensated commensurately with the care they’re providing and offer a better quality of life for our most vulnerable, this approach simply won’t work.  “These rules come at a time where we have seen more than 500 nursing home facilities close since the start of the pandemic and where we have 150,000 fewer long-term care workers than we did before 2020.  “That is further evidenced by a collection of red and blue states suggesting in their comment letter to CMS that the rule ‘threatens to make these critical programs so expensive that States will need to seriously consider controlling costs by serving fewer people, growing more slowly, providing fewer services, or cutting back on other aspects of the Medicaid program.'  “This echoes concerns I have raised these concerns alongside my Energy and Commerce Republican colleagues in a letter to CMS in September opposing the Access Rule.”  BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS WORKFORCE CHALLENGES IN MEDICAID   “Today, we’re preparing to act by considering Representative Pence’s bill, H.R. 7513, which would block the Minimum Staffing Rule and Representative Cammack’s legislation, H.R. 8114, to block the Access Rule’s 80 percent pass through policy.  “I’ll note that Representative Pence’s bill already advanced out of the Ways and Means Committee with a bipartisan vote, and I hope we’ll see similar bipartisanship on these issues here. “Of course, the subcommittee is not just reacting to the Administration’s flurry of bad regulations, but we are also being proactive in finding constructive solutions.  “Today’s hearing includes a number of bipartisan bills to support long-term care and reduce program integrity for the Medicaid program.  “In particular, I would ask that my colleagues work with me on passing my bill, H.R. 468, the Building America’s Healthcare Workforce Act. “This legislation would permit temporary nurse aides to work and support while nursing home residents while they work to become certified nurse assistants, filling a critical shortage in the workforce. “This is a balanced approach that won’t put new burdens on nursing home facilities, like the Minimum Staffing Rule, while also protecting our nation’s seniors.” 

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s subcommittee legislative hearing titled “Preserving Americans’ Access to AM Radio." ACCESS TO AM RADIO IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS   “Every one of us here, both the witnesses and Members on this dais, should agree there is a distinct importance of having a robust and widely accessible communications infrastructure to alert Americans and ensure public safety in the event of emergencies and natural disasters.  “Our citizens should have quick access to critical information, which helps them make timely and potentially lifesaving decisions to evacuate, stay in place, seek shelter, or contact first responders.  “The Emergency Alert System plays a crucial role in this infrastructure, as it can be used across our nation to disseminate this important emergency information.  “I’ve long been a champion for improving these public alerts to ensure they reach everyone, as I was the sponsor of the Integrated Public Alert Warning System Modernization Act, which was enacted into law and authorized an update to these systems to incorporate multiple communications technologies both presently and in the future. “The system’s requirements also meant alerts needed to go to the largest portion of affected population feasible, including those with access and functional needs, individuals with disabilities, and those in rural and remote areas. States like Florida rely on this system during hurricanes to alert people to dangers related to such powerful storms. RELIABLE WAY TO ACCESS DIVERSE VOICES “I believe this is where AM Radio can become so important and will continue to be into the future. “According to Nielsen Media Research, radio broadcasting still has the highest reach of any medium, capable of reaching 91% of American adults, with most of the listening taking place outside of the home. “We know that AM radio signals can cover a larger geographic area, especially when other networks fail. “Furthermore, people in my district and elsewhere in the most diverse of settings enjoy the differing viewpoints and local perspectives that AM Radio offers. “I know in my district in Citrus and Hernando Counties in Florida, I hear from constituents on a regular basis how much they enjoy listening to local news on AM Radio, as well as particularly the conservative and Christian radio stations that are in the Tampa Bay area. “So, when we heard that reports that certain automobile manufacturers were exploring the idea of getting rid of this option for American consumers, many here in Congress (including myself) expressed concerns – I believe we should maintain as many available options for Americans as possible. PRESERVING AM RADIO FOR AMERICANS “This is why we are here to discuss the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. “This legislation will require the Department of Transportation to work with the FCC to issue a nationwide standard to ensure that new vehicles have access to AM Radio stations. Now, generally speaking, I do have concerns about broad government mandates, and I hope we can have a robust and constructive discussion from each of our witnesses to ensure that we get this right, and that we are not inadvertently hampering innovation both now and in the future. “We must also ensure we don’t cause undue cost burdens onto our constituents. “Nevertheless, Americans deserve to have the highest number of options for how they receive information in their homes and in their cars.” 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), on behalf of the Health and Oversight Subcommittee Republicans, wrote to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Monica Bertagnolli. In the letter, the Chairs ask the NIH to confirm by May 14, 2024, whether the agency has complied with White House guidance to stop funding projects led by researchers and entities in Russia.  BACKGROUND :  On June 11, 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) issued guidance stating such projects and programs that commenced and/or were funded prior to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 may be concluded, but new projects in affected subject areas will not be initiated.   The OSTP advised applicable departments and agencies to curtail interaction with the leadership of Russian government-affiliated universities and research institutions, as well as those who have publicly expressed support for the invasion of Ukraine.  In a statement in an April 9, 2023, article in The Washington Times , the NIH’s Office of Extramural Research claimed that “NIH currently does not fund any research in Russia.”  However, the Data Abyss tracker for the OSTP Russia guidance on federal funding agencies indicates that, as of April 5, 2024, the NIH has potentially 240 instances of problematic research collaborations since June 2022 that do not comply with the guidance. CLICK HERE to read the letter.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule regarding the regulation of lab-developed tests (LDT): “The Biden administration’s final rule is the latest example of executive branch overreach that will have devastating impacts on patients and families across the country," said Chair Rodgers. "While the final rule is a slight improvement to the proposed rule, it will still increase costs and decrease access to diagnostics and medical tests that provide information crucial for doctors to treat their patients effectively. At a recent hearing, we heard testimony about the harmful impact the rule will have on diagnosing and caring for patients. Moreover, finalizing this rule is inconsistent with President Biden’s goal of reducing cancer deaths. The FDA should abandon the rule, as it lacks the clear statutory authority to implement it.”  NOTE : The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on March 21, 2024, to discuss various approaches to LDT regulation.