Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) spoke at a press conference today led by Pro-life Caucus Chair Chris Smith (R-NJ) and members of the pro-life movement to recognize the work of pregnancy resource centers across the nation. 

Excerpts and highlights from her prepared remarks:

“I’m a pro-life mom of three on a mission to protect every human life.  

“That starts with making sure no woman feels like abortion is their only option.   

“As we settle into a new chapter in American history, we must define the human rights issue of our generation by providing care, hope, and support for mothers and their children at every stage of their lives.   

“I’m grateful for our nation’s pregnancy resource centers, and the important role they play in caring for families.  

“It is my prayer that we, as a nation, come together and stand for the dignity and sanctity of life because every single life is worth living." 

NOTE: Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading on solutions that support mothers and their children at every stage of life. Our solutions include: 

H.R. 3838, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023: 

• Bipartisan legislation led on the Republican side by Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX), an obstetrician-gynecologist, Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), a pharmacist, and Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL). 
• Will improve health outcomes for women by funding state programs that support mothers throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. 
• It passed out of the Committee with unanimous support. 

H.R. 3226, the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023: 

• Bipartisan legislation led on the Republican side by Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), a physician, Dr. Michael Burgess, and Rep. Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA). 
• Supports children born prematurely by funding research and education programs that will prevent preterm births. 
• It passed out of the Committee with unanimous support and passed the House by a voice vote. 

H.R. 4531, the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act: 

• Bipartisan legislation led on the Republican side by Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY). 
• Includes H.R. 4092, led by Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), that provides help to new families in difficult situations by funding residential treatment resources for pregnant and postpartum women suffering from substance use disorder. 
• It passed out of the Committee with unanimous support and passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 386 to 37. 

H.R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act: 

• Led by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO), and GOP Doctors Caucus Co-Chairs Dr. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Dr. Michael Burgess. 
• Protects individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions by banning the federal government from using quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and other discriminatory measures in all federal programs when determining coverage for care. 
• It passed out of the Committee by a vote of 27 to 20.