Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Full Committee markup of 44 bills.

ENERGY AND COMMERCE LEADING THE WAY 

“This committee will mark up a host of legislation that will further unleash affordable, reliable American energy, lower health care costs and expand access to treatments and services, improve consumer protections, and strengthen our national security and bolster our leadership amid threats from China. 

“Energy and Commerce has a proud tradition of plowing the hard ground necessary to deliver results for the American people.   

“As I look back on this year, I’m proud to note that we’ve passed solutions out of this committee, like the Lower Energy Costs Act to restore America’s energy independence and free us from being reliant on China; broadband permitting reform, which will help more Americans—particularly in rural communities—to access reliable internet and participate in the modern economy; and the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act to drive down health care costs.  

“This has been a productive year for the Committee, and I’m grateful for the time and hard work that has been put in by our members and our staffs.  

“We have 44 bills ready for our consideration today and tomorrow, and I appreciate everyone’s attentiveness as we work through the list.” 

ABUNDANT, RELIABLE ENERGY 

“As we head to the holiday season, with hundreds of millions of Americans getting ready to visit loved ones, it’s important to appreciate why that is possible: abundant, reliable energy.   

“We often take for granted the basic ability to heat our homes, fill up our gas tanks, or hop on a plane and travel across the nation in mere hours.  

“Today’s bills will further unlock American energy and make sure people have an opportunity for a better life and an affordable energy future.” 

ENCOURAGING AMERICAN INNOVATION AND SAFETY 

“At the same time, I look around the room at all of incredible technology that was not available to our parents’ generation.   

“I also see the massive safety improvements made to many because of the work that Congress has done over the years.   

“Today, we will continue in that tradition as we work to strengthen on supply chains, promote American innovation in emerging technologies, and improve the safety and reliability of products and services Americans use every day.” 

IMPROVING HEALTH CARE 

“Finally, America has the unfortunate distinction of spending more on health care as a percentage of our economy than any other developed nation, and for our money, we have not become healthier. Instead, life expectancy in the United States has declined in recent years.  

“Today we will consider legislation that will expand access to care and fine tune parts of our health care system to make a stronger, more sustainable system for patients.   

“We will report out legislation that will make the American people healthier and better equipped to make health care decisions.  

“Again, I want to thank everyone for their hard work in drafting these bills, finding offsets, and getting them ready for today.  

“I look forward to moving them through this markup, bringing them to the House Floor, and seeing as many of them as possible—and hopefully all of them—signed into law.   

“Energy and Commerce will continue leading the way on delivering results for the American people.”