Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing titled “From Gas to Groceries: Americans Pay the Price of the Biden-Harris Energy Agenda." 

“Before we begin today, we remember all those we lost and the heroes who bravely confronted evil on 9/11.

“We can never forget them or their sacrifices, so we remember what’s at stake: our values, our country, and our children’s future.

“Thank you to our witnesses for appearing before the Subcommittee today. We look forward to your testimony.

“Affordable, reliable energy is foundational to everything we do.

“It’s key for our national security and for the prosperity of American families, businesses, and communities.

“From the manufacture and production of the everyday goods we need to take care of our families, to the power necessary to keep homes warm in the winter, and cool in the summer, it all starts with energy.”

HARMS OF RUSH-TO-GREEN POLICIES

“Over the past two years, the Energy and Commerce Committee has led the way to expose how the Biden-Harris administration’s war on American energy is fueling the out-of-control inflation decimating the financial security of the American people.

“We have examined how the administration’s radical rush-to-green agenda and regulations are threatening our national security and economic growth by restricting energy expansion, by shutting down reliable baseload power generation, and replacing it with unreliable, expensive generation, and by driving up the costs of mobility and homeownership, putting the American dream out of reach for many.

“We’ve also examined how the radical Biden-Harris EPA has set new emissions standards at levels that will make it nearly impossible to permit the expansion or building of new manufacturing in most parts of the country, crushing many good-paying jobs and further drive up the cost of goods.”

THE ECONOMIC PAIN HAS BEEN REAL AND IS NOT SUBSIDING

“This administration’s war on American energy impacts every aspect of our lives, and hardworking Americans are facing the consequences every day from the gas pump to the grocery store.

“Today, American families pay on average 30 percent more for electricity, 25 percent more for gas to heat their homes, and 56 percent more for gasoline to fuel their cars than they did in January 2021.

“Right now, families are paying the largest portion of their income on food in 30 years.

“I recently read about a mom living in North Carolina who said ‘Sometimes I have to choose whether I'm going to pay the light bill, or do I pay all the rent or buy food or not let my son do a sport?'

“It doesn’t have to be this way, and it shouldn’t be this way.

“In my home state of Washington, the average family is paying an additional $1,066 more per month on average than they did in January 2021 for the same goods and services, according to the Joint Economic Committee.

“This adds up to more than $27,000 in additional spending due to inflation since the start of the Biden-Harris administration.

“In California, it’s even worse. On average, households have spent $35,000 more since this administration took over.

“In spite of all of this, the Biden-Harris administration has doubled down on its radical policies.”

UNLEASH ENERGY, REDUCE REGULATION TO LOWER COSTS

“Today we will focus on how the administration’s rush-to-green energy policies contribute to the high costs Americans face every day across the board and the resulting consequences on families and businesses.

“Without taking action to promote American energy expansion, there is tremendous uncertainty for the future.

“While the United States has regained its leadership in oil and gas production thanks to the pro-American energy policies of the previous administration, current restrictions led by the Biden-Harris administration on future energy production jeopardizes this success.

“The administration’s increased taxes, regulations, and limits on drilling puts us on a path to not being able to meet America’s growing energy needs.”

THE CHOICE GOING FORWARD

“There is an important choice we must make going forward.

“We can continue down the path of energy restrictions, reduced reliability, and unaffordable costs, or we can choose the path of energy dominance, security, and economic prosperity.

“I believe the choice is obvious.

“We must focus on advancing policies that reduce costs for American families and businesses, and that begins with unleashing American energy production.

“To lower costs and make life affordable again, we must reject the Biden-Harris administration’s rush-to-green agenda and stand up for the American values of free market competition, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

“That is how we will win the future.”