Rep. Diana Harshbarger

R

Tennessee – District 1
representative

Leadership

Vice Chair Health

118th Congress

News & Announcements

Jul 15, 2025
Press Release

Committee on Energy and Commerce Enacts Changes to Subcommittee Leadership and Memberships

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, led a Full Committee Business Meeting to enact new subcommittee leadership and changes to subcommittee membership.   The following changes to Subcommittee leadership and rosters were enacted:  Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) will leave the Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Health to focus on other priorities.  Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health.  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment.  Rep. John Joyce (PA-13) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.  Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) has been appointed to Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) has been appointed to Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Health.  The new Subcommittee Rosters are as follows:  Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, & Trade:  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman  Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Vice Chairman  Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)    Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Communications and Technology:  Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman  Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), Vice Chairman  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05)   Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)   Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Energy:  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman  Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), Vice Chairman  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06)   Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)   Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)   Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)   Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Environment:  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Vice Chairman  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05)    Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13)   Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Health:  Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Vice Chair  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)    Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13)   Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations:  Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Chairman  Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12), Vice Chairman  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06)  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)  Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14)  Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)  Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)  Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  ###

Jul 3, 2025
Press Release

Chairman Guthrie Announces Changes to E&C Republican Subcommittee Leadership and Assignments

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement in response to a letter from Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) announcing his resignation of the Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Health.  "It’s been a pleasure working alongside Health Subcommittee Chairman Buddy Carter, who has been a long-time champion of increasing Americans’ access to care,” said Chairman Guthrie . “We thank you for your leadership on the Subcommittee on Health and your continued commitment to the health and wellbeing of Americans. I wish you well in your future endeavors and look forward to your continued work on the Health Subcommittee . ” As a result of this vacancy, Chairman Guthrie announced new Subcommittee leadership and changes to Subcommittee memberships.   The following changes to Subcommittee leadership and rosters will be enacted:   Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) will leave the Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Health to focus on other priorities.  Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health.  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment.  Rep. John Joyce (PA-13) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.  Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) has been appointed to Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) has been appointed to Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Health.  The new Subcommittee Rosters are as follows:   Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, & Trade:   Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman  Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Vice Chairman  Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)    Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Communications and Technology:   Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman  Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), Vice Chairman  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05)   Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)   Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Energy:   Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman  Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), Vice Chairman  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06)   Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)   Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)   Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)   Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Environment:   Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Vice Chairman  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05)    Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13)   Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Health:   Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Vice Chair  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)    Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13)   Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations:   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Chairman  Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12), Vice Chairman  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06)  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)  Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14)  Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)  Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)  Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  ###

Jun 12, 2025
Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade

CMT Subcommittee Holds Legislative Hearing on SCORE Act to Standardize NIL in College Athletics

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, led a hearing titled Winning Off the Field: Legislative Proposal to Stabilize NIL and College Athletics. “College athletics are a vital part of American culture, and it's clear—from both student-athletes and universities—that a national framework is long overdue. The Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act delivers the stability, clarity, and transparency that stakeholders have been calling for,” said Chairman Bilirakis . “I’m proud of the work our Subcommittee has done on this important issue, and I look forward to advancing a measure that establishes clear guardrails—ones that empower student-athletes while upholding the core educational mission of our colleges and universities. ” Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01): “Do you think these revenue sharing agreements will bring stability to college athletic rosters?” Ms. Montgomery: “I do think that it will bring a level of stability. [...] It's able to bring in some of those collective actions—some of those opportunities that we've seen previously—in house to make sure there is no nefarious activity going on.” Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08): “In this conversation, some folks have proposed the creation of a federal self-regulatory organization, or some other sort of independent body to oversee college sports, including NIL. So just curious, in your view, do you think this is necessary or unnecessary? What mechanisms are already in place, and how do we ensure fair play and athlete protection without creating a new layer of bureaucracy?” Mr. King : “I do not think that we need federally created commission. You've heard talk about the College Sports Commission, which arises out of the House settlement. Now that it's approved, it is actually in existence and up and running, and the way it is structured is it would, it will handle the regulation.” Congresswoman Russell Fry (SC-07): “The NCAA and conferences have the ability to govern college athletes, but it's been diminished. You can’t create rules. You can’t enforce the rules that you create. [...] Can you explain the SEC’s ability to regulate and govern its member institutions, particularly on matters related to NIL?” Mr. King: “In order to have national competitions, you need to have uniform standards nationally.”

Letters

Dec 19, 2024
Press Release

E&C Republicans Request HHS Watchdog Investigate Promotion of Gender Transition Procedures for Children

Washington, D.C. — In a new letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General Christi Grimm, House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans requested an investigation into the strength, quality, and types of evidence-based scientific and pediatric medical literature relied on by the department to promote gender transition procedures for children.  KEY LETTER EXCERPT:  “As the agency responsible for safeguarding the health and well-being of Americans, all of HHS’s medical treatment recommendations, especially medical treatment recommendations for children, should be based on rigorous and well-established research, such as randomized controlled trials, that have definitively illustrated the long-term benefits of gender affirming care treatments.”  BACKGROUND:  Under the Biden administration, HHS has advocated for sex reassignment procedures on minors, including the use of serum puberty blockers, which have historically been used to treat children with precocious puberty (i.e., early onset puberty affecting about one percent of U.S. children) and sex offenders.   Puberty blockers, however, are known to stunt normal childhood development in children unaffected by precocious puberty.  HHS officials contend that sex reassignment procedures on minors are an unanimously accepted medical practice.  HHS Secretary Becerra testified before Congress that “every major medical association,” “medical journals,” and “scientific and medical evidence” has demonstrated the benefits of transitioning children’s biological sex.  When asked, via a Freedom of Information Act request, for the underlying scientific or medical basis for its position, HHS was only able to produce a two-page brochure that was already publicly available.  In contrast to HHS, a growing body of literature from medical experts and authorities around the world, including those in Europe, caution against performing such procedures on minors.   Courts and government health agencies responsible for determining child welfare have sought to limit child sex reassignment procedures.   Other countries have banned these interventions and surgeries on minors altogether.  An article published in the British Journal of Medicine found “there is great uncertainty about the effects of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries in young people.”   A court in the United Kingdom noted the obvious about administering puberty blocking chemicals onto children: “[i]t is highly unlikely that a child aged 13 or under would be competent to give consent to the administration of puberty blockers. It is doubtful that a child aged 14 or 15 could understand and weigh the long-term risks and consequences of the administration of puberty blockers.”  In April 2024, the Cass Review , an independent review of gender identity services for children and young people, commissioned by the National Health Service England, found “[w]hile a considerable amount of research has been published in this field, systematic evidence reviews demonstrated the poor quality of the published studies, meaning there is not a reliable evidence base upon which to make clinical decisions, or for children and their families to make informed choices.”   The Cass Review also found that “[t]he rationale for early puberty suppression remains unclear, with weak evidence regarding the impact on gender dysphoria, mental or psychosocial health,” as well as unknown effects on cognitive and psychosexual development.  In August 2024, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) became the first major U.S. medical association to express caution on the use of gender surgery for gender dysphoria in adolescents. In its formal statement, the association stated: “ASPS currently understands that there is considerable uncertainty as to the long-term efficacy for the use of chest and genital surgical interventions for the treatment of adolescents with gender dysphoria, and the existing evidence base is viewed as low quality/low certainty. This patient population requires specific considerations.”   The letter was signed by Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), and Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL).  CLICK HERE to read the letter.

Oct 7, 2024
Letter

Chair Rodgers Leads House GOP in Demanding Answers Over FCC Fast-Tracking Democrat Mega-Donor’s Media Takeover Weeks Before Election

Soros-linked fund to acquire more than 200 local radio stations weeks before election Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) led 40 of her Republican colleagues in demanding answers from the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding her recent decision to fast-track a media deal allowing the Fund for Policy Reform, a group aligned with Democratic mega-donor George Soros, to buy over 200 radio stations just weeks before the 2024 election. With a party line vote of 3-2, the decision at the Commission level by the Democratic members of the FCC to temporarily waive the required national security review and allow excessive foreign ownership of American radio stations is deeply disturbing. KEY LETTER EXCERPT: “It is highly concerning that the FCC did not follow regular order for a transaction of this magnitude. Licensees and investors need certainty that the FCC will follow its rules and procedures when approving transactions so that the broadcast industry can have the resources it needs to continue serving the public.”  BACKGROUND: Audacy, Inc., a radio broadcasting group, which owns more than 200 radio-station licenses, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.  Audacy’s filings revealed that a George Soros-backed group known as the Fund for Policy Reform had acquired at least 40 percent of Audacy’s debt.   Audacy estimated that, upon emerging from bankruptcy, 25 percent or more of its stock would be indirectly foreign owned, which triggers FCC review.   This review process requires national security agencies to review the transaction and offer any policy or national security concerns.   On September 30, 2024, the FCC released an Order granting a temporary waiver of this review process, delaying a national security review until after the bankruptcy process is complete and allowing foreign control of a significant number of radio stations across the entire United States, weeks before a national election. CLICK HERE to read Breitbart's exclusive coverage. CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Apr 30, 2024
Press Release

E&C Republicans Press NIH to Confirm Agency Isn’t Funding Russian Research

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.