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 16 bills. 

“We’re continuing this Committee’s mission to make life better for the American people—and future generations—by taking action on legislation from across several of our subcommittees.” 

REPEALING HARMFUL MANDATES

“We will consider three Congressional Review Act resolutions to rein in harmful regulations that are shutting down affordable, reliable energy and driving up costs for the American people.  

“Energy is foundational to everything, and America needs more energy—not less. Rep. Balderson’s resolution is critical to achieving that by repealing the EPA’s plan to shutter American power plants and slash baseload energy.

“Additionally, Rep. Allen’s resolution will overturn the administration’s harmful PM2.5 standard, which poses a major threat to America’s economic future by making it nearly impossible to build and manufacture goods in the U.S.

“This will crush good-paying jobs, devastate communities, and further cede America’s economic leadership to countries like China.

“We should be making it easier—not harder—to expand manufacturing in the U.S.

“And lastly, Rep. Fulcher’s resolution will halt the EPA’s proposed rule for heavy-duty vehicle emission standards—a rule that will not only drive up costs across the board, but also threaten the security of our supply chains.

“I thank the sponsors for their leadership on these bills.”

IMPROVING AMERICANS’ HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

“Today, we will also continue to build on our efforts throughout this Congress to improve the health of the American people and foster medical innovation and research in a bipartisan manner.

“We will consider legislation led by Rep. Carter to extend telehealth flexibilities for seniors in Medicare in a fiscally responsible manner.

“Additionally, we’ll advance bipartisan legislation to help speed up the process for getting treatments to children with cancer and other rare diseases. We’ve worked hard for a bill that will get broad, bipartisan support today.

“We will move forward on legislation to enhance access to care for seniors and those with disabilities, including a bill to expand the Medicaid buy-in program for working seniors with disabilities, which will include a provision to pilot new tools for states to provide better home and community-based services to people with disabilities.

“Yet another bill we will consider will ensure access to care for active-duty military families who risk losing access to key services when they travel to serve our country.

“Finally, we will move forward legislation that will provide more information for those with disabilities and their families.

“I want to thank all of the Members who worked hard to get these bills one step closer to becoming law.”

PROTECTING KIDS ONLINE

“Next, we will join together in a bipartisan way on behalf of the millions of parents, grandparents, and kids across the country to say enough is enough.

“The Children and Teen’s Online Privacy Protection Act, COPPA, provides important updates to a law that was first passed more than 26 years ago and addresses the realities and threats facing kids and teens online in the modern internet ecosystem.

“I’d like to thank Reps. Walberg and Castor, and Senators Markey and Cassidy, for all of their hard work in championing this legislation.

“We will also consider the Kids Online Safety Act, which will provide both kids and parents the tools they need to better protect against serious online threats to children’s health and emotional well-being.

“I’d like to thank Subcommittee Chair Bilirakis and Reps. Kathy Castor, Erin Houchin, and Kim Schrier for their leadership on this legislation.

“These bills are two important pieces to begin ushering in a new era on the internet, one that is defined by accountability and safety.

“Lastly, we will be considering the A.M. Radio for Every Vehicle Act, led by Subcommittee Chair Bilirakis and Full Committee Ranking Member Pallone.

“This legislation will preserve this key resource that millions of Americans rely on for critical information, especially during public emergencies.

“I did want to mention one bill that we will not be considering today, the REPAIR Act led by Dr. Dunn. I want to recognize the hard work that he, his staff, and numerous stakeholders have done since the bill was considered in the IDC subcommittee last October.

“While we aren’t marking it up today, a lot of progress has been made, and I would encourage members and stakeholders to keep working together to find a path forward on this important piece of legislation.

“In the nearly 230-year history of this Committee, we have established a rich tradition of taking on the hard problems and delivering solutions for the American people.

“Today we will continue to build on that record of success.

“I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting all of the legislation being considered today.”