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Monday, May 6, 2024

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House Committee to Hold Field Hearing on Rural Broadband in Bakersfield

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta have announced a hearing titled “Perspectives from the Fields: The State of Rural Broadband in America.”“Fast, reliable internet has become a vital part of people’s every day lives. From education and accessing health care to cutting edge agriculture technology that is helping feed the world, more and more of these activities are utilizing the internet, making connectivity foundational to success. It continues to be our mission to ensure that...

By NE Washington News | May 3, 2024

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House Committee Launches Investigation into Allegations of Bias at NPR

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta (R-OH), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) have initiated an investigation into allegations of political bias at NPR, a taxpayer-funded public radio organization. The Committee has requested NPR CEO Katherine Maher to appear before the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee for a hearing on May 8, 2024.In a letter addressed to Maher, the Chairs expressed their concerns about the direction of...

By NE Washington News | May 1, 2024

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Chair Rodgers Opening Remarks on the Department of Energy’s BudgetEnergy & Commerce Committee

By NE Washington News | May 1, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) expressed her views at the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing regarding the Department of Energy's budget for Fiscal Year 2025.Rodgers highlighted the historical achievements of the United States in the energy sector, stating, "For decades, America has led the way." She emphasized the importance of free market principles and entrepreneurship in shaping the country's energy landscape.However, Rodgers criticized the Biden administration's approach, accusing them of undermining...

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House Committee to Hold Hearing on Alleged Ideological Bias at NPR

By NE Washington News | May 1, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith have announced an oversight hearing to address accusations of ideological bias at NPR, a taxpayer-funded news entity.In a statement, Chairs Rodgers and Griffith expressed their concerns, stating, “NPR is entrusted with Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars. Serious allegations from a then-senior editor who spent decades at NPR reveal NPR engages in viewpoint discrimination and ideological bias that caters to a narrow, leftwing audience.”...

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Chair Rodgers Opening Remarks at Hearing on the Change Healthcare Cyberattack

By NE Washington News | May 1, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers opened a hearing on the Change Healthcare Cyberattack with strong words directed at the company's CEO, Mr. Witty. She expressed her disappointment at the company's initial refusal to testify, emphasizing the importance of protecting users in light of the cyberattack on Change Healthcare.Rodgers highlighted the critical role Change Healthcare plays in the healthcare system, processing billions of medical claims annually. She underscored the significant responsibility that comes with overseeing such a vital...

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Subcommittee Chair Duncan Comments on Department of Energy’s Budget

By NE Washington News | May 1, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) highlighted the Department of Energy's crucial national security responsibilities and oversight of energy-related programs during a recent hearing on the fiscal year 2025 budget. Duncan emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Department acts responsibly as stewards of taxpayer resources and sticks to its core mission.Regarding President Biden's energy policies, Duncan criticized what he referred to as the administration's "war on American energy," stating that it has...

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Oversight Subcommittee Chair Griffith Calls for Tighter Regulation in Covid Research Funding

By NE Washington News | May 1, 2024

Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith expressed his concerns and calls for tighter regulations in Covid research funding during a hearing with EcoHealth Alliance CEO Peter Daszak. Griffith emphasized the need for increased oversight and transparency in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.Griffith highlighted the importance of understanding the origins of the pandemic and the roles played by organizations such as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and EcoHealth Alliance. He stated, "It is...

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Chair Bilirakis Advocates for Preserving Access to AM Radio

By NE Washington News | Apr 30, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis emphasized the importance of AM radio in emergency situations during a legislative hearing titled “Preserving Americans’ Access to AM Radio.”Speaking at the hearing, Bilirakis highlighted the crucial role of AM radio in ensuring public safety during emergencies, stating, “Our citizens should have quick access to critical information, which helps them make timely and potentially lifesaving decisions to evacuate, stay in place, seek shelter, or contact first responders.”Bilirakis...

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Chair Rodgers Opening Remarks on Legislation to Increase Medicaid Access and Improve Program Integrity

By NE Washington News | Apr 30, 2024

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) addressed the Health Subcommittee hearing titled “Legislative Proposals to Increase Medicaid Access and Improve Program Integrity” on April 30, 2024.Chair Rodgers began by sharing a personal story, stating, "Many in this Committee are familiar with my son Cole and his story." She highlighted her dedication to advocating for people with disabilities and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to discuss solutions to support access to long-term care for individuals with disabilities....

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House Committee Chair Calls for Preservation of AM Radio Access

By NE Washington News | Apr 30, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers emphasized the importance of preserving Americans' access to AM radio during a legislative hearing on the matter. Rodgers expressed her appreciation for the witnesses providing their perspectives on the legislation, stating, "I appreciate the witnesses being here to provide their perspectives on the important legislation being discussed to preserve the American people’s access to AM radio."Rodgers highlighted the significance of AM radio in various communities, noting its role in delivering news, sports, and...

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

By NE Washington News | Apr 30, 2024

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), representing the Health and Oversight Subcommittee Republicans, have reached out to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Monica Bertagnolli. They have requested the NIH to verify by May 14, 2024, whether the agency has adhered to White House guidance to cease funding projects led by researchers and entities in Russia.The White House Office of...

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Chair Guthrie Opening Remarks on Legislation to Increase Medicaid Access and Improve Program Integrity

By NE Washington News | Apr 30, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) opened a subcommittee hearing on legislative proposals to enhance Medicaid access and improve program integrity by addressing key challenges facing the program. Guthrie highlighted the importance of Medicaid, which covers over 75 million Americans and is expected to see a significant increase in federal spending in the coming years.Guthrie emphasized the need for program integrity to protect against improper payments in the Medicaid system. He referenced the Department of Health and Human Services...

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Chair Rodgers Statement on FDA LDT RuleEnergy & Commerce Committee

By NE Washington News | Apr 29, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) expressed strong concerns over the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) final rule on lab-developed tests (LDT). In a statement, Chair Rodgers criticized the rule, stating, "The Biden administration’s final rule is the latest example of executive branch overreach that will have devastating impacts on patients and families across the country."Chair Rodgers further highlighted that while the final rule showed some improvement from the proposed version, she believes it will still have negative...

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Chairs Rodgers and Latta Condemn FCC's Move to Reclassify Broadband as a Public Utility

By NE Washington News | Apr 25, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta have strongly criticized the Federal Communications Commission's decision to reclassify broadband under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934.Rodgers stated, "These efforts by President Biden's FCC are just the latest attempt by Democrats to assert more federal government control over people's lives." She further added, "Energy and Commerce Republicans will take steps to hold the FCC accountable—including with the introduction of a CRA—as we...

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Chairs Rodgers and Carter Criticize EPA's Power Plant Rules Impacting American Energy

By NE Washington News | Apr 25, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Buddy Carter (R-GA) expressed their concerns over the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new rules affecting the power sector, stating that these regulations will have severe repercussions for U.S. energy reliability.In a joint statement, Rodgers and Carter criticized the EPA's actions, saying, "The EPA’s rush to dismantle our nation’s baseload electricity generation will harm people’s lives and well-being. These policies...

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Lawmakers Urge FCC to Halt Plan to Reclassify Broadband as Public Utility

By NE Washington News | Apr 24, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz are leading a coalition of lawmakers in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to halt its plan to reclassify broadband as a public utility. The lawmakers argue that this move would be harmful to consumers and the industry.In a letter addressed to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the lawmakers emphasize the importance of maintaining the current classification of broadband as an information service rather than a telecommunications service. They...

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House Energy and Commerce Committee Announces Hearing on Medicaid Access and Program Integrity

By NE Washington News | Apr 23, 2024

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) have revealed plans for a legislative hearing aimed at improving Medicaid access and program integrity."Medicaid is indispensable to millions of Americans, particularly those with disabilities who rely on long-term services and supports. It’s critical that we work to bolster access to those services while also improving the integrity of the program to ensure that states can continue to offer care for years to come," said Chairs...

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Chair Rodgers Statement on Biden Admin’s Disastrous Nursing Home and Medicaid Access Rules Energy & Commerce Committee

By NE Washington News | Apr 22, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) criticized the Biden administration's recently announced Minimum Staffing Rule and Medicaid Access Rule, stating, "The President’s one-size-fits-all, Washington-knows-best approach to long-term care is an unfunded mandate that will drive up costs and threaten access for patients." Rodgers highlighted that the minimum staff-to-patient ratio mandated by the rules is unworkable for nearly 80 percent of nursing homes, potentially forcing facilities to raise costs or turn away new patients. She also raised...

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Chair Bilirakis Advocates for Legislative Solutions to Protect Kids Online and Ensure Data Privacy Rights

By NE Washington News | Apr 17, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis recently delivered opening remarks at a subcommittee hearing focused on "Legislative Solutions to Protect Kids Online and Ensure Americans’ Data Privacy Rights." Bilirakis highlighted the importance of new Subcommittee members and the need for a federal data privacy and security law.Bilirakis emphasized the significance of establishing a comprehensive privacy and data security standard through the American Privacy Rights Act, stating, "This bipartisan work has culminated with this...

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Chair Rodgers Opening Remarks at the Health and Human Services Budget Hearing

By NE Washington News | Apr 17, 2024

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers expressed her disappointment with the proposed Health and Human Services budget for fiscal year 2025 during a recent hearing. Rodgers criticized the budget for prioritizing spending on health insurance companies rather than on initiatives to lower healthcare costs. She stated, "Instead, what we have before us today, is a budget request that proposes more than $1.8 trillion in spending for fiscal year 2025 with misplaced priorities throughout."Rodgers also called out HHS Secretary Becerra for what she...