NE Washington News

Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie, representing Kentucky's 2nd district and serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, addressed the committee during its first meeting of the 119th Congress. Guthrie highlighted the significant role and responsibilities of the committee, which is recognized as the oldest standing legislative body in the U.S. House of Representatives with broad jurisdiction.

Guthrie emphasized several key areas for focus under his leadership. He stated, "Together, this Committee will hit the ground running, playing a pivotal role in restoring the American Dream by unleashing American energy, lowering the cost of health care, and ensuring that America remains the world leader in technological innovation."

He criticized recent energy policies by saying, "Unfortunately, over the past four years, the Biden-Harris administration has saddled the American people with higher energy prices." Guthrie expressed optimism about potential changes with a new administration and stressed strengthening national security by fortifying critical energy infrastructure.

In terms of technological advancements, Guthrie noted that "American leadership must extend into the development and deployment of emerging technologies." He mentioned efforts to remove regulations to foster innovation and compete globally against entities like the Chinese Communist Party.

On healthcare issues, Guthrie pointed out that "this Committee will continue focusing on driving down the cost of care" while also addressing challenges such as public trust in health systems and substance use disorders.

Concluding his remarks, Guthrie said he looked forward to working together on solutions to advance national interests across various sectors including healthcare, energy, telecommunications, and consumer protection policy.