Energy and Commerce Committee

02/10/2021

House Democrats propose multibillion-dollar COVID-19 relief health package

To provide much needed relief to the American people, the Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a virtual markup tomorrow of COVID-19 relief legislation including critical provisions on:
• Public Health
• Medicaid
• CHIP
• Utility Assistance
• Environmental Health
• Internet Connectivity
• Consumer Protection
Watch the markup here: bit.ly/2NjKFfV

House Democrats proposed a multibillion-dollar COVID-19 relief bill that would boost investments in public health, vaccines, testing and health care services for the poor.

02/10/2021

Coronavirus vaccine to ship directly to community health centers under Biden plan

NEW: Biden Administration announces program to get one million vaccines each week to Community Health Centers.
“President Biden’s announcement is great news for the equitable distribution of vaccines in the coming weeks and months,” said Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. Read his full state statement here: bit.ly/3cXYMCD

The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it plans to begin shipping vaccines next week directly to federally qualified community health centers, which often serve some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations.

02/10/2021

Lacking a Lifeline: How a federal effort to help low-income Americans pay their phone bills failed amid the pandemic

The federal Lifeline program was designed to help vulnerable Americans stay connected to phone and internet service, but the Trump Admin left it in shambles. “I look forward to working with a new FCC to bring this program back from the brink,” says Chairman Frank Pallone Jr.

An estimated 33 million American households are eligible to obtain federal aid under the program known as Lifeline -- but poor service, and years of government mismanagement and neglect mean few do.

02/08/2021

Facebook, Instagram to Ban Accounts Spreading Vaccine Lies

Last week E&C Chairs sent a letter to Facebook, Twitter and Google demanding answers for the rise of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on their platforms.

Today, Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. welcomes the news that Facebook will ban accounts that share false vaccine information and lies: “Vaccine misinformation is uniquely dangerous, especially now as we enter a new stage in our COVID-19 fight, one which depends on public confidence in the vaccine. Action against misinformation must be swift and consistent to be successful. Other platforms must follow suit.”
bit.ly/3q1NK2Z

Facebook Inc. said it will take stronger steps to eliminate false information about Covid-19 and vaccines on its social network, a move that could remove major groups, accounts and Instagram pages for repeatedly spreading misinformation.

02/06/2021

Warning: Covid-19 Vaccine Scams Are Clever And Tenacious

Scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to prey on the vulnerable. The Consumer Protection & Commerce Subcommittee held a hearing on Thursday that examined the Federal Trade Commission’s role in combatting scams, fighting fraud and deception, and getting money back to consumers. You can watch it here: bit.ly/2O2NnH6
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2021/02/04/warning-covid-19-vaccine-scams-are-clever-and-tenacious/?sh=708ae37637fd

How to spot and report them

02/05/2021

House approves budget plan as President Biden emphasizes willingness to approve stimulus without GOP votes

NEW: Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. and other House Democratic leaders met with President Biden and Vice President Harris to discuss COVID-19 relief today. Following the meeting, the Chairman said: "There is simply no time to waste – we must provide the Biden Administration all the tools and resources it needs to finally contain the spread of this virus." Read his full statement here: bit.ly/3oMx91C

President Biden has been pushing aggressively for Congress to pass economic relief.

02/05/2021

Analysis | Biden sweeps away Trump’s climate-change denialism

With the Biden Administration in place, the United States has a renewed opportunity to meaningfully and thoughtfully tackle the climate crisis. On Tuesday, Energy and Commerce will hold a hearing on what Congress can do to help restore federal climate leadership. Watch it here: bit.ly/3pS0Yit

But now comes the hard part.

02/04/2021

More than 100,000 people have died of Covid-19 in the US since January 1, JHU data shows

This pandemic is taking a devastating toll on families and communities all around our nation. Yesterday, the Health Subcommittee held a hearing that took a look at the federal COVID-19 response efforts related to vaccines, testing and the medical supply chain. You can watch it here: bit.ly/2YKPuBz

Scientists have now discovered a mutation in samples of the highly contagious B.1.1.7 strain, first detected in the UK, that could affect vaccine efficacy.

02/03/2021

Chair Pallone floor speech on the American Rescue Plan

The Trump Administration left President Biden with a mess to clean up. The American Rescue Plan is a comprehensive, multipronged, national approach to provide his new Administration the additional resources and support necessary to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch Chairman Frank Pallone Jr.'s remarks on the floor today.

02/02/2021

Anti-vaccine protest at Dodger Stadium was organized on Facebook, including promotion of banned ‘Plandemic’ video

E&C Chairs demanded answers and action from tech giants today, citing reports of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation escalating on their platforms that jeopardize Americans’ trust in the vaccines: “These vaccines can be a powerful tool in our efforts to contain the pandemic – but only if the public has confidence in them.” Read more here: bit.ly/3jigAJS

The activity shows how Facebook remains a critical organizing tool of the anti-vaccine movement.

01/29/2021

U.S. handling of American evacuees from Wuhan increased coronavirus risks, watchdog finds

New findings reveal that Trump HHS officials not only mishandled the evacuation of Americans in Wuhan last January but also attempted to silence and discredit a whistleblower in reporting the mishandling.
“We must now work to repair our damaged institutions, which includes ensuring that whistleblowers can come forward without fear of reprisal,” said Chairman Frank Pallone Jr.

A cargo aircraft chartered by the U.S. government carries American citizens being evacuated from Wuhan, China, last year to a California air base. (Philip Pacheco/Getty Images) By Dan DiamondDan DiamondNational reporter investigating health politics and policyEmailBioFollowJan. 29, 2021 at 3:19 a.m....

01/28/2021

Biden signs executive order to reopen Affordable Care Act enrollment

It’s especially critical during a public health crisis that Americans have access to quality, affordable care. Today, President Biden signed executive orders that will:
• Roll back attacks on the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid,
• Open a Special Enrollment Period for Americans to sign up
for health coverage, and
• Protect access to reproductive health care.
bit.ly/3cqCVDH

President Joe Biden is reopening enrollment on the federal Affordable Care Act exchanges as part of two health care executive actions that he signed Thursday, taking a step to help uninsured Americans that former President Donald Trump rejected.

01/27/2021

Biden pitching a much vaster climate plan than Obama ever attempted

More good news today from President Biden on tackling the climate crisis. “After four years of obstinate, reckless climate denial, today’s executive actions are a breath of fresh air. Together, President Biden’s orders will elevate the climate crisis to the economic and national security concern that it is, enlisting the power of the whole federal government in the fight,” says Chairman Frank Pallone Jr.
bit.ly/3sZJuCR

Climate activists celebrate "major step forward," while oil industry warns of costs.

01/26/2021

Covid-19: Was US vaccine rollout a 'dismal failure' under Trump?

Increasing vaccine supply, distribution and equitable administration is urgently needed to improve our national vaccination efforts and bring an end to this terrible pandemic.

Next Tuesday, E&C will hear from state health officials about the challenges they face in statewide vaccination efforts at its first hearing of the new Congress. Read the full announcement: bit.ly/2Yh1hY7

Biden says the initial vaccine rollout has been a failure, as he pledges 100 million shots in his first 100 days.

01/22/2021

Banished by Trump but Brought Back by Biden, Fauci Aims to ‘Let the Science Speak’

Thanks to the Biden Administration, Dr. Fauci, along with honesty and transparency, are back at the forefront of our national COVID-19 response. After lies and conspiracy theories ran rampant under Trump, it’s time to let science speak again.

Using the kind of blunt language that so often infuriated the former president, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the health threat from the virus was still “very serious.”

01/21/2021

Biden to sign 10 executive orders aimed at turning around the pandemic

Today, President Biden ramped up our nation’s COVID-19 response by:
• Improving equitable vaccine distribution
• Expanding access to testing
• Ensuring sufficient supplies and PPE
• Laying a framework to safely reopen our schools and businesses
• Establishing a task force to address racial inequities
• Bolstering assistance to states and Tribes
“I look forward to working together with the new Administration to provide the resources and support needed to bring an end to this terrible crisis,” says Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. Read his full statement here: bit.ly/3o3f4vL

Topping Biden's list is an order invoking the Defense Production Act to increase the supply of all the materials needed to get the vaccines into arms and ramp up testing.

01/20/2021

Tackling the Climate Crisis isn’t just a challenge – it’s an opportunity to rebuild from the devastation of this pandemic and create millions of new, good paying jobs in the clean energy, manufacturing, technology and construction industries. And that begins with President Biden’s action rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement.

“With today’s Executive Order, President Biden has made clear that we will no longer turn a blind eye to scientific reality or recklessly refuse to protect the lives and livelihoods of Americans for the sake of political expediency,” says Chair Frank Pallone Jr. E&C is proud to say, with our president, “We are still in.”
https://bit.ly/3o1972r

01/20/2021

U.S. court deals final blow to Trump EPA's clean power rule replacement

Some good news on Trump’s last day in office!
As Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. said after the court decision came down: “This was always a Dirty Power Scam. It was based on the ridiculous, dangerous idea that carbon pollution causes no harm and was designed to help Trump’s fossil fuel allies. The court got this right.” E&C looks forward to working with the Biden Administration to get climate action back on track.

A federal court on Tuesday struck down the administration of President Donald Trump's scaled-down replacement for the Obama era's signature climate change regulation for power plants, dealing a final blow to Trump's environmental deregulatory agenda on his last day in office...

01/15/2021

WATCH: Biden unveils sweeping coronavirus health and economic recovery plan

President-elect Biden outlined a bold, comprehensive plan to address the worsening pandemic and help bring an end to this dark winter. Read Chairman Frank Pallone Jr.’s full statement here: https://bit.ly/3bQaaQa

A coronavirus action plan being unveiled by President-elect Joe Biden centers on a mass vaccination campaign and closer coordination among all levels of government.

01/13/2021

House Democrats ask AT&T, Comcast to share data about home Internet shutoffs as lawmakers eye new stimulus aid

Households and small businesses need reliable, high-speed broadband more than ever, but some companies have raised prices and imposed data caps on consumers.

E&C leaders sent letters to 9 internet providers to ensure Americans do not lose critical internet access when struggling to make ends meet.

Democratic lawmakers are asking the country’s top telecom carriers to share more information about Americans who are falling behind on their Internet bills, setting the stage for Congress to consider billions of dollars in new broadband stimulus aid as part of the next coronavirus relief package.

01/12/2021

President Trump lashes out at social media companies following Twitter ban

“Twitter and Facebook gave Trump a platform to spread disinformation that ultimately resulted in incitement of the mob that attacked the Capitol,” Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. “There’s no question that our committee is going to investigate and have hearings on the whole issue that we’ve been dealing with.”

President Trump lashed out at Silicon Valley on Tuesday in his first public comments since Twitter banned him from the site, stressing the industry had done a “horrible thing for our country and to our country."

01/11/2021

2020 ties with 2016 as world's hottest year on record, E.U. says

We just rounded off the hottest decade globally. Last year saw the highest temperature ever recorded – 129.92°F in Death Valley! We must rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement to stand a chance of avoiding the most catastrophic effects of the climate crisis. The rest of the world is already moving to a clean economy; we can either join them, or watch as Americans get left behind.

"We need another dictionary to help us describe how these extremes continue to play out and unfold year after year," said Adam Smith, a climate scientist.

01/08/2021

Facebook, Twitter could face punishing regulation for their role in U.S. Capitol riot, Democrats say

“Facebook and Twitter have repeatedly failed to address the growing rise of disinformation on their platforms, and that failure has contributed to the rapid spread of baseless conspiracy theories, which this week President Trump used to incite violence and foment insurrection,” said Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. this week. “My Committee is actively exploring ways to motivate all social media platforms to address disinformation, extremism, and other online abuses, because by now it should be painfully clear that online extremism doesn’t just stay online – it has real world consequences, and too often they are violent ones. The events of the last few days have only driven home how important and consequential it is that we all take this seriously.”

Facebook, Google and Twitter are staring down the prospect of harsh new punishments in Washington, as politically ascendant Democrats in Congress pledge to take fresh aim at Silicon Valley for its role in stoking the deadly riots at the U.S. Capitol this week.

01/07/2021

Frank Pallone Jr.

Frank Pallone Jr.

12 and 24-hour “time-outs” ignore the damage Trump has done and threat he is to our democracy. Given the danger and Trump's history of using the platforms to spread disinformation and incite violence, Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey must permanently remove Trump from their platforms.

01/07/2021

Frank Pallone Jr.

Frank Pallone Jr.

Enough is enough! Trump is inciting violence and spreading dangerous misinformation that is undermining our democracy and our way of life. Social media continues to amplify his anti-democratic rhetoric. It’s time for Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey to remove Trump from their platforms.

01/05/2021

EPA finalizes rule to limit science behind public health safeguards

“Suppressing science until the very end,” said Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. on the Trump EPA’s dangerous latest rule. This move is designed to tie EPA’s own hands and make it harder to use landmark studies that demonstrate the dangers of pollution on human health. More proof Trump would rather protect industry allies over Americans’ health.

The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a rule limiting which scientific studies the agency can use in crafting public health protections.

01/04/2021

Pallone Highlights Energy and Commerce Committee Accomplishments for the 116th Congress

As the new Congress begins, Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. highlights the Committee’s key accomplishments from the 116th Congress, including:

• Providing resources to crush COVID-19
• Protecting consumers
• Providing relief to the American people
• Combating climate change
• Helping to rebuild our economy

Read more here 👇

Pallone released a report highlighting the work of the Energy and Commerce Committee in the 116th Congress.

12/22/2020

Congress shields patients from unexpected medical bills

GREAT NEWS — the days of surprise medical bills are gone! Last night, Congress passed the omnibus bill that includes legislation to end surprise medical bills. This journey began 18 months ago in the Committee and now it’s law!

The first federal protections for surprise billing are part of the pandemic relief package.

12/19/2020

FDA approves second Covid vaccine for emergency use as it clears Moderna's for U.S. distribution

GREAT NEWS: Tonight, FDA authorizes a second lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine. “I extend my gratitude to the researchers, scientists, and other professionals at the National Institutes of Health and Moderna for their pioneering innovation and tireless efforts to develop this historic vaccine,” said Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. after the announcement tonight. bit.ly/3paZsYd

Moderna's vaccine – the second approved for use in the U.S. – will bolster the number of available doses, which states desperately need to fend off the pandemic.