Brett Guthrie

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am trying to answer everything that was just brought up. It would be difficult to do because I am trying to figure out exactly how to attack things that just weren't really accurate. I would say, one, it would be accurate to say we want to give people choices in choosing their appliance. Would they rather pay hundreds of dollars more today to save over 46 years, I think is one of the estimates, to lower their bills. Somebody could say: I want to pay a few hundred dollars more today and save pennies every month over the next 46 years. I get my payback. I think Americans should be able to make that choice. The other is regarding Medicaid. It affects you if you are illegal, if you are ineligible, and if you are able to work. There are States that cover people who are not here in a legal presence. The other one is we want to require that you check the rolls more than once a year and verify when people come on the rolls of Medicaid. It seems like we passed the bill now that we found out about Medicaid. We are looking at a dozen States already but that is just what we found in Minneapolis alone. Mr. Speaker, we stand behind this bill. We did these great things for rural communities. The other is the rural transformation fund. That money goes directly to rural hospitals, so it does make a difference. I can read quotes from different people from different States, and blue States, saying how it is going to transform their rural health system. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H. Res. 1182, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1189, I call up the bill (H.R. 4690) to amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act to repeal certain Federal building energy efficiency performance standards, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the legislation and insert extraneous material on H.R. 4690.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act. Today's debate serves as a reminder that policy decisions carry long- lasting implications. We are here today to reverse current law, which requires the Federal Government to phase out fossil fuels in new and renovated buildings by 2030. This one-size-fits-all electrification mandate for new and renovated Federal buildings jeopardizes the reliability and security of our Nation's critical Federal infrastructure. Winter Storm Fern's impact across the U.S. in January made it clear: reliable and affordable fossil fuels provide consistent power, and wind and solar do not. While coal and natural gas significantly increased their output to meet demand during Winter Storm Fern, burning trash in New England produced more electricity than wind and solar combined. The Federal Government and the United States military require uninterrupted, reliable electricity. Anything less compromises our national security. This issue is timelier than ever. While the deadlines in section 433 to wind down the use of fossil fuels have not been enforced thus far, future administrations could weaponize the law to favor special interests who stand to gain billions in taxpayer funds to retrofit Federal infrastructure. The legislation before us today to repeal section 433 brings Federal building policy back to reality, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on H.R. 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy), the sponsor of the bill and a valuable member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Goldman), my good friend and valued member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I will point out that, in 2007, there was a vote in the House of Representatives to make sure that every Federal building built in 2030 is going to have only green energy and not have any type of fossil fuel energy whatsoever. In 2007, that was when they didn't realize that we had the oil. They knew it was there. They didn't know how to get the oil and gas in the Permian Basin. They didn't know about the shale revolution. They keep disparaging the people who produce cheap energy, but I will tell you that, in 2007, the United States and the European Union had the same-sized economy. Europe went down the path of tripling their energy prices that come from fossil fuels, which can't be made up for by wind and solar. We saw what happened with Winter Storm Fern, when New England made more energy out of burning garbage than it did out of wind and solar. Someone told me that I can't just pick the worst day of the year and say that wind and solar hurt that. Well, the worst day of the year or the coldest day of the year is the day that you need the most energy. All I am saying is that having affordable, dispatchable, sustainable energy is important to America. Remember what I said, that 25 years ago, or not quite 25 years ago, in 2007, Europe and the United States had the same-sized economy. We are now twice as big. Look at it from the inverse. What if we had made the same decisions they made? What if our economy today were half the size that it was? Could you imagine the affordability crisis that the American people would be in if we had followed those policies? Could you imagine what unemployment would be if we had half the economy that we have today? It is reasonable to make that assumption if we were the same size as Europe--we are twice as big as they are--and if we hadn't grown like we have grown over the past several years. Just the practicality of this--we know it can't be done by 2030. Probably in 2007, 2030 looked like the year it could be done. It can't be done by 2030. Mr. Speaker, I think 435 of us here would look at it and say that it can't be done, so it shouldn't be on the books. Why put laws on the books that you can't comply with? That is what this is about. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 4690, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Alabama for yielding, and I appreciate his hard work going into the Rural Transformation Healthcare Fund that was in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The gentleman originated the idea, and we certainly appreciate his hard work on that. Today, I rise to support H.R. 6409, the FENCES Act; H.R. 6398, the RED Tape Act; and H.R. 6387, the FIRE Act. These three bills are an essential part of the committee's broader efforts on permitting reform and aligned with the White House permitting priorities, which include modernizing the Clean Air Act. A lot has changed since 1990, the last time that the Clean Air Act got a substantial overhaul. Some parts of the law have become outdated, contributing to the regulatory gridlock that is stifling American growth and innovation. A lot has changed since 1990, the last time the Clean Air Act got a substantial overhaul, and some parts of the law have become outdated, contributing also to more gridlock. These bills are foundational to our permitting reform efforts because they illustrate ways that we protect public health and the environment while removing outdated provisions that are slowing energy production and manufacturing, ultimately preventing job creation. The Energy and Commerce Committee has held multiple hearings this Congress on the process for establishing and implementing national air quality standards and improving the preconstruction permitting program without sacrificing environmental protections. Some of the most expensive and significant barriers in the permitting process are the result of the law's outdated provisions. What is worse, these burdensome requirements fail to address the most significant sources of pollution and create disincentives for companies to invest in cost-efficient and effective technology that would actually improve air quality. In the U.S., it takes 80 percent longer to permit projects than elsewhere in the world. America's outdated permitting system costs manufacturers in the U.S. approximately $7.9 billion each year. While a reasonable level of permitting is, of course, needed, without commonsense reforms, our Nation risks falling behind our adversaries, like China. Notably, over 70 percent of projects require Clean Air Act permits, which have the most burdensome approval process of any permitting requirement. Notably, over 70 percent of projects require these permits, and these three bills remove regulatory uncertainty and bureaucratic hoops that impact what and where job creators build new businesses, but they do not change the underlying environmental protections in the law. The FENCES Act introduced by Congressman Pfluger ensures that States and local communities are not penalized for foreign air emissions emanating from outside of the U.S. The FENCES Act clarifies that all foreign emissions, whether natural or manmade, are not considered when determining whether a State meets national air quality standards. The FENCES Act protects manufacturers and communities from unnecessary compliance burdens caused by events beyond their control, such as pollution from China, foreign wildfires, or dust storms, while upholding environmental standards under the Clean Air Act. The RED Tape Act, introduced by Congressman Joyce, eliminates a duplicative environmental review for projects already subject to NEPA environmental review. The duplicative process leads to additional delays and costs in the NEPA process. The FIRE Act, introduced by Congressman Gabe Evans and co-led by Congressman Adam Gray, updates the Clean Air Act to address the biggest threat in air pollution that this country faces today: wildfires. Bipartisan legislation ensures that States are not punished for prescribed burns or emissions that they cannot control. Prescribed burns are the most effective tool to decrease the severity of wildfires and public health problems associated with wildfire smoke. Despite the widespread acceptance of benefits of prescribed burns, they are underutilized across the U.S. due to perverse regulatory burdens under current air quality laws. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6409, the FENCES Act; H.R. 6398, the RED Tape Act; and H.R. 6387, the FIRE Act. These bills provide commonsense solutions and long-needed updates to the Clean Air Act.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sophie Trainor Khanahmadi for her service to the 2nd District of Kentucky, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the United States Congress. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, and graduate of The University of Alabama, Sophie's tenure spans a career of over fifteen years on Capitol Hill. I was blessed to have had her serve in my office for nearly a decade, working her way up from Health Policy Advisor to Legislative Director and Chief of Staff before joining the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as Deputy Staff Director after managing my successful race to become Chairman. In her current role, Sophie has always been a trusted advisor to the members of the committee and a strong leader for all levels of the team to further the work of the committee. She brings tenacity, forethought, and a deep policy knowledge that guides both the vision and execution of my work in Congress. Sophie has played a pivotal role in delivering some of the greatest accomplishments of this Congress, such as the Working Families Tax Cuts, which included the most significant entitlement reforms in American history. For all of her professional talents and legislative accomplishments, above them all, she is truly a wonderful person. I have had the privilege of witnessing some of her greatest life moments outside of work as well, like her marriage to her husband Peter and becoming a mom with the birth of her son Henry a few years ago, and as their family continues to grow. While I will miss her steady hand at the committee, I am proud of all she has accomplished and I am excited for her and her family as they begin this next new stage of her career. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Sophie for her service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the committee, the United States Congress, and to our country.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, tonight, the Kentucky congressional delegation rises to honor Army Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington and U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, who were both killed in the line of duty while serving in support of Operation Epic Fury. Their selfless sacrifice will never be forgotten by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and these United States of America. Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington of Glendale, Kentucky, was 26 years old. Growing up in Hardin County, he ran track at Central Hardin High School and was an Eagle Scout. After graduating in 2017, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with distinction ever since. He leaves behind a loving family and community. Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt of Bardstown, Kentucky, was 34 years old and a native of Nelson County. In high school, she was a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC program. Joining the Air Force in 2017, she found her passion as a boom operator aboard the Boeing KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft. She leaves behind her husband, Greg; their 3-year- old daughter, Emilia; her stepson, Oliver; and her loving parents. The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the United States of America will forever be grateful to these brave heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our Nation. Their families and loved ones will always remain in our prayers. On behalf of the Kentucky congressional delegation and the House of Representatives, I ask the United States House of Representatives to observe a moment of silence in their honor.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1075, I call up the bill (H.R. 4626) to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from prescribing any new or amended energy conservation standard for a product that is not technologically feasible and economically justified, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4626.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4626, the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act, sponsored by my colleague from Georgia's 12th District. This legislation modernizes energy efficiency authorities to lower costs for households and protects consumer choice. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, or EPCA, was established in 1975 amidst the oil crisis of the 1970s. EPCA gave statutory authority to the Department of Energy to regulate and set minimum efficiency standards for a list of covered products, including stoves, water heaters, and dishwashers, as well as certain commercial equipment. At the time, Americans were dealing with the aftermath of the oil embargoes that led to mile-long gas lines and fuel rationing. The initial establishment of energy efficiency regulations was a matter of energy security. By reducing consumption through the use of innovative technologies, we can insulate families from the harm caused by adversarial nations restricting access to critical energy resources. Madam Speaker, 50 years later, EPCA has remained largely unchanged, but under Democratic administrations, the focus of conservation efforts shifted from energy security to green policies that advance the far- left agenda. During the same period, the United States has become the premier energy-producing nation, while home appliances have simultaneously become vastly more efficient. During the 4 long years of the Biden-Harris administration, however, the Department of Energy used EPCA authorities to regulate a host of everyday products like dishwashers, freezers, and dryers. But these regulations were neither based on what consumers need or focused on affordability. They were rooted in ambitious climate goals. While EPCA requires regulation to be economically justified and cost effective, the Biden-Harris administration bent the rules so that households and businesses may not see any efficient savings for decades. In fact, the Biden-Harris Department of Energy regulations on dryers could take up to 46 years to see efficiency benefits, even though household appliances are replaced every 8 to 9 years on average. Americans are already paying 34 percent more for their energy bills than they were in 2010. Households simply cannot afford more expensive mandates coming out of Washington. At a time when Americans are struggling to pay their bills because of inflation caused by the Biden-Harris administration's spending spree, the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act takes important steps to provide necessary relief to hardworking families. Decisions about home appliance should be left to American families, not bureaucrats in Washington. The Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act institutes commonsense accountability at DOE to protect consumers from overregulation. Importantly, this bill will foster continued innovation in energy efficiency technologies. Refocusing EPCA's authorities on cost-effective efficiency standards will lower costs while continuing to improve household appliance performance. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4626, the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act to protect consumer choice, to modernize EPCA authorities, and to lower costs for American families. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen), my good friend, the sponsor of this piece of legislation, and an important member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, we are working on affordability. This whole bill is about affordability. If we look, because of the current Biden-Harris appliance policies, there is a 28 percent increase for refrigerators, a 25 percent increase for air-conditioners, and a 28 percent increase for dishwashers. The argument is they are going to pay more up front, but they are going to make it back in efficiency over time. A refrigerator takes 6 years and sometimes, depending on which model you buy, 46 years to recoup the increase in the value. These are Department of Energy numbers. It is up to 10 years on refrigerators. The question is: Do people want to pay a fourth more for a refrigerator in the hopes that over the next 10 years they will get that money back? It is just not realistic, and that is why we are fighting for affordability. When we look at the energy prices being up, we can look at a map of the United States and see in which States they are up. They are higher. They are higher in States that have policies like this. They come particularly from blue States in our country. Local governments have put the affordability crisis in their cities. State governments have put the affordability crisis in their States. I remember being in California just last year and putting gas in a rental car. I looked over and I think I was paying well over $5 there when I was paying about $2.50 in Kentucky. I remember looking over at the guy next to me, and I said: Do you guys have any idea what the rest of the country pays for gasoline? It is just astounding. The policies have increased affordability, and they come here and say we are causing the affordability crisis. With the energy crisis, we are trying to keep power online, to keep it from going offline so we can have affordability. This is all about affordability. It is not about just having an affordable product to buy. It is about buying a product of your choice. I don't think we ever argued that anything in the Biden-Harris administration meant that people were going to go in and take their appliances out. When appliances only last 7 to 10 years and then they are replaced, people are going to pay a fourth more. That is what we are trying to fight. People are going to pay a fourth more and recoup it in probably a longer time than that appliance has a useful life. It is just not a good investment. It just doesn't make sense. We think that EPCA should be reformed so that they do make decisions based on what is affordable and what gives the best choice to the consumers in America. I proudly support this bill. I thank Mr. Allen for sponsoring it. I encourage its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Green River Hill Grocery, located in Munfordville, Kentucky. Since 1951, Green River Hill Grocery has been a cornerstone of the local community, serving generations of Hart County families. Operating just a few miles from Mammoth Cave National Park and Abraham Lincoln's Birthplace National Historical Park, the store has been a welcome stop for visitors exploring the rich history of our region. In 2024, Tony and Rachelle Wright proudly assumed ownership of this landmark, continuing the Green River Hill Grocery's long-standing tradition of fostering friendships over delicious home-cooked meals. This milestone would not be possible without the overwhelming support of Hart County and all those who have supported the store. Green River Hill Grocery will continue to serve as more than just a store, but as a pillar of the Hart County community. By blending the passion for food, agriculture, and community, the team plans on continuing to honor the store's rich history and guarantee its place in the region for years to come. For 75 years, Green River Hill Grocery has played an essential role in Hart County and the communities along the Green River. I commend the Wright family for their commitment to enriching our community and congratulate all of Hart County on this remarkable milestone.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, Pursuant to House Resolution 977, I call up the bill (H.R. 4593) to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise the definition of showerhead, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the legislation and to include extraneous material on H.R. 4593.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, under the previous administration, American consumers were subjected to Washington's constant micromanagement of appliances and equipment in their homes and businesses. In fact, the Biden-Harris administration finalized more than 30 new or amended energy efficiency standards, totaling over $60 billion in costs and regulating nearly every appliance in Americans' homes. Part of this effort focused on complicating the definition of a showerhead by prohibiting multi-nozzle shower systems if the whole system collectively delivers more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute, instead of following the straightforward statutory definition of a showerhead. The new, highly bureaucratic definition was an amazing 13,000 words in length and a novel interpretation. This resulted in shower systems with more than one nozzle having a lower flow rate compared to individual showerheads. Additionally, this definition is misleading to consumers looking to buy multi-nozzled shower systems for the purpose of increasing water flow. President Trump has taken executive action to restore the regulatory definitions and standards to the law's original intent by allowing a maximum water use of 2.5 gallons per minute for each faucet in a shower system. H.R. 4593 would codify President Trump's definition by allowing the 2.5 maximum flow rate to apply to each nozzle in the shower system. This legislation will ensure manufacturers, like Delta Faucet in my district in Morgantown, Kentucky, are not subjected to the swing of the political pendulum with ever-changing interpretations of the law. Further, this legislation is simple and pro-consumer choice. It is unfortunate that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are seeking more regulation for its own sake and limiting the choices of American consumers. If an individual wants low water pressure, they have a variety of options. They can purchase a single-nozzle showerhead, or they can simply turn down the faucet. It is that simple, but those choices must be left to individual Americans and not to Washington. H.R. 4593 would bring regulatory certainty to manufacturers, performance effectiveness to a household appliance we all use, and choice to American consumers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.