Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement in response to Speaker Paul Ryan’s new regulatory reform plan:
“The policy proposals ‘unveiled’ by Speaker Ryan today are nothing more than a lazy repackaging of the same failed anti-consumer, anti-environment, and anti-regulatory proposals that Republicans have touted for over 20 years.
Republicans say they support sound science, but reject the overwhelming scientific evidence that climate change is real and caused by humans. They tout the Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund as a model of success, yet Republicans have failed to fund billions in needed water infrastructure repair or provide meaningful assistance to the people of Flint. And, despite Republican claims that environmental protections are destroying our energy options, the reality is that consumers are benefitting from some of the lowest electricity, gasoline, and natural gas prices in years, while new renewable technologies and more efficient products are grabbing market share at an astounding pace.
Republicans have also once again singled out the Federal Communications Commission for so-called process reforms, but they do little more than tie the agency up in knots. These agency-specific proposals make clear that Republicans care less about improving process and more about punishing an agency for implementing policies that help consumers.
There is certainly a ‘Better Way’ for Congress to address the challenges facing our nation, but this isn’t it."
