WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) released the following statement on President Trump’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2019.
“I applaud President Trump for laying out his vision for the country in today’s budget request and welcome his partnership as the Energy and Commerce Committee works to tackle several shared priorities. After holding 45 infrastructure hearings and passing 24 infrastructure bills through the House, the Energy and Commerce Committee stands ready to work with the president to improve American infrastructure, especially rural broadband deployment and energy distribution," said Chairman Walden.
“Additionally, the administration’s interest in examining the integrity of the 340B drug pricing program mirrors our years-long investigation, which will help inform upcoming legislative efforts. Many of the administration’s other proposals to lower health care costs complement our continued commitment to addressing the cost drivers across every facet of our nation’s health care system.
“Finally, the entire Energy and Commerce Committee shares the president’s passion to combat the devastating opioid crisis. We will continue to work to advance legislative solutions and bring even more resources to this fight in the coming months. Our nation faces many challenges and we look forward to working with the administration and across the aisle here in Congress to find solutions for the American people."
Background
E&C: Combatting the Opioid Crisis
* E&C has led the charge in combatting the opioid crisis, spearheading landmark legislation such as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) and the 21stCentury Cures Act. The committee will begin another legislative push later this month. Learn more about E&C’s efforts here.
* After $6 billion in funding to combat the opioid crisis was secured in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the Energy and Commerce Committee stands ready to craft further reforms and provide even more resources in this fight.
* E&C #SubOversight is conducting several active investigations into the worst abuses of the opioid crisis, included alleged pill dumping in West Virginia. Learn more here.
E&C: Infrastructure by the Numbers
* 24 - the number of #SubEnergy and #SubEnvironment infrastructure bills that have passed the House. Several more have passed the full committee or have been reviewed in legislative hearings.
* 25- the number of #SubCommTech infrastructure bills reviewed during a legislative hearing on 1/30/2018.
* 45- the number of infrastructure-related hearings held by E&C during the 115th Congress.
E&C: Examining the 340B Drug Pricing Program
* Last month, the committee released a new report detailing the program, which was first established by Congress in 1992.
* The executive summary of the report highlights the strong bipartisan support of the program, but also detailed some challenges the program faces, such as a lack of regulatory authority and limited resources for the agency administering the program, limited oversight, and minimal reporting requirements.
* #SubHealth has been exploring potential reforms to strengthen the program and ensure that it is working as intended.
