Washington, D.C.- House Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement after Committee Democrats released Energy and Commerce provisions of President Biden’s COVID-19 relief “plan."
“It was my hope the Majority would uphold the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s rich history of bipartisan work-plowing the hard ground necessary to legislate and deliver results. I am disappointed they have chosen hyper-partisanship over building trust. Many questions remain unanswered as the Democrats jam President Biden’s $2 trillion ‘plan’ through Congress. How many jobs will it create? How many vaccines will it help get into people’s arms? How many small businesses will it rescue?
How will we ensure resources are targeted to save lives, reopen our economy, and restore our way of life?
“The Majority hasn’t given themselves much time to provide answers to the American people before proceeding to a partisan markup scheduled less than 48 hours from now. People who are hurting, in despair, and in need of targeted relief deserve accountability in a $2 trillion ‘plan.’ They need to be able to trust COVID relief is going to those who need it the most."
Note: Leader Rodgers and Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are still waiting for answers from the Biden Administration to answer nine questions about unspent funds from the CARES Act (H.R.748), the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266), and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133).
As of this release, the administration has yet to meet today’s requested deadline to provide this information. Read the unanswered questions and the letter HERE.
In addition, Leader Rodgers sent a sent a letter to Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) on Monday urging him to pause the partisan sprint towards a reconciliation package for one week and begin earnest, bipartisan negations for COVID relief. Read that letter HERE.
