House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered remarks at today’s Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee hearing on legislation to protect Americans and strengthen the economy.
Excerpts and highlights from her remarks:
LESSONS FROM THE PANDEMIC
“We are here today to tackle a variety of challenges and several proposed solutions to protect people and ensure America’s economic leadership.
“That includes a number of solutions addressing the challenges and lessons learned from the pandemic.
“I’m pleased to see bipartisan legislation at today’s hearing, like Mr. Armstrong’s bill to add permissions for remote notary, and Mr. Curtis’ bill which requires companies to clearly indicate when home devices may be able to watch or listen to you.
“The pandemic has also highlighted the need for more resiliency in critical industries, like travel and tourism, the gig economy, and the services industries so they can rebound quickly after future disruptions.
“Our Subcommittee Republican Leader Gus Bilirakis’s bipartisan BRAND USA travel and tourism bill, signed into law this year, would do just that.
“Dr. Dunn’s legislation, along with Mr. Soto and Ms. Salazar, also focuses on solutions to pandemic-era challenges experienced by the tourism industry to rebound from the pandemic.”
REESE’S LAW SAVES LIVES
“On a much more serious note, we will also be discussing Reese’s Law which will help prevent accidental ingestion of button cell and coin batteries by children.
“I want to say thank you to Trista Hamsmith, who is here today. As a mom, I admire leadership and strength to share your daughter’s story with us and to save lives with Reese’s Law. Your courage and leadership is making a difference.
“Thank you also to Robin Kelly for introducing this bipartisan legislation.
“As the former Republican Leader of this subcommittee, I know the importance of having the Consumer Product Safety Commission focus on protecting people, especially children, and recognize Chair Schakowsky’s leadership in this important issue.”
ADDITIONAL BILLS
“I also look forward to hearing about other bills on the agenda today that impact manufacturing, retail, and horses.
“We have a lot to discuss today to ensure these bills have the intended outcomes without producing unintended burdens or consequences.
“It’s important to note this subcommittee also has a few dozen post-legislative hearing bills waiting to move out of committee, so we have our work cut out for us on deciding which bills are best positioned to move.”
“PINK TAX” IS BAD FOR AMERICANS
“With all the challenges that Americans and businesses are going through right now, I caution against enacting legislation that will ultimately make things worse.
“The so-called ‘Pink Tax’ Repeal is not something I can see a clear path for.
“It would make the supply chain crisis worse, reduce diversity of goods and services, and eliminate choices that men and women may have different preferences on.
“We don’t need more empty shelves.
“Our focus should be on how we incentivize female entrepreneurship, rather than the government putting its heavy hand on how to set prices with more regulations.
“I know we’ll have a robust debate today, so I look forward to discussing and learning more. On all the solutions before us, thank you to my colleagues for their hard work.”
Original source can be found here.
