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Pallone Opening Remarks at E&C Markup of Republicans’ Authorization & Oversight Plan

February 9, 2023

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) delivered the following opening remarks today at a full Committee markup of the Republicans' Authorization and Oversight Plan for the 118th Congress:

Today we are meeting to mark up the Republican majority's Authorization and Oversight plan, which sheds some light on Republicans' priorities for this Congress. While there are some areas that are ripe for bipartisan collaboration, I'm disappointed to say that this Republican Authorization and Oversight Plan outlines clear intentions to undermine the tremendous progress we made last Congress.

The American people want a Congress that works for them, not wealthy corporate interests—a Congress that meets the needs of everyday Americans, not one focused on cutting the critical programs they rely on and crippling the agencies that make these programs possible.

Unfortunately, this Authorization and Oversight Plan signals intentions to give handouts to the fossil fuel industry, neglect the urgency of a growing climate crisis, cut regulations at the expense of consumers' safety, jeopardize health care affordability, and make devastating cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

Moreover, instead of planning to conduct oversight of Big Pharma's outrageous price hikes on Americans, Republicans introduced legislation last week that would repeal the $35 a month cap on insulin for seniors and Medicare's ability to negotiate lower drug prices.

We as Democrats will aggressively oppose these actions, which would have a devastating and lasting impact on our nation's future.

Today, we'll be offering some amendments to help get this plan back on track, and I hope my Republican colleagues will support those efforts.

Thank you, Chair Rodgers.

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