[House Report 117-524]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


117th Congress    }                                   {      Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session       }                                   {      117-524

======================================================================

 
   RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT TO PROVIDE CERTAIN 
DOCUMENTS TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RELATING TO PLANS TO EXPLOIT 
          THE ENERGY CRISIS TO PURSUE A RADICAL CLIMATE AGENDA

                                _______
                                

 September 29, 2022.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 
                                printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Pallone, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, submitted the 
                               following

                             ADVERSE REPORT

                             together with

                            DISSENTING VIEWS

                      [To accompany H. Res. 1265]

    The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred 
the resolution (H. Res. 1265) of inquiry requesting the 
President to provide certain documents to the House of 
Representatives relating to plans to exploit the energy crisis 
to pursue a radical climate agenda, having considered the same, 
report unfavorably thereon without amendment and recommend that 
the resolution not be agreed to.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
   I. Purpose and Summary.............................................2
  II. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................2
 III. Committee Hearings..............................................3
  IV. Committee Consideration.........................................3
   V. Committee Votes.................................................3
  VI. Oversight Findings..............................................6
 VII. New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditure6
VIII. Federal Mandates Statement......................................6
  IX. Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives...........6
   X. Duplication of Federal Programs.................................6
  XI. Committee Cost Estimate.........................................6
 XII. Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits.....6
XIII. Advisory Committee Statement....................................7
 XIV. Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................7
  XV. Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation..................7
 XVI. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported...........7
XVII. Dissenting Views................................................8

                         I. PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

    H. Res. 1265 requests the President provide certain 
documents to the House of Representatives relating to plans to 
exploit the energy crisis to pursue a radical climate agenda.

                II. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    With this resolution, the minority seeks to obtain records 
related to plans to pursue a so-called ``radical climate 
agenda.'' However, H. Res. 1265 falls far short of the standard 
for resolutions of inquiry set by the Committee in prior 
Congresses, with the minority bypassing all normal routes of 
Congressional oversight prior to employing this investigative 
tool of last resort. In addition, the resolution is premised on 
unfounded accusations of exploitation against the 
Administration and seeking broad information relating to White 
House deliberative processes where no evidence or accusation of 
administrative procedure or other violations have been made. 
For these reasons, the Committee ordered H. Res. 1265 reported 
to the House adversely.
    Climate change poses a significant threat to the planet, 
and countries must rapidly move to net-zero greenhouse gas 
emissions by 2050 to avoid the most catastrophic consequences 
of a warming planet.\1\ The effects of this warming include: 
rapidly rising temperatures, ocean acidity, sea level rise, 
greater frequency of extreme weather events like flooding, 
droughts, intense rain and heat waves, wildfires, air quality 
impacts, changes in vector ecology, water and food supply 
challenges, increases in temperature-related illnesses and 
death, and many other harms experienced by communities across 
the United States.\2\
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    \1\Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Special Report on 
Global Warming on 1.5C (Oct. 2018).
    \2\Environmental Protection Agency, Impacts of Climate Change 
(www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/impacts-climate-change) (accessed 
Sept. 27, 2022); U.S. Global Change Research Program, The Impacts of 
Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific 
Assessment (2016); U.S. Global Change Research Program, Fourth National 
Climate Assessment Volume II: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the 
United States (2018); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
Climate Effects on Health (www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/
default.htm) (accessed Sept. 27, 2022).
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    Unchecked climate change also poses a significant financial 
risk, with effects projected to impact every major sector of 
the United States economy. According to the National Climate 
Assessment, the projected economic losses from climate change 
are significant, with some sectors seeing climate-driven losses 
exceeding $100 billion annually by the end of the century.\3\ 
Lost wages due to extreme temperatures are projected to be as 
much as $160 billion annually by 2090.\4\ All told, in the 
absence of ambitious action, climate change impacts will cost 
the American economy up to $500 billion per year.\5\ Extreme 
weather and climate events have cost the United States more 
than $780 billion over the past five years, and in 2021 there 
were 20 distinct billion-dollar weather and climate disaster 
events in the United States, which incurred $152.6 billion in 
total costs.\6\ Recently, the Government Accountability Office 
(GAO), concluded that the federal government needs a cohesive, 
strategic approach to reduce federal fiscal exposure to climate 
change.\7\
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    \3\U.S. Global Change Research Program, ``Chapter 29: Reducing 
Risks Through Emissions Mitigation,'' in Fourth National Climate 
Assessment Volume II: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United 
States (2018).
    \4\Id.
    \5\Id. 
    \6\National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National 
Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and 
Climate Disasters: Time Series (2022) (www.ncei
.noaa.gov/access/billions/time-series).
    \7\Government Accountability Office, Climate Change: Enhancing 
Federal Resilience (Sept. 2022) (GAO-22-106061).
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    Clearly, inaction on climate change is costing taxpayers 
and the American economy. Continued reliance on fossil fuels 
exposes American consumers and businesses to volatile global 
oil markets, as most recently demonstrated by the Russian 
invasion of Ukraine, which contributes to rising domestic fuel 
prices. On the other hand, renewable energy is now the cheapest 
source of power, and further investments in expanding access to 
renewable energy are expected to address energy challenges and 
drive consumer savings.\8\
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    \8\International Renewable Energy Agency, Majority of New 
Renewables Undercut Cheapest Fossil Fuel on Cost (June 22, 2021) (press 
release).
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    Ultimately, this resolution of inquiry requests documents 
related to ``exploiting the energy crisis'' in order to 
``pursue a radical climate agenda,'' yet supporters presented 
no evidence to support the resolution's central premise. During 
debate on H. Res. 1265, minority members of the Committee 
supporting the resolution used time solely to highlight 
opposition to the Administration's commitment to combat climate 
change and strengthen energy security by advancing clean energy 
policies. To date, the Committee is unaware of any other 
official request by the resolution's supporters for the 
documents detailed in this resolution through appropriate prior 
avenues, such as sending official Congressional correspondence 
to the Administration or relevant federal agencies. Instead, 
the minority immediately resorted to a resolution of inquiry 
which was rejected for the reasons outlined above.

                        III. COMMITTEE HEARINGS

    The Committee on Energy and Commerce has not held hearings 
on H. Res. 1265.

                      IV. COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

    H. Res. 1265 was introduced on July 26, 2022, by 
Representative Duncan (R-SC) and was referred to the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce. Subsequently, on July 27, 2022, the 
resolution was referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and 
Climate Change. The resolution was discharged from the 
Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change on September 21, 
2022.
    On September 21, 2022, the Committee met in open markup 
session and ordered H. Res. 1265, without amendment, adversely 
reported to the House by a record vote of 31 yeas and 22 nays.

                           V. COMMITTEE VOTES

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires the Committee to list each record vote 
on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto. The 
Committee advises that there was one record votes taken on H. 
Res. 1265, including a motion by Mr. Pallone ordering H. Res. 
1265 adversely reported to the House, without amendment. The 
motion on forwarding the resolution adversely was approved by a 
record vote of 31 yeas to 22 nays. The following are the record 
votes taken during Committee consideration, including the names 
of those members voting for and against:


	[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                         VI. OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 2(b)(1) 
of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
oversight findings and recommendations of the Committee are 
reflected in the descriptive portion of the report.

         VII. NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND
                            TAX EXPENDITURES

    Pursuant to 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 
of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the 
estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax 
expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate 
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974.
    The Committee has requested but not received from the 
Director of the Congressional Budget Office a statement as to 
whether this bill contains any new budget authority, spending 
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in 
revenues or tax expenditures.

                    VIII. FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act.

       IX. STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general 
performance goal or objective of this legislation is to direct 
the President to provide certain documents to the House of 
Representatives relating to plans to exploit the energy crisis 
to pursue a radical climate agenda.

                   X. DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, no provision of H. 
Res. 1265 is known to be duplicative of another Federal 
program, including any program that was included in a report to 
Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or the 
most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

                      XI. COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee 
adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

            XII. EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, AND LIMITED
                            TARIFF BENEFITS

    Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the 
Committee finds that H. Res. 1265 contains no earmarks, limited 
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.

                   XIII. ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

    No advisory committee within the meaning of section 5(b) of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act was created by this 
legislation.

                XIV. APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

           XV. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

    H. Res. 1265 directs the President to provide certain 
documents to the House of Representatives relating to plans to 
exploit the energy crisis to pursue a radical climate agenda. 
Specifically, the resolution states that it seeks documents 
relating to:
           ``(1) A strategy or plan to issue executive 
        actions, Federal policies, or regulations that cause or 
        contribute to energy price increases.
           ``(2) A strategy or plan to blame Russian 
        President Vladimir Putin for record high energy prices 
        forced on American consumers.
           ``(3) A strategy or plan to exploit the 
        energy crisis to pursue a radical anti-fossil fuel 
        climate agenda.
           ``(4) A strategy or plan to impose punitive 
        restrictions on American energy workers, including a 
        ban on the export of crude oil or petroleum products.''

       XVI. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

    There are no changes to existing law made by the bill H. 
Res. 1265.

                         XVII. DISSENTING VIEWS

    In voting to report this Resolution of Inquiry unfavorably, 
the Democrat Majority unanimously voted against congressional 
oversight that would collect the information needed to examine 
the Biden Administration's energy and environment regulatory 
actions and policies that have been undermining U.S. energy 
security and raising prices on families and workers.
    Congress has a duty to hold the Executive Branch 
accountable; to ensure transparency of its schemes and designs 
to transform the American energy economy. And when the Majority 
fails to use its ample powers of inquiry to do this work, the 
Minority party must step in with the only tool at its disposal 
to collect information, to gather the facts. There is no 
question oversight is necessary.
    Repeated inquiries to the Administration by the Republicans 
have only intensified the need for thorough oversight. 
Republicans sought direct testimony from the Energy Secretary, 
the Deputy Secretary of Energy, and other Biden Administration 
officials--in the rare instances they deigned to appear before 
the Committee of jurisdiction. Republicans wrote Administration 
officials and the Chairman of Energy and Commerce for 
assistance to ``pull the curtain back'' as the energy crisis 
was accelerating.\1\ Responses from the Administration and from 
the Majority have been unavailing.
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    \1\See, for example, October 21, 2021, letter from Committee 
Republicans to Secretary of Energy Granholm seeking information 
relating to rising energy prices, or the November 12, 2021, letter to 
Chairman Pallone from Committee Republicans seeking investigatory 
hearings into rising prices.
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    All of this has been occurring as the Biden Administration, 
with the Democrat Majority's vocal support, has repeatedly 
talked about transforming the U.S. energy economy, about 
rapidly ending reliance on fossil energy, about growing out 
massive reliance on weather-dependent energy, regardless of the 
security, affordability, and reliability risks. In the 
meantime, American families have suffered the harmful impacts 
of these radical ideas.
    Consider, the Energy Information Administration reports 
household electricity bills are up 20% since January 2020, 
industrial rates are up 40%, and commercial costs are up 26%--
adding to the costs of goods and services. Large regions of the 
country are burdened by lack of access to energy and power and 
based on similar policies, risk California-style blackouts 
throughout large regions of the nation--a looming concern for 
families this winter.
    This current crisis is not an accident. We saw the growing 
costs and the ``rush-to-green'' agenda's impacts on energy long 
before the war in Ukraine--even as the Biden Administration 
blatantly denied any culpability.
    From day one of this Administration, it has issued 
executive orders to shut down the supply of our energy 
resources, to rescind pro-energy rules and regulations, and to 
expand costly regulatory action that undermines the supply of 
energy and the operations of important generation.
    Hints abound of a broader Administration agenda to build 
off this energy crisis as a path to something revolutionary. 
The EPA Administrator talks about an Administration strategy to 
target fossil fuel power generation with regulations that will 
increase the blackout risks far beyond those experienced in 
California. This strategy follows White House policy proposals 
last year to ``transform'' our energy economy and end fossil 
energy in power generation. Yet, when energy prices skyrocket, 
the Biden Administration's response is to double down on 
policies that drive these prices higher, and promote widespread 
use of electric vehicles and appliances, ignoring the mobility 
and energy security risks.
    In the New York Times, Gina McCarthy, the departing climate 
czar, and architect of the unconstitutional clean power plan, 
stated that more burdensome policies will be coming: ``We have 
a long way to go,'' she said, ``the task of completely 
reshaping our economy is daunting . . .''\2\ Indeed, it will be 
daunting, and the costly impacts will be borne on the backs of 
families and workers.
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    \2\See ``What I Saw as the Country's First National Climate 
Advisor,'' Gina McCarthy, New York Times, September 19, 2022.
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    We have no clarity on what the Administration is up to. And 
we have no evidence the Administration will stop its harmful 
policies because lessons in California. There is no evidence 
the Biden Administration will stop because of the lessons in 
Europe and the Russian attack on energy.
    Americans must understand fully what the Biden 
Administration is trying to do. Congress should bring 
transparency and accountability to this Administrations' plans. 
This resolution was an important step to accountability. And 
all the resolution sought was information.
    A vote for this resolution was a vote for congressional 
oversight, a vote for transparency. Unfortunately, the 
Democratic Majority choose to ignore its responsibilities. And 
Americans for the time being will remain in the dark.
                                    Cathy McMorris Rodgers,
               Republican Leader, Committee on Energy and Commerce.

                                  [all]