United States House of Representatives
04/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/20/2026 18:17
Foxx Opening Remarks on H.R. 1897, H.R. 5587, H.R. 4690, and H. Res. 1182
As prepared for delivery:
Good afternoon, the Committee will come to order. Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare a recess at any time.
Today, the Rules Committee is convening to consider four measures: H.R. 1897, H.R. 4690, H.R. 5587, and H. Res. 1182.
H.R. 1897, the ESA Amendments Act of 2025, would implement a series of precise reforms to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that would establish clear statutory definitions, focus on species recovery, and consolidate the ESA permitting process.
In addition, it would provide incentives for the recovery of listed species, promote accountability for agency actions, and create a backstop against frivolous litigation.
With these reforms, the ESA can be augmented to effectively serve and support wildlife across America's vast and rich environments.
H.R 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, Mr. Langworthy's legislation, would strike archaic and onerous regulations that are not oriented to present day construction realities.
Those on the Left have always salivated over hyper-aggressive green energy policies - so much so that when they create policy on the issue, they do everything they possibly can to overregulate everything in existence.
And what's the result?
A serious lapse in common sense, increased cost burdens, mandates being issued like edicts, and arbitrary efficiency targets that are categorically insane.
This legislation works to undo that madness by helping rein in inflated construction costs, boost the timelines of projects, unleash innovation, and facilitate an overdue return to common sense in policymaking.
H.R. 5587, the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026, hastens the production of geothermal energy development while lowering costs and cutting regulatory red tape.
This legislation makes a series of clarifications that will help unbind the hands of geothermal operators - thereby accelerating the development of this important energy source.
It would strike duplicative federal permitting requirements if a state-issued permit has already been issued to the operator.
Further, it would also allow geothermal projects to advance when the federal government does not have a controlling stake of the subsurface geothermal estate.
And finally, we'll turn to H. Res. 1182, a resolution in support of the invaluable contributions made by rural communities across America and the policy progress that has been made in support of them.
This important resolution will serve to bind Congress to a commitment of delivering for rural America.
We are utterly dependent on our rural communities for food, energy, and American made products, and yet decades of Federal policy have let these communities slip through the cracks.
As this resolution lays out, the 119th Congress has turned this dynamic around, and we must continue on that trajectory.
With that, I look forward to the discussions that we'll have here today, and I now yield to the Ranking Member for any comments that he wishes to make.
Good afternoon, the Committee will come to order. Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare a recess at any time.
Today, the Rules Committee is convening to consider four measures: H.R. 1897, H.R. 4690, H.R. 5587, and H. Res. 1182.
H.R. 1897, the ESA Amendments Act of 2025, would implement a series of precise reforms to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that would establish clear statutory definitions, focus on species recovery, and consolidate the ESA permitting process.
In addition, it would provide incentives for the recovery of listed species, promote accountability for agency actions, and create a backstop against frivolous litigation.
With these reforms, the ESA can be augmented to effectively serve and support wildlife across America's vast and rich environments.
H.R 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, Mr. Langworthy's legislation, would strike archaic and onerous regulations that are not oriented to present day construction realities.
Those on the Left have always salivated over hyper-aggressive green energy policies - so much so that when they create policy on the issue, they do everything they possibly can to overregulate everything in existence.
And what's the result?
A serious lapse in common sense, increased cost burdens, mandates being issued like edicts, and arbitrary efficiency targets that are categorically insane.
This legislation works to undo that madness by helping rein in inflated construction costs, boost the timelines of projects, unleash innovation, and facilitate an overdue return to common sense in policymaking.
H.R. 5587, the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026, hastens the production of geothermal energy development while lowering costs and cutting regulatory red tape.
This legislation makes a series of clarifications that will help unbind the hands of geothermal operators - thereby accelerating the development of this important energy source.
It would strike duplicative federal permitting requirements if a state-issued permit has already been issued to the operator.
Further, it would also allow geothermal projects to advance when the federal government does not have a controlling stake of the subsurface geothermal estate.
And finally, we'll turn to H. Res. 1182, a resolution in support of the invaluable contributions made by rural communities across America and the policy progress that has been made in support of them.
This important resolution will serve to bind Congress to a commitment of delivering for rural America.
We are utterly dependent on our rural communities for food, energy, and American made products, and yet decades of Federal policy have let these communities slip through the cracks.
As this resolution lays out, the 119th Congress has turned this dynamic around, and we must continue on that trajectory.
With that, I look forward to the discussions that we'll have here today, and I now yield to the Ranking Member for any comments that he wishes to make.
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