Foxx Opening Remarks on H.R. 4553 and H. Res. 668

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 two measures: H.R. 4553 and H. Res. 668.
 
H.R. 4553, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, provides substantive funding for our nation’s nuclear deterrents, national security posture, infrastructure, and the broader economy overall.
 
This legislation further cements our commitment to fortify American energy, lower costs, and advance power to the nation that is as affordable as it is reliable.
 
The nation, and especially the American people, deserve this.

H.R. 4553 supports one of the largest commitments to expand mining production technologies for critical mineral extraction in decades.
 
It provides continued funding for cybersecurity efforts that will secure a more resilient and reliable electric grid for all Americans.
 
It takes a calculated and measured approach to halt foreign adversaries from accessing technology, natural resources, and defense capabilities that make America strong.
 
And this legislation makes a deliberate effort to safeguard the tax dollars of hardworking Americans from being spent on the outdated, misguided priorities of the previous administration.
 
It is abundantly clear that we need to advance H.R. 4553 to build upon our nation’s return to energy independence.

H. Res. 668 directs the Oversight Committee to continue its work in investigating and obtaining relevant documents related to the Epstein files.
 
Thus far, the Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas on a bipartisan basis and has collected tens of thousands of documents from the Department of Justice.
 
Chairman Comer has been conducting and leading this investigation with openness and diligence – it’s how Congress is supposed to operate. 
 
We should all take note of how quickly the DOJ has responded to these bipartisan subpoenas.
 
When was the last time anyone can remember the DOJ – under any administration – responding to a subpoena in less than a month?
 
Our Democrat colleagues have a unique opportunity here in the Rules Committee today – so unique, in fact, that they can join Republicans in a spirit of bipartisanship.
 
They can support, as Republicans intend to do, the Oversight Committee’s continued work to investigate – and publicly release – the Epstein files.
 
Now, our Democrat colleagues will, predictably, say that this legislation is a distraction. 
 
If they don’t want to support transcribed interviews, more documents being obtained, and the bipartisan work of the Oversight Committee, it will be rather intriguing.
 
See, their newfound interest in the Epstein files – and yes, it is entirely newfound – will be brought into even more question.

They didn’t say a peep the last four years when they had the opportunity to release the files – they did nothing. 
 
The only reason why they’ve latched themselves to the Epstein files as of late is because they see it as a politically advantageous opportunity.
 
How revealing. Let’s see what they decide to do.
 
With that, I now yield to the Ranking Member, Mr. McGovern, for any comments that he wishes to make.

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