Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Greg Pence (IN-06) released the following statement regarding Thursday’s House Energy and Commerce full committee markup – in which Pence was one of the only members to attend in person.
House Energy and Commerce, with a Democrat majority, is currently chaired by Congressman Frank Pallone who has sole authority over the committee’s proceedings.
Two weeks prior, during the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce markup Congressman Pence was the only member to show up for the hearing in-person.
“When I came to Congress, I made a promise I would be a leader for Hoosiers back at home in Indiana’s Sixth District and for our country. That includes bringing to light a process I feel is not living up to the oath we took when we entered office. It’s our duty to be here in Washington, D.C. to legislate and advocate on behalf of our constituents as they have sent us here to do. While other committees are coming back in-person to work through markups, one of the most vital committees – Energy and Commerce – continues to phone it in. How can we expect America to reopen and rebuild if Congress cannot lead by example? It’s time for us end proxy voting and conduct committee hearings and markups in person. While we can debate CDC guidance, vaccinations and the science for weeks on end – it’s time for Congress to get back to normal work on behalf of the people in the people’s House!”