In an unprecedented move, House Republicans are taking a stand against the Biden administration’s lack of transparency and questionable grants. At the forefront of this battle is the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has organized a hearing titled “Growing the Domestic Energy Sector Supply Chain and Manufacturing Base: Are Federal Efforts Working?” However, there will be an empty chair at this hearing, symbolizing the absence of David Howell, the top official in the Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains.
Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican representative from Washington, expressed her concerns about the Department’s decision not to appear at the hearing. In her opening remarks shared exclusively with Fox News Digital, she stated, “I’m concerned that the Department may be entertaining other problematic awards and only decided not to proceed with this after our congressional scrutiny.” She went on to condemn the refusal to answer questions from elected representatives, deeming it “completely unacceptable.”
The spotlight on the Department of Energy intensified when it came to light that they were handing out a $200 million grant to Microvast, a Texas-based company with deep ties to China. Fortunately, on Monday evening, the DOE informed congressional staff that the grant would no longer be awarded to Microvast.
This decision follows relentless pressure from Republican leaders, who have repeatedly called for the grant to be rescinded due to the company’s significant revenue generation in China and its susceptibility to Chinese government intervention.
Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers initially invited David Howell to appear before the committee to shed light on the Biden administration’s efforts to disentangle U.S. energy supply chains from China and other adversarial nations.
However, the Department of Energy refused the invitation, stating that they had already provided witnesses to the committee in recent times. This refusal only fueled suspicions and raised questions about the Department’s commitment to transparency.
As responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, the Department of Energy should be held accountable for their actions. The cancellation of grant negotiations with Microvast is a step in the right direction, but it leaves room for speculation about the motives behind this decision. The American people deserve assurance that their hard-earned money is not being funneled to China.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, with its symbolic empty chair, will serve as a stark reminder of the Biden administration’s lack of accountability.
The meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, and it will be an opportunity for Republican representatives to demand answers and ensure that the interests of the American people are protected. Stay tuned for updates on this critical development.
Source Fox News