Press Releases
Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap – Week of April 15, 2024
Washington,
April 19, 2024
Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:
Appropriations On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, and the Congressional Office for International Leadership." Various Legislative Branch agencies testified on their budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year, noting ways to improve recruitment and retention and increase leadership opportunities for congressional staffers. On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the U.S. Forest Service." The Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Randy Moore, was invited to discuss the agency’s Budget Request and issues important to communities throughout the nation, notably wildfire suppression and access to public lands. On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Department of Justice." AG Merrick Garland was pressed on the growing number of fentanyl overdoses in the United States and what the Administration is doing to combat the issue. Increased illegal crossings at the southern border was also raised, along with heightening violent crime throughout the United States - including in the District of Columbia.  On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Federal Emergency Management Agency." Appropriators focused questions on FEMA’s disaster response and how it is reaching rural communities. Members also voiced concern about the Agency’s long response times and diversion of disaster resources to address the southern border. On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Department of Veterans Affairs." The Secretary provided an update on how the Department is increasing the quality of care available to veterans nationwide. Newly appointed Chairman Cole joined the meeting, noting that veterans care would be a top priority in this year’s bills. On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Library of Congress and the Architect of the Capitol." The LOC provided insights into how it intends to increase the public knowledge of the library, including through new exhibitions and a youth center. On the other hand, the AOC discussed efforts to collaborate with the United States Capitol Police and the Sergeant at Arms to ensure Members, staff, and visitors remain safe and secure while on campus. On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Transportation Security Administration." The Administrator met with Appropriators to discuss various techniques used to ensure airline security and how their technologies could be used elsewhere (jails, schools, etc.). Members voiced their concern about the diversion of Federal Air Marshals being diverted from commercial flights to the southern border by Secretary Mayorkas. On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the United States House of Representatives." Various Congressional offices within the House of Representatives testified on their budget requests, outlining efforts to increase the House’s efficiency and security. On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Department of the Interior." The Secretary provided an overview of how the Agency is using its resources to maintain federal land. Appropriators questioned the Agency’s disposition toward renewable energy over traditional energy sources. On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Department of Labor." Appropriators questioned the Agency’s regulatory agenda and how it has exacerbated unemployment and wage growth. Members also raised agriculture workforce issues. On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Defense held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Department of Defense." Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was pressed on the Department’s ability to develop and acquire weapons, munitions, and other needs amid global conflict. Many Members noted the recent aggressive actions of our adversaries, including Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.  On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Works) and the Bureau of Reclamation." These Agencies explained their Budget Requests and provided an update on various projects across the country. On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a hearing called "Member Day." To ensure that Members have an opportunity to provide input into the annual appropriations process, the Committee held a Member Day hearing. On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration." Appropriators discussed the dynamic and emanant space race that the United States is in with China, and how NASA uses its resources to combat the adversarial country. National security concerns in space exploration and how NASA is ensuring U.S. strength dominated the conversation. On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for Air Force and Space Force Military Construction and Family Housing." The Subcommittee and senior members of our military discussed the current state of Air Force and Space Force housing and how servicemember quality of life directly impacts our national security. On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for Immigration and Customs Enforcement." Members pressed the Agency on the crisis at the southern border, focusing questions on detention capacity and urging expansion of the effective 287(g) program that utilizes state and local law enforcement officers in detention efforts. On Thursday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the Food and Drug Administration." During the hearing, Members focused their questions on the Agency’s efforts to increase food and drug safety and ways to address ongoing drug shortages. Armed Services On Tuesday, April 16, the Armed Services Committee held a full committee hearing on the Department of the Army’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request. In the hearing, members pressed Army officials on improving the quality of life for servicemembers and their families. Members also expressed concern that President Biden’s defense budget fails to keep pace with inflation – placing unnecessary risk on our Armed Forces. On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on the military construction program and infrastructure, including barracks, housing, and range infrastructure. The hearing also covered environment and energy programs, as well as facility sustainment, restoration and modernization accounts. In his opening statement, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) said, “I remain concerned about funding for facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization. Maintenance of existing facilities is chronically neglected to pay for other priorities. Disrepair of military facilities has significant impacts on everything from quality-of-life for our servicemembers to sustainment and innovation.” On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held a hearing on the Department of Defense’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for fixed-wing tactical and training aircraft programs. In his opening statement, Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) said, “As I review the plans again for each service like I did last year, two common threads remain particularly concerning. First, our fighter force structure continues to decrease. And second, we are not able to deliver replacement aircraft at affordable prices to achieve similar force structure capacity going forward. And as I’ve said year over year, our adversaries continue to outpace us, building and fielding their own lethal fighter capacity and capabilities.” On Wednesday, April 17, the Armed Services Committee held a full committee hearing on the Department of the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request. Members pressed Air Force and Space Force officials on the importance of the modernization of our nuclear triad and concerns regarding China and Russia’s buildup in space. Members also relayed concerns regarding the risk that this defense budget forces the services to take when it comes to the fielding of capabilities we will need to fight and win. On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for seapower and projection forces. In his opening statement, Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS) said, “Today, we face an increasingly assertive and powerful China. To maintain America’s command of the world’s oceans, we must expand our Navy and its capabilities in order to deter and defeat the adversary.” On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on the health and welfare of the force and the impact of current Department of Defense and service policies. In his opening statement, Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) said, “I am concerned that policies you must implement not only contradict the military culture necessary to ensure an effective fighting force, but that the cultural upheaval this administration is pushing on DOD and the military services may continue to lead to recruiting and retention problems.” Education and the Workforce On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing called "ERISA’s 50th Anniversary: The Path to Higher Quality, Lower Cost Health Care." For the past 50 years, ERISA has served as the legislative bedrock for employer-sponsored benefits. Through key provisions such as ERISA preemption, the employer-sponsored benefits system continues to deliver health care value and outcomes for millions of American workers. This hearing gave members an opportunity to examine ways to increase affordable health care coverage–including telehealth–quality and access to care for employer-sponsored health insurance. On Wednesday, April 17, the Committee on Education and the Workforce held a full committee hearing called "Columbia in Crisis: Columbia University's Response to Antisemitism." Top members of Columbia leadership, including President Shafik, answered for the disturbing wave of antisemitic harassment and discrimination engulfing their university campus. Committee members, with laser-like sharpness on specific instances of antisemitism, demanded accountability, and left President Shafik backpedaling while trying to defend her record. It is clear what Shafik said and what's actually happening on campus are two very different things. Bottom line: The Committee is standing strong with Jewish students against the antisemitic hate and discrimination endemic in postsecondary education.    Energy and Commerce On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Health held a hearing called "Examining Health Sector Cybersecurity in the Wake of the Change Healthcare Attack." Members spoke with industry experts from across the health care system on what more needs to be done to secure patients’ sensitive health information and protect our health care sector from disruption. On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing called "Examining How Improper Payments Cost Taxpayers Billions and Weaken Medicare and Medicaid." Members used the hearing to strengthen the oversight of Medicare and Medicaid programs by curtailing improper payments and ensuring the most efficient use of limited resources to benefit those the programs exist to serve. On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce held a hearing called "Legislative Solutions to Protect Kids Online and Ensure Americans’ Data Privacy Rights." Members discussed legislative solutions to protect people online and establish strong comprehensive data privacy protections for people of every age in every state. The witnesses all agreed that the American Privacy Rights Act is Congress’s best chance to pass comprehensive data privacy legislation.   On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Health held a hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Health and Human Services Budget." Members held HHS Secretary Becerra accountable for how, under his leadership, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has failed to achieve its core mission of enhancing the health of Americans.  Financial Services On Monday, April 15, Representative Young Kim (CA-40) appeared before the House Committee on Rules to speak in support of her bill, H.R. 6323, the Iran Counterterrorism Act of 2023. H.R. 6323 requires Iran to cease support for acts of international terrorism as a condition for the President to waive secondary sanctions imposed on the regime in Tehran. The bill also provides for a congressional review process for national security interest waivers of these sanctions, if Iran continues its support for global terror. The U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Kim’s H.R. 6323 on Wednesday, April 17.  On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, led by Subcommittee Vice Chair Young Kim (CA-40), held a hearing called "Held for Ransom: How Ransomware Endangers Our Financial System." Members gained a deeper understanding of the inner workings and long-term impacts of one of the leading cyber threats facing our nation today. On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy, led by Chairman Andy Barr (KY-06), held a hearing called "Agency Audit: Reviewing CFPB Financial Reporting & Transparency." Lawmakers examined the consequences of a rogue CFPB and explored the steps Congress must take to rein in the CFPB to better protect our citizens from an unchecked federal bureaucracy. On Tuesday, April 16, the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Patrick McHenry (NC-10), led debate on the House floor in support of H.R. 6323, the Iran Counterterrorism Act of 2023. H.R. 6323 is about ensuring that waivers benefitting the Iranian government receive an appropriate vetting in Congress. On Tuesday, April 16, the U.S. House of Representatives passed four pieces of bipartisan financial services legislation to hold Iran accountable for acts of international aggression and financing of terrorism. The measures passed by the House include:
 Foreign Affairs On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia and the Subcommittee on Europe held a joint hearing called "The Despotic Duo: Russo-Iranian Cooperation and Threats to U.S. Interests." During the hearing, witnesses answered questions regarding the relationship between Russia and Iran, further underscoring how America’s adversaries are working together to undermine Western values, democracy, and U.S. national security.   Homeland Security On Tuesday, April 16, the Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing entitled “A Review of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security.” In the hearing, Secretary Mayorkas failed to sufficiently answer questions from members concerning the ongoing national security threats posed by individuals on the terrorist watchlist who cross the vulnerable Southwest border, what part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) gives him the authority to grant mass parole for inadmissible aliens, and why his department is not properly utilizing or requesting sufficient Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention beds. When the Secretary attempted to shift the blame to Congress, members reiterated that the Senate has not taken up or passed House Republicans’ H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which is the strongest border security legislation passed by Congress in history. Following the hearing, House impeachment managers delivered the articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate, and joined senators to urge the Democrat-led Senate to respect precedent, hold a trial, and hear the evidence against Secretary Mayorkas.    House Administration On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing called "Three Years Later: D.C. National Guard Whistleblowers Speak Out on January 6 Delay." This hearing featured testimony from four D.C. National Guardsmen, claiming that DoD delayed their response to the Capitol on January 6, 2021 because they didn’t like the “optics.” When these Guardsmen tried to come forward and tell the Democrat’s Select Committee on January 6th the truth, they were ignored.    House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence On Tuesday, April 16, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner and Ranking Member Jim Himes urged the House of Representatives to pass legislation authorizing aid to Ukraine.  On Wednesday, April 17, the House Intelligence Committee held an open panel with former Members of Congress who, during their time in office, served as members of HPSCI. Former Representatives Jane Harman, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Peter King, and Jim Cooper discussed the national security threats facing the United States and the importance of standing with our allies around the globe. Judiciary On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government held a hearing called "Liberty, Tyranny, and Accountability: Covid-19 and the Constitution," to examine the federal and state responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and the effects on the civil liberties of Americans. On Tuesday, April 16, the Judiciary Committee held a markup session to consider the following legislation:
   Natural Resources On Tuesday, April 16, the Committee on Natural Resources held a markup on the following bills:
On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on the following bill:
On Thursday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing titled “Assessing Solutions to Secure America's Offshore Energy Future.” This hearing allowed members to hear from experts in the field and learn more about the potential solutions to improve the information we have about our energy resources and ensure that the United States maintains its competitive edge in the global energy market, leverages its natural resources effectively, and achieves greater energy security.    Oversight and Accountability On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs held a hearing called "How the Border Crisis Impacts Public Safety." Members discussed how the Biden Administration’s border policies have led to many criminal illegal aliens not being deported and allowed to roam and harm U.S. communities across the nation. Members also discussed how these crimes are preventable through rigorous enforcement of U.S. immigration law.  On Tuesday, April 16, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing titled "Academic Malpractice: Examining the Relationship Between Scientific Journals, the Government, and Peer Review." Members explored any potential inappropriate influence exerted by the federal government related to COVID-19 over research publications. On Wednesday, April 17, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a full committee hearing called "Defending America from the Chinese Communist Party’s Political Warfare, Part I." At the hearing, experts outlined how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is waging an influence and infiltration campaign that threatens U.S. military readiness, the technology sector, financial markets, the agriculture industry, education systems, intellectual property, and federal government agencies. In addition, experts emphasized the CCP’s ongoing political warfare seeks to manipulate the public and these tactics jeopardize the safety of all Americans. Members concluded that the House Oversight Committee has a responsibility to ensure the federal government is using all existing resources effectively to thwart China’s political warfare and examine solutions that agencies can adopt to eliminate CCP threats.  On Thursday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing called "Oversight of the Biden Administration’s Pause on Liquified Natural Gas Exports." At the hearing, members pressed the Biden Administration official testifying before the subcommittee on the inherent political nature behind the Department of Energy’s (DOE) pause in permitting of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) exports and highlighted how the permitting pause drives geopolitical risk for the U.S. and forces our allies abroad to seek energy from hostile foreign governments.  Rules On Monday, April 15, the Rules Committee met on the following measures:
   Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party On Tuesday, April 16, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party held a hearing to unveil a new investigation into the Chinese Communist Party's role fueling the fentanyl crisis in the United States. The bipartisan findings revealed, for the first time, the depth of Chinese Communist Party complicity in the fentanyl epidemic and the motives behind it. On Wednesday, April 17, Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) introduced a bill, alongside Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), and Jared Golden (D-ME), to impose sanctions on any Chinese military firm that provides material support to Russia. The bill, called the NO LIMITS Act, also gives Chinese military firms identified by the U.S. government 180 days to withdraw from the Russian market or face full, blocking sanctions. On Thursday, April 18, Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) unveiled the findings of their bipartisan investigation into the world’s foremost index provider, MSCI., and the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock. The investigation also included a canvass of the broader U.S. financial industry. The lawmakers found that index providers and asset managers, on an industry-wide basis, facilitated investment of more than $6.5 billion to 63 PRC companies that the United States government has red-flagged or blacklisted for advancing People's Republic of China (PRC) military capabilities or supporting its human rights abuses.    Small Business On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access held a hearing called “Exploring SBA Programs: Reviewing the SBIC and SBIR Programs' Impact on Small Businesses.” Members heard from witnesses how both the SBIC and SBIR programs benefit small businesses as well as potential improvements to the programs to make them more successful.    On Wednesday, April 17, the Committee on Small Business held a full committee markup of the following legislation:
Transportation and Infrastructure This week, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved an updated roster to reflect the addition of Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) to T&I.  On Tuesday, April 16, the Committee held a roundtable discussion on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transportation. Members and the invited panelists discussed the real-world applications of AI in the transportation sector as well as the economic impact and security risks associated with this developing technology.  On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a hearing entitled “Getting to Work: Examining Challenges and Solutions in the Commuter Rail Industry.” Subcommittee Members used the hearing to discuss the state of commuter passenger rail. Specifically, Members spoke about the need to ensure that Federal policies and spending are balanced with a realistic analysis of consumer demand for commuter rail and the best use of taxpayer dollars.  Veterans Affairs On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a markup on the following legislation:
On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Health held a markup on the following legislation:
On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a markup on the following legislation:
On Wednesday, April 17, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a markup on the following legislation:
Ways and Means On Tuesday, April 16, the Committee on Ways and Means held a full committee hearing called "Hearing on the Biden Administration’s 2024 Trade Policy Agenda with United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai." The Biden Administration’s trade agenda is not much of an “agenda”,does little to advance the interests of American workers and producers, and has ceded the playing field to China, members warned during a hearing with the U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai. The Biden Administration has no meaningful plan to work with allies to shift the supply chain from China or consistently enforce trade agreements with trading partners.  On Tuesday, April 16, the Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing titled “Hearing on the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset.” The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) unfairly harm many public servants while allowing others to receive overly generous benefits. Witnesses identified how the outdated formulas used to calculate the WEP and GPO create unfair outcomes for beneficiaries affected by one or both policies. As Congress examines solutions and reforms to address the issue, witnesses warned against overcorrecting: treating the 4 percent of beneficiaries better than the other 96 percent of Social Security beneficiaries unaffected by this problem.  On Wednesday, April 17, the Committee on Ways and Means held a markup on the following legislation:
Legislation passed by the Committee removes China and its unfair trade practices from U.S. supply chains. Those policies require the Biden Administration to block cobalt mined with forced labor in Chinese-owned mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo and close Biden Administration loopholes allowing Chinese billionaires and manufacturers to benefit from U.S. tax dollars. The Committee voted to end the Biden Administration’s unlawful attempt to circumvent Congress to provide more tax credits to foreign interests by claiming that a made-up “critical mineral agreement” counts as a free trade agreement – an action by the Administration that does nothing to reduce American dependence on China for critical minerals. As part of Congress’s commitment to support America’s ally Israel, the Committee also passed legislation to protect Israel from targeting by the anti-semitic boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement.  |