Press Releases
Committee Cliff Notes: Week of April 17, 2023
Washington,
April 21, 2023
Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:
Agriculture On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a hearing called “A Review of USDA Animal Disease Prevention and Response Efforts.” The hearing provided Members with an opportunity to hear from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials about ongoing animal health challenges. Members engaged with USDA officials on a variety of related matters including the implementation of Farm Bill programs aimed to prevent and respond to foreign animal disease outbreaks; ongoing response efforts including those to mitigate the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI); realized and potential economic impacts of foreign animal diseases; and coordination between industry and federal, state, and local governments.    Appropriations On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives." Subcommittee Member Andrew Clyde called attention to ATF’s clear overreach regarding pistol braces. On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the United States Agency for International Development." The Subcommittee, joined by USAID Administrator Samantha Power, discussed the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Agency. On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the United States Department of Education." In light of the Administration’s recent proposal to allow biological males to participate in women’s sports, Subcommittee Members criticized the Administration for threatening the very integrity of women’s sports during the Department of Education’s budget hearing. On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency." The Committee again pressed Department of Homeland Security officials, holding budget hearings on agencies directly responsible for addressing the migrant crisis.  On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Department of Housing and Urban Development." Subcommittee Chairman Tom Cole invited HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to testify on the Department’s budget request. On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Department of Commerce.” Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers invited Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to testify on the Department’s budget request. On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a budget hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.” The Subcommittee, joined by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, discussed the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Agency. On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Request for Navy and Marine Corps Military Construction and Family Housing.” The Subcommittee, joined by Navy and Marine Corp Leaders, discussed the fiscal year 2024 budget request for military construction and family housing. On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the National Science Foundation.” The Subcommittee, joined by NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan, discussed the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Agency. On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a budget and oversight hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and National Institute of Health.” Personnel from the CDC, ASPR, and NIH appeared before the Subcommittee, where Subcommittee Members conducted oversight to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly. On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a budget hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the U.S. Coast Guard.” The Coast Guard plays a significant role in addressing the ongoing immigration crisis, interdicting and repatriating hundreds of illegal migrants making the dangerous journey to the United States by sea. The Subcommittee heard from Commandant of the USCG Admiral Linda Fagan on the budget request for America's Maritime Guardians. On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration." The Subcommittee, joined by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, discussed the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Agency. On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency." The Committee again pressed Department of Homeland Security officials, holding budget hearings on agencies directly responsible for addressing the migrant crisis. On Thursday, April 20, the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2024 Request for Air Force and Space Force Military Construction and Family Housing." The Subcommittee, joined by Air Force and Space Force Leaders, discussed the fiscal year 2024 budget request for military construction and family housing. On Thursday, April 20, the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Department of Transportation." Given recent train derailments, Subcommittee Chairman Tom Cole emphasized safety in his opening statement during a budget hearing on the Department of Transportation.  Armed Services On Tuesday, April 18, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on U.S. military posture and national security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The committee pressed INDOPACOM on the threats posed by China and North Korea and how the Department of Defense plans to deter, and if necessary, defeat those threats.  On Tuesday, April 18, the Strategic Forces Subcommittee held a hearing on the FY24 budget request for missile defense and missile defeat programs. The subcommittee pressed Department of Defense officials on the state of missile defense and defeat programs and what is being done to accelerate programs like the Next Generation Interceptor and the Glide Phase Interceptor. On Tuesday, April 18, the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee held a hearing on air force projection forces aviation programs and capabilities related to the president’s 2024 budget request. The subcommittee sought an update on the projection forces and how airlift, bomber, and tanker aircraft are being modernized to meet future threats. On Wednesday, April 19, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on the Department of the Army FY24 budget request. The committee pressed General James McConville and Secretary Christine Wormuth on the Army’s recruiting shortfalls, quality of life issues within the force, and the effects Biden’s budget cuts would have on the Army.  On Wednesday, April 19, the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee held a hearing on the FY24 rotary wing aviation budget request. The subcommittee received an update from Department of Defense officials on the Army, Navy, and United States Marine Corps modernization plans and investment programs for rotary wing aviation systems. The subcommittee also received an update on the Army’s Future Vertical Lift effort. On Wednesday, April 19, the Readiness Subcommittee held a hearing on military readiness. The subcommittee sought answers from Department of Defense officials on the current state of military readiness. The members expressed concerns related to pilot shortages, recruiting and retention challenges, weapons system sustainment, infrastructure restoration, and supply chain dependency on China. Budget This week, the Budget Committee led messaging efforts on Tax Day and the Biden Administration's proposed raise in taxes amid a 40-year high record inflation. Additionally, Chairman Jodey Arrington highlighted our nation's culture of government dependency in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, entitled "Congress Can Use the Debt Ceiling to Get America Back to Work. Chairman Arrington was also picked by the Speaker to sponsor the Limit, Save, Grow Act.  Education and Workforce On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing called "School Choice: Expanding Educational Freedom for All." The hearing showcased the school choice and educational freedom movement sweeping the nation. Parents are eager for more choice because it empowers them to match educational options to their child’s unique needs. In a particularly telling exchange, Democrats revealed they don’t always trust parents and families. “The further children get away from public schools the less we have the capacity to protect them,” said Black, the Democrat-invited witness. Who exactly do children need protection from? Parents? Clearly, Democrats want government bureaucrats in control of every child’s education. On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing called "Examining Biden's War on Independent Contractors." Committee Republicans used the hearing to focus on the personal, human consequences of Democrat proposals that are destroying the livelihoods of millions of independent contractors across America. The hearing also highlighted how Democrat anti-worker proposals like the PRO Act and DOL’s independent contractor proposed rule will have a ruinous effect on the economy. On Thursday, April 19, the House passed H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023, introduced by Rep. Greg Steube. “Many on the Left not only encourage transgender individuals to invade women’s sports, but celebrate when women are knocked off podiums or shunned to the sidelines. That’s why there is overwhelming support for my bill,The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports is a complete affront to the hardworking women and girls who have spent their lives training to achieve their dreams. It’s simple: biological males have no place in women’s sports. This legislation ensures female athletes have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field as Title IX intended - without the obvious disadvantage of competing against biological males,” said Rep. Steube. Energy and Commerce On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, And Commerce held a hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Federal Trade Commission Budget.” In the hearing, Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis outlined FTC Commissioner Lina Khan’s abuses of power and said, “This is not what success looks like when you are tasked with protecting consumers from harms, especially at a time when your Commission released findings showing consumers reportedly lost almost $9 billion to scams in 2022, a 30 percent increase from the previous year. That includes over half a billion in dollars lost in my state of Florida alone. “Maybe instead of carrying out President Biden’s leftist crusade, unsuccessfully, you could instead prioritize the resources we give you to help vulnerable Americans.” On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Oversight And Investigations held a hearing called “Insights From The HHS Inspector General On Oversight Of Unaccompanied Minors, Grant Management, And CMS.” This hearing focused on the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR’s) management of the unaccompanied alien children program, grant management by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the IG’s oversight of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, And Grid Security held a hearing called “American Nuclear Energy Expansion: Powering A Clean And Secure Future.” This hearing examined issues associated with expanding nuclear energy for power generation and industrial use and for international competition and security, including issues concerning advanced reactor deployment and licensing, industrial infrastructure and fuel supply chains. In this hearing, Subcommittee Chair Duncan shared why American must lead on nuclear. He said, “China and Russia are seizing this opportunity and doubling down on their nuclear investments. “We cannot cede our global leadership to our adversaries. We must prioritize modernizing our regulatory structure in the United States and do what is needed to encourage growth throughout the industry.  On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Health held a legislative hearing called “Examining Existing Federal Programs To Build A Stronger Health Workforce And Improve Primary Care.” This legislative hearing examined legislative solutions and current federal government programs to support the health care work force and improve primary care. On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Communications And Technology held a legislative hearing called “Breaking Barriers: Streamlining Permitting To Expedite Broadband Deployment.” This legislative hearing focused on 32 items to help streamline permitting delays, bring broadband to Americans across the U.S., make an immediate difference for communities across the country, and encourage investment in faster, more affordable communications services for Americans. On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing called “Who Is Selling Your Data: A Critical Examination Of The Role Of Data Brokers In The Digital Economy.” This hearing exposed the role of data brokers and educated Americans on the unchecked collection of their sensitive personal information. It will also highlighted the need for a strong national data privacy standard, like the bipartisan American Data Privacy and Protection Act. Financial Services On Tuesday, April 18, the Financial Services Committee held a full committee hearing called “Oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission” with Chair Gary Gensler. In his opening remarks, Chairman Patrick McHenry (NC-10) slammed Chair Gensler for weaponizing the SEC, while refusing to comply with routine Congressional oversight requests. Throughout the hearing, Republicans hammered Chair Gensler for his reckless agenda that threatens our economy and the strength of our capital markets.   On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion held a hearing called “Understanding Stablecoins’ Role in Payments and the Need for Legislation.” Led by Chairman French Hill (AR-02), Republicans highlighted the need for Congress to pass legislation creating a federal framework for the issuance of stablecoins to foster innovation in the digital asset ecosystem and bolster the U.S. dollar’s status as the global reserve currency. On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Capital Markets held a hearing called “A Roadmap for Growth: Reforms to Encourage Capital Formation and Investment Opportunities for All Americans.” Led by Chairman Ann Wagner (MO-02), Republicans outlined how our capital formation agenda will strengthen public markets, help small businesses and entrepreneurs, and create opportunities for all investors.  On Wednesday, April 19, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Bill Huizenga (MI-04) sent a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra demanding a briefing regarding a “major incident,” in which a CFPB employee made an unauthorized transfer of sensitive records that potentially impacted more than 250,000 American consumers and 50 financial institutions. Foreign Affairs On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia held a hearing called “12 Years of Terror: Assad’s War Crimes and U.S. Policy for Seeking Accountability in Syria.” A witness to mass graves in Syria, former Special Envoy for Syria, and Director of the Middle East Security Program at CNAS testified before the subcommittee to discuss the Syrian regime’s war crimes and how U.S. policy in Syria has failed under the Biden administration. Witnesses discussed lack of enforcement of the Caesar Act and other sanctions tools, the provision of assistance to Assad-held areas, insufficient US response to normalization with Assad by regional partners, and the regime’s role in narcotrafficking; It is critical that the US amend its approach to Syria to ensure robust enforcement of Caesar sanctions and make clear to regional partners that normalization is not an option. On Tuesday, April 18, the Foreign Affairs Committee held a roundtable on AUKUS and Arms Exports Modernization, featuring a classified discussion for Session I and Session II open to the public featuring senior representatives from the U.S. defense industry. The U.S. government is not keeping pace with the national security threats we face globally, particularly from further PRC aggression in the Indo-Pacific in the absence of a collective deterrence posture; This is due, in part, to arms exports-related laws that regulate exports of defense articles and defense services. The trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS) is an opportunity to collaborate on advanced capabilities that will contribute to collective deterrence efforts in guarding against threats to freedom of movement, trade, navigation and national security and sovereignty in the Indo-Pacific region. On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific held a hearing called “Surrounding the Ocean: PRC Influence in the Indian Ocean.” Experts from the National Defense University, Center for Naval Analysis, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace testified before the subcommittee about the CCP’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region. U.S. naval dominance in the region helps safeguard vital shipping lines, including oil and gas, that are critical to the U.S. and global economy; The United States must be vigilant in addressing and offering alternatives to the CCP’s increasing infrastructure investment and maritime presence in the region—which is trying to reduce its vulnerability from critical shipping chokepoints, such as the Strait of Malacca.  On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing called “Great Power Competition Implications in Africa: The Chinese Communist Party.” The HFAC Subcommittee on Africa held an oversight hearing of the administration’s policies in Africa and how the Chinese Communist Party views the continent. Witnesses from the State Department and USAID focused on topics including how to incentivize US private sector investment in Africa, the US-Africa trade preference scheme AGOA, the administration’s flawed climate policies in Africa, critical minerals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Africa’s increasingly close ties with China.  On Wednesday, April 19, the Foreign Affairs Committee held a full committee hearing called “Exposing Putin’s Crimes: Evidence of Russian War Crimes and Other Atrocities in Ukraine.” Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin and two Ukrainian survivors of Russian war crimes appeared before the committee to discuss the horrible reality of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and how the U.S. and our allies and partners can support accountability efforts. Just as we held perpetrators of genocide to account in the Nuremburg trials following WWII, we must hold Kremlin leadership and Russia’s invading forces accountable for the genocide being perpetrated in Ukraine.”  On Thursday, April 20, the Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations held a hearing called “China’s Political Prisoners: Where’s Gao Zhisheng?” This hearing highlighted the CCP’s continued crackdown to crush China’s civil rights amid peaking concerns of Xi Jinping issuing the longest prison sentencing for civil activism against one of the two accused human rights attorneys for subversion. Political Prisoner Gao Zhisheng’s wife testified at the hearing – still unaware as to where he’s held, under what conditions, or if he’s even alive – along with hearing from the wife of another recently sentenced prisoner, Ding Jiaxi; Chairman Smith announced a bill he will introduce calling for the release of these prisoners and a report on what the administration is doing about it now. Homeland Security On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence held a hearing entitled “The Homeland Security Cost of the Biden Administration’s Catastrophic Withdrawal from Afghanistan.” In the hearing, Chairman Pfluger received confirmation from every witness that the withdrawal from Afghanistan was chaotic despite efforts by the Biden administration to deny and downplay what happened. Multiple witnesses also testified that no one from the Biden administration has been held accountable for the catastrophic withdrawal, which led to the death of 13 U.S. servicemembers and at least 170 Afghans in an ISIS-K orchestrated terrorist attack.  On Wednesday, April 19, the Committee on Homeland Security held a full committee hearing on the Biden administration’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal for the Department of Homeland Security. In the hearing, Secretary Mayorkas doubled down on his failed policies and belief that the border is secure, and confirmed for this Committee that the Biden administration wants a blank check from Congress to continue funding its self-made national security crisis at our borders at the expense of the American people’s safety and taxpayer dollars.   House Administration On Tuesday, April 18, the Committee on House Administration held a full committee hearing titled, “Looking Ahead Series: House Sergeant at Arms' Strategic Plan for the 118th Congress.” The Acting House Sergeant at Arms, William McFarland, testified. Last Congress, under previous leadership, Capitol security was politicized. This hearing focused on how we can restore trust in the office, return the USCP Board to its original mission, and plan for long-term security.  On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Oversight and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation held a joint subcommittee hearing titled, “Data Breach at the D.C. Health Exchange.” During the hearing, members pressed HBX on the cause of the data breach which affected individuals, Members of Congress, congressional staff, and their families. Executive Director of HBX Mila Kofman and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the U.S. House of Representatives Catherine Szpindor, testified.   House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence On Tuesday, April 18, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner and House Armed Services Committee Mike Rogers sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pressing for answers about the classified information that was posted online.  On Thursday, April 20, and Friday, April 21, Chairman Turner hosted a bipartisan HPSCI retreat in Dayton, Ohio. The members met with Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force, Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence, William Burns, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and General Paul Nakasone, Director of the National Security Agency, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.  Judiciary On Monday, April 17, the Judiciary Committee held a field hearing called “Victims of Violent Crime in Manhattan” to examine how Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s pro-crime, anti-victim policies have led to an increase in violent crime and a dangerous community for New York City residents.  On Wednesday, April 19, the Judiciary Committee held a markup session to consider the following legislation:
  Natural Resources On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight hearing titled “Examining the Implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act and the Growing National Park Service Deferred Maintenance Backlog.” Since former President Donald Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act into law in 2020, the deferred maintenance backlog for the NPS has actually increased by nearly $10 billion despite the law's historic investments in the NPS. This hearing was an opportunity for the House Committee on Natural Resources to begin increasing government transparency and learn more about how the NPS is using taxpayer funds.  On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on the following bills:
On Wednesday, April 19, the Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing titled “Examining the President's FY 2024 Budget Request for the Department of the Interior.” Since Haaland's last appearance before the House Committee on Natural Resources almost two years ago, DOI has received $34.7 billion in funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. The committee is working to understand how money is being spent by DOI and whether DOI officials are actually doing the jobs they have been hired to do and provide transparency to the American people.   Oversight and Accountability On Tuesday, April 18, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing called “Investigating the Origins of COVID-19, Part 2: China and the Available Intelligence.” Expert witnesses testified that current American intelligence and intelligence during the height of the pandemic support the lab leak as the only credible explanation for the origination of COVID-19. The witnesses also detailed the politicization of the lab leak hypothesis by intelligence community officials who were afraid to align with the beliefs of the Republican administration.  On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs held a hearing called “Oversight of the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s Unaccompanied Alien Children Program.” Subcommittee members discussed how unprecedented levels of illegal border crossings, incentivized by the Biden Administration’s policies, have overwhelmed the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and endangered migrant children. Robin Dunn Marcos, Director of ORR, was unable to answer basic questions about HHS’s handling of unaccompanied alien children (UAC), which has prioritized the speedy release of UAC over their safety.  On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing called “Spending on Empty: How the Biden Administration’s Unprecedented Spending Increased Risk of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at the Department of Energy.” Subcommittee members discussed with witnesses the lack of existing oversight infrastructure within the Department of Energy to track the spending of taxpayer dollars. The Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats more than doubled the Department of Energy’s budget in a single year, which exposes taxpayer dollars to increased risk of waste, fraud, and abuse. Subcommittee members also discussed Democrats’ radical Green New Deal policies that ignore the punitive impact on American consumers and allow foreign adversaries like China to continue polluting at significantly higher rates. On Wednesday, April 19, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a full committee hearing called “The Biden Administration’s Disastrous Withdrawal from Afghanistan, Part I: Review by the Inspectors General.” At the hearing, members emphasized how the Biden Administration’s poor planning resulted in a catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko testified that the Biden Administration is obstructing the SIGAR’s congressionally mandated reports and that the Taliban is diverting U.S. aid dollars intended for the Afghan people.  On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation and the Committee on House Administration's Subcommittee on Oversight held a joint hearing called “Data Breach at the DC Health Exchange.” During the hearing, members examined the cause of the data breach at the D.C. Health Exchange which affected individuals, Members of Congress, congressional staff, and their families. Members asked the director of the D.C. Health Benefit Exchange Authority how the breach happened, what steps are being taken to protect the exposed, and how we can ensure this never happens again. Members asked the Chief Administrative Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives about the state of data and cybersecurity standards in the House of Representatives. Rules This week, the House Rules Committee considered legislation protecting the rights of women and girls to fully participate and fairly compete in sports (H.R. 734) and a joint resolution to nullify the D.C. Council’s misguided anti-police bill from taking effect (H.J. Res. 42). Chairman Cole and Republican members made clear that female athletes deserve a fair shot when they train, play on the court, race across the finish line, or stand on a podium. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act upholds the promise of Title IX and protects the integrity of competition for girls and women across the country. Representatives also reiterated support for those who wear the badge by confronting the left’s dangerous soft-on-crime agenda. Americans don't feel safe in their own capital city. Yet, instead of addressing this crime crisis, the D.C. City Council decided to make it harder for cops to do their jobs and keep people safe. House Republicans responded with H.J. Res. 42 to nullify their misguided decision. We understand that supporting our nation's law enforcement officers is the key to safer communities.    Science, Space, and Technology On Tuesday, April 18, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a full committee hearing called “Establishing an Independent NOAA.” During the hearing, three former NOAA administrators conveyed their support for Chairman Frank Lucas' legislation to establish NOAA as an independent agency. "This legislation would clearly state NOAA’s important mission in statute. At the same time, this bill would provide a clean slate for NOAA to reorganize and streamline its operations, helping it to adapt and reset to a modern structure,” Chairman Lucas said. A discussion draft of a NOAA Organic Act under consideration is available here.   On Wednesday, April 19, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a full committee hearing called “Protecting American Taxpayers: Highlighting Efforts to Protect Against Federal Waste, Fraud, and Mismanagement.” Inspectors General from NASA, Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Transportation provided valuable oversight into their practices protecting the American taxpayer against government waste and fraud.  Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party On Wednesday, April 19, the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) conducted a wargame testing the American response to a potential Chinese military attack on Taiwan. Committee Members assessed the CCP’s military strategy, evaluated U.S. capabilities and options, and considered the implications of a Taiwan crisis for American businesses. The exercise outcome highlighted several areas ripe for policy action, including investments in key military capabilities, strengthening the defense industrial base, and delivering key weapons to Taiwan rapidly. The U.S. faces an urgent requirement to act now to deter CCP aggression against Taiwan that would endanger U.S. national security.   Small Business On Tuesday, April 18, the Committee on Small Business held a full committee hearing titled “Paying Their Fair Share: How Tax Hikes Crush the Competitiveness of Small Businesses.” At Tuesday’s full committee hearing, the House Committee on Small Business highlighted the important benefits the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act had for Main Street America while raising alarm over the hikes proposed in President Biden’s budget. The hearing outlined some of the many success stories from the 2017 tax legislation and the importance of making these vital provisions permanent for small businesses. On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations held a hearing called "Office of Inspector General Reports to Congress on Investigations of SBA Programs." On Wednesday, the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations welcomed Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware to testify on the agency’s failure to safeguard against rampant fraud within its pandemic loan programs. The hearing also centered on the SBA’s failure to implement reforms recommended by OIG Ware as the agency seeks to take on additional risk to taxpayer by changing its flagship lending program. After conducting Wednesday’s subcommittee hearing, Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee Chairman Van Duyne penned a letter to SBA Administrator Guzman demanding accountability for taxpayers and answers on the SBA’s progress on recovering stolen pandemic relief funds.  Transportation and Infrastructure On Tuesday, April 18, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing called “Member Day.” Members of Congress testified before T&I to advocate for priorities important to their districts ranging from FAA reauthorization to implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as the law was written and more.  On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing called “Review of Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request for the Coast Guard.” Led by Chairman Daniel Webster, the Subcommittee welcomed Admiral Linda L. Fagan and Master Chief Heath B. Jones to review the Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for the United States Coast Guard. On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing titled, “FAA Reauthorization: Examining the Current and Future Challenges Facing the Aerospace Workforce." Subcommittee Republicans questioned industry stakeholders and executives about challenges facing the aviation workforce and how to tackle the shortage of pilots, mechanics, and other aviation professionals that threatens our nation’s status as the Gold Standard of aviation safety and innovation. Veterans' Affairs On Tuesday, April 18, the Health Subcommittee held a markup on the following pieces of legislation:
On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a markup on the following pieces of legislation:
 On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Health held an oversight hearing titled "Combatting a Crisis: Providing Veterans Access to Life-saving Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment. During the hearing, the Subcommittee questioned VA on increased wait times for life saving substances abuse and mental health treatments. Subcommittee Chairwoman Miller-Meeks emphasized that access to life saving care was unacceptable, and that further committee action would be taken on this matter.  On Wednesday, April 19, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a markup on pending legislation:
On Wednesday, April 19, the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee held a legislative hearing on the following legislation:
Ways and Means On Tuesday, April 18, the Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing called “Countering China’s Trade and Investment Agenda: Opportunities for American Leadership.” During the hearing led by Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith (NE-03), Ways and Means heard from witnesses how the Biden Administration’s weak-on-China trade policies have failed to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s rising influence around the world, allowing America’s intellectual property and economic assets to be stolen and making American products less competitive. On Wednesday, April 19, the Committee on Ways and Means held a full committee markup of H.J.Res 39, Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Commerce Relating to “Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord With Presidential Proclamation 10414” (Posey). The Committee adopted House Joint Resolution 39, reversing the White House’s misguided decision to allow Chinese companies to export solar products through Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam in Southeast Asia to the United States without additional tariffs for two years – a clear circumvention of our trade rules intended to protect American workers and manufacturers.  On Wednesday, April 19, the Committee on Ways and Means held a full committee hearing on the U.S. Tax Code Subsidizing Green Corporate Handouts and the Chinese Communist Party. During the hearing, witnesses revealed that green welfare for the wealthy and well-connected is exploding under Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), as hundreds of billions of tax dollars are flowing to big banks, corporations, and the Chinese Communist Party. Members discussed newly released analysis from the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) showing that companies with over $1 billion in sales receive more than 90 percent of special interest green energy tax subsidies, while banks and insurers alone receive over half of green energy tax breaks – far more than any other industry or sector – or as Chairman Smith described, the subsidies are part of a “low emission fire sale only Washington and Wall Street can love.”  On Friday, April 21, the Committee on Ways and Means held a full committee field hearing on the State of the American Economy: The South. Ways and Means held a hearing in an airplane parts manufacturer in Peachtree City, Georgia, during which small business owners told theCommittee how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has made a difference for their families. Workers, farmers, and small businesses have all faced the same challenge of inflation, rising interest rates, and a chronic labor shortage. Witnesses shared that President Biden’s proposed tax hikes and $80 billion raise for the IRS will make it harder to keep their doors open, hire new employees, and win against their Chinese competitors.  |
