Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:

Agriculture

On Wednesday, June 21, the Committee on Agriculture held a full committee hearing called “Closing the Digital Divide in Rural America.” Access to high-speed, affordable, and reliable broadband continues to be a challenge in rural America. This hearing included testimony from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Internet & Television Association, Broadband Without Boundaries, Satellite Industry Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, and the Rural Broadband Association. 

Members and witnesses agreed that USDA is the best positioned agency to have a leading role in our nation’s rural broadband strategy. USDA is the only federal agency that has offices and devoted staff in all 50 states, enabling constituents to have direct access to those who are reviewing, implementing, and managing connectivity programs to meet the needs of rural communities.

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Appropriations

On Wednesday, June 21, the Committee on Appropriations held a full committee markup called "Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security and Legislative Branch Bills." The FY24 Homeland Security bill, which was approved by the Committee, provides resources to strengthen our national security, secure our border, remove dangerous criminals, and counter China.
The FY24 Legislative Branch bill, which was approved by the Committee, strikes a delicate balance by maintaining essential oversight responsibilities to hold the Biden Administration accountable but doing so in a fiscally responsible manner.

On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held a markup called "Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Services and General Government Bill." The FY24 Financial Services bill, which was approved by the Subcommittee, provides resources to combat terrorism financing, maintain the integrity of our financial markets, spur small business growth, preserve a fair and efficient judicial system, and target opioid abuse.

On Thursday, June 22, the Committee on Appropriations held a full committee markup called "Fiscal Year 2024 Defense and Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bills." The FY24 Defense bill supports servicemembers and their families, counters China, optimizes the DOD’s civilian workforce, promotes innovation and modernization, and enhances DOD’s role in countering the flow of illicit fentanyl and synthetic opioids. The FY24 Energy and Water Development bill supports our national security, prioritizes energy security and economic competitiveness, and reins in wasteful Washington spending by rescinding billions from the IRA.

On Friday, June 23, the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs held a markup called “Subcommittee Markup of Fiscal Year 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Bill.” The FY24 State and Foreign Operations bill strengthens our national security, supports our allies, counters China, reins in wasteful Washington bureaucracy, and promotes American values and economic competitiveness.

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Armed Services

On Wednesday, June 21, the Committee on Armed Services held a full committee markup of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act. The committee considered over 750 amendments. Providing for our nation’s defense is the top priority for the House Armed Services Committee. This year’s NDAA includes provisions that counter China’s aggression, push back against the radical woke ideology being forced on our servicemen and women, and support servicemembers and their families. Additionally, this year’s bill saves taxpayers billions of dollars while still making critical investments in innovative technologies and in the defense industrial base.

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Budget

On Thursday, June 22, the Budget Committee held a full committee hearing called "Reigniting American Growth and Prosperity Series: Incentivizing Economic Excellence Through Tax Policy." This hearing focused on how smart tax policies lead to growth. At the end of the day, our federal budget is impacted by growth, and growth is impacted by tax policy. Committee Republicans also highlighted the harmful tax policies President Biden proposed in his budget.

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Education and Workforce

On Wednesday, June 21, the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions held a hearing called "Competition and Transparency: The Pathway Forward for a Stronger Health Care Market." Committee Republicans used this hearing to fight for transparency and competition in the American health care system. Specifically, Members discussed holding PBMs more accountable and strengthening price transparency tools like President Trump’s No Surprises Act and ‘Transparency in Coverage’ rule.

On Thursday, June 22, the Committee on Education and the Workforce held a full committee hearing called "Competencies Over Degrees: Transitioning to a Skills-Based Economy." This hearing covered the skills shortage in the American workforce and subsequent shift among employers to hire employees based on competencies—not degrees. For too long society has perpetuated the idea that baccalaureate degrees are the only pathway to the middle class and a good-paying job.

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Energy and Commerce

On Wednesday, June 21, the Subcommittee on Health held a legislative hearing called "Responding To America's Overdose Crisis: An Examination Of Legislation To Build Upon The SUPPORT Act." This hearing focused on legislative solutions to strengthen programs that help people manage addiction and discover opportunities for a better life. This hearing followed our Health Subcommittee field hearing in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where we heard from experts in the community on why we must strengthen programs that help people manage addiction and find hope. 
On Wednesday, June 21, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing called “Oversight Of The Federal Communications Commission.” This hearing focused on ensuring the FCC is being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and faithfully following Congressional intent. We heard from Chair Rosenworcel and the other FCC commissioners about their efforts to carry out the Commission’s mission of boosting Americans’ broadband access and strengthening U.S. communications leadership.
On Wednesday, June 21, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing called “Microvast And More: Oversight Of President Biden's Energy Spending Spree.” This hearing provided Energy and Commerce with an opportunity to address our many concerns with the Department’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains’ ability to strengthen our energy supply chains, address national security threats in the energy sector, and responsibly administer billions of dollars of funding as a new program office. This hearing followed our May 23, 2023, hearing when the Department of Energy declined to provide a witness. News of the Department of Energy’s decision not to move forward with a planned grant to Microvast broke the night before the hearing, but the Department has not provided any answers to the Committee as to why the decision was made.

On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials held a legislative hearing called “Driving Affordability: Preserving People’s Freedom To Buy Affordable Vehicles And Fuel.” This hearing focused on legislative solutions that increase—not limit—people's choices and access to reliable, affordable transportation fuels and vehicles.
On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing called “MACRA Checkup: Assessing Implementation And Challenges That Remain For Patients And Doctors.” It’s crucial that we continue to improve our health care system in a way that best serves patients and doctors. This hearing examined the successes and remaining challenges of Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. 

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Financial Services

On Wednesday, June 21, the Financial Services Committee held a its semi-annual full committee hearing called "The Federal Reserve’s Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report" with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Members were clear that the Fed must avoid pursuing initiatives outside its statutory authority, while redoubling its efforts to stabilize prices and promote financial stability in the aftermath of recent bank failures fueled by accelerated interest rate risk.
On Wednesday, June 21, the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, led by Chairman Warren Davidson (OH-08), held a hearing called "HUD Oversight: Testimony of the HUD Inspector General." Lawmakers questioned Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis on the ways HUD can function more effectively for the people it serves and the taxpayers who fund its programs.
On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, led by Chairman Bill Huizenga (MI-04), held a hearing called "Oversight of the SEC." Members grilled General Counsel Megan Barbero regarding the agency’s continued unwillingness to comply with Congressional requests and inquiries, specifically those pertaining to the SEC’s climate disclosure rule and the collapse of FTX.

On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, led by Chairman Ann Wagner (MO-02), held a hearing titled “Oversight of the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets.” Lawmakers pressed SEC officials on the failure of the agency to conduct adequate cost-benefit analysis on its proposals and meaningfully engage with the public prior to rulemakings.

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Foreign Affairs

On Wednesday, June 21, the Foreign Affairs Committee held a full committee markup of the following legislation:

• H.Res. 488, Calling on the Biden administration to immediately provide Army Tactical Missile Systems to Ukraine (Kean)
• H.R. 3033, To repeal the sunset provision of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, and for other purposes (Steel)
• H.R. 4039, To prohibit the use of funds supporting any activities within Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China (Moran)
• H.Res. 492, Condemning the Government of Iran’s state-sponsored persecution of the Baha’i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights (Schakowsky)
• H.R. 1150, To establish the John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship to fund international internships and research placements for early- to mid-career professionals to study nonviolent movements to establish and protect civil rights around the world (Williams)

While the Biden administration turns a blind eye to the growing threats from our adversaries, House Foreign Affairs Republicans wasted no time in passing legislation to empower the Biden administration to strengthen U.S. foreign policy and target our greatest foreign adversaries. By unanimous consent, the first five measures were agreed to and ordered favorably regarding countering Iran's malign activities, combating adversarial aggression with the national security tools provided by Congress, and furthering international civil rights, along with a separate measure on security assistance to Ukraine.

On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing called "Examining the Fiscal Year 2024 State and Foreign Operations Budget Request for Africa." Africa is at an inflection point – a civil war rages on in Sudan that threatens to further destabilize the region, China continues to employ coercive tactics to increase its control over critically important sectors and supply chains, and Russia experiences a renaissance in Africa as it expands diplomatic relations and the presence of the Wagner Group to strengthen its malign influence. It is essential that the Administration is not wasting its limited allocations and human resources to fund activities that do not advance U.S. strategic interests nor improve U.S.-Africa relationship.”

On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations held a hearing called "Responding to Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israel Bias in the UN, Palestinian Authority, and NGO Community." Subject matter experts, including several Israelis, joined the subcommittee to discuss the threats of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias demonstrated by the United Nations, Palestinian Authority, and NGO community. Members discussed ways in which the United States can better respond to these threats and stand firm in support of Israel and in opposition to terrorism.

On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Europe held a hearing called "The Vilnius Summit and War in Ukraine: Assessing U.S. Policy towards Europe and NATO." State and Defense Department officials testified before the subcommittee allowing members to examine U.S. policy towards Europe and NATO, including questions about the Biden administration’s NATO strategy ahead of the Vilnius Summit and security assistance to Ukraine. President Biden’s misguided hesitation to send critical weapons to Ukraine is costing Ukrainian lives, drawing out this war, and ultimately making it more costly for the American taxpayer.

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Homeland Security
 
On Wednesday, June 21, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence held a hearing entitled, “Countering Threats Posed by Nation-State Actors in Latin America to U.S. Homeland Security.” This hearing continued the Committee’s full-scale investigation into Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ dereliction of duty at the Southwest border by examining the threats posed to the U.S. homeland by malign nation-state actors in Latin America.

Members received confirmation that malign nation-state actors, specifically China and Russia, could be empowered to collude with Mexico, Venezuela, or other Latin American countries to take advantage of the crisis at the Southwest border, which continues to leave the U.S. vulnerable to national security threats.

On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing entitled, “Growing the National Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline.” Members emphasized the importance of growing our nation’s cybersecurity workforce to combat emerging threats to critical infrastructure and federal networks. 

This hearing included discussion about coordinating efforts to bolster the United States’ cybersecurity and the education, training initiatives, and pathways available for Americans of any background who wish to pursue cybersecurity careers.

On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security held a hearing entitled, “An Examination of TSA’s FY 2024 Budget and Priorities.” TSA Administrator David Pekoske discussed elements of TSA’s FY 2024 Budget, and members questioned how the TSA’s priorities would impact the TSA workforce and travelers. 

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House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

On Tuesday, June 20, HPSCI held a closed full committee hearing with Special Counsel John Durham. Chairman Mike Turner emphasized that the Durham report revealed serious errors and shortcomings in the FBI's investigation into the alleged connections between the 2016 Trump campaign and the Russian government.
After the hearing, Chairman Turner and Ranking Member Himes held a bipartisan press conference discussing their key impressions and takeaways.

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Judiciary

On Wednesday, June 21, the Judiciary Committee held a full committee hearing called "Hearing on the Report of Special Counsel John Durham" to focus on the report of Special Counsel John Durham that examined the origins and justifications of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.

On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Responsiveness and Accountability to Oversight held a hearing called "Compliance with Committee Oversight" to examine the Department of Justice's unprecedented re-prosecution of Philip Esformes, whose prison sentence was originally commuted by President Donald Trump.

On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance held a hearing called "Examination of Clemency at the Department of Justice" to examine agency responsiveness to subpoenas and oversight requests.

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Natural Resources

On Wednesday, June 21, the Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markup on the following bills:

• H.R. 615, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023 (Wittman)
• H.R. 1380, the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act (Curtis)
• H.R. 1726, the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023 (Tokuda)
• H.R. 2872, To amend the Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2013 to allow States to issue electronic stamps under such Act, and for other purposes (Graves)
• H.R. 3324, To extend the authority to collect Shasta-Trinity Marina fees through fiscal year 2029 (Huffman)
• H.R. 3397, To require the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to conservation and landscape health (Curtis)

The committee favorably reported a total of six bills impacting hunters and anglers, outdoorsmen and women and working to withdraw a rule relating to conservation, land use and landscape health that would have devastating consequences to states across the West and the multiple use of public lands.

On Thursday, June 22, the Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee oversight hearing titled "Examining the Council on Environmental Quality Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request and Related Policy Matters." CEQ was established as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when several major environmental laws were enacted in the 1970s. Housed within the executive office of the president, CEQ was historically tasked with overseeing agency compliance with NEPA. However, over the decades, the scope and power of CEQ have expanded dramatically through executive orders and a departure from its initial mission. This hearing was an opportunity for committee members to question these funding needs and conduct robust oversight over this growing entity.

On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on the following bills:

• H.R. 2997, the Clifton Opportunities Now for Vibrant Economic Yields (CONVEY) Act (Boebert)
• H.R. 3025, To provide for no net increase in the total acreage of Federal land in the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, United States Virgin Islands (Plaskett)
• H.R. 3049, the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration Exchange Act of 2023 (Curtis)
• H.R. 3250, the National Museum of Play Recognition Act (Morelle)
• H.R. 4141, To provide that certain communications projects are not subject to requirements to prepare certain environmental or historical preservation reviews, and for other purposes (Fulcher)

Poor management of the vast federal estate leads to depressed local economies, lack of access to public lands, and increasingly degraded landscapes – from wildfires, overgrowth, and failing infrastructure. Likewise, duplicative and unnecessary federal regulations continue to hamper projects to provide broadband to rural communities. This hearing was necessary to discuss new innovative and creative legislative ideas to better manage the federal estate and remove impediments blocking efforts to close the digital divide.

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Oversight and Accountability

On Wednesday, June 21, the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing called “Clearing the Air: Examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Emissions Standards” to bring transparency to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new proposed vehicle emissions standards which constitute a radical shift in the automotive industry and force more electric vehicles (EVs) on America’s roads. Members warned that Americans pay the price for these sweeping green regulations through less consumer choice and the burden of higher costs.
On Wednesday, June 21, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing called “Churches vs. Casinos: The Constitution is not Suspended in Times of Crisis.”

Select Subcommittee members discussed the constitutionality of federal, state, and local actions during the COVID-19 pandemic that infringed on the civil liberties of Americans. Select Subcommittee members asked expert witnesses, Missouri AG Andrew Bailey, Louisiana SG Liz Murrill, and former WI SG Misha Tseytlin about intentional violations of First Amendment freedoms, inquired about arbitrary mandates that harmed Americans’ well-being, and demanded accountability from government officials who blatantly disregarded God-given rights enshrined in the Constitution. Members and witnesses drew from Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Neil Gorsuch’s recent opinion in Arizona v. Mayorkas to condemn endless emergency decrees and criticize the unequal application of the law during the national emergency. 
On Wednesday, June 21, the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce held a hearing called “Please Leave Your Message at the Tone: Addressing Post-Pandemic Backlogs and Delays at Federal Agencies.” Subcommittee members discussed with witnesses from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), and the U.S. Department of State how disruptions in service due to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to negatively affect American citizens to this day. Subcommittee members also examined how these federal agencies are addressing the backlogs that are harming service to American citizens and ensuring it does not happen again.
On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation held a hearing called "Using Cutting-Edge Technologies to Keep America Safe." Subcommittee members emphasized how cutting-edge technology helps to protect border security officials, law enforcement officers, and military personnel who put their lives on the line each day to keep Americans safe. They also highlighted how technology alone cannot remove inherent dangers, but it can help alleviate the demand on manpower by providing agents with tools that enable them to do their job more efficiently.

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Rules

This week, the House Rules Committee met to consider measures giving working Americans and small businesses more health coverage options (H.R. 3799), protecting fiscally responsible people from being punished with higher mortgage fees (H.R. 3564), and condemning moves to use public school facilities to house illegal migrants (H. Res. 461). Chairman Cole and Rules members made clear the goals of these policies are to deliver better health care at lower costs and strengthen options for workers and small businesses, protect the promise of the American dream by stopping a Biden Administration rule that would punish those who have diligently managed their credit to subsidize those who have not, and rebuke the idea of sheltering illegal migrants in schools that would disrupt the learning environment of children and create safety risks for young students.

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Science, Space, and Technology

On Wednesday, June 21, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a full committee markup on the following legislation:

• H.R. 369, NIST Wildland Fire Communications and Information Dissemination Act (Kim)
• H.R. 4090, Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023 (Kean)
• H.R. 4143, National Construction Safety Team Act of 2023 (Lofgren)

All three bipartisan bills passed will improve our ability to respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies and disasters across the country.

On Thursday June 22, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a full committee hearing called "Artificial Intelligence: Advancing Innovation Towards the National Interest." The hearing discussed ways the federal government can advance artificial intelligence in a trustworthy and beneficial manner for all Americans. 

Witnesses spoke on the rapidly growing pace of this transformative technology and noted efforts in which the government, academia, and the private sector can promote innovation, establish proper standards, and build the domestic AI workforce.

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Small Business

On Thursday, June 22, the Committee on Small Business held a full committee hearing called "Reviewing the SBA’s Office of Advocacy Report on the Regulatory Flexibility Act." This hearing focused on the challenges faced by the SBA’s Office of Advocacy in their efforts to advocate for small businesses in the federal rulemaking process. In the hearing, members highlighted the importance of ensuring small businesses are given a voice at the table during the rulemaking process and emphasized the cost of increasing regulations.

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Transportation and Infrastructure

On Wednesday, June 21, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing called "Review of the National Academy of Sciences Report ‘The Coast Guard’s Next Decade: An Assessment of Emerging Challenges and Statutory Needs.’" Members of the Subcommittee and Coast Guard leadership engaged in a productive discussion about how the Coast Guard plans to confront emerging maritime challenges over the course of the next decade and beyond.
On Thursday, June 22, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing called "Review of Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request: Agency Perspectives (Part I)." Subcommittee Republicans emphasized that the important task of quickly bringing the Biden Administration’s flawed and legally outdated WOTUS policy into compliance with the Sackett decision now falls on the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers. The Members also reviewed the agencies’ relevant Fiscal Year 2024 budget requests and the effects on priorities in their districts.

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• H.R. 3520, the Veterans Care Improvement Act of 2023 (Miller-Meeks)
• H.R. 1182, the Veterans Serving Veterans Act of 2023 (González-Colón)
• H.R. 1774, the VA Emergency Transportation Act (Alford)
• H.R. 2683, the VA Flood Preparedness Act (Mace)
• H.R. 2768, the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act (LaLota)
• H.R. 2818, the Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act (Bacon)
• H.R. 3581, the Caregiver Outreach and Program Enhancement (COPE) Act (Kiggans)
• H.R. 1278, the DRIVE Act (Brownley)
• H.R. 1639, VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2023 (Lee)
• H.R. 1815, Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act (Slotkin)