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Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap – Week of July 10, 2023

Washington, July 15, 2023
Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:

Appropriations

On Wednesday, July 12, the Committee on Appropriations held a full committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Bill. The FY24 State and Foreign Operations bill, which was approved by the Committee, prioritizes agencies and programs to strengthen our national security, counter China, provide support to our allies, and promote American values at home and abroad, while cutting spending for low-priority activities and programs.


On Wednesday, July 12, the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill. The FY24 Transportation and Housing bill, which was approved by the Subcommittee, prioritizes highway, railway, and aviation safety while maintaining housing assistance for our nation’s most vulnerable.

On Thursday, July 13, the Committee on Appropriations held a full committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Services and General Government Bill. The FY24 Financial Services and General Government bill, which was approved by the Committee, combats terrorism financing, maintains the integrity of our financial markets, spurs small business growth, preserves a fair and efficient judicial system, and targets opioid abuse.


On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill. The FY24 Interior bill, which was approved by the Subcommittee, prioritizes funding for preventing and combating wildfires, expands access to critical minerals, promotes domestic energy production, creates jobs, and meets our commitment to tribes while reducing or righting sizes agencies’ activities and programs and reducing regulatory burdens.

On Friday, July 14, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill. The FY24 Commerce, Justice, and Science bill, which was approved by the Subcommittee, reins in the Washington bureaucracy by right-sizing agencies and programs and directs that funding to support the fight against fentanyl and efforts to counter the People’s Republic of China. Importantly, the bill utilizes the power of the purse to address the weaponization of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and bring an end to the overreach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

On Friday, July 14, the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill. The FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill, which was approved by the Subcommittee, protects life, promotes American values, prioritizes medical research, and combats the opioid epidemic – all while reining in wasteful bureaucracy and enhancing oversight and accountability.
 
Armed Services

On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The FY24 NDAA includes many strong provisions to end wokeness in the military, counter China, provide for our servicemembers and their families, and enhance our defense industrial base. Providing for our common defense is a key responsibility granted to Congress by the U.S. Constitution – the NDAA is a vital part of fulfilling that duty.
 
In a statement, Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) said, “The National Defense Authorization Act has been a critical part of our national security for over 60 years. The NDAA provides our warfighters with the resources and authorities they need to provide for the defense of our nation. This legislation is vital as our nation is faced with unprecedented threats from our adversaries. It is only because of the selflessness of the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces that our nation remains free – the FY24 NDAA includes strong provisions that support our servicemembers and their families. The threat we face from China is the most pressing national security threat we’ve faced in decades – the FY24 NDAA is laser-focused on countering China. The FY24 NDAA protects our homeland from threats by investing in a stronger missile defense and modernizing our nuclear deterrent. The legislation also boosts innovation and revitalizes the industrial base to ensure they can deliver the systems we need to prevail in any conflict. The FY24 NDAA also recognizes the critical role Alabama plays in our national defense and strengthens that role for years to come. Our adversaries will only be deterred by strength. The FY24 NDAA sends a stern message to our adversaries by bolstering our nation’s defense.”
 
Budget

On Tuesday, July 11, the Committee shared a press release titled, “CBO Reports $1.4 Trillion Deficit in First Nine Months of FY2023 Under Biden’s Watch.”


On Wednesday, July 12,  the Committee shared a press release titled, “Congressional Budget Act Turns 49.”




    Education and Workforce

    On Wednesday, July 12, the Committee on Education and the Workforce held a full committee markup on the following legislation:
    • H.R. 4509, Transparency in Billing Act (Foxx)
    • H.R. 4507, Transparency in Coverage Act (Good)
    • H.R. 4527, Health DATA Act (Chavez-DeRemer)
    • H.R. 4508, Hidden Fee Disclosure Act (Courtney)
    This bipartisan markup advanced four bills that give clarity to patients. This builds upon the Committee’s long standing work to improve transparency and competition in the U.S. health care system so workers and their families have more options at lower prices.




    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing called "Exposing the Dangers of the Influence of Foreign Adversaries on College Campuses." This hearing sounded the alarm on the growing threat of malign foreign influence within our nation’s colleges and universities. Members called out Biden’s feckless Department of Education for not taking this issue seriously. In particular, Members questioned Biden’s cozy ties to Beijing and highlighted Penn Biden Center receiving tens of millions in anonymous Chinese funding.

     
    Energy and Commerce

    On Wednesday, July 12, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a markup of the following bills to reauthorize the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and ensure the agency is advancing American leadership in the telecommunications sector:
    • H.R. 4510, the NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2023, led by Reps. Bob Latta and Doris Matsui, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by voice vote.
    • H.R. 3430, the Spectrum Relocation Enhancement Act, led by Reps. Doris Matsui and Randy Weber, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by voice vote.
    • H.R. 3385, the Diaspora Link Act, led by Reps. Stacey Plaskett and Russ Fulcher, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by voice vote.
    • H.R. 3369, the AI Accountability Act, led by Rep. Josh Harder, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by voice vote.

    Click here or on the image above to view Rep. Latta's opening remarks.
     
    Subcommittee Chair Latta said, “Today, NTIA plays a significant role in closing the digital divide, managing our nation's spectrum, and advocating United States telecommunications positions on the world stage. I am proud to lead the NTIA Reauthorization Act alongside the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee. This comprehensive legislation would ensure NTIA has the tools it needs to carry out its mission in the 21st century."

    On Wednesday, July 12, the Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials held a markup of the following three bills to preserve transportation choice, ensure affordability for Americans, and prevent the Biden administration from handing the keys to America’s automotive industry to China:
    • H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, led by Rep. John Joyce, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 13-8.
    • H.R. 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2023, led by Rep. Tim Walberg, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 12-7.
    • H.R. 4469, the No Fuel Credits for Batteries Act of 2023, led by Rep. Greg Pence, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 12-7.
    Subcommittee Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) said: "We need to pump the brakes on the Biden administration’s policies and regulations that essentially mandate EVs on irresponsible rush-to-green timelines. This administration is undermining our national security and taking away choice from American consumers, in what appears to be an attempt to essentially nationalize major sectors of our transportation industry."


    Click here or on the image above to view Rep. Johnson's opening remarks.

    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Health held a markup of the following 17 bills that reauthorize programs to support moms and their babies, help people recovering from substance use disorder, stop fentanyl poisonings, fund children’s hospitals to train pediatricians, bring accountability to the CDC, and ensure America is ready to respond to all public health hazards.
    • H.R. 824, the Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 2023, led by Rep. Tim Walberg, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote for 16-11.
    • H.R. 3226, the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Reauthorization Act of 2023, led by Rep. Anna Eshoo, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 26-0.
    • H.R. 3838, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023, led by Rep. Michael Burgess, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 28-0.
    • H.R. 3843, the Action for Dental Health Act of 2023, led by Rep. Robin Kelly, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 27-0.
    • H.R. 3884, the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2023, led by Rep. Michael Burgess, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 28-0.
    • H.R. 3821, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act of 2023, led by Rep. Bill Pascrell, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 28-0.
    • H.R. 2365, the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, led by Rep. Gus Bilirakis, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by voice vote.
    • H.R. 3391, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, led by Rep. Jennifer Wexton, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 27-0.
    • H.R. 4421, the Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act, led by Rep. Richard Hudson, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 17-11.
    • H.R. 4420, the Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act, led by Rep. Richard Hudson, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 16-12.
    • H.R. 4529, the Public Health Guidance Transparency and Accountability Act of 2023, led by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 14-11.
    • H.R. 4381, the Public Health Emergency Congressional Review Act, led by Rep. Greg Murphy, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 14-12.
    • H.R. 3813, the CDC Leadership Accountability Act of 2023, led by Rep. Brett Guthrie, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 14-12.
    • H.R. 3836, the Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act, led by Rep. Dan Crenshaw, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 28-0.
    • H.R. 4531, the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, led by Rep. Brett Guthrie, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by voice vote.
    • H.R. 4056, the Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Foster Care Act of 2023, led by Rep. Gus Bilirakis, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 17-9.
    • H.R. 3887, the Children’s Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023, led by Rep. Dan Crenshaw, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 15-12.
    Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) delivered the following remarks:

    “Today we are marking up legislation to fight the opioid crisis, promote access to life-saving therapies for rare and life-threatening diseases, and to bolster our ability to effectively respond to emerging biological and pathogenic threats.”


    Click here or on the image above to view Rep. Guthrie's opening remarks.
     
    Financial Services

    On July 11, the U.S. House of Representatives passed three pieces of bipartisan financial services legislation to facilitate capital formation and mint a commemorative coin in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps. The bills passed include:
    • H.R. 2622, a bill to amend the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to codify certain Securities and Exchange Commission no-action letters that exclude brokers and dealers compensated for certain research services from the definition of investment adviser, and for other, (Sessions). H.R. 2622 will strengthen American capital markets by providing U.S. broker-dealers relief from international regulations such as MiFID and MiFID II, preventing a reduction in investment research that would harm investment managers and the retail investor customers they serve. 
    • H.R. 1548, the Improving Access to Small Business Information Act, (Kim). H.R. 1548 will allow the SEC’s Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to become a more impactful voice in support of American entrepreneurs and capital formation by enabling the Advocate to engage with American small businesses with less friction.
     
    • H.R. 1096, the 250th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps Commemorative Coin Act, (Moulton). H.R. 1096 directs the minting of a series of coins to commemorate the 250th anniversary of one of the most storied branches of the U.S. armed forces, the United States Marine Corps.
    On July 11, Chairman McHenry, Representative Andy Barr (KY-06), Representative Bill Huizenga (MI-04), and Ranking Member Tim Scott (R-S.C.) of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs led a bicameral group of 132 members of Congress in filing an amicus curiae brief to the Supreme Court in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, et al., v. Community Financial Services Association of America, Limited, et al. The brief urged the Court to uphold the Fifth Circuit’s decision that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) funding structure is unconstitutional and to make the Bureau’s funding subject to congressional appropriations.

    On Wednesday, July 12, the Financial Services Committee held a full committee hearing called "Protecting Investor Interests: Examining Environmental and Social Policy in Financial Regulation" to examine environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policy in financial regulation. Republicans discussed proposals to reform the proxy voting system, promote accountability in the proxy advisory system, and address the Biden Administration's weaponization of financial regulators to push climate and social goals.


    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Capital Markets held a hearing called "Reforming the Proxy Process to Safeguard Investor Interests." Members examined policies that prioritize increased transparency, accountability, and economic analysis in shareholder voting decisions, while also addressing concerns with the outsized influence of proxy advisory firms.

    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing called "Oversight of the Proxy Advisory Industry." Lawmakers grilled witnesses from proxy advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis on the lack of transparency with which their firms operate and their prioritization of political policies over sound economic analysis and its effect on everyday investors.


    On Friday, July 14, the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance held a hearing titled “How Mandates Like ESG Distort Markets and Drive Up Costs for Insurance and Housing.” Members questioned witnesses on the role that ESG mandates play in rendering insurance and homeownership less attainable for everyday Americans.

    Foreign Affairs

    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Oversight & Accountability held a hearing called "The State Department’s Climate Agenda: A Budget Overview by the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate." U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry testified before the subcommittee to discuss the State Department’s budget and climate agenda. It is essential that SP Envoy Kerry and the State Department provide the American people with transparency regarding the administration’s misplaced budgetary priorities – including the Office of the SPEC’s record on China – and international climate initiatives using American taxpayer dollars in the midst of a great power competition.

    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia and the Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific held a joint subcommittee hearing called "Examining Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for South and Central Asian Affairs." State and USAID officials testified before both subcommittees to discuss the administration’s Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia (AEECA) – a funding stream primarily used to counter Russia’s malign influence and aggression in the region. Members questioned the witnesses about the Biden administration’s strategy on allocating taxpayer funds, including questions about the administration’s plan for combating China’s Belt and Road Initiative and their other manipulative infrastructure projects in the region, the resources in place to fight transnational crime, particularly in the cyberspace, and countering terrorism in the wake of the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.






    Homeland Security
     
    On Wednesday, July 12, the Committee on Homeland Security held a full committee markup and passed out Committee the following legislation:
    • H.R. 2577, the DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act (Thompson)
    • H.R. 4467, To direct the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to assess contracts for covered services performed by contractor personnel along the United States land border with Mexico, and for other purposes (Brecheen)
    • H.R. 4470, To extend the authorization of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program of the Department of Homeland Security (Lee)
    On Wednesday, July 12, the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement held a hearing entitled, “Protecting the U.S. Homeland: Fighting the Flow of Fentanyl from the Southwest Border.” 

    This hearing marked the beginning of the second phase of the House Committee on Homeland Security’s full-scale oversight investigation into Secretary Mayorkas’ failure to secure our borders. Witness testimony confirmed that TCOs in Mexico are successfully smuggling mass quantities of deadly illicit fentanyl past Border Patrol agents and CBP Officers and into the United States. Not only are cartels smuggling on land, but they are now trafficking fentanyl and other drugs using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones. Amid this administration’s historic border crisis and Secretary Mayorkas’ dereliction of duty, cartels have been able to reap billions of dollars in profits to increase their capabilities—leaving our nation’s dedicated Border Patrol agents at a disadvantage in the field.

    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology held a hearing entitled, “Future of FEMA: Agency Perspectives with Administrator Criswell.” 

    In the hearing, Members detailed the need for FEMA to prioritize fulfilling its primary mission to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies, in support of the National Preparedness Goal. As Members highlighted, this area of concern is detailed in a Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Report that uncovered FEMA grants used by Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) to fund services for illegal immigrants on the Southwest border amid this administration’s manufactured and historic border crisis. This report comes as FEMA faces a considerable staffing shortage and a growing number of emergencies across the country.




    House Administration

    On Monday, July 10, the Committee on House Administration held a full committee field hearing titled “American Confidence in Elections: The Path to Election Integrity Across America.” This hearing in Atlanta highlighted Georgia’s election integrity reforms and debunked the Left’s false narratives on election integrity. Chairman Bryan Steil unveiled the American Confidence in Elections (ACE) Act, House Republicans’ key election integrity bill that equips states with tools to implement common-sense measures that improve voter confidence and participation.




    On Thursday, July 13, the Committee on House Administration held a full committee markup and reported out H.R. 4563, the American Confidence in Elections Act (Steil), as amended by the Committee, by a vote of 8-4.


    House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

    On Thursday, July 13, 2023, the House Intelligence Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2024 Intelligence Authorization Act. Chairman Mike Turner and Ranking Member Jim Himes praised the bipartisan legislation.


    Judiciary

    On Wednesday, July 12, the Judiciary Committee held a full committee hearing called "Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation" to examine the politicization of the nation’s preeminent law enforcement agency under the direction of FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland.

    On Thursday, July 13, the Judiciary Committee held a full committee hearing called "Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission" to examine mismanagement of the FTC and its disregard for ethics and congressional oversight under Chair Lina Khan. The hearing also examined the Commission’s record of enforcement actions and politicized rulemakings.

    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement held a hearing called "The Consequences of Criminal Aliens on U.S. Communities" to examine sanctuary cities that shield illegal aliens at the expense of American taxpayers and the Biden Administration's lax policies that allow criminal aliens to remain in the United States indefinitely. The hearing also examined how drug cartels and gangs exploit radical open-borders policies and U.S. immigration law to terrorize communities, harm Americans, and burglarize homes and businesses across the country.

    On Friday, July 14, the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance held a hearing called "Fixing FISA, Part II" to examine the concerning expansion of warrantless surveillance of Americans, the FBI's continued abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), and its failure to implement meaningful reforms.




    Natural Resources

    On Wednesday, July 12, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing titled “Examining the Biden Administration’s Record on Federal Coal Leasing.” The hearing covered the Biden administration's attempts to stop coal production as well as other minerals. This was an opportunity for members to learn more about the need for federal coal operations and the important role that coal plays in providing reliable, affordable energy to Americans and our allies.

    On Wednesday, July 12, the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held a legislative hearing on the following bills:
    • H.R. 929, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Confirmation Act of 2023 (Kilmer) 
    • H.R. 2882, the Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 (Ciscomani)  
    • H.R. 3579, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2023 (Johnson)
    This hearing was  on three bills focused on various solutions related to tribal land ownership issues, codifying language from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regarding processing mortgages on Indian trust land and the reauthorization of the Udall Foundation.

    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on the following bills:
    • H.R. 386, the Mount Rushmore Protection Act (Johnson)
    • H.R. 1318, the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Location Act (Neguse)
    • H.R. 2717, the Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act (Moore)
    • H.R. 3448, the American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act (Stefanik)
    • H.R. 4377, To amend the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 with respect to extensions, additions, and revisions to the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona (Grijalva)
    This hearing focused on bipartisan bills that will use federal lands to honor, remember and celebrate some of the greatest American heroes and achievements and ensure our national security for years to come. Of note one of our witnesses was Medal of Honor recipient Master Chief Britt Slabinski.

    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a legislative hearing on the following bill: 
    • H.R. 4374, the Energy Opportunities for All Act (Crane)

    Oversight and Accountability

    On Tuesday, July 11, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing called “Investigating the Proximal Origin of a Cover Up.” The hearing examined the potential conflicts of interest and suppression of scientific discourse by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) surrounding the drafting, publication, and critical reception of the infamous “The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2” (Proximal Origin) correspondence.


    On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. ET, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a full committee business meeting and passed the following legislation aimed at reforming government spending, addressing regulatory burdens, and improving cybersecurity:
    • H.R. 4435, the Unauthorized Spending Accountability (USA) Act (Rodgers)
    • H.R. 1209, the Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA) (Comer)
    • H.R. 3358, the Mission Not Emissions Act (Arrington)
    • H.R. 3230, the Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act (Foxx)
    • H.R. 890, the Guidance Out Of Darkness (GOOD) Act (Comer)
    • H.R. 4428, the Guidance Clarity Act (Luetkemeyer)
    • H.R. 192, To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia (Pfluger)
    • H.R. ____, Modernizing the Acquisition of Cybersecurity Experts Act
    • H.R. ____, AI Training Expansion Act
    • H.R. 1695, Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets (SAMOSA) Act (Cartwright)
    • Several postal naming measures 
    “The American people deserve a government that is transparent, efficient, and effective. These bills bring solutions to modernize our government, root out inefficiencies, target waste, fraud, and abuse, and hold the Biden Administration accountable for overreach. I am encouraged to see our colleagues coming together on many of these bipartisan bills to improve our government. The American people deserve accountability,” said Chairman Comer after the markup.


    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce held a joint subcommittee hearing called “Beyond the Budget: Addressing Financial Accountability in the Department of Defense.” Members discussed with officials from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S Government Accountability Office (GAO) the causes of pervasive financial mismanagement currently occurring at the DOD. Subcommittee members called for fiscal accountability and information on why current system controls designed to safeguard funds are failing, and what actions DOD is implementing to rein in the rampant waste, fraud, and abuse.


    Rules

    The House Rules Committee met this week to consider the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (H.R. 2670), legislation that supports our national defense and troops. Our military stands as one of the greatest forces for good and freedom across the globe. Their role in America’s security—and the duty of Congress to provide for our common defense—is a constitutional imperative. Chairman Cole and Rules members made clear that for our defenders to meet their mission, Congress must meet theirs. As new and emerging threats arise across the globe, we can’t retreat from our most fundamental responsibility. With a focus on advancing military readiness and protecting the homeland, the FY24 NDAA supports that obligation. The culmination of policies in this bill are combat multipliers that support a ready, capable, and lethal fighting force. It also institutes changes that save taxpayers billions of dollars without sacrificing national security. After robust debate and a collaborative process, the policies delivered in this bill guide our Department of Defense and provide direction on the elements necessary to ensure our warfighters are the best manned, equipped, and trained in the world.






    Science, Space, and Technology

    On Wednesday, July 12, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a full committee hearing called "Enhancing Fire Weather Prediction and Coordination." The hearing examined current fire weather prediction capabilities and collaborations between NOAA, state and local officials, and commercial partners in order to ensure the safety of lives and property. Witnesses included those involved with state emergency management, commercial sector innovation, and academic research to enhance the sustainability and accuracy of fire weather information.




    On Thursday July 13, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a full committee hearing called "Continuing U.S. Leadership in Commercial Space at Home and Abroad." The hearing convened witnesses from the private sector to hear perspectives on the state of the U.S. commercial space industry and provide considerations for prospective commercial space legislation to be considered by the Committee.

    Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party

    On Wednesday, July 12, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and members of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party held an interfaith roundtable on the CCP's threat to religious freedom. Members and distinguished guests discussed the CCP's persecution towards Christian, Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and others unwilling to put the decrees of Xi Jinping ahead of their god.

    On Thursday, July 13, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) including Chairman Mike Gallagher and a bipartisan group of Select Committee members, met with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. The group discussed strengthening the U.S. partnership with Japan and combating the CCP's economic coercion.

    On Thursday, June 13, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party held a hearing called "Risky Business: Growing Peril for American Companies in China." Following three major CCP raids of American firms and the CCP's new ‘counterespionage law’, expert witnesses Piper Lounsbury, Shehzad Qazi, and Desmond Shum warned members of the inherent risk of doing business in China under the Chinese Communist Party's rule and questioned the American entities that uphold the CCP’s crony capitalism.






    Small Business

    On Thursday, July 13, the Committee on Small Business held a full committee hearing called "Stolen Taxpayer Funds: Reviewing the SBA and OIG Reports of Fraud in Pandemic Lending Programs." This hearing focused on the SBA Office of the Inspector General’s recent report that there was potentially $200 billion of fraud within Covid-19 relief programs. In the hearing, members highlighted the failure of the SBA to claw back the stolen money and the failure of Administrator Guzman to testify before the committee despite adequate notice.




    Transportation and Infrastructure

    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing called "When the Lights Are On but No One’s Home: An Examination of Federal Office Space Utilization." Republicans on the Subcommittee highlighted a GAO report showing a majority of the federal agencies GAO reviewed used 25 percent or less of their headquarters buildings’ space. Some agencies’ usage rate was as low as nine percent. The study noted that federal agencies “spend about $2 billion a year to operate and maintain federal office buildings regardless of the buildings’ utilization. In addition, agencies spend about $5 billion annually to lease office buildings.”






    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing called "Review of Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request: Agency Perspectives (Part II)." Chairman Rouzer led the Subcommittee in reviewing the FY2024 budget requests of relevant agencies and urged the EPA to quickly bring the Biden Administration’s flawed and legally outdated WOTUS policy into compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett.  Chairman Rouzer noted that the Committee will be closely watching the Administration so that it does not attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling on WOTUS. 

    Veterans' Affairs

    On Wednesday, July 12, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a legislative hearing which included legislation necessary to restore accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), speed up disability claims processing, and improve medical center security. Importantly, the hearing considered the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act, which would give the VA Secretary authority to expedite the removal, demotion, or suspension of VA employees who are a disservice to veterans. Witnesses included Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars testified about the significant improvements this would bring to the VA and the veterans it serves. 

    The following bills were considered:
    • H.R. 4278, the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act (Bost)
    • H.R. 196, the Expediting Temporary Ratings for Veterans Act (Rosendale)
    • H.R. 4461, the Modernizing Department of Veteran Affairs Disability Benefit Questionnaires Act (Luttrell)
    • H.R. 3504, the VA Medical Center Security Report Act (Kiggans)
    • H.R. 2733, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Training Act (Underwood)
    • H.R. 4225, the VA Acquisition Review Board Act (Mrvan)


    On Thursday, July 13, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity and the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization held a joint subcommittee hearing titled "Reviewing the Digital G.I. Bill Program." 

    The subcommittees examined the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) progress implementing the Digital G.I. Bill (DGIB) IT system, which streamlines education claims processing by consolidating legacy IT systems and automating many steps. The subcommittees also discussed why the Digital G.I. Bill project has been delayed and pressed VA to get it moving again. Economic Opportunity Chairman Van Orden emphasized the importance of keeping the project on track, to include how much money has been spent on the DGIB and the timeline for when the future software releases will be unstuck. Technology Modernization Chairman Rosendale emphasized that although the DGIB started out successful, the most difficult and important milestones for the project are yet to come. The VA witnesses presented their recent accomplishments and challenges, and announced that the new DGIB release will happen in summer 2024. MITRE and Accenture witnesses presented their recommendations for the DGIB program.


    Ways and Means

    On Monday, July 10, the Committee on Ways and Means held a field hearing in Kimball, Minnesota, called "Trade in America: Agriculture and Critical Supply Chains." In a cattle auction barn on a family farm in Kimball, Minnesota, farmers shared their frustration that the Biden Administration is not doing enough to open new export markets for American agriculture, while sharing stories of how they suffer when America’s trading partners do not honor their trade commitments. Because farmers are directly impacted by unfair trade practices, the witnesses called on Congress to ensure trade agreements are more than just handshakes and are actually enforced.




    On Wednesday, July 12, the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare held a hearing called "Where is all the Welfare Money Going? Reclaiming TANF Non-Assistance Dollars to Lift Americans Out of Poverty." The hearing covered the problems in the non-assistance portion of TANF, everything that isn’t a direct check to recipients, which accounts for 78% of progam spending. It was out of this pot of money that the state of Mississippi misspent $77 million. The scandal highlighted the lack of basic guardrails in the program, including vague program goals, no limits on administrative costs or deadlines for spending funds, no requirement to track improper payments, and states spending TANF funds on a wide variety of social services, but with none of the federal rules that normally apply.