Press Releases
Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap – Week of October 16, 2023
Washington,
October 20, 2023
Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:
Armed Services On Wednesday, October 18, the Quality of Life Panel received a briefing from the Department of Defense (DoD) regarding the ongoing 14th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC). Members sought answers from DoD officials on a range of issues regarding military compensation including ways to improve basic pay and the calculation of allowances for housing and subsistence.  On Wednesday, October 18, the House Armed Services Committee received a briefing on the situation in Israel. The atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists must be strongly condemned by all – it is vital that the United States maintain its unwavering support for Israel. On Thursday, October 19, the Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee held a hearing called "Can it work? Outside Perspectives on DOD's Replicator Program" on the Department of Defense’s (DoD) recently announced Replicator initiative. The subcommittee received testimony from outside experts on the industrial base challenges the Replicator initiative faces and what steps DoD must take to achieve the Replicator initiative’s objectives. Budget On Thursday, October 19, the Budget Committee held a hearing titled “Sounding the Alarm: Examining the Need for a Fiscal Commission.” Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Ranking Member Brendan Boyle (D-PA) and Members of the House Budget Committee held a hearing to examine the need for a bipartisan commission to address the pressing fiscal issues of our time. The hearing examined the need and assessed the role for a debt commission and gained insight from expert witnesses on what this could look like and what we can learn from the past.    Education and Workforce On Thursday, October 19, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing called "Protecting Kids: Combating Graphic, Explicit Content in School Libraries." This hearing addressed the disturbing issue of explicit content in school libraries. Republican members fought back against the narrative that concerned parents are “book banners” and argued that some books disseminated by public employees contain wildly inappropriate material. As such, parents are well within their rights to protect the innocence of their children with a book challenge—that’s called “content moderation” not “book banning.”    Energy and Commerce On Wednesday, October 18, the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce held a hearing called "Safeguarding Data and Innovation: Setting the Foundation for the use of Artificial Intelligence." This was the first of our hearing series that will explore the role of AI across every sector of the economy, including healthcare, telecommunications, emerging technologies, and energy. A national data privacy standard is the strongest way to protect people’s data privacy and secure American leadership in Artificial Intelligence.  On Wednesday, October 18, the Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials held a hearing called "Exposing EPA Efforts to Limit Chemicals Needed for Life-Saving Medical Devices and Other Essential Products." Recent EPA proposals will make it nearly impossible to manufacture products we rely on like semiconductors, cars, and lifesaving medical devices and sterilization processes. These proposals go far beyond what is reasonable and threaten our standard of living while pushing more innovation overseas to China. We’re leading to protect people’s health, jobs, American manufacturing, and our national security.  On Thursday, October 19, the Subcommittee on Health held a legislative hearing called "What’s the Prognosis?: Examining Medicare Proposals to Improve Patient Access to Care & Minimize Red Tape for Doctors." The hearing focused on ways to modernize and strengthen Medicare. It’s critical that we examine the way health care providers are paid by Medicare to maintain accountability for providers, eliminate red tape, and preserve the program for future generations. The following legislation was discussed:
Financial Services Last week, Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee Chairman Andy Barr (KY-06) led 23 Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee in a letter to Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Jerome Powell demanding transparency regarding an August 30 leak of nonpublic confidential supervisory information (CSI) involving multiple financial firms. The lawmakers have reason to believe that the leak came from within the Federal Reserve or agencies with whom the CSI was shared and are requesting that the Fed provide additional details to ensure accountability. On Friday, October 13, Subcommittee Chairman Barr released a statement on recent CFPB guidance to halt large banks from charging illegal junk fees for basic consumer service. Subcommittee Chairman Barr noted that the CFPB’s guidance is, “overly vague and disadvantages smaller and regional institutions” and noted that, “financial services owe it to their customers to be responsive to consumer requests for information regarding their accounts without imposing unreasonable impediments.”   On Friday, October 13, Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-09) introduced the Freezing and Halting of Any More Alleviation of Sanctions Act (Freezing HAMAS Act), which would re-freeze the $6 billion that was released by the Biden Administration to Iran – the world’s number one state-sponsor of terrorism and largest backer of Hamas. The legislation would also prohibit the Biden Administration from further lifting sanctions or providing any additional relief for Iran.  On Wednesday, October 18, National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Subcommittee Chairman Luetkemeyer led a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen demanding information regarding the status of $6 billion in Iranian funds recently unfrozen in exchange for American hostages and the greater state of U.S. economic sanctions against the Ayatollah’s regime. On Thursday, October 19, Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced the Revoke Iranian Funding Act alongside Chairman Luetkemeyer to permanently freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets to ensure Iran is unable to access funds to perpetrate terrorist attacks against Israel or any other nation. This legislation also directs the U.S. Department of Treasury to produce a report to Congress detailing high-value Iranian assets to enhance transparency. Foreign Affairs On Wednesday, October 18, the Committee on Foreign Affairs held a full committee roundtable called "Making Putin Pay: The Case for Transferring Russian Sovereign Assets to Ukraine" on the strategic and fiscal imperative to transfer Russian sovereign assets to Ukraine and existing legislative proposals to pressure the Biden administration to take this critical step, including his REPO Act. On Thursday, October 19, the Committee on Foreign Affairs held a full committee markup on the following legislation:
   Homeland Security On Thursday, October 19, the Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing entitled "The Role of Technology in Aviation Security." The hearing included discussion about issues related to the September 11th Passenger Security Fee and the allocation of its revenue.  On Thursday, October 19, the Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing entitled "Exploitation and Enforcement: Evaluating the Department of Homeland Security’s Efforts to Counter Uyghur Forced Labor." Members and witnesses evaluated the Department of Homeland Security’s ongoing efforts to enforce the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). Enforcing the UFLPA carries with it not only U.S. economic and competitive interests, but also a moral issue to prevent forced labor.  House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence As the war in Israel rages on, members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence received a briefing about the ongoing situation. After receiving details from the Biden Administration, the House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner and Ranking Member Jim Himes do not believe that Israel was responsible for bombing a hospital in Israel.  Earlier this week, Chairman Turner and Ranking Member Himes spoke on the importance of passing a funding bill that addresses national security concerns.  On Monday, October 16, Chairman Turner and Ranking Member Himes participated in a fireside chat with the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. They discussed the work the Intelligence Committee is doing to maintain the United States' strategic advantage in intelligence.  Judiciary On Thursday, October 19, the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet held a hearing called "Intellectual Property and Strategic Competition with China: Part III - IP Theft, Cybersecurity, and AI." At the hearing, the Subcommittee examined the current capabilities and risks related to the development of artificial intelligence, particularly regarding advancements in the U.S. compared to the People’s Republic of China. Members questioned witnesses and also heard testimony about the cybersecurity implications of artificial intelligence and the potential impacts on the protection of U.S. intellectual property and technical resources, such as data.  Natural Resources On Wednesday, October 18, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing titled “Examining the Biden Administration’s Unprecedented Obstruction of the BOEM Offshore Leasing Program.” This hearing addressed the administration's recently released off-shore 5 year plan that drastically reduced drilling. The hearing allowed members to question BOEM Director Liz Klein about this inadequate and irresponsible plan, as well as hear from experts in the field who provided deeper context around the problems with the proposed program. On Wednesday, October 18, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on the following bills:
On Wednesday, October 18, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held an oversight hearing titled "Securing Our Border, Saving Our National Parks." On Thursday, October 19, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on the following bills:
On Thursday, October 19, the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held a legislative hearing on a Discussion Draft on H.J. Res. ____, the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2023 (Westerman). This hearing featuring Special Envoy Joseph Yun focused on the legislation for the renewal of the COFA’s related to the free associated states. This region is of major strategic importance to the United States as China has recently tried to increase their influence on the region.   Oversight and Accountability On Wednesday, October 18, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis held a hearing called “Strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity Standards: Protecting Against Future Pandemics” to evaluate the effectiveness of existing biosafety and biosecurity practices in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and to discuss future policy improvements. Science, Space, and Technology On Wednesday, October 18, the Subcommittees on Oversight & Investigations and Research & Technology held a joint hearing called "Balancing Knowledge and Governance: Foundations for Effective Risk Management of Artificial Intelligence." Although AI systems have the potential to significantly improve our lives, they also have the potential to do significant harm. During this hearing, witnesses from NIST, Scale AI, Institute for Progress, and the University of Washington joined to speak on the current landscape of research, testing, and deployment of methods and tools for managing risks associated with artificial intelligence systems. The hearing also examined the existing research and methodological gaps and where further investment is needed to ensure the creation of an ecosystem for the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence. Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party On Wednesday, October 18, Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party expanded a bipartisan investigation into U.S. venture capital firms investing in People's Republic of China (PRC) high-tech by launching an inquiry into Sequoia Capital and Sequoia Capital China, following the announcement that the entities will split in early 2024. On Wednesday, October 18, Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party issued a joint statement following a meeting with actor and activist Mr. Richard Gere and Sikyong (President) Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration regarding ongoing efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the CCP’s repression of the Tibetan people. Small Business On Thursday, October 19, the Committee on Small Business held a full committee hearing called "Burdensome Regulations: Examining the Effects of DOL Rulemaking on America’s Job Creators." During the hearing, members heard from witnesses how burdensome regulations from the Department of Labor are impacting them. Witnesses highlighted that regulations are often not created with small businesses in mind, leading to excessive burdens and costs.    Transportation and Infrastructure On Wednesday, October 18, the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing called "Running on Empty: The Highway Trust Fund." Members of the Subcommittee and witnesses from state transportation departments, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Eno Center for Transportation engaged in a back-and-forth about the Highway Trust Fund’s solvency issues, and how we can build and maintain a surface transportation system that will meet Americans’ needs and allow us to remain competitive in the 21st century.  On Thursday, October 19, the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing called "Regional Commissions: A Review of Federal Economic Development Program Effectiveness." Chairman Scott Perry led the Subcommittee in examining the role of regional commissions in supporting economic development activities. Perry argued that “private investment and innovation should drive economic development,” and expressed concern that these programs only lead to the federal government picking winners and losers.  Ways and Means On Wednesday, October 18, the Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing called "Protecting Beneficiaries from the Harm of Improper Payments." With $16 billion in improper payments over the last five years, beneficiaries living on fixed incomes who rely on Social Security for their livelihood face challenging outcomes where they may receive less than they are owed or are overpaid and hit with bills to recoup those payments years later. During a Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee hearing on improper payments, Ways and Means members urged the Social Security Administration (SSA) to use the tools it already has at its disposal and implement long outstanding recommendations from the Government Accountability Office and SSA’s Office of Inspector General to stop improper payments that hurt beneficiaries and taxpayers alike.  On Thursday, October 19, the Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing called "Investigating Pandemic Fraud: Preventing History from Repeating Itself." During the pandemic, fraudsters and international crimes rings stole hundreds of billions of taxpayers dollars spent on pandemic aid. Estimates vary but outside experts calculated up to $400 billion could have been stolen from a single program – unemployment insurance. At an Oversight Subcommittee hearing on pandemic fraud, members looked under the hood to expose exactly how organized crime and international fraud rings managed to steal hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself. Witnesses offered solutions to protect taxpayer money, including making fraud prevention a priority for federal agencies, protecting personal information, using technology like Artificial Intelligence to fight fraudsters, and protecting personal information.   |