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Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap – Week of October 30, 2023

Washington, November 3, 2023
Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:

Armed Services

On Tuesday, October 31, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-ID), released a statement responding to Russia’s “de-ratification” of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). In the statement, the members said, “Despite this obvious truth, the Biden administration continues to waste time and money looking for ways to prop up this irrelevant treaty in hopes of reducing the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. defense.” 

On Thursday, November 2, the House Armed Services Committee held a briefing on the recent attacks on U.S. servicemembers in the Middle East. The members received an update on the attacks on U.S. servicemembers by Iran-backed proxies and the United States’ recent strikes in Syria. We must project strength to deter Iran’s aggression and ensure Israel has the resources they need to defend themselves from the barbaric terrorist attacks on their nation.
 
Energy and Commerce

On Thursday, November 2, the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce held a markup of several pieces of legislation, including proposals to strengthen our supply chains, support American manufacturing, and secure our leadership in the deployment of emerging technologies. This work is crucial for pushing back against China’s growing influence in the global economy. The following legislation was marked up and forwarded to the Full Committee:
  •  H.R. ___, To establish a supply chain resiliency and crisis response program in the Department of Commerce, and for other purposes (Bucshon), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a voice vote.
  • H.R. 5390, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act (Miller-Meeks), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a voice vote.
  • H.R. 5398, the Advancing Tech Startups Act (Johnson), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 21 to 0.
  • H.R. 5146, the Advancing Gig Economy Act (Joyce), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 12 to 9. 
  • H.R. 3950, the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act (Bilirakis), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a voice vote.
  • H.R. ___, the Speculative Ticketing Ban Discussion Draft, was forwarded to the Full Committee by a voice vote.
  • H.R. ___, the No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays Act (Kim), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a voice vote.
  • H.R. 6125, the Online Dating Safety Act of 2023 (Valadao), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 11 to 8.
  • H.R. 5202, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act (Wasserman Schultz), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 20 to 0.
  • H.R. 2964, the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act (McClain), was forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
  • H.R. 5556, the Reinforcing American-Made Products Act (Curtis), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a voice vote.
  • H.R. 1797, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act (Torres), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 20 to 0.
  • H.R. ___, the Awning Safety Act of 2023 (Balderson), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a voice vote.
  • H.R. 4310, the Youth Poisoning Protection Act (Trahan), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a voice vote.
  • H.R. 4814, the Consumer Safety Technology Act (Soto), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a voice vote.
  • H.R. 906, the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act (Dunn), was forwarded to the Full Committee by a voice vote.

Financial Services

On Tuesday, October 31, Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released a statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) determined that Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB 121) is a rule for the purposes of the Congressional Review Act. SAB 121 was intended to clarify the accounting treatment of crypto assets by banks and financial institutions, but instead has placed customers more at risk if a bankruptcy should occur and will likely create prohibitive capital costs for institutions that custody crypto assets for consumers. This effort follows a March 2023 letter from both lawmakers to the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the National Credit Union Administration to seek clarification on SAB 121.


On Tuesday, October 31, a bipartisan group of lawmakers sent a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler expressing concern regarding the agency’s proposed rule targeting conflicts of interest in securitization. In their letter, they specifically note that the proposal’s overly broad requirements could significantly curtail participation in the securitization market, a critical source of risk mitigation for our financial system and affordable credit for American households and businesses. 
 
On Tuesday, October 31, Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee Chairman Andy Barr (KY-06) and Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) sent a letter to Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Jerome Powell, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Martin Gruenberg, and Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu regarding the timeliness of the Federal banking agencies’ review and approval of banking organization mergers and acquisitions. The lawmakers specifically note that proposed revisions have so far been subjected to substantial delay with little transparency into what problems need to be addressed.
 
On Wednesday, November 1, Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee Chairman Barr and Capital Markets Subcommittee Chairman Ann Wagner (MO-02) led a bipartisan letter to Fed Chairman Powell, FDIC Chairman Gruenberg, and Acting Comptroller of the Currency Hsu soliciting feedback on the SEC’s cryptocurrency custody proposal. The lawmakers specifically pressed the prudential regulators as to whether the SEC is exceeding its jurisdiction as a securities regulator by wading into banking regulation. 
 

On Thursday, November 2, the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, led by Chairman Wagner, held a hearing called "Examining the SEC’s Agenda: Unintended Consequences for U.S. Capital Markets and Investors." Lawmakers probed witnesses regarding the SEC’s extraordinary rulemaking pace and the effects thereof, inadequate public comment periods for proposed rules, disregard for Congressional intent, and the agency’s persistent attempts to exceed its statutory mandate.


On Thursday, November 2, the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, led by Chairman Warren Davidson (OH-08), held a hearing called "The Factors Influencing the High Cost of Insurance for Consumers." Lawmakers questioned witnesses on the factors driving record-high property and casualty insurance bills and solutions to make insurance more attainable for homeowners across the nation.
 
Foreign Affairs

On Friday, November 3, the Committee on Foreign Affairs held a full committee hearing called "Member Day." With global conflicts intensifying around the globe, members of the House will have an opportunity to testify before the committee and address legislation within their jurisdiction.






House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

This week, House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner hosted the eighth annual Ohio Defense and Aerospace Forum. This event highlighted the crucial role that Ohio military installations and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have in defending U.S. national security.


The forum provided an opportunity for top defense officials, community leaders, industry professionals, and elected representatives to come together to build awareness and gain a deeper understanding of the current defense environment.

As space becomes an increasingly critical warfighting domain, Chairman Turner moderated an intelligence-focused panel on the crucial role of the National Space Intelligence Center and National Air and Space Intelligence Center in bolstering U.S. military capabilities.


Our adversaries continue to outpace the United States in key areas of technological development. In a moderated discussion on the “State of National Defense,” Chairman Turner highlighted the key challenges facing the U.S. as we seek to modernize our military capabilities and discussed ways in which Congress and the services can more effectively support innovation.


Judiciary

On Thursday, November 2, the Judiciary Committee held a markup session to consider the following legislation:
  • H.R. 2601, the National Human Trafficking Hotline Enhancement Act (Lee)
  • H.R. 5430, the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2023 (Armstrong)
  • H.R. 5404, the Countering Chinese Espionage Reporting Act (Fitzgerald)
  • H.R. 5475, the Prohibiting Adversarial Patents Act of 2023 (Fitzgerald)
  • H.R. 3315, the National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act of 2023 (Cohen)
This markup worked on legislation that will overview sentencing guidelines that align with our Bill of Rights. Additionally, the markup worked on legislation in support of combating human trafficking by enhancing the advocacy of the hotlines process.

On Friday, November 3, the Judiciary Committee held a full committee hearing called "Member Day" for Members to present testimony and advocate on any legislative idea or proposal within the Committee’s jurisdiction.




Natural Resources

On Thursday, November 2, the Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee hearing called "Member Day." This hearing as required by House rules was a great opportunity for the chairman and committee to hear about how our issues and legislation help communities across the country. The hearing featured members of both parties and from across the country discussing issues affecting their local communities and featured 11 members.


Oversight and Accountability

On Thursday, November 2, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic announced a subpoena to compel Dr. Melaine Egorin — a senior-level official at HHS — to appear for a deposition before the Select Subcommittee, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce following months of egregious stonewalling by the Department.

Rules
 
Continuing the House Republican commitment to advancing single-subject spending bills, the Rules Committee advanced consideration of H.R. 4820 and H.R. 4821 appropriations measures. Members reiterated the importance of upholding the critical mission of government agencies, while also reining in wasteful spending and harmful bureaucracy. Discussions highlighted the priorities between both bills, which include investments to strengthen our infrastructure system, support transportation safety, maintain affordable and safe housing for vulnerable populations, halt heavy-handed and job-killing EPA regulations, expand access to critical minerals, and boost domestic energy production by requiring oil and gas lease sales. They also considered H.R. 6126 to support America’s steadfast and true friend in the Middle East: Israel. Backing our ally in their fight against the barbaric attacks from Hamas and other Iranian-backed terrorist organizations should not be controversial. 
 





Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party

On Tuesday, October 31, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and Chinese Communist Party, sent a letter to Janet Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury, with recommendations for the implementation of the Biden Administration's August Executive Order on outbound American investment in China.

On Wednesday, November 1, Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) introduced the American Security Drone Act of 2023 alongside Select Committee Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA). The act would prohibit the federal government from purchasing drones manufactured in countries identified as national security threats, such as the People's Republic of China (PRC).
 



Small Business
 





Veterans Affairs

On Thursday, November 2, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held an oversight hearing titled "Trust in Transparency: Holding VA Accountable and Protecting Whistleblowers." The Subcommittee examined VA’s whistleblower protections and reporting avenues available to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and the veterans they serve. Further, the subcommittee examined VA and its Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection’s (OAWP’s) progress in addressing the subcommittee’s concerns raised during its 2019 and 2021 hearings about VA whistleblowers. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), Office of Special Counsel (OSC), together with OAWP, served as witnesses to explain the government process engaging with whistleblower complaints. OAWP further stressed that they are continuing to develop best practices to be a service to whistleblowers and ensure veterans are receiving the quality healthcare they deserve. Several good governance and whistleblower protection non-government organizations also testified, insisting legislation is needed to improve and ensure OAWP’s effectiveness.


On Thursday, November 2,  the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a legislative hearing on the following legislation:
  • H.R. 522, the Deliver for Veterans Act (Moylan)
  • H.R. 2830, the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023 (Edwards)
  • H.R. 3601, the Student Veteran Work Study Modernization Act (Cartwright)
  • H.R. 3722, the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act (Nunn)
  • H.R. 3738, To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes (Wenstrup)
  • H.R. 3816, the Veterans’ Entry to Apprenticeship Act (James)
  • H.R. 5190, the Military Family Protection from Debt Act (Kim)
  • H.R. 5702, the Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act (Ciscomani)
  • H.R. 5914, To amend title, United States Code, to improve the processes to approve programs of education for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes (Van Orden)
  • H.R. 5965, the Transparency for Student Veterans Act (Kiggans)
  • H.R. 5913, the Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act of 2023 (Van Orden)
  • H.R. 5785, To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the requirements of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship (Budzinski)
  • H.R.___, To amend title 38, United States Code, to waive the fee for a housing loan guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for a veteran with a service-connected disability who applied for such loan before receiving a disability rating from the Secretary (Levin)
The proposed bills would aim to improve financial support for disabled veterans and would enhance the Solid Start and TAP Program by identifying suicide risk factors early on. The bills would also provide veterans with accurate and useful information related to their GI Bill benefits. Additionally, they would seek to establish a 4th administration within the Department of Veteran Affairs that would be responsible for overseeing benefits, employment, and education, and increase oversight and accountability over VA.
 



Ways and Means

On Thursday, November 2, the Committee on Ways and Means held a full committee markup of the following legislation:
  • H.R. 5863, the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 (Steube)
  • H.R. 5862, To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 relating to authority of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to consolidate, modify, or reorganize Customs revenue functions (Global Trade Specialist Act) (Steel)
  • H.R. 1568, the Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act (Waltz)
  • H.R. 5861, the BRIDGE for Workers Act (LaHood)
  • H.R. 6068, the Clergy Act (McCarthy)
The Ways and Means Committee approved, with unanimous support, five pieces of legislation to address specific challenges facing the American people that deserve common sense, targeted solutions. The bills approved by the Committee will:
  • Provide tax relief to help Americans recover in the aftermath of recent disasters, including the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, wildfires in California and Hawaii, and hurricanes that have impacted our coasts—like Hurricane Ian in Florida.
  • Protect the personal information of Americans – particularly veterans – returning home from abroad.
  • Create a new position at Customs and Border Protection to better enforce American trade laws.
  • Provide states more flexibility to provide reemployment services to unemployment insurance claimants.
  • Allow certain clergy members to opt into Social Security.