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

Appropriations

On Wednesday, May 15, the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Federal Trade Commission." The Administrator of the FTC addressed the issues and concerns of the Subcommittee Members, including the government overreach of prohibiting company mergers and how the desired budget increase would be allocated.

On Thursday, May 16, the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held a budget hearing called "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Federal Communications Commission." Agency officials from the FCC met with Appropriators to discuss what they are doing to provide rural areas with reliable and consistent internet connection. It was also discussed how the FCC plans to implement the correct designation of call centers for 9-1-1 and suicide hotline calls. 

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Armed Services

Pay for junior enlisted servicemembers has failed to keep pace with inflation and has not remained competitive with the private sector. The FY25 NDAA will boost pay for junior enlisted servicemembers; increase the Basic Allowance for Housing; and improve the calculation for the Cost of Living Allowance and the Basic Allowance for Subsistence.
China is the most pressing threat our nation faces. Deterring China will require a strong and capable defense. The FY25 NDAA will support the continued modernization of our nuclear deterrent, strengthen our Navy, accelerate innovation, boost readiness, and crack down on CCP espionage.

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Budget

On Thursday, May 16, the House Budget Committee held a full committee markup to consider the following legislation:  

• H.R. 8341, the Cost Estimates Improvement Act (Cloud)
• H.R. 8195, the Strengthening Administration PAYGO Act of 2024 (Bergman)
• H.R. 8372, the Debt Per Taxpayer Information Act (Arrington)
• H.R. 8342, the Improper Payments Transparency Act (Yakym)
• H.R. 8343, the Enhancing Improper Payment Accountability Act (Moore)

This markup focused on Budget Process Reform. After this markup, the House Budget Committee passed out of committee 11 bills to reform the budget process. 

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Education and the Workforce

On Wednesday, May 15, the Committee on Education and the Workforce held a full committee hearing called "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services." Committee Republicans highlighted HHS’s reckless spending proposals and efforts to prop up the failing Obamacare marketplaces, institute a price-setting scheme for prescription drugs, and saddle private insurance with more costly, burdensome regulations. Members also called out Becerra for waging a moral war against Americans’ religious freedoms, parental rights, the right to life, and those who want to protect children from elective, life-changing transgender medical procedures.

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Energy and Commerce
On Wednesday, May 15, the Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials held a hearing called "The Fiscal Year 2025 Environmental Protection Agency Budget." Members discussed how the EPA’s heavy-handed regulatory agenda is crushing American businesses, driving up costs for the American people, and contributing to out-of-control inflation. This hearing is part of a strong oversight effort to reign in President Biden’s radical rush-to-green agenda and limit waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.
On Wednesday, May 15, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing called "The Fiscal Year 2025 National Telecommunications and Information Administration Budget." Members discussed how an effective NTIA is essential for U.S. technological and communications leadership. To secure that leadership, we must work together to encourage innovation and close the digital divide. NTIA must effectively and responsibly work to deploy broadband and achieve meaningful connectivity for every American.

On Thursday, May 16, the Subcommittee on Health held a markup of 23 legislative proposals: 

• H.R. 3227, the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act (Estes), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 13 Yeas to 12 Nays. 
• H.R. 468, the Building America’s Health Care Workforce Act (Guthrie), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 14 Yeas to 8 Nays. 
• H.R. 3433, the Give Kids a Chance Act (McCaul), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 16 Yeas to 11 Nays. 
• H.R. 7188, the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act (Moolenaar), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 27 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 6020, the Honor Our Living Donors Act (Obernolte), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 24 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 455, To amend the Controlled Substances Act to fix a technical error in the definitions (Burchett), was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 24 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 7213, the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024 (Smith), was forwarded, as amended, by a roll call vote of 22 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 4534, the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2023 (Boyle), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 21 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 670, the Think Differently Database Act (Molinaro), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 20 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 8084, the LIVE Beneficiaries Act (Bilirakis), was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 18 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 7858, the Telehealth Enhancement for Mental Health Act of 2024 (James), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 22 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 8111, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure the reliability of address information provided under the Medicaid program (Miller Meeks), was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 22 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 8089, the Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act of 2024 (Garcia), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 22 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 8112, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to further require certain additional provider screening under the Medicaid program (D'Esposito), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 23 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 6033, the Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge (SPEAK) Act of 2023 (Steel), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 23 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 7623, the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 (Carter), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 21 Yeas to 0 Nays. 
• H.R. 1406, the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act (Joyce), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a voice vote. 
• H.R. 7856, the PREVENT DIABETES Act (DeGette), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a voice vote. 
• H.R. 5394, the Expanding Remote Monitoring Access Act (Balderson), was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a voice vote. 
• H.R. 1199, the Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023 (Dunn), was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a voice vote. 
• H.R. 4758, the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (Trahan), was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a voice vote. 

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Financial Services

On Friday, May 10, the House Committee on Rules publicly noticed its intent to consider the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century (FIT21) Act, clearing a pathway for a floor vote later this month. The FIT for the 21st Century Act is an important first step towards achieving regulatory clarity for digital assets. FIT21 provides the robust, time-tested consumer protections and regulatory certainty necessary to allow the digital asset ecosystem to flourish in the United States. 
 
On Tuesday, May 14, the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA), U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), and U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) sent a letter to federal financial regulators urging them to implement their respective obligations under the Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA) as directed by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23 NDAA) in the timeline set forth by the FDTA. The lawmakers emphasized how doing so will improve the accessibility, uniformity, and usefulness of federal financial data for the public and facilitate the use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). This will lead to increased transparency and greater market efficiencies.

On Wednesday, May 15, the Financial Services Committee, led by Chairman McHenry, held a full committee hearing to conduct oversight of Biden’s prudential banking regulators. Republicans held Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chair Martin Gruenberg to account following the publication of Cleary Gottlieb’s independent report confirming allegations of rampant misconduct and a toxic workplace culture at the agency under his watch. Members also closely scrutinized regulators’ Basel III Endgame proposal among other partisan regulatory initiatives.
On Thursday, May 16, the Financial Services Committee held a full committee markup of various measures. These include a slate of financial institutions, capital markets, and housing legislation to improve efficiency and accountability at federal agencies, as well as expand economic opportunity. The bills considered at Thursday’s markup include:

• H.R. 758, the Promoting Access to Capital in Underbanked Communities Act (Barr)
• H.R. 3161, the CDFI Fund Transparency Act (Rose)
• H.R. 8337, the Bank Resilience and Regulatory Improvement Act (Barr)
• H.R. 8338, the Clarity in Lending Act (Kim)
• H.R. 8339, the SEC Reform and Restructuring Act (Wagner)
• H.R. 4551, the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act (Loudermilk)
• H.J.Res. 100, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to "Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure" (Garbarino)
• H.R. 8302, the HUD Evaluation and Optimization Act of 2024 (Davidson)
• H.R. 3507, the Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act (Kilmer)
• H.R. 7480, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act (De La Cruz)
• H.R. 8340, the Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act (Sherman)

On Thursday, May 16, Chairman McHenry issued a statement after the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) released its decision in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau et al. v. Community Financial Services Association of America, Ltd., et al.
 

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Foreign Affairs

On Wednesday, May 15, the Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing called "Examining the Fiscal Year 2025 State and Foreign Operations Budget Request for Africa." During the hearing, Members questioned officials on the Biden administration’s budgetary priorities to promote U.S. engagement in Africa for FY 2025.

On Thursday, May 16, the Foreign Affairs Committee held a full committee markup on the following legislation:

• H.R. 8315, To amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting United States artificial intelligence and other enabling technologies, and for other purposes (McCaul)
• H.R. ___, To impose sanctions with respect to economic or industrial espionage by foreign adversarial companies, and for other purposes
• H.R. 8152, To amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to provide for control of remote access of items, and for other purposes (Lawler)
• H.R. 3012, the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2023 (Kim)
• H.R. 8001, the Combating Houthi Threats and Aggression Act (Green)
• H.R. 8046, the Rosatom Sanctions Enforcement Act (Kean)
• H.R. 3246, the Sanction Russian Nuclear Safety Violators Act of 2023 (Meeks)
• H.R. 681, the READ Act Reauthorization Act of 2023 (Smith)
• H.R. 8310, To require strategies on United States policy towards the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and for other purposes (James)
• H.R. 7586, To establish a Department of State Domestic Protection Mission relating to unmanned aircraft system and unmanned aircraft (Mills)
• H.R. ___, To establish a Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts in the Department of State, and for other purposes

On Friday, May 17, the Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations held a hearing called "Eliminating U.S. Aid to Terrorists – New Policies for the U.S. Gov’t & Its Partners." During the hearing, Members and witnesses discussed legislative options to restrict foreign terrorist groups from inadvertently accessing U.S. foreign aid.

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Homeland Security
 
On Wednesday, May 15, the Committee on Homeland Security held a full committee hearing entitled, “Standing Strong on the Thin Blue Line: How Congress Can Support State and Local Law Enforcement.” The National Police Week hearing focused on how the Department of Homeland Security can facilitate partnerships with state and local law enforcement to increase public safety, fight crime and terrorism, and uphold the rule of law.
On Wednesday, May 15, the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security held a hearing entitled, “An Examination of the Transportation Security Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget.” TSA Administrator David Pekoske provided testimony and answered member’s questions regarding the Transportation and Security Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal.

On Thursday, May 16, the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology and the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence held a joint hearing entitled, “Unmanned Aerial Systems and Emergency Response: The Impact of Drones and Other Emerging Technology on U.S. Law Enforcement.” In this National Police Week Hearing, members examined how first responders are using unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, to improve public safety in communities throughout the nation, while considering possible security vulnerabilities and privacy concerns.
On Thursday, May 16, the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability held a hearing entitled, “Security Risk: The Unprecedented Surge in Chinese Illegal Immigration.” Since October, over 27,000 Chinese nationals have illegally entered the U.S. This hearing was focused on the unprecedented flow of Chinese nationals across our borders—particularly between ports of entry along the Southwest border—and the national security implications of this historic influx. 

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House Administration

On Thursday, May 16, the Committee on House Administration held a full committee hearing entitled “American Confidence in Elections: Preventing Noncitizen Voting and Other Foreign Interference.” 

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House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

On Wednesday, May 15, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner (OH-10) held a full committee open panel with the Hudson Institute’s Rebecca Heinrichs, the Atlantic Council’s Matthew Kroenig, and the Center for Strategic & International Studies’ Kari Bingen and Emily Harding about national security issues facing the United States.
At the open panel, Rep. Austin Scott expressed concern about Russia supplanting the United States’ presence in Africa.

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Judiciary

On Wednesday, May 15, the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government held a hearing entitled, "Hearing on the Weaponization of the Federal Government,"  to examine the use of lawfare tactics to weaponize the rule of law.

On Wednesday, May 15, the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government held a hearing called "Antisemitism on College Campuses," to examine antisemitic activity on college campuses throughout the country and responses by both federal and university leaders.

On Thursday, May 16, the Judiciary Committee held a markup session to consider the following legislation:

• Report Recommending that the House of Representatives Cite Attorney General Merrick Garland for Contempt of Congress

This markup worked on legislation to cite Attorney General Merrick Garland for contempt of Congress.

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Natural Resources

On Monday, May 13, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight field hearing in Hayward, Wisconsin, titled “Improving Access and Opportunities for Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Recreation on America’s Federal Lands.” This hearing was a chance to hear from local community members and elected officials about the increasing barriers to access to federal lands. The decommissioning or closure of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) roads is a top concern for sportsmen and women, and the troubling data speaks for itself. Since 1991, the USFS has decommissioned an average of 2,000 miles of roads annually.

On Wednesday, May 15, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight hearing titled “Examining the President’s FY 2025 Budget Request for the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service.” BLM’s budget request fundamentally threatens the western way of life, jeopardizing American jobs dependent on access to public lands. In this hearing, members questioned the director of the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management about their budget requests.

On Thursday, May 16, the Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee oversight hearing titled "Examining the Council on Environmental Quality Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request and Related Policy Matters." Biden has transformed CEQ's role from overseeing NEPA compliance to the entity charged with implementing his eco-agenda, remaking federal agencies as vehicles of social change and leading the war on domestic energy production. This hearing allowed members to question Mallory about CEQ's actions that vastly exceed its role and prescribed authority.

On Thursday, May 16, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held an oversight budget hearing titled “Examining the President’s FY 2025 Budget Proposal for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Power Marketing Administrations.” Over the past several years, Democrats have poured billions of dollars into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) but the agency continues to request funding increases. The agency has pursued an agenda that limits access and places burdens on America’s landowners and ranchers. This hearing was a chance to question the administrators of these agencies.

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Oversight and Accountability

On Wednesday, May 15, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation held a hearing called "Red Alert: Countering the Cyberthreat from China." Subcommittee members discussed how CCP-sponsored hacking efforts have become more sophisticated and coordinated, including its Volt Typhoon campaign that targets U.S. critical infrastructure. Expert witnesses discussed the urgent need to combat the threat by, for instance, replacing vulnerable legacy IT systems that serve as prime access points for hackers to infiltrate both public and private sector entities across America.
On Wednesday, May 15, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a full committee markup to consider a series of bills that address federal agency procurement of biotechnology equipment, safeguarding taxpayer dollars, improving federal cybersecurity, and more. These bills provide legislative solutions to protect Americans in a number of ways by defending sensitive healthcare data, securing federal contractor information systems, and guarding taxpayer dollars. The following bills passed: 

• H.R. 8333, the BIOSECURE Act (Wenstrup)
• H.R. 5255, the Federal Contractor Vulnerability Elimination Act (Mace)
• H.R. 8276, the Reuse Excess Property Act (McClain)
• H.R. 8335, the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act (Miller-Meeks)
• H.R. 8334, the Grant Integrity and Border Security Act (Foxx)
• H.R. 6462, the Resilient Employment and Authorization Determination to Increase the National Employment of Service Spouses (READINESS) Act (Crockett)
• Post Office Naming Bills

On Thursday, May 16, the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs held a hearing called "Intruder Alert: Assessing the CCP’s Ongoing Infiltration of U.S. Military Installations." This classified hearing explored the Biden Administration’s policy failures that have enabled the CCP and other malicious actors to infiltrate U.S. military installations. 

On Thursday, May 16, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing called "Overseeing the Overseers: A Hearing with NIH Deputy Director Lawrence Tabak." This hearing examined the National Institutes of Health’s process for funding and overseeing scientific research as well as delved into the NIH’s relationship with EcoHealth Alliance. This hearing came just one day after HHS accepted the Select Subcommittee’s recommendation to formally debar EcoHealth and immediately implement a government-wide suspension of U.S. taxpayer funds to this organization.

On Thursday, May 16, the Oversight Committee held a full committee markup to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland for defying a subpoena requiring the Justice Department to produce the audio recordings of President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Hur. 

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Rules

On Tuesday, May 14, the Committee on Rules met on several measures to reaffirm the Republican commitment to our nation’s law enforcement and condemn the Biden Administration for their efforts to condition defense article to Israel:

• H. Res. 1210, Condemning the Biden border crisis and the tremendous burdens law enforcement officers face as a result (Higgins)
• H. Res. 1213, A resolution regarding violence against law enforcement officers (Stauber)
• H.R. 354, the LEOSA Reform Act (Bacon)
• H.R. 7343, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act (Van Drew)
• H.R. 7530, the DC CRIMES Act of 2024 (Donalds)
• H.R. 7581, the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act of 2024 (Bishop)
• H.R. 8146, the Police Our Border Act (D'Esposito)
• H.R. 8369, Israel Security Assistance Support Act (Calvert)

This week, Members discussed the LEOSA Reform Act that will amend the Gun-Free School Zones Act to provide an exemption for law enforcement officers certified under LEOSA to carry a concealed firearm in a gun-free school zone. The Committee also raised the concern on President Biden’s failure to secure the border and its detrimental consequences on immigration enforcement. H.R. 7343, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act will mandate illegal aliens to be detained who assault law enforcement officers. Members addressed Washington D.C.’ s violent chaos by considering the D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe Act. The Committee considered two pieces of legislation that focus on the safety of law enforcement officers across the nation and those policing our borders, the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act and the Police Our Border Act. H.Res. 1210 condemns the open border crisis that the Biden administration has willingly created. The Republicans of the Rules Committee expressed their disdain with the Democrat’s dangerous “Defund the Police” movement,  by considering H.Res. 1213. And lastly, the Rules Committee reaffirm America’s support of Israel and provide expeditious delivery of defense articles and defense services for Israel.

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Science, Space, and Technology

On Thursday, May 16, the Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing called "Oversight and Examination of the National Science Foundation’s Priorities for 2025 and Beyond." Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the NSF, and Dr. Dan Reed, Former Chair of the National Science Board, joined to discuss the agency's programs and priorities for the upcoming year. Members touched on topics including investments in STEM education and workforce development, the progress of NSF’s NAIRR Pilot Program, and steps the Foundation and the National Science Board have taken to address the unsafe culture and environment of the United States Antarctica Program.

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Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party

On Monday, May 13, Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party alongside U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) wrote to Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, calling on her administration to establish sister city ties with Taipei, Taiwan.

On Thursday, May 16, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party held a hearing titled "All Roads Lead to Beijing? The CCP's Global Development Offensive." Witnesses included Mr. David Trulio, President & Chief Executive Officer, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, Mr. Daniel Runde, Senior Vice President, Center for Strategic & International Studies, Dr. Brad Parks, Executive Director of AidData, William & Mary's Global Research Institute.

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Small Business

On Wednesday, May 15, the Committee on Small Business held a full committee hearing called "Under the Microscope: Reviewing Key SBA Programs with Associate Administrator Frost." During the hearing, members questioned Associate Administrator Frost about changes and decisions made by the SBA including granting a SBDC license to Funding Circle and rule changes to their flagship 7(a) Loan Program.

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Transportation and Infrastructure

This week the House debated and passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, a comprehensive, bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation infrastructure and safety programs for five years. The bill passed with broad bipartisan support in a 387-26 vote.
Additionally, this week the House passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation to strengthen, support, and authorize funding for the United States Coast Guard, one of the Nation’s six armed services.
 
On Wednesday, May 15, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a full committee hearing on federal response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD. At the hearing, Members heard from witnesses from the United States Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Highway Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board. Following the bridge collapse, President Biden announced his intention for the federal government to pay for the entire cost of reconstructing the Key Bridge. In his opening remarks, Chairman Graves said, “It is important that we have a firmer estimate before we take any further actions on the cost share. In addition, if the company that owned and operated the ship is found to be liable, we must make sure that the government actively works to recover any money it is owed. That could help offset the bridge funding or be used to make the people and companies who rely on and work at the Baltimore Harbor whole.”

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Veterans Affairs

On Monday, May 13, the Health Subcommittee held a field hearing titled “Iowa: A Leader in Veteran Healthcare Innovation.” In attendance was the Veterans Health Administration's Assistant Under Secretary for Health at the Office of Discovery, Education, and Affiliate Networks, Dr. Carolyn Clancy. Accompanying her was Dr. Victoria Sharp, the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Iowa City VA Healthcare System. Non-VA witnesses were Dr. Mahsaw Mansoor, a resident at the University of Iowa's Department of Ophthalmology, and Mr. Brandon Blankenship, Chief Technology Officer at Pro Circular. VA witnesses spoke on the unique initiatives and research that the Iowa City VA Healthcare System conducts in the region, Dr. Mansoor spoke on the advances that have been made in ophthalmology at University of Iowa, and Mr. Blankenship spoke on his experiences with the local VA medical center as well as veteran's entrepreneurship. During opening statements and questioning, Chairwoman Miller Meeks touched on areas where the Iowa City VA Medical Center has seen improvement and asked about barriers that veterans in the area face when accessing care. Ranking Member Brownley spoke on community care spending and the need for women veterans healthcare.
On Tuesday, May 14, the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization held an oversight hearing titled “U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Information and Technology Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2025.” During this hearing, the subcommittee examined the Biden administration’s fiscal year 2025 budget request for the VA Office of Information and Technology (OIT) which slashes development by 99% in order to maintain payroll. Republican members questioned the VA Chief Information Officer Kurt DelBene as to whether the special salary rate he initiated, which amounts to a 17% raise for 85% of the workforce, has been successful in attracting superior talent and is sustainable for the organization. Chairman Rosendale demonstrated that the special salary rate has led to cuts in authorized headcount of several hundred positions, and a Silicon Valley hiring initiative fell far short of its target. Ranking Member Cherfilus-McCormick expressed alarm with the requested cuts to technology infrastructure and inadequate funding for cybersecurity. Rep. Self questioned Mr. DelBene about the permissiveness of his ethics waiver pertaining to Microsoft, his former employer of 30 years, and his interactions with the company, including in response to last year’s hack of senior government officials’ emails for which Microsoft has been cited for cascading security failures.

On Thursday, May 16, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held an oversight hearing titled “Ensuring VA’s Security: How Can Congress Best Support VA’s Law Enforcement?” focused on enhancing the effectiveness of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Police. The hearing addressed pressing challenges faced by the VA Police Force in safeguarding VA facilities nationwide and explored best practices from private industry and technology groups to assist VA’s measures to strengthen security operations. During their testimony, VA leaders explained VA’s progress in providing Police Officers needed resources and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) spoke to changes in law needed to retain VA Police Officers. Sentara Healthcare and Public Safety Broadband Technology Association provided insight from the private sector on security best practices and technologies including communication and metal detection technologies. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) highlighted support for Rep. Kiggans' VA Medical Security Report Act of 2023.