Press Releases
Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap – Week of April 28, 2025
Washington,
May 2, 2025
Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:
Appropriations On Tuesday, April 29, the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a budget hearing called "John C. Stennis Center for Public Service, Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, and Congressional Office for International Leadership." Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao convened senior leaders from the Stennis Center for Public Service, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, and the Congressional Office for International Leadership to evaluate their Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposals. Proceedings reviewed each organization’s strategic plans for the future to ensure efficient allocation of resources in support of their mission.  On Tuesday, April 29, the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a Member Day hearing. Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris led an FY26 Member Day hearing, where lawmakers discussed policies and priorities, including recent USDA mandate implications and agricultural research initiatives, for the upcoming fiscal year. On Wednesday, April 30, the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held an oversight hearing called "U.S. Postal Service." The United States Postal Service is a critical resource to millions of Americans, and Congress must hold it accountable to the people it serves. To address funding and operational concerns, Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman Dave Joyce hosted USPS Inspector General Tammy Hull to discuss what the agency can do to right-size its financial stability, safeguard postal workers, and protect mail delivery from bad actors and fraudsters.  Armed Services On Tuesday, April 29, the Armed Services Committee held a full committee markup of a Committee Print, Providing for reconciliation pursuant to H. Con. Res. 14, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025. The legislation invests $150 billion in defense priorities to achieve President Trump’s Peace through Strength agenda. We face new and growing threats from adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. But our military’s resources have declined over the years, and defense spending as a percentage of GDP has dropped to the lowest levels since before WWII. Without a visionary and generational investment in our national defense, America will no longer have the capabilities to defeat our adversaries. This investment will restore American deterrence, modernize our military, and build the ready, capable, and lethal fighting force President Trump promised. The legislation delivers on critical priorities:
On Wednesday, April 30, the Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing called "Military Department Personnel Chiefs: Personnel Posture." Witnesses discussed a turn-around in recruiting that is ensuring we have a fully-manned, lethal, and ready force. They also discussed how FY25 NDAA quality of life provisions are being implemented and what improvements are being made for our servicemembers and their families. On Thursday, May 1, the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held a hearing titled "Small UAS and Counter-Small UAS: Gaps, Requirements, and Projected Capabilities."    Education & Workforce On Tuesday, April 29, the Committee on Education & Workforce held a full committee markup of a Committee Print, Providing for reconciliation pursuant to H.Con.Res. 14, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025. The Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan—a vital portion of Trump’s big, beautiful bill to provide tax relief for American families and small businesses, rein in wasteful spending, and reduce the federal budget deficit—saves taxpayers over $350 billion while also bringing much-needed reform to the nation’s postsecondary education system. Colleges have ridden the gravy train of taxpayer dollars without any accountability for the quality of the education they provide or whether students can find jobs when they graduate. While Democrat attempts to spend $1 trillion in taxpayer money on student loan bailouts exacerbated the student loan crisis. The Committee’s plan brings accountability and holds schools financially responsible for loading students up with debt. The bill also includes other reforms that will lower costs for students and families while ensuring the fiscal sustainability of targeted programs like the Pell Grant. Bottom line, it means savings for taxpayers and success for students.    On Wednesday, April 30, the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing called "Investing for the Future: Honoring ERISA’s Promise to Participants." This hearing focused on protecting the retirement savings of American workers. The first Trump administration ensured that investments are made in the financial interests of workers and retirees. Democrats removed these protections for retirement savers and encouraged retirement plan fiduciaries to consider ESG when investing workers’ savings. ESG funds have underperformed for years. Additionally, investors are exposed to more risk when investing in ESG. Both situations can leave American savers with less. Yet, Democrats defended the Biden-Harris rules that pushed an ESG agenda and threatened the retirement savings of Americans. Energy and Commerce On Tuesday, April 29, the Committee on Energy and Commerce held a full committee markup of the following legislation:
  On Wednesday, April 30, the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing called "Assuring Abundant, Reliable American Energy to Power Innovation." This hearing focused on 14 pieces of legislation aimed at helping our nation create affordable and reliable energy to maintain our grid and power new technologies.  Financial Services On Tuesday, April 29, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions held a hearing called "Regulatory Overreach: The Price Tag on American Prosperity." Members focused on promoting regulatory fairness, transparency, and appropriately scaled oversight within the financial system. The subcommittee explored reforms to increase accountability in bank supervision and enhance interagency coordination, with the goal of establishing a more efficient and tailored regulatory framework while preserving financial stability and public trust.  On Tuesday, April 29, the Subcommittee on Capital Markets held a hearing called "Exposing the Proxy Advisory Cartel: How ISS & Glass Lewis Influence Markets." This hearing examined the role and influence of proxy advisory firms, with a focus on Institutional Shareholder Service (ISS) and Glass Lewis, in shaping corporate governance and shareholder voting outcomes.  On Wednesday, April 30, the Financial Services Committee held a full committee markup on the following legislation:
 Foreign Affairs On Tuesday, April 29, the Europe Subcommittee held a hearing called “Shaping the Future of Cyber Diplomacy: Review for State Department Reauthorization.” During his opening remarks, Subcommittee Chairman Keith Self underscored the need for Congress to ensure the State Department has the critical tools needed to addressing increasing cyber threats by state and non-state actors as the committee moves forward with the first full State Department reauthorization since 2002. On Wednesday, April 30, the Foreign Affairs Committee held a full committee hearing called “The Need for an Authorized State Department.” During his opening remarks, Chairman Brian Mast underscored the need for the committee to conduct the first full reauthorization of the State Department since 2002. Despite nearly 80% of the department not being authorized by Congress, its bureaus, offices and programs continue to grow each year. Between 2000 and 2024, the State Department’s budget grew from roughly $9.5 billion to more than $55 billion. And with each year that passes, as the committee has previously highlighted, the department continues to stray further and further from its core mission. Chairman Mast and his fellow Republicans on the committee remain committed to fixing these issues permanently and to restoring command and control over the taxpayer dollars that the department sends across the globe.   Homeland Security On Tuesday, April 29, the Committee on Homeland Security held a full committee markup of a Committee Print, Providing for reconciliation pursuant to H.Con.Res. 14, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025.    House Administration On Tuesday, April 29, the Committee on House Administration held a full committee hearing called “Why the Wait? Unpacking California’s Untimely Election Counting Process.”   Judiciary On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the House Judiciary Committee held a markup and passed budget reconciliation provisions that allocate funding for:
The Committee’s package fully funds the Trump Administration’s immigration and deportation goals while covering the cost through the new fees. House Republicans and the Trump Administration remain committed to providing the resources needed to enforce our immigration laws and make our communities safe again.  Natural Resources On Tuesday, April 29, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held an oversight hearing titled “Exploring the Potential of Deep-Sea Mining to Expand American Mineral Production.” Minerals, particularly critical minerals, are essential to contemporary life. The House Committee on Natural Resources Majority has repeatedly emphasized the importance of critical minerals and securing American mineral supply chains. The sea floor is lined with critical and other hardrock minerals, often found in the form of polymetallic nodules, which are similar in size to golf balls. While the technology and research to mine in the deep-sea has existed for decades, global supply chains, increased reliance on adversarial foreign nations for critical minerals, and an uptick in general demand for these minerals have increased interest in deep-sea mining. On Tuesday, April 29, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on the following bills:
On Wednesday, April 30, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held an oversight hearing titled “Advancing Federal Water and Hydropower Development: A Stakeholder Perspective.” America’s first renewable electricity source, hydropower, has been providing flexible, low-cost, and emission-free, baseload, renewable energy for more than 100 years. For generations, water resources projects have delivered multiple benefits to humans, fish, and wildlife. Examining the regulatory challenges that this infrastructure faces due to laws like the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) will help to inform solutions to safeguard this infrastructure, and ensure it delivers to communities for years to come. On Wednesday, April 30, the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held a legislative hearing on the following bills:
  Oversight & Government Reform On Tuesday, April 29, the Subcommittee on Government Operations held a hearing called “Tracking Progress: Updates to DoD’s Financial Management Scorecard.” After failing seven financial audits, members examined the Department of Defense’s (DoD) progress towards addressing financial management challenges. Members also discussed how DoD can leverage lessons learned from the U.S. Marine Corps, the only service to receive a clean audit opinion. Subcommittee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) pledged to work together in a bipartisan manner to bring fiscal responsibility to DoD to ensure stewardship of taxpayer dollars and military readiness. On Tuesday, April 29, the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing called “Made in the USA: Igniting the Industrial Renaissance of the United States.” During the hearing, expert witnesses discussed the importance of advancing solutions that revive America’s manufacturing industry, empower the U.S. workforce, and decrease our reliance on supply chains controlled by the Chinese Communist Party and other hostile foreign actors. Members stressed that China’s position as the current world leader in manufacturing poses economic, military, and national security threats to the United States. To ignite an American industrial renaissance and protect the U.S. workforce, members concluded that Congress must work alongside the Trump Administration to decrease unnecessary regulatory burdens and streamline permitting processes.  On Tuesday, April 29, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation held a hearing called “Unlocking Government Efficiency Through IT Modernization.” At the hearing, members examined opportunities to save taxpayers money, enhance security, and achieve efficiencies by building on groundbreaking initiatives started during the first Trump Administration to modernize legacy IT systems in the federal government.  On Tuesday, April 29, the Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs held a hearing called “Securing the Skies: Addressing Unauthorized Drone Activity Over U.S. Military Installations.” During the hearing, members discussed how drone incursions over military installations have increased in frequency, posing a significant threat to U.S. national security. Members noted that while multiple federal agencies share responsibility for countering drone threats, no single entity has clear authority over deterrence, leaving U.S. military sites exposed to surveillance, espionage, or potential weaponization. Subcommittee Chairman William Timmons (R-S.C.) and Ranking Member Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) pledged to work together to find solutions to enhance military security and counter aerial threats. On Wednesday, April 30, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a full committee markup and passed budget legislation that advances President Trump’s America First agenda and saves American taxpayers over $50 billion. The Committee will now finalize its section of the budget legislation and transmit it directly to the House Committee on the Budget, which will compile and present the final package for consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives.  Rules On Monday, April 28, the Committee on Rules met on the following measures:
   Science, Space, and Technology On Tuesday, April 29, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a full committee markup on the following legislation:
On Wednesday, April 30, the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing called "Risky Business Part 2: The DOE Loan Guarantee Program." The discussion focused on the Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program, focusing on its return on investment for the American taxpayer and its role in providing capital to traditionally private markets. The hearing also evaluated the Loan Program Office’s recent expansion under the Biden Administration and reviewed its current portfolio and associated risks. Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party On Monday, April 28, Chairman Moolenaar authored an op-ed in the Washington Examiner, emphasizing the necessity for the U.S. to reevaluate its trade policies, particularly in light of China's growing economic influence. He argued that current trade practices may inadvertently empower adversarial regimes, urging for a strategic overhaul to safeguard national interests. On Tuesday, April 29, The Chairman celebrated the first 100 days of the Trump administration, highlighting key achievements in confronting China's economic and technological ambitions. He commended the administration's efforts to decouple critical supply chains from China, enhance semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S., and bolster alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. These initiatives, he noted, are essential steps toward safeguarding American economic and national security interests. On Wednesday, April 30, Chairman Moolenaar moderated a conversation on the future of robotics and U.S. innovation Wednesday at the Hill & Valley Forum, highlighting the importance of maintaining America’s technological edge amid growing global competition. The panel brought together industry leaders and policymakers to discuss the strategic role robotics will play in national security and economic resilience. The Committee hosted a closed-door roundtable with members of the Tibetan community, amplifying voices suppressed by the CCP and reaffirming America’s commitment to religious freedom and human rights. The meeting focused on the CCP’s efforts to erase Tibetan identity and culture. Later that evening, the Chairman spoke with Newsmax, underscoring bipartisan efforts to confront the challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party and the need for continued vigilance. On Thursday morning the Chairman joined Mornings with Maria to discuss President Trump’s first 100 days and the critical need for a tougher approach toward the Chinese Communist Party. He emphasized the importance of restoring deterrence and confronting CCP aggression across economic, technological, and geopolitical fronts.    Small Business On Wednesday, April 30, the Committee on Small Business held a full committee markup on the following legislation:
   Transportation and Infrastructure This week, the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit continued preparations for the next surface transportation reauthorization with a hearing focused on the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). The hearing entitled “America Builds: The Need for a Long-Term Solution for the Highway Trust Fund,” examined the current funding issues with the HTF and potential solutions. In his opening statement Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer said, “Without a serious solution, our state, local, and private sector partners risk losing a reliable funding source critical to project delivery and our national economy.”  The Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a roundtable to examine the rise in cargo theft over the past year and discuss ways the federal government can better partner with the states and supply chain stakeholders to combat cargo theft. On Wednesday, April 30th, T&I approved the Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal. The proposal combines critical investments for President Trump’s border and national security agenda and for improving America’s air traffic control system, with cuts in wasteful spending and other deficit reducing provisions that will provide a net reduction of more than $10 billion to the nation’s deficit. Specifically, the proposal provides investments to the U.S. Coast Guard’s missions to stop the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the country and bolster our national security, and to replace the nation’s air traffic control technology. These investments will be more than offset by the elimination of funding for several Green New Deal style programs, a requirement that electric vehicles (EVs) begin paying for their use of the highway system just like other highway users, and other deficit reduction measures. Over 130 transportation industry and workforce groups offered support for various provisions in the proposal.   Veterans Affairs On Tuesday, April 29, the Subcommittee on Health held an oversight hearing titled "Dignity Denied: The Case for Reform at State Veterans Homes.” This hearing examined the heightened risk faced by elderly veterans and how they are best served by State Veterans Homes (SVHs), exploring whether stronger oversight, standardized reporting, and improved VA-state coordination are needed to protect a rapidly growing and vulnerable veteran population. Witnesses included representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH), and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA). Testimonies focused on the need for more resources for SVHs to better meet the needs of aging veterans. Secretary Charlton Meginley, providing testimony on behalf of LDVA, discussed his state’s ability to apply best practices throughout its veterans’ homes. He expressed his state's desire to “create an environment of dignity and respect,” and addressed the importance of being aware of the issues, saying “we live and die by data, essentially every day, so that we can make our homes better.” Chairwoman Miller-Meeks, recognizing the many issues facing older veterans, rededicated the committee’s efforts to “put them at the forefront of our conversation about veteran healthcare.”  On Wednesday, April 30, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held an oversight hearing titled "Answering the Call: Examining VA’s Mental Health Policies.” The hearing examined the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) progress towards implementing comprehensive wraparound mental health services and policies. This hearing comes as recent reports by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) have identified deficiencies in the mental health care intake process and adherence to suicide risk identification screening guidance. Testifying at the hearing were Dr. Ilse Wiechers, Deputy Executive Director, Office of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration; Dr. Anthony Stazzone, Chief Medical Officer, Veterans Integrated Service Network 9, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration; and Dr. Julie Kroviak, MD, Principal Deputy Assistant Inspector General in the Role of Acting Assistant Inspector General for Healthcare Inspections, U.S. Department of Veterans. The hearing highlighted the Trump Administration’s plan to address the issues identified by the OIG to improve mental health care coordination at VA. The OIG stressed the need at VA for better reporting systems and increased oversight from senior leadership at the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN). Chairwoman Kiggans emphasized that the Subcommittee would continue its efforts to ensure VA is delivering quality mental health care to veterans.  |