Press Releases
Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap – Week of July 14, 2025
Washington,
July 18, 2025
Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:
Agriculture On Tuesday, July 15, the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a hearing called "Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture: The Role of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN)." At this hearing, Members examined the essential role of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) in defending against devastating animal disease outbreaks like avian flu and African swine fever. Expert witnesses from top diagnostic labs underscored NAHLN’s front-line role in early detection, rapid response, and biosecurity preparedness. The hearing highlighted how the One Big Beautiful Bill delivers critical livestock biosecurity investments, specifically $233 million per year for the so-called three-stool and $10 million per year for NAHLN, to expand diagnostic capacity, support outbreak response, and strengthen our national defenses against foreign animal diseases. On Wednesday, July 16, the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit held a hearing called "Financing Farm Operations: The Importance of Credit and Risk Management." At this hearing, lawmakers and witnesses emphasized the growing financial pressures facing American farmers and the critical role of lending tools and risk management programs in supporting farm viability. Subcommittee Chairman Austin Scott (GA-08) underscored that reliable access to capital and a strong farm safety net are foundational to American agriculture. A central focus was the One Big Beautiful Bill, which strengthens the farm safety net by increasing reference prices, expanding crop insurance access, modernizing base acre policy, and making key tax provisions permanent. This hearing highlighted that outdated loan limits and slow bureaucratic processes must be addressed through farm bill reauthorization to better reflect the needs of today’s family farms. The hearing helped shape the path forward for reforming credit programs to meet the moment and ensure long-term certainty for both producers and their lenders.    Appropriations On Monday, July 14, the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack secured approval of his Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill following subcommittee consideration. The legislation reflects America First priorities by investing in transportation safety, preserving access to housing, and maintaining responsible infrastructure funding. On Monday, July 14, the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies held a markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill. Energy and Water Development Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann led a successful subcommittee markup of his Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill. The measure prioritizes the continued modernization of our nuclear weapons stockpile, unleashes American energy dominance, and boosts economic competitiveness by rolling back burdensome Biden-era regulations. On Tuesday, July 15, the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill. Interior and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson advanced his Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill through subcommittee markup. The legislation supports President Trump’s energy dominance agenda and responsibly right-sizes federal environmental agency budgets. On Tuesday, July 15, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs held a markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Bill. National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart secured subcommittee passage of his Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill. The legislation reinforces national security priorities, strengthens diplomatic readiness, and ensures taxpayer accountability abroad. On Tuesday, July 15, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill. Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers advanced his Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill to the full committee. The legislation delivers robust resources to combat the fentanyl epidemic, supports law enforcement, and fuels cutting-edge American innovation in science, technology, and space exploration. On Thursday, July 17, the Committee on Appropriations held a full committee markup of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY 2026, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY 2026, and the updated report on the Interim Suballocation of the Budget Allocations for FY 2026. The Appropriations Committee advanced the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill, authored by Chairman Steve Womack. The legislation invests in safe and reliable travel infrastructure, preserves housing access for vulnerable Americans, and supports community development and economic growth. The Committee also approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development bill, led by Chairman Chuck Fleischmann. The measure strengthens America’s energy independence, protects our nation’s nuclear security, and promotes pro-growth energy infrastructure and economic development. Armed Services On Tuesday, July 15, the Armed Services Committee held a full committee markup of H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The FY26 NDAA delivers on President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda—ensuring a ready, capable, and lethal force to defend the homeland and deter our adversaries. Passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 55–2 vote, this bill brings long-overdue acquisition reform, modernizes our military, delivers innovative technologies to our warfighters, improves quality of life for servicemembers, and backs the Trump Administration’s request for a 3.8% increase in servicemember pay. The FY26 NDAA strengthens deterrence against Communist China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. It expands U.S. production capacity and revitalizes our defense industrial base by providing predictability for contractors and encouraging new entrants into the sector. When combined with the One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB), it brings total available funding to over $1 trillion—marking a historic investment in American security and military readiness.   Education & Workforce On Tuesday, July 15, the Committee on Education & Workforce held a full committee hearing called "Antisemitism in Higher Education: Examining the Role of Faculty, Funding, and Ideology." Georgetown, CUNY, and UC Berkeley were called to testify on the drivers inciting antisemitism on college campuses including:
   Energy & Commerce On Tuesday, July 15, the Committee on Energy & Commerce held a full committee business meeting for the notification of changes to Subcommittee Chairs, Vice Chairs, and Subcommittee membership. On Tuesday, July 15, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held a markup called "The SCORE Act - Standardizing Name, Image, and Likeness." The bill was forwarded to the Full Committee.  On Wednesday, July 16, the Subcommittee on Health held a hearing called "Legislative Proposals to Maintain and Improve the Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, and Over-the-Counter Medicines." During the hearing, members discussed legislation that would help improve Americans' access to affordable and timely care.  On Wednesday, July 16, the Subcommittee on the Environment held a hearing called "Beyond the Blue Bin: Forging a Federal Landscape for Recycling Innovation and Economic Growth." Members heard from witnesses on potential economic and national security benefits from advanced recycling including keeping critical minerals here in the United States rather than overseas.  Financial Services On Tuesday, July 15, the Committee on Financial Services held a full committee hearing called "Dodd-Frank Turns 15: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead." The full Committee held a hearing evaluating the real-world impact and unintended consequences of the Dodd-Frank Act, which was enacted into law 15 years ago in wake of the financial crisis. Members examined the expansive regulatory bureaucracy created by the law.  On Wednesday, July 16, the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions held a hearing called "U.S. Policy on Investment Security." The subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Warren Davidson (OH-08), examined how the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) balances national security safeguards while maintaining an open investment environment.  On Wednesday, July 16, the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance held a hearing called "HOME 2.0: Modern Solutions to the Housing Shortage." The subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Mike Flood (NE-01), explored bipartisan solutions to the housing shortage, such as modernizing the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) Program which has not been reauthorized since 1992.  Foreign Affairs On Tuesday, July 15, the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee held a hearing called “Breaking China’s Chokehold on Critical Mineral Supply Chains.” During her opening remarks, Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim highlighted the growing demand for critical minerals and the threat posed by China’s dominance over global rare earth element processing and battery and magnet manufacturing. She called for a bold strategy to secure resilient, diversified supply chains that are free from Chinese control. On Tuesday, July 15, the Committee on Foreign Affairs held a full committee hearing called “FY26 State Department Posture: Management and Resources.” During the hearing, lawmakers heard from Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Michael Rigas on the department's strategic realignment under President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure every dollar and every diplomat puts America first. Chairman Brian Mast emphasized the importance of ensuring that the State Department puts America’s interest first and foremost in carrying out its mission abroad. “America needs a focused and a mission-driven State Department where every dollar and every diplomat puts the United States of America First,” Chairman Mast said. On Wednesday, July 16, the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee held a hearing called “Management Family FY26 Budget Posture Hearing.” During the hearing, lawmakers heard from Acting Assistant Secretary of Administration Jose Cunningham on several key issues including structural reforms needed to consolidate the State Department’s core management functions, streamline executive offices and align financial oversight with policy priorities so that every taxpayer dollar advances our mission abroad. During his opening remarks, Subcommittee Chairman Michael Lawler emphasized the importance of strong and collaborative partnership between Congress and the State Department. “When we work hand in hand, grounded in open, timely and transparent communication, we are best positioned to advance our shared national security and foreign policy goals. Congress stands ready to support the Department’s mission, and we look forward to continuing that work together,” Rep. Lawler said.   Homeland Security On Tuesday, July 15, the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security held a hearing entitled “Surveillance, Sabotage, and Strikes: Industry Perspectives on How Drone Warfare Abroad Is Transforming Threats at Home. Witnesses highlighted the need to reform counter-UAS authorities, how America’s adversaries might weaponize drones in the homeland or against U.S. assets abroad, the risks posed by drones in our airspace that have been manufactured by adversaries like China, and what policymakers can do to ensure we do not fall behind as we continue to develop our own drone technology.  On Tuesday, July 15, the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability and the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement held a joint hearing entitled “Case by Case: Returning Parole to Its Proper Purpose.” Members examined the aftermath of the Biden-Harris administration’s unlawful mass-parole schemes, which led to the release of more than 1.5 million inadmissible aliens en masse into the interior in just four years, many of them receiving little to no vetting.  On Wednesday, July 16, the Committee on Homeland Security held a full committee hearing entitled “An Inside Job: How NGOs Facilitated the Biden Border Crisis.” Members examined how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) helped facilitate and benefited from the historic Biden-Harris border crisis, as well as how far-left NGOs are still working to help inadmissible aliens undermine federal immigration law under the Trump administration. This hearing was part of a years-long investigation by the Committee into whether NGOs used taxpayer dollars to facilitate illegal activity during the Biden-Harris administration.  Judiciary On Tuesday, July 15, the Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust held a hearing called "Bankruptcy Law: Overview and Legislative Reforms," to examine whether bankruptcy law is continuing to strike the correct balance between the rights of creditors and debtors or whether narrowly tailored updates are necessary to maintain the viability of the bankruptcy system for small businesses, consumers, and creditors. On Tuesday, July 15, the Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing called "How Leftist Nonprofit Networks Exploit Federal Tax Dollars to Advance a Radical Agenda," to examine how left-wing organizations have exploited federal tax dollars to advance their radical causes. In particular, the hearing focused on how federal grants from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Justice Department were leveraged by these organizations to fund causes fundamentally opposed to the national interests of Americans. On Wednesday, July 16, the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance held a hearing called "Artificial Intelligence and Criminal Exploitation: A New Era of Risk," to examine the growing threat of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled crime, including how criminals are leveraging AI to conduct fraud, identity theft, child exploitation, and other illicit activities. It also explored the capabilities and limitations of law enforcement in addressing these evolving threats, as well as potential legislative and policy responses to ensure public safety in the age of AI.    Natural Resources On Tuesday, July 15, the Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markup of the following legislation:
  On Wednesday, July 16, the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing titled "Puerto Rico’s Fiscal Recovery Under PROMESA and the Road Ahead." The hearing focused on the challenges that lie ahead for continued fiscal reform and stressed the need for continued oversight economic recovery. On Wednesday, July 16, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on the following bills:
This week, the U.S House of Representatives also passed seven committee bills expanding energy development in Arizona and California, keeping commitments to veterans and codifying President Trump’s Executive Order 14229. Oversight and Government Reform On Tuesday, July 16, the Committee held a deposition with Anthony Bernal – First Lady Jill Biden’s Chief of Staff – as part of the investigation into the cover-up of President Biden’s cognitive decline and unauthorized autopen use. During his deposition, Mr. Bernal pleaded the Fifth when asked if any unelected official or family members executed the duties of the President and if Joe Biden ever instructed him to lie about his health. This is a historic scandal and Americans demand transparency and accountability.   Rules On Monday, July 14, the Committee on Rules met on the following measures:
On Thursday, the Committee considered Senate changes to President Trump’s landmark rescissions package. Rules Republicans stressed the value of $9 Billion in savings and the positive message it sends to hardworking taxpayers. By cutting funding for absurdities like diversity in the Mexican street lighting industry and electric buses in Rwanda, the Republican Trifecta is returning the people’s money. Additionally, our side of the dais reported out a measure calling on the DOJ to release all credible information on Jeffrey Epstein. After championing, supporting, and prolonging their open border agenda, Democrats have no right to lecture Republicans on child trafficking and exploitation.    Science, Space, and Technology On Wednesday, July 16, the Subcommittee on the Environment held a hearing called "Protecting Lives and Property: Harnessing Innovative Technologies to Enhance Weather Forecasting." Members were joined by four witnesses from the private and academic sectors to examine emerging weather technologies and discuss how the utilization of diverse data sources can significantly enhance the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasting.  Small Business    Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party On Tuesday, July 15, Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on China sent a letter urging FBI Director Kash Patel to end the agency's ongoing certification of products from Chinese military-linked companies that could be used to spy on Americans or strengthen the PRC surveillance state. On Wednesday, July 16, the House Select Committee on China held a roundtable discussion on China-related vulnerabilities in U.S. pharmaceutical supply chains. The session focused on the United States' dependence on China for certain essential generic medicines and the chemical inputs that underpin them. On Thursday, July 17, the House Select Committee on China sent a letter to the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority, Luis Roquebert, raise the alarm over PRC influence on the Panama Canal. In the letter, Chairman Moolenaar makes it clear: protecting the Panama Canal means protecting the United States.    Transportation and Infrastructure This week, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved the bipartisan Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. The legislation strengthens, supports, and authorizes funding through 2029 for the United States Coast Guard and its critical missions to safeguard the nation’s borders, facilitate maritime commerce, ensure maritime safety, and more. The bill also creates greater parity with the other armed services, including the establishment of a Secretary of the Coast Guard and stronger protections for members of the Coast Guard from sexual assault and harassment, based on legislation the T&I Committee introduced last Congress following the Service’s Operation Fouled Anchor. Ultimately, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 builds upon the historic investments in the Coast Guard provided in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and takes steps to revitalize American shipbuilding in accordance with President Trump’s agenda.  On Wednesday, July 16, the Committee held a hearing with Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy, whose testimony ranged from the Trump Administration’s efforts to modernize the air traffic control (ATC) system, priorities for a surface transportation reauthorization, the importance of streamlining infrastructure project delivery, the need to strengthen American shipbuilding, and more. At the hearing, Secretary Duffy addressed reports that air traffic controllers are being fired, saying, “We have not fired any air traffic controllers; they are critical safety positions.”   Veterans Affairs On Monday, July 14, the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization held an oversight hearing titled “VA Office of Information and Technology Organizational Structure and Priorities.” Chairman Tom Barrett (MI-07) led the hearing to stress that nothing at the VA works without strong, modern technology and smart investments. He voiced clear support for President Trump’s and Secretary Collins’ “smarter, not bigger” approach to the FY26 budget plan that will make the VA Office of Information Technology more efficient through automation, cybersecurity, and modern infrastructure. Rep. Barrett emphasized that with Republicans at the helm, the Committee will keep strong oversight in place to hold VA accountable and ensure every taxpayer dollar goes to efficient, effective systems that deliver results and serve our veterans — not wasteful overhead or a bloated bureaucracy.  On Tuesday, July 15, the Subcommittee on Health held an oversight hearing titled “Right Time, Right Place, Right Treatment with VA Community Care.” This hearing examined how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Program serves as a necessary, and oftentimes preferred, pathway for veterans’ access to timely, proximate, and tailored health care for specialty care services. The witness panel included representatives from veterans’ organizations directly engaged with these issues. Ms. Meaghan Mobbs, a Director at Independent Women, testified that the program was created in response to systemic failures, stating, “It offers veterans an alternative path to care when the VA cannot meet their needs in a timely or appropriate manner.” Chairwoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks also reaffirmed her commitment to the issue noting, “VA serves all veterans when it opens the door to community providers equipped to care for veterans at the right time, at the right place, with the right treatment.” The hearing emphasized the subcommittee’s commitment to ensure veterans receive the specialty care they deserve - where and when it is needed.  On Wednesday, July 16, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held an oversight hearing titled “Path of Purpose: Restoring the VA VR&E Program to Effectively Serve Veterans.” During the hearing, the Subcommittee examined VA’s Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program to ensure the program supports the rehabilitation of disabled veterans through meaningful employment. Committee members questioned VA about the long wait times for veterans to meet with a counselor of over 60 days, as well as lack of program oversight with some cases costing almost $900,000. GOP members are concerned about the potential waste, fraud, and abuse in the program and questioned VA on how they will ensure the program is fiscally responsible while still providing employment benefits for disabled veterans to be able to start a new career path that does not aggravate their service-connected disability.  Ways and Means On Wednesday, July 16, the Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing called "Making America the Crypto Capital of the World: Ensuring Digital Asset Policy Built for the 21st Century." Clear policy and tax certainty are critical to meeting President Trump’s goal of making the United States the global leader in cryptocurrency, according to testimony provided during the hearing. Experts in cryptocurrency and other digital assets spoke about how the lack of a clear framework for digital assets in the tax code will hinder the growth and benefits from this booming sector of the economy.   |