Press Releases
Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap – Week of February 23, 2026
Washington,
February 26, 2026
Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:
Appropriations On Tuesday, February 24, the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs held an oversight hearing focused on the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Chaired by Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), members questioned and received testimony from NED President and CEO Damon Wilson. The proceeding provided Appropriators the opportunity to give serious attention to, and rigorous oversight of, the programs funded in the NSRP bill, as well as support the Trump Administration's America First foreign policy. The National Endowment for Democracy, founded by President Ronald Reagan, is a critical tool to advance U.S. foreign policy priorities around the world and support those fighting for freedom under authoritarian regimes in Iran, North Korea, and Cuba.   Armed Services On Tuesday, February 24, the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces and the Subcommittee on Readiness held a joint hearing called "Modernization of the Organic Industrial Base." The organic industrial base is the heart of the Army’s ability to generate combat power, and any inadequacies in the industrial base directly impact our mission-capable readiness. After the depletion of stockpiles for support to Ukraine, it became clear that the supply chain is unable to scale domestic production to keep up with the growth in demand. Most army ammunition plants and arsenals have technology and processes from World War II. Members questioned witnesses about efforts to modernize the Organic Industrial Base (OIB) and strengthen supply chains.   Education & Workforce On Tuesday, February 24, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing called "Balancing Careers and Care: Examining Innovative Approaches to Paid Leave." This hearing focused on expanding paid family leave without imposing a one-size-fits-all federal mandate. Lawmakers highlighted state-led solutions and public-private partnerships, including the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act, to increase access while giving employers flexibility. Republicans are encouraging states to lead and expand access to paid leave programs—making it easier for working Americans to balance careers and family.   On Tuesday, February 24, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing called "Building an AI-Ready America: Teaching in the AI Age." The Committee’s fourth AI hearing examined how AI is reshaping classrooms. Teachers are using it to save time and personalize learning, with some gains in student performance. But many feel unprepared, and student misuse is growing. The key takeaway: AI has big promise, but schools need clear rules and better training to make it work.  Energy & Commerce On Tuesday, February 24, the Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing called "From Source to Tap: A Hearing to Examine Challenges and Opportunities for Safe, Reliable, and Affordable Drinking Water." The hearing focused on the Safe Drinking Water Act, and where it has succeeded and where it has potential to be improved to help ensure all Americans can reliably access safe and affordable water.    Financial Services Committee Republicans released a video outlining the real solutions the Committee has advanced to support President Trump’s agenda, strengthen the economy, and expand opportunity for the American people. Reflecting a shared commitment to empowering hardworking families and ensuring access to the American dream, the Committee has passed nearly 50 bills through the House of Representatives and advanced over 100 bills through the Committee.  Foreign Affairs On Tuesday, February 24, the Committee on Foreign Affairs held a full committee hearing called "Advancing National Security through Commercial Diplomacy." The lawmakers examined how the State Department, through the leadership of the undersecretary for economic affairs, is postured to strengthen the United States’ commercial diplomacy and align economic tools with foreign policy objectives. During her opening remarks, East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim underscored that America’s economic strength is the foundation for its leadership abroad. She also added that American diplomacy must reinforce U.S. competitiveness and support American businesses. On Tuesday, February 24, the South and Central Asia Subcommittee held a hearing called "Strengthening Export Control Enforcement." The lawmakers examined U.S. efforts to protect America’s advanced chips and other leading-edge technologies amid the AI Arms Race with China. The hearing comes amid recent reports that China’s latest DeepSeek AI model was trained on illegally smuggled chips produced in the U.S.— the latest example of China advancing its AI ambitions with stolen American technology. During his opening remarks, South and Central Asia Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga underscored that as America’s adversaries work to circumvent export controls, the U.S. must ensure its export control enforcement meets the urgency of the moment.   Homeland Security On Tuesday, February 24, the Committee on Homeland Security held a full committee hearing called "Before the Whistle: Assessing Information Sharing and Security Collaboration Ahead of Major Events." During the hearing, members questioned witnesses about cross-sector coordination efforts and what additional resources Congress could provide to help ensure Americans and visitors are safe ahead of major mass gatherings on U.S. soil. Members and witnesses also raised concerns about the potential impacts of the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and associated funding delays on security preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and America250 celebrations. Witnesses testified that prolonged disruption could delay critical planning decisions and create vulnerabilities that risk compromising homeland security.    Natural Resources On Tuesday, February 24, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held an oversight hearing titled “Bureaucratic Delays and the Costs to Ratepayers and Electric Power Systems.” The hearing focused on the management of electricity rights-of-way on public lands and how enacting the Fix Our Forests Act would grant utilities greater flexibility to manage threats to public safety and electric grid reliability.  On Tuesday, February 24, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a legislative hearing on the following bills:
 Oversight and Government Reform On Wednesday, February 24, the Subcommittee on Government Operations held a hearing called "An Update on DoD’s Struggling Background Check System." During the hearing, members reviewed the progress made over the last 18 months to address the issues causing delays in National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) implementation. Members also examined potential solutions to ongoing problems and actions Congress can take to help the Department of Defense (DoD) overcome these challenges.  Rules On Monday, February 23, the Committee on Rules met on the following measures:
   Science, Space, and Technology On Tuesday, February 24, the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing called "Powering America's AI Future: Assessing Policy Options to Increase Data Center Infrastructure" to examine the structure and oversight of federal permitting regimes governing the energy and data center infrastructure critical to AI development. The hearing also assessed how lengthy timelines, expanding compliance requirements, and approval uncertainty constrain the energy production and grid expansion needed to power AI, and evaluated the implications of these barriers for U.S. competitiveness as China rapidly expands power generation and data center capacity through more centralized and streamlined approval processes.   Select Committee on China Chairman Moolenaar again called for repealing permanent normal trade relations with China after media reports found that the country is planning to sell supersonic anti-ship missiles to Iran. “China serves as the arsenal of America’s adversaries, and now it's reportedly selling missiles to a regime that chants ‘Death to America.’ This is yet another reason we must revoke China’s privileged trade status. This will give the administration more leverage in negotiations, protect national security, and level the playing field. China has taken advantage of America for too long, arming our enemies while it undermines our economy and working families," said Moolenaar.    Small Business On Tuesday, February 24, the Committee on Small Business held a full committee hearing called "Career and Technical Education: Developing the Future of Main Street Success." The purpose of this hearing was to highlight how career and technical education (CTE) programs prepare workers for the workforce and help alleviate labor shortages nationwide.    Transportation and Infrastructure On February 20th, 2026, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) introduced the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026. The ALERT Act was introduced in response to the various aviation safety issues raised by the tragic 2025 midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a UH-60 Army Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The legislation addresses all 50 safety-related recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which concluded its thorough investigation and issued its final report on February 17, 2026. Numerous aviation stakeholders have expressed support for the ALERT Act.    Veterans Affairs On Tuesday, February 24, the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs held a joint hearing called "Legislative Presentation of Disabled American Veterans & Multi VSOs: Military Officers Association of America, Blue Star Families, Vietnam Veterans of America, National Congress of American Indians, Service Women's Action Network, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., and Black Veterans Project." Chairwoman Mace expressed support for Disabled American Veterans, emphasizing the importance of new veterans understanding the benefits they have earned. GOP Members highlighted the need for enhancing the financial planning section of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to cover topics such as debt management, taxes, and investing to ensure a smoother transition to civilian life. Additionally, Chairwoman Mace raised the importance of veterans being able to access healthcare in the community veterans live in. The second panel included various witnesses from VSO stakeholders who expressed their desire to address homelessness and suicide prevention for veterans and surviving spouses. On Tuesday, February 24, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a markup on the following bills:
Ways and Means On Tuesday, February 24, the Subcommittee on Health held a hearing called "Advancing the Next Generation of America’s Health Care Workforce." Witnesses shared that there remains a critical need for more physician training and medical residencies located in rural communities across the country. America will face a total shortage of 187,000 physicians by 2037, with rural areas experiencing shortages of 60 percent and urban areas of just 10 percent, and many rural hospitals are under-resourced and struggle to open and run their own residency programs. At the same time, lifestyle interventions that incorporate nutrition and exercise for chronic disease management and technology can be better leveraged to support the next generation of physicians.    ###
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