Press Releases
Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap – Week of May 11, 2026
Washington,
May 16, 2026
Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:
Appropriations On Tuesday, May 12, the Subcommittee on Defense held a budget hearing called "The Department of Defense." Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, and Acting Under Secretary of Defense Jules Hurst testified before the Subcommittee on the FY27 budget request for the Department of Defense. Later that day, the Subcommittee heard from Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle, and Commandant of the Marine Corps General Eric Smith on the FY27 budget requests for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Appropriators will use this testimony to inform the funding process as they move forward.  On Tuesday, May 12, the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing called "Department of Housing and Urban Development." Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner testified before the Subcommittee on the FY27 budget request for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Appropriators will use this testimony to inform the funding process as they move forward.  On Wednesday, May 13, the Committee on Appropriations held a full committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill. The FY27 CJS bill passed the full Committee with a vote of 32-28.  On Friday, May 15, the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies held a markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill. The FY27 Energy and Water bill passed the subcommittee and will advance to full committee consideration. Armed Services On Wednesday, May 13, the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces held a hearing called "Department of the Air Force Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for Seapower and Projection Forces." Members discussed the Air Force’s bomber, tanker, and airlift programs. "In today’s constantly evolving threat environment, our adversaries are investing heavily in advanced capabilities as they try to close in on our lead. It is critical that we ensure that never happens,” Subcommittee Chairman Trent Kelly (R-MS) said.  On Thursday, May 14, the Committee on Armed Services held a full committee hearing called "Department of the Navy Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request." Members discussed the need to increase shipbuilding, as well as the Navy’s critical missions of combatting narco-trafficking in the western hemisphere, ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon, and safeguarding freedom of navigation around the globe. America’s maritime industrial base has shrunk dramatically and that’s harmed both military and commercial shipbuilding. While China builds 47 percent of the world’s ships now, the U.S. builds one tenth of one percent. “To maintain deterrence and ensure maritime dominance, we need a robust constellation of shipyards with modern infrastructure and a large, skilled workforce capable of meeting the increased demand for building and repairing ships." Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) said.  On Thursday, May 14, the Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation held a hearing called "Science, Technology, and Innovation Posture of the Department of Defense." Witnesses testified on the Pentagon’s strategy for developing and deploying new technologies, like quantum computing AI, autonomous systems, and biotechnology. “The battlefield is changing on a fundamental level, and our opponents are dead set on using this paradigm shift in technology as an opportunity to degrade American dominance,” Chairman Don Bacon (R-NE) said. “One of the U.S.’s greatest competitive advantages is our ability to out-think and out-innovate our adversaries.” On Friday, May 15, the Committee on Armed Services held a full committee hearing called "Department of the Army Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request." Members discussed the need for strategic modernization of the Army, while increasing readiness. Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) made it clear that revitalizing the defense industrial base is critical for America’s national security. “Mission capable rates for critical weapon systems have fallen well below acceptable levels. I have been beating the drum for a long time on the decline of the organic industrial base and the defense industrial base as a whole," Rogers said. "I am glad President Trump shares my concerns and has released a budget that will finally addresses this problem. We need to enact that budget and we need to rapidly turn that historic investment into capability for the warfighter."  Education & Workforce On Wednesday, May 13, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing called "Building a Safer Future: Private-Sector Strategies for Emerging Safety Issues." The hearing examined how workplace safety policies can keep up with changing jobs, new technology, and emerging risks. Members and witnesses discussed practical ways employers are already improving safety—including using data, AI, and proactive safety programs to help prevent injuries before they happen. The hearing focused on the need for workplace safety policies that are effective, flexible, and grounded in real-world experience. On Thursday, May 14, the Committee on Education and Workforce held a full committee hearing called "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education." Education Secretary Linda McMahon outlined the Trump administration’s push to give parents more control over their children’s education, expand school choice, support job training programs, protect girls’ sports, and hold colleges accountable for rising costs. These reforms are about making sure every child has the chance to succeed, no matter where they live or what school they attend. The hearing highlighted Committee Republicans’ belief that families—not Washington bureaucrats—know what is best for their children and should have the freedom to choose the education path that helps them thrive.    Energy & Commerce On Wednesday, May 13, the Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing called "Wires, Rates, and States: Permitting Transmission for Reliable and Affordable Power." This hearing focused on the importance of ensuring investments are going to the most reliable and affordable transmission infrastructure to protect ratepayers, states, and utilities. On Wednesday, May 13, the Subcommittee on Health held a markup on the following bills:
   Financial Services On Wednesday, May 13, the Committee on Financial Services held a full committee markup on the following bills:
   Foreign Affairs On Wednesday, May 13, the Committee on Foreign Affairs held a full committee markup on the following bills:
   Homeland Security On Thursday, May 14, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence held a markup on the following bills:
   House Administration On Thursday, May 14, the Committee on House Administration held a full committee markup on the following bills:
   Judiciary On Wednesday, May 13, the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government held a hearing named "Sharia-Free America: Why Political Islam & Sharia Law are Incompatible with the U.S. Constitution: Part II." The hearing examined how the rise of Sharia law in America poses serious risks to our civil liberties, founding principles, and republican system of government. It discussed how Sharia-based institutions may violate federal law and the Constitution. In addition, the hearing discussed proposed legislative reforms on this topic. On Thursday, May 14, the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement held a hearing called "Fairfax County, Virginia: The Dangerous Consequences of Sanctuary Policies." The hearing examined how state and local policies that prioritize illegal aliens over U.S. citizens and prohibit cooperation with federal immigration authorities hurt public safety and have devastating consequences.    Natural Resources On Wednesday, May 13, the Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee oversight hearing called "Examining the President's FY 2027 Budget Request for the Department of the Interior." This hearing focused on the Department of the Interior’s FY 2027 budget request and how House Republicans are working with the Trump administration to unleash American energy, strengthen domestic mineral supply chains and support responsible management of the nation’s public lands and natural resources. Members discussed streamlining permitting, improving wildfire response and expanding access to America’s abundant natural resources to support economic growth, energy security and long-term stewardship.    On Thursday, May 14, the Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markupon the following bills:
Oversight and Government Reform On Wednesday, May 13, the Subcommittee on Government Operations held a hearing called "DoW Financial Management: Examining Progress and New Audit Approaches." This hearing was part of the Subcommittee’s larger investigation into the Department of War’s (DoW) ineffective financial management that has been preventing them from achieving a clean audit. During the hearing, members analyzed the DoW’s revised audit strategy and assessed persistent roadblocks within the agency that prevent it from passing a financial audit.  On Thursday, May 14, the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement held a hearing called "Privacy Protections & the Second Amendment: Examining ATF’s Relationship to the Tiahrt Amendment." During the hearing, members discussed the history and purpose of the Tiahrt Amendment and the consequences of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ failure to abide by it. The hearing also examined the ATF’s track record protecting Second Amendment rights.  Rules On Tuesday, May 12, the Committee on Rules met on the following measures:
   Select Committee on China On Monday, May 11, Chairman Moolenaar introduced bipartisan legislation - the Connected Vehicle Security Act - to block Chinese-made trucks and automobiles from the United States. The American auto industry is vital for jobs, national security, and the future of America’s manufacturing base. China cheats in every industry, and in autos it is overproducing vehicles and components, and selling them for cheap in hopes they will put our companies out of business. The legislation is a follow-up to the committee’s earlier hearing: “Trojan Horse: China's Auto Threat to America.”    Veterans’ Affairs On Wednesday, May 13, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a full committee oversight hearing called "Expanding the Mission: The Future of the National Center for Warrior Independence in West LA." GOP members emphasized their support for President Trump’s May 9, 2025, Executive Order which establishes the National Center for Warrior Independence on the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center's campus, and would house up to 6,000 homeless veterans. GOP Members questioned VA officials about why the implementation plan submission was 248 days late to Congress, potential need for funding, and the current state of the West LA VAMC Campus with the ongoing security concerns. Members also questioned entities that have leases and agreements on the VA campus to learn how each entity plans to follow the law and principally benefit veterans and learn how the West LA campus can be improved for veterans who live on campus.   On Thursday, May 14, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a full committee markup on 17 bills. Republican members emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for veterans to use their benefits to secure meaningful employment, build independence, and ensure that VA delivers high quality health care. Republican members also underscored the need for proper oversight over VA to ensure that VA remains transparent and accountable to the veterans they serve. Several Democratic amendments and proposals were raised that would advance legislation without an offset; however, Republican members successfully advanced their amendments and proposals with an offset to maintain fiscal responsibility.  ### |