Leadership Steve Scalise RSS Articles

The Republican Recap: Week of September 17, 2026

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Protecting American Consumers from Costly Climate Mandates ✅

In 2023, the Biden Administration issued a rule allowing California to enforce a radical climate tax targeting shipping vessels. The regulation forces certain cargo ships to turn off their diesel engines while at California ports or face steep penalties.

This costly mandate is hurting America’s supply chains and driving up prices. Ships could face tens of thousands of dollars in penalties each day if they fail to abide by this rule. Those costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. With two of America’s largest ports in California and the state processing roughly 40% of containers entering the United States, this rule raises prices not just for Californians, but for families across the country.

This week, House Republicans advanced legislation to overturn this burdensome policy, lower costs for American families, and strengthen our supply chains.

Rep. Vince Fong’s joint resolution, H.J.Res. 210, overturns an Environmental Protection Agency rule granting a Clean Air Act waiver which limits pollution from ocean-going vessels docked at port.

“We are one step closer to stopping an unelected state agency in California from increasing prices for consumers across the country, weakening our nation’s supply chains, and straining our regional fuel supply,” said Rep. Fong. “California’s At Berth Regulation is unworkable and costly, putting some of our nation’s most productive ports – including the businesses and workers who rely on them – at a competitive disadvantage. It threatens West Coast energy security and disrupts the goods and services our economy relies on, forcing everyday families to pay the price at the checkout counter and the gas pump. My resolution is a commonsense solution to protect America's supply chains and prevent California’s actions from driving up costs for American families. I’m proud to lead the effort in the House and will work to get it passed in the Senate.”

What Members Said:

Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart applauded the passage of this important legislation which strengthens our economy and supports a vital American industry.

The Energy and Commerce Committee noted this bill puts an end to costly regulations that drive up energy costs.

Rolling Back Burdensome Climate Regulations ✅

California’s maritime industry is a major part of the state’s economy, helping move goods throughout the state and across the country while supporting nearly three million American jobs.

In 2025, the Biden Administration authorized California to enforce its onerous Commercial Harbor Craft Amendments, which expanded existing emissions regulations on commercial vessels and imposed new engine standards, including zero-emissions requirements for several vessel categories.

Vessel owners and operators face significant costs to comply with these new standards. Those costs could put additional pressure on maritime businesses and affect the competitiveness of California’s ports. This week, House Republicans passed legislation on the floor to rescind California’s harmful harbor craft mandate.

Rep. James Gallagher’s joint resolution, H.J.Res. 213, disapproves of the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule regarding California’s harbor craft regulations and nonroad engine pollution control standards.

“California already makes just about everything more expensive, and its mandates on our maritime industry are more of the same. My Congressional Review Act resolution overturns the EPA waiver that gave CARB the green light to move forward with this costly harbor craft mandate,” said Rep. Gallagher. "Rolling it back will help protect our supply chains and keep these costs from being passed along to American families. Enough is enough.”

What Members Said:

The Energy and Commerce Committee highlighted this legislation's impact on small businesses and the importance of protecting commercial harbor crafts from burdensome regulations.

The Republican Study Committee underscored how this legislation lowers costs for hardworking Americans and strengthens our maritime industry.

Strengthening Federal Oversight of Taxpayer-Funded Programs ✅

Many major federal programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, disaster assistance and small business programs, are federally funded but administered by state or local governments, leaving them vulnerable to fraud. As we saw in Minnesota, when state officials fail to provide adequate oversight or even worse - turn a blind eye to abuse, fraudsters can steal taxpayer dollars and go undetected.

That’s why Vice President JD Vance called on Congress to pass legislation requiring states to share information with the Department of Justice about how programs are administered and who receives these benefits. This will allow the federal government to better protect taxpayer dollars and hold fraudsters accountable.

This week, House Republicans answered Vice President Vance’s call by passing legislation to improve information sharing between states and the federal government, helping identify fraud faster, protect taxpayer dollars and hold criminals accountable.

Rep. Van Drew’s bill, H.R. 10326, Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act strengthens federal oversight by enhancing information-sharing capabilities between state administrators and federal law enforcement, making it easier to investigate fraud in federally-funded programs.

“I am proud to sponsor the PROOF Act because these programs are there to help people who truly need them,” said Rep. Van Drew. “States should not be able to block important fraud investigations when federal taxpayer dollars are involved. We should all be able to agree that this money should be going to the families, seniors, and individuals it was meant to help. This bill makes it easier for investigators to get the information they need and make sure that happens.”

What Members Said:

Rep. Julia Letlow emphasized how this bill makes it easier for the federal government to investigate fraud and prosecute criminals who take away hard-earned taxpayer dollars.

Rep. Warren Davidson highlighted the importance of rooting out fraud and holding criminals accountable for their actions.

Cracking Down on Fraud and Protecting Taxpayer Dollars ✅

According to the Government Accountability Office, the federal government loses an estimated $233 billion to $521 billion every year to fraud. It’s clear this is a government-wide problem that requires a government-wide response.

Prior to the Trump Administration, there was no fraud-focused team responsible for combating fraud across the federal government and holding fraudsters accountable. In January, President Trump established the Division for National Fraud Enforcement within the Department of Justice. The new office works with departments and agencies to crack down on fraud schemes across jurisdictions.

In recent months, Americans have seen for themselves how rampant fraud has become and why the federal government needs one office leading the charge to safeguard taxpayer dollars, protect federal programs for those who need them, and pursue criminals stealing from them.

This week, the House passed legislation that codifies the Trump Administration's creation of the National Fraud Enforcement division at the Department of Justice and the role of Assistant Attorney General to lead the division.

Rep. Brad Finstad’s bill, H.R. 9576, the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act,establishes a National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice, led by an Assistant Attorney General appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

“In Minnesota, we’ve seen the systematic failure of Governor Walz and his administration refusing to investigate fraudsters and safeguard Americans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars,” said Rep. Finstad. “Meanwhile, the Trump Administration and the Department of Justice have taken decisive action, including establishing the National Fraud Enforcement Division to investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. I’m proud to see my National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 pass in the House today, codifying the National Fraud Enforcement Division within the DOJ and establishing a permanent framework to strengthen our federal fraud prosecution efforts.”

What Members Said:

Rep. Tim Walberg applauded the bill for codifying the Trump Administration's Office of National Fraud Enforcement Division to protect taxpayer dollars.

Rep. Derek Schmidt celebrated how this bill strengthens the federal government's ability to hold fraudsters accountable.

Holding Russia and Iran Accountable ✅

America must continue to stand strong against hostile foreign regimes that threaten our national security and global stability. Russia and Iran have repeatedly worked to undermine American interests and destabilize our allies around the world.

The United States must use every available tool to hold these regimes accountable. That is why this week, the House amended legislation to strengthen sanctions against the Russian government, financial institutions, and those supporting Russia’s military in its unjust war on Ukraine. The legislation increases pressure on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas or help Russia evade sanctions, while restricting new U.S. investment in Russia.

The Senate amendments to H.R. 5334 includes the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 which presents new sanctions against Russia and extends the Iran Sanctions Act through 2031.

"Senator Lindsey Graham was my mentor and my friend — a man who understood the threats facing our nation and had the courage to stand up and confront them. After working with him on this bill for months, it was an honor to introduce it in the U.S. House and bring one of his final wishes to fruition,” said Rep. McCaul. “The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 will cripple the Russian war machine, finally bring Putin to the negotiating table, and ensure America’s adversaries — not only Russia, but also China and Iran — suffer for their coordinated campaign of aggression. This historic, bipartisan vote was a victory not just for Ukraine, but for freedom and democracy around the globe."

What Members Said:

Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the importance of placing pressure on our adversaries and putting an end to this war.

Rep. Rich McCormick highlighted how this legislation sends a message to our adversaries of American strength.

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The Leader's Floor Lookout: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Here’s what to watch for on the House Floor today:

Strengthening Federal Oversight of Taxpayer-Funded Programs

Many major federal programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, disaster assistance and small business programs, are federally funded but administered by state or local governments, leaving them vulnerable to fraud. As we saw in Minnesota, when state officials fail to provide adequate oversight or even worse - turn a blind eye to abuse, fraudsters can steal taxpayer dollars and go undetected.

That’s why Vice President JD Vance called on Congress to pass legislation requiring states to share information with the Department of Justice about how programs are administered and who receives these benefits. This will allow the federal government to better protect taxpayer dollars and prosecute fraudsters.

Today, House Republicans are answering Vice President Vance’s call by bringing legislation to the floor to improve information sharing between states and the federal government, helping identify fraud faster, protect taxpayer dollars and hold criminals accountable.

Rep. Van Drew’s bill, H.R. 10326, Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act would strengthen federal oversight by enhancing information-sharing capabilities between state administrators and federal law enforcement, making it easier to investigate fraud in federally-funded programs.

House Republicans are continuing to safeguard taxpayer dollars and crack down on fraud.

Cracking Down on Fraud and Protecting Taxpayer Dollars

According to the Government Accountability Office, the federal government loses an estimated $233 billion to $521 billion every year to fraud. It’s clear this is a government-wide problem that requires a government-wide response.

Prior to the Trump Administration, there was no fraud-focused team responsible for combating fraud across the federal government and holding fraudsters accountable. In January, President Trump established the Division for National Fraud Enforcement within the Department of Justice. The new office works with departments and agencies to crack down on fraud schemes across jurisdictions.

In recent months, Americans have seen for themselves how rampant fraud has become and why the federal government needs one office leading the charge to safeguard taxpayer dollars, protect federal programs for those who need them, and pursue criminals stealing from them.

Today, the House will consider legislation that codifies the Trump Administration's creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division at the Department of Justice and the role of Assistant Attorney General to lead the division.

Rep. Brad Finstad’s bill, H.R. 9576, the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act, establishes a National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice, led by an Assistant Attorney General appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

House Republicans are committed to fighting fraud and hold those who steal taxpayer dollars accountable.

Holding Russia and Iran Accountable

America must continue to stand strong against hostile foreign regimes that threaten our national security and global stability. Russia and Iran have repeatedly worked to undermine American interests and destabilize our allies around the world.

The United States must use every available tool to hold these regimes accountable. That is why today, the House will consider amended legislation to strengthen sanctions against the Russian government, financial institutions, and those supporting Russia’s military in its unjust war on Ukraine. The legislation would also increase pressure on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas or help Russia evade sanctions, while restricting new U.S. investment in Russia.

The Senate amendments to H.R. 5334 includes the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 which presents new sanctions against Russia and extends the Iran Sanctions Act through 2031.

House Republicans are taking action to strengthen American national security, hold hostile regimes accountable, and ensure that those who threaten the United States and our allies face serious consequences.

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Scalise: America Can Embrace New Technology the Right Way

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) spoke on the House floor about the Ratepayer Protection Act and the importance of local communities, not the federal government, deciding whether to embrace data centers. Leader Scalise highlighted examples in Louisiana and Virginia where AI infrastructure has generated significant economic benefit to the community.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full remarks.

Highlights from Leader Scalise’s remarks:

On data centers being a local decision:

“As we're advancing in technology, we've got to do it the right way, Mr. Speaker. In a smart and thoughtful way. And if you look at communities that have embraced data centers, some communities said, it's not for me. And that's a choice communities make. The federal government is not the one making that decision.”

On ensuring data centers aren’t increasing electricity costs:

“What we've always said, and what President Trump took the leadership in doing, is meeting with all of the big tech companies that are building these massive data centers and said, just make sure as you're making these big investments in communities, you won't add to the cost of a local community's ratepayer electricity rates. So the president got a commitment to do that. We're not fully codifying that. It's in essence a step in that direction what this bill is doing. But as the president did that, you saw companies going and making massive multibillion-dollar investments in some of our communities and helping those communities along the way.”

On positive effect data centers have on communities:

“In fact, if you go to little Richland Parish, a rural part of north Louisiana that not a lot of people live in, not a lot of opportunities for wealth in that parish, Mr. Speaker. But then Meta decided to build a data center, and that data center grew and grew as the community embraced it. They worked with the community. They're building their own natural gas facilities. So it's actually going to help the grid in that community because they're going to be paying their own way, and anything extra they have is going to be offloaded to the grid. So the neighbors in that community will actually get lower utility rates…

“As they're building that data center, because of all of the increased sales tax collections to Richland Parish, they were able to give a bonus. I'm not talking about the base salary of their school teachers. They gave a bonus to every school teacher in Richland Parish because of the building of that data center. And Mr. Speaker, do you know how much every schoolteacher in Richland Parish just got a few months ago because of the data center? $50,000 per teacher bonus because of the data center...

“Loudoun County in Virginia got the benefits of their data centers to the tune of a 30% reduction in property taxes for every homeowner in Loudoun County, Virginia. They're benefiting from that still to this day, as well as the jobs that come along with it and the investment, the buildings that come along, the small business growth that we're seeing."

On importance of beating China in AI race:

“There's a revolution happening. China's competing and America's competing. We surely do not want China to win this war. America's staying at the forefront. I want us to stay at the forefront. Let locals make the choice and let consumers reap the benefits. That's what's happening right now. And this bill by my friend Congressman Evans ensures that we continue to see that growth continue."

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The Leader's Floor Lookout: Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Here’s what to watch for on the House Floor today:

Protecting American Consumers from Costly Climate Mandates

In 2023, the Biden Administration issued a rule allowing California to enforce a radical climate tax targeting shipping vessels. The regulation forces certain cargo ships to turn off their diesel engines while at California ports or face steep penalties.

This costly mandate is hurting America’s supply chains and driving up prices. Ships could face tens of thousands of dollars in penalties each day if they fail to abide by this rule. Those costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. With two of America’s largest ports in California and the state processing roughly 40% of containers entering the United States, this rule raises prices not just for Californians, but for families across the country.

House Republicans are advancing legislation to overturn this burdensome policy, lower costs for American families, and strengthen our supply chains.

Rep. Vince Fong’s joint resolution, H.J.Res. 210, overturns an Environmental Protection Agency rule granting a Clean Air Act waiver which limits pollution from ocean-going vessels docked at port.

House Republicans are taking action to rollback another costly Biden-era regulation to lower costs for American families and strengthen supply chains.

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Scalise: Democrats Continue to Side With Fraudsters Over the American People

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) to discuss how House Republicans are continuing their work to root out fraud and protect taxpayer dollars for hardworking American families. Leader Scalise also highlighted Democrats' record of voting against anti-fraud legislation and emphasized the importance of what's at stake this November.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full remarks.

On Republicans making life more affordable for American families:

“This is a very busy and important week in the House. We have over 75 pieces of legislation that we're going to be moving out of the House. So there's a lot that we're doing. And frankly, we're going to continue working to make life more affordable for working families.

“And every step of the way, we've been having Democrat opposition. Democrats do not care about working families. They've proven it time and time again with their votes. And I think you're going to see that in the next 49 days when we go before voters and talk about the differences between us and them, who's actually fighting to make life more affordable for working families.

“And then you look at the socialist agenda of the Democrats, these communists, and what they want to do. They want to repeal the working families tax cut, which means they want to take money out of the pockets of working families, reverse the benefits of things like no tax on overtime that 30 million Americans benefited from. [Chairwoman] Lisa [McClain] talked about the 35 million seniors who have benefited from no tax on Social Security. You think about no tax on tips, almost 10 million Americans benefiting from that. Average income, by the way, of a tip worker is $32,000 a year.”

On Democrats voting against condemning fraud:

“Democrats want to take that money out of their pocket, send it to Washington to continue committing fraud. Yes, fraud. They have supported every measure to continue fraud in America when we've tried to root out fraud. In fact, this week we're bringing more bills to root out fraud in America, and we'll expect to see Democrats oppose it like they've opposed every other measure to stop fraud and the theft of taxpayer dollars. We all know about the learing centers. We all know about so much other waste, fraud, and abuse that we've been able to not only root out, but as we root it out, we've been able to give that money back to working families.

“Democrats want to reverse those gains. I want to tick off a few numbers because I think it's important. 97% of Democrats voted against supporting fraudulent payments before they go out the door. Just checking to make sure they're not fraudulent. Almost every Democrat said nope, let the money, your tax dollars, go out the door even if you know it's fraudulent.

“90% of Democrats voted against deporting illegals who commit fraud. So somebody comes here illegally, then they steal your taxpayer dollars. And we said, okay, shouldn't that be enough? If you steal the taxpayer dollars of hardworking Americans, you should be sent back to your country. Democrats said, nope, they should be able to stay in America and keep stealing money.

“90% of Democrats voted against that protection for taxpayers. Almost 90% voted against establishing an office dedicated to combating fraud throughout the federal government."

On Democrats embracing socialism:

“We had a bill on the floor just 2 weeks ago to say, shouldn't we just denounce socialism? We all know the ills of it all around the world, throughout America, throughout the world's history. You've seen how socialism has led to death, poverty, squalor. And yet almost every Democrat voted against that bill because they support socialism. They support communism. Now their party has been taken over. It's insane to see what's happened."

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Committee Cliff Notes: Week of September 14, 2026

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Here’s what to watch for from House Republican committees during the week:

Agriculture

On Wednesday, September 16, the Committee on Agriculture will hold a full committee hearing called "Increasing Demand and Opportunities for Homegrown Products Here and Abroad."

Appropriations

On Tuesday, September 15, the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies will hold an oversight hearing called "Federal Aviation Administration."

On Tuesday, September 15, the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government will hold an oversight hearing called "The Economy Act."

On Wednesday, September 16, the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs will hold a budget hearing called "Trade and Investment Agencies."

Education & Workforce

On Tuesday, September 15, the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions will hold a hearing called "Out of Touch: When Union Politics Leave Workers Behind."

On Wednesday, September 16, the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will hold a hearing called "Who Gets the Scholarship? How the Global Shift in College Sports Affects Americans."

Energy & Commerce

On Tuesday, September 15, the Subcommittee on Energy will hold a hearing called "Nuclear Spent Fuel Policy: Examining Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses."

On Tuesday, September 15, the Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing called "Examining Legislative Proposals to Reform Medicare Provider Payment and Bolster Health Care Cybersecurity."

Financial Services

On Tuesday, September 15, the Committee on Financial Services will hold a full committee hearing called "The Annual Testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the International Financial System."

On Wednesday, September 16, the Committee on Financial Services will hold a full committee markup on the following measures:

H.R. 1653, the Civil Investigative Demand Reform Act of 2025 (Barr)
H.R. 4936, the Taskforce for Recognizing and Averting Payment Scams (TRAPS) Act (Nunn)
H.R. 5889, the Eviction Helpline Act (Pressley)
H.R. 7030, the Securing Facilities for Mental Health Services Act (Emmer)
H.R. 7866, the American Lending Fairness Act of 2026 (Davidson)
H.R. 8957, the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 (Begich)
H.R. 10184, the Consumer Financial Protection Accountability and Reform Act of 2026 (Barr)
H.R. 10234, the Consumer-Led Enhancement of Annuity and Insurance Registration (CLEAR) Forms Act (Nunn)
H.R. 10325, a bill to increase the mandatory contribution amount of Federal Home Loan Banks to the Affordable Housing Program, and for other purposes (Waters)

On Friday, September 18, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions will hold a field hearing called "Main Street Capital Access Act: Empowering Community Banks to Drive Economic Growth."

Foreign Affairs

On Tuesday, September 15, the Europe Subcommittee will hold a hearing called "U.S. Policy and Regional Security Challenges in the Western Balkans."

On Tuesday, September 15, the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee will hold a hearing called "Confronting the Totalitarian Ortega-Murillo Regime."

On Tuesday, September 15, the South and Central Asia Subcommittee will hold a hearing called "Trojan Horses: Covert Foreign Malign Influence Operations in America."

On Wednesday, September 16, the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee will hold a hearing called "Twenty-Five Years After 9/11: The Evolving Terrorism Landscape and State's Counterterrorism Response."

On Wednesday, September 16, the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee will hold a hearing called "Lives, not Leverage: the Long Arm of China and North Korea's Repression."

Judiciary

On Monday, September 14, the Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust will hold a hearing called “Examining Healthcare Markets: Fraud and Competition.”

On Tuesday, September 15, the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance will hold a hearing called “Missing and Murdered Indigenous People: Strengthening Public Safety in Tribal Communities.”

On Tuesday, September 15, the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement will hold a hearing called “The Continuing Tragedy of Sanctuary Laws.”

On Tuesday, September 15, the Subcommittee on Oversight will hold a hearing called “Restoring Election Integrity: Oversight of Voter Fraud in New Jersey.”

Natural Resources

On Tuesday, September 15, the Committee on Natural Resources will hold a full committee markup on the 17 measures.

On Wednesday, September 16, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a legislative hearing on the following measures:

H.R. 177, the Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act (McClintock)
H.R. 3717, the Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2025 (Harder)
H.R. 5935, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act (Calvert)
H.R. 6869, To amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes (Leger Fernandez)
H.R. 8546, the Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act (Issa)
H.R. 9017, the Restore Florida Water Independence Act of 2026 (Donalds)
H.R. 9590, the SAFE for Manatees Act (Webster)
H.R. 10117, the GATOR Act of 2026 (Steube)

On Wednesday, September 16, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold a legislative hearing on the following measures:

H.R. 1031, the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act (Tenney)
H.R. 2323, the Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act (Pfluger)
H.R. 7495, To authorize the establishment of memorials to the Wisconsin infantry officers and enlisted men who fought in the Battle of Antietam and the Second Battle of Bull Run, and for other purposes (Fitzgerald)
H.R. 8276, the Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act (Schmidt)
H.R. 9104, the Rock Creek National Park Act of 2026 (Norton)
H.R. 9148, the Scipio Jones House Assessment Act (Hill)
H.R. 9999, the Mountain Pine Beetle Coordination Act (Pettersen)
S. 1051, the Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument Establishment Act (Sen. Lankford)
S. 1377, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act (Sen. Hoeven)

On Thursday, September 17, the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs will hold a legislative hearing on the following measures:

H.R. 7269, the Helping Our People Act of 2026 (Randall)
H.R. 8674, the Geese House Site Conveyance Act (Begich)

Oversight and Government Reform

On Tuesday, September 15, the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency will hold a hearing called "Fixing Fraud and Failure in Federally Funded Homelessness Services."

On Tuesday, September 15, the Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services will hold a hearing called "Unequal Treatment: Addressing the Drivers of Unaffordability for Oral Chemotherapy."

On Tuesday, September 15, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a full committee markup on the following measure:

H.Res. _____, Recommending that the House of Representatives find Leon David Black in Contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with subpoenas duly issued by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Rules

On Monday, September 14, the Committee on Rules will meet on the following measures:

H.J. Res. 210, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision" (Fong)
H.J. Res. 213, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the "California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision" (Gallagher)
H.R. 9576, the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 (Finstad)
H.R. 10326, the Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act (Van Drew)
Senate amendments to H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

Science, Space, and Technology

On Tuesday, September 15, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will hold a hearing called "Innovation in Disaster Prevention: Advancing Technology for Prediction and Response."

On Wednesday, September 16, the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight will hold a hearing called "Balancing Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity: Securing U.S. Leadership in a Global Race."

Select Committee on China

On Wednesday, September 16, the Select Committee on China will hold a hearing called "Import Controls: Tools to Counter the CCP's Industrial Policy and Supply Chain Threats."

Small Business

On Tuesday, September 15, the Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development will hold a hearing called "Main Street Meets Crypto: What Digital Assets Mean for Small Businesses."

Transportation and Infrastructure

On Tuesday, September 15, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold a full committee markup on the following measures:

Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to H.R. 10304, the Drone Safety Statement Modernization Act of 2026 (Gallagher)
ANS to H.R. 6448, the Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act of 2026 (King-Hinds)
ANS to H.R. 9530, the Quiet Skies Act (Scholten)
ANS to H.R. 2592, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2026 (Larsen)
ANS to H.R. 8597, the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act (Begich)
ANS to H.R. 7553, the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act (Nehls)
ANS to H.R. 7625, the Marine Transportation System Cybersecurity Budget and Evaluation Report (MTS CYBER) Act of 2026 (McDowell)
ANS to H.R. 5645, the Pray Safe Act of 2025 (Stanton)
H.R. 8409, the Post-Disaster Protection Act (Frost)
ANS to H.R. 10305, the Strengthening Oversight in Public Buildings Act of 2026 (Perry)

On Wednesday, September 16, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation subcommittee will hold a hearing called "Always Ready: A Day in the Life of a United States Coast Guard Member."

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The Leader's Floor Lookout: Week of September 14, 2026

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Here’s what to watch for on the House Floor this week:

Protecting American Consumers from Costly Climate Mandates

In 2023, the Biden Administration issued a rule allowing California to enforce a radical climate tax targeting shipping vessels. The regulation forces certain cargo ships to turn off their diesel engines while at California ports or face steep penalties.

This costly mandate is hurting America’s supply chains and driving up prices. Ships could face tens of thousands of dollars in penalties each day if they fail to abide by this rule. Those costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. With two of America’s largest ports in California and the state processing roughly 40% of containers entering the United States, this rule raises prices not just for Californians, but for families across the country.

House Republicans are advancing legislation to overturn this burdensome policy, lower costs for American families, and strengthen our supply chains.

Rep. Vince Fong’s joint resolution, H.J.Res. 210, overturns an Environmental Protection Agency rule granting a Clean Air Act waiver which limits pollution from ocean-going vessels docked at port.

House Republicans are taking action to rollback another costly Biden-era regulation to lower costs for American families and strengthen supply chains.

Rolling Back Burdensome Climate Regulations

California’s maritime industry is a major part of the state’s economy, helping move goods throughout the state and across the country while supporting nearly three million American jobs.

In 2025, the Biden Administration authorized California to enforce its onerous Commercial Harbor Craft Amendments, which expanded existing emissions regulations on commercial vessels and imposed new engine standards, including zero-emissions requirements for several vessel categories.

Vessel owners and operators face significant costs to comply with these new standards. Those costs could put additional pressure on maritime businesses and affect the competitiveness of California’s ports. This week, House Republicans are bringing legislation to the floor to rescind California’s harmful harbor craft mandate.

Rep. James Gallagher’s joint resolution, H.J.Res. 213, disapproves of the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule regarding California’s harbor craft regulations and nonroad engine pollution control standards.

House Republicans are combating radical climate policies that drive up costs, hurt the maritime industry, and weaken our supply chains.

Strengthening Federal Oversight of Taxpayer-Funded Programs

Many major federal programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, disaster assistance and small business programs, are federally funded but administered by state or local governments, leaving them vulnerable to fraud. As we saw in Minnesota, when state officials fail to provide adequate oversight or even worse - turn a blind eye to abuse, fraudsters can steal taxpayer dollars and go undetected.

That’s why Vice President JD Vance called on Congress to pass legislation requiring states to share information with the Department of Justice about how programs are administered and who receives these benefits. This will allow the federal government to better protect taxpayer dollars and prosecute fraudsters.

This week, House Republicans are answering Vice President Vance’s call by bringing legislation to the floor to improve information sharing between states and the federal government, helping identify fraud faster, protect taxpayer dollars and hold criminals accountable.

Rep. Van Drew’s bill, H.R. 10326, Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act would strengthen federal oversight by enhancing information-sharing capabilities between state administrators and federal law enforcement, making it easier to investigate fraud in federally-funded programs.

House Republicans are continuing to safeguard taxpayer dollars and crack down on fraud.

Cracking Down on Fraud and Protecting Taxpayer Dollars

According to the Government Accountability Office, the federal government loses an estimated $233 billion to $521 billion every year to fraud. It’s clear this is a government-wide problem that requires a government-wide response.

Prior to the Trump Administration, there was no fraud-focused team responsible for combating fraud across the federal government and holding fraudsters accountable. In January, President Trump established the Division for National Fraud Enforcement within the Department of Justice. The new office works with departments and agencies to crack down on fraud schemes across jurisdictions.

In recent months, Americans have seen for themselves how rampant fraud has become and why the federal government needs one office leading the charge to safeguard taxpayer dollars, protect federal programs for those who need them, and pursue criminals stealing from them.

This week, the House will consider legislation that codifies the Trump Administration's creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division at the Department of Justice and the role of Assistant Attorney General to lead the division.

Rep. Brad Finstad’s bill, H.R. 9576, the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act, establishes a National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice, led by an Assistant Attorney General appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

House Republicans are committed to fighting fraud and hold those who steal taxpayer dollars accountable.

Holding Russia and Iran Accountable

America must continue to stand strong against hostile foreign regimes that threaten our national security and global stability. Russia and Iran have repeatedly worked to undermine American interests and destabilize our allies around the world.

The United States must use every available tool to hold these regimes accountable. That is why this week, the House will consider amended legislation to strengthen sanctions against the Russian government, financial institutions, and those supporting Russia’s military in its unjust war on Ukraine. The legislation would also increase pressure on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas or help Russia evade sanctions, while restricting new U.S. investment in Russia.

The Senate amendments to H.R. 5334 includes the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 which presents new sanctions against Russia and extends the Iran Sanctions Act through 2031.

House Republicans are taking action to strengthen American national security, hold hostile regimes accountable, and ensure that those who threaten the United States and our allies face serious consequences.

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Scalise: Socialists Have Taken Over the Democrat Party

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Last night, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Fox News Channel’s Hannity to discuss Democrats' full embrace of socialism and the contrast between House Republicans' commonsense policies and Democrats' radical agenda.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full interview.

Highlights from Leader Scalise's interview:

On Democrats embracing socialism:

"If you watch those votes you just talked about, Kellyanne, 96% of House Democrats said socialism's okay. And by the way, in that same resolution, they said illegals voting in our federal elections is okay. 96% of Democrats, that's what they would do if they got control of the House. If conservatives stayed at home, that's what happens. 99%, as you mentioned, said let's pack the Supreme Court. And then you look at Hakeem Jeffries. He's lost control of his party. The socialists have taken over and it's happening everywhere. I mean, you've got Mamdani candidates beating Hakeem's candidates in a lot of these primaries. And Hakeem's candidates are far-left liberals, by the way. You literally could find— you could find a spotted owl in D.C., Kellyanne, before you could find a Blue Dog. There are no Blue Dog Democrats left. It's liberals versus socialists and the socialists have taken over the Democrat Party now."

On Republicans' commonsense policies and Democrats' crazy agenda:

"We've cut taxes. We put more money in the pockets of families. We're working to make life more affordable. And we're not done. We're not where we want to be because we had a big mess to mop up. But by the way, all those indicators are coming down. Inflation's coming down. Interest rates are coming down. You know, everybody was talking about egg prices when Joe Biden was in office. They were over $3 a dozen. Today, they're less than $2 a dozen.

“But at the end of the day, families want to see us continue working to get those things done. They don't want socialists who have said they will raise your taxes, they will open the borders. They want to defund not just the police, they want to defund prisons. That's not where America wants to go, but that is on the ballot. And if people stay at home, the far-left socialists will get their way on those crazy items. We can't let that happen to this country.”

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Scalise: Foundry School Will Help America Out-Build and Out-Compete China

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This morning, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg for the launch of Foundry School at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. The Leader highlighted America’s manufacturing comeback under President Trump and the importance of preparing the next generation of industry leaders and staying ahead of China.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise's full remarks.

Remarks Below As Delivered:

“I want to start by first congratulating Vice President Vance, Secretary Rubio, Undersecretary Helberg, Stanford University, and all the university and business leaders who have worked so hard to make Foundry School possible.

"What you're launching today comes at an incredibly exciting time for our country.

"When President Trump was swept back into office, he made it clear that American manufacturing was going to be at the heart of America's golden age.

"For too long, we watched factories shutter and good-paying jobs leave our shores.

"President Trump promised we were going to reverse that trend and bring manufacturing back to America.

"And that's exactly what's happening. U.S. manufacturing activity surged in July at the strongest rate in over four years.

“More than 18,000 manufacturing jobs have been created this year alone. And manufacturing wages are up more than 4% over the last year, putting more money in the pockets of American workers.

"That is a remarkable turnaround. And Republicans in Congress have been proud to work with President Trump to help make this possible.

"Last year, we passed the transformational Working Families Tax Cut to make America the best place in the world to build, invest, and create good-paying jobs.

“Now we have to keep building on that momentum, because at the same time American manufacturing is coming back, there is a global race underway for industries that will define the next century.

"China wants to dominate artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, energy defense, and advanced manufacturing.

"We cannot let China win this race. America has the best workers, entrepreneurs, universities, and innovators in the world.

"But maintaining that advantage means making the next generation of Americans—making sure they have the skills to lead in these industries.

“And the demand is going to be huge. As you've heard this morning, American manufacturers are expected to need nearly four million skilled workers by 2033.

"It's engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs, industrial leaders.

"But this isn't just about filling jobs. It's about making sure America has the best talent to out-innovate, out-build, and out-compete China for decades to come.

"And that's why the Foundry School is so important.

"What I especially like about this program is the partnership behind it.

"You're bringing together some of the best universities in America with founders and CEOs who are actually on the front lines of innovation.

"These are people building companies, creating jobs, and developing new technologies. They know what skills they need.

"They know where the technology is going, and they know what it takes to compete. And now they're going to be bringing that expertise directly into our universities to help prepare the next generation.

"That's exactly the kind of partnership we need.

"Government does have a role to play. We can cut taxes. We can get unnecessary regulations out of the way. We can unleash American energy, and we can make it easier to build things in this country.

"And that's exactly what President Trump and Republicans in Congress have been doing.

"In the Working Families Tax Cut, we allowed companies to fully expense the cost of building new factories in America, one of President Trump's top priorities.

"We restored full expensing for domestic research and development, and we provided full expensing for investments in new equipment and machinery.

"We're making it easier to build here, innovate here, and create good-paying jobs here. And you're seeing the results—trillions of dollars of new investment coming into America.

"But government can only create the conditions for success.

"The ingenuity that has always made America the greatest economy in the world comes from our entrepreneurs, our businesses, and most importantly, our workers.

"That's why it's so important that the private sector is helping lead this effort.

“And it's also why what you're doing here fits so well with the work Secretary Rubio, Undersecretary Holberg, and the State Department are doing through Pax Silica.

"If we're going to beat China, we can't remain dependent on them for critical products and supply chains that our economy and national security depend on.

"Through Pax Silica, the United States is working with trusted partners like Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and India to strengthen those supply chains and reduce our dependence on China.

"At the same time, Foundry School is bringing together our universities and the private sector to strengthen America's greatest competitive advantage.

"That's our people.

"That's what excites me about this initiative.

“President Trump has changed the trajectory of American manufacturing. Republicans in Congress are putting policies in place to make it easier to build and invest here.

"Our businesses are leading the world in innovation. And now we have an opportunity to make sure the next generation of Americans is prepared to take that progress even further.

“Because if we get this right, we're not just going to bring back industries and jobs that America lost, we're going to lead the industries of the future.

"And there is no country in the world I would bet more on than the United States of America.

"That's why I'm excited about the Foundry School and what you're building here.

"So congratulations again to Vice President Vance, Secretary Rubio, Undersecretary Helberg, Stanford, and all the participating universities and the business leaders who are investing their time and experience in our next generation.

"Thank you. God bless you, and God bless these United States of America.”

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The Republican Recap: Week of August 31, 2026

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Here's a recap of what Republicans achieved on the House floor this week:

Condemning Socialism and Protecting American Elections ✅

Socialism is one of the most destructive ideologies in world history, time and time again proving itself to be a failed experiment that only leads to communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and brutal dictatorships. More than 100 million people have been killed as a result of the mass murders and famines that accompany failed socialist states.

America is seeing a troubling rise in support for socialism. This extremist ideology is no longer just a threat from abroad, it’s growing within our own borders as more and more socialists are running for office. The dangerous policies pushed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) seek to dismantle the system our Founding Fathers put in place. Not only does the DSA call for abolishing the U.S. Senate, implementing ranked-choice voting, and replacing the two-party system, but they also advocate for noncitizens to vote in American elections.

House Republicans believe in the importance of upholding American freedoms and ensuring the integrity and security of elections. We cannot allow history to be ignored and the threat of socialism to grow unchallenged in America. That’s why we passed a resolution to condemn socialism in all forms and the extremist policies of the DSA.

Rep. Jeff Crank’s resolution, H. Res. 1490, condemns socialism in all its forms and the radical left Democratic Socialists of America. This resolution also condemns specific DSA policies, including allowing noncitizens to vote in American elections, and pledges to protect Americans’ right to vote.

"It is imperative as Members of Congress that we recommit ourselves to the Constitution and stand firm against this insidious push for socialism," said Rep. Crank. "The vast majority of Democrats voted against my resolution to condemn socialism in all its forms. 10-15 years ago, a resolution like this would've passed the House unanimously. The DSA is a threat to the American values that make our nation great. This vote showed who stands for freedom, and others who stand with socialism.”

What Members Said:

Rep. Diana Harshbarger underscored how Democrats overwhelmingly opposed this commonsense resolution.

Rep. Rudy Yakym emphasized how socialism has taken over the Democrat party.

Providing Stability and Relief for American Fisheries ✅

America’s fishing communities not only provide us with delicious seafood, but they play critical roles in their local economies. This is particularly true in the Northeast, home to American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries. However, these fishermen are facing burdensome regulations that could force them to close their doors in 2028 unless Congress takes action.

To prevent the crippling effects of these regulations, House Republicans passed legislation to delay these regulations until 2035. This will give Congress time to find commonsense, business-friendly, and science-driven solutions to address the problems of these regulations and provide fishermen with some certainty.

Extending this deadline will help bolster American seafood competitiveness, stabilize the industry, and continue providing jobs to hardworking fishermen.

Rep. Mike Lawler’s bill, H.R. 9436, the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective. This will provide needed relief for fisheries by sustaining the current regulatory framework that governs American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries in the Northeast.

"While this legislation is particularly important to Maine’s fishing communities, the Northeast lobster industry supports small businesses and hardworking families far beyond the coastline, including restaurants here in New York. Fishermen have spent years adapting to conservation requirements and deserve regulatory certainty instead of constantly shifting rules that threaten their ability to operate and plan for the future,” said Rep. Lawler. “I’m grateful to Congressman Jared Golden for his partnership on this bipartisan effort and to the Natural Resources Committee for their support. We are proud to see this bill pass the House."

What Members Said:

Rep. Harriet Hageman applauded how this bill will preserve and grow jobs in the lobster industry.

The House Natural Resources Committee celebrated how this bill bolsters American seafood competitiveness.

Strengthening the America’s Critical Mineral Supply Chain ✅

Critical minerals are the backbone of modern defense, technology, clean energy, AI, and more, making them indispensable to everyday life. With global demand for critical minerals surging, securing these resources is essential for maintaining America’s competitive edge and global leadership.

Despite having abundant natural resources right here in America, excessive permitting burdens and red tape under prior administrations obstructed development of America’s natural resources, hindering U.S. mining projects and limiting access to these crucial domestic resources. These misguided policies leave us reliant on foreign adversaries like Communist China for our critical mineral needs, threatening America’s security and competitive edge in the 21st century. That is why this week House Republicans passed the Protecting Domestic Mining Act to support mining projects and jobs by expanding the eligibility for fast-tracked mining permits.

Rep. Jefferson Shreve’s bill, H.R. 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act, bolsters the American critical mineral supply chain by cutting permitting delays, thus fast-tracking certain critical mineral projects and reducing reliance on foreign adversaries.

“America has the resources. We have the workers. What we don’t need is years of government delay and uncertainty,” said Rep. Shreve. “My bill gives qualified mining projects a clear and accountable permitting process. That will strengthen American manufacturing, support American jobs and reduce our dependence on China.”

What Members Said:

Rep. Nick Begich highlighted how this legislation will advance the independence of American resources.

Chairman Tim Walberg celebrated how this bill will reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries and strengthen American mineral development.

Ensuring Taxpayer Dollars Support Academic Freedom ✅

For years, college campuses have ceded to Hamas sympathizers and let antisemitism thrive on campus. This lack of leadership has failed to protect Jewish students, staff, and faculty from violence and harassment. It’s also given into antisemitic campaigns, including the radical BDS movement that seeks to destroy Israel by crippling its economy through boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions.

Universities that allow this antisemitism should not receive federal funding. House Republicans passed legislation to protect students who want to participate in academic programs in Israel from harassment and obstruction and hold educational institutions who yield to the BDS movement accountable.

Chairwoman Virginia Foxx’s measure, H.R. 4795, the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to bar institutions from eligibility for certain funds if they participate in non-expressive commercial boycotts of Israel or cannot certify that students are not obstructed from participating in programs in Israel.

“Confronting antisemitism remains one of the most pressing issues of our time – there is no debate or question about it. The bipartisan Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act is legislation that has true teeth and makes clear that concrete campaigns of antisemitism in the form of BDS boycotts have no place in any facet of civil society,” said Rep. Foxx. “This legislation is a true prescription to combat antisemitism head on, and I am immensely proud to author it.”

What Members Said:

Rep. Lisa McClain emphasized that universities should not single out Israel or shut students out of opportunities for political reasons.

The House Education and Workforce Committee highlighted that this legislation protects academic freedom, holds colleges accountable, and stands against boycotts of Israel.

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