Agriculture
On Wednesday, March 8, the Subcommittee on Forestry held a hearing called “A Review of Title VIII: Forestry Stakeholder Perspectives.”
We are experiencing a forest health and wildfire crisis. We can wait no longer to protect lives, communities, and our forests from catastrophic wildfire.The purpose of the hearing was to receive testimony from stakeholders on Title VIII of the 2018 Farm Bill, as well as current issues related to the U.S. Forest Service and non-federal forests.
On Thursday, March 9, the Committee on Agriculture held a full committee hearing called “Rising Risks: Managing Volatility in Global Commodity Derivatives Markets.”
Through this hearing, the Committee examined volatility in the global commodity markets and the importance of U.S. derivatives markets in helping market participants manage significant price swings. We also examined the roles of intermediaries within the clearing system and the mechanisms of transferring and sharing risk between them. Cleared derivatives are an essential tool for end-users (i.e. producers, merchants, and processors of commodities) to manage price risks, especially during times of increasing market volatility.
On Thursday, March 9, the Committee on Agriculture held a full committee business meeting to consider the “Budget Views and Estimates Letter of the Committee on Agriculture for Fiscal Year 2024.”
The Committee’s budget views and estimates letter outlines a clear, bipartisan blueprint to invest in the hardworking men and women of American agriculture—the folks who work 365 days a year to feed and fuel our nation.
Jim Wiesemeyer, a 40+ year veteran in agriculture journalism, said, “This letter is one of the better if not best I have seen over my long career in reporting on the business of agriculture. The letter presents a clear roadmap, with lots of transparency, on what is really needed in the new farm bill.” Read more here.
Appropriations
On Wednesday, March 8, the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing called “American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness Day 1.” Interior Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson invited American Indian and Alaska Native leaders to testify on Tribal programs under the jurisdiction of the Interior and Environment Subcommittee.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a budget hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.” The subcommittee, joined by Office of Congressional Workplace Rights Executive Director Patrick Findlay, discussed the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the agency.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a budget hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Congressional Budget Office.” The subcommittee, joined by Congressional Budget Office Director Phillip Swagel, discussed the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the agency.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a Member Day hearing to ensure that Members have an opportunity to provide input into the annual appropriations process, specifically the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs held a Member Day hearing to ensure that Members have an opportunity to provide input into the annual appropriations process, specifically the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing called “American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness Day 2.” Interior Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson invited American Indian and Alaska Native leaders to testify on Tribal programs under the jurisdiction of the Interior and Environment Subcommittee.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a budget hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the United States Government Publishing Office.” The subcommittee, joined by Government Publishing Office Director Hugh Halpern, discussed the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the agency.
On Thursday, March 9, the Committee on Appropriations held an oversight hearing called “U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General.” Given the unprecedented increases in funding USDA has received over the past several years through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the Agriculture Subcommittee held an oversight hearing with the department’s Office of Inspector General.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing called “Fiscal Year 2024 Member Day,” to ensure that Members have an opportunity to provide input into the annual appropriations process, specifically the Defense bill.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs held an oversight hearing called “United States Agency for Global Media.” The State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee held an oversight hearing, focusing on the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, a Cuban American himself, described as an important tool of U.S. foreign policy. For people living under repressive regimes, such as Russia, Iran, and Cuba, access to accurate reporting and the ability to counter authoritarian propaganda is critical. While the mission is important, funding for agencies like USAGM must be predicated on thoughtful planning, performance, and ultimately, results.
Armed Services
On Wednesday, March 8th, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on U.S. military posture and national security challenges in North and South America. The committee received testimony from Department of Defense officials on China’s malign influence in the western hemisphere, support DoD provides DHS for Southwest border security, and confronting Transnational Criminal Organizations that traffic narcotics and people.
On Wednesday, March 8th, the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on FY24 strategic forces posture. Department of Defense officials testified on threats facing the U.S. homeland including: China’s rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal, Russia’s material support for China’s nuclear program, North Korea’s ICBM program, and Russia’s non-compliance with the New START Treaty. Additionally, the witnesses discussed the critical importance of spectrum to U.S. military operations, including detecting threats to the homeland ranging from surveillance balloons to ballistic missiles.
On Thursday, March 9th, the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations held a hearing on U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) challenges and resource priorities for FY24. The subcommittee received testimony from Department of Defense officials on challenges posed by Great Power Competition and non-state actors for SOF and USSOCOM and the capabilities required to counter and defeat those challenges.
On Thursday, March 9th, the Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on senior enlisted leader perspectives. Service senior enlisted leaders testified on quality of life challenges facing enlisted servicemembers – including housing, pay, and food insecurity.
On Thursday, March 9th, the Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation held a hearing on artificial intelligence, information technology, and securing the Department of Defense. The subcommittee received testimony from Department of Defense officials on DoD’s digital modernization and transformation, artificial intelligence, information technology, and cybersecurity.
On Friday, March 10th, the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on U.S. and Adversary Hypersonic Programs. Department of Defense officials testified on the development of offensive U.S. hypersonic capabilities, as well as adversary hypersonic systems that pose a threat to the United States and U.S. forces.
Budget
This week, the House Budget Committee released a series of factual one-pagers entitled “The Past is Prologue” in advance of the President’s FY24 budget proposal that was unveiled on Thursday.
The Past is Prologue series:
President Biden’s $6.8 trillion proposal contains the highest sustained levels of taxes, spending, and deficits in American history. With $82 trillion in spending, $65 trillion in taxes, and $17 trillion in deficits, we can see that President Biden has every intention of doubling-down on his failed economic policies that have been devastating for millions of hard-working Americans. President Biden’s budget continues to invest in bloated bureaucracy, woke programs, and does nothing to foster growth, fight inflation, or help hardworking families.
Chairman Jodey Arrington and the Budget Committee is holding the Biden Administration accountable for the egregious mess they have made of our economy in the past 2 years. The Left can no longer be allowed to run the American’s credit card bill through the roof.
Education and Workforce
On Wednesday, March 8, the Committee on Education and the Workforce held a 16 hour markup of the following pieces of legislation:
- H.R. 5, Parents Bill of Rights (Letlow)
- H.R. 734, Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (Steube)
By passing bills that create a Parents Bill of Rights and protect women’s sports, Republicans are making good on our promise to establish a future that is built on freedom, where a child’s academics are put first and parents have a say in their children’s curriculum.
Energy and Commerce
On Wednesday, March 8, the Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a markup of 13 bipartisan bills to help strengthen American leadership in next-generation communications technologies, improve our cybersecurity, bolster our technological leadership, and help usher in a new era of investment and innovation in this critical sector.
- H.R. 1338, the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act (Rodgers)
- H.R. 675, the Secure Space Act (Pallone)
- H.R. 1339, the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act (Latta)
- H.R. 682, the Launch Communications Act (Soto)
- H.R. 1353, the Advanced, Local Emergency Response Telecommunications Parity Act (Johnson)
- H.R. 1345, the NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act (Curtis)
- H.R. 1354, the Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act (Joyce)
- H.R. 1370, the Communications Security Act (Slotkin)
- H.R. 1360, the American Cybersecurity Literacy Act (Obernolte)
- H.R. 1340, the Open RAN Outreach Act (Allred)
- H.R. 1343, the ITS Codification Act (Carter)
- H.R. 1377, the Promoting U.S. Wireless Leadership Act (Walberg)
- H.R. 1341, the Spectrum Coordination Act (Balderson)
On Wednesday, March 8, the Health Subcommittee held a markup of five bills, including solutions to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination, combat the illicit fentanyl poisoning crisis, and secure the border.
- H.R. 501, the Block, Report, And Suspend Suspicious Shipments Act (Harshbarger)
- H.R. 498, the 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act (Obernolte)
- H.R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act of 2023 (McMorris Rodgers)
- H.R. 467, the HALT Fentanyl Act (Griffith)
- H.R. 801, the Securing the Border for Public Health Act of 2023 (Lesko)
On Thursday, March 9, the Energy and Commerce Committee held a full committee markup on 20 bills to secure our energy future and competitive edge.
15 of the bills unleash American energy to lower prices, secure our supply chains, cut our reliance on the Chinese Communist Party, and build more energy infrastructure. It’s just the beginning of our work on energy and climate solutions to restore America’s energy dominance, make life affordable again, and ensure we continue to lead the world at reducing emissions. These bills will become part of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. Read Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ statement on H.R. 1 here.
- H.R. 1068, the Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act (Bucshon)
- H.R. 1121, the Protecting American Energy Production Act (Duncan)
- H.R. 1085, the Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act (Latta)
- H.R. 1058, the Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act (Armstrong)
- H. Con. Res. 14, a resolution disapproving of President Biden canceling Keystone XL (Lesko)
- H. Con. Res. 17, a resolution to Support America’s Energy Expansion (Guthrie)
- H.R. 1130, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act (Johnson)
- H.R. 1115, the Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act (Burgess)
- H.R. 1070, a bill to streamline permitting for refining critical materials (Carter)
- H.R. 1131, a bill to cut red tape for critical energy resource facilities (Joyce)
- H.R. 1140, a bill to unlock critical energy materials (Pence)
- H.R. 1158, the Elimination of Future Technology Delays Act (Curtis)
- H.R. 1141, the Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act (Pfluger)
- H.R. 1023, a bill to repeal section 134 of the Clean Air Act, relating to the greenhouse gas reduction fund (Palmer)
- H.R. 1155, the Keeping America’s Refineries Act (Crenshaw)
5 of the bills aim to help secure people’s personal information from China, strengthen our supply chains, and encourage investment here at home
- H.R. 750, the CAUTION Act of 2023 (Cammack)
- H.R. 784, the Internet Application I.D. Act (Fulcher)
- H.R. 742, the TELL Act (Duncan)
- H.R. 813, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2023 (Pence)
- H.R. 752, the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act of 2023 (Eshoo)
On Friday, March 10, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing called “Defending America’s Wireless Leadership” to explore why it is important to establish a strong national spectrum policy and extend the FCC’s spectrum auction authority. Chair Rodgers said, “We must come together and develop strong spectrum policy here in the United States that is informed by our values that support human flourishing and innovation. We cannot afford to cede leadership to China and other authoritarian countries who abuse their technology to suppress freedom and assert command and control over people’s lives.”
Financial Services
On Wednesday, March 8, the Financial Services Committee held a full committee hearing called “The Federal Reserve’s Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report.” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell joined the House Financial Services Committee to present the Fed’s semi-annual monetary policy report. Republicans urged Chair Powell to stay focused on the Fed’s number one job—stable prices—rather than engaging in social and climate policymaking.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation held a hearing called “Holding the Biden Administration Accountable for Wasteful Spending and Regulatory Overreach” with several Inspector Generals to hold the Biden Administration accountable for its wasteful spending and regulatory overreach.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy held a hearing called “Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Ripe for Reform” on reforming the most unaccountable agency in the entire federal government—the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In light of recent court cases examining the constitutionality of the CFPB’s funding structure, Republicans are working to deliver much needed accountability to the Bureau through common sense reforms, including bringing it under the annual appropriations cycle.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Capital Markets held a hearing called “U.S. Public Markets Built for the 21st Century: Exploring Reforms to Make Our Public Markets Attractive for Small and Emerging Companies Raising Capital” on strengthening U.S. public markets. Republicans are committed to ensuring our public markets remain the envy of the world through proposals to make our public markets attractive for small and emerging companies raising capital.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion held its inaugural hearing called “Coincidence or Coordinated? The Administration’s Attack on the Digital Asset Ecosystem” on the Biden Administration’s attack on the digital asset ecosystem. Republicans discussed how a clear regulatory framework would help maintain the U.S. position as the global leader in financial innovation.
On Friday, March 10, the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance held a hearing called “How Do We Encourage Greater Flood Insurance Coverage in America?” on encouraging greater flood insurance coverage, which included discussion of ways private insurers could help close the “coverage gap.”
This week, Chairman McHenry and a bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced the Keep Innovation in America Act to fix the poorly constructed digital asset reporting requirements from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, while providing much needed clarity to innovators and entrepreneurs.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Foreign Affairs Committee held a full committee hearing called “During and After the Fall of Kabul: Examining the Administration’s Emergency Evacuation from Afghanistan.” The hearing featured testimony from servicemembers who were serving inside the Kabul airport during the evacuation as well as veterans who were attempting to rescue Americans and Afghan allies. There was powerful testimony provided by a Marine sniper who was severely injured in the IED explosion at Abbey Gate on August 26th.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia held a hearing called “Expanding the Abraham Accords.” The hearing featured testimony from experts on the impact of the Abraham Accords Peace Accords, including General Joseph L. Votel, U.S. Army (Retired), who discussed how best to expand the accords throughout the region to promote further peace.
Homeland Security
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence held a hearing titled “Confronting Threats Posed by the Chinese Communist Party to the U.S. Homeland.”
In the hearing, members questioned expert witnesses detailing the CCP’s widespread threats to U.S. homeland security and ways we can address its malign influence, espionage, and intellectual property theft. Following the hearing, House Homeland Security Republicans took direct action to do just that with Subcommittee Chairman August Pfluger and Vice Chairman Michael Guest’s crucial pieces of legislation.
House Administration
On Wednesday, March 8, the Committee on House Administration held a full committee hearing titled “Member Day: Committee on House Administration.” This hearing provided Members the opportunity to testify on issues under House Administration’s jurisdiction and share feedback on how we can make the People’s House more effective. Testimonies included Congressman Larry Bucshon on depoliticizing the Office of the Attending Physician, Congressman Kelly Armstrong on keeping the People’s House free and open, and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Co-Chair of the House Election Integrity Caucus, on restoring voter confidence.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Modernization held a hearing titled “A View of House Modernization: Perspectives from the CAO.” U.S. House of Representatives Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor testified on how the CAO can partner with the committee to make the House more modern, efficient, and transparent for the American people.
On Friday, March 10, the Subcommittee on Elections of the Committee on House Administration held a hearing titled “2022 Midterms Look Back Series: Successes in the 2022 Midterm Elections.” This hearing celebrated the hard work that state officials, local officials, and voters have done over the past several years to improve Americans’ confidence in elections. Election experts from Florida, Louisiana and Ohio testified on how their states have implemented key election integrity measures, continuing to raise the “gold standard.”
On Tuesday, March 7, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence held a markup of H.R. 1376, COVID-19 Origins Act of 2023 (Turner).
On Thursday, March 9, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence held a hearing called “Annual World Wide Threats Hearing with Heads of the Intelligence Community.” In his opening remarks, Chairman Mike Turner highlighted the dangers posed by the Chinese Communist Party, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Additionally, Chairman Turner slammed the FBI’s abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Chairman Mike Turner announced the creation of a bipartisan FISA Working Group, comprised of three Republicans and three Democrats, chaired by Representative LaHood, to examine FISA and propose reforms to stop the FBI’s abuse and misuse of our foreign surveillance tools.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet held a hearing called “Intellectual Property and Strategic Competition with China: Part I” to examine China’s role in intellectual property theft and its effects on American companies and innovation.
The Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government also released an interim staff report titled, “The Weaponization of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): An Agency’s Overreach to Harass Elon Musk’s Twitter” on how the federal government weaponized its authority against Twitter in the wake of Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company.
Natural Resources
On Wednesday, March 8, the Federal Lands Subcommittee held a hearing called “Promoting Conservation with a Purpose on America’s Federal Lands and Forests.”
Experts on land management and conservation from across the country highlighted the unique state, tribal, and local perspectives that are necessary to promote conservation with a purpose on our federal lands and forests. Conservation with a purpose means promoting federal land management policies that build resilient communities, promote access, and harness American innovation.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee held a hearing called “Benefits and Access: The Necessity for Multiple Use of Water Resources.”
Historically, various conflicts have jeopardized long-standing water resources, and the Biden administration’s policies pose further threats to many local communities and ways of life. The hearing explored existing issues and focused on solutions for the future.
The committee approved this legislation which unleashes the full power of American energy and minerals by eliminating burdensome permitting requirements, creating jobs, fostering innovation, and pursuing an all-of-the-above strategy. Without swift action, our adversaries will continue to profit while our supply chains grow weaker. The TAPP American Resources Act will become part of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act.
Oversight and Accountability
On Wednesday, March 8, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing called “Investigating the Origins of COVID-19.” Expert witnesses joined the panel to discuss how the science, facts, and evidence point to a lab leak in Wuhan. Knowing the origin of COVID-19 is essential to helping predict and prevent future pandemics.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs held a hearing called “Force Multipliers: Examining the Need for Additional Resources to Disrupt Transnational Crime at the Border and Beyond.”
Government witnesses from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations discussed how force multipliers, like canines and enhanced technology, employed at the border and at ports of entry provide officers with tools to combat the flow of deadly drugs, crime, and human trafficking. Republicans asked how Congress can better target funds and resources to support and increase the use of force multipliers to address the Biden Administration’s self-inflicted humanitarian and national security crisis at the southern border.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation held a hearing called “Advances in AI: Are We Ready For a Tech Revolution?”
Subcommittee members discussed with experts ways in which artificial intelligence can and will be practically applied across industries and the risks and rewards it poses to the public. Republicans inquired how guardrails can be implemented to manage the social, moral, and ethical dilemmas surrounding AI while making sure innovation will not be stifled by government overreach and inaction.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing called “Burning the Midnight Oil: Why Depleting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is Not a Solution to America’s Energy Problem, Part I.”
At the hearing, subcommittee members asked expert witnesses about how the Biden Administration’s mismanagement and depletion of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) affected our country’s oil security. Members also warned that the Biden Administration has no plan for energy policy that works for the American people.
On Thursday, March 9, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a full committee hearing called “Oversight of Our Nation’s Largest Employer: Reviewing the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.”
At the hearing, members pressed U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja on steps the agency is taking to improve their operations and better serve the American people. Members highlighted how Americans have struggled to acquire basic services because of the federal government’s enhanced telework policies and delayed response times. They also outlined how OPM has failed to prevent waste of taxpayer funds. The Oversight Committee will work to ensure OPM is meeting their mission and being good stewards of taxpayer-funded resources.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce held a hearing called “Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Go Viral: Inspectors General on Curing the Disease.”
Subcommittee members discussed with Inspectors General from the Department of Labor, Department of Treasury, and the Small Business Administration how rampant waste, fraud, and abuse was able to occur in federal pandemic relief programs. Subcommittee members asked ways in which federal programs could have been better safeguarded to combat criminal activity and what agencies are doing to recover stolen funds and ensure federal programs are better protected for crises in the future.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services held a hearing called “Inflation: A Preventable Crisis.”
At the hearing, subcommittee members asked expert witnesses how the fiscal policies pursued by President Biden, including the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), have overstimulated the economy, increased inflation on Americans, and provided slush funds for Democrats’ radical agendas.
Rules
On Tuesday, March 7, the Committee on Rules met to consider the following measures:
- S. 619, COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023 (Hawley)
- H.J. Res. 27, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ‘‘Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States.’’’ (Graves)
- H.R. 140, Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act (Comer)
Chairman Cole and Rules members welcomed leadership from the House Transportation, Oversight, and Intelligence Committees as they debated the bills and highlighted the importance of protecting speech from government censorship, nullifying the Biden Administration’s WOTUS rule, and allowing the American people greater transparency on COVID-19 origins.
Science, Space, and Technology
On Wednesday, March 8, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a full committee hearing called “Innovation Through Collaboration: The Department of Energy’s Role in the U.S. Research Ecosystem.” Experts testified to the importance of longstanding interagency research partnerships between DOE and NASA, NOAA, the USDA, and the NSF.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing called “The Federal Aviation Administration’s Flight Plan: Examining the Agency’s Research and Development Programs and Future Plans.” Leaders from the FAA, MIT, and Collins Aerospace highlighted the significance of the FAA’s research and development programs, authorized by the Science Committee.
Small Business
On Wednesday, March 8, the Committee on Small Business held a hearing called “Small Business Perspectives on the Impacts of the Biden Administration’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule.”
Small business and family farm owners testified before the House Committee on Small Business to discuss the detrimental impacts of the proposed WOTUS rule will have on Main Street America and land owners alike. The lack of clear definitions and bright lines make it likely that a small business owner will have to retain legal counsel before developing or farming their land. For some owners this will represent the cost of doing business but for the smallest business owners this cost can be very disruptive.”
Transportation and Infrastructure
On Wednesday, March 8, the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee held a hearing called “Pipeline Safety: Reviewing Implementation of the PIPES Act of 2020 and Examining Future Safety Needs” focused on pipeline safety and the implementation of the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020. The Committee intends to reauthorize the federal pipeline safety program this year.
Click here or on the image above to view Rep. Duarte’s remarks on pipeline safety and PHSMA.
Click here or on the image above to view Rep. Stauber’s remarks on radical pipeline protests.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing called “FAA Reauthorization: Securing the Future of General Aviation” focused on General Aviation (GA) and reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This was the second hearing held in the Committee’s preparation for FAA reauthorization this year.
On Tuesday, March 7, the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization held a hearing called “VistA: the Good, the Bad, and the Misunderstood.”
This hearing was the latest in a series the Subcommittee has held examining VA’s troubled electronic health records modernization program. This specific hearing looked at VA’s existing system, VistA, and assessed the work VA is doing to maintain it while the Oracle Cerner system is implemented, which may take a decade longer to accomplish. Chairman Rosendale reviewed information on VistA’s performance provided by VA, which is positive in most areas, as well as VistA’s limitations. The first panel of VA witnesses emphasized the importance of supporting VistA until it can safely be phased out. The second panel of former VA IT executives explained the history of previous, failed attempts to replace VistA and the fundamental problems that are undermining the Oracle Cerner effort.
On Wednesday, March 8, the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs held a joint hearing called “Legislative Presentation of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Multi VSOs.”
The purpose of this third joint hearing was for HVAC and SVAC members to engage with various VSO leaders from around the country about their priorities for this Congress. During the hearing, Rep. Julia Brownley and other Democrat members, sitting in for Ranking Member Takano, reiterated the baseless democratic talking point to VSOs that Republicans are “going to cut veterans’ benefits this year during the debt limit negotiations and appropriations process.” Chairman Bost gave an impassioned response to the room making it clear to the VSOs and Democrats’ that no Republican on our Committee – let alone the 9 veterans on our side of the dais – intends to cut services for veterans, we just want to be wise with the taxpayer dollars we are investing in VA and rid the second largest bureaucracy of waste, fraud, and abuse. Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) then agreed with the Chairman and stated on record that he hadn’t heard from any Republican or Democrat colleagues that veterans’ benefits or programs would be cut.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing called “Examining the Future of Workforce Protections for Servicemembers.”
The Department of Labor VETS Assistant Secretary, as well as veteran organizations joined the Committee to discuss the importance of USERRA protections and oversight. Subcommittee Chairman Van Orden made it clear that protecting Reserve and National Guard members’ jobs as they are deployed is essential for America’s national security, the DoD’s recruiting efforts, and helping servicemembers seamlessly transition from active-duty to civilian life.
On Thursday, March 9, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing called “Accountability at VA: Leadership Decisions Impacting its Employees and Veterans.”
The Subcommittee questioned VA about patient abuse in a Montana nursing home, harassment and hostility by supervisors driving employees to leave the Department. Subcommittee Chairwoman Kiggans drove home the point that VA must hold employees accountable to increase the quality of care and benefits veterans receive.
On Tuesday, March 7, the Committee on Ways and Means held a full committee field hearing called “Field Hearing on the State of the American Economy: The Heartland” in Yukon, OK.
Two days before President Biden released his budget to the American people, the Ways and Means Committee held its second field hearing in Yukon, Oklahoma to hear directly from working Americans about the state of the American economy in the heartland. Working Oklahomans told the committee they want Congress to focus on lowering taxes to fight inflation, promote policies that encourage a return to work, and end unnecessary regulation and lower taxes on farmers, ranchers, and oil and gas producers. Witnesses expressed concern about many of the forthcoming policies in President Biden’s budget that would hit small businesses, family farmers, and working families with higher taxes on top of the cost of goods spike that has already stolen two months of pay.
The Default Prevention Act, which would prevent defaulting on our debt and protects seniors and requires the Biden Administration to put America’s veterans, military families, and national defense first. To ensure the Biden Administration is carrying out the will of Congress, the bill establishes specific areas of government spending that should be at the bottom of the Administration’s spending priority list, like paying the salaries of the President, Vice President, and members of Congress.
House Ways and Means Committee Republicans sought answers from Secretary Yellen for the American people about the Biden Administration’s plans to spend $80 billion to hire 87,000 agents to audit working-class families, raise taxes by $4.7 trillion on families and small businesses facing inflation, and failure to reassure the public about politically motivated leaks of confidential information.
