Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap – Week of January 20, 2025
Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:
Energy and Commerce
On Wednesday, January 22, the Subcommittee on the Environment held a hearing called, "A Decade Later: Assessing the Legacy and Impact of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act." During the hearing, members discussed the challenges surrounding the implementation of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act and emphasized the need to revise the EPA’s regulatory structure.
On Thursday, January 23, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing called, "Strengthening American Leadership in Wireless Technology." Members discussed how effective spectrum allocation is key to both America’s national security and innovation as well as the implications of a strong telecommunications network for Americans across the country.
Homeland Security
On Wednesday, January 22, the Committee on Homeland Security held a full committee hearing entitled “Unconstrained Actors: Assessing Global Cyber Threats to the Homeland.” Malign nation-states and opportunistic criminals have continually threatened U.S. sovereignty in cyberspace, from China’s widespread ‘Typhoon’ intrusions and Iranian influence campaigns to Russian ransomware gangs. As most of our nation’s critical infrastructure is owned and operated by the private sector, in order to detect cyber threats, public-private partnerships are essential. In this hearing, members heard from private sector witnesses to examine global cyber threats to the homeland.
Judiciary
On Wednesday, January 22, the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement held a hearing called "Restoring Immigration Enforcement in America," to examine how the Biden-Harris Administration dismantled immigration enforcement and what the Trump Administration can do to restore integrity to America's immigration system.
The Laken Riley Act ensures that illegal aliens who commit serious crimes, such as theft, assaulting law enforcement, or causing severe harm or death, will be detained during immigration court proceedings. States can also sue federal officials who refuse to enforce immigration laws. This legislation has passed the House and is now heading to the President’s desk.
On Thursday, January 23, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 21, the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner. Caring for children born alive after abortion should be unquestioned; they deserve equal medical care and a chance to thrive. Democrats have increasingly supported radical anti-life policies, including controversial standards of care for abortion survivors. The pro-life movement supports families through free pregnancy resources, adoption services, safe haven laws, and protections for abortion survivors.
Natural Resources
On Thursday, January 23, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on the following legislation:
- H.R. 231, the Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act of 2025 (Hageman)
- H.R. 261, the Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 (Carter)
- H.R. 331, To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes (Fulcher)
- H.R. ___, the WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act (Stansbury)
On Thursday, January 23, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act. This comprehensive, bipartisan legislation restores forest health, increases resiliency to catastrophic wildfires, and protects communities by expediting environmental analyses, reducing frivolous lawsuits, and increasing the pace and scale of forest restoration projects. Led by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Congressman Scott Peters (D-Calif.), it will provide agencies with critical tools to implement the most vital forest management projects immediately.
Rules
On Tuesday, January 21, the Committee on Rules met on the following measures:
Transportation and Infrastructure
On Wednesday, January 22nd, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a markup to approve subcommittee rosters, and Chairman Graves also announced the Subcommittee Chairs and full Committee Vice Chair for the 119th Congress:
- Rep. Rick Crawford will service as T&I Vice Chairman
- Rep. Troy E. Nehls will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- Rep. Mike Ezell will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Rep. Scott Perry will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Rep. David Rouzer will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Rep. Daniel Webster will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- Rep. Mike Collins will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Some common themes from both hearings include the need to streamline infrastructure programs, cut red tape in project application and approval processes, and ensure state and stakeholder flexibility.
Veterans Affairs
On Wednesday, January 22, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a full committee oversight hearing titled “Restoring Focus: Putting Veterans First in Community Care." The hearing examined the bureaucratic obstacles veterans face when attempting to access healthcare through VA’s Community Care Program. Testimony highlighted the devastating consequences of delays and inefficiencies in the system, emphasizing the urgent need for reform. Mr. William Dooley, a U.S. Army veteran and cancer patient, testified about his experience trying to access community care for a colonoscopy. Due to VA delays, his screening was pushed back by nine months—and by the time he was finally screened, he was diagnosed with stage 2 malignant cancer. Mr. Dooley’s testimony also noted that when trying to receive referrals for chemotherapy and radiation treatment he was met by apathetic and complacent VA staff. Ms. Lori Willis Locklear, mother of Navy veteran Logan Willis, testified that had the VA notified her son that he was eligible for community care mental health appointments, “he might still be alive today.” Chairman Mike Bost reinforced the committee’s commitment to ensuring that community care is VA care, stressing that veterans deserve the best healthcare when and where they need it. He emphasized that VA must eliminate unnecessary administrative delays and roadblocks, making it easier—not harder—for veterans to receive care. The hearing also demonstrated how bureaucratic obstacles under the previous administration harmed veterans seeking community care and that moving forward, VA must follow the access standards outlined in the MISSION Act to ensure veterans can receive the healthcare they need without delay.
On Thursday, January 23, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held an oversight hearing titled “Correcting VA’s Violations of Veterans’ Due Process and Second Amendment Rights." The hearing examined the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) fiduciary program’s policy and process of reporting veterans – specifically veterans who have been assigned a fiduciary to help them manage their VA financial benefits – to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which deprives these veterans of their right to possess and purchase firearms. GOP Members questioned the witnesses – most of whom were veterans themselves – whether VA fails to give veterans any due process before reporting them to NICS. The answer was no. Witness testimony revealed that VA reports these veterans to the NICS list without any ruling by any judge that they are a danger to themselves or others, and without any medical finding by any medical professional that they are dangerous to themselves or their community. Witnesses emphasized that assuming any veteran with a mental illness is dangerous, stigmatizes mental illness and stigmatizes veterans. And witness testimony revealed that veterans are subject to different NICS reporting rules compared to every other American in every other state and federal system – a fact that GOP members vowed to correct.
Ways and Means
On Wednesday, January 22, the Committee on Ways and Means held a full committee Member Day hearing on matters within the Committee’s tax jurisdiction. The Committee heard from 55 members about their tax priorities, exceeding last year’s attendance which was the best-attended Member Day of the 118th Congress. Testifying members shared how the looming expiration of the Trump tax cuts would hurt the workers, families, small businesses, and farmers in their districts. If Congress does not extend tax relief:
- 40 million parents will have their Child Tax Credit slashed in half.
- 2 million family farmers will see the Death Tax exemption slashed in half.
- 91 percent of all taxpayers will see their guaranteed deduction slashed in half.
- 26 million small businesses will be hit with a 43.4 percent top tax rate, more than 20 points higher than what businesses pay in Communist China.
Distribution channels: U.S. Politics
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