Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap – Week of December 15, 2025
Here’s a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week:
Education & Workforce
On Tuesday, December 16, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing called "Benched: The Crisis in American Youth Sports and Its Cost to Our Future." Youth sports participation has declined at a time when kids need them most. That matters for every American family because sports help children grow healthier, more confident, and more resilient—while also reducing long-term health and economic costs for the entire country. During this hearing Members pointed out that meeting the Trump administration’s national youth sports participation goals could save the U.S. $80 billion.
On Wednesday, December 17, the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing called "Ensuring Union Leaders Represent Members, Not Agendas." Decisions by union leaders—like contract approvals or strike actions—can directly impact a worker’s wages, health care, and working conditions. Yet, too often, unions prioritize political agendas over their own workers’ interests. This hearing discussed legislative reforms to combat the undemocratic ways unions operate and ensure union leadership is responsive to their membership.
Energy & Commerce
On Tuesday, December 16, the Subcommittee on Communications & Technology held a hearing called "Legislative Improvements to Public Safety Communications in the United States." During this hearing, members discussed how public safety communications can be improved to more reliably and effectively relay information, especially during emergencies and natural disasters.
On Wednesday, December 17, the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations held a hearing called "Examining Biosecurity at the Intersection of AI and Biology." Members discussed how we can encourage the development of new technologies while also ensuring biosecurity.
On Thursday, December 18, the Subcommittee on the Environment held a hearing called "Examining the Impact of EPA’s CERCLA Designation for Two PFAS Chemistries and Potential Policy Responses to Superfund Liability Concerns." This hearing focused on how we can be a good steward of the environment, protect public health, and encourage economic growth.
Financial Services
The Committee held a two day full committee markup and advanced 20 bills and a resolution reauthorizing the Monetary Policy Task Force. The Committee moved smart, pro-growth banking legislation that strengthens our banking system, expands access to credit, and reduces unnecessary burdens that drive up costs for families and small businesses. The Committee also advanced a bipartisan housing package focused on encouraging new home construction and streamlining development, creating more opportunities for families to find safe, reasonably priced places to live.
Foreign Affairs
On Tuesday, December 16, the Europe Subcommittee held a hearing titled, “Hybrid Warfare in Europe Against U.S. Interests: Moscow and Beijing’s Playbook.” The lawmakers examined Russia and China’s use of hybrid warfare to undermine the United States and our allies. Subcommittee Chairman Keith Self noted the changing threat landscape characterized by blatant violations of airspace, weaponized migration, sabotage, and cyber intrusions. He also underscored the need for the U.S. and its allies to accelerate responses to these threats.
On Wednesday, December 17, the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee held a hearing titled, “Mexico’s Relationships with the Region.” The lawmakers examined the more than 200-year U.S.-Mexico ties and the importance of the two countries working together to combat shared challenges including drugs, violence and tyranny. Subcommittee Chairwoman Maria Salazar underscored the critical moment for both countries and called on Mexico’s President Sheinbaum to rise to the challenge, to stand for democracy in Cuba and in Venezuela, and to stand for justice and show a stronger hand when it comes to deadly drugs poisoning both our nations. “The western hemisphere needs leaders, not bystanders. Mexico is very important to us, not to sit on the sidelines, but to be a powerful neighbor and continue working with us,” Chairwoman Salazar said.
Homeland Security
On Wednesday, December 17, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection and the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability held a joint hearing titled "The Quantum, AI, and Cloud Landscape: Examining Opportunities, Vulnerabilities, and the Future of Cybersecurity." Witnesses from Anthropic, Google, and Quantum Xchange discussed how advances in emerging technology like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and hyperscale cloud infrastructure are reshaping America’s defensive cybersecurity posture while simultaneously expanding the operational capabilities of foreign adversaries like the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The hearing also explored how these emerging technologies can be leveraged to enhance the detection, defense, and resilience of U.S. critical infrastructure.
On Wednesday, December 17, the Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States held a hearing titled, “A Scourge Against Humanity: Addressing Human Trafficking at Mass Gatherings.” Witnesses discussed efforts to deter human trafficking as the U.S. prepares to host major events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Olympics 2028.
House Administration
On Wednesday, December 17, the Subcommittee on Modernization and Innovation held a hearing titled, “The Future of Constituent Engagement with Congress.”
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
On Tuesday, December 16, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a closed deposition.
On Thursday, December 18, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence held a full committee closed hearing called "Examining the Intelligence Community's use of Commercial Information."
Judiciary
On Tuesday, December 16, the Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust held a hearing called "Anti-American Antitrust: How Foreign Governments Target U.S. Businesses" to examine the threat that discriminatory foreign regulations modeled on the European Union's (EU) Digital Markets Act (DMA) pose to American innovation and competition, with a particular focus on legislative initiatives in South Korea, Brazil, Australia, and Japan. The hearing also highlighted the Committee's efforts to push back against the spread of foreign regulations that harm the American economy, protect foreign businesses, prohibit pro-consumer conduct, and stifle innovation.
On Tuesday, December 16, the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government held a hearing called "Partisan and Profitable: The SPLC’s Influence on Federal Civil Rights Policy," to examine the Southern Poverty Law Center's (SPLC) coordinated efforts with the Biden-Harris Administration to target Christian and conservative Americans and deprive them of their constitutional rights to free speech and free association. The hearing also examined SPLC's history, funding, and work to silence conservative and Christian Americans for their beliefs.
On Wednesday, December 17, the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance held a hearing called "Protecting Consumers and Businesses: Confronting Organized Retail Crime," to examine the nationwide surge in Organized Retail Crime and how increasingly violent and sophisticated theft rings are harming businesses and communities.
On Wednesday, December 17, the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement held a hearing called "The Impacts of Temporary Protected Status," to examine the Temporary Protected Status program, including how it has impacted American communities and how the program has been historically abused.
On Thursday, December 18, the Judiciary Committee held a full committee markup sessionto consider the following legislation:
- H.R. 6719, the Combating Online Predators Act of 2025 (Lee)
- H.R. 6732, the Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment Act of 2025 (Biggs)
- H.R. 6715, the Child Predators Accountability Act of 2025 (Harris)
- H.R. 3497, the Medal of Sacrifice Act (Mast)
- H.R. 5625, the Cashless Bail Reporting Act (Harris)
Natural Resources
On Tuesday, December 16, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a legislative hearing on the following bills:
- H.R. 301, the Geothermal Energy Opportunity (GEO) Act (Maloy)
- H.R. 398, the Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025 (Ocasio-Cortez)
- H.R. 1077, the Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms (STEAM) Act (Lee)
- H.R. 1687, the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act (Fulcher)
- H.R. 5576, the Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act (Fulcher)
- H.R. 5587, the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act (Kim)
- H.R. 5617, the Geothermal Gold Book Development Act (Ansari)
- H.R. 5631, the Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act (Hurd)
- H.R. 5638, the Geothermal Royalty Reform Act (Kennedy)
On Wednesday, December 17, the Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markup of the following legislation:
- H.R. 1897, the ESA Amendments Act of 2025 (Westerman)
- H.R. 4284, the Small Cemetery Conveyance Act (Leger Fernandez)
- H.R. 5103, the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act (McGuire)
- H.R. 5910, To authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for federally recognized Indian Tribes (Hageman)
Oversight and Government Reform
On Thursday, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released “Restoring America Through Oversight: A 2025 Year in Review from the House Oversight Committee.” The report highlights the Committee’s accomplishments during the first session of the 119th Congress, including exposing the Biden Autopen Presidency; investigating politically motivated discrimination within the U.S. financial system; making Washington, D.C. safer and more beautiful; uncovering Biden’s Green New Deal scam; holding sanctuary mayors and governors accountable; improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal government; safeguarding U.S. national security; and debunking Democrats’ latest hoax against President Donald Trump. During this period, the Oversight Committee held more than 50 hearings, passed nearly 40 bills, and conducted 35 depositions and transcribed interviews.
This week, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released a bombshell report exposing how D.C.’s police chief deliberately manipulated crime data. The interim staff report, “Leadership Breakdown: How D.C.’s Police Chief Undermined Crime Data Accuracy,” is based on transcribed interviews with commanders from all seven D.C. patrol districts, as well as a former commander currently on suspended leave. The report reveals that Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith pressured, and at times directed, commanders to manipulate crime data to maintain the appearance of low crime in the nation’s capital. Commanders’ testimony also describes a culture under Chief Smith defined by fear, intimidation, threats, and retaliation–conditions that directly eroded morale and drove the loss of experienced officers and commanders.
On Wednesday, December 17, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a full committee "Member Day" hearing.
Rules
On Monday, December 15, the Committee on Rules met on the following measures:
- H.R. 4776, the SPEED Act (Westerman)
- H.R. 1366, the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (Amodei)
- H.R. 3616, the Reliable Power Act (Balderson)
- H.R. 3632, the Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025 (Griffith)
- H.R. 4371, the Kayla Hamilton Act (Fry)
- H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act (Boebert)
- H.R. 498, the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act (Crenshaw)
- H.R. 3492, the Protect Children's Innocence Act (Greene)
- H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act (Miller-Meeks)
On Tuesday, the Committee advanced legislation intended to lower health care premiums for all Americans and protect vulnerable children from the one-size-fits-all gender affirming care endorsed by the far left. Rules Republicans, along with our witnesses, went through the long list of Obamacare failures. They also responded to Democrats’ nonsensical focus on a mere 7% of Americans when healthcare premiums are skyrocketing for all Americans. Additionally, the Committee outlined how the left’s preferred treatments for gender dysphoria are steeped in ideology instead of actual medical need.
Science, Space, and Technology
On Thursday, December 18, the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing called "Research Security: Examining the Implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act and NSPM-33." During the hearing, members examined how research security directives and laws are being implemented across U.S. agencies and evaluated how federally funded research institutions are carrying out these requirements, as well as whether additional changes are needed to better protect taxpayer-funded research.
Select Committee on China
On Monday, December 15, Chairman John Moolenaar joined leaders from around the world in denouncing the verdict of Jimmy Lai, the founder and ex-Chairman of Apple Daily who was found guilty of bogus charges brought by Hong Kong prosecutors. The courageous 78-year old Hong Konger has been imprisoned for years on charges of sedition and collusion with foreign nations.
On Wednesday, December 17, the Select Committee on China and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) released a new investigative report revealing how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) exploits the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to gain access and divert American taxpayer-funded research and fuel its military and technological rise. The investigation identified approximately 4,350 research papers between June 2023 and June 2025, where DOE funding or research support involved research relationships with PRC entities, including over 730 DOE awards and contracts. Of these, approximately 2,200 publications were conducted in partnership with entities within China’s defense research and industrial base.
On Thursday, December 18, the Select Committee on China released Ten More for Taiwan, a bipartisan report outlining urgent steps to strengthen deterrence against Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aggression toward Taiwan. The report builds on the Select Committee’s original bipartisan Ten for Taiwan report, which concluded that central to the Committee’s mandate is deterring CCP military aggression against Taiwan.
Small Business
On Tuesday, December 16, the Committee on Small Business held a full committee hearing called "American Resilience: Examining the SBA Disaster Assistance Program." The purpose of this hearing was to examine the existing structure of the Small Business Administration’s disaster assistance programs and assess how the Trump Administration is strengthening federal disaster response capabilities.
Transportation and Infrastructure
To close out the first session of the 119th Congress, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a markup and approved a number of bills, including the Aviation Funding Solvency Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure that, during any future government shutdowns, the U.S. National Airspace System and those responsible for its safe, efficient operation are protected from any lapses in federal funding. The Committee also approved bills by T&I freshmen to improve FAA regulatory processes, improve water quality throughout the nation and emergency communications at federal buildings, a resolution approving the move of the FBI headquarters to the Ronald Reagan Federal Office Building in Washington, DC, and more.
On Tuesday, December 16, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford testified before the Subcommittee on Aviation, marking his first appearance in front of Congress since being confirmed as FAA Administrator. Topics discussed during the hearing included implementation of efforts to modernize our nation’s air traffic control system, implementation of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, new aviation technologies, and more.
Tuesday afternoon, the Subcommittee Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing entitled, “Changes in Maritime Technology: Can the Coast Guard Keep Up?” One of the main points of discussion was how the U.S. Coast Guard plans to use the historic investments in the One Big Beautiful Bill to acquire and implement new technologies.
The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing to kick off the process of crafting the next Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Subcommittee members heard from stakeholders from across the nation about the importance of Army Corps Civil Works programs and maintaining a consistent two-year WRDA schedule.
Veterans Affairs
On Monday, December 15, the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization held an oversight hearing titled, “Ready, Set, Go-Live: Assessing VA’s EHR Modernization Deployment Readiness.” Chairman Tom Barrett (MI-07) led an oversight hearing examining the Department of Veterans Affairs’ readiness to resume deployments of its Oracle Health electronic health record system, as well as the project’s escalating cost and operational risk. Members from both parties raised concerns that VA still lacks a clear understanding of the system’s full lifecycle cost now estimated at roughly $37 billion and questioned whether the department is prepared to conduct multiple go-lives simultaneously after nearly two years under an operational pause. Witnesses from VA, Oracle Health, and GAO testified on deployment strategy, cost transparency, and sustainability, with GAO warning that simultaneous deployments will require significant resources that may not be maintainable over time. Chairman Barrett emphasized that modernization must prioritize patient safety, fiscal accountability, and proven readiness, not speed.
On Tuesday, December 16, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held an oversight hearing titled, “Detrimental Delays: Reviewing Payment Failures in VA’s Education Programs.” During the hearing, the Subcommittee examined how payment failures in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Digital GI Bill (DGIB) program originated, which caused delayed payments for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) participants. Committee members were concerned about the lack of communication from VA to Congress, veteran advocates, and Institutions of Higher Learning regarding education payment delays. GOP members questioned witnesses on how many students were impacted and ways VA could mitigate future problems on behalf of the veterans VA serves. The hearing highlighted the importance of VA’s technology programs working for veterans, and ensuring this program never happens again.
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