[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 53 (Thursday, March 23, 2023)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D262-D266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
A REVIEW OF TITLE VII: USDA IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and 
Biotechnology held a hearing entitled ``A Review of Title VII: USDA 
Implementation of Research Programs''. Testimony was heard from 
Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Under Secretary for Research, Education, and 
Economics, Department of Agriculture.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, 
Science, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the Department 
of Justice, Office of Inspector General. Testimony was heard from 
Michael E. Horowitz, Inspector General, Department of Justice.
APPROPRIATIONS--U.S. FOREST SERVICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and 
Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the U.S. Forest Service. 
Testimony was heard from Randy Moore, Chief, U.S. Forest Service, 
Department of Agriculture; and Mark Lichtenstein, National Budget 
Director, U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture.
APPROPRIATIONS--GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a 
budget hearing on the Government Accountability Office. Testimony was 
heard from Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, 
Government Accountability Office.
MEMBER DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a 
hearing entitled ``Member Day''. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Schrier, Tokuda, and Flood.
PUBLIC WITNESS DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing entitled 
``Public Witness Day''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a budget 
hearing on the Department of Defense. Testimony was heard from Lloyd J. 
Austin III, Secretary, Department of Defense; General Mark A. Milley, 
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Michael J. McCord, Under Secretary 
of Defense (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer, Department of 
Defense.

[[Page D263]]


APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the 
Department of Energy. Testimony was heard from Jennifer Granholm, 
Secretary, Department of Energy.
MEMBER DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and 
Related Agencies held a hearing entitled ``Member Day''. Testimony was 
heard from Representatives Radewagon and Garcia of Texas.
APPROPRIATIONS--LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a 
budget hearing on the Library of Congress. Testimony was heard from the 
following Library of Congress officials: Carla Hayden, Librarian of 
Congress; Maria Strong Associate Register of Copyrights, and Director 
of Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Copyright Office; and Mary 
Mazanec, Director, Congressional Research Service.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, 
Science, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the Department 
of Commerce, Office of Inspector General. Testimony was heard from 
Peggy E. Gustafson, Inspector General, Department of Commerce.
APPROPRIATIONS--ARMY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND FAMILY HOUSING
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, 
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on Army 
Military Construction and Family Housing. Testimony was heard from 
Rachel Jacobson, Assistant to Secretary, Installations, Energy, and 
Environment, U.S. Army; and Lieutenant General Kevin Vereen, Deputy 
Chief of Staff G9, Installation Management Command.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State Foreign Operations 
and Related Programs held a budget hearing on the Department of State. 
Testimony was heard from Antony Blinken, Secretary, Department of 
State.
PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET REQUEST AND ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and 
General Government held a hearing entitled ``President Biden's Fiscal 
Year 2024 Budget Request and Economic Outlook''. Testimony was heard 
from Janet Yellen, Secretary, Department of the Treasury; and Shalanda 
Young, Director, Office of Management and Budget.
U.S. MILITARY POSTURE AND NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE GREATER 
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
Committee on Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in the Greater 
Middle East and Africa''. Testimony was heard from Celeste Wallander, 
Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, 
Department of Defense; General Michael Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central 
Command; and General Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION: IMPACTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
AND THE ARMED SERVICES
Committee on Armed Services: Military Personnel held a hearing entitled 
``Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion: Impacts to the Department of 
Defense and the Armed Services''. Testimony was heard from Gilbert R. 
Cisneros, Jr., Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, 
Department of Defense; Agnes Schaefer, Assistant Secretary for Manpower 
and Reserve Affairs, Department of the Army; Frank R. Parker, Assistant 
Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Department of the Navy; and 
Alex Wagner, Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, 
Department of the Air Force.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOVATION AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Cyber, Information 
Technologies, and Innovation held a hearing entitled ``Science, 
Technology, and Innovation at the Department of Defense''. Testimony 
was heard from Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and 
Engineering, Department of Defense; and William LaPlante, Under 
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of 
Defense.
THE PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on the Budget: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``The 
President's Fiscal Year 2024

[[Page D264]]

Budget Request''. Testimony was heard from Shalanda D. Young, Director, 
Office of Management and Budget.
BREAKING THE SYSTEM: EXAMINING THE IMPLICATIONS OF BIDEN'S STUDENT LOAN 
POLICIES FOR STUDENTS AND TAXPAYERS
Committee on Education and Workforce: Subcommittee on Higher Education 
and Workforce Development held a hearing entitled ``Breaking the 
System: Examining the Implications of Biden's Student Loan Policies for 
Students and Taxpayers''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
TIKTOK: HOW CONGRESS CAN SAFEGUARD AMERICAN DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECT 
CHILDREN FROM ONLINE HARMS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Full Committee held a hearing 
entitled ``TikTok: How Congress Can Safeguard American Data Privacy and 
Protect Children from Online Harms''. Testimony was heard from a public 
witness.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Full Committee began a markup on H.R. 
1338, the ``Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act''; H.R. 
675, the ``Secure Space Act''; H.R. 1339, the ``Precision Agriculture 
Satellite Connectivity Act''; H.R. 682, the ``Launch Communications 
Act''; H.R. 1353, the ``Advanced, Local Emergency Response 
Telecommunications Parity Act''; H.R. 1345, the ``NTIA Policy and 
Cybersecurity Coordination Act''; H.R. 1354, the ``Information and 
Communication Technology Strategy Act''; H.R. 1370, the 
``Communications Security Act''; H.R. 1360, the ``American 
Cybersecurity Literacy Act''; H.R. 1340, the ``Open RAN Outreach Act''; 
H.R. 1343, the ``ITS Codification Act''; H.R. 1377, the ``Promoting 
U.S. Wireless Leadership Act''; H.R. 1341, the ``Spectrum Coordination 
Act''; H.R. 501, the ``Block, Report, and Suspend Suspicious Shipments 
Act''; H.R. 498, the ``9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility 
Act''; H.R. 485, the ``Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act of 
2023''; H.R. 467, the ``Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act''; 
H.R. 801, the ``Securing the Border for Public Health Act of 2023''; 
and H.R. 1603, the ``Homeowner Energy Freedom Act''.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: THE CCP'S BUSINESS MODEL FUELING THE FENTANYL CRISIS
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on National Security, 
Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions held a 
hearing entitled ``Follow the Money: The CCP's Business Model Fueling 
the Fentanyl Crisis''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
THE STATE OF AMERICAN DIPLOMACY IN 2023: GROWING CONFLICTS, BUDGET 
CHALLENGES, AND GREAT POWER COMPETITION
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``The State of American Diplomacy in 2023: Growing Conflicts, Budget 
Challenges, and Great Power Competition''. Testimony was heard from 
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, Department of State.
RENEWED U.S. ENGAGEMENT IN THE PACIFIC: ASSESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 
PACIFIC ISLANDS
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific held a 
hearing entitled ``Renewed U.S. Engagement in the Pacific: Assessing 
the Importance of the Pacific Islands''. Testimony was heard from Jane 
Bocklage, Deputy and Senior Advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy 
for Compact Negotiations, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 
Department of State; Craig Hart, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Asia 
Bureau, U.S. Agency for International Development; Holly A. Haverstick, 
Director, International Affairs and Foreign Policy Advisor, U.S. Coast 
Guard; and Keone Nakoa, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and 
International Affairs, Department of the Interior.
CISA 2025: THE STATE OF AMERICAN CYBERSECURITY FROM A STAKEHOLDER 
PERSPECTIVE
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and 
Infrastructure Protection held a hearing entitled ``CISA 2025: The 
State of American Cybersecurity from a Stakeholder Perspective''. 
Testimony was heard from Tina Won Sherman, Director, Critical 
Infrastructure Protection and Transportation Security, Government 
Accountability Office; and public witnesses.
SECURING AMERICA'S MARITIME BORDER: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS FOR U.S. 
NATIONAL SECURITY
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation and 
Maritime Security held a hearing entitled ``Securing America's Maritime 
Border: Challenges and Solutions for U.S. National Security''. 
Testimony was heard from Rear Admiral Lower Half Jo-Ann F. Burdian, 
Assistant Commandant for Response Policy, U.S. Coast Guard; Jonathan 
Miller, Executive Director, Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; Brigadier General 
Sean T.

[[Page D265]]

Boyette, Director of the Joint Staff, Florida Army National Guard, 
Joint Force Headquarters; and Heather MacLeod, Director, Homeland 
Security and Justice, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
2022 MIDTERMS LOOK BACK SERIES: ELECTION OBSERVER ACCESS
Committee on House Administration:


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On March 23, 2023, on page D265, the following appeared: 
Committee On House Administration
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: Committee on 
House Administration


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


 Subcommittee on Elections held a hearing entitled ``2022 Midterms Look 
   Back Series: Election Observer Access''. Testimony was heard from 
 Benjamin Hovland, Commissioner, U.S. Election Assistance Commission; 
     Lisa Lyons, County Clerk, Kent County, Michigan; and public witnesses.
           LOOKING AHEAD SERIES: OFFICE OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN
  Committee on House Administration: Subcommittee on Oversight held a 
   hearing entitled ``Looking Ahead Series: Office of the Attending 
 Physician''. Testimony was heard from Rear Admiral Brian P. Monahan, 
Medical Corps, U.S. Navy, Attending Physician, Office of the Attending 
            Physician, U.S. Congress and U.S. Supreme Court.
     FREE SPEECH: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S CHILLING OF PARENTS' 
                                                FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
   Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution and 
  Limited Government held a hearing entitled ``Free Speech: The Biden 
 Administration's Chilling of Parents' Fundamental Rights''. Testimony 
                    was heard from public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and 
Fisheries held a hearing on H.R. 764, the ``Trust the Science Act''; 
H.R. 886, the ``Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act''; H.R. 1245, to 
direct the Secretary of the Interior to reissue a final rule relating 
to removing the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem population of grizzly 
bears from the Federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife, and 
for other purposes; and H.R. 1419, the ``Comprehensive Grizzly Bear 
Management Act of 2023''. Testimony was heard from Representatives 
Boebert, Rosendale, Hageman, and Bonamici; Steven Guertin, Deputy 
Director for Policy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the 
Interior; Nancy Wallace, Marine Debris Program Director, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce; Brian 
Nesvik, Director, Wyoming Game and Fish Department; and public 
witnesses.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On March 23, 2023, on page D265, the following appeared: 
Testimony was heard from Steven Guertin, Deputy Director for 
Policy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the 
Interior; Nancy Wallace, Marine Debris Program Director, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce; 
Brian Nesvik, Director, Wyoming Game and Fish Department; and 
public witnesses.
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: Testimony was 
heard from Representatives Boebert, Rosendale, Hageman, and 
Bonamici; Steven Guertin, Deputy Director for Policy, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; Nancy Wallace, 
Marine Debris Program Director, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Department of Commerce; Brian Nesvik, Director, 
Wyoming Game and Fish Department; and public witnesses.


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


                                              LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
 Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a 
hearing on H.R. 200, the ``Forest Information Reform Act''; H.R. 1473, 
  the ``Targeting and Offsetting Existing Illegal Contaminants Act''; 
H.R. 1567, the ``Accurately Counting Risk Elimination Solutions Act''; 
and H.R. 1586, the ``Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety 
Act of 2023''. Testimony was heard from Chris French, Deputy Chief for 
      National Forest Systems, U.S. Forest Service, Department of 
                   Agriculture; and public witnesses.
     ATF'S ASSAULT ON THE SECOND AMENDMENT: WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH?
  Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Subcommittee on Economic 
  Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs; and Subcommittee on 
Crime and Federal Government Surveillance of the House Committee on the 
 Judiciary held a joint hearing entitled ``ATF's Assault on the Second 
 Amendment: When is Enough Enough?''. Testimony was heard from public 
                               witnesses.
         UNPACKING THE WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY
      Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Subcommittee on 
Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation held a 
  hearing entitled ``Unpacking the White House National Cybersecurity 
 Strategy''. Testimony was heard from Kemba E. Walden, Acting National 
                    Cyber Director, The White House.
           ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY: THE FUTURE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
                                                SYSTEMS AND BEYOND
  Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Full Committee held a 
   hearing entitled ``Advanced Air Mobility: The Future of Unmanned 
    Aircraft Systems and Beyond''. Testimony was heard from Parimal 
    Kopardekar, Director, Aeronautics Research Institute, National 
      Aeronautics and Space Administration; and public witnesses.
     UNLEASHING AMERICAN POWER: THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEXT GENERATION 
                                             ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
  Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy 
held a hearing entitled ``Unleashing American Power: The Development of 
   Next Generation Energy Infrastructure''. Testimony was heard from 
                           public witnesses.
                    OVERSIGHT OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
  Committee on Small Business: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Oversight of the Small Business Administration''. Testimony was heard 
                             from Isabella

[[Page D266]]

        Guzman, Administrator, U.S. Small Business Association.
      FAA REAUTHORIZATION: NAVIGATING THE COMPREHENSIVE PASSENGER 
                                                        EXPERIENCE
    Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Aviation held a hearing entitled ``FAA Reauthorization: Navigating the 
 Comprehensive Passenger Experience''. Testimony was heard from public 
                               witnesses.
            REVIEW OF FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET REQUEST FOR FEDERAL 
      MARITIME TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
                                 OCEAN SHIPPING REFORM ACT OF 2022
 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast 
 Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing entitled ``Review of 
  Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request for Federal Maritime Transportation 
   Programs, and Implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 
     2022''. Testimony was heard from Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips 
 (Retired), Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration, Department of 
 Transportation; and Daniel B. Maffei, Chairman, U.S. Federal Maritime 
                              Commission.
                                                  BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Full Committee held a business meeting 
  to Authorize the Women Veterans Task Force. The Women Veterans Task 
                         Force was authorized.
     U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL 
                                               YEARS 2024 AND 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
 ``U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Years 
     2024 and 2025''. Testimony was heard from Denis R. McDonough, 
               Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
       WHY HEALTH CARE IS UNAFFORDABLE: THE FALLOUT OF DEMOCRATS' 
                        INFLATION ON PATIENTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES
  Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
 entitled ``Why Health Care is Unaffordable: The Fallout of Democrats' 
Inflation on Patients and Small Businesses''. Testimony was heard from 
                           public witnesses.
     BUDGET HEARING FOR THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, DRUG 
     ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, 
     DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND DEPARTMENT OF 
                                                      THE TREASURY
 Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on National 
 Intelligence Enterprise held a hearing entitled ``Budget hearing for 
 the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, 
 Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy, Department of 
   State, and Department of the Treasury''. Testimony was heard from 
  Carrie Thompson, Chief of Intelligence, Office of National Security 
 Intelligence, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice; 
Ken Wainstein, Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Office of 
 Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security; Steven K. 
   Black, Director, Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, 
    Department of Energy; Ryan Young, Executive Assistant Director, 
 Intelligence Branch, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Brett Holmgren, 
     Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Research, Bureau of 
   Intelligence and Research, Department of State; Shannon Corless, 
Assistant Secretary, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Department of 
 the Treasury; and Rear Admiral Rebecca Ore, Assistant Commandant for 
        Intelligence, U.S. Coast Guard. This hearing was closed.
                                 THE CCP'S ONGOING UYGHUR GENOCIDE
Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States 
and the Chinese Communist Party: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
 ``The CCP's Ongoing Uyghur Genocide''. Testimony was heard from Nury 
Turkel, Chair, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; and 
                           public witnesses.

Joint Meetings
  No joint committee meetings were held.