[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D808-D811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee began a markup on H.R. 4763, 
the ``Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act''. 
H.R. 4763 was ordered reported, as amended.
LOWERING COSTS AND INCREASING VALUE FOR STUDENTS, INSTITUTIONS, AND 
TAXPAYERS
Committee on Education and Workforce: Subcommittee on Higher Education 
and Workforce Development held a hearing entitled ``Lowering Costs and 
Increasing Value for Students, Institutions, and Taxpayers''. Testimony 
was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 
3385, the ``Diaspora Link Act''; H.R. 3369, the ``AI Accountability 
Act''; H.R. 4510, the ``NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2023''; H.R. 1435, 
the ``Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act''; H.R. 4468, the 
``Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2023''; and H.R. 4469, the 
``No Fuel Credits for Batteries Act of 2023''. H.R. 3385, H.R. 3369, 
and H.R. 4510 were ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 1435, H.R. 4468, 
and H.R. 4469 were ordered reported, without amendment.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 
4766, the ``Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act of 2023''; H.R. 4841, 
the ``Keep Your Coins Act of 2023''; H.R. 4790, the ``Guiding Uniform 
and Responsible Disclosure Requirements and Information Limits Act of 
2023''; H.R. 4767, the ``Protecting Americans' Retirement Savings from 
Politics Act''; H.R. 4823, the ``American Financial Institution 
Regulator Sovereignty and Transparency Act''; H.R. 4655, the 
``Businesses Over Activists Act''; and H.J. Res. 66, a joint resolution 
disapproving the rule submitted by the Consumer Financial Protection 
Bureau relating to ``Small Business Lending Under the Equal Credit 
Opportunity Act (Regulation B)''.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: On July 26, 2023, Full Committee began a 
markup on H.R. 4619, to authorize the sale of Virginia Class submarines 
to Australia in support of the trilateral security partnership between 
Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and for other 
purposes; H.R. 4725, to conduct oversight and accountability of the 
State Department's implementation of AUKUS, and for other purposes; 
H.R. 4716, to amend the Arms Export Control Act in support of Australia 
and the AUKUS partnership; H.R. 4715, to amend the Arms Export Control 
Act in support of the United Kingdom and the AUKUS partnership; H.R. 
1776, to prevent, treat, and cure tuberculosis globally; H.R. 4517, to 
require the Secretary of State to submit a plan for the reimbursement 
of personal funds expended to evacuate American citizens, American 
lawful permanent residents, and Afghan allies from Afghanistan, and for 
other purposes; H.R. 3152, to impose sanctions with respect to 
countries, individuals, and entities that engage in any effort to 
acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or deploy

[[Page D809]]

Iranian missiles and related goods and technology, including materials 
and equipment, and for other purposes; H.R. 4741, to require the 
development of a strategy to promote the use of secure 
telecommunications infrastructure worldwide, and for other purposes; 
H.R. 4691, to provide for congressional review of actions to terminate 
or waive sanctions imposed with respect to Iran; H.R. 1456, to limit 
the use of funds for the production of films using assets of the 
Department of State under certain circumstances, and for other 
purposes; H. Res. 578, calling for the immediate release of Eyvin 
Hernandez, a United States citizen and Los Angeles County public 
defender, who was wrongfully detained by the Venezuelan regime in March 
2022; and H.R. 4825, to require the imposition of sanctions and other 
measures relating to the Russian oil price cap policy, and for other 
purposes. H.R. 1776, H.R. 4741, H.R. 4691, H.R. 3152, and H.R. 4825 
were ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 4619, H.R. 4716, H.R. 
4715, H.R. 1456, H.R. 4725, H.R. 4517, and H. Res. 578 were ordered 
reported, as amended.
A FAILURE TO PLAN: EXAMINING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PREPARATION FOR 
THE AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Accountability held a hearing entitled ``A Failure to Plan: Examining 
the Biden Administration's Preparation for the Afghanistan 
Withdrawal''. Testimony was heard from Command Sergeant Major Jacob 
Smith, 4-31 Infantry, 2nd BCT, 10th Mountain Division, U.S. Army; and 
public witnesses.
ILLICIT IT: BANKROLLING KIM JONG UN
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Illicit IT: Bankrolling Kim Jong Un''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
COLOMBIA'S DESCENT TO SOCIALISM: ASSESSING GUSTAVO PETRO'S PRESIDENCY
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere 
held a hearing entitled ``Colombia's Descent to Socialism: Assessing 
Gustavo Petro's Presidency''. Testimony was heard from Mark Wells, 
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, 
Department of State; and Peter Natiello, Senior Deputy Assistant 
Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Carribean, U.S. Agency 
for International Development.
OVERSIGHT OF THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime and Federal 
Government Surveillance held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Drug 
Enforcement Administration''. Testimony was heard from Anne Milgram, 
Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice.
THE DANGERS AND DUE PROCESS VIOLATIONS OF `GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE' FOR 
CHILDREN
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution and 
Limited Government held a hearing entitled ``The Dangers and Due 
Process Violations of `Gender-Affirming Care' for Children''. Testimony 
was heard from public witnesses.
SAFEGUARDING AMERICAN JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: EXAMINING THE FUTURE OF 
THE OFFSHORE LEASING PROGRAM
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral 
Resources held a hearing entitled ``Safeguarding American Jobs and 
Economic Growth: Examining the Future of the Offshore Leasing 
Program''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and 
Fisheries held a hearing on H.R. 1437, the ``Black Vulture Relief Act 
of 2023''; H.R. 1792, the ``South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act of 2023''; 
H.R. 2950, the ``Coastal Habitat Conservation Act of 2023''; H.R. 2982, 
the ``New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act''; H.R. 4051, the 
``SHARKED Act''; H.R. 4094, the ``Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act''; 
H.R. 4587, the ``Red Snapper Act''; and H.R. 4596, the ``Upper Colorado 
and San Juan River Basins Endangered Fish Recovery Programs 
Reauthorization Act of 2023''. Testimony was heard from Representatives 
Wittman, Radewagen, Curtis, Boebert, Rutherford, Tonko, Rose, and 
Huffman; Kelly Kryc, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International 
Fisheries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department 
of Commerce; Stephen Guertin, Deputy Director for Program Management 
and Policy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; 
and public witnesses.
EXAMINING BARRIERS TO ACCESS: ONGOING VISITOR EXPERIENCE ISSUES AT 
AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Examining Barriers to Access: 
Ongoing Visitor Experience Issues at America's National Parks''. 
Testimony was heard from Charles F. Sams III, Director, National Park 
Service, Department of the Interior.

[[Page D810]]


LEGISLATIVE MEASURE
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Indian and Insular 
Affairs held a hearing on legislation on the Restoring Accountability 
in the Indian Health Service Act of 2023. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT AND REAUTHORIZATION OF THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL 
POLICY
Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled ``Oversight and Reauthorization of the Office of 
National Drug Control Policy''. Testimony was heard from Rahul Gupta, 
Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy.
HEMP IN THE MODERN WORLD: THE YEARSLONG WAIT FOR FDA ACTION
Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Subcommittee on Health Care 
and Financial Services held a hearing entitled ``Hemp in the Modern 
World: The Yearslong Wait for FDA Action''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
BECAUSE I SAID SO: EXAMINING THE SCIENCE AND IMPACT OF COVID-19 VACCINE 
MANDATES
Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Select Subcommittee on the 
Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing entitled ``Because I Said So: 
Examining the Science and Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates''. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Full Committee began a 
markup on H.R. 4755, the ``Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act''; 
H.R. 4824, the ``Carbon Sequestration Collaboration Act''; H.R. 4877, 
the ``Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act''; H.R. 
1069, the ``Clean Energy Demonstration Transparency Act of 2023''; H.R. 
3915, the ``Aviation Weather Improvement Act''; and H.R. 4866, the 
``Fire Weather Development Act of 2023''. H.R. 4755, H.R. 4877, H.R. 
1069, H.R. 3915, and H.R. 4866 were ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 
4824 was ordered reported, without amendment.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Full Committee held a 
markup on H.R. 1547, the ``One Seat Ride Act''; H.R. 4693, the 
``Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act''; H.R. 4762, to 
amend title 49, United States Code, to extend the non-premium war risk 
insurance program; H. Res. 609, the ``Expressing opposition to Central 
Business District Tolling Program of New York City''; H.R. 1752, the 
``Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility 
Act''; H.R. 532, to designate the Federal building and United States 
courthouse located at 600 East First Street in Rome, Georgia, as the 
``Harold L. Murphy Federal Building and United States Courthouse''; 
H.R. 4688, to direct the Administrator of General Service to sell the 
property known as the Webster School; and 15 General Services 
Administration Capital Investment and Leasing Program Resolutions. H.R. 
1547, H.R. 4693, and H.R. 1752 were ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 
4762, H. Res. 609, H.R. 532, and H.R. 4688 were ordered reported, 
without amendment. Fifteen General Services Administration Capital 
Investment and Leasing Program Resolutions were adopted.
REVIEW OF THE RECAPITALIZATION OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD 
SURFACE, AIR, IT, AND SHORESIDE ASSETS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing entitled ``Review of 
the Recapitalization of the United States Coast Guard Surface, Air, IT, 
and Shoreside Assets''. Testimony was heard from Vice Admiral Paul F. 
Thomas, Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, U.S. Coast Guard; and 
Marie Mak, Director, Contracting and National Security, Government 
Accountability Office.
VA DISABILITY EXAMS: ARE VETERANS RECEIVING QUALITY SERVICES?
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance 
and Memorial Affairs held a hearing entitled ``VA Disability Exams: Are 
Veterans Receiving Quality Services?''. Testimony was heard from 
Elizabeth Curda, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, 
Government Accountability Office; and the following Department of 
Veterans Affairs officials: Jeff London, Executive Director, Medical 
Disability Exams Office, Veterans Benefits Administration; Jacqueline 
Imboden, Assistant Director, Procedures and Interagency/MilPay 
Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits Administration; Christopher 
Parker, Associate Executive Director, Office of Acquisitions Logistics 
and Construction; Henry Bridges, Senior Medical Officer, Office of 
Disability and Medical Assessment; and Stephen Bracci, Director, Claims 
and Medical Exams Inspection Division, Office of Audits and 
Evaluations, Office of Inspector General.

[[Page D811]]


THE EMPLOYEE RETENTION TAX CREDIT EXPERIENCE: CONFUSION, DELAYS, AND 
FRAUD
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing 
entitled ``The Employee Retention Tax Credit Experience: Confusion, 
Delays, and Fraud''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

Joint Meetings
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF DIABETES
Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the 
economic impact of diabetes, after receiving testimony from Buu V. 
Nygren, Navajo Nation, Window Rock, Arizona; Janet Brown-Friday, 
American Diabetes Association, and Benedic Ippolito, American 
Enterprise Institute, both of Washington, D.C.; and Mark A. Herman, 
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.