[House Report 116-40]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Union Calendar No. 20
116th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Report 116-40
AUTHORIZATION AND OVERSIGHT PLANS
FOR ALL
HOUSE COMMITTEES
__________
BY THE
COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT
AND REFORM
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
(Required by House Rule X, Clause 2)
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
April 12, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
89-006 WASHINGTON : 2019
COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND REFORM
ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland, Chairman
CAROLYN B. MALONEY, New York JIM JORDAN, Ohio, Ranking Minority
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of Member
Columbia JUSTIN AMASH, Michigan
WM. LACY CLAY, Missouri PAUL A. GOSAR, Arizona
STEPHEN F. LYNCH, Massachusetts VIRGINIA FOXX, North Carolina
JIM COOPER, Tennessee THOMAS MASSIE, Kentucky
GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina
RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI, Illinois JODY B. HICE, Georgia
JAMIE RASKIN, Maryland GLENN GROTHMAN, Wisconsin
HARLEY ROUDA, California JAMES COMER, Kentucky
KATIE HILL, California MICHAEL CLOUD, Texas
DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Florida BOB GIBBS, Ohio
JOHN P. SARBANES, Maryland CLAY HIGGINS, Louisiana
PETER WELCH, Vermont RALPH NORMAN, South Carolina
JACKIE SPEIER, California CHIP ROY, Texas
ROBIN L. KELLY, Illinois CAROL D. MILLER, West Virginia
MARK DeSAULNIER, California MARK E. GREEN, Tennessee
BRENDA L. LAWRENCE, Michigan KELLY ARMSTRONG, North Dakota
STACEY E. PLASKETT, Virgin Islands W. GREGORY STEUBE, Florida
RO KHANNA, California
JIMMY GOMEZ, California
ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ, New York
AYANNA PRESSLEY, Massachusetts
RASHIDA TLAIB, Michigan
David Rapallo, Staff Director
Susanne Sachsman Grooms, Deputy Staff Director and Chief Counsel
Jason Powell, Deputy Chief Counsel
Elisa LaNier, Chief Clerk and Director of Operations
Christopher Hixon, Minority Staff Director
C O N T E N T S
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Page
Agriculture...................................................... 9
Armed Services................................................... 15
Budget........................................................... 45
Education and Labor.............................................. 51
Energy and Commerce.............................................. 61
Financial Services............................................... 73
Foreign Affairs.................................................. 91
Homeland Security................................................ 105
House Administration............................................. 115
Judiciary........................................................ 125
Natural Resources................................................ 131
Oversight and Reform............................................. 153
Science, Space, and Technology................................... 169
Small Business................................................... 177
Transportation and Infrastructure................................ 187
Veterans' Affairs................................................ 211
Ways and Means................................................... 233
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
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House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, April 12, 2019.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Speaker: In accordance with Rule X(2) of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, I respectfully submit
the oversight plans of each specified standing committee
together with recommendations to ensure the most effective
coordination of such plans and otherwise achieve the objectives
of the House Rules.
Elijah E. Cummings,
Chairman.
Union Calendar No. 20
116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 116-40
======================================================================
AUTHORIZATION AND OVERSIGHT PLANS FOR ALL HOUSE COMMITTEES
_______
April 12, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Elijah E. Cummings, from the Committee on Oversight and Reform,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
OVERSIGHT IN THE 116TH CONGRESS
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND REFORM
I. OVERVIEW
Conducting oversight is a core responsibility of Congress
under the Constitution. It is through the oversight function
that Congress performs its role as a check on abuses by the
other branches of government. It is Congress' responsibility to
utilize the oversight process to review, monitor, and supervise
the implementation of public policy to ensure the effective and
efficient operation of the nation's laws, as well as to
recommend improvements to those laws.
As the Supreme Court recognized more than 60 years ago in
Watkins v. United States:
The power of the Congress to conduct investigations
is inherent in the legislative process. That power is
broad. It encompasses inquiries concerning the
administration of existing laws as well as proposed or
possibly needed statutes. It includes surveys of
defects in our social, economic or political system for
the purpose of enabling Congress to remedy them.\1\
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\1\Watkins v. United States, 354 U.S. 178, 187 (1957).
It is by conducting oversight that the 116th Congress will
identify ways to lower healthcare costs for the American
people, increase wages for working families, fix the nation's
crumbling roads, bridges, and infrastructure, and ensure that
taxpayer funds go to the programs and agencies for which they
are intended.
In fiscal year 2018, the federal government made $4.1
trillion in outlays to fund operations and programs.\2\
Congress has a responsibility to conduct oversight to ensure
that those funds are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse.
Oversight will allow Congress to root out government
corruption, strengthen democracy by countering threats to
voting rights and election security, and provide transparency
to improve ethics laws and ensure that government officials are
working in the public's interest.
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\2\Committee on Oversight and Reform, Testimony of Comptroller
General Gene L. Dodaro, Government Accountability Office, Hearing on
High-Risk Series: Substantial Efforts Needed to Achieve Greater
Progress on High-Risk Areas, 116th Cong. (GAO-19-392T) (Mar. 6, 2019).
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The tangible benefits of congressional oversight can be
difficult to quantify, but the Government Accountability Office
(GAO), which conducts investigations at the request of Members
of Congress, has determined that the financial benefits of
addressing high-risk issues highlighted by its work saved the
federal government nearly $350 billion since 2006, or $27
billion per year.\3\ Through its activities, GAO's oversight
work saved taxpayers $75.1 billion in fiscal year 2018 and
resulted in 1,294 specific improvements in federal government
operations.\4\
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\3\Government Accountability Office, GAO's 2019 High-Risk Series:
Substantial Efforts Needed to Achieve Greater Progress on High-Risk
Areas (GAO-19-157SP) (Mar. 6, 2019).
\4\Government Accountability Office, Performance and Accountability
Report Fiscal Year 2018 (GAO-19-1SP) (Nov. 15, 2018) (online at
www.gao.gov/products/GAO-19-1SP).
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Similarly, according to the Council of the Inspectors
General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), ``in FY 2017,
approximately 13,000 employees at 73 [Offices of Inspector
General (OIGs)] conducted audits, inspections, evaluations, and
investigations that resulted in . . . improvements to the
economy and efficiency of programs Governmentwide, with
potential savings totaling approximately $54.6 billion. . . .
The potential savings total includes: $32.7 billion in
potential savings from audit recommendations and $21.9 billion
from investigative receivables and recoveries.''\5\
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\5\Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency,
Annual Report to the President and Congress (Fiscal Year 2017) (online
at www.ignet.gov/sites/default/files/files/
FY17_Annual_Report_to_the_President_and_Congress.pdf#page=2).
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Although congressional committees may not track and
aggregate the cost savings associated with oversight in the
same way as GAO or OIGs, the tangible impact of the oversight
conducted by Congress is no less significant. While the
Committee on Oversight and Reform is the principal oversight
committee of the House of Representatives, the various standing
committees of the House each play an important role in
conducting oversight on matters within their respective
jurisdictions. House Rule X, Clause 2 recognizes Congress'
critical oversight duties by establishing a process whereby
each standing committee is required to adopt an oversight plan
at the beginning of a new Congress. Under this rule, the
Committee on Oversight and Reform is to review the various
plans and, in consultation with the Speaker, the Majority
Leader, and the Minority Leader, report to the House the
oversight plans along with any recommendations that the House
leadership and the Committee may have to ensure effective
coordination. Pursuant to this rule, the Committee on Oversight
and Reform has reviewed and consulted with House leadership
about the oversight plans of the standing House committees for
the 116th Congress. These plans outline a thoughtful and
thorough approach for carrying out Congress' oversight
responsibilities. The oversight agendas of the various House
committees address a broad array of priorities focused on
developing policy solutions for working families.
The Oversight Committee has several recommendations
regarding coordination of oversight in the House of
Representatives.
First, the Committee recommends that all committees draw on
the wide variety of available oversight resources in their
ongoing efforts to evaluate oversight needs and priorities.
GAO, in particular, has vast experience both in conducting and
evaluating the need for oversight. On March 6, 2019, GAO issued
its biannual ``High Risk Report,'' which identifies government
programs that are particularly vulnerable to waste, fraud, or
abuse.\6\ Since its first iteration in 1990, the High Risk
Report ``has focused attention on government operations with
greater vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and
mismanagement, or that are in need of transformation to address
economy, efficiency, or effectiveness challenges.''\7\ Another
valuable resource for congressional oversight is the agency
Inspectors General, who can provide guidance to Congress
through their audit plans and individual counsel. Committees
also may wish to review relevant court rulings, past committee
legislative and oversight reports, and the findings of other
experts.
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\6\See, e.g., Government Accountability Office, High Risk Series:
Progress on Many High-Risk Areas, While Substantial Efforts Needed on
Others (GAO-17-317) (Feb. 15, 2017).
\7\Government Accountability Office, GAO's 2019 High-Risk Series:
Substantial Efforts Needed to Achieve Greater Progress on High-Risk
Areas (GAO-19-157SP) (Mar. 6, 2019).
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In addition, in any oversight effort, committees should
seek the expertise of the Committee on House Administration and
Committee on Ethics if any questions arise regarding
appropriate use of House resources and the standards of conduct
applicable to members and staff.
Finally, the task of ensuring accountability and
appropriate policies on complex issues often requires the
participation of multiple committees. Based on their respective
jurisdictions and experience, different committees can lend
varying types of expertise to the evaluation of a given matter.
The oversight plans submitted by the standing committees for
the 116th Congress recognize that a number of key issues demand
scrutiny by several different committees. With respect to these
issues, committees and subcommittees should be in close
communication to ensure that they share the benefits of their
findings and unique expertise.
Part II below describes a few examples of important areas
identified by committees on which these recommendations may be
instructive.
II. EXAMPLES OF KEY OVERSIGHT AREAS
HEALTHCARE
The nation's health care system continues to be one of the
most expensive in the world, and health care costs continue to
grow. In particular, skyrocketing prescription drug prices
continue to impose tremendous burdens on patients, taxpayers,
and the entire health care system. In addition, approximately
21 million Americans gained health care coverage under the
Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its Medicaid expansion, but these
individuals are now at risk of losing this coverage if the
Administration is successful in its attempts to undo and
undermine the law. Several House committees will conduct
coordinated oversight of these and other pressing health
issues.
The Committee on Energy and Commerce plans to examine the
availability, affordability, and quality of health care,
including administrative efforts to undermine the ACA and the
Medicaid program, and initiatives to address high prescription
drug prices and other medical costs. The Committee will examine
the ability of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure
the safety of drugs, devices, and cosmetics and to carry out
tobacco control initiatives. The Committee also will continue
to review federal efforts to protect the public health,
including pandemic preparedness and efforts to address the
opioid epidemic.
The Committee on Ways and Means will conduct oversight of
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the
administration of the Medicare program, including Medicare
Advantage, fee-for-service, and prescription drugs. The
Committee will continue to examine the Executive Branch
implementation of the ACA and review issues related to private
health coverage, including surprise billing and prescription
drug prices.
The Committee on Education and Labor will conduct oversight
of the Administration's efforts to expand the use of short-
term, limited duration health plans and Association Health
Plans, as well as the impact of these efforts on the larger
health care system.
The Committee on Armed Services will continue its review of
military health policies, including TRICARE benefits and
policies to address opioid use. In addition, the Committee on
Veterans Affairs will work to improve the provision of health
care to veterans, including oversight of the Department of
Veterans Affairs' (VA) efforts to develop Community Care
Networks, improve mental health and suicide prevention efforts,
and reduce health iniquities among veterans.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs will examine global health
challenges, including efforts to address infectious disease
outbreaks, the reauthorization of the President's Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief, and the impact of the Administration's
reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule.
The Committee on Agriculture plans to review FDA's
implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act, the
Committee on Financial Services will examine health hazards in
the nation's public housing system, the Committee on Natural
Resources will examine health disparities among indigenous
peoples and the ongoing operation of the Indian Health Service,
and the Committee on Small Business will examine ways to
improve the provision of health care while reducing costs to
small businesses.
Finally, the Committee on Oversight and Reform will
investigate the actions of drug companies in raising
prescription drug prices in the United States. In addition, the
Committee will examine the need for expanded access to
treatment and support services to address the opioid crisis.
The Committee will examine actions by the Executive Branch that
inhibit access to high-quality, affordable health care,
including implementation of the ACA and the Medicaid program.
The Committee also will examine the extent to which communities
of color, women, and the LGBTQ population are able to access
the full continuum of health care services.
WAGES, JOBS, AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
During the 116th Congress, House committees will conduct
rigorous oversight to examine ways to promote jobs, higher
wages, and economic prosperity; review investments in
infrastructure and innovation industries; and respond to
challenges to workers' freedom to join together and negotiate
strong worker protections.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure plans to
examine current and future infrastructure investments to bring
the nation's crumbling transportation infrastructure to a state
of good repair while examining new technologies and innovative
mobility solutions to move people and goods more safely and
efficiently. The Committee will conduct oversight to ensure
that the Capital Investment Grant program is implemented
consistent with Congress' intent. The Fixing America's Surface
Transportation Act (FAST Act; P.L. 114-94) authorized $2.3
billion for each of fiscal years 2016-2020, but recent
presidential budget requests propose phasing out that program.
The Committee will conduct oversight to ensure that America's
airports remain safe and efficient to compete as global hubs of
air commerce. The Committee will examine the need for continued
investment in U.S. water-related infrastructure that: (1)
prioritizes the creation of American jobs and the utilization
of American-made products; (2) supports a healthy and
sustainable economy and environment; and (3) protects public
health and safety.
The Committee on Education and Labor plans to conduct
oversight of Department of Labor (DOL) programs, policies, and
enforcement practices and the impact on our nation's workers.
The Committee will review federal government actions regarding
overtime pay, workers' rights to retain tips, and child labor
protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Committee
will conduct oversight to ensure that the National Labor
Relations Board is fairly enforcing the National Labor
Relations Act. The Committee will monitor the impact to
retirement savers from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals'
decision to vacate DOL's fiduciary rule. The Committee will
also examine the costs and consequences to workers, retirees,
businesses, and communities, as well as to the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation, if Congress does not address the
multiemployer pension crisis.
The Committee on Financial Services plans to examine ways
to expand access to mainstream financial services among
traditionally underserved segments of the U.S. population. The
Committee will evaluate consumer financial laws to ensure that
they are meeting the evolving needs of the American people. The
Committee will examine the health of the nation's housing
finance system and the extent to which it is serving all
creditworthy borrowers, especially among low and moderate
income, minority, rural, and other underserved borrowers. The
Committee will monitor the current state of consumer financial
protection by assessing the adequacy of protections for all
consumers.
The Committee on Small Business plans to investigate
policies to encourage more participation in the labor market
through initiatives that can be offered by small businesses,
such as increased minimum wages, paid sick leave, paid parental
leave, and flexible work arrangements. The Committee will
conduct oversight of Small Business Administration (SBA)
programs, including examining the effectiveness of
entrepreneurial development programs in creating jobs at
startups and traditional firms and enhancing coordination among
federal agencies in aiding entrepreneurs. The Committee will
conduct oversight of federal agencies, including SBA, that
provide capital to America's entrepreneurs. The Committee will
monitor the effectiveness of capital access programs to
generate jobs in small businesses, investigate whether lenders
are meeting their goals to lend to small businesses and create
jobs, and examine methods to enhance equity financing to meet
the needs of small business borrowers.
The Committee on Oversight and Reform plans to focus on the
current Administration's efforts to weaken collective
bargaining rights and protections affecting federal workers.
The Committee will seek to ensure that such efforts do not
undermine the statutory right to bargain, the ability of
employee unions to represent federal workers, or employee due
process rights. The Committee will work to prevent the return
of the current merit-based civil service to a patronage system.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The standing committees of the House will conduct
coordinated oversight on ways to protect the environment and to
address the generational crisis posed by climate change. On
January 9, 2019, the House made oversight of these issues a
priority when, through House Resolution 6, the House authorized
the establishment of a Select Committee on the Climate Crises
with investigative jurisdiction to ``study, make findings, and
develop recommendations on policies, strategies, and
innovations to achieve substantial and permanent reductions in
pollution and other activities that contribute to the climate
crisis.'' The standing committees of the House plan augment
oversight of these issues.
The Committee on Energy and Commerce intends to examine the
economic, environmental, and health effects of climate change,
including disproportionate impacts on low income communities
and other vulnerable populations. The Committee will identify
opportunities for federal action to reduce negative impacts,
create new businesses and jobs, and make communities safer and
more resilient to changes already underway. The Committee
anticipates assessing state funding programs and other efforts
by agencies to ensure states and local communities have the
resources needed to prepare for and respond to severe weather
events and natural disasters. The Committee will review federal
rulemakings and program implementation under the Clean Air Act,
conduct oversight of environmental contamination and clean up,
review drinking water risks and safety, examine the regulation
of dangerous chemical substance, and conduct general oversight
of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) operations and
management. The Committee also will review energy programs and
policy, fuel efficiency standards, and federal actions related
to nuclear waste.
The Committee on Natural Resources plans to examine the
role of the federal government in facilitating the development
of clean, renewable resources in the most appropriate places on
public lands and waters, consistent with other land management
responsibilities and with an eye on federal actions that
maximize economic opportunities and improve health and quality
of life for areas facing climate disruption. The Committee will
consider the role protected ecosystems play in helping preserve
and protect ecosystems services, land use values, and
functional ecosystems, all of which aid in climate change
adaptation. The Committee will examine ways to mitigate the
immediate catastrophic impacts of the changing climate on
Insular Areas, which are especially vulnerable to climate
change because of their small size, low elevation, remote
geographical location, and concentration of infrastructure
along coastlines.
The Committee on Science, Space and Technology plans to
aggressively track emerging issues and scientific studies
regarding global warming and climate science and elicit
thoughtful science-based discussions on potential solutions and
remedies to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. This includes
examining the role of federally funded research and innovative
technology demonstration and development related to cutting-
edge mitigation and adaptation strategies. The Committee will
examine issues surrounding extreme weather events, including
the science behind these hazards and how climate change has
increased the frequency and severity of these events,
improvements to forecasting and warning, and proposed methods
to reduce their impact. The Committee also will investigate the
scrubbing of references to climate change from federal agency
websites.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs plans to examine the
effectiveness of U.S. policy on climate change, including the
Administration's announced intent to withdraw from the Paris
Climate Accord and its impacts on our diplomatic relations, as
well as the impacts of climate change on national security and
its contributions to displacement and social unrest across the
globe. The Committee also plans to conduct oversight on other
environmental issues including wildlife trafficking,
international conservation efforts, and the role and safety of
environmental activists across the globe.
The Committee on Oversight and Reform intends to conduct
oversight of government and nongovernment activities related to
climate change and environmental protection. The Committee will
explore the Executive Branch's role in global climate change
mitigation efforts and examine the decision-making processes
related to international agreements. The Committee will examine
the practices of the private sector in addressing the
anthropogenic causes of climate change, as well as mitigating
its current and future effects. The Committee also will examine
the Flint water crisis and the federal government's response to
Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands in 2017.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS AND ANTI-CORRUPTION REFORMS
During the 116th Congress, House committees will conduct
coordinated oversight to clean up corruption in government,
fight secret money in politics, and make it easier for American
citizens across this country to vote. Several committees share
legislative jurisdiction over a landmark bill designed to
address those issues--H.R. 1, the For the People Act--which is
one of the boldest reform packages to be considered in the
history of the House of Representatives.\8\
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\8\House Democrats' Big Democracy Reform Package is Good Policy,
and Smart Politics, Vox (Dec. 10, 2018) (online at www.vox.com/
polyarchy/2018/12/10/18134994/house-democrats-democracy-reform-
package); Democracy Task Force, Leading Grassroots Advocacy
Organizations Endorse House Democrats' Once-In-A-Generation Reform
Package (Jan. 9, 2019) (online at democracyreform-sarbanes.house.gov/
newsroom/press-releases/leading-grassroots-advocacy-
organizations-endorse-house-democrats-once-in-a).
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The Committee on House Administration plans to review
federal campaign finance laws and regulations and examine the
operations of the Federal Election Commission and the Election
Assistance Commission. The Committee also plans to examine the
role and impact of political organizations on federal
elections.
The Committee on the Judiciary plans to examine ways to
enhance the ability of citizens to participate in federal
elections by removing unnecessary barriers to access the polls,
addressing voter suppression efforts, and other means to fully
guarantee the right to vote for all eligible individuals. The
Committee will conduct oversight on the influence of foreign
governments, foreign corporations, and other foreign entities
on the federal government, and review the adequacy of current
law to prevent non-United States persons from making financial
contributions to federal campaigns.
The Committee on Ways and Means plans to conduct oversight
to examine legislative proposals and tax law related to
Presidential and Vice-Presidential tax returns.
The Committee on Oversight and Reform will investigate
specific allegations that Executive Branch officials are not
acting in the best interest of American taxpayers, including by
taking actions to benefit themselves, former employers, or
former clients. The Committee will examine allegations that
Executive Branch employees are violating ethics laws,
regulations, and guidance.\9\ The Committee will investigate
reports that White House and other Administration officials are
obstructing GAO and OIG investigations, failing to comply with
government transparency laws, and retaliating against
government whistleblowers.
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\9\See, e.g., Wilbur Ross Scheduled Meetings with Chevron, Boeing
Despite Conflicts of Interest, Forbes (Oct. 25, 2018) (online at
www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2018/10/25/wilbur-ross-scheduled-
meetings-with-chevron-boeing-despite-conflicts-of-interest/
#30c51af94d0e).
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III. CONCLUSION
The oversight plans submitted by the standing House
committees together form a coherent blueprint for Congress to
address issues of concern to working families across the
country. The Committee on Oversight and Reform will continue to
work with the other House committees and the House leadership
throughout the 116th Congress to promote effective
congressional oversight. The oversight plans of all House
committees follow.
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
TO: The Elijah E. Cummings, Chairman, House Committee on Oversight and
Reform, The Honorable Zoe Lofgren, Chairperson, Committee on
House Administration
FROM: The Honorable Collin Peterson, Chairman, House Committee on
Agriculture
DATE: March 1, 2019
SUBJECT: Oversight Plan for the House Committee on Agriculture for the
116th Congress
This oversight plan is filed pursuant to Rule X, clause
2(d)(1) of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives for
the 116th Congress. This plan was prepared in consultation with
the Ranking Member and was presented to the Members of the
Committee, with proper notice, for their consideration.
While much of the work in the 116th Congress will focus on
oversight of the implementation of the Agriculture Improvement
Act of 2018, the Committee and its subcommittees expect to
exercise appropriate oversight activity regarding the issues
listed below. The Committee will also have a general focus on
the condition of the farm economy and will conduct any other
general oversight as necessary. The Committee will consult, as
appropriate, with other committees of the House that may share
subject matter interest.
116TH CONGRESS
OVERSIGHT PLAN
The Committee expects to exercise appropriate oversight
activity regarding the following issues:
Biotechnology
Review implementation of biotechnology policies
and authorities contained in the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018;
Evaluate USDA's efforts to develop and promote
benefits of biotechnology for increasing agricultural
productivity and combating hunger globally;
Review USDA's implementation of biotechnology
labeling standards; and
Review the regulatory process for gene-edited
plants and animals.
Commodity Exchanges
Review the general operations of the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to provide a reauthorization
of the Commission;
Review enforcement and oversight policies and
their implementation by the CFTC;
Review rulemakings, guidance, and other actions
taken by the Commission and its staff for consistency and
compliance with the Commodity Exchange Act and Congressional
intent;
Review the impact of the 2013 lapse in
authorization and the lapse in fiscal year 2019 appropriations
on CFTC enforcement, oversight, and market surveillance
functions;
Review the impact of emerging financial
technologies on commodity and derivatives markets, and examine
the authority of the Commission to deter fraud and
manipulation, promote market integrity, and protect investors
in virtual commodity derivatives and at organized virtual
commodity trading platforms; and
Review international treatment of the U.S.
derivatives industry, including market participants and
infrastructure.
Conservation and Forestry
Review USDA's implementation of the conservation
policies and authorities contained in the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018;
Review the effectiveness of farm bill conservation
programs in addressing wildlife habitat, water quality/
quantity, and promoting soil health;
Review the interaction between conservation
practices and risk management;
Review USDA's realignment that resulted in the
Farm Production and Conservation mission area, including its
impact on programs, customers, and staff;
Review current U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
management and workforce challenges; and
Review USFS's strategy for dealing with wildfire,
including the effect of hazardous fuels management, forest
health efforts, and fire preparedness.
Dairy
Review USDA's implementation of the dairy risk
management provisions in the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018; and
Review milk pricing and dairy product purchase
programs.
Energy
Review agriculture's role in a renewable energy
economy;
Review the implementation of the Renewable Fuel
Standard and its impact on agriculture; and
Review USDA's farm bill energy programs.
Farm Credit, Rural Development, and the Rural Economy
Review implementation of rural development
policies and authorities contained in the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018;
Review the state of the farm economy;
Review credit conditions and availability in rural
America;
Review the availability of mental health
counseling and mediation services in rural areas;
Review access to and success of rural development
programs in persistent poverty areas;
Review broadband delivery in rural America; and
Review rural development loan and grant programs,
including their role in combating opioid abuse and increasing
medical care in rural areas.
Federal Crop Insurance and Risk Management
Review USDA's implementation of crop insurance
provisions authorized in the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018;
Review the role and effectiveness of Federal crop
insurance;
Review the development and delivery of new crop
insurance products for livestock, specialty crops, and dairy;
Review the expansion and availability of Whole-
Farm Revenue Protection; and
Monitor the effectiveness of USDA's disaster
programs.
Food Waste
Review USDA's implementation of food waste and
loss reduction authorities in the Agriculture Improvement Act
of 2018.
Foreign Agriculture/Trade
Monitor pending--and review existing--trade
agreements and their impact on agriculture;
Review USDA's trade promotion activities;
Review the effectiveness of USDA's trade
mitigation programs;
Review the impacts of USDA food aid and
development programs;
Monitor agricultural export programs to determine
how well they are promoting the interests of U.S. agriculture;
Review the activities of the newly created office
of the Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural
Affairs; and
Review the impact of retaliatory tariffs on U.S.
agricultural producers and agribusinesses.
General Farm Commodities
Review USDA's realignment that resulted in the
Farm Production and Conservation mission area, including its
impact on programs, customers, and staff;
Review implementation of changes to the Price Loss
Coverage program, Agriculture Risk Coverage program, and
marketing assistance loans as enacted in the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018; and
Review USDA's enforcement of the Grain Standards
Act and inspection activities.
Horticulture
Review USDA's implementation of horticulture
related programs authorized in the Agriculture Improvement Act
of 2018;
Review the use of commodity checkoff programs;
Review USDA's regulation of organic standards;
Monitor USDA's programming as it relates to local
food production and marketing; and
Review the implementation of the Food Safety
Modernization Act.
Livestock and Animals
Review USDA's implementation of livestock and
animal related policies and authorities in the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018;
Review USDA's inspection of meat and poultry
products;
Review USDA's mandatory livestock price reporting
system; and
Review animal health threats and prevention and
response capabilities.
Nutrition
Review USDA's implementation of nutrition programs
and authorities in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
(including provisions yet to be implemented from the
Agricultural Act of 2014);
Review the proposed rule regarding waivers of the
time limit (and subsequently the work requirement) for able-
bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) in the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
Review SNAP work pilots;
Review the long-term impact of the lapse in fiscal
year 2019 appropriations on state and local agencies as it
pertains to operating federally-authorized nutrition programs;
Review ongoing technological challenges regarding
the delivery of SNAP benefits;
Review the make-up and status of the ABAWD SNAP
population;
Review retailer operations;
Review the process by which the 2020-2025 Dietary
Guidelines for Americans will be decided; and
Review SNAP quality control measures.
Outreach and Civil Rights
Review USDA's implementation of outreach and civil
rights policies, programs and authorities authorized in the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018;
Monitor USDA's outreach efforts to beginning,
small, and underserved farmers and ranchers; and
Monitor USDA's outreach efforts to military
veterans interested in careers in agriculture.
Regulations
Review the effect of regulatory activities carried
out pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, or any proposed
legislative changes to such Act, on agricultural producers and
rural communities;
Review the effect of regulatory activities by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relative to the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act on agricultural
producers and industry stakeholders;
Review the designated representative provision
within EPA's 2015 Worker Protection Standards to assure
protection of both farm workers and producer interests;
Review the effect of regulatory activities carried
out by the EPA and the Department of the Army regarding the
Waters of the United States; and
Review USDA's regulatory activities related to
gray wolves.
Research
Review USDA's implementation of research,
education and extension programs authorized in the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018;
Review the proposed relocation of the National
Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the relocation/
realignment of the Economic Research Service (ERS);
Review access to and release of World Agricultural
Supply and Demand Estimates;
Review access to and release of World Agricultural
Outlook Board meetings data;
Review the effectiveness of data gathering at the
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS);
Review efforts to leverage Federal research
investment with state, local, and private sources of funding;
and
Review the sufficiency of research funding under
the Agricultural Research Service, ERS, NASS and NIFA.
Consultation With Other Committees
With Natural Resources on forestry issues,
livestock predation, and aquaculture;
With Science, Space and Technology on research;
With Ways and Means and Education and Labor on
nutrition programs;
With Ways and Means on tax and trade issues;
With Judiciary on immigrant agricultural labor;
With Energy and Commerce on food safety,
regulation of cell-cultured meat, and biomass energy;
With Transportation and Infrastructure on certain
Clean Water Act compliance issues, livestock hauling, and food
aid delivery;
With Financial Services on Dodd-Frank and emerging
issues such as digital assets;
With Foreign Affairs on food aid and trade issues;
With Small Business on addressing economic
opportunities for rural America; and
Any other committee as appropriate.
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
OVERSIGHT PLAN FOR THE 116TH CONGRESS
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION..................................................... 16
OVERSIGHT AGENDA................................................. 17
POLICY ISSUES.................................................... 18
National Defense Strategy, National Military Strategy, and
Related Defense Policy Issues.................................. 18
Deterrence....................................................... 19
Countering Terrorism............................................. 20
Operation Freedom's Sentinel..................................... 21
Operation Inherent Resolve....................................... 22
Nuclear Non-Proliferation........................................ 22
Emerging Threats and Security Cooperation........................ 23
Organization and Management of the Department of Defense......... 23
Homeland Defense................................................. 24
Acquisition...................................................... 24
Financial Management............................................. 25
READINESS........................................................ 25
Maintenance and Training......................................... 25
Logistics........................................................ 26
Life-Cycle Sustainment........................................... 26
Organic Industrial Base.......................................... 27
Civilian Personnel............................................... 27
Personnel Background Investigations.............................. 28
Energy and Environment........................................... 28
Military Construction, Facilities Sustainment, and Real Property
Management..................................................... 29
MILITARY PERSONNEL AND HEALTH CARE ISSUES........................ 29
Military Manpower and Force Structure............................ 29
Military Benefits and Compensation............................... 30
Military Health System........................................... 30
Military Personnel Policy........................................ 30
Uniform Code of Military Justice................................. 30
Military Family Readiness........................................ 31
Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs and Military Resale
Programs....................................................... 31
Prisoner of War and Missing in Action............................ 31
Arlington National Cemetery...................................... 31
MODERNIZATION AND INVESTMENT ISSUES.............................. 32
Overview......................................................... 32
Armored Vehicle Modernization.................................... 32
Tactical Wheeled Vehicles........................................ 32
Rotorcraft Programs.............................................. 33
Communications and Network Programs.............................. 33
Individual Soldier and Marine Equipment.......................... 33
Fixed-Wing Tactical and Training Aircraft........................ 34
Tactical Missiles and Munitions.................................. 34
Bomber Force Structure........................................... 35
Aerial Refueling Aircraft........................................ 35
Airlift Programs................................................. 36
Surface Warfare Programs......................................... 36
Undersea Warfare Programs........................................ 37
Military Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Programs. 37
Nuclear Forces................................................... 38
Missile Defense.................................................. 38
National Security Space.......................................... 39
INTELLIGENCE AND EMERGING THREATS AND CAPABILITIES............... 40
Intelligence..................................................... 40
Science and Technology........................................... 40
Military Operations in Cyberspace................................ 41
Operations in the Information Environment........................ 42
Protecting Critical Technology and National Security Information. 43
Oversight of Sensitive Military Operations....................... 43
Irregular Warfare................................................ 44
Introduction
The oversight responsibilities of the Committee on Armed
Services are conducted throughout the calendar year. They are
instrumental in the committee's consideration of the annual
defense authorization bill, which covers the breadth of the
operations of the Department of Defense as well as the national
security functions of the Department of Energy and other
related areas. The annual national defense budget involves
millions of military and civilian personnel, thousands of
facilities, and hundreds of agencies, departments, and commands
located throughout the world. The complexity of the current
threat environment will continue to expand the range of topics
requiring committee oversight including strategic, operational,
and budgetary issues.
The committee has jurisdiction over laws, programs, and
agencies under permanent authority in numerous titles of the
United States Code, including title 10 (Armed Forces), title 32
(National Guard), title 37 (Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed
Services), title 41 (Public Contracts), title 42 (Atomic
Energy), title 46 (Shipping), and title 50 (War and National
Defense).
The jurisdiction of the committee, pursuant to clause 1(c)
of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is as
follows:
1. Ammunition depots; forts; arsenals; Army, Navy,
and Air Force reservations and establishments.
2. Common defense generally.
3. Conservation, development, and use of naval
petroleum and oil shale reserves.
4. The Department of Defense generally, including the
Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force generally.
5. Interoceanic canals generally, including measures
relating to the maintenance, operation, and
administration of interoceanic canals.
6. Merchant Marine Academy, and State Merchant Marine
Academies.
7. Military applications of nuclear energy.
8. Tactical intelligence and intelligence-related
activities of the Department of Defense.
9. National security aspects of merchant marine,
including financial assistance for the construction and
operation of vessels, the maintenance of the U.S.
shipbuilding and ship repair industrial base, cabotage,
cargo preference, and merchant marine officers and
seamen as these matters relate to national security.
10. Pay, promotion, retirement, and other benefits
and privileges of members of the armed services.
11. Scientific research and development in support of
the armed services.
12. Selective service.
13. Size and composition of the Army, Navy, Marine
Corps, and Air Force.
14. Soldiers' and sailors' homes.
15. Strategic and critical materials necessary for
the common defense.
16. Cemeteries administered by the Department of
Defense.
In addition to its legislative jurisdiction and general
oversight function, the committee has special oversight
functions with respect to international arms control and
disarmament and the education of military dependents in schools
pursuant to clause 3(b) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
Oversight Agenda
The committee will continue its oversight and assessment of
threats to U.S. national security as it considers the fiscal
year 2020 and fiscal year 2021 defense budget requests. This
effort will involve appropriate oversight hearings with the
Secretary of Defense; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff; the individual military service secretaries and chiefs
of staff; combatant commanders; other officials of the
Department of Defense and the military departments; officials
from the intelligence community; and the Secretary of Energy,
the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, and other officials
of the Department of Energy. In addition, the committee will
invite the views and perspectives of outside experts in
academia, industry, associations and advocacy organizations,
and those in private life with expertise on these matters.
Finally, the committee will continue its aggressive outreach
program to seek the views and perspectives of service members
and their families to include Active Duty, National Guard, and
Reserve members across the United States and at deployed
locations overseas.
The committee carries out its oversight of the Department
of Defense and its subordinate departments and agencies as well
as portions of the Department of Energy through activities
involving the full committee and its standing subcommittees.
The committee will continue to conduct robust oversight and
investigations regarding matters within the jurisdiction of the
committee. Certain issues and activities will require more
extensive review. Investigatory work that may support the
oversight responsibilities of standing subcommittees will be
conducted in a coordinated manner. Each subcommittee will
conduct oversight of the programs within its jurisdiction in
accordance with the committee's rules and the Rules of the
House of Representatives.
The oversight agenda below, unless otherwise noted, is
designed to support the consideration by the committee and,
ultimately, the House of Representatives of the annual defense
authorization bill, as well as the committee's broader
oversight responsibilities. The issues identified are expected
to be ongoing areas of oversight activity throughout the 116th
Congress. In addition, the committee will continue to pay
attention to the mandates placed on executive departments and
agencies. In this context, pursuant to clause 2(d)(1) of rule X
of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the committee
will continue to emphasize the examination of relevant rules,
regulations, statutes, and court decisions affecting the
Department of Defense and the Department of Energy for their
effects on efficiency and good management practices.
Given the unique nature of national security issues and
related oversight of the Armed Forces, the committee believes
that a qualifier is once again necessary with regard to the
ability to plan comprehensively and predict all oversight
activities. Much of the committee's most demanding oversight
will be, by definition, event-driven and not subject to prior
planning. Such events significantly complicate the ability to
prescribe with great accuracy or specificity the committee's
entire oversight agenda. For instance, the oversight of defense
activities by the committee has historically involved in-depth
assessments of military operations and other major events that
are generally difficult to predict in advance, such as the
recent operations in the Republic of Iraq and the Syrian Arab
Republic to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the
war in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and responses to
catastrophic events. These reviews can dominate committee and
staff resources, sometimes at the expense of other planned
activities. The committee fully expects that this type of
event-driven oversight will continue to be required.
The committee has a long tradition of translating oversight
activities into legislative action. In general, the committee
will continue to maintain a strong linkage between formal
oversight efforts and legislative initiatives.
The committee has dedicated significant oversight to the
examination of the implications of the Budget Control Act (BCA)
of 2011 (Public Law 112-25) for national defense and defense
sequestration. While past legislation has temporarily increased
the BCA discretionary spending caps for fiscal years 2014
through 2019, absent another budget agreement, fiscal year 2020
will see a return to the BCA caps and defense sequestration.
The committee continues to oppose the sequester of national
defense funding and will continue to conduct oversight in the
116th Congress to highlight the consequences for the military,
the defense industrial base, and national security.
In addition to the above, the following specific areas and
subjects are identified for special attention during the 116th
Congress.
Policy Issues
NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY, NATIONAL MILITARY STRATEGY, AND RELATED
DEFENSE POLICY ISSUES
The committee will monitor how the Department of Defense
addresses complex security demands through the formulation and
implementation of the National Defense Strategy, the National
Military Strategy, and other strategic guidance. The committee
will evaluate how the Department identifies and prioritizes
strategic objectives toward meeting those demands and how it
applies resources toward achieving its prioritized objectives.
The committee will conduct oversight to ensure that vital
Department of Defense capacities and functions, including
readiness, doctrinal development, organization, training,
education, exercises, materiel, leadership, personnel,
facilities, and planning are appropriately aligned to support
strategic requirements. In its oversight, the committee will
take a comprehensive approach to evaluating the strategic risks
confronting the United States and to assessing the factors that
amplify strategic risks as well as the factors that reduce
them. The committee will examine the assumptions inherent to
the Department's strategic guidance and planning and with
respect to balancing strategic risk and matching resources with
strategic objectives. The committee will evaluate ongoing
operational demands within the context of a broad strategic
framework and whether those operational demands will affect the
strategic risks associated with future challenges. The
committee will also endeavor to reinforce the civil-military
balance in the Department's formulation and implementation of
strategy and national defense policy.
DETERRENCE
The committee recognizes that U.S. defense posture must
effectively deter actors posing strategic challenges to the
United States, its allies, and partners. In particular, the
committee will focus on efforts to ensure that the United
States, in concert with allies and partners, is properly
postured to deter military threats and to counter efforts by
such actors to weaken our shared values, undermine our systems
of government, threaten international norms, and disrupt the
cohesion of our alliances and partnerships.
The committee will continue to oversee the Department's
global efforts to bolster military deterrence against Russian
aggression. This will include oversight of a range of posture,
force structure, and force readiness initiatives including the
European Deterrence Initiative, Ukraine Security Assistance
Initiative, and other efforts aimed at developing an effective,
sustained deterrent posture against Russian hostility; measures
to enhance cohesion of U.S. alliances and partnerships; and
efforts to support the ability to respond to attempts to
undermine U.S. values and democratic norms. At the same time,
the committee will conduct oversight to ensure that concerns
about strategic stability, miscalculation, and misunderstanding
are properly accounted for as a component of deterrence against
the Russian Federation.
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to
conduct destabilizing activities in the Middle East region that
pose challenges to the United States, its allies, and partners.
The committee will conduct oversight to determine how the
Department plans to deter Iran's malign activities without
escalating toward conflict and pursue a sustainable regional
posture in accordance with the National Defense Strategy.
The People's Republic of China continues its efforts to
assert influence, modernize its military, and take steps that
erode security norms, increasing the risk of conflict,
particularly in the South and East China Seas. The committee
will continue to conduct oversight of the Department's response
to China's efforts to extend its military reach and invest in
its military forces. At the same time, the committee will
continue to conduct oversight of the Department of Defense's
military posture, force structure, and force readiness efforts,
and plans to enhance capabilities, forward presence, posture,
and training and exercises to deter and counter acts of
aggression and protect vital U.S. and ally and partner
interests.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea continues to pose
a threat to the Korean Peninsula, the United States, U.S.
forces, allies, and partners in East Asia. While North Korea
has not conducted a nuclear test in more than a year, the
intelligence community assesses that North Korea ``is unlikely
to give up all of its nuclear weapons and production
capabilities, even as it seeks to negotiate partial
denuclearization steps to obtain key US and international
concessions.'' The intelligence community further assesses that
U.S. allies and partners are responding to changing U.S.
security policies by potentially seeking new bilateral and
multilateral partnerships. As such, with respect to the Korean
Peninsula, the committee will continue to oversee the
Department of Defense's efforts to implement a range of
posture, force structure, and force readiness initiatives;
infrastructure and force realignments, including U.S.-Republic
of Korea Special Measures Agreements consultations; and
bilateral and multilateral training and exercises.
Alliances and partnerships are essential to advance U.S.
national security objectives, promote global security, preserve
regional stability, deter adversaries, uphold and strengthen
shared values, and address common security challenges. The
committee will conduct oversight of Department of Defense
activities related to enduring alliances, such as the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization, and other ongoing partnerships to
ensure that they are supported and utilized in a manner that
enhances these goals. The committee will continue to oversee
and, where appropriate, encourage the Department of Defense's
efforts to strengthen its partnerships and cooperative efforts
to ensure global stability and security.
With regard to nuclear deterrence, the committee will
continue to conduct oversight of nuclear deterrence policy and
posture. This oversight will include examining the role of
nuclear weapons and purpose of nuclear deterrence; options to
reduce the risk of miscalculation that could lead to nuclear
war in a crisis and reduce the risk of a nuclear arms race or a
lowered threshold to nuclear weapons use; options to maintain
credible nuclear extended deterrence; and the impact of
proposed new nuclear weapons capabilities and policies on
regional and strategic stability.
COUNTERING TERRORISM
Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, countering terrorism
has been a central focus and mission of the Department of
Defense. U.S. Armed Forces have deployed around the globe to
confront al-Qaida, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS),
and other terrorist groups. While these terrorist groups have
been degraded, they have not been defeated.
The committee will conduct oversight, often in classified
form, over terrorism issues. The committee will continue to
monitor terrorism threats and examine counterterrorism
policies, strategies, and operations, including by maintaining
oversight of changes to those policies, strategies, and
operations. The committee will also pay particular attention to
the military force posture; special operations capabilities;
intelligence, information operations, and cyber capabilities;
interagency coordination; role of allies and partners; and
resources necessary to carry out an effective counterterrorism
strategy.
The committee recognizes the need to counter the violent
extremist ideology spread by al-Qaida, ISIS, and other
terrorist groups, and that such challenges require a
coordinated interagency and international approach. The
committee plans to examine the role of the Department of
Defense in addressing this challenge and how the Department
engages with other U.S. departments and agencies and foreign
partners.
The committee will conduct oversight of the Department's
efforts to ensure ISIS affiliates and other terrorist groups do
not threaten U.S. and partner interests in the Middle East,
Africa, and Southeast Asia. The committee will continue to
oversee the Department's efforts to engage multiple regional
allies and partners of varying counterterrorism capabilities
and assess the Department's regional approach.
The committee will maintain its oversight of the U.S.
military's counterterrorism activities in the Republic of Yemen
and the Saudi-led coalition efforts to counter Houthi rebels in
the region, including any U.S. support to the coalition and
compliance with the laws of armed conflict and other related
international norms.
The committee will conduct oversight of U.S. detention
operations and policy worldwide, including the executive
branch's application of statute and relevant human rights
standards, management of national security concerns, and
handling of the military tribunals and detention facility
located in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Lastly, the committee will continue to examine the legal
basis for the President's military actions against ISIS, other
terrorist groups, and regional actors. The committee will
examine the President's use of aspects of the 2001
Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40) and
the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq
Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243) relevant to its
jurisdiction.
Operation Freedom's Sentinel
The committee will continue to conduct oversight of the
U.S. military effort in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
with a focus on the Administration's South Asia Strategy and
its ability to measure progress for accomplishing U.S.
objectives in Afghanistan and the region. The committee will
commensurately extend its related oversight activities on the
U.S.-led Operation Freedom's Sentinel counterterrorism mission
and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Resolute Support
Mission (NATO-RSM) train, advise, and assist mission.
Additionally, the committee will examine the regional security
environment focusing on the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, other
neighboring countries, and the international community.
Specifically, the committee is interested in the Department of
Defense's activities to deny safe havens for the Taliban, al-
Qaida, the Haqqani Network, the Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria-Khorasan, and other extremist organizations; support for
the Government of Afghanistan's security efforts; NATO and
other troop contributing countries' support for NATO-RSM; and
assessments of Russian influence and its possible impacts on
Afghanistan's security. The committee will provide oversight to
other critical efforts in Afghanistan such as the authorities,
activities, and resources allocated to counterterrorism and the
development and sustainment of effective Afghan National
Security Forces, and the safety and security of U.S. and allied
forces. Finally, the committee will monitor the ongoing
political situation in Afghanistan and whether a national
government can effectively lead and secure Afghanistan.
Operation Inherent Resolve
The U.S. and coalition forces continue to conduct
operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. The committee will
continue to assess the sufficiency of authorities, resources,
equipment, basing, and personnel to support the Operation
Inherent Resolve missions and policy objectives. The committee
will maintain congressional oversight of the Counter-ISIS Train
and Equip programs and their effectiveness.
The committee recognizes that the security landscape in the
Republic of Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic continues to be
complex and that the humanitarian crisis in those countries is
dire. The committee will examine the presence and influence
exerted by other actors in Syria, particularly the Russian
Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Republic of
Turkey, and the implications for U.S. objectives regarding ISIS
and regional security and stability. Furthermore, the committee
will continue to examine the flow of foreign fighters to and
from the region, and the linkages between ISIS and actors who
conduct directed or inspired terrorist attacks in the U.S. and
elsewhere. Additionally, the committee will monitor the
political, economic, and social dynamics in both Iraq and
Syria, which have, in part, fostered the context and political
climate for ISIS to expand and grow. It will also monitor the
stability of the countries in the region of Iraq and Syria and
any growth or expansion of ISIS and continue to oversee the
security assistance authorities and resources provided through
the annual defense authorization act to address these
challenges.
NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION
The committee will continue to monitor the National Nuclear
Security Administration Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
activities. The threat of nuclear weapons-grade material,
technology, and know-how remains a threat to the United States,
particularly in light of new technological developments that
may complicate the cost and the ability to detect such
activity. The committee will focus on U.S. capabilities related
to detection of proliferation to ensure their sustainability,
and international cooperation on safeguarding and reducing the
use of nuclear-weapons grade materials. The spread of nuclear
weapons and nuclear weapons-usable materials remain a grave
threat to the United States, and as such, the committee is
committed to ensuring oversight over these critical activities
and leveraging new technologies and opportunities as they
arise.
EMERGING THREATS AND SECURITY COOPERATION
The United States faces a complex array of threats to
national security in the political, economic, military, and
social domains. State and non-state actors are increasingly
leveraging rapid advances in technology to pose new and
evolving threats, particularly in the realm of space,
cyberspace, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, high
performance computing, and other emerging and disruptive
technologies. Furthermore, threats to national security are no
longer isolated to state or non-state actors. As identified by
the intelligence community, infectious disease outbreaks and
climate change threaten security and stability around the globe
and have significant implications for U.S. national security as
well as military operations.
The committee will conduct oversight of numerous cross-
cutting Department of Defense activities central to addressing
these emerging and unforeseen threats, including oversight of
countering weapons of mass destruction programs,
counterterrorism operations, humanitarian assistance
operations, and security cooperation.
Further, the committee will conduct oversight of security
cooperation and building partner capacity (BPC) programs in the
116th Congress. The National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328) contained comprehensive
reform of the authorities, funding, programs, and oversight of
security cooperation. The committee will monitor and evaluate
the implementation of these security cooperation provisions to
ensure that they are sufficient to meet requirements, properly
executed, and consistent with national security objectives. The
committee will also review and act upon additional reforms, as
appropriate.
The committee will maintain oversight of the Department's
activities in theaters where security cooperation is the
primary means of achieving U.S. objectives, such as Africa and
Central and South America. Additionally, the committee will
continue to examine the Department's coordination within the
interagency to ensure the range of the Department's activities
occurring in Africa contribute to U.S. national security
objectives. The committee will examine the issues affecting
U.S. national security in Central and South America, including
illicit trafficking and transnational organized crime. The
committee is particularly concerned about instability in
Central America.
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
The committee will review the organization of the
Department of Defense and oversee its management to ensure that
the Department can address complex security challenges. The
committee will: carefully review organizational changes; work
to enhance organizational performance and to promote efficient
and cost-effective practices throughout the Department of
Defense enterprise; work to enable specific Department of
Defense mission sets and to ensure that they are optimally
aligned within the Department's organizational structure; and
apply strict managerial accountability standards to the
Department's leadership. In overseeing the Department's
organization and management, the committee will endeavor to
preserve and to enhance the Department's civil-military
balance.
HOMELAND DEFENSE
The committee will conduct oversight of the missions and
capabilities of U.S. Northern Command and the Department of
Defense's Homeland Defense and Global Security directorate, and
their evolution since inception. The committee will review and
conduct oversight with regard to integration into response
planning and exercises, as well as requests for support from
other departments and agencies. The committee will also review
Defense Support of Civil Authorities, and the recent policies
and procedures the Department has established as well as the
implementation of recommendations from historical and recent
studies. Finally, the committee will review how the Department
of Defense integrates and provides support to domestic crises
response.
ACQUISITION
The committee will continue its ongoing effort to improve
the agility of the Department of Defense acquisition system and
the environment driving acquisition choices in the Department,
industry, and Congress. Through its oversight function, the
committee will monitor the efforts of the Department, and the
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, to
implement recent statutory changes and recommendations of
commissioned reports. The committee will also continue to push
for accountability and integrity in contracting.
The committee remains concerned that the Department's
current acquisition system is not sufficiently agile to support
warfighter demands. Technological change has been rapidly
generating new, and often unforeseeable, innovations that can
improve the warfighter's capabilities. The defense acquisition
system must respond to potential threats from global
adversaries quickly and incorporate innovation seamlessly to
reflect the jointness that the military has achieved at the
operating level. The committee will continue to examine the
United States export control regime and its effectiveness in
preventing the transfer of sensitive military-related
technologies to potential adversaries in coordination with the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
The committee will take a measured approach in addressing
the lack of agility in the requirements, acquisition, budget,
and oversight processes. Investments in innovation should be
leveraged to support broader acquisition improvements and
defense industrial base sustainment activities by appropriate
integration and requirements maturation. The committee will
focus oversight on the development of training, exercises,
doctrine, tactics, and procedures for acquisition as tied to
workforce development and retention for civilian and military
acquisition personnel. The committee will examine and consider
what policies are necessary to provide incentives to the
industrial base for infrastructure improvements to improve
efficiencies and increase participation in the Department's
supply chain. This effort will be an iterative process embedded
in the committee's regular work throughout the 116th Congress.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
The committee will continue to oversee military
effectiveness and fiscal responsibility in a dynamic budgeting
environment. Under the Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public Law
112-25), as modified by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-23), the past 2 years have seen significant
increases in national defense discretionary spending. Unless
modified by further legislation, the cap for fiscal year 2020
defense discretionary funding will be more than $70 billion
below the level provided for in fiscal year 2019, and any
funding in excess of that cap will be subject to sequester. The
committee continues to oppose the sequester of national defense
funding and will continue to conduct oversight in the 116th
Congress in order to highlight the consequences of a sequester
for the military, the defense industrial base, and national
security.
The Comptroller General of the United States has
consistently identified the Department of Defense's financial
management as a high-risk area since 1995. The Department of
Defense has made some progress in modernizing its financial
management capabilities, but arcane and obsolete financial
management processes continue to fail to accurately track and
account for billions of dollars and funding and tangible
assets, which undermines confidence in the Department's
financial management systems and requires significant
congressional oversight.
The committee will continue to review efforts to implement
the Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR) plan, as
mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84). The Inspector General of the
Department of Defense conducted the first agency-wide financial
audit of the Department in fiscal year 2018, and it will
continue to conduct such audits annually. The committee will
continue to oversee the Department's efforts to achieve an
unmodified audit opinion, including corrective actions and
process improvements.
The committee will monitor the interdependencies between
the FIAR plan and the funds being spent on business systems
modernization programs as the Department works to correct the
weaknesses in its financial statements. Both the Department and
Congress depend on the objective tools provided by proper
financial management processes and statements in order to make
informed decisions.
Readiness
MAINTENANCE AND TRAINING
Years of continuous overseas deployments left little
opportunity for the Department of Defense to conduct essential
maintenance on major assets and prioritize training for high-
end threats. Congress provided infusions of resources in the
previous 3 fiscal years to reverse this decline, and the
committee will continue to monitor the effect of readiness
funding on training and maintenance recovery goals. The
committee will pay attention to: Navy shipyard maintenance
availabilities; Army force generation and large-scale training
exercises; Marine Corps amphibious training; and aircraft
sustainment and training across the military services. The
committee also recognizes the importance of training for the
broad range of future missions the military may face, from
gray-zone conflict to high-intensity conflict. The committee
will conduct oversight of how the military services adapt
training concepts, maintenance plans, and analytical tools to
ensure personnel and equipment are adequately prepared to meet
these threats. Finally, the committee notes the importance of
prioritizing long-term readiness and believes long term
readiness can best be achieved by adequately sustaining the
Department's substantial investment in ships, aircraft, and
combat vehicles. To that end, the committee will examine the
Department's investments to support training and sustainment of
existing weapons systems.
LOGISTICS
Survivable logistics is a key combat support area and a
critical enabler underpinning U.S. military power, and the
committee notes the importance of investing in a more secure
and resilient logistics and transportation infrastructure. The
committee will conduct oversight of the Department's efforts
to: protect and sustain its prepositioned stocks;
communications networks; and tanker, strategic airlift, and
military sealift fleets. The committee will continue its
oversight of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the Department
of Defense entity responsible for managing the global supply
chain and providing goods and services in support of the total
force. Specifically, the committee will continue to conduct
oversight of the disposition of the equipment program and the
DLA program that transfers excess equipment to law enforcement,
to make certain these programs are executed appropriately and
in compliance with the law. The committee will also carefully
evaluate any proposed changes to the Department's logistical
and transportation demands that would be imposed by priority
contingencies identified in the National Defense Strategy.
Finally, the committee notes the importance of conducting
wargames and exercises that accurately reflect our competitors'
growing ability to target U.S. strategic mobility assets as
well as other threats to the joint logistics enterprise.
LIFE-CYCLE SUSTAINMENT
The committee will focus on reducing the total-ownership
costs of weapons systems and equipment by ensuring the
Department of Defense is considering life-cycle support and
sustainment requirements when it develops acquisition
strategies for each program.
The committee will also hold the Department accountable for
improving its estimates of total weapon system life-cycle costs
to better inform sustainment strategies, such as the cost
effectiveness of acquiring technical data from original
equipment manufacturers to allow future changes in sustainment
path.
Finally, the committee will continue to monitor the
military services' reset strategies to repair, recapitalize,
and replace equipment used in ongoing operations, and will also
monitor progress toward reconstitution of prepositioned stocks.
ORGANIC INDUSTRIAL BASE
A vital component to maintaining warfighting readiness
across multiple domains is the Department of Defense's organic
industrial base. The arsenals, depots, air logistics complexes,
and shipyards provide long-term sustainment through programmed
maintenance as well as the critical capability to conduct
repair and modernization upgrades as necessary. These
facilities and their skilled workforce provide a national-level
insurance policy against the unknown strategic operating
environment. The committee is concerned about the future health
of the organic industrial base during a period of fiscal
uncertainty and increasing maintenance and sustainment
requirements.
The committee will continue to conduct oversight on how the
Department's organic industrial base is viably positioned for
long-term sustainability and have the workforce, equipment, and
facilities for efficient operations to meet the Nation's
current and future requirements. This includes oversight of how
the military services are planning to ensure workforce
capabilities and skills support emerging requirements as well
as how the military services are recruiting, training, and
preparing to retain the future workforce.
The committee will conduct oversight into the use of new
technologies such as additive manufacturing, robotics, and
artificial intelligence as pathways to improve management of
spares inventory and supply chain operations. The committee
will continue oversight of depot, arsenal, and shipyard
operations and management, the use of performance-based
logistics, the role of public-private partnerships, and the
military services' logistics enterprise resource planning
systems.
The committee will continue its work to oversee carryover
management at the depots and arsenals, its work to ensure
capital investment continues at the depots, arsenals, and
shipyards in order to maintain a level of modern capability
sufficient to meet the needs of the Armed Forces. Furthermore,
the committee will examine how previous efficiency and
workforce optimization initiatives continue to impact depot,
shipyard, and arsenal capability, how more recent steps to
increase arsenal and depot visibility among program managers
and program offices are working, and how well programs and
plans designed to assure the availability of critical organic
manufacturing capabilities are being executed.
CIVILIAN PERSONNEL
The Federal civilian workforce of the Department of Defense
plays a critical role in the readiness of our military forces.
Recognizing this, the committee enacted several legislative
initiatives in the 115th Congress to address the challenges
confronting the workforce. Through its oversight activities in
the 116th Congress, the committee will review implementation of
these provisions to monitor compliance with congressional
intent and determine whether additional legislation is
necessary.
Providing the Department of Defense with the proper tools
to invest in its workforce and ensuring that the Department has
the people with the right skills to contribute effectively to
the success of the Department's mission will remain a focus of
the committee. This will include oversight of the various tools
provided to the Department to hire, retain, and train a
qualified civilian workforce, such as the acquisition workforce
fund.
Regarding civilian hiring, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328),
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) and the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
included direct hiring authorities for the Department of
Defense to use for expediting hiring of Department of Defense
civilians with certain skills. These skills include financial
management experts, post-secondary students and recent
graduates, cybersecurity positions, maintenance positions, and
others. The committee will continue to conduct oversight of
these authorities to ensure they are being used in compliance
with current law.
The Department of Defense effective civilian workforce
includes approximately 770,000 contracted and 700,000 Federal
civilian employees who serve various functions worldwide. In
the 116th Congress, the committee will continue to search for
strategies to determine the contracted workforce's costs to the
taxpayer and monitor how the Department develops its workforce
mix of Federal civilians, contractors and service members to
meet mission and cost requirements.
PERSONNEL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS
Since the timeliness of obtaining a security clearance
became a concern, Congress included section 925 in the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91), which directed the Department of Defense to develop and
begin executing a plan to transfer the background investigation
and security clearance process for the Department of Defense
from the Office of Personnel Management to the Department of
Defense.
Given the importance of conducting security, suitability
and credentialing background investigations for the Department
of Defense personnel, and the fact that the Department has this
responsibility, the committee will continue its oversight of
this transition during the 116th Congress to ensure the
transition occurs and clearances are investigated and
adjudicated in a timelier fashion.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Energy is a key readiness enabler for the Department of
Defense. Energy resilient installations and increased
efficiency enhance operational effectiveness of the military
and improve our national security posture. Therefore, the
committee will monitor the Department and military services'
efforts to address resiliency gaps and improve energy
efficiency on military installations and for military
operations.
In addition, the committee will conduct oversight of the
Department and military services' environmental management. The
committee believes more attention is required to monitor the
Department's efforts to address the impacts of climate change
on training and installation resilience. The committee will
examine the Department's efforts with respect to emerging
contaminants including adherence to Federal, state, and local
compliance requirements. The committee will continue to provide
oversight of the military services' efforts to remediate
existing contamination both on and off Federal lands with
particular attention paid to locations where contamination may
be affecting local populations. Additionally, the committee
will oversee Department efforts to leverage technological
innovation and implementation of best practices to minimize
adverse environmental impacts and thereby reduce future cleanup
costs. The committee intends to continue to monitor activities
of the Department to ensure that military training is in full
compliance with applicable Federal, state, and local
environmental laws.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, FACILITIES SUSTAINMENT, AND REAL PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT
The committee will review the Department of Defense's
military construction program to manage the overall capacity of
the Department's infrastructure and to ensure prudent long-term
military construction investments. The committee will also
oversee the Department's investments in facility sustainment,
restoration, and modernization, as well as the Department's
utilization of new or more flexible authorities provided by the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public
Law 115-91) and the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
related to facility investments.
The real property management process requires extensive
oversight to maintain almost $749.0 billion in infrastructure.
The committee is concerned that inadequate asset visibility,
poor requirements development, and project planning
inefficiencies result in poorly coordinated investment
decisions and sub-optimal facility construction. The committee
will provide increased oversight of the Military Housing
Privatization Initiative program particularly with respect to
maintenance and sustainment of housing developments. The
committee will seek to apply best practices across the
Department of Defense in order to efficiently develop and
maintain the military services' ranges, facilities, and
infrastructure.
Military Personnel and Health Care Issues
MILITARY MANPOWER AND FORCE STRUCTURE
During the 116th Congress, the committee will continue to
assess the military's manpower requirements to meet its current
and future global military commitments. Specifically, the
committee will continue to provide aggressive oversight of
military manpower levels, skill sets, and force structure to
ensure they support the National Defense Strategy. During the
115th Congress, the end strength increased for each military
service to meet demands and growth in specialized fields such
as cyber, intelligence, pilots, and maintainers. In the 116th
Congress, the committee will examine trends in overall total
force structure requirements, end strength, recruiting,
retention, morale, and benefits and compensation. The committee
will continue its oversight of military recruiting,
particularly the quality of the recruits needed to fulfill the
increased end-strength requirements.
MILITARY BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION
During the 116th Congress, the committee will scrutinize
any proposals from the Department of Defense or other
organizations calling for any changes to military compensation
and other benefit programs. Any such proposals must ensure they
are thoroughly assessed with respect to their positive or
negative impacts to the All-Volunteer Force. Specifically, the
expected Department of Defense proposals to reform the Reserve
Component call-up duty status authorities will overhaul the way
a Reserve Component service member is activated. The
committee's oversight in this area will concentrate on the
proper implementation of the new authorities to ensure that the
pay and benefits for Reserve Component members are not
adversely affected.
MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM
During the 116th Congress, the committee will continue its
oversight of military health policies of the Department of
Defense. The Department will be charged with both supporting
the readiness requirements of the warfighter and delivering a
robust military health benefit, all while creating efficiencies
and implementing cost savings initiatives that may alter the
composition of the existing Military Health System. The
committee will examine military medical manning requirements,
TRICARE benefit delivery, wounded warrior programs, resiliency,
opioid policy, and ongoing reform efforts that are
transitioning Military Treatment Facilities and other
organizational structures from the military service departments
to the Defense Heath Agency. The committee will also continue
to monitor the implementation of the Genesis Electronic Health
Record, as well as other health-related collaborations between
the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.
Finally, the committee will seek a better understanding of
environmental health challenges that may be related to burn
pits, mold, lead paint, contaminated water, and other potential
exposure issues.
MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY
During the 116th Congress, the personnel policies of the
Department of Defense will remain under considerable scrutiny
as the military services compete to recruit, manage, and retain
the best and brightest men and women. The committee will
continue to give close examination to proposals from the
Department of Defense and other organizations calling for any
major changes to personnel policies including recruiting,
promotions, career paths, or changes to military retention and
other policy programs in order to assess the impact of any
proposed changes on the viability of the All-Volunteer Force.
UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE
The committee will continue to provide oversight of
military justice, as well as the implementation of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-
328) comprehensive overhaul of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice, which took effect January 1, 2019. The committee will
also continue its robust oversight of the Department of
Defense's sexual assault prevention and response programs with
a focus on implementation of best practices for prevention
programs.
MILITARY FAMILY READINESS
During the 116th Congress, the committee will continue to
focus on the support provided to families of service members,
particularly during deployments. The committee will assess the
methods used by the military services to identify the needs of
military families and to identify the programs and policies
that can be implemented or modified to improve their quality of
life. As Armed Forces end strength continues to grow, the
committee will examine the Department of Defense and military
service family support programs to ensure the programs are
adequately resourced to support an increase in family members.
In addition, the committee will continue its oversight on the
quality and availability of services at Department of Defense
child development centers.
MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND MILITARY RESALE PROGRAMS
The committee believes the cost-efficient sustainment of
Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) and military resale
programs (commissaries and exchanges) is required to protect
quality of life in military communities. The committee will
provide oversight efforts directed toward that end in
conjunction with major reforms, begun in the 114th Congress, to
ensure the viability of these programs.
Additionally, the committee believes that MWR and military
resale programs must remain competitive with private sector
entities to ensure that service members and their families
benefit fully from these programs. The committee will monitor
current practices and policies to ensure that MWR and military
resale programs are employing the full range of strategies
available to private sector competitors to inform authorized
patrons about the benefits associated with these programs and
encourage their participation. Finally, the committee will
monitor and oversee the changes required by the commissary
reform plan with an emphasis on maintaining this valuable
benefit without interruption.
PRISONER OF WAR AND MISSING IN ACTION
During the 116th Congress, the committee will continue
oversight of the Department of Defense's Prisoner of War/
Missing in Action activities. Specifically, the committee will
focus on the operations of the Defense Personnel Accounting
Agency to ensure they are meeting the requirement that the
accounting effort achieve at least 200 identifications
annually.
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
The committee will continue its oversight from the 115th
Congress of Arlington National Cemetery. The John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232) directed the Secretary of the Army to establish
revised eligibility criteria for interment at Arlington
National Cemetery to ensure that the cemetery remains an active
burial ground well into the future. The Secretary of the Army
is required to establish the revised criteria not later than
September 30, 2019.
Modernization and Investment Issues
OVERVIEW
During the 116th Congress, the committee will conduct
oversight of military equipment modernization strategies and
programs and assess the effectiveness of those strategies to
mitigate threats in the near-term and long-term from near-peer
and peer competitors. The committee's efforts will continue to
focus on full-spectrum, combat-effective lethality through
near-term modernization efforts that utilize acquisition reform
initiatives to better streamline the development and fielding
of solutions to the warfighter in a timely and efficient
manner. The committee will devote attention to the military
service's implementation and utilization of new, innovative
agile acquisition reform authorities to recapitalize, upgrade,
or enhance the performance of current and future combat
systems. Concurrently, the committee will conduct oversight on
the military services' ability to aggressively control
development and procurement costs, implement reasonable,
executable and accountable sustainment strategies that preserve
system affordability, as well as manage strategic risk in
critical areas of the U.S. defense industrial base.
The committee, through diligent oversight and legislative
action, will implement actions and provide resources to help
mitigate cost growth and schedule delays of modernization
programs. The committee will assess the need for legislative
action, if required, by: late determination of programmatic
requirements; unjustified requirements growth and failure to
properly mitigate requirements changes; insufficient analyses
of alternatives; concurrency in test and evaluation master
plans; military services proceeding prematurely with
development of immature technology; poor cost estimating;
inadequate funding profiles; over-estimation of potential
production rates; program instability; and, improper use of new
and agile acquisition reform authorities.
ARMORED VEHICLE MODERNIZATION
The committee will focus on oversight of the Army and
Marine Corps' evolving plans to improve the capability and
extend the operating lives of its current heavy and medium-
weight armored combat vehicles, as well as lay the foundation
for successful development, production, and timely fielding of
its next generation of these systems. The committee will
specifically monitor management of these programs: M1 Abrams
tank, the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, the family of Stryker
Combat Vehicles, the family of Amphibious Combat Vehicles, the
Light Armored Vehicle, the M109A7 Paladin Integrated
Management, the Armored Multipurpose Vehicle, the Army's mobile
protected firepower, and Active Protection Systems for combat
vehicles.
TACTICAL WHEELED VEHICLES
The committee will focus on oversight of the Army and
Marine Corps' sustainment of their current and future tactical
wheeled vehicle (TWV) fleets, including their families of
light, medium, and heavy TWVs and the family of Mine Resistant
Ambush Protected Vehicles. The committee will specifically
oversee management of these programs: Family of Medium Tactical
Vehicles, Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, Joint Light
Tactical Vehicle, Ground Mobility Vehicle, and High Mobility
Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle.
ROTORCRAFT PROGRAMS
The committee will focus oversight efforts on rotorcraft
modernization, force structure, and readiness, with an emphasis
on how the military services are balancing their plans to
accelerate development of next generation rotorcraft platforms
with current requirements to upgrade current legacy rotorcraft
platforms. Program areas of oversight interest for the
committee will focus on, but not be limited to, the following
rotorcraft programs: UH-60 Black Hawk utility rotorcraft, AH-64
Apache Attack rotorcraft, CH-47 Chinook heavy lift rotorcraft,
UH-1 Huey utility helicopters, AH-1 attack rotorcraft, the CH-
53K heavy lift rotorcraft program, the UH-1N utility helicopter
replacement program, Combat Rescue Helicopter, the TH-XX
trainer helicopter replacement program, and the Future Vertical
Lift (FVL) development program.
The committee will also focus oversight efforts on the need
for advanced aircraft survivability equipment upgrades to
provide warning and protection against evolving threats, as
well as monitor the Improved Turbine Engine program designed to
improve lift capability on the AH-64, UH-60, and FVL platforms.
COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORK PROGRAMS
The committee will continue to devote attention to
oversight of the research, development, and procurement of
tactical battlefield communications networks. Specifically, the
committee will conduct oversight of the Army's plans for future
battlefield network research and development programs, the
Army's Tactical Network Modernization roadmap, and efforts on
the incremental development and fielding of the Integrated
Tactical Network and other tactical radio programs.
INDIVIDUAL SOLDIER AND MARINE EQUIPMENT
The committee will continue to devote attention to the
oversight of research, development, and procurement of soldier
and marine individual equipment, as well as other complementary
personal protective equipment programs. Focus areas will
continue to include, but are not limited to: advances in weight
reduction (``lightening the load'') in individual equipment;
development and procurement of the Enhanced Night Vision
Goggle-Binocular; small arms and small caliber ammunition
modernization with particular emphasis on the Army's next
generation combat weapon; procurement and fielding of enhanced
performance small caliber rounds; improved combat helmets to
help mitigate traumatic brain injury; and the development and
fielding of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System.
FIXED-WING TACTICAL AND TRAINING AIRCRAFT
During the 116th Congress, the committee will continue
oversight efforts on the size, composition, capability, and
capacity of the Department of Defense's tactical and training
aircraft force structure. The committee will continue to engage
the Department to understand its aircraft force-mix strategy
and composition regarding procurement of 5th and 6th generation
tactical aircraft to replace legacy tactical aircraft to ensure
that mission areas related to air superiority, interdiction,
and kinetic support to ground forces maintain combat
effectiveness requirements. The committee will engage with the
Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps to understand the strategies
to mitigate any potential tactical aircraft inventory
shortfalls that would impact the Department's ability to meet
the tenets and implementation of the National Defense Strategy.
The committee will monitor the Department's efforts to improve
capabilities and reliability among the legacy fleet of aircraft
to maintain, and where necessary, gain sufficient force-
structure capacity and lethality that complements next-
generation aircraft. The committee will continue to monitor the
impact on aviation readiness related to procurement of initial
spare or repaired parts and supplies.
During the 116th Congress, the committee will continue
oversight of the F-35 program, particularly with regard to
affordability issues and concerns related to program life-cycle
cost, production and fielding schedules, aircraft and support
system performance, and sustainment strategy planning and
execution. The committee will also focus efforts on the F-35's
performance during the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation
phase, Block 4 software development, and the follow-on
modernization program known as Continuous Capability
Development and Delivery. The committee's area of focus on the
F-35 will include but not be limited to production efficiency,
software development and testing related to the operational
flight program and mission data files, addressing F135 engine
problems, the Autonomic Logistics Information System
development, fielding and integration into operational F-35
units, depot stand-up, and supply chain management required to
support concurrent production and operational maintenance and
sustainment requirements.
In addition, the committee will have particular interest in
any acquisition strategies related to the experimentation
effort of the Air Force's Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance
platform. The committee will also continue to monitor Air Force
and Navy execution of efforts for mitigating physiological
episodes that were experienced by pilots operating certain
tactical and training aircraft.
TACTICAL MISSILES AND MUNITIONS
During the 116th Congress, the committee will continue to
engage with the Department of Defense to understand testing and
war-reserve material requirements and subsequent production
strategies to support and maintain sufficient inventories of
conventional missiles and munitions at an acceptable risk
level. The committee will also focus its attention on the
Department's identification, assessment, and strategies for
management of risk in the associated defense industrial base
and issues related to diminishing manufacturing sources,
obsolescence issues, sole-source supply of components and major
sub-systems, and production capabilities needed to support both
annual production and surge requirements when necessary. The
committee will monitor the stability and predictability of the
Department's near and long-term budget planning and execution
to control cost and reduce uncertainty in the industrial base.
In particular, the committee will focus on the following
missile and ammunition programs: high-energy lasers, Maneuver
Short Range Air Defense, Indirect Fire Protection Capability,
Iron Dome, Long-Range Precision Fires missile, Advanced
Precision Kill Weapon System, Joint Air-to-Ground missile, the
Army Tactical Missile System, and all weapons employed from
fixed-wing tactical aircraft of the military services.
BOMBER FORCE STRUCTURE
During the 116th Congress, the committee anticipates that
the Air Force will continue to propose significant investments
for engineering, manufacturing, and development of the B-21A
Raider long-range strike bomber aircraft. While many details
regarding the specific requirements and capabilities of the new
bomber remain classified, the committee will maintain oversight
of the new bomber acquisition program to ensure that the Air
Force develops an affordable aircraft to timely meet future
requirements and partially recapitalize the long-range strike
bomber fleet.
As Global Strike Command's bomber vector plan continues to
develop, the committee will monitor how the Air Force chooses
to invest and modernize its current fleet of bombers to ensure
they can continue to effectively respond to current and future
threats. Furthermore, the committee will continue to assess the
bomber fleet's ability to comply with the Federal Aviation
Administration's January 1, 2020, Next Generation Air Space
Control mandate.
AERIAL REFUELING AIRCRAFT
During the 116th Congress, the committee will review the
Air Force aerial refueling aircraft modernization and
recapitalization programs, along with the Navy's nascent
refueling capability associated with the MQ-25 program.
Currently, the Air Force requires 479 air refueling tankers
to meet the National Military Strategy but only possesses 395
KC-135 and 59 KC-10 tankers for a total of 454 tankers. The
addition of KC-46A aircraft will eventually grow the tanker
force to 479 aircraft. Subsequently, the Air Force plans to
replace its older tankers one-for-one with the planned 179 KC-
46A aircraft. The remaining 300 KC-135 aircraft will need to be
modernized. The committee will also monitor how the Air Force
plans to conduct operations in a future contested airspace.
The committee will also review the MQ-25 program as the
Navy seeks to develop an unmanned aerial vehicle that provides
air-refueling and intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance capabilities. The committee is concerned about
limiting the scope of the MQ-25 to relieve the tanking burden
borne by the F-18 fleet and to provide a modest level of
additional ISR capability. The committee will also monitor the
possibility to add additional capabilities to the MQ-25 should
the Navy chooses to pursue them.
AIRLIFT PROGRAMS
During the 116th Congress, the committee will continue to
assess the risk in the Air Force's current plan to maintain the
intratheater airlift aircraft inventory of 300 total aircraft.
As such, the committee will assess the force structure results
of the Mobility Capability Requirements Study that was required
by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91). While pleased with Air Force efforts to
modernize Air National Guard and Reserve C-130H aircraft with
Avionics Modernization Program increments 1 and 2, propulsion
and propeller upgrades, the committee will continue to review
the C-130H modernization program to ensure it is capable of
meeting airlift requirements. The committee is committed in
supporting technologies that increase capabilities, increase
reliability and decrease overall life cycle costs.
Regarding strategic airlift aircraft capabilities, the
committee will continue to provide oversight of the C-5 and C-
17 modernization programs. With regard to the C-5, the
committee will assess options associated with the Reliability
Enhancement and Re-engine Program.
The committee will continue oversight of all airlift
aircraft inventories and capabilities during the 116th Congress
to ensure that a robust and effective fleet of airlift aircraft
is maintained to meet mobility airlift requirements of the
Department of Defense.
SURFACE WARFARE PROGRAMS
The Department of the Navy must expand the core
capabilities of U.S. seapower to achieve a blend of peacetime
engagement and major combat operations capabilities as part of
the Navy's 355-ship requirement. In pursuing this goal, the
committee will provide oversight of the composition, capacity,
and capabilities of the surface fleet. The committee will also
assess the large and small surface combatant requirements to
ensure oversight of the force structure and the associated
weapons and sensors employed on the surface force with a
specific emphasis on Frigate capabilities. The committee will
continue to conduct oversight of the Littoral Combat Ship and
the sensors that will be fielded as part of the mission
modules. Further oversight of the amphibious forces will also
be pursued to include amphibious assault in a contested
environment, integration of advanced data capabilities and the
amphibious assault connectors. The committee will continue its
oversight of the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class Destroyer program
and will follow the transition to the Flight III variant that
will incorporate the new air and missile defense radar. The
committee will also monitor the requirements associated with
the new large surface combatant that the Navy indicates will be
fielded in fiscal year 2023. In addition to the manned
platforms, the committee will review options for the Navy to
augment the surface force structure with both unmanned and
optionally manned platforms. Finally, the committee will review
the combat logistics forces and the Maritime Security Program
to ensure sufficient capacity is available to support national
security objectives.
As part of this oversight, the committee will continue to
place a significant emphasis on improving affordability in
shipbuilding programs through: ensuring stable requirements;
the use of acquisition best practices; stability within the
overall program; increased reliance on common systems and open
architecture; and industrial base capacity, process, and
facility improvements at the shipyards.
UNDERSEA WARFARE PROGRAMS
The ability to operate freely at sea is one of the most
important enablers of joint and interagency operations, and sea
control requires capabilities in all aspects of the maritime
domain. There are many challenges to our ability to exercise
sea control, perhaps none as significant as the growing number
of nations operating submarines, both advanced diesel-electric
and nuclear propelled. Exercising sea control in the undersea
domain is essential to maintaining the freedom of navigation in
support of U.S. maritime interests. The committee will continue
to review the undersea domain to ensure warfare dominance.
Specifically, the committee will review short- and long-term
options to reverse the decline in the attack submarine force
structure as well as options to augment the undersea fleet with
unmanned underwater vehicles. The committee will also assess
whether sufficient resources and technological maturity are
available for the recapitalization of the ballistic missile
submarine force. Additionally, the committee will closely
monitor the development of the requirements associated with the
follow-on attack submarine to the Virginia class. Finally, the
committee will assess the weapons and sensors employed in the
undersea domain to retain maritime dominance, to include the
capacity and capabilities of unmanned undersea vehicles.
As part of this oversight, the committee will place
specific emphasis on the efficacy of multi-year procurement,
rigorous assessment of requirements, and management of an
expanding undersea industrial base capacity.
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAMS
The committee will focus oversight activities on cost,
schedule, and performance outcomes of tactical manned and
unmanned aerial (UAS) intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (ISR) systems. The committee will examine the
entire ISR enterprise for balance in inventory, satisfaction of
military collection requirements, timeliness and redundancy of
dissemination architecture, and modernization of analysis and
exploitation capabilities for video and imagery. The committee
will also scrutinize the Department of Defense's ISR policy
development and implementation.
In particular, the committee will evaluate the Department
of Defense's long-term ISR architecture modernization and next-
generation acquisition strategy, the supporting analysis behind
programmatic decisions, and the management of risk across ISR
collection capabilities and capacities, and the corresponding
resources to process, exploit, and disseminate raw data and
finished analysis. The committee will monitor improvements made
to ISR transmission and down-link architecture that provide
rapid delivery of collected information supporting timely and
effective defense operations.
The committee's oversight efforts will focus on, but not be
limited to, the following ISR programs: RQ-4 Global Hawk UAS
Block 30 and Block 40, MQ-9 Reaper UAS, MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS,
MQ-4C Triton UAS, MQ-8 Fire Scout, MQ-25 Stingray, Marine Air
Ground Task Force UAS Expeditionary, and U-2 aircraft.
NUCLEAR FORCES
The committee oversees the atomic energy defense activities
of the Department of Energy and nuclear policies and programs
of the Department of Defense to ensure the safety, security,
reliability, and credibility of the U.S. nuclear deterrent. The
committee will ensure that we maintain a safe, secure, and
reliable nuclear arsenal to address current and future threats.
The committee will conduct oversight of the Department of
Energy and the Department of Defense's nuclear modernization
and sustainment plans, including programs and policies included
in the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review.
In particular, the committee will oversee funding levels
and requirements for the nuclear deterrence mission and nuclear
enterprise, including relevant nuclear delivery platforms and
their associated warheads to ensure resources are provided and
allocated effectively and efficiently across Department of
Energy and Department of Defense. With regard to the Department
of Defense, the committee will emphasize oversight of major
acquisition programs that will recapitalize U.S. nuclear forces
and the supporting complex for decades into the future,
including but not limited to the Ground-based Strategic
Deterrent system, the Long-Range Standoff cruise missile, and
missiles associated with the new Columbia-class submarine. The
committee will also place particular emphasis on investments in
nuclear enterprise programs that fall under the purview of the
Department of Energy, including but not limited to
infrastructure investments, warhead life extension programs,
stockpile stewardship programs, stockpile management programs,
cost savings and efficiency initiatives, safety and security,
and progress on the nuclear clean-up activities.
In addition, the committee will continue oversight of the
nuclear command and control programs that underpin a reliable
nuclear deterrent.
Alongside overseeing and authorizing U.S. nuclear
enterprise programs, the committee will also monitor foreign
nuclear weapon development and modernization programs. In
addition to these programs, the committee will provide
oversight of the U.S. nuclear policy and posture, extended
deterrence policy, arms control activities, and nuclear force
structure requirements. Particular emphasis will be placed on
oversight of nuclear weapon employment and declaratory
policies, force structure, arms control agreements, and
modernization plans.
MISSILE DEFENSE
The committee oversees the Department of Defense's efforts
to develop, test, and field layered missile defense
capabilities to protect the United States, its deployed forces,
and allies and partners against missile threats.
The committee will continue to place emphasis on cost-
effective and reliable missile defenses that contribute to
strategic stability. The committee will continue to oversee
U.S. homeland missile defense development, European Phased
Adaptive Approach implementation, developmental and operational
testing, cyber security to protect BMDS data, force structure
and inventory requirements, continued integration of ``left-of-
launch'' capabilities, and science and technology investments
(in areas such as boost-phase intercept, space sensor layer,
and continuous improvements to discrimination). The committee
will also monitor progress of the Department of Defense
Conventional Prompt Strike program as a potential ``left-of-
launch'' capability and related policies that minimize the risk
of ambiguity.
The committee will oversee implementation of the 2019
Missile Defense Review by the Department of Defense and
opportunities to strengthen international missile defense
cooperation with allies and partners to defend against
ballistic and cruise missiles.
The committee will continue to provide oversight of the
roles, responsibilities, and acquisition policies of the
Missile Defense Agency and military services as they relate to
missile defense.
The committee also intends to continue overseeing the
Army's Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense System modernization
efforts, including the Patriot weapon system, the Lower Tier
Air and Missile Defense Sensor (as that program transitions to
a rapid prototyping effort), and efforts to improve
interoperability of Army and Ballistic Missile Defense System
capabilities.
NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE
The committee oversees the national security space policies
and programs of the Department of Defense, including combat
support agencies and elements of the Department of Defense that
are also part of the intelligence community. The committee will
place attention on current and projected foreign space threats
and development of effective deterrence policies for space. The
committee will also assess the Department's space security and
defense programs to include space situational awareness, space
protection, space control, resilience, operationally responsive
space activities including capabilities for rapid constellation
reconstitution and replenishment, and use of commercial
capabilities and international cooperation.
The committee will also focus on improving the organization
and management of the Department's space program, and related
policies, to posture the military to maintain our space
advantage, address new threats in space, elevate the focus
within the Department on space as a warfighting domain, and
create a culture that recognizes the importance of space for
national security.
The committee will continue oversight of national security
space activities in support of warfighter operations and plans;
improvement of space acquisition strategies that provide
necessary warfighter capability, while reducing cost and
technical risk and supporting the industrial base; maintaining
cost-effective and competitive assured access to space; efforts
to address gaps in space capabilities for key warfighter needs;
investments in science and technology to improve the
capabilities of space systems; efforts to appropriately
leverage commercial space capabilities; improvements of the
synchronization between satellite, ground, and terminal
acquisition programs; and efforts that develop and sustain an
expert space workforce.
Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities
INTELLIGENCE
The committee will examine the organization, functions, and
operations of the Defense Intelligence Enterprise to ensure
comprehensive, timely, and objective intelligence support to
Department of Defense plans and operations. The committee will
provide oversight into the formulation and execution of the
military intelligence program. In accordance with section 3038
of title 50, United States Code, the committee will also
scrutinize the management and execution of national
intelligence program capabilities within Department activities
to ensure these resources are adequate to satisfy the overall
intelligence needs of the Department, and appropriately
integrated with the intelligence activities of the Department.
The committee will examine how the Defense Intelligence
Enterprise is postured to analyze and address new and trending
threats, while balancing intelligence support to established
National Defense Strategy priority challenges with ongoing
counterterrorism operations. The committee will focus on
current and planned modernization activities, inclusive of
developments in machine learning and artificial intelligence,
across the Defense Intelligence Enterprise and intelligence
community as a means to create current, informed foundational
intelligence to support military operations and advanced
weapons systems. The committee will continue to study the
ongoing activities by Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
for Intelligence (OUSD(I)) to balance roles and
responsibilities of combat support agencies.
Additionally, the committee will examine the roles and
responsibilities of the OUSD(I), Director for Security Service
in the development of an efficient, effective process to enable
timely and comprehensive issuance of security clearances.
Finally, the committee will conduct oversight of all
intelligence organizations, programs, and activities of the
Department of Defense in accordance with the committee's
jurisdiction listed in clause 1(c) of rule X of the Rules of
the House of Representatives. In coordination with the
committee, the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging
Threats and Capabilities will continue to coordinate as
appropriate with the House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence on matters related to Department of Defense
intelligence and counterintelligence activities in the course
of oversight and the authorization of appropriations for
intelligence activities shared by the two committees.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The committee will ensure the Department of Defense fosters
a robust and balanced science and technology ecosystem
comprised of laboratories, test and evaluation entities,
academia, and the private sector in order to deliver the best
capabilities to the warfighter in the near, mid, and long-term.
Specifically, the committee will conduct oversight of the
Department's science and technology activities to ensure
planning and execution of investments are aligned with national
strategies and other interagency efforts to maintain
technological superiority. This includes examination of the
Department's efforts relating to the eight rapid technological
advancements outlined in the National Defense Strategy:
advanced computing; ``big data'' analytics; artificial
intelligence; autonomy; robotics; directed energy; hypersonics;
and biotechnology. Further, the committee will conduct
oversight of science and technology investments in
countermeasures to adversary capabilities and other emerging
threats, such as infectious disease and demographic changes.
The committee will also examine science and technology
strategy and doctrine, concepts of employment, and other
organizing concepts pursued by the military services and the
Office of the Secretary of Defense. This includes: examination
of how capabilities contribute to new security strategies; how
they will be supported by rigorous technical analysis and
relevant concepts of employment; and how the Department will
develop plans to transition matured technologies to the field.
The Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and
Capabilities will continue to oversee performance of the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Defense Innovation
Unit, and Strategic Capabilities Office, as well as other
service-specific innovation centers and partnerships with
private industry to ensure coordination, synchronization,
transition of technology, and prudent use of fiscal resources.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN CYBERSPACE
Military operations in cyberspace have become increasingly
important as state and non-state actors seek to exploit the
information environment to achieve political, military, and
economic objectives. Cyber operations by threat actors below
the level of conflict, such as Russian cyber intrusions to
undermine democratic institutions or exfiltration of controlled
unclassified information from the defense industrial base by
the People's Republic of China, pose a dynamic challenge to
U.S. national security. It is anticipated that non-state actors
and strategic competitors will increasingly build and integrate
cyber espionage, attack, and influence capabilities into their
efforts to influence U.S. policies and advance their own
national security interests. Therefore, the Department of
Defense, when appropriate, must be prepared to address cyber
threats across the spectrum of operations and in all types of
conflict.
The committee will conduct oversight of cyber operations to
ensure that the proper legal and policy frameworks are in place
and adhered to. The committee will also scrutinize military
cyber operations, specifically those operations executed under
National Security Presidential Memoranda 13 and other relevant
memoranda, as well associated presidential determinations and
directives. The committee will ensure that military operations
are properly coordinated and deconflicted with the interagency,
integrated into combatant commanders' operational plans,
include appropriate rules of engagement, and ensure that
adequate capabilities exist or are in development to employ
these cyberspace operational tools with rigor and discretion to
support a full range of options for the Nation's decision
makers.
The committee expects transparency on sensitive military
cyber operations in accordance with section 395 of title 10,
United States Code, and transparency from the Administration on
cyber authorities delegated by the National Command Authority
to the Secretary of Defense for certain missions or objectives
so the committee may oversee the policy and political
implications of such operations.
The committee will also examine the Department of Defense's
cyber organization, manning, training and funding to ensure
that the Cyber Mission Force and other military cyber forces
are prepared to conduct the range of missions in the Nation's
defense in concert with other U.S. Government agencies, and
when appropriate, to support other interagency and
international partners. This includes an examination of the
roles and responsibilities for planning, coordinating, and
executing military operations in cyberspace, such as
understanding the supported and supporting combatant commands
relationship.
The committee will also focus oversight on the development
of training, exercises, doctrine, tactics, techniques, and
procedures for operating in the cyber domain, as well as
oversee implementation of authorities provided in prior years'
national defense authorization acts to promote workforce
development and retention for civilian and military personnel,
including implementation of the Cyber Excepted Service.
Additionally, the committee will continue to oversee
utilization of the limited acquisition authority granted in the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public
Law 114-92) to the Commander, U.S. Cyber Command.
OPERATIONS IN THE INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT
The role of information has become increasingly important
to military operations as the global information environment
continues to evolve. Both state and non-state actors seek to
exploit the information environment and spread disinformation
to achieve political, economic, and military objectives in ways
that undermine U.S. national security interests and challenge
U.S. military operations.
In addition to presenting challenges to U.S. national
security, simultaneously, the global information environment
provides an opportunity to gain an advantage in military
planning and operations, as well as to achieve strategic U.S.
objectives through a whole-of-government approach.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included a provision to
strengthen the authority of the Department of State's Global
Engagement Center to enhance integration between the Department
of Defense and interagency in countering the narrative of both
state and non-state actors. The committee will continue to
examine ways to strengthen interagency collaboration and
cohesion for effective strategic communications and influence
activities in support of U.S. national security.
Additionally, the committee will continue to conduct
oversight of military operations in the information environment
and other related efforts in the Department of Defense. This
includes oversight of U.S. Special Operations Command as the
joint proponent for military information support operations and
implementation of section 1637 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91). The
committee will also continue to examine Department of Defense
agencies, services, and other elements roles and
responsibilities in the information environment, as well as
coordination and de-confliction mechanisms. Finally, the
committee will conduct oversight of legal, operational, and
funding authorities related to operations in the information
environment.
PROTECTING CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AND NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
According to a memorandum issued by the Secretary of
Defense on October 24, 2018, ``each year, it is estimated that
American industry loses more than $600 billion to theft and
expropriation. Far worse, the loss of classified and controlled
unclassified information is putting the Department's
investments at risk and eroding the lethality and survivability
of our forces.'' Protection of key data, classified and
controlled unclassified information, and intellectual property,
when appropriate, is necessary for the U.S. to maintain a
warfighting advantage.
The committee will conduct oversight of the Department of
Defense's efforts to protect critical technology and national
security information while maintaining civil liberties and an
open research environment. This includes oversight of the
Department's activities to improve cybersecurity standards and
compliance, as well as Department efforts to better understand
counterintelligence threats in academia. Additionally, the
committee will focus on investing in and promoting innovation,
science, technology, engineering, and math in academia to
ensure a strong science and technology future workforce capable
of promoting U.S. technological superiority.
OVERSIGHT OF SENSITIVE MILITARY OPERATIONS
The committee will continue to conduct extensive oversight
of sensitive military operations outside of the United States
and outside of the Republic of Iraq, the Syrian Arab Republic,
and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in accordance with
section 130f of title 10, United States Code. As appropriate,
oversight will be conducted in classified forums. The committee
will pay particular attention to the legal, policy,
operational, and funding authorities, including section 127e of
title 10, United States Code, associated with such operations.
In conducting this oversight, the committee will also review
and consider presidential guidance documents, operational
authorities granted to military commanders by the Department of
Defense, use of funding authorities granted by Congress, and
other relevant information necessary for oversight. Further,
the committee will ensure that sensitive military operations
conducted outside of the United States and outside of Iraq,
Syria, and Afghanistan are in line with national security
strategy and policy, as well as supported and coordinated as
appropriate with interagency partners. Finally, the committee
will oversee implementation of provisions relating to reducing
the likelihood of civilian casualties included in the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91) and the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232), and examine ways to
further reduce the likelihood of civilian casualties resulting
from military operations.
IRREGULAR WARFARE
Malign actors employ both military and non-military means
such as surrogates, cyber operations, disinformation campaigns,
and political bribes in order to accomplish their strategic
national objectives. These hybrid warfare tactics applied
across the spectrum of conflict by threat actors undermine the
national security interests of the United States, our allies,
and our partners. The Department of Defense must address
irregular threats in concert with other Government agencies and
like-minded allies. Elsewhere in the oversight plan, the
committee articulates these irregular warfare challenges and
intent to conduct oversight of programs and activities related
to addressing such threats.
During the 116th Congress, the committee will conduct
oversight of section 1202 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91), which provides
the Department of Defense limited authority to provide support
to foreign forces, irregular forces, groups, or individuals
engaged in supporting or facilitating ongoing and authorized
irregular warfare operations by U.S. Special Operations Forces.
The committee will examine the prudent and appropriate use
of this limited authority and related operational authorities.
Further, the committee will ensure support provided under this
authority is coordinated with other agencies, aligned with the
geographic combatant commander's intent, and approved by the
relevant chief of mission.
COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET
OVERSIGHT PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET FOR THE 116TH CONGRESS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE JURISDICTION AND OVERSIGHT
Under clause 2(d) of House Rule X, the Chair of each
Committee is required to prepare, in consultation with the
Ranking Member, and submit to the Committees on Oversight and
Government Reform and House Administration an oversight plan by
March 1 of the first session of each Congress.\1\ The Budget
Committee's oversight responsibilities are determined by both
the breadth of the federal budget and the relatively narrow
focus of the Committee's legislative jurisdiction.
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\1\Consistent with House rules, a copy of this plan was provided to
each Member of the Committee at least seven calendar days before
submission.
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Under clause 1(d)(1) of House Rule X, the primary
responsibility of the Budget Committee is to develop a
concurrent resolution on the budget for the fiscal year. This
concurrent resolution sets spending and revenue levels in
aggregate and across budget functions (a set of programs that
serve a shared purpose or activity, such as agriculture,
health, or national defense).
Although the subject matter of the budget is inherently
broad, the Committee's formal oversight responsibility focuses
on laws governing the budget process and the agencies
responsible for administering elements of those laws. Under
clauses 1(d)(1)-(3) of House Rule X, the major laws falling
within its oversight include the Budget and Accounting Act of
1921, the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the Budget
Enforcement Act of 1990, the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of
2010, and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. The two agencies
with primary responsibility for administering elements of these
laws and hence which fall under the Committee's jurisdiction
are the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the
Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
In addition to these general oversight responsibilities,
the Budget Committee has the special oversight responsibility
under clauses 3(c) and 4(b) of House Rule X to study the effect
on budget outlays of existing and proposed legislation and to
request and evaluate continuing studies of tax expenditures.
OVERSIGHT PLAN FOR THE 116TH CONGRESS
Budget Priorities
In the process of developing the annual concurrent budget
resolution, the Committee will hold hearings and receive
testimony from Members of Congress, Cabinet-level and other
federal officials, and expert witnesses to review the
President's budget submissions and to review other budget
priorities.
In the 116th Congress, the Committee will be active in its
oversight duties. The Committee plans to focus on a range of
issues, including immigration, climate change, health care, and
tax policy. The Committee will focus on how these issues, in
the broadest terms, impact the federal budget.
The Committee will continually assess the performance of
federal agencies in both administration and service delivery by
reviewing performance data in the President's budget
submissions and the relevant reports and audits of the
Government Accountability Office and the Offices of the
Inspectors General. It will also review budget rules and
processes.
The Committee will draw on the authorizing committees'
Views and Estimates, which are submitted to it pursuant to
section 301(d) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, to
coordinate development of the annual concurrent budget
resolution.
Budget Enforcement
The Committee will provide ongoing oversight of OMB's
implementation of budget submission, control, execution, and
enforcement procedures under the Budget and Accounting Act of
1921, the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Budget
Enforcement Act of 1990, the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985, the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of
2010, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, and other applicable
laws. In addition, the Committee will examine the accuracy,
timeliness, and responsiveness of OMB.
The Committee will work with the Appropriations and
authorizing committees to ensure that spending and tax
legislation does not breach the levels set in the budget
resolution, as required under sections 302(f) and 311(a) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974. The Committee will also
monitor compliance with the House Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) rule
requiring that direct spending increases and revenue losses be
offset with either direct spending reductions or revenue
increases.
Federal Spending and Tax Incentives
The Committee will evaluate continuing studies of tax
incentives and spending by the federal government and consider
whether changes are warranted.
OVERSIGHT SCHEDULE
The following are the Committee's initial plans for
hearings and other oversight activities:
First Session (2019)
Winter 2019--Hearing on CBO's Economic and Budget Outlook:
Director of CBO.
Winter 2019--Hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2020
Budget: Director of OMB.
Winter 2019--Hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2020
Budget: Secretary of the Treasury.
Winter 2019--Hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2020
Budget: Members of Congress.
Winter 2019--Receive Views and Estimates from other committees
to coordinate development of the annual concurrent budget
resolution.
Winter/Spring 2019--Hearing on the economy: Chairman of the
Federal Reserve Board.
Possible additional hearings on the budgetary implications
of climate change, immigration reform, policies to make health
care more affordable and accessible including a single-payer
health care system, retirement security, and other topics to be
announced.
Second Session (2020)
Winter 2020--Hearing on CBO's Economic and Budget Outlook:
Director of CBO.
Winter 2020--Hearing on the economy: Chairman of the Federal
Reserve Board.
Winter 2020--Hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2021
Budget: Director of OMB.
Winter 2020--Hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2021
Budget: Secretary of the Treasury.
Winter 2020--Hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2021
Budget: Members of Congress.
Winter 2020--Receive Views and Estimates from other Committees
to coordinate development of the annual concurrent budget
resolution.
Possible hearings on the causes, effects, and budgetary
implications of rising income inequality and other topics to be
announced.
MINORITY VIEWS
OVERSIGHT PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET FOR THE 116TH CONGRESS
The Oversight Plan presented by Committee Democrats
reflects misplaced and misguided priorities. The Oversight Plan
fails to show a serious focus on the number one issue facing
our Committee--the national debt.
It is unfortunate that the Committee's Oversight Plan for
the 116th Congress fails to fully address major areas of
oversight within the Committee on the Budget's jurisdiction,
including oversight of the Congressional Budget Office.
Additionally, the Committee's oversight plan addresses various
policy issues that impact the federal budget without adequately
focusing on the Nation's fiscal condition.
Budget Process Reform
It is appreciated that Committee Democrats have included a
reference to budget process reform after consulting with
Committee Republicans. However, it is a sincere hope this issue
will be prioritized and acted upon soon. Since the adoption of
the Congressional Budget Act in 1974, the budget process has
been amended several times, adding complexity and confusion to
an already complicated process. As a result, the process has
become cumbersome, frustrating, and ineffective. Congress now
frequently abandons it in favor of ad hoc procedures. In
addition, fiscal conditions have changed dramatically over the
past forty-five years, including the inexorable growth of
mandatory spending as a share of the total federal budget and
the recent explosion of government debt that threatens to
overwhelm the federal budget and the economy.
In the second session of the 115th Congress, the Joint
Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform
(Joint Select Committee) produced a bipartisan, bicameral
consensus package of reforms to the federal budget process
after holding numerous hearings and meetings. During the final
debate on the bill, many members indicated that they had no
objection to the package's underlying reforms. However, the
bill and report failed to secure the necessary supermajority of
votes to pass under the Joint Select Committee's rules.
Despite the unfortunate outcome of the Joint Select
Committee's work, there is no refuting that the federal budget
process is still broken. It is vital that Congress continue
efforts to reform the budget and appropriations process this
Congress, and in the years beyond. It is the sincere hope of
Committee Republicans that budget process reform efforts
continue in the 116th Congress on a bipartisan and bicameral
basis.
Oversight of the Congressional Budget Office
The Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) primary
responsibility and function is to serve the House and Senate
Committees on the Budget by providing information regarding the
federal budget, legislation considered by Congress, federal
revenues, and related matters. However, Committee Democrats
failed to outline any plan regarding oversight of CBO. Last
Congress, the Committee held a series of CBO oversight
hearings, which were educational for all Members of the
Committee. The Committee values CBO's recent transparency
efforts and responsiveness to Congress. It is the view of
Committee Republicans that the Committee should continue
oversight efforts of CBO in the 116th Congress. Instead,
Committee Democrats have prioritized examining the Office of
Management and Budget's (OMB) ``accuracy, timeliness, and
responsiveness.'' While Committee Republicans believe oversight
of OMB is important to the Committee's work, questions remain
as to what these oversight efforts may involve.
Misplaced Budget Policy Priorities
The Budget Committee has a special oversight responsibility
to study the effects of existing and proposed legislation.
However, it is the view of Committee Republicans that the
topics presented in the Oversight Plan reflect a missed
opportunity. Listed are hearings on a range of issues, but
notably absent is the $21 trillion issue that will impact every
individual in this country--the national debt. The opioids
crisis and rising college costs are also examples of national
priority issues which deserve attention from a federal budget
context. It is unclear why Committee Democrats would ignore
these issues.
Committee Republicans also believe that affordable health
care is an important issue that needs to be addressed, but
instead Committee Democrats have forsaken exploring any other
options other than their preordained choice of government run,
single-payer health care. Medicare for All is likely to delay
getting tests and treatments, eliminate private insurance which
currently serves 198 million Americans, require massive tax
increases and cost at least an additional $30 trillion over the
first 10 years. Committee Republicans would welcome a sincere
conversation about how to lower health care costs and improve
access, but it is noteworthy that Committee Democrats chose to
highlight only one proposal--radical, unbelievably expensive,
and disruptive Medicare for All. This is disappointing for the
Committee tasked with fiscal responsibility.
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR
116TH CONGRESS
SUBMISSION OF OVERSIGHT PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR
Mr. Scott, from the Committee on Education and Labor,
submitted to the Committee on Oversight and Reform and the
Committee on House Administration the following.
116TH CONGRESS
SUBMISSION OF OVERSIGHT PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR
Preparation and Submission of Oversight Plan
Each standing committee of the U.S. House of
Representatives (other than the Committee on Appropriations,
the Committee on Ethics, and the Committee on Rules) is
required to prepare and submit an oversight plan at the
beginning of each Congress. Specifically, clause 2(d)(1) of
Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives states:
(d)(1) Not later than March 1 of the first session of a
Congress, the chair of each standing committee (other than the
Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Ethics, and the
Committee on Rules) shall--
(A) prepare, in consultation with the ranking
minority member, an oversight plan for that Congress;
(B) provide a copy of that plan to each member of the
committee for at least seven calendar days before its
submission; and
(C) submit that plan (including any supplemental,
minority, additional, or dissenting views submitted by
a member of the committee) simultaneously to the
Committee on Oversight and Reform and the Committee on
House Administration.
Jurisdiction of the Committee on Education and Labor
Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives vests
in the Committee on Education and Labor (Committee)
jurisdiction over issues dealing with students, education,
workers, and labor policy. Specifically, clause 1(e) of Rule X
vests the Committee with jurisdiction over the following
subject-matter:
(1) Child labor.
(2) Gallaudet University and Howard University and
Hospital.
(3) Convict labor and the entry of goods made by
convicts into interstate commerce.
(4) Food programs for children in schools.
(5) Labor standards and statistics.
(6) Education or labor generally.
(7) Mediation and arbitration of labor disputes.
(8) Regulation or prevention of importation of
foreign laborers under contract.
(9) Workers' compensation.
(10) Vocational rehabilitation.
(11) Wages and hours of labor.
(12) Welfare of miners.
(13) Work incentive programs.
(14) Organization, administration, and general
management of the Department of Education.
(15) Organization, administration, and general
management of the Department of Labor.
General Oversight Responsibilities
Clause 2 of Rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives provides in part:
(a) The various standing committees shall have general
oversight responsibilities as provided in paragraph (b) in
order to assist the House in--
(1) its analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of--
(A) the application, administration,
execution, and effectiveness of Federal laws;
and
(B) conditions and circumstances that may
indicate the necessity or desirability of
enacting new or additional legislation; and
(2) its formulation, consideration, and enactment of
changes in Federal laws, and of such additional
legislation as may be necessary or appropriate.
(b)(1) In order to determine whether laws and programs
addressing subjects within the jurisdiction of a committee are
being implemented and carried out in accordance with the intent
of Congress and whether they should be continued, curtailed, or
eliminated, each standing committee (other than the Committee
on Appropriations) shall review and study on a continuing
basis--
(A) the application, administration, execution, and
effectiveness of laws and programs addressing subjects
within its jurisdiction;
(B) the organization and operation of Federal
agencies and entities having responsibilities for the
administration and execution of laws and programs
addressing subjects within its jurisdiction;
(C) any conditions or circumstances that may indicate
the necessity or desirability of enacting new or
additional legislation addressing subjects within its
jurisdiction (whether or not a bill or resolution has
been introduced with respect thereto); and
(D) future research and forecasting on subjects
within its jurisdiction.
(2) Each committee to which subparagraph (1) applies having
more than 20 members shall establish an oversight subcommittee,
or require its subcommittees to conduct oversight in their
respective jurisdictions, to assist in carrying out its
responsibilities under this clause. The establishment of an
oversight subcommittee does not limit the responsibility of a
subcommittee with legislative jurisdiction in carrying out its
oversight responsibilities.
Exercise of Oversight Responsibilities
The Constitution of the United States vests in Congress the
authority and responsibility to make laws and ensure that those
laws are properly enforced and enacted. Oversight is a
constitutional prerogative, an important responsibility of the
Congress, and a core objective of the Committee. Accordingly,
the Committee will thoroughly oversee and investigate the
various departments, agencies, and programs within its
jurisdiction. In so doing, the Committee will actively consult
with House committees that have concurrent or related
jurisdiction.
In its oversight proceedings, the Committee will make full
use of hearings in Washington, D.C. and of regional field
hearings to ensure all relevant voices are heard and included
as part of the official record. Among other investigative
techniques, the Committee will visit relevant sites, correspond
with affected parties, request briefings by federal agencies
and departments, review assessments and analyses by the
Congressional Research Service (CRS), and review audits and
investigations by the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
and the Offices of the Inspectors General of the U.S.
Departments of Education (ED), Labor (DOL), Health and Human
Services (HHS), Agriculture (Ag), and Justice (DOJ).
The Committee will lead aggressive oversight in its areas
of jurisdiction, which include programs and statutes
administered and enforced by ED, DOL, HHS, Ag, DOJ, and various
independent agencies as well as the organization,
administration, and general management of ED and DOL. The
Committee will work to ensure that these programs and statutes
are administered consistent with constitutional requirements of
faithful execution of laws passed by Congress and long-
established principles of federalism. Additionally, the
Committee will conduct oversight to ensure that they are
operated and executed in an effective, efficient, and
transparent manner as well as follow congressional intent in
their scope, activities, and operations.
The Committee has identified priority areas for oversight
and investigation in the 116th Congress. These areas include,
but are not limited to, the following:
Implementation of the Every Student Succeeds
Act: Since the passage of the bipartisan Every Student
Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015, there have been no
oversight hearings at which ED officials have testified
regarding ESSA's implementation. In the 116th Congress,
the Committee will conduct oversight on ESSA's
implementation.
Recommendations on School Safety: The
Committee will conduct oversight on the Federal School
Safety Commission's report as well as on ED's interest
in redirecting taxpayer money legislatively directed to
schools for mental health treatment, anti-bullying
programming, and drug prevention to the purchasing of
guns for teachers and school staff.
Education in the Wake of Natural Disasters:
The Committee will assess and conduct oversight on the
recovery and rebuilding of schools in Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands following the 2017 hurricane
season, the Northern Mariana Islands following Super
Typhoon Yutu, and other areas impacted by disasters.
Students and Workers with Disabilities: The
Committee will conduct oversight on ED's rulemaking to
impede implementation of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act's significant
disproportionality requirements that were enacted to
address disparities in the treatment of disabled
students of color. The Committee also will monitor the
activities of DOL's Office of Disability Employment
Policy (ODEP) to ensure it is fulfilling its mission to
improve educational opportunities for people with
disabilities and provide technical assistance to
employers to support people with disabilities.
Student and Taxpayer Protections: The
Committee will conduct oversight on ED's efforts to
roll back consumer protections and expose taxpayers to
greater risk of waste, fraud, and abuse of federal
funds through Higher Education Act rulemaking.
Student Aid: The Committee will conduct
oversight on the policies and priorities of the Office
of Federal Student Aid (FSA), especially as they relate
to for-profit colleges, the administration of federal
financial aid programs including the servicing of
federal student loans, the Public Student Loan
Forgiveness program, and the Experimental Sites
Initiative.
Department of Labor's Training and
Enforcement Programs: The Committee will conduct
oversight on DOL's workforce training programs and the
Department's enforcement policies and practices as they
impact our nation's workers. This includes reviewing
the policies and expenditures of apprenticeship
programs operated by DOL, including both the Registered
Apprenticeship Program and the newly developed Industry
Recognized Apprenticeship Program. The Committee will
review the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration's actions impacting health and safety
standards, the Wage and Hour Division's actions
regarding overtime pay, workers' rights to retain tips,
and child labor protections under the Fair Labor
Standards Act. The Committee will evaluate whether the
Mine Safety and Health Administration's standards and
policies are sufficient to stem rising rates of black
lung disease and changes to its enforcement policies.
Guestworker Programs: The Committee will
conduct oversight on the implementation of the
provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act that
protect the wages and working conditions of both U.S.
and foreign workers.
Collective Bargaining Rights: The Committee
will conduct oversight and investigations to ensure
that the National Labor Relations Board is fairly
enforcing the National Labor Relations Act.
Retirement Security and Multiemployer
Pensions: The Committee will continue to monitor the
impact to retirement savers from the Fifth Circuit
Court of Appeals' decision to vacate DOL's fiduciary
rule. The Committee will also continue to examine the
costs and consequences to workers, retirees,
businesses, and communities, as well as to the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation, if Congress does not
address the multiemployer pension crisis.
Opioid Prescribing Policies: The Committee
will conduct oversight on DOL's policies regarding
opioid prescribing in federal workers' compensation
programs.
Black Lung Benefits Program: The Committee
will review factors impacting the solvency of the Black
Lung Disability Trust Fund, including the December 31,
2018, sunset of the black lung excise tax.
International Labor Rights: The Committee
will investigate, where appropriate, international
labor issues, including those involving trade
agreements and labor rights abuses, and oversee the
management and operations of the International Labor
Affairs Bureau within DOL.
Affordable Care Act: The Committee will
conduct oversight on the Administration's
implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as well
as the Administration's efforts to undermine the law's
protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions.
Short-Term, Limited Duration Health Plans:
The Committee will conduct oversight to assess the
impact on workers and consumers of the Administration's
rule to expand the use of short-term health plans.
Association Health Plans: The Committee will
conduct oversight on DOL's rule to promote enrollment
in Association Health Plans (AHPs) and its impact on
consumers and the health care system.
Civil Rights: The Committee will oversee the
implementation of civil rights laws pertaining to
education, labor and employment, and health care to
ensure that such protections are sustained and robustly
enforced. Oversight shall include reviewing the
policies and priorities of ED's Office for Civil
Rights, DOL's Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Programs, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission.
Juvenile Justice: The Committee will
carefully monitor and conduct oversight on the
implementation of the bipartisan Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), which was enacted
in 2018.
Unaccompanied Minors: The Committee will
assess and conduct oversight on the provision of
education and related services to unaccompanied minors
in secure detention due to the Administration's family
separation policy.
Child Nutrition: The Committee will monitor
and conduct oversight on the Department of
Agriculture's administration of child nutrition
programs within the Committee's jurisdiction and any
proposed policies and regulations that impact these
nutrition programs.
The Committee reserves the right to review and investigate
general legislative, administrative, and regulatory issues
affecting its jurisdiction.
Signatories:
Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott.
Susan A. Davis.
Raul M. Grijalva.
Joe Courtney.
Marcia L. Fudge.
Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.
Frederica S. Wilson.
Suzanne Bonamici.
Mark Takano.
Alma S. Adams.
Mark DeSaulnier.
Donald Norcross.
Pramila Jayapal.
Joseph D. Morelle.
Susan Wild.
Josh Harder.
Lucy McBath.
Kim Schrier.
Lauren Underwood.
Jahana Hayes.
Donna E. Shalala.
Andy Levin.
Ilhan Omar.
David J. Trone.
Haley M. Stevens.
Susie Lee.
Lori Trahan.
Joaquin Castro.
MINORITY VIEWS
116TH CONGRESS
SUBMISSION OF OVERSIGHT PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR
The American people deserve an open, accountable government
that works efficiently and effectively. Congress must use its
constitutional authority to ensure that laws are properly
enforced, taxpayer money is spent wisely in accordance with
congressional intent, and government policy does not harm the
American people. Congressional oversight of federal programs
and activities is a critical part of this authority. Oversight
is a constitutional prerogative, an important responsibility of
the Congress, and a core objective of the Committee.
Accordingly, the Committee should responsibly oversee,
investigate, and hold accountable the various agencies,
departments, and programs within its jurisdiction.
Oversight may not be glamorous or exciting, but it is
important to be diligent, thoughtful, and responsible in its
implementation. It is equally important to be objective. It
would be inappropriate and a misuse of our authority to fall
prey to rumors or presume conclusions to the Committee's
investigations and inquiries before they are completed. If the
Committee's work is to be effective, then it is important for
all members to keep open minds, examine potential problems,
assess the actual facts and evidence, and finally determine if
there are concerns that need to be addressed.
Exercise of Oversight Responsibilities
Under the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee has jurisdiction over programs and statutes
administered and enforced by the U.S. Departments of Education,
Labor, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Justice, and
various independent agencies. The Committee should continue to
ensure these programs and statutes are operated in an effective
and efficient manner and administered consistent with the
appropriate federal role and following congressional intent. In
so doing, the Committee should actively consult with House
committees that have concurrent or related jurisdiction.
The Committee should pursue several particular areas for
oversight and investigation in the 116th Congress. These areas
are discussed below:
Every Student Succeeds Act. In 2015,
Congress passed, and the President signed, a
bipartisan, bicameral bill to replace No Child Left
Behind with commonsense reforms to allow states and
communities the flexibility needed to provide all
students an excellent education. The Committee should
continue to work with the Trump administration to
ensure the Every Student Succeeds Act is properly
implemented, including following the significant
changes made to the Preschool Development Grants.
Student Aid. The U.S. Department of
Education manages $1.4 trillion in outstanding federal
student loans and disburses billions in grants and
work-study funds each year. The Committee should
continue to monitor the costs and performance of these
programs.
Higher Education Regulations. Institutions
of higher education are subject to myriad federal
regulations and reporting requirements that are often
burdensome and costly. The Committee should continue
its oversight of regulatory policies and challenge
those that enlarge the federal footprint in higher
education, which tends to interfere with academic
freedom, infringe on the authorities of the states,
limit student choice, and unfairly target particular
sectors of higher education.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. In
2014, Congress passed, and the President signed, a
bipartisan, bicameral bill to fix the nation's broken
workforce development system. The Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act was focused on helping workers
attain skills for 21st century jobs, providing greater
accountability to taxpayers, and helping to put
Americans back to work. The Committee should continue
to work with the administration to ensure the law is
properly implemented.
Affordable Care Act. The Committee should
continue oversight of the Affordable Care Act and
related health care issues. In particular, the
Committee will focus on how the ACA regulations and
sub-regulatory guidance have harmed employers' ability
to provide high quality, affordable health care to
employees, including educators and school-staff, and
what the Trump Administration has done to provide
relief from these costly and burdensome requirements.
Employer and Employee Protections. The
Committee should conduct oversight and investigations,
as appropriate, to ensure employee and employer rights
under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) are
protected and applied consistently and without bias.
The Committee should work to ensure the National Labor
Relations Board properly fulfills its responsibilities,
giving particular scrutiny to the Board's anticipated
changes to the joint-employer standard, union election
rules, unit determinations, and employees' right to
decertify unions under the NLRA.
Retirement Security. The retirement system
works best when workers have access to voluntary,
robust, portable, and secure savings options. The
Committee should monitor the U.S. Department of Labor's
activities to ensure regulations and sub-regulatory
guidance benefit the long-term retirement security of
working families and do not restrict access to
affordable retirement advice.
Multiemployer Pensions. Extreme and
continuing underfunding in multiemployer defined
benefit pension plans threaten the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation's (PBGC) solvency as well as
benefits promised to workers and retirees who
participate in these plans. To prevent further
deterioration of the plans' funding and to protect the
security of worker and retiree benefits, the Committee
should explore meaningful and responsible structural
reforms, consistent with the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 that ensure the future stability
of multiemployer pension plans. The Committee should
continue to monitor the implementation of the
Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014 and the
activities of the PBGC to develop needed bipartisan
reforms that will protect both taxpayers and workers
while encouraging employer participation.
Regulatory Process. An open and transparent
process for revising and implementing regulations will
benefit students, institutions, employers, and workers
alike. The Committee should work to ensure that
stakeholders have sufficient time to review and provide
public comment on regulatory actions within the
Committee's jurisdiction.
Wage and Hour Laws. Various federal labor
laws were enacted during the past century for a very
different workforce from the one that exists today. The
Committee should continue to examine how these laws
affect economic growth and job creation. In addition,
the Committee should continue to encourage the agencies
in its jurisdiction, especially the U.S. Department of
Labor, to focus on compliance assistance to help
employers understand and follow federal labor laws.
Government Spending. The Committee should
closely monitor all agencies under its jurisdiction to
determine whether the expenditure of taxpayers' money
is leading to efficient, high-quality outcomes for
students and workers.
Union Transparency. Workers who have chosen
to be represented by unions want to be sure their dues
are being properly managed. The Committee should
examine the efficacy of current union reporting
requirements and work to ensure that employees have
access to information that clearly shows how their dues
are being spent. In particular, the Committee should
conduct oversight to ensure federal labor laws are
properly applied to worker centers.
Executive Action. The Obama administration
took a number of executive actions that encroach on the
constitutional authority of Congress to write the law.
The Committee should continue to monitor and analyze
those actions and work with the current administration
to reign in those efforts and check executive
authority. It should also be prepared to resist any
executive actions in this administration that could
encroach on the constitutional authority of Congress.
Along with the oversight objectives already outlined, the
Committee should examine the programs within its jurisdiction
whose authorizations have expired or will soon expire. Based
upon the results of that oversight, the Committee should
determine the appropriate next steps.
Conclusion
Committee Republicans believe responsible, fact-driven
oversight of the agencies over which this Committee has
jurisdiction is vitally important. The Committee must ensure
that agencies are being good stewards of hard-working taxpayer
dollars and are implementing the laws Congress passed with
fidelity. Committee Republicans looks forward to pursuing
oversight opportunities that meet those goals and look forward
to working with our Democrat colleagues in this endeavor.
Signatories:
Virginia Foxx.
Phil Roe.
Glenn Thompson.
Tim Walberg.
Brett Guthrie.
Bradley Byrne.
Glenn Grothman.
Elise Stefanik.
Rick Allen.
Francis Rooney.
Lloyd Smucker.
Jim Banks.
Mark Walker.
James Comer.
Ben Cline.
Russ Fulcher.
Steven Watkins.
Ron Wright.
Daniel Meuser.
William Timmons.
Dusty Johnson.
COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE
OVERSIGHT PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 116TH CONGRESS
THE HONORABLE FRANK PALLONE, JR., CHAIRMAN
Rule X, clause 2(d) of the Rules of the House requires each
standing Committee to develop an oversight plan for the two-
year period of the Congress and to submit the plan to the
Committee on Oversight and Reform and to the Committee on House
Administration not later than March 1 of the first session of
the Congress.
This is the oversight plan of the Committee on Energy and
Commerce for the 116th Congress. It includes areas where the
Committee expects to conduct oversight during the 116th
Congress, subject to staff and resource limitations, but does
not preclude oversight or investigation of additional matters.
The Committee will continue to consult with other committees
that have jurisdiction over the same or related laws, programs,
or agencies with the objective of ensuring maximum coordination
and cooperation. Specifically, the Committee will continue to
work with other committees to facilitate expiring programs,
coordinate with the Congressional Budget Office regarding
lapsed authorizations and upcoming expirations, and hold member
and staff-level meetings with relevant committees and House and
Senate conferences.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Climate Change
Climate change affects every region across the country and
inflicts large costs on the U.S. economy each year. States,
cities, tribes, and communities across America are taking steps
to mitigate and prepare for the impacts of climate change. The
Committee intends to examine the economic, environmental, and
health effects of climate change, including disproportionate
impacts on low income communities and other vulnerable
populations. The Committee will also identify opportunities for
federal action to reduce negative impacts, create new
businesses and jobs, and make all communities safer and more
resilient to changes already underway. The Committee will also
review actions needed to meet our obligations under the Paris
Climate Agreement and examine the climate impacts of regulatory
efforts and programs by the Department of Energy (DOE), the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) and other agencies within the
Committee's jurisdiction. The Committee expects to examine
governmental and nongovernmental activities and policies to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Committee also anticipates
assessing state funding programs and other efforts by agencies
within the Committee's jurisdiction to ensure states and local
communities have the resources needed to prepare for and
respond to severe weather events and natural disasters.
Clean Air Act
The Committee expects to review significant rulemakings and
program implementation under the Clean Air Act and associated
public health and environmental benefits. Review will also
include oversight of EPA decisions, management strategies, and
other actions affecting efforts to meet Clean Air Act
standards, including EPA actions that affect state efforts to
meet public health goals. In addition, the Committee will
examine the current role of and proposed changes to the
accounting of cost, benefits, and feasibility in Clean Air Act
rulemakings. The Committee will also continue to conduct
oversight of EPA's implementation of the Renewable Fuel
Standard.
Environmental Contamination and Cleanup
The Committee will conduct oversight of EPA's
implementation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response
Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA), including the
development and implementation of the recommendations from the
Superfund Task Force. The Committee will also oversee
implementation of recent updates to the Brownfields program.
The Committee anticipates investigating the impacts of climate
change and extreme weather on exposure from contaminated sites
and cleanup costs. The Committee will also examine EPA's
decision not to finalize financial responsibility requirements
under CERCLA Section 108(b) and the impacts of that decision on
cleanups and taxpayers.
Hazardous and Solid Waste
The Committee will examine state and federal implementation
of legislation governing disposal of coal ash, including the
EPA's response to recent court decisions finding federal
regulations insufficient and state response to recent extreme
weather events that led to coal ash releases.
Regulation of Dangerous Chemical Substances
The Committee will conduct oversight of EPA's
implementation of the reformed Toxic Substances Control Act as
the Agency moves forward with the first risk evaluations and
risk management rules under the new law. This oversight will
look at decisions being made by EPA to exclude certain uses,
exposures, vulnerable populations, and scientific studies from
their review. The Committee will examine the impacts these
decisions are having on the most vulnerable and
disproportionately impacted, including workers, infants and
children, and hot spot communities. The Committee will also
examine risk management activities and decisions related to
pesticides and other non-TSCA regulated chemicals and actions
of other agencies in the Committee's jurisdiction charged with
addressing these issues, including DOE and the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry.
Drinking Water Risks and Safety
The Committee will examine drinking water risks, including
risks from lead service lines and emerging contaminants. The
Committee will conduct oversight of state and federal
implementation of drinking water standards, and EPA's process
for adopting new drinking water standards. In addition, the
Committee will continue to review the impact on communities of
regulatory ambiguity under the Safe Drinking Water Act
regarding hydraulic fracturing, as well as government
activities in hydraulic fracturing research and regulation.
EPA Management and Operations
The Committee will conduct general oversight of EPA. This
will include review of agency funding decisions, resource
allocations, office and program reorganization, grants,
research activities, contracts awarded to outside parties,
enforcement activities. The Committee will also conduct general
oversight of EPA relations with state and local governments,
public transparency, and adherence to economic, procedural,
public health, and environmental standards in regulatory
actions. The Committee intends to examine how staff reductions
and cuts to the EPA budget would impact the agency's programs
and effectiveness in protecting human health and the
environment.
National Energy Policy
The Committee will examine policies that relate to energy
efficiency and conservation, and the exploration, production,
distribution, and consumption of electricity, oil and natural
gas, coal, hydroelectric power, nuclear power, and renewable
energy. The Committee will inquire into the impact of
government policies and programs on the exploration,
production, storage, supply, marketing, pricing, and regulation
of domestic energy resources, including issues relating to the
nation's energy infrastructure. The Committee will also
continue to examine safety, security, public health and climate
issues relating to energy exploration, production, and
distribution.
Electricity and Natural Gas Markets and Regulation
The Committee will review the federal electricity and
natural gas policies of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) and DOE related to competitive markets for
compliance with relevant statutes. The Committee will also
examine the activities of the FERC and DOE relating to
protection of consumers and the environment with regard to
electricity, natural gas and hydroelectric power, including the
development of efficient and vigorous wholesale markets for
electricity. Additionally, the Committee will closely examine
actions regarding pipeline safety by the Department of
Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration as well as actions regarding pipeline security
by the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation
Security Administration.
Energy and Fuel Efficiency Mandates
The Committee will continue to oversee federal programs
setting energy efficiency standards for home appliances crafted
by DOE, to ensure that the programs maximize the benefit to
consumers. The Committee will also examine greenhouse gas and
fuel economy standards for motor vehicles developed by EPA and
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
respectively.
Management of the Department of Energy and its National Laboratories
The Committee will continue to oversee governance,
management, and operations issues at DOE, including the
National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the
National Laboratories. This will include a continued focus on
DOE's management of the contractors that operate the national
laboratories. The Committee's oversight work will also include
review of the implementation of security and safety reforms at
NNSA and DOE facilities, ongoing safety and security matters,
and the Office of Environmental Management's cleanup program,
as well as the work of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety
Board. This work will also include the Committee's oversight
functions over DOE grant and loan guarantee programs as well as
programs and activities relating to nonmilitary energy research
and development.
Nuclear Waste
The Committee will continue to review the actions of DOE
and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding
obligations of these agencies under the Nuclear Waste Policy
Act. The Committee will also examine other nuclear waste
cleanup and disposal programs under its jurisdiction.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The Committee will continue to examine the programs and
activities of NRC. The Committee will review NRC's budget
requests and conduct oversight of the manner in which the
Commission discharges its various responsibilities, including
the Commission's regulatory actions, licensing activity, the
safety and security of nuclear power facilities, and nuclear
materials licensees.
HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE ISSUES
The Affordable Care Act
The Committee will continue to examine issues related to
the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS)
implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including
attempts to administratively and illegally undermine the ACA
and the Administration's refusal to defend the
constitutionality of the law. This oversight will also examine
the effect that Administration decisions have had on access to
comprehensive, affordable health care.
HHS Management and Operations
The Committee will conduct general oversight of HHS and its
agencies to ensure it is fulfilling its mission to enhance and
protect the health of all Americans.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The Committee will review the management, operations, and
activities of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) and the programs it administers. The Committee will study
the positive economic effect of Medicaid expansion and impact
of Medicaid expansion on access to care, and review insurance
coverage rates for children and state outreach efforts to
enroll uninsured children. The Committee will examine attempts
to administratively and illegally undermine the Medicaid
program, which provides critical services to over 70 million
individuals. The Committee will also examine the increasing
out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors under the Medicare program
and the positive effects of giving the Secretary of HHS the
authority to negotiate drug prices.
Food and Drug Administration and Product Safety
The Committee will review the management, operations, and
activities of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including
the ability of the agency to ensure the safety of the nation's
food, drugs, devices, and cosmetics. The Committee will examine
FDA's statutory authorities for protecting the nation's food
supply with a view towards identifying any gaps and whether
FDA's financial and personnel resources are adequate to protect
the public from unsafe food. The Committee will also
investigate FDA's enforcement of current drug supply chain and
safety laws and its foreign drug inspection program. The
Committee will also review the FDA's efforts to combat youth
access to tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems
products, as well as the agency's enforcement and
implementation of the Tobacco Control Act. The Committee will
also review FDA's efforts to improve and modernize the
regulatory framework for medical devices and the impact for
medical device safety. Further, the Committee will review the
safety of cosmetics and personal care products in light of the
substantial increase in cosmetic imports, one of FDA's larger
categories of imports.
Public Health and Pandemic Preparedness
The Committee will examine the roles of various federal
agencies responsible for protecting the public health,
including program management and implementation. Specifically,
the Committee will continue to conduct oversight of federal
efforts on pandemic preparedness, including influenza
preparedness, as well as the United States' response to
emerging foreign infectious disease threats. The Committee will
also continue its review of efforts to combat the opioid
epidemic, including state and federal responses, and the roles
of participants in the health care delivery chain.
Additionally, the Committee will also study the role our
federal public health agencies play and the actions such
agencies can take to reduce health disparities among racial and
ethnic minorities, and to address the health impacts caused by
gun violence in our communities. Further, the Committee will
also continue to monitor implementation of mental health
reforms and the work done by the Assistant Secretary for Mental
Health and Substance Use, as well as issues related to the
health and safety of athletes, including youth athletes.
Health Care Affordability
The Committee will examine the Administration's actions and
policies related to the rising costs of health care and
prescriptions drugs. This will include examining the role FDA
and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) play in the
discovery, development, and delivery of innovative medications.
The Committee will also investigate the impacts higher health
care costs, including rising out-of-pocket costs and surprising
billing, are having on American families, including seniors,
and what actions may be taken to improve affordability within
our health care system. The Committee will also continue to
review policies proposed by the Administration to lower the
costs of prescription drug prices and will investigate how
actions taken by brand name and generic drug manufacturers have
impacted such costs, including abuses and gaming of current
regulatory requirements. Further, the Committee will study the
role rebates play in the costs of prescription drugs and to our
federal health care system and study how changes to rebates may
impact such costs.
Reunification of Unaccompanied Children
The Committee will conduct oversight of HHS efforts to
reunify and provide appropriate care to unaccompanied children.
The Committee will also review HHS's role in significant
policies that affect the placement and coordination of
unaccompanied children. Review will also include HHS-contracted
facilities' compliance with federal laws and regulations, and
HHS's oversight thereof.
Indian Health Service
The Committee expects to investigate the quality and
adequacy of health care prevention and treatment services
provided by the Indian Health Service. The Committee will also
review current implementation of the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act and how this law and the care provided by the
Indian Health Service is working for American Indians and
Alaska Natives in order to inform the Committee on ways to
improve care for those who rely on these services.
COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUES
Federal Communications Commission Management and Operations
The Committee will continue to conduct oversight of the
operations, management, and activities of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), including the effect of its
decisions on protecting consumers, promoting privacy and data
security, increasing the availability of broadband,
technologies and services, increasing competition, and ensuring
adequate emergency communications capability. Additionally, the
Committee will evaluate the effect of FCC actions on network
resiliency and public safety, as well as data, video, voice,
and audio services.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration Management
and Operations
The Committee will continue to conduct oversight of the
operations, management, and activities of the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) within
the Department of Commerce, including its efforts to promote
cybersecurity, supply chain security, consumer privacy, and the
responsible use of emergency consumer communications
technologies. Additionally, the Committee will evaluate the
work of the NTIA in representing the interests of the United
States in international meetings and negotiations relating to
telecommunications and internet governance.
Broadband Internet Deployment, Affordability Adoption, and Openness
The Committee will conduct oversight of funding mechanisms
for broadband deployment and adoption, including the Universal
Service Fund and whether such programs adequately and
efficiently promote broadband deployment and adoption for
consumers. The Committee will also oversee the effect
deregulation has had on the availability, affordability, and
adoption of broadband. The Committee will exercise its
jurisdiction to oversee the process--and the effects on
consumers, small business, and free speech--associated with the
repeal of net neutrality. The Committee will exercise its
jurisdiction over broadband to ensure continued growth and
investment in the internet. The Committee will also continue to
exercise its jurisdiction over wireless and wired
communications to ensure our nation's policies governing voice,
video, audio, and data services are promoting investment,
innovation, access, affordability, and job creation.
Public Safety Communications
The Committee will continue to examine the progress being
made to ensure that first responders have interoperable
communications capabilities with local, state, and federal
public safety officials, including through the efforts of the
Emergency Communications Division within the Department of
Homeland Security. The Committee will also examine the progress
being made by the First Responder Network Authority in carrying
out the mandates of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Creation Act of 2012. In addition, the Committee will conduct
oversight regarding the implementation of legacy 911 and Next
Generation 911 (NG911) services. The Committee will review
efforts to promote deployment of these advanced systems and
challenges to realizing ubiquitous NG911.
Spectrum Management
The Committee will continue to oversee the Federal
Communications Commission's and the National Telecommunications
and Information Administration's (NTIA) management and
allocation of the nation's spectrum for government and
commercial use to ensure efficient use of public airwaves for
consumers. The Committee will further examine whether plans for
allocating spectrum encourage competition, benefit consumers,
and are in the public interest. The Committee will oversee FCC
and NTIA implementation of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Creation Act of 2012, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 and the
RAY BAUM's Act.
CONSUMER PROTECTION AND COMMERCE ISSUES
Privacy and Security
The Committee will examine issues relating to the privacy
and security of methods, information, and data collected by
businesses about consumers and the potential for improving
protection and benefiting consumers. The Committee will also
continue to investigate whether all companies that collect
consumer data are implementing data security and privacy
standards that ensure consumers' personal information is not
stolen or misused.
Consumer Product Safety Commission Management and Operations and
Consumer Protection
The Committee will continue to review the Consumer Product
Safety Commission's overall operations, including the
effectiveness of its rulemaking, its enforcement activities,
engagement in standard-setting activities, and the
modernization of its staff and infrastructure. The Committee
will also exercise its jurisdiction to improve the safety of
products purchased and used by consumers to prevent injuries
and deaths.
NHTSA Management and Operations and Motor Vehicle Safety
The Committee will continue oversight of the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), including the
effectiveness of the agency's regulations, investigations,
structure, research activities, and enforcement actions
pertaining to motor vehicle safety. The Committee will examine
NHTSA's ability to effectively oversee advancing safety
technologies including semi-autonomous and autonomous
technologies. The Committee will also examine whether NHTSA
effectively monitors and investigates safety issues, and
whether it effectively manages recalls. The Committee will also
work to improve motor vehicle safety to protect drivers,
passengers, and all others who share the roadways.
Federal Trade Commission Management and Operations and Consumer
Protection
The Committee will review the management, authorities,
operations, rulemaking, and enforcement actions of the Federal
Trade Commission. The Committee will review consumer protection
activities related to privacy, data security, and false and
deceptive advertising.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Management and Operations
The Committee will review the management, operations,
rulemaking, and enforcement actions of the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau, and whether the Bureau is achieving its
consumer protection mission.
Department of Commerce Management and Operations and Manufacturing and
Trade
The Committee will conduct oversight of the Commerce
Department and its efforts to promote manufacturing and
exports. The Committee will monitor and examine interstate
commerce as well as bilateral agreements and multilateral trade
agreements as those agreements relate to services, commodities,
and industries within the Committee's jurisdiction, including
energy, telecommunications, consumer products, electronic
commerce, food, and drugs. The Committee will examine whether
these agreements adequately protect the interests of domestic
and foreign workers, the environment, and consumers. The
Committee will also explore the state of manufacturing in the
United States to identify factors that are hampering or
furthering U.S. competitiveness and factors that benefit or
hurt American workers.
MISCELLANEOUS
Cybersecurity
The Committee will continue to examine the protection of
information and technology vital to our national and economic
security by examining vulnerabilities and paths to defend
against future attacks. The Committee will conduct oversight of
actions and programs of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology as well as efforts of relevant agencies to implement
the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Additionally, the Committee
will review the efforts of agencies within its jurisdiction to
secure their networks. The Committee will also examine
initiatives to improve cybersecurity both in the private and
public sectors, and review efforts at agencies within the
Committee's jurisdiction to regulate cybersecurity.
Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response
The Committee will continue to monitor the roles of HHS
agencies in assisting the nation's capability, detection, and
response to possible biological attacks. The Committee will
also evaluate the potential impact and preparedness of the
nation's public health system. The Committee will continue to
review the extent of the coordination between HHS and the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), especially as it relates
to Project Bioshield, and implementation of the Public Health
Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002
by HHS.
Federal Oversight of High-Containment Bio Laboratories
The Committee will conduct oversight of issues related to
high-containment bio laboratories, which handle some of the
most dangerous and exotic diseases, including anthrax,
smallpox, Ebola virus, and foot and mouth disease. Among the
issues under review will be the adequacy of the security and
practices of high-containment bio laboratories and federal
efforts to oversee the laboratories, and whether some of these
efforts are overlapping and duplicative.
Safety and Security for Chemical Facilities
The Committee will conduct oversight of mandates across
agencies to ensure the safety and security of chemical
facilities, including implementation of DHS's Chemical
Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards Program and EPA's Risk
Management Planning program. The Committee will also examine
threats to these facilities from climate change and extreme
weather.
Scientific and Risk Assessment Programs
The Committee will review programs to assess the
objectives, transparency, and integrity of scientific
assessments that inform regulatory and public health policies.
The Committee will examine issues relating to the numerous
Federal science programs assessing public health risks,
including the Integrated Risk Information System at the EPA,
the Report on Carcinogens produced by the National Toxicology
Program at HHS, and assessments proposed or ongoing in other
Federal departments and agencies.
Waste, Fraud and Abuse
The Committee will conduct oversight of departments and
agencies under its jurisdiction to ensure adequate and prompt
implementation of recommendations from the Government
Accountability Office, Offices of Inspectors General, and other
sources to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.
Critical Infrastructure
The Committee will examine DHS's activities with respect to
identifying high-priority assets and implementing plans to
protect these assets in areas within the Committee's
jurisdiction. The Committee will also examine the activities of
DOE, FERC, and other Federal agencies related the physical and
cybersecurity of the nation's energy infrastructure, including
DOE's authorities and responsibilities as the sector-specific
agency for energy security. The Committee will also conduct
oversight of HHS and EPA's responsibilities and authorities as
sector-specific agencies for activities related to the nation's
critical infrastructure for communications, chemicals,
emergency services, and others within the Committee's
jurisdiction. Additionally, the Committee will examine the
roles and responsibilities of other relevant agencies such as
the FCC as well as the private sector.
Nuclear Smuggling
The Committee will continue to monitor private sector and
Federal government efforts at seaports, border crossings, and
mail facilities. The Committee's review will examine and assess
DOE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection efforts, including
international efforts, aimed at detecting and preventing the
smuggling of dangerous commerce, particularly radiological and
nuclear weapons of mass destruction.
Online Platform And Consumer Protection
The Committee will examine the effect of online platform
practices on the public good, free speech, and democratic
principles. In particular, the Committee will review the effect
on consumers of certain content moderation techniques and the
potential for algorithmic bias and discrimination. The
Committee will also review the extent to which competition
exists among online platforms, and how consolidation affects
consumers.
Diversity and Inclusion in Federally-Funded Entities and Activities
The Committee will provide oversight over all agencies
under its jurisdiction to promote policies of diversity and
inclusion in order to ensure that these federally-funded
agencies are representative of the nation as a whole and are
working to support the interests of all communities and all
segments of the overall population.
COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES
OVERSIGHT PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR THE 116TH
CONGRESS
Pursuant to clause 2(d)(1) of rule X of the House of
Representatives, the following constitutes the oversight plan
of the Committee on Financial Services for the 116th Congress.
It includes areas in which the Committee and its subcommittees
expect to conduct oversight during the 116th Congress; it does
not preclude oversight or investigation of additional matters
or programs as they arise. The Committee will consult, as
appropriate, with other Committees of the House that may share
jurisdiction on any of the subjects listed below.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Committee will monitor
the budget requests submitted by HUD and USDA for programs
under the Committee's jurisdiction, including careful
consideration of any legislative recommendations included in
those requests, and will review HUD's and the Rural Housing
Service's (RHS) general codes of conduct and other policies.
Homelessness. The Committee will examine the current state
of homelessness in the United States of America and the federal
response to ending homelessness, including oversight of the
Continuum of Care (CoC) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
programs under the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), the HUD Veteran Affairs Supported Housing program (HUD-
VASH), as well as efforts by the U.S. Interagency Council on
Homelessness (USICH) to coordinate various federal agencies
towards the national goals to end homelessness. The Committee
will review the causes and possible solutions to address
homelessness, including in parts of the country where
homelessness has reached crisis levels. The Committee will also
consider ways to better serve those who are at risk of
homelessness.
Rental Housing Crisis. The Committee will examine the
current rental housing crisis that is burdening families across
the country with unaffordable rents. The Committee will examine
the role of existing federal housing programs in addressing the
rental housing crisis, including public housing, Section 8
Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs), Section 8 project-based rental
assistance (PBRA), the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the
Elderly program, the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons
with Disabilities program, the HOME Investment Partnerships
program (HOME), the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
program, and the Housing Trust Fund (HTF). As part of its
review, the Committee will examine the conduct of landlords
participating in these programs as well as investigate HUD's
oversight of landlord participants to ensure rules and
regulations are being followed. The Committee will also review
the limitations of existing programs at current funding levels.
The Committee will consider solutions to address the rental
housing crisis, including proposals to enhance preservation of
affordable rental housing, increase the affordable rental
housing stock, and ensure that affordable rental housing is
accessible for persons who are elderly and/or disabled. The
Committee will monitor HUD's implementation and oversight of
the Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration programs and the effects
of such programs on tenants.
Public Housing. The Committee will examine the rising
maintenance and capital needs of the aging public housing stock
and the limitations of current federal funding levels to
address these needs. As part of its examination, the Committee
will investigate the presence of lead, mold, and other health
hazards in the nation's public housing system and seek ways to
ensure capital repairs are made in order to improve the health
and well-being of residents. The Committee will review the role
of public housing as part of a federal strategy to address
affordable housing needs and will monitor HUD's use of the
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and the demolition and
disposition processes as they affect public housing and its
residents.
Rural Housing. The Committee will examine the affordable
housing needs in rural communities and whether there are
limitations in meeting those needs by existing programs because
of current funding levels. In particular, the Committee will
examine the aging stock of properties with Section 515 Rural
Rental Housing Loans and 516 Farm Labor Housing Loans, and the
adequacy of the USDA's efforts for preserving these properties
and preventing tenant displacement. The Committee will consider
legislation to help preserve these properties and prevent the
displacement of tenants. The Committee will also monitor USDA's
management of the Section 521 Rental Assistance (RA) program,
the Rural Development Voucher program, the Section 502 Direct
and Guaranteed Loan programs the Multifamily Housing
Preservation and Revitalization Demonstration Loans and Grants,
and the Section 523 Mutual Self-Help grant program.
Community Development. The Committee will consider
opportunities to better leverage and coordinate housing
development with neighborhood resources such as transportation
and community centers through programs like the Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Disaster Recovery, Resilience, and Sustainable Development.
The Committee will conduct oversight of the Community
Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program and
ongoing efforts to provide relief for disaster-stricken areas,
with an emphasis on the timeliness of Federal Register notice
publications, Action Plan reviews, any administrative delays in
the disbursement process, and the monitoring of State and
Territory funds received in connection with the 2017 and 2018
natural disasters. The Committee will review proposals to
enhance our nation's ability to withstand future disasters in
the face of climate change, which is contributing to increasing
frequency and magnitude of natural disasters. The Committee
will also examine proposals to transition to more efficient and
sustainable homes.
Fair Housing. The Committee will conduct oversight of fair
housing enforcement under HUD, including reviewing the
integrity of investigations being carried out by the Office of
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO). The Committee will
also monitor HUD's ongoing rulemaking processes on the
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) mandate and the
disparate impact standard under the Fair Housing Act.
Native American and Native Hawaiian Housing. The Committee
will conduct oversight of programs under the Native American
Housing and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) and
consider proposals for reauthorization of those programs. The
Committee will also monitor HUD's administration of the recent
appropriation of an additional $100 million for the Native
American Housing Block Grants program, which will be allocated
through a competitive grant process.
Housing Finance and Access to Homeownership. The Committee
will examine the health of our housing finance system and the
extent to which it is serving all creditworthy borrowers,
especially among low and moderate income (LMI), minority,
rural, and other underserved borrowers. The Committee will
consider proposals to reform the housing finance system.
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs). The
Committee will monitor the operations, activities and
initiatives of the FHFA, and review its general code of conduct
and other agency policies. The Committee will monitor Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac's activities under conservatorship,
including their recent pilot programs exploring front-end
credit risk sharing and recent policy changes allowing for
waivers of appraisal requirements. The Committee will also
review the FHFA's proposed rule related to capital held by
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Committee will monitor the
capital requirements and financial stability of the FHLB
system, as well as the FHLB system's ability to fulfill its
housing and community economic development mission and provide
liquidity to member banks in a safe and sound manner.
Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). The
Committee will examine Ginnie Mae to ensure that the agency has
the necessary resources, procedures, and oversight to manage
its portfolio, including Ginnie Mae's response to its growing
exposure to nonbank risks.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The Committee will
examine FHA to ensure that it has the necessary resources,
procedures, and oversight to manage its portfolio, including
ongoing challenges due to an aging technological
infrastructure. The Committee will also review the FHA's
premium rates.
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). The Committee will
examine the role that private mortgage insurance plays in the
housing finance system in providing access to homeownership and
consider the effects of capital requirements placed on PMI
companies by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Mortgage Servicing. The Committee will examine the adequacy
of existing regulatory requirements and oversight of the
servicing industry, including the adequacy of the federal
response to the growing share of nonbank servicers. The
Committee will consider whether FHFA needs additional authority
to establish prudential management and operations standards for
its servicers. The Committee will also consider legislative
solutions to enhance FHA's oversight and enforcement of its
loss mitigation requirements and to address policies that may
cause unnecessary foreclosures on seniors with reverse
mortgages and on those who have been affected by natural
disasters.
INSURANCE
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The Committee will
examine the role of the NFIP in providing affordable insurance
to homeowners, renters, and businesses, investing in
mitigation, and providing maps to aid communities in their
flood plain management efforts. The Committee will examine
proposals to reauthorize and reform the NFIP to enhance
affordability, mapping, and mitigation, and to improve the
efficiency and transparency associated with the processing of
claims submitted by policyholders. The NFIP is set to expire on
May 31, 2019.
Federal Insurance Office (FIO). The Committee will conduct
oversight of FIO's work on domestic and international insurance
policy, including the extent to which traditionally underserved
communities and consumers have access to affordable insurance
products.
Terrorism Risk Insurance Program. The Committee will
examine proposals to reauthorize and reform the Terrorism Risk
Insurance Act, which is set to expire on December 31, 2020.
Insurance Sector Supervision. The Committee will monitor
the insurance sector generally, which may include examining the
role of capital requirements in the insurance sector, including
state, federal, and international efforts to revise capital
requirements for insurance companies, the application of
federal capital requirements for insurance companies that own
depository institutions, the role of state guaranty funds,
issues related to consumer protection and discrimination in the
insurance sector, and issues or gaps in the regulation of
insurers that could contribute to a systemic crisis in the
insurance industry or the U.S. financial system. The Committee
will also review implementation of the Military Personnel
Financial Services Protection Act, which was enacted in
response to abuses in the marketing and sale of securities and
life insurance products to servicemembers.
International Insurance Developments. The Committee will
monitor developments related to international regulatory
standards for insurance companies, including actions taken by
the Financial Stability Board, the International Association of
Insurance Supervisors, and the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development. The Committee will also monitor
any developments related to covered agreements made pursuant to
the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act).
Cyber Insurance. The Committee may examine developments
related to the market for cyber insurance and the insurance
industry's susceptibility to cybersecurity risks.
Auto Insurance. The Committee may review the state of the
automobile insurance market in America with a particular focus
on issues of access and affordability for lower- and middle-
income Americans, minorities, and traditionally underserved
communities.
CONSUMER PROTECTION AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Government Shutdown. The Committee will examine the effect
of the longest shutdown of the Federal government in U.S.
history that commenced on December 22, 2018. This will include
considering the effect the shutdown has on the financial system
and the U.S. economy, as well as assessing the effect on
consumers--including Federal government employees, contractors,
and other individuals and any adverse consequences they may
face through no fault of their own.
Protecting Consumers. The Committee will monitor the
current state of consumer financial protection by assessing the
adequacy of protections for all consumers. The Committee will
examine any unique challenges experienced in, and faced by,
traditionally underserved communities and populations to obtain
mainstream consumer financial products and services, including
the root causes for credit deserts in rural and urban
communities that have resulted in millions of unbanked and
underbanked consumers. The Committee will consider methods to
improve the financial well-being of other vulnerable consumers
such as older Americans, active-duty servicemembers, veterans,
students, young adults, racial and ethnic minorities, and
immigrants.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Committee will
closely examine the exercise of the regulatory, supervisory,
and enforcement power of the Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau (Consumer Bureau). The Committee will conduct oversight
to ensure that the Consumer Bureau is fully complying with both
the spirit and letter of its purpose, objectives, and mission
articulated under Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act to combat
unfair, deceptive, abusive acts and practices in the offering
and provision of consumer financial products. This oversight
will evaluate, among other things, the allocation of resources
and use of tools by the Consumer Bureau, its collaboration with
other Federal and state agencies, and Tribal governments, the
transparency and effectiveness of its consumer complaint
database, and its code of conduct and other agency policies.
The Committee will monitor to what extent the Consumer Bureau
promptly addresses any unfair, deceptive and abusive acts and
practices in the financial consumer marketplace, including as
it relates to: mortgage lending, auto lending, including
indirect auto lending, forced arbitration, and other financial
services, products and practices.
Student Debt Crisis. The Committee will examine the
financial and economic implications of the growing student debt
crisis, including how a borrower's inability to repay student
debt can serve as a barrier to homeownership, entrepreneurship,
and other economic activities. The Committee will monitor the
effectiveness of student borrower protections, including as it
relates to student loan servicing standards.
Consumer Protections for Military Servicemembers. The
Committee will examine the adequacy, supervision, and
enforcement of all consumer financial protections, including
those provided through the Military Lending Act (MLA) and the
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), afforded to active-duty
servicemembers and their families.
High Cost Short-Term Credit and Debt Collection. The
Committee will review the effectiveness and extent to which
consumer protections are implemented and enforced with respect
to payday lending, other forms of short-term credit, and debt
collection. The Committee will also review the use of overdraft
services, and its impact on consumers.
Mandatory Arbitration. The Committee will monitor the use
and effect of mandatory pre-dispute arbitration agreements, and
similar provisions, that limit consumers' ability to
participate in a class action case against financial
institutions when they've been harmed.
Fair Access to Affordable Consumer Financial Products and
Services. The Committee will consider ways to expand access to
mainstream financial services among traditionally underserved
segments of the U.S. population. The Committee will evaluate
proposals to update certain Federal consumer financial laws to
ensure that they are meeting the evolving financial needs of
consumers.
Discrimination in Lending. The Committee will examine the
effectiveness of regulators' fair lending oversight and
enforcement efforts to ensure that the Federal government does
not tolerate discrimination. The Committee will also examine
the quantity and quality of data, including that provided under
the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), to ensure
discriminatory practices can be identified and addressed.
Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The Committee will
monitor any legislative and regulatory proposals to reform the
Community Reinvestment Act of 1977.
Department of the Treasury, Financial Stability Oversight
Council (FSOC) and Office of Financial Research (OFR). The
Committee will review the operations and resources of the
Department of the Treasury, as well as its code of conduct and
other policies. The Committee will monitor financial stability
and systemic risk issues, including all matters relating to the
operations, activities, and initiatives of the FSOC and OFR to
identify and mitigate threats to financial stability in the
United States. This will also include a review of shifts in the
mortgage market, including the subprime market, from bank
financing to non-bank financing.
Supervision and Enforcement of Financial Institutions. The
Committee will review the operations, activities, initiatives,
codes of conduct and other agency policies of the Federal
Reserve Board of Governors, the Office of the Comptroller of
the Currency (OCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC), and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). This
work will include examining financial regulators' supervision
of the banking, thrift and credit union industries for safety
and soundness and compliance with laws and regulations. The
Committee will also monitor their enforcement activities,
including ensuring the compliance of regulated institutions
with existing consent orders, settlement agreements, deferred
prosecution agreements, or similar arrangements. The Committee
will also evaluate the supervision of nonbank financial
companies by the Consumer Bureau.
Enhanced Prudential Standards for Large Banks. The
Committee will monitor how enhanced prudential standards are
being applied to the largest banks operating in the United
States, including foreign-based institutions. This will include
oversight of the adequacy of capital, liquidity, leverage and
stress testing requirements.
Orderly Liquidation Authority and Living Wills. The
Committee will oversee efforts to promote the orderly
resolution of any large financial institution operating in the
United States that fails, including through Dodd-Frank Act's
living wills requirements and the Orderly Liquidity Authority.
Banking Activities and the Volcker Rule. The Committee will
examine the financial regulators' implementation of Section 619
of the Dodd-Frank Act, known as the ``Volcker Rule.'' The
Committee will also monitor the structure, ownership,
activities and risk-taking by large depository institutions and
their holding companies.
Residential and Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Loans. The
Committee will monitor the residential and commercial real
estate mortgage markets, including examining access to
affordable and fair home mortgage lending, and the
effectiveness of disclosures provided to borrowers about the
terms and conditions of these loans. The Committee will also
review proposals related to home improvement loans for
improving the energy efficiency of a house.
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI
Fund). The Committee will monitor the operations of the CDFI
Fund and the administration of initiatives to help reduce
unbanked and underbanked populations, including in rural areas.
Federal Deposit and Share Insurance. The Committee will
monitor the solvency of the Deposit Insurance Fund administered
by the FDIC, and the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund
administered by the NCUA.
Community Financial Institutions. The Committee will review
issues related to the health, growth, safety, and soundness of
community banks and credit unions, as well as their role in
lending to small businesses and promoting economic growth.
Access to Credit for Small Businesses. The Committee will
consider proposals that facilitate access to affordable credit
for small businesses, and will examine the ability for the
public, regulators, and Congress to monitor trends in small
business lending. The Committee will also review the
effectiveness of the State Small Business Credit Initiative
(SSBCI), which was administered by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury and expired in 2017 and consider proposals to
reauthorize the SSBCI.
Cybersecurity and Privacy. The Committee will monitor the
effectiveness of cybersecurity in the U.S. financial system.
The Committee will evaluate the current level of safeguards
relating to protecting the security and confidentiality of
personally identifiable information from loss, unauthorized
access, or misuse. The Committee will also examine the
effectiveness of data breach notifications, and issues of
privacy and consumer control of their own data, including
sensitive financial and credit information.
Credit Scores and Credit Reports. The Committee will
examine the state of the credit reporting system, including the
accuracy of credit scores to assess creditworthiness, the
impact medical debt can have on credit scores, and the extent
of consumer protections throughout the credit reporting system.
The Committee will also examine implementation of the
provisions related to credit reporting and credit scores in the
Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection
Act.
Financial Technology (fintech). The Committee will examine
the rapid developments with fintech, including marketplace
lending for consumers and small businesses, partnerships with
traditional financial institutions, cryptocurrency, blockchain,
alternative data utilized in credit underwriting, artificial
intelligence, and machine learning. The Committee will monitor
the activities of financial regulators relating to fintech,
including assessing existing authorities and regulatory gaps.
The Committee will consider what legislation may be needed to
promote responsible financial innovation.
Payments System. The Committee will review government and
private sector efforts to improve the timeliness and
effectiveness of the payments system in the United States, and
its potential effect on consumers and small businesses.
Credit and other Payment Cards. The Committee will monitor
payment card industry practices, including consumer protections
with respect to the use of credit cards, debit cards, and
prepaid cards. The Committee will also examine the
effectiveness of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility
and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009.
Money Services Businesses, Remittances, and De-risking. The
Committee will examine the operations of money services
businesses and the role they play in the financial system. The
Committee will also oversee the ability of consumers to utilize
financial services to affordably remit cross-border payments,
as well as consider proposals to mitigate financial
institutions engaged in de-risking that results in unnecessary
account closures.
Financial Education. The Committee will review efforts to
promote greater financial literacy among consumers,
particularly matters affecting traditionally underserved
communities and populations.
Cannabis Banking. The Committee will examine the
difficulties, including public safety concerns, cannabis-
related businesses experience as a result of being unable to
access basic banking services. The Committee will also review
legislative proposals that alleviate legal and compliance risks
for financial institutions related to providing such services
to cannabis-related businesses in states where cannabis use,
sale, or distribution is authorized.
MONETARY POLICY
The Federal Reserve System. The Committee will conduct
oversight of the operations and activities of the Federal
Reserve System, including its conduct of monetary policy, its
regulation and supervision of the financial services sector,
its role in the payment system, and its susceptibility to
cybersecurity threats and other security risks. The Committee
will convene hearings to receive the testimony of the Chairman
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and
related semi-annual reports on the conduct of monetary policy.
As part of this effort, the Committee will review issues
associated with monetary policy and the state of the economy,
including whether the current path of monetary policy is
consistent with the Federal Reserve's dual mandate of price
stability and maximum employment, and how the independence of
the Federal Reserve affects market participants' confidence in
the conduct of monetary policy.
The Economy and its Impact on Living Standards. The
Committee will examine the extent to which changes in the
economy, and in particular, changes in labor and capital
markets, public policy, and trade have altered the way in which
policymakers should think about the relationship between
economic growth, productivity growth, and growth in employment
and incomes. The Committee will examine these relationships to
determine policy responses that will increase our ability to
improve the standard of living for American families.
Tax Legislation and the Effect on the Economy. The
Committee will examine how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
affects the economy, including its impact on the national
deficit and debt, the wealth gap, and low- and middle-income
communities and minority communities. Additionally, the
Committee will examine the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
on the financial services industry, specifically with respect
to the effect of the lower corporate tax rate and pass-through
tax provisions.
Coins and Currency. The Committee will conduct oversight of
the printing and minting of U.S. currency and coins, including
the activities of the Bureau of the Mint and the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing, and of the operation of programs
administered by the U.S. Mint for producing congressionally
authorized commemorative coins, bullion coins for investors,
and Congressional gold medals. The Committee will review
efforts to detect and combat the counterfeiting of U.S. coins
and currency in the United States and abroad. The Committee
will also examine methods to reduce the cost of minting coins
using alternative metals and will examine efforts to make
currency more accessible to the visually impaired.
INVESTOR PROTECTION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Committee
will examine the operations and organizational structure of the
SEC, with emphasis on its rulemaking, compliance inspections
and examinations, and enforcement functions, and will review
the SEC's general codes of conduct and other policies. The
Committee will also monitor the SEC's process for granting
waivers of certain legal disqualifications that arise from
illegal misconduct of bad actors. Additionally, the Committee
will evaluate the sufficiency of the SEC's available resources
and staffing levels in light of the hiring freeze under which
the SEC has operated since the beginning of the Trump
Administration.
Investor Confidence. The Committee will examine the factors
affecting investor confidence in U.S. capital markets,
including investor perspectives on the quality, quantity, and
utility of investment-related disclosures; the effectiveness of
public companies' internal controls over financial reporting;
corporate accountability to shareholders; and, the costs of
trading securities. The Committee will also review the effect
on investor confidence of fraud and other misconduct and the
SEC's efforts to hold bad actors accountable.
Fiduciary Duty of Financial Advisers. The Committee will
examine the current regulation of and recent developments
related to broker-dealers and investment advisers who provide
financial advice to retail and institutional investors. The
Committee will review the SEC's efforts to revise those
regulations, consistent with Section 913(g) of the Dodd-Frank
Act, to protect investors and reduce confusion by requiring all
advisers, regardless of title, to comply with the same
fiduciary standard that puts their clients' interests first.
The Committee will also consider legislation related to the
standard of care owed to investors by financial advisers.
Mandatory Arbitration. The Committee will examine the
effect of mandatory arbitration requirements on securities
investors, as well as the balance, fairness, and efficiency of
the current arbitration system.
Entrepreneurship. The Committee will monitor market
conditions affecting entrepreneurs' access to capital, with
emphasis on the capital formation efforts of small businesses,
including any unique challenges faced by minority-, women-, and
veteran-owned small businesses. Additionally, the Committee
will examine the conduct of intermediaries in the capital
formation process, such as anti-competitive behavior among
underwriters of initial public offerings (IPOs). The Committee
will also consider legislative proposals to promote
entrepreneurship and enhance the attractiveness of U.S. public
equity markets to investors and businesses.
Corporate Governance. The Committee will review
developments and issues concerning corporate governance of
public companies, including proposals to increase
accountability to shareholders through improved shareholder
access to management's proxy, shareholder nomination of
directors, and majority voting. The Committee will also examine
ways to improve the integrity of the shareholder voting process
and corporate sustainability disclosures, including those
related to the effects of climate change.
Executive Compensation. The Committee will review the SEC's
implementation of regulations requiring greater transparency in
disclosures of executive compensation arrangements, including
the SEC's and the other federal financial agencies' progress in
completing related rulemakings mandated under the Dodd-Frank
Act.
Capital Formation in Private and Public Markets. The
Committee will examine the private and public capital markets
and the factors U.S. companies evaluate when deciding to go
public, such as underwriting fees. The Committee will monitor
the use of new and expanded private offering exemptions from
the JOBS Act, including Regulation D, Regulation A+, and
Regulation Crowdfunding, and examine ways to improve investor
protections in private offerings. The Committee will examine
the current definition of ``accredited investors'' and ways to
improve that definition to ensure that those investors have the
financial sophistication and wherewithal to invest in private
offerings.
CAPITAL MARKETS
Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs). The Committee will
monitor the operations, initiatives, and activities of SROs,
including the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA). The
Committee also will consider limitations or regulatory gaps in
the current SRO system and ways to streamline and strengthen
the regulatory, compliance, examination, and enforcement
structure.
Hedge Funds and Private Pools of Capital. The Committee
will examine the current state of the hedge fund, private
equity and alternative investment industry. The Committee will
review the role hedge funds and private pools of capital serve
in the capital markets, and their interaction with investors,
financial intermediaries, and public companies. The Committee
will also examine hedge funds and private equity funds as
investment vehicles for pension funds.
Investment Companies. The Committee will review the current
state of regulation of investment companies and their advisers
with respect to mutual fund operations, governance, disclosure,
and sales in the States and Territories. The Committee also
will review the effectiveness and efficiency of the approval
process for new products, such as exchange-traded funds, and
the SEC's efforts to standardize that process. The Committee
will also review the role investment companies played in Puerto
Rico's fiscal crisis. The Committee will review Real Estate
Investment Trusts (REITs) as investment vehicles and how the
industry uses REITs to finance various projects, including the
financing of private prisons and immigration detention centers.
Credit Rating Agencies. The Committee will examine the role
that Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organizations
(NRSROs), also known as credit rating agencies, play in the
U.S. capital markets, and review the effectiveness of the SEC's
regulation and oversight of NRSROs. The Committee will also
examine ways to limit conflicts associated with NRSROs
compensation, approaches to increase their accountability, and
the possibility of regulatory fee assessments.
Financial Accounting and Auditing. The Committee will
review the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's
(PCAOB's) oversight of auditors of public companies and broker-
dealers, including standard-setting and the results of the
PCAOB's inspection programs. The Committee will also monitor
the impact of exemptions to the scope of the auditing and
internal controls requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, and the adequacy of investor protections applicable to
exempt entities. The Committee will also monitor the work of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and
Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
Cybersecurity. The Committee will examine the risks that
cybersecurity threats pose to the U.S. capital markets,
including investment and operational risks associated with
public companies. The Committee will also monitor the efforts
of the SEC, self-regulatory organizations (SROs), and SEC-
registered firms to guard against cybersecurity risks and
protect sensitive, market-moving data and personally
identifiable information (PII) of investors.
Cryptocurrencies. The Committee will review the emergence
of the so-called ``initial coin offering'' (ICO) as a means of
raising capital for blockchain-based enterprises. The Committee
will examine concerns of increased risks of fraud and
manipulation in the ICO markets. The Committee will also review
the SEC's oversight of the ICO markets and will consider
legislative proposals to improve regulatory clarity for ICO
issuers and investors.
Fixed income markets. The Committee will review recent
developments in the U.S. corporate and municipal bond markets
and the SEC's response to those developments.
Derivatives Markets. The Committee will review recent
developments in the U.S. derivatives markets and efforts to
harmonize rules governing those markets domestically and
internationally. The Committee will also examine the SEC's
progress in implementing the remaining regulations of the
security-based swaps markets as mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act.
Equity and options markets. The Committee will review
recent developments in the U.S. equity and options markets and
the SEC's response to those developments. The Committee will
also examine brokers' conflicts of interest arising from
rebates and fees paid for client orders and the SEC's efforts
to address those conflicts through, for example, an access fee
pilot. The Committee will monitor the development,
implementation, and maintenance of the Consolidated Audit Trail
(CAT), a market surveillance tool that tracks order events,
including quotes, orders, executions, allocations, and
associated customer data, and identifies the broker-dealer
handling them.
Trade Policy Impact. The Committee will examine the impact
of U.S. trade policy proclamations, announcements, decisions,
and actions by the executive branch on U.S. securities markets,
including market volatility, capital formation, corporate
reinvestment, and investor confidence.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI). The
Committee will monitor TFI's development and implementation of
U.S. government strategies and programs to combat terrorist
financing, money laundering, and other financial crimes, both
domestically and internationally.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The
Committee will monitor the operations of FinCEN and its ongoing
efforts to implement its regulatory mandates pursuant to the
Bank Secrecy Act to safeguard the integrity of the financial
system and combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and
other illicit finance.
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The Committee will
examine the efficacy of economic and trade sanctions
designations and enforcement.
Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. The Committee
will examine the implementation, effectiveness, and enforcement
of anti-money laundering/counter-financing of terrorism (AML/
CFT) laws and regulations, including opportunities to enhance
compliance with these rules without impairing the operations of
law enforcement. The Committee will examine patterns and trends
of money laundering and terrorist finance and consider
proposals to prevent the abuse of the financial system.
Counterterrorism Financing Policy. The Committee will
monitor the role of the U.S. Department of the Treasury in
promoting the adoption and implementation of counterterrorism
standards around the world, through international organizations
such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the
International Monetary Fund, and the Egmont Group. The
Committee will also monitor the Office of Technical Assistance
at Treasury and its coordination with the other agencies, in
the delivery of counter-terrorism financing training and other
technical assistance abroad.
Sanctions. The Committee will examine sanctions programs to
ensure that they are fully implemented consistent with
Congressional intent and in alignment with U.S. foreign policy
and national security goals. Particular attention will be paid
to sanctions programs aimed at Russia, Iran, North Korea, and
Cuba. The Committee will examine possible risks and
consequences associated with the use of sanctions over the
short and long term, as well as the role that multilateral
cooperation may play in achieving effective sanctions programs.
Beneficial Ownership. The Committee will consider proposals
to strengthen the AML/CFT laws and streamline compliance for
U.S. financial institutions, including legislation designed to
crack down on the use of anonymous shell companies for illicit
purposes by requiring U.S. companies to disclose their
beneficial owners.
Real Estate. The Committee will examine the risks of money
laundering and terrorist financing in the real estate market,
and review proposals to address any vulnerabilities identified
in this sector.
Trafficking. The Committee will examine methods and
policies to dismantle the underlying enablers of trafficking
and will review typologies and potential solutions related to
specific categories of trafficking, including human
trafficking, weapons trafficking, and narcotics trafficking.
The Committee will examine the nexus of this illicit criminal
activity with terrorists and their networks.
De-Risking at Financial Institutions. The Committee will
examine the practice by which financial institutions terminate
accounts or limit services to broad categories of clients. The
Committee will monitor the effectiveness of regulatory guidance
and examine regulatory actions to ensure that such customers
are not inappropriately denied access to the banking system.
Corruption. The Committee will examine the methods by which
corruption flourishes and the means to detect and deter the
financial misconduct that fuels this driver of global
instability. The Committee will monitor government efforts to
educate about and enforce U.S. anti-corruption law and
regulation.
Fraud and Cyber Intrusion. The Committee will examine the
facilitation and prevention of fraudulent activities that
impact the financial system. It will also examine efforts to
counter cyber intrusions that target the financial sector and
system.
Information Sharing. The Committee will examine the kinds
of safeguards required to ensure that civil liberties and
consumer privacy are not undermined in the sharing of sensitive
information among financial institutions, federal agencies, and
other entities.
Emerging Technologies. The Committee will examine emerging
technologies, such as cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and
artificial intelligence. The Committee will monitor how such
technologies affect and interact with the U.S. financial
system, and how the technologies could be used to combat or be
used in the pursuit of illicit purposes.
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The
Committee will monitor implementation of the Foreign Investment
Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA) and actions
taken by CFIUS to identify and address foreign investments that
pose threats to national security. The Committee will examine
FIRRMA-related rulemaking, Administration resources devoted to
CFIUS activities, and the effectiveness of pilot projects
authorized by the legislation.
Defense Production Act. The Committee will monitor the
effectiveness of the Defense Production Act and its individual
authorities in promoting national security and recovery from
natural disasters.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE
Global Economic Cooperation. The Committee will monitor the
role of United States leadership in the governance of the
global economic system. The Committee will examine the degree
to which sustained international cooperation helps advance U.S.
national security, economic interests, and values.
Oversight of the International Financial Institutions. The
Committee will examine U.S. participation in the international
financial institutions (IFIs), including the International
Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the other multilateral
development banks. The Committee will monitor accountability,
openness, and transparency within the IFIs and the degree to
which public participation in these institutions is a component
of effective development and growth. The Committee will examine
the World Bank's policies and operations in areas relating to
labor markets and social protection policies.
Global Poverty and Economic Inequality. The Committee will
examine the role and effectiveness of the multilateral
development banks (MBDs) in helping to foster growth and reduce
poverty in Africa, Latin America, and in other poor regions in
the world. The Committee will examine how some growth
strategies appear more effective at reducing poverty than
others and assess the degree to which economic growth has
translated into sustained poverty reduction in countries
assisted by the MDBs. The Committee will examine how increasing
income inequality negatively affects the poverty-reducing
effect of growth in a number of countries.
International Financial Architecture. The Committee will
review the annual report to Congress and testimony by the
Secretary of the Treasury on the state of the international
financial system and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The
Committee will examine the degree to which the IMF is focused
on fighting corruption in its surveillance and program work, as
well as its efforts, through technical assistance, to
strengthen the capacity of Fund members to prevent money
laundering and terrorist financing.
IMF's 15th General Review of Quotas. The Committee will
consider any request from the Administration for legislation to
authorize U.S. commitments pursuant to an IMF quota reform
agreement.
World Bank Group Capital Increase. The Committee will
consider any Administration request for congressional
authorization for U.S. participation in capital increases for
the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and
the International Finance Corporation.
Replenishments of the International Development Association
(IDA) and the African Development Fund (AfDF). The Committee
will monitor U.S. participation in the replenishment
negotiations for IDA and the AfDF.
The International Development Association (IDA) and the
International Finance Corporation (IFC). The Committee will
examine financial transfers between IDA and the IFC with
respect to both transparency and development impact. The
Committee will monitor the degree to which IDA's bond issuances
affect the ability of IDA to offer grants and highly
concessional loans to the world's poorest countries.
North American Development Bank (NADB). The Committee will
examine the provision of financing by the NADB for
environmental infrastructure projects along the U.S.-Mexico
border region. The Committee will consider legislation to
authorize the first general capital increase for NADB.
Food Security and Climate Finance. The Committee will
examine U.S. support for international agricultural development
programs and multilateral cooperation on the global climate
finance agenda.
Developing Countries at Risk of Debt Distress. The
Committee will monitor efforts by the United States to engage
with other members of the IMF to pressure China to adopt global
standards and practices on sustainable debt financing for
developing countries, including a commitment to lending
transparency.
Global Capital Flows. The Committee will monitor the
effects of the flow of capital globally, and, in particular,
trends in foreign countries' investments of their large
currency reserves in the United States and other countries. The
Committee will examine the effects of the investment of these
reserves on global financial stability and on multilateral
policy initiatives. The Committee will also examine U.S. and
multilateral policies on the regulation of capital flows.
Trade in Financial Services. The Committee will monitor
trade negotiations and discussions as they pertain to
investment and trade in financial services. The Committee will
monitor the progress of the United States' trading partners in
meeting financial services and investment commitments under
existing trade and investment agreements, particularly with
respect to policies by China that limit the ability of U.S.
financial services firms to access Chinese markets. The
Committee will examine the Administration's articulation of a
long-term economic development strategy with respect to both
manufacturing and services.
Brexit. The Committee will monitor the United Kingdom's
process of withdrawal from the European Union, including its
potential impact on the U.S. and global economy, transatlantic
cooperation on economic and security issues including
sanctions, counterterrorism efforts, and regulatory convergence
between U.S. and foreign jurisdictions.
Exchange Rates. The Committee will review the semi-annual
report to Congress from the Secretary of the Treasury on
international economic and exchange rate policies. The
Committee will monitor developments related to the exchange
rate policies of our major trading partners and monitor the
effects of those policies on the competitiveness of U.S. firms
and on the stability of the international financial system.
Export-Import Bank of the United States. The Committee will
examine the performance of the Export-Import Bank and its
mission to support U.S. jobs by helping U.S. companies compete
in the global economy. The Committee will consider legislation
to reauthorize the Bank's charter before it expires on
September 30, 2019. The Committee will also examine how the
lack of a quorum on the Bank's Board of Directors has affected
its ability to support American firms in the global market.
Extractive Industries. The Committee will examine the
establishment of a global standard for the public disclosure of
payments that extractive companies make to governments, as well
as the effectiveness of these revenue transparency laws abroad.
Supply Chain Due Diligence. The Committee will examine
supply chain due diligence laws in the U.S. and abroad, and
their enforcement, and the effects of such laws on the ability
of companies to responsibly manage risk associated with the
financing of conflict, human trafficking, and child labor.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Diversity Data. The Committee will review regulated
entities' diversity data, including whether and how companies
are: tracking internal and external workforce and supplier
diversity activities to identify and mitigate vulnerable
moments along the talent lifecycles; tying executives'
performances to their ability to meet tangible diversity and
inclusive goals; and, using such data to inform the composition
of their boards of directors.
Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWIs). The
Committee will examine all matters relating to the diversity
and inclusion activities within the agencies under the
Committee's jurisdiction, including the implementation of
Section 342 of the Dodd-Frank Act and Section 1116 of the
Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) by the OMWIs, which
are responsible for handling all matters relating to diversity
in management, employment, and business activities within most
federal financial agencies. This review will include, among
other things, monitoring whether the agencies have allocated
appropriate resources for their OMWIs, maintained frequent
interaction with and direct reporting lines between the heads
of the agencies and their OMWI Directors, and established
tangible and measurable outcomes within their long-term
strategic plans and daily operations to achieve a diverse and
inclusive culture throughout all levels of their agencies.
Workforce, Supplier, and Business Diversity Efforts Within
Agencies and Their Regulated Entities. The Committee will
consider measures to further leverage diverse and inclusive
perspectives, skills, and talents within the workforces of
agencies under the Committee's jurisdiction, particularly at
the middle- and senior-management level, executive, and C-suite
positions, to help improve the agencies' services, foster
greater innovation, and develop novel solutions. The Committee
will also monitor agencies' policies and practices, as well
those of their regulated entities, to ensure that workplace
environments operate in a fair, transparent, and non-
discriminatory manner for all their employees by ensuring that
racial, ethnic, and gender minorities, without regard to their
sex, including sexual orientation; gender identity; sex
stereotypes; and pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical
condition, have equal opportunities.
Recruitment, Retention and Promotion. The Committee will
review the policies and practices of all the agencies under the
Committee's jurisdiction, and of their regulated entities, to
promote the recruitment, retention, and promotion of a diverse
pool of employees, throughout all levels, of each organization
but particularly at the middle- and senior-management level,
executive, C-suite, and board of director positions. The
Committee will review the commitment and behavior of leaders,
as well as consider measures, to ensure that diversity and
inclusive goals are effectively transmitted throughout their
organizations, including holding managers accountable for
achieving diverse and inclusive environments.
The Rooney Rule. The Committee will consider policies that
mandate the consideration of diverse employment candidates
(referred to as ``The Rooney Rule''), and whether and how it
has affected diversity and inclusion efforts, including efforts
by the Federal Reserve to identify and select a diverse pool of
candidates for senior-management positions throughout the
entire Federal Reserve System.
Vendor, Contractor, and Business Diversity. The Committee
will monitor the agencies' efforts to increase diversity within
their vendor and contractor pools, and may consider methods to
address any challenges, or other barriers, to the agencies'
capacity to enhance their supplier and business diversity. The
Committee will also consider changes to increase the
transparency of the diversity practices of the FHFA's regulated
entities, including requiring public reporting of the total
dollar amounts these entities spend on third party vendors and
service providers and the amounts paid to firms that are
minority-owned, women-owned, disability-owned, and other
diverse-owned businesses on a regular basis.
Financial and Economic Inclusion. The Committee will
monitor the availability and affordability of financial
products and services to communities such as underserved rural,
urban, Tribal, indigenous and other minority communities, and
certain populations such as immigrants, active-duty
servicemembers and veterans and their families, older
(including retired) Americans, young adults and college
students, state- and federally-recognized Tribes, indigenous
peoples, and low- and moderate-income consumers. The Committee
will evaluate methods to expand access to the traditional
financial services system to people in different social,
income, and economic segments in this country, including
methods to broaden homeownership, increase wages, promote
employment within high-growth industries, encourage savings
(including retirement savings), and investments.
Wealth, Income Inequality, and Income Mobility. The
Committee will examine the existing differences in wealth and
income among American households across the country. The
Committee will evaluate proposals to reduce disparities in
opportunity that continue to persist across different segments
of our society and that were exacerbated in the run-up to, and
the fallout from, the 2008 financial crisis. The Committee will
consider how the economic disparities in this country compare
with other countries and whether successful approaches by other
countries to reduce such disparities could serve as models for
the U.S. The Committee will also monitor, among other things,
whether economic opportunity zones have been successful in
promoting intra and intergenerational income mobility. This
review will include an assessment of the effect on employment
and income mobility of factory and manual workers from trade
agreements and the increasing use of automation by companies.
Public Companies. The Committee will consider proposals to
enhance diversity and inclusion practices and policies at
public companies, including by more transparently reporting
information about the diversity of perspectives and
backgrounds, and the selection process of those who serve in
middle- and senior-management level, executive, C-suite
positions, and boards of directors.
Diverse Entrepreneurs and Access to Capital. The Committee
will monitor challenges faced by, and consider solutions to,
encouraging the creation and growth of diverse entrepreneurs'
businesses, particularly any unique challenges faced by
minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-
owned businesses, Native-owned businesses, disability-owned
businesses, and small businesses in obtaining access to capital
and opportunities to obtain a fair allocation of federal funds
and participation in federal programs. The Committee will also
review how corporations collaborate with minority-owned, women-
owned and other diverse-owned firms in their capital markets
activities, including but not limited to, the investment of
pension, union, and retirement funds; externally managed
investment and non-indexed funds; and alternative investments.
The Committee will also monitor the implementation of data
collection measures that could more effectively and efficiently
inform the public, investors, regulators, and Congress about
patterns and trends of business lending and other types of
financing.
Minority Depository Institution (MDIs). The Committee will
monitor the federal financial regulators' compliance with the
goals under Section 308 of the Financial Institutions Reform,
Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) and may consider other
ways to further support MDIs.
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Oversight Plan
116th Congress
1. INTRODUCTION
Pursuant to the requirements of clause 2(d) of House Rule
X, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (``the
Committee'') has prepared this oversight plan for the 116th
Congress, which will be submitted to the Committee on Oversight
and Reform and the Committee on House Administration. This plan
summarizes the Committee's oversight priorities for the next
two years, subject to the understanding that new developments
will undoubtedly affect priorities and work assignments in the
months ahead.
Agency and program oversight are key responsibilities of
the legislative branch. Committee Rule 15 requires each
Subcommittee to hold regular oversight hearings that, according
to usual practice, include an annual hearing on the portions of
the Administration's budget request within that Subcommittee's
jurisdiction. A new Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations has been created to enhance the Committee's
oversight capabilities. Oversight activities will be
coordinated between the Committee and the Subcommittees in
order to facilitate comprehensive and strategic review of the
programs and agencies within the Committee's jurisdiction.
These Committee activities may include hearings, briefings,
reports, and investigations, Member or staff-level meetings,
correspondence, fact-finding and oversight travel, reports, and
public statements. They may also include effective use and
review of reports by the Government Accountability Office and
by statutory Inspectors General, as well as Congressional
Notifications submitted by executive branch agencies. The
Committee will consult, as appropriate, with other committees
of the House that may share jurisdiction over relevant issues
and activities.
The Committee's authorization and oversight activities will
emphasize:
effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy;
effective implementation of U.S. law;
the review of agencies and programs in the
Committee's jurisdiction;
effective management and administration, and
institutional modernization;
appropriate resourcing of U.S. foreign policy
and programs.
2. PRIORITY OVERSIGHT MATTERS
a. Russia: The Committee will address the impact of
Russia's foreign policy on U.S. security, political, and
economic interests, as a result of its aggression and related
hostile actions regarding NATO, Ukraine, Georgia, and other
countries. It will also examine Kremlin-driven efforts to
undermine the governments and other institutions of the U.S.
and other countries through cyber intrusions, propaganda and
other tools. The Committee will examine the range of options
available to the U.S. to respond to these actions, including
legislation to impose further sanctions on Russia and provide
assistance to vulnerable countries. The Committee will also
review the deteriorating domestic situation in Russia regarding
democracy, civil society, the rule of law, and human rights. It
will also examine ways to reduce Russia's ability to use its
energy exports for political and economic coercion. In
addition, the Committee will closely assess strategic stability
and related arms control agreements with Russia to reduce the
risk of nuclear conflict. The Committee will consult widely
with experts to inform the measures the U.S. Government and
other allies and partners should pursue on these matters.
Working in tandem with other relevant committees, the Committee
will investigate the substance and nature of President Trump's
exchanges with Russian president Vladimir Putin as they relate
to the development and implementation of U.S. foreign policy on
Russia.
b. Ukraine/Georgia: The Committee will closely monitor
Russian-supported separatist activity and other aggressive
actions aimed at undermining Ukraine's sovereignty, including
the forcible and illegal annexation of Crimea. The Committee
will continue to examine the U.S. response to this aggression
in light of the long-standing U.S. foreign policy doctrine of
non-recognition of territorial changes effected by force alone.
The Committee will assess the situation in Georgia and consider
measures the U.S. Government can take to promote effective,
democratic governance in these while turning back Russian
intrusion. In addition, the Committee will actively oversee
efforts to work with these countries to strengthen their
military and security services, promote economic growth, combat
corruption, and promote an effective and democratic government.
c. Europe/Eurasia: The Committee will review U.S. relations
with European countries, with an emphasis on the European Union
and NATO. Key issues include continued reassurance and support
for our NATO allies, particularly in Central and Eastern
Europe; rule of law and border security; U.S.-European
cooperative efforts to combat terrorism and extremism; and
diversification of energy sources to reduce reliance on Russian
energy. The Committee will focus on strengthening our important
strategic relationships with allies and partners in order to
bolster American security and deter adversaries. The Committee
will also scrutinize the nexus of populism, alignment of far
left and far right political forces and increasingly autocratic
governments, including those in Hungary, Poland, and Turkey.
Similarly, the Committee will work to support comprehensive
peace in the Balkans, including mutual diplomatic recognition
between Serbia and Kosovo, while working to counter outside
malign influences throughout the region. Similarly, the
Committee will deeply engage on related Balkan matters such as
NATO and EU accession for all countries in the region. The
Committee will also continue oversight of U.S. political,
security and economic policy in Central Asia, with a particular
focus on strengthening partnerships to advance mutual security
interests, including countering violent extremism, as well as
efforts to promote economic development, human rights, and good
governance.
d. Turkey: The Committee will examine Turkey's evolving
foreign policy orientation and its domestic political trends--
including but not limited to its crackdown on domestic
freedoms, its efforts to combat ISIS and the spread of
extremism, its role as it pertains to conflict and refugees in
Syria, its relationship with the Kurds, its relationship with
the European Union, its continued occupation of the Republic of
Cyprus, and the health of the long term U.S.-Turkey strategic
relationship.
e. Afghanistan: The Committee will comprehensively review
U.S. policy toward Afghanistan. Particular focus will be paid
to the Administration's efforts to bring the war in Afghanistan
to an end through a coordinated peace and reconciliation
effort. The Committee will also pay close attention to the
Afghan government's various reform efforts related to
addressing corruption, improving governance, electoral reforms,
and strengthening security. This review will assess the
effectiveness of international aid and U.S. assistance
programs, the broader political-military and associated
counterterrorism strategies, and the full range of policies
related to the post-2014 transition, including programs and
budgeting processes.
f. Pakistan: The Committee will review all elements of U.S.
policy toward Pakistan, including efforts to eliminate safe
havens for violent extremists and establish a stable,
democratic country. This review will encompass both U.S.
civilian and security assistance to Pakistan, in order to
assess the extent to which such programs effectively advance
U.S. national interests. The Committee will also conduct
ongoing oversight of matters relating to Pakistan's nuclear
program, including issues relating to nonproliferation, such as
the legacy of the A.Q. Khan network.
g. North Korea: The Committee will review and work to
address the threat posed by North Korea. Particular focus will
be paid to North Korea's nuclear, chemical and biological
weapons programs, its ballistic missile program, and the
possible proliferation of these weapons and delivery systems.
The Committee will also examine North Korea's conventional
weapon sales, other illicit activities, cyber-attacks, human
rights violations, as well as U.S. efforts to assist North
Korean refugees. The Committee will review U.S. diplomatic
efforts, U.S. information dissemination efforts, the
implementation of U.S. and international sanctions, the impact
of current negotiations on U.S. alliances in Asia, whether the
executive branch is keeping the legislative branch fully
informed of regional developments and U.S. policy toward North
Korea, and consider next steps in U.S. policy to address the
North Korean threat.
h. Indo-Pacific: The Committee will review the U.S.'s
significant political, economic, and security interests in the
Indo-Pacific, including East and Southeast Asia, South Asia,
and the Pacific Islands. The Committee will conduct oversight
of U.S. relations with countries in the Indo-Pacific, including
foreign policy, foreign assistance, the strength of U.S.
relationships with and among alliances and partners, security
cooperation, territorial disputes, influence operations and
trade relations, including export controls for sensitive
technologies to China. The Committee will evaluate the State
Department's participation in multilateral organizations such
as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the East
Asia Summit, and closely monitor any discussion of future trade
agreements in Asia. The Committee will monitor the totality of
the U.S. relationship with Taiwan as provided for in the Taiwan
Relations Act.
i. India: The Committee will review U.S. policy towards
India and the continued expansion of bilateral cooperation.
Particular attention will be paid to the U.S.-India security
relationship, including cooperation on counterterrorism efforts
and developments since the 2015 defense framework agreement and
India's designation as a ``Major Defense Partner.'' The
Committee will also focus on efforts to enhance U.S.-India
economic and trade relations, and collaboration on efforts to
address global climate change and support for the international
rules-based order, stalled efforts to initiate civil nuclear
cooperation and the implications of India's rapidly growing
energy demands will also be reviewed.
j. China: The Committee will examine China's role in the
Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Particular focus will be placed
on China's influence operations globally, its assertiveness in
territorial disputes, military modernization, and human rights
abuses, including treatment of Tibetans, Uyghurs and other
religious and ethnic minorities. The Committee will also
consider China's adherence to agreements made with Hong Kong
under the ``one country, two systems'' principle enshrined in
the Basic Law. In addition, the Committee will examine China's
role in the global economy, including trade, technology,
energy, infrastructure, and its approach to assistance,
including its Belt and Road Initiative. The Committee will
review China's cooperation on international nonproliferation
efforts against North Korea. The Committee will investigate
China's increasing use of cyber and economic espionage to
affect foreign trade, and other policy outcomes.
k. Sub-Saharan Africa: The Committee will review political,
economic and security developments on the African continent,
including the rise of geopolitical competition with Russia,
China, and among the Gulf Arab States on the continent. Key
issues will include efforts to strengthen democratic
institutions, advance human rights, promote peace and security,
and stimulate investment and equitable economic growth--
including through the implementation of the African Growth and
Opportunity Act and the Electrify Africa Act. The Committee
will also focus on strengthening ties to the African Union and
its regional economic communities, which are key partners in
facilitating regional economic integration, protecting human
rights, and advancing peace and security on the continent.
Particular attention is to be paid to developments in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Sudan, Zimbabwe,
South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda,
Cameroon, Mali, and Niger.
l. Western Hemisphere: The Committee will assess the
effectiveness of U.S. policy towards the countries of the
Western Hemisphere and the strategic importance of a positive
U.S. agenda in the Americas. Special emphasis will be placed on
developments in political, security and economic cooperation
with our partners in Canada and Mexico. Efforts for further
collaboration with Argentina and Brazil will also be explored.
The Committee will address the security challenges posed by
transnational criminal organizations and other illegal armed
actors. Challenges to democracy, human rights, the rule of law,
anti-corruption efforts and press freedom in the Americas also
will be examined. The Committee will closely monitor the
humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and its impact on the
Venezuelan people and countries throughout the region, as well
as U.S. efforts to hold government actors in the country
accountable. In the Northern Triangle countries of Central
America, the Committee will assess the conditions that drive
child and family migration and the appropriate response from
the State Department, USAID and other international affairs
agencies. In Nicaragua, the Committee will assess appropriate
actions to continue to hold the country's government and
security forces accountable for human rights abuses. In
Colombia, the Committee will evaluate the implementation of the
country's peace accords and ongoing counternarcotics efforts.
The Committee will continue to closely monitor U.S.-Cuba
relations and the health incidents impacting U.S. government
personnel serving in Cuba. The Committee will continue its
oversight of State Department and USAID assistance for
reconstruction efforts in Haiti, as well as efforts to enhance
U.S. energy, security and diplomatic cooperation with the
countries of the Caribbean under the United States-Caribbean
Strategic Engagement Act of 2016.
m. Syria: The Committee will scrutinize U.S. efforts to
address Syria's ongoing civil war, the war crimes committed by
the Assad regime other parties, and the role of Iran, Russia,
Turkey and our Kurdish partners in the conflict. Particular
attention will be paid to the Administration's decision to
withdraw most U.S. forces from Syria, and the implications of
that decision on U.S. personnel, allies, and interests. The
Committee will also examine the consequences of the
Administration's decision to suspend stabilization assistance
in Syria and evaluate U.S. efforts to prevent international
reconstruction funds from assisting the Assad regime until a
sustainable political solution is achieved and the regime
allows for the safe, dignified and voluntary return of the
outstanding six million displaced Syrians. The Committee will
examine the impact of Syria's refugee crisis on regional states
including Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. The Committee will
continue to review economic and diplomatic means by which to
influence events in Syria.
n. Countering Violent Extremism: The Committee will examine
the current status of al-Qaeda and its affiliates, with a
specific focus on recruitment efforts, evolving save havens,
and efforts to obtain WMDs. The Committee will also scrutinize
the Administration's efforts to defeat ISIS in the Middle East
and around the world, including authorizations for such
efforts, leveraging other countries' commitments, evaluating
U.S. leadership in the Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and
determining the success of U.S. policies that seek to address
the socio-economic challenges that led to the initial
establishment and growth of ISIS. The Committee will conduct
oversight of the State Department's various counterterrorism
programs, including those designed to counter violent extremism
(CVE), as well as agreements with foreign governments relating
to the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay.
o. U.S. Policies and Actions in the Arabian Peninsula: The
Committee will evaluate the U.S. role in the Gulf, particularly
the role that the United States plays in Yemen, as well as ways
that the United States can help bring the conflict to an end
and address the serious security and economic concerns that
have plagued Yemen for decades. The Committee will also review
the U.S. relationship with members of the Saudi-led coalition
in Yemen as well as U.S. policy options to build leverage with
the Houthis in order to encourage compromise and a sustainable
resolution of the conflict. The Committee will examine the
status of rights of women, journalists, political dissidents
and bloggers in the Gulf, and the extent to which current U.S.
policy prioritizes human rights, the core of U.S. values.
p. Iran: The Committee will continue to closely review U.S.
policy toward Iran, with a special focus on evaluating how the
U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA impacts the interests of the
United States and our allies. The Committee will also review
and work to address the threat posed by Iran's ballistic
missile development, state sponsorship of terrorism and growing
influence in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon, as well as the
regime's ongoing human rights abuses, including the continued
prolonged detention of Americans. The Committee also seeks
greater understanding of the Administration's strategy to
change Iran's behavior.
q. Israel and Palestinian Issues/Middle East Peace: The
Committee will evaluate efforts by the Administration to
advance peace between Israelis and Palestinians and will
examine whether the Administration's strategy and recent policy
changes have helped bring the parties closer to a two-state
solution. The Committee will also review how the Administration
has sought to build ties between Israel and various Arab
countries in the region. The Committee will examine the
consequences of changes to U.S. assistance to Palestinians and
the implications of these decisions for our allies and
interests. The Committee will look at the various ways that the
Administration seeks to build cooperation with Israel in an
effort to expand this mutually beneficial relationship.
r. Middle East and North Africa: The Committee will
carefully review U.S. policy toward the Middle East and North
Africa, to include: the extent to which U.S. foreign assistance
is being utilized in Iraq to help address the inequities that
brought about the initial rise of ISIS; the democratic
transition in Tunisia; the status of political negotiations in
Libya; the impact of Chinese economic and diplomatic investment
in the Middle East; the consequences of low oil prices for
various oil-producing states; human rights and challenges to
the rule of law throughout the region; and United States
policies, programs, authorities and funding to address these
challenges.
s. State Department and U.S. Agency for International
Development Oversight, Authorization, and Modernization: The
Committee will seek to pass a State Department Authorization
bill as one has not been enacted since 2002. Emphasis will also
be placed on modernizing personnel systems and practices,
increasing workforce flexibility and improving recruitment and
retention processes, with a focus on ensuring that Department
of State personnel better represent the diversity of the United
States. The Committee will continue to monitor and examine the
operations, budget, programs, planning, workforce training,
building, and security policies with an eye toward
authorization for Fiscal Year 2020. In addition to hearings
with the Secretary of State and other Administration officials
regarding their budget proposals for the upcoming year, such
efforts may include: revisions to the Foreign Service Act; the
Foreign Assistance Act; consideration of reforms to Executive
Branch reporting requirements; and a reduction or consolidation
of offices with duplicative mandates and overlapping
responsibilities. In the wake of increasing threats to U.S.
personnel serving overseas, the Committee will continue to
evaluate the security of our embassies and consulates, along
with proposed reforms to the State Department's diplomatic
security service to promote the personnel safety in the context
of appropriate evaluation of risk.
t. Employee Retaliation: The Committee will investigate
ongoing allegations of politically-motivated retaliation
against State Department and USAID employees, including
individuals who have alleged they were subjected to prohibited
personnel practices on account of their national origin, sexual
identity, perceived political views, or in response to
whistleblowing.
u. Foreign Assistance: The Committee will review the
underlying authorities for U.S. foreign assistance with an eye
towards reducing duplication, increasing transparency and
effectiveness, and modernizing the foreign assistance
workforce. It will also review issues related to the
implementation of U.S. foreign assistance programs and
projects, including the role of U.S. missions and embassies in
overseeing grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. In
addition, the Committee will review issues related to
coordination between the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) and other U.S. Government agencies and
departments involved in carrying out U.S. foreign assistance,
as well as USAID's proposed Redesign of its internal structure
to ensure its congruency with foreign policy priorities and the
appropriate use of U.S. foreign assistance. Among a broad range
of issues, the Committee will review U.S. foreign assistance
initiatives aimed at providing life-saving humanitarian
assistance, catalyzing economic growth, reducing aid
dependence, and addressing food security and global health
challenges, including food aid reform, maternal health and
child survival, infectious disease surveillance and control,
and resilience of developing communities to weather shocks and
stresses, including climate change. The Committee will also
exercise oversight over the implementation of the BUILD Act,
P.L. 115-254, which will transform the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC) into the International
Development Finance Corporation. Assistance provided through
the Millennium Challenge Corporation will also receive close
scrutiny.
v. Global Health: The Committee will examine key global
health issues, in particular the harmful impacts of
Administration policies of re-imposing the Global Gag Rule and
eliminating funding to UNFPA on women's health services and
access to reproductive health. Additionally, the Committee's
oversight will include reviewing the implementation of
Congress's 2018 reauthorization of PEPFAR, progress on global
TB elimination, support for maternal and child health, and the
upcoming replenishment of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and
malaria. The Committee will also conduct oversight on
infectious disease surveillance and control and strengthening
of health care systems, particularly in light of the ongoing
Ebola outbreak in DRC.
w. Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment: The
Committee will examine the effectiveness of U.S. policy on
climate change, including this Administration's announced
intent to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord and its
impacts on our diplomatic relations, our development
assistance, and multilateral engagement. We will explore the
impacts of climate change on national security, its
contributions to displacement and social unrest across the
globe, and how we can advance a path toward climate
stabilization. We will consider the evolution of the global
energy landscape, emphasize good governance of existing
resources, and work to assure energy security for the U.S. and
our allies. The committee will also oversee engagement on
environmental issues including wildlife trafficking,
international conservation efforts, and the role and safety of
environmental activists across the globe.
x. Economic Policy and Trade: The Committee will oversee
international economic policy, including U.S. leadership in
trade, finance, energy, technology, and development policy to
promote economic prosperity and national security.
y. Export Control Reform: The Committee will oversee the
implementation of the Export Controls Act, contained in Title
XVII of P.L. 115-232. The Committee also will oversee the
implementation of Executive Branch reforms to U.S. strategic
export controls. In particular, the Committee will assess the
extent to which recent and any proposed new changes to the U.S.
Munitions List and the Commerce Control List effectively
safeguard critical technologies and national security, while
supporting the defense industrial base and advancing U.S.
commercial interests.
z. U.S. Nonproliferation Policy: The Committee will examine
the effectiveness of U.S. nonproliferation policy and the
international nonproliferation regime in preventing the spread
of weapons of mass destruction. The Committee will address
opportunities to strengthen existing nonproliferation
organizations, especially the International Atomic Energy
Agency, increase cooperation with other countries, and enhance
international nonproliferation agreements and mechanisms.
Prominent issues will include the global expansion of civil
nuclear power and the potential spread of technology, equipment
and material useful in the development of nuclear weapons
capabilities. The Committee will closely examine proposed and
existing bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements with other
countries, including their potential to promote U.S.
nonproliferation objectives and commercial interests.
aa. Security Assistance and Arms Transfer Policy: The
Committee will assess the effectiveness of security assistance
programs authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act and the
Arms Export Control Act in advancing U.S. national interests.
In addition, the Committee will review those security
cooperation programs funded by the Department of Defense but
which require concurrence of the Secretary of State, or
otherwise give rise to the Committee's jurisdiction. The
Committee will also review law and policy relating to U.S. arms
transfers and related end-use monitoring, as well as various
counterterrorism tools that impact foreign policy. The
Committee will also continue to carefully review proposed arms
sales to ensure they comport with U.S. foreign and national
security policy and benefit the legitimate defense needs of the
recipient countries, as well as the process by which the
Administration consults with the Committee and the Congress on
such sales to ensure proper oversight.
bb. U.S. International Broadcasting: The Committee will
continue to actively monitor and review the operations and
organization of U.S. government-supported, civilian
international broadcasting to respond more effectively to the
challenges presented by state and non-state actors using modern
communication platforms. The Committee will closely oversee the
implementation of the reforms enacted in the 114th Congress,
and seek further improvements in this critical area.
cc. Human Rights and Democracy: The Committee will review
whether the administration is maintaining America's
longstanding role as a champion of human rights and democracy
around the world, including in post-transition environments.
The Committee will assess U.S. involvement with multilateral
human rights organizations, to ensure that U.S. diplomacy
serves to promote fundamental human rights and freedoms.
dd. United Nations and International Organizations: The
Committee will closely review all aspects of U.S. funding of,
and participation in, international organizations. The
Committee will closely monitor the work of the United Nations
Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Department of Field
Support, and particularly efforts to improve performance and
enhance accountability. The Committee will also seek to ensure
America's engagement with UN institutions will support
international diplomatic and development goals, including the
Sustainable Development Goals. Close attention will be paid to
the extent to which the Administration's strategies in
international organizations has led to better treatment of
Israel and increased transparency, accountability, and reform
of those organizations.
ee. Cybersecurity: The Committee shall conduct oversight
over U.S. efforts to examine and devise appropriate responses
to cyber threats from foreign governments, non-state actors,
and criminal networks that target the United States. The
Committee will also examine efforts by U.S. adversaries to
undermine the government, democratic and other institutions of
the United States and other nations through cyber intrusions.
ff. Conflicts of Interest Abroad: The Committee will
investigate possible conflicts of interest presented by members
of the Administration's personal and business interests abroad
and the impact of such interests on the development and
implementation of U.S. foreign policy.
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
I appreciate being provided the opportunity to review the
text of the Chairman's proposed oversight plan for the 116th
Congress, pursuant to the recently revised House Rule X(2)(d).
According to that revision, the formal author of the report is
now the Chairman, rather than the Committee as a whole. As
such, wherever the new report speaks of what ``the Committee''
intends to do, it should be read as reflecting the intent of
the Chairman, exercising his prerogatives under House and
Committee rules, rather than the Committee as a whole.
Committee Rule 11(b) continues to preclude the release of any
document purporting to express publicly the views of the
Committee unless it has been approved by a majority of the
Committee.
In recent years, the Committee has exercised significant,
proactive oversight over the agencies and programs within our
jurisdiction, on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis. I am
hopeful that this commitment to even-handed oversight will
continue into the future. To that end, I am encouraged to note
the significant continuity between most of the Chairman's plan
for the 116th Congress and the prior Committee Oversight Plan
for the 115th Congress.
Of course, the new oversight plan also includes changes and
additions. Some are updates that reflect new circumstances and
developments in the world. Others reflect the differing
priorities of the new majority. Unfortunately, some changes are
objectionable, and reflect the injection of partisan oversight
priorities beyond what the prior majority indulged, even during
a Democrat administration. It is unfortunate that their plan
personally identifies the President and certain interactions
with foreign leaders that fall within the constitutionally
rooted Presidential Communications Privilege identified by our
courts. It is also problematic that the ``Global Health''
subsection inserts new priorities related to abortion advocacy.
Republican Members of the Committee continue to believe
strongly that maintaining broad public support for our overseas
programs requires precluding the expenditure of taxpayer funds
for divisive and deeply objectionable purposes, such as funding
for organizations overseas that perform or promote abortion as
a method of family planning, or that support or participate in
the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary
sterilization. It is my sincere hope that the Committee will
not expend its energies on these partisan pursuits when there
are so many other issues vital to our national security that
demand our attentions.
I look forward to working with my friend Chairman Engel to
maintain the traditional oversight standards of the Foreign
Affairs Committee during the 116th Congress.
Michael T. McCaul,
Ranking Member.
DISSENTING VIEWS
The Committee on Foreign Affairs Oversight Plan for the
116th Congress states, ``The Committee will examine key global
health issues, in particular the harmful impacts of
Administration policies of re-imposing the Global Gag Rule and
eliminating funding to UNFPA on women's health services and
access to reproductive health.'' Incorporating Ranking Member
McCaul's objection with respect to use of the term
``Committee'' and noting that this Oversight Plan reflects the
personal views of Chairman Engel as it was never subject to
vote by the Committee, we believe that foreign assistance
should be life-affirming: it should support the health of both
women and their unborn children. Global health goals should be
evaluated with this aim in mind.
Use of the term ``Global Gag Rule'' is inartful and
needlessly polemical. Protecting Life in Global Health
Assistance (PLGHA) affirms respect for unborn life in foreign
aid funding by requiring foreign nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs) to agree, as a condition of their receipt of US federal
grant money, to neither perform or promote abortion as a method
of family planning overseas. Issued by President Trump on
January 23, 2017, the PLGHA policy was implemented on May 9,
2017, by the Secretary of State in coordination with Secretary
of Health and Human Services (HHS). It applies to funds
appropriated for global health assistance through the
Department of State (DOS), U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID), and the Department of Defense (DOD).
DOS, USAID, DOD, and HHS have been applying PLGHA to new
grants and existing grants eligible to receive new funding. On
February 7, 2018, DOS released a six-month review of PLGHA. At
that point, PLGHA had been applied to 733 awards. Prime
partners declined to sign in only four instances out of 733
awards, so roughly 99.5% of prime partners who had the
opportunity to accept the terms of PLGHA did so. If a partner
declines to agree to the terms of PLGHA and funds are
redirected to other organizations, the level of funding
available for that country remains the same.
U.S. foreign assistance should invest in women's
healthcare, not abortion. PLGHA does not reduce funding for
international health assistance or family planning. The choice
is up to these organizations to either change their business
practices or forego federal funding. If NGOs choose to stop
performing and promoting abortion, they can again be eligible
for federal grant money.
For three decades, the United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA) has been widely denounced for its involvement in
China's birth-limitation policy, which relies on coerced
abortion. Yet it has refused to sever its links with the
Chinese government.
In 2016, China transitioned its ``one-child-per-family''
policy to a ``two-children-per-family'' policy. However, this
revised state-imposed birth limitation does not eliminate the
penalties that citizens face for violating the law. In China,
reports of coerced abortions and sterilizations continue.
According to DOS's 2017 Human Rights Report on China, many
provinces require women who violate the family-planning policy
to obtain an abortion. Some provinces, including Hubei, Hunan,
and Liaoning, declare this explicitly; other provinces refer
euphemistically to ``remedial measures.''\2\ Even in provinces
that do not officially require abortions, local officials may
still choose to coerce women into obtaining them.
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\2\https://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/
index.htm?year=2017&dlid= 277073#wrapper.
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The Kemp-Kasten Amendment mandates that no U.S. government
funds be distributed to ``any organization or program which, as
determined by the President of the United States, supports or
participates in the management of a program of coercive
abortion or involuntary sterilization.'' Applying the Kemp-
Kasten Amendment, the Trump Administration determined for both
fiscal year 2017 and 2018 that UNFPA had participated in
China's coercive population programs. Funds were redirected to
USAID's family planning, maternal health and reproductive
health activities, thus vitiating any assertion of aggregated
``harmful impact'' upon ``women's health services and access to
reproductive health.''
Until UNFPA recognizes China's coercion and disassociates
itself, contributing to UNFPA would send a signal of U.S.
approval for China's government control over birth permits and
its forced sterilization and abortion. Redirecting U.S. foreign
aid dollars sends a message that coercion is unacceptable and
we will fund programs that provide true health care.
Thank you for your consideration of these views.
Christopher H. Smith.
Ann Wagner.
Scott Perry.
Steve Chabot.
Joe Wilson.
Tim Burchett.
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
OVERSIGHT PLAN
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
116TH CONGRESS
Pursuant to rule X, Clause 2(d) of the Rules of the House
of Representatives for the 116th Congress, each standing
Committee of the House of Representatives is required to submit
an oversight plan to the Committee on Oversight and Reform and
the Committee on House Administration by March 1 of the first
session of the Congress. This is the oversight plan of the
Committee on Homeland Security for the 116th Congress. The
oversight plan includes the areas in which the Committee
expects to conduct oversight this Congress but does not
preclude oversight or investigation of additional matters.
OVERSIGHT, MANAGEMENT, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
During the 116th Congress, the Committee will conduct
oversight of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS)
activities relating to human capital recruitment and retention,
acquisitions, systems modernizations and other departmental
functions essential to the Department effectively and
efficiently fulfilling its critical missions. The Committee
will also examine the Department's ongoing efforts to
consolidate its headquarters at St. Elizabeths. Additionally,
the Committee plans to conduct oversight of the Department's
capstone strategy document, the Quadrennial Homeland Security
Review (QHSR), which was required by law to be published in
December 2017 but has not yet been released. Finally, the
Committee will investigate homeland security programs and
practices, as warranted.
Human Capital Management
The Committee will monitor the Department's efforts to plan
and implement strategic human capital management programs that
address current and emerging human capital challenges,
including persistent low morale among the Department's
workforce and ongoing problems with retention and hiring at
U.S. Customs and Border Protection as well as other components
within the department. Additionally, the Committee will examine
the authorities and activities of the Chief Human Capital
Officer (CHCO) and the coordination of policy between and among
the Department's CHCOs.
Acquisition, Procurement, and Contract Management
The Committee will review the Department's major
acquisition programs and procurement and contracting practices
to promote efficiency and effectiveness and prevent waste,
fraud, and abuse. The Committee will also examine the
Department's oversight of acquisitions and procurement,
including components' compliance with policy and guidance.
Further, the Committee will review the activities and
authorities of the Under Secretary for Management and the Chief
Procurement Officer to ensure the effective management of these
key functions.
Systems Modernization and Integration
The Committee will examine the Department's efforts to
modernize and integrate its systems, including information
technology and financial management systems. The Committee will
monitor the development, implementation, and integration of new
systems across components as well as management of the
Department-wide portfolio of systems. Additionally, the
Committee will review the authorities and activities of the
Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the coordination of
information technology policy among the Department's CIOs.
Policy Development and Coordination
The Committee will monitor the efforts of the Department's
Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans to ensure coordination
and integration of policy among components. The Committee will
review the Department's efforts to establish clearer roles and
responsibilities for the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans
to enhance its ability to promote consistency and strengthen
Departmental unity of effort. Additionally, the Committee will
examine the Department's efforts to take a longer-term,
strategic view of threats and hazards to the homeland,
including through the publication of the QHSR.
Departmental Waste, Fraud, Abuse, and Mismanagement
Pursuant to rule X, clause 2(n)(1) of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee will work to identify
waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement in the Department's
programs that may undermine its vital missions.
Privacy and Civil Liberties
The Committee will continue to monitor the Department's
efforts under Section 222 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296), which created a Privacy Officer for the
Department of Homeland Security, and Section 705 of the Act
which established an Officer for Civil Rights and Liberties.
BORDER SECURITY, FACILITATION, AND OPERATIONS
In the 116th Congress, the Committee will examine how the
Department can continue to enhance the security of America's
borders by preventing the entry of terrorists and their
weapons, stemming the flow of illegal drugs, and addressing
unauthorized entries while also facilitating legitimate trade
and travel to this country. Additionally, the Committee will
review the Department's handling increasing numbers of families
and children at the border, particularly the separation of
children from their parents, conditions in holding facilities
for children and other vulnerable populations, and the deaths
of children in the Department's custody.
Border Security Infrastructure, Technology, and Personnel
The Committee will examine the Administration's efforts to
deploy additional barriers along the southern border, including
the President's national emergency declaration, the
Department's Border Security Improvement Plan, metrics to
assess effectiveness, costs to the taxpayers, the use of
eminent domain to acquire private property, impacts on affected
communities. The Committee will also examine the use of border
security technology to enhance situational awareness.
Furthermore, the Committee will review the infrastructure,
technology and personnel needs at ports of entry, which
currently limit the Department's ability to detect illegal
narcotics and contraband entering the country and may slow the
processing of individuals and goods.
Border Screening Programs
The Committee intends to review efforts to assist border
and consular officials in identifying, intercepting, and
disrupting terrorists attempting to enter the United States.
The Committee will examine the continued integration, security,
and reliability of criminal, immigration, and terrorist
databases used to screen persons seeking to enter this country,
as well as operations at the Department's National Vetting
Center. The Committee will also monitor the Department's
progress toward completing a biometric entry and exit system at
ports of entry.
TRANSPORTATION AND MARITIME SECURITY
During the 116th Congress, the Committee plans to examine
the Department's efforts to develop and implement strategies to
address terrorist threats in varied transportation
environments, including both air and surface transportation.
The Committee will review the effectiveness of the
Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) passenger,
baggage, and cargo screening programs and operations. The
Committee will also examine the challenges facing the TSA
workforce, including limited protections for TSA agents and
persistent low morale. Additionally, the Committee will examine
the use of transportation security grants to better secure
America's transportation system.
Aviation Security
The Committee intends to review TSA's progress in
developing and deploying passenger and baggage screening
technologies, including the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of
such technologies. The Committee will examine TSA's use of
explosives detection canines to ensure that canine teams are
utilized effectively. The Committee will also look at
management of the agency's Screening Partnership Program.
Additionally, the Committee also will review TSA's passenger
search policies and practices, passenger pre-screening programs
including the use of no-fly and selectee lists, and protocols
for ensuring that passengers designated high-risk are receiving
enhanced screening at the checkpoint. The Committee will assess
whether there are additional ways for TSA to enhance security
and improve risk-based strategies throughout the aviation
system.
As part of this oversight, the Committee plans to examine
TSA's staffing needs and related matters affecting the TSA
workforce, such as continued low morale and high attrition
among transportation security officers. The Committee will also
examine privacy and civil rights protections for the traveling
public. Additionally, the Committee will examine the threats to
aviation and other targets posed by unmanned aircraft or
``drones.''
Surface Transportation Security
The Committee will review TSA's efforts to secure surface
transit systems, including the highest-risk mass transit and
rail systems. The Committee's oversight will include a review
of the Transit Security Grant Program to determine if it is
supporting surface transportation security adequately. The
Committee will also review the extent to which TSA effectively
coordinates with its Federal, State, local, and private sector
partners to secure our Nation's transportation systems.
Additionally, the Committee will also assess the effectiveness
of TSA's efforts to secure the Nation's pipeline systems
through TSA's oversight and inspection activities.
Stakeholder Engagement
The Committee will help ensure that TSA works appropriately
with transportation sector stakeholders and labor through the
Aviation Security Advisory Committee, the Surface
Transportation Security Advisory Committee, collective
bargaining, or other means. The Committee will also encourage
TSA to find new ways to leverage private sector expertise,
innovation, and technologies, including from small businesses,
in its mission to secure the Nation's critical transportation
systems in the most effective and efficient manner possible.
Maritime Security
The Committee will examine various aspects of maritime
security, including the security of port facilities and the
screening of vessels, passengers, cargo, and crew, for
potential terrorists, terrorist weapons, and contraband. The
Committee plans to review the Coast Guard's statutorily defined
homeland security missions, to include ports, waterways, and
coastal security; drug interdiction; migrant interdiction; law
enforcement; and defense readiness. The Committee will also
review resource and asset needs within the Coast Guard to
determine whether the service is operationally ready to address
the varied threats to America's ports and waterways while
pursuing a long-term sustainable path of fleet
recapitalization. Additionally, the Committee will analyze and
conduct oversight on the statutorily required security
assessment of the Transportation Worker Identification
Credential (TWIC) program.
INTELLIGENCE AND COUNTERTERRORISM
During the 116th Congress, the Committee will examine the
capabilities and efforts of the Department, along with its
Federal, state, and local partners, to identify, prevent,
deter, and respond to threats to the homeland. The Committee
will examine worldwide threats to the homeland from foreign
terrorist groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
(ISIS), al Qaeda, and other groups that seek to carry out
attacks against the U.S. and its interests. The Committee will
also examine the threats from homegrown violent extremists and
terrorist networks in this country. Additionally, the Committee
will review the growing threats to the U.S. from domestic
terrorism movements.
Homeland Security Intelligence Enterprise
The Committee will conduct oversight of the Department's
Intelligence Enterprise, including intelligence activities
throughout the Department and component agencies. This will
include a focus on the coordination and collaboration across
intelligence offices and personnel within the Headquarters and
component agencies. Additionally, the Committee will review
efforts to build the intelligence, analytical, and assessment
capabilities of the Department and to ensure its full
participation in the Intelligence Community as part of its
homeland security mission. The Committee will also examine the
Department's role in managing, distributing, and using
terrorist intelligence and threat information in furtherance of
its homeland security mission. Furthermore, the Committee will
monitor the extent to which DHS effectively coordinates and
collaborates with other Federal, State, and local agencies to
mitigate threats to the homeland. The Committee will also
review how DHS agencies collect and share information,
including through vital security vetting programs.
The Committee will continue to assess the development of
DHS counterintelligence and insider threat programs, including
Departmental organizational changes, resources, monitoring
programs, and training initiatives. DHS's counterintelligence
efforts are intended to prevent adversaries from penetrating
the Department to exploit sensitive information, operations,
programs, personnel, and resources.
Information Sharing
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 mandated routine sharing
of homeland security-related information between and among
Federal, State and local officials to assess the nature and
scope of terrorist threats to the United States and to evaluate
and act on that information. The Committee will examine
information sharing among Federal, State and local governments,
law enforcement entities, first responders, and emergency
management personnel. The Committee will also examine the
Department's initiatives to coordinate information sharing to
and from state and local fusion centers throughout the country
and will continue to evaluate the National Network of Fusion
Centers to determine their impact on securing the homeland. The
Committee will review coordination and information sharing
procedures between state and local fusion centers and Joint
Terrorism Task Forces as well. Additionally, the Committee will
review U.S. counterterrorism cooperation with foreign partners,
with the goal of improving the effectiveness of international
information sharing, training and best practices, and
coordination.
Privacy and Civil Liberties
During the 116th Congress, the Committee will monitor the
Department's efforts to ensure appropriate privacy and civil
liberties protections in its intelligence and information
sharing programs and activities.
United States Secret Service
The Committee will examine the homeland security operations
of the United States Secret Service, including protecting the
President of the United States and other Executive branch
officials and investigating financial and cybercrime, and
review the agency's staffing model to determine whether it has
adequate resources to meet its current and projected needs. The
Committee will also examine the Secret Service's lead role in
planning and executing security operations for National Special
Security Events. Additionally, the Committee will conduct
oversight into whether the agency is taking steps to address
persistent concerns about hiring practices, promotion policies,
and morale.
CYBERSECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION, AND INNOVATION
During the 116th Congress, the Committee will conduct
oversight of the cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, and
science and technology activities of the Department.
Cybersecurity
The Committee will examine implementation of H.R. 3359, the
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act, which
operationalized the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security
Agency (CISA). The Committee will also conduct oversight of
activities related to Executive Order 13800, Strengthening the
Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure,
Presidential Policy Directive 41 (PPD-41), United States Cyber
Incident Coordination, and implementation of the National Cyber
Strategy. Toward that end, the Committee will continue to its
oversight of CISA's EINSTEIN and Continuous Diagnostics and
Mitigation (CDM) programs for securing Federal networks, as
well as strategic initiatives carried out by the new National
Risk Management Center to identify interdependencies and
mitigate vulnerabilities across critical infrastructure
sectors. The Committee will also examine ways to further build
the Department's cybersecurity capability and capacity to
implement its cyber statutory authorities.
Additionally, the Committee will continue its work
examining the implementation of cybersecurity legislation,
including the National Cybersecurity Protection Act of 2014,
(Pub. L. 113-282) (authorizing the National Cybersecurity
Communications and Integration Center, or NCCIC); the Federal
Information Security Modernization Act of 2014, (Pub. L. 113-
283) (authorizing DHS to carry out Federal information security
activities); the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, (Pub.
L. 113-274) (providing for improvements to cybersecurity
through public-private partnerships, education, awareness, and
development of standards and best practices); and the
Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment Act, (Pub. L. 113-246)
(calling for a comprehensive cyber workforce strategy with
workforce assessments every three years). The Committee will
also examine CISA's election security activities.
Infrastructure Protection
The Committee will examine CISA's programs to protect
critical infrastructure, with key focus on internal
coordination mechanisms to ensure that expertise can be
leveraged efficiently and effectively and encourage CISA to
proactively respond to new and emerging threats, such as the
threat of unmanned aerial vehicles detected in sensitive
airspace. The Committee will also review how DHS, through CISA,
works with the various critical infrastructure sectors pursuant
to Presidential Policy Directive 21, Critical Infrastructure
Security and Resilience (PPD-21). During the 116th Congress the
Committee will examine and work to reauthorize the Chemical
Facility Anti-Terrorism Standard (CFATS) program, which
requires high risk chemical facility owners and operators to
report chemical holdings, perform vulnerability assessments,
and adopt risk-based security measures to protect against the
threat of a terrorist attack. Further, the Committee will
continue to monitor the Department's efforts to establish a
program to secure the sale and transfer of ammonium nitrate, as
required by the Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Act of
2008, and potentially develop new access controls to prevent
the illicit flow of other precursor chemicals commonly used in
Improved Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Federal Protective Service
The Committee will continue to monitor the security of
Federal buildings and facilities, including the role and
effectiveness of the Federal Protective Service (FPS) and will
review the Secretary's recommendation regarding the appropriate
placement for FPS pursuant to H.R. 3359. The Committee will
also continue to examine the general management of FPS,
including its personnel policies, training program, and
oversight and management of Federal facility contract guard
personnel.
Science and Technology Directorate
The Committee will conduct oversight of the coordination of
homeland security-related research, development, testing, and
evaluation (RDT&E) within the Department and the adequacy of
mission support provided by the Directorate to operational
elements of the Department, state and local authorities, and
the private sector. The Committee will also review the
Department's efforts to attract the Nation's most talented
scientists and build partnerships with the academic community
through its Homeland Security Centers of Excellence and
University Programs.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY
In the 116th Congress, the Committee will continue to
conduct oversight of the Department's efforts to prevent,
prepare for, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism,
natural disasters, and other major emergencies.
Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
The Committee will examine the Federal Emergency Management
Agency's (FEMA) response and recovery efforts for declared
disasters to ensure capabilities incorporate lessons learned
and Federal resources are used appropriately. Focus will
include lessons learned from the 2017 disaster season,
including Hurricanes Maria, Irma, and Harvey, ongoing recovery
efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, addressing
the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations, and the
impact of global warming on disasters. The Committee will also
review the Department's training and exercise programs,
including awareness of these resources among first responders
and state and local governments. Further, the Committee will
monitor the extent to which FEMA is incorporating information
from national exercises into future training, planning, and
response, recovery, and mitigation activities. Additionally,
the Committee will conduct oversight of the Department's
Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office efforts to
counter threats from chemical, biological, radiological, and
nuclear weapons.
Assistance to State and Local Governments and First Responders
The Committee will examine FEMA's allocation and
administration of grants to enhance the ability of state and
local governments and emergency response providers to prevent,
prepare for, respond to, mitigate, and recover from a terrorist
attack or other disaster. The Committee will review the
coordination of grant programs within the Department in
developing guidance and administering grants; the ability of
state and local governments to access, obligate, and expend
funds; the strength of regional partnerships developed through
grants; and the risk-based distribution and expenditure of such
grants at the state and local levels. Additionally, the
Committee will examine the Department's work with state and
local partners to support school safety and security and
preparedness.
Emergency Communications
The Committee will examine the coordination of various
communications programs and offices within the Department,
including the achievement and maintenance of interoperable
communications capabilities among the Department's components,
as required by the Department of Homeland Security
Interoperable Communications Act (Pub. Law 114-29). The
Committee will monitor activities of the First Responder
Network Authority (FirstNet) and the development of the public
safety interoperable wireless broadband network. In addition,
the Committee will review the Department's Integrated Public
Alert and Warning System to ensure timely and effective alerts
and warnings are provided to the public in the event of an
emergency.
COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION
Oversight Plan for the 116th Congress
Committee on House Administration
As required by House Resolution 6, the Committee on House
Administration's oversight plan for the 116th Congress is as
follows:
MEMBER SERVICES
Oversee Members' allowance amounts, including
structure and regulations.
Provide guidance and outreach to congressional
offices to ensure compliance with committee regulations.
Review and revise the Members Handbook, a set of
regulations governing the appropriate use of the members'
Representational allowance.
Review and revise the guide to outfitting and
maintaining an office of the United States House of
Representatives, a set of regulations governing the
acquisition, transfer, and disposal of furnishings, equipment,
software, and related services.
Review the calculation of the Members'
Representational Allowances and ensure that all members have
adequate resources for representing their constituents.
Oversee the processing of vouchers and direct
payments, including those for payroll. Continue to monitor the
implementation of the electronic vouchering system.
Work with the Officers of the House, the
Architect of the Capitol and the legislative branch agencies to
provide meaningful outreach to member offices and provide that
the views of member offices are incorporated into their ongoing
work.
New Member Orientation
Plan, implement, and oversee the New Member
Orientation program for newly-elected Members of Congress.
Oversee the planning and implementation of the
Congressional Research Service new member issues seminar in
Williamsburg.
Work with the Congressional Research Service and
other support agencies to make available additional on-going
professional development services for new members and staff.
Intern program
In coordination with the Senate Committee on
Rules and Administration, organize, administer, and oversee the
intern lecture series.
Review and consider revising the intern handbook
and other publications and communication materials used in
support of the intern program.
Continue and expand the Gregg and Livingston
Harper congressional internship program for individuals with
intellectual disabilities.
COMMITTEE FUNDING AND OVERSIGHT
Review monthly reports on committee activities
and expenditures.
Review the Committees' Congressional Handbook
regulations governing expenditure of committee funds and update
regulations as needed.
Review primary and any secondary expense
resolutions and approve authorization of committee-funding
levels in committee and by House Resolution.
Review committees' franking expenditures.
Review the use of consultant contracts.
CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1995
Monitor implementation of the Congressional
Accountability Act of 1995 (caa, pl 104-1) and the reforms
provided for in pl 115-397.
Monitor the development and deployment of the
climate survey.
Review data on workplace rights information.
Review regulations adopted by the Office of
Congressional Workplace Rights.
Evaluate resources available to the Office of
Congressional Workplace Rights and House employing offices to
facilitate implementation of the act.
Conduct general oversight of the office of Office
of Congressional Workplace Rights.
Conduct specific oversight of the implementation
of the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights IT system.
Monitor ongoing judicial proceedings to determine
the impact on the Congressional Accountability Act.
Monitor for the ongoing anti-harassment and anti-
discrimination workplace rights training, including development
of the curriculum and administration of in district trainings.
Oversee the Office of Employee Advocate.
FRANKING COMMISSION
Oversee the Members' use of the congressional
frank and other unsolicited mass communications by providing
guidance, advice, and counsel through consultation or advisory
opinions.
Review proposals to modernize the franking
practices of members, and regulations governing such mailings
and communications.
Monitor current prohibition on mass mailings 90
days before a primary or general election.
Oversee efforts to ensure compliance with franked
mailings and communications reporting requirements, and the
Chief Administrative Officer's (CAO) implementation of new
digital form procedures.
Implement approved procedures to increase
transparency and improve the accounting of franked mail costs.
Revise the regulations on the use of the
congressional frank and rules on practice in proceedings before
the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards.
Coordinate with the members services team to
update, refine, and modernize policies related to the official
use of communications resources.
Coordinate with the Clerk of the House and CAO to
identify and implement new applications, resources, and
procedures for the House to be more transparent, accountable,
accessible, and to meet Member and Committee office's
obligations related to official communications.
HOUSE OFFICERS AND HOUSE OPERATIONS
Coordinate with House Officers and officials to
develop long term plans and goals for the administrative,
financial and administrative functions of the House.
Oversee an effort to recruit and retain a more
diverse workforce among all the House Officers.
Work with House Officers to identify and reduce
spending and create more cost effective and efficient
operations within the House.
Analyze management improvement proposals and
other initiatives submitted by the House Officers, the
Inspector General, the Capitol Police Board, the Architect of
the Capitol, the Library of Congress, and other legislative
branch agencies.
Coordinate with the subcommittee on Legislative
Branch appropriations on matters impacting operations of the
House and joint entities.
Provide policy guidance to the House Officers,
Inspector General and the joint entities as appropriate.
Oversee compliance with the House Employee
Classification Act (2 U.S.C. 291 et seq.).
Assure coordination among officers and joint
entities on administrative and technology matters, including
reviewing existing it security policies.
Provide policy guidance and conduct oversight of
security and safety issues and congressional entities charged
with such roles.
Assure coordination among officers and joint
entities on the development of a comprehensive district office
support program.
Chief Administrative Officer
Provide policy direction for the Chief
Administrative Officer. Continue the review of functions and
administrative operations assigned to the Chief Administrative
Officer.
Review existing assets management processes.
Review House procurement policies and monitor the
effectiveness of the Chief Administrative Officer's procurement
and contract management functions. Review procedures for
processing contracts with the House that exceed the threshold
of $350,000.
Continue to review ongoing process and technology
upgrades to the House financial management system and ensuring
appropriate internal controls are in place.
Monitor reforms to the Office of Finance and
Payroll and Benefits as provided for by the Inspector General
and outside consultants.
Review and oversee information technology
services provided, maintained or hosted by House Information
Resources. Continue oversight of failsafe procedures to
guarantee continuity of operations.
Review new technology initiatives to better serve
members, committees, and the public.
Review semi-annual financial and operational
status reports; oversee implementation of changes in operations
to improve services and increase efficiencies.
Review training offerings available to members
and staff through the congressional staff academy.
Review the development and roll-out of the CAO's
customer advocate program.
Review the operations of the House gift shop and
its management.
Continued review of House restaurant operations;
furniture policy, inventory and selection; and alternatives to
the current mail delivery process to strengthen the services
and tools available to members and staff.
Examine Chief Administrative Officer's role in
assuring accessibility to the House wing of the Capitol, the
House office buildings and other House facilities consistent
with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Review staff benefits offered by the House and
proposals to modify benefits.
Review the wounded warrior program and develop
recommendations, in consultation with veteran's organizations,
about improvements to the program.
Review the official sanctioned ``app challenge''.
Clerk of the House
Review and approve contracts and requests for
proposals by the Clerk that exceed the $350,000 spending
threshold.
Review the Clerk's current IT configuration and
redundancy posture.
Oversee the House document repository.
Review standards for the electronic exchange of
legislative information among the houses of congress and
legislative-branch agencies.
Coordinate on matters under the jurisdiction of
the House Fine Arts Board and the Capitol Preservation Board.
Continue review of functions and administrative
operations assigned to the Clerk.
Review of semi-annual financial and operational
status reports; recommend changes in operations to improve
services and increase efficiencies.
Review the printing needs of the Clerk to
evaluate the potential for eliminating duplication.
Review the application programming interface
incorporated in the Clerk's newly-developed website.
Oversee preparation of congressionally-authorized
publications.
Sergeant-At-Arms
Review and oversee security operations in the
House, including the House Chamber, the galleries, the Capitol,
House Office Buildings, Capitol Grounds, and district offices.
Review and oversee initiatives designed to
increase security and security awareness for Members and staff
in district offices.
Review annual financial and operational status
reports; recommend changes in operations to improve services
and increase efficiencies.
Review impact of electronic access to controlled
spaces.
Continue review of functions and administrative
operations assigned to the Sergeant-At-Arms.
Review the security operation of House parking
facilities, regulations, and allocation of parking spaces.
Consult with the Sergeant-At-Arms on policies
adopted by the Capitol Police Board.
Review the policies and procedures for visitor
access to the Capitol.
Examine Sergeant-At-Arms' role in assuring
accessibility to the House wing of the Capitol, the House
Office Buildings, and other House facilities consistent with
the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Review staff ID standards.
Review the impact on staff of garage security
implementation.
Review the use of technology generally in the
protection of the House of Representatives.
Review the effectiveness of district office
security program, including the law enforcement coordinator
program, enterprise-wide security system contract, and
processes for mail sent to the district offices.
House Inspector General
Review, and approve, proposed audit plan and audit
reports, including the annual financial statements audit.
Ensure that audits and their prioritization is
based upon the assessment of risk to the operations of the
House.
Review comprehensive financial and operational
audits of the House, investigate any irregularities uncovered,
and monitor necessary improvements.
Monitor progress of House audits.
Continue review of functions and administrative
operations assigned to the Inspector General.
Direct Inspector General to conduct management
advisories to improve implementation and operation of key House
functions.
House Diversity Office
Pursuant to House Resolution 6, oversee and direct
implementation of the diversity office.
Collaborating with the legislative branch
appropriations subcommittee, oversee requirement for employment
related survey of the congressional workforce.
Review and assess diversity plan for each
legislative branch agency.
OVERSIGHT OF LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND OTHER ENTITIES
Information and technology coordination
Oversee, in conjunction with the Senate, forums
for the sharing of technology plans and capabilities among the
legislative branch agencies.
Oversee, in conjunction with the Senate, the
legislative branch cybersecurity working group with the goal of
developing and implementing it standards across the legislative
branch.
Oversee management of the congress.gov website.
Oversee work of the legislative branch financial
managers' council.
Provide direction to the bulk data task force.
Library of Congress
Conduct a review of the progress that the Library
has made in providing public access to government information,
especially in electronic form.
Continue oversight of the development of the
Library's Visitor Experience project.
Continue oversight of Library of Congress
operations, including inventory and cataloguing systems.
Continue oversight of Law Library operations.
Continue oversight of Congressional Research
Service operations and consider any need to modify management
and organizational structure of the service.
Review implementation of the Library of Congress
fiscal operations improvement act of 2000 (public law 106-481),
the Veterans' Oral History Project act (public law 106-380),
the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 (public law no:
106-474), and the history of the House Awareness and
Preservation Act (public law 106-99).
Consider human-resources legislation proposed by
the Library.
Review the use of technology generally in Library
of Congress operations, and specifically the ongoing work to
centralize technology operations consistent with the guidance
from the general accountability office.
Continue oversight of the Library's technology
hosting environment transition.
Review reports by library of congress inspector
general and implementation of audit recommendations. Examine
options to improve operation and structure of the Library of
Congress Inspector General's office.
Focus oversight on national library services to
provide the most effective service to their library partners,
explore ways to increase the number of users under 65, review
the format and content for those users and review proposals for
a new physical headquarters.
Copyright Office
Review the progress that the Copyright Office has
made in providing copyright application and registration data
(both past and current) online.
Review the use of technology generally in
Copyright Office operations, and specifically the office's
modernization efforts.
Conduct a review of the Copyright Office's efforts
to communicate its modernization efforts to stakeholders.
Conduct a review of security measures and
processes for e-deposits submitted to both the Copyright Office
and Library of Congress.
Conduct a review of the Copyright Office's
spending authority and its ability to budget for multi-year
capital projects.
Conduct a review of the examination process with a
focus on the Copyright Office's initiatives aimed at improve
examination efficiencies and reducing application pendency.
Review availability of customer service support
options available to applicants.
Review Copyright Office rulemaking authority and
processes.
Review Copyright Office fee setting authority and
the office's process for determining the actual cost of
services they provide.
United States Capitol Police (USCP)
Monitor administrative operations of the agency,
including budgetary management, over-time use, civilian
component, attrition rates, recruitment efforts and incentive
programs for officers and civilian employees.
Review proposals for additional USCP authorities,
facilities and equipment.
Review analysis of uniformed officer post/duty
assignments to determine and authorize force levels to meet the
agency's security requirements within the Capitol complex to
include the Capitol visitor center, the Library of Congress and
U.S. Botanic Garden.
Conduct oversight on House-garage security
implementation.
Conduct oversight of the effectiveness of USCP
pre-screeners.
Review and consider proposals to improve USCP
training program for new recruits, and in-service training.
Authorize and oversee the installation and
maintenance of new security systems and devices proposed by the
police board.