Auctoritas

<p>On <b>Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 2:15 p.m., </b>in room 1334 Longworth House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, will hold an oversight hearing titled <i>“Deep Dive: Examining the Regulatory and Statutory Barriers to Deep Sea Mining.”</i></p> The hearing notice, memo and witness testimony can be found on the committee’s repository&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=118830">here</a>.

Status: Scheduled

<p>On <b>Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., </b>in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold an oversight&nbsp;hearing&nbsp;titled <i>“America First: U.S. Leadership &amp; National Security in International Conservation.”</i></p> The hearing notice, memo and witness testimony can be found on the committee’s repository&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=118774">here</a>.

Status: Scheduled

On <b>Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 10:15 a.m., </b>in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold an oversight hearing titled<i> “EXPLORE America250: Celebrating One Year of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act.”&nbsp;</i>

Status: Scheduled

<p>Today, the Education and Workforce Committee held the first<strong> </strong><a href="https://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=412984"><strong>hearing</strong></a><strong> </strong>in a series examining how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is impacting the workforce, job training, and education.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <a href="https://edworkforce.house.gov/uploadedfiles/walberg_ai_opening_statement.pdf"><strong>Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI)</strong></a>&nbsp;started the hearing by highlighting how AI is already impacting today’s world.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> “AI tools are already helping teachers reduce administrative burdens, better personalize learning, and free up more time to engage directly with students. For workers, AI can help build new skills, increase efficiency, and accelerate on-the-job learning. As a result, employers can expect productivity gains that contribute to economic growth,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="333" src="https://mcusercontent.com/242c4a1c0560b7d513ce7962f/_compresseds/076758f8-ead7-d944-6073-f7fe0b40d2c0.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><strong>Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)&nbsp;</strong>asked&nbsp;<a href="https://edworkforce.house.gov/uploadedfiles/adeel_khan_testimony_final.pdf"><strong>Mr. Adeel Khan,&nbsp;Founder &amp; CEO of MagicSchool AI</strong></a>, about how to protect students’ data as well as how to ensure they are still able to think critically when using AI. “We believe…that if a student isn’t introduced to generative AI in a school building, they will inevitability be introduced to generative AI in a different way…I think everyone in this room would agree that you’d prefer the first time a child interacts with generative AI it’s under the guidance of a teacher who’s teaching them about how it works, [and] the risks and benefits of using generative AI,” Mr. Khan explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<img alt="" height="333" src="https://mcusercontent.com/242c4a1c0560b7d513ce7962f/_compresseds/707298fa-6735-7445-99a1-8683e5563233.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><strong>Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA)&nbsp;</strong>asked how AI is addressing the issue of affordability. “The University of Texas at Houston Health System used AI to predict when folks were going to miss their appointments. They saved $250,000 in one quarter. Many Americans can’t afford health care—we should be exploring…how we can automate and improve scribing&nbsp;and so many activities that increase our medical costs,” said<strong>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://edworkforce.house.gov/uploadedfiles/kevin_frazier_testimony_final.pdf"><strong>Mr. Kevin Frazier,&nbsp;AI Innovation &amp; Law Fellow at the University of Texas Law School</strong></a><strong>.</strong><br /> &nbsp;<br /> <a href="https://edworkforce.house.gov/uploadedfiles/chaya_nayak_testimony_final.pdf"><strong>Ms. Chaya Nayak, Head of Certifications and Jobs Platform, Open AI</strong></a><strong>, </strong>told&nbsp;<strong>Rep. Bob Onder (R-MO)</strong>&nbsp;the benefits they are seeing in classrooms that use AI.&nbsp;“A study from Harvard University found that a physics class that had a tailored curriculum that was focused on using ChatGPT…doubled [student] engagement and actually improved their problem-solving skills,” she said.&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<img alt="" height="333" src="https://mcusercontent.com/242c4a1c0560b7d513ce7962f/_compresseds/992283a8-de3c-7dcc-8e65-58c9b82cad82.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><strong>Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL)&nbsp;</strong>asked&nbsp;Ms. Nayak&nbsp;how AI can be used to help train workers for the modern workforce rather than displace them.&nbsp;“What we are doing is providing a foundation of certifications, we’re partnering with governments, we’re partnering with employers to think about how those certifications can enter into their workflow…[and] lead to jobs,” Ms. Nayak explained.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<img alt="" height="333" src="https://mcusercontent.com/242c4a1c0560b7d513ce7962f/_compresseds/3f73ac06-b639-0ba2-4cd9-37ffb0e71d70.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><strong>Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA)&nbsp;</strong>asked how AI can help students with disabilities. “When AI is informed with the needs of the child…the interaction they have with the technology can be even more personalized to the needs that they have,” explained Mr. Khan.<br /> <br /> <strong>Bottom line:</strong>&nbsp;Committee Republicans are looking at ways AI can expand opportunity, productivity, and skills training while setting clear expectations for safety, privacy, and accountability.</p>

<div> <div> <div> <div>Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) issued the following statement&nbsp;after&nbsp;President Trump signed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/222/text" target="_blank">S.222, the&nbsp;<em>Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025</em></a>, into law:<br /> <br /> </div> <em>“This notion that whole milk consumption is linked to childhood obesity is deeply flawed. In fact, many school children are at risk of dairy underconsumption—not overconsumption. Whole milk is a preferred choice that provides essential nutrients that support healthy growth and developing minds. I’m glad to see this administration taking steps to align nutrition standards with what modern science and research clearly show.”</em></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /> ###<br /> </div> </div> </div>

<p>On <b>Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., </b>in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold a legislative hearing on the following bills:</p> <ul> <li><b>H.R. 926 (Rep. Cohen), </b><i>“Fort Pillow National Battlefield Park Study Act”</i></li> <li><b>H.R. 3922 (Rep. Neguse), </b><i>“Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act”</i></li> <li><b>H.R. 4038 (Rep. Kim of CA), </b><i>“Wildfire Response and Preparedness Act of 2025”</i></li> <li><b>H.R. 4684 (Rep. Kennedy of UT), </b><i>“Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2025”</i></li> <li><b>H.R. 6300 (Rep. Hageman), </b><i>“Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025”</i></li> </ul>

<div>Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) delivered the following statement, as prepared for delivery, at the first&nbsp;<a href="https://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=412984" target="_blank" title="https://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=412984">hearing</a>&nbsp;in a series examining artificial intelligence, titled<strong>&nbsp;"Building an AI-Ready America"</strong>:<br /> <br /> <em>"Artificial intelligence is scaling rapidly, and as a result, it is increasingly shaping how we learn, how we work, and how we prepare for the future. Today’s hearing examines AI and its growing role in education, workforce development, and the future of work.<br /> <br /> "Artificial intelligence is often described as a sudden disruption, but many of its underlying technologies have existed for decades. What has changed is the scale and accessibility of these tools. Rapid advancements have made AI systems easier to use and more widely available—reaching classrooms, workforce training programs, and workplaces across the country.<br /> <br /> "AI’s potential benefits are significant. AI tools are already helping teachers reduce administrative burdens, better personalize learning, and free up more time to engage directly with students. For workers, AI can help build new skills, increase efficiency, and accelerate on-the-job learning. As a result, employers can expect productivity gains that contribute to economic growth. An estimated 40 percent of GDP could be significantly affected by generative AI, which could mean a permanent increase in economic activity.<br /> <br /> "That said, AI growth is not without challenges. Models can make mistakes. In education, that raises concerns about academic integrity and overreliance. In the workforce, early evidence suggests AI may change how tasks are performed, particularly for entry-level roles, which underscores the need for strong pathways into the labor market and strong skills development. It is also important to recognize that many labor laws and regulations have not kept pace with how quickly work is changing, and they too often make it harder for businesses to offer benefits and flexibility.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> "With the rapid pace of technological change, workers are seeking greater freedom and flexibility in how they work. This highlights the need for clearer standards for independent work and more flexible benefit models that better serve a modern, mobile workforce. Today, more than 70 million workers operate as self-employed independent contractors, yet the federal government too often does not provide the statutory clarity that these workers need and deserve. In our current age of rapid technological growth, including AI-related development, our policies must adapt to the growing role of independent work.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> "As this Committee considers AI, we must recognize that many existing education and workforce policies were designed for a different era. The goal should not be to rush into sweeping new rules and regulations, but to ensure schools, employers, and training providers can keep pace with innovation while maintaining trust and prioritizing safety and privacy.<br /> <br /> "U.S. leadership in AI is pivotal to the nation’s economic success and security. The Trump administration understands that this leadership requires an AI-ready workforce supported by strong classroom instruction and on-the-job learning that make the most of cutting-edge technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> "Today we have the opportunity to better understand how AI is being and could be used in education and workforce systems, where it is delivering value, and where challenges remain."</em></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /> ###<br /> </div>

2261 Rayburn Office Building<br /> <a href="https://youtube.com/live/RM0aq5ynUiQ?feature=share">Watch</a>

&nbsp;On <b>Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., </b>in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs will hold an oversight hearing titled<i> “Implementation of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024.”<br /> <br /> </i>The hearing notice, memo and witness testimony can be found on the committee’s repository&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=118822">here</a>.

Status: Scheduled

<p>Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on five bills that standardize wildfire response times, support local acts of patriotism, and aid America’s ranchers. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) issued the following statement in response:</p> <p><i>“<em>Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands heard legislation that honors the life and legacy of our late friend and colleague Representative Doug LaMalfa. We will continue his fight to protect America’s beautiful federal lands and rural communities by empowering commonsense wildfire management, improving Forest Service response, and limiting burdensome red tape.</em>”</i></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Background</strong></p> <p><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4038__;!!Fr0YZsIsFWxTZsBm-qTAg68!klXFQPRbUCGUS3Lkxc-XDmOumEvz76A4EwnRNNWivaM32ZoSKQ2y6Q517jzI7yBYEU4G4ZdKpdeVhwADLlr13KR7Snlqw7o9Zg$">H.R. 4038</a>, the <b>Wildfire Response and Preparedness Act of 2025</b>, <i>introduced by U.S. Rep. Kim Young (R-Calif.)</i>, addresses the escalating forest health and wildfire crisis by creating a standardized, measurable response time for wildfire suppression, which will protect communities and advance President Trump’s EO 14308, “<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/empowering-commonsense-wildfire-prevention-and-response/__;!!Fr0YZsIsFWxTZsBm-qTAg68!klXFQPRbUCGUS3Lkxc-XDmOumEvz76A4EwnRNNWivaM32ZoSKQ2y6Q517jzI7yBYEU4G4ZdKpdeVhwADLlr13KR7SnnEYWnt_A$">Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response</a>.”</p> <p><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4684?q=*7B*22search*22*3A*22hr*4684*22*7D&amp;s=2&amp;r=1__;JSUlJSUrJSU!!Fr0YZsIsFWxTZsBm-qTAg68!klXFQPRbUCGUS3Lkxc-XDmOumEvz76A4EwnRNNWivaM32ZoSKQ2y6Q517jzI7yBYEU4G4ZdKpdeVhwADLlr13KR7SnmCVHZKpw$">H.R. 4684</a>, the <b>Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2025</b>, <i>introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah)</i>, restores a local patriotic tradition, in time for celebrating America’s 250^th anniversary, by allowing for the long-term placement of an American flag at a prominent summit in Utah.</p> <p><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6300?q=*7B*22search*22*3A*22hr*6300*22*7D&amp;s=3&amp;r=2__;JSUlJSUrJSU!!Fr0YZsIsFWxTZsBm-qTAg68!klXFQPRbUCGUS3Lkxc-XDmOumEvz76A4EwnRNNWivaM32ZoSKQ2y6Q517jzI7yBYEU4G4ZdKpdeVhwADLlr13KR7SnkhFz32Qg$">H.R. 6300</a>, the <b>Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025</b>, <i>introduced by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.)</i>, creates parity among federal grazing permittees, supporting rangeland health and rural Western economies.</p> <p><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/926/all-info__;!!Fr0YZsIsFWxTZsBm-qTAg68!klXFQPRbUCGUS3Lkxc-XDmOumEvz76A4EwnRNNWivaM32ZoSKQ2y6Q517jzI7yBYEU4G4ZdKpdeVhwADLlr13KR7SnmM0ghbVg$">H.R. 926</a>, the <b>Fort Pillow National Battlefield Park Study Act</b>, <i>introduced by U.S. Rep Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.)</i>, directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to evaluate Fort Pillow in Tennessee.</p> <p><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3922?q=*7B*22search*22*3A*22hr*3922*22*7D&amp;s=7&amp;r=2__;JSUlJSUrJSU!!Fr0YZsIsFWxTZsBm-qTAg68!klXFQPRbUCGUS3Lkxc-XDmOumEvz76A4EwnRNNWivaM32ZoSKQ2y6Q517jzI7yBYEU4G4ZdKpdeVhwADLlr13KR7Snm0NAsNCg$">H.R. 3922</a>, the <b>Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act</b>, <i>introduced by U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.)</i>, directs the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on wildfire mitigation efforts across federal and non-federal lands.</p> For more information on the hearing, click <a href="https://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=418545">here</a>.

<p>Today, the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing about the implementation of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024. Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) issued the following statement in response:</p> <p><i>“The Compacts of Free Association are central to America’s strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific. When we renewed these compacts in 2024, we made a commitment to the Freely Associated States and to our position in the region. Passage was only the first step. It is the role of Congress to ensure proper&nbsp;implementation of provisions ranging from establishing proper interagency coordination to delivering services to veterans. Today’s hearing assessed where those provisions currently stand and reinforced that the United States must keep its commitments to our allies in the region.”</i></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Background</strong></p> <p>The United States renewed its Compacts of Free Association (COFA) with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, collectively known as the Freely Associated States (FAS), in March 2024. The COFA agreements provide strategic advantages for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region. In return, the FAS receive economic assistance and defense guarantees.</p> <p>The Biden Administration significantly delayed COFA implementation, leaving several required actions unfinished. While progress is being made under the Trump administration, there is still more to do.&nbsp;</p> <p>The House Committee on Natural Resources is fulfilling its oversight responsibilities to ensure that the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 is implemented as Congress intended. This includes the United States delivering on its commitments to the FAS, and the FAS ensuring transparency and accountability in how funds received from the U.S. government are spent. The COFA agreements put into action the United States’ commitments to our allies in the Indo-Pacific. Upholding our COFA commitments signals to the FAS, and the Indo-Pacific region as a whole, that the U.S. is a reliable and strong partner in ensuring the security and prosperity of the region.</p> For more information on the hearing, click <a href="https://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=418544">here</a>.

Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) spoke on the House Floor in support of&nbsp;<a href="https://republicans-edlabor.house.gov/UploadedFiles/1.8.26_Empowering_Workers_Through_Flexibility_and_Opportunity.pdf" target="_blank">three bills</a>&nbsp;that protect workers’ earnings, expand access to job training, and support working families—without adding unnecessary government barriers. The legislation includes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2312/text">H.R. 2312,&nbsp;<em>Tipped Employee Protection Act</em></a>;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2262/text">H.R. 2262,&nbsp;<em>Flexibility for Workers Education Act</em></a>; and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2270/text" target="_blank">H.R. 2270,&nbsp;</a><em><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2270/text">Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act</a>.</em>&nbsp; &nbsp;<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLG3ThCYdjs" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="281" src="https://mcusercontent.com/242c4a1c0560b7d513ce7962f/images/52c3ae8d-9f4d-971d-9b95-83161bc23c8b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <br /> <strong>Chairman Walberg on H.R. 2312,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://republicans-edlabor.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Walberg_H.R._2312_Floor_Remarks_.pdf"><strong><em>Tipped Employee Protection Act</em></strong></a><strong><em>,&nbsp;</em></strong><strong>authored by Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR):&nbsp;</strong><em>“Like many of my colleagues, I want to see Americans rewarded for their hard work and ensure they are paid what they earn. That’s why I am proud to rise in support of H.R. 2312, the Tipped Employee Protection Act, which creates stability for tipped workers and preserves opportunities for them to earn a good wage.</em><br /> <br /> <em>“The bill creates a clear, common-sense definition of a tipped worker and prevents future attempts by misguided, activist judges and bureaucrats seeking to implement policies that hurt workers’ bottom lines…H.R. 2312 puts more money back in workers’ pockets and eases the burden on employers by removing needless federal regulations.”</em><br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/3_1_d7EEyYg" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="281" src="https://mcusercontent.com/242c4a1c0560b7d513ce7962f/images/8fcde4c5-b26f-0800-a63a-90173d2fd217.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <br /> <strong>Chairman Walberg on H.R. 2262,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://republicans-edlabor.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Walberg_H.R._2262_Floor_Remarks.pdf"><strong><em>Flexibility for Workers Education Act</em></strong></a><strong>, authored by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA)</strong><strong>:&nbsp;</strong><em>“[H.R. 2262] is a common-sense bill that makes it easier for a business to offer voluntary upskilling opportunities to its employees. As our nation faces a widening skills gap and millions of unfilled jobs, H.R. 2262 would provide additional pathways for workers to pursue trainings and fill a growing number of jobs that require skilled workers.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> “As Chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, I am committed to cutting red tape and removing roadblocks that make it harder for workers and businesses to succeed. The Flexibility for Workers Education Act is another strong step toward ensuring Washington doesn’t put up roadblocks that hinder progress in our workforce.”</em><br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qS2y9cM4ug" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="281" src="https://mcusercontent.com/242c4a1c0560b7d513ce7962f/images/54eaba69-5dbb-4efe-bc7f-17d7a6240cd7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <br /> <strong>Chairman Walberg on H.R. 2270,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://republicans-edlabor.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Walberg_H.R._2270_Floor_Remarks.pdf"><strong><em>Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act</em></strong></a><strong><em>,&nbsp;</em></strong><strong>authored by Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN):&nbsp;</strong><em>“Across this country, millions of Americans are doing two full-time jobs at once. They are employees striving to be productive and dependable at work, and they are caregivers—parents of young children, sons and daughters caring for aging parents, or both. These responsibilities do not disappear when the workday begins. They shape whether a worker can show up on time, stay focused, or remain in the workforce at all.<br /> <br /> “The Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act removes this longstanding obstacle for employers wishing to provide these highly valued accommodations to their workforce…sends a clear message: we value work, we value family, and we understand that the two are deeply connected.”</em> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;">###</p>

<p style="text-align: center;">On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 2:15 PM ET, the Subcommittee on Health will hold a legislative hearing on "<em>Discussion Draft: the “BEACON Act”; H.R.6444, the “Blast Overpressure Research and Mitigation Task Force Act”; H.R.6526, the “Clarity on Care Options Act”; Discussion Draft: the “Data Driven Suicide Prevention Act”; H.R. 2283, the “RECOVER Act”; Discussion Draft: the “Health Desert Reform Act”; H.R. 2426, the “Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act”; H.R 6652: the “US Vets of the FAS Act”; H.R. 4509, the “NOPAIN for Veterans Act”; H.R. 5999, To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish an opioid antagonist to a veteran without requiring a prescription or copayment; H.R. 6001, the “Veterans with ALS Reporting Act”; Discussion Draft: the “Whole Health for Veterans Act."</em>&nbsp;The live stream can be found below.<br /> <br /> <br /> Relevant documents may be found <a href="https://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=118808">here.</a><a href="https://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=118028"><br /> </a><br /> </p> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=118028"><br /> </a></div>

<p>Today, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a<strong>&nbsp;</strong><strong><a href="https://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=412973">hearing</a>&nbsp;</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong>to examine how the private sector is playing an important role in addressing the cost and availability of child care.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <a href="https://edworkforce.house.gov/uploadedfiles/os_kiley.pdf"><strong>Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Kiley (R-CA)</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>opened the hearing by discussing how public-private approaches are key to increasing access to affordable child care.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="333" src="https://mcusercontent.com/242c4a1c0560b7d513ce7962f/_compresseds/143e7dc3-1d98-f5f4-9516-45b55a1d3bec.jpg" width="500" /></p> <br /> “Employer engagement is a critical leg in the three-part support system holding up our child care market: families, government, and employers each play a role…CCDBG and private-sector innovation should be partners in meeting the child care needs of America’s workforce,” he said.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Witnesses highlighted the importance of employer-based tax credits such as 45F—which was significantly expanded under the Working Families Tax Cuts that was signed into law in July.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://edworkforce.house.gov/uploadedfiles/haden_polseno-hensley_written_testimony.pdf"><strong>Mr. Haden Polseno-Hensley, President and Co-Founder at Red Rooster Coffee Company, LLC</strong></a>,&nbsp;explained how child care facilities benefit children as well as employees.&nbsp;“One benefit that is less quantifiable is the increased level of community in our company, including the relationships between the children that have attended Yellow Hen together. The children are bonded together in a uniquely strong fashion, and adding to that bond, our employees know each other’s children, which creates a fraternal feeling that is hard to replicate,” he said.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="333" src="https://mcusercontent.com/242c4a1c0560b7d513ce7962f/_compresseds/84f4dce2-9153-abc8-b7f8-2a6fa9c409fe.jpg" width="500" /></div> <br /> In an exchange with<strong>&nbsp;Rep. Mike Rulli (R-OH),&nbsp;</strong><strong><a href="https://edworkforce.house.gov/uploadedfiles/alex_grover_written_testimony.pdf">Ms. Alex Grover,&nbsp;CEO at i2M</a>,&nbsp;</strong>discussed ways Congress can help employers provide child care as an employee benefit. “[Congress should] keep the definitions flexible so private business can be creative… there isn’t a one-size-fits all approach to child care. Employers who really understand their workforce understand the demographics and understand the needs are very well suited to help define that,” she said.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="333" src="https://mcusercontent.com/242c4a1c0560b7d513ce7962f/_compresseds/93793595-c8d4-1180-7a81-b777d76858be.jpg" width="500" /></div> <br /> In other words, Congress needs to cut the red tape so the private sector can innovate.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <a href="https://edworkforce.house.gov/uploadedfiles/mary_lou_burke_afonso_written_testimony.pdf"><strong>Ms. Mary Lou Burke Afonso, COO at Bright Horizons</strong></a>,&nbsp;explained to<strong>&nbsp;Rep. James Moylan (R-GU)&nbsp;</strong>how child care is helping businesses retain talented workers and maintain a strong workforce.&nbsp;“Right now, so many people are delaying when they have children and what that means is [businesses] have a talented, educated workforce that might make the choice to go out of the workforce if there isn’t child care for them,” she said.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="320" src="https://mcusercontent.com/242c4a1c0560b7d513ce7962f/_compresseds/c82fc6ae-c5c4-0225-ba9d-fa0861aac5a5.jpg" width="500" /><br /> <br /> </div> <div><a href="https://x.com/EdWorkforceCmte/status/2011133643972874573"><strong>Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN)</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>asked about how employer-sponsored child care helps increase slots rather than re-allocating existing spots.<br /> <br /> “[Employers] can actually come in and add supply to a community that otherwise relieves supply at community-based centers. We also have employers that actually open up some of their available slots to the community. In addition, we work with partners to do some training…and that training is accessible…to employees in the greater community in the workforce of child care,” Ms. Burke Afonso explained.<br /> <br /> <strong>Bottom line:&nbsp;</strong>Making child care more affordable is essential to helping parents work, businesses grow, and local economies thrive—and it is best achieved through flexible partnerships, not one-size-fits-all federal mandates.</div>

<p>On <b>Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. </b>in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold an oversight hearing titled<i> “Hunting and Fishing Access in the Great American Outdoors.”<br /> <br /> </i>The hearing notice, memo and witness testimony can be found on the committee’s repository&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=118813">here</a>.</p>

Status: Scheduled