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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Guthrie Statement on President Trump’s Inauguration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Guthrie Announces New Chief of Staff for Kentucky’s Second District

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Guthrie Sworn in To Serve Kentucky’s Second District for 119th Congress

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman-Elect of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, announced the Committee’s Senior Staff members for the 119^th Congress:

Joel Miller – Chief Counsel

Joel Miller will serve as the Chief Counsel of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, managing the policy and legislative strategy of the Committee and overseeing the subcommittees. As Chief Counsel, Joel will coordinate the Committee’s policy and legislative work with Members, leadership, and the broader Republican Conference to advance the House Republican legislative agenda. A former FCC Senior Legal Advisor and Chief of Staff, Joel also served previously as Chairman Guthrie’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director and has spent the last four years in the private sector. 

Jessica Donlon – General Counsel

Jessica Donlon will serve as the General Counsel for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce where she will advise on strategic and legal issues, lead the Committee’s oversight and investigative priorities, manage the Committee’s parliamentary procedures and compulsory process, and help develop committee best practices. Jessica has extensive experience working for a variety of committees, most recently as Deputy Staff Director of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. During her Capitol Hill tenure, Jessica has conducted congressional investigations, led oversight efforts, and helped run hundreds of congressional hearings. In addition to her Hill experience, Jessica previously served as Deputy General Counsel for Oversight for the Office of Management and Budget within the Executive Office of the President.

Chris Sarley – Senior Advisor and Director of Member Services and Stakeholder Engagement

Chris Sarley will serve as Senior Advisor and Director of Member Services and Stakeholder Engagement for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. In this role, Chris will enhance communication and foster collaboration among Committee Members, the broader Republican Conference, and external stakeholders. Chris is a Capitol Hill veteran, having spent nearly 15 years in the House of Representatives working for the Energy and Commerce Committee and for senior members of the Committee. He returns to the Committee after joining Cornerstone Government Affairs in 2017.

Matt VanHyfte – Director of Communications

Matt VanHyfte will serve as Director of Communications for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he will develop and execute strategic messaging campaigns to advance the Committee’s policy initiatives. Working closely with House Leadership, the House Republican Conference, and Committee Members, he will lead efforts to communicate and amplify the legislative agenda. Prior to this role, VanHyfte served as Director of Communications for the House Committee on Small Business. His experience includes positions with President Donald J. Trump’s 2020 Re-Election Campaign, the Republican Governors Association, and the National Republican Congressional Committee.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce senior staff will work under the direction of Staff Director Megan Jackson and Deputy Staff Director Sophie Khanahmadi.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced that the Maritime Administration (MARAD) will issue a license authorizing Delfin LNG to construct and operate a deepwater port facility to export LNG.

The Delfin LNG facility will be located approximately 37 to 41 miles off the coast of Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Once the offshore floating liquified natural gas vessel (FLNGV) is constructed, it will be able to export up to 1.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas as LNG.

“We are following through on our promise to unleash America’s energy potential,” said Congressman Higgins. “My office supports the continued expansion of our LNG industry, and this decision further displays the important role of South Louisiana for economic and energy prosperity. Each of these projects provides good-paying jobs and growth for our communities.”

In December 2024, Congressman Higgins sent a letter to incoming U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright calling for immediate action to overturn the LNG permitting moratorium and expedite the review of pending applications. In recent weeks, the Department of Energy (DOE) has taken action to advance key projects in South Louisiana, including Delfin LNG, Commonwealth LNG, and Venture Global’s CP2 LNG.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, will launch an investigation into the growing number of politically motivated “swatting” attacks against conservative figures. In a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chairman Higgins is requesting an investigation into those responsible for the attacks.

“The Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement (Subcommittee) is investigating the recent increase in “swatting” incidents which appear to be targeting individuals based on their political affiliation. The Subcommittee requests information from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on the steps being taken to thoroughly investigate these incidents of political violence and hold those responsible accountable. To assist the Subcommittee with its investigation, I am requesting a staff-level briefing from the DOJ and FBI by April 9, 2025, to understand what is being done to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for politically motivated swatting incidents,” wrote Subcommittee Chairman Clay Higgins.

Read the letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced that President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright approved a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export authorization for Venture Global’s CP2 LNG in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

The project reflects a commitment to restoring American energy dominance. Venture Global’s authorization to export LNG to non-free trade agreement countries from their CP2 facility will yield economic benefits to the United States and improve energy security for U.S. allies and trading partners over the export term through 2050. Venture Global will be able to export up to 3.96 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas as LNG.

“Today’s decision supports American energy production and the people of Louisiana, said Congressman Higgins. “We are delivering on our promise to restore American energy dominance. My office will continue to advocate for the growth of America’s LNG industry, which provides our nation and the world with clean, reliable, and affordable energy.”  

In December 2024, Congressman Higgins sent a letter to incoming U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright calling for immediate action to overturn the Biden administration’s LNG permitting moratorium. Congressman Higgins also asked Secretary Wright to expedite the review of pending applications, including Venture Global’s CP2 project and the permit for Commonwealth LNG’s. Read the letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) introduced the Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA), which would prevent the federal government from discriminating against contractors based on labor union affiliation and require neutrality on Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) in the federal procurement process. Senator Young (R-IN) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

The previous administration published a final rule, requiring federal agencies to require PLAs, which are collective bargaining arrangements between contractors and labor unions, for any federal construction contract that exceeds $35 million. The regulation contradicts Louisiana’s Right-to-Work protections as well as 23 other states and destroys competition among bidders, delays project completion, and increases federal construction costs for taxpayers.

This Fair and Open Competition Act:

• Preserves open competition for nonunion and union contractors to win contracts and subcontracts for federal and federally funded construction projects;
• Maintains federal neutrality on PLAs by allowing contractors and subcontractors to decide whether they want to execute a PLA voluntarily for a specific project;
• Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to be revised within 60 days to implement FOCA.

“The regulatory mandate on federal construction contracts undermines free and fair competition. It is a violation of Louisiana and many other state’s Right-to-Work laws,” said Congressman Higgins. “While President Trump has already taken executive action to provide relief from the PLA mandate, our legislation codifies those protections into law.  Our bill ensures fairness in the federal contracting process and prioritizes pro-growth economic policies.”

“The Fair and Open Competition Act is pro-worker legislation that will restore competition in the construction industry, protect Hoosier workers from discriminatory contracts, and lower costs for taxpayers,” said Senator Young. “Growing up with a dad who ran a small business and around family members and close friends who were union members, I appreciate what everyone brings to the table. This bill strikes the right balance to ensure various contractors can bid on these projects on their own merits.”

 “ABC strongly supports the Fair and Open Competition Act, reintroduced by  Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La. This bill combats inflationary government-mandated project labor agreements and ensures federal and federally assisted contracts are awarded through a fair and competitive bidding process. Restoring merit-based competition allows all qualified contractors to compete on a level playing field based on merit, experience, quality and safety in order to deliver the best projects at the best cost.” – Kristen Swearingen, ABC Vice President of Legislative & Political Affairs.

Read the legislation here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Troy Nehls (R-TX) reintroduced the Save Our Shrimpers Act, which prohibits federal funds from being made available to International Financial Institutions (IFIs) that finance activities related to shrimp farming, shrimp processing, or the export of shrimp to the United States.

This legislation directs an investigation within the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) and requires annual reports to Congress that track whether IFIs’ U.S. Executive Directors are complying with Federal law USC 262(h) and opposing any assistance from international financial institutions that cause injury or harm to U.S. producers.

Congressman Higgins has been a strong advocate for Louisiana’s seafood industry. Most recently, in February, he sent a letter to President Trump requesting tariffs and increased trade enforcement for seafood imports from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

“America’s shrimping industry is grappling with some of the lowest prices in recent history due to an influx of imported products,” said Congressman Higgins. “By cutting federal funding to international institutions that contribute to foreign shrimp farming, we are giving our domestic shrimpers a level playing field. We must ensure that taxpayer’s hard-earned treasure goes to the American people, not subsidizing foreign shrimpers.”

“American shrimpers, including those in my district, are struggling to stay afloat due to an excess of foreign shrimp flooding our markets,” said Congressman Nehls. “Worse, American tax dollars are being used to finance foreign shrimp farms, which are driving our own shrimpers out of business. My bill, the Save Our Shrimpers Act, would halt funding to international institutions that bankroll foreign shrimp operations. We must do everything we can to protect our nation’s shrimping industry and put American shrimpers first.”

Read the legislation here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — This morning, at the weekly House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson addressed the alarming rise in far-left violence, Democrats anti-American agenda, and activist judges blocking the Trump agenda in district courts nationwide.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here

On Democrats inciting far-left violence:

Chuck Schumer engaged in a lot of unusual activity last week, but among the most concerning was his invitation to activists nationwide… This is what he said on that particular program: “We are mobilizing in New York. We have people going to the Republican districts and going after these Republicans who are voting for this and forcing them to either change their vote or face the consequences.” It was reminiscent of the threats he made to Supreme Court Justices a year and a half ago or so on the steps of the Supreme Court.

It’s dangerous rhetoric. And that message was received. We had far left activists go into some of these events, they engaged in a physical altercation at at least one of them, Representative Lawler in New York, just hours after he made that call to action. This isn’t just a problem in that state, it’s a problem across the country. And we had members who were rightfully concerned about threats of physical violence at their events and in their districts, in some cases, they even went to events for their children at school. It’s gotten out of hand…So I’m calling on Leader Schumer and Leader Jeffries in the House to put an end to this, to explain that threats of violence and intimidation like that is not an acceptable form of political protest. We all believe in free speech. I used to defend it in courts, but this is something very different and it’s a very serious situation, and they need to get control of that.

On Democrats anti-America agenda:

Congressional Republicans are at our highest mark ever, we’re at +69 points with our own base. That’s a pretty stark contrast, and I think we all know why. Axios reported yesterday that Democrats are “in their deepest hole in nearly 50 years.” This is not a mystery. Everyone understands what’s happening and why.

In their haste to oppose President Trump and our efforts to make government more efficient, Democrats are cutting off their noses to spite their own face. They’re cheering the decline of an American company which employs over 100,000 workers. They refused to celebrate the return of stranded American astronauts because SpaceX facilitated their return. Without a hint of irony, they’re trading in their electric vehicles for SUVs, They publicly refused to stand for a childhood cancer survivor, victims of violent crimes during President Trump’s joint address. Their message has gone from more than just anti-Trump, now it’s anti-American. Everyone sees that, and the polling reflects it.

On activist judges blocking the Trump agenda:

We’re working with the Judiciary Committee, which is the appropriate area of jurisdiction for that. I talked to Chairman Jordan this morning about it, and they’ll be having a hearing early next week, I believe, to highlight these abuses. Let me just say this, and I know that you all have seen the numbers, but this is a serious problem. I used to be a litigator. I was constitutional law attorney. I used to litigate all these cases for 20 years. Routinely I would have activist judges issue opinions against me, and I would go get them over overturned on appeal. That is the process. But something that’s happening right now that has not happened before in the last 100 years. 67% of the injunctions issued against a President were issued against one president alone. And that’s Donald J. Trump.

67% of the injunctions over the last 100 years. That’s a problem. 92% of those were issued by judges who were known or accused of being partisan, Democratic appointees to the court. So that’s something unusual that is happening, something that is out of the norm. It is a dangerous trend, and it violates equal justice under law.

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