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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, issued the following statement following President Trump’s announcement of a deal to separate TikTok from control of entities with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP): “We appreciate the extensive work done by President Trump and Vice President Vance to make progress toward a qualified divestiture of TikTok from ByteDance. As the details are finalized, we must ensure this deal protects American users from the influence and surveillance of CCP-aligned groups,” said Chairmen Guthrie, Bilirakis, and Hudson. “Limiting the influence and involvement of China remains a vital national security interest, and we look forward to seeing a deal that secures America’s interests on the global stage.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, sent letters to Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, Andrew Ferguson, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, and Howard Lutnick, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, urging the administration to investigate and address potential national security risks posed by BrainCo, a neural technology company allegedly funded by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). KEY EXCERPTS: “The Committee on Energy and Commerce has long warned about the national and economic security risks of CCP-aligned entities accessing Americans’ personal and proprietary information. The use of American data by CCP-aligned entities, such as BrainCo, to develop and deploy AI underscores our concerns. […] The Committee urges swift action to investigate and address the potential national and economic security risks posed by BrainCo’s operations in the United States and its access to Americans’ personal information.” BACKGROUND: According to recent reporting , the company was started by MIT and Harvard scientists but has “been quietly backed by the Chinese government-linked entities for nearly a decade.”  BrainCo products reportedly harvest personalized brainwave data from users.  BrainCo is reportedly working with sanctioned PRC military contractors.  BrainCo products reportedly have been used by Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin, number two world tennis player, Jannik Sinner, U.S. Olympic teams, and many others.  Along with DeepSeek , BrainCo is considered one of China’s “Six Little Dragons” — meaning one of the CCP’s most promising young tech startups. The PRC’s National Intelligence Law of 2017 requires PRC individuals and entities to support PRC intelligence services. CLICK HERE to read exclusive coverage of the letter. CLICK HERE to read the Hunterbrook Media story on their investigation into BrainCo. CLICK HERE to listen to the corresponding Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast episode. CLICK HERE to read the letters to Attorney General Bondi, Chairman Ferguson, and Secretary Lutnick. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – In case you missed it, Fox Business recently published an article featuring a letter sent to the Secretary of Commerce from Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, urging the Department of Commerce to investigate Spain's recent wiretap deal with the Chinese-owned Huwai and warning of the national security threats posed by the deal. In Case You Missed It: “ Republican leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are calling on the Department of Commerce to investigate Spain’s controversial decision to contract with Huawei — a company with bridging links to the Chinese Communist Party — to store judicial wiretap data.  “ They warn the agreement poses a serious threat to U.S. digital trade and national security. “ In a letter this week to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Subcommittee Chairs Reps. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., and Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., warned that Spain’s contracts with Huawei to manage and store sensitive data related to the country’s wiretapping services were ‘ deeply troubling. ’ “ They noted that ‘ Huawei and other Chinese firms maintain documented CCP ties, posing profound risks to national and economic security. ’ “ The lawmakers further warned that the decision ‘ underscores a regrettable trend in the European Union (EU): governments tacitly embrace Chinese technology and hold American digital trade exports to double standards, ’ resulting in ‘ significant uncertainty for American companies in every sector that engages in transatlantic commerce. ’   “ They urged Commerce to ‘ investigate the Spanish government’s decision, and similar actions by EU governments, that negatively impact U.S. digital trade, data security, and telecommunications interests, as well as the interests of American workers. ’ “ Last month, Spain’s Ministry of the Interior quietly awarded a €12.3 million contract to Huawei to manage and store judicially authorized wiretaps using its OceanStor6800 V5 enterprise-grade servers. “ The move prompted top lawmakers on the House and Senate Intelligence Committees to call on Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to review intelligence sharing with Spain to ensure that Beijing was not intercepting secrets. “ House Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford called Spain’s deal ‘ almost unimaginable ’ in a statement last month.  “ The European Commission issued a formal warning, stating that ‘ Huawei represents materially higher risks ’ and urged member states to exclude high-risk vendors from critical infrastructure.  “ Sources within the Spanish National Police and the Civil Guard told Spanish news outlet The Objective they were uneasy with the partnership.  “ We are being asked to secure sensitive operations using systems that are not trusted by most of our allies, ’ one law enforcement source reportedly said.  “ The People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Intelligence Law of 2017 requires PRC individuals and entities to support PRC intelligence services. “ Chinese hackers breached U.S. court wiretap systems last year, according to a Wall Street Journal report. “ According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, China ‘ remains the most active and persistent cyber threat to U.S. government, private-sector, and critical infrastructure networks ’ and has targeted communications infrastructure specifically, recently through the hacking operation Salt Typhoon. ”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, recently  sent a letter  to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick asking the U.S. Department of Commerce to investigate the Spanish government’s decision to contract Huawei to manage and store sensitive data relating to the country’s wiretapping services. “I am deeply concerned by reports that Spain has contracted with Huawei to manage and store sensitive data related to the country’s wiretapping services. This decision is highly problematic, given Huawei’s well-documented ties to the Chinese Communist Party and the potential national security risks such involvement poses,” said Chairman Bilirakis. “Entrusting such critical infrastructure to an entity under significant influence from a foreign authoritarian government could jeopardize not only Spain’s internal security but also the integrity of allied intelligence sharing frameworks. This is a matter of national security, and we cannot afford to be complacent.” “Spain’s decision to hand Huawei access to sensitive law enforcement data is deeply troubling and a direct risk to our shared security,”   said Chairman Hudson. “Huawei’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party are well-documented, and this move undermines the trust and transparency that should define our alliances. The United States cannot accept double standards that block American digital trade while turning a blind eye to Chinese intrusion.” KEY EXCERPT: “It is deeply troubling when a treaty ally uses telecommunications equipment and services from an entity aligned with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). As you are aware, Huawei and other Chinese firms maintain documented CCP ties, posing profound risks to national and economic security.”  […] “Spain’s decision underscores a regrettable trend in the European Union (EU): governments tacitly embrace Chinese technology and hold American digital trade exports to double standards.” BACKGROUND: In 2019, the Trump Administration prohibited Huawei from participating in U.S. telecommunications networks over their ties to the CCP. In 2020, President Trump signed the  Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act  to prohibit federal funds from being used to purchase untrustworthy equipment and help small providers remove and replace such equipment. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Intelligence Law of 2017 requires PRC individuals and entities to support PRC intelligence services. The EU is the largest destination for American digital trade exports, and digital trade supports more than 3 million American jobs, which means Spain’s decision could directly impact U.S. businesses and individuals. CLICK HERE  to read  Fox Business  coverage of the letter. CLICK HERE  to read the full letter. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05), Chairman of the Committee on Education and Workforce, and Congressman Jim Jordan (OH-04), Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s executive order on the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape: “We thank President Trump for his commitment to supporting student-athletes and strengthening college athletics in the NIL era. The SCORE Act, led by our three committees, will complement the President’s executive order, and we look forward to working with all of our colleagues in Congress to build a stronger and more durable college sports environment.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – This week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is holding two Subcommittee Hearings and one Full Committee Markup. Read more below.  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is holding a hearing on ensuring the nation’s organ procurement and transplant system prioritizes patient safety.  DATE: Tuesday, July 22, 2025  TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy is holding a hearing on pipeline safety policy and will examine the reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) pipeline safety program.   DATE: Tuesday, July 22, 2025  TIME: 10:30 AM ET  LOCATION: 2322 Rayburn House Office Building  FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a markup of two bills.   DATE: Wednesday, July 23, 2025  TIME: 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, led a markup of the SCORE Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that will standardize Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for student-athletes.   “College athletics are central to American culture, and it's clear that a national framework is long overdue. In this week’s Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, we moved forward the new SCORE Act—legislation that brings the stability, clarity, and transparency stakeholders have long sought,” said Chairman Bilirakis . “I’m proud of our Subcommittee’s work and look forward to advancing a measure that empowers student-athletes while preserving the core educational mission of our colleges and universities.” Legislative Vote Summary: H.R. 4312 , Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act, was reported to the full committee by a roll call vote of 12 yeas – 11 nays. Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07): “The SCORE Act is a bipartisan piece of legislation that provides much needed guardrails. It ensures student athletes can benefit from their NIL while also protecting the broader ecosystem of collegiate athletics. Establishing school liability protections ensures compliance with fair rules and reduces the threat of frivolous lawsuits that strain university budgets and jeopardize athletic programs themselves. Its federal preemption provision ensures that we have one consistent national framework, putting an end to the patchwork of conflicting state laws and conflicting court rulings. If Congress fails to act, the future of college sports could be at risk.”   Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02): “This legislation will ensure that the integrity of college sports is maintained by leveling the playing field and providing nationwide consistency. This legislation guarantees that student-athletes receive essential benefits to support their education, health, and long-term success.”  Chairman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12): “I want to say it again: time is of the essence. It is long past time that we take action to ensure that we have sustainable future for college sports, especially for women’s sports and the Olympic sports. That creates predictability and certainty for all student-athletes. We must act now to protect and preserve the uniquely American institution of college sports we have all come to know and love.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, delivered the following opening statement at today’s markup of the SCORE Act , a bipartisan piece of legislation that will standardize Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for student-athletes.  Subcommittee Chairman Bilirakis’ opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our markup of the SCORE Act. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation alongside the full Committee chairs of Energy & Commerce, Education & Workforce, and Judiciary, and my other esteemed colleagues, especially Representatives Bynum, Figures, and Fry. “This Committee has a rich history of thoughtful and bipartisan engagement in college sports and Name, Image, and Likeness policy. We’ve worked across party lines, not just to legislate, but to understand what is truly at stake: the health, safety, and future of student-athletes. “Going back to the 114th Congress, we saw leadership from then-Chair Upton on concussion safety. In the 116th Congress, then-Chair Pallone and Ranking Member Walden jointly sought input on the emerging NIL landscape from stakeholders across the country – grounded in the idea that good policy begins with good listening. In the 118th Congress, then-Chair McMorris Rogers and I continued taking feedback from stakeholders with the intent of creating a national framework to protect our student athletes and create a sustainable future for college sports. “Many of these inputs went into our first NIL legislative hearing last year on my draft bill, the FAIR College Sports Act. Since then, we’ve continued that spirit of listening and engagement this Congress. “We hosted two subcommittee hearings, convened multiple bipartisan roundtables, and received input from hundreds of voices across the college sports ecosystem including from student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, compliance officials, conference commissioners, and legal experts. We’ve also worked in close coordination with other Committees and Members on both sides of the aisle to craft a bill that reflects broad consensus.  “The result of all this work is the SCORE Act, a comprehensive, bipartisan solution that upholds the integrity of college sports and strengthens protections for student-athletes who make it all possible.  “It provides common-sense guardrails around the transfer portal and agent disclosure, ensuring students are supported, not exploited, as they navigate life-changing decisions. I am honored to lead an important, thoughtful, and carefully crafted bill along with Chairman Guthrie.  “Thank you to my colleagues for their collaboration and commitment to student-athletes. I look forward to continuing our work as we move the SCORE Act forward.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, announced a subcommittee markup of the SCORE Act , a bipartisan piece of legislation that will standardize Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for student-athletes.  WHAT : Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Markup of the SCORE Act .  DATE: Tuesday, July 15, 2025  TIME: 10:30 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Alex Khlopin with the Committee staff at Alex.Khlopin@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Daniel Kelly at Daniel.Kelly@mail.house.gov .  Item to be considered:  H.R. 4312 , Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act (Rep. Bilirakis) ###