Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) today announced a Full Committee Business Meeting to approve the transfer of the official classified transcript from the March 7, 2024, executive session titled “Legislation to Protect American Data and National Security from Foreign Adversaries” to the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

“We’ve all witnessed how the Chinese Communist Party weaponizes platforms like TikTok to manipulate the American people. These applications present a clear national security threat to the American people, which is why Energy and Commerce led in passing H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, that was signed into law earlier this year. I am confident this legislation will withstand legal scrutiny and we will do what we can to support the Department of Justice in their efforts to defend the law in court, starting with the transfer of the Committee’s classified hearing transcript later this week.” 

BACKGROUND 

• On March 23, 2023, the Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to understand the risks associated with the China-controlled application. 
• On March 7, 2024, the Committee held a legislative hearing on H.R. 7521 titled “Legislation to Protect American Data and National Security from Foreign Adversaries.” Due to the sensitive nature of the topics, the Committee voted to hold that hearing in Executive Session, making the contents of the hearing classified. 
• On June 18, 2024, the Committee received a formal request from the DOJ to receive a copy of the official classified transcript from that hearing to utilize in their efforts to defend the law in court. 
• The rules of the House of Representatives require that the Committee vote to approve the official release of that classified transcript to DOJ. 

WHAT: Full Committee Business Meeting to approve the transfer of the official classified transcript from the March 7, 2024, executive session titled “Legislation to Protect American Data and National Security from Foreign Adversaries” to DOJ. 

DATE: Thursday, July 11, 2024 

TIME: 10:00 AM ET 

LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building 

This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/. If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Noah Jackson at Noah.Jackson@mail.house.gov. If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov.