Why It Matters

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to mark up 29 bills on July 20 as House lawmakers continue advancing energy, health, commerce and communications legislation before the end of the session. The large markup follows recent committee action in early July and another legislative session in mid-July, underscoring the committee's effort to move a broad slate of bills before the House.

The Schedule

The markup will be chaired by Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), alongside Ranking Member Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ).

The markup follows a nine-bill full committee session on July 1 and additional subcommittee legislative activity in mid-July. The committee has also announced another full committee markup for July 22, continuing an accelerated legislative schedule.

Key Bills Advancing

Among the legislation expected to be considered are three measures recently advanced by the Environment Subcommittee: H.R. 9616, the EMRTAI Act; H.R. 9617, the CHARM Act; and H.R. 9618, the Diesel Engine Flexibility Act.

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) has previously described H.R. 3194, the Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives Act, as a response to California's zero-emission locomotive regulations, highlighting the continuing debate over the interaction between state environmental policies and interstate commerce.

With 29 bills on Monday's docket, not all will receive extensive debate, and some may be bundled or fast-tracked depending on member consensus.

Member Communications and Outside Pressure

Committee members have continued releasing statements on energy, health and commerce legislation throughout late June and mid-July.

Outside organizations have also remained active on issues before the committee. Fox Corp. reported lobbying between $1.09 million and $1.49 million per quarter during 2025 and early 2026 on issues including copyright, spectrum, privacy and Section 230.

The American Gaming Association reported $610,000 in fourth-quarter 2025 and $730,000 in first-quarter 2026 lobbying expenditures related to tax policy and gambling addiction legislation.

The Friends Committee on National Legislation reported approximately $1 million in lobbying activity across multiple filings during 2025 and 2026, including advocacy related to military force authorizations, Indian boarding school reparations and farm policy.

The markup represents the committee's effort to advance a broad legislative agenda before the House recess and later floor consideration.

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