Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Employee Benefits Security Administration

The House Committee on Education & Workforce held a hearing on April 16, 2026, to examine the policies and priorities of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) under Assistant Secretary Daniel Aronowitz. The discussion focused heavily on EBSA's regulatory and enforcement roles overseeing employer-provided retirement and health benefit plans covering over 155 million Americans. Key procurement-related topics included EBSA's proposed transparency rule aimed at holding health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) accountable to reduce healthcare costs, and a proposed rule to provide safe harbor for fiduciaries selecting alternative investments such as private equity and crypto in 401(k) plans. The committee also addressed concerns about excessive litigation under ERISA stifling innovation in plan design, with EBSA filing amicus briefs to support prudent fiduciary discretion. Budgetary issues were raised, noting proposed cuts to EBSA's funding and staffing despite its broad responsibilities. Members discussed EBSA's enforcement priorities, including oversight of claims denials, mental health parity enforcement, and efforts to improve participant education and locate missing retirement plan participants. The hearing included calls for legislative support to enhance transparency, reduce regulatory burdens, and improve EBSA's capacity to protect workers' benefits effectively.