Wednesday, March 2, 2005 [[Page D162]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1885-S1957 Measures Introduced: Ten bills were introduced, as follows: S. 490-499. Pages S1930-31 Measures Passed: Recognizing Contributions of Zhao Ziyang: Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 55, recognizing the contributions of the late Zhao Ziyang to the people of China, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S1956 Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 56, designating the month of March as Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month, in memory of journalist David Bloom, and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S1956-57 Acceptance of Statue: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 5, providing for the acceptance of a statue of Sarah Winnemucca, presented by the people of Nevada, for placement in National Statuary Hall. Page S1957 Permitting Use of the Capitol Rotunda: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 63, permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust. Page S1957 Bankruptcy Reform Act: Senate continued consideration of S. 256, a bill to amend title 11 of the United States Code, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S1892-S1927 Rejected: By 40 yeas to 59 nays (Vote No. 14), Feingold Amendment No. 17, to provide a homestead floor for the elderly. Page S1894 By 40 yeas to 59 nays (Vote No. 15), Akaka Amendment No. 15, to require enhanced disclosure to consumers regarding the consequences of making only minimum required payments in the repayment of credit card debt. Page S1894 By 39 yeas to 58 nays (Vote No. 16), Kennedy Amendment No. 28, to exempt debtors whose financial problems were caused by serious medical problems from means testing. Page S1924 By 39 yeas to 58 nays (Vote No. 17), Kennedy Amendment No. 29, to provide protection for medical debt homeowners. Page S1924 By 37 yeas to 60 nays (Vote No. 18), Corzine Amendment No. 32, to preserve existing bankruptcy protections for individuals experiencing economic distress as caregivers to ill or disabled family members. Pages S1908-11, S1924-25 Pending: Leahy Amendment No. 26, to restrict access to certain personal information in bankruptcy documents. Page S1892 Dayton Amendment No. 31, to limit the amount of interest that can be charged on any extension of credit to 30 percent. Pages S1909-11 Feinstein Amendment No. 19, to enhance disclosures under an open end credit plan. Pages S1911-18 Nelson (FL) Amendment No. 37, to exempt debtors from means testing if their financial problems were caused by identity theft. Pages S1918-20 Durbin Amendment No. 38, to discourage predatory lending practices. Pages S1920-23 Rockefeller Amendment No. 24, to amend the wage priority provision and to amend the payment of insurance benefits to retirees. Pages S1924-27 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill on Thursday, March 3, 2005, following the final disposition of S.J. Res 4 (listed below), vote in relation to Dayton Amendment No. 31 (listed above) to be followed by a vote in relation to Nelson (FL) Amendment No. 37, with no amendments in order to the amendments prior to the votes. Page S1957 Congressional Rule Disapproval--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for consideration of S.J. Res. 4, providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Department of Agriculture under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, relating to risk zones for introduction of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, at 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, March 3, 2005, for up to [[Page D163]] 3 hours of debate, equally divided, and that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote on the resolution. Page S1957 Messages From the President: Senate received the following messages from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relating to the interdiction of aircraft engaged in illicit drug trafficking; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (PM-7) Page S1930 Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the national emergency with respect to Zimbabwe; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-8) Page S1930 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: 3 Army nominations in the rank of general. 2 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral. Page S1957 Messages From the House: Page S1929 Measures Referred: Page S1929 Measures Placed on Calendar: Page S1929 Executive Communications: Pages S1929-30 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1931-32 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1932-52 Additional Statements: Pages S1928-29 Amendments Submitted: Pages S1952-56 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S1956 Authority for Committees to Meet: Page S1956 Privilege of the Floor: Page S1956 Record Votes: Five record votes were taken today. (Total-18) Pages S1894, S1924, S1925 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:15 a.m., and adjourned at 6:58 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, March 3, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1957.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: On February 17, 2005, Committee announced the following subcommittee assignments: Subcommittee on Production and Price Competitiveness: Senators McConnell (Chairman), Cochran, Roberts, Santorum, Coleman, Grassley, Conrad, Dayton, Baucus, Leahy, and Lincoln. Subcommittee on Marketing, Inspection, and Product Promotion: Senators Talent (Chairman), McConnell, Thomas, Roberts, Grassley, Lugar, Baucus, Nelson (NE), Salazar, Conrad, and Stabenow. Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization: Senators Crapo (Chairman), Lugar, Cochran, Talent, Thomas, Coleman, Lincoln, Leahy, Nelson (NE), Dayton, and Salazar. Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition, and General Legislation: Senators Santorum (Chairman), Lugar, Crapo, Cochran, McConnell, Roberts, Leahy, Stabenow, Lincoln, Baucus, and Nelson (NE). APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services, Education and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Education, after receiving testimony from Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education. APPROPRIATIONS: DEFENSE BUDGET Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the defense budget, after receiving testimony from Tina W. Jonas, Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller); and Admiral Robert F. Willard, Director, Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment, J8, The Joint Staff. APPROPRIATIONS: IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for states citizenship and immigration services, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, after receiving testimony from Robert Bonner, Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, Michael J. Garcia, Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Eduardo Aguirre, Jr., Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, all of the Department of Homeland Security. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Armed Services: On February 18, 2005, Committee announced the following subcommittee assignments: Subcommittee on Airland: Senators McCain (Chairman), Inhofe, Sessions, Ensign, Talent, Chambliss, Graham, Dole, Lieberman, Reed, Akaka, Nelson (FL), Dayton, Bayh, and Clinton. [[Page D164]] Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities: Senators Cornyn (Chairman), Roberts, Collins, Ensign, Talent, Graham, Dole, Thune, Reed, Kennedy, Byrd, Nelson (FL), Nelson (NE), Bayh, and Clinton. Subcommittee on Personnel: Senators Graham (Chairman), McCain, Collins, Chambliss, Dole, Nelson (NE), Kennedy, Lieberman, and Akaka. Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support: Senators Ensign (Chairman), McCain, Inhofe, Roberts, Sessions, Chambliss, Cornyn, Thune, Akaka, Byrd, Nelson (FL), Nelson (NE), Dayton, Bayh, and Clinton. Subcommittee on Seapower: Senators Talent (Chairman), McCain, Collins, Chambliss, Kennedy, Lieberman, and Reed. Subcommittee on Strategic Forces: Senators Sessions (Chairman), Inhofe, Roberts, Graham, Cornyn, Thune, Nelson (FL), Byrd, Reed, Nelson (NE), and Dayton. HUMAN INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing regarding Department of Defense human intelligence activities from Stephen A. Cambone, Under Secretary for Intelligence, and Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby, USN, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, both of the Department of Defense; and a representative of the intelligence community. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: On January 26, 2005, Committee adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress. FOREST SERVICE BUDGET Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2006 for USDA Forest Service, after receiving testimony from Mark E. Rey, Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment, and Dale N. Bosworth, Forest Service Chief, both of the Department of Agriculture. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE OVERSIGHT Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine foreign assistance, focusing on South Asia and assisting in keeping the region free from terrorism, prosperous and economically integrated, governed through accountable democratic institutions, and a moderator in the Muslim world, after receiving testimony from Donald Camp, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs, David M. Satterfield, Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, Michael E. Ranneberger, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Roger F. Noriega, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Evans Revere, Acting Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Robert A. Bradtke, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasian Affairs, all of the Department of State; and James R. Kunder, Assistant Administrator for Asia and the Near East, Lloyd O. Pierson, Assistant Administrator for Africa, Adolfo Franco, Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Kent R. Hill, Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia, all of United States Agency for International Development. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: On February 10, 2005, Committee approved for reporting the adoption of its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress. Also, on March 1, 2005, the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations adopted its rules of procedures for the 109th Congress. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Rules and Administration: On February 14, 2005, Committee ordered favorably reported an original resolution (S. Res. 49) authorizing expenditures by the Committee. Also, on February 14, 2005, Committee ordered favorably reported an original resolution (S. Res. 50) authorizing expenditures by the committees of the Senate. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: On January 26, 2005, Committee adopted its rules of procedure for the 109th Congress. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community. [[Page D165]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced: 30 public bills, H.R. 1036-1065; 2 private bills, H.R. 1066-1067; and; 13 resolutions, H.J. Res. 27-36; H. Con. Res. 81, and H. Res. 133-134 were introduced. Pages H940-42 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H942-43 Reports Filed: No reports were filed today. Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative La Hood to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H851 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Rev. James T. Akers, National Chaplain, The American Legion. Page H851 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Congratulating ASME on their 125th anniversary: S. Con. Res. 13, congratulating ASME on their 125th anniversary, celebrating the achievements of ASME members, and expressing the gratitude of the American people for ASME's contributions; and Pages H852-54 Ensuring the protection of beneficiaries of United States humanitarian assistance: H.R. 912, to ensure the protection of beneficiaries of United States humanitarian assistance, by a 2/3 yea and nay vote of 416 yeas with none voting ``nay'' and one voting ``present'', Roll No. 43. Pages H854-59, H867-68 Recess: The House recessed at 10:55 a.m. and reconvened at 2:05 p.m. Page H859 Job Training Improvement Act of 2005: The House passed H.R. 27, to enhance the workforce investment system of the Nation by strengthening one-stop career centers, providing for more effective governance arrangements, promoting access to a more comprehensive array of employment, training, and related services, establishing a targeted approach to serving youth, and improving performance accountability, by a recorded vote of 224 ayes to 220 noes, Roll No 48. Pages H859-67, H868-917 Rejected the Kildee motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Education and the Workforce with instructions to report the bill back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 197 ayes to 228 noes, Roll No. 47. Pages H914-16 The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and now printed in the bill, was considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment. Pages H916-16 Rejected: Kildee amendment (no. 1 printed in H. Rept. 109-11) that sought to strike all provisions related to youth (by a recorded vote of 200 ayes to 222 noes, Roll No. 44); Pages H912-13 Velazquez amendment (no. 2 printed in H. Rept. 109-11) that sought to allow unemployed workers to use their Personal Reemployment Account funds to cover the borrower guarantee costs of 7(a) loans (by a recorded vote of 202 ayes to 221 noes, Roll No. 45); and Pages H913-14 Scott (VA) amendment (no. 3 printed in H. Rept. 109-11) that sought to strike the provision that protects the hiring rights of faith-based organizations when the participate in WIA programs (by a recorded vote of 186 ayes to 239 noes, Roll No. 46). Page H914 H. Res. 126, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by a yea and nay vote of 227 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 42. Pages H866-67 Recess: The House recessed at 2:56 p.m. and reconvened at 3:15 p.m. Page H866 Presidential Messages: Read a message from the President wherein he notified Congress of the continuation of the national emergency blocking the property of persons undermining democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe--referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered printed (H. Doc. 109-12); and Page H917 Read a message from the President where in transmitted a report relating to the interdiction of aircraft engaged in illicit drug trafficking--referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered printed (H. Doc. 109-13). Page H917 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on Page H924 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea and nay votes and five recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H866-67, H867-68, H912-13, H913-14, H914, H916, H916-17. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 10:38 p.m. [[Page D166]] Committee Meetings AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Under Secretary for Food and Safety. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Merle Pierson, Acting Under Secretary, Food Safety; Barbara J. Masters, Acting Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service; and Dennis Kaplan, Budget Officer. DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Army Posture. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Army: Francis J. Harvey, Secretary; and GEN. J. Schoomaker, USA, Chief of Staff. FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Agencies held a hearing on HIV/AIDS Budget. Testimony was heard from Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on The Department of Homeland Security held a hearing on Secretary of Homeland Security. Testimony was heard from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Secretary of the Interior. Testimony was heard from Gale A. Norton, Secretary of the Interior. MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Defense Privatization Issues. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: William A. Armbruster, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Privatization and Partnerships, Department of the Army; Wayne Arny, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations and Facilities, Department of the Navy; Fred Kuhn, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations, Department of the Air Force; and Phil Grone, Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and Environment. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Department of Defense Budget Overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Tina W. Jonas, Under Secretary, Comptroller; and Phil Grone, Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and Environment. SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Secretary of Commerce. Testimony was heard from Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Armed Services: Continued hearings on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Army: GEN John Abizaid, USA, Combatant Commander, U.S. Central Command and GEN Bryan D. Brown, USA, Combatant Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request--Navy Research and Development: Programs in Support of the War on Terrorism, Naval Transformation, and Future Naval Capabilities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: John J. Young, Assistant Secretary, Research, Development and Acquisition; VADM Joseph A. Sestrak, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfare Requirements and Programs; VADM Lewis W. Crenshaw, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources, Requirements and Assessments; RADM Jay M. Cohen, USN, Chief of Naval Research; LTG Robert Magnus, USMC, Deputy Commandant, Programs and Resources; and LTG James N. Mattis, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on the National Defense Authorization budget request. Testimony was heard [[Page D167]] from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Ambassador Linton F. Brooks, Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration; and Paul M. Golan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management. ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND CURRENT FISCAL ISSUES Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Economic Outlook and Current Fiscal Issues. Testimony was heard from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System. RETIREMENT SECURITY CRISIS Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled ``The Retirement Security Crisis: The Administration's Proposal for Pension Reform and its Implications for Workers and Taxpayers.'' Testimony was heard from Ann Combs, Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration; Mark Warshawsky, Assistant Secretary, Economic Policy, Department of the Treasury; Bradley Belt, Executive Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; and public witnesses. COMMUNICATIONS MARKETPLACE COMPETITION Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled ``Competition in the Communications Marketplace: How Technology is Changing the Structure of the Industry.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS--CONFORMITY PROVISIONS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held a hearing entitled ``Clean Air Act Transportation Conformity Provisions Contained in H.R. 3, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users.'' Testimony was heard from Jeffrey R. Holmstead, Assistant Administrator, Air and Radiation, EPA; Charles D. Nottingham, Associate Administrator, Policy, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--HUD AND THE BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Financial Services: Held an oversight hearing on the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the Department's budget request for fiscal year 2006. Testimony was heard from Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. SECURITY PERSONNEL SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION--DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency Organization held a hearing entitled ``The Countdown to Completion: Implementing the New Department of Homeland Security Personnel System.'' Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; Neil A. G. McPhie, Chairman, Merit Systems Protection Board; Ronald Sanders, Associate Director, Strategic Human Resources Policy, OPM; Ronald James, Chief Human Capital Officer, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. PROTECTING PENSIONS Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability held a hearing entitled ``Protecting Pensions and Ensuring the Solvency of PBGC.'' Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; Bradley Belt, Executive Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; and a public witness. EMERGING THREATS Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emergency Threats and International Relations, hearing entitled ``Emerging Threats: Overclassification and Psuedo-classification.'' Testimony was heard from J. William Leonard, Director, Information Security Oversight Office, National Archives and Records Administration; RADM Christopher A. McMahon, USMS, Acting Director, Departmental Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response, Department of Transportation; Harold Rlyea, Specialist in American National Government, CRS, Library of Congress; Richard Ben-Veniste, Commissioner, National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States; and public witness. ``PROPOSED FY 2006 BUDGET: INTEGRATING HOMELAND SECURITY SCREENING OPERATIONS'' Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity held a hearing entitled ``Proposed FY 2006 Budget: Integrating Homeland Security Screening Operations.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Jim Williams, Director, US-VISIT Program, Border and Transportation Security Directorate; Carol DiBattiste, Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration; and Deborah J. Spero, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. [[Page D168]] MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following resolutions: H. Con. Res. 18, Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continuing gross violations of human rights and civil liberties of the Syrian and Lebanese people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic; and H. Con. Res. 32, Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the occupation of the Republic of Lebanon by the Syrian Arab Republic. CRISIS IN NEPAL Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held a hearing on the Crisis in Nepal. Testimony was heard from Donald Camp, Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary, South Asia Bureau, Department of State. UN OPERATIONS: INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on United Nations Operations: Integrity and Accountability. Testimony was heard from Patrick F. Kennedy, Ambassador to the United Nations, Management and Reform, U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Department of State and Joseph A. Christoff, Director, International Affairs and Trade Teams, GAO. PRESCRIPTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE SOLUTIONS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Prescriptions for Health Care Solutions.'' Testimony was heard from Representative King of (IA.) Mike O'Grady, Assistant Secretary, Planning and Evaluation, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. BUDGET Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on the Budget. Testimony was heard from departmental witnessers. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the U.S. Forest Service, 9:30 a.m., SD-124. Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, 9:30 a.m., SD-138. Committee on Armed Services: to resume hearings to examine the proposed Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2006 and the Future Years Defense Program, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Energy, 10 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: business meeting to consider S. 131, to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution through expansion of cap and trade programs, to provide an alternative regulatory classification for units subject to the cap and trade program, 3 p.m., SD-406. Committee on Foreign Relations: business meeting to consider an original resolution entitled Foreign Relations Authorization Act, fiscal years 2006 and 2007, to authorize appropriations for the Department of State and international broadcasting activities for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, for foreign assistance programs for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold hearings to examine ensuring drug safety, 10 a.m., SD-106. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Terrence W. Boyle, of North Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, James C. Dever III, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and Robert J. Conrad, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, 2 p.m., SD-226. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act regarding delivering prescription drugs to dual eligibles, 2:30 p.m., SD-628. House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, hearing on the Reauthorization of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Under Secretary for Farm [[Page D169]] and Foreign Agricultural Services, 9:30 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Department of Homeland Security, on Transportation Security Administration, 2 p.m., 2359 Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, on Secretary of Health and Human Services, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 10 a.m., and on Bureau of Reclamation, 2 p.m., 2362B Rayburn. Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, oversight hearing on U.S. Geological Survey/Hazards: tsunamis, landslides, earthquakes, 10 a.m., and on Forest Service, 2 p.m., B- 308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, on Army Budget, 9:30 a.m., and on Cental Command, 1:30 p.m., H-143 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on the Care of Injured and Wounded Service Members, 10 a.m., 2212 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Readiness, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request on the Adequacy of the Budget to Meet Readiness Needs, 2 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Tactical and Land Forces, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request on the Department of Navy and Department of the Air Force Aviation Acquisition Programs, 9 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request on Tactical C-4 Systems: Why Does the DOD Have So Many Different Systems Performing the Same Functionality? 3 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, hearing on Members' Day, 2 p.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, hearing on the United States Boxing Commission Act, 11:30 a. m., 2322 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, hearing entitled ``Making Networx Work: Countdown to the RFP for the Federal Government's Telecommunications Program,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations and the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, joint hearing on Year Two of Castro's Brutal Crackdown on Dissidents, following Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere mark up, 1:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation, to mark up H. Res. 101, Urging the European Union to add Hezbollah to the European Union's wide-ranging list of terrorist Organizations; followed by a hearing on Algeria's Struggle Against Terrorism, 2 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, to mark up a resolution Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the two-year anniversary of the human rights crackdown in Cuba, 1:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, hearing on H.R. 748, Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, 2:30 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, to mark up the following: S. 167, Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005; H.R. 683, Trademark Dilution Revision of 2005; Technical corrections to the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004; Technical corrections to the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004; the Multidistrict Litigation Restoration Act of 2005; and H. Con. Res. 53, Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the issuance of the 500,000th design patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, 9:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims, oversight hearing entitled ``The Immigration Enforcement Resources Authorized in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Act of 2004,'' 11:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Water and Power, oversight hearing entitled ``President's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Request for the Bureau of Reclamation and the Water Division of the U.S. Geological Survey,'' 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Science, hearing on H.R. 798, Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget for Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Programs, and H.R. 889, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005, 12 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means, to mark up H.R. 996, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the extension of highway-related taxes and trust funds, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed at one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a  service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the  user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional  Record is published. The database includes both text and graphics  from the beginning of the 103d Congress, 2d session (January 1994)  forward. It is available through GPO Access at  www.gpo.gov/gpoaccess. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402,   Along with the entire Mailing label from the last issue received. ``Periodicals'' postage is paid at Washington, D.C. [[Page D170]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 3 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will begin consideration of S.J. Res. 4, Congressional Rule Disapproval Resolution, for up to 3 hours of debate, with a vote on final passage to occur thereon; following which, Senate will continue consideration of S. 256, Bankruptcy Reform Act, and vote in relation to certain amendments. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, March 3 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 841, Continuity in Representation Act of 2005 (structured rule, one hour of debate). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E326 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E336 Burton, Dan, Ind., E331 Capito, Shelley Moore, W.Va., E329 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E337 Dingell, John D., Mich., E341 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E326 Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E339 Farr, Sam, Calif., E340 Frank, Barney, Mass., E333 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E328 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E341 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E325 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E338, E339 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E343 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E327 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E332, E332, E335, E335, E336, E336, E337, E337 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E344 McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E340 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E325 Meehan, Martin T., Mass., E328 Melancon, Charlie, La., E332 Menendez, Robert, N.J., E328 Mica, John L., Fla., E338 Miller, George, Calif., E335 Nadler, Jerrold, N.Y., E341 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E330 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E331 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E342 Sabo, Martin Olav, Minn., E327 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E327 Shaw, E. Clay, Jr., Fla., E327 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E340 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E325, E326 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E337, E338, E339, E341, E342 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E327 Udall, Tom, N.M., E331 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E329 Waters, Maxine, Calif., E343