Thursday, December 8, 2005 [[Page D1266]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action The Senate was not in session today. It will next meet at 2 p.m., on Monday, December 12, 2005. Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) HURRICANE KATRINA Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded hearings to examine perspectives of FEMA's operations professionals relative to Hurricane Katrina, after receiving testimony from Scott Wells, Federal Coordinating Officer, FEMA Joint Field Office (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Philip E. Parr, Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer, FEMA Joint Field Office (Austin, Texas), and William L. Carwile, former Federal Coordinating Officer, FEMA Joint Field Office (Biloxi, Mississippi), all of the Department of Homeland Security. NOMINATIONS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded hearings on the nominations of George W. Foresman, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for Preparedness, and Tracy A. Henke, of Missouri, to be Executive Director of the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness, both of the Department of Homeland Security. Ms. Henke was introduced by Representative Emerson. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 28 public bills, H.R. 4471- 4498; 1 private bill, H.R. 4499; and 6 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 312- 314; and H. Res. 591-593 were introduced. Pages H11326-27 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H11327-28 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 972, to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2006 through 2007 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 109-317, Pt. 2); H.R. 1090, to designate a Forest Service trail at Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest in the State of Oregon as a national recreation trail in honor of Jim Weaver, a former Member of the House of Representatives, with an amendment (H. Rept. 109-331); S. 362, to establish a program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Coast Guard to help identify, determine sources of, assess, reduce, and prevent marine debris and its adverse impacts on the marine environment and navigation safety, in coordination with non-Federal entities, with an amendment (H. Rept. 109-332, Pt. 1); and Conference Report on H.R. 3199, to extend and modify authorities needed to combat terrorism, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 109-333). Page H11326 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative LaHood to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H11223 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005: The House passed H.R. 4297, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 201(b) of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2006, by a yea-and- nay vote of 234 yeas to 197 nays, Roll No. 621. Pages H11227-64 Rejected the Rangel motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Ways and Means with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments by a yea-and-nay vote of 193 yeas to 235 nays, Roll No. 620. Pages H11262-64 [[Page D1267]] Pursuant to the rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means, now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. Page H11227 Rejected: Rangel amendment in the nature of a substitute (printed in H. Rept. 109-330) that sought to extend for one year all the expiring provisions contained in Title I of H.R. 4297, including the deduction for state and local retail sales taxes, the deduction for college tuition expenses, tax incentives for the District of Columbia and Indian reservations, 15 year depreciation period for leasehold and restaurant improvements, qualified zone academy bonds, the Brownfields cleanup tax incentive, and several other minor provisions. The amendment makes no substantive changes to the expiring provisions, except for the research credit, work opportunity tax credit, and welfare-to-work tax credit, which are expanded to match the Thomas bill. In addition to the one- year extensions that are retained by the amendment, the amendment also would extend the temporary provision that terminates at the end of this calendar year and that provides a larger earned income tax credit for the families of those serving in Iraq and other conforming and technical changes, by a yea-and-nay vote of 192 yeas to 239 nays, Roll No. 619. Pages H11249-62 H. Res. 588, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question without objection. Page H11227 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated on Wednesday, December 7th: Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2005: H.R. 1400, to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for aiming laser pointers at airplanes. Page H11264 Privileged Resolution: The Chair ruled that the resolution offered by Representative Pelosi did constitute a question of the privileges of the House. Agreed to the motion to table H. Res. 591 by a recorded vote of 219 ayes to 188 noes, Roll No. 622. Pages H11264-66 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday, December 12th, and when the House adjourns on Monday, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13th, for Morning Hour Debate. Page H11268 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, December 14th. Page H11268 Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and 1 recorded vote developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H11261- 62, H11263-64, H11264, H11265-66. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Committee Meetings PROSECUTING WAR CRIMINALS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, The Department of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Federal efforts related to the exclusion, removal and prosecution of aliens and naturalized U.S. citizens who have committed war crimes or human rights abuses outside the U.S. Testimony was heard from Eli Rosenbaum, Director, Office of Special Investigations, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; and Stephen A. Edson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Visa Services, Department of State. PULMONARY HYPERTENSION/CHRONIC PAIN RESEARCH Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Improving America's Health: Examining Federal Research Efforts for Pulmonary Hypertension and Chronic Pain.'' Testimony was heard from Mark Gladwin, M.D., Chief, Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services; CPT John Pruden, USA; and public witnesses. POST-HURRICANES HOUSING OPTIONS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing entitled ``Housing Options in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.'' Testimony was heard from David E. Garratt, Acting Director, Recovery Division, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security. RESOLUTION--IRAQ WAR DOCUMENT REQUEST Committee on International Relations: Began markup of H. Res. 549, Requesting the President of the United States provide to the House of Representatives all documents in his possession relating to his October 7, 2002, speech in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his January 23, 2003, State of the Union address. [[Page D1268]] BORDER PROTECTION, ANTITERRORISM, AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CONTROL ACT; TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 4437, Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005; and H.R. 972, Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005. INDIAN TRUST REFORM ACT Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 4322, Indian Trust Reform Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Jason Carson, Associate Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior; and a public witness. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of December 12 through December 17, 2005 Senate Chamber On Monday, Senate will be in a period of morning business. During the balance of the week, Senate expects to consider any cleared legislative and executive business, including appropriation conference reports, when available. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Armed Services: December 13, to hold closed hearings to examine the nomination of Dorrance Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, 9:30 a.m., SR-222. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: December 12, to hold hearings to examine the Transportation Security Administration's new security procedures and changes to the prohibited items list, 2:30 p.m., SD-562. December 13, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Deborah Taylor Tate, of Tennessee, and Michael Joseph Copps, of Virginia, each to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission, 10 a.m., SD-106. December 15, Full Committee, business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 10 a.m., SD-106. Committee on Environment and Public Works: December 14, to hold hearings to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's spill prevention control and countermeasure program, 9 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Finance: December 14, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Antonio Fratto, of Pennsylvania, to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Public Affairs, David M. Spooner, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration, Vincent J. Ventimiglia, Jr., of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Legislation, Richard T. Crowder, of Virginia, to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, and Jeffrey Robert Brown, of Illinois, to be a Member of Social Security Advisory Board, 11 a.m., SD-215. House Committees Committee on Agriculture, December 14, Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, hearing to review Technical Procedures of USDA's Establishment of Posted County Prices, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Energy and Commerce, December 13, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ``Safety of Imported Pharmaceuticals: Strengthening Efforts to Combat the Sales of Controlled Substances Over the Internet'', 1 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. December 15, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ``Oversight and Administration of the 340B Drug Discount Program: Improving Efficiency and Transparency'', 1 p.m., 2322 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, December 13, Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations and the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources, joint hearing entitled ``International Maritime Security'', 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, December 14, Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, hearing and markup of H.R. 3197, Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 2237 Rayburn. Committe on International Relations, December 14, full Committee, to continue markup of H. Res. 549, Requesting the President of the United States provide to the House of Representatives all documents in his possession relating to his October 7, 2002, speech in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his January 28, 2003, State of the Union address, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, December 13, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, hearing on H.R. 4019, To amend title 4 of the United States Code to clarify the treatment of self- employment for purposes of the limitation on State taxation of retirement income, 4 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, December 14, Subcommittee on National Parks, oversight hearing on The National Park Service Organic Act and its Implementation through Daily Park Management, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. [[Page D1269]] December 15, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans, oversight hearing on the Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Fishing Resources, the Fishing Industry and Fishing Communities in the Gulf of Mexico, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Science, December 14, Subcommittee on Energy, hearing on Department of Energy's Plan for Climate Change Technology Programs, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, December 15, Subcommittee Oversight and Investigations, oversight hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs' flu vaccination program, and preparations for a possible Avian Flu Pandemic, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, December 13, Subcommittee on Oversight, hearing to Review the Response by Charities to Hurricane Katrina, 3 p.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, December 15, executive, briefing on Global Updates/Hotspots, 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol. Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, December 14, hearing entitled ``Hurricane Katrina: Preparedness and Response by the State of Louisiana'', 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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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. [[Page D1270]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 2 p.m., Monday, December 12 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will be in a period of morning business. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 12 noon, Monday, December 12 House Chamber Program for Monday: The House will meet in pro forma session at 12 noon. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Abercrombie, Neil, Hawaii, E2500 Ackerman, Gary L., N.Y., E2495 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E2494 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E2489 Brown, Corrine, Fla., E2490 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E2494 Capuano, Michael E., Mass., E2500 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E2481, E2483, E2486, E2486 Davis, Danny K., Ill., E2500 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E2494 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E2481, E2484 Filner, Bob, Calif., E2493 Frank, Barney, Mass., E2489 Gordon, Bart, Tenn., E2494 Gutierrez, Luis V., Ill., E2495 Hart, Melissa A., Pa., E2488 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E2495, E2498, E2500 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E2481, E2483, E2486, E2486, E2487, E2488 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E2481, E2484 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E2490 Jones, Walter B., N.C., E2494 Kind, Ron, Wisc., E2486 Larson, John B., Conn., E2501 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E2496, E2499 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E2481, E2482, E2483, E2484, E2485, E2486, E2487, E2488, E2489 McIntyre, Mike, N.C., E2493 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E2490, E2495, E2498, E2499 Moran, James P., Va., E2491 Nadler, Jerrold, N.Y., E2490 Oberstar, James L., Minn., E2492 Pallone, Frank, Jr., N.J., E2501 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E2495, E2498 Reynolds, Thomas M., N.Y., E2482, E2485 Salazar, John T., Colo., E2491 Schwartz, Allyson Y., Pa., E2487 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E2482, E2484 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E2487 Udall, Mark, Colo., E2483, E2485, E2493 Weller, Jerry, Ill., E2490 Wilson, Heather, N.M., E2491