Thursday, February 10, 2005 [[Page D79]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed S. 5, Class Action Fairness Act. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1219-S1310 Measures Introduced: Twenty-eight bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 341-368, S. J. Res. 3, and S. Res. 47-48. Pages S1259-60 Measures Reported: S. 288, to extend Federal funding for operation of State high risk health insurance pools, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. S. 306, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Page S1259 Measures Passed: Class Action Fairness Act: By 72 yeas to 26 nays (Vote No. 9), Senate passed S. 5, to amend the procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S1225-52 Rejected: By 37 yeas to 61 nays (Vote No. 8), Feingold Amendment No. 12, to establish time limits for action by Federal district courts on motions to remand cases that have been removed to Federal court. Pages S1225, S1232 Withdrawn: Durbin (Modified) Amendment No. 3, to preserve State court procedures for handling mass actions. Page S1225 National School Counseling Week: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 37, designating the week of February 7 through February 11, 2005, as ``National School Counseling Week'', and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S1308-09 Nomination--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 12 noon on Monday, February 14, 2005, the Senate begin consideration of the nomination of Michael Chertoff, of New Jersey, to be Secretary of Homeland Security, and that the nomination be debated for up to 6 hours; that at 2:15 p.m., on Tuesday, February 15, 2005, Senate resume consideration of the nomination, that the time until 4 p.m, be equally divided for debate, and that at 4 p.m., the Senate then proceed to a vote on the nomination. Page S1309 Appointments: United States Holocaust Memorial Council: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, and upon the recommendation of the Majority Leader, pursuant to Public Law 96-388, as amended by Public Law 97-84, and Public Law 106-292, appointed the following Senators to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council for the 109th Congress: Senators Hatch, Collins, and Coleman. Page S1309 United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, pursuant to Public Law 106-398, as amended by Public Law 108-7, in accordance with the qualifications specified under section 1238(b)(3)(E) of Public Law 106-398, and upon the recommendation of the Majority Leader, in consultation with the chairmen of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Finance, appointed the following individual to the United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: Thomas Donnelly, of Maryland, for a term expiring December 31, 2006. Page S1309 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination: Allen Weinstein, of Maryland, to be Archivist of the United States. Page S1310 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nomination: Robert B. Zoellick, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of State. Page S1310 Executive Communications: Pages S1258-59 [[Page D80]] Executive Reports of Committees: Page S1259 Additional Cosponsors: Page S1261 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1261-S1308 Additional Statements: Pages S1257-58 Authority for Committees to Meet: Page S1308 Privilege of the Floor: Page S1308 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--9) Pages S1232, S1249 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 4:57 p.m., until 12 noon, on Monday, February 14, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1309.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) BUDGET: DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the proposed Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2006 and the Future Years Defense Program, after receiving testimony from General Peter J. Schoomaker, USA, Chief of Staff, United States Army; Admiral Vernon E. Clark, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; General Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps; and General John P. Jumper, USAF, Chief of Staff, United States Air Force. MORTGAGE MARKET Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the role of government-sponsored enterprises in the mortgage market, focusing on promoting affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income Americans, after receiving testimony from John C. Weicher, Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Housing Commissioner; Allen J. Fishbein, Consumer Federation of America, and Richard K. Green, George Washington University School of Business, both of Washington, D.C.; Anthony B. Sanders, The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, Columbus; and Susan M. Wachter, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, Philadelphia. 2006 BUDGET Committee on the Budget: Committee held a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony from John W. Snow, Secretary of the Treasury. TSUNAMI RESPONSE Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine lessons learned regarding the tsunami response, focusing on inquiries from American citizens, coordinating government-wide mechanisms, and engaging the international community, after receiving testimony from Senator Frist; Alan Larson, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs; Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense; Andrew S. Natsios, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development; Daniel Toole, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), New York, New York; and Mary E. McClymont, InterAction, and Nancy Lindborg, Mercy Corps, both of Washington, D.C. NEW HUMAN RESOURCES SYSTEM Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine the new human resources system of the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on unlocking the potential of employees, pay and performance management, adverse actions and appeals, and labor-management relations, after receiving testimony from David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office; Ronald J. James, Chief Human Capital Officer, Department of Homeland Security; Ronald P. Sanders, Associate Director for Strategic Human Resources Policy, Office of Personnel Management; and Darryl A. Perkinson, Federal Managers Association, Colleen M. Kelley, National Treasury Employees Union, John Gage, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Richard N. Brown, National Federation of Federal Employees, and Kim Mann, National Association of Agriculture Employees, all of Washington, D.C. BANKRUPTCY REFORM Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine bankruptcy reform, focusing on S. 256, to amend title 11 of the United States Code, after receiving testimony from Kenneth H. Beine, Shoreline Credit Union, Two Rivers, Wisconsin, on behalf of the Credit Union National Association; Maria T. Vullo, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison, LLP, New York, New York; Malcolm Bennett, International Realty and Investments, Inc., Los Angeles, California, on behalf of National Multi Housing Council and National Apartment Association; Phillip L. Strauss, National Child Support Enforcement Association, San Francisco, California; David McCall, United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO, Columbus, Ohio; R. Michael Stewart [[Page D81]] Menzies, Sr., Easton Bank and Trust Company, Easton, Maryland, on behalf of the Independent Community Bankers of America; Elizabeth Warren, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Todd J. Zywicki, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced: 50 public bills, H.R. 739-788; 1 private bill, H.R. 789; and 7 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 53-56, and H. Res. 84-86, were introduced. Pages H581-84 Additional Cosponsors: Page H584 Reports Filed: No reports were filed today. Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Fossella to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H525 REAL ID Act of 2005: The House passed H.R. 418, to establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism- related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, and to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence, by a yea-and- nay vote of 261 yeas to 161 nays, Roll No. 31. The measure was also considered yesterday, February 9. Pages H527-66 According to the provisions of H. Res. 75, the manager's amendment (printed in part A of H. Rept. 109-4) was adopted and considered as the original bill for the purpose of amendment. Page H527 Rejected the Reyes motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report the bill back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 195 ayes to 229 noes, Roll No. 30. Pages H564-66 Agreed to: Sessions amendment (No. 1 printed in part B of H. Rept. 109-4) that promotes the goal of 100 percent repatriation of all aliens ordered deported by clarifying obligations under the Department of Homeland Security's existing delivery bond authority; Pages H540-44 Castle amendment (No. 2 printed in part B of H. Rept. 109-4) that requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to enter into the appropriate aviation security screening database the appropriate background information of any person convicted of using a false drivers' license for the purpose of boarding an airplane; and Pages H544-46 Kolbe amendment (No. 3 printed in part B of H. Rept. 109-4) that adds a Title III to the bill regarding Vulnerability and Threat Assessment, Ground Surveillance Pilot Program, Enhancement of Border Communications Integration and Information Sharing, and adds the Judiciary Committee to the reporting requirements and removes references to the ``Select'' Committee on Homeland Security. Pages H546-48 Rejected: Nadler amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 109-4), that sought to strike section 101 of the bill regarding preventing terrorists from obtaining asylum (by a recorded vote of 185 ayes to 236 noes, Roll No. 28) (Earlier, objection was heard on the unanimous consent request to modify the amendment); Pages H548-53, H558 Farr amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 109-4) that sought to strike section 102 regarding the waiver of laws necessary for improvements of barriers at borders (by a recorded vote of 179 ayes to 243 noes, Roll No. 29). Pages H553, H558-59 H. Res. 75, the rule providing for further consideration of the bill was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 228 yeas to 198 nays, Roll No. 27. Pages H535-36 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourn today, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday, February 14; and further that when it adjourn on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15 for morning hour debate. Page H568 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, February 16. Page H568 United States Group of the North Atlantic Assembly appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members to [[Page D82]] the United States Group of the North Atlantic Assembly: Representative Hefley, Chairman; Representative Burton, Vice Chairman; and Representatives Regula, Gillmor, Ehlers, Bilirakis, Shimkus, and Reynolds. Page H575 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and nay-votes and three recorded votes developed during the proceedings today and appear on pages H535-36, H558, H558-59, H565-66 and H566. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 3:17 p.m. Committee Meetings ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held a hearing entitled ``The Energy Policy Act of 2005: Ensuring Jobs for Our Future with Secure and Reliable Energy.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy: David K. Garman, Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Cynthia Marlette, General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Guy F. Caruso, Administrator, Energy Information Administration; Luis Reyes, Executive Director, Operations, NRC; and public witnesses. MEDICAL LIABILITY REFORM Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Current Issues Related to Medical Liability Reform.'' Testimony was heard from Jose Montemayor, Commissioner of Insurance, Department of Insurance, State of Texas; and public witnesses. FLU SHOT SUPPLY--PERPLEXING SHIFT FROM SHORTAGE TO SURPLUS Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``The Perplexing Shift from Shortage to Surplus: Managing This Season's Flu Shot Supply and Preparing for the Future.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Jesse L. Goodman, M.D., Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA; Robert B. Stroube, M.D., Commissioner, Department of Health, State of Virginia; and public witnesses. FISCAL YEAR 2006 DRUG BUDGET Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources held a hearing entitled ``Fiscal Year 2006 Drug Budget.'' Testimony was heard from John P. Walters, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy; and a public witness. PROPOSED BUDGET--TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``The Proposed Fiscal Year 2006 Budget: Enhancing Terrorism Preparedness for First Responders.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Penrose Albright, Assistant Secretary, Science and Technology Directorate; and Matt A. Mayer, Acting Executive Director, Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness; and Dennis Reimer, Director, National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism. BRIEFING--MIDDLE EAST PROCESS Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on The Way Forward in the Middle East Peace Process. Testimony was heard from former Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES--BOOKER/FANFAN DECISIONS IMPLICATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held an oversight hearing on the Implications of the Booker/Fanfan Decisions for the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Testimony was heard from Christopher A. Wray, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice; Ricardo H. Hinojosa, Chairman, United States Sentencing Commission; and public witnesses. INDIAN TRIBE RECOGNITION Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 512, to require the prompt review by the Secretary of the Interior of the longstanding petitions for Federal recognition of certain Indian tribes. Testimony was heard from Michael Olsen, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; Robin M. Nazzaro, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL POWER GENERATION Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight hearing entitled ``Opportunities and Challenges on Enhancing Federal Power Generation and Transmission.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. [[Page D83]] ENERGY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DEMONSTRATION, AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATION ACT; COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Science: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 610, Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2005. Prior to this action, the Committee met for organizational purposes. PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR BUDGET REQUEST--IMPACT UPON SMALL BUSINESS; COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Request impact upon small business. Testimony was heard from Hector V. Barreto, Administrator, SBA; and public witnesses. Prior to the hearing, the Committee met for organizational purposes. The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways, Transit, and Pipelines met for organizational purposes. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Met for organizational purposes. The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress. MEDICARE PAYMENTS TO PHYSICIANS Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medicare Payments to Physicians. Testimony was heard from Bruce Steinwald, Director, Health Care Economic and Payment Issues, GAO; Glenn M. Hackbarth, Chairman, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and public witnesses. WELFARE REFORM REAUTHORIZATION PROPOSALS; COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on Welfare Reform Reauthorization proposals. Testimony was heard from Representative Woolsey; Wade F. Horn, Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services; Kevin M. McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources, State of Maryland; David Hansell, Chief of Staff, Human Resources Administration, Department of Social Services, New York City; and public witnesses. Prior to this action, the Subcommittee met for organizational purposes. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight met for organizational purposes. BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Global Updates. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Security Clearance Process. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of February 14 through February 19, 2005 Senate Chamber On Monday, at 12 noon, Senate will begin consideration of the nomination of Michael Chertoff, of New Jersey, to be Secretary of Homeland Security, for up to six hours of debate. On Tuesday, at 4 p.m., Senate will vote on or in relation to the nomination of Michael Chertoff, of New Jersey, to be Secretary of Homeland Security. During the balance of the week Senate will consider any other cleared legislative and executive business. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Armed Services: February 15, to hold hearings to examine priorities and plans for the atomic energy defense activities of the Department of Energy and to review the President's budget request for fiscal year 2006 for atomic energy defense activities of the Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. February 15, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of John Paul Woodley, Jr., of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army, Buddie J. Penn, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and the following named officer for appointment in the United States Navy to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: Adm. William J. Fallon, to be Admiral, 4 p.m., SR-222. February 17, Full Committee, to resume hearings to examine the proposed Defense Authorization Request for [[Page D84]] Fiscal Year 2006 and the Future Years Defense Program, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: February 16, to hold hearings to examine the semiannual monetary policy report to Congress, 10 a.m., SD-106. Committee on the Budget: February 16, to hold hearings to examine transparency of budget measures, 10 a.m., SD-608. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: February 15, to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration and related programs, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: February 15, Subcommittee on Energy, to hold hearings to examine the future of liquefied natural gas, focusing on the prospects for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the United States and to discuss the safety and security issues related to LNG developments, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. February 16, Full Committee, business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 11:30 a.m., SD-366. February 17, Subcommittee on National Parks, to hold hearings to examine National Park Service's implementation of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: February 16, to hold hearings to examine the President's budget proposals for fiscal year 2006, 10 a.m., SD-215. February 17, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Daniel R. Levinson, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services, Harold Damelin, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of the Treasury, and Raymond Thomas Wagner, Jr., of Missouri, to be a Member of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: February 15, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Robert B. Zoellick, to be Deputy Secretary of State, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. February 15, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine CIA document disclosure under the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. February 16, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2006 for foreign affairs, 10 a.m., SD-419. February 17, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine democracy in retreat in Russia, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: February 16, to hold hearings to examine the realities of safety and security regarding drug importation, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: February 15, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to continue hearings to examine the United Nations management and oversight of the Oil- for-Food Program (OFF Program), focusing on the operations of the independent inspection agents retained by the United Nations and their role within the OFF Program, including the administration of the OFF Program by the U.N. Office of the Iraq Program and the findings of the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. February 16, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine transforming government for the 21st Century, 10 a.m., SD-342. February 17, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine an overview of the Government Accountability Office high-risk list, focusing on ensuring Congressional oversight by bringing attention to government-wide management challenges and high-risk program areas, 10 a.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: February 16, to hold hearings to examine the President's fiscal year 2006 budget request for Indian programs, 9:30 a.m., SD-562. Committee on the Judiciary: February 16, Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights, to hold hearings to examine obscenity prosecution of the First Amendment, 2:30 p.m., SD- 226. February 17, Full Committee, business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: February 17, to hold hearings to examine the President's budget request for fiscal year 2006 for the Small Business Administration, 10 a.m., SR-428A. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: February 15, to hold hearings to examine the Adminstration's proposed fiscal year 2006 Department of Veterans Affairs budget, 10 a.m., SR-418. Select Committee on Intelligence: February 16, to hold hearings to examine the world threat, 10 a.m., SH-216. February 17, Full Committee, to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committees Committee on Agriculture, February 16, to meet for organizational purposes, and to consider the following: an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress; and Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2006 for submission to the Committee on the Budget, 11 a.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, February 15, to meet for organizational purposes, 5 p.m., 2359 Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Secretary of Agriculture, 9:30 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on Defense, executive, on Force Protection, 10 a.m., H-140 Capitol. February 16, Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs, on Secretary of State, 2 p.m., 2359 Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies, on Social Security Administration, 10:15 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, on Quality of Life, 9:30 a.m., B-300 Rayburn [[Page D85]] February 17, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Office of the Inspector General, Agriculture, 9:30 a.m., 2362-A Rayburn. February 17, Subcommittee on Defense, on the Secretary of Defense, 2 p.m., 2359 Rayburn. February 17, Subcommittee on The Department of Homeland Security, on Department of Homeland Security Management and Operations, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. February 17, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, on Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, February 16 and 17, to continue hearings on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense budget request, 10 a.m., on February 16 and 9 a.m., on February 17, 2118 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, February 16, hearing on National and Homeland Security: Meeting the Needs, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. February 17, hearing on Domestic Entitlements: Meeting the Needs, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Education and the Workforce, February 15, Subcommittee on Education Reform, hearing on H.R. 366, Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act, 2 p.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, February 16, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, to mark up H.R. 29, Spy Act, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, February 15, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises, hearing entitled ``The SEC's Market Structure Proposal: Will It Enhance Competition?'' 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ``Terrorist Responses to Improved U.S. Financial Defenses,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. February 17, full Committee, hearing on Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, February 16, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources, hearing entitled ``Is There Such a Thing as Safe Drug Abuse?'' 2:30 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability, hearing entitled ``Improving Internal Controls--A Review of Changes to OMB Circular A-123,'' 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. February 17, full Committee, to consider pending business; followed by a hearing entitled ``Wounded Army Guard Reserve Forces: Increasing the Capacity to Care,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. February 18, hearing entitled ``The Capital Region's Critical Link: Ensuring Metrorail's Future As a Safe, Reliable and Affordable Transportation Option,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, February 16, Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment, hearing entitled ``The Proposed Fiscal Year 2006: Building the Information Analysis Capability of DHS,'' 2 p.m., room to be announced. Committee on International Relations, February 16, hearing on United States Policy Toward Iran: Next Steps, 10:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats, hearing An Overview of Transatlantic Relations Prior to President Bush's Visit to Europe, 1 p.m., room to be announced. February 16, Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia and the Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation, joint hearing on Iran: A Quarter-Century of State-Sponsored Terror, 1 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. February 17, Full Committee, hearing on the International Relations Budget for Fiscal Year 2006, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, February 17, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, hearing on H.R. 683, Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, February 16, oversight hearing on the Status of the Indian Trust Fund Lawsuit, Cobell v. Norton, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. February 16, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, joint oversight hearing on the Impact of High Energy Costs on the Competitiveness of America's Pulp and Paper Industry, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. February 17, Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, oversight hearing on GAO Five Year Update on Wildland Fire and Forest Service/ Bureau of Land Management Accomplishments in Implementing the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, 11 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Science, February 16, hearing on An Overview of the Federal R&D Budget for Fiscal Year 2006, 11 a.m., 2328 Rayburn. February 17, hearing on NASA's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Proposal, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, February 17, to consider Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2006 for submission to the Committee on the Budget, and to hold a hearing entitled ``Medical Liability Reform: Stopping the Skyrocketing Price of Health Care,'' 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, February 16, Subcommittee on Water Resources, hearing on Agency Budgets and Priorities for Fiscal Year 2006, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, February 16, hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs Budget for Fiscal Year 2006, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, February 17, Subcommittee on Trade, to meet for organizational purposes, 1:30 p.m., 1129 Rayburn. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, February 15 and 16, executive, hearings on Threats, 2:30 p.m., on February 15 and 10 a.m., and 2 p.m., on February 16, H-405 Capitol. February 17, executive, Briefing on Global Updates, 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol. 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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 D86]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 12 noon, Monday, February 14 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will begin consideration of the nomination of Michael Chertoff, of New Jersey, to be Secretary of Homeland Security, for up to six hours of debate, equally divided. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 12 noon, Monday, February 14 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 Allen, Thomas H., Me., E222 Baca, Joe, Calif., E210, E213 Baker, Richard H., La., E218 Barrett, J. Gresham, S.C., E218 Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E222 Blunt, Roy, Mo., E221 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E221 Brown, Sherrod, Ohio, E224 Carnahan, Russ, Mo., E211, E214, E222 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E224 Cooper, Jim, Tenn., E218 Cunningham, Randy ``Duke'', Calif., E217 Davis, Lincoln, Tenn., E212, E215 DeFazio, Peter A., Ore., E218 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E220 Engel, Eliot L., N.Y., E224 Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E219 Hall, Ralph M., Tex., E220 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E222 Israel, Steve, N.Y., E210, E213 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E215 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E209, E216 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E211, E214 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E217 Moran, Jerry, Kans., E223 Pastor, Ed, Ariz., E223 Paul, Ron, Tex., E211, E214 Portman, Rob, Ohio, E219 Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E221 Sanchez, Loretta, Calif., E222 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E223 Shaw, E. Clay, Jr., Fla., E220 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E210, E212, E215 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E210, E212 Turner, Michael R., Ohio, E216 Udall, Mark, Colo., E210, E212, E215