Thursday, March 17, 2005 [[Page D260]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 18, Concurrent Budget Resolution. The House passed H. Con. Res. 95, Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2006. The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 103, Adjournment Resolution. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S2875-S3094 Measures Introduced: Forty bills and eleven resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 646-685, S. Res. 84-91, and S. Con. Res. 20- 22. Pages S2994-96 Measures Reported: S. 48, to reauthorize appropriations for the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 109-41) S. 182, to provide for the establishment of the Uintah Research and Curatorial Center for Dinosaur National Monument in the States of Colorado and Utah, with an amendment. (S. Rept. No. 109-42) S. 188, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2005 through 2011 to carry out the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. S. 589, to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays. S. 667, to reauthorize and improve the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, improve access to quality child care. Page S2993 Measures Passed: Condemning Violence and Criminality by the Irish Republican Army: Senate agreed to S. Res. 84, condemning violence and criminality by the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland. Pages S2910-11 Private Relief: Senate passed S. 653, for the relief of the parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo. Pages S2926-29 Concurrent Budget Resolution: By 51 yeas to 49 yeas (Vote No. 81), Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 18, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2005 and 2007 through 2010, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S2875-97, S2899-S2910, S2911-26, S2929-67 Adopted: By 52 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 58), Bingaman (for Smith) Amendment No. 204, to create a reserve fund for the establishment of a Bipartisan Medicaid Commission to consider and recommend appropriate reforms to the Medicaid program, and to strike Medicaid cuts to protect states and vulnerable populations. Pages S2875-86, S2919-20 Hutchison Amendment No. 218, to fully fund the level of Border Patrol Agents authorized by the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 and as recommended by the 9/11 Commission. Pages S2875, S2922 Salazar/Conrad Amendment No. 215, to provide additional funding for rural education, rural health access, and rural health outreach programs. Pages S2875, S2922 By a unanimous vote of 100 yeas (Vote No. 62), Landrieu Amendment No. 219, to establish a reserve fund in the event that legislation is passed to provide a 50 percent tax credit to employers that continue to pay the salaries of Guard and Reserve employees who have been called to active duty. Pages S2875, S2922 Vitter Amendment No. 223, to express the sense of the Senate that Congress should provide dedicated funding for port security enhancements. Pages S2875, S2922 Subsequently, the amendment was modified. Page S2923 By 63 yeas to 37 nays (Vote No. 64), Collins (for Lieberman/Collins) Amendment No. 220, to protect [[Page D261]] the American people from terrorist attacks by restoring $565 million in cuts to vital first-responder programs in the Department of Homeland Security, including the State Homeland Security Grant program, by providing $150 million for port security grants and by providing $140 million for 1,000 new border patrol agents. Pages S2875, S2923 Vitter Amendment No. 224, to restore funding for Corps of Engineers environmental programs to fiscal year 2005 levels. Pages S2875, S2923 By 68 yeas to 31 nays (Vote No. 66), Coleman Amendment No. 230, to fully fund the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Pages S2894-97, S2999, S2924 By 73 yeas to 26 nays (Vote No. 67), Cochran Amendment No. 208, to modify the designation authority for an emergency requirement. Pages S2899-S2900, S2924-25 By 51 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 68), Kennedy Modified Amendment No. 177, relative to education funding. Pages S2900-03, S2925 Feinstein Amendment No. 188, to express the sense of the Senate that Congress should enact a long-term reauthorization of the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program and appropriate $750,000,000 for the program in fiscal year 2006. Pages S2909-10, S2911, S2929 Obama Amendment No. 159, to prevent and, if necessary, respond to an international outbreak of the avian flu. Pages S2930-32 Leahy Amendment No. 160, to increase funding for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other international organizations. Pages S2930-32 Grassley/Kennedy Amendment No. 164, to provide a reserve fund for the Family Opportunity Act. Pages S2930-32 Hatch Amendment No. 194, to provide a deficit-neutral reserve fund for the restoration of SCHIP funds. Pages S2930-32 Cochran/Byrd Amendment No. 209, to modify a provision defining advance appropriations subject to limit. Pages S2930-32 Thomas/Conrad Amendment No. 226, to restore discretionary funding levels for crucial rural health programs, such as the rural health outreach grant program, the rural hospital flexibility grant program, the small hospital improvement program, tele-health, trauma programs, and rural AED programs to fiscal year 2005 levels. Pages S2930-32 Mikulski Modified Amendment No. 180, to provide a deficit neutral reserve fund for the Hope credit. Pages S2930-32 Allen Amendment No. 198, to express the sense of the Senate regarding funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for subsonic and hypersonic aeronautics research. Pages S2930-32 Lott Amendment No. 182, to express the sense of the Senate on the acquisition of the next generation destroyer (DDX). Pages S2930-32 DeWine/Dodd Modified Amendment No. 153, to express the sense of the Senate concerning the care and treatment of children with HIV/AIDS. Pages S2930-32 By 81 yeas to 19 nays (Vote No. 72), Talent Amendment No. 225, to provide the flexibility to consider all available transportation funding options. Page S2932 By 94 yeas to 6 nays (Vote No. 73), Conrad Amendment No. 243, to express the sense of the Senate that the tax cuts assumed in the budget resolution should include the repeal of the 1993 increase in the income tax on Social Security benefits. Pages S2915-16, S2932 By 55 yeas to 45 nays (Vote No. 74), Bunning Amendment No. 241, to repeal the 1993 tax increase on Social Security benefits. Pages S2914-15, S2033 Boxer Amendment No. 259, to express the sense of the Senate regarding the need for a comprehensive, coordinated, and integrated national ocean policy. Pages S2935-36 Leahy Amendment No. 203, to express the sense of the Senate in support of full funding and availability of the Crime Victims Fund. Pages S2937-38 Santorum Amendment No. 169, to reaffirm that the United States maintain a one-to-two ration for contributions to the Global Fund, that the United States not exceed contributing more than 33 percent of the Global Fund's revenue. Page S2938 Lincoln Modified Amendment No. 192, to restore funding the COPS Methamphetamine Enforcement and Clean Up Program to 2005 levels. Pages S2938-39 Baucus Amendment No. 253, to support full funding for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Pages S2939-40 Clinton Amendment No. 155, to establish a deficit neutral reserve fund for influenza vaccine shortage prevention. Pages S2941-42 Snowe/Kerry Modified Amendment No. 216, to increase funding for Small Business Administration's programs. Pages S2941-42 Bayh Modified Amendment No. 157, to express the sense of the Senate regarding the amount of United States debt that is foreign-owned. Pages S2941-42 Santorum Amendment No. 163, to express the sense of the Senate regarding tax relief to encourage charitable giving incentives. Pages S2941-42 Chafee Amendment No. 261, to express the sense of the Senate that the total amount of payments to [[Page D262]] States from the Water Pollution Control State Revolving Fund should be increased to $1,350,000,000. Pages S2941-42 Baucus Amendment No. 167, to express the sense of the Senate that the full amount of the President's request for the administrative costs of the Social Security Administration for fiscal year 2006 should be funded. Pages S2941-42 Clinton Modified Amendment No. 154, to express the sense of the Senate concerning comparative effectiveness studies. Pages S2941-42, S2943 Kohl Modified Amendment No. 217, to restore $1 billion to juvenile justice and local law enforcement programs funded by the Department of Justice. Page S2942 Salazar Modified Amendment No. 254, to restore funding for the payment in lieu of taxes program (PILT), in order to compensate rural counties for decreased tax revenues as a result of non-taxed federally owned county lands. Page S2943 Pryor Modified Amendment No. 252, to create a reserve fund for extension of the treatment of combat pay as earned income for purposes of the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit. Page S2943 By 53 yeas to 46 nays (Vote No. 80), Levin Modified Amendment No. 238, to promote innovation and U.S. competitiveness by expressing the sense of the Senate urging the Senate Committee on Appropriations to make efforts to fund the Advanced Technology Program, which supports industry-led research and development of cutting-edge technologies with broad commercial potential and societal benefits. Page S2943 Leahy Modified Amendment No. 237, to increase funding for Boys and Girls Clubs. Pages S2944-45 Gregg (for Grassley) Amendment No. 262, to express the sense of the Senate with respect to pension reform. Page S2945 DeWine/Leahy Modified Amendment No. 161, to increase funding for Child Survival and Maternal Health Programs. Page S2945 Rejected: By 49 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 57), Gregg (for Frist) Amendment No. 229, to express the sense of the Senate regarding Medicaid reconciliation legislation consistent with recommendations from the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Pages S2886, S2919 By 49 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 59), Carper Amendment No. 207, to provide for full consideration of tax cuts in the Senate under regular order. Pages S2875, S2920-21 By 49 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 60), Snowe Amendment No. 214, to ensure that any savings associated with legislation that provides the Secretary of Health and Human Services with the authority to participate in the negotiation of contracts with manufacturers of covered part D drugs to achieve the best possible prices for such drugs under part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act, that requires the Secretary to negotiate contracts with manufacturers of such drugs for each fallback prescription drug plan, and that requires the Secretary to participate in the negotiation for a contract for any such drug upon request of a prescription drug plan or an MA-PD plan, is reserved for reducing expenditures under such part. Pages S2875, S2921 By 44 yeas to 56 nays (Vote No. 61), Harkin Amendment No. 172, to restore the Perkins Vocational Education program and provide for deficit reduction paid for through the elimination of the phase out of the personal exemption limitation and itemized deduction limitation for high-income taxpayers now scheduled to start in 2006. Pages S2875, S2921-22 By 40 yeas to 59 nays (Vote No. 63), Conrad (for Dorgan) Amendment No. 210, to repeal the tax subsidy for certain domestic companies which move manufacturing operations and American jobs offshore. Pages S2875, S2922-23 By 49 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 65), Sarbanes Amendment No. 156, to restore funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Pages S2286-94, S2923-24 By 46 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 69), Baucus/Conrad Amendment No. 234, to ensure that legislation to make cuts in agriculture programs receives full consideration and debate in the Senate under regular order, rather than being fast-tracked under reconciliation procedures. Pages S2903-07, S2925-26 By 45 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 70), Biden Amendment No. 239, relative to funding to the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Pages S2908-09, S2926 By 45 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 71), Byrd/Baucus Amendment No. 240, relative to transportation funding. Pages S2911-14, S2929-30 By 47 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 75), Reid (for Clinton) Modified Amendment No. 244, to expand access to preventive health care services that reduce unintended pregnancy (including teen pregnancy), reduce the number of abortions, and improve access to women's health care. Pages S2916-17, S2933-34 By 45 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 76), Lautenberg Amendment No. 187, to strike the debt ceiling reconciliation instruction. Pages S2917-19, S2934-35 By 44 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 77), Boxer Amendment No. 257, to establish a point of order. Page S2935 By 45 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 78), Dorgan Amendment No. 211, to restore funding for tribal [[Page D263]] programs and provide necessary additional funding based on recommendations from Indian country. Pages S2936-37 Feingold Amendment No. 258, to ensure that savings associated with legislation that reduces overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans is reserved for deficit reduction and to strengthen the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. Page S2937 By 37 yeas to 63 nays (Vote No. 79), Dayton Amendment No. 202, to provide full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) part B grants over five years. Pages S2940-41 Pryor Amendment No. 213, to increase funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Page S2943 Withdrawn: Allen Modified Amendment No. 197, to increase by $1,582,700,000 over fiscal years 2006 through 2010 funding for Transportation (budget function 400) with the amount of the increase intended to be allocated to the Vehicle Systems account of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for subsonic and hypersonic aeronautics research. Pages S2875, S2939 National Asbestos Awareness Day: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 43, designating the first day of April 2005 as ``National Asbestos Awareness Day'', and the resolution was then agreed to, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S3086-87 Frist Amendment No. 264, to amend the preamble. Pages S3086-87 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund: Senate passed H.R. 1270, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate, clearing the measure for the President. Page S3087 Financial Literary Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 88, designating April 2005 as ``Financial Literacy Month''. Page S3087 Montana Future Farmers of America: Senate agreed to S. Res. 89, congratulating the Montana FFA on its 75th Anniversary and celebrating the achievements of Montana FFA members. Pages S3087-88 Holocaust Commemoration Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 90, to designating the Week of May 1, 2005, as ``Holocaust Commemoration Week''. Page S3088 Arms Export Embargo on China: Senate agreed to S. Res. 91, urging the European Union to maintain its arms export embargo on the People's Republic of China. Pages S3088-90 Concurrent Budget Resolution: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that when the Senate receives H. Con. Res. 95 from the House, a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006, revising appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2005, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 through 2010, the Senate begin its consideration; that all after the resolving clause be stricken and the text of S. Con. Res. 18, Concurrent Budget Resolution, as agreed to be inserted in lieu thereof; that the resolution then be agreed to as amended, the Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate. Page S2971 Authorizing Leadership to Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous- consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President Pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate. Page S3086 Authority for Committees: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, all committees were authorized to file legislative and executive matters on Wednesday, March 30, 2005, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Pages S3086-87 Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that during this adjournment of the Senate, the Majority Leader, Assistant Majority Leader and Senator Warner, to be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions. Page S3090 Appointments: United States Holocaust Memorial Council: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, 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: Senators Feingold and Lautenberg. Page S3090 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: George M. Dennison, of Montana, to be a Member of the National Security Education Board for a term of four years. [[Page D264]] James William Carr, of Arkansas, to be a Member of the National Security Education Board for a term of four years. Harold Damelin, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of the Treasury. David B. Balton, of the District of Columbia, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and Fisheries. Joseph R. DeTrani, of Virginia, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Special Envoy for the Six Party Talks. John Thomas Schieffer, of Texas, to be Ambassador to Japan. Kiron Kanina Skinner, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the National Security Education Board for a term of four years. R. Nicholas Burns, of Massachusetts, to be an Under Secretary of State (Political Affairs). C. David Welch, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Near Eastern Affairs). Jeffrey Clay Sell, of Texas, to be Deputy Secretary of Energy. Christopher R. Hill, of Rhode Island, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (East Asian and Pacific Affairs). Rudolph E. Boschwitz, of Minnesota, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the Human Rights Commission of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. 35 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 37 Army nominations in the rank of general. 2 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy. Pages S3084-86, S3092-94 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Joseph H. Boardman, of New York, to be Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. John Robert Bolton, of Maryland, to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador, and the Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations. John Robert Bolton, of Maryland, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations. Stephen L. Johnson, of Maryland, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. John D. Negroponte, of New York, to be Director of National Intelligence. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps. Page S3092 Messages From the House: Pages S2991-92 Measures Referred: Page S2992 Measures Read First Time: Page S2992 Executive Communications: Page S2992 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S2993-94 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S2996-98 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S2998-S3073 Additional Statements: Pages S2989-91 Amendments Submitted: Pages S2073-83 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Pages S3083-84 Authority for Committees to Meet: Page S3084 Privilege of the Floor: Page S3084 Record Votes: Twenty-five record votes were taken today. (Total--81) Pages S2919-26, S2929-30, S2932-37, S2941, S2944, S2965 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9 a.m., and adjourned at 11:48 p.m., until 4 p.m., on Monday, March 21, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3092.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded open and closed hearings to examine current and future worldwide threats to the national security of the United States, after receiving testimony from Porter J. Goss, Director of Central Intelligence; and Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby, USN, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of John Paul Woodley, Jr., of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army, James William Carr, of Arkansas, George M. Dennison, of Montana, and Kiron Kanina Skinner, of Pennsylvania, each to be a Member of the National Security Education Board, Anthony Joseph Principi, of California, to be a Member of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, and 5,664 nominations in the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. [[Page D265]] BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill entitled ``The Federal Public Transportation Act of 2005''. COAST GUARD BUDGET Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries and Coast Guard concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2006 for the Coast Guard Operational Readiness/Mission Balance, after receiving testimony from Admiral Thomas H. Collins, Commandant, and Master Chief Petty Officer Franklin A. Welch, both of the United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security; and Margaret T. Wrightson, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of Daniel R. Levinson, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services. NOMINATION Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Lester M. Crawford, of Maryland, to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. 188, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2005 through 2011 to carry out the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program; S. 589, to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays; and The nominations of William Gerry Myers III, of Idaho, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, Paul A. Crotty, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, and J. Michael Seabright, to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii. Also, committee announced the following subcommittee assignments: Subcommittee on Administrative Oversights and the Courts: Senators Sessions (Chairman), Specter, Grassley, Kyl, Schumer, Feinstein, and Feingold. Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights: Senators DeWine (Chairman), Specter, Hatch, Grassley, Graham, Brownback, Kohl, Leahy, Biden, Feingold, and Schumer. Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights: Senators Brownback (Chair), Specter, Graham, Cornyn, Coburn, Feingold, Kennedy, Feinstein, and Durbin. Subcommittee on Corrections and Rehabilitations: Senators Coburn (Chairman), Specter, Sessions, Cornyn, Brownback, Durbin, Leahy, Biden, and Feingold. Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs: Senators Graham (Chairman), Grassley, Kyl, DeWine, Sessions, Coburn, Biden, Kohl, Feinstein, Feingold, and Schumer. Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship: Senators Cornyn (Chairman), Grassley, Kyl, DeWine, Sessions, Brownback, Coburn, Kennedy, Biden, Feinstein, Feingold, Schumer, and Durbin. Subcommittee on Intellectual Property: Senators Hatch (Chairman), Kyl, DeWine, Graham, Cornyn, Brownback, Coburn, Leahy, Kennedy, Biden, Feinstein, Kohl, and Durbin. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security: Senators Kyl (Chairman), Hatch, Grassley, Cornyn, DeWine, Sessions, Graham, Feinstein, Kennedy, Biden, Kohl, Feingold and Durbin. VETERANS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the report entitled, ``Back from the Battlefield: Are we providing the proper care for America's Wounded Warriors?'', after receiving testimony from Jonathan B. Perlin, Acting Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health; Major General Kenneth L. Farmer, Jr., Commanding General, North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, United States Army; Cynthia A. Bascetta, Director, Health Care--Veterans', Health and Benefits Issues, Government Accountability Office; Major Tammy Duckworth, United States Army National Guard; Joseph J. Costello, Vista Vet Center, Vista, California; and David J. Hosking, Vet Center, Madison, Wisconsin. [[Page D266]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced: 96 public bills, H.R. 1356-1451; and 34 resolutions, H.J. Res. 38-39; H. Con. Res. 103-120, and H. Res. 167- 180, were introduced. Pages H1690-96 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H1696-97 Reports Filed: Report were filed today as follows: 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 (H. Rept. 109-22); H.R. 683, to amend the Trademark Act of 1946 with respect to dilution by blurring or tarnishment, amended (H. Rept. 109-23); H.R. 1038, to amend title 28, United States Code, to allow a judge to whom a case is transferred to retain jurisdiction over certain multidistrict litigation cases for trial (H. Rept. 109-24); H.R. 366, to amend the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 to strengthen and improve programs under that Act, amended (H. Rept. 109-25); and H.R. 185, to require the review of Government programs at least once every 5 years for purposes of evaluating their performance (H. Rept. 109-26) Page H1690 Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2006: The House passed H. Con. Res. 95, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006, revising appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2005, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 through 2010, by a yea-and-nay vote of 218 yeas to 214 nays, Roll No. 88. The bill was also considered yesterday, March 16. Pages H1627-40, H1641-74 Agreed by unanimous consent that a final period of general debate be in order at the conclusion of consideration of amendments. Pages H1640-41 Yesterday it was agreed that during further consideration of the bill, the Hensarling amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 109-19) may be considered out of the specified order. Rejected: Obey amendment, No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 109-19, that increases $15.8 billion in FY06 new BA and outlays for veterans, education, health care needs, homeland security, the environment and infrastructure; and reduces the FY06 tax benefit for those earning more than $1 million; (by a recorded vote of 180 ayes to 242 noes, Roll No. 82); Pages H1627-33 Debated Wednesday, March 16: Hensarling amendment in the nature of a substitute (Republican Study Committee), No. 2 printed in H. Rept 109- 19, that replaces the current 19 functional categories with four functions: Defense, Homeland Security, Non-Defense Discretionary and Mandatory Spending, and Interest; and accepts the Iraq Operations Reserve Fund and creates a new ``rainy day'' fund for non-military emergencies (by a recorded vote of 102 ayes to 320 noes, Roll No. 83). Pages H1633-40 Watt amendment in the nature of a substitute (Congressional Black Caucus), No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 109-19, that calls for an additional $36.3 billion in spending and a $4 billion deficit reduction for FY 2006 (by a recorded vote of 134 ayes to 292 noes and 3 voting ``present'', Roll No. 85); Pages H1641-53 Spratt amendment in the nature of a substitute, No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 109-19, that projects spending and revenue levels that would eliminate deficits and result in a balanced budget by FY 2012 (by a recorded vote of 165 ayes to 264 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 87); Pages H1654-65 Motion to rise: Rejected the Blumenauer motion that the Committee rise by a recorded vote of 101 ayes, to 313 noes and 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 86. Pages H1653-54 H. Res. 154, the rule providing for consideration of the measure was agreed to yesterday, March 16. Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures which were debated yesterday, March 16: Expressing concern regarding the occupation of the Republic of Lebanon by the Syrian Arab Republic: H. Con. Res. 32, amended, expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the occupation of the Republic of Lebanon by the Syrian Arab Republic, by a \2/3\ yea- and-nay vote of 419 yeas to 1 nay and 4 voting ``present'', Roll No. 84; and Page H1640 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: concurrent resolution expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the occupation of the Lebanese Republic by the Syrian Arab Republic. Page H1640 Expressing concern regarding the continued violations of human rights and civil liberties of the Syrian and Lebanese people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic: H. Con. Res. 18, amended, expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continuing gross violations of human rights and civil liberties of the Syrian and Lebanese [[Page D267]] people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, by a \2/3\ yea- and-nay vote of 402 yeas to 3 nays, Roll No. 89. Pages H1674-75 Spring District Work Period: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 103, providing for a conditional adjournment of the House and a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate. Page H1675 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, April 6. Page H1675 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourn today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 21, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H. Con. Res. 103, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Page H1675 Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Wolf, or if not able to perform this duty, Representative Tom Davis (VA) to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through April 5. Page H1675 Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and five recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1632, H1639-40, H1640, H1653, H1654, H1664-65, H1674, and H1674-75. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and at 6:15 p.m., pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 103, it stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Monday, March 21, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of the concurrent resolution, in which case the House shall stand adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2005. 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 Rural Development. Testimony was heard from Gilbert Gonzalez, Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development, USDA. DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Air Force Posture. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Air Force: Peter B. Teets, Acting Secretary; and GEN John P. Jumper, Chief of Staff. The Subcommittee also met in executive session to hold a hearing on Air Force Acquisition. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Air Force: Peter B. Teets, Acting Secretary; and LTG John D. W. Corley, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Acquisitions. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Homeland Security held a hearing on Citizenship and Immigration Services. Testimony was heard from Eduardo Aguirro, Jr., Director, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Secretary of Labor. Testimony was heard from Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor. DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, JUDICIARY, D.C., AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Testimony was heard from Alphonso R. Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Bureau of Indian Affairs. Testimony was heard from James Casen, Assistant Deputy Secretary, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior. SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the SBA. Testimony was heard from Hector V. Barreto, Administrator, SBA. [[Page D268]] The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Federal Prison System. Testimony was heard from Harley G. Lappin, Director, Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice. IRAQ--CURRENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL TRANSITION Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on current operations and the political transition in Iraq. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request--United States Special Operations Command policy and programs. Testimony was heard from officials of the Department of Defense: Thomas W. O'Connell, Assistant Secretary, Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict; and GEN Bryan D. Brown, USA, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command. HIGHER EDUCATION--TRACKING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness and the Subcommittee on Select Education held a joint hearing entitled ``Tracking International Students in Higher Education: A Progress Report.'' Testimony was heard from Victor X. Cerda, Counsel to the Assistant Secretary, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; Stephen A. Edson, Managing Director, Visa Services Directorate, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State; Randolph C. Hite, Director, Information Technology Architecture and Systems Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. NIH PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Setting the Path for Reauthorization: Improving Portfolio Management at the NIH.'' Testimony was heard from Elias Zerhouni, M.D., Director, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services. SECURITIES ARBITRATION SYSTEM Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``A Review of the Securities Arbitration System.'' Testimony was heard from William Francis Galvin, Secretary, MA; and public witnesses. DEPOSIT INSURANCE REFORM ACT Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing on H.R. 1185, Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Donald E. Powell, Chairman, FDIC. STEROID USE IN BASEBALL Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``Restoring Faith in America's Pastime: Evaluating Major League Baseball's Efforts to Eradicate Steroid Use.'' Testimony was heard from Senator Bunning; Nora D. Volkow, M.D., Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services; the following officials of Major League Baseball: Allan H. Selig, Commissioner; and Elliott J. Pellman, M.D., Medical Advisor for Major League Baseball, Office of the Commissioner; Sandy Alderson, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, Major League Baseball; the following Major League Baseball baseball players: Curt Schilling, Frank Thomas, Sammy Sosa, and Rafael Palmeiro; and the following former Major League baseball players: Jose Canseco and Mark McGuire. AFGHANISTAN--U.S. COUNTERNARCOTICS POLICY Committee on International Relations: Held an oversight hearing on U.S. Counternarcotics Policy in Afghanistan: Time for Leadership. Testimony was heard from Maureen E. Quinn, Coordinator on Afghanistan, Department of State; Mary Beth Long, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Counternarcotics, Department of Defense, and Michael A. Braun, Special Agent, Chief of Operations, DEA, Department of Justice. HUMAN RIGHTS--GLOBAL VIEW Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations held an oversight hearing on A Global Review of Human Rights: Examining the State Department's 2004 Annual Report. Testimony was heard from Michael G. Kozak, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department of State; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--U.N. AND THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation held an oversight hearing on the United Nations and the Fight Against Terrorism. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject. Testimony was heard from Stephen J. Stedman, Special Advisor to Secretary-General United Nations. OVERSIGHT--U.N. OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held an oversight hearing on The United Nations Oil-for-Food Program: The Cotecna and Saybolt Inspection Firms. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. [[Page D269]] CHILD INTERSTATE ABORTION NOTIFICATION ACT; OVERSIGHT--U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 748, Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the U.S. Commission Civil Rights: Russell Redenbaugh, and Michael Yaki, both Commissioners; Kenneth Marcus, Staff Director; and George Harbison, Director, Human of Resources and Active Chief of Budget and Finance. OVERSIGHT--PATENT APPEALS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property held an oversight hearing on Holmes Group, the Federal Circuit, and the State of Patent Appeals. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. STOP COUNTERFEITING IN MANUFACTURED GOODS ACT; ORGANIZED CRIME Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security approved for full Committee action H.R. 32, Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act. The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on Responding to Organized Crimes Against Manufacturers and Retailers. Testimony was heard from Chris Swecker, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigative Division, FBI, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--OFF RESERVATION GAMING RESTRICTIONS Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on a measure to amend the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to restrict off-reservation gaming. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BUDGET Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Park Service Budget. Testimony was heard from Fran Mainella, Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Science: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 1023, Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act; H.R. 1158, To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988; H.R. 28, amended, High-Performance Computing Revitalization Act of 2005; H. Con. Res. 96, amended, Recognizing the significance of African American women in the United States scientific community; and H.R. 798, amended, Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005. NATURAL GAS PRICES Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Rural Enterprise, Agriculture and Technology held a hearing entitled ``The High Price of Natural Gas and its Impact on Small Businesses: Issues and Short Term Solutions,'' Testimony was heard from Representative Terry; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management held an oversight hearing on The Administration's ``Strengthening America's Communities'' Initiative and its impact on economic development. Testimony was heard from David A. Sampson, Assistant Secretary, Economic Development, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Managing the Use of Imaging Services. Testimony was heard from Mark Miller, Executive Director, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and public witnesses. GLOBAL UPDATES; BUDGET HEARING Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Global Updates. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. The Committee also met in executive session to hold a hearing on the Budget. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. F COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, hearing on Quality Teachers, Principals and High Schools, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia and Independent Agencies, on Secretary of Transportation, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ``A Review of Security Initiatives at DOE Nuclear Facilities,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. 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. 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Remit check or money order, made payable to  the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover,  American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. ÿ1AFollowing each session  of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed,  permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in  individual parts or by sets. ÿ1AWith the exception of copyrighted  articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material  from the Congressional Record. 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 D270]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 4 p.m., Monday, March 21 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will be in a period of morning business. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Monday, March 21 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue. HOUSE Akin, W. Todd, Mo., E514 Baker, Richard H., La., E496 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E497, E501 Berry, Marion, Ark., E497 Bilirakis, Michael, Fla., E500 Blunt, Roy, Mo., E503 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E480, E485, E489 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E488 Calvert, Ken, Calif., E480, E486 Capito, Shelley Moore, W.Va., E496 Capuano, Michael E., Mass., E504 Cardin, Benjamin L., Md., E491 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E488 Cooper, Jim, Tenn., E499 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E479, E484, E488, E490, E493, E494, E496, E499, E502, E505 Davis, Jim, Fla., E512 DeGette, Diana, Colo., E504, E507 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E510 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E503 Engel, Eliot L., N.Y., E506 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E510 Farr, Sam, Calif., E512 Filner, Bob, Calif., E505 Ford, Harold E., Jr., Tenn., E503 Franks, Trent, Ariz., E511 Gutierrez, Luis V., Ill., E513 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E482, E490, E494 Hayes, Robin, N.C., E497 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E481, E487, E489, E493 Herger, Wally, Calif., E507 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E511 Hunter, Duncan, Calif., E513 Inglis, Bob, S.C., E511 Israel, Steve, N.Y., E491 Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E482, E487 Jefferson, William J., La., E494 Kaptur, Marcy, Ohio, E494 Kennedy, Mark R., Minn., E510 Kennedy, Patrick J., R.I., E512 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E506 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E500 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E510 Larson, John B., Conn., E507 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E513 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E483, E490, E501 Mica, John L., Fla., E504 Moran, James P., Va., E498 Norwood, Charlie, Ga., E500 Pickering, Charles W. ``Chip'', Miss., E479, E485, E489, E492, E495, E508 Platts, Todd Russell, Pa., E501 Pombo, Richard W., Calif., E503 Portman, Rob, Ohio, E511 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E481, E486 Reynolds, Thomas M., N.Y., 507 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E480, E486 Rohrabacher, Dana, Calif., E505 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E508 Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E512 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E483 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E479, E484, E488, E491, E494, E496, E499, E502, E505 Sensenbrenner, F. James, Wisc., E484 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E484 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E502 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E508 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E482, E490, E493 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E479, E485, E489, E492, E495 Udall, Tom, N.M., E498 Upton, Fred, Mich., E513 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E499 Waxman, Henry A., Calif., E506 Weldon, Curt, Pa., E501 Wexler, Robert, Fla., E509 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E509 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E501 Wynn, Albert Russell, Md., E498