Tuesday, July 26, 2005 [[Page D822]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S8897-S9058 Measures Introduced: Twenty-four bills and six resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1280-1503, S.J. Res. 21, S. Res. 211-214, and S. Con. Res. 47. Pages S8948-49 Measures Reported: S. 1281, to authorize appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for science, aeronautics, exploration, exploration capabilities, and the Inspector General, for fiscal years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 109-108) H.R. 3058, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and independent agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-109) Page S8947 Measures Passed: Soda Ash Royalty Reduction Act: Senate passed S. 203, to reduce temporarily the royalty required to be paid for sodium produced, to establish certain National Heritage Areas, after agreeing to the following amendments proposed thereto: Page S9018 Collins (for Domenici) Amendment No. 1583, in the nature of a substitute. Collins (for Domenici) Amendment No. 1584, to amend the title. Page S9018 Pecos National Historical Park Land Exchange Act: Senate passed S. 47, to provide for the exchange of certain Federal land in the Santa Fe National Forest; and certain non-Federal land in the Pecos National Historical Park in the State of New Mexico. Pages S9018-19 Rim of the Valley Corridor Study Act: Senate passed S. 153, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a resource study of the Rim of the Valley Corridor in the State of California to evaluate alternatives for protecting the resources of the Corridor. Page S9019 Valles Caldera Preservation Act: Senate passed S. 212, to amend the Valles Caldera Preservation Act to improve the preservation of the Valles Caldera. Pages S9019-20 Federal Land Recreational Visitor Protection Act: Senate passed S. 225, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to undertake a program to reduce the risks from and mitigate the effects of avalanches on recreational users of public land, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Pages S9020-21 Ojito Wilderness Act: Senate passed S. 156, to designate the Ojito Wilderness Study Area as wilderness, to take certain land into trust for the Pueblo of Zia, after agreeing to the committee amendments. Pages S9021-23 New Mexico Water Planning Assistance Act: Senate passed S. 178, to provide assistance to the State of New Mexico for the development of comprehensive State water plans. Pages S9023-24 United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act: Senate passed S. 214, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with the States on the border with Mexico and other appropriate entities in conducting a hydrogeologic characterization, mapping, and modeling program for priority transboundary aquifers, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S9024-26 Collins (for Bingaman/Domenici) Amendment No. 1585, to designate the San Pedro aquifers as priority transboundary aquifers. Page S9025 Albuquerque Biological Park Title Clarification Act: Senate passed S. 229, to clear title to certain real property in New Mexico associated with the Middle Rio Grande Project. Page S9026 Rocky Mountain National Park Boundary Adjustment Act: Senate passed S. 55, to adjust the boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park in the State of Colorado. Pages S9026-27 Wind Cave National Park Boundary Revision Act: Senate passed S. 276, to revise the boundary of [[Page D823]] the Wind Cave National Park in the State of South Dakota. Page S9027 Upper Connecticut River Partnership Act: Senate passed S. 301, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance in implementing cultural heritage, conservation, and recreational activities in the Connecticut River watershed of the States of New Hampshire and Vermont, after agreeing to the committee amendment. Pages S9027-28 Buffalo Soldiers Commemoration Act: Senate passed S. 205, to authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish in the State of Louisiana a memorial to honor the Buffalo Soldiers, after agreeing to the committee amendment. Page S9028 Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve Boundary Adjustment Act: Senate passed S. 207, to adjust the boundary of the Barataria Preserve Unit of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in the State of Louisiana. Pages S9028-29 National Heritage Partnership Act: Senate passed S. 243, to establish a program and criteria for National Heritage Areas in the United States, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S9029-31 Collins (for Domenici) Amendment No. 1586, in the nature of a substitute. Page S9031 Wild Sky Wilderness Act: Senate passed S. 152, to enhance ecosystem protection and the range of outdoor opportunities protected by statute in the Skykomish River valley of the State of Washington by designating certain lower-elevation Federal lands as wilderness, after agreeing to the committee amendments. Pages S9031-32 Alaska Hydroelectric Project: Senate passed S. 176, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project in the State of Alaska. Page S9033 Wallowa Lake Dam Rehabilitation and Water Management Act: Senate passed S. 231, to authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in the rehabilitation of the Wallowa Lake Dam in Oregon. Page S9033 Fish Passage and Screening Facilities: Senate passed S. 232, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to assist in the implementation of fish passage and screening facilities at non-Federal water projects. Pages S9033-34 Wyoming Hydroelectric Project: Senate passed S. 244, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project in the State of Wyoming. Page S9034 Hawaii Water Resources Act: Senate passed S. 264, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize certain projects in the State of Hawaii, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S9034-35 Collins (for Domenici) Amendment No. 1587, to make certain technical corrections. Page S9034 Caribbean National Forest Act: Senate passed S. 272 to designate certain National Forest System land in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, after agreeing to the committee amendments and an amendment to the title. Page S9035 Paleontological Resources Preservation Act: Senate passed S. 263, to provide for the protection of paleontological resources on Federal lands, after agreeing to the committee amendments. Pages S9035-39 Big Horn Bentonite Act: Senate passed S. 97, to provide for the sale of bentonite in Big Horn County, Wyoming. Page S9039 Dandini Research Park Conveyance Act: Senate passed S. 252, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land in Washoe County, Nevada, to the Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada. Page S9039 Edward H. McDaniel American Legion Post No. 22 Land Conveyance Act: Senate passed S. 253, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to the Edward H. McDaniel American Legion Post No. 22 in Pahrump, Nevada, for the construction of a post building and memorial park for use by the American Legion, other veterans' groups, and the local community, after agreeing to the committee amendments. Pages S9039-40 Northern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership Act: Senate passed S. 161, to provide for a land exchange in the State of Arizona between the Secretary of Agriculture and Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership. Pages S9040-43 Uintah Research and Curatorial Center Act: Senate passed 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, after agreeing to the committee amendment. Page S9043 Beaver County, Utah Land Conveyance: Senate passed S. 52, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey a parcel of real property to Beaver County, Utah. Page S9043 National Historic Trails Studies: Senate passed S. 54, to amend the National Trails System Act to [[Page D824]] require the Secretary of the Interior to update the feasibility and suitability studies of four national historic trails, after agreeing to the committee amendments. Pages S9043-45 Rio Grande Natural Area Act: Senate passed S. 56, to establish the Rio Grande Natural Area in the State of Colorado. Pages S9045-46 Wyoming Land Conveyance: Senate passed S. 101, to convey to the town of Frannie, Wyoming, certain land withdrawn by the Commissioner of Reclamation. Pages S9046-47 Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act: Senate passed S. 128, to designate certain public land in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Lake, and Napa Counties in the State of California as wilderness, to designate certain segments of the Black Butte River in Mendocino County, California as a wild or scenic river, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S9047-49 Collins (for Domenici) Amendment No. 1588, in the nature of a substitute. Page S9049 Rancho Corral de Tierra Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act: Senate passed S. 136, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide supplemental funding and other services that are necessary to assist certain local school districts in the State of California in providing educational services for students attending schools located within Yosemite National Park, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to adjust the boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and to adjust the boundaries of Redwood National Park, after agreeing to the committee amendments, and the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S9049-51 Collins (for Domenici) Amendment No. 1589, in the nature of a substitute. Page S9050 Collins (for Domenici) Amendment No. 1590, to amend the title. Page S9050 Wyoming Water Project: Senate passed H.R. 1046, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to contract with the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the storage of the city's water in the Kendrick Project, Wyoming, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S9051-52 Upper White Salmon Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 38, to designate a portion of the White Salmon River as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S9052 Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Trust Act: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 481, to further the purposes of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2000, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S9052 Lander County, Nevada Land Conveyance: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 541, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land to Lander County, Nevada, and the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to Eureka County, Nevada, for continued use as cemeteries, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S9052 Indian Rental Proceeds: Senate passed S. 1480, to establish the treatment of actual rental proceeds from leases of land acquired under an Act providing for loans to Indian tribes and tribal corporations. Pages S9053, S9055 Indian Land Probate Reform: Senate passed S. 1481, to amend the Indian Land Consolidation Act to provide for probate reform. Pages S9053-54, S9055 Indian Reservation Contracts: Senate passed S. 1482, to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to provide for binding arbitration for Gila River Indian Community Reservation Contracts. Pages S9053, S9054, S9055 Indian Student Count Definition: Senate passed S. 1483, to amend the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 to modify the definition of ``Indian student count.'' Pages S9053, S9054, S9055 Indian Water Rights: Senate passed S. 1484, to amend the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Indian Tribes Water Rights Settlement Act of 1990. Pages S9053, S9054-55 Indian Leases Authorization: Senate passed S. 1485, to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to extend the authorization of certain leases. Pages S9053, S9055 Colorado River Indian Reservation Boundary Correction Act: Committee on Indian Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 794, to correct the south boundary of the Colorado River Indian Reservation in Arizona, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S9055 Prairie Island Land Conveyance Act: Committee on Indian Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 706, to convey all right, title, and [[Page D825]] interest of the United States in and to the land described in this Act to the Secretary of the Interior for the Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota, and the bill was then passed. Pages S9055-56 Indian Criminal Jurisdiction: Committee on Indian Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 279, to amend the Act of June 7, 1924, to provide for the exercise of criminal jurisdiction, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S9055-56 Collins (for Domenici/Bingaman) Amendment No. 1591, in the nature of a substitute. Page S9056 Children's Hospitals Educational Equity and Research Act: Senate passed S. 285, to reauthorize the Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. Page S9056 Senate Legal Representation: Senate agreed to S. Res. 213, to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Keyter v. McCain, et al. Page S9057 Senate Legal Representation: Senate agreed to S. Res. 214, to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Jones v. Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, et al. Page S9057 Presidential Succession: Committee on Rules and Administration was discharged from further consideration of S. 442, to provide for the Secretary of Homeland Security to be included in the line of Presidential succession, and the bill was then passed. Page S9057 Measures Indefinitely Postponed: Upper White Salmon Wild and Scenic River Act: S. 74, to designate a portion of the White Salmon River as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Page S9052 Central Nevada Rural Cemeteries Act: S. 254, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land to Lander County, Nevada, and the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to Eureka County, Nevada, for continued use as cemeteries. Page S9052 Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Trust Act: S. 57, to further the purposes of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2000. Page S9052 Wyoming Water Project: S. 99, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to contract with the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the storage of the city's water in the Kendrick Project, Wyoming. Page S9052 Department of Defense Authorization: Senate continued consideration of S. 1042, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2006 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S8897-S8908 Adopted: By a unanimous vote of 98 yeas (Vote No. 202), Collins Modified Amendment No. 1377, to ensure that certain persons do not evade or avoid the prohibition imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Pages S8903-05 By a unanimous vote of 98 yeas (Vote No. 204), Frist Modified Amendment No. 1342, to support certain youth organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America. Pages S8905-07 Rejected: By 47 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 203), Lautenberg Amendment No. 1351, to stop corporations from financing terrorism. Page S8905 Pending: Inhofe Amendment No. 1311, to protect the economic and energy security of the United States. Page S8897 Inhofe/Kyl Amendment No. 1313, to require an annual report on the use of United States funds with respect to the activities and management of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Page S8897 Ensign Amendment No. 1374, to require a report on the use of riot control agents. Page S8897 Ensign Amendment No. 1375, to require a report on the costs incurred by the Department of Defense in implementing or supporting resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Page S8897 Durbin Amendment No. 1379, to require certain dietary supplement manufacturers to report certain serious adverse events. Page S8897 Hutchison/Nelson (FL) Amendment No. 1357, to express the sense of the Senate with regard to manned space flight. Page S8897 Thune Amendment No. 1389, to postpone the 2005 round of defense base closure and realignment. Page S8897 Kennedy Amendment No. 1415, to transfer funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Energy for the National Nuclear Security Administration for weapons activities and available for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator to the Army National Guard, Washington, District of Columbia, chapter. Page S8897 [[Page D826]] Allard/McConnell Amendment No. 1418, to require life cycle cost estimates for the destruction of lethal chemical munitions under the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program. Page S8897 Allard/Salazar Amendment No. 1419, to authorize a program to provide health, medical, and life insurance benefits to workers at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Colorado, who would otherwise fail to qualify for such benefits because of an early physical completion date. Page S8897 Dorgan Amendment No. 1426, to express the sense of the Senate on the declassification and release to the public of certain portions of the Report of the Joint Inquiry into the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001, and to urge the President to release information regarding sources of foreign support for the hijackers involved in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Page S8897 Dorgan Amendment No. 1429, to establish a special committee of the Senate to investigate the awarding and carrying out of contracts to conduct activities in Afghanistan and Iraq and to fight the war on terrorism. Page S8897 Salazar Amendment No. 1421, to rename the death gratuity payable for deaths of members of the Armed Forces as fallen hero compensation. Page S8897 Salazar Amendment No. 1422, to provide that certain local educational agencies shall be eligible to receive a fiscal year 2005 payment under section 8002 or 8003 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Page S8897 Salazar/Reed Amendment No. 1423, to provide for Department of Defense support of certain Paralympic sporting events. Page S8897 Collins (for Thune) Amendment No. 1489, to postpone the 2005 round of defense base closure and realignment. Page S8897 Collins (for Thune) Amendment No. 1490, to require the Secretary of the Air Force to develop and implement a national space radar system capable of employing at least two frequencies. Page S8897 Collins (for Thune) Amendment No. 1491, to prevent retaliation against a member of the Armed Forces for providing testimony about the military value of a military installation. Page S8897 Reed (for Levin) Amendment No. 1492, to make available, with an offset, an additional $50,000,000, for Operation and Maintenance for Cooperative Threat Reduction. Page S8897 Hatch Amendment No. 1516, to express the sense of the Senate regarding the investment of funds as called for in the Depot Maintenance Strategy and Master Plan of the Air Force. Page S8897 Inhofe Amendment No. 1476, to express the sense of Congress that the President should take immediate steps to establish a plan to implement the recommendations of the 2004 Report to Congress of the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Page S8897 Allard Amendment No. 1383, to establish a program for the management of post-project completion retirement benefits for employees at Department of Energy project completion sites. Pages S8897-98 Allard/Salazar Amendment No. 1506, to authorize the Secretary of Energy to purchase certain essential mineral rights and resolve natural resource damage liability claims. Page S8898 McCain Modified Amendment No. 1557, to provide for uniform standards for the interrogation of persons under the detention of the Department of Defense. Page S8898 Warner Amendment No. 1566, to provide for uniform standards and procedures for the interrogation of persons under the detention of the Department of Defense. Page S8898 McCain Modified Amendment No. 1556, to prohibit cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of persons under the custody or control of the United States Government. Page S8898 Stabenow/Johnson Amendment No. 1435, to ensure that future funding for health care for veterans takes into account changes in population and inflation. Page S8898 Murray Amendment No. 1348, to amend the assistance to local educational agencies with significant enrollment changes in military dependent students due to force structure changes, troop relocations, creation of new units, and realignment under BRAC. Page S8898 Murray Amendment No. 1349, to facilitate the availability of child care for the children of members of the Armed Forces on active duty in connection with Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom and to assist school districts serving large numbers or percentages of military dependent children affected by the war in Iraq or Afghanistan, or by other Department of Defense personnel decisions. Page S8898 Levin Amendment No. 1494, to establish a national commission on policies and practices on the treatment of detainees since September 11, 2001. Page S8898 Hutchison Amendment No. 1477, to make oral and maxillofacial surgeons eligible for special pay for Reserve health professionals in critically short wartime specialties. Page S8898 Graham/McCain Modified Amendment No. 1505, to authorize the President to utilize the Combatant Status Review Tribunals and Annual Review Board to determine the status of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Page S8898 [[Page D827]] Nelson (FL) Amendment No. 762, to repeal the requirement for the reduction of certain Survivor Benefit Plan annuities by the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation and to modify the effective date for paid-up coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan. Page S8898 Durbin Amendment No. 1428, to authorize the Secretary of the Air Force to enter into agreements with St. Clair County, Illinois, for the purpose of constructing joint administrative and operations structures at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Page S8898 Durbin Amendment No. 1571, to ensure that a Federal employee who takes leave without pay in order to perform service as a member of the uniformed services or member of the National Guard shall continue to receive pay in an amount which, when taken together with the pay and allowances such individual is receiving for such service, will be no less than the basic pay such individual would then be receiving if no interruption in employment had occurred. Page S8898 Levin Amendment No. 1496, to prohibit the use of funds for normalizing relations with Libya pending resolution with Libya of certain claims relating to the bombing of the LaBelle Discotheque in Berlin, Germany. Page S8898 Levin Amendment No. 1497, to establish limitations on excess charges under time-and-materials contracts and labor-hour contracts of the Department of Defense. Page S8898 Levin (for Harkin/Dorgan) Amendment No. 1425, relating to the American Forces Network. Page S8898 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 50 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 205), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on the bill. Pages S8907-08 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act: Senate resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 397, to prohibit civil liability actions from being brought or continued against manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition for damages, injunctive or other relief resulting from the misuse of their products by others. Pages S8908-32 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 66 yeas to 32 nays (Vote No. 206), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Pages S8908-09 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2005; provided further, that the time from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. be equally divided for debate, followed by a vote on the motion to proceed. Page S9057 Messages From the House: Page S8945 Measures Referred: Page S8945 Measures Read First Time: Page S8945 Executive Communications: Pages S8945-47 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S8947-48 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S8949-51 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S8951-88 Additional Statements: Pages S8943-45 Amendments Submitted: Pages S8988-S9017 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S9017-18 Privilege of the Floor: Page S9018 Record Votes: Five record votes were taken today. (Total-206) Pages S8905, S8906, S8907-08, S8909 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:45 a.m., and adjourned at 7:09 p.m. until 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 27, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S9057-58.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) SPECIES CONSERVATION Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization concluded a hearing to examine how farm bill programs can better support species conservation, focusing on the Wetlands Reserve Program, the eastern bog turtle and ivory billed woodpecker, pallid sturgeon, salmon, and the sage grouse, after receiving testimony from Bruce I. Knight, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture; J. Kent Foster, Idaho Association of Soil Districts, Boise; James L. Cummins, Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Stoneville; Steve Manning, Leon River Restoration Project, Gatesville, Texas; and Timothy D. Searchinger, Environmental Defense, Washington, D.C. NOMINATIONS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Christopher Cox, of California, who was introduced by Senators Stevens, Feinstein, and Boxer, Roel C. Campos, of Texas, and Annette L. [[Page D828]] Nazareth, of the District of Columbia, who was introduced by Senator Schumer, each to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. NOMINATIONS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of John C. Dugan, of Maryland, to be Comptroller of the Currency, John M. Reich, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, and Martin J. Gruenberg, of Maryland, to be a Member and Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. ELECTRONICS WASTE Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Superfund and Waste Management concluded an oversight hearing to examine the potential health and environmental impact of electronics waste, after receiving testimony from Senators Talent and Wyden; Representative Mike Thompson; Thomas P. Dunne, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Environmental Protection Agency; John B. Stephenson, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office; Garth T. Hickle, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St. Paul; Richard Goss, Electronic Industries Alliance, Arlington, Virginia; Scott Slesinger, Environmental Technology Council, Washington, D.C.; Michael Vitelli, Best Buy Company, Inc., Richfield, Minnesota, on behalf of the Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition; and Sheila Davis, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, San Jose, California. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill entitled ``National Employee Savings and Trust Equity Guarantee Act''. GLOBAL ENERGY TRENDS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine implications for the United States regarding energy trends in China and India, focusing on China and India's expanding role in the global energy market and energy dialogues taking place with these two countries, after receiving testimony from E. Anthony Wayne, Interim Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs, and David K. Garman, Under Secretary of Energy for Science and Environment; Mikkal Herberg, The National Bureau of Asian Research, Seattle, Washington; Randall G. Shriver, Armitage International, Arlington, Virginia; and Sumit Ganguly, Indiana University India Studies Program, Bloomington. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. 1129, to provide authorizations of appropriations for certain development banks, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism (Treaty Doc. 107-18), with one understanding; Protocol of Amendment to International Convention on Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (Treaty Doc. 108-6), with reservations to 24 recommended practices contained in specific annexes; Convention on Cybercrime (Treaty Doc. 108-11), with six reservations and five declarations; U.N. Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (Treaty Doc. 108-16), with three reservations and one declaration relating to the convention, three reservations, one understanding, and one declaration relating to the supplementary protocol on trafficking in persons, and two reservations and one understanding relating to the supplementary protocol on migrant smuggling; and The nominations of Henrietta Holsman Fore, of Nevada, to be an Under Secretary of State for Management, Henry Crumpton, of Virginia, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large, Gillian Arlette Milovanovic, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia, James Cain, of North Carolina, to be Ambassador to Denmark, Alan W. Eastham, Jr., of Arkansas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, Katherine Hubay Peterson, of California, to be Ambassador to Republic of Botswana, Michael Retzer, of Mississippi, to be Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, Karen P. Hughes, of Texas, to be Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, with the rank of Ambassador, Josette Sheeran Shiner, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs, Kristen Silverberg, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, and Jendayi Elizabeth Frazer, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine the General Services Administration (GSA), focusing on GSA's [[Page D829]] historic use of two proven negotiation tools to improve the pricing of schedules contracts-pre-award audits and postaward audits of pre-award information, after receiving testimony from David E. Cooper, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, Government Accountability Office; Emily W. Murphy, Chief Acquisition Officer, and Kathleen S. Tighe, Counsel to the Inspector General, both of the General Services Administration; David H. Safavian, Administrator, Federal Procurement Policy, Office of Management and Budget; John B. Ames, Director, Contract Review and Evaluation Division, Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Thomas Graham, Networld Exchange, Carlsbad, California. INDIAN TRUST REFORM ACT Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine legislation to resolve the lawsuit of Cobell v. Norton, focusing on S. 1439, to provide for Indian trust asset management reform and resolution of historical accounting claims, after receiving testimony from Jim Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary, and Ross Swimmer, Special Trustee for American Indians, both of the Department of the Interior; Tex Hall, National Congress of American Indians, Washington, D.C.; Jim Gray, Inter-Tribal Monitoring Association, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Ernest L. Stensgar, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Portland, Oregon; James T. Martin, United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; and Elouise C. Cobell, Blackfeet Reservation Development Fund, Browning, Montana. IMMIGRATION REFORM Committee on the Judiciary: Committee held a hearing to examine comprehensive immigration reform proposals, receiving testimony from Senators Kennedy, McCain, Kyl, and Cornyn; Hal Daub, American Health Care Association, and National Center For Assisted Living, Washington, D.C., on behalf of the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition; Tamar Jacoby, Manhattan Institute, New York, New York; and Gary Endelman, Houston, Texas. Hearing recessed subject to the call. PATENTS REFORM Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Intellectual Property held a hearing to examine harmonization and other matters concerning patents, focusing on the first-inventor-to- file issue, and pre- issuance submissions of art, receiving testimony from Gerald J. Mossinghoff, Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier, and Neustadt, Alexandria, Virginia, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks; Q. Todd Dickinson, General Electric Company, Fairfield, Connecticut, former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; Christine J. Siwik, Rakoczy Molino Mazzochi LLP, Chicago, Illinois, on behalf of Barr Laboratories, Inc.; Marshall C. Phelps, Jr., Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington; Charles E. Phelps, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, on behalf of sundry groups; David Beier, Amgen, Washington, D.C. Hearing recessed subject to the call. NOMINATION Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Timothy Elliott Flanigan, of Virginia, to be Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senators Warner and Allen, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Janice B. Gardner, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of the Treasury, Benjamin A. Powell, of Florida, to be General Counsel of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and John S. Redd, of Georgia, to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 23 public bills, H.R. 3426- 3448; and 6 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 218; and H. Res. 383-384, 388-390 were introduced. Pages H6649-50 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H6651-52 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H. Res. 385, providing for consideration of H.R. 5, to improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the [[Page D830]] excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H. Rept. 109-185); H. Res. 386, providing for consideration of H.R. 3045, to implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (H. Rept. 109-186); H. Res. 387, providing for consideration of H.R. 3283, to enhance resources to enforce United States trade rights (H. Rept. 109-187); Page H6649 Conference report to accompany H.R. 2361, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 109-188); and Pages H6562-H6628 Conference report to accompany H.R. 2985, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 109-189). Pages H6628-38 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Marchant to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H6433 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Rev. W. Don Young, Senior Pastor, Heartland Worship Center, Paducah, Kentucky. Page H6436 Recess: The House recessed at 9:23 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Page H6436 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Brian P. Parrello Post Office Building Designation Act: S. 904, designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1560 Union Valley Road in West Milford, New Jersey, as the ``Brian P. Parrello Post Office Building''; --clearing the measure for the President. Pages H6452-53 Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005: H.R. 3200, enhancing the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 424 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 420; Pages H6453-58, H6464 Paul Kasten Post Office Building Designation Act: Debated yesterday, July 25: H.R. 2977, designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 306 2nd Avenue in Brockway, Montana, as the ``Paul Kasten Post Office Building'' by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 422 with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 423; Page H6466 Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Post Office Building Designation Act: Debated yesterday, July 25: H.R. 2894, designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 102 South Walters Avenue in Hodgenville, Kentucky, as the ``Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Post Office Building'' by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 421 with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 427; and Page H6509 James T. Malloy Post Office Building Designation Act: Debated yesterday, July 25: H.R. 3339, designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2061 South Park Avenue in Buffalo, New York, as the ``James T. Molloy Post Office Building'' by a \2/3\ yea- and-nay vote of 423 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 431. Pages H6549-50 Suspension--Failed: The House failed to agree to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: United States Trade Rights Enforcement Act: H.R. 3283, amended, enhancing resources to enforce United States trade rights, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 240 yeas to 186 nays, Roll No. 421. Pages H6440-52, H6464-65 Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006--Motion to go to Conference: The House disagreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2361, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and agreed to a conference. Pages H6458-63 The House agreed to the Obey motion to instruct conferees by a yea- and-nay vote of 426 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 422. Pages H6458-63, H6465 Appointed as conferees: Representatives Taylor of North Carolina, Lewis of California, Wamp, Peterson of Pennsylvania, Sherwood, Istook, Aderholt, Doolittle, Simpson, Dicks, Obey, Moran of Virginia, Hinchey, Olver, and Mollohan. Page H6466 Legislative Branch Appropriation for FY 2006--Motion to go to Conference: The House disagreed to the Senate amendments on H.R. 2985, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and agreed to a conference. Page H6463 Appointed as conferees: Representatives Lewis of California, Kingston, Granger, Doolittle, LaHood, Obey, Hoyer, and Moran of Virginia. Page H6463 Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005: The House passed H.R. 525, to amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to improve access and choice for entrepreneurs with small businesses with respect to medical care for their employees, by a yea-and-nay vote of 263 yeas to 165 nays, Roll No. 426. Pages H6477-H6509 Rejected Mr. Miller of California motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Education and the Workforce with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by [[Page D831]] a yea-and-nay vote of 198 yeas to 230 nays, Roll No. 425. Pages H6506-08 Rejected the Kind amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 109-183) in the nature of a substitute regarding the establishment of a Small Employer Health Benefits Plan (SEHB), by a yea-and-nay vote of 197 yeas to 230 nays, Roll No. 424; and Pages H6497-H6506 H. Res. 379, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by voice vote. Pages H6466-72 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act: The House passed H.R. 22, to reform the postal laws of the United States, by a recorded vote of 410 ayes to 20 noes, Roll No. 430. Pages H6511-49 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Government Reform now printed in the bill was considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment. Page H6522 Rejected: Hensarling amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 109-184) that sought to reduce the bill's cost by ensuring that 100% of the Civil Service Retirement System saving released will be directed to pay the Postal Service's unfunded healthcare liability; Pages H6544-47 Pence amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 109-184) that sought to remove the requirement that the first vacant slot on the Board of Governors is to be filled by an individual with unanimous backing by the labor unions, (by a recorded vote of 82 ayes to 345 noes, Roll No. 428); and Pages H6538-41, H6547-48 Flake amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 109-184) that sought to establish a domestic pilot program to empower local postmasters to employ their experience and management expertise to test certain fundamental assumptions relating to the provisions of universal mail service in the U.S. (by a recorded vote of 51 ayes to 379 noes, Roll No. 429). Pages H6541-44, H6548 H. Res. 380, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by voice vote. Pages H6472-77 Late Report: Agreed that the managers on the part of the House have until midnight tonight, July 26, to file conference reports to accompany H.R. 2361, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2006 and H.R. 2985, Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for FY 2006. Pages H6509-10 Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act: The House agreed by unanimous consent to H.R. 3423, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to medical device user fees. Pages H6510-11 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H6510. Quorum Calls--Votes: 9 yea-and-nay votes and 3 recorded votes developed during the proceedings today and appear on pages H6464, H6464-65, H6465, H6466, H6506, H6508, H6508-09, H6509, H6547-48, H6548, H6549, and H6549-50. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 11:46 p.m. Committee Meetings FDA FISCAL YEAR 2006 APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on FDA Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., Commissioner, and Kathleen D. Heuer, Associate Commissioner of Management, both with the FDA; and Lester Cash, Director, Division of Budget Policy, Execution and Review, Acting Assistant Secretary, Budget. WEST BANK/GAZA ASSISTANCE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Agencies held a hearing on West Bank/Gaza Assistance. Testimony was heard from James Wolfensohn, Quartet Special Envoy for Gaza Disengagement; the following officials of the Department of State: David C. Welch, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; and James Bever, Mission Director, West Bank/Gaza Operations, U.S. Agency for International Development; and LTG William E. Ward, Deputy Commander, USA, Deputy Commander, U.S. Army Europe, Coordinate for Security, Department of Defense. MENTAL HEALTH Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on mental health. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: William Winkenwerder, Jr., M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs; LTG Kevin C. Kiley, USA, Surgeon General; VADM Donald C. Arthur, USN, Surgeon General; LTG George P. Taylor, Jr., USAF, Surgeon General, Department of the Air Force; COL Virgil J. Patterson, USA, Chief, Soldier and Family Support Branch, Army Medical Department Center and School; [[Page D832]] CAPT Kristiaan C. Hughes, USA, C Company, 1/46 IN, Fort Knox, Kentucky; and Specialist Stephanie Stretch, 233rd Military Police Company, Illinois Army National Guard; Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., Under Secretary of Health, Department of Veterans' Affairs; and a public witness. FIGHTING METH IN AMERICA'S HEARTLAND Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources held a hearing entitled ``Fighting Meth in America's Heartland: Assessing the Impact on Local Law Enforcement and Child Welfare Agencies.'' Testimony was heard from Scott Burns, Deputy Director, State and Local Affairs, Office of National Drug Control Policy; Joseph Rannazzisi, Deputy Chief, Office of Enforcement, DEA, Department of Justice; Freida S. Baker, Deputy Director, Family and Children's Services, Department of Human Resources, State of Alabama; and public witnesses. DOE/ESE SECURITY Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled ``DOE/ESE Security: How Ready is the Protective Force?'' Testimony was heard from Eugene E. Aloise, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; the following officials of the Department of Energy: Gregory H. Friedman, Inspector General; Glenn S. Podonsky, Director, Office of Security and Safety Performance Assurance; and Robert Walsh, Security Manager, Office of Energy, Science and Environment; Lawrence Brede, Wackenhut DOE Operations; and a public witness. LONDON ATTACKS Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology held a hearing entitled ``The London Attacks: Training to Respond in a Mass Transit Environment.'' Testimony was heard from Tim Beres, Director, Preparedness Programs Division, Office for Domestic Preparedness, Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness, Department of Homeland Security; Robert Jamison, Deputy Administrator, Federal Transit Administration Department of Transportation; Polly Hanson, Chief of Metro Police, Washington Metro Area Transit Authority; Paul Lennon, Director, Intelligence and Emergency Preparedness Management, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority; William A. Morange, Deputy Executive Director/Director of Security, New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority; and a public witness. BANKRUPTCY ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 2005 IMPLEMENTATION Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held an oversight hearing entitled ``Implementation of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.'' Testimony was heard from Clifford J. White, III, Acting Director, Executive Office for United States Trustees; A. Thomas Small, United States Bankruptcy Judge, Eastern District of North Carolina, on behalf of the Judicial Conference of the United States; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM ACT IMPLEMENTATION Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the National Trails System Act. Testimony was heard from Chris Jarvi, Associate Director, Partnerships, Interpretation and Education, Volunteers and Outdoor Recreation, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-CENTRAL AMERICA-UNITED STATES FREE TRADE AGREEMENT Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing two hours of debate in the House on H.R. 3045, to implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order against the bill and against its consideration. The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker in consonance with section 151 of the Trade Act of 1974. The rule provides that a motion to proceed to consideration of the bill under section 151 of the Trade Act of 1974 shall be in order only in offered by the Majority Leader or his designee. Testimony was heard from Representatives Shaw and Cardin. HELP EFFICIENT, ACCESSIBLE, LOW-COST, TIMELY HEALTHCARE (HEALTH) ACT OF 2005 Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing two hours of debate in the House on H.R. 5, to improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system, equally divided and controlled by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their designees. The rule waives [[Page D833]] all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. The rule provides one motion to recommit. Testimony was heard from Representatives Smith of Texas, Shadegg, Berman, Jackson-Lee of Texas, Costello, Baird, Emanuel, Berry, Davis of Tennessee and Lipinski. UNITED STATES TRADE RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT ACT Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a closed rule providing one hour of debate in the House on H.R. 3283, to enhance resources to enforce United States trade rights, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution shall be considered as adopted. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives English, Cardin, and Ryan of Ohio. HONORING PROTECTORS OF THE CAPITOL--PASSENGERS AND CREW OF FLIGHT 93 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management held a hearing on Honoring the Protectors of the Capitol: The Passengers and Crew of Flight 93. Testimony was heard from Brent Glass, member, Flight 93 Memorial Advisory Commission, Director, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution; Hamilton Peterson, President, Families of Flight 93; and public witnesses. RESULTS--FUTURE IMAGERY ARCHITECTURE RED TEAM REVIEW Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence met in executive session to hold a hearing on the results of the Future Imagery Architecture Red Team Review. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings ENERGY POLICY ACT Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 6, to ensure jobs for our future with secure, affordable, and reliable energy. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 2361, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. APPROPRIATIONS: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 2985, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Conservation Reserve Program, 10 a.m., SR-328A. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction, to hold hearings to examine all-hazards alert systems, focusing on the need for a national all- hazards alert and public warning system, 10 a.m., SR-253. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine S. 1372, to provide for the accuracy of television ratings services, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy, to hold hearings to examine recent progress in hydrogen and fuel cell research sponsored by the Department of Energy and by private industry, including challenges to the development of these technologies, 3 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine the role of value-based purchasing relating to improving quality in Medicare, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of William Robert Timken, Jr., of Ohio, to be Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, William J. Burns, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Richard Henry Jones, of Nebraska, to be Ambassador to Israel, and Francis Joseph Ricciardone, Jr., of New Hampshire, to be Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. Subcommittee on International Operations and Terrorism, to hold hearings to examine United Nations peacekeeping reform, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business meeting to consider the nominations of Thomas A. Fuentes, of California, and Bernice Phillips, of New York, each to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the [[Page D834]] Legal Services Corporation, and Kevin F. Sullivan, of New York, to be Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach, Terrell Halaska, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, and Henry Louis Johnson, of Mississippi, to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, all of the Department of Education, Time to be announced, Room to be announced. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to resume hearings to examine the appropriate Federal role regarding chemical facility security, 10 a.m., SD-562. Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine financial management at the Securities and Exchange Commission, 2:30 p.m., SD-562. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold hearings to examine S. 1439, to provide for Indian trust asset management reform and resolution of historical accounting claims, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Select Committee on Intelligence: to receive a closed briefing regarding intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine the victimization of elderly through scams, 2:30 p.m., SD-106. House Committee on Agriculture, to consider the following bills: H.R. 3421. To reauthorize the United States Grain Standards Act, to facilitate the official inspection at export locations of grain required or authorized to be inspected under such Act; and H.R. 3408, To reauthorize the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 and to amend the swine reporting provisions of that Act, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on Chinese military power, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises, hearing on the Future of Terrorism Insurance, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, hearing entitled ``BRAC and Beyond: An Examination of the Rationale Behind Federal Security Standards for Leased Space,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Energy and Resources, hearing entitled ``The Hydrogen Economy: Is It Attainable?'' 1 p.m., 2203 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency Organization, hearing entitled ``Is There a Doctor in the Mouse?'': Using Information Technology to Improve Healthcare,'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability, hearing entitled ``DHS in Transition--Are Financial Management Problems Hindering Mission Effectiveness?'' 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, hearing entitled ``Regulatory Reform: Are Regulations Hindering Our Competitiveness?'' 10 a.m., 2247 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight, hearing entitled ``The 287(g) Program: Ensuring the Integrity of America's Border Security System through Federal-State Partnerships,'' 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats, hearing on Ukraine: Developments in the Aftermath of the Orange Revolution, 1 p.m., 2255 Rayburn. Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation, hearing on Terrorist Threats to Energy Security, 2 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation and the Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia, joint hearing on Syria and the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program, 10:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, hearing on U.S. Diplomacy in Latin America, 1:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, to mark up the following measures: H.R. 3132, Children's Safety Act of 2005; H.R. 3402, Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 through 2009; H.R. 2965, Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2005; H.R. 1502, Civil Liberties Restoration Act of 2005; and H. Res. 336, Requesting that the President focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime prevention and community policing, and coordinate certain Federal efforts to participate in ``National Night Out,'' which occurs the first Tuesday of August each year, including by supporting local efforts and community watch groups and by supporting local officials, to promote community safety and help provide homeland security, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Rules, Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process, hearing on A Comparative Study of International Multi-Year Budgeting, 11 a.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Small Business, hearing on the importance of amending the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to establish a participating debenture program to assist small businesses in gaining access to much needed capital, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology, hearing entitled ``The Importance of the Biotechnology Industry and Venture Capital Support in Innovation,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, oversight hearing on the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs: The Continuum of Care for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (PTSD), 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 419, Hire Veterans Act of 2005; and H.R. 3279, Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2005, 2 p.m., 334 Cannon. Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, hearing on the following: H.R. 3082, Veteran-Owned Small Business [[Page D835]] Promotion Act of 2005; H.R. 1773, Native American Veteran Home Loan Act; a measure to Establish an Office of Disabled Veterans Sports and Special Events; a measure to require the Veterans' Employment and Training Service to Establish Qualification Standards for Disabled Veteran Outreach Specialists and Local Veteran Employment Representatives; a measure to increase the Disabled Veteran Adaptive Housing Grant; and a measure to Provide for a Disabled Veteran Transitional Housing Grant, 2:30 p.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Health, hearing on Health Care Information Technolgy (IT), 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. 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[[Page D836]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 27 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 397, Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, with the time from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. equally divided for debate, with a vote on the motion to proceed to the bill to occur at 2 p.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 27 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________