Monday, March 12, 2007 [[Page D311]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S2991-S3012 Measures Introduced: Nine bills were introduced, as follows: S. 838- 846. Page S3000 Measures Considered: Iraq Resolution: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S.J. Res. 9, to revise United States policy on Iraq. Page S3011 A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of S.J. Res. 9, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Wednesday, March 14, 2007. Page S3011 Subsequently, the motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution was withdrawn. Page S3011 Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 214, to amend chapter 35 of title 28, United States Code, to preserve the independence of United States attorneys. Pages S3011-12 A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 214, and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Wednesday, March 14, 2007. Page S3011 Subsequently, the motion to proceed to the consideration of the bill was withdrawn. Page S3012 Improving America's Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at approximately 11 a.m., on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, Senate resume consideration of S. 4, to make the United States more secure by implementing unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to fight the war on terror more effectively, to improve homeland security; that the time until 11:45 a.m., be for debate with respect to Coburn Amendment No. 294 (to Amendment No. 275), to provide that the provisions of the Act shall cease to have any force or effect on and after December 31, 2012, to ensure congressional review and oversight of the Act, and Coburn Amendment No. 325 (to Amendment No. 275), to ensure the fiscal integrity of grants awarded by the Department of Homeland Security, and that the time run concurrently and be equally divided and controlled between Senators Lieberman and Coburn, or their designees; that at 11:45 a.m., Senate vote on, or in relation to, Coburn Amendment No. 294 (listed above), to be followed by a vote on, or in relation to Amendment No. 325 (listed above), regardless of the outcome of the first vote; that there be 2 minutes of debate between the votes, equally divided and controlled. Page S3012 Appointments: Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group: The Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276d-276g, as amended, appointed the following Senator as Chairman of the Senate Delegation to the Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group conference during the 110th Congress: Senator Klobuchar. Page S3012 U.S.-China Interparliamentary Group: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276n, as amended, appointed the following Senator as Chairman of the U.S.-China Interparliamentary Group conference during the 110th Congress: Senator Inouye. Page S3012 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: William Herbert Heyman, of New York, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2007 vice Deborah Doyle McWhinney, term expired. William Herbert Heyman, of New York, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2010. Anne Cahn, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace for a term expiring January 19, 2009. Bruce P. Jackson, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United [[Page D312]] States Institute of Peace for a term expiring January 19, 2011. Kathleen Martinez, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace for a term expiring January 19, 2011. George E. Moose, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace for a term expiring January 19, 2009. Jeremy A. Rabkin, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace for a term expiring January 19, 2009. Dale Cabaniss, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years expiring July 29, 2012. Carol Waller Pope, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for the term of five years expiring July 1, 2009. 1 Army nomination in the rank of general. 1 Marine Corps nomination in the rank of general. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Navy. Page S3012 Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: William Herbert Heyman, of New York, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2008, which was sent to the Senate on January 29, 2007. Page S3012 Messages From the House: Page S3000 Messages Referred: Page S3000 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3000-01 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3001-11 Additional Statements: Page S2999 Adjournment: Senate convened at 2:30 p.m., and adjourned at 6:05 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3012.) Committee Meetings No committee meetings were held. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 17 public bills, H.R. 1468- 1484; 1 private bill, H.R. 1485; and 4 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 90; and H. Res. 236-238 were introduced. Pages H2435-36 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2436-37 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 1309, to promote openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), with amendments (H. Rept. 110-45); H.R. 1045, to designate the Federal building located at 210 Walnut Street in Des Moines, Iowa, as the ``Neal Smith Federal Building'' (H. Rept. 110-46); Supplemental report on H.R. 985, to amend title 5, United States Code, to clarify which disclosures of information are protected from prohibited personnel practices; to require a statement in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements to the effect that such policies, forms, and agreements are consistent with certain disclosure protections (H. Rept. 110-42, Pt. 2); and H.R. 1362, to reform acquisition practices of the Federal Government, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-47, Pt. 1). Page H2435 Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Shea-Porter to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H2403 Recess: The House recessed at 12:50 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m. Page H2405 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Amending the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991: H.R. 1068, amended, to amend the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991; Pages H2406-08 Energy Technology Transfer Act: H.R. 85, to provide for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies, by a 2/3 yea- and-nay vote of 395 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 136; Pages H2408-10, H2418-19 Reauthorizing the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988: H.R. 1126, to reauthorize the Steel and [[Page D313]] Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988; Pages H2411-12 Commending the Girl Scouts of the United States of America on the occasion of their 95th anniversary: H. Res. 136, to commend the Girl Scouts of the United States of America on the occasion of their 95th anniversary, for providing quality age-appropriate experiences that prepare girls to become the leaders of tomorrow and for raising issues important to girls, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 395 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 137; Pages H2412-14, H2419 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a day should be established as Dutch-American Friendship Day: H. Res. 89, to express the sense of the House of Representatives that a day should be established as Dutch-American Friendship Day to celebrate the historic ties of the United States and the Netherlands, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 391 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 138; and Pages H2414-16, H2419-20 Recognizing the significance of Black History Month: H. Res. 198, to recognize the significance of Black History Month. Pages H2416-18 Recess: The House recessed at 3:23 p.m. and reconvened at 6:35 p.m. Page H2418 Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of Captain William Anderson, former Member of Congress. Page H2419 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Blackburn wherein she resigned from the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Financial Services pending her appointment to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Page H2420 Supplemental Report: Agreed that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform have until midnight on March 12th to file a supplemental report on H.R. 985, to amend title 5, United States Code, to clarify which disclosures of information are protected from prohibited personnel practices; to require a statement in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements to the effect that such policies, forms, and agreements are consistent with certain disclosure protections. Page H2420 Committee Elections: The House agreed to H. Res. 236, removing Representative Burton from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and electing the following Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives: Committee on Education and Labor: Representative Heller (NV), to rank immediately after Representative Walberg; Committee on Energy and Commerce: Representative Blackburn. Pages H2420-21 Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2418-19, H2419, H2419-20. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 12:30 p.m. and adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Committee Meetings LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Secretary of Education. Testimony was heard from Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education. SELECT INTELLIGENCE OVERSIGHT Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Select Intelligence Oversight met in executive session to hold a hearing on the CIA Budget. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. GSE REFORM--LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``Legislative Proposals on GSE Reform.'' Testimony was heard from John R. Price, President and CEO, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, Federal Housing Finance Board; and public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Environmental Protection Agency, 10 a.m., SD-124. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of James R. Kunder, of Virginia, to be Deputy Administrator, Douglas Menarchik, of Texas, to be an Assistant Administrator, Paul J. Bonicelli, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator, and Katherine Almquist, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator, all of the United States Agency for International Development, Margrethe Lundsager, of Virginia, to be United States Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, Eli Whitney Debevoise II, of Maryland, to be United States Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Curtis S. [[Page D314]] Chin, of New York, to be United States Director of the Asian Development Bank, with the rank of Ambassador, 3 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold joint hearings with House Committee on Education and Labor to examine improving No Child Left Behind to close the achievement gap, relating to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorzation, 9:30 a.m., 2175 RHOB. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine United States international efforts to secure radiological materials, focusing on Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission efforts to secure radiological materials through the International Atomic Energy Agency and the other multilateral organizations, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Benjamin Hale Settle, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington, Frederick J. Kapala, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, and Halil Suleyman Ozerden, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi, 10 a.m., SD-226. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry, hearing to review the federal food stamp program and its impact on children's health, 10 a.m., 1302 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations,, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Secretary of Agriculture, 2 p.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, on NASA, 10 a.m., 2362A Rayburn and 2 p.m., 2362B Rayburn. Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 10 a.m., 2362B Rayburn. Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Secret Service, 10 a.m., H- 309 Capitol. Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, on Arts Panel, 10:30 a.m., on the Social and Economic Status of Native Americans, 1:30 p.m., and on Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of the Special Trustee, 2 p.m., B-308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, on Department of Education: Elementary and Secondary Education, and Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, on Capitol Visitor Center, 1:30 p.m., 2359 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies, on Navy Budget, 9:30 and a hearing on Veterans' Claims Process, 1 p.m., H-143 Capitol. Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, on Millenium Challenge Account, 2 p.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, on Status of Public Housing and HOPE VI, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, to mark up H.R. 1362, Accountability in Contracting Act, 8:30 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on overview of military resale programs, 10 a.m., 2212 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Readiness, hearing on the adequacy of the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Budget Request to meet readiness needs, 2 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 477, Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act; H.R. 727, Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2007; H.R. 545, Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2007; H.R. 1132, National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2007; and H.R. 493, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007, 3 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ``Post Katrina Health Care: Continuing Concerns and Immediate Needs in the New Orleans Region,'' 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, hearing entitled ``Hedge Funds and Systemic Risk in the Financial Markets,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on Tibet: Status of the Sino-Tibetan Dialogue, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, hearing on Haiti's Development Needs, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, to mark up H.R. 1401, Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 50, Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2007; and H.R. 465, Asian Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Reform, to consider H.R. 1433, to provide for the treatment of the District of Columbia as a Congressional district for the purposes of representation in the House of Representatives, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Rules, to consider H.R. 985, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007, 3:30 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Science and Technology, hearing on Science and Technology Leadership in a 21st Century Global Economy, 1 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, hearing on U.S./Mexican Trucking: Safety and the Cross Border Demonstration Project,'' 1 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. [[Page D315]] Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 797, Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act; and H.R. 1284, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2007; followed by a hearing on the Impact of OIF/OEF on the VA Claims Process, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Subcommittee on Health, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 612, Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007; and H.R. 327, Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, 1:30 p.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Oversight, hearing on Katrina Redevelopment Tax Issues, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, hearing on Facilities and Infrastructures, 2 p.m., H-405 Capitol. Joint Meetings Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, to hold joint hearings with House Committee on Education and Labor to examine improving No Child Left Behind to close the achievement gap, relating to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization, 9:30 a.m., 2175 RHOB. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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 one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. The database includes both text and graphics from the beginning of the 103d Congress, 2d session (January 1994) forward. It is available through GPO Access at www.gpo.gov/gpoaccess. Customers can also access this information with WAIS client software, via telnet at swais.access.gpo.gov, or dial-in using communications software and a modem at 202ÿ09512ÿ091661. Questions or comments regarding this database or GPO Access can be directed to the GPO Access User Support Team at: E-Mail: gpoaccess@gpo.gov; Phone 1ÿ09888ÿ09293ÿ096498 (toll-free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091530 (D.C. area); Fax: 202ÿ09512ÿ091262. The Team's hours of availability are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, except Federal holidays. The Congressional Record paper and 24x microfiche edition will be furnished by mail to subscribers, free of postage, at the following prices: paper edition, $252.00 for six months, $503.00 per year, or purchased as follows: less than 200 pages, $10.50; between 200 and 400 pages, $21.00; greater than 400 pages, $31.50, payable in advance; microfiche edition, $146.00 per year, or purchased for $3.00 per issue payable in advance. The semimonthly Congressional Record Index may be purchased for the same per issue prices. To place an order for any of these products, visit the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250ÿ097954, or phone orders to 866ÿ09512ÿ091800 (toll free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202ÿ09512ÿ092250. Remit check or money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. Following 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. With 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. [[Page D316]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 13 __________ Senate Chamber Program for Tuesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will resume consideration of S. 4, Improving America's Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act, and after a period of debate, vote on, or in relation to Coburn Amendment No. 294 (to Amendment No. 275) and Coburn Amendment No. 325 (to Amendment No. 275). (Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for their respective party conferences.) Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 13 __________ House Chamber Program for Tuesday: Consideration of the following suspensions: (1) H.R. 1003--To amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy; (2) H. Res. 107--Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldiers held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah; (3) H. Res. 64--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Bangladesh should immediately drop all pending charges against Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury; (4) H. Res. 228--Recognizing the 186th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating Greek and American Democracy; (5) H. Res. 230-- Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome signed on March 25, 1957; (6) H. Res. 222--Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998; (7) H.R. 478--To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 101 Barr Street in Lexington, Kentucky, as the ``Scott Reed Federal Building and United States Courthouse''; (8) H.R. 429--To designate the United States courthouse located at 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Hugh L. Carey United States Courthouse''; (9) H.R. 430--To designate the United States bankruptcy courthouse located at 271 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Conrad Duberstein United States Bankruptcy Courthouse''; and (10) H.R. 1045--To designate the Federal building located at 210 Walnut Street in Des Moines, Iowa, as the ``Neal Smith Federal Building''. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Berry, Marion, Ark., E524 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E518, E522 Capuano, Michael E., Mass., E523 Christensen, Donna M., The Virgin Islands, E520 Davis, Danny K., Ill., E521 Davis, Tom, Va., E518 Dingell, John D., Mich., E519 Donnelly, Joe, Ind., E518 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E523 Filner, Bob, Calif., E524 Green, Al, Tex., E517 Kilpatrick, Carolyn C., Mich., E525 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E519 Moran, Jerry, Kans., E521 Murphy, Patrick J., Pa., E525 Neugebauer, Randy, Tex., E518 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E517 Petri, Thomas E., Wisc., E518 Radanovich, George, Calif., E522 Roskam, Peter J., Ill., E524 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E523 Ryan, Tim, Ohio, E523 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E523 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E525 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E525