Wednesday, September 12, 2007 [[Page D1192]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed H.R. 3074, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S11461-S11531 Measures Introduced: Eleven bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2040-2050, S. Res. 318, and S. Con. Res. 44. Pages S11504-05 Measures Reported: S. 1256, to amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize loan programs under that Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-154) Page S11504 Measures Passed: Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008: Senate passed H.R. 3074, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S11461-91 Tabled: By 56 yeas to 37 nays (Vote No. 334), DeMint Amendment No. 2844, to provide a system for better construction and maintenance of America's aging bridge infrastructure by spending American tax dollars more effectively and efficiently. Page S11462 By 63 yeas to 32 nays (Vote No. 335), Coburn Amendment No. 2812, to remove an unnecessary earmark for the International Peace Garden in Dunseith, North Dakota. Pages S11462, S11465 By 63 yeas to 32 nays (Vote No. 335), Coburn Amendment No. 2813, to ensure that no funds made available under this Act shall be used to carry out any activity relating to the design or construction of the America's Wetland Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana, until the date on which the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State of Louisiana, certifies to Congress that all residents of the State of Louisiana who were displaced as a result of Hurricane Katrina or Rita in 2005 are no longer living in temporary housing. Pages S11462, S11465 By 63 yeas to 32 nays (Vote No. 335), Coburn Amendment No. 2814, to prohibit the use of funds for the construction of a baseball facility in Billings, Montana, and to reduce the amounts made available for the Economic Development Initiative and the Community Development Fund. Pages S11462, S11465 Senate insists on its amendment, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Murray; Byrd; Mikulski; Kohl; Durbin; Dorgan; Leahy; Harkin; Feinstein; Johnson; Lautenberg; Inouye; Bond; Shelby; Specter; Bennett; Hutchison; Brownback; Stevens; Domenici; Alexander; Allard; Cochran. Page S11490 Cal Ripken Way: Senate passed H.R. 3218, to designate a portion of Interstate Route 395 located in Baltimore, Maryland, as ``Cal Ripken Way'', clearing the measure for the President. Page S11516 Korean War Veterans Association: Senate passed S. 1692, to grant a Federal charter to Korean War Veterans Association, Incorporated. Pages S11516-17 We Don't Serve Teens Campaign: Senate agreed to S. Res. 318, supporting the We Don't Serve Teens campaign. Pages S11517-18 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act--Agreement: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 1257, to provide the District of Columbia a voting seat and the State of Utah an additional seat in the House of Representatives. Page S11516 A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Tuesday, September 18, 2007. Page S11516 [[Page D1193]] Subsequently, the motion to proceed was withdrawn. National Defense Authorization Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 3 p.m., on Monday, September 17, 2007, Senate resume consideration of H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel. Page S11518 District of Columbia College Access Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that following morning business on Tuesday, September 18, 2007, Senate begin consideration of H.R. 1124, to extend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999, and that the only amendments in order be the following: a Coburn Amendment relative to the topic of scholarships, and that it be considered and agreed to, and a Coburn Amendment relative to the topic of public colleges; provided further, that there be a total of 65 minutes for debate with respect to the bill and amendments, with Senator Coburn controlling 30 minutes, Senator Voinovich controlling 20 minutes and Senator Akaka controlling 15 minutes; that Senate vote on or in relation to the Coburn Amendment; provided further, that upon disposition of the Coburn Amendment on public colleges Senate vote on passage of the bill. Page S11516 Message from the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the continuation of the national emergency with respect to the terrorist attacks on the United States of September 11, 2001, as received during recess of the Senate on September 12, 2007; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-24) Pages S11503-04 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: Ned L. Siegel, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Nancy Goodman Brinker, of Florida, to be Chief of Protocol, and to have the rank of Ambassador during her tenure of service. Harry K. Thomas, Jr., of New York, to be Director General of the Foreign Service. Margaret Spellings, of Texas, to be designated a Representative of the United States of America to the Thirty-fourth Session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Paula J. Dobriansky, of Virginia, for the rank of Ambassador during her tenure of service as Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. Pages S11518, S11530-31 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Thomas F. Stephenson, of California, to be Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic. Daniel V. Speckhard, of Wisconsin, to be Ambassador to Greece. Ted Poe, of Texas, to be a Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-second Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. George E. Pataki, of New York, to be a Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-second Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. William Delahunt, of Massachusetts, to be a Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-second Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Kelly G. Knight, of Kentucky, to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-second Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Rodger D. Young, of Michigan, to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-second Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. William H. Frist, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation for a term of three years. Kenneth Francis Hackett, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation for a term of two years. 7 Coast Guard nominations in the rank of admiral. 1 Marine Corps nomination in the rank of general. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Navy. Pages S11518-30 Executive Communications: Page S11504 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S11505-06 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S11506-14 Additional Statements: Pages S11501-03 Amendments Submitted: Pages S11514-15 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S11515 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S11515-16 Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--336) Pages S11464, S11465, S11471 Recess: Senate convened at 9 a.m. and recessed at 3:20 p.m., until 9:45 a.m. on Friday, September 14, [[Page D1194]] 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S11518.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Committee on Appropriations: Committee ordered favorably reported H.R. 3222, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. ENHANCING THE SAFETY OF TOYS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government concluded a hearing to examine enhancing the safety of toys relating to lead paint, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and toy safety standards, after receiving testimony from Senators Klobuchar, Nelson (FL), and Pryor; Nancy A. Nord, Acting Chairman, and Thomas H. Moore, Commissioner, both of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; Carter Keithley, Toy Industry Association, Inc., New York, New York; Jerry Storch, Toys ``R'' Us, Inc., Wayne, New Jersey; Robert A. Eckert, Mattel, Inc., Segundo, California; S. Joe Bhatia, American National Standards Institute, and Sally Greenberg, Consumers Union, both of Washington, DC. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION REAUTHORIZATION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism concluded a hearing to examine the Federal Trade Commission Reauthorization, after receiving testimony from Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission; Mark N. Cooper, Consumer Federation of America, Chris Murray, Consumers Union, Ari Schwartz, Center for Democracy and Technology, and Martin E. Abrams, Hunton and Williams LLP Center for Information Policy Leadership, all of Washington, D.C.; and Michael D. Calhoun, Center for Responsible Lending, Durham, North Carolina. NATIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 2017, to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide for national energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps, after receiving testimony from Representatives Harman and Upton; Alexander Karsner, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Paul Waide, International Energy Agency, Paris, France; Kyle Pitsor, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Rosslyn, Virginia; and Steven Nadel, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Washington, D.C. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Environment and Public Works: On Thursday, July 31, 2007, Committee approved for reporting the following committee and subcommittee assignments for the 110th Congress: Committee on Environment and Public Works: Senators Boxer (Chairman), Baucus, Lieberman, Carper, Clinton, Lautenberg, Cardin, Sanders, Klobuchar, Whitehouse, Inhofe, Warner, Voinovich, Isakson, Vitter, Barrasso, Craig, Alexander, and Bond. Subcommittee on Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight, and Children's Health Protection: Senators Boxer (Chairman), Lieberman, Carper, Klobuchar, Whitehouse, Alexander, Craig, Bond, Barrasso, and Inhofe (ex officio). Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Senators Baucus (Chairman), Carper, Clinton, Cardin, Sanders, Boxer (ex officio), Isakson, Warner, Voinovich, Vitter, and Inhofe (ex officio). Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection: Senators Lieberman (Chairman), Baucus, Lautenberg, Sanders, Boxer (ex officio), Warner, Barrasso, Isakson, and Inhofe (ex officio) Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety: Senators Carper (Chairman), Lieberman, Clinton, Sanders, Boxer (ex officio), Voinovich, Isakson, Alexander, and Inhofe (ex officio). Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health: Senators Clinton (Chairman), Baucus, Lautenberg, Cardin, Boxer, Barrasso, Craig, Vitter, and Inhofe (ex officio). Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality: Senators Lautenberg (Chairman), Cardin, Klobuchar, Whitehouse, Boxer (ex officio), Vitter, Bond, Voinovich, and Inhofe (ex officio). BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: An original bill entitled, ``The Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 2007''; H.J. Res. 43, increasing the statutory limit on the public debt; and Also, Commmittee announced the following subcommittee assignments for the 110th Congress: [[Page D1195]] Subcommittee on Health Care: Senators Rockefeller (Chairman), Kerry, Bingaman, Lincoln, Wyden, Stabenow, Cantwell, Salazar, Hatch, Grassley, Snowe, Kyl, Roberts, Bunning, and Ensign. Subcommittee on Taxation, IRS Oversight, and Long-Term Growth: Senators Conrad (Chairman), Baucus, Wyden, Cantwell, Schumer, Stabenow, Salazar, Kyl, Lott, Roberts, Snowe, Crapo, and Hatch. Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure: Senators Bingaman (Chairman), Conrad, Kerry, Lincoln, Wyden, Cantwell, Salazar, Bunning, Smith, Hatch, Lott, Crapo, and Ensign. Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy: Senators Kerry (Chairman), Rockefeller, Conrad, Schumer, Ensign, Lott, and Kyl. Subcommittee on International Trade and Global Competitiveness: Senators Lincoln (Chairman), Baucus, Rockefeller, Bingaman, Stabenow, Schumer, Smith, Crapo, Snowe, Roberts, and Bunning. NOMINATION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Julie L. Myers, of Kansas, to be Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, after the nominee testified and answered questions in her own behalf. REGULATORY PREEMPTION Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine regulatory preemption relating to federal agencies usurping congressional and state authority, after receiving testimony from Delaware Representative Donna Stone, Dover, on behalf of the National Conference of State Legislatures; Collyn A. Peddie, Williams Kherkher Hart Boundas LLP, Houston, Texas; and Alan E. Untereiner, Robbins, Russell, Englert, Orseck and Untereiner LLP, on behalf of the United States Chamber of Commerce, and Viet D. Dinh, and David C. Vladeck, both of Georgetown University Law Center, all of Washington, D.C. House of Representatives Chamber Action The House was not in session today. The House is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 14, 2007. Committee Meetings WHY WEREN'T 9/11 RECOVERY WORKERS PROTECTED AT WORLD TRADE CENTER? Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on Why Weren't 9/11 Recovery Workers Protected at the World Trade Center? Testimony was heard from Patricia Clark, Regional Administrator, OSHA Region II, New York, Department of Labor; James Melius, M.D., Director, Laborers' Health and Safety Fund, New York; and public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No Committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D1196]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:45 a.m., Friday, September 14 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will meet in a pro forma session. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Friday, September 14 House Chamber Program for Friday: To be announced.