Thursday, December 13, 2007 [[Page D1622]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate completed action on H.R. 6, CLEAN Energy Act. Senate passed H.J. Res. 69, Continuing Appropriations. The House passed H.J. Res. 69, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S15379-S15577 Measures Introduced: Twenty two bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2463-2484, and S. Res. 404-405. Pages S15460-61 Measures Reported: S. Res. 388, designating the week of February 4 through February 8, 2008, as ``National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week''. S. Res. 396, expressing the sense of the Senate that the hanging of nooses for the purpose of intimidation should be thoroughly investigated by Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities and that any criminal violations should be vigorously prosecuted, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. S. 1829, to reauthorize programs under the Missing Children's Assistance Act, with an amendment. S. 2344, to create a competitive grant program to provide for age- appropriate Internet education for children. Page S15460 Measures Passed: Continuing Appropriations: Senate passed H.J. Res. 69, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, clearing the measure for the President. Page S15432 C. Clyde Atkins United States Courthouse: Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2671, to designate the United States courthouse located at 301 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida, as the ``C. Clyde Atkins United States Courthouse'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S15568 Public Health Service Act: Senate passed S. 1916, to amend the Public Health Service Act to modify the program for the sanctuary system for surplus chimpanzees by terminating the authority for the removal of chimpanzees from the system for research purposes, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. Pages S15568-69 Henry John Hyde Life and Contributions: Senate agreed to S. Res. 405, recognizing the life and contributions of Henry John Hyde. Page S15569 Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: Senate passed S. 2484, to rename the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development as the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Pages S15570-71 Republic of Georgia Presidential Elections: Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 391, calling on the President of the United States to engage in an open discussion with the leaders of the Republic of Georgia to express support for the planned presidential elections and the expectation that such elections will be held in a manner consistent with democratic principles, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S15571 Milo C. Huempfner Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2408, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as the ``Milo C. Huempfner Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S15571 [[Page D1623]] Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 1396, to authorize a major medical facility project to modernize inpatient wards at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and the bill was then passed. Pages S15571-72 Ernest Childers Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 1585, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the ``Ernest Childers Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic'', and the bill was then passed. Page S15572 Lieutenant Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 2339, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Alpena, Michigan, as the ``Lieutenant Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'', and the bill was then passed. Page S15572 Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act: Senate passed S. 1858, to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish grant programs to provide for education and outreach on newborn screening and coordinated followup care once newborn screening has been conducted, to reauthorize programs under part A of title XI of such Act, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S15572-77 Harkin (for Dodd) Amendment No. 3852, in the nature of a substitute. Page S15574 Measures Considered: Farm Bill Extension Act: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S15380-85, S15390-S15421, S15433-52 Adopted: Chambliss (for Coburn) Modified Amendment No. 3530 (to Amendment No. 3500), to limit the distribution to deceased individuals, and estates of those individuals, of certain agricultural payments. Pages S15417-18 Harkin Amendment No. 3851 (to Amendment No. 3500), to promote legal certainty, enhance competition, and reduce systemic risk in markets for futures and over-the-counter derivatives. Pages S15441-48 Withdrawn: By yeas 56 to nays 43 (Vote No. 424), Harkin (for Dorgan/Grassley) Modified Amendment No. 3695 (to Amendment No. 3500), to strengthen payment limitations and direct the savings to increase funding for certain programs. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the amendment, having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, be withdrawn). Pages S15380-85 Schumer Amendment No. 3720 (to Amendment No. 3500), to improve crop insurance and use resulting savings to increase funding for certain conservation programs. Pages S15398-99 By 48 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 426), Klobuchar Amendment No. 3810 (to Amendment No. 3500), to improve the adjusted gross income limitation and use the savings to provide additional funding for certain programs and reduce the Federal deficit. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the amendment, having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, be withdrawn). Pages S15412-17, S15418 By 40 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 427), Tester Amendment No. 3666 (to Amendment No. 3500), to modify the provision relating to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the amendment, having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, be withdrawn). Pages S15392-98, S15418 By 32 yeas to 63 nays (Vote No. 428), Brown Amendment No. 3819 (to Amendment No. 3500), to increase funding for critical Farm Bill programs and improve crop insurance. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the amendment, having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, be withdrawn). Pages S15404-12, S15418-20 By 37 yeas to 58 yeas (Vote No. 429), Craig Amendment No. 3640 (to Amendment No. 3500), to prohibit the involuntary acquisition of farmland and grazing land by Federal, State, and local governments for parks, open space, or similar purposes. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the amendment, having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, be withdrawn). Pages S15399-S15404, S15420-21 Harkin/Kennedy Amendment 3830 (to Amendment No. 3500), relative to public safety officers. Page S15447 Wyden Amendment No. 3736 (to Amendment No. 3500), to modify a provision relating to bioenergy crop transition assistance. Page S15450 Pending: Harkin Amendment No. 3500, in the nature of a substitute. Page S15380 [[Page D1624]] Chambliss (for Cornyn) Amendment No. 3687 (to Amendment No. 3500), to prevent duplicative payments for agricultural disaster assistance already covered by the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund. Page S15380 Chambliss (for Coburn) Modified Amendment No. 3807 (to Amendment No. 3500), to ensure the priority of the farm bill remains farmers by eliminating wasteful Department of Agriculture spending on golf courses, junkets, cheese centers, and aging barns. Page S15380 Salazar Amendment No. 3616 (to Amendment No. 3500), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for the production of all cellulosic biofuels. Page S15380 Thune (for McConnell) Amendment No. 3821 (to Amendment No. 3500), to promote the nutritional health of school children, with an offset. Page S15380 Thune (for Roberts/Brownback) Amendment No. 3549 (to Amendment No. 3500), to modify a provision relating to regulations. Page S15380 Domenici Amendment No. 3614 (to Amendment No. 3500), to reduce our Nation's dependency on foreign oil by investing in clean, renewable, and alternative energy resources. Page S15380 Thune (for Gregg) Amendment No. 3674 (to Amendment No. 3500), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude charges of indebtedness on principal residences from gross income. Page S15380 Thune (for Gregg) Amendment No. 3822 (to Amendment No. 3500), to provide nearly $1,000,000,000 in critical home heating assistance to low-income families and senior citizens for the 2007-2008 winter season, and reduce the Federal deficit by eliminating wasteful farm subsidies. Page S15380 Thune (for Grassley/Kohl) Amendment No. 3823 (to Amendment No. 3500), to provide for the review of agricultural mergers and acquisitions by the Department of Justice. Pages S15380, S15433-41 Thune (for Stevens) Amendment No. 3569 (to Amendment No. 3500), to make commercial fishermen eligible for certain operating loans. Page S15380 Thune (for Bond) Amendment No. 3771 (to Amendment No. 3500), to amend title 7, United States Code, to include provisions relating to rulemaking. Page S15380 Sanders Amendment No. 3826 (to Amendment No. 3822), to provide for payments under subsections (a) through (e) of section 2604 of the Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and restore supplemental agricultural disaster assistance from the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund. Page S15380 Harkin/Murkowski Amendment No. 3639 (to Amendment No. 3500), to improve nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold in schools. Page S15380 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: Harkin Amendment No. 3844 (to Amendment No. 3830), relative to public safety officers, fell when Harkin Amendment No. 3830 (to Amendment No. 3500) (listed above), was withdrawn. Page S15447 By 78 yeas to 12 nays (Vote No. 431), 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 Harkin Amendment No. 3500 (listed above). Page S15450 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10:00 a.m., on Friday, December 14, 2007, and that all time during any recess or adjournment count post-cloture. Page S15577 House Messages: Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act--House Message: By 86 yeas to 8 nays (Vote No. 430), Senate concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the text of H.R. 6, to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers from price gouging, to increase the energy efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, with Reid Amendment No. 3850, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S15385-90, S15421-32 Withdrawn: Senator Reid motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the Senate amendment to the text of the bill. Page S15421 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 59 yeas to 40 nays (Vote No. 425), 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 motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment with an amendment to the text of the bill. Page S15389 Senator Reid motion to concur in the amendments of the House to the Senate amendments to the bill, was ruled out of order. Reid Amendment No. 3841 (to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the text), in the nature of a substitute, was ruled out of order. [[Page D1625]] Reid Amendment No. 3842 (to Amendment No. 3841), to change the enactment date, fell when Reid Amendment No. 3841was ruled out of order. Special Postage Stamp: Senate concurred in the amendments of the House of Representatives to S. 597, to extend the special postage stamp for breast cancer research for 4 years, clearing the measure for the President. Page S15568 FHA Modernization Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, following consultation with the Republican Leader, Senate begin consideration of S. 2338, to modernize and update the National Housing Act and enable the Federal Housing Administration to more effectively reach underserved borrowers, that the only first-degree amendments in order be the following: Senators Dodd and Shelby amendment relating to a moratorium and Coburn amendment relating to reverse mortgages, and that debate on Coburn Amendment be limited to 60 minutes equally divided and controlled in the usual form; provided further, that there be 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled on the bill, and that following the use or yielding back of time Senate vote on passage of the bill. Page S15568 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: Amul R. Thapar, of Kentucky, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Ronald Jay Tenpas, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General. Diane J. Humetewa, of Arizona, to be United States Attorney for the District of Arizona for the term of four years. Gregory A. Brower, of Nevada, to be United States Attorney for the District of Nevada for the term of four years. Edmund A. Booth, Jr., of Georgia, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia for the term of four years. Routine lists in the Coast Guard. Page S15577 Messages from the House: Page S15459 Measures Referred: Page S15459 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S15459 Measures Read the First Time: Pages S15459-60 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S15460 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S15461-62 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S15462-76 Additional Statements: Pages S15457-59 Amendments Submitted: Pages S15476-S15566 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S15566-67 Privileges of the Floor: Page S15567 Record Votes: Eight record votes were taken today. (Total--431) Pages S15385, S15389, S15418, S15420, S15420-21, S15432, S15450 Adjournment: Senate convened at 8:30 a.m. and adjourned at 10:48 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Friday, December 14, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S15577.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) FINANCIAL LITERACY Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine educating consumers, protecting investors, and avoiding scams, focusing on financial literacy during the holiday season, after receiving testimony from Karen Tyler, North Dakota Securities Department, Bismarck, on behalf of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc.; Nancy Smith, AARP, Washington, D.C.; Julie Cripe, OmniBank, North America, Houston, Texas, on behalf of the American Bankers Association Education Foundation; and H. Art Taylor, Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, Arlington, Virginia. FCC Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), after receiving testimony from Kevin J. Martin, Chairman, and Michael J. Copps, Jonathan S. Adelstein, Deborah Taylor Tate, and Robert M. McDowell, each a Commissioner, all of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). OREGON AND WASHINGTON FORESTS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests concluded a hearing to examine forest restoration and hazardous fuels reduction efforts in the forests of Oregon and Washington, after receiving testimony from Mark Rey, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment; Jim Caswell, Director, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior; Russell C. Vaagen, Vaagen Bros. Lumber, Inc., Colville, Washington, on behalf of the Northeast [[Page D1626]] Washington Forestry Coalition; Matt Donegan, Forest Capital Partners, LLC, and Russell Hoeflich, Nature Conservancy, both of Portland, Oregon; Boyd Britton, Grant County, John Day, Oregon; Philip S. Aune, American Forest Resource Council, Nine Mile Falls, Washington; and K. Norman Johnson, Corvallis, Oregon. CLEAN WATER ACT COURT DECISIONS Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Clean Water Act (Public Law 92-500), focusing on the Supreme Court decisions in Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County and Rapanos-Carabell, after receiving testimony from Ron Curry, New Mexico Environment Department, Santa Fe; Scott C. Yaich, Ducks Unlimited (DU), Inc., Memphis, Tennessee; Duane J. Desiderio, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and George J. Mannina, Jr., O'Connor and Hannan, LLP, both of Washington, D.C.; and William W. Buzbee, Emory Law School Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program, Atlanta, Georgia. HOUSING DECLINE Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine issues relative to owner-occupied housing and mortgage markets, focusing on the extent of the housing decline problem and potential remedies, after receiving testimony from former Representative Jack Kemp, Kemp Partners, and Michael Decker, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), both of Washington, D.C.; Deborah A. Geier, Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, Ohio; and Morris A. Davis, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Christopher A. Padilla, of the District of Columbia, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Christina H. Pearson, of Maryland, and Benjamin Eric Sasse, of Nebraska, both to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Charles E.F. Millard, of New York, to be Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. HIV/AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS, AND MALARIA Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine perspectives on the next phase of the global fight against HIV/ AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, after receiving testimony from Michel Kazatchkine, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland; Helen L. Smits, National Academies Institute of Medicine, and Nils Daulaire, Global Health Council, both of Washington, D.C.; and Ken Hackett, Catholic Relief Services, Baltimore, Maryland. IMPLEMENTING FEDERAL AGENCIES CHIEF MANAGEMENT OFFICERS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine prioritizing management, focusing on implementing chief management officers at federal agencies, after receiving testimony from Clay Johnson, III, Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget; David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office; and Paul A. Brinkley, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Business Transformation. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded joint hearings with the House Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions to examine the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), focusing on recent NLRB decisions and their impact on employee rights, after receiving testimony from Robert J. Battista, Chairman, and Wilma B. Liebman, Member, both of the National Labor Relations Board; Matt Finkin, University of Illinois, Champaign; Jonathan P. Hiatt, AFL-CIO, and Charles I. Cohen, Morgan, Lewis, and Bockius, LLP, both of Washington, D.C.; and Feliza Ryland, Old Star Resort, Orlando, Florida. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 1829, to reauthorize programs under the Missing Children's Assistance Act, with an amendment; S. 431, to require convicted sex offenders to register online identifiers, with amendments; S. 2344, to create a competitive grant program to provide for age- appropriate Internet education for children; S. Res. 388, designating the week of February 4 through February 8, 2008, as ``National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week''; and S. Res. 396, expressing the sense of the Senate that the hanging of nooses for the purpose of intimidation should be thoroughly investigated by Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities and that any criminal violations should be vigorously prosecuted, with amendments. Also, Committee agreed to two resolutions of contempt relative to certain individuals. Committee recessed subject to the call of the chair. [[Page D1627]] BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of James B. Peake, of the District of Columbia, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to the call of the chair. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 182 public bills, H.R. 4524- 4705; 2 private bills, H.R. 4706-4707; and 3 resolutions, H.J. Res. 70; and H. Res. 874-875 were introduced. Pages H15464-69 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H15469-70 Report Filed: The following report was filed today. H. Res. 873, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules (H. Rept. 110-493). Pages H15438, H15464 Speaker: The Speaker designated the Honorable Ellen O. Tauscher to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H15417 Chaplain: Today's prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin. Page H15417 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H15418. Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008: The House passed the conference report to H.R. 2082, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes, by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 199 nays, Roll No. 1160. Pages H15426-38 Rejected the Hoekstra motion to recommit the conference report with instructions to the managers on the part of the House, by a yea-and-nay vote of 205 yeas to 215 nays, Roll No. 1159. Pages H15436-37 H. Res. 859, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2082) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes, by a yea-and-nay vote of 227 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 1158, after agreeing to order the previous question, by the yeas-and- nays of 226 yeas to 189 nays, Roll No. 1157. Pages H15420-22, H15424-26 Pursuant to the resolution, H. Res. 839, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and H. Res. 850, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules are laid on the table. Page H15422 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008: The House passed H.J. Res. 69, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes, by a yea-and-nay vote of 385 yeas to 27 nays, Roll No. 1162. Pages H15438-40, H15442-43 Point of order sustained against the Lewis of California motion to recommit the joint resolution H.J. Res. 69 to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House promptly with an amendment. Page H15440 Agreed to table the Lewis of California motion to appeal the ruling of the Chair, by a yea-and-vote of 222 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 1161. Pages H15439-40 H. Res. 869, providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 69) making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question, by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 184 nays, Roll No. 1156. Pages H15422-24 Oath of Office--Fifth Congressional District of Ohio: Representative- elect Robert E. Latta presented himself in the well of the House and was administered the Oath of Office by the Speaker. Earlier, the Clerk of the House transmitted a letter from the Honorable Jennifer Brunner, Secretary of State, State of Ohio, indicating that, according to the returns of the Special Election held on December 11, 2007, the [[Page D1628]] Honorable Robert E. Latta was elected Representative to Congress for the Fifth Congressional District, State of Ohio. Pages H15440-41 Oath of Office--First Congressional District of Virginia: Representative-elect Robert J. ``Rob'' Wittman presented himself in the well of the House and was administered the Oath of Office by the Speaker. Earlier, the Clerk of the House transmitted a letter from the Honorable Nancy Rodrigues, Secretary, State Board of Elections, Commonwealth of Virginia, indicating that, according to the returns of the Special Election held on December 11, 2007, the Honorable Robert J. ``Rob'' Wittman was elected Representative to Congress for the First Congressional District, Commonwealth of Virginia. Pages H15440-41 Whole Number of the House: The Speaker announced to the House that, in light of the administration of the oath to the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Robert E. Latta and the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Robert J. ``Rob'' Wittman, the whole number of the House is adjusted to 434. Page H15442 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 17, for Morning Hour debate. Page H15444 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, December 19. Page H15444 Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Hoyer to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through December 17, 2007. Page H15449 Senate Referrals: S. 2271 was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform., Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Education and Labor; S. 1245 was held at the desk. Page H15462 Quorum Calls--Votes: Seven yea and nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H15424, H15425, H15425-26, H15436-37, H15437-38, H15440 and H15442-43. There were no Recorded votes. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 5:18 p.m. Committee Meetings CIA INTERROGATION PROGRAM Committee on Appropriations: Select Intelligence Oversight Panel met in executive session to hold a hearing on CIA Interrogation Program. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. GLOBAL MARITIME STRATEGY INITIATIVES Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on global maritime strategy initiatives. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: ADM Gary Roughead, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; and GEN James T. Conway, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps; and ADM Thad W. Allen, USCG, Commandant of the Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security. CBO's LONG-TERM BUDGET OUTLOOK Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on CBO's Long-Term Budget Outlook. Testimony was heard from Peter Orszag, Director, CBO. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT; COMMITTEE BUSINESS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Began consideration of H.R. 4040, Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act. The Committee also approved pending Committee business. PRIORITIZING RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATION FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ACT OF 2007 Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property held a hearing on H.R. 4279, Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Sigal P. Mandelker, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. STATE-RUN JUVENILE BOOT CAMPS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on oversight of State-Run Juvenile Correctional Facilities known as ``Boot Camps.'' Testimony was heard from Audrey Gibson, State Representative, Florida; and public witnesses. ASSESSING VETERANS' CHARITIES Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on Assessing Veterans' Charities. Testimony was heard from Senator Grassley; Tracy L. McCurdy, Director, Bureau of Charitable Organizations, State of Pennsylvania; and public witnesses. [[Page D1629]] SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY RULES COMMITTEE Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to any resolution reported on the legislative day of December 17, 2007, providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2764) making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. It also applies to any resolution reported on the legislative day of December 17, 2007, providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 6, to reduce our Nation's dependency on foreign oil by investing in clean, renewable, and alternative energy resources, promoting new emerging energy technologies, developing greater efficiency, and creating a Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewables Reserve to invest in alternative energy, and for other purposes. SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY IMPROVEMENT ACT Committee on Small Business: Ordered reported H.R. 4458, Small Business Regulatory Improvement Act. LATIN AMERICA: DESTABILIZING EFFECTS OF THE DRUG TRADE Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Latin America: Destabilizing Effects of the Drug Trade. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA IN THE OSCE REGION Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Commission concluded a hearing to examine freedom of the media in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) region, after receiving testimony from Miklos Haraszti, Representative on Freedom of the Media, OSCE, Vienna, Austria. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2007 Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No committee meetings are scheduled. 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. 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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 D1630]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 14 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 2419, Farm Bill Extension Act, and after a period of debate, vote on or in relation to certain amendments; following disposition of H.R. 2419, Senate will begin consideration of S. 2338, FHA Modernization Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 17 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Abercrombie, Neil, Hawaii, E2570 Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E2572 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E2572, E2575, E2581, E2583 Boyda, Nancy E., Kans., E2571 Buyer, Steve, Ind., E2579 Calvert, Ken, Calif., E2570 Cantor, Eric, Va., E2570 Capps, Lois, Calif., E2567 Cole, Tom, Okla., E2567 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E2576 Costa, Jim, Calif., E2569 Davis, David, Tenn., E2569 Dingell, John D., Mich., E2580 Graves, Sam, Mo., E2561, E2564, E2566, E2567 Hall, Ralph M., Tex., E2562, E2565, E2566 Hare, Phil, Ill., E2572 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E2568 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E2574, E2576, E2579 Hinojosa, Ruben, Tex., E2577 Hirono, Mazie K., Hawaii, E2563, E2565 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E2573 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E2580 Kind, Ron, Wisc., E2563, E2566 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E2571 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E2571 Lewis, Ron, Ky., E2571 Manzullo, Donald A., Ill., E2578 Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E2573 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E2577 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E2573 Murphy, Tim, Pa., E2569 Napolitano, Grace F., Calif., E2563, E2565 Neugebauer, Randy, Tex., E2568 Paul, Ron, Tex., E2569, E2576 Pence, Mike, Ind., E2580 Poe, Ted, Tex., E2575, E2577, E2579 Radanovich, George, Calif., E2563, E2565 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E2561, E2564, E2566 Sanchez, Loretta, Calif., E2568 Shuster, Bill, Pa., E2580 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E2575 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E2567, E2568 Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E2574, E2582, E2584 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E2581, E2583 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E2583, E2584