Tuesday, March 13, 2007 [[Page D317]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed S. 4, Improving America's Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3013-S3076 Measures Introduced: Twenty-two bills were introduced, as follows: S. 847-868. Page S3064 Measures Passed: Improving America's Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act: By 60 yeas to 38 nays (Vote No. 73), Senate passed 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, withdrawing the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3019-23, S3024-3058 Adopted: Lieberman (for Feingold) Amendment No. 441 (to Amendment No. 357), to require appropriate reports regarding data-mining by the Federal Government. Page S3029 Kyl Modified Amendment No. 357 (to Amendment No. 275), to amend the data-mining technology reporting requirement to avoid revealing existing patents, trade secrets, and confidential business processes, and to adopt a narrower definition of data-mining in order to exclude routine computer searches. Pages S3019, S3029-30 Ensign Amendment No. 448 (to Amendment No. 275), to establish a Law Enforcement Assistance Force in the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate the contributions of retired law enforcement officers during major disasters. Pages S3030-31, S3033-34 Schumer/Clinton Modified Amendment No. 337 (to Amendment No. 275), to provide for the use of funds in any grant under the Homeland Security Grant Program for personnel costs. Page S3019 Bond/Rockefeller Modified Amendment No. 389 (to Amendment No. 275), to provide the sense of the Senate that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate should submit a report on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission with respect to intelligence reform and congressional intelligence oversight reform. Pages S3019, S3031-33 Stevens Amendment No. 299 (to Amendment No. 275), to authorize NTIA to borrow against anticipated receipts of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund to initiate migration to a national IP-enabled emergency network capable of receiving and responding to all citizen activated emergency communications. Page S3019 Lieberman (for Sununu) Amendment No. 291 (to Amendment No. 275), to ensure that the emergency communications and interoperability communications grant program does not exclude Internet Protocol-based interoperable solutions. (By unanimous consent, the amendment was agreed to, notwithstanding having been ruled not germane on Friday, March 9, 2007.) Page S3035 Lieberman (for Grassley) Modified Amendment No. 293 (to Amendment No. 275), to amend the Congressional Charter of The American National Red Cross to modernize its governance structure, to enhance the ability of the board of governors of The American National Red Cross to support the critical mission of The American National Red Cross in the 21st century. Pages S3035-37 Lieberman (for Coleman) Amendment No. 341 (to Amendment No. 275), to provide for an additional program requirement for the border interoperability demonstration project. Page S3037 Lieberman (for Feinstein) Amendment No. 323 (to Amendment No. 275), to provide for the inclusion of executive level training in certain curriculum for training. Page S3037 [[Page D318]] Lieberman (for Salazar) Further Modified Amendment No. 290 (to Amendment No. 275), to require a quadrennial homeland security review. (By unanimous consent, the amendment was agreed to, notwithstanding having been ruled not germane on Friday, March 9, 2007.) Page S3037 Lieberman (for Carper) Amendment No. 368 (to Amendment No. 275), to make funds available for the activities of the Public Interest Declassification Board. Page S3037 Lieberman (for Akaka) Amendment No. 392 (to Amendment No. 275), to provide for the Secretary to ensure that chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear detection equipment and technologies are integrated as appropriate with other border security systems and detection technologies, and for other purposes. Page S3037 Lieberman/Collins Modified Amendment No. 332 (to Amendment No. 275), to establish the Emergency Management Performance Grants Program as a separate grant program. Pages S3037-39 Lieberman/Collins Amendment No. 391 (to Amendment No. 275), to improve the guidelines for fusion centers operated by State or local governments, to improve the awarding and administration of homeland security grants. Page S3039 Lieberman/Collins Amendment No. 431 (to Amendment No. 275), to clarify the coordination of the accreditation and certification program for the private sector. Page S3039 Lieberman (for Wyden) Amendment No. 348 (to Amendment No. 275), to require that a redacted version of the Executive Summary of the Office of Inspector General Report on Central Intelligence Agency Accountability Regarding Findings and Conclusions of the Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001 is made available to the public. (By unanimous consent, the amendment was agreed to, notwithstanding having been ruled not germane on Friday, March 9, 2007.) Page S3039 Lieberman (for Byrd) Amendment No. 404 (to Amendment No. 275), to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify Congress not later than 30 days before waiving any eligibility requirement under the visa waiver program established under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Page S3039 Lieberman (for Pryor) Modified Amendment No. 388 (to Amendment No. 275), to provide for annual reports on equipment technical assistance. Pages S3039-40 Lieberman/McCain Modified Amendment No. 411 (to Amendment No. 275), to advance and strengthen democracy globally through peaceful means using transformational diplomacy to assist foreign countries to implement democratic forms of government, to strengthen respect for internationally accepted human rights standards and norms in foreign countries through increased United States advocacy, to strengthen alliances of democratic countries, and to increase support for programs of non-governmental organizations, individuals, and private groups that promote democracy. Pages S3040-41 Lieberman (for Landrieu) Amendment No. 456 (to Amendment No. 275), to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to include levees in the list of critical infrastructure sectors. Page S3041 Lieberman (for Coleman) Modified Amendment No. 414 (to Amendment No. 275), to establish a demonstration project to conduct demonstrations of security management systems. Page S3041 Lieberman (for Inouye/Stevens) Modified Amendment No. 412 (to Amendment No. 275), to provide for model ports of entry and modify the international registered traveler program. Page S3041 Lieberman (for Inouye) Modified Amendment No. 423 (to Amendment No. 275), to revise sections 801 and 802. Pages S3042-44 Lieberman (for Inouye) Modified Amendment No. 424 (to Amendment No. 275), to coordinate various reporting provisions with Senate Committee jurisdictional interests. Pages S3044-45 Lieberman (for Rockefeller) Amendment No. 340 (to Amendment No. 275), to reinstate the State registration fee system for commercial motor vehicles until the Unified Carrier Registration System Plan Agreement is fully implemented. Page S3042 Lieberman (for Kerry) Amendment No. 307 (to Amendment No. 275), to modify the criteria that the Secretary of Homeland Security will use to develop a hazardous material tracking pilot program for motor carriers. Page S3042 Lieberman (for Murray) Modified Amendment No. 358 (to Amendment No. 275), to establish a pilot program to identify technological solutions for reducing airport exit lane staffing. Page S3045 Lieberman (for Lautenberg) Modified Amendment No. 359 (to Amendment No. 275), to require the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to audit the Highway Watch grant program and report to the Congress on its efficacy in providing security from terrorism. Page S3045 Lieberman (for Cardin) Amendment No. 394 (to Amendment No. 275), to require Amtrak contracts and leases involving the State of Maryland to be governed by the laws of the District of Columbia. Page S3042 Lieberman (for Menendez) Modified Amendment No. 354 (to Amendment No. 275), to require the Secretary to include in the reports on implementation of 100 percent ocean-borne cargo scanning an [[Page D319]] ongoing assessment of progress, including obstacles and challenges. (By unanimous consent, the amendment was agreed to, notwithstanding having been ruled not germane on Friday, March 9, 2007.) Page S3041 Lieberman (for Dodd) Amendment No. 415 (to Amendment No. 275), to amend title X, with respect to critical infrastructure protection efforts by Federal departments and agencies. Page S3042 Lieberman (for Kohl) Modified Amendment No. 371 (to Amendment No. 275), to ensure that public transportation workers specifically take into account the evacuation needs of the elderly. Page S3045 Schumer Further Modified Amendment No. 367 (to Amendment No. 275), to require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to establish and implement a program to provide additional safety measures for vehicles that carry high hazardous materials. Page S3019 Reid Amendment No. 275, in the nature of a substitute. Page S3019 Rejected: 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. (By 60 yeas to 38 nays (Vote No. 70), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S3019-23 Coburn Amendment No. 325 (to Amendment No. 275), to ensure the fiscal integrity of grants awarded by the Department of Homeland Security. (By 66 yeas to 31 nays (Vote No. 71), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S3019-23 Biden Amendment No. 383 (to Amendment No. 275), to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop regulations regarding the transportation of high hazard materials. (By 73 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. 72), Senate tabled the amendment). Pages S3019, S3024-29, S3046 Withdrawn: Landrieu Amendment No. 321 (to Amendment No. 275), to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to include levees in the list of critical infrastructure sectors. Page S3019 Schumer/Clinton Amendment No. 336 (to Amendment No. 275), to prohibit the use of the peer review process in determining the allocation of funds among metropolitan areas applying for grants under the Urban Area Security Initiative. Page S3019 St. Louis County, Missouri Arterial Road: Senate passed H.R. 1129, to provide for the construction, operation, and maintenance of an arterial road in St. Louis County, Missouri. Page S3076 Iraq Resolution--Agreement: A unanimous consent agreement was reached providing that at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, March 14, 2007, Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S.J. Res. 9, to revise United States policy on Iraq; that there be 1 hour of debate prior to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to consideration of the resolution, with the time equally divided and controlled between the Majority and Republican Leaders, or their designees; provided further, that the final 20 minutes prior to the vote be controlled by the two Leaders, with the Majority Leader controlling the final 10 minutes. Page S3076 Appointments: 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 Vice Chairman of the U.S.-China Interparliamentary Group conference during the 110th Congress: Senator Stevens. Page S3076 Messages From the House: Page S3061 Messages Referred: Pages S3061-62 Executive Communications: Pages S3062-64 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3064-66 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3066-75 Additional Statements: Page S3061 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S3075 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S3075-76 Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--73) Pages S3023, S3046, S3058 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m., and adjourned at 6:54 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3076.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Environmental Protection Agency, after receiving testimony from Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, William Wehrum, Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, and [[Page D320]] Susan Bodine, Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, all of the Environmental Protection Agency. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing 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. Chin, of New York, to be United States Director of the Asian Development Bank, with the rank of Ambassador, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. RADIOLOGICAL MATERIALS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia to examine international action by the United States to secure radiological materials, focusing on Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission efforts through the International Atomic Energy Agency and the other multilateral organizations, after receiving testimony from Richard J.K. Stratford, Director, Office of Nuclear Energy, Safety and Security, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Department of State; Andrew Bieniawski, Assistant Deputy Administrator, Office of Global Threat Reduction, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy; Janice Dunn Lee, Director, Office of International Programs, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Gene Aloise, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office; Brian Dodd, Health Physics Society, McLean, Virginia; Charles D. Ferguson, Council on Foreign Relations, New York, New York; and Joel O. Lubenau, Lititz, Pennsylvania. NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Halil Suleyman Ozerden, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi, who was introduced by Senators Cochran and Lott, Benjamin Hale Settle, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington, and Frederick J. Kapala, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, who were both introduced by Senator Durbin, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. 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. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 27 public bills, H.R. 1486- 1512; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 91; and H. Res. 240-241 were introduced. Pages H2485-86 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2486-87 Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H. Res. 239, providing for consideration of 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. 110-48). Page H2485 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Meeks to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H2439 Recess: The House recessed at 10:55 a.m. and reconvened at 12 noon. Page H2441 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy: H.R. 1003, to amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy; Pages H2444-45 [[Page D321]] Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldiers held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah: H. Res. 107, amended, to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldiers held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah; Pages H2445-47 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: H. Res. 64, amended, to express 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, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 409 yeas to 1 nay, with 4 voting ``present'', Roll No. 139; Pages H2447-50, H2461 Recognizing the 186th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating Greek and American democracy: H. Res. 228, to recognize the 186th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating Greek and American democracy, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 413 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 140; Pages H2450-53, H2461-62 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome signed on March 25, 1957: H. Res. 230, to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome signed on March 25, 1957, which was a key step in creating the European Union, and reaffirming the close and mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Europe; Pages H2453-55 Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998, as a blueprint for a lasting peace in Northern Ireland: H. Res. 222, to express the support of the House of Representatives for the Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998, as a blueprint for a lasting peace in Northern Ireland; by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 419 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 141; Pages H2455-57, H2462-63 Scott Reed Federal Building and United States Courthouse Designation Act: 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''; Pages H2457-58 Hugh L. Carey United States Courthouse Designation Act: 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''; Pages H2458-59 Conrad Duberstein United States Bankruptcy Courthouse Designation Act: H.R. 430, amended, 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 Pages H2459-60 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To designate the United States bankruptcy courthouse located at 271 Cadman Plaza East in Brooklyn, New York, as the `Conrad B. Duberstein United States Bankruptcy Courthouse'.''. Page H2460 Neal Smith Federal Building Designation Act: H.R. 1045, to designate the Federal building located at 210 Walnut Street in Des Moines, Iowa, as the ``Neal Smith Federal Building''. Pages H2460-61 Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2461, H2462, H2462-63. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Committee Meetings FOOD STAMP PROGRAM REVIEW--IMPACT ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry held a hearing to review the federal food stamp program and its impact on children's health. Testimony was heard from Nancy Montanez-Johner, Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, USDA; and public witnesses. AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Secretary of Agriculture. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Chuck Conner, Deputy Secretary; Keith Collins, Chief Economist; and Scott Steele, Budget Officer. COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies on NASA. Testimony was heard from Michael D. Griffin, Administrator, NASA. Hearings continue tomorrow. ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies held [[Page D322]] a hearing on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Testimony was the following officials of the Department of the Army: John Paul Woodley, Assistant Secretary, Civil Works; and LTG Carl A. Strock, USA, Chief of Engineers. HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on the Secret Service. Testimony was heard from Mark Sullivan, Director, U.S. Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies held a hearing on Arts Panel. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Social and Economic Status of Native Americans, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of the Special Trustee. Testimony was heard from a public witness. 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 Department of Education: Elementary and Secondary Education, and Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. Testimony was heard from Raymond Simon, Deputy Secretary, Department of Education. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a hearing on Capitol Visitor Center. Testimony was heard from Stephen T. Ayers, Acting Architect of the Capitol; Terry Dorn, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; Robert Hixon, Project Executive; and Douglas Jacobs, Design Manager, both with the Capitol Visitor Center. MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS' AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Navy Budget. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: ADM Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; and GEN James T. Conway, USMC, Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Veterans' Claims Process. Testimony was heard from William Greene, Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; and Daniel L. Cooper, Under Secretary, Benefits, Department of Veterans' Affairs. STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs held a hearing on the Millenium Challenge Account. Testimony was heard from Ambassador John Danilovich, CEO, Millenium Challenge Corp. TRANSPORTATION, AND HUD, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Status of Public Housing and HOPE VI. Testimony was heard from Orlando J. Cabrera, Assistant Secretary, Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development. ACCOUNTABILITY IN CONTRACTING ACT Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1362, Accountability in Contracting Act. MILITARY RESALE PROGRAMS REVIEW Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on overview of military resale programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Michael L. Dominguez, Principal Deputy Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; MG Paul Essex, USAF, Commander, Army and Air Force Exchange Service; RADM Robert E. Cowley, III, USN, Commander, Navy Exchange Service Command; Patrick B. Nixon, Director and CEO, Defense Commissary Agency; and Michael P. Downs, Director, Personal and Family Readiness Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. READINESS NEEDS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on the adequacy of the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Budget Request to meet readiness needs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: GEN Richard Cody, USA, Vice Chief of Staff, Department of the Army; GEN John D. W. Corley, USAF, Vice Chief of Staff, Department of the Air Force; GEN Robert Magnus, USMC, Assistant Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps; and ADM Robert F. Willard, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health approved for full Committee the following [[Page D323]] bills: H.R. 477, Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act; H.R. 727, amended, Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2007; H.R. 545, amended, Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2007; H.R. 1132, amended, National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2007; and H.R. 493, amended, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007. POST KATRINA HEALTH CARE Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Post Katrina Health Care: Continuing Concerns and Immediate Needs in the New Orleans Region.'' Testimony was heard from Leslie Norwalk, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Fred Cerise, M.D., Secretary, Department of Health and Hospitals, State of Louisiana; and the following officials of the Department of Health, City of New Orleans: Kevin U. Stephens, M.D., Director; and Evangeline R. Franklin, M.D., Director, Clinical Services and Employee Health; and public witnesses. HEDGE FUNDS AND SYSTEMIC RISK IN FINANCIAL MARKETS Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Hedge Funds and Systemic Risk in the Financial Markets.'' Testimony was heard from E. Gerald Corrigan, former President, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Federal Reserve System; and public witnesses. TIBET; STATE OF SINO-TIBETAN DIALOGUE Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on Tibet: Status of the Sino-Tibetan Dialogue. Testimony was heard from Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary, Democracy and Global Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses. HAITI'S DEVELOPMENT NEEDS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held a hearing on Haiti's Development Needs. Testimony was heard from Adolfo A. Franco, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of State. RAIL AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT OF 2007 Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1401, Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans held a 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. Testimony was heard from Kenneth Stansell, Acting Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 2007 Committee on Oversight and Reform: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1433, District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a structured rule providing for consideration of H.R. 985, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007. The rule provides 1 hour and 20 minutes of general debate, with 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Homeland Security. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clauses 9 and 10 of Rule XXI. The rule provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of the bill, modified by the amendments recommended by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform now printed in the bill, shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report except for those arising under clauses 9 and 10 of Rule XXI. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Waxman and Representatives Tom Davis of Virginia, Shays and King of Iowa. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP IN A 21ST CENTURY GLOBAL ECONOMY Committee on Science and Technology: Held a hearing on Science and Technology Leadership in a 21st Century Global Economy. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. U.S./MEXICAN TRUCKING SAFETY Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing on U.S./Mexican Trucking: Safety and the Cross Border Demonstration Project. Testimony was heard [[Page D324]] from the following officials of the Department of Transportation: John H. Hill, Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; and Calvin L. Scovel, III, Inspector General; and public witnesses. VETERANS' MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs approved for full Committee action 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. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Impact of OIF/OEF on the VA Claims Process. Testimony was heard from Dan Bertoni, Acting Director--Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO; Ronald R. Aument, Deputy Under Secretary, Benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs; and public witnesses. VETERANS' MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 612, Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007; and H.R. 327, Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act. KATRINA REDEVELOPMENT TAX ISSUES Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on Katrina Redevelopment Tax Issues. Testimony was heard from Milton Bailey, President Housing Finance Agency, State of Louisiana; and a public witness. FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Facilities and Infrastructures. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions concluded a joint hearing with the 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, after receiving testimony from Georgia Governor Roy E. Barnes, Co-Chair, Commission on No Child Left Behind, Marietta; Elizabeth Burmaster, Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Madison, on behalf of the Council of Chief State School Officers; and Mike Casserly, Council of the Great City Schools, Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Edward J. McElroy, American Federation of Teachers, Arthur J. Rothkopf, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of the Business Coalition for Student Achievement, Reg Weaver, National Education Association, and Chester E. Finn, Jr., Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, all of Washington, D.C. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Army, 10:30 a.m., SD-192. Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine federal funding for the No Child Left Behind Act, 2:30 p.m., SD-124. Committee on the Budget: business meeting to consider the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for the fiscal year 2008, 2 p.m., SD-608. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine charting a course for health care moving toward universal coverage, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, to hold hearings to examine strategies to end the violence relating to extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business meeting to consider S. 624, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide waivers relating to grants for preventive health measures with respect to breast and cervical cancers, S. 657, to amend the Public Health Service Act to add requirements regarding trauma care, S. 845, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand and intensify programs with respect to research and related activities concerning elder falls, and the nomination of W. Craig Vanderwagen, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services. (New Position), Time to be announced, SD-430. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine enhancing patient access and drug safety relating to Prescription Drug User Fees, 10:15 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the threat of Islamic radicalism to the homeland, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine reinvigorating the Freedom of Information Act relating to open government, 10 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Rules and Administration: to hold hearings to examine S. 223, to require Senate candidates to file designations, statements, and reports in electronic form, 10 a.m., SR-301. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, to continue on NASA, 10 a.m., and 2 p.m., 2362A Rayburn. [[Page D325]] Subcommittee Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies, on Science Research, 10 a.m., 2362B Rayburn. Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, on National Archives and Records Administration, 10 a.m., 2220 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Gulf Coast Rebuilding, 3 p.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, on Bureau of Land Management, 9:30 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, on Department of Education: Student Financial Aid, Higher Education, Institute of Education Sciences, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies, on Long-Term Challenges for Military Construction and Budget Overview, 10:30 a.m., and on VA Research, 2 p.m., H-143 Capitol. Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies, on Secretary of Transportation, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on harnessing technology innovation: challenges and opportunities, 3 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, to mark up H.R. 1429, Improving Head Start Act of 2007, 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, hearing entitled ``Climate Change and Energy Security: Perspectives from the Automobile Industry,'' 2 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission,'' 9 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, oversight hearing of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on the American Red Cross Governance Reform, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, hearing on Global Polling Data on Opinion of American Policies, Values and People, 2:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Communication, Preparedness, and Response, hearing entitled ``Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grants: Are the Departments of Homeland Security and Commerce Effectively Coordinating to Meet our Nation's Emergency Communications Needs?'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology, hearing entitled ``Countering the Nuclear Threat to the Homeland: Evaluating the Procurement of Radiation Detection Technologies,'' 2 p.m., 1539 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment, hearing entitled ``The Department of Homeland Security State and Local Fusion Center Program: Advancing Information Sharing While Safeguarding Civil Liberties,'' 3:30 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, hearing on H.R. 1433, District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007, 10:15 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, hearing on H.R. 1328, To amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend that Act, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Rules, to consider H.R. 1362, Accountability in Contracting Act, 2 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency Fiscal Year 2008 Research and Development Budget Proposal, 2 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, hearing entitled ``Challenges and Solutions to Health Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses,'' 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation, hearing on the Administration's Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Proposal, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, to mark up the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means, hearing on the Revenue Increasing Measures in the Small Business and Work Opportunity Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Subcommittee on Health, hearing on Genetic Non-Discrimination, 2 p.m., B-318 Rayburn. 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. 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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 D326]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 14 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S.J. Res. 9, Iraq Resolution, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at approximately 11 a.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of H.R. 985--Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E529, E533 Boehner, John A., Ohio, E531 Camp, Dave, Mich., E530 Cooper, Jim, Tenn., E531 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E535 Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E533 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E535 McNerney, Jerry, Calif., E533 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E533 Millender-McDonald, Juanita, Calif., E529 Neal, Richard E., Mass., E530 Poe, Ted, Tex., E532 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E530 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E529, E531, E534 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E529, E530, E532, E533, E534, E534, E535, E536 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E532 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E531 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E532