Tuesday, November 13, 2007 [[Page D1511]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S14237-S14351 Measures Introduced: Fifteen bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2334-2348, S.J. Res. 24, and S. Res. 375- 377. Pages S14284-85 Measures Reported: S. 2338, to modernize and update the National Housing Act and enable the Federal Housing Administration to more effectively reach underserved borrowers. (S. Rept. No. 110-227) S. 2345, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and to extend the financing for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. (S. Rept. No. 110-228) Page S14284 Measures Passed: Oklahoma Statehood Centennial: Senate agreed to S. Res. 377, recognizing and celebrating the centennial of Oklahoma statehood. Page S14349 Measures Considered: Farm Bill Extension Act: Senate resumed 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 S14234-73 Pending: Harkin Amendment No. 3500, in the nature of a substitute. Page S14254 Reid (for Dorgan/Grassley) Amendment No. 3508 (to Amendment No. 3500), to strengthen payment limitations and direct the savings to increased funding for certain programs. Page S14254 Reid Amendment No. 3509 (to Amendment No. 3508), to change the enactment date. Page S14254 Reid Amendment No. 3510 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 3500), to change the enactment date. Page S14254 Reid Amendment No. 3511 (to Amendment No. 3510), to change the enactment date. Page S14254 Motion to commit the bill to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, with instructions to report back forthwith, with Reid Amendment No. 3512. Page S14254 Reid Amendment No. 3512 (to the instructions of the motion to commit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, with instructions), to change the enactment date. Page S14254 Reid Amendment No. 3513 (to the instructions of the motion to recommit), to change the enactment date. Page S14254 Reid Amendment No. 3514 (to Amendment No. 3513), to change the enactment date. Page S14254 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, November 14, 2007. Page S14351 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: By unanimous vote of 86 yeas (Vote No. EX. 408), Robert M. Dow, Jr., of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. Henrietta Holsman Fore, of Nevada, to be Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development. Pages S14238-40, S14349, S14351 Messages from the House: Page S14282 Measures Referred: Page S14282 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S14282 Measures Read the First Time: Pages S14282-83 Executive Communications: Pages S14283-84 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S14285-87 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S14287-S14301 Additional Statements: Pages S14281-82 Amendments Submitted: Pages S14301-48 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S14348-49 Privileges of the Floor: Page S14349 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--408) Pages S14239-40 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 8:01 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 14, 2007. (For Senate's program, see [[Page D1512]] the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S14351.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) FTC TAR AND NICOTINE CIGARETTE RATING SYSTEM Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the accuracy of the Federal Trade Commission on the tar and nicotine cigarette rating system, after receiving testimony from William E. Kovacic, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission; Cathy Backinger, Acting Chief, Tobacco Control Research Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, and David Ashley, Chief, Emergency Response and Air Toxicants Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both of the Department of Health and Human Services; Jonathan M. Samet, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology, Baltimore, Maryland; Jack E. Henningfield, Pinney Associates, Bethesda, Maryland; Marvin E. Goldberg, Penn State University Smeal College of Business, University Park, Pennsylvania; and Stephen A. Sheller, Sheller, P.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION ACT Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (Public Law 95-87), focusing on policy issues thirty years after its enactment, after receiving testimony from Brent Wahlquist, Director, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Department of the Interior; Gregory E. Conrad, Interstate Mining Compact Commission, Herndon, Virginia; Joanna Prukop, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Santa Fe; Arvin Trujillo, Najavo Nation, Window Rock, Arizona; Harold P. Quinn, Jr., National Mining Association, and Joan Mulhern, Earthjustice, both of Washington, D.C.; Bill Banig, United Mine Workers of America, Fairfax, Virginia; and Cindy Rank, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, Rock Cave. AMERICA'S CLIMATE SECURITY ACT Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee continued hearings to examine S. 2191, to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, receiving testimony from David L. Greene, Corporate Fellow, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Engineering Science and Technology Division, Department of Energy; Robert C. Baugh, AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council and AFL-CIO Energy Task Force, David Hawkins, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Climate Center, and Andrew G. Sharkey, III, American Iron and Steel Institute, all of Washington, D.C.; and Donald R. Rowlett, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OGE) Energy Corporation, Oklahoma City. Hearings recessed until Thursday, November 15. INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE NEGOTIATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine international climate change negotiations, focusing on restoring United States leadership, after receiving testimony from Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs; former Senator Timothy E. Wirth, United Nations Foundation, and Jonathan Pershing, World Resources Institute, both of Washington, D.C.; and Richard Sandor, Chicago Climate Exchange, Chicago, Illinois. U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION 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 the human capital needs of a United States Customs and Border Protection initiative, focusing on border security, and progress and weaknesses in traveler inspections at our nation's ports of entry, after receiving testimony from Paul M. Morris, Executive Director, Admissibility and Passenger Programs, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office; and Colleen M. Kelley, National Treasury Employees Union, Washington, D.C. PUBLIC PERFORMANCE RIGHTS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the scope of public performance rights, after receiving testimony from Lyle Lovett, musicFIRST Coalition, Nashville, Tennessee; Steven M. Newberry, Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation, Glasgow, Kentucky, on behalf of the National Association of Broadcasters; Dan DeVany, WETA, Arlington, Virginia; and Alice Peacock, Chicago, Illinois. SBA: LENDING AND INVESTMENT PROGRAMS Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine [[Page D1513]] the Small Business Administration (SBA), focusing on preventing loan fraud and improving regulation of lenders, after receiving testimony from Steven C. Preston, Administrator, and Eric M. Thorson, Inspector General, both of the Small Business Administration; Robert F. Tannenhauser, Business Loan Express, LLC., New York, New York; Anthony R. Wilkinson, National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, Stillwater, Oklahoma; and James Baird, Bay Area Development Company, Walnut Creek, California, on behalf of the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO). CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee concluded a hearing to examine congressional oversight of the intelligence community, after receiving testimony from Lee H. Hamilton, former Vice Chair, and Timothy Roemer, former Member, both of the National Commission On Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States; James Saturno, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; and Amy Zegart, University of California, Los Angeles. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 19 public bills, H.R. 4153- 4171; and 10 resolutions, H.J. Res. 62-63; H. Con. Res. 254-257; and H. Res. 819-822 were introduced. Pages H13858-60 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H13860-61 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 3403, to promote and enhance public safety by facilitating the rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E-911 services, encouraging the nation's transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network and improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities, with amendments (H. Rept. 110-442); H.R. 3919, to provide for a comprehensive nationwide inventory of existing broadband service, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-443); H.R. 1534, to prohibit the sale, distribution, or transfer of mercury and to prohibit the export of mercury, with amendments (H. Rept. 110- 444); H.R. 3013, to provide appropriate protection to attorney-client privileged communications and attorney work product (H. Rept. 110-445); Conference report on 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 (H. Rept. 110-446); H. Res. 817, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (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 (H. Rept. 110-447); and H. Res. 818, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4156) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-448). Pages H13598-H13810, H13835-36, H13858 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Sires to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H13525 Recess: The House recessed at 10:32 a.m. and reconvened at 12 noon. Page H13525 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Act Commemorating the LITE, or Lifetime Innovations of Thomas Edison: H.R. 2627, to establish the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in the State of New Jersey as the successor to the Edison National Historic Site; Pages H13525-27 Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should seek a review of compliance by all nations with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas' conservation and management recommendations: H. Con. Res. 229, amended, to express the sense of the Congress that the United States should seek a review of compliance by all nations with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas' conservation and management recommendations for Atlantic bluefin tuna and other species, and should pursue strengthened conservation and management measures to facilitate the recovery of the Atlantic bluefin tuna; Pages H13527-28 Amending the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in certain water projects in California: H.R. 2614, to [[Page D1514]] amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in certain water projects in California; Pages H13528-29 Providing that the great hall of the Capitol Visitor Center shall be known as Emancipation Hall: H.R. 3315, to provide that the great hall of the Capitol Visitor Center shall be known as Emancipation Hall, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 398 yeas to 6 nays, Roll No. 1082; Pages H13529-35, H13822-23 Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2007: H.R. 2705, amended, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003; Pages H13535-38 Amending section 5112(p)(1)(A) of title 31, United States Code, to allow an exception from the $1 coin dispensing capability requirement for certain vending machines: H.R. 3703, to amend section 5112(p)(1)(A) of title 31, United States Code, to allow an exception from the $1 coin dispensing capability requirement for certain vending machines; Pages H13544-45 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should declare lung cancer a public health priority and should implement a comprehensive interagency program to reduce the lung cancer mortality rate by at least 50 percent by 2015: H. Res. 335, amended, to express the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should declare lung cancer a public health priority and should implement a comprehensive interagency program to reduce the lung cancer mortality rate by at least 50 percent by 2015; Pages H13545-46 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to lung cancer as a public health priority and the recommendations of the Lung Cancer Progress Review Group of the National Cancer Institute.''. Pages H13546 Supporting the goals and ideals of Children's Health Month: H. Res. 760, amended, to support the goals and ideals of Children's Health Month; Pages H13546-48 Supporting the goal and mission of America Recycles Day: H. Con. Res. 122, amended, to supporting the goal and mission of America Recycles Day; Pages H13548-49 Mercury Export Ban Act of 2007: H.R. 1534, amended, to prohibit the sale, distribution, or transfer of mercury and to prohibit the export of mercury; Pages H13549-54 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To prohibit certain sales, distributions, and transfers of elemental mercury, to prohibit the export of elemental mercury, and for other purposes.''. Page H13554 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007: H.R. 3403, amended, to promote and enhance public safety by facilitating the rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E-911 services, encouraging the nation's transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network and improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities, by a 2/3 yea- and-nay vote of 406 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 1084; Pages H13554-57, H13824 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To promote and enhance public safety by facilitating the rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E-911 services, encourage the Nation's transition to a national IP- enabled emergency network, and improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities.''. Page H13830 Broadband Census of America Act of 2007: H.R. 3919, amended, to provide for a comprehensive nationwide inventory of existing broadband service; Pages H13557-61 Safeguarding America's Families by Enhancing and Reorganizing New and Efficient Technologies Act of 2007: H.R. 3461, amended, to establish a public awareness campaign regarding Internet safety, by a 2/3 yea-and- nay vote of 398 yeas to 6 nays, Roll No. 1085; Pages H13561-62, H13824-25 Attorney-Client Privilege Protection Act of 2007: H.R. 3013, amended, to provide appropriate protection to attorney-client privileged communications and attorney work product; Pages H13562-64 Second Chance Act of 2007: H.R. 1593, amended, to reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 and to improve reentry planning and implementation, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 347 yeas to 62 nays, Roll No. 1083; Pages H13564-82, H13823-24 Directing the Attorney General to provide grants for Internet crime prevention education programs: H.R. 4134, to direct the Attorney General to provide grants for Internet crime prevention education programs; Pages H13593-94 Congratulating Shawn Johnson on her victory in becoming the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Champion in women's gymnastics: H. Res. 684, to congratulate Shawn Johnson on her victory in becoming the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Champion in women's gymnastics; Pages H13595-97 Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments: H. Res. 808, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary [[Page D1515]] of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments; Pages H13596-98 John Sidney ``Sid'' Flowers Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 3470, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 744 West Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville, Georgia, as the ``John Sidney `Sid' Flowers Post Office Building''; Pages H13810-11 Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 3569, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16731 Santa Ana Avenue in Fontana, California, as the ``Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building''; Pages H13811-12 Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 3974, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 797 Sam Bass Road in Round Rock, Texas, as the ``Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office Building''; Pages H13812-13 Commending the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation for its work in aiding children and families affected by child abuse, and designating November 2007 as National Courage Month: S. Con. Res. 45, to commend the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation for its work in aiding children and families affected by child abuse, and designating November 2007 as National Courage Month; Pages H13813-14 Supporting the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day: H. Con. Res. 211, to support the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day; Pages H13814-16 Honoring San Jose State University for its 150 years of commitment to public higher education: H. Res. 365, amended, to honor San Jose State University for its 150 years of commitment to public higher education; Pages H13816-18 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Honoring San Jose State University for its 150 years of commitment to public higher education.''. Page H13818 Honoring the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States: H.J. Res. 62, to honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States; Pages H13818-19 Making certain technical corrections and transition amendments to the College Cost Reduction and Access Act: H.R. 4153, amended, to make certain technical corrections and transition amendments to the College Cost Reduction and Access Act; Pages H13819-20 Recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum on October 9, 2007: H. Res. 709, to recognize and honor the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum on October 9, 2007; and Pages H13820-22 Increasing the insurance limitations on Federal insurance for bonds issued by the designated bonding authority for Historically Black Colleges and Universities capital financing: H.R. 4154, to increase the insurance limitations on Federal insurance for bonds issued by the designated bonding authority for Historically Black Colleges and Universities capital financing. Pages H13826-28 Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed: Expressing the sympathy and pledging the urgent support of the House of Representatives and the people of the United States for the victims of the devastating flooding in southern Mexico: H. Res. 812, amended, to express the sympathy and to pledge the urgent support of the House of Representatives and the people of the United States for the victims of the devastating flooding in southern Mexico; Pages H13538-39 Support for the Museum of the History of Polish Jews Act of 2007: H.R. 3320, to provide assistance for the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland; Pages H13539-42 Condemning the November 6, 2007, terrorist bombing in Afghanistan and expressing condolences to the people of Afghanistan and the members of the Wolesi Jirga: H. Res. 811, to condemn the November 6, 2007, terrorist bombing in Afghanistan and expressing condolences to the people of Afghanistan and the members of the Wolesi Jirga; Pages H13542-44 PROTECT Our Children Act of 2007: H.R. 3845, amended, to establish a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, to improve the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, to increase resources for regional computer forensic labs, and to make other improvements to increase the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute child predators; Pages H13582-89 Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2007: H.R. 719, amended, to require convicted sex offenders to register online identifiers; Pages H13589-91 [[Page D1516]] Effective Child Pornography Prosecution Act of 2007: H.R. 4120, to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for more effective prosecution of cases involving child pornography; and Pages H13591-93 Amending title 18 of the United States Code to clarify the scope of the child pornography laws: H.R. 4136, amended, to amend title 18 of the United States Code to clarify the scope of the child pornography laws. Pages H13594-95 Member Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Jindal, wherein he resigned as Representative for the 1st Congressional District of Louisiana, effective January 14, 2008. Page H13825 Presidential Veto Message--Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008: Read a message from the President wherein he announced his veto of H.R. 3043, making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and explained his reasons therefor--ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-76). Pages H13825-26 Subsequently, the House agreed by unanimous consent to postpone further consideration of the veto message and bill until Thursday, November 15th. Page H13826 Quorum Calls--Votes: Four yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H13822-23, H13823, H13824, and H13824-25. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 10:57 p.m. Committee Meetings LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Community held a hearing on LIHEAP: Overview and Current Issues. Testimony was heard from Guy Caruso, Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy; and public witnesses. FDA FOOD SUPPLY SAFETY Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations continued hearings entitled ``Diminished Capacity: Can the FDA Assure the Safety and Security of the Nation's Food Supply?-- Part IV--Deception in Labeling.'' Testimony was heard from Daniel Engeljohn, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Policy, Program and Employee Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA; David W. K. Acheson, M.D., Assistant Commissioner, Food Protection, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. HOMELAND SECURITY EMPLOYING VETERANS Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight held a hearing on Examining the Department of Homeland Security's Efforts to Recruit, Hire and Promote Veterans. Testimony was heard from Marta Brito Perez, Chief Human Capital Officer, Department of Homeland Security; Leslye A. Arsht, Deputy Under Secretary, Military Community and Family Policy, Department of Defense; and a representative of a veterans organization. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 2334, Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness and Indian Peaks Wilderness Expansion Act; H.R. 2632, Sabinoso Wilderness Act of 2007; H.R. 3287, Tumacacori Highland Wilderness Act of 2007; H.R. 3513, Copper Salmon Wilderness Act; and H.R. 3682, California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act. Testimony was heard from: Senators Salazar and Allard; Representatives Bono and Udall of New Mexico; Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest Service, USDA; Elena Daly, Director, National Landscape Conservation System, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AGENCIES EXECUTIVE DIVERSITY Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia held a hearing on Opportunities Exist to Improve SES Diversity in Legislative Branch Agencies. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Library of Congress: Curtis Copeland, Specialist in American National Government, CRS; and Dennis Hanratty, Director, Human Resources Services; Nadine L. Elzy, Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, GPO; Ronald A. Stroman, Managing Director, Office of Opportunity and Inclusiveness, GAO; Teresa Bailey, Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Conciliation Programs, Office of the Architect of the Capitol; Stephanie Ruiz, Equal Employment Opportunity and Conciliatory Program, CBO; Daniel Nichols, Assistant Chief of Policy, U.S. Capitol Police; and public witnesses. [[Page D1517]] ORDERLY AND RESPONSIBLE IRAQ REDEPLOYMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 3, a closed rule. The rule provides two hours of debate on H.R. 4156, Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act of 2008, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the bill shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions of the bill. The rule provides one motion to recommit the bill. Finally, the rule permits the Chair, during consideration of the bill, to postpone further consideration of it to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Chairman Obey. TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS BILL, CONFERENCE REPORT Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a conference report rule. The rule waives all points of order against the conference report on H.R. 3074, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, and against its consideration and provides that the conference report shall be considered as read. Testimony was heard from Representative Olver. Joint Meetings RANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT Conferees met on Thursday, November 8, 2007 and agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of 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. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D1503) H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States. Signed on November 8, 2007. (Public Law 110-114) H.R. 2779, to recognize the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the official national museum of Navy SEALS and their predecessors. Signed on November 13, 2007. (Public Law 110-115) H.R. 3222, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Signed on November 13, 2007. (Public Law 110-116) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine shareholder rights and proxy access, 10:30 a.m., SD-538. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine sovereign wealth fund acquisitions and other foreign government investments in the United States, focusing on assessing the economic and national security implications, 2 p.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine ways to improve the Federal Climate Change Research and Information Program, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership relating to the United States policy on nuclear fuel management, 10 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine the federal estate tax, focusing on uncertainty in planning under the current law, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business meeting to consider 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, S. 911, to amend the Public Health Service Act to advance medical research and treatments into pediatric cancers, ensure patients and families have access to the current treatments and information regarding pediatric cancers, establish a population-based national childhood cancer database, and promote public awareness of pediatric cancers, 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, S. 1382, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide the establishment of an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Registry, S. 1551, to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to making progress toward the goal of eliminating tuberculosis, S. 1970, to establish a National Commission on Children and Disasters, a National Resource Center on Children and Disasters, S. 901, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide additional authorizations of [[Page D1518]] appropriations for the health centers program under section 330 of such Act, and the nominations of Julie Fisher Cummings, of Michigan, Mark D. Gearan, of New York, Tom Osborne, of Nebraska, Alan D. Solomont, of Massachusetts, Donna N. Williams, of Texas, all to be a Members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, Charles E. F. Millard, of New York, to be Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and other pending nominations, 9:30 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: business meeting to consider S. 1667, to establish a pilot program for the expedited disposal of Federal real property, S. 1000, to enhance the Federal Telework Program, H.R. 390, to require the establishment of a national database in the National Archives to preserve records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil War reconstruction and to provide grants to State and local entities to establish similar local databases, H.R. 3571, to amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to permit individuals who have served as employees of the Office of Compliance to serve as Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, or General Counsel of the Office, and to permit individuals appointed to such positions to serve one additional term, S. 2174, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 175 South Monroe Street in Tiffin, Ohio, as the ``Paul E. Gillmor Post Office Building'', H.R. 2089, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 701 Loyola Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the ``Louisiana Armed Services Veterans Post Office'', S. 2292, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002, to establish the Office for Bombing Prevention, to address terrorist explosive threats, H.R. 3297, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 950 West Trenton Avenue in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Nate DeTample Post Office Building'', H.R. 3308, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 216 East Main Street in Atwood, Indiana, as the ``Lance Corporal David K. Fribley Post Office'', H.R. 3530, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1400 Highway 41 North in Inverness, Florida, as the ``Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Weaver Post Office Building'', H.R. 2276, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 203 North Main Street in Vassar, Michigan, as the ``Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson Post Office Building'', H.R. 3325, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 235 Mountain Road in Suffield, Connecticut, as the ``Corporal Stephen R. Bixler Post Office'', S. 2110, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 427 North Street in Taft, California, as the ``Larry S. Pierce Post Office'', H.R. 3382, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 North William Street in Goldsboro, North Carolina, as the ``Philip A. Baddour, Sr. Post Office'', S. 2290, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16731 Santa Ana Avenue in Fontana, California, as the ``Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building'', S. 2272, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service known as the Southpark Station in Alexandria, Louisiana, as the John ``Marty'' Thiels Southpark Station, in honor and memory of Thiels, a Louisiana postal worker who was killed in the line of duty on October 4, 2007, H.R. 3446, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 202 East Michigan Avenue in Marshall, Michigan, as the ``Michael W. Schragg Post Office Building'', S. 2150 and H.R. 3572, bills to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4320 Blue Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri, as the ``Wallace S. Hartsfield Post Office Building'', S. 2107 and H.R. 3307, bills to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 570 Broadway in Bayonne, New Jersey, as the ``Dennis P. Collins Post Office Building'', H.R. 3518, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1430 South Highway 29 in Cantonment, Florida, as the ``Charles H. Hendrix Post Office Building'', and other pending calendar business, 10 a.m., SD-342. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to hold hearings to examine Medicaid providers, focusing on a recent study conducted by the Government Accountability Office on unpaid taxes, the extent of the problem, and possible solutions, 3:30 p.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law, to hold hearings to examine accountability for human rights violators in the United States, 10 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: business meeting to markup pending legislation; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the nomination of Michael W. Hager, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Human Resources and Management), 9:30 a.m., SD-562. Select Committee on Intelligence: meeting of conferees on proposed legislation authorizing funds for fiscal year 2008 for the intelligence community, 4:30 p.m., S-407, Capitol. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, hearing on Capitol Visitor Center, 9 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on Africa Command, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, to mark up H.R. 4137, College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007, 1:30 p.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on the Merida Initiative: Assessing Plans to Step Up our Security Cooperation with Mexico and Central America, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Europe, hearing on U.S.-Greece Relations and Regional Issues, 2:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, hearing entitled ``Cover Blown-- Did TSA Tip Off Airport Screeners about Covert Testing?'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, hearing on Establishing Consistent Enforcement Policies in the Context of Online Wagers, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 2445, To amend the Alaska Native Claims [[Page D1519]] Settlement Act to recognize Alexander Creek as a Native village; H.R. 3350, Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act; H.R. 3351, Native American Challenge Demonstration Project Act of 2007; and 3560, Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization Act, 11 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, hearing on Assessing Whistle Blower Allegations Against the State Department Inspector General, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, hearing on the Environmental Risks of and Regulatory Response to Dental Mercury Amalgam, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, to continue hearings on Iran: Reality, Options and Consequences, Part 3-- Regional and Global Consequences of U.S. Military Action in Iran, 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. Committee on Rules, to consider H.R. 3915, Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007, 2 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Urban and Rural Entrepreneurship, hearing on Program Harmonization in Rural America--How the Small Business Administration and the Department of Agriculture Can Work Together to Better Serve Small Businesses, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, hearing on Effects of Gap in Health Coverage on Work, Family and Opportunity, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on Hot Spots, 8:45 a.m., and, executive, briefing on Cyber, 2 p.m., H- 405 Capitol. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, hearing entitled ``State Leadership Towards a Low-Carbon Energy Future,'' 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Joint Meetings Joint Hearing: Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, meeting of conferees on proposed legislation authorizing funds for fiscal year 2008 for the intelligence community, 4:30 p.m., S-407, Capitol. Conference: meeting of conferees on H.R. 3093, making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, 4 p.m., S-127, Capitol. 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 D1520]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 14 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 2419, Farm Bill Extension Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 14 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of the conference report on H.R. 1429--Head Start for School Readiness Act (Subject to a Rule), H.R. 4156--Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act, 2008, (Subject to a Rule) and the conference report on H.R. 3074-- Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Subject to a Rule). Motion to go to conference on H.R. 1585--National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 and motion to instruct conferees. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as insert in this issue HOUSE Akin, W. Todd, Mo., E2398 Davis, Geoff, Ky., E2396, E2397, E2398, E2399 Davis, Lincoln, Tenn., E2395 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E2393 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E2396 Dingell, John D., Mich., E2391 Frank, Barney, Mass., E2399 Graves, Sam, Mo., E2397 Hastert, J. Dennis, Ill., E2392 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E2394 Herger, Wally, Calif., E2392 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E2395 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E2391 Perlmutter, Ed, Colo., E2391, E2391, E2392, E2392, E2393, E2394, E2394, E2395 Poe, Ted, Tex., E2395, E2397 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E2398 Sestak, Joe, Pa., E2394 Space, Zachary T., Ohio, E2391, E2392, E2392, E2393, E2393, E2394, E2395, E2395 Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E2396, E2398 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E2399