Tuesday, June 19, 2007 [[Page D850]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S7837-S7999 Measures Introduced: Sixteen bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 1647-1662, and S. Res. 239. Page S7887 Measures Reported: Special Report entitled ``Revised Allocation to Subcommittees of Budget Totals from the Concurrent Resolution for Fiscal Year 2008''. (S. Rept. No. 110-87) S. 1099, to amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to make individuals employed by the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission eligible to obtain Federal health insurance. Page S7887 Measures Passed: Juneteenth Independence Day: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 231, recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day and expressing the sense of the Senate that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of the future, and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S7845-46 Grand Teton National Park Extension Act: Senate passed S. 277, to modify the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park to include certain land within the GT Park Subdivision, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S7872-73 Enzi Amendment No. 1709, to designate the Grand Teton Discovery and Visitor Center as the ``Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center''. Page S7873 Improving Head Start Act: Senate passed H.R. 1429, to reauthorize the Head Start Act, to improve program quality, to expand access, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Page S7996 Schumer (for Kennedy) Amendment No. 1714, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S7909, S7979-7995 Senate insists on its amendment, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Kennedy; Dodd; Harkin; Mikulski; Bingaman; Murray; Reed; Clinton; Obama; Sanders; Brown; Enzi; Gregg; Alexander; Burr; Isakson; Murkowski; Hatch; Roberts; Allard; Coburn. Page S7998 Measures Considered: Clean Energy Act: Senate continued consideration of 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, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S7846-72, S7873-79 Adopted: Domenici (for Thune) Amendment No. 1609 (to Amendment No. 1502), to provide requirements for the designation of national interest electric transmission corridors. Pages S7846, S7864-66 By 70 yeas to 23 nays (Vote No. 215), Kohl Amendment No. 1519 (to Amendment No. 1502), to amend the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. Pages S7846, S7861-62, S7863-64, S7869-70 Rejected: By 39 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 213), Domenici (for Bunning/Domenici) Amendment No. 1628 (to Amendment No. 1502), to provide standards for clean coal-derived fuels. Pages S7846, S7849-60 By 33 yeas to 61 nays (Vote No. 214), Bingaman (for Tester) Amendment No. 1614 (to Amendment No. 1502), to establish a program to provide loans for projects to produce syngas from coal and other feedstocks while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance of the United States on petroleum and natural gas. Pages S7846, S7860-61 By 37 yeas to 56 nays (Vote No. 216), Cardin Amendment No. 1610 (to Amendment No. 1502), to provide for the siting, construction, expansion, and operation of liquefied natural gas terminals. Pages S7846, S7864, S7866-69, S7870-71 Pending: Reid Amendment No. 1502, in the nature of a substitute. Page S7846 [[Page D851]] Reid (for Bingaman) Amendment No. 1537 (to Amendment No. 1502), to provide for a renewable portfolio standard. Page S7846 Klobuchar (for Bingaman) Amendment No. 1573 (to Amendment No. 1537), to provide for a renewable portfolio standard. Page S7846 Bingaman (for Klobuchar) Amendment No. 1557 (to Amendment No. 1502), to establish a national greenhouse gas registry. Page S7846 Kohl (for DeMint) Amendment No. 1546 (to Amendment No. 1502), to provide that legislation that would increase the national average fuel prices for automobiles is subject to a point of order in the Senate. Page S7846 Corker Amendment No. 1608 (to Amendment No. 1502), to allow clean fuels to meet the renewable fuel standard. Page S7846 Cardin Modified Amendment No. 1520 (to Amendment No. 1502), to promote the energy independence of the United States. Pages S7846, S7869 Collins Amendment No. 1615 (to Amendment No. 1502), to provide for the development and coordination of a comprehensive and integrated United States research program that assists the people of the United States and the world to understand, assess, and predict human-induced and natural processes of abrupt climate change. Page S7846 Baucus Amendment No. 1704 (to Amendment No. 1502), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for energy advancement and investment. Pages S7871-72 A motion was entered to close further debate on Baucus Amendment No. 1704 (to Amendment No. 1502), and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Thursday, June 21, 2007. Page S7877 A motion was entered to close further debate on Reid Amendment No. 1502, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Thursday, June 21, 2007. Page S7877 A motion was entered to close further debate on the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Thursday, June 21, 2007. Page S7877 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, June 20, 2007, that Senate resume consideration of Kohl (for DeMint) Amendment No. 1546 (to Amendment No. 1502) (listed above), and that there be 30 minutes of debate prior to a vote on or in relation to the amendment; the time be equally divided and controlled between Senators DeMint and Bingaman, or their designees; and that no amendments be in order prior to a vote in relation to the amendment. Pages S7998-99 EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT--CLOTURE: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 800, to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts. A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 800, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Thursday, June 21, 2007. Pages S7877-78 Message from the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the continuation of the national emergency with respect to the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation as declared in Executive Order 13159 of June 21, 2000; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-17) Page S7883 Messages from the House: Page S7883 Measures Referred: Pages S7883-84 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Pages S7838, S7884 Executive Communications: Page S7884 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S7884-87 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S7887-90 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S7890-S7908 Additional Statements: Pages S7880-83 Amendments Submitted: Pages S7908-95 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S7995 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S7995-96 Privileges of the Floor: Page S7996 Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--216) Pages S7860, S7861, S7870 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 8:18 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 20, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S7998-99.) [[Page D852]] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies approved for full committee consideration an original bill making appropriations for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. APPROPRIATIONS: LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENICES Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies approved for full committee consideration an original bill making appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. NOMINATION Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing on the nomination of Preston M. Green, of Texas, to be Secretary of the Army, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senators Hutchison and Cornyn, testified and answer questions in his own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill entitled, ``Energy Advancement and Investment Act of 2007'', with amendments. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of June Carter Perry, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mark Green, of Wisconsin, to be Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, Wanda L. Nesbitt, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Frederick B. Cook, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Central African Republic, Robert B. Nolan, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho, Maurice S. Parker, of California, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Swaziland, and William John Garvelink, of Michigan, to be Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. PASSPORT BACKLOG Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Democracy and Human Rights concluded a hearing to examine the passport backlog and the Department of State's response to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, after receiving testimony from Maura Harty, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs. JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the federal government, focusing on a model public- private partnership accelerating research toward a cure, after receiving testimony from Griffin P. Rodgers, Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services; Mary Tyler Moore, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, New York, New York; Caroline McEnery, Fairfield, Connecticut, Caitlin Crawford, Yarmouth, Maine, Tre' Hawkins, Detroit, Michigan, and Ann, Abraham, and Curtis Strader, Lakeville, Minnesota, all on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Children's Congress; and Adam Morrison, Charlotte, North Carolina. NOMINATION Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee concluded open and closed hearings to examine the nomination of John A. Rizzo, of the District of Columbia, to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Warner, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. [[Page D853]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 15 public bills, H.R. 2768- 2770, 2772-2783; and 3 resolutions, H. Res. 497-499 were introduced. Pages H6734-35 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H6735-36 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 2771, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-198); H. Res. 498, providing for consideration of 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 (H. Rept. 110-199); and H.R. 923, to establish an Unsolved Crimes Section in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and an Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Investigative Office in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-200). Page H6734 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Costa to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H6663 Recess: The House recessed at 9:06 a.m. and reconvened at 10 a.m. Page H6663 Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 496, electing Representative Gillmor to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, to rank after Representative Stearns. Page H6669 Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated on Monday, June 18th. Proceedings will resume on H. Con. Res. 21, H.R. 2359, and H.R. 2284 tomorrow, June 20th: Dr. Francis Townsend Post Office Building Designation Act: S. 1352, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 127 East Locust Street in Fairbury, Illinois, as the ``Dr. Francis Townsend Post Office Building''--clearing the measure for the President. Page H6669 Agreed by unanimous consent that the House vacate the ordering of the yeas and nays on adoption of S. 1352 to the end that the Chair put the question de novo. Page H6669 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008: The House began consideration of H.R. 2641, making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Further consideration is expected to resume tomorrow, June 20th. Pages H6666-68, H6669 Agreed by unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 2641 in the Committee of the Whole pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 481, no further amendment to the bill will be in order except those provided on a list at the desk. Page H6710 Agreed to: Tauscher amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of June 13, 2007) that adds a proviso stating that, of the amounts made available for Atomic Energy Defense Activities, $173,250,000 be made available for nuclear weapons dismantlement activities and further, that $91 million be available for the Pit Disassembly and Conversion Facility Project at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. Pages H6713-14 Rejected: Westmoreland amendment that sought to reduce funding under the Investigations heading in Title I by $30 million (by a recorded vote of 84 ayes to 341 noes, Roll No. 502); Pages H6679-82, H6714-15 Westmoreland amendment (No. 26 printed in the Congressional Record of June 18, 2007) that sought to reduce funding under the Construction heading in Title I by $481,186,000 (by a recorded vote of 76 ayes to 351 noes, Roll No. 503); Pages H6682-84, H6715-16 Westmoreland amendment (No. 24 printed in the Congressional Record of June 18, 2007) that sought to reduce funding under the Mississippi River and Tributaries heading in Title I by $18 million (by a recorded vote of 111 ayes to 315 noes, Roll No. 504); Pages H6684-90, H6716 Westmoreland amendment (No. 25 printed in the Congressional Record of June 18, 2007) that sought to reduce funding under the Operation and Maintenance heading in Title I by $184,241,000 (by a recorded vote of 77 ayes to 350 noes, Roll No. 505); Pages H6690-92, H6716-17 Sessions amendment (No. 23 printed in the Congressional Record of June 18, 2007) that sought to strike section 105 relating to the prohibition of funds under the OMB Circular A-76 or any other administrative regulation, directive, or policy for the Corps of Engineers program, project or activity (by a recorded vote of 164 ayes to 259 noes, Roll No. 506); Page H6692-96, H6717-18 Hensarling amendment (No. 22 printed in the Congressional Record of June 18, 2007) that sought [[Page D854]] to reduce funding under the Water and Related Resources heading in Title II by $55 million (by a recorded vote of 121 ayes to 305 noes, Roll No. 507); Pages H6696-98, H6718 Lamborn amendment that sought to reduce funding under the Policy and Administration heading in Title II by $1,236,000 (by a recorded vote of 151 ayes to 274 noes, Roll No. 508); Pages H6698-H6701, H6718-19 Campbell (CA) amendment (No. 21 printed in the Congressional Record of June 18, 2007) that sought to reduce funding under the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy heading in Title III by $101,550,000 (by a recorded vote of 107 ayes to 320 noes, Roll No. 509); Pages H6701-03, H6719-20 Stearns amendment that sought to redirect $20 million in funding under the Nuclear Energy heading in Title III (by a recorded vote of 158 ayes to 269 noes, Roll No. 510); and Pages H6703-05, H6720 Kline (MN) amendment (No. 19 printed in the Congressional Record of June 18, 2007) that sought to reduce funding under the Fossil Energy Research and Development heading in Title III by $142 million (by a recorded vote of 123 ayes to 303 noes, Roll No. 511). Pages H6706-11, H6720-21 Withdrawn: Schmidt amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to increase funding, by offset, for the G-NAP initiative by $80 million; and Pages H6705-06 Upton amendment (No. 10 printed in the Congressional Record of June 18, 2007) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to increase the amount available for the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program by $4 billion, and to specify that that amount be available for advanced nuclear energy facilities. Pages H6712-13 Proceedings Postponed: Porter amendment that seeks to strike the provisions in the bill for nuclear waste disposal activities. Pages H6711-12 H. Res. 481, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by voice vote. Pages H6666-68 Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of the 9 firefighters who lost their lives in a Charleston, South Carolina fire on June 18th. Page H6715 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he notified Congress of the continuation of the national emergency with respect to the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation--referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-41). Pages H6721-22 Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on pages H6736-37. Quorum Calls--Votes: Ten recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H6714-15, H6715-16, H6716, H6717, H6717-18, H6718, H6719, H6719-20, H6720, H6721. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9:00 a.m. and adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Committee Meetings FARM BILL EXTENSION ACT OF 2007 Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 2419, Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007. GENDER EQUITY IN EDUCATION Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness held a hearing on Building on the Success of 35 Years of Title IX. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. HEALTH MEASURES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health approved for full Committee action the following: as amended, the Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments of 2007 (PDUFA); as amended, the Medical Device User Fee Amendments of 2007 (MDUFA); the Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act of 2007; as amended, the Pediatric Research Equity Act of 2007; as amended, the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act of 2007 (BPCA); as amended, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the establishment of the Reagan-Udall Institute for Applied Biomedical Research; to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to conflicts of interest; as amended, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of a clinical trial registry database and a clinical trial results database; and, as amended, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to improve drug safety. CONSUMER CREDIT REPORT DISPUTES Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing on Credit Reports: Consumers' Ability to Dispute and Change Inaccurate Information. Testimony was heard from Lydia Parnes, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC; Sandra Braunstein, Director, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; and public witnesses. [[Page D855]] U.S.-SOUTH AMERICA RELATIONSHIP Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on South America and the United States: How to Fix a Broken Relationship. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. WORKING IN A WAR ZONE--POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDERS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia held a hearing on Working in a War Zone: Post Traumatic Stress Disorders in Civilians Returning from Iraq. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: George M. Staples, Director General, Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources; and Laurence G. Brown, M.D., Director, Office of Medical Services; and a public witness. BORDER GUARD TRAINING Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight held a hearing on Ensuring We Have Well- Trained Boots on the Ground at the Border. Testimony was heard from Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, GAO; the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Art Morgan, Director, Field Operations Academy; and Chief Charlie Whitmire, Director, Border Patrol Training Academy, both with Customs and Border Protection; and Cynthia Atwood, Assistance Director, Field Training Directorate, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; and public witnesses. BORDER TRUCKING THREATS Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing on Keeping the Border Secure: Examining Potential Threats Posed by Cross Border Trucking. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Bill Arrington, General Manager, Highway and Motor Carrier Division, Transportation Security Administration; and Greg Olsavsky, Director, Cargo Control, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Mayor Raul G. Salinas, Mayor, Laredo, Texas; and public witnesses. WAR PROFITEERING AND OTHER CONTRACTOR CRIMES COMMITTED OVERSEAS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on War Profiteering and Other Contractor Crimes Committed Overseas. Testimony was heard from Stuart W. Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General, Iraq Reconstruction; Thomas F. Gimble, Principal Deputy Inspector General, Department of Defense; Barry M. Sabin, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law continued hearings on Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Government Perspectives on Immigration Statistics. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM ACT; OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING INTEGRATION ACT Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 1834, National Ocean Exploration Program Act; and H.R. 2400, Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act. OVERSIGHT--WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held an oversight hearing on Wildfire Preparedness: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Mark Rey, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment; and Kathleen S. Tighe, Deputy Inspector General; C. Stephen Allred, Assistant Secretary, Land and Mineral Management, Department of the Interior; Robin Nazzaro, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; Robert Farris, Acting Forester, State of Georgia; Kirk Rowdabaugh, Forester, State of Arizona; and public witnesses. HEALTHCARE INFORMATION SYSTEMS PATIENT PRIVACY Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives held a hearing on Protecting Patient Privacy in Healthcare Information Systems. Testimony was heard from Valerie Melvin, Director, Information Management Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, an open rule providing for consideration of 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. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the [[Page D856]] chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority recognition to Members who have printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule permits the Chair, during consideration of H.R. 2764 in the House, to postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representatives Lowey and Wolf. SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on Research, Education and Training Programs to Facilitate Adoption of Solar Energy Technologies. Testimony was heard from Dan Arvizu, Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Department of Energy, and public witnesses. PRODUCING FUTURE SKILLED WORKERS AND TECHNICIANS Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing on the Role of Community Colleges and Industry in Meeting the Demand for Skilled Production Workers and Technicians in the 21st Century Economy. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. VETERANS MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 585, To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the number of individuals qualifying for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance; H.R. 156, To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to the Survivors of former prisoners of war who died on or before September 30, 1999, under the same eligibility conditions as apply to payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to the Survivors of former prisoners of war who died after that date; and H.R. 704, To amend title 38, United States Code, to reduce from age 57 to age 55 the age after which the remarriage of the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran shall not result in termination of dependency and indemnity compensation otherwise payable to that surviving spouse. Testimony was heard from Representative Holden; Jack McCoy, Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Policy and Program Management, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations. DISCONNECTED AND DISADVANTAGED YOUTH Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support held a hearing on Disconnected and Disadvantaged Youth. Testimony was heard from Representatives Yarmuth and Bachmann; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--CIA CONTRACTOR POLICY Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on CIA Contractor Policy. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. GREEN CITIES--MAYORAL INITIATIVES TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing on Green Cities: Mayoral Initiatives to Reduce Global Warming Pollution. Testimony was heard from the following Mayors: Tom Potter, Portland, Oregon; Richard M. Daly, Chicago, Illinois; and Pegeen Hanrahan, Gainesville, Florida. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D835) H.R. 1676, to reauthorize the program of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for loan guarantees for Indian housing. Signed on June 18, 2007 (Public Law 110-37) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development, to hold hearings to examine reauthorization of the Hope VI Program, 2 p.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, to hold an oversight hearing to examine foreign aviation repair stations, 2:30 p.m., SR- 253. Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health, to hold hearings to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's response to 9-11, focusing on lessons learned for future emergency preparedness, 10 a.m., SD-406. [[Page D857]] Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of William R. Brownfield, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia, Peter Michael McKinley, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Peru, and Patrick Dennis Duddy, of Maine, to be Ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, 10 a.m., SD-419. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Anne Woods Patterson, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Nancy J. Powell, of Iowa, to be Ambassador to Nepal, Joseph Adam Ereli, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Richard Boyce Norland, of Iowa, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Stephen A. Seche, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business meeting to consider original bills entitled, ``The Higher Education Access Reconciliation Act'', ``The Higher Education Amendments of 2007'', and the nominations of Jerome F. Kever, of Illinois, Michael Schwartz, of Illinois, and Virgil M. Speakman, Jr., of Ohio, all to be Members of the Railroad Retirement Board, Marylyn Andrea Howe, of Massachusetts, and Lonnie C. Moore, of Kansas, both to be Members of the National Council on Disability, and Kerri Layne Briggs, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education, 9:30 a.m., SD-628. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine rising crime in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, 10 a.m., SD-226. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of William Lindsay Osteen, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, Martin Karl Reidinger, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, Timothy D. DeGiusti, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma, and Janis Lynn Sammartino, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, 2:30 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Rules and Administration: to hold hearings to examine S. 1285, to reform the financing of Senate elections, 10 a.m., SR- 301. House Committee on Armed Services, hearing on Organizing the Roles, Missions, and Requirements of the Department of Defense, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 980, Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007; and H.R. 2693, To direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue a standard regulating worker exposure to diacetyl, 11 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, to mark up the following issues related to energy legislation: promote energy efficiency; facilitate the transition to a smart grid; re: Department of Energy EPAct Loan Guarantees; to promote renewable fuel infrastructure; to promote advanced battery and plug-in hybrid technologies; and to enhance Energy Information Administration data collection 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, hearing to receive the annual testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury regarding the State of the International Financial System, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, briefing and hearing on World Refugee Day 2007, 9:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Europe, hearing on Adding Hezbollah to the EU Terrorist List, 1 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing entitled ``Hacking the Homeland: Investigating Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities at the Department of Homeland Security,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight, hearing on You Don't Know What You Don't Know: Has the Department of Homeland Security Improved its Ability to Maintain Situational Awareness Since Hurricane Katrina? 12 p.m., 1539 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, hearing on Inspectors General: Independence Accountability, 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. Committee on Rules, to consider H.R. 2771, Making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, 3 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology, hearing on meeting the Workforce Demands of Small Bio- Energy Businesses, 10 a. m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,, to continue consideration H.R. 2701, Transportation Energy Security and climate Change Mitigation Act of 2007, 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, June 20, hearing on Priority 8 Veterans, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, to mark up the following: H.R. 1830, To extend the authorities of the Andean Trade Preference Act until September 30, 2009; and the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. 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 D858]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 20 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 6, CLEAN Energy Act, and after a period of debate, vote on or in relation to DeMint Amendment No. 1546. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 20 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Complete consideration of H.R. 2641--Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008. Begin consideration of H.R. 2764--Making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E1336 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E1335, E1339 Castle, Michael N., Del., E1341 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E1340 Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E1338 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E1335, E1340 Michaud, Michael H., Me., E1338 Oberstar, James L., Minn., E1336 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E1335, E1339 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E1340 Waxman, Henry A., Calif., E1340 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E1335, E1339 Young, Don, Alaska, E1336