Wednesday, March 21, 2007 [[Page D371]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3453-S3545 Measures Introduced: Eleven bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 946-956, S. Res. 114-116, and S. Con. Res. 22. Pages S3516-17 Measures Considered: Budget Resolution: Senate continued consideration of S. Con. Res. 21, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3453-S3512 Adopted: Collins Amendment No. 480, to provide for a deficit-neutral reserve fund for permanently extending and increasing the above-the-line deduction for teacher classroom supplies and expanding such deduction to include qualified professional development expenses. Pages S3471-75 By 97 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 82), Baucus Amendment No. 492, to provide tax relief to middle class families and small businesses and to expand health insurance coverage for children. Pages S3468-71, S3503-04 By 63 yeas to 35 nays (Vote No. 84), Cornyn Amendment No. 477, to provide for a budget point of order against legislation that increases income taxes on taxpayers, including hard-working middle-income families, entrepreneurs, and college students. Page S3504 By a unanimous vote of 98 yeas (Vote No. 87), Bunning/Enzi Amendment No. 483, to provide a point of order against any budget resolution that fails to achieve an on-budget balance within 5 years. Pages S3458-61, S3505-06 By 97 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 88), Bingaman Amendment No. 486, to provide additional funding resources in FY 2008 for investments in innovation and education in order to improve the competitiveness of the United States. Pages S3461-64, S3500, S3504-05 Rejected: By 47 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 83), Kyl/Graham Amendment No. 507, to protect families, family farms and small businesses by raising the death tax exemption to $5 million and reducing the maximum death tax rate to no more than 35%, to extend college tuition deduction, to extend the student loan interest deduction, to extend the teacher classroom deduction, to protect senior citizens from higher taxes on their retirement income, to maintain U.S. financial market competitiveness, and to promote economic growth by extending the lower tax rates on dividends and capital gains. Pages S3494-98, S3504 By 46 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 85), Sessions Modified Amendment No. 466, to exclude the extension of tax relief provided in 2001 and 2003 from points of order provided in the resolution and other budget points of order. Page S3505 By 47 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 86), Ensign Amendment No. 476, to ensure that our troops serving in harm's way remain America's top budget priority by ensuring full funding for the Department of Defense within the regular appropriations process, reducing reliance on supplemental appropriations bills, and by improving the integrity of the Congressional budget process. Pages S3454-58, S3505 Pending: DeMint Amendment No. 489, to establish a reserve fund for Social Security reform. Pages S3464-66 Allard Amendment No. 491, to pay down the Federal debt and eliminate government waste by reducing spending on programs rated ineffective by the Program Assessment Rating Tool. Pages S3466-68 Grassley/Dorgan Amendment No. 464, to limit farm payments to $250,000 per person per year and apply the savings to renewable energy/rural development, conservation, and nutrition. Pages S3482-83, S3488 Grassley Amendment No. 502, to ensure the appropriate use of funds provided for the Smithsonian Institution. Pages S3483-87 Baucus/Rockefeller Amendment No. 504, to affirm the Senate's commitment to the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Pages S3487-94 [[Page D372]] Cornyn Amendment No. 511, to provide a deficit-neutral reserve fund for the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that will cover kids first. Pages S3498-S3503 Hutchison Amendment No. 517, to provide tax equity for citizens of states which do not have a state income tax by providing for a permanent extension of the state and local sales tax deduction from federal income taxes, now scheduled to expire at the end of 2007. Pages S3506-12 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate continue consideration of the resolution at 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, March 22, 2007. Page S3545 Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination: W. Craig Vanderwagen, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services. Page S3545 Messages from the House: Page S3516 Measures Referred: Page S3516 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3517-18 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3519-34 Additional Statements: Pages S3515-16 Amendments Submitted: Pages S3534-44 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S3544-45 Privileges of the Floor: Page S3545 Record Votes: Seven record votes were taken today. (Total--88) Pages S3503, S3504, S3505, S3506 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:15 a.m., and adjourned at 7:52 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3545.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) 2007 FARM BILL Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the performance of the United States trade and food aid programs for the 2007 Farm Bill, after receiving testimony from Michael W. Yost, Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of Agriculture; William Hammink, Director, Office of Food for Peace, United States Agency for International Development; Thomas Melito, Director, International Affairs and Trade, Governmental Accountability Office; Charles Sandefur, Alliance for Food Aid, Washington, D.C.; Tim Hamilton, Food Export Association of the Midwest USA, McLean, Virginia, on behalf of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports; David Kauck, CARE USA, Richmond, Vermont; and Joel Nelsen, California Citrus Mutual, Exeter. APPROPRIATIONS: AIR FORCE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for Air Force, after receiving testimony from Michael W. Wynne, Secretary, and General T. Michael Moseley, Chief of Staff, USAF, both of the United States Air Force. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of Energy, after receiving testimony from Raymond L. Orbach, Under Secretary of Energy for Science. APPROPRIATIONS: THE JUDICIARY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the federal judiciary, after receiving testimony from Julia S. Gibbons, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit Chair of the Budget Committee of the Judicial Conference; and James C. Duff, Director, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. POLICY OPTIONS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces concluded a hearing to examine nuclear and strategic policy options, after receiving testimony from Robert L. Gallucci, Georgetown University Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Washington, D.C.; Sidney B. Drell, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California; and Keith B. Payne, Missouri State University Graduate Department of Defense and Strategic Studies, Fairfax, Virginia. IRAN SANCTIONS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine assessing the effectiveness of the current United States' sanctions on Iran relating to minimizing potential threats from Iran, after receiving testimony from R. Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs; Stuart Levey, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence; and [[Page D373]] Mark Foulon, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Consumer Product Safety Commission, after receiving testimony from Nancy A. Nord, Acting Chairman, and Thomas H. Moore, Commissioner, both of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission; Sally Greenberg, Consumers Union, Rachel Weintraub, Consumer Federation of America, and John C. Dean, National Association of State Fire Marshals, all of Washington, D.C.; and Frederick Locker, Toy Industry Association and Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, New York, New York, on behalf of the Consumer Product Safety Commission Coalition of the National Association of Manufacturers. GLOBAL WARMING Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee held a hearing to examine a perspective on global warming--an increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere, especially a sustained increase sufficient to cause climatic change, receiving testimony from former Vice President of the United States Al Gore. Hearing recessed subject to the call. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine an overview of Government Accountability Office assistance to Congressional oversight, focusing on past work, and future challenges and opportunities, after receiving testimony from David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office. LONG-TERM HEALTH IMPACTS OF 9/11 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine a review of treatment, diagnosis, and monitoring efforts, focusing on the long-term health impacts from September 11, after receiving testimony from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Edward Skyler, Deputy Mayor for Administration, Robin Herbert, World Trade Center (WTC) Medical Monitoring Program Data and Coordination Center at Mount Sinai, Kerry J. Kelly, New York City Fire Department Bureau of Health Services, Joan Reibman, Bellevue Hospital WTC Environmental Health Center, and Jeanne Mager Stellman, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, all of New York, New York; James Melius, New York State Laborers' Health and Safety Trust Fund, Albany; and Jeffrey L. Endean, Morris County Sheriff's Office, Succasunna, New Jersey. NATIONAL SECURITY LETTERS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the findings of the Inspector General of the improper use of the National Security Letters by the Federal Bureau of Investigation relating to the misuse of the Patriot Act powers, after receiving testimony from Glenn A. Fine, Inspector General, Department of Justice. IDENTITY THEFT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security concluded a hearing to examine recent developments involving the security of sensitive consumer information relating to identity theft and solutions for an evolving problem, including S. 238, to amend title 18, United States Code, to limit the misuse of Social Security numbers, to establish criminal penalties for such misuse, after receiving testimony from Ronald J. Tenpas, Associate Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice; Lydia B. Parnes, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission; Joanne McNabb, California Office of Privacy Protection, Sacramento; Jim Davis, University of California, Los Angeles; and Chris Jay Hoofnagle, University of California, Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 22 public bills, H.R. 1615- 1636; 1 private bill, H.R. 1637; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 96; and H. Res. 258-259 were introduced. Pages H2820-21 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2821-22 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: [[Page D374]] H.R. 545, to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to clarify that territories and Indian tribes are eligible to receive grants for confronting the use of methamphetamine, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-35, Pt. 2); Supplemental report on H.R. 1433, to provide for the treatment of the District of Columbia as a Congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives (H. Rept. 110-52, Pt. 3); H.R. 1195, to amend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to make technical corrections, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-62); H. Res. 260, providing for consideration of H.R. 1433, to provide for the treatment of the District of Columbia as a Congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives (H. Rept. 110-63); and H. Res. 261, providing for consideration of H.R. 1591, making emergency appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007 (H. Rept. 110-64). Pages H2819, H2820 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Schakowsky to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H2747 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Thomas McCarthy, St. Paul Catholic Church, Salem, OH. Page H2747 Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 1227, to assist in the provision of affordable housing to low- income families affected by Hurricane Katrina, by a recorded vote of 302 ayes to 125 noes, Roll No. 172. Consideration of the measure began on Tuesday, March 20th. Pages H2752-69 Agreed to the Jindal motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Financial Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a recorded vote of 249 ayes to 176 noes, with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 171. Subsequently, Representative Frank reported the bill back to the House with the amendments and the amendments were agreed to. Pages H2766-69 On a demand for a separate vote on a certain amendment agreed to in the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, March 20th: By a yea-and-nay vote of 242 yeas to 184 nays, Roll No. 170, agreed to the Al Green (TX) amendment (No. 5 printed in Part B of House Report 110-53) that extends FEMA housing assistance for evacuees of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma until December 31, 2007 and provides tenant- based rental assistance upon termination of FEMA housing assistance (agreed to in the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, March 20th). Pages H2765-66 Amendments offered in the Committee of the Whole today: Rejected: Neugebauer amendment (No. 6 printed in Part B of House Report 110-53) that sought to strike section 306 of the bill, which authorizes funds for eligible families to continue receiving voucher assistance after the termination of the Disaster Voucher Program (by a recorded vote of 185 ayes to 247 noes, Roll No. 168) and Pages H2752-59, H2763-64 Price (GA) amendment (No. 7 printed in Part B of House Report 110-53) that sought to strike section 103 of the bill, which eliminates the prohibition of use for match requirement (by a recorded vote of 93 ayes to 333 noes, Roll No. 169). Pages H2759-60, H2762-63, H2764 Certain words used in debate were objected to and, on request, were taken down and read at the Clerk's desk. The Chair found that the words were in violation of the spirit of debate and announced that the words would be stricken from the record and that the Member in question would not be allowed to proceed in debate for the remainder of the legislative day. Subsequently, Representative Frank moved that the Member in question be allowed to proceed in order on this day. Agreed to the Frank motion by a yea-and-nay vote of 265 yeas to 160 nays, Roll No. 167. Pages H2760-62 H. Res. 254, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Tuesday, March 20th. Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act: H.R. 327, amended, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 423 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 174; Pages H2772-78, H2785-86 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.''. Page H2786 Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act: H.R. 797, amended, to improve compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 424 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 175; Pages H2778-82, H2786-87 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve [[Page D375]] compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes, to provide for the use of the National Directory of New Hires for income verification purposes, to extend the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide an educational assistance allowance for qualifying work study activities, and to authorize the provision of bronze representations of the letter ``V'' for the graves of eligible individuals buried in private cemeteries in lieu of Government-provided headstones or markers.'' Page H2787 Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2007: H.R. 1284, to increase, effective as of December 1, 2007, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 418 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 176; Pages H2782-85, H2795 Judicial Disclosure Responsibility Act: H.R. 1130, to amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to extend the authority to withhold from public availability a financial disclosure report filed by an individual who is a judicial officer or judicial employee, to the extent necessary to protect the safety of that individual or a family member of that individual, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 415 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 177; and Pages H2787-88, H2795-96 Preventing Harassment through Outbound Number Enforcement (PHONE) Act of 2007: H.R. 740, to amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent caller ID spoofing, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 413 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 178. Pages H2790-93, H2796-97 Suspension--Failed: The House failed to agree to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act of 2007: H.R. 835, to reauthorize the programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing assistance for Native Hawaiians, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 262 yeas to 162 nays, Roll No. 173. Pages H2769-72, H2785 Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed until Thursday, March 22nd: Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2007: H.R. 545, amended, to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to clarify that territories and Indian tribes are eligible to receive grants for confronting the use of methamphetamine and Pages H2788-90 Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust: H. Con. Res. 66, to permit the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust. Pages H2793-95 Quorum Calls--Votes: Eight yea-and-nay votes and four recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2761-62, H2763-64, H2764, H2765-66, H2768, H2769, H2785, H2786, H2786-87, H2795, H2795-96, and H2796-97. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 1:05 a.m. Committee Meetings USDA'S RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing to review the USDA rural development programs and the agency's rural development proposal for the 2007 Farm Bill. Testimony was heard from Tom Dorr, Under Secretary, Rural Development, USDA; and public witnesses. COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing on NOAA. Testimony was heard from VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Administrator, NOAA, Department of Commerce. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Department of Justice Overview. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held a hearing on the Federal Judiciary. Testimony was heard from Julia Smith Gibbons, Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; and James C. Duff, Director, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on Enhancing Privacy and Civil Rights While Meeting Homeland Security Needs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Hugo Teufel III, Chief Privacy Officer; and Daniel Sutherland, Office Civil Rights and Liberties; and Linda [[Page D376]] Koontz, Director, Information Management Issues, GAO. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies held a hearing on Holocaust Museum/National Gallery of Art/Commission on Fine Arts/National Capital Planning Commission/ Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Testimony was heard from Sara Bloomfield, Director, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; Earl A. Powell III, Director, National Gallery of Arts and Chairman, Commission of Fine Arts; and Thomas Luebke, Secretary, Commission on Fine Arts; Patricia E. Gallagher, Executive Director, National Capital Planning Commission; and John Fowler, Executive Director, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. 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 Public Broadcasting. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Patricia Harris, President and CEO; Cheryl Halpern, Chairman, Board of Directors; and Kenneth A. Konz, Inspector General; Ken Stern, CEO, National Public Radio; and Paula Kerger, CEP, Public Broadcasting Service. MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS' AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs held a hearing on International Affairs Budget. Testimony was heard from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State. MILITARY COMMANDS BUDGET Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from the U.S. Strategic Command, Northern Command, Transportation Command, and Southern Command. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: GEN James E. Cartwright, USMC, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command; ADM Timothy J. Keating, USN, Command, NORAD and U.S. NORTHCOM; GEN Norton A. Schwartz, USAF, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command; and ADM James Stavridis, USN, Commander, U.S. Southern Command. DEFENSE COUNTERPROLIFERATION/COUNTERTERRORISM Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on Department of Defense counterproliferation, counterterrorism, and science and technology priorities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: John Young, Director, Defense Research and Engineering; James Tegnelia, Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Anthony J. Tether, Director, Defense Advanced Research Project Agency; Thomas H. Killion, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Army, Research and Technology; RADM William Landay III, USN, Chief of Naval Research; and Terry Jaggers, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Air Force, Science, Technology and Engineering, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Acquisition. CONCURRENT BUDGET RESOLUTION FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on the Budget: Ordered reported, as amended, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2008. ESEA REAUTHORIZATION Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on ESEA Reauthorization: Options for Improving NCLB's Measures of Progress. Testimony was heard from Peter McWalters, Commissioner, Department of Education, State of Rhode Island; Valerie A. Woodruff, Secretary of Education, State of Delaware; and public witnesses. CLIMATE CHANGE PERSPECTIVES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality and the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the Committee on Science and Technology held a joint hearing entitled ``Perspectives on Climate Change.'' Testimony was heard from former Vice President Al Gore, of TN; and a public witness. SHAREHOLDER VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PAY; COMMITTEE BUSINESS Committee on Financial Services: Began mark of H.R. 1257, Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act. Will continue tomorrow. The Committee also approved pending Committee business. [[Page D377]] DRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS THREAT Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a hearing on the Global Threat of Drug-Resistant TB: A Call to Action for World TB Day. Testimony was heard from Representative Engel; the following officials of the Department of State: Mark R. Dybul, Coordinator, Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator; and Kent R. Hill, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Global Health, U.S. Agency for International Development; Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject, Testimony was heard from Mario Raviglione, M.D., Director, Stop TB Department, Work Heath Organization. U.S.-PAKISTAN POLICY Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia held a hearing on U.S. Policy Toward Pakistan. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. SECURING LIQUID NATURAL GAS TANKERS Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``Securing LNG Tankers to Protect the Homeland.'' Testimony was heard from Jim Wells, Director, Energy, NRC, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; RADM Brian M. Salerno, USCG, Director, Inspection and Compliance, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security; and H. Keith Lesnick, Director, Office of Deepwater Post Licensing, Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation; J. Mark Robinson, Director, Office of Energy Projects, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy; and public witnesses. RADIATION DETECTION TECHNOLOGIES Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Countering the Nuclear Threat to the Homeland: Evaluating the Deployment of Radiation Detection Technologies.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office; and Jayson Ahern, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection. ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENAS--INVESTIGATION OF RECENT U.S. ATTORNEYS TERMINATION Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law approved a motion authorizing the Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary to issue subpoenas to the following individuals to secure testimony pursuant to the Committee's investigation concerning the recent termination of U.S. Attorneys and related subjects: D. Kyle Sampson; Karl Rove, Harriet Miers; William Kelley; and Scott Jennings. MORTGAGES IN URBAN AMERICA Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Domestic Policy held a hearing on Foreclosure, Predatory Mortgage and Payday Lending in America's Cities. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 7 to 4, a closed rule. The rule provides one hour and twenty minutes of general debate on H.R. 1433, District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007, with one hour equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary and twenty minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clauses 9 or 10 of Rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment printed in the report shall be considered as adopted. The rule waives all points of order against the bill, as amended, and provides that the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Conyers, Representatives Sensenbrenner, Issa, King of Iowa, Sessions, Rohrabacher, Flake, Bishop of Utah, and Price of Georgia. U.S. TROOPS READINESS, VETERANS' HEALTH AND IRAQ ACCOUNTABILITY ACT Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a closed rule. The rule provides 4 hours of general debate on H.R. 1591, U.S. Troops Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act, equally divided and controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member ofthe Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clauses 9 or 10 of Rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment printed in the report shall be considered as adopted. The rule waives all points of order against the bill, as amended, and provides that the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or [[Page D378]] without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Obey, Representatives Lynch, Waters, Woolsey, Lee, Watson, Jackson-Lee of Texas, Lewis of California, Kirk, Sessions, Hunter, Shays, McHugh, Flake, Wilson of South Carolina, Cole of Oklahoma, Gingrey, King of Iowa, and Kuhl. WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES FEDERAL CONTRACTING Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology held a hearing on Federal Government Efforts in Contracting with Women- Owned Businesses. Testimony was heard from Jovita Carranza, Deputy Administrator, SBA; Frank Spampinato, Chief Acquisition Officer, Department of Energy; Glenn Perry, Director, Contracts and Acquisitions Management, Department of Education; Thomas Luedtke, Assistant Administrator, NASA; and public witnesses. FAA FINANCING PROPOSAL Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on the Federal Aviation Administration's Financing Proposal. Testimony was heard from Representatives Tiahrt and Barrow; from the following officials of the Department of Transportation: Daniel K. Elwell, Assistant Administrator, Aviation Policy, Planning and Environment, FAA; and Calvin L. Scovel III, Inspector General; Gerald Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. KATRINA TAX RELIEF ACT; GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION ACT Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 1562, Katrina Housing Tax Relief Act of 2007; and H.R. 493, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the Medicare Advantage. Testimony was heard from Leslie V. Norwalk, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Mark Miller, Executive Director, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and Peter R. Orszag, Director, CBO. BRIEFINGS--HOT SPOTS FBI/CIA Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Hot Spots. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. The Committee also met in executive session to receive a briefing on FBI/CIA. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. F COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for military construction, 10 a.m., SD-124. Full Committee, business meeting to markup the Supplemental Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2007, 2 p.m., SD-106. Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine the United States Southern command, Northern command, and Joint Forces command in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2008 and the future years defense program, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Full Committee, to receive a closed briefing on the detention and judicial capacity in Iraq, 2 p.m., S-407, Capitol. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine causes and consequences relating to mortgage market turmoil, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, to hold hearings to examine the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) modernization, 9:30 a.m., SR- 253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the ``Future of Coal'' report recently published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: to receive testimony on ``Keeping America's Promise'' relating to health care and child welfare services for Native Americans, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Ford M. Fraker, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 10:30 a.m., SD-419. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine deconstructing reconstruction, focusing on problems, challenges, and the way forward in Iraq and Afghanistan, 10 a.m., SD-342. Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine a review of the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Office of the Special Counsel, focusing on the safeguarding of the merit systems principles in preparation for the consideration of the reauthorization of the two agencies, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine Indian housing, 9:45 a.m., SR-485. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider S. 376, to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, S. 849, to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), S. 236, to require reports to Congress on Federal agency use of data mining, S. 119, to prohibit profiteering and fraud relating to military action, relief, and reconstruction efforts, S. 888, to amend section 1091 of title 18, United States Code, to allow the prosecution of genocide in appropriate circumstances, S. 621, to establish commissions to review the facts and circumstances [[Page D379]] surrounding injustices suffered by European Americans, European Latin Americans, and Jewish refugees during World War II, and S. Res. 108, designating the first week of April 2007 as ``National Asbestos Awareness Week'' and to discuss the possibility of the issuance of certain subpoenas in the connection with investigation into the replacement of U.S. attorneys, 10 a.m., SD-226. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Conditions and Trends in Rural Communities, 10 a.m., and on Rural Development, 1 p.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, on DEA/Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 2 p.m., H-310 Capitol. Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies, on Department of Energy: Nuclear Nonproliferation, 10 a.m, 2362B Rayburn. Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, on Small Business Administration, 10 a.m., 2220 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, on Minerals Management Service/Office of Surface Mining, 9:30 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, on Library of Congress and Open World: Budget, 10 a.m, H-144 Capitol. Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies, on Army Budget, 2 p.m., H-143 Capitol. Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies, on FAA, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces and the Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces, hearing on Department of Defense Aircraft Programs, 2 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, hearing on the BP-Texas City Disaster and Worker Safety, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness, hearing on The Higher Education Act: Approaches to College Preparation, 1:30 p.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 518, International Solid Waste Importation and Management Act of 2007; and H.R. 493, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007, 2:30 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to continue hearings on The Adequacy of FDA Efforts to Assure the Safety of the Drug Supply, Part II, 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing entitled ``Oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and Innovations in Interoperability,'' 9 a.m., 2322 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to continue mark up of H.R. 1257, Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act, 9:30 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on Foreign Policy and National Security Implications of Oil Dependence, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, hearing on Prospects for Peace in Guinea, 2 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight and the Subcommittee on Europe, joint hearing on Polling Data on European Opinion of American Policies, Values and People, 3 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment, hearing entitled ``Over-classification and Pseudo-classification: The Impact on Information Sharing'', 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, hearing on Changing Tides: Exploring the Current State of Civil Rights Enforcement within the Department of Justice and an oversight hearing on the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, 10 a.m., 2237 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, hearing on Reforming Section 115, of the Copyright Act for the Digital Age, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 900, Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007; and H.R. 1230, Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 50, Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 465, Asian Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2007; and H.R. 1205, Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007, 4 p.m., 1334 Longworth. Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, hearing on NOAA Fiscal Year 2008 Budget, 2 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, hearing on FAA's Research and Development Budget Priorities for Fiscal Year 2008, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, hearing entitled ``The New Hidden Tax on Small Business,'' 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, hearing on Education Benefits for National Guard and Reserve members, 2 p.m., 349 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee Income Security and Family Support, hearing on Assistance for Elderly and Disabled Refugees, 12:30 p.m., B-318 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, hearing on the Alternative Minimum Tax, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, hearing on Counterintelligence, 1 p.m., H-405 Capitol. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. 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Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D380]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 22 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of S. Con. Res. 21, Budget Resolution. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, March 22 House Chamber Program for Thursday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Aderholt, Robert B., Ala., E604 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E600 Boyda, Nancy E., Kans., E605 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E601, E602 Butterfield, G.K., N.C., E593 Camp, Dave, Mich., E604 Cole, Tom, Okla., E608 Conaway, K. Michael, Tex., E604 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E600 Cubin, Barbara, Wyo., E593 Cummings, Elijah E., Md., E603 Davis, Danny K., Ill., E593, E595, E596, E597, E607 Davis, Tom, Va., E606, E607 Dicks, Norman D., Wash., E598, E607, E608 Doolittle, John T., Calif., E604 Frank, Barney, Mass., E602 Harman, Jane, Calif., E603 Hooley, Darlene, Ore., E609 Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E595 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E598 Kaptur, Marcy, Ohio, E601, E602 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E609 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E593 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E599 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E597 Lewis, Ron, Ky., E608 LoBiondo, Frank A., N.J., E607 McNulty, Michael R., N.Y., E603 Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E605 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E597 Meehan, Martin T., Mass., E606 Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E595, E608 Murphy, Patrick J., Pa., E606 Napolitano, Grace F., Calif., E601, E601, E602 Pomeroy, Earl, N.D., E593 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E606 Roskam, Peter J., Ill., E608 Shimkus, John, Ill., E594, E595, E596, E597 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E599 Souder, Mark E., Ind., E608 Tanner, John S., Tenn., E599 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E596 Velazquez, Nydia M., N.Y., E605 Waxman, Henry A., Calif., E594 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E598