Tuesday, May 22, 2007 [[Page D720]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S6417-S6494 Measures Introduced: Fifteen bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 15, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 1444-1452, and S. Res. 213. Pages S6461-62 Measures Reported: S. 294, to reauthorize Amtrak, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-67) S. 879, to amend the Sherman Act to make oil producing and exporting cartels illegal. (S. Rept. No. 110-68) S. 863, to amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency funds. (S. Rept. No. 110-69) H.R. 414, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 60 Calle McKinley, West in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, as the ``Miguel Angel Garcia Mendez Post Office Building''. H.R. 437, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 West Eisenhower Street in Rio Grande City, Texas, as the ``Lino Perez, Jr. Post Office''. H.R. 625, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4230 Maine Avenue in Baldwin Park, California, as the ``Atanacio Haro Marin Post Office''. H.R. 988, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside, California, as the ``Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post Office''. H.R. 1402, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 South Lecanto Highway in Lecanto, Florida, as the ``Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building''. 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''. Page S6461 Measures Passed: Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act Waiver: Senate passed S. 375, to waive application of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to a specific parcel of real property transferred by the United States to 2 Indian tribes in the State of Oregon. Page S6492 District of Columbia Home Rule Act Amendment: Senate passed H.R. 2080, to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to conform the District charter to revisions made by the Council of the District of Columbia relating to public education, clearing the measure for the President. Page S6492 Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education: Senate passed S. 33, to redesignate the Office for Vocational and Adult Education as the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education. Pages S6492-93 Measures Considered: Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Senate continued consideration of S. 1348, to provide for comprehensive immigration reform, and taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S6422-55 Rejected: By 31 yeas to 64 nays (Vote No. 174), Dorgan/Boxer Amendment No. 1153 (to Amendment No. 1150), to strike the Y nonimmigrant guestworker program. Pages S6434-54 Pending: Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Amendment No. 1150, in the nature of a substitute. Page S6422 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached proving for further consideration of the bill at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, May 23, 2007. Page S6493 Appointments: Senate National Security Working Group for the 110th Congress: The Chair announced, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to the provisions of S. Res. 105 (adopted April 13, 1989), as amended by S. Res. 149 (adopted October 5, 1993), as amended by Public Law 105-275 (adopted October 21, 1998), further amended by S. Res. 75 (adopted March 25, 1999), amended by S. Res. 383 (adopted October 27, 2000), and amended by S. Res. 355 (adopted November 13, 2002), and further amended by S. Res. 480 (adopted November 20, 2004), the appointment of the following Senators to serve as [[Page D721]] members of the Senate National Security Working Group for the 110th Congress: Senators Levin (Democratic Co-Chairman), Biden (Democratic Co-Chairman), Lautenberg (Democratic Co-Chairman), Kennedy, Dorgan, Durbin, Nelson (FL), Lieberman, and Byrd (Majority Administrative Co- Chairman). Pages S6491-92 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Anne Woods Patterson, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Diane Auer Jones, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, Department of Education. Jerome F. Kever, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Railroad Retirement Board for a term expiring August 28, 2008. Michael Schwartz, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Railroad Retirement Board for a term expiring August 28, 2012. Virgil M. Speakman, Jr., of Ohio, to be a Member of the Railroad Retirement Board for a term expiring August 28, 2009. Routine lists in the Foreign Service. Pages S6493-94 Messages from the House: Page S6459 Measures Referred: Page S6459 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S6459 Executive Communications: Pages S6459-61 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S6461 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S6462-63 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S6463-84 Additional Statements: Pages S6458-59 Amendments Submitted: Pages S6484-90 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S6490-91 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--174) Page S6454 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m., and adjourned at 6:30 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S6493.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: U.S. FOREST SERVICE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the United States Forest Service, after receiving testimony from Mark E. Rey, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, and Lenise Lago, Director, Forest Service Budget, both of the Department of Agriculture. AUTHORIZATION: DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower met in a closed session and approved for full committee consideration, those provisions which fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee, of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2008. AUTHORIZATION: DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Personnel met in a closed session and approved for full committee consideration, those provisions which fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee, of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2008. AUTHORIZATION: DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland met in a closed session and approved for full committee consideration, those provisions which fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee, of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2008. AUTHORIZATION: DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support met in a closed session and approved for full committee consideration, those provisions which fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee, of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2008. AUTHORIZATION: DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities met in a closed session and approved for full committee consideration, those provisions which fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee, of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2008. RAIL SAFETY AUTHORIZATION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security concluded a hearing to examine rail safety authorization, after receiving testimony from Senators Schumer and Clinton; Jo Strang, Associate Administrator for Safety, Federal Railroad Administration, and Kurt W. Hyde, Assistant Inspector General for Surface and Maritime Programs, both of the Department of [[Page D722]] Transportation; Robert L. Sumwalt, Vice-Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board; Katherine Siggerud, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office; and Edward R. Hamberger, Association of American Railroads, Edward Wytkind, AFL-CIO, and Richard F. Timmons, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, all of Washington, D.C. ENERGY BILLS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy concluded a hearing to examine S. 645, to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide an alternate sulfur dioxide removal measurement for certain coal gasification project goals, S. 838, to authorize funding for eligible joint ventures between United States and Israeli businesses and academic persons, to establish the International Energy Advisory Board, S. 1089, to amend the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act to allow the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects to hire employees more efficiently, S. 1203, to enhance the management of electricity programs at the Department of Energy, H.R. 85, to provide for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies, and H.R. 1126, to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, after receiving testimony from Drue Pearce, Federal Coordinator, Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, Department of the Interior; and David R. Hill, General Counsel, Department of Energy. CALIFORNIA WAIVER Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the case for the California waiver, focusing on California's pending request that the Environmental Protection Agency waive federal preemption for the state's greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles, after receiving testimony from California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown, Jr., Sacramento; Pete Grannis, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany; and Jonathan H. Adler, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Cleveland, Ohio. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of James R. Keith, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to Malaysia, Miriam K. Hughes, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, Hans G. Klemm, of Michigan, to be Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Cameron R. Hume, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, and Ravic Rolf Huso, of Hawaii, to be Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. FEMA REFORM Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine implementing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform, focusing on preparation for the 2007 hurricane season, after receiving testimony from Michael P. Jackson, Deputy Secretary, and R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, both of the Department of Homeland Security. MINE IMPROVEMENT AND NEW EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety concluded a hearing to examine the progress of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act, after receiving testimony from Jeffery L. Kohler, Associate Director for Mining and Construction Safety and Health Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; Dennis O' Dell, United Mine Workers of America, Fairfax, Virginia; S.L. Bessinger, BHP Billiton, Waterflow, New Mexico; and Bruce Watzman, National Mining Association, Washington, D.C. RESTORING HABEAS CORPUS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine restoring habeas corpus, focusing on protecting American values and the Great Writ, including the Military Commissions Act (Public Law 109- 366), S. 185, to restore habeas corpus for those detained by the United States, the Administrative Procedures Act, and the Detainee Treatment Act, after receiving testimony from Rear Admiral Donald J. Guter, (Ret.) USN, Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, Stanford Law School, Stanford, California; and David B. Rivkin, Jr., Baker and Hostetler LLP, Orin S. Kerr, George Washington University Law School, and William Howard Taft, IV, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson LLP, all of Washington, D.C. MINORITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee concluded a hearing to examine minority entrepreneurship, focusing on the effectiveness of Small Business Administration programs for the minority [[Page D723]] business community, after receiving testimony from Calvin Jenkins Deputy Associate Administrator for Government Contracting and Business Development, Small Business Administration; Jon S. Wainwright, National Economic Research Associates, Inc., Austin, Texas; Anthony W. Robinson, Minority Business Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Largo, Maryland; Bill M. Miera, Fiore Industries, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Fernando V. Galaviz, Small Businesses Association in Technology, Alexandria, Virginia. NOMINATION Committee on Veteran's Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of Michael K. Kussman, of Massachusetts, to be Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 28 public bills, H.R. 2419- 2446; 8 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 151-154; and H. Res. 426-428, 430 were introduced. Pages H5620-21 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H5621-23 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 957, to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand and clarify the entities against which sanctions may be imposed, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-163, Pt. 1); H.R. 65, to provide for the recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-164); and H. Res. 429, providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 1100 to revise the boundary of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in the State of North Carolina (H. Rept. 110-165). Pages H5585, H5619-20 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Israel to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H5535 Recess: The House recessed at 9:10 a.m. and reconvened at 10 a.m. Page H5536 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Honoring the Marquis de Lafayette on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of his birth: H. Res. 171, amended, to honor the Marquis de Lafayette on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of his birth; Pages H5539-42 Expressing the sympathy of the House of Representatives to the citizens of Greensburg, Kansas, over the devastating tornado of May 4, 2007: H. Res. 400, to express the sympathy of the House of Representatives to the citizens of Greensburg, Kansas, over the devastating tornado of May 4, 2007; Pages H5542-44 Recognizing the service of United States Merchant Marine veterans: H. Res. 413, to recognize the service of United States Merchant Marine veterans; Pages H5544-47 Authorizing the printing of a commemorative document in memory of the late President of the United States, Gerald Rudolph Ford: H. Con. Res. 128, to authorize the printing of a commemorative document in memory of the late President of the United States, Gerald Rudolph Ford; Pages H5547-48 Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2007: H.R. 1525, amended, to amend title 18, United States Code, to discourage spyware; Pages H5548-51 Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2007: H.R. 1615, amended, to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for aiming laser pointers at airplanes; Pages H5551-53 Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act of 2007: S. 214, to amend chapter 35 of title 28, United States Code, to preserve the independence of United States attorneys, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 306 yeas to 114 nays, Roll No. 397--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H5553-56, H5580-81 Amending the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal: H.R. 2264, amended, to amend the Sherman Act to make oil- producing and exporting cartels illegal, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 345 yeas to 72 nays, Roll No. 398; Pages H5556-60, H5581-82 Increasing the number of Iraqi and Afghani translators and interpreters who may be admitted to the United States as special immigrants: S. 1104, amended, to increase the number of Iraqi and [[Page D724]] Afghani translators and interpreters who may be admitted to the United States as special immigrants, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 412 yeas to 8 nays, Roll No. 399; and Pages H5572-76, H5582 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To increase the number of Iraqi and Afghani translators and interpreters who may be admitted to the United States as special immigrants, and for other purposes.'' Page H5582 Amending the Immigration and Nationality Act and title 18, United States Code, to combat the crime of alien smuggling and related activities: H.R. 2399, amended, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and title 18, United States Code, to combat the crime of alien smuggling and related activities, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 412 yeas with none voting ``nay'' and 6 voting ``present'', Roll No. 400. Pages H5576-80, H5582-83 Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 1427, amended, to reform the regulation of certain housing-related Government-sponsored enterprises by a recorded vote of 313 ayes to 104 noes, Roll No. 396. Consideration of the bill began on Thursday, May 17th. Pages H5560-72 Rejected the Cantor 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 182 ayes to 232 noes, Roll No. 395. Pages H5569-71 On a demand for a separate vote on a certain amendment agreed to in the Committee of the Whole: By a recorded vote of 383 ayes to 36 noes, Roll No. 394, agreed to the Neugebauer amendment (No. 4 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was debated on Thursday, May 17th, that gives the regulator the authority to limit the size of growth of a GSEs portfolio only to specifically address the safety and soundness concerns with respect to the institution (agreed to in the Committee of the Whole on May 17th by voice vote). Page H5569 Earlier, agreed to amendments in the Committee of the Whole: Agreed to: Price (GA) amendment (No. 8 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was debated on Thursday, May 17th, that prevents illegal immigrants from owning or renting housing built by funds from the affordable housing fund by requiring adult occupants of that housing to establish their legal residency through the use of secure forms of identification (by a recorded vote of 235 ayes to 188 noes, Roll No. 387) and Pages H5562-63 Doolittle amendment (No. 19 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was debated on Thursday, May 17th, that prohibits all three mortgage lending government-sponsored enterprises (GSE's) from obtaining primary residential mortgages being granted to any person who does not have a valid Social Security number (by a recorded vote of 217 ayes to 205 noes, Roll No. 391). Pages H5565-66 Rejected: Feeney modified amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was debated on Thursday, May 17th, that sought to strike low income housing grants from the affordable housing fund and inserts housing assistance provisions for the areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, strike language outlining affordable housing grant formulas for Indian tribal members and directs funds to be allocated ``based on the formula used for the Continuum of Care competition of the Department of Housing and Urban Development'', and insert language requiring that affordable housing grants after 2007 be reserved only for rental housing voucher assistance in accordance with the Housing act of 1937 (by a recorded vote of 174 ayes to 246 noes, Roll No. 386); Pages H5561-62 Sessions amendment (No. 10 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was debated on Thursday, May 17th, that sought to require the Director of the new GSE Regulator to provide information to mortgage originators about any added mortgage costs to consumers associated with the new Housing Fund; in turn, originators would have to furnish this written information to homebuyers at or before closing to qualify their mortgages for purchase, service, holding, lending on the security of or selling by the GSE's (by a recorded vote of 183 ayes to 240 noes, Roll No. 388); Pages H5563-64 Brady (TX) amendment (No. 34 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was debated on Thursday, May 17th, that sought to redistribute the affordable housing grants for use in disaster areas from a ratio of 75% for Louisiana and 25% for Mississippi to create 10% for Texas by taking 5% each from the allotment for Louisiana and Mississippi (by a recorded vote of 163 ayes to 260 noes, Roll No. 389); Pages H5564-65 Price (GA) amendment (No. 9 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was debated on Thursday, May 17th, that sought to require the director of a GSE to study and certify to Congress that its contributions to the affordable housing fund wouldn't contribute to its financial instability or impair its safety and soundness (by a recorded vote of 180 ayes to 243 noes, Roll No. 390); Page H5565 Hensarling amendment (No. 30 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was debated on Thursday, May 17th, that sought to strike the [[Page D725]] Affordable Housing Trust Fund budgetary placeholder language in the bill (by a recorded vote of 155 ayes to 263 noes, Roll No. 392); and Pages H5566-67 Neugebauer amendment (No. 1 printed in the Congressional Record of May 14th) that was debated on Thursday, May 17th, that pertained to allocations of amounts by enterprise (by a recorded vote of 164 ayes to 256 noes, Roll No. 393). Pages H5567-68 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H5586 H. Res. 404, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Thursday, May 17th. Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated on Monday, May 21st: Leonard W. Herman Post Office Designation Act: H.R. 1722, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 601 Banyan Trail in Boca Raton, Florida, as the ``Leonard W. Herman Post Office'' by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 417 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 401. Pages H5583-84 Privileged Resolution: The House agreed to table H. Res. 428, relating to a question of the privileges of the House, by a recorded vote of 219 ayes to 189 noes, with 13 voting ``present'', Roll No. 402. Pages H5584-85 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H5536. Senate Referrals: S. 254 was referred to the Committee on Financial Services. Page H5618 Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes and twelve recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H5561-62, H5562-63, H5563-64, H5564-65, H5565, H5565-66, H5567, H5567-68, H5569, H5571, H5571-72, H5580-81, H5581-82, H5582, H5582-83, H5583-84, and H5584-85. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 10:23 p.m. Committee Meetings 2007 FARM BILL Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research approved for full Committee action H.R. 2419, Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007. MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee action the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations for fiscal year 2008. IRAQI SECURITY FORCE TRAINING Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on training of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and employment of transition teams. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Peter Velz, Office of the Secretary, Iraq Directorate; and BG Michael D. Jones, USA, Deputy Director, Politico-Military Affairs (Middle East), J5, The Joint Staff. FEDERAL-STATE HEALTH CARE COORDINATION Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions held a hearing on Health Care Reform: Recommendations to Improve Coordination of Federal and State Initiatives. Testimony was heard from Representatives Tierney, Price of Georgia, and Baldwin; John Colmers, Secretary, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, State of Maryland; Steven Goldman, Commissioner, Department of Banking and Insurance, State of New Jersey; John Morrison, Auditor and Commissioner of Insurance and Securities, State of Montana; and public witnesses. PEDIATRIC THERAPIES SAFETY AND INNOVATION Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Programs Affecting Safety and Innovation in Pediatric Therapies.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: RADM Sandra L. Kweder, USN, M.D., Deputy Director, Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA; and Donald Mattison, M.D., Chief Obstetric and Pediatric Pharmacology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health; Marcia Crosse, Director, Health Care Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. GASOLINE PRICES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Gasoline Prices, Oil Company Profits, and the American Consumer.'' Testimony was heard from William E. Kovacic, Commissioner, FTC; Guy F. [[Page D726]] Caruso, Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy; Thomas J. McCool, Director, Center for Economics, Applied Research and Methods, GAO; Stanley F. Pruss, Deputy Director, Department of Environmental Quality, State of Michigan; and public witnesses. WORLD BANK COMBATING GLOBAL POVERTY Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``The Role and Effectiveness of the World Bank in Combating Global Poverty.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. IRAQ: IS RECONSTRUCTION FAILING? Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on Iraq: Is Reconstruction Failing? Testimony was heard from Stuart W. Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. AFRICA DEBT RELIEF Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a hearing on Vulture Funds and the Threat to Debt Relief in Africa: A Call to Action at the G8 and Beyond. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FEDERAL GULF COAST REBUILDING EFFORTS Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing on The Role of the Department of Homeland Security in Gulf Coast Rebuilding and Recovery Efforts. Testimony was heard from Bryan McDonald, Director, Office of Recovery and Renewal, State of Mississippi; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--INTERNET TAX FREEDOM ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Laws held an oversight hearing on the Internet Tax Freedom Act: Internet Tax Moratorium. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1943, Stop AIDS in Prison Act of 2007; and H.R. 1199, Drug Endangered Children Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Representative Cardoza; RADM Newton E. Kendig, M.D., USN, Assistant Director, Health Services Division, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice; Devon Brown, Director, Department of Corrections, District of Columbia; and public witnesses. IMMIGRATION REFORM Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law held a hearing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Perspectives from Faith-Based and Immigration Communities. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. CARL SANDBURG HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE BOUNDARY REVISION ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate on H.R. 1100, Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Boundary Revision Act of 2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. All points of order against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute are waived except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report. The amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against the amendments except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are waived. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representatives Grijalva and Shuler. FEDERAL RAILROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2007 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 2095, Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007. [[Page D727]] COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on the Challenges Facing the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Testimony was heard from William P. Greene, Jr., Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; James P. Terry, Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans' organizations. MEDICARE FEE-FOR-SERVICE PLANS Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medicare Advantage Private Fee-For-Service Plans. Testimony was heard from Abby L. Block, Center for Beneficiary Choice, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Sean Dilweg, Commissioner of Insurance, State of Wisconsin; and public witnesses. GLOBAL WARMING--ECONOMIC IMPACTS Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing entitled ``Economic Impacts of Global Warming: Green Collar Jobs.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. Joint Meetings GAO REFORMS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia concluded a joint hearing with the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia to examine Government Accountability Office Personnel reforms, focusing on expectations, after receiving testimony from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, Ann Wagner, General Counsel, Personnel Appeals Board, Ronald Stroman, Managing Director, Office of Opportunity and Inclusiveness, Office of the General Counsel, Barry J. Seltser, former Director, Center for Design, Newton, Massachusetts, and Janice M. Reece, former General Council, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, all of the Government Accountability Office; Curtis Copeland, and Jon Shimabukuro, both of the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; Jane K. Weizmann, Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Arlington, Virginia; Charles H. Fay, Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations, Piscataway, New Jersey; Max Stier, Partnership for Public Service, Washington, D.C.; and Greg Junemann, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Silver Spring, Maryland. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, closed business meeting to markup those provisions which fall under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, 11:30 a.m., SR-222. Full Committee, closed business meeting to markup the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, 2:30 p.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Security and International Trade and Finance, to hold hearings to examine United States economic relations with China, focusing on strategies and options on exchange rates and market access, 2:30 p.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine communications, taxation and federalism, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: business meeting to consider S. 126, to modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park, S. 175, to provide for a feasibility study of alternatives to augment the water supplies of the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District and cities served by the District, S. 324, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the State of New Mexico, S. 542, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies to address certain water shortages within the Snake, Boise, and Payette River systems in the State of Idaho, S. 553, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, S. Con. Res. 6, expressing the sense of Congress that the National Museum of Wildlife Art, located in Jackson, Wyoming, should be designated as the ``National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States'', S. 580, to amend the National Trails System Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to update the feasibility and suitability studies of four national historic trails, S. 637, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Chattahoochee Trace National Heritage Corridor in Alabama and Georgia, S. 686, to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Washington- Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historical Trail, S. 797, to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Star-Spangled Banner Trail in the States of Maryland and Virginia and the District of Columbia as a National Historic Trail, S. 890, to provide for certain administrative and support services for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, S. 1037, to authorize the Secretary [[Page D728]] of the Interior to assist in the planning, design, and construction of the Tumalo Irrigation District Water Conservation Project in Deschutes County, Oregon, S. 1110, to amend the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to provide for the conjunctive use of surface and ground water in Juab County, Utah, S. 1139, to establish the National Landscape Conservation System, S. 1152, to promote wildland firefighter safety, S. 1281, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain rivers and streams of the headwaters of the Snake River System as additions to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, H.R. 161, to adjust the boundary of the Minidoka Internment National Monument to include the Nidoto Nai Yoni Memorial in Bainbridge Island, Washington, H.R. 235, to allow for the renegotiation of the payment schedule of contracts between the Secretary of the Interior and the Redwood Valley County Water District, H.R. 247, to designate a Forest Service trail at Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest in the State of Oregon as a national recreation trail in honor of Jim Weaver, a former Member of the House of Representatives, H.R. 276, to designate the Piedras Blancas Light Station and the surrounding public land as an Outstanding Natural Area to be administered as a part of the National Landscape Conservation System, and for other purposes, H.R. 376, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of including the battlefields and related sites of the First and Second Battles of Newtonia, Missouri, during the Civil War as part of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield or designating the battlefields and related sites as a separate unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes, H.R. 482, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to transfer ownership of the American River Pump Station Project, and certain other pending calendar business and nominations, 11:30 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine funding Social Security's administrative costs, focusing on the budget resolution, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, to hold hearings to examine rising crime in the United States, focusing on the federal role in helping communities prevent and respond to violent crime, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine S. 1257, to provide the District of Columbia a voting seat and the State of Utah an additional seat in the House of Representatives, focusing on ending taxation without representation, 1:30 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine health care legislation, 9:30 a.m., SD-562. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, to mark up appropriations for fiscal year 2008, 11 a.m., 2362 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, to mark up appropriations for fiscal year 2008, 3 p.m., B-308 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to consider the following: H.R. 180, Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007; H.R. 2347, Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007; H.R. 1851, Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007; H.R. 1980, Housing Assistance Council Authorization Act of 2007; H.R. 1982, Rural Housing and Economic Development Act of 2007; HR. 2139, FHA Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of 2007; and pending Committee business, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, to mark up the following legislation: H.R. 885, International Nuclear Fuel for Peace and Nonproliferation Act 2007; Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2007; International Climate Cooperation Re-Engagement Act of 2007; S. 676, To provide that the Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank or the Alternate Executive Director of the Inter- American Development Bank may serve on the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation; H. Con. Res. 21, Calling on the United Nations Security Council to charge Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the United National Charter because of his calls for the destruction of the State of Israel; H. Con. Res. 80, Calling on the Government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to recommit to a political solution to the conflict in northern Uganda and to recommence vital peace talks, and urging immediate and substantial support for the ongoing peace process from the United States and the international community; H. Res. 137, Honoring the life and six decades of public service of Jacob Birnbaum and especially his commitment freeing Soviet Jews from religious, cultural and communal extinction; H. Res. 233, Recognizing over 200 years of sovereignty of the Principality of Liechtenstein, and expressing support for efforts by the United States continue to strengthen its relationship with that country; H. Res. 295, Recognizing the strong alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States and expressing appreciation to the Republic of Korea for its efforts in the global war against terrorism; a resolution relating to the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War and the reunification of the City of Jerusalem; H. Res. 395, Supporting the ideals and values of the Olympic movement; H. Res. 397, Condemning violence in Estonia and attacks on Estonia's embassies in 2007, and expressing solidarity with the Government and the people of Estonia; H. Res. 412, Expressing gratitude to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, for their State Visit to the United States and reaffirming the friendship that exists between the United States and the United Kingdom; H. Res. 418, Recognizing and welcoming the delegation of Presidents, Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean to Washington, D.C., and commending the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for holding the Conference on the Caribbean; and a resolution calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. [[Page D729]] Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia, hearing on U.S. Assistance to the Palestinians, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing entitled ``Reducing Threats to Our Nation's Agriculture: Authorizing a Bio and Agro-Defense Facility,'' 1 p.m., 31l Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, hearing to continue investigation into the U.S. Attorneys Controversy and Related Matters, 10:15 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law, to continue hearings on Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Becoming Americans--U.S. Immigrant Integration, 5:30 p.m., 2226 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, hearing on the Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, hearing on Achievements and Opportunities for Climate Protection under the Montreal Protocol, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, hearing on Weaponizing Space: Is Current U.S. Policy Protecting Our National Security? 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Rules, to consider H.R. 2316, Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, 3 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Science and Technology, to consider the following: H.R. 364, To provide for the establishment of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy; H.R. 1467, 10,000 Trained by 2010 Act; H.R. 1716, Green Energy Education Act of 2007; and H.R. 632, H-Prize Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 2359, SBA Entrepreneurial Development Programs Act of 2007; H.R. 2366, SBA Veterans' Programs Act of 2007; H.R. 2284, To amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance provided by Small Business Development Centers to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; H.R. 2397, SBA Women's Business Programs Act of 2007; and H.R. 2389, Small Energy Efficient Businesses Act, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to consider the following: H.R. 2011, To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 100 East 8th Avenue in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as the ``George Howard, Jr., Federal Building and United States Courthouse;'' H. Res. 400, Expressing the sympathy of the House of Representative to the citizens of Greensburg, Kansas, over the devastating tornado of May 4, 2007; General Services Administration Capital Investment Resolutions; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Survey Resolutions, and other pending business, 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means, hearing on IRS's Private Debt Collection, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on Hot Spots, 8:45 a.m., H-405 Capitol. Joint Meetings Joint Economic Committee: to hold hearings to examine the United States petroleum industry, focusing on potentially harmful conditions for consumers, 10 a.m., SH-216. 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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 D730]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 23 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: Senate will be in a period of morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes). Senate will continue consideration of S. 1348, Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 23 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of the following suspensions: (1) H. Res. 392--Urging Americans and people of all nationalities to visit the American Cemeteries, Memorials and Markers; (2) H.R. 67--Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007; (3) H.R. 1660--To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado region; (4) H.R. 612--Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007; (5) H.R. 1470-- Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act; (6) H.R. 2199-- Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007; and (7) H.R. 2239--Early Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits Act. Consideration of H.R. 1100--Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Boundary Revision Act of 2007 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Bishop, Rob, Utah, E1118 Boehner, John A., Ohio, E1115 Brady, Robert A., Pa., E1111 Calvert, Ken, Calif., E1111, E1117 Camp, Dave, Mich., E1116 Capito, Shelley Moore, W.Va., E1111 Carson, Julia, Ind., E1113 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E1120 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1116 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E1112 Fortenberry, Jeff, Nebr., E1114 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E1115 Jindal, Bobby, La., E1117 Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E1113 Kind, Ron, Wisc., E1116 McGovern, James P., Mass., E1116 McHugh, John M., N.Y., E1118 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1120, E1121 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E1119, E1121 Moran, James P., Va., E1122 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E1120 Paul, Ron, Tex., E1113 Pence, Mike, Ind., E1113 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1112 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E1117, E1117 Sanchez, Loretta, Calif., E1111 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E1121 Stearns, Cliff, Fla., E1115 Udall, Mark, Colo., E1118 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E1119 Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E1115 Weldon, Dave, Fla., E1113