Tuesday, June 26, 2007 [[Page D901]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S8377-S8522 Measures Introduced: Eight bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1693-1700, and S. Res. 255-257. Pages S8411-12 Measures Reported: S. 185, to restore habeas corpus for those detained by the United States. (S. Rept. No. 110-90) S. 1696, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. (S. Rept. No. 110-91) S. 1538, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-92) S. 126, to modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park, with an amendment. (S. Rept. No. 110-93) 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. Rept. No. 110-94) 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. Rept. No. 110-95) S. 686, to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historical Trail. (S. Rept. No. 110-96) S. 890, to provide for certain administrative and support services for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-97) 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, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-98) S. 1152, to promote wildland firefighter safety, with an amendment. (S. Rept. No. 110-99) 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. Rept. No. 110-100) H.R. 161, to adjust the boundary of the Minidoka Internment National Monument to include the Nidoto Nai Yoni Memorial in Bainbridge Island, Washington, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-101) 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. (S. Rept. No. 110-102) H.R. 497, to authorize the Marion Park Project, a committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion. (S. Rept. No. 110-103) H.R. 512, to establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of the National Museum of the American Latino to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, DC. (S. Rept. No. 110-104) H.R. 658, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements to protect natural resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative efforts on land inside and outside of units of the National Park System. (S. Rept. No. 110-105) H.R. 1047, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum located in St. Louis, Missouri, as a unit of the National Park System. (S. Rept. No. 110-106) Pages S8409-10 [[Page D902]] Measures Passed: Condemning Violence in Zimbabwe: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 25, condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society. Pages S8519-20 International Emergency Economic Powers Enhancement Act: Senate passed S. 1612, to amend the penalty provisions in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Page S8520 Salazar (for Dodd) Amendment No. 1947, to modify the effective date provision. Page S8520 National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 225, designating the month of August 2007 as ``National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month''. Pages S8520-21 National Teen Safe Driver Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 230, designating the month of July 2007, as ``National Teen Safe Driver Month''. Page S8521 National Boating Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 235, designating July 1, 2007, as ``National Boating Day''. Page S8521 National Aphasia Awareness Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 256, designating June 2007 as ``National Aphasia Awareness Month'' and supporting efforts to increase awareness of aphasia. Page S8521 Congratulating the University of California at Los Angeles: Senate agreed to S. Res. 257, congratulating the University of California at Los Angeles for becoming the first university to win 100 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I team titles. Pages S8521-22 Employee Free Choice Act: Senate continued consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 800, to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts. Pages S8378-98 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 51 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 227), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Page S8398 Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Senate resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 1639, to provide for comprehensive immigration reform, and pursuant to the order of June 21, 2007, the motion was agreed to, and Senate began consideration of the bill, taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S8378-98, S8403-04 Pending: Reid Amendment No. 1934, of a perfecting nature. Pages S8403-04 A motion was entered to close further debate on the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Thursday, June 28, 2007. Page S8398 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 64 yeas to 35 nays (Vote No. 228), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Page S8398 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10 a.m., on Wednesday, June 27, 2007. Page S8522 Messages from the House: Page S8408 Measures Referred: Page S8408 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S8408 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S8408 Executive Communications: Page S8408-09 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S8410-11 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S8412-14 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S8414-19 Additional Statements: Pages S8406-08 Amendments Submitted: Pages S8419-73 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S8473 Privileges of the Floor: Page S8473 Text of H.R. 6 as previously passed: Pages S8473-S8519 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--228) Page S8398 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:06 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 27, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S8522.) [[Page D903]] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies approved for full committee consideration an original bill making appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. APPRORIATIONS: ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development approved for full committee consideration an original bill making appropriations for Energy and Water Development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. JOINT IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE DEFEAT ORGANIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing to discuss the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) from General Montgomery C. Meigs, USA (Ret.), Director, Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, United States Army, Department of Defense. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 1538, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, with amendments; and The nominations of Preston M. Geren, of Texas, to be Secretary of the Army, Michael G. Vickers, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, Thomas P. D'Agostino, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, Department of Energy, Vice Adm. Eric T. Olson, USN to be admiral and Commander, U.S. Special Operations, Douglas E. Lute, USA to be lieutenant general and Assistant to the President/ Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan and 2,834 nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. MORTGAGE ABUSE Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development concluded a hearing to examine ending mortgage abuse, focusing on safeguarding homebuyers, after receiving testimony from David Berenbaum, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Anthony M. Yezer, George Washington University Department of Economics, John M. Robbins, Mortgage Bankers Association, Pat V. Combs, National Association of Realtors, and Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, all of Washington, D.C.; Denise Leonard, Constitution Financial Group Inc., Wakefield, Massachusetts, on behalf of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers; Alan E. Hummel, Saint Paul, Minnesota, on behalf of sundry organizations; and Michael D. Calhoun, Center for Responsible Lending, Durham, North Carolina. HEALTH CARE AND THE BUDGET Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a hearing to examine health care and the federal budget, focusing on the Healthy Americans Act and other options for reform, after receiving testimony from Senators Wyden and Bennett; Len Nichols, New America Foundation, Washington, D.C.; Sara R. Collins, Commonwealth Fund, New York, New York; and Arnold Milstein, Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH), San Francisco, California. MEDIA VIOLENCE Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the impact of media violence on children, after receiving testimony from Timothy F. Winter, Parents Television Council, Alexandria, Virginia; Peter Liguori, Fox Broadcasting Company, Los Angeles, California; Dale Kunkel, University of Arizona Department of Communication, Tucson; Jeff J. McIntyre, American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.; and Laurence H. Tribe, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, on behalf of the Ad Hoc Media Coalition. WILDFIRE SEASON AND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the preparedness of the federal land management agencies for the 2007 wildfire season and efforts to contain the costs of wildfire management activities, after receiving testimony from Mark Rey, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and the Environment; C. Stephen Allred, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management; and Robin M. Nazzaro, Director, Natural Resources and the Environment, Government Accountability Office. [[Page D904]] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION GOVERNANCE REFORM Committee on Rules and Administration: Committee concluded a hearing to examine Smithsonian Institution governance reform, focusing on a report by the Smithsonian's Independent Review Committee, after receiving testimony from Representative Matsui; and Charles Bowsher, Independent Review Committee, Roger W. Sant, Executive Committee Board of Regents, Cristian Samper, Acting Secretary, and Diana Aviv, Governance Committee, all of the Smithsonian Institution. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 1662, to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to reauthorize the venture capital program, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute (as approved by the committee, the substitute amendment incorporates provisions of S. 1663); and S. 1671, to reauthorize and improve the entrepreneurial development programs of the Small Business Administration, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 1547, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, with amendments; and S. 1548, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, with amendments. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to the call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 17 public bills, H.R. 2857- 2873; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 175; and H. Res. 518-519; were introduced. Pages H7201-02 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H7202-03 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Report on the Revised Suballocation of Budget Allocations for Fiscal Year 2008 (H. Rept. 110-212) and H. Res. 517, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2829) making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-213). Page H7201 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Sires to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H7079 Recess: The House recessed at 9:07 a.m. and reconvened at 10 a.m. Page H7079 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008: The House began consideration of H.R. 2643, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Further consideration is expected to resume tomorrow, June 27th. Pages H7087-H7197 Agreed by unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 2643 in the Committee of the Whole pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 514, no further amendment to the bill will be in order except those provided on a list at the desk. Pages H7134-35 Agreed to: Hastings (FL) amendment (No. 16 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that redirects $1 million within the Operation of the National Park System account; Pages H7100-01 Weiner amendment (No. 32 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that increases funding, by offset, for the Operation of the National Park System by $1 million; Pages H7101-02 Shays amendment (No. 32 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that redirects $1 million within the Operation of Indian Programs account; Pages H7105-06 Dicks amendment (No. 14 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that increases [[Page D905]] funding, by offset, for State and Tribal Assistance Grants by $30 million; Pages H7106-07 Cannon amendment that decreases funding for the Office of the Secretary (Bureau of Indian Affairs) by $23,148,000 and increases funding for Department-Wide Programs by $20,148,000; Pages H7107-08 McHugh amendment (No. 25 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that redirects $1 million in funding for Science and Technology under the Environmental Protection Agency account; Pages H7125-26 Price (GA) amendment that redirects $3,884,000 million in funding within Science and Technology under the Environmental Protection Agency account; Pages H7126-27 Jindal amendment (No. 21 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that redirects $2.5 million in funding for Environmental Programs and Management; Pages H7129-30 LoBiondo amendment (No. 24 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that redirects $1 million in funding regarding Toxic Substances and Environmental Public Health; Pages H7139-42 Bishop (UT) amendment that prohibits funds from being used to condemn land; Page H7145 Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment (No. 20 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used to eliminate or restrict programs that are for the reforestation of urban areas; Pages H7148-50 Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment (No. 19 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used to limit outreach programs administered by the Smithsonian Institution; Pages H7170-72 Harman amendment (No. 31 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used to purchase light bulbs unless the light bulbs have the ``ENERGY STAR'' or ``Federal Energy Management Program'' designation; Page H7185 Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) amendment (No. 7 printed in the Congressional Record of June 13, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used to promulgate or implement the Environmental Protection Agency proposed regulations published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2007 (by a recorded vote of 252 ayes to 178 noes, Roll No. 556); and Pages H7145-48, H7192-93 Andrews amendment that prohibits funds from being used to plan, design, study, or construct, for the purpose of harvesting timber by private entities or individuals, a forest development road in the Tongass National Forest (by a recorded vote of 283 ayes to 145 noes, Roll No. 563). Pages H7177-80, H7197 Rejected: Bishop (UT) amendment that sought to reduce funding for land acquisition under the Bureau of Land Management by $17,015,000; Pages H7096-97 Peterson (PA) amendment that sought to include areas within 100 miles of the coastline under the President's moratorium statement of June 12, 1998 and to include areas within 100 miles of the coastline in the funding restrictions regarding oil and natural gas preleasing activities; Pages H7121-23 Gingrey en bloc amendment that sought to strike provisions relating to the Commission on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and to strike the $50 million appropriated for such commission; Pages H7127-29 Bishop (UT) amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being made available through a grant to any Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) organization who is a party to a lawsuit against the dispensing agency; Page H7148 Gary G. Miller (CA) amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being obligated or expended to conduct the San Gabriel Watershed and Mountains Special Resource Study in the cities of Diamond Bar, La Habra, Industry, Chino Hills, and the community of Rowland Heights in Los Angeles County, California; Pages H7180-82 King (IA) amendment that sought to increase funds by $100,000,000 for the Operation of the National Park System and reduce funds for the EPA by $163,000,000 (by a recorded vote of 156 ayes to 274 noes, Roll No. 551); Pages H7102-03, H7188 Peterson (PA) amendment that sought to insert language on page 50, line 3, after the period and page 50, line 7, after the period stating ``The preceding sentence shall not apply with respect to natural gas offshore preleasing, leasing, and related activities beyond 25 miles from the coastline'' (by a recorded vote of 196 ayes to 233 noes, Roll No. 552); Pages H7113-21, H7189 Conaway amendment that sought to strike section 104 regarding the conduct of offshore preleasing, leasing and relative activities and section 105 regarding funds to conduct oil and natural gas preleasing, leasing and related activities in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic (by a recorded vote of 167 ayes to 264 noes, Roll No. 553); Pages H7123-25, H7190-91 Bishop (UT) amendment that sought to increase funding by $13 million for Forest and Rangeland Research and decrease funding by $31,588,000 for [[Page D906]] Grants and Adminstration under the National Endowment for the Arts (by a recorded vote of 156 ayes to 270 noes, Roll No. 554); Pages H7132-34, H7191 Barton (TX) amendment that sought to strike section 501 (relating to global climate change) (by a recorded vote of 153 ayes to 274 noes, Roll No. 555); Pages H7143-45, H7191-92 Dent amendment (No. 13 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used to implement, administer, or enforce section 20(b)(1) of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (by a recorded vote of 194 ayes to 236 noes, Roll No. 557); Pages H7150-51, H7193 Pearce amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds for the continued operation of the Mexican Wolf Recovery program (by a recorded vote of 172 ayes to 258 noes, Roll No. 558); Pages H7152-70, H7193-94 Hensarling amendment (No. 34 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that sought to prohibit the use of funds for the Clover Bend Historic Site (by a recorded vote of 98 ayes to 331 noes, Roll No. 559); Pages H7172-73, H7194-95 Hensarling amendment (No. 44 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the St. Joseph's College Theater (by a recorded vote of 97 ayes to 328 noes, Roll No. 560); Pages H7173-75, H7195 Hensarling amendment (No. 56 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Maverick Concert Hall (by a recorded vote of 114 ayes to 316 noes, Roll No. 561); and Pages H7175-76, H7195-96 Hensarling amendment (No. 74 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Bremerton Public Library (by a recorded vote of 98 ayes to 333 noes, Roll No. 562). Pages H7176-77, H7196-97 Withdrawn: Lamborn amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to increase funding for Department-Wide Programs (Indian Affairs) by $160,000,000 and reduce funding for the National Endowment for the Arts by $60,000,000; Page H7111 Conaway amendment (No. 9 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to reduce funds appropriated for Environmental Programs and Management by $2; to increase funds appropriated for Environmental Programs and Managment by $1; to increase funds appropriated for State and Tribal Assistance Grants by $1; and to increase funds appropriated for State and Tribal Assistance Grants by $1; and Pages H7130-32 Conaway amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to express the sense of the House that any reduction in the amount appropriated as a result of amendments adopted by the House should be dedicated to deficit reduction. Pages H7187-88 Point of Order sustained against: Bishop (UT) amendment that sought to increase funding, by offset, for the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Forest Service; Page H7096 Lamborn amendment that sought to increase funding for Department-Wide Programs (Indian Affairs) by $52,000,000 and to reduce funds for the National Endowment for the Arts by $160,000,000; Pages H7111-12 Sullivan amendment that sought to strike section 501 and insert language stating that no Federally-mandated steps should be taken to mitigate global climate change if those steps would harm American consumers, workers, or businesses in any way; and Pages H7142-43 Kingston amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used to enter into a contract with an entity that does not participate in the basic pilot program. Page H7151 Proceedings Postponed: Ginny Brown-Waite (FL) amendment that seeks to reduce funds for the National Endowment for the Arts by $32 million; Pages H7182-84 Campbell (CA) amendment (#51 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that seeks to prohibit funds from being used for the Wetzel County Courthouse, New Martinsville, West Virginia; and Pages H7184-85 Campbell (CA) amendment that seeks to prohibit funds from being used for the Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory. Pages H7185-87 H. Res. 514, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by voice vote after agreeing to order the previous question. Pages H7083-87 Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of William Hungate, former Member of Congress. Pages H7188-89 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on pages H7110 and H7177. Senate Referrals: S. Con. Res. 25 was held at the desk and S. 1612 was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Page H7200 Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on pages H7203-05. Quorum Calls--Votes: Thirteen recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H7188, H7189-90, H7190-91, H7191, [[Page D907]] H7191-92, H7192-93, H7193, H7193-94, H7194-95, H7195, H7195-96, H7196- 97, and H7197. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9:00 a.m. and adjourned at 11:05 p.m. Committee Meetings DOD MANAGEMENT Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on structure, process and tools for improving Department of Defense Management. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Gordon R. England, Deputy Secretary; Jack D. Patterson, Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Comptroller; and Paul A. Brinkley, Deputy Under Secretary, Business Transportation. WALTER REED PROGRESS REVIEWS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on findings of the Independent Review Group and an in-progress review of actions at Walter Reed. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Independent Review Group: John O. Marsh, Co- Chair and former Secretary of the Army; and Togo D. West, Jr., former Secretary of the Army and former Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs; the following officials of the Department of the Army: GEN Richard A. Cody, USA, Vice Chief of Staff; MG Gale S. Pollock, USA, Acting Surgeon General; MG Eric B. Schoomaker, USA, Commander and BG Michael S. Tucker, USA, Deputy Commanding General, both with the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center; and COL Terrence McKenrick, USA, Commander, Warrior Transition Brigade, Walter Reed Army Medical Center. EXPEDITIONARY FIGHTING VEHICLE PROGRAM Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces held a hearing on the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle Program. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Roger Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Expeditionary Warfare; LTG Emerson Gardner, USMC, Deputy Commander, Marine Corps, Program and Resources; David Ahern, Director, Portfolio Systems Acquisition, Office of the Under Secretary, Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics; and COL. William Taylor, USMC, Program Executive Officer, Marine Corps Land Systems. U.S. DEBT--FOREIGN HOLDINGS Committee on the Budget: Hearing on Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt: Is Our Economy Vulnerable? Testimony was heard from Peter Orszag, Director, CBO; and public witnesses. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PREDATORY SALES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Predatory Sales Practices in Medicare Advantage.'' Testimony was heard from Abby Block, Director, Center for Beneficiary Choices, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Kathleen Healey, Director, Health Insurance Assistance Program, Department of Senior Services, State of Alabama; Jim Poolman, Commissioner, Department of Insurance, State of North Dakota; Kim Holland, Commissioner, Department of Insurance, State of Oklahoma; Lee Harrell, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Insurance, State of Mississippi; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 2547, FDIC Enforcement Enhancement Act; H. Con. Res. 140, as amended, Recognizing the low presence of minorities in the Financial services industry and minorities and women in upper level positions of management, and expressing the sense of the Congress that active measures should be taken to increase the demographic diversity of the financial services industry; and H.R. 2786, Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007. SEC INVESTOR PROTECTION/MARKET OVERSIGHT Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``A Review of Investor Protection and Market Oversight With the Five Commissioners of the Securities and Exchange Commission.'' Testimony was heard from the following members of the SEC: Christopher Cox, Chairman; Paul S. Atkins; Roel C. Campos; Annette L. Nazareth; and Kathleen L. Casey, all Commissioners. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Foreign Affairs: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 176, amended, Shirley A. Chisholm United States-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007; H.R. 1400, amended, Iran Counter- Proliferation Act of 2007; H.R. 2844, Food Security and Agricultural Development Act of 2007; H. Res. 121, amended, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Japan should formally acknowledge, apologize, and [[Page D908]] accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner for its Imperial Armed Force's coercion of young women into sexual slavery, known to the world as ``comfort women,'' during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930s through the duration of World War II; H.R. 2843, Library of Congress Public Diplomacy Collection Act of 2007; and H.R. 2798, amended, To reauthorize the programs of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. The Committee favorably considered the following measures and adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that they be considered on the Suspension Calendar: H.R. 2293, amended, To require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report on efforts to bring to justice the Palestinian terrorists who killed John Branchizio, Mark Parson, and John Marin Linde; S. 377, U.S.-Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Act of 2007; H. Res. 208, amended, Honoring Operation Smile in the 25th anniversary year of its founding; H. Res. 287, amended, To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first use of the name ``America''; H. Res. 294, amended, Commending the Kingdom of Lesotho, on the occasion of International Women's Day, for the enactment of a law to improve the status of married women and ensure the access of married women to property rights; H. Res. 378, amended, Honoring World Red Cross Red Crescent Day; H. Res. 380, Commending Idaho on winning the bid to host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Game; H. Res. 426, amended, Recognizing 2007 as the Year of the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in Colombia, and offering support for efforts to ensure that the internally displaced people of Colombia receive the assistance and protection they need to rebuild their lives successfully; H. Res. 427, Urging the Government of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt; H. Res. 467, amended, Condemning the decision by the University and College Union of the United Kingdom to support a boycott of Israeli academia; H. Res. 482, Expressing support for the new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland; H. Res. 497, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of the People's Republic of China should immediately release from custody the children of Rebiya Kadeer and Canadian citizen Huseyin Celil and should refrain from further engaging in acts of cultural, linguistic, and religious suppression directed against the Uyghur people; H. Res. 500, amended, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in opposition to efforts by major natural gas exporting countries to establish a cartel or other mechanism to manipulate the supply of natural gas to the world market for the purpose of setting an arbitrary and nonmarket price or as an instrument of political pressure; and H. Con. Res. 136, amended, Expressing the sense of Congress regarding high level visits to the United States by democratically-elected officials of Taiwan; and H. Con. Res. 139, amended, Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should address the ongoing problem of untouchability in India. VIOLENCE IN CENTRAL AMERICA Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held a hearing on Violence in Central America. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject. The Subcommittee was briefed by Ambassador Jose Guillermo Castillo Villacorta, Ambassador of Guatemala; and Roberto Flores Bermudez, Ambassador of Honduras. NFL RETIREMENT SYSTEM Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held a hearing on the National Football League's System for Compensating Retired Players: An Uneven Playing Field? Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--GUANTANAMO BAY DETAINEE LEGAL RIGHTS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties held an oversight hearing on Habeas Corpus and Detention at Guantanamo Bay. Testimony was heard from Gregory Katrsas, Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General, Department of Justice; LCDR Charlie Swift, USN, Judge Advocate General Corps, Office of Military Commissions, Department of Defense; and public witnesses. MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCING LAWS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security held a hearing on Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws-- the Issues. Testimony was heard from Paul G. Cassell, Judge, Judicial Conference of the United States; Ricardo H. Hinojosa, Chair, U.S. Sentencing Commission; Richard B. Roper, III, U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Texas, Dallas, and public witnesses. POLLINATORS AND HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans held a hearing on The Bird and The Bees: How Pollinators Help Maintain Healthy Ecosystems. Testimony was heard from Representatives Hastings of Florida and Blumenauer; Mamie Parker, Assistant Director, Fisheries and [[Page D909]] Habitat Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Department of the Interior; Kevin J. Hackett, National Program Leader for Bees and Pollinators, Agricultural Research Service, USDA; and public witnesses. NEW ORLEANS--LABOR LAW ENFORCEMENT Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Domestic Policy held a hearing on Adequacy of Labor Law Enforcement in New Orleans. Testimony was heard from Paul DeCamp, Administrator, Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards Administration, Department of Labor; and public witnesses. 2010 CENSUS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives held a hearing on 2010 Census: Improving Local Government Participation in LUCA. Testimony was heard from Charles Louis Kincannon, Director, U.S. Census Bureau, Economics and Statistics Administration, Department of Commerce; Mathew J. Scire, Director, Strategic Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, an open rule providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2829) making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority recognition to Members who have printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule permits the Chair, during consideration of H.R. 2829 in the House, to postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker testimony was heard from Representatives Serrano and Regula. FEDERAL AGENCY SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing on SBIR and STTR--How Are the Programs Managed Today? Testimony was heard from Michael Caccuitto, SBIR/STTR Program Administrator, Office of Small Business Programs, Department of Defense; Jo Anne Goodnight, SBIR/STTR Program Coordinator, Office of Extramural Research, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services; Larry James, SBIR/STTR Program Manager, Department of Energy; Douglas A. Comstock, Director, Innovative Partnerships Program Office, NASA; and Kesh S. Narayanan, Director, Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships, Directorate for Engineering, NSF. INTEGRATED DEEPWATER PROGRAM ACT; COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 2722, Integrated Deepwater Reform Act; and H.R. 2830, Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007. INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL BENEFITS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on Benefits of Intercity Passenger Rail. Testimony was heard from Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger, State of Montana; former Governor Mark Schweiker, State of Pennsylvania; Elaine Nekritz, Representative, State of Illinois; Velma H. Williams, Commissioner, City of Sanford, Florida; Robert N. Jackman, member, Senate, State of Indiana; Frank J. Busalacchi, Secretary, Department of Transportation, State of Wisconsin; Astrid C. Glynn, Commissioner, Department of Transportation, State of New York; Will Kempton, Director, Department of Transportation, State of California; and public witnesses. KIDNEY PATIENT ANEMIA MANAGEMENT CARE Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Safe and Sensible: Ensuring Kidney Patients Receive Safe and Appropriate Anemia Management Care. Testimony was heard from Delegate Donna M. Christensen, M.D., Virgin Islands; the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Leslie V. Norwalk, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Robert A. Vito, Regional Inspector General, Office of Evaluation and Inspections; and John K. Jenkins, M.D., Director, Office of New [[Page D910]] Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--DOD INSPECTOR GENERAL Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations met in executive session to receive a briefing on the Director of National Intelligence, Inspector General. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses. TECHNICAL PROGRAMS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical met in executive session to hold a hearing on Technical Programs. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Jill E. Sommers, of Kansas, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for the remainder of the term expiring April 13, 2009, and Bartholomew H. Chilton, of Delaware, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for the remainder of the term expiring April 13, 2008, 2 p.m., SR-328A. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: business meeting to consider S. 704, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit manipulation of caller identification information, S. 950, to develop and maintain an integrated system of coastal and ocean observations for the Nation's coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes, to improve warnings of tsunami, hurricanes, El Nino events, and other natural hazards, to enhance homeland security, to support maritime operations, to improve management of coastal and marine resources, S. 1650, to establish a digital and wireless network technology program, and S. 1661, to communicate United States travel policies and improve marketing and other activities designed to increase travel in the United States from abroad, and promotion lists in the United States Coast Guard, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine S. 1171, to amend the Colorado River Storage Project Act and Public Law 87-483 to authorize the construction and rehabilitation of water infrastructure in Northwestern New Mexico, to authorize the use of the reclamation fund to fund the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund, to authorize the conveyance of certain Reclamation land and infrastructure, to authorize the Commissioner of Reclamation to provide for the delivery of water, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality, to hold hearings to examine protecting water quality at America's beaches, 10 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine the Stealth Tax, focusing on how to stop the alternative minimum tax from sneaking up on unsuspecting taxpayers, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 11:15 a.m., S-116, Capitol. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business meeting to consider S. 793, to provide for the expansion and improvement of traumatic brain injury programs, and S. 1011, to change the name of the National Institute on Drug Abuse to the National Institute on Diseases of Addiction and to change the name of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to the National Institute on Alcohol Disorders and Health, original bills entitled, ``Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act'', ``Wired for Health Care Quality Act'', and other pending calendar business, 11 a.m., S-211, Capitol. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to continue hearings to examine violent Islamist extremism, focusing on the European experience, 11:30 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the federal death penalty, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: business meeting to mark up pending legislation; to be immediately followed by a full committee hearing to examine the nomination of Charles L. Hopkins, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Operations, Preparedness, Security and Law Enforcement), 9:30 a.m., SD-562. Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine the relationship between doctors and the drug industry, 10:30 a.m., SD- 106. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, on the Capitol Visitor Center, 9 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing to review the policies and procedures regarding the notification of next-of-kin of wounded and deceased service members, 10 a.m., 2218 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 2857, Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education Act of 2007; Green Jobs Act of 2007; and H.R. 2831, To amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1967, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice that is unlawful under such Acts occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to the discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, to consider the following measures related to energy legislation: To promote greater energy efficiency; To facilitate the transition to a [[Page D911]] smart electricity grid; To clarify the amount of loans to be guaranteed under title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; To promote the development of renewable fuels infrastructure; To promote advanced plug-in hybrid vehicles and vehicle components; and To enhance availability of energy information, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on Iraq: Is the Escalation Working? 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, joint hearing on A.Q. Khan's Nuclear Wal-Mart: Out of Business or Under New Management? 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing entitled ``A Roadmap for Security? Examining the Science and Technology Directorate's Strategic Plan,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, hearing on Implementation of the U.S. Capitol Police--Library of Congress Police Merger; and to consider pending Committee business, 11:30 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, briefing entitled ``International Perspectives on Strengthening the Nonproliferation Regime,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 906, Global Change Research and Data Management Act of 2007; H.R. 1933, Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 2007; H.R. 2773, Biofuels Research and Development Enhancement Act; and H.R. 2774, Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on VA Internal Contracting Oversight Deficiencies, 10 a.m., 340 Cannon. 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 economic case for early care and education, 11 a.m., SH-216. 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 D912]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 27 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: Senate will continue consideration of S. 1639, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, and Senator Sessions will be recognized to speak for up to 2 hours. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 27 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Complete consideration of H.R. 2643--Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008. Begin consideration of H.R. 2829--Making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Alexander, Rodney, La., E1422 Altmire, Jason, Pa., E1411, E1417 Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E1422 Blackburn, Marsha, Tenn., E1417 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E1421, E1422, E1422 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E1421 Brady, Kevin, Tex., E1413 Davis, Tom, Va., E1415 Delahunt, William D., Mass., E1414 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E1415 Duncan, John J., Jr., Tenn., E1413 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E1416 Forbes, J. Randy, Va., E1417 Fortenberry, Jeff, Nebr., E1418 Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E1422 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E1412 Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E1416 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E1419 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1415, E1418 Moran, James P., Va., E1415 Neugebauer, Randy, Tex., E1417 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E1418 Petri, Thomas E., Wisc., E1417 Poe, Ted, Tex., E1422 Pryce, Deborah, Ohio, E1418 Ramstad, Jim, Minn., E1419 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1411, E1412, E1413 Rothman, Steven R., N.J., E1416 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E1411, E1412 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E1419 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E1412 Thompson, Bennie G., Miss., E1413 Tiberi, Patrick J., Ohio, E1423 Udall, Mark, Colo., E1411 Udall, Tom, N.M., E1415 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E1414