Wednesday, June 27, 2007 [[Page D914]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS The House passed H.R. 2643, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S8523-S8640 Measures Introduced: Twenty-two bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1701-1722, and S. Res. 258-259. Pages S8610-11 Measures Reported: Special Report entitled ``Revised Allocation to Subcommittees of Budget Totals from the Concurrent Resolution for Fiscal Year 2007''. (S. Rept. No. 110-108) S. 1710, making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. (S. Rept. No. 110-107) S. 966, to enable the Department of State to respond to a critical shortage of passport processing personnel, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-109) Page S8607 Measures Passed: First Higher Education Extension Act of 1965: Senate passed S. 1704, to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Page S8573 Transitional Medical Assistance and Abstinence Education Program Extension: Senate passed S. 1701, to provide for the extension of transitional medical assistance (TMA) and the abstinence education program through the end of fiscal year 2007. Page S8637 Commending Oregon State University Baseball Team: Senate agreed to S. Res. 259, commending the Oregon State University baseball team for winning the 2007 College World Series. Pages S8637-38 Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Senate continued consideration of S. 1639, to provide for comprehensive immigration reform, taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S8526, S8532-73, S8579-99 Rejected: Division I of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934, (By 53 yeas to 45 nays (Vote No. 229), Senate tabled the amendment.) Page S8571 Division II of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934, (By 79 yeas to 18 nays (Vote No. 230), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S8572-73 Division III of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934, (By 56 yeas to 41 nays (Vote No. 231), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S8579-85 Division IV of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934, (By 56 yeas to 41 nays (Vote No. 232), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S8585-87 Division VI of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934, (By 55 yeas to 40 nays (Vote No. 233), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S8587-88 Withdrawn: Division V of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8587 Pending: Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934, of a perfecting nature. Pages S8526, S8534-70 Division VII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934, (By 45 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 234), Senate earlier failed to table the amendment.) Pages S8588-96 Division VIII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division IX of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division X of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. [[Page D915]] Division XI of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XIII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XIV of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XV of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XVI of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XVII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XVIII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XIX of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XX of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XXI of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XXII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XXIII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XXIV of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XXV of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XXVI of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Division XXVII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Kennedy Amendment No. 1978 (to Division VII of Reid (for Kennedy/ Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934), to change the enactment date. Pages S8597-99 During consideration of this measure today, the Senate also took the following action: The following amendments fell when their respective Divisions were tabled: Feinstein Amendment No. 1957 (to Division I of Reid (for Kennedy/ Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934), to change the enactment date. Pages S8570-71 Specter Amendment No. 1958 (to Division II of Reid (for Kennedy/ Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934), to change the enactment date. Pages S8571-72 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, June 28, 2007; that there be one hour, equally divided and controlled for debate only between Senator Kennedy and Senator Specter, or their designees; that Senate vote on the motion to invoke on the bill; provided further, that Senators be authorized to file germane second- degree amendments until 10 a.m. Page S8599 National Defense Authorization Act--Cloture: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 1585, 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. Pages S8601-02 A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of 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 Friday, June 29, 2007. Page S8602 Subsequently, the motion to proceed was withdrawn. International Emergency Economic Powers Enhancement Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Senate request the return of the papers on S. 1612, to amend the penalty provisions in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, from the House of Representatives; provided further, that upon the compliance of the request, the Secretary of the Senate be authorized to make corrections in the engrossment of the bill. Page S8638 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: George A. Krol, of New Jersey, to be Ambassador to Turkmenistan. W. Ross Ashley, III, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. Scott M. Burns, of Utah, to be Deputy Director of National Drug Control Policy. Reed Charles O'Connor, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas. Page S8640 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S8607-10 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S8611-13 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S8613-21 Additional Statements: Pages S8604-07 Amendments Submitted: Pages S8622-31 Notices of Intent: Pages S8631-36 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S8636-37 Privileges of the Floor: Page S8637 [[Page D916]] Record Votes: Six record votes were taken today. (Total--234) Pages S8571, S8573, S8584-85, S8587, S8588, S8596 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 8:10 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S8599.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) NOMINATIONS Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Jill E. Sommers, of Kansas, who was introduced by Senator Roberts, and Bartholomew H. Chilton, of Delaware, each to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 704, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit manipulation of caller identification information, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; 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; with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1650, to establish a digital and wireless network technology program, with amendments; S. 1661, to communicate United States travel policies and improve marketing and other activities designed to increase travel in the United States from abroad, with amendments; and Certain promotion lists in the United States Coast Guard. NORTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO RURAL WATER PROJECTS ACT Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing 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, after receiving testimony from Robert Johnson, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, and Carl Artman, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, both of the Department of the Interior; New Mexico State Representative Patricia A. Lundstrom, Gallup, on behalf of Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments; John R. D'Antonio, Jr., New Mexico State Engineer, Santa Fe; Herbert R. Guenther, Arizona Department of Water Resources, Phoenix; Mark Sanchez, Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Joe Shirley, Jr., Navajo Nation, Window Rock, Arizona. WATER QUALITY Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality to examine protecting water quality at America's beaches, focusing on the implementation of the BEACH Act (Public Law 106-284), including the extent to which EPA has implemented the Act's provisions, EPA's BEACH Act grant allocation formula, and the experiences of the Great Lakes states in developing and implementing beach monitoring and notification programs using their grant funds, after receiving testimony from Representatives Pallone and Bilbray; Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water, Environmental Protection Agency; Anu K. Mittal, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office; Cindy Zipf, Clean Ocean Action, Sandy Hook, New Jersey; Carlton Dufrechou, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, Metairie, Louisiana; and Mara Dias, Surfrider Foundation, East Hampton, New York. STEALTH TAX Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Alternative Minimum TAX (AMT), focusing on middle-class taxpayers and possible reforms of the AMT, after receiving testimony from Frank Degen, National Association of Enrolled Agents, Setauket, New York; Leonard E. Burman, Urban Institute Tax Policy Center, and Kevin A. Hassett, American Enterprise Institute, both of Washington, D.C.; and Michael J. Graetz, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 392, to ensure payment of United States assessments for United Nations peacekeeping operations for the 2005 through 2008 time period; [[Page D917]] S. 966, to enable the Department of State to respond to a critical shortage of passport processing personnel, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1138, to enhance nuclear safeguards and to provide assurances of nuclear fuel supply to countries that forgo certain fuel cycle activities; S. 1500, to support democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe; S. 1565, to provide for the transfer of naval vessels to certain foreign recipients; S. 1687, to provide for global pathogen surveillance and response; S. 1698, to provide that no funds appropriated or otherwise made available by any Act for contributions for international organizations may be made available to support the United Nations Human Rights Council, with an amendment; S. Res. 203, 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, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. Res. 253, expressing the sense of the Senate that the establishment of a Museum of the History of American Diplomacy through private donations is a worthy endeavor; H. Con. Res. 7, calling on the League of Arab States to acknowledge the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan and to step up their efforts to stop the genocide in Darfur, with an amendment; and The nominations of Reuben Jeffery III, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, James R. Kunder, of Virginia, to be Deputy Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, June Carter Perry, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone, Wanda L. Nesbitt, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Frederick B. Cook, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Central African Republic, Robert B. Nolan, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho, Maurice S. Parker, of California, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Swaziland, William John Garvelink, of Michigan, to be Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, William R. Brownfield, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia, Peter Michael McKinley, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Peru, Patrick Dennis Duddy, of Maine, to be Ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Anne Woods Patterson, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Nancy J. Powell, of Iowa, to be Ambassador to Nepal, Joseph Adam Ereli, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Richard Boyce Norland, of Iowa, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Stephen A. Seche, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen, John L. Withers II, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Albania, Charles Lewis English, of New York, to be Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameron Munter, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia, Roderick W. Moore, of Rhode Island, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Montenegro, J. Christian Kennedy, of Indiana, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues, Hector E. Morales, of Texas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for a term expiring September 20, 2010, and promotion lists in the Foreign Service dated May 7, 2007, and May 22, 2007. VIOLENT ISLAMIST EXTREMISM Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded hearings to examine violent Islamist extremism, focusing on the European experience, after receiving testimony from Jean-Louis Bruguiere, Investigating Magistrate, Paris, France; Lidewijde Ongering, Deputy National Coordinator for Counterterrorism, The Hague, Netherlands; Marc Sageman, Sageman Consulting, LLC, Rockville, Maryland; and Lynn M. Martin, former Secretary of Labor, and Farooq Kathwari, Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., both of Chicago, Illinois, both on behalf of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 1695, to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a pathway for the licensure of biosimilar biological products, to promote innovation in the life sciences, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1693, to enhance the adoption of a nationwide interoperable health information technology system and to improve the quality and reduce the costs of health care in the United States, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 793, to provide for the expansion and improvement of traumatic brain injury programs; 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, with an amendment; and The nominations of Stan Z. Soloway, of the District of Columbia, and Richard Allan Hill , of Montana, and James Palmer, of California, each to be a [[Page D918]] Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service. OVERSIGHT OF THE FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Department of Justice's implementation of federal death penalty statutes, after receiving testimony from Barry M. Sabin, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; Roberto J. Sanchez Ramos, Secretary of Justice of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, San Juan; Paul K. Charlton, former United States Attorney, Phoenix, Arizona; William Otis, former Chief of the Appellate Division, United States Attorney's Office, Falls Church, Virginia; David I. Bruck, Washington and Lee School of Law, Lexington, Virginia; and David B. Muhlhausen, Heritage Foundation Center for Data Analysis, and Hilary O. Shelton, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, both of Washington, D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 423, to increase, effective as of December 1, 2007, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans; S. 1163, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation and specially adapted housing for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes, and to provide for the use of the National Directory of New Hires for income verification purposes; S. 479, to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans; S. 1315, to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance life insurance benefits for disabled veterans, with amendments; S. 1233, to provide and enhance intervention, rehabilitative treatment, and services to veterans with traumatic brain injury, with amendments; and The nomination of Charles L. Hopkins, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Operations, Preparedness, Security and Law Enforcement). DOCTORS AND THE DRUG INDUSTRY Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the relationship between medical doctors and the drug industry, after receiving testimony from Maine State Representative Sharon Anglin Treat, Hallowell, on behalf of the National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices; Jerome P. Kassirer, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; J. Gregory Rosenthal, Retinal Service of Vision Associates, Toledo, Ohio; and Peter Lurie, Public Citizen's Health Research Group, Robert M. Sade, American Medical Association, and Marjorie E. Powell, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, all of Washington, D.C. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 20 public bills, H.R. 2874- 2893; 7 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 176-177; and H. Res. 520-524 were introduced. Pages H7338-40 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H7340-41 Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H.R. 2776, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-214). Page H7338 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Wade A. Hyslop, Jr., Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, New London, Connecticut. Page H7207 Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 520, electing Representative Sullivan to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, to rank after Representative Myrick. Page H7212 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Clean Beaches Week: Agreed by unanimous consent to discharge from committee and agree to H. Res. 186, supporting the goals and ideals of National Clean Beaches Week and recognizing the considerable value of American beaches and their role in American culture. Page H7212 Grand Teton National Park Extension Act of 2007: Agreed by unanimous consent to discharge from committee and pass S. 277, to modify the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park to include [[Page D919]] certain land within the GT Park Subdivision--clearing the measure for the President. Pages H7212-13 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008: The House passed H.R. 2643, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 272 yeas to 155 nays, Roll No. 579. Pages H7213-70 Rejected the Lewis (CA) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 186 yeas to 233 nays, Roll No. 578. Pages H7269-70 On a demand for a separate vote on a certain amendment agreed to in the Committee of the Whole: By a yea-and-nay vote of 216 yeas to 210 nays, Roll No. 577, agreed to the Udall (CO) amendment (No. 2 printed in the Congressional Record of June 12, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used to prepare or publish final regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands or to conduct an oil shale lease sale (agreed to in the Committee of the Whole by a recorded vote of 219 ayes to 215 noes, Roll No. 574). Pages H7243-45, H7257-58, H7259-60 Agreed to: Stupak amendment that prohibits the use of funds for the EPA Administrator's security detail and Pages H7221-22 Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment that re-directs $1 million in funding for the Historic Preservation Fund. Pages H7238-39 Rejected: Flake amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds for the Philadelphia Art Museum Exterior Facade in Philadephia, PA; Pages H7216-17 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds for the Payne Gallery at Moravian College in Pennsylvania; Pages H7217-19 Ginny Brown-Waite (FL) amendment (that was debated on June 26th) that sought to reduce funds for the National Endowment for the Arts by $32 million (by a recorded vote of 137 ayes to 285 noes, Roll. No. 564); Pages H7250-51 Campbell (CA) amendment (#51 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007 and debated on June 26th) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Wetzel County Courthouse, New Martinsville, West Virginia (by a recorded vote of 104 ayes to 323 noes, Roll No. 565); Page H7251 Campbell (CA) amendment (that was debated on June 26th) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory (by a recorded vote of 97 ayes to 330 noes, Roll No. 566); Pages H7251-52 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry, Greene County, Pennsylvania (by a recorded vote of 104 ayes to 328 noes, Roll No. 567); Pages H7213-14, H7253 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Columbus Fire Fighters Union in Columbus, Ohio (by a recorded vote of 66 ayes to 364 noes, Roll No. 568); Pages H7214-16, H7253-54 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania; the Westsylvania Heritage Corporation in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania; and the Progress Fund in Greensburg, Pennsylvania (by a recorded vote of 86 ayes to 343 noes, Roll No. 569); Pages H7219-21, H7254 Jordan amendment (No. 22 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that sought to provide that each amount appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act that is not required to be appropriated or otherwise made available by a provision of law is reduced by 4.3 percent (by a recorded vote of 150 ayes to 281 noes, Roll No. 570); Pages H7222-26, H7255 Price (GA) amendment (No. 29 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that sought to reduce appropriations in the bill by $276,330,000 (or 1 percent) (by a recorded vote of 178 ayes to 254 noes, Roll No. 571); Pages H7226-31, H7255-56 Musgrave amendment (No. 27 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that sought to reduce each amount appropriated or otherwise made available in the bill, that is not required to be appropriated or otherwise made available by a provision of law, by 0.5 percent (by a recorded vote of 193 ayes to 238 noes, Roll No. 572); Pages H7231-35, H7256 Inslee amendment (No. 17 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used to issue any permit for, or otherwise approve or allow, importation of any polar bear or polar bear part (by a recorded vote of 188 ayes to 242 noes, Roll No. 573); Pages H7239-43, H7257 Lamborn amendment that sought to eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (by a recorded vote of 97 ayes to 335 noes, Roll No. 575); and Pages H7247-49, H7258-59 Cannon amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds relating to oil-shale leasing in the States of Utah or Wyoming (by a recorded vote of 204 ayes to 223 noes, Roll No. 576). Pages H7249-50, H7259 [[Page D920]] Withdrawn: Udall (CO) amendment (No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record of June 12, 2007) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to prohibit funds from being used to implement BLM regulations on Recordable Disclaimers of Interest in Land with respect to a claimed Revised Statue (R.S.) 2477 right-of-way or to issue a non-binding determination. Pages H7245-46 Point of Order sustained against: Peterson (PA) amendment that sought to increase funding, by offset, for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act and Pages H7235-38 DeFazio amendment (No. 12 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) relating to duties assigned to a resource advisory committee established under section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Pages H7246-47 H. Res. 514, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Tuesday, June 26th. Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of Jack Flynt, former Member of Congress. Page H7252 Suspension: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Extending the authorities of the Andean Trade Preference Act until September 30, 2009: H.R. 1830, amended, to extend the authorities of the Andean Trade Preference Act until September 30, 2009, by a 2/3 yea- and-nay vote of 365 yeas to 59 nays, Roll No. 583. Pages H7271-77, H7284-85 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To extend the authorities of the Andean Trade Preference Act until February 29, 2008.''. Page H7285 Honoring the life of each of the 9 fallen City of Charleston firefighters who lost their lives in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2007: Agreed by unanimous consent to discharge from committee and agree to H. Con. Res. 172, honoring the life of each of the 9 fallen City of Charleston firefighters who lost their lives in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2007. Page H7285 Making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008: The House began consideration of H.R. 2829, making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Further consideration is expected to resume tomorrow, June 28th. Pages H7286-H7331 Agreed by unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 2829 in the Committee of the Whole pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 517, no further amendment to the bill will be in order except those provided on a list at the desk. Page H7296 Agreed to: Miller (NC) amendment that prohibits funds from being used to implement Executive Order 13422 and Pages H7322-23 Inglis (SC) amendment 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 H7323 Withdrawn: Cuellar amendment (No. 35 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to increase funding, by offset, for Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services by $10 million; Pages H7303-04 Cardoza amendment (No. 4 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to reduce funding for General Activities under the General Services Administration by $14,295,000; and Pages H7307-08 Conaway amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) 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. Page H7327 Point of Order sustained against: Boozman amendment relating to regulations for the designation of high intensity drug trafficking areas and Page H7302 Souder amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used by the District of Columbia for any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug. Pages H7327-28 Proceedings Postponed: Cardoza amendment that seeks to reduce funding for General Activities under the General Services Administration by $8 million and increase funding for the Office of Inspector General under the General Services Administration by $6 million; Pages H7308-10 DeFazio amendment that seeks to increase funding, by offset, for the Small Business Administration by $10 million; Pages H7310-16 Price (GA) amendment (No. 15 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that seeks to strike section 738 entitled Requirement for Public-Private Competition; Pages H7316-21 [[Page D921]] Tom Davis (VA) amendment that seeks to increase funding, by offset, for Federal Payment for Resident Tuition Support by $1 million; Pages H7321-22 Garrett (NJ) amendment (No. 1 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007) that seeks to prohibit funds from being used by the Securities and Exchange Commission to enforce the requirements of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and Pages H7323-27 Souder amendment that seeks to prohibit funds from being used for the Prevention Works or Whitman-Walker Clinic needle exchange programs. Pages H7328-31 H. Res. 517, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a recorded vote of 213 ayes to 206 noes, Roll No. 582. Pages H7277-84 Agreed to the Matsui amendment to the rule by a recorded vote of 225 ayes to 198 noes, Roll No. 581, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 244 yeas to 181 nays, Roll No. 580. Pages H7281-83 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on pages H7271 and H7285. Senate Referrals: S. 1704 and S. 1701 were held at the desk. Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on pages H7341-42. Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes and fifteen recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H7250-51, H7251, H7252, H7253, H7253-54, H7254, H7255, H7255-56, H7256, H7257, H7257-58, H7258-59, H7259, H7260, H7269-70, H7270, H7282-83, H7283, H7284, and H7284-85. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 12:23 a.m. on Thursday, June 28th. Committee Meetings CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a hearing on the Capitol Visitor Center. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol: Stephen T. Ayers, Acting Architect; and Bernard Ungar, Capitol Visitor Center Project Executive; and Terrell Dorn, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO. NEXT-OF-KIN NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing to review the policies and procedures regarding the notification of next-of-kin of wounded and deceased servicemembers. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: BG Reuben D. Jones, USA, Adjutant General of the Army; BG Michael Downs, USMC (ret.), Director, Personnel and Family Readiness Division; MG Anthony F. Przybyslawski, USAF, Commander, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas; and Patrick M. McLaughlin, Acting Assistant Deputy, Chief of Naval Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education Enterprise. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Education and Labor: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 2857, Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education Act of 2007; H.R. 2847, Green Jobs Act of 2007; and H.R. 2831, Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007. ENERGY MEASURES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Began consideration of the following measures related to energy legislation: To promote greater energy efficiency; To facilitate the transition to a 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. Will continue tomorrow. IRAQ ESCALATION Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on Iraq: Is the Escalation Working? Testimony was heard from public witnesses. A.Q. KHAN'S NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION ACTIVITIES Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade held a joint hearing on A.Q. Khan's Nuclear Wal-Mart: Out of Business or Under New Management? Testimony was heard from public witnesses. HOMELAND SECURITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology held a hearing entitled ``A Roadmap for Security? Examining the Science and Technology Directorate's Strategic Plan.'' Testimony was heard from Jay Cohen, Under Secretary, Science and Technology, Department of Homeland Security. [[Page D922]] U.S. CAPITOL POLICE--LIBRARY OF CONGRESS MERGER Committee on House Administration: Held a hearing on Implementation of the U.S. Capitol Police--Library of Congress Police Merger. Testimony was heard from Wilson Livingood, Sergeant at Arms; Chief Philip D. Morse, Sr., Chief of Police, U.S. Capitol Police; Jo Ann C. Jenkins, Chief Operation Officer, Library of Congress; Officer Michael Hutchins, Chairman, The Fraternal Order of Police, Library of Congress Labor Committee. The Committee also approved pending Committee business. BRIEFING--STRENGTHENING NONPROLIFERATION REGIME Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs held a briefing entitled ``International Perspectives on Strengthening the Nonproliferation Regime.'' The Subcommittee was briefed by public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Science and Technology: Ordered reported, as amended, 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. VA INTERNAL CONTRACTING OVERSIGHT DEFICIENCIES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on VA Internal Contracting Oversight Deficiencies. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Belinda Finn, Assistant Inspector General, Auditing, Office of the Inspector General; and Robert J. Henke, Assistant Secretary, Management. BRIEFING--HOT SPOTS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Hot Spots. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the economic case for early childhood care and education, after receiving testimony from Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Topeka; Harriet Dichter, Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Public Welfare Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Harrisburg; Douglas J. Besharov, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Washington, D.C.; and James Heckman, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: business meeting to markup H.R. 2764, making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, an original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and an original bill making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, 2 p.m., SD- 106. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2008 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine global warming issues in the power plant sector, 10 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine financial management systems modernization at the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on systems and processes needed to support the Department's mission and operations, 3 p.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold hearings to examine draft legislation regarding the regulation of class III gaming, 9:30 a.m., SR-485. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider S. 1060, to reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to improve reentry planning and implementation, S. 1145, to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform, S. Res. 248, honoring the life and achievements of Dame Lois Browne Evans, Bermuda's first female barrister and Attorney General, and the first female Opposition Leader in the British Commonwealth, and S. Res. 236, supporting the goals and ideals of the National Anthem Project, which has worked to restore America's voice by re-teaching Americans to sing the national anthem, 10 a.m., SD-226. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. [[Page D923]] House Committee on the Budget, hearing on Medicare Advantage and the Federal Budget, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness, hearing on Workforce Investment Act: Recommendations to Improve the Effectiveness of Job Training,'' 1:30 p.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, to continue consideration of the following measures related to energy legislation: To promote greater energy efficiency; To facilitate the transition to a 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, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, hearing entitled ``The Millennium Challenge Corporation in Africa: Promises Versus Progress,'' 2:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, with the Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, joint hearing entitled ``Protection and Money: U.S. Companies, Their Employees, and Violence in Columbia, 10 a.m, 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, hearing entitled ``US-VISIT Exit: Closing Gaps in Our Security,'' 1 p.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee, on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment, hearing entitled ``Over-Classification and Pseudo- Classification: Making DHS the Gold Standard for Designating Classified and Sensitive Homeland Security Information,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, oversight hearing on the Impact of Ledbetter v. Goodyear on the Effective Enforcement of Civil Rights Laws, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 1239, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 1388, Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Act; H.R. 1011, Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007; H.R. 189, Paterson Great Falls National Park Act of 2007; H.R. 761, To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. Certain Federal land associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in Nebraska, to be used as an historical interpretive site along the trail; H.R. 1285, Snoqualimie Pass Land Conveyance Act; H.R. 1205, Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007; H.R. 2400, Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act; H.R. 50, Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 465, Asian Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 1834, National Ocean Exploration Program Act ; H.R. 716, Santa Rosa Urban Water Reuse Plan Act; H.R. 31, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Wastewater and Recycled Water Facilities Act of 2007; H.R. 1503, Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project; H.R. 1526, Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Authorization Act; H.R. 1337, 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; and 1725, Rancho California Water District Recycled Water Reclamation Facility Act of 2007, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, oversight hearing on The Minerals Management Service's Proposed Five Year Program for Oil and Gas Leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, oversight hearing entitled ``Management by Exclusion: The Forest Service Use of Categorical Exclusions from NEPA,'' 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, hearing on Waste, Fraud and Abuse at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, hearing on NASA's Earth Science and Applications Programs: Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Request and Issues, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, hearing on Assessing the Impact of the Copyright Royalty Board Decision to Increase Royalty Rates on Recording Artists and Webcasters, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to mark up the following measures: the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 2830, To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2008; H.R. 2722, Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act; H.R. 2775, To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize funding for emergency management performance grants; H.R. 781, To redesignate Lock and Dam No. 5 of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System near Redfield, Arkansas, authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act approved July 24, 1946, as the Colonel Charles D, Maynard Lock and Dam; H. Res. 375, National Naval Force Structure Policy Act, and General Services Administration Lease Resolutions, 12 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 2623, To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the collection of copayments for all hospice care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and H.R. 2874, Veterans' Health Care Improvement Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, to consider Member requests for documents in the possession of the Committee, 3 p.m., H-405 Capitol. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. 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[[Page D924]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, June 28 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of S. 1639, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, and after a period of debate, vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at approximately 10:30 a.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, June 28 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Complete 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 Graves, Sam, Mo., E1425, E1425 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E1425, E1425 Markey, Edward J., Mass., E1425 Simpson, Michael K., Idaho, E1425