Thursday, March 9, 2006 [[Page D209]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS The House passed H.R. 2829, Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1925-S1985 Measures Introduced: Seven bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2393-2399, and S. Res. 394-397. Page S1965 Measures Passed: Trade Relations: Senate passed H.R. 1053, to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Ukraine, clearing the measure for the President. Page S1953 Subsequently, S. 632, Senate companion measure, was indefinitely postponed. Page S1953 Congratulating Rosey Fletcher: Senate agreed to S. Res. 396, congratulating Rosey Fletcher for her Olympic bronze medal in the parallel giant slalom. Page S1984 Recognizing Minnesota Curling Community: Senate agreed to S. Res. 397, recognizing the history and achievements of the curliing community of Bemidji, Minnesota. Page S1984 Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act: Senate continued consideration of S. 2349, to provide greater transparency in the legislative process, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S1944-45 Pending: Wyden/Grassley Amendment No. 2944, to establish as a standing order of the Senate a requirement that a Senator publicly disclose a notice of intent to object to proceeding to any measure or matter. Page S1944 Schumer Amendment No. 2959 (to Amendment No. 2944), to prohibit any foreign-government-owned or controlled company that recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan during the Taliban's rule between 1996-2001, may own, lease, operate, or manage real property or facility at a United States port. Page S1944 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 36), two-thirds of the Senators voting, a quorum being present, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on the bill. Page S1944 Subsequently, Senator Frist entered a motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion to invoke cloture on the bill failed. Page S1944 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that second- degree amendments be filed no later than 2 p.m., on Monday, March 13, 2006. Page S1933 Budget Resolution--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for consideration of the budget resolution, if available, at 10 a.m., on Monday, March 13, 2006, with the time equally divided until 11:30 a.m.; further, that following a period of morning business from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with that time equally divided, Senate will continue consideration of the budget resolution. Page S1984 Committee Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for the Committee on the Budget to file certain reported legislation from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, on Friday, March 10, 2006. Page S1984 Gordon Nomination--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, March 13, 2006, Senate begin consideration of the nomination of Leo Maury Gordon, of New Jersey, to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade, and vote immediately on the confirmation of the nomination. Page S1984 [[Page D210]] Nomination Referrals--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the nominations of Kent D. Talbert, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, Department of Education, and Horace A. Thompson, of Mississippi, to be a Member of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, be recommitted to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Page S1984 Messages From the House: Pages S1958-59 Measures Referred: Page S1959 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S1959 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S1959-64 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S1964-65 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1965-66 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1966-72 Additional Statements: Pages S1957-58 Amendments Submitted: Pages S1972-83 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S1983-84 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--36) Page S1944 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 5:43 p.m., until 10 a.m., on Monday, March 13, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S1984-85.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ACT Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Department of Agriculture's management and oversight of the Packers and Stockyards Act, focusing on competitiveness in livestock and poultry markets, and developing and sharing information on competitive conditions with key stakeholders, after receiving testimony from James E. Link, Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, and Phyllis K. Fong, Inspector General, both of the Department of Agriculture; and Daniel Bertoni, Acting Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Agriculture, after receiving testimony from Mike Johanns, Secretary, Charles Connor, Deputy Secretary, Keith Collins, Chief Economist, and W. Scott Steele, Budget Officer, all of the Department of Agriculture. SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the proposed supplemental funding request for additional resources to assist in ongoing military, diplomatic, and intelligence operations in the Global War on Terror; stabilization and counter-insurgency activities in Iraq and Afghanistan, and other humanitarian assistance, after receiving testimony from Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense; Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State; General Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and General John Abizaid, USA, Commander, U.S. Central Command. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded open and closed hearings to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, focusing on the naval workforce, and projection of naval power in the global war on terror, after receiving testimony from Donald C. Winter, Secretary of the Navy; Admiral Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; and General Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps. SECURITIES MARKETS SELF-REGULATION Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee held a hearing to examine self-regulatory organizations in the securities markets, focusing on strengths and weaknesses of the current system, conflicts of interest, and eliminating excessive market data fees, receiving testimony from John A. Thain, New York Stock Exchange, Inc., Robert Glauber, National Association of Securities Dealers, both of New York, New York; Marc E. Lackritz, Securities Industry Association, Ann Yerger, Council of Institutional Investors, and Richard Ferlauto, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, all of Washington, D.C.; and Henry T.C. Hu, University of Texas at Austin School of Law. Hearing recessed subject to the call. 2007 BUDGET Committee on the Budget: Committee ordered favorably reported an original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007 and including the [[Page D211]] appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2006 and 2008 through 2011. NOMINATIONS Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Vice Admiral Thad W. Allen, of Maryland, to be Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, and Admiral, Department of Homeland Security, who was introduced by Senator McCain, and Robert M. McDowell, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission, who was introduced by Senator Allen, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. NOMINATIONS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Raymond L. Orbach, of California, to be Under Secretary for Science, Alexander A. Karsner, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, who was introduced by Senator Allen, and Dennis R. Spurgeon, of Florida, to be Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, all of the Department of Energy, and David Longly Bernhardt, of Colorado, to be Solicitor of the Department of the Interior, after each nominee testified and answered questions in their own behalf. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, focusing on activities to implement the provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 initiatives to meet challenges posed by today's nuclear arena, and current and anticipated new reactor licensing activities and human capital initiatives, after receiving testimony from Nils J. Diaz, Chairman, and Edward McGaffigan, Jr., Jeffrey S. Merrifield, Gregory B. Jaczko, and Peter B. Lyons, each a Commissioner, all of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. FEDERAL PAYMENTS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine Federal agencies' progress relating to reporting improper payments, focusing on the success or failure of agencies to report and/or reduce improper payments in fiscal year 2005 performance and accountability reports, and to discuss whether or not the various ways in which agencies measure improper payments is accurately depicting the magnitude of the problem, after receiving testimony from Linda M. Combs, Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget; McCoy Williams, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, Government Accountability Office; Mark Everson, Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service; James B. Lockhart, Deputy Commissioner, Social Security Administration; Charles Johnson, Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Budget, Technology and Finance; and Samuel T. Mok, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Labor. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Donald J. DeGabrielle, Jr., of Texas, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, John Charles Richter, of Oklahoma, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, Amul R. Thapar, of Kentucky, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Mauricio J. Tamargo, of Florida, to be Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States, all of the Department of Justice. Also, Committee continued markup of proposed legislation providing for comprehensive immigration reform, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUDGET Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Small Business Administration, after receiving testimony from Hector V. Barreto, Administrator, Small Business Administration. VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS Committee on Veterans Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the legislative presentations of certain veteran's organizations, after receiving testimony from Randy L. Pleva, Sr., Paralyzed Veterans of America, Larry Belote, Blinded Veterans Association, and David L. Magidson, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, all of Washington, D.C.; Richard C. Schneider, Non Commissioned Officers Association of the United States of America, Alexandria, Virginia; and James D. Randles, Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A., Inc., Springfield, Virginia. LONG-TERM CARE FINANCING Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine how to prepare Americans for long-term care financing, focusing on awareness and incentives to encourage people to take responsibility for long term care needs, after receiving testimony [[Page D212]] from Robert F. Danbeck, Associate Director, Human Resources Products and Services, Office of Personnel Management; Eileen J. Tell, Long Term Care Group, Inc., Natick, Massachusetts; Malcolm Cheung, Long-Term Care Prudential Financial, Livingston, New Jersey, on behalf of American Council of Life Insurers; Joanne Vidinsky, Alzheimer's Association, San Francisco, California; and Robert B. Friedland, Center on an Aging Society, Washington, D.C. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 28 public bills, H.R. 4911- 4938; and 8 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 355; and H. Res. 715-721 were introduced. Pages H866-68 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H868-69 Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today. Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Dent to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H793 Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005: The House passed H.R. 2829, to reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy Act, by a yea-and-nay vote of 399 yeas to 5 nays, Roll No. 38. Pages H802-47 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. Pages H811-46 Agreed to: Souder Manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) that makes technical and conforming changes to account for changes in law within the jurisdiction of those Committees that waived formal business meetings on the bill. The amendment strikes the mandatory restrictions on certification of budgets related to enforcement in certain contexts of the ``Drug Free Student Loan'' provision; Pages H820-21 Souder amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) which directs the Director of ONDCP, in consultation with other federal agencies, to convene an international summit on the threat of methamphetamine and synthetic drug precursor chemicals. The Director shall do so to intensify and coordinate an effective international response along with other affected countries in order to prevent methamphetamine production and precursor diversion. The amendment provides that the Director must carry out the amendment within 12 months from the enactment of the bill; Pages H821-22 Boozman amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) which ensures that the effects of illicit drug abuse on children of substance abusers are considered in the annual National Drug Control Strategy. The amendment requires ONDCP to conduct a study and the President to report to Congress on drug court programs that conduct hearings in nontraditional public places, such as schools; Pages H822-24 Cuellar amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) that directs the ONDCP to conduct a study of the incidences of kidnapped, killed, and missing Americans along the U.S.-Mexico border and report to Congress on how to prevent such crimes; Page H827 Filner amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) that instructs the ONDCP to develop a strategy to combat border tunnels for drug trafficking and to recommend to Congress a criminal penalty for digging or using border tunnels for such acts; Pages H827-28 Graves amendment (No. 7 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) which requires the ONDCP to submit a report to Congress explaining its participation in and support of a conference addressing harm reduction in methamphetamine abuse, not prevention. Additionally, ONDCP must explain what management and reporting systems ONDCP will change to ensure that the Administration is more supportive of efforts fighting the methamphetamine epidemic; Pages H828-30 Jackson-Lee of Texas amendment (No. 9 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) which requires the ONDCP to perform an assessment of illicit drug and alcohol use by children, and appropriate intervention methods. The amendment requires ONDCP to report to Congress on its assessment. The amendment specifies items to assess that were not considered by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, such as the role of Federal, state, and local criminal justice systems in providing intervention; Pages H832-33 [[Page D213]] Lungren, Dan, of California amendment (No. 10 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) which requires the Director of ONDCP to provide for a program that advises states on establishing laws and policies to address alcohol and other drug issues, as well as drafting and revising model state drug laws. The amendment authorizes funding for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 for that purpose; Pages H833-34 Lynch amendment (No. 11 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) that directs the ONDCP to request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to enter into an agreement under which the Institute agrees to conduct a study on iatrogenic addiction associated with oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release tablets and directs the ONDCP to report to Congress on the study; Pages H834-35 Renzi amendment (No. 14 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) that directs the ONDCP to report to Congress on the representation of tribal governments in High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program and in high intensity drug trafficking areas designated under that program. The report shall include a list of tribal governments represented, an explanation of the rationale for the level of representation, and recommendations by the director for the methods for increasing the number of tribal governments represented in the Program; Pages H840-41 Chabot amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) that commissions studies on: State Drug Endangered Children programs focusing on meth and reports back to Congress within 6 months with recommendations for a National Drug Endangered Children policy; and comparing state precursor control laws and reports back to Congress within 6 months with a list of best practices with respect to such laws (by a recorded vote of 403 ayes to 2 noes, Roll No. 34); Pages H824-27, H844 Hooley amendment (No. 8 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) which requires ONDCP to submit to Congress a comprehensive strategy that addresses the increased threat from methamphetamine and includes interdiction and precursor chemical controls, demand reduction, treatment and efforts to prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals on an international level (by a recorded vote of 403 ayes to 3 noes, Roll No. 35); and Pages H830-31, H844-45 Rehberg amendment (No. 13 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) that ensures that no less than 10 percent of national media campaign funds will be expended on advertisements specifically intended to reduce methamphetamine use. The amendment grants the Director the authority to award grants to private entities producing research-based public service messages, with the goal of reducing first-time meth use among young people. The amendment funds may be redirected if domestic meth lab seizures decrease by at least 75 percent from the 2006 level (by a recorded vote of 399 ayes to 9 noes, Roll No. 37). Pages H837-40, H846 Rejected: Paul amendment (No. 12 printed in H. Rept. 109-387) which sought that the act shall not be in effect after September 30, 2011 (by a recorded vote of 85 ayes to 322 noes, Roll No. 36). Pages H835-37, H845-46 H. Res. 713, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 195 nays, Roll No. 33. Pages H795-H802 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 13, and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2006, for Morning Hour debate. Page H847 Providing for a recess of the House for a Joint Meeting to receive Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia: Agreed that it may be in order at any time on Wednesday, March 15, 2006, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of the chair, for the purpose of receiving in Joint Meeting Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia. Page H848 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, March 15, 2006. Page H848 Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 715, electing the following member to the following standing committee: Committee on Agriculture: Representative Sodrel. Page H848 House Office Building Commission--Resignation: Read a letter from Representative DeLay whereby he resigned from the House Office Building Commission, effective immediately. Page H848 House Office Building Commission--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of Representative Boehner to the House Office Building Commission. Page H848 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and four recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H802, H844, H844-45, H845, H846, and H846-47. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7 p.m. [[Page D214]] Committee Meetings AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: J.B. Penn, Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services; A. Ellen Terpstra, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service; Teresa Lasseter, Administrator, Farm Service Agency; Eldon Gould, Administrator, Risk Management Agency; and Dennis Kaplan, Budget Office. DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session to hold a hearing on Army Budget and Acquisition. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Army: Francis J. Harvey, Secretary; and GEN Peter J. Schoomaker, USA, Chief of Staff. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Department of Homeland Security held a hearing on United States Coast Guard. Testimony was heard from ADM Thomas H. Collins, USCG, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security. LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Department of Education. Testimony was heard from Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education. ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on DOE, Environment Management. Testimony was heard from James Rispoli, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management, Department of Energy. FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs held a hearing on HIV/AIDS Programs. Testimony was heard from Mark Dybul, M.D., Deputy U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Chief Medical Officer, Department of State. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Forest Service. Testimony was heard from Dale Bosworth, Chief, Forest Service, USDA. SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Secretary of State. Testimony was heard from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST U.S. PACIFIC COMMAND AND U.S. FORCES KOREA Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Korea. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: ADM William J. Fallon, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; and GEN B.B. Bell, USA, Commander, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY AND BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAMS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization budget request for the Missile Defense Agency and Ballistic Missile Defense Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: LTG Trey Obering, USAF, Director, Missile Defense Agency; LTG Larry J. Dodgen, USA, Commander, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; David W. Duma, Operational Test and Evaluation; and Peter Flory, Assistant Secretary, International Security Affairs. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST DOD MAJOR ROTORCRAFT PROGRAMS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held a hearing on Fiscal year 2007 National Defense Authorization Act Budget Request for the Department of Defense [[Page D215]] major rotorcraft programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Tony Melita, Defense Systems, Director, Land Warfare, Office of the Secretary; BG Stephen Mundt, USA, Director of Aviation, U.S. Army; Thomas Laux, Program Executive Officer for Air, ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs, Naval Air Systems Command; LTG John G. Castellaw, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, U.S. Marine Corps; and MG Stanley Gorenc, USAF, Director, Operational Capability Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air and Space Operations, U.S. Air Force. DOE'S FISCAL YEAR BUDGET PROPOSAL Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled ``Department of Energy's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal.'' Testimony was heard from Samuel W. Bodman, Secretary of Energy. GULF COAST REGION--FEDERAL ROLE IN FACILITATING RECOVERY AND LONG-TERM BUILDING EFFORTS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing entitled ``The Federal Role in Facilitating Recovery and Long-term Rebuilding Efforts in the Gulf Coast Region.'' Testimony was heard from Donald E. Powell, Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, Department of Homeland Security. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; REGULATION OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 4855, to amend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999 to reauthorize for 5 additional years the public and private school tuition assistance programs established under the Act; S. 1736, To provide for the participation of employees in the judicial branch in the Federal leave transfer program for disasters and emergencies; H.R. 4674, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 North Chestnut Street in Olathe, Kansas, as the ``Governor John Anderson, Jr. Post Office Building;'' H.R. 4688, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Boyden Street in Badin, North Carolina, as the ``Mayor John Thompson `Tom' Garrison Memorial Post Office;'' H.R. 4786, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 535 Wood Street in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as the ``H. Gordon Payrow Post Office Building;'' H.R. 4805, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service at 105 North Quincy Street in Clinton, Illinois, as the ``Gene Vance Post Office Building;'' H. Res. 85, Supporting the goals and ideals of National ``MPS Day;'' H. Res. 517, amended, Recognizing the life of Wellington Timothy Mara and his outstanding contributions to the New York Giants Football Club, the National Football League, and the United States; and H. Res. 556, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week should be established to increase awareness of methamphetamine and to educate the public on ways to help prevent the use of that damaging narcotic. The Committee approved a Committee Report on the National Drug Control Strategy for 2006 and the National Drug Control Budget for Fiscal Year 2007. The Committee also held a hearing entitled ``The Regulation of Dietary Supplements: A Review of Consumer Safeguards.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Robert E. Brackett, M.D., Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA; and Paul M. Coates, M.D., Director, Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH; C. Lee Peeler, Deputy, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC; and public witnesses. TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REORGANIZATION ACT OF 2005 Committee on Homeland Security: Began mark up of H.R. 4439, Transportation Security Administration Reorganization Act of 2005. Will continue March 16. ONLINE FREEDOM OF SPEECH ACT Committee on House Administration: Ordered reported H.R. 1606, Online Freedom of Speech Act. AFGHANISTAN: PROGRESS REPORT Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a joint hearing on Afghanistan: Progress Report. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: James R. Kunder, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia and the Near East; and Thomas A. Schweich, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; and Maureen E. Quinn, Coordinator for Afghanistan, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs; and RADM Robert T. Moeller, USA, Director, Plans and Policy, U.S. Central Command, Department of Defense. [[Page D216]] AFGHANISTAN: IS THE AID GETTING THROUGH? Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on Afghanistan: Is the Aid Getting Through? Testimony was heard from public witnesses. STATE/FEDERAL NOTARY RECOGNITION Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property held a hearing on H.R. 1458, To require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE/NOAA BUDGET Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held an oversight hearing on the FY '07 Budget Request of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Testimony was heard from H. Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.), Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of Commerce. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a hearing on the following measures: H.R. 1370, Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act; H.R. 1644, Puerto Rico Karst Conservation Act; H.R. 2110, Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop Protection Study Act; H.R. 4382, Southern Nevada Readiness Center Act; H.R. 4789, To require the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain public land located wholly or partially within the boundaries of the Wells Hydroelectric Project of Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County, Washington, to the utility district; and S. 56, Rio Grand Natural Area Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Hastings of Washington and Porter; Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest Service, USDA; Tom Lonnie, Assistant Director, Minerals, Realty, and Resource Protection, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. LOBBYING REFORM--REFORMING GIFT AND TRAVEL RULES Committee on Rules: Continued hearings on lobby reform entitled ``Lobby Reform: Reforming the Gift and Travel Rules.'' Testimony was heard from former Representative Mickey Edwards of Oklahoma; Robert Hynes, former Minority Counsel, House Committee on Rules; and public witnesses. FEDERAL ENERGY RESEARCH Committee on Science: Held a hearing on Should Congress Establish ``ARPA-E,'' The Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy? Testimony was heard from public witnesses. SBA FINANCE PROGRAMS Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and Exports held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Small Business Administration's Finance Programs.'' Testimony was heard from Michael Hager, Associate Deputy Administrator, Office of Capital Access, SBA; and public witnesses. FOREIGN OPERATIONS OF U.S. PORTS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing on Foreign Operations of U.S. Port Facilities. Testimony was heard from Stewart A. Baker, Assistant Secretary, Policy, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT/TRAINING Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held an oversight hearing on the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service contract services and its coordination with the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service. Testimony was heard from Charles S. Ciccolella, Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, Department of Labor; July Caden, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and a representative of a veterans organization. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Background on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings FREEDOM IN BELARUS Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission): Commission concluded a hearing to examine the complete absence of political freedom in Belarus and the implications this has on its upcoming elections, after receiving testimony from David J. Kramer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State [[Page D217]] for European Affairs; and Stephen B. Nix, International Republican Institute, Rodger Potocki, National Endowment for Democracy, Iryna Vidanava, Students' Thought, Celeste A. Wallander, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Patrick Merloe, all of Washington, D.C. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, to hold hearings to examine the roles and missions of the Department of Defense regarding homeland defense and support to civil authorities in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, 9:30 a.m., SR-222. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine defective products relating to criminal penalties ensuring corporate accountability, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. House Committee on Appropriations, on GPO, Library of Congress, Open World Leadership Center, GAO, and CBO, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Joint Meetings Joint Economic Committee: to hold hearings to examine the employment situation for February 2006, 9:30 a.m., 2212 RHOB. CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of March 13 through March 18, 2006 Senate Chamber On Monday, at 10 a.m., Senate will begin consideration of the budget resolution, if available. At 11:30 a.m., Senate will begin a period of morning business until 1:30 p.m.; following which, Senate will continue consideration of the budget resolution. Also, at 5:30 p.m., Senate will begin consideration of the nomination of Leo Maury Gordon, of New Jersey, to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade, and vote immediately on the confirmation of the nomination. During the balance of the week, Senate may consider any other cleared legislative and executive business, including the debt-limit. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: March 14, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Boyd Kevin Rutherford, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary, Gale A. Buchanan, of Georgia, to be Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, Marc L. Kesselman, of Tennessee, to be General Counsel, and Linda Avery Strachan, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary, all of the Department of Agriculture, 10 a.m., SR-328A. Committee on Appropriations: March 14, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Food and Drug Administration, 10 a.m., SD-192. March 14, Subcommittee on Energy and Water, to hold hearings to examine an overview of the proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Office of Science, the Energy Supply and Conservation account, and the Fossil Energy Research and Development account within the Department of Energy, 2:30 p.m., SD-138. March 14, Subcommittee on District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the D.C. Courts, D.C. Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, and the D.C. Public Defender Service, 3 p.m., SD-192. March 15, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the the Secretary of the Senate, Architect of the Capitol, and the Capitol Visitor Center, 10:30 a.m., SD-138. March 15, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for military construction, 2:30 p.m., SD-138. March 16, Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Forest Service, 9:30 a.m., SD-124. March 16, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, Research, Education, and Economics, Rural Development, and Natural Resources Conservation Service, 10 a.m., SD-192. March 16, Subcommittee on Energy and Water, to hold hearings to examine National Nuclear Security Administration budget, 2:30 p.m., SD-124. Committee on Armed Services: March 13, to hold a closed briefing on an update from the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, 3 p.m., SR-222. March 14, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine military strategy and operational requirements in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. March 14, Subcommittee on Personnel, to hold hearings to examine health benefits and programs in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007, 2:30 p.m., SR-325. March 14, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the Joint Strike Fighter F-136 Alternate Engine Program in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, 2:30 p.m., SH-216. [[Page D218]] March 15, Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, to hold hearings to examine ground forces readiness in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007, 9:30 a.m., SR- 222. March 15, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the Joint Strike Fighter F136 Alternative Engine Program in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. March 16, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine military strategy and operational requirements in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program; to be followed by a closed session in SH-219, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. March 16, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, to hold hearings to examine Global Strike Plans and programs in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007, 3:30 p.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: March 14, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of James S. Simpson, of New York, to be Federal Transit Administrator, Department of Transportation, and Robert M. Couch, of Alabama, to be President, Government National Mortgage Association, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: March 14, to hold hearings to examine wireless issues spectrum reform, 10 a.m., SD-106. March 14, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine Wall Street perspective on telecom, 2:30 p.m., SD-106. March 15, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine innovation and competitiveness legislation, 2:30 p.m., SD-562. March 16, Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction, to hold hearings to examine impacts on aviation regarding volcanic hazards, 10 a.m., SD-562. March 16, Full Committee, business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 3 p.m., SD-562. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: March 14, Subcommittee on National Parks, to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. March 15, Full Committee, business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 11:30 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: March 16, to hold hearings to examine the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration's strategy to restore and protect the Great Lakes, 9:30 a.m., SD-628. Committee on Finance: March 14, to hold hearings to examine administrative challenges facing the Social Security Administration, 10 a.m., SD-215. March 16, Subcommittee on International Trade, to hold hearings to examine Cuno and competitiveness, 9:30 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: March 14, to hold hearings to examine a status report on United Nations reform, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. March 14, Full Committee, business meeting to consider Protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital, signed at Paris on August 31, 1994 (Treaty Doc. 109-04), Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Bangladesh for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income signed at Dhaka on September 26, 2004 with an exchange of notes enclosed (Treaty Doc. 109-05), Protocol Amending the Convention Between the United States of America and the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Estates, Inheritances, and Gifts signed at Washington on November 24, 1978 (Treaty Doc. 109-07), and Protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Sweden for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income signed at Washington on September 30, 2005 (Treaty Doc. 109-08), 2:15 p.m., S-116, Capitol. March 15, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine Post- Palestinian election challenges in the Middle East, 9:30 a.m., SD- 419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: March 15, business meeting to consider S. 1955, to amend title I of the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to expand health care access and reduce costs through the creation of small business health plans and through modernization of the health insurance marketplace, 9 a.m., SD-430. March 16, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine reauthorization of Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act relating to enhancing public health and medical preparedness, 10:30 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: March 14, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to hold hearings to examine Federal contractors with unpaid tax debt, focusing on the extent to which contractors are tax delinquent and what can be done about it, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. March 15, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine the progress of the programs on the Government Accountability Office's high-risk list, including whether a proposal to create a Chief Management Officer at the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense would foster a culture of accountability necessary for improved high-risk program performance, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. March 16, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine understanding the obligation of Funds Transparency Act, focusing on the need for earmark reform and legislation that would be an important step toward achieving such reform, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. [[Page D219]] Committee on Indian Affairs: March 15, to hold hearings to examine S. 1899, to amend the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act to identify and remove barriers to reducing child abuse, to provide for examinations of certain children, 9:30 a.m., SR-485. Committee on the Judiciary: March 14, to hold hearings to examine consolidation in the oil and gas industry, 10:30 a.m., SD-226. March 14, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine judicial and executive nominations, 2 p.m., SD-226. March 15, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, to hold hearings to examine hospital group purchasing, focusing on if the industry's reforms are sufficient to ensure competition, 2:30 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: March 16, to hold hearings to examine the homeless programs administered by the VA, 10 a.m., SR- 418. Special Committee on Aging: March 15, to hold hearings to examine eliminating retirement income disparity for women, 10 a.m., SD-106. House Committees Committee on Agriculture, March 15, Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, hearing to review the Federal Crop Insurance System, 2:30 p.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, March 14, hearing on the House of Representatives, Office of Compliance and the Architect of the Capitol, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. March 14, Subcommittee on Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies, on the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 9:30 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. March 14, Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, on Central Command, 1:30 p.m., 143 Capitol. March 14, Subcommittee on Science, The Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations, on the Attorney General, 2 p.m., 2359 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Marketing and Regulatory Programs, 9:30 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, on DOE, Nuclear Waste Disposal, 10 a.m., 2362B Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs, on USAID Programs, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, on Fish and Wildlife Service, 10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies, on SBA, 10 a.m., H-309 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, on Food and Nutrition Service, 9:30 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Defense, executive, on Navy/Marine Corps Budget and Acquisition Overview, 10 a.m., H-140 Capitol. March 16, Subcommittee on Department of Homeland Security, on Secure Border Initiative/Immigration Customs and Enforcement/Customs Border Protection, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, on DOE, Energy Supply and Conservation, 10 a.m., 2362B Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, on Smithsonian, 10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, on NIH, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies, on SEC, 2 p.m., H-309 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies, on the Federal Judiciary, 9:30 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, March 14, hearing on the Department of Defense Quadrennial Defense Review, 2 p.m., and to mark up H. Res. 685, Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in their possession relating to any entity with which the United States has contracted for public relations purposes concerning Iraq, 5:30 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. March 15, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the U.S. Central Command, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee in Military Personnel, hearing on the Military Resale and Morale, Welfare Morale, Welfare and Recreation Overview, 2 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Projection Forces, hearing on the Navy's Fiscal Year 2007 Shipbuilding Acquisition Strategy and How it Supports the Navy's Long-Range Fleet Plan, 3 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on Implementing the Global War on Terror strategy: Overcoming Interagency Problems, 5 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. March 16, full Committee, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the U.S. Southern Command, 9 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, hearing on Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for space activities, 1 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the [[Page D220]] Navy and the Department of the Air Force Aviation Acquisition Programs, 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, March 16, Hearing on the Key Budget Process Reforms, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Education and the Workforce, March 16, Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, hearing entitled ``Mine Safety and Health: A Congressional Perspective,'' 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, March 15, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, hearing on Status of the Yucca Mountain Project, 2 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ``What's the Cost? Proposals to Provide Consumers With Better Information About Healthcare Service Costs,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, March 14, hearing entitled ``Review of the Rudman Report on Fannie Mae, 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. March 16, full Committee, oversight hearing of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the Department's budget request for fiscal year 2007, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, March 14, Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, hearing entitled ``Drowning in a Sea of Faux Secrets: Policies on Handling of Classified and Sensitive Information,'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Energy and Resources, hearing entitled ``Strengthening the Nation's Water Infrastructure: The Army Corps of Engineers' Planning Priorities,'' 2 p.m., 2203 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency Organization, hearing entitled ``Improving the Quality of Healthcare in the FEHBP,'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance and Accountability, hearing entitled ``OMB's Financial Management Line of Business Initiative Too Much Too Soon?'' 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, hearing entitled ``Taking on Water: The National Park Service's Stalled Rulemaking Effort on Personal Watercraft,'' 10 a.m., 2247 Rayburn. March 16, full Committee, hearing entitled ``Leave No Computer System Behind: A Review of the 2006 Federal Computer Security Scorecards,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, March 16, to continue mark up of H.R. 4439, Transportation Security Administration Reorganization Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on International Relations, March 15, hearing on the Status of Reform and Fraud Investigations at the United Nations, 10:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations and the Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats, joint hearing on the Northern Ireland Peace Process: Policing Advances and Remaining Challenges, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. March 15, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, hearing on Unrest in South Asia: Recent Developments in Nepal and Sri Lanka, 2 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, hearing on Monitoring Respect for Human Rights Around the World: A Review of the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2005, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, to mark up the following resolutions: H. Con. Res. 328, Condemning the anti- democratic actions of Venezuelan President Hugh Chavez and expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should strongly support the aspirations of the democratic forces in Venezuela; H. Con. Res. 338, Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the activities of Islamist terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere; and H. Con. Res. 353, Commending the people of the Republic of Haiti for holding democratic elections on February 7, 2006, and congratulating President-elect Rene Garcia Preval on his victory in these elections, 2:30 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, March 14, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, hearing on H.R. 3509, Workplace Goods Job Growth and Competitiveness Act of 2005, 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, oversight hearing on United States v. Booker: One Year Later--Chaos or Status Quo? 10:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, March 15, hearing on H.R. 4857, To better inform consumers regarding costs associated with compliance for protecting endangered and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 11 a.m.; and a hearing on H.R. 4893, To amend section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to restrict off- reservation gaming, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. March 16, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, oversight hearing on the Department of the Interior and United States Forest Service Budgets for Fiscal Year 2007 Energy and Mineral Programs, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth. March 16, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans, oversight hearing on the Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the National Wildlife Refuge System, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. March 16, Subcommittee on National Parks, oversight hearing entitled ``National Park Service business strategies, including the development and implementation of National Park Service business plans,'' 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Rules, March 15, Subcommittee on the Legislative and Budget Process, hearing on H.R. 4890, Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2006, 10 a.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Science, March 15, Subcommittee on Research, hearing on Undergraduate Science, Math and Engineering Education: What's Working? 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, March 15, hearing on the issues confronting the Small Business Administration in the upcoming fiscal years, 2 p.m., 2360 Rayburn. [[Page D221]] March 15, Subcommittee on Rural Enterprise, Agriculture and Technology, hearing entitled ``The Missouri River and its Spring Rise: Science or Science Fiction? 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight, hearing on the State of Small Business Security in a Cyber Economy, 2 p.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, March 15, Subcommittee on Railroads, hearing on Implementation of the Recently Expanded Rail Infrastructure Loan Program, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines, oversight hearing on Pipeline Safety, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, March 15, oversight hearing on education benefits for the total military force, 10:30 a.m., 334 Cannon. March 16, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, oversight hearing on the accuracy of benefits information provided to, and the quality of service received by, individuals calling into the Veterans Benefits Administration, 2 p.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, March 15, Subcommittee on Health, Hearing on Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals, 3 p.m., 1100 Longworth. March 15, Subcommittee on Human Resources, hearing regarding new research on unemployment benefit recipients, 2 p.m., B-318 Rayburn. March 16, Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, hearing on the use of tax preferred bond financing, 10:30 a.m., 1100 Longworth. March 16, Subcommittee on Social Security, to continue hearings on Social Security number high-risk issues, 10 a.m., B-318 Rayburn. 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. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. The database includes both text and graphics from the beginning of the 103d Congress, 2d session (January 1994) forward. It is available through GPO Access at www.gpo.gov/gpoaccess. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D222]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Monday, March 13 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will begin consideration of the budget resolution, if available. At 11:30 a.m., Senate will begin a period of morning business until 1:30 p.m.; following which, Senate will continue consideration of the budget resolution. Also, at 5:30 p.m., Senate will begin consideration of the nomination of Leo Maury Gordon, of New Jersey, to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade, and vote immediately on the confirmation of the nomination. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Monday, March 13 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Baca, Joe, Calif., E335 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E337 Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E330 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E342, E343 Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E330 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E323, E325, E327, E328, E329 Cardin, Benjamin L., Md., E333 Cardoza, Dennis A., Calif., E342 Chocola, Chris, Ind., E324, E326 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E324, E326 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E330 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E332 Dingell, John D., Mich., E332 English, Phil, Pa., E335 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E342 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E338 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E341 Jones, Walter B., N.C., E335 Kanjorski, Paul E., Pa., E323, E324, E326, E328, E329, E330, E336 Kind, Ron, Wisc., E336 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E324, E325, E327, E329 Larson, John B., Conn., E340 Lewis, John, Ga., E343 McGovern, James P., Mass., E341 McMorris, Cathy, Wash., E332 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E340 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E339 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E333 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E340 Myrick, Sue Wilkins, N.C., E335 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E337 Olver, John W., Mass., E333 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E323, E325, E327, E328, E329 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E332 Reynolds, Thomas M., N.Y., E331 Rothman, Steven R., N.J., E333 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E337 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E340, E341, E342 Schwartz, Allyson Y., Pa., E331 Schwarz, John J.H. ``Joe'', Mich., E336 Serrano, Jose E., N.Y., E343 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E338 Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E341 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E323, E325, E327 Udall, Mark, Colo., E334 Watson, Diane E., Calif., E331 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E339 Wynn, Albert Russell, Md., E339