Thursday, September 14, 2006 [[Page D964]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed H.R. 4954, SAFE Port Act. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S9577-S9647 Measures Introduced: Eleven bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 3892-3902, S. Res. 570-571, and S. Con. Res. 115. Pages S9629-30 Measures Reported: H.R. 5689, to amend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to make technical corrections, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. S. 3901, to authorize trial by military commission for violations of the law of war. Page S9629 Measures Passed: SAFE Port Act: By a unanimous vote of 98 yeas (Vote No. 249), Senate passed H.R. 4954, to improve maritime and cargo security through enhanced layered defenses, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S9582-S9617 Adopted: Stevens (for Wyden/Smith) Amendment No. 5001, to modify the definition of the term ``container security device''. Pages S9584-85 Stevens Amendment No. 5016, to provide a phased and temporary anchor movement exception for Alaska. Page S9584 Stevens (for Snowe) Amendment No. 5018, to change a conveyance date for Coast Guard property in Portland, Maine. Page S9584 Stevens (for Grassley) Amendment No. 5017, of a technical nature. Page S9584 Isakson/Kennedy Modified Amendment No. 4923, to reduce the radiation exposure of maritime workers and to reimburse maritime terminal operators for additional costs associated with illnesses or injuries for which exposure to ionizing or non-ionizing radiation from cargo screening procedures required under Federal law is a contributing cause. Page S9585 Collins (for Baucus) Modified Amendment No. 4986, to require that as part of the annual performance plan required in the budget submission of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection under section 1115 of title 31, United States Code, the Commissioner of Customs establish performance indicators relating to the seizure of methamphetamine and methamphetamine precursor chemicals in order to evaluate the performance goals of the Bureau with respect to the interdiction of illegal drugs entering the United States. Page S9585 Stevens (for DeMint) Amendment No. 5007 (to Amendment No. 4970), to prohibit the issuance of transportation security cards to individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes. Pages S9604-05 DeMint Amendment No. 4970, to prohibit the issuance of transportation security cards to individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes. Page S9604 Stevens (for Lautenberg) Modified Amendment No. 4942, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement a threat assessment screening program for port truck drivers. Pages S9605-07 Stevens (for Vitter) Modified Amendment No. 4952, to provide for a process for interim security clearance for certain workers. Page S9605 Stevens (for Vitter) Modified Amendment No. 4961, to ensure that ports that play a critical role in our national energy policy remain eligible for port security grants. Page S9605 Stevens (for Rockefeller) Modified Amendment No. 4966, to require a report on the implementation status of the aircraft charter customer and lessee prescreening program. Page S9605 Stevens (for Menendez) Modified Amendment No. 4997, to standardize the risk-based funding of port security grants. Page S9605 Stevens (for Schumer) Modified Amendment No. 4983, to carry out an ``Apollo Project'' to research and develop new technology for the accurate and effective detection and prevention of nuclear and radiological threats to United States seaports. Page S9605 [[Page D965]] Rejected: Schumer Modified Amendment No. 4930, to improve maritime container security by ensuring that foreign ports participating in the Container Security Initiative scan all containers shipped to the United States for nuclear and radiological weapons before loading. (By 61 yeas to 37 nays, Vote No. 248), Senate tabled the amendment). Pages S9590-S9604, S9607 During consideration of this measure today, the Senate also took the following action: By a unanimous vote of 98 yeas (Vote No. 247), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the bill. Page S9586 Chair sustained a point of order under rule XXII, that the following amendments were not germane, and the amendments thus fell: Murray (for Stabenow) Amendment No. 4967, to authorize grants for interoperable communications. Page S9582 Clinton/Dole Amendment No. 4957, to facilitate nationwide availability of 2-1-1 telephone service for information on and referral to human services, including volunteer opportunities related to human services. Page S9582 Clinton Amendment No. 4943, to fund additional research to improve the detection of explosive materials at airport security checkpoints. Page S9582 Clinton/Schumer Amendment No. 4958, to establish a grant program for individuals still suffering health effects as a result of the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York City. Page S9582 Nelson (NE) Modified Amendment No. 4945, to provide emergency agricultural disaster assistance. Page S9590 Boxer Amendment No. 4995, to require the placement of blast-resistant cargo containers on all commercial passenger aircraft. Pages S9605-06 Hispanic Heritage Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 571, recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic Americans to the strength and culture of the United States. Pages S9645-46 U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Democratic Leader, Senate begin consideration of H.R. 5684, to implement the United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement; that there be 3 hours of debate--2 hours for the minority, with 60 minutes for Senator Dorgan, 30 minutes for Senator Conrad, 30 minutes for Senator Baucus, or his designee, and 60 minutes for the majority, and that all time be consumed on either Friday, September 15, or Monday, September 18, 2006; further, that on Tuesday, September 19, 2006, there be 10 minutes for Senators Dorgan and Conrad, respectively, and 10 minutes equally divided between the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Finance; and that following the use, or yielding back of time, Senate vote on final passage of the bill. Page S9646 Messages From the House: Page S9629 Measures Referred: Page S9629 Measures Read First Time: Pages S9629, S9647 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S9629 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S9630-31 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S9631-40 Additional Statements: Pages S9628-29 Amendments Submitted: Pages S9640-44 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Pages S9644-45 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S9645 Privileges of the Floor: Page S9645 Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--249) Pages S9586, S9607, S9616 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 6:46 p.m., until 10 a.m., on Friday, September 15, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S9647.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) GLOBAL NUCLEAR ENERGY PARTNERSHIP Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water, Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, including proposed advanced reactor technologies for recycling nuclear waste, after receiving testimony from Dennis Spurgeon, Assistant Secretary of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy; Alan Hanson, AREVA NC, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland; Kelly Fletcher, GE Global Research, Fairfield, Connecticut; and Matthew Bunn, Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, Massachusetts. CATCHING TERRORISTS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security concluded a hearing to examine the British system versus the U.S. system relating to [[Page D966]] catching terrorists, after receiving testimony from Judge Richard Posner, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; John Yoo, University of California at Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law; and Tom Parker, Halo Partnership Consulting, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill (S. 3901) to authorize trial by military commission for violations of the law of war. PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Department of Defense's report on predatory lending practices directed at members of the armed forces and their dependents, after receiving testimony from David S. C. Chu, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; Admiral Charles S. Abbot, USN (Ret.), Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Arlington, Virginia; William O. Brown, Jr., University of North Carolina at Greensboro Department of Accounting and Finance, on behalf of the Consumer Credit Research Foundation; Lynn Drysdale, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Jacksonville, Florida; Hilary B. Miller, Alexandria, Virginia, on behalf of the Payday Loan Bar Association, and Community Financial Services Association; and Christopher L. Peterson, University of Florida, Gainesville. RURAL AIR SERVICE Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Aviation concluded a hearing to examine rural air service, focusing on the development and impact of funding programs including Essential Air Service, and the status of Small Community Air Service Development Program that help small communities retain or attract air service, after receiving testimony from Michael W. Reynolds, Acting Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Aviation and International Affairs; Gerald L. Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office; Faye Malarkey, Regional Airline Association, Washington, D.C.; John Torgerson, Alaska Department of Transportation, Anchorage; and Douglas Kaercher, Hill County Commissioner, Havre, Montana, on behalf of the National Association of Counties. NOMINATIONS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of C. Stephen Allred, of Idaho, to be Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, who was introduced by Senators Craig and Crapo, and Robert W. Johnson, of Nevada, to be Commissioner of Reclamation, who was introduced by Senators Reid and Ensign, both of the Department of the Interior, after the nominees 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 Nuclear Regulatory Commission responsibility and capability for long- and short-term spent fuel storage programs, focusing on the effect on the NRC's resources of current and proposed nuclear waste management programs, after receiving testimony from Edward F. Sproat, III, Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, and R. Shane Johnson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, both of the Department of Energy; Luis A. Reyes, Executive Director for Operations, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Admiral Frank L. Bowman, USN (Ret.), Nuclear Energy Institute, Washington, D.C.; and Victor Gilinsky, Santa Monica, California. FEDERAL AGENCIES CONFERENCE SPENDING Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine Federal agencies spending on conference meetings and travel, focusing on how they monitor and track conference participation and spending and control these activities, after receiving testimony from Lisa Fiely, Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Agency for International Development; Nina Rose Hatfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy, Management and Budget; Lee J. Lofthus, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Administration, Department of Justice; Michell Clark, Assistant Secretary of Education for Management; Edward C. Hugler, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration, Department of Labor; Clarence C. Crawford, Chief Financial Officer, Office of Personnel Management; Eugene Schied, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Department of Homeland Security; Jeffery K. Nulf, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Administration; Richard Holcomb, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Department of the Treasury; and Charles R. Christopherson, Jr., Chief Financial Officer, Department of Agriculture. SKILLS-BASED POINT SYSTEM Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the value [[Page D967]] of a skills-based point system relating to employment-based permanent immigration, after receiving testimony from Charles M. Beach, Queen's University John Deutsch Institute for the Study of Economic Policy, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; George J. Borjas, Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Douglas S. Massey, Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton, New Jersey; and Alan Tonelson, U.S. Business and Industry Council Educational Foundation, Washington, D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: H.R. 854, to provide for certain lands to be held in trust for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe; S. 3648, to compromise and settle all claims in the case of Pueblo of Isleta v. United States, to restore, improve, and develop the valuable on-reservation land and natural resources of the Pueblo; S. 3687, to waive application of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to a specific parcel of real property transferred by the United States to 2 Indian tribes in the State of Oregon; and The nomination of the nomination of Carl Joseph Artman, of Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs. Prior to this action, committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Carl Joseph Artman (listed above), after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS Committee on the Judiciary: On Wednesday, September 13, Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs concluded a hearing to examine challenges facing today's federal prosecutors, including efforts to combat terrorism, violent crime, the exploitation of children, cyber-crime, drug trafficking, civil rights violations, and corporate and public corruption, after receiving testimony from Michael A. Battle, Director, Executive Office for United States Attorneys, and Susan W. Brooks, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Indiana, Vice-Chair, Attorney General's Advisory Committee, Chair, Office of Management and Budget Subcommittee, both of the Department of Justice; and William I. Shockley, Lake Ridge, Virginia, on behalf of the National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys. SENIOR SUICIDE Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine mental illness and suicide prevention, focusing on the quality of geriatric psychiatry, and the rate of suicide among senior citizens, after receiving testimony from Melvin Kohn, Oregon Department of Human Services, Salem; David Carl Steffens, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Christopher C. Colenda, Texas A&M University, College Station; Art Walaszek, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison; and David Shern, National Mental Health Association, Alexandria, Virginia. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 19 public bills, H.R. 6070- 6088; and 11 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 473-475; and H. Res. 1010-1013 were introduced. Pages H6654-55 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H6655-56 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 1369, to prevent certain discriminatory taxation of natural gas pipeline property (H. Rept. 109-656); H.R. 2679, to amend the Revised Statutes of the United States to eliminate the chilling effect on the constitutionally protected expression of religion by State and local officials that results from the threat that potential litigants may seek damages and attorney's fees, with an amendment (H. Rept. 109-657); H.R. 4772, to simplify and expedite access to the Federal courts for injured parties whose rights and privileges under the United States Constitution have been deprived by final actions of Federal agencies or other government officials or entities acting under color of State law, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 109-658); H.R. 5863, to authorize temporary emergency extensions to certain exemptions to the requirements with respect to polychlorinated biphenyls under the Toxic Substances Control Act (H. Rept. 109-659); H.R. 4809, to amend the provisions of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, commonly referred to as the Paperwork Reduction Act, to ensure [[Page D968]] usability and clarity of information disseminated by Federal agencies, and to facilitate compliance with Federal paperwork requirements (H. Rept. 109-660); and H.R. 5312, to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend that Act, with an amendment (H. Rept. 109-661, Pt. 1). Page H6654 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rabbi Amy Rader, B'nai Torah Congregation, Boca Raton, Florida. Page H6537 Recess: The House recessed at 9:04 a.m. and reconvened at 10 a.m. Page H6537 Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2006: The House passed H.R. 2965, to amend title 18, United States Code, to require Federal Prison Industries to compete for its contracts minimizing its unfair competition with private sector firms and their non-inmate workers and empowering Federal agencies to get the best value for taxpayers' dollars, to provide a 5-year period during which Federal Prison Industries adjusts to obtaining inmate work opportunities through other than its mandatory source status, to enhance inmate access to remedial and vocational opportunities and other rehabilitative opportunities to better prepare inmates for a successful return to society, to authorize alternative inmate work opportunities in support of non-profit organizations and other public service programs, by a yea-and-nay vote of 362 yeas to 57 nays, Roll No. 443, after ordering the previous question. Pages H6561-80 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. Page H6567 Agreed to: Sensenbrenner Manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 109-647) modifies 13 dates in various provisions of the bill to reflect the passage of time since the bill's introduction, which were not modified during the Committee's consideration. Also corrects one sectional cross reference and a reference to an Executive Branch agency. The amendment adds a provision explicitly requiring Federal Prison Industries (FPI) to establish a cost accounting system which was implicit in, and necessary to implement, the amendment by Rep. Issa which was adopted during Judiciary Committee consideration of the bill; and to make a grammatical correction to the Issa amendment. Pages H6575-76 Rejected: Scott of Virginia amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 109-647) that sought to allow the Attorney General to direct agencies within the Department of Justice to award individual contracts to Federal Prison Industries (FPI) on a non-competitive basis (by a recorded vote of 77 ayes to 339 noes, Roll No. 441); and Pages H6576-77, S6578 Scott of Virginia amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 109-647) that sought allow Federal Prison Industries (FPI) to continue service contracts of the nature and to the extent it was doing so on the date of enactment of the bill (by a recorded vote of 80 ayes to 332 noes, Roll No. 442). Pages H6577-79 H. Res. 997, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to on yesterday, Wednesday, September 13th, by voice vote after ordering the previous question. Establishing operational control over the international land and maritime borders of the United States: The House passed H.R. 6061, to establish operational control over the international land and maritime borders of the United States, by a recorded vote of 283 ayes to 138 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 446. Pages S6540-61, S6580-96 Rejected the Thompson of Mississippi motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Homeland Security with instructions to report the bill back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 193 yeas to 224 nays, Roll No. 445, after ordering the previous question. Pages H6593-95 H. Res. 1002, 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 224 yeas to 190 nays, Roll No. 444. Pages H6580-81 Water Resources Development Act of 2006--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House agreed to the Melancon motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2864, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, by a yea-and-nay vote of 340 yeas to 79 nays, Roll No. 447. Consideration of the motion began on yesterday, Wednesday, September 13th. Pages H6596-97 The Chair appointed as conferees on H.R. 2864: From the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Messrs. Young of Alaska, Duncan, Baker, [[Page D969]] Gary G. Miller of California, Brown of South Carolina, Boozman, Oberstar, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Messrs. Costello, and Bishop of New York; Page H6597 From the Committee on Resources, for consideration of secs. 2017, 2020, 2025, and 2027 of the House bill, and secs. 3019, 5007, and 5008 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr. Pombo, Mrs. Musgrave, and Mr. Kind. Page H6597 Providing for earmarking reform in the House of Representatives--Rule for Consideration: The House agreed to H. Res. 1003, providing for the adoption of H. Res. 1000, amended, providing for earmarking reform in the House of Representatives, by a recorded vote of 245 ayes to 171 noes, Roll No. 449, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 218 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 448. Pages H6597-H6616 Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated on Wednesday, September 13th: Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 39-25 61st Street in Woodside, New York, as the ``Thomas J. Manton Post Office Building'': H.R. 6033, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 39-25 61st Street in Woodside, New York, as the ``Thomas J. Manton Post Office Building'', by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 403 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 450. Page H6616 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m. on tomorrow, Friday, September 15th, and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, 2006, for Morning Hour debate. Page H6617 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, September 20, 2006. Page H6617 Requesting the return of H.R. 503: The House agreed by unanimous consent to H. Res. 1011, requesting the Senate to return to the House of Representatives official papers on H.R. 503, to amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption. Page H6618 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appear on page H6540. Senate Referrals: S. 1902 was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce; and S. 2464 was referred to the Committee on Resources. Page H6652 Quorum Calls--Votes: Six yea-and-nay votes and four recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H6578, H6579, H6580, H6580-81, H6595, H6595-96, H6596-97, H6614, H6614-15 and H6616. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Committee Meetings FEDERAL FARM POLICY Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a hearing to Review Federal Farm Policy. Testimony was heard from the following former Secretaries of Agriculture: John R. Block; Clayton Yeutter; and Dan Glickman. FBI TRANSFORMATION Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on FBI Transformation. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Robert Mueller, Director, FBI; and Glenn A. Fine, Inspector General; the following officials of the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress: Alfred Cumming, Specialist in Intelligence and National Security Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division; and Todd Masse, Specialist in Domestic Intelligence and Counterterrorism, Domestic Social Policy Division; and former Governor of Pennsylvania and former Attorney General Dick L. Thornburgh, Fellow, National Academy of Public Administration. BASEL CAPITAL COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE REGULATIONS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing entitled ``A Review of Regulatory Proposals on Basel Capital and Commercial Real Estate.'' Testimony was heard from Susan Schmidt Bies, member Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; Sheila C. Blair, Chairman, FDIC; from the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: John C. Dugan, Comptroller of the Currency; and John M. Reich, Director, Office of Thrift Supervision; Robert L.D. Colby, Acting Director, Division of Market Regulation, SEC; and public witnesses. [[Page D970]] INTERIOR DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``Part Two, Interior Department: A Culture of Managerial Irresponsibility and Lack of Accountability?'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: P. Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary; and Johnnie Burton, Director, Minerals Materials Management Service. BRIEFING--RECENT PLOT TO DETONATE LIQUID EXPLOSIVES CARRIED ON AIRLINERS TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES Committee on Homeland Security: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on the recent plot to detonate liquid explosives carried on airliners traveling from the United Kingdom to the United States. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses NUCLEAR AND BIOLOGICAL ATTACK PREVENTION SCIENCE Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack held a hearing entitled ``The Science of Prevention.'' Testimony was heard from John Marburger, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy; the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Jay Cohen, Under Secretary, Science and Technology; and Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office; and public witnesses. FEDERAL ELECTION INTEGRITY ACT OF 2006 Committee on House Administration: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4844, Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006. OVERSIGHT--JAPAN'S RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGHBORS Committee on International Relations: Held an oversight hearing on Japan's Relations with Its Neighbors: Back to the Future? Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--U.S.-MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA POLICY Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia held an oversight hearing entitled ``Is There a Clash of Civilizations? Islam, Democracy, and U.S.-Middle East and Central Asia Policy.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. D.C. FAIR AND EQUAL HOUSE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 2006 Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on H.R. 5388, District of Columbia Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., of Utah; and public witnesses. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE FILING Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property held a hearing on H.R. 5120, to amend title 35, United States Code, to conform certain filing provisions within the Patent and Trademark Office. Testimony was heard from Jon W. Dudas, Under Secretary, Intellectual Property and Director, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 4953 (S. 2430), Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006; and H.R. 4345 (S. 2041), Ed Fountain Park Expansion Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Kirk and Berkley; Charles Wooley, Deputy Regional Director, Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; Gerry Barnhart, Director, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, State of New York; Lawrence Weekly, Councilman, City of Las Vegas, Nevada; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 5690, Ouachita National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2006; H.R. 5756, Colorado Emergency Wildfire and Insect Infestations Response Act of 2006; H.R. 5769, Washington County Growth and Conservation Act of 2006; and S. 447, Jornada Experimental Range Transfer Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Chad Calvert, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management, Department of the Interior; and Mark Rey, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and the Environment, USDA. OVERSIGHT--REVIEW OF COAST GUARD MISSION PERFORMANCE Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing on the Review of Coast Guard Mission Performance. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: RADM Joseph L. Nimmich, USCG, Assistant Commandant, Policy and Planning, U.S. Coast Guard; and Edward M. Stulginsky, Deputy Assistant Inspector General, Audits. [[Page D971]] MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; GSA'S FY 2007 CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND LEASING PROGRAM Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management approved for full Committee action the following: H.R. 1105, Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2005; H.R. 4981, amended, Dam Safety Act of 2006; H.R. 5026, To designate the Investigations Building of the Food and Drug Administration located at 466 Fernandez Juncos Avenue in San Juan, Puerto, as the ``Andres Toro Building;'' H.R. 1556, To designate a parcel of land located on the site of the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse in St. Louis, Missouri, as the ``Clyde S. Cahill Memorial Park;'' H.R. 5606, To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 221 and 211 West Ferguson Street in Tyler, Texas as the ``William M. Steger Federal Building and United States Courthouse;'' H.R. 2322, To designate the Federal building located at 320 North Main Street in McAllen, Texas, as the ``Kika de la Garza Federal Building;'' H.R. 5546, amended, To designate the U.S. courthouse to be constructed in Greenville, South Carolina, as the ``Carroll A. Campbell, Jr., Federal Courthouse;'' H.R. 6051, amended, To designate the Federal building located at 2 South Main Street in Akron, Ohio, as the ``John F. Seiberling Federal Building;'' and the General Services Administration's Fiscal Year 2007 Capital Investment and Leasing Program. BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Global Updates/Hot Spots. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, hearing entitled ``Contact Lens Sales: Is Market Regulation the Prescription?'' 9:30 a.m., 2322 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, to continue hearings entitled ``Iraq: Democracy or Civil War?'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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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 D972]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Friday, September 15 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will be in a period of morning business. Also, Senate expects to begin consideration of H.R. 5684, U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 11 a.m., Friday, September 15 House Chamber Program for Friday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E1726, E1733 Bean, Melissa L., Ill., E1729 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E1717, E1717, E1718, E1719 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E1735 Butterfield, G.K., N.C., E1717, E1717, E1727 Castle, Michael N., Del., E1719 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1737 Costa, Jim, Calif., E1717, E1718, E1723 Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E1729 Cramer, Robert E. (Bud), Jr., Ala., E1737, E1738 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E1726 Davis, Danny K., Ill., E1734 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E1729 Drake, Thelma D., Va., E1735 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E1730, E1731 Green, Mark, Wisc., E1722 Hooley, Darlene, Ore., E1727 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1720, E1721, E1734 Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E1731 Johnson, Sam, Tex., E1725 Kilpatrick, Carolyn C., Mich., E1722 Kline, John, Minn., E1724 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E1730, E1730 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E1735 McCaul, Michael T., Tex., E1729 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1734 Michaud, Michael H., Me., E1722 Miller, Brad, N.C., E1730 Murtha, John P., Pa., E1723 Nadler, Jerrold, N.Y., E1733, E1733 Oberstar, James L., Minn., E1725 Otter, C.L. ``Butch'', Idaho, E1724 Owens, Major R., N.Y., E1725 Pelosi, Nancy, Calif., E1727 Petri, Thomas E., Wisc., E1728 Poe, Ted, Tex., E1718 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E1734 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1732, E1736, E1739 Rothman, Steven R., N.J., E1726 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E1736 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E1725 Shaw, E. Clay, Jr., Fla., E1723 Shimkus, John, Ill., E1724 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E1727 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E1728 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E1721 Sweeney, John E., N.Y., E1722 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E1720 Udall, Mark, Colo., E1737 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E1732, E1733, E1734 Wamp, Zach, Tenn., E1733 Watson, Diane E., Calif., E1738 Weldon, Curt, Pa., E1722 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E1719 Whitfield, Ed, Ky., E1724 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E1720 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E1719