Thursday, February 16, 2006 [[Page D111]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1375-S1450 Measures Introduced: Twenty-eight bills and ten resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2293-2320, S. Res. 373-381, and S. Con. Res. 81. Pages S1413-14 Measures Passed: Senate Legal Representation: Senate agreed to S. Res. 374, to authorize testimony, document production, and legal representation in United States of America v. David Hossein Safavian. Pages S1444-45 Senate Legal Representation: Senate agreed to S. Res. 375, to authorize testimony and legal representation in State of New Hampshire v. William Thomas, Keta C. Jones, John Francis Bopp, Michael S. Franklin, David Van Strein, Guy Chichester, Jamilla El-Shafei, and Ann Isenberg. Pages S1444-45 Senate Legal Representation: Senate agreed to S. Res. 376, to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Keyter v. McCain, et al. Pages S1444-45 Honoring Dr. Norman Shumway: Senate agreed to S. Res. 377, honoring the life of Dr. Norman Shumway and expressing the condolences of the Senate on his passing. Pages S1445-46 National MPS Awareness Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 378, designating February 25, 2006, as ``National MPS Awareness Day''. Pages S1446-47 Recognizing NASCAR-Historically Black Colleges and Universities Consortium: Senate agreed to S. Res. 379, recognizing the creation of the NASCAR-Historically Black Colleges and Universities Consortium. Page S1447 Celebrating Black History Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 380, celebrating Black History Month. Pages S1447-48 USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act: Senate began consideration of S. 2271, to clarify that individuals who receive FISA orders can challenge nondisclosure requirements, that individuals who receive national security letters are not required to disclose the name of their attorney, that libraries are not wire or electronic communication service providers unless they provide specific services, after agreeing to the motion to proceed to its consideration, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S1377-79 Pending: Frist Amendment No. 2895, to establish the enactment date of the Act. Page S1379 Frist Amendment No. 2896 (to Amendment No. 2895), of a perfecting nature. Page S1379 A motion was entered to close further debate on the bill and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, and pursuant to the order of Wednesday, February 15, 2006, the cloture vote will occur at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2006. Pages S1379, S1448 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 96 yeas to 3 nays (Vote No. 22), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to the consideration of the bill. Page S1379 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: Terrence L. Bracy, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation for a term expiring October 6, 2010. Bernadette Mary Allen, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Niger. Janice L. Jacobs, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. Patricia Newton Moller, of Arkansas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi. Steven Alan Browning, of Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Uganda. Jeanine E. Jackson, of Wyoming, to be Ambassador to Burkina Faso. [[Page D112]] Kristie A. Kenney, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines. Robert Weisberg, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Congo. Janet Ann Sanderson, of Arizona, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti. Claudia A. McMurray, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. Michael W. Michalak, of Michigan, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Senior Official to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. James D. McGee, of Florida, to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Union of Comoros. Gary A. Grappo, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman. Bradford R. Higgins, of Connecticut, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Resource Management). Bradford R. Higgins, of Connecticut, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of State. Jackie Wolcott Sanders, of Virginia, to be Alternate Representative of the United States of America for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador. Jackie Wolcott Sanders, of Virginia, to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during her tenure of service as Alternate Representative of the United States of America for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations. Patricia A. Butenis, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Donald T. Bliss, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Ben S. Bernanke, of New Jersey, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Monetary Fund for a term of five years. 29 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 27 Army nominations in the rank of general. 10 Marine Corps nominations in the rank of general. 1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, Navy. Pages S1448-50 Messages From the House: Page S1411 Measures Referred: Page S1411 Measures Read First Time: Pages S1411, S1448 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S1411-13 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1414-15 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1415-39 Additional Statements: Pages S1410-11 Amendments Submitted: Pages S1440-41 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S1441 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S1441-42 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--22) Page S1379 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:36 a.m., and adjourned at 7:28 p.m., until 10 a.m., on Friday, February 17, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1448.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE ACTIVITIES Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine priorities and plans for the atomic energy defense activities of the Department of Energy and to review the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for atomic energy defense activities of the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, after receiving testimony from Samuel W. Bodman, Secretary of Energy. NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Preston M. Geren, of Texas, to be Under Secretary of the Army, James I. Finley, of Minnesota, to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, Thomas P. D'Agostino, of Maryland, to be Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, and 3,576 military nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. NOMINATIONS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Randall S. Kroszner, of New Jersey, and Kevin M. Warsh, of New York, each to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Edward P. Lazear, of California, to be a Member of the Council of Economic Advisers. MONETARY POLICY REPORT Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the [[Page D113]] semiannual monetary policy report to the Congress, after receiving testimony from Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. BUDGET: FOREIGN AFFAIRS Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for foreign affairs, after receiving testimony from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State. NOAA BUDGET Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), after receiving testimony from Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and NOAA, Administrator. OIL AND GAS LEASING Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 2253, to require the Secretary of the Interior to offer the 181 Area of the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas leasing, after receiving testimony from Johnnie Burton, Director, Minerals Management Service, Department of the Interior; Thomas E. Skains, Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Charlotte, North Carolina; Timothy S. Parker, Dominion Exploration and Production, Inc., Houston, Texas; Michael Gravitz, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Washington, D.C.; and Stephen R. Wilson, CF Industries Holdings, Inc., Long Grove, Illinois. PARKS LEGISLATION Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks concluded a hearing to examine S.J. Res. 28, resolution approving the location of the commemorative work in the District of Columbia honoring former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, S. 1870, to clarify the authorities for the use of certain National Park Service properties within Golden Gate National Recreation Area and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, S. 1913, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease a portion of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center for use as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, S. 1970, to amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail, H.R. 562, to authorize the Government of Ukraine to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor the victims of the manmade famine that occurred in Ukraine in 1932-1933, and H.R. 318, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating Castle Nugent Farms located on St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as a unit of the National Park System, after receiving testimony from John Parsons, Associate Regional Director for Lands, Resources and Planning, National Capital Region, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and Chadwick Smith, Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, Oklahoma. ENERGY OUTLOOK Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Energy Information Administration's 2006 annual energy outlook on trends and issues affecting the United States' energy market, after receiving testimony from Guy Caruso, Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy. TRADE AGENDA Committee on Finance: Committee held a hearing to examine the Administration's trade agenda for 2006, receiving testimony from Robert J. Portman, United States Trade Representative. Hearing recessed subject to the call. NOMINATION Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Richard A. Boucher, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf. COMPETITIVENESS IN EDUCATION Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee met to discuss the role of education in global competitiveness, receiving testimony from Erick Ajax, E.J. Ajax and Sons, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota; Bob Bailey, Central Virginia Community College, and Wanda E. Brooks-Crocker, Framatome ANP, Inc., both of Lynchburg, Virginia; Michael J. Bzdack, Johnson and Johnson, Inc., New Brunswick, New Jersey; Sandy Day, Omaha Public Schools, Omaha, Nebraska; Carrie Langston, Chugwater School, Chugwater, Wyoming; Tom Layzell, Council on Postsecondary Education, Frankfort, Kentucky; Mary Morningstar, University of Kansas Department of Special Education, Lawrence; Mel Riddile, JEB Stuart High School, Falls Church, Virginia; Eric Schwarz, Citizen Schools, Boston, Massachusetts; Jim Shelton, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Washington, D.C.; Robin Willner, IBM Global Community Initiatives, Armonk, New York; Reygan [[Page D114]] Freeney, Iowa City, Iowa; and Edna Varner, Chattanooga, Tennessee. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: H.R. 683, to amend the Trademark Act of 1946 with respect to dilution by blurring or tarnishment, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and The nominations of Timothy C. Batten, Sr., to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, Thomas E. Johnston, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia, Aida M. Delgado-Colon, to be United States District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico, Leo Maury Gordon, of New Jersey, to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade, Carol E. Dinkins, of Texas, to be Chairman of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, Alan Charles Raul, of the District of Columbia, to be Vice Chairman of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, and Paul J. McNulty, of Virginia, to be Deputy Attorney General, Reginald I. Lloyd, to be United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, and Stephen C. King, of New York, to be a Member of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States, all of the Department of Justice. BUDGET: VA PROGRAMS Committee on Veterans Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, after receiving testimony from R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, who was accompanied by several of his associates; Steve Robertson, The American Legion, Quentin Kinderman, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Brian Lawrence, Disabled American Veterans, and Carl Blake, Paralyzed Veterans of America, all of Washington, D.C.; and David G. Greineder, AMVETS, Lanham, Maryland. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider pending intelligence matters. Committee recessed subject to the call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 38 public bills, H.R. 4767- 4804; and 14 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 345-347 ; and H. Res. 686-696 were introduced. Pages H387-389 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H389-90 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 3505, to provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions, with an amendment (H. Rept. 109-356, Pt. 2); and H.R. 2355, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce, with an amendment (H. Rept. 109-378). Page H387 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Miller of Michigan to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H335 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Colonel Kenneth J. Leinwand, U.S. Army, Fort Meade Installation Chaplain, Ft. Meade, Maryland. Page H335 Condemning the Government of Iran for violating its international nuclear nonproliferation obligations and expressing support for efforts to report Iran to the United Nations Security Council: Pursuant to the order of the House on February 15th, the House agreed to H. Con. Res. 341, to condemn the Government of Iran for violating its international nuclear nonproliferation obligations and expressing support for efforts to report Iran to the United Nations Security Council, by a yea-and-nay vote of 404 yeas to 4 nays, Roll No. 12. Pages H337-51 Privileged Resolution: The House agreed to table H. Res. 687, relating to a question of privileges of the House (by a recorded vote of 219 ayes to 187 noes with 6 voting ``present'', Roll No. 13). Pages H351-53 Adjournment Resolution: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 345, providing for the conditional adjournment of the House and the conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate. Page H353 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourn today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 20, unless it sooner has received a [[Page D115]] message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H. Con. Res. 345, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Pages H353-54 Providing for a recess of the House for a Joint Meeting to receive the Honorable Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy: Agreed that it may be in order at any time on Wednesday, March 1, 2006, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of the chair, for the purpose of receiving the Honorable Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy. Page H354 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Page H354 Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed the Honorable Mac Thornberry, the Honorable Frank R. Wolf, and the Honorable Tom Davis to act as Speaker Pro Tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through February 28, 2006. Page H354 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Carnahan wherein he resigned from the Committee on Science pending his appointment to the Committee on International Relations, effective immediately. Page H371 Designation by the Speaker Re Assembly of the Congress: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he stated that pursuant to H. Con. Res. 1, and also for the purposes of concurrent resolutions of the current Congresses as may contemplate his designation of members to act in similar circumstances, he designates Representative Boehner to act jointly with the Majority Leader of the Senate or his designee, in the event of his death or inability, to notify the Members of the House and Senate, respectively, of any reassembly under any such concurrent resolution. He further stated that in the event of the death or inability of that designee, the alternate Members of the House listed in a letter dated February 16, 2006, that has been placed with the Clerk are designated, in turn, for the same purposes. Page H385 Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote and one recorded vote developed during the proceedings of the House today and appear on pages H351 and H352. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and at 4:57 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 345, the House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Monday, February 20, 2006, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 345, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28th. Committee Meetings BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES Committee on Agriculture: Approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2007 for submission to the Committee on the Budget. 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 the FDA. Testimony was heard from Andrew Von Eschenbach, M.D., Acting Commissioner, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services. DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2007 DOD Budget overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense, Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary; GEN Peter Pace, USMC, Vice Chairman; and GEN Peter J. Schoomaker, USA, Chief of Staff, both with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. DEPARTMENT OF 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 Department of Labor Fiscal Year 2007 Budget. Testimony was heard from Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor. HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on Transportation Security Administration. Testimony was heard from Kip Hawley, Administrator. Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security. 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 U.S. Trade Representative. Testimony was heard from Robert J. Portman, U.S. Trade Representative. [[Page D116]] COMBATING AL QAEDA AND THE MILITANT JIHADIST THREAT Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on Combating al Qaeda and the Militant Jihadist Threat. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. DISCRETIONARY BUDGET, PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND SPENDING TRENDS Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2007 Discretionary Budget, Performance Evaluations and Spending Trends. Testimony was heard from Clay Johnson, Deputy Director, OMB; and public witnesses. OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY REAUTHORIZATION ACT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, without recommendation H.R. 2829, Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005. STOPPING WMD FUNDING Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Weapons of Mass Destruction: Stopping the funding--OFAC Role.'' Testimony was heard from Robert W. Werner, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury. NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL BUDGET Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources held a hearing entitled ``National Drug Control Budget for Fiscal Year 2007.'' Testimony was heard from John P. Walters, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy. HOMELAND SECURITY BUDGET Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``The President's Proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Budget for the Department of Homeland Security: Maintaining Vigilance and Improving Mission Performance in Securing the Homeland.'' Testimony was heard from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security. TSA RISK-BASED SPENDING Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity held a hearing entitled ``The President's Proposed FY07 Budget: Risk-Based Spending at the Transportation Security Administration.'' Testimony was heard from Kip Hawley, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security. BORDER SURVEILLANCE MISMANAGEMENT Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight continued examination of the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System with a hearing entitled ``Mismanagement of the Border Surveillance System and Lessons Learned for the New Border Initiative, Part 3.'' Testimony was heard from Gregory L. Giddens, Director, Secure Border Initiative Program, Department of Homeland Security; and James C. Handley, Regional Administrator, Great Lakes Region 5, GSA. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing entitled ``The International Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2007.'' Testimony was heard from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State. OVERSIGHT--CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held an oversight hearing on Victims and the Criminal Justice System: How to Protect, Compensate, and Vindicate the Interests of Victims. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MULTI-STATE AND INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ACT Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 4686, Multi-State and International Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Mamie Parker, Assistant Director, Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; Jim Balsiger, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; William Gibbons-Fly, Director, Office of Marine Conservation, Bureau of Oceans and International and Environmental Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses. NASA BUDGET Committee on Science: Held a hearing on NASA's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal. Testimony was heard from the following officials of NASA: Michael Griffin, Administrator, and Shana Dale, Deputy Administrator. BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; GSA CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND LEASING RESOLUTIONS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Approved the following: Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2007 for submission to the [[Page D117]] Committee on the Budget; and GSA Capital Investment and Leasing Program Resolutions for Fiscal Year 2006. HOMELAND SECURITY DISASTER RESPONSE Committee on Transportation and infrastructure: Held a hearing on Disasters and the Department of Homeland Security: Where Do We Go From Here? Testimony was heard from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security. ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA--VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Concluded hearings on annual legislative agenda, views and priorities for veterans organizations. Testimony was heard from representatives of veterans organizations. OVERSIGHT--VA COMPENSATION/PENSION BUDGET Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held an oversight hearing on the VA's Fiscal Year 2007 budget request for the compensation and pension business lines. Testimony was heard from Daniel L. Cooper, Under Secretary, Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and a representative of a veterans organization. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HIGH-RISK ISSUES Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security and the Subcommittee on Oversight held a joint hearing on Social Security Number High-Risk Issues. Testimony was heard from Mark W. Everson, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury; the following officials of the SSA: James B. Lockhart, III, Deputy Commissioner, Social Security; and Patrick P. O'Carroll, Inspector General; Stewart A. Baker, Assistant Secretary, Policy, Department of Homeland Security; and Barbara D. Bovbjerg, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO. ANNUAL ASSESSMENT OF THREATS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Director of National Intelligence: Annual Assessment of Threats. Testimony was heard from Ambassador John D. Negroponte, Director, Office of the Director of National Intelligence. FUTURE IMAGERY ARCHITECTURE Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence met in executive session to hold a hearing on Future Imagery Architecture. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings ECONOMIC REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the economic report of the President, after receiving testimony from Katherine Baicker and Matthew J. Slaughter, both Members, Council of Economic Advisers. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D 97) H.R. 4636, to enact the technical and conforming amendments necessary to implement the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005. Signed on February 15, 2006. (Public Law 109-173) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. 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Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Tuesday, February 28 House Chamber Program for Tuesday: To be announced