Thursday, May 25, 2006 [[Page D556]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed S. 2611, Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S5135-S5301 Measures Introduced: Two hundred and six bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 3035-3240, and S. Res. 494-495. Pages S5226-30 Measures Reported: H.R. 2066, to amend title 40, United States Code, to establish a Federal Acquisition Service, to replace the General Supply Fund and the Information Technology Fund with an Acquisition Services Fund, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 109-257) S. 2127, to redesignate the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in the State of Virginia as the ``Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge''. (S. Rept. No. 109-258) S. 3237, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. (S. Rept. No. 109-259) S. Res. 312, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the need for the United States to address global climate change through the negotiation of fair and effective international commitments, and with an amended preamble. S. 559, to make the protection of vulnerable populations, especially women and children, who are affected by a humanitarian emergency a priority of the United States Government, with amendments. S. 1950, to promote global energy security through increased cooperation between the United States and India in diversifying sources of energy, stimulating development of alternative fuels, developing and deploying technologies that promote the clean and efficient use of coal, and improving energy efficiency, with amendments. S. 2039, to provide for loan repayment for prosecutors and public defenders. S. 2200, to establish a United States-Poland parliamentary youth exchange program, with amendments. S. 2560, to reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. S. 2566, to provide for coordination of proliferation interdiction activities and conventional arms disarmament, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. S. 2697, to establish the position of the United States Ambassador for ASEAN, with amendments. Page S5226 Measures Passed: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act: By 62 yeas to 36 nays (Vote No. 157), Senate passed S. 2611, to provide for comprehensive immigration reform, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S5135-91 Adopted: By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 152), Bingaman Amendment No. 4131, to limit the total number of aliens, including spouses and children, granted employment-based legal permanent resident status to 650,000 during any fiscal year. Pages S5141-46 By 52 yeas to 45 nays (Vote No. 153), Feingold Amendment No. 4083, to strike the provision prohibiting a court from staying the removal of an alien in certain circumstances. Pages S5146-53, S5188 By 50 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 155), Ensign Amendment No. 4136, to ensure the integrity of the Earned Income Tax Credit program by reducing the potential for fraud and to ensure that aliens who receive an adjustment of this status under this bill meet their obligation to pay back taxes without creating a burden on the American public. Pages S5160-88, S5189 By 56 yeas to 41 nays, 1 responding present (Vote No. 156), Specter/ Kennedy Amendment No. 4188, to make certain revisions to the bill. Pages S5189-90 [[Page D557]] Rejected: By 49 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 151), Cornyn Amendment No. 4097, to modify the requirements for confidentiality of certain information submitted by an alien seeking an adjustment of status under section 245B. Pages S5135-41 By 37 yeas to 60 nays (Vote No. 154), Sessions Amendment No. 4108, to limit the application of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Pages S5153-60, S5188-89 A unanimous-consent request was granted permitting Senator Landrieu to change her aye vote to a nay vote on Vote No. 131, changing the outcome of the vote to 62 yeas to 35 nays relative to Inhofe Further Modified Amendment No. 4064, to amend title 4 United States Code, to declare English as the national language of the United States and to promote the patriotic integration of prospective U.S. citizens, agreed to on Thursday, May 18, 2006. Page S5190 National Vigil for Lost Promise: Senate agreed to S. Res. 495, designating June 8, 2006, as the day of a National Vigil for Lost Promise. Page S5272 Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act: Senate passed S. 2856, to provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions. Pages S5272-83 Cuban Dissident: Senate agreed to S. Res. 469, condemning the April 25, 2006, beating and intimidation of Cuban dissident Martha Beatriz Roque. Page S5283 National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 236, recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, supporting the goals and ideals of National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week, and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S5283-84 San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Coin Act: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1953, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the Old Mint at San Francisco otherwise known as the ``Granite Lady'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S5284 American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act: Senate passed S. 633, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of veterans who became disabled for life while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. Pages S5284-85 Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act: Senate passed S. 2784, to award a congressional gold medal to the Fourteenth Dalai Lama in recognition of his many enduring and outstanding contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights, and religious understanding. Pages S5284-85 Lewis and Clark Commemorative Coin Correction Act: Senate passed H.R. 5401, to amend section 308 of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act to make certain clarifying and technical amendments, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S5284-85 Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act:Senate concurred in the amendments of the House of Representatives to S. 1235, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and extend housing, insurance, outreach, and benefits programs provided under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to improve and extend employment programs for veterans under laws administered by the Secretary of Labor, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S5285-95 Kavanaugh Nomination: Senate resumed consideration of the nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Pages S5191-S5208 During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action: By 67 yeas to 30 nays (Vote No. 158), 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 nomination. Page S5191 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, May 26, 2006, Senate continue consideration of the nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh (listed above) and that following the disposition of the nomination, Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination of General Michael V. Hayden, USAF, to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency; provided further, that if the nomination of General Michael V. Hayden is confirmed, the Senate then immediately vote on confirmation of the nomination of Michael V. Hayden for appointment in the United States Air Force to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601, to be General; that following those votes Senator Nelson (FL) be recognized to speak for up to five minutes and the Senate then vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Dirk Kempthorne, of Idaho, to be Secretary of the Interior; provided further, that if cloture is invoked, Senator Landrieu be recognized for up to ten minutes, [[Page D558]] and the Senate then vote on confirmation of the nomination of Dirk Kempthorne. Page S5296 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Robert O. Blake, Jr., of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Maldives. Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, of the District of Columbia, to be Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. Phyllis D. Thompson, of the District of Columbia, to be Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. Elizabeth Dougherty, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Mediation Board for a term expiring July 1, 2009. 3 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 40 Army nominations in the rank of general. Routine lists in the Army, Navy. Page S5301 Messages From the House: Page S5224 Measures Referred: Page S5224 Measures Read First Time: Page S5224 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S5224 Executive Communications: Pages S5224-26 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S5226 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S5230-33 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S5233-59 Additional Statements: Pages S5219-24 Amendments Submitted: Pages S5259-70 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Pages S5270-71 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S5271-72 Record Votes: Eight record votes were taken today. (Total--158) Pages S5141, S5146, S5188, S5189, S5190, S5191 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:15 a.m., and adjourned at 10:06 p.m., until 8:45 a.m., on Friday, May 26, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S5296.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) HADITHA INCIDENT Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on the status of on-going investigations into an incident involving Iraqi civilians on November 19, 2005, near Haditha, from Brigadier General John F. Kelly, USMC, Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: An original bill to amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, to restore the financial solvency of the flood insurance fund; and The nominations of Armando J. Bucelo, Jr., and Todd S. Farha, both of Florida, each to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, Jon T. Rymer, of Tennessee, to be Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, John W. Cox, of Texas, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and William Hardiman, of Michigan, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences. TELECOM REFORM: NET NEUTRALITY AND INTERCONNECTION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee resumed hearings to examine S. 2686, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 and for other purposes, focusing on policies that will increase investment in network technologies to promote facilities-based competition, receiving testimony from Paul Misener, Amazon.com, Tom Tauke, Verizon, Timothy J. Regan, Corning Incorporated, Ben Scott, Free Press, on behalf of Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America, and Earl W. Comstock, COMPTEL, all of Washington, D.C.; and Roger J. Cochetti, Computing Technology Industry Association, Arlington, Virginia. Hearings continue on Tuesday, June 13. COAL-BASED ELECTRIC GENERATION Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the outlook for growth of coal-fired electric generation and whether sufficient supplies of coal will be available to supply electric generators on a timely basis both in the near term and in the future, after receiving testimony from Howard Gruenspecht, Deputy Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy; Robert McLennan, Tri-State Generation and [[Page D559]] Transmission Association, Inc., Westminster, Colorado; Steven Jackson, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Atlanta; Edward R. Hamberger, Association of American Railroads, Washington, D.C.; David Wilks, Xcel Energy, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on behalf of the Edison Electric Institute and Consumers United for Rail Equity; and Robert K. Sahr, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, Pierre, on behalf of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. U.N. REFORM Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the current status of reform efforts at the United Nations (U.N.), focusing on the U.N.'s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the Human Rights Council, and critical issues confronting the U.N. Security Council, including Iran, Darfur, Lebanon, and Burma, after receiving testimony from John R. Bolton, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Department of State. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Michael E. Ranneberger, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya, Eric M. Bost, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, W. Stuart Symington IV, of Missouri, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti, who was introduced by Representative Skelton, and Gayleatha Beatrice Brown, of New Jersey, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. BUDGET PROCESS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security concluded an oversight hearing to examine Congress' role and effectiveness in the Federal budget process, as well as ways it can improve the management of Federal funds, including restoration of realistic discretionary caps, application of pay-as-you- go discipline to both mandatory spending and revenue legislation, the use of ``triggers'' for some mandatory programs, and better reporting of fiscal exposures, after receiving testimony from former Representative Timothy Penny; David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office; James C. Miller, III, former Director, Office of Management and Budget; Douglas Holtz- Eakin, Council on Foreign Relations, New York, New York; and Chris Edwards, Cato Institute, and Maya C. MacGuineas, New America Foundation, and Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, both of Washington, DC. NOMINATIONS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of R. David Paulison, of Florida, to be Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Federal Emergency Management, and Lurita Alexis Doan, of Virginia, to be Administrator of General Services. SUBPOENA Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:Committee approved the issuance of a subpoena for the Institute of Medicine to release material relevant to the immunization safety review committee. INDIAN EDUCATION Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine Indian education programs, including the status of academic achievement of Indian children, after receiving testimony from James E. Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary, and Kevin Skenandore, Acting Director, Office of Indian Education Programs, both of the Department of the Interior; Darla Marburger, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Cathie Carothers, Acting Director, Office of Indian Education, and Thomas Corwin, Director, Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Analysis, Budget Service, all of the Department of Education; Bernie Teba, New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, Santa Fe; Ryan Wilson, National Indian Education Association, Washington, D.C.; Ivan Small, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, Poplar, Montana, on behalf of the National Indian Impacted Schools Association, and the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools; Beth Kirsch, WGBH, Boston, Massachusetts; and David M. Gipp, United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck, North Dakota. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. 2039, to provide for loan repayment for prosecutors and public defenders; S. 2560, to reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; The nominations of Sandra Segal Ikuta, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, and Erik C. Peterson, of Wisconsin, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, and Gary D. Orton, of Nevada, to be United States Marshal for the District of Nevada, both of the Department of Justice. [[Page D560]] LEGALIZED ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights concluded a hearing to examine the consequences of legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia, after receiving testimony from Senator Wyden; Hendrick Reitsema, Eck en Wiel, The Netherlands; Jonathan Imbody, Christian Medical Association, Ashburn, Virginia; Wesley Smith, Discovery Institute, Castro Valley, California; Kathryn Tucker, University of Washington School of Law, Seattle; Rita Marker, International Taskforce on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, Steubenville, Ohio; Ann Jackson, Oregon Hospice Association, and Julie McMurchie, both of Portland, Oregon; and Diane Coleman, Not Dead Yet, Forest Park, Illinois. VA DATA PRIVACY BREACH Committee on Veterans Affairs: Committee concluded joint hearings with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs data privacy breach, focusing on the recent theft of computer material that contained the names and Social Security numbers of 26.5 million veterans, after receiving testimony from R. James Nicholson, Secretary, and George J. Opfer, Inspector General, both of the Department of Veterans Affairs. PANDEMIC FLU Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services to improve the nation's preparedness for a potential human influenza pandemic, focusing on strategy and threat assessment, and the possible impact on the elderly, after receiving testimony from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services; J. Steven Cline, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh; and Nancy Donegan, Washington Hospital Center/MedStar, Washington, D.C., on behalf of the American Hospital Association. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 44 public bills, H.R. 5477- 5520; and 12 resolutions, H.J. Res. 87; H. Con. Res. 417-421; and H. Res. 843-848, were introduced. Pages H3306-08 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H3308-09 Reports Filed: Reports filed were filed today as follows: H. Res. 842, providing for consideration of the H.R. 5254 to set schedules for the consideration of permits for refineries (H. Rept. 109-482); Report on the Revised Suballocation of Budget Allocations for Fiscal Year 2007 (H. Rept. 109-483); and H. Res. 809, directing the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution documents in the Secretary's possession relating to any existing or previous agreement between the Department of Homeland Security and Shirlington Limousine and Transportation, Incorporated, of Arlington, Virginia, adversely (H. Rept. 109-484). Page H3306 American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act: The House passed H.R. 5429, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain of Alaska, by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 201 nays, Roll No. 209. Pages H3245-59, H3267-68 Rejected Mr. Miller of California motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Resources with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 201 yeas to 223 nays, Roll No. 208, after ordering the previous question. Pages H3258-59, H3266-67 H. Res. 835, the rule providing for further consideration of the measure was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 234 yeas to 184 nays, Roll No. 207, after agreeing to order the previous question without objection. Pages H3236-45 Board of Visitors to the United States Coast Guard Academy-- Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of Representative Taylor of Mississippi to the Board of Visitors to the United States Coast Guard Academy. Page H3268 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007: The House began consideration on [[Page D561]] H.R. 5441, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007. Further consideration will resume at a later date. Pages H3269-H3301 (continued next issue) Agreed to limit the number of amendments made in order for debate and the time limit for debate on each amendment. (See next issue.) Agreed to: Sabo amendment to increase funding for the Fire Grant and Safer Program by $112 million; Pages H3290-92 Stupak amendment to increase funding (by offset) for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $5,000,000 (by a recorded vote of 348 ayes to 74 noes, Roll No. 215); Pages H3296-97 (continued next issue) Lynch amendment to increase funding (by offset) for intercity rail passenger transportation, freight rail, and transit security grants by $50,000,000 (by a recorded vote of 225 ayes to 197 noes, Roll No. 216); Pages H3298-H3300 (continued next issue) King of Iowa to increase funding (by offset) for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $2 million; (See next issue.) Mica amendment to include the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as a recipient of a report on the April 25, 2006, unmanned aerial vehicle mishap; (See next issue.) Fossella amendment that adds $20 million to be used in high threat, high-density areas; (See next issue.) Jindal amendment to increase funding (by offset) for real time capabilities assessments by $9 million; (See next issue.) Jindal amendment to reduce FEMA waste, fraud and abuse with respect to identity verification; (See next issue.) Mica amendment to prohibit use of funds in the bill to recruit, hire, or employ nonscreener personnel except for aviation security inspectors and regulatory staff; (See next issue.) Rogers of Kentucky en bloc amendments comprised of two amendments offered by Messrs. Gordon and Engel to prohibit funds in the Act from being used in contravention of section 303 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and to prohibit funds made available by the Act from being used for any application for a deepwater port for natural gas with respect to which Massachusetts is designated as an adjacent coastal State under the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 until the Commandant of the Coast Guard submits a report to Congress assessing energy needs and conducts, completes and submits a report on a study on the costs of providing security for the proposed deepwater ports; (See next issue.) Pickering amendment to limit funding on certain FEMA contracts; (See next issue.) Marshall amendment to increase funding (by offset) for the employment verification program under USCIS by $20 million (by a recorded vote of 358 ayes to 63 noes, Roll No. 220); (See next issue.) Rejected: King of Iowa amendment that sought to increase funding for use of constructing a border fence along the southern international border; Page H3294 Kucinich amendment that sought to increase funding for FEMA by $500,000 (by a recorded vote of 170 ayes to 251 noes, Roll No. 211); Pages H3292-93 (continued next issue) Brown of Ohio amendment (No. 1 printed in the Congressional Record of May 24th) that sought to redirect funding of the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management (by a recorded vote of 167 ayes to 255 noes, Roll No. 212); Pages H3293-94 (continued next issue) Jackson-Lee of Texas amendment that sought to increase funding for the Office of Grants and Training by $3 million (by a recorded vote of 173 ayes to 249 noes, Roll No. 213); Pages H3294-95 (continued next issue) Langevin amendment that sought to increase funding (by offset) for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office by $36,000,000 (by a recorded vote of 205 ayes to 216 noes, Roll No. 214); Pages H3295-96 (continued next issue) Pascrell amendment that sought to increase funding (by offset) for Emergency Management Performance Grants by $40,000,000 (by a recorded vote of 188 ayes to 227 noes, Roll No. 217); Pages H3301 (continued next issue) Markey amendment that sought to increase funding (by offset) for training, exercises, technical assistance, and other programs by $14,700,000 (by a recorded vote of 198 ayes to 224 noes, Roll No. 218); (See next issue.) Poe amendment (No. 5 printed in the Congressional Record of May 24th) that sought to increase funding (by transfer) by $41 million for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Salaries and Expenses account to facilitate agreements under the 287(g) program for state and local law enforcement training and agreements to enforce federal immigration law. The amendment reduces by $41 million the Chief Information Officer account for information technology; (See next issue.) Jackson-Lee amendment that sought to prohibit use of funds to terminate financial assistance for Katrina evacuees in Houston; (See next issue.) DeFazio amendment that sought to increase funding (by offset) for the Office of Inspector General by [[Page D562]] $11,500,000 (by a recorded vote of 200 ayes to 220 noes, Roll No. 219); (See next issue.) Nadler amendment that sought to strike language regarding the Sodium Iodide Manufacturing Program (by a recorded vote of 117 ayes to 248 noes, Roll No. 221); and (See next issue.) Tancredo amendment that sought to add a new section to prohibit funds in the bill to be used to administer any extension of designation made under the Immigration and Nationality Act before the date of the enactment of this Act with respect to Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua (by a recorded vote of 134 ayes to 284 noes, Roll No. 222). (See next issue.) Withdrawn: DeFazio amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn which sought to increase funding (by offset) for the Office of Inspector General by $15,000,000; and Pages H3300-01 Marshall amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn which sought to increase funds for Citizenship and Immigration Services by $20 million offset by reducing, by $20 million, funds from the Office of the Under Secretary for Management. (See next issue.) Point of Order sustained against: Markey amendment that sought to increase funding (by offset) for the Under Secretary for Preparedness by $35,000,000; Pages H3297-98 Reyes amendment that sought to add $1.950 billion (with no offset) to the Customs and Border Protection account; (See next issue.) Reyes amendment that sought to increase funding (with no offset) for necessary detention bed space, personnel, and removal costs by approximately $2.1 billion in order to end ``catch and release''; (See next issue.) The proviso, beginning on page 38, line 11, beginning with the comma and extending through funds on line 14, against the content of the measure; (See next issue.) The proviso, (Sec. 536), beginning on page 62, line 1, and ending on page 62, line 17, sought to change existing law and constituted legislation in an appropriations bill; and (See next issue.) Tierney amendment sought to prohibit funds made available by the Act from being used for any application for a deepwater port for natural gas with respect to which Massachusetts is designated as an adjacent coastal State under the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 until the Commandant of the Coast Guard submits a report to Congress assessing energy needs and conducts, completes and submits a report on a study on the costs of providing security for the proposed deepwater ports. (See next issue.) H. Res. 836, 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 217 yeas to 195 nays, Roll No. 210. Pages H3259-66, H3268 Late Reports: Agreed that the Committee on Appropriations have until midnight on June 5 to file a privileged report, making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year 2007; and (See next issue.) Agreed that the Committee on Appropriations have until midnight on June 2 to file a privileged report, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year 2007. (See next issue.) Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourn today, it adjourn to meet at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 29, 2006, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H. Con. Res. 418, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that resolution. (See next issue.) Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed the Honorable Mac Thornberry and the Honorable Roy Blunt to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through June 6, 2006. (See next issue.) Providing for a recess of the House for a Joint Meeting to receive Her Excellency Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of Latvia: Agreed that it may be in order at any time on Wednesday, June 7, 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 Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of Latvia. (See next issue.) Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, June 7, 2006. (See next issue.) Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H3229. Senate Referrals: S. 1773 was referred to the Committee on Resources. Page H3302 Quorum Calls--Votes: Four yea-and-nay votes and twelve recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H3244-45, H3266-67, H3267-68, H3268 (continued next issue). There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and at midnight on Thursday, May 25, pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 418, stands adjourned until 4 p.m. on Monday, May 29, 2006, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in that resolution, in which case the House shall stand adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2006. [[Page D563]] Committee Meetings LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007; REVISED SUBALLOCATION OF BUDGET ALLOCATIONS FY 2007 Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported, as amended, the following appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007: Legislative Branch; and the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs. The Committee also approved Revised Suballocation of Budget Allocations for Fiscal Year 2007. DOD HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on Applying Lessons Learned From Hurricane Katrina: How the Department of Defense Is Preparing for the Upcoming Hurricane Season. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Paul McHale, Assistant Secretary, Homeland Defense; LTG H. Steven Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard Bureau; and MG Richard J. Rowe, USA, Director, Operations, U.S. Northern Command; MG C. Mark Bowen, USA (ret.), The Adjutant General, State of Alabama; and MG Douglas Burnett, USAF, The Adjutant General, State of Florida. LINE-ITEM VETO Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Line-Item Veto, Perspectives on Applications and Effects. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS' RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 2048, Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act of 2005. SEC INVESTOR PROTECTION Committee on Financial Services: Continued hearings entitled ``Protecting Investors and Fostering Efficient Markets: A Review of the S.E.C. Agenda.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION OVERSIGHT Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Office of Thrift Supervision.'' Testimony was heard from John M. Reich, Director, Office of Thrift Supervision; and public witnesses. NUCLEAR SMUGGLING PREVENTION Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack held a hearing entitled ``Enlisting Foreign Cooperation in U.S. Efforts to Prevent Nuclear Smuggling.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Jayson Ahern, Assistant Commissioner, Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection; and Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office; David Huizenga, Assistant Deputy Administrator, International Material Protection and Cooperation, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy; and Frank Record, Acting Assistant Secretary, International Security and Nonproliferation, Department of State. OVERSIGHT--SMITHSONIAN BUSINESS VENTURES Committee on House Administration: Held a hearing entitled ``Oversight Hearing on the Smithsonian Business Ventures.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Smithsonian Institution: Lawrence M. Small, Secretary; Alice C. Maroni, Chief Financial Officer; Gary M. Beer, Chief Executive Officer, Smithsonian Business Ventures; and John E. Huerta, General Counsel; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered the following measures and adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that they be considered on the Suspension Calendar: H.R. 860, To provide for the conveyance of the reversionary interest of the United States in certain lands to the Clint Independent School District, El Paso County, Texas; H.R. 5247, amended, Support for the Museum of the History of the Polish Jews Act of 2006; H.R. 5333, Shoulder-fired Missile Threat Reduction Act of 2006; H. Con. Res. 338, Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the activities of Islamist terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere; H. Con. Res. 408, amended, Commending the Government of Canada for its renewed commitment to the Global War on Terror; H. Con. Res. 409, Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand; H. Res. 608, amended, Condemning the escalating levels of religious persecution in the People's Republic of China; H. Res. 784, Commending and supporting Radio Al Mahaba, Iraq's first and only radio station for women; H. Res. 792, Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the independence of Guyana and extending best wishes to Guyana for peace and further progress, development, and prosperity; H. [[Page D564]] Res. 794, amended, Recognizing the 17th anniversary of the massacre in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, in the People's Republic of China; H. Res. 799, Congratulating the people of Ukraine for conducting free, fair, and transparent parliamentary elections on March 26, 2006, and commending their commitment to democracy and reform; H. Res. 804, Condemning the unauthorized, inappropriate, and coerced ordination of Catholic bishops by the People's Republic of China; and H. Res. 828, Commending the people of Mongolia, on the 800th anniversary of Mongolian statehood, for building strong, democratic institutions, and expressing the support of the House of Representatives for efforts by the United States to continue to strengthen its partnership with that country. WORLD HUNGER CRISIS Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations held a hearing on the World Hunger Crisis. Testimony was heard from Michael E. Hess, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of State; Tony P. Hall, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture; and public witnesses. The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject. The Subcommittee was briefed by James T. Morris, Executive Director, United Nations World Food Program. A.Q. KHAN NETWORK: CASE CLOSED? Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation held a hearing on the A.Q. Khan Network: Case Closed? Testimony was heard from public witnesses. U.S.-CANADA RELATIONS Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere held a hearing on U.S.-Canada Relations. Testimony was heard from David M. Spooner, Assistant Secretary, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce; and Elizabeth A. Whitaker, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Mexico, Canada, and Public Diplomacy, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State. The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject. The Subcommittee was briefed by His Excellency Michael Wilson, Ambassador of Canada to the United States. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 5417, Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006; H.R. 4777, Internet Gambling Prohibition Act; H.R. 4411, Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006; H.R. 4894, To provide for certain access to national crime information databases by schools and educational agencies for employment purposes, with respect to individuals who work with children; H.R. 5318, Cyber-Security Enhancement and Consumer Data Protection Act of 2006; and H.R. 4127, Data Accountability and Trust Act (DATA). MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 4275, To amend Public Law 106-348 to extend the authorization for establishing a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States; H.R. 5057, To authorize the Marion Park Project and Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its environs to honor BG Francis Marion; and S. 1627, Delaware National Coastal Special Resources Study Act. Testimony was heard from Senator Carper; Representatives Kelly and Castle; Don Murphy, Deputy Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Timothy A. Slavin, Director, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, State of Delaware; and public witnesses. REFINERY PERMIT PROCESS SCHEDULE ACT Committee on Rules: Committee granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a closed rule providing 1 hour of debate in the House on H.R. 5254, Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit. Testimony was heard from Chairman Barton and Representatives Dingell and Allen. UNLOCKING CHARITABLE GIVING Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Unlocking Charitable Giving.'' Testimony was heard from Representative Blunt; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--RECENT THEFT OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION REGARDING MILLIONS OF VETERANS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on the recent theft of sensitive information belonging to as many as 26.5 million veterans and [[Page D565]] spouses from a VA employee's home. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: R. James Nicholson, Secretary; and George J. Opfer, Inspector General; and public witnesses. CHARITIES' EMPLOYMENT TAX COMPLIANCE Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on Charities and Employment Taxes: Are Charities in the Combined Federal Campaign Meeting their Employment Tax Responsibilities? Testimony was heard from Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, GAO; Steven T. Miller, Commissioner, Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division, IRS, Department of the Treasury; and James S. Green, Associate General Counsel, Compensation, Benefits, Products and Services Group, OPM. BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Global Updates/Hotspots. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, hearing on Media's Role and Responsibilities on Leaks of Classified Information, 10 a.m., 2118 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 D566]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 8:45 a.m., Friday, May 26 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of the nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, with a vote expected on confirmation of the nomination; following which, Senate will consider and vote on the nomination General Michael V. Hayden, USAF, to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and then vote on confirmation of the nomination of Michael V. Hayden for appointment in the United States Air Force to be General; following which, Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Dirk Kempthorne, of Idaho, to be Secretary of the Interior, with a vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon, and if cloture is invoked, Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 6 House Chamber Program for Tuesday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ (House proceedings for today will be continued in the next issue of the Record.)