Monday, February 4, 2008 [[Page D77]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS See Resume of Congressional Activity. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S561-S612 Measures Introduced: Three bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2589-2591, and S. Res. 441-442. Page S601 Measures Passed: Preserving Existing Judgeships: Senate passed S. 550, to preserve existing judgeships on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Page S609 Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution: Committee on Rules and Administration was discharged from further consideration of S.J. Res. 25, providing for the appointment of John W. McCarter as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and the resolution was then passed. Page S609 Congratulating New York Giants: Senate agreed to S. Res. 441, congratulating the New York Giants on their victory in Super Bowl XLII. Pages S609-11 Commemorating A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr.: Senate agreed to S. Res. 442, commemorating the life of A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Page S611 Measures Considered: FISA Amendments Act: Senate resumed consideration of S. 2248, to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, to modernize and streamline the provisions of that Act, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S564-80 Pending: Rockefeller/Bond Amendment No. 3911, in the nature of a substitute. Page S564 Whitehouse Amendment No. 3920, to provide procedures for compliance reviews. Pages S564-68 Feingold Amendment No. 3979, to provide safeguards for communications involving persons inside the United States. Pages S568-74 Cardin Amendment No. 3930, to modify the sunset provision. Pages S574-77 Feingold/Dodd Amendment No. 3915, to place flexible limits on the use of information obtained using unlawful procedures. Pages S577-80 Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act: Senate resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 5140, to provide economic stimulus through recovery rebates to individuals, incentives for business investment, and an increase in conforming and FHA loan limits. Pages S580-96 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 80 yeas to 4 nays (Vote No. 5), 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 consideration of the bill. Page S581 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill at approximately 11 a.m., on Tuesday, February 5, 2008. Page S612 Appointments: Washington's Farwell Address: The Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, pursuant to the order of the Senate of January 24, 1901, as modified by the order of February 4, 2008, appointed Senator Pryor to read Washington's Farewell Address on Monday, February 25, 2008. Page S612 Farm Bill Extension Act--Conferees: Pursuant to the order of December 14, 2007, the Chair appointed the following as conferees on the part of the Senate to H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012: Senators Harkin, Leahy, Conrad, Baucus, Lincoln, Stabenow, Chambliss, Lugar, Cochran, Roberts, and Grassley. Page S609 [[Page D78]] READING OF WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the Resolution of the Senate of January 24, 1901, the traditional reading of Washington's Farewell Address take place on Monday, February 25, 2008, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Republican Leader. Page S612 Executive Communications: Page S601 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S601-02 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S602-07 Additional Statements: Pages S600-01 Amendments Submitted: Pages S607-08 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--5) Page S581 Adjournment: Senate convened at 2 p.m. and adjourned at 8:49 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S612.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: On January 24, 2008, Committee announced the following subcommittee assignments: Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security: Senators Rockefeller (Chairman), Kerry, Dorgan, Boxer, Nelson (FL), Cantwell, Lautenberg, Pryor, Carper, McCaskill, Klobuchar, Hutchison, McCain, Snowe, Smith, Ensign, Sununu, DeMint, Vitter, Thune, and Wicker; Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics, and Related Agencies: Senators Nelson (FL) (Chairman), Kerry, Dorgan, Pryor, Vitter, Sununu, and Wicker; Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard: Senators Cantwell (Chairman), Kerry, Boxer, Nelson (FL), Lautenberg, Carper, Klobuchar, Snowe, Smith, Sununu, DeMint, Vitter, and Wicker; Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security: Senators Lautenberg (Chairman), Rockefeller, Kerry, Dorgan, Cantwell, Pryor, Carper, McCaskill, Klobuchar, Smith, McCain, Hutchison, Snowe, DeMint, Vitter, Thune, and Wicker; Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety: Senators Pryor (Chairman), Rockefeller, Nelson (FL), Cantwell, Lautenberg, Carper, McCaskill, Klobuchar, Sununu, McCain, Snowe, Smith, Vitter, Thune, and Wicker. Senators Inouye and Stevens are ex-officio members of each of the Subcommittees. [[Page D79]] House of Representatives Chamber Action The House was not in session today. The House is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 279. Committee Meetings No committee meetings were held. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on the Budget: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2009, 10 a.m., SD-608. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2009, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to continue oversight hearings to examine veterans disability compensation, 9:30 a.m., SR-418. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold hearings to examine the world threat, 10 a.m., SH-216. Full Committee, to hold closed hearings to examine the world threat, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House No committee meetings are scheduled. Joint Meetings CURRENT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Joint Economic Committee: On Friday, February 1, 2008, Committee concluded a hearing to examine the current economic outlook, focusing on employment and job creation, after receiving testimony from Keith Hall, Commissioner, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D59) H.R. 5104, to extend the Protect America Act of 2007 for 15 days. Signed on January 31, 2008. (Public Law 110-182) *These figures include all measures reported, even if there was no accompanying written report. A total of 253 written reports have been filed in the Senate, a total of 506 reports have been filed in the House. [[Page D80]] Resume of Congressional Activity FIRST SESSION OF THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS The first table gives a comprehensive resume of all legislative business transacted by the Senate and House. The second table accounts for all nominations submitted to the Senate by the President for Senate confirmation. DATA ON LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY January 4 through December 31, 2007 Senate House Total Days in session............... 190 164 .. Time in session............... 1,375 hrs., 54 1,477 hrs., 52 .. Congressional Record: Pages of proceedings........... 16,071 16,951 .. Extensions of Remarks.......... .. 2,664 .. Public bills enacted into law. 30 108 .. Private bills enacted into law .. .. .. Bills in conference........... 5 7 .. Measures passed, total........ 621 1,127 1,748 Senate bills................... 102 44 .. House bills.................... 147 516 .. Senate joint resolutions....... 5 3 .. House joint resolutions........ 6 8 .. Senate concurrent resolutions.. 28 9 .. House concurrent resolutions... 32 94 .. Simple resolutions............. 301 453 .. Measures reported, total...... *422 *486 908 Senate bills................... 257 2 .. House bills.................... 72 328 .. Senate joint resolutions....... 5 .. .. House joint resolutions........ 1 .. .. Senate concurrent resolutions.. 8 .. .. House concurrent resolutions... 6 7 .. Simple resolutions............. 73 149 .. Special reports............... 22 8 .. Conference reports............ 1 12 .. Measures pending on calendar.. 333 48 .. Measures introduced, total.... 3,033 6,194 9,227 Bills.......................... 2,524 4,930 .. Joint resolutions.............. 27 75 .. Concurrent resolutions......... 64 278 .. Simple resolutions............. 418 911 .. Quorum calls.................. 6 9 .. Yea-and-nay votes............. 442 648 .. Recorded votes................ .. 529 .. Bills vetoed.................. 1 5 .. Vetoes overridden............. 1 1 .. DISPOSITION OF EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS January 4 through December 31, 2007 Civilian nominations, totaling 490, disposed of as follows: Confirmed..........................................276... Unconfirmed........................................180... Withdrawn...........................................31... Returned to White House..............................3... Other Civilian nominations, totaling 3,807, disposed of as follows: Confirmed........................................3,799... Unconfirmed..........................................8... Air Force nominations, totaling 6,096, disposed of as follows: Confirmed........................................6.090... Unconfirmed..........................................5... Returned to White House..............................1... Army nominations, totaling 6,721, disposed of as follows: Confirmed........................................6,698... Unconfirmed.........................................19... Returned to White House..............................4... Navy nominations, totaling 4,691, disposed of as follows: Confirmed........................................4,688... Unconfirmed..........................................3... Marine Corps nominations, totaling 1,342, disposed of as follows: Confirmed........................................1,341... Unconfirmed..........................................1... Summary Total nominations carried over from the First Session....0 Total nominations received this session.............23,147 Total confirmed.....................................22,892 Total unconfirmed......................................216 Total withdrawn.........................................31 Total returned to the White House........................8 *These figures include all measures reported, even if there was no accompanying written report. A total of 5 written reports have been filed in the Senate, a total of 15 reports have been filed in the House. [[Page D81]] Resume of Congressional Activity SECOND SESSION OF THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS The first table gives a comprehensive resume of all legislative business transacted by the Senate and House. The second table accounts for all nominations submitted to the Senate by the President for Senate confirmation. DATA ON LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY January 3 through January 31, 2008 Senate House Total Days in session............... 14 9 .. Time in session............... 63 hrs., 51 44 hrs., 32 .. Congressional Record: Pages of proceedings........... 559 559 .. Extensions of Remarks.......... .. 112 .. Public bills enacted into law. 1 4 .. Private bills enacted into law .. .. .. Bills in conference........... 4 7 .. Measures passed, total........ 22 38 60 Senate bills................... 1 1 .. House bills.................... 2 17 .. Senate joint resolutions....... .. .. .. House joint resolutions........ .. .. .. Senate concurrent resolutions.. 1 .. .. House concurrent resolutions... 2 3 .. Simple resolutions............. 16 17 .. Measures reported, total...... *7 *15 22 Senate bills................... 6 .. .. House bills.................... 1 8 .. Senate joint resolutions....... .. .. .. House joint resolutions........ .. .. .. Senate concurrent resolutions.. .. .. .. House concurrent resolutions... .. .. .. Simple resolutions............. .. 7 .. Special reports............... .. .. .. Conference reports............ .. .. .. Measures pending on calendar.. 343 48 .. Measures introduced, total.... 79 344 423 Bills.......................... 57 291 .. Joint resolutions.............. .. 1 .. Concurrent resolutions......... .. 9 .. Simple resolutions............. 22 43 .. Quorum calls.................. .. 1 .. Yea-and-nay votes............. 4 14 .. Recorded votes................ .. 13 .. Bills vetoed.................. .. .. .. Vetoes overridden............. .. .. .. DISPOSITION OF EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS January 3 through January 31, 2008 Civilian nominations, totaling 209 (including 180 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Confirmed............................................1... Unconfirmed........................................201... Withdrawn............................................7... Other Civilian nominations, totaling 9 (including 8 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Unconfirmed..........................................9... Air Force nominations, totaling 566 (including 5 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Unconfirmed........................................566... Army nominations, totaling 204 (including 19 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Unconfirmed........................................204... Navy nominations, totaling 16 (including 3 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Unconfirmed.........................................16... Marine Corps nominations, totaling 135 (including 1 nomination carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Unconfirmed........................................135... Summary Total nominations carried over from the First Session..216 Total nominations received this Session................923 Total confirmed..........................................1 Total unconfirmed....................................1,131 Total withdrawn..........................................7 Total returned to the White House........................0 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 D82]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Tuesday, February 5 Senate Chamber Program for Tuesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 5140, Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act. (Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for their respective party conferences.) Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Wednesday, February 6 House Chamber Program for Wednesday. To be announced.