Tuesday, April 15, 2008 [[Page D433]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S2985-S3037 Measures Introduced: Thirteen bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2855-2867, and S. Res. 514-516. Pages S3025-26 Measures Reported: S. 2731, to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-325) Page S3025 Measures Passed: Congratulating Boston College Men's Ice Hockey Team: Senate agreed to S. Res. 514, congratulating the Boston College men's ice hockey team on winning the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I National Ice Hockey Championship. Pages S2994-95 Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the 1983 Bombing of the United States Embassy in Beirut: Senate agreed to S. Res. 516, solemnly commemorating the 25th anniversary of the tragic April 1983 bombing of the United States Embassy in Beirut and remembering those who lost their lives and those who where injured. Page S3034 Measures Considered: Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users: Senate began consideration of H.R. 1195, to amend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to make technical corrections, after agreeing to the motion to proceed to its consideration. Pages S2993-94, S2995-S3019 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Pages S3034-35 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Michele M. Leonhart, of California, to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement. Stephen Joseph Murphy III, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. Helene N. White, of Michigan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit. 2 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 2 Army nominations in the rank of general. Routine lists in the Army, Coast Guard, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, Navy. Pages S3035-37 Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: Stephen Joseph Murphy III, of Michigan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, which was sent to the Senate on March 19, 2007. Page S3037 Messages from the House: Page S3025 Measures Referred: Page S3025 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3026-28 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3028-33 Additional Statements: Pages S3024-25 Amendments Submitted: Page S3033 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S3033 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S3033-34 Privileges of the Floor: Page S3034 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:05 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S3034-35.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of the Interior, [[Page D434]] after receiving testimony from former Senator Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior. APPROPRIATIONS: FDA Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the United States Food and Drug Administration, after receiving testimony from Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner, United States Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services. U.S. CREDIT MARKETS AND STUDENT LOANS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine credit markets in the United States, focusing on the impact on the cost and availability of student loans, after receiving testimony from John F. Remondi, Sallie Mae, Inc., Reston, Virginia; Tom Deutsch, American Securitization Forum, New York, New York, on behalf of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association; Patricia A. McGuire, Trinity Washington University, and Sarah Flanagan, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, both of Washington, D.C.; and Mark Kantrowitz, FinAid.org, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. LANDS BILLS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests concluded a hearing to examine S. 570 and H.R. 1011, bills to designate additional National Forest System lands in the State of Virginia as wilderness or a wilderness study area, to designate the Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness, to establish the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas, to provide for the development of trail plans for the wilderness areas and scenic areas, S. 758, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Alta-Hualapai Site to the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, for the development of a cancer treatment facility, H.R. 1311, to provide for the conveyance of the Alta-Hualapai Site to the Nevada Cancer Institute, S. 1680, to provide for the inclusion of certain non-Federal land in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge in the State of Alaska, S. 2109, to designate certain Federal lands in Riverside County, California, as wilderness, to designate certain river segments in Riverside County as a wild, scenic, or recreational river, to adjust the boundary of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, S. 2124, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Montana, to Jefferson County, Montana, for use as a cemetery, and S. 2581, to designate as wilderness additional National Forest System lands in the Monongahela National Forest in the State of West Virginia, after receiving testimony from Senators Warner and Boxer; Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, United States Forest Service, Department of Agriculture; Henri Bisson, Acting Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Alaska Affairs, and Elena Daly, Director, National Landscape Conservation System, Bureau of Land Management, both of the Department of the Interior; J.J. Murray, Virginia Wilderness Committee, Charlottesville; Stanley Senner, Audubon Alaska, Anchorage; and Della Trumble, King Cove, Alaska, on behalf of the Agdaagux Tribe. PHARMACEUTICALS IN DRINKING WATER Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality concluded a hearing to examine pharmaceuticals in the nation's drinking water, focusing on assessing potential risks and actions to address this issue, after receiving testimony from Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water, Environmental Protection Agency; Robert M. Hirsch, Associate Director for Water, United States Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; Shane Snyder, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Henderson, on behalf of the American Water Works Association; David Pringle, New Jersey Environmental Federation, Trenton, on behalf of the New Jersey Environmental Federation and Clean Water Action; and Jennifer Sass, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Alan Goldhammer, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, both of Washington, D.C. TAX REFORM Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine tax reform, focusing on the fundamentals for advancement, after receiving testimony from Daniel N. Shaviro, New York University School of Law, New York, New York; Michael J. Graetz, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut; and Jason Furman, Brookings Institution, and Robert Carroll, Tax Foundation, both of Washington, D.C. TREATIES Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem (the ``Geneva Protocol III''), adopted at Geneva on December 8, 2005, and signed by the United States on that date, the Amendment to Article 1 of the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on [[Page D435]] the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (the ``CCW Amendment''), and the CCW Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War (the ``CCW Protocol V'') (Treaty Doc. 109-10), the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (the Convention) and, for accession, The Hague Protocol, concluded on May 14, 1954, and entered into force on August 7, 1956 with accompanying report from the Department of State (Treaty Doc. 106-01), and protocols to the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects: the amended Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices (Protocol II or the Amended Mines Protocol), the Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Incendiary Weapons (Protocol III or the Incendiary Weapons Protocol), and the Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons (Protocol IV) (Treaty Doc. 105-01), after receiving testimony from John B. Bellinger, Legal Adviser, Department of State; and Charles A. Allen, Deputy General Counsel (International Affairs), and Brigadier General Michelle D. Johnson, Deputy Director for the War on Terrorism and Global Effects, J-5 Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, both of the Department of Defense. NUCLEAR TERRORISM Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine nuclear terrorism, focusing on confronting the challenges of various nuclear attack scenarios, after receiving testimony from John R. Gibb, New York State Emergency Management Office, Albany; Ashton B. Carter, Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Cham E. Dallas, University of Georgia College of Public Health, Athens; and Roger C. Molander, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California. 2010 DECENNIAL CENSUS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the 2010 Decennial Census, focusing on automation and information technology in order to improve census coverage, accuracy, and efficiency, after receiving testimony from Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary, and Steve H. Murdock, Director, United States Census Bureau, both of the Department of Commerce; and Mathew Scire, Director, Strategic Issues, and David A. Powner, Director, Information Technology Management Issues, both of the Government Accountability Office. TOMATO WORKERS' WORKING CONDITIONS Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine ending abuses and improving working conditions for tomato workers, after receiving testimony from Lucas Benitez, Coalition of Immokalee Workers, and Roy Reyna, both of Immokalee, Florida; Charlie Frost, Collier County Sheriff's Office, Naples, Florida; Mary Bauer, Southern Poverty Law Center Immigrant Justice Project, Montgomery, Alabama; Reginald L. Brown, Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, Maitland; and Eric Schlosser, Monterey, California. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to the call. [[Page D436]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 25 public bills, H.R. 5788- 5812; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 328; and H. Res. 1108-1109 were introduced. Pages H2354-55 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2355-56 Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H. Res. 1107, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5715) to ensure continued availability of access to the Federal student loan program for students and families (H. Rept. 110-590). Page H2354 Recess: The House recessed at 11:07 a.m. and reconvened at noon. Page H2272 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Federal Law Enforcement Officers Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2007: H.R. 4056, amended, to establish an awards mechanism to honor Federal law enforcement officers injured in the line of duty; Pages H2276-78 Supporting the mission and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights week: H. Res. 1053, to support the mission and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights week in order to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States; Pages H2278-80 Recognizing and honoring the 40th anniversary of congressional passage of title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (the Fair Housing Act) and the 20th anniversary of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988: H. Res. 1095, to recognize and honor the 40th anniversary of congressional passage of title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (the Fair Housing Act) and the 20th anniversary of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988; Pages H2280-84 Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008: H.R. 5570, amended, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset in the special immigrant nonminister religious worker visa program; Pages H2284-89 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the special immigrant nonminister religious worker program, and for other purposes.''. Page H2289 Providing that the usual day for paying salaries in or under the House of Representatives may be established by regulations of the Committee on House Administration: H.R. 5493, to provide that the usual day for paying salaries in or under the House of Representatives may be established by regulations of the Committee on House Administration; and Pages H2297-98 Permitting active duty members of the Armed Forces who are assigned to a Congressional liaison office of the Department of Defense at the House of Representatives to obtain membership in the exercise facility established for employees of the House of Representatives: H. Res. 1068, amended, to permit active duty members of the Armed Forces who are assigned to a Congressional liaison office of the Department of Defense at the House of Representatives to obtain membership in the exercise facility established for employees of the House of Representatives. Page H2298 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To permit active duty members of the Armed Forces who are assigned to a Congressional liaison office of the Armed Forces at the House of Representatives to obtain membership in the exercise facility established for employees of the House of Representatives.''. Page H2298 Suspension--Failed: The House failed to agree to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Emergency Assistance for Secure Elections Act of 2008: H.R. 5036, amended, to direct the Administrator of General Services to reimburse certain jurisdictions for the costs of obtaining paper ballot voting systems for the general elections for Federal office to be held in November 2008 and to reimburse jurisdictions for the costs incurred in conducting audits or hand counting of the results of the general elections for Federal office to be held in November 2008, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 239 yeas to 179 nays, Roll No. 188. Pages H2289-97, H2306-07 Authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to Michael Ellis DeBakey, M.D.: The House agreed to discharge from committee and agree to S. Con. Res. 71, to authorize the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to Michael Ellis DeBakey, M.D. Pages H2298-99 Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 5719, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to conform return preparer penalty standards, delay implementation of [[Page D437]] withholding taxes on government contractors, enhance taxpayer protections, and assist low-income taxpayers, by a recorded vote 238 ayes to 179 noes, Roll No. 190. Pages H2299-H2306, H2307-22 Rejected the Herger motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Ways and Means with instructions to report the same back promptly with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 210 yeas to 210 nays, Roll No. 189. Pages H2319-21 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. Page H2299 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H2323 H. Res. 1102, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a recorded vote of 222 ayes to 195 noes, Roll No. 187. Page H2306 Agreed to the Sutton amendment to the rule by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 220 yeas to 196 nays, Roll No. 186. Pages H2305-06 Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated on Monday, April 14th: Texas Military Veterans Post Office Designation Act: H.R. 5517, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7231 FM 1960 in Humble, Texas, as the ``Texas Military Veterans Post Office'', by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 413 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 191. Pages H2322-23 Quorum Calls--Votes: Four yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2305, H2306, H2306,07, H2320-21, H2321-22, H2322. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 11:25 p.m. Committee Meetings CIA Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense/Select Intelligence Oversight Panel met in executive session to hold a hearing on the CIA. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the CIA: Stephen R. Kappes, Deputy Director; and Brian P. Shortley, Chief Financial Officer. IRS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held a hearing on the IRS. Testimony was heard from Douglas Shulman, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury. CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a hearing on the Capitol Visitor Center. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Architect of the Capitol: Stephen Ayers, Acting Architect of the Capitol; Bernie Ungar, Project Executive; and Terrie Rouse, CEO, Visitor Service, both with Capitol Visitor Center; Terry Dorn, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; and Phillip Morse, Chief, U.S. Capitol Police. SOUTHCOM Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on SOUTHCOM. Testimony was heard from Adm James E. Stavridis, USN, Commander, U.S. Southern Command. BUILDING PARTNERSHIP CAPACITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTERAGENCY Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Building Partnership Capacity and Development of the Interagency. Testimony was heard from Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense; and Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State. OVERSIGHT--DEFENSE TRAVEL SYSTEM Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on oversight of the Defense Travel System. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Michael L. Dominguez, Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; and David Fisher, Director, Business Transformation Agency; McCoy Williams, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, GAO; and a public witness. OVERSIGHT--FCC Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission--the 7 MHz Auction.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the FCC: Kevin J. Martin, Chairman; Michael J. Copps, Jonathan S. Adelstein, Deborah Taylor Tate and Robert M. McDowell, all Commissioners; and public witnesses. FINANCIAL LITERACY AND EDUCATION Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Financial Literacy and Education: The Effectiveness of Governmental and Private Sector Initiatives.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Anna Escobedo Cabral, Treasurer of the United States; [[Page D438]] Cassandra McConnell, Director, Consumer and Community Affairs, Office of Thrift Supervision; and Barry Wides, Deputy Comptroller for Community Affairs, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; JoAnn Johnson, Chairman, National Credit Union Administration; Sandra Braunstein, Director, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; Robert W. Mooney, Deputy Director, Consumer Protection and Community Affairs, FDIC; Dean Martin, Treasurer, State of Arizona and public witnesses. EMERGENCY MORTGAGE LOAN MODIFICATION ACT OF 2008 Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing on H.R. 5579, Emergency Mortgage Loan Modification Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. TSA OUTLOOK Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing entitled ``Moving Beyond the First Five Years: How the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will Continue to Enhance Security for all Modes of Transportation.'' Testimony was heard from Kip Hawley, Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security; Cathleen Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, GAO; pubic witnesses. MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTING Committee on House Administration: Held a hearing on Military and Overseas Voting: Problems and Progress in Ensuring the Vote. Testimony was heard from Representatives McCarthy of California and Maloney of New York; Michael Dominguez, Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense; Beth Chapman, Secretary of State, Alabama; and public witnesses. NATIONAL SECURITY LETTERS REFORM ACT OF 2007 Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties held a hearing on H.R. 3189, National Security Letters Reform Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Glenn A. Fine, Inspector General; and Valerie E. Caproni, General Counsel, FBI; the following former officials of the Department of Justice: Bruce Fein, former Associate Deputy Attorney General; Michael J. Woods, former Chief, FBI National Security Law Unit; and David Kris, former Associate Deputy Attorney General; and a public witness. OVERSIGHT--WEST-WIDE ENERGY AND MINERAL PROCESS Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands and the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a joint oversight hearing on the West-wide Energy Corridor Process: State and Community Impacts. Testimony was heard from Luke Johnson, Deputy Director, Programs and Policy, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior; Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, USDA; Joanna Prukop, Secretary of Energy and Minerals, State of New Mexico; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; OVERSIGHT DC WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 5718, Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act; and H.R. 3774, Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act of 2008. The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (DCWASA), Testimony was heard from John B. Stephenson, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; Ben Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Water, EPA; the following officials of the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority: Robin B. Martin, Chairman, Board of Directors; Jerry Johnson, General Manager, Daniel Tangherlini, City Administrator, District of Columbia; Timothy Firestine, Chief Administrator Officer, Montgomery County; Anthony H. Griffin, County Executive, Fairfax County, and Jacqueline F. Brown, Chief Administrator Officer, Prince Georges County, all Members of the Board. NEW CONTRACTING AND PROPERTY BILLS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization and Procurement held a hearing on New Contracting and Property Bills. Testimony was heard from the following officials of OMB: Paul Denett, Administrator, Federal Procurement Policy; and Danny Werfel, Acting Comptroller, Federal Financial Management; the following officials of the GSA: David Drabkin, Acting Chief Acquisition Officer and Senior Procurement Executive; and Stan Kaczmarczyk, Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy; Barry Sabin, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal [[Page D439]] Division, Department of Justice; and a public witness. ENSURING CONTINUED ACCESS TO STUDENT LOANS ACT OF 2008 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 8-4, a structured rule providing for consideration of H.R. 5715, the Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008. The rule provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Labor. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment printed in Part A of the Rules Committee report accompanying this resolution shall be considered as adopted and that the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions of the bill, as amended. The rule provides that no further amendments to the bill, as amended, shall be in order except those amendments printed in Part B of the Rules Committee report. The further amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of order against the further amendments printed in the report except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representatives George Miller of California and McKeon. ENERGY'S FUTUREGEN PROGRAM Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on Department of Energy's FutureGen Program. Testimony was heard from C. H. Albright, Under Secretary, Department of Energy; and public witnesses. FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION BUDGET Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Fiscal Year Budget: Federal Maritime Commission. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Federal Maritime Commission: A. Paul Anderson; Joseph E. Brennen; Harold J. Creel, Jr., and Rebecca F. Dye, all Commissioners. VETERANS' HEALTH MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 5730, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to display in each prosthetic clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights; H.R. 2818, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the establishment of Epilepsy Centers of Excellence in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans' Affairs; H.R. 5554, Veterans' Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008; H.R. 5622, Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act; H.R. 5595, Make Our Veterans Smile Act of 2008; and H.R. 5729, To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide comprehensive health care to children of Vietnam veterans born with Spinua Bifida, and for other purposes. Testimony was heard from Representatives Filner, Michaud, Ginny Brown-Waite, Perlmutter, Carney, and Ellsworth; Gerald M. Cross, M.D., Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Health, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations. INSTABILITY OF HEALTH COVERAGE IN AMERICA Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the Instability of Health Coverage in America. Testimony was heard from former Senator Dave Durenburger of Minnesota; and public witnesses. MIP BUDGET Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget-Military Intelligence Program. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings FARM BILL EXTENSION ACT Conferees met to resolve the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call and will meet again on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at approximately 1:30 p.m. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense, to hold hearings to examine the Department of Defense medical programs, 9:30 a.m., SD-192. [[Page D440]] Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the Supplemental Request for war funding for fiscal year 2008, 12 noon, SD-106. Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Energy, 2 p.m., SD-138. Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget request for fiscal year 2009 for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2 p.m., SD-124. Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Internal Revenue Service, 3 p.m., SD-192. Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Personnel, to hold hearings to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2009 on military beneficiary organizations regarding the quality of life of Active, Reserve, and retired military personnel and their members, and the future years defense program, 2:30 p.m., SR-232A. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine U.S. credit markets, focusing on proposals to mitigate foreclosures and restore liquidity to the mortgage markets, 10 a.m., SD-538. Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development, to hold hearings to examine affordable housing opportunities, focusing on reforming the housing voucher program, 2 p.m., SD-538. Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to hold hearings to examine surface transportation and the global economy, 10 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Robert J. Callahan, of Virgina, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Nicaragua, Heather M. Hodges, of Ohio, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica, Barbara J. Stephenson, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, Peter E. Cianchette, of Maine, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica, Hugo Llorens, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Honduras, Stephen George McFarland, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Guatemala, all of the Department of State; and Samuel W. Speck, of Ohio, to be a Commissioner on the part of the United States on the International Joint Commission, United States and Canada, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, to hold hearings to examine violence and exploitation in the 21st century, focusing on solutions for protecting our children, 2 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: to hold hearings to examine the impact of the credit market on small businesses, 2:30 p.m., SR-428A. Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine caring for the elderly, focusing on how to support those on the frontline, 3 p.m., SD-562. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, on SEC, 10 a.m., 2220 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agency Agencies, on Special Operations Command, 10 a.m., H- 143 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on the National Industrial Security Program: Addressing the Implications of Globalization and Foreign Ownership for the Defense Industrial Base, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Land Forces and the Subcommittee on Readiness, joint hearing on H. Res. 834, Regarding the readiness decline of the Army, Marine Corps, National Guard, and Reserves, and the implications for national security, 2 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, to mark up H.R. 3185, 401(k) Fair Disclosure for Retirement Security Act of 2007, 1 p.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises, hearing entitled ``Examining Proposals to Reform Insurance Regulation,'' 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, hearing on H.R. 5679, Foreclosure Prevention and Sound Mortgage Servicing Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, hearing entitled ``Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Ensuring Successful Implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law, oversight hearing on the H-2b Program, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisherie, Wildlife and Oceans, oversight hearing on the implementation of the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing provisions of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and a hearing on H.R. 5741 Shark Conservation Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on Water and Power, oversight hearing on Indian Water Rights Settlements, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on Healthcare Associated Infections: A Preventable Epidemic; and to consider the following measures: H.R. 5683, Government Accountability Office Act of 2008; H.R. 4791, Federal Agency Data Protection Act; H.R. 5712, Close the Contractor Fraud Loophole Act; H.R. 5718, Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act; H. Res. 49, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Letter Carriers Appreciation Day; H.R. 127, Recognizing and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the entry of Alaska in the Union as the 49th State; H. Res. 1073, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service [[Page D441]] Recognition Week, May 5 through 11, 2008; H. Res. 1091, Honoring the life, achievements, and contributions of Charlton Heston and extending its deepest sympathies to the family of Charlton Heston for the loss of such a generous man, husband, and father; and H. Res. 5477, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 South Del Mar Avenue in San Gabriel, California, as the ``Chi Mui Post Office Building,'' 9:45 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives, hearing on the Electronic Communications Preservation Act, 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, to continue hearings on What are the Prospects, What are the Costs?: Oversight Missile Defense, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, hearing on the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, to consider the Science and Technology Innovation Act of 2008, 2 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology, hearing on the obstacles that small businesses currently face in securing federal contracts, 2 p.m., 1539 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, hearing on the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007, 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 4883, To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for a limitation on the sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property owned by a servicmember during the one-year period following the servicemember's period of military service; H.R. 4884, Helping Our Veterans to Keep Their Homes Act of 2008; H.R. 4889, Guard and Reserves Are Fighting Too Act of 2008; H.R. 4539, Department of Veterans Affairs Loan Guaranty Cost Reduction Act of 2007; H.R. 3646, To direct the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs and the Secretary of Labor to conduct a joint study on the fields of employment for which the greatest need for employees exists in various geographic areas; H.R. 5664, to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update at least once every six years the plans and specifications for specially adapted housing furnished to veterans by the Secretary; H.R. 3798, National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2007; H.R. 3681, Veterans Benefits Awareness Act of 2007; H.R. 3393, Reservist Access to Justice Act of 2007; H.R. 3889, To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a longitudinal study of the vocational rehabilitation programs administered by the Secretary; and H.R. 5684, Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008, 1 p.m., 334 Cannon. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget-HUMINT, 1 p.m., H-140 Capitol, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis, and Couner-Intelligence, executive, briefing on Hot Spots, 8:45 a.m., H- 405 Capitol. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, hearing entitled ``Green Capital: Seeding Innovation and the Future Economy,'' 2 p.m., 210 Cannon. Joint Meetings Conference: meeting of conferees on H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, 1:30 p.m., SH-216. 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 D442]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 16 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 1195, Highway Technical Corrections. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 16 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of H.R. 2634--Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2007 (Subject to a Rule). Possible continued consideration of H.R. 2537--Beach Protection Act of 2007. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Allen, Thomas H., Me., E610 Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E615 Baca, Joe, Calif., E618 Bachmann, Michele, Minn., E609, E610 Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E612 Boyda, Nancy E., Kans., E618 Buyer, Steve, Ind., E617 Castle, Michael N., Del., E616 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E612, E614 Drake, Thelma D., Va., E620 English, Phil, Pa., E609, E610, E612 Fossella, Vito, N.Y., E617 Franks, Trent, Ariz., E611 Gonzalez, Charles A., Tex., E612 Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E614 Graves, Sam, Mo., E609, E611, E612, E614, E616, E618 Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E618 Lampson, Nick, Tex., E609, E610 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E609 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E610 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E614 McCaul, Michael T., Tex., E619 McHugh, John M., N.Y., E613 Miller, George, Calif., E621 Murtha, John P., Pa., E621 Pastor, Ed, Ariz., E616 Paul, Ron, Tex., E612 Pence, Mike, Ind., E615 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E610 Ramstad, Jim, Minn., E611 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E616 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E619, E620 Schwartz, Allyson Y., Pa., E620 Shuler, Heath, N.C., E611 Shuster, Bill, Pa., E615 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E620 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E615 Speier, Jackie, Calif.,E621 Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E617 Udall, Mark, Colo., E619 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E615