Thursday, May 22, 2008 [[Page D651]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS H.R. 2642, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (Supplemental Appropriations). Senate upon reconsideration passed H.R. 2419, Food Conservation and Energy Act, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. H. Con. Res. 355, Adjournment Resolution. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S4709-S4850 Measures Introduced: Twenty-five bills and eleven resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 3048-3072, S.J. Res. 34-36, S. Res. 574-579, and S. Con. Res. 84-85. Pages S4792-93 Measures Reported: S. 2420, to encourage the donation of excess food to nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to food-insecure people in the United States in contracts entered into by executive agencies for the provision, service, or sale of food, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-338) S. 1581, to establish an interagency committee to develop an ocean acidification research and monitoring plan and to establish an ocean acidification program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-339) S. 2482, to repeal the provision of title 46, United States Code, requiring a license for employment in the business of salvaging on the coast of Florida. (S. Rept. No. 110-340) S. 2307, to amend the Global Change Research Act of 1990, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-341) S. Res. 563, designating September 13, 2008, as ``National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day''. S. Res. 567, designating June 2008 as ``National Internet Safety Month''. S. 1210, to extend the grant program for drug-endangered children. S. 2982, to amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Page S4791 Measures Passed: Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act: Senate passed H.R. 6081, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide benefits for military personnel, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S4772-74 Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act: Senate passed S. 1965, to protect children from cybercrimes, including crimes by online predators, to enhance efforts to identify and eliminate child pornography, and to help parents shield their children from material that is inappropriate for minors, after agreeing to the committee amendments, and the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S4837-39 Reid (for Stevens) Amendment No. 4819, to strike the authorization of appropriations and the additional child pornography amendments. Pages S4838-39 Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act: Senate passed S. 2062, to amend the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 to reauthorize that Act, after agreeing to the committee amendments, and the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S4839-44 Reid (for Dodd/Shelby) Amendment No. 4820, to modify provisions relating to use of treatment of funds, amounts, an allocation formula, and a demonstration program. Page S4844 Federal Food Donation Act: Senate passed S. 2420, to encourage the donation of excess food to [[Page D652]] nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to food-insecure people in the United States in contracts entered into by executive agencies for the provision, service, or sale of food, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. Pages S4844-45 National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 563, designating September 13, 2008, as ``National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day''. Page S4845 National Internet Safety Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 567, designating June 2008 as ``National Internet Safety Month''. Pages S4845-46 Gasoline Usage: Senate agreed to S. Res. 577, to express the sense of the Senate regarding the use of gasoline and other fuels by Federal departments and agencies. Page S4846 Congressional Club 100th Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. Res. 578, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Club. Page S4847 National Hurricane Preparedness Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 579, designating the week beginning May 26, 2008, as ``National Hurricane Preparedness Week''. Pages S4847-48 Use of Capitol Rotunda: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 85, authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol to honor Frank W. Buckles, the last surviving United States veteran of the First World War. Page S4848 Adjournment Resolution: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 355, providing for a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives and a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate. Page S4848 Measures Considered: Climate Security Act--Agreement: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 3036, to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases. Page S4837 A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, and pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of Thursday, May 22, 2008, a vote on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, June 2, 2008. Page S4837 Subsequently, the motion to proceed was withdrawn. Page S4837 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill at approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, June 2, 2008, and that the time from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders, or their designees. Page S4849 Veto Messages: Food Conservation and Energy Act--Veto Message: By 82 yeas to 13 nays, 1 responding present (Vote No. 140), two-thirds of the Senators voting, a quorum being present, having voted in the affirmative, H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, upon reconsideration was passed, the objections of the President of the United States to the contrary notwithstanding. Pages S4713-14, S4743, S4743-55 House Messages: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act: Senate resumed consideration of the House message to accompany H.R. 2642, making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S4709-13, S4714-42 Adopted: By 75 yeas to 22 nays (Vote No. 137), Reid Motion to Concur in the House Amendment No. 2 to the Senate amendment to the bill with Amendment No. 4803, in the nature of a substitute. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the motion, having achieved 60 affirmatives votes, be agreed to). Pages S4710-13, S4714-41 By 70 yeas to 26 nays (Vote No. 139), Reid Motion to Concur in the amendment of the House No. 1 to the amendment of the Senate to the bill with Reid Amendment No. 4818, in the nature of a substitute. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the motion, having achieved 60 affirmatives votes, be agreed to). Page S4742 Withdrawn: The motion to invoke cloture on in the House Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 2642, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, with an amendment, Reid Amendment No. 4803. Page S4741 Reid Amendment No. 4804 (to Amendment No. 4803), in the nature of a substitute. Pages S4710, S4741 By 34 yeas to 63 nays (Vote No. 138), Reid Motion to Concur in the amendment of the House No. 1 to the amendment of the Senate to the bill with Reid Amendment No. 4817, in the nature of a substitute. (A unanimous-consent agreement was [[Page D653]] reached providing that the motion, having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, be withdrawn.) Page S4742 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: Chair sustained a point of order against Reid Motion to Concur in the amendment of the House No. 1 to the amendment of the Senate to the bill with Reid Amendment No. 4816, as being in violation of rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate which prohibits legislation on an appropriation bill, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S4741-42 Budget Resolution Conference Report--Agreement: A unanimous-consent- time agreement was reached providing that when the Senate considers the conference report to accompany S. Con. Res. 70, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 through 2013, all statutory time be yielded back except for 15 minutes to be equally divided and controlled between the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on the Budget; that upon the use of that time the vote on adoption of the conference report occur at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader following consultation with the Republican Leader. Page S4743 Authorizing Leadership to Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous- consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the recess or adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President Pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate. Page S4848 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Michael B. Bemis, of Mississippi, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 2013. Patrick J. Durkin, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation for a term expiring December 17, 2009. David F. Girard-diCarlo, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Austria. John J. Faso, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation for a term expiring May 29, 2013. Joe Manchin III, of West Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation for a term expiring November 5, 2012. Harvey M. Tettlebaum, of Missouri, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation for a term expiring October 3, 2012. 1 Army nomination in the rank of general. 1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Foreign Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Pages S4849-50 Messages from the House: Pages S4790-91 Measures Referred: Page S4791 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S4791 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S4791-92 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S4793-95 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S4795-S4810 Additional Statements: Pages S4789-90 Amendments Submitted: Pages S4810-36 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S4836-37 Privileges of the Floor: Page S4837 Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--140) Pages S4741, S4742, S4749 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:46 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S4849.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of General David H. Petraeus, USA, for reappointment to the grade of general and to be Commander, United States Central Command, and Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno, USA, for appointment to the grade of general and to be Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq, after each nominee testified and answered questions in their own behalf. NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported 144 nominations in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. [[Page D654]] NOMINATION Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Steven C. Preston, of Illinois, to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf. TRADE ENFORCEMENT ACT Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 1919, to establish trade enforcement priorities for the United States, to strengthen the provisions relating to trade remedies, after receiving testimony from Warren Maruyama, General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative; and Lael Brainard, Brookings Institution, John R. Magnus, TradeWins LLC, and Robert D. Atkinson, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, all of Washington, D.C. ANTI-DOPING TREATY Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the International Convention Against Doping in Sport, adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization on October 19, 2005 (Treaty Doc.110-14), after receiving testimony from Scott M. Burns, Deputy Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President; Joan Donoghue, Principal Deputy Legal Adviser, Department of State; Jair Lynch, U.S. Olympic Committee, former Olympic Medalist, Washington, D.C.; and Travis T. Tygart, United States Anti-Doping Agency, Colorado Springs, Colorado. SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine improving the security clearance process, focusing on reform efforts to streamline, standardize, and update the process, after receiving testimony from Brenda S. Farrell, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Government Accountability Office; Clay Johnson, III, Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget; Elizabeth McGrath, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Business Transformation; John P. Fitzpatrick, Director, Special Security Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and Kathy L. Dillaman, Associate Director, Federal Investigative Services Division, Office of Personnel Management. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BACKLOGS Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the status of probate backlogs at the Department of the Interior, after receiving testimony from Carl J. Artman, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs; Gary Svanda, Madera City Council, Madera, California; Robert Chicks, Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, Bowler, Wisconsin; and Douglas Nash, Seattle University School of Law Institute for Indian Estate Planning and Probate, Seattle, Washington. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 2756, to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to establish a permanent background check system, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 2982, to amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1210, to extend the grant program for drug-endangered children; S. Res. 563, designating September 13, 2008, as ``National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day''; S. Res. 567, designating June 2008 as ``National Internet Safety Month''; and The nominations of Elisebeth C. Cook, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy, Department of Justice, William T. Lawrence, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana, and G. Murray Snow, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona, and William Walter Wilkins, III, to be United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina. CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine efforts to provide civil legal assistance to low-income Americans, focusing on the Legal Services Corporation, and improvements needed in governance, accountability, and grants management, and oversight, after receiving testimony from Jeanette Franzel, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, Government Accountability Office; Helaine M. Barnett, Washington, D.C., and Jonann C. Chiles, Little Rock, Arkansas, both of the Legal Services Corporation; Rebekah Diller, New York University School of Law Brennan Center for Justice, New York, New York; Lora J. Livingston, American Bar Association (ABA), Austin, Texas; Jo-Ann Wallace, National Legal Aid and Defender Association, [[Page D655]] Washington, D.C.; Wilhelm H. Joseph, Jr., Maryland's Legal Aid Bureau, Inc., Baltimore; and Kenneth F. Boehm, National Legal and Policy Center, Falls Church, Virginia. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Rules and Administration: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Cynthia L. Bauerly, of Minnesota, Caroline C. Hunter, of Florida, and Donald F. McGahn, of the District of Columbia, each to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission. MEDICARE PART D Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine improving the Medicare program for the most vulnerable, focusing on senior citizens at risk, and including Medicare Part D and the Social Security Administration's implementation of the low-income subsidy, after receiving testimony from Barbara D. Bovbjerg, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, Government Accountability Office; N. Joyce Payne, AARP, and Laura Summer, Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, both of Washington, D.C.; Lisa Emerson, Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) Program, Salem, Oregon; and Judy Korynasz, Hillsboro, Oregon. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 44 public bills, H.R. 6123- 6166; and 20 resolutions, H.J. Res. 88-89; H. Con. Res. 361-365; and H. Res. 1220-1232, were introduced. (See next issue.) Additional Cosponsors: (See next issue.) Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 5540, to amend the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 to provide for the continuing authorization of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network (H. Rept. 110-667); H.R. 3667, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in the State of Vermont for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-668); H.R. 5876, to require certain standards and enforcement provisions to prevent child abuse and neglect in residential programs, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-669); H.R. 554, to provide for the protection of paleontological resources on Federal lands, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-670, Pt. 1); H.R. 5683, to make certain reforms with respect to the Government Accountability Office, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-671); and H.R. 3774, to provide for greater diversity within, and to improve policy direction and oversight of, the Senior Executive Service, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-672). (See next issue.) Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Pastor to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H4455 Privileged Resolution: The House agreed to table H. Res. 1221, raising a question of the privileges of the House, by a yea-and-nay vote of 220 yeas to 188 nays with 10 voting ``present'', Roll No. 352. Pages H4468-69 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Providing for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012: H.R. 6124, to provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, by a \2/3\ yea-and- nay vote of 306 yeas to 110 nays, Roll No. 353. Pages H4469-H4655 Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and agree to the following measures which were debated on Tuesday, May 20th: Reaffirming the support of the House of Representatives for the legitimate, democratically-elected Government of Lebanon under Prime Minister Fouad Siniora: H. Res. 1194, to reaffirm the support of the House of Representatives for the legitimate, democratically-elected Government of Lebanon under Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 401 yeas to 10 nays with 2 voting ``present'', Roll No. 354 and Pages H4655-56 Recognizing the courage and sacrifice of those members of the United States Armed Forces who [[Page D656]] were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict and calling for a full accounting of the 1,729 members of the Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict: H. Res. 986, amended, to recognize the courage and sacrifice of those members of the United States Armed Forces who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict and to call for a full accounting of the 1,729 members of the Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 394 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 366. (See next issue.) National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009: The House passed H.R. 5658, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense and to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2009, by a recorded vote of 384 ayes to 23 noes, Roll No. 365. Pages H4656-H4763, H4763-78 (Continued next issue) Rejected the Conaway motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Armed Services with instructions to report the same back to the House promptly with amendments, by a recorded vote of 186 ayes to 223 noes, Roll No. 364. (See next issue.) Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Armed Services now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. (See next issue.) Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for the protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation, and for other purposes.''. (See next issue.) Accepted: Skelton manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that makes technical corrections to the bill; Pages H4741-42 Skelton amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that requires the Defense Secretary, Secretary of State, and USAID Administrator to establish a standing advisory panel to improve integration on matters of national security; Pages H4742-45 Skelton en bloc amendment No. 1 consisting of the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 110-666: No. 7, that clarifies that the Federal Advisory Committee Act does not apply to the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States; No. 9, that revises section 595 of the bill; No. 12, that provides $22.3 million for Army Reserve first term dental readiness and $8.5 million for Army Reserve demobilization dental treatment; No. 13, that requires defense contractors supporting the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan to report violent crimes committed against or by Defense Department contract employees and require that the information be made public; No. 16, that allows a service member with a minor dependent to request a deferment of a deployment to a combat zone if their spouse is currently deployed to a combat zone; No. 17, that requires the Navy Secretary and the Interior Secretary to negotiate a memorandum of agreement to transfer the decommissioned Naval Security Group Activity, Skaggs Island, Sonoma, California, from the Navy to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge System; No. 18, that adds an additional finding to title XVI of the bill to reflect the Administation's request for stabilization activities; No. 21, that requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress an acquisition strategy for insurance required by the Defense Base Act; No. 27, that directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the United States Postal Service, to provide postal benefits to service members serving in Iraq or Afghanistan or currently hospitalized under the care of the Armed Forces; No. 29, that directs the Defense Secretary to study the use of power management software at DOD facilities to reduce the amount of electricity consumed by computers, monitors, and other electronic equipment; No. 34, that requires DOD to report to Congress on implementation of the recommendations of the report entitled, ``Review of the Toxicologic and Radiologic Risks to Military Personnel from Exposure to Depleted Uranium During and After Combat''; No. 35, that requires the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to submit a report to Congress detailing the extent to which the various provisions enacted within title XVIII of the FY08 National Defense Authorization Act have been effective; No. 36, that allows the Defense Department six months to review appeals from service members who were denied full Army College Fund benefits under Army Incentive Program contracts; No. 37, that requires that for any Department of Defense contracts for truck transportation or service using fuel, the motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder involved in the transaction must pass any fuel surcharge on to the person responsible for paying the cost of fuel and to disclose that surcharge and other charges in writing; No. 38, that requires a report from the Secretary of Defense within 45 days after the date of enactment on laboratory personnel demonstration projects; No. 39, that extends eligibility for military disability retired pay to individuals who left enlisted service in [[Page D657]] order to attend a military academy between January 1, 2000 and October 28, 2004, and who suffered a disabling injury while attending the academy; No. 41, that expands existing authority for professional military education institutions of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps to award degrees to graduates of their schools; No. 44, that requires the Defense Secretary to establish a program to research and develop unexploded ordnance detection technology and facilitate the deployment of this technology in the field; No. 47, that requires a report be submitted to the congressional defense committees by the Secretary of the Navy not later than 120 days after enactment of the act on future jet carrier training requirements; No. 48, that requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct a demonstration project to assess the feasibility of providing a behavioral health care provider locator and appointment assistance service; No. 49, that requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on DOD's policies regarding the sale and disposal of used motor vehicle oil; No. 54, that expresses the sense of Congress that each military department should, to the maximum extent practicable, provide honor guard details for the funerals of veterans; and No. 57, that makes it the policy of the United States that any Status of Forces Agreement negotiated between the U.S. and Iraq include measures requiring the Iraqi Government to provide financial or other types of support for U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Iraq; Pages H4746-56 Boren amendment (No. 8 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that includes clarifying language regarding the procurement by a federal agency of alternative or synthetic fuels; clarifies conditions by which DOD and other federal agencies would be allowed to enter into a contract to purchase a generally available fuel, if it is not predominantly an alternative or synthetic fuel; and sets forth a set of conditions pursuant to these changes; Pages H4764-66 Waxman amendment (No. 15 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that requires agencies to enhance competition in contracting; limits the use of abuse-prone contracts; rebuilds the federal acquisition workforce; strengthens anti-fraud measures; and increases transparency in federal contracting; Pages H4766-74 Israel amendment (No. 50 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that creates a joint Department of Defense/Department of State program for the purpose of hiring Iraqis (who supported the U.S. efforts in Iraq and have resettled in the U.S.) as interpreters, translators, and cultural awareness instructors for various agencies of the Federal government and to increase awareness of the existence of the program; Pages H4777-78 Skelton en bloc amendment No. 2 consisting of the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 110-666: No. 5, that requires the President to develop and submit to Congress a comprehensive interagency strategy for strategic communication and public diplomacy by December 31, 2009; No. 10, that provides that autistic children of members of the Armed Forces, who are enrolled in the Extended Care Health Option program, receive a minimum of $5,000 per month of autistic therapy services; No. 11, that establishes the Visiting NIH Senior Neuroscience Fellowship Program at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury; No. 14, that gives the secretary of a military department authority to authorize military installations to enter into partnerships with colleges, universities, and technical schools for the purposes of improving the accessibility and flexibility of college courses available to active duty service members; No. 19, that finds that Congress and the Secretary of Defense should work to understand and identify the contributing factors related to suicide amongst our service men and women; No. 20, that increases (by offset) the amount provided for DOD military personnel by $3 million, one million for each of the Army Secretary, Navy Secretary, and Air Force Secretary, for the funeral honors program; No. 24, that amends safeguards and internal controls of DOD to require that appropriate inventory and property systems are updated promptly in response to expenditures charged to a purchase card related to sensitive and pilferable property; No. 28, that directs the Defense Secretary to include the effects of greenhouse gas emissions in planning, requirements development, and acquisition processes; No. 30, that permits the Army Secretary to award the Army Combat Action Badge to those soldiers who served during the dates ranging from December 7, 1941, to September 18, 2001, if the Secretary determines such individuals have not been previously recognized; No. 40, that requires the Defense Secretary to conduct a demonstration project to assess the feasibility and efficacy of providing a face to face post-deployment mental health screening between a member of the Armed Forces and a mental health provider; No. 42, that requires the Secretary of Defense of revise the regulations issued pursuant to section 862 of the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act to ensure that private security contractors are not authorized to perform inherently governmental functions in an area of combat operations; No. 45, that permits the Transportation Secretary, acting through the Maritime Administration, to establish a Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Program to provide for the planning, design, and construction of projects [[Page D658]] for the Port of Guam; No. 46, that requires the Comptroller General to review, and report to Congress within one year on, the DOD's implementation of the recommendations of the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health; and No. 43, that requires the Defense Secretary to study methods to verifiably reduce the likelihood of accidental nuclear launch by any nation; (See next issue.) Lee (CA) amendment (No. 26 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that provides that no provision in any status of forces agreement negotiated between the United States and the Government of Iraq that obligates the United States to the defense of Iraq from internal or external threats shall have any legal effect unless the agreement is in the form of a treaty requiring the advice and consent of the Senate, or is specifically authorized by an Act of Congress (by a recorded vote of 234 ayes to 183 noes, Roll No. 359); Pages H4774-77 Braley (IA) amendment (No. 53 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that requires the President to submit a report to Congress on the long-term costs of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom within 90 days of enactment; directs the estimate to be based on certain scenarios; make projections through at least Fiscal Year 2068; and take into account and specify various factors, including operational costs, reconstruction costs, and the cost of providing health care and disability benefits (by a recorded vote of 245 ayes to 168 noes, Roll No. 360); (See next issue.) Bishop (GA) amendment (No. 52 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that provides 180 days of transitional health care to those service members who separate honorably from active duty and agree to serve in the Guard or Selected Reserve at no charge to the service member; (See next issue.) Ellsworth amendment (No. 55 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that revises the Federal Acquisition Regulation by requiring each contract awarded by the Department of Defense to contain a clause prohibiting the contractor from performing the contract using a subsidiary or subcontractor that is a foreign shell company if the foreign shell company will perform the work of the contract or subcontract using United States citizens or permanent residents of the United States; (See next issue.) Hodes amendment (No. 56 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that provides that no funds authorized in the bill may be used for propaganda purposes, and directs the DOD Inspector General and GAO to report on whether or not the defense analysts program violated the propaganda provisions of Department of Defense appropriations bills for Fiscal Years 2002 through 2008; (See next issue.) Foster amendment (No. 58 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that amends title XXXI of the bill (DOE National Security Programs) to require the Administrator for Nuclear Security to establish a fellowship program for Ph.D. candidates in nuclear chemistry; (See next issue.) Schwartz amendment (No. 51 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that prevents future use of the airfield at NASJRB Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, for commercial passenger operations; commercial cargo operations; commercial, business, or nongovernment aircraft operations not related to missions of the installation; and as a reliever airport to relieve congestion at other airports; (See next issue.) Spratt amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that requires the DNI, on an annual basis, to submit to Congress an update of the National Intelligence Estimate entitled ``Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities'' and dated November 2007; such update may be submitted in classified form; the President shall notify Congress in writing within 15 days of determining that Iran has met or surpassed any major milestone in its nuclear weapons program or that Iran has undertaken to accelerate, decelerate, or cease the development of any significant element within its nuclear weapons program; (See next issue.) Price (NC) amendment (No. 25 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that prohibits agencies under the Department of Defense from using contractors to perform interrogations; the amendment allows the use of contractors for interpretation (by a recorded vote of 240 ayes to 160 noes, Roll No. 361); (See next issue.) Holt amendment (No. 32 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that requires the videotaping or electronic recording of detainee interrogations in the custody of or under the effective control of the Department of Defense; directs the Judge Advocates General of the respective military services to develop uniform guidelines for such videotaping or electronic recording, and for said guidelines to be provided to Congress (by a recorded vote of 218 ayes to 192 noes, Roll No. 362); and (See next issue.) McGovern amendment (No. 31 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that requires the Defense Secretary to release to the public, upon request, the names, ranks, countries of origin, and other information of students and instructors of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (``WHINSEC''); the amendment covers fiscal years 2005-2008 and any fiscal year thereafter (by a recorded vote of 220 ayes to 189 noes, Roll No. 363). (See next issue.) Rejected: Akin amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that sought to increase funding (by offset) for Future Combat Systems by $193 million (by a [[Page D659]] recorded vote of 128 ayes to 287 noes, Roll No. 355); Pages H4745-46 (continued next issue) Franks (AZ) amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that sought to add $719 million (by offset) to the Missile Defense Agency's Budget (by a recorded vote of 186 ayes to 229 noes, Roll No. 356); Pages H4756-59 (continued next issue) Tierney amendment (No. 23 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that sought to reduce funding (by offset) for the Missile Defense Agency by $966.2 million (by a recorded vote of 122 ayes to 292 noes, Roll No. 357); and Pages H4759-62 (continued next issue) Pearce amendment (No. 33 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that sought to remove $10 million in funding for energy conservation on military installations and increase funding for the Reliable Replacement Warhead program by $10 million (by a recorded vote of 145 ayes to 271 noes, Roll No. 358). Pages H4763-64 (continued next issue) Withdrawn: Flake amendment (No. 22 printed in H. Rept. 110-666) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have prohibited any funds appropriated to carry out H.R. 5658 from being used for a library/ lifelong learning center at Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms, California. (See next issue.) Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. (See next issue.) H. Res. 1218, the rule providing for further consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 197 nays, Roll No. 351, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 228 yeas to 192 nays, Roll No. 350. Pages H4457-68 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, June 4th. (See next issue.) Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Hoyer and Representative Van Hollen to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through June 3, 2008. (See next issue.) Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on page H4778. Senate Referrals: S. Con. Res. 85 was held at the desk. Quorum Calls--Votes: Six yea-and-nay votes and eleven recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H4467-68, H4468, H4469, H4654-55, H4655-56 (continued next issue). There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and at 10:35 p.m., pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 355, the House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2008. Committee Meetings CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a hearing on Capitol Visitor Center. Testimony was heard from Office of the Architect of the Capitol: Stephen Ayers, Acting Architect; Terrie Rouse, CEO, Visitor Services; and Bernie Ungar, Project Executive, both with the Capitol Visitor Center; and Terry Dorn, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO. U.S. MAINLAND EXOTIC DISEASE RESEARCH Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Germs, Viruses, and Secrets: Government Plans to Move Exotic Disease Research to the Mainland United States.'' Testimony was heard from Nancy R. Kingsbury, Managing Director, Applied Research and Methods, GAO; Bruce I. Knight, Under Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs, USDA; Jay M. Cohen, Under Secretary, Science and Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. CONFORMING LOAN LIMIT INCREASE Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Impact on Homebuyers and Housing Market of Conforming Loan Limit Increase.'' Testimony was heard from Heather Peters. Deputy Secretary, Business Regulation and Housing, State of California; and public witnesses. OIL PRICES AND HOMELAND SECURITY Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on Rising Oil Prices: Declining National Security? Testimony was heard from David Sandalow, former Assistant Secretary of State; and public witnesses. U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS/DEMOCRACY PROMOTION Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight held a hearing on City on the Hill or Just Another Country? The United States and the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy. Testimony was heard from John Shattuck, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic; and a public witness. [[Page D660]] BORDER SECURITY CHALLENGES Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism held a hearing on The Border Security Challenge: Recent Developments and Legislative Proposals, focusing on the following bills: H.R. 5662, Putting Our Resources Towards Security (PORTS) Act; H.R. 5552, Border Accountability Act of 2008; H.R. 4088, SAVE Act of 2007; and H.R. 3531, Accountability in Enforcing Immigration Laws Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Representatives Reyes, Bilbray, Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida; Giffords, and Shuler; and the following officials of the U. S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security: Thomas S. Winkowski, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations; Chief David V. Aguilar, Office of Border Patrol; and MG Michael C. Kostelnik, USAF (Ret.), Assistant Commissioner, Office of Air and Marine. GAS PRICES AND OIL INDUSTRY COMPETITION Committee on the Judiciary: Task Force on Competition Policy and Antitrust Laws held a hearing on Retail Gas Prices, Part 2, Competition in the Oil Industry. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS PROGRAM Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on The United States Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazards Program--Science, Preparation, and Response. Testimony was heard from David Applegate, Senior Science Advisor, Earthquakes, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 5511, Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation Act of 2008; and H.R. 5710, Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Authorization Act. IRAQ FUNDING ACCOUNTABILITY LAPSES Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on Accountability Lapses in Multiple Funds for Iraq. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Defense: Mary L. Ugone, Deputy Inspector General, Auditing; Patricia Marsh, Assistant Inspector General; and Daniel Blair, Deputy Assistant Inspector General, Defense, both with the Defense Financing Auditing Service Directorate. MORTGAGE CRISIS-AFFLICTED NEIGHBORHOODS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, and the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity of the Committee on Financial Services, joint hearing on Neighborhoods: Targeting Federal aid to neighborhoods distressed by the subprime mortgage crisis. Testimony was heard from Todd M. Richardson, Director, Program Evaluation Division, Office of Policy Development and Research, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses. U.S. JOBS/TECHNOLOGY GLOBALIZATION IMPACTS Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Investigation and Oversight held a hearing on American Decline or Renewal?--Globalization Jobs and Technology. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. REAL ESTATE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES ACT Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``RESPA and its Impact on Small Business.'' Testimony was heard from Ivy Jackson, Director, Office of Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Interstate Land Sales, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 5001, amended, Old Post Office Building Redevelopment Act of 2008; H.R. 6109, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Act of 2008; and H.R. 6003, amended, Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION OUTREACH Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on Examining the Effectiveness of VBA Outreach Efforts. Testimony was heard from Diana Rubens, Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Field Operations, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; the following officials of the Department of Defense: Leslye Arsht, Deputy Under Secretary, Military Community and Family Policy; and Kevin Crowley, Deputy Director, Manpower Personnel, National Guard Bureau; and representatives of veterans organizations [[Page D661]] VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION HUMAN RESOURCES CHALLENGES Committee on Veterans Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Human Resources Challenges within the Veterans Health Administration. Testimony was heard from Joleen Clark, Chief Officer, Workforce Management and Consulting, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--COUNTERNARCOTICS PROGRAM Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to receive a briefing on Counternarcotics Program. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses. ADMINISTRATION'S ENERGY POLICY Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Bush Administration's Energy Policy.'' Testimony was heard from Samuel W. Bodman, Secretary of Energy. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D638) H.R. 493, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment. Signed on May 21, 2008. (Public Law 110-233) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No Committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). 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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 D662]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Friday, May 23 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will meet in pro forma session. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 3 House Chamber Program for Tuesday, June 3rd: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Alexander, Rodney, La., E1043 Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E1039 Bachmann, Michele, Minn., E1014, E1019, E1034 Bachus, Spencer, Ala., E1039 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E1037 Barrett, J. Gresham, S.C., E1044 Berman, Howard L., Calif., E1020 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E1016, E1025, E1031 Boyda, Nancy E., Kans., E1016 Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E1021, E1037, E1039, E1041 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1041 Buyer, Steve, Ind., E1024 Campbell, John, Calif., E1040 Capito, Shelley Moore, W.Va., E1042 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1040 Courtney, Joe, Conn., E1020, E1028 Davis, Lincoln, Tenn., E1042 Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E1021, E1041 Dreier, David, Calif., E1011 Ehlers, Vernon J., Mich., E1031 English, Phil, Pa., E1017 Fattah, Chaka, Pa., E1013 Forbes, J. Randy, Va., E1014 Franks, Trent, Ariz., E1017 Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E1015 Gallegly, Elton, Calif., E1033 Gordon, Bart, Tenn., E1012 Graves, Sam, Mo., E1022 Hall, Ralph M., Tex., E1016, E1026, E1035 Hastings, Doc, Wash., E1023 Hayes, Robin, N.C., E1025 Inglis, Bob, S.C., E1041 Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E1022 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E1013 King, Steve, Iowa, E1011 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E1022 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1017 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E1026 Lewis, Jerry, Calif., E1023 LoBiondo, Frank A., N.J., E1028 McCarthy, Kevin, Calif., E1038 McCrery, Jim, La., E1038, E1042 McGovern, James P., Mass., E1013 McHugh, John M., N.Y., E1036 McIntyre, Mike, N.C., E1027, E1034 McNulty, Michael R., N.Y., E1033 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1033 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E1019 Miller, Candice S., Mich., E1021 Moran, James P., Va., E1037, E1039 Murphy, Tim, Pa., E1011 Pallone, Frank, Jr., N.J., E1019, E1035 Pascrell, Bill, Jr., N.J., E1020 Paul, Ron, Tex., E1014 Pickering, Charles W. ``Chip'', Miss., E1031 Poe, Ted, Tex., E1037, E1042 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E1040 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1033 Rehberg, Dennis R., Mont., E1018 Rogers, Harold, Ky., E1038 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E1029 Rohrabacher, Dana, Calif., E1013 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E1023 Sali, Bill, Idaho, E1035 Saxton, Jim, N.J., E1032 Shuler, Heath, N.C., E1035 Shuster, Bill, Pa., E1022 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E1019 Souder, Mark E., Ind., E1015, E1024 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E1016 Tanner, John S., Tenn., E1027 Turner, Michael R., Ohio, E1034 Upton, Fred, Mich., E1024 Walberg, Timothy, Mich., E1015, E1018, E1024 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E1040 WWittman, Robert J., Va., E1044 Young, Don, Alaska, E1038