Wednesday, April 23, 2008 [[Page D480]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3273-S3336 Measures Introduced: Two bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2901-2902, and S. Res. 529. Page S3304 Measures Reported: S. Res. 494, expressing the sense of the Senate on the need for Iraq's neighbors and other international partners to fulfill their pledges to provide reconstruction assistance to Iraq, and with an amended preamble. S. Res. 523, expressing the strong support of the Senate for the declaration of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization at the Bucharest Summit that Ukraine and Georgia will become members of the alliance. S. Con. Res. 74, honoring the Prime Minister of Ireland, Bertie Ahern, for his service to the people of Ireland and to the world and welcoming the Prime Minister to the United States. Page S3304 Measures Passed: Inspector General Reform Act: Senate passed S. 2324, to amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) to enhance the Offices of the Inspectors General, to create a Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, after agreeing to the committee amendments, and the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S3323-32 Reid (for Kyl) Amendment No. 4575, to modify provisions relating to transfers and removals, duties of counsel, and comments on budget submissions. Page S3328 National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 77, supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month 2008, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S3332 Measures Considered: Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act: Senate began consideration of S. 1315, to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance life insurance benefits for disabled veterans, after agreeing to the motion to proceed to its consideration, and taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S3288-97 Pending: Burr Amendment No. 4572, to increase benefits for disabled United States veterans and provide a fair benefit to World War II Filipino veterans for their service to the United States. Page S3297 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill on Thursday, April 24, 2008, at approximately 10:30 a.m.; that the following amendments be the only amendments in order to the bill: Burr Amendment No. 4572 (listed above), the committee reported amendment in the nature of a substitute, a title amendment, and a mangers' technical amendment that has been cleared by the mangers and the Leaders; that there be a limit of 60 minutes of debate with respect to Burr Amendment No. 4572, with the time equally divided and controlled in the usual form and that upon the use or yielding back of time, Senate vote on or in relation to the amendment; provided further, that upon disposition of the Burr Amendment No. 4572, and a mangers technical amendment if cleared, the amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, if amended, be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be read a third time, and Senate vote on passage of the bill and that upon passage, the title amendment be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. Page S3332 Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act--Agreement: Senate resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 2831, to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice that is unlawful under such Acts occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to the discriminatory compensation decision or other practice. Pages S3273-87, S3288 [[Page D481]] During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 56 yeas to 42 nays (Vote No. 110), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Senator Reid entered a motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Page S3288 Genetic Information Nondiscrimination--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that following disposition of S. 1315, Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act, Senate begin consideration of H.R. 493, the Genetic Nondiscrimination Act; that the only amendment in order be an amendment in the nature of a substitute to be offered by Senators Snowe, Kennedy, and Enzi; provided further, that there be a total of 2 hours for debate on the bill and the amendment, with time equally divided and controlled between the Majority Leader and the Republican Leader or their designees; and that upon the use or yielding back of all time, the amendment be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time, and Senate vote on passage of the bill. Page S3296 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: C. Steven McGann, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Fiji Islands, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Republic of Kiribati. T. Vance McMahan, of Texas, to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Jeffrey Leigh Sedgwick, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Attorney General. Christine O. Hill, of Georgia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Congressional Affairs). 4 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 2 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Army, Foreign Service. Pages S3335-36 Messages from the House: Page S3304 Measures Referred: Page S3304 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S3304 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3304-06 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3306-09 Additional Statements: Pages S3301-03 Amendments Submitted: Pages S3309-22 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Pages S3322-23 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--110) Page S3288 Adjournment: Senate convened at 5:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:32 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3332.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Missile Defense Agency, after receiving testimony from Lieutenant General Henry A. Obering, III, USAF, Director, Missile Defense Agency, and Lieutenant General Kevin T. Campbell, USA, Commanding General, United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command, United States Army Strategic Forces Command, and Joint Functional Component Command, Integrated Missile Defense, both of the Department of Defense. PHANTOM TRAFFIC Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine ``phantom traffic''-telephone calls that do not have sufficient information or records for the local phone company to bill for access charges, after receiving testimony from Charles W. McKee, Sprint Nextel Corporation, Reston, Virginia; Lawrence E. Sarjeant, Qwest, and Angela Simpson, VON Coalition, both of Washington, D.C.; and Raymond Henagan, Rock Port Telephone Company, Rock Port, Missouri, on behalf of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association. NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks concluded a hearing to examine S. 662, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to evaluate resources at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Brunswick, Maine, to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing the site as a unit of the [[Page D482]] National Park System, S. 827, to establish the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area in the States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, S. 923 and H.R. 1528, bills to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the New England National Scenic Trail, S. 956, to establish the Land Between the Rivers National Heritage Area in the State of Illinois, S. 2073, to amend the National Trails System Act relating to the statute of limitations that applies to certain claims, S. 2513, to modify the boundary of the Minute Man National Historical Park, S. 2604, to establish the Baltimore National Heritage Area in the State of Maryland, S. 2804, to adjust the boundary of the Everglades National Park, H.R. 53, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a long-term lease with the Government of the United States Virgin Islands to provide land on the island of Saint John, Virgin Islands, for the establishment of a school, and H.R. 1483, to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to extend the authorization for certain national heritage areas, after receiving testimony from Representative Christensen; Daniel N. Wenk, Deputy Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; William J. Pencek, Jr., Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Baltimore; Lorelei Monsanto, One Campus, Saint John, Virgin Islands; and Gale Illig, Grantwood Village, Missouri. DARFUR Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the crisis in Darfur, after receiving testimony from Richard Williamson, President's Special Envoy to Sudan, Department of State; Katherine Almquist, Assistant Administrator for Africa, United States Agency for International Development (USAID); and Jane Holl Lute, United Nations, New York, New York. CRISIS IN TIBET Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs concluded a hearing to examine the crisis in Tibet, focusing on peaceful action that would be in accordance with international standards of religious freedom and human rights, after receiving testimony from John D. Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State; Steve Marshall, Senior Advisor, Congressional-Executive Commission on China; Richard Gere, International Campaign for Tibet, New York, New York; Lodi Gyari, Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Washington, D.C.; and Lobsang Sangay, Harvard University Law School East Asian Legal Studies Program, Cambridge, Massachusetts. NOMINATION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Nanci E. Langley, of Virginia, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Akaka, testified and answered questions in her own behalf. NATIONAL SECURITY LETTERS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine National Security Letters, focusing on the need for greater accountability and oversight, including S. 2088, to place reasonable limitations on the use of National Security Letters, after receiving testimony from James A. Baker, former Counsel for Intelligence Policy, and Michael J. Woods, former Chief, National Security Law Unit, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Bureau of Investigation, both of the Department of Justice; and Gregory T. Nojeim, Center for Democracy and Technology, all of Washington, D.C. VA/DOD COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense cooperation and collaboration as they meet the needs of returning servicemembers, after receiving testimony from Gordon England, Deputy Secretary, and David S. C. Chu, Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, both of the Department of Defense; Gordon Mansfield, Deputy Secretary, and Patrick W. Dunne, Acting Under Secretary for Benefits and Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning, both of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Adrian M. Atizdao, Disabled American Veterans, Washington, D.C., on behalf of sundry organizations; Todd Bowers, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, New York, New York; and Commander Rene A. Campos, USN (Ret.), Military Officers Association of America, Alexandria, Virginia. [[Page D483]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 10 public bills, H.R. 5875- 5884; and 12 resolutions, H. Res. 1134-1145 were introduced. Pages H2657-58 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2658-59 Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: Supplemental report on H.R. 2830, to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2008 (H. Rept. 110-338, Pt. 4). Page H2657 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Baldwin to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H2656 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rabbi Akiva Males, Kesher Israel Congregation, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Page H2656 Discharge Petition: Representative Fossella moved to discharge the Committee on the Judiciary and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from the consideration of H.R. 5440, to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence (Discharge Petition No. 7). Clerk to Correct Authority: Agreed by unanimous consent that in the engrossment of H.R. 2634, the Clerk be directed to execute the second instruction in the amendment conveyed by the motion to recommit as though it read ``all that follows on that line'' rather than ``all that follows''. Pages H2559-61 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Alonzo Woodruff Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 5479, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 117 North Kidd Street in Ionia, Michigan, as the ``Alonzo Woodruff Post Office Building''; Pages H2561-62 Rocky Marciano Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 5528, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 Commercial Street in Brockton, Massachusetts, as the ``Rocky Marciano Post Office Building''; Pages H2562-63 Private First Class David H. Sharrett II Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 5483, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10449 White Granite Drive in Oakton, Virginia, as the ``Private First Class David H. Sharrett II Post Office Building''; Pages H2563-64 Marisol Heredia Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 4185, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11151 Valley Boulevard in El Monte, California, as the ``Marisol Heredia Post Office Building''; Pages H2564-65 Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of William F. Buckley, Jr.: H. Res. 1016, amended, to express the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of William F. Buckley, Jr.; Pages H2565-68 Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 3721, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1190 Lorena Road in Lorena, Texas, as the ``Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry Post Office Building''; Pages H2568-69 Contractors and Federal Spending Accountability Act of 2007: H.R. 3033, amended, to improve Federal agency awards and oversight of contracts and assistance and to strengthen accountability of the Government-wide suspension and debarment system; Pages H2569-72 Close the Contractor Fraud Loophole Act: H.R. 5712, amended, to require disclosure by Federal contractors of certain violations relating to the award or performance of Federal contracts; and Pages H2572-74 Government Contractor Accountability Act of 2007: H.R. 3928, amended, to require certain large government contractors that receive more than 80 percent of their annual gross revenue from Federal contracts to disclose the names and salaries of their most highly compensated officers. Pages H2574-77 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to require certain recipients of Federal funds to disclose the names and total compensation of their most highly compensated officers, and for other purpose.''. Page H2577 Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Sessions motion to adjourn by a yea- and-nay vote of 57 yeas to 345 nays, Roll No. 208. Pages H2593-94 Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures which were debated on Tuesday, April 22nd: Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008: H.R. 5613, amended, to extend certain moratoria and impose additional moratoria on certain Medicaid regulations through April 1, 2009, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 349 yeas to 62 nays, Roll No. 209 and Page H2596 [[Page D484]] Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To extend certain moratoria and impose additional moratoria on certain Medicaid regulations through April 1, 2009, and for other purposes.''. Page H2596 Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of close friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel: H. Con. Res. 322, to recognize the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel and to reaffirm the bonds of close friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 417 yeas with none voting ``nay,'' Roll No. 210. Pages H2596-97 SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act: The House passed H.R. 5819, to amend the Small Business Act to improve the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, by a recorded vote of 368 ayes to 43 noes, Roll No. 217. Pages H2599-H2628 Rejected the Heller (NV) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Small Business with instructions to report the same back to the House promptly with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 195 ayes to 215 noes, Roll No. 216. Pages H2625-28 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Small Business now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. Page H2607 Agreed by unanimous consent that the Chair may reduce to two minutes the minimum time for electronic voting under clause 6 of rule 18 and clauses 8 and 9 of rule 20. Page H2599 Accepted: Boswell amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that gives priority to applications from companies located in areas that have lost a major source of employment; Pages H2612-13 Ehlers amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that strikes section 102--doing so leaves the current set-asides for SBIR and STTR unchanged; Pages H2613-14 Sestak amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that notifies an applicant to the SBIR and STTR programs, who is not successful in receiving an award, that the applicant can request an explanation of why the applicant did not receive the award; Page H2614 Giffords amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that mandates that SBIR awardees must be entities with their primary business operations in the United States; Pages H2615-16 Graves amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that strikes and replaces Title II, regarding venture capital investment standards; Pages H2616-18 Matsui amendment (No. 7 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that adds business incubators as eligible for the partnerships with SBIR awardees that are required by section 404. The amendment also defines the term ``business incubators'' for this purpose; Page H2618 Sutton amendment (No. 8 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that provides that veterans will be given priority when applying for SBIR and STTR awards; Pages H2618-19 Sutton amendment (No. 9 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that requires agencies that administer SBIR programs to give special consideration to pressing transportation and infrastructure research activities, as identified by reports issued by the Department of Transportation and National Academy of Sciences; Pages H2619-20 Barrow amendment (No. 10 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that establishes a pilot program to make grants to minority institutions that partner with nonprofit organizations that have experience developing relationships between industry, minority institutions, and other entities; Page H2620 Velazquez amendment (No. 12 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that allows the Administrator of the SBA to view favorably FAST grant applicants that use accredited SBDC's in determining the award of a FAST grant; Page H2621 Gillibrand amendment (No. 13 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that requires a veteran small-business owner must be at least one of the people appointed to the advisory board overseeing the Small Business Innovation Research Program Grants; Pages H2621-22 Velazquez amendment (No. 14 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that requires the Small Business Administration to consult with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop an outreach program to publicize the Small Business Innovation Research program to veterans returning from service and encourage veterans with appropriate technical skills to apply for SBIR grants; Page H2622 Matheson amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that gives priority to small businesses and organizations, in the awarding of SBIR, STTR, and FAST grants, that are making significant contributions towards energy efficiency, including those that are making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint or are carbon neutral (by a recorded vote of 355 ayes to 48 noes, Roll No. 213); Pages H2614-15, H2623-24 Capito amendment (No. 11 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that changes section 104, regarding the [[Page D485]] SBIR Advisory Board. It adds small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans to the groups to be targeted by the board to make applications for SBIR grants (by a recorded vote of 405 ayes with none voting ``no,'' Roll No. 214); and Pages H2620-21, H2624-25 Foster amendment (No. 15 printed in H. Rept. 110-603) that requires SBIR awardees to be owned and controlled by at least one individual, or a business concern owned and controlled by individuals, who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the United States. Any applicant found knowingly hiring, recruiting, or referring for a fee, an unauthorized alien shall not be eligible for the receipt of future awards (by a recorded vote of 406 ayes with none voting ``no'' and 3 voting ``present,'' Roll No. 215). Pages H2622-23, H2625 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H2630 H. Res. 1125, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 221 yeas to 190 nays, Roll No. 212, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 211. Pages H2577-86, H2597-98 Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007--Rule for Consideration: The House agreed to the rule that is providing for consideration of H.R. 2830, to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2008, by a recorded vote of 223 ayes to 183 noes, Roll No. 219, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 220 yeas to 187 nays, Roll No. 218. Pages H2586-93, H2594-95, H2628-29 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H2595. Quorum Calls--Votes: Six yea-and-nay votes and six recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2593, H2596, H2596-97, H2597-98, H2598, H2623-24, H2624-25, H2625, H2627-28, H2628, H2628-29, and H2829. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:59 p.m. Committee Meetings NSA Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense/Select Intelligence Oversight Panel, executive, on the National Security Agency. Testimony was heard from Keith B. Alexander, Director, NSA. SECTION 8 HOUSING PROGRAM CHALLENGES Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Housing and Urban Development-Status of Project-Based Section 8 Program. Testimony was heard from Brian Montgomery, Assistant Secretary, Housing, Federal Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses. RESERVES' DENTAL SERVICES READINESS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on challenges associated with achieving full dental readiness in the reserve component. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: COL Gary Martin, DDS, USAF, Chief, Dental Care Branch TRICARE Management Activity; COL Mark Bodenheim, DDS, USA, Chief, Reserve Component Mobilization and Demobilization Operations, U.S. Army Dental Command; CPT Kerry Krause, DDS, USN, Reserve Affairs Officer, U.S. Navy Dental Corps; COL Deborah L. Hart, DDS, USAF, Mobilization Assistant to the Air Force Assistant Surgeon General, Dental Services, Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Air Force; and COL David B. Sproat, M.D., USA, Chief Surgeon, Army National Guard. IMPROVING WORKPLACE SAFETY Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on Improving Workplace Safety: Strengthening OSHA Enforcement of Multi-Site Employers. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. HEALTH MEASURES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1343, amended, Health Centers Renewal Act of 2007; H.R. 5669, Poison Center Support, Enhancement, and Awareness Act of 2008; H.R. 1553, amended, Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007; and H.R. 3112, amended, Prenatally Diagnosed Condition Awareness Act of 2007. NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION ACT; EMERGENCY MORTGAGE LOAN MODIFICATION ACT; COMMITTEE BUSINESS Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 5818, Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008; and H.R. 5579. Emergency Mortgage Loan Modification Act of 2008. [[Page D486]] The Committee also approved pending Committee business. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE REFORM Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on Foreign Assistance Reform in the Next Administration: Challenges and Solutions. Testimony was heard from former Representative Jim T. Kolbe of Arizona; and public witnesses. U.S.-SOUTH KOREA STRATEGIC ALLIANCE Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment held a hearing on A New Beginning for the U.S.- South Korea Strategic Alliance. Testimony was heard from Alexander A. Arvizu, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State. NATO OUTLOOK Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Europe held a hearing on the Bucharest Summit and the Way Forward for NATO. Testimony was heard from Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Department of State; and Daniel P. Fata, Deputy Assistant Secretary, European and NATO Policy, Department of Defense. HOMELAND SECURITY REFORM Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Improving the Functionality, Governance, and Accountability of the Department of Homeland Security.'' Testimony was heard from Paul A. Schneider, Acting Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security. OVERSIGHT--FBI Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing on the FBI. Testimony was heard from Robert S. Mueller, Director, FBI, Department of Justice. ALASKA PENINSULA REFUGE/KING COVE SAFE ACCESS ACT Committee on Natural Resources: Ordered reported H.R. 2801, Izembek and Alaska Peninsula Refuge and Wilderness Enhancement and King Cove Safe Access Act. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 21, Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act; H.R. 5618, National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 2649, To make amendments to the Reclamation Project Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992; H.R. 3323, Goleta Water Distribution System Conveyance Act of 2007; and H.R. 4841, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Settlement Act. DOMESTIC ABSTINENCE-ONLY PROGRAMS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on Domestic Abstinence-Only Programs: Assessing the Evidence. Testimony was heard from Senator Brownback, Representative Capps, Charles Keckler, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Policy, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services; Marcia Crosse, Director, Healthcare, GAO; and public witnesses. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS PRESERVATION ACT Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives held a hearing on H.R. 5811, Electronic Communications Preservation Act. Testimony was heard from Linda D. Koontz, Director, Information Management Issues, GAO; the following officials of the National Archives and Records Administration: Gary Stern, General Counsel; and Paul Wester, Jr., Director, Modern Records Program; and a public witness. NUCLEAR POWER--OPPORTUNITIES/CHALLENGES Committee on Science and Technology: Held a hearing on Opportunities and Challenges for Nuclear Power. Testimony was heard from John Grossenbacher, Director, Idaho National Laboratory, Department of Energy; and public witnesses. SBA'S WORKFORCE DIVERSITY Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade held a hearing entitled ``Minority and Hispanic Participation in the Federal Workforce and the Impact on the Small Business Community.'' Testimony was heard from Daryl Hairston, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Management and Administration, SBA; Nancy Kachik, Associate Director, Strategic Human Resources Policy, OPM; George Stalcup, Director, Strategic Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. [[Page D487]] NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD REAUTHORIZATION Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on the Reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety Board. Testimony was heard from Mark V. Rosenker, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board and Gerald Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO. RAIL CAPACITY Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroad, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on Rail Capacity. Testimony was heard from Alexander Kummant, President and CEO, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK); and public witnesses. VETERANS MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 5684, amended, Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008; H.R. 4884, amended, Helping Our Veterans to Keep Their Homes Act of 2008; 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 servicemember during the one-year period following the servicemember's period of military service; H.R. 4889, amended, The Guard and Reserved Are Fighting Too Act of 2008; H.R. 3681, Veterans Benefits Awareness Act of 2007; H.R. 3889, amended, 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. 5664, amended, 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. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Veterans Affairs: Subcommittee on Health approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 2790, amended, To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the office of the under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health; H.R. 3819, Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007; H.R. 5729, Spina Bifida Health Care Program Expansion Act; H.R. 5554, amended, Veterans Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008; and H.R. 5856, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Authorization and Lease Act of 2008. CLEARING--DISABILITY BACKLOG Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on Clearing the Disability Backlog. Testimony was heard from Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner, SSA; Sylvester J. Schieber, Chairman, Social Security Advisory Board; and public witnesses. FY 2009 BUDGET--HUMAN CAPITAL Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget-Human Capital. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D459) S. 845, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand and intensify programs with respect to research and related activities concerning elder falls. Signed on April 23, 2008. (Public Law 110-202) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for military construction, 10 a.m., SD-124. Committee on Armed Services: to receive a closed briefing on sensitive intelligence matters, 9:30 a.m., S-407, Capitol. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine U.S. credit markets, focusing on the U.S. regulatory framework for assessing sovereign investments, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: business meeting to consider S. 2688, to improve the protections afforded under Federal law to consumers from contaminated seafood by directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program, in coordination with other appropriate Federal agencies, to strengthen activities for ensuring that seafood sold or offered for sale to the public in or affecting interstate commerce is fit for human consumption, S.J. Res. 28, disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to broadcast media ownership, S. 2607, to make a technical correction to section 3009 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, S. 2507, to address the digital television transition in border states, H.R. 3985, to amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to register a person providing transportation by an over-the-road bus as a motor carrier of passengers only if [[Page D488]] the person is willing and able to comply with certain accessibility requirements in addition to other existing requirements, H.R. 802, to amend the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to implement MARPOL Annex VI, S. 2657, to require the Secretary of Commerce to prescribe regulations to reduce the incidence of vessels colliding with North Atlantic right whales by limiting the speed of vessels, 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, the nomination of Robert A. Sturgell, of Maryland, to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and certain promotion lists in the U.S. Coast Guard, 10:30 a.m., SR-253. Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Innovation, to hold hearings to examine national nanotechnology, focusing on charting the course for reauthorization, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power, to hold hearings to examine S. 2680, to amend the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to require the Secretary of the Interior to take certain actions to address environmental problems associated with the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel in the State of Colorado, S. 2805, to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to assess the irrigation infrastructure of the Rio Grande Pueblos in the State of New Mexico and provide grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, the Rio Grande Pueblos to repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct existing infrastructure, S. 2814, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority for the planning, design, and construction of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System, H.R. 29, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct facilities to provide water for irrigation, municipal, domestic, military, and other uses from the Santa Margarita River, California, H.R. 1803, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study to design and construct a four reservoir intertie system for the purposes of improving the water storage opportunities, water supply reliability, and water yield of San Vicente, El Capitan, Murray,and Loveland Reservoirs in San Diego County, California in consultation and cooperation with the City of San Diego and the Sweetwater Authority, and H.R. 123, to authorize appropriations for the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund, 2:15 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine tax aspects of a cap-and-trade system, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine implementing smart power, focusing on setting an agenda for national security reform, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine international debt, focusing on building relief initiatives, 2 p.m., SD-419. Full Committee, to receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters, 4:45 p.m., S-407, Capitol. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold hearings to examine the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, focusing on its ability to keep America's families safe, 9:30 a.m., SD-106. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine addressing Iran's nuclear ambitions, focusing on policy options for the U.S. and its allies, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine reforming export licensing agencies for national security and economic interests, focusing on the structure of the Federal government's agencies that are responsible for licensing controlled exports, the process in place for licensing, how the structures help or hinder their decision making for licenses, human capital challenges of the export control bureaucracy, and the recommendations for improving the export control processes and personal, 2 p.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: business meeting to consider pending calendar business; to be immediately followed by an oversight hearing to examine recommendations for improving the federal acknowledgment process, 9 a.m., SD-562. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider S. 2533, to enact a safe, fair, and responsible state secrets privilege Act, S. 702, to authorize the Attorney General to award grants to State courts to develop and implement State courts interpreter programs, S. 2840, to establish a liaison with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to expedite naturalization applications filed by members of the Armed Forces and to establish a deadline for processing such applications, S. Res. 511, recognizing that John Sidney McCain, III, is a natural born citizen, H. Con. Res. 292, honoring Margaret Truman Daniel and her lifetime of accomplishments, S. Res. 515, commemorating the life and work of Dith Pran, and the nominations of Michael G. McGinn, to be United States Marshal for the District of Minnesota, Ralph E. Martinez, of Florida, to be a Member of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States, both of the Department of Justice, Mark S. Davis, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, David Gregory Kays, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri, and Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, 10 a.m., SD-226. Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, to hold hearings to examine the Delta-Northwest airlines merger, 2 p.m., SD-226. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense, on Biological Countermeasures and Threats, 10 a.m., H-140 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, and the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education of the [[Page D489]] Committee on Science, joint hearing on the role of the social and behavioral sciences in national security, 9 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, hearing on Child Abuse and Deceptive Marketing by Residential Programs for Teens, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health, hearing on the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act, food provisions, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to consider the following bills: H.R. 5830, FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention Act of 2008; and H.R. 5829, Public Housing Asset Management Improvement Act of 2008; 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, hearing on War Powers for the 21st Century: The Executive Branch Perspective, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, hearing on U.S. Policy and the Road to Damascus: Who's Converting Whom? 9 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, hearing on U.S. Export Promotion Strategy, 10 a.m., 2200 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment, hearing entitled ``Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Evolving the Office of Intelligence and Analysis to Better Serve State, Local and Tribal Needs,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, Task Force on Competition Policy and Antitrust Laws, hearing on Competition in the Airline Industry, 10:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 5593. Congressional Review Act Improvement Act; and H.R. 4004, To amend the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act to exempt from the means test in bankruptcy cases, for a limited period, qualifying reserve-component members who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 60 days, 12 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3639, Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Research Act; and H.R. 5350, To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to sell or exchange certain National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration property located in Norfolk, Virginia, and for other purposes, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 859, Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area Act; H.R. 3227, To direct the Secretary of the Interior to continue stocking fish in certain lakes in the North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area; H.R. 3667, Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2007; H.R. 3930, Lesser Prairie Chicken National Habitat Preservation Area Act of 2007, and for other purposes; H.R. 3981, Preserve America and Save America's Treasures Act; and H.R. 5540, Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Continuing Authorization Act, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, hearing on H.R. 1296, District of Columbia District Attorney Establishment Act, 10 a.m., 2247 Rayburn; and a hearing entitled ``Eliminating Smoke and Mirrors in the Mail,'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, hearing on NASA's International Space Station Program: Status and Issues, 10:30 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, hearing on Aviation Security Research and Development at the Department of Homeland Security, 1 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, hearing entitled ``The Role of Small Businesses in Stimulating the Economy,'' 10 a.m., 1539 Rayburn, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, hearing on Freight Movement from Origin to Destination, 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs, to mark up Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008, 11 a.m., 340 Cannon. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on hearing on Special Program, 9 a.m., and executive, hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget--Special Program, 10 H-405 Capitol. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, hearing entitled ``Pumping up Prices: The Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Record Gas Prices,'' 10 a.m., 2212 Rayburn. Joint Meetings Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: to hold hearings to examine women, migration and development in the OSCE region, focusing on the impact of migration on family and society, the special concerns of migrant women of color, and the economic contributions of women migrants to their home country through remittances, 10 a.m., B318, Rayburn Building. 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 D490]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, April 24 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of S. 1315, Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act, consider certain amendments, and vote on passage of the bill. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, April 24 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 2830--Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Abercrombie, Neil, Hawaii, E691, E699 Alexander, Rodney, La., E689 Allen, Thomas H., Me., E697 Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E696 Boustany, Charles W., Jr., La., E703 Cantor, Eric, Va., E694 Castle, Michael N., Del., E706 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E702, E704, E709 Costa, Jim, Calif., E690, E702, E705 Crowley, Joseph, N.Y., E697 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E701, E704 Davis, Tom, Va., E692 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E693 Dingell, John D., Mich., E698 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E693, E706 Fox, Virginia, N.C., E695 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E689 Graves, Sam, Mo., E701, E707 Green, Al, Tex., E699 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E693, E699 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E706 Hirono, Mazie K., Hawaii, E708 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E702, E704, E708 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E691, E698, E700 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E690 Lamborn, Doug, Colo., E707 Langevin, James R., R.I., E703 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E690, E699 Lewis, John, Ga., E709 Lynch, Stephen F., Mass., E703 McCarthy, Kevin, Calif., E694, 704 McGovern, James P., Mass., E707 McIntyre, Mike, N.C., E691, E694, E696, E699 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E692, E696, E700 Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E701 Michaud, Michael H., Me., E691, E709 Miller, Candice S., Mich., E703 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E705 Oberstar, James L., Minn., E702 Paul, Ron, Tex., E696 Perlmutter, Ed, Colo., E700 Poe, Ted, Tex., E701, E707, E709 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E689, E700 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E705 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E692 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E690 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E697, E708 Schwartz, Allyson Y., Pa., E689 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E697 Speier, Jackie, Calif.,E710 Tanner, John S., Tenn., E695 Udall, Mark, Colo., E692, E696, E697, E698, E700 Udall, Tom, N.M., E691, E694 Waxman, Henry A., Calif., E701 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E695 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E706