Thursday, July 24, 2008 [[Page D941]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S7203-S7433 Measures Introduced: Thirteen bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 3323-3335, and S. Res. 622-623. Pages S7278-79 Measures Reported: S. 2617, to increase, effective as of December 1, 2008, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-430) Page S7278 Measures Passed: Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act: Senate passed H.J. Res. 93, approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, clearing the measure for the President. Page S7432 Measures Considered: Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer Act: Senate continued consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 3186, to provide funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Pages S7207-45, S7246-70 Appointments: Election Assistance Board of Advisors: The Chair, on behalf of the Majority Leader pursuant to Public Law 107-252, Title II, Section 214, appointed the following individual to serve as a member of the Election Assistance Board of Advisors: Dr. Barbara Simons, of California. Page S7432 Foreclosure Prevention Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that if the motion to invoke cloture on S. 3268, to amend the Commodity Exchange Act, to prevent excessive price speculation with respect to energy commodities, is not agreed to and the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the House amendments to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3221, to provide needed housing reform, is agreed to, then post-cloture debate time on Friday, July 25, 2008, be divided in 30 minute blocks, beginning at 10 a.m. until 1 p.m, and that the Republicans control the first 30 minutes; that any time consumed during a recess or adjournment of the Senate be counted against the post- cloture time under rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate; provided further, that when the Senate convenes at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2008, the time until 10:40 a.m. be equally divided and controlled in the usual form, the Republican Leader control the time between 10:40 a.m. and 10:50 a.m., the Majority Leader control the time between 10:50 a.m. and 11 a.m., and that at 11 a.m., all time be yielded back and Senate vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the House amendments to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3221; and that, if the motion is agreed to, a motion to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table, and the motion to concur with an amendment be withdrawn; provided further, if the motion to invoke cloture on S. 3268, to amend the Commodity Exchange Act, to prevent excessive price speculation with respect to energy commodities, is agreed to, then all provisions of this agreement be null and void. Page S7433 Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent- time agreement was reached providing that at approximately 9:15 a.m., on Friday, July 25, 2008, Senate resume consideration of S. 3268, to amend the Commodity Exchange Act, to prevent excessive price speculation with respect to energy commodities, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill; provided further, that the time from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. be equally divided and controlled by the two Leaders in alternating 30-minute blocks of time, and that the Republicans control the first 30 minutes, and the Majority control the next 30 minutes; provided further, that Senators have until 10 a.m., on Friday, July 26, 2008 to file second-degree amendments. Page S7433 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: [[Page D942]] Paul S. Diamond, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. Mitchell S. Goldberg, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. C. Darnell Jones II, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Carolyn P. Short, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Joel H. Slomsky, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 2 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Navy. Pages S7433-34 Nominations Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nominations: Gene E. K. Pratter, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, which was sent to the Senate on November 15, 2007. Carolyn P. Short, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which was sent to the Senate on November 15, 2007. Page S7434 Messages from the House: Page S7278 Measures Referred: Page S7278 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S7279-80 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S7280-S7301 Additional Statements: Pages S7277-78 Amendments Submitted: Pages S7301-S7432 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S7432 Privileges of the Floor: Page S7432 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 8:15 p.m., until 9:15 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S7433.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) IRAN Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on Iran from Dolores A. Powers, Deputy Iran Mission Manager, Alan R. Pino, National Intelligence Officer for the Near East, and William J. Keller, Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Weapons of Mass Destruction, all of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; Jeffrey D. Feltman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; and James R. Clapper, Jr., Under Secretary for Intelligence, Michael G. Vickers, Assistant Secretary for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities, and Lieutenant General Carter F. Ham, USA, Director, J-3 Operations Directorate, Joint Chiefs of Staff, all of the Department of Defense. CAYMAN ISLANDS AND OFFSHORE TAX ISSUES Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Cayman Islands, focusing on offshore tax issues, including the nature and extent of United States persons' involvement with Ugland House registered entities and the nature of such business, the reasons that U.S. persons conduct business in the Cayman Islands, information available to the U.S. government regarding U.S. persons' Cayman activities, and the U.S. government's compliance and enforcement efforts, after receiving testimony from Michael Brostek, Director, Strategic Issues, Government Accountability Office; Frank Ng, Commissioner, Large and Mid-Sized Businesses, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury; and Jack A. Blum, Baker and Hostetler, Washington, D.C. HIGHWAY PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS Committee on Finance: Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure concluded a hearing to examine tax and financing aspects of highway public-private partnerships, including the benefits, costs, and trade-offs of highway public-private partnerships, the ways public officials have identified and acted to protect the public interest in these arrangements, and the federal role in highway public-private partnerships and potential changes in this role, after receiving testimony from Edward D. Kleinbard, Chief of Staff, Joint Committee on Taxation; JayEtta Z. Hecker, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office; Pat Choate, Manufacturing Policy Project, Washington, Virginia; Linda E. Carlisle, White and Case LLP, Washington, D.C.; and Dennis J. Enright, NW Financial, Jersey City, New Jersey. IMPROVING FEDERAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine ways to improve federal program management using performance information, after receiving testimony from Bernice Steinhardt, Director, Strategic [[Page D943]] Issues, Government Accountability Office; Marcus C. Peacock, Deputy Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; Jim Dyer, Chief Financial Officer and Performance Improvement Officer, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Scott Pace, Associate Administrator for Program Analysis and Evaluation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); Daniel A. Tucker, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Budget; Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Annapolis; and Donald F. Kettl, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. TRIBAL COURTS Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine tribal courts and the administration of justice in Indian country, after receiving testimony from Pat Ragsdale, Director, Office of Justice Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Joe Little, Associate Deputy Director, Office of Justice Services-Division of Tribal Justice Support, both of the Department of the Interior; Roman J. Duran, Jicarilla Apache Nation Courts, Albuquerque, New Mexico, on behalf of the National American Indian Court Judges Association; Joseph Thomas Flies-Away, Hualapai Judiciary, Peach Springs, Arizona; Theresa M. Pouley, Tulalip Tribal Court Judge, Tulalip, Washington, on behalf of the Northwest Tribal Court Judges Association; John St. Clair, Shoshone and Arapaho Tribal Court of the Wind River Indian Reservation, Fort Washakie, Wyoming; and Dorma L. Sahneyah, Hopi Tribal Chief Prosecutor, Kykotsmovi, Arizona. CRIMES ASSOCIATED WITH POLYGAMY Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine crimes associated with polygamy, focusing on the need for a coordinated state and federal response, after receiving testimony from Senator Reid; Gregory A. Brower, United States Attorney, District of Nevada, and Brett L. Tolman, United States Attorney, District of Utah, both of the Department of Justice; Terry Goddard, Arizona Attorney General, Phoenix; Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General, Austin; Stephen Singular, Denver, Colorado; Dan Fischer, Sandy, Utah; and Carolyn Jessop, West Jordan, Utah. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 31 public bills, H.R. 6593- 6598, 6600-6624; 9 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 396; and H. Res. 1373-1380 were introduced. Pages H7163-65 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H7165-66 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 2780, to amend section 8339(p) of title 5, United States Code, to clarify the method for computing certain annuities under the Civil Service Retirement System which are based on part-time service, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-770); H.R. 6388, to provide additional authorities to the Comptroller General of the United States, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-771); H.R. 674, to amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal the provision of law requiring termination of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans as of December 31, 2009 (H. Rept. 110-772); H.R. 2192, to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an Ombudsman within the Department of Veterans Affairs, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-773); H.R. 4255, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance to the Paralympic Program of the United States Olympic Committee, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-774); H.R. 6599, making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 (H. Rept. 110-775); H.R. 4806, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to prevent the over-classification of homeland security and other information and to promote the sharing of unclassified homeland security and other information, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-776); and H.R. 5983, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the information security of the Department of Homeland Security, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-777). Pages H7131, H7163 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Tauscher to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H7061 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Kelly D. McInerney, Bible Baptist Church, Wilmington, Ohio. Page H7061 [[Page D944]] Discharge Petition: Representative Souder moved to discharge the Committee on Rules from the consideration of H. Res. 1331, providing for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 1399) to restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia (Discharge Petition No. 14). Providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules: The House agreed to H. Res. 1367, to provide for consideration of motions to suspend the rules, by a yea-and-nay vote of 226 yeas to 190 nays, Roll No. 525, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 232 yeas to 184 nays, Roll No. 524. Pages H7071-79 Suspension--Failed: The House failed to agree to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Providing for the sale of light grade petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and its replacement with heavy grade petroleum: H.R. 6578, amended, to provide for the sale of light grade petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and its replacement with heavy grade petroleum, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 268 yeas to 157 nays, Roll No. 527. Pages H7079-93 Agreed by unanimous consent that debate on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 6578 be extended by 15 minutes, equally divided and controlled. Page H7085 National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 3999, to amend title 23, United States Code, to improve the safety of Federal-aid highway bridges, to strengthen bridge inspection standards and processes, and to increase investment in the reconstruction of structurally deficient bridges on the National Highway System, by a yea-and-nay vote of 367 yeas to 55 nays, Roll No. 530. Consideration of the measure began on Wednesday, July 23rd. Pages H7093-97 Rejected the Poe motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 151 ayes to 268 noes with 5 voting ``present'', Roll No. 529. Pages H7094-96 Accepted: Childers amendment (No. 10 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-760), that was debated on Wednesday, July 23rd, that seeks to provide that none of the funds may be used to employ workers in violation of section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (by a recorded vote of 416 ayes to 1 no with 6 voting ``present'', Roll No. 528). Page H7093 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H7097 H. Res. 1344, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Wednesday, July 23rd. Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson of the United States Capitol Police who were killed in the line of duty defending the Capitol against an intruder armed with a gun on July 24, 1998. Page H7096 Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008: The House agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5501, to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, by a yea-and-nay vote of 303 yeas to 115 nays, Roll No. 531--clearing the measure for the President. Pages H7097-H7122, H7132-33 H. Res. 1362, the rule providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill, was agreed to by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 231 yeas to 185 nays, Roll No. 526. Pages H7065-71, H7079 Relating to the House procedures contained in section 803 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003: The House agreed to H. Res. 1368, relating to the House procedures contained in section 803 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, by a yea-and-nay vote of 231 yeas to 184 nays, Roll No. 532, after agreeing to order the previous question. Pages H7122-32, H7133-34 Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and agree to the following measure which was debated on Wednesday, July 23rd: Supporting the designation of a National Child Awareness Month to promote awareness of children's charities and youth-serving organizations across the United States and recognizing their efforts on behalf of children and youth as a positive investment for the future of our Nation: H. Res. 1296, amended, to support the designation of a National Child Awareness Month to promote awareness of children's charities and youth-serving organizations across the United States and to recognize their efforts on behalf of children and youth as a positive investment for the future of our Nation, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 404 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 533. Page H7134 Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Hoyer and Representative Van Hollen to act as Speaker pro [[Page D945]] tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through July 28, 2008. Page H7134 Governing Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics--Appointments: The Chair announced the appointment of the following individuals to serve as the Governing Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics, pursuant to section 1(b) of H. Res. 895, 110th Congress, and the order of the House of January 4, 2007: Nominated by the Speaker with the concurrence of the Minority Leader: Mr. David Skaggs of Colorado, Chairman; Mrs. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke of California, subject to section 1(b)(6)(B); Ms. Karan English of Arizona, subject to section 1(b)(6)(B); and Mr. Abner Mikva of Illinois, Alternate. Nominated by the Minority Leader with the concurrence of the Speaker: Mr. Porter J. Goss of Florida, Cochairman; Mr. James M. Eagen, III of Colorado, subject to section 1(b)(6)(B); Ms. Allison R. Hayward of Virginia, subject to section 1(b)(6)(B); and Mr. Bill Frenzel of Virginia, Alternate. Pages H7134-35 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 28th, and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29th for morning hour debate. Page H7137 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, July 30th. Page H7137 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H7061. Quorum Calls--Votes: Eight yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H7077-78, H7078, H7079, H7092-93, H7093, H7095-96, H7096-97, H7132-33, H7133, and H7134. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:01 p.m. Committee Meetings AGRICULTURE PRODUCERS RENEWABLE FUELS STANDARD ELIGIBILITY Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research held a hearing to review Renewable Fuels Standard implementation and agriculture producer eligibility. Testimony was heard from Robert Meyers, Principal Deputy Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, EPA; Arthur Blazer, Forestry Division, Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources, State of New Mexico; and public witnesses. PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT; IMPROVING PHYSICAL EDUCATION Committee on Education and Labor: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1338, Paycheck Fairness Act. The Committee also held a hearing on the Benefits of Physical and Health Education for our Nation's Children. Testimony was heard from Representatives Kind and Wamp; Lori Rose Benson, Director, Fitness and Health Education, Department of Education, New York City; Richard Simmons, Fitness Expert; Tim Brown, former Oakland Raider; and public witnesses. CARBON SEQUESTRATION'S DRINKING WATER RISKS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials held a hearing entitled ``Carbon Sequestration: Risks, Opportunities, and Protection of Drinking Water.'' Testimony was heard from Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, EPA; Robert C. Burruss, Research Geologist, Energy Resources Team, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; Scott M. Klara, Director, Strategic Center for Coal, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Department of Energy; and public witnesses. LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Long-Term Care Insurance: Are Consumers Protected for the Long Term?'' Testimony was heard from John E. Dicken, Director, Health Care, GAO; Jack E. Vogelsong, Chief, Division of Long Term Living Outreach and Education, Department of Aging, State of Pennsylvania; Sean Dilweg, Commissioner of Insurance, State of Wisconsin; Kevin M. McCarty, Commissioner of Insurance, State of Florida; Eric Dinallo, Superintendent, Department of Insurance, State of New York; Mike Kreidler, Commissioner, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, State of Washington; and public witnesses. FINANCIAL MARKETS REGULATORY RESTRUCTURING; WEAK DOLLAR'S ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS Committee on Financial Services: Continued hearings entitled ``Systemic Risk and the Financial Markets.'' Testimony was heard from Christopher Cox, Chairman, SEC; and Timothy F. Geithner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Federal Reserve System. The Committee also held a hearing entitled ``Implications of a Weaker Dollar for Oil Prices and the U.S. Economy.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. [[Page D946]] MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Foreign Affairs: Ordered reported H.R. 6574, United States-Russian Federation Nuclear Cooperation Agreement Act of 2008. By unanimous consent, the Committee urged the Chairman to request that the following resolutions be considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Res. 1370, amended, Calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to immediately end its abuses of the human rights of its citizens, to cease repression of Tibetan and Uighur citizens, and to end its support for the Governments of Sudan and Burma to ensure that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games take place in an atmosphere that honors the Olympic traditions of freedom and openness; H. Res. 1369, Recognizing nongovernmental organizations working to bring just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians; H. Res. 1351, amended, Expressing support for the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (NAMID) and calling upon United Nations Member States and the international community to contribute the resources necessary to ensure the success of UNAMID; H. Res. 1361, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should lead a high- level diplomatic effort to defeat the campaign by some members of the Organization of Islamic Conference to divert the United Nation's Durban Review Conference from a review of problems in their own and other countries by attacking Israel, promoting anti-Semitism, and undermining the Universal Charter of Human Rights and to ensure that the Durban Review Conference serves as a forum to review commitments to combat all forms of racism; and H. Con. Res. 374, amended, Supporting the spirit of peace and desire for unity displayed in the letter from 138 Muslim scholars, and in the Pope's response. NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, hearing on Saving the NPT and the Nonproliferation Regime in an Era of Nuclear Renaissance. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. STATE VIDEO TAX FAIRNESS ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 3679, State Video Tax Fairness Act of 2007. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2004 LESSONS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held a hearing on Lessons Learned from the 2004 Presidential Election. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. IMMIGRATION RAIDS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law held a hearing on Immigration Raids: Postville and Beyond. Testimony was heard from Representatives Braley of Iowa; Jackson-Lee of Texas, Woolsey, and David Davis of Tennessee; Deborah Rhodes, Senior Associate Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice; March Forman Director of Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. MARINE SANCTUARY MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 6537, Sanctuary Enhancement Act of 2008; and H.R. 6204, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Boundary Modification Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Ros-Lehtinen and McCotter; John Dunnigan, Assistant Administrator, Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--DISABLED ACCESS TO FEDERAL LANDS Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held an oversight hearing on Expanding Access to Federal Lands for People with Disabilities. Testimony was heard from James S. Bedwell, Director, Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources, Forest Service, USDA; Stephen E. Whitesell, Associate Director, Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Carole Fraser, Universal Access Coordinator, Division of Lands and Forests, Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State; and public witnesses. MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT DISCOUNTS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``The Medicare Drug Benefit: Are Private Insurers Getting Good Discounts for the Taxpayer?'' Testimony was heard from Kerry Weems, Acting Administrator, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. POSTAL REFORM Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia held a hearing entitled [[Page D947]] ``The Three R's of the Postal Network Plan: Realignment, Right-Sizing, and Responsiveness.'' Testimony was heard from Phillip Herr, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; the following officials of the U.S. Postal Service: David Williams, Inspector General; and Patrick Donahoe, Deputy Postmaster General; John Waller, Director, Office of Accountability and Compliance, Postal Regulatory Commission; and public witnesses. STRENGTHENING WINDSTORM HAZARD MITIGATION Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing on The National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program: Strengthening Windstorm Hazard Mitigation. Testimony was heard from Sharon L. Hays, Associate Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy; and public witnesses. SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC STIMULUS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Economic Stimulus for Small Business: A Look Back and Assessing Need for Additional Relief.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVER MEDICAL OVERSIGHT Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Held a hearing on FMCSA's Progress in Improving Medical Oversight of Commercial Drivers. Testimony was heard from Mitchell A. Garber, M.D., Medical Officer, National Transportation Safety Board; Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, GAO; and Rose McMurray, Chief Safety Officer and Assistant Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation. AVIATION SECURITY UPDATE Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on Aviation Security: An Update. Testimony was heard from Kip Hawley, Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security; Cathleen Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO; Timothy L. Campbell, Executive Director, Aviation Administration, State of Maryland; and public witnesses. PROMOTING HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on promoting health information technology. Testimony was heard from Peter R. Orszag, Director, CBO; and public witnesses. Joint Meetings SMALL MARKET DRUGS Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the escalating prices of certain prescription drugs, focusing on the impact on the pharmaceutical market, hospital budgets, and patients' medical bills, especially people with rare diseases, after receiving testimony from Madeline M. Carpinelli, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy PRIME Institute, and Alan L. Goldbloom, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, both of Minneapolis; and Danielle Foltz, Providence, Rhode Island. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to continue hearings to examine financial institutions located in offshore tax havens, focusing on ways to strengthen United States domestic and international tax enforcement efforts, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of James A. Williams, of Virginia, to be Administrator of General Services Administration, 12 noon, SD-342. House Committee on Financial Services,, hearing entitled ``A Review of Mortgage Servicing Practices and Foreclosure Mitigation,'' 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, hearing on Executive Power and Its Constitutional Limitations, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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[[Page D948]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:15 a.m., Friday, July 25 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of S. 3268, Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at approximately 9:15 a.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 11 a.m., Monday, July 28 House Chamber Program for Monday: The House will meet in pro forma session at 11 a.m. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Biggert, Judy, Ill., E1551 Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E1553 Boren, Dan, Okla., E1554 Castle, Michael N., Del., E1551 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1551 DeFazio, Peter A., Ore., E1550 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E1551 Gillibrand, Kirsten E., N.Y., E1549 Green, Gene, Tex., E1553 Klein, Ron, Fla., E1552 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1549 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E1549, E1550, E1550, E1553, E1554 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1553 Paul, Ron, Tex., E1553 Radanovich, George, Calif., E1552 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1550 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E1554 Schwartz, Allyson Y., Pa., E1549 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E1552 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E1550