Thursday, August 2, 2007 [[Page D1120]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed H.R. 976, the State Children's Insurance Program Amendment Act (SCHIP Act). Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2272, 21st Century Competitiveness Act. Senate concurred in the amendment of the House to S. 1, Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act. The House passed H.R. 3161, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S10685-S10848 Measures Introduced: Fifty one bills and seven resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1934-1984, and S. Res. 292-298. Pages S10787-88 Measures Reported: H.R. 50, to reauthorize the African Elephant Conservation Act and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994. H.R. 465, to reauthorize the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997. S. 742, to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce the health risks posed by asbestos-containing products, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. S. 775, to establish a National Commission on the Infrastructure of the United States, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. S. 1785, to amend the Clean Air Act to establish deadlines by which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall issue a decision on whether to grant certain waivers of preemption under that Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Page S10786 Measures Passed: State Children's Health Insurance Program Amendment Act: By 68 yeas to 31 nays (Vote No. 307), Senate agreed to H.R. 976, to amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S10719-61 Adopted: Nelson (FL) Amendment No. 2619 (to Amendment No. 2530), to reduce the cap on the tax on large cigars to $3.00. Page S10741 Dodd Amendment No. 2631 (to Amendment No. 2530), to expand family and medical leave in support of servicemembers with combat-related injuries. Pages S10728, S10741 Obama Amendment No. 2588 (to Amendment No. 2530), to provide certain employment protections for family members who are caring for members of the Armed Forces recovering from illnesses and injuries incurred on active duty. Pages S10739, S10741 Lincoln Amendment No. 2621 (to Amendment No. 2530), to express the sense of the Senate that Congress should enact legislation that improves access to affordable and meaningful health insurance coverage, especially for Americans in the small group and individual health insurance markets. Pages S10739, S10740, S10743-46 Wyden Modified Amendment No. 2570 (to Amendment No. 2530), to fund voluntary incentive programs with the aim of reducing the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Page S10746 Kerry/Snowe Amendment No. 2529 (to Amendment No. 2530), to establish a multiagency nationwide campaign to educate small business concerns about health insurance options available to children. Pages S10750-51 [[Page D1121]] Cardin Modified Amendment No. 2567 (to Amendment No. 2530), to improve the provisions relating to dental health. Pages S10751-52 Baucus Amendment No. 2645 (to Amendment No. 2530), of a perfecting nature. Pages S10752-53 Baucus Amendment No. 2530, in the nature of a substitute. Page S10719 Baucus Amendment No. 2646, to amend the title. Page S10761 Rejected: By 43 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 297), Grassley (for Ensign) Amendment No. 2540 (to Amendment No. 2530), to prohibit a State from using SCHIP funds to provide coverage for nonpregnant adults until the State first demonstrates that it has adequately covered targeted low-income children who reside in the State. Pages S10719, S10733-36, S10737 By 42 yeas to 57 nays (Vote No. 298), Thune Amendment No. 2579 (to Amendment No. 2530), to exclude individuals with alternative minimum tax liability from eligibility from SCHIP coverage. Pages S10719, S10737-38 By 37 yeas to 62 nays (Vote No. 299), Grassley (for Kyl), Amendment No. 2537 (to Amendment No. 2530), to minimize the erosion of private health coverage. Pages S10719, S10738-39 By 37 yeas to 62 nays (Vote No. 300), Specter (for Coburn/DeMint) Amendment No. 2627 (to Amendment No. 2530), to ensure that children and pregnant women whose family income exceeds 200 percent of the poverty line and who have access to employer-sponsored coverage receive premium assistance. Pages S10720, S10746-47 By 35 yeas to 64 nays (Vote No. 301), Vitter/DeMint Modified Amendment No. 2596, to require individuals who are eligible for SCHIP and employer-sponsored coverage to use the employer-sponsored coverage instead of SCHIP. Pages S10724-26, S10747-48 By 49 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 302), Allard Modified Amendment No. 2535 (to Amendment No. 2530), to codify the unborn child rule. Pages S10726-28, S10748 By 21 yeas to 78 nays (Vote No. 303), Hutchison Amendment No. 2620 (to Amendment No. 2530), to increase access to health insurance for low-income children based on actual need, as adjusted for cost-of- living. Pages S10731-32, S10748-49 By 37 yeas to 62 nays (Vote No. 305), DeMint Amendment No. 2577 (to Amendment No. 2530), to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce. Pages S10740-41, S10752 Withdrawn: Dorgan Amendment No. 2534 (to Amendment No. 2530), to revise and extend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Pages S10719, S10724 Webb Modified Amendment No. 2618 (to Amendment No. 2530), to eliminate the deferral of taxation on certain income of United States shareholders attributable to controlled foreign corporations. Pages S10724, S10746 Sanders Amendment No. 2600 (to Amendment No. 2530), to amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to limit the use of funds for States that receive the enhanced portion of the CHIP matching rate for Medicaid coverage of certain children. Pages S10720, S10749 McConnell/Specter Amendment No. 2599 (to Amendment No. 2530), to express the sense of the Senate that Judge Leslie Southwick should receive a vote by the full Senate. Page S10719 Grassley (for Ensign) Amendment No. 2541 (to Amendment No. 2530), to prohibit a State from providing child health assistance or health benefits coverage to individuals whose family income exceeds 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level unless the State demonstrates that it has enrolled 95 percent of the targeted low-income children who reside in the State. Page S10719 Sanders Amendment No. 2571 (to Amendment No. 2530), to establish an incentive program for State health access innovations. Pages S10720-23 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 47 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 295), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive section 201 of S. Con. Res. 21, FY08 Congressional Budget Resolution, with respect to Baucus (for Specter) Amendment No. 2557 (to Amendment No. 2530), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reset the rate of tax under the alternative minimum tax at 24 percent. Subsequently, the pay-as-you-go point of order that the amendment would cause or increase an on-budget deficit for either of the applicable time periods set out in S. Con. Res. 21, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S10719, S10736 By 39 yeas to 60 nays (Vote No. 296), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive section 201 of S. Con. Res. 21, FY08 Congressional Budget Resolution, with respect to Grassley (for Graham) Modified Amendment No. 2558 (to Amendment No. 2530), to sunset the increase in the tax on tobacco products on September 30, 2012. Subsequently, the pay-as-you-go point of order that [[Page D1122]] the amendment would cause or increase an on-budget deficit for either of the applicable time periods set out in S. Con. Res. 21, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S10731, S10736-37 By 49 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 304), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive section 201 of S. Con. Res. 21, FY08 Congressional Budget Resolution, with respect to Grassley (for Kyl) Amendment No. 2562 (to Amendment No. 2530), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and modify the 15-year straight-line cost recovery for qualified leasehold improvements and qualified restaurant improvements and to provide a 15-year straight-line cost recovery for certain improvements to retail space. Subsequently, the pay-as-you-go point of order that the amendment would cause or increase an on-budget deficit for either of the applicable time periods set out in S. Con. Res. 21, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S10719, S10749-50 By 67 yeas to 32 nays (Vote No. 306), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to waive section 203 of S. Con. Res. 21, FY08 Congressional Budget Resolution, with respect to Baucus Amendment No. 2530, in the nature of a substitute. Page S10753 National Bourbon Heritage Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 294, designating September 2007 as ``National Bourbon Heritage Month''. Pages S10840-41 National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 295, designating September 19, 2007, as ``National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day''. Pages S10840-41 National Youth Court Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 296, designating September 2007 as ``National Youth Court Month''. Pages S10840-41 Utah League of Cities and Towns 100th Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. Res. 297, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Utah League of Cities and Towns. Pages S10840-41 Marquis de Lafayette 250th Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. Res. 298, commending the City of Fayetteville, North Carolina for holding a 3-day celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Marquis de Lafayette, and recognizing that the City of Fayetteville is where North Carolina celebrates the birthday of the Marquis de Lafayette. Pages S10840-41 Lung Cancer: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 87, expressing the sense of the Senate that the President should declare lung cancer a public health priority and should implement a comprehensive interagency program to reduce the lung cancer mortality rate by at least 50 percent by 2015, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S10842 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act: Senate passed S. 1983, to amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to renew and amend the provisions for the enhanced review of covered pesticide products, to authorize fees for certain pesticide products, and to expend and improve the collection of maintenance fees. Pages S10842-44 Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Indians: Senate passed H.R. 2952, to authorize the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Indians of the State of Michigan to convey land and interests in land owned by the Tribe, clearing the measure for the President. Page S10844 Coquille Indian Tribe of the State of Oregon: Senate passed H.R. 2863, to authorize the Coquille Indian Tribe of the State of Oregon to convey land and interests in land owned by the Tribe, clearing the measure for the President. Page S10844 National Infrastructure Improvement Act: Senate passed S. 775, to establish a National Commission on the Infrastructure of the United States, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S10844-46 Pryor (for Boxer) Amendment No. 2648, in the nature of a substitute. Page S10846 Conference Reports: 21st Century Competitiveness Act: Senate agreed to the conference report on H.R. 2272, to invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S10761-62 House Messages: Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act: By 83 yeas to 14 nays (Vote No. 294), Senate agreed to the motion to concur in the amendment of the House to S. 1, to provide greater transparency in the legislative process, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S10687-S10719, S10723-24 Withdrawn: Senator Reid motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill. Page S10716 Senator Reid motion to concur in the amendment of the House with Amendment No. 2589, to change the enactment date. Page S10716 [[Page D1123]] During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 80 yeas to 17 nays (Vote No. 293), two-thirds of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the Reid motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill. Page S10716 Reid Amendment No. 2590 (to Amendment No. 2589), of a perfecting nature, fell when Amendment No. 2589 (listed above) was withdrawn. Appointments (from Wednesday, August 1, 2007): Board of Visitors of the U.S. Merchant Marines: The Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, pursuant to Title 46 App., Section 1295 b(h), of the U.S. Code, appointed the following Senators to the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: Senator Inouye, ex officio as Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Senator Lautenberg, from the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; Senator Stevens, from the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Senator Graham, At Large. Board of Visitors of the U.S. Air Force Academy: The Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 9355(a), appointed the following Senators to the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Air Force Academy: Senator Bennett, from the Committee on Appropriations; Senator Nelson (NE), from the Committee on Appropriations; and Senator Allard, At Large. Appointments (from Thursday, August 2, 2007): Board of Visitors of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy: The Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, pursuant to 14 U.S.C. 194, as amended by Public Law 101-595, and upon the recommendation of the Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, appointed the following Senators to the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy: Senator Stevens, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Collins, At Large. Pages S10840 Message from the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States on Wednesday, August 1, 2007: Transmitting, pursuant to law, the declaration of a national emergency relative to the threat in Lebanon posed by the actions of certain persons to undermine Lebanon's legitimate democratic institutions; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-23) Degiusti Nomination--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Friday, August 3, 2007, Senate begin consideration of the nomination of Timothy D. DeGiusti, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma; that there be two minutes for debate equally divided between the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on the Judiciary; provided further, that Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination. Page S10742, S10761 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Dennis W. Carlton, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Council of Economic Advisers. Carl B. Kress, of California, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for the term expiring June 30, 2011. A. Paul Anderson, of Florida, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for the term expiring June 30, 2012. John A. Gastright, of South Carolina, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Coordinator for Afghanistan, Department of State. Margaret Spellings, of Texas, to be designated a Representative of the United States of America to the Thirty-fourth Session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Mark D. Gearan, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service for a term expiring December 1, 2010. Julie Fisher Cummings, of Michigan, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service for a term expiring September 14, 2011. Donna N. Williams, of Texas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service for a term expiring October 6, 2009. Tom Osborne, of Nebraska, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service for a term expiring October 6, 2012. Alan D. Solomont, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service for a term expiring October 6, 2009. Jeffrey William Runge, of North Carolina, to be Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, Department of Homeland Security. Cynthia Dyer, of Texas, to be Director of the Violence Against Women Office, Department of Justice. 1 Air Force nomination in the rank of general. 2 Army nominations in the rank of general. 2 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral. [[Page D1124]] Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Navy. Page S10846-48 Messages from the House: Page S10785 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S10785 Measures Read the First Time: Page S10785 Executive Communications: Page S10785-86 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S10786 Additional Cosponsors: Page S10788-91 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Page S10791-S10824 Additional Statements: Page S10781-85 Amendments Submitted: Page S10824-39 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S10839-40 Privileges of the Floor: Page S10840 Record Votes: Fifteen record votes were taken today. (Total--307) Page S10716, S10723-24, S10736, S10737, S10738, S10747, S10748, S10749, S10749-50, S10752, S10753, and S10761. Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 11:33 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, August 3, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S10846.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) UNITED STATES FORCES IN IRAQ Committee on Armed Services: Committee received a closed briefing on drawdown planning for the United States forces in Iraq from Eric S. Edelman, Under Secretary for Policy, and Lieutenant General John F. Sattler, USMC, Director, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5), The Joint Chiefs of Staff, both of the Department of Defense. NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Admiral Michael G. Mullen, USN, for reappointment to the grade of admiral and to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General James E. Cartwright, USMC, for reappointment to the grade of general and to be Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and 808 nominations in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. NOMINATIONS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Randall S. Kroszner, of New Jersey, Larry Allan Klane, of the District of Columbia, and Elizabeth A. Duke, of Virginia, all to be Members of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Security and International Trade and Finance concluded a hearing to examine reforming key international financial institutions for the 21st century, after receiving testimony from Daniel K. Tarullo, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C.; Adam Lerrick, Carnegie Mellon University Gaillot Center for Public Policy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Karin Lissakers, Revenue Watch Institute, and Diane Willkens, Development Finance International, Inc., both of Washington, D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Budget: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of Jim Nussle, of Iowa, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 781, to extend the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to collect Do-Not-Call Registry fees to fiscal years after fiscal year 2007, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 602, to develop the next generation of parental control technology, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1892, to reauthorize the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2008, with amendments; and The nominations of William G. Sutton, Jr., of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Ronald Spoehel, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Thomas J. Barrett, of Alaska, to be Deputy Secretary, and Paul R. Brubaker, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, both of the Department of Transportation, and the following named individual for appointment as a permanent commissioned regular officer in the United States Coast Guard in the grade indicated under title 14, U.S.C., section 211: Kristine B. Neeley, to be Lieutenant. NATIONAL PARK CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, concluded a hearing [[Page D1125]] to examine S. 1253, to establish a fund for the National Park Centennial Challenge, after receiving testimony from Mary A. Bomar, Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Vin Cipolla, National Park Foundation, and Thomas C. Kiernan, National Parks Conservation Association, both of Washington, D.C.; and Curt Buchholtz, National Park Friends Alliance, Estes Park, Colorado. POSTAL SERVICE Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (Public Law 109-435), focusing on the services that are provided to customers, after receiving testimony from John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service; Dan G. Blair, Chairman, Postal Regulatory Commission; Jody Berenblatt, Bank of America, New York, New York; Anthony Conway, Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, and Robert E. McLean, Mailers Council, both of Washington, D.C.; and James West, Williams- Sonoma, Inc. Postal and Government Affairs, San Francisco, California. PRESERVING PROSECUTORIAL INDEPENDENCE Committee on the Judiciary: Committee continued hearings to examine the Department of Justice politicizing the hiring and firing of United States Attorneys, focusing on preserving prosecutorial independence, receiving testimony from J. Scott Jennings, Special Assistant to the President, Deputy White House Political Director. Hearings recesses subject to the call. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: A bill entitled, ``School Safety and Law Enforcement Act''; S. 1060, to reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to improve reentry planning and implementation, with amendments; and The nominations of Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Velez, to be United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, and Leslie Southwick, of Mississippi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to the call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: (See next issue.) Additional Cosponsors: (See next issue.) Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 1400, to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by imposing additional economic sanctions against Iran, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-294, Pt. 1); (See next issue.) Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Holden to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H9547 Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a recorded vote of 232 ayes to 186 noes, with 2 voting ``present'', Roll No. 797. Pages H9547, H9579 Ensuring Military Readiness Through Stability and Predictability Deployment Policy Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 3159, to mandate minimum periods of rest and recuperation for units and members of the regular and reserve components of the Armed Forces between deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, by a recorded vote of 229 ayes to 194 noes with 3 voting ``present'', Roll No. 796. Pages H9565-79 Rejected the Hunter motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Armed Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a yea-and-nay vote of 207 yeas to 217 nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 795. Pages H9576-78 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 adopted. Page H9565 [[Page D1126]] H. Res. 601, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 224 yeas to 200 nays, Roll No. 794, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 201 nays, Roll No. 793. Pages H9549-57, H9564-65 Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Dreier motion to adjourn by a yea-and- nay vote of 165 yeas to 254 nays, Roll No. 798. Pages H9588-89 America COMPETES Act: The House agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2272, to invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States, by a recorded vote of 367 ayes to 57 noes, Roll No. 802. Pages H9592-H9606 Rejected the Shimkus motion to recommit the conference report with instructions to the managers on the part of the House, by a yea-and-nay vote of 199 yeas to 227 nays, Roll No. 801. Page H9604-05 H. Res. 602, the rule providing for consideration of the conference report, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 229 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 792, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea- and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 198 nays, Roll No. 791. Pages H9557-63 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008: The House passed H.R. 3161, amended, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 237 yeas to 18 nays with 13 voting ``present'', Roll No. 815. Consideration of the measure began on Tuesday, July 31st. Pages H9606-39, (continued next issue) Rejected the Lewis (CA) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House promptly with an amendment, after agreeing to the Hoyer motion to reconsider the vote on the motion to recommit by a yea-and-nay vote of 238 yeas to 12 nays, with 55 voting ``present'', Roll No. 814. (See next issue.) Pursuant to the rule, the amendments printed in part A of H. Rept. 110-290 shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole and no further amendment shall be in order except those printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-290. Page H9606 Agreed to: McHenry amendment (that was debated on July 31st) to the Gingrey amendment (No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record of July 30, 2007) that reduces funding for the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture by $100,100 and Page H9615 Gingrey amendment (No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record of July 30, 2007 and debated on July 31st), as amended, that reduces funding for the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture by $50,050; Page H9615 Rejected: Sessions amendment (No. 1 printed in Part B of House Report 110-290) that sought to strike language from the bill prohibiting the use of funds by the USDA Chief Financial Officer for ``competitive sourcing'' activities until the Secretary of Agriculture submits a report on the Department's contracting out policies and budget (by a recorded vote of 168 ayes to 254 noes, Roll No. 803); Pages H9621-22, H9639, (continued next issue) Hensarling amendment (No. 3 printed in Part B of House Report 110- 290) that sought to reduce funding provided in the bill for rural community facilities programs by $6,287,000 (by a recorded vote of 90 ayes to 337 noes, Roll No. 804); Pages H9622-24, H9639, (continued next issue) Hensarling amendment (No. 4 printed in Part B of House Report 110- 290) that sought to reduce funding provided in the bill for grants to finance broadband transmission in rural areas by $8,910,000 (by a recorded vote of 66 ayes to 360 noes, Roll No. 805); Pages H9624-25, H9639, (continued next issue) Kingston amendment (No. 5 printed in Part B of House Report 110-290) that sought to strike section 726 from the bill relating to importation of prescription drugs (by a recorded vote of 146 ayes to 283 noes, Roll No. 806); Pages H9625-28, H9639, (continued next issue) Kingston amendment (No. 6 printed in Part B of House Report 110-290) that sought to prohibit the use of funds in the bill to apply labor standards under the Davis-Bacon Act to contracts for construction of renewable energy systems (by a recorded vote of 152 ayes to 278 noes, Roll No. 807); Pages H9628-29, H9639, (continued next issue) Jordan amendment (No. 7 printed in Part B of House Report 110-290) that sought to reduce discretionary appropriations in the bill by 5.5 percent (by a recorded vote of 146 ayes to 284 noes, Roll No. 808); Pages H9629-31, H9639, (continued next issue) Flake amendment (No. 8 printed in Part B of House Report 110-290) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Catfish Pathogen Genomic Project in Auburn, Alabama (by a recorded vote of 74 ayes to 357 noes, Roll No. 809); Pages H9631-33, H9639, (continued next issue) Flake amendment (No. 9 printed in Part B of House Report 110-290) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for grape genetics research in [[Page D1127]] Geneva, New York (by a recorded vote of 76 ayes to 353 noes, Roll No. 810); Pages H9633-34, H9639, (continued next issue) Flake amendment (No. 10 printed in Part B of House Report 110-290) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Alternative Uses of Tobacco (MD) grant (by a recorded vote of 94 ayes to 337 noes, Roll No. 811); Pages H9634-35, H9639, (continued next issue) Flake amendment (No. 11 printed in Part B of House Report 110-290) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Ruminant Nutrition Consortium of MT, ND, SD, and WY (by a recorded vote of 74 ayes to 355 noes, Roll No. 812); and Pages H9635-37, H9639, (continued next issue) Flake amendment (No. 12 printed in Part B of House Report 110-290) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Wood Utilization (OR, MS, NC, MN, ME, MI, ID, TN, AK, WV) grant (by a recorded vote of 68 ayes to 363 noes, Roll No. 813). Pages H9637-39, (continued next issue) H. Res. 599, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 224 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 800, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 197 nays, Roll No. 799). Pages H9579-88, H9589-91 Moment of Silence: The Committee of the Whole observed a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 1st. (See next issue.) Recess: The House recessed at 11:18 p.m. and reconvened at (See next issue.). (See next issue.) Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on pages H9565 and H9618. Senate Referrals: S. 845 was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (See next issue.) Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on pages (See next issue.). Quorum Calls--Votes: Eleven yea-and-nay votes and fourteen recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H9562-63, H9563, H9564, H9564-65, H9577-78, H9578-79, H9579, H9588-89, H9590-91, H9591, H9604-05, H9605-06, (continued next issue). There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9:00 a.m. and at 11:18 p.m. stands in recess subject to the chair. Committee Meetings MARINE CORPS NEXT OF KIN NOTIFICATION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing to follow up on the notification of family members of next of kin of deceased and wounded process for the Marine Corps. Testimony was heard from GEN Robert Magnus, USMC, Assistant Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps, Department of Defense. HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA BUDGET EFFECTS Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: What will be the long-term effect on the federal budget? Testimony was heard from Stanley Czerwinski, Director, Intergovernmental Affairs and Strategic Issues, GAO; Donald E. Powell, Federal Coordinator of Gulf Coast Rebuilding, Department of Homeland Security; and Reverend Donald Boutte, Pastor, St. John Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana. MERCURY EXPORT BAN ACT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 1534, Mercury Export Ban Act of 2007. U.S. AFRICA COMMAND Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a hearing on Africa Command: Opportunity for Enhanced Engagement or the Militarization of U.S.-Africa Relations.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Michael E. Hess, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development; and Stephen D. Mull, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political- Military Affairs; Theresa M. Whelan, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Africa, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION Committee on House Administration: Subcommittee on Elections held an oversight hearing on the Election Assistance Commission. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Election Assistance Commission: Donetta Davidson, Chair; and Rosemary Rodriguez, Vice Chair; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H. R 2740, amended, MEJA Expansion [[Page D1128]] and Enforcement Act of 2007; H.R. 1119, amended, Purple Heart Family Equity Act of 2007; and H.R. 1071, September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act. ENDANGERED SALMON PREDATION PREVENTION ACT Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, held a hearing on H.R. 1769, Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Baird and Hastings of Washington; Bob Lohn, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Region, NOAA, Department of Commerce; John E. Reynolds, III, Chairman, Marine Mammal Commission; Guy Norman, Regional Director, Department of Fish and Wildlife, State of Washington; Robin Brown, Marine Mammal Research Program Leader, Department of Fish and Wildlife, State of Oregon; and public witnesses NATIONAL PARK CENTENNIAL MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3094, National Park Centennial Fund Act; and H.R. 2959, National Park Centennial Challenge Fund Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Souder, Tiahrt and Baird; Mary A. Bomar, Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 312, amended, Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2007; H.R. 928, amended, Improving Government Accountability Act; H. Res. 554, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Passport Month; H.R. 3106, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 805 Main Street in Ferdinand, Indiana, as the ``Staff Sergeant David L. Nord Post Office;'' H.R. 2778, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3 Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle, New York, as the ``Robert Merrill Postal Station;'' H.R. 1054, amended, District of Columbia Legislative Autonomy Act of 2007; and H. Res. 544, Expressing the sympathy and pledging the support of the House of Representatives and the people of the United States for the victims of the devastating thunderstorms that caused severe flooding in 20 counties in eastern Kansas beginning on June 26, 2007. FEDERAL COMPENSATION--BENEFITS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Services, and the District of Columbia continued hearings on Federal Compensation, Part 2, Benefits. Testimony was heard from Representatives Tom Davis of Virginia; and Moran of Virginia; from the following officials of the OPM: Linda M. Springer; and Patrick McFarland, Inspector General; Gregory Long, Executive Director, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board; the following Specialists in Social Legislation, Domestic Social Policy Division, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress: Hinda Chaikind and Patrick Purcell; and public witnesses. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Disaster Planning and Recovery: Are We Ready for Another Katrina?'' Testimony was heard from Paul Schneider, Under Secretary, Management, Department of Homeland Security; Lurita Doan, Administrator, GSA; the following officials of the Department of Defense: James I. Finley, Deputy Under Secretary, Acquisition and Technology; and LTG Robert Van Antwerp, USA, Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Robert Henke, Assistant Secretary, Management, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Steven Preston, Administrator, SBA. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 3246, amended, Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 2007; H.R. 3224, amended, Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2007; H.R. 3247, amended, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Recovery Facilitation Act of 2007; H.R. 409, To amend title 23, United States Code, to inspect highway tunnels; H.R. 2671, To designate the United States courthouse located at 301 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida, as the ``C. Clyde Atkins United States Courthouse;'' H.R. 2728, To designate the station of the United States Border Patrol located at 25762 Madison Avenue in Murrieta, California, as the ``Theodore L. Newton, Jr., and George F. Azrak Border Patrol Station;'' H. Res. 444, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, honoring the invaluable contributions of Charles Edward Taylor, regarded as the father of aviation maintenance, and recognizing the essential role of aviation maintenance technicians in ensuring the safety and security of civil and military aircraft; H. Res. 549, Recognizing the importance of America's Waterway Watch program; H. Res. 592, Supporting first responders in the United States in their efforts to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other manmade disasters, and affirming the goals and ideals of National First Responder Appreciation Day; and H.R. 3311, To authorize funds for emergency repairs and reconstruction of the Interstate I-35 bridge located in [[Page D1129]] Minneapolis, Minnesota, that collapsed on August 1, 2007, to waive the $100,000,000 limitation on emergency relief funds for those emergency repairs and reconstruction. COAST GUARD MARINE SAFETY PROGRAM Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Challenges Facing the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Program. Testimony was heard from ADM Thad Allen, USCG, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. CHINA TRADE SAFETY Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on Legislation Related to Trade with China. Testimony was heard from Senator Stabenow; Representatives Davis of Alabama; Hunter, Regula, Knollenberg, Visclosky, Stupak, Ryan of Ohio, Arcuri, and Braley of Iowa; David M. Spooner, Assistant Secretary, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce; Mark Sobel, Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Monetary and Financial Policy, Department of the Treasury; Daniel Brinza, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Monitory and Enforcement; Daniel Baldwin, Assistant Commissioner, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY UPDATE ON IRAQ Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Intelligence Community Update on Iraq. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. BRIEFING--CIA NEW COUNTER TERRORISM ACTIVITY Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to receive a briefing on CIA new Counter Terrorism Activity. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings MEDIA FREEDOM: OSCE Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Commission concluded a hearing to examine freedom of the media in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) region, after receiving testimony from Nina Ognianova, Committee to Protect Journalists, New York, New York; Paula Schriefer, Freedom House, Washington, DC; and Fatima Tlisova, Karachay-Cherkess Republic. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D1115) H.J. Res. 44, approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. Signed on August 1, 2007. (Public Law 110-52) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Armed Services: to receive a closed briefing regarding the treatment of detainees, 8 a.m., SR-222. House Committee on House Administration, Election Task Force, to receive a GAO briefing on the status of the Investigation into the FL-13 Congressional District Contested Election, 10 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law, meeting to request Department of Homeland Security Departmental Reports on the Beneficiaries of certain private bills, 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. 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Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. 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 D1130]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Friday, August 3 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will begin consideration of the nomination of Timothy D. DeGiusti, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma, and after a period of debate, vote on confirmation thereon. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9 a.m., Friday, August 3 House Chamber Program for Friday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Allen, Thomas H., Me., E1683 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E1691 Barton, Joe, Tex., E1693 Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E1693 Boozman, John, Ark., E1697 Boucher, Rick, Va., E1684 Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E1688 Carney, Christopher P., Pa., E1699 Clarke, Yvette D., N.Y., E1683 Cohen, Steve, Tenn., E1688 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1687, E1703 Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E1689 Davis, Susan A., Calif., E1702 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E1685 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E1691 Farr, Sam, Calif., E1692 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E1682 Gilchrest, Wayne T., Md., E1696 Grijalva, Raul M., Ariz., E1687, E1699 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E1692 Hayes, Robin, N.C., E1681 Hodes, Paul W., N.H., E1695 Inslee, Jay, Wash., E1691 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1703 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E1699, E1700, E1701, E1707 Lampson, Nick, Tex., E1681, E1681, E1683 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E1702, E1704 Larson, John B., Conn., E1706 McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E1692 McDermott, Jim, Wash., E1692 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1681, E1702 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E1683 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1697 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E1694 Myrick, Sue Wilkins, N.C., E1690 Paul, Ron, Tex., E1700, E1701, E1702 Payne, Donald M., N.J., E1698 Peterson, Collin C., Minn., E1681, E1693 Poe, Ted, Tex., E1701 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1693, E1694, E1696 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E1682 Ross, Mike, Ark., E1700 Roybal-Allard, Lucille, Calif., E1684 Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E1694 Schwartz, Allyson Y., Pa., E1689 Sherman, Brad, Calif., E1695 Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E1690 Tiberi, Patrick J., Ohio, E1701 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E1683 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E1698 Walberg, Timothy, Mich., E1697 Walsh, James T., N.Y., E1697 Walz, Timothy J., Minn., E1698 Wu, David, Ore., E1698 Wynn, Albert Russell, Md., E1689