Thursday, September 6, 2007 [[Page D1161]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed H.R. 2642, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. Senate passed H.R. 2764, Department Of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S11129-S11239 Measures Introduced: Eleven bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2020-2030, and S. Res. 309. Page S11213 Measures Reported: S. Res. 134, designating September 2007 as ``Adopt a School Library Month''. S. Res. 282, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Week to raise public awareness and understanding of polycystic kidney disease and to foster understanding of the impact polycystic kidney disease has on patients and future generations of their families. S. Res. 288, designating September 2007 as ``National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month''. S. Res. 292, designating the week beginning September 9, 2007, as ``National Assisted Living Week''. S. Res. 301, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School, one of the most significant events in the American civil rights movement. Page S11213 Measures Passed: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2008: By 92 yeas and 1 nay (Vote No. 316), Senate passed H.R. 2642, making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S11137-44 Adopted: By 76 yeas and 15 nays (Vote No. 313), Coleman Amendment No. 2687, to provide funding for security associated with the national party conventions. Pages S11137-40 Sanders Amendment No. 2664, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to increases in dollar amounts for the payment of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation, from rounding down such dollar amounts to the next lower whole dollar. Pages S11140-41 By 47 yeas and 45 nays (Vote No. 314), Salazar Amendment No. 2662, to prohibit the use of funds to expand the boundaries or size of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado. Page S11141 By 52 yeas and 39 nays (Vote No. 315), Brown/Webb Amendment No. 2673, to limit the cases in which funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to convert to contractor performance an activity or function of the Department of Veterans Affairs that is performed by more than 10 Federal employees. Pages S11141-42 Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair was authorized to appoint the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Johnson, Inouye, Landrieu, Byrd, Murray, Reed, Nelson (NE), Leahy, Hutchison, Craig, Brownback, Allard, McConnell, Bennett, and Cochran. Page S11144 Department Of State And Foreign Operations Appropriations Act: By 81 yeas and 12 nays (Vote No. 325), Senate passed H.R. 2764, making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, which will [[Page D1162]] be considered as original text for the purpose of further amendment, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S11144-S11206 Adopted: Martinez Modified Amendment No. 2694, to promote democracy in Cuba. Pages S11170, S11174-75, S11176 Lieberman Amendment No. 2691, to provide that, of the amount appropriated or otherwise made available for the Economic Support Fund, $75,000,000 shall be made available for programs of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs of the Department of State to support democracy, the rule of law, and governance in Iran. Pages S11184-86, S11190 By 48 yeas to 45 nays (Vote No. 318), Brownback Amendment No. 2707, to prohibit funding of organizations that support coercive abortion. Pages S11180-81, S11190-91 By 53 yeas to 41 nays (Vote No. 319), Boxer Amendment No. 2719, to prohibit the application of certain restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign nongovernmental organizations with respect to the provision of assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Page S11181-92 Dole Amendment No. 2772, to prohibit funds appropriated under this Act from being expended in violation of section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Page S11194 Feinstein (for Dodd) Amendment No. 2721, to increase by $10,000,000 the amount appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act for the Peace Corps, and to provide an offset. Pages S11194-95 By 81 yeas and 10 nays (Vote No. 321), Vitter Amendment No. 2774, to prohibit the use of funds by international organizations, agencies, and entities that require the registration of, or taxes guns owned by citizens of the United States. Pages S11193-94, S11195-96 By 92 yeas and 1 nay (Vote No. 322), Coburn Amendment No. 2773, to ensure that the United States contribution to the United Nations is not being lost to waste, fraud, abuse or corruption by maximizing the public transparency of all United Nations spending. Pages S11189, S11196 Coburn Amendment No. 2706, to ensure full public transparency and fiscal accountability at the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Pages S11186, S11197 Leahy (for Lugar) Amendment No. 2779, to modify the obligation of funds requirement related to Millennium Challenge Compacts. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Coleman) Modified Amendment No. 2712, to impose restrictions on the expenditure of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for contributions for international organizations in support of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Brown) Modified Amendment No. 2701, to mobilize an urgent response to the growing crisis of drug resistant tuberculosis, including extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Bayh) Modified Amendment No. 2782, to require the Government Accountability Office to study the World Bank's efforts to measure the success of the projects it finances. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Cardin) Amendment No. 2689, to increase by $333,000 the amount appropriated or otherwise made available for the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and to provide an offset. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Bingaman/Domenici) Amendment No. 2718, to set aside funds to repair, relocate, or replace fencing along the international border between the United States and Mexico. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Domenici) Modified Amendment No. 2693, to improve coordination between the United States and Mexico regarding border security, criminal activity, and circular migration. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Levin) Modified Amendment No. 2781, to express the sense of the Senate regarding the need for the President to quickly respond the deepening humanitarian and refugee crisis in Iraq. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Coleman) Modified Amendment No. 2710, to ensure that the United Nations Development Program implements measures to increase transparency. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Cornyn) Modified Amendment No. 2713, to provide that funds available for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement shall be available for support of efforts of foreign law enforcement authorities to locate United States citizens who have been kidnapped in areas affected by violent drug trafficking. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Cornyn) Amendment No. 2771, to require a report regarding the use by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of flood control levees under the control of the International Boundary and Water Commission. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for McCaskill) Modified Amendment No. 2709, to require the Secretary of State to establish and maintain on the home page of the Web site of the Department of State a direct link to the Web site for the Office of Inspector General of the Department of State. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Alexander) Amendment No. 2703, to increase by $8,000,000 the amount appropriated or [[Page D1163]] otherwise made available for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation under the heading ``Program Account'', and to provide an offset. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Kyl) Amendment No. 2723, to provide funds for the repair or replacement of the Nogales Wash Control Project and the International Outfall Interceptor. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Gregg) Amendment No. 2727, to require increased transparency and accountability at the World Bank. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Gregg) Amendment No. 2726, relative to the establishment of a United States-Egypt Friendship Endowment. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Gregg) Amendment No. 2725, to require increased transparency and accountability regarding foreign assistance. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Gregg) Amendment No. 2728, to prohibit assistance for Iraq, and to require a report on the extent that the Government of Iraq is committed to combating corruption in Iraq. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2730, to require the Department of State to establish visa processing operations in Iraq. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Modified Amendment No. 2733, to providing funding for programs to locate persons missing as a result of armed conflict, violations of human rights, and natural disasters. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Modified Amendment No. 2734, to provide a United States contribution to the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2735, to provide flexibility for the use of aircraft provided to Colombia. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2736, to limit contamination of natural water sources and protect food security. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2737, to expand the existing human rights certification to assistance for the Bolivian police. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2738, to condition assistance relating to the Western Sahara. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2740, relative to unobligated balances. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2741, to increase the limitation on representational expenses for the Inter-American Foundation. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2742, relative to Nepal. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2743, to provide a United States contribution for assistance for civilian victims in Afghanistan. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2744, to prohibit assistance for countries that the President determines grant sanctuary to any individual or group which has committed a gross violation of human rights. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2746, to provide authority for assistance to former combatants. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2747, to prohibit prior approval of foreign governments relating to assistance for democracy, human rights and governance activities. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2748, relative to Presidential discretion. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2749, to provide clarification relating to assistance for Central and South America. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2750, relative to illegal armed groups. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2751, relative to illegal armed groups. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2752, relative to Sudan. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2753, relative to monitoring of assistance. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2754, to provide funding for wildlife conservation in Southern Sudan. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2755, relative to Uzbekistan. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2756, relative to assistance for the countries of Central Asia. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2757, relative to a coordinator of activities relating to indigenous people internationally. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2758, relative to demobilization assistance for Colombia. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2759, to clarify conditions on assistance for Indonesia. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2760, to clarify conditions on military assistance for Guatemala. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2761, to restrict assistance for countries that recruit child soldiers. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2762, to clarify conditions on assistance for the Philippines. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2764, to add conditions relating to assistance for Sri Lanka. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2765, relative to the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2766, to deny visas for officials of foreign governments and their families who have been involved in corruption relating to the extraction of natural resources. Pages S11198-S11202 [[Page D1164]] Leahy Modified Amendment No. 2767, to provide continued support for informal dialogue relating to North Korea. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Modified Amendment No. 2769, to provide funding to support the peace process in northern Uganda. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Obama/Hagel) Amendment No. 2692, to require a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction and security plan. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Kyl/Coleman) Amendment No. 2784, to exclude aliens who have engaged in or advocated terrorist activity on behalf of or received military-type training from a Tier I or II terrorist organization from eligibility for relief from terrorism-related immigration bars. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2785, to provide funding for secondary wastewater treatment, consistent with the Committee report. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Kyl) Amendment No. 2786, to express the sense of the Senate regarding actions needed on the part of the Government of Egypt to promote the rule of law and reduce the smuggling of weapons into Gaza. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2787, relative to Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy Amendment No. 2788, relative to the Democracy Fund. Pages S11198-S11202 Leahy (for Biden/Lugar) Amendment No. 2789, to enable the Department of State to respond to a critical shortage of passport processing personnel. Pages S11198-S11202 Rejected: By 30 yeas to 63 nays (Vote No. 317), Ensign Amendment No. 2700, to strike the provisions in section 113 that increases the limit on the United States' share for United Nations peacekeeping operations during fiscal year 2008 from 25 percent to 27.1 percent so that the United States does not pay more than its fair share for United Nations peacekeeping. Pages S11184-90 By 41 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 320), Brownback Amendment No. 2708, to prevent contributions to organizations that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning. Pages S11177-80, S11192-93 By 46 yeas and 47 nays (Vote No. 323), Coburn Amendment No. 2716, to provide for the spending of $106,763,000 on programs that save children's lives, such as the President's Malaria Initiative, rather than lower priority programs, such as the Global Environment Facility, which produce few results and are managed by the United Nations Development Program, which utilizes corrupt procurement practices, operates contrary to United Nations rules, and retaliates against whistleblowers. Pages S11186, S11196-97 By 33 yeas and 60 nays (Vote No. 324), Coburn Amendment No. 2704, to provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act for ``Contribution to the International Development Association'' may be made available for the World Bank for malaria control or prevention programs. Pages S11186, S11197 Withdrawn: Martinez Amendment No. 2695, to increase the funding for broadcasts to Cuba and to provide an offset. Pages S11170-71, S11176 Martinez Amendment No. 2696, to modify the conditions on the availability of funds for the aerial eradication of coca in Colombia to address circumstances where manual eradication is too impractical or risky and to limit the requirement to implement programs to provide alternative sources of income to areas where conditions exist for successful alternative development. Pages S11171, S11176 Martinez Amendment No. 2697, to increase by $30,000,000 the amount appropriated or otherwise made available for ``Andean Programs'' and available for aerial eradication of coca in Colombia, and to provide an offset. Pages S11171-72, S11176 Coburn Amendment No. 2705, to provide for the spending of $106,763,000 on programs that save children's lives, such as the President's Malaria Initiative, rather than lower priority programs, such as the Global Environment Facility, which produce few results and are managed by the United Nations Development Program, which utilizes corrupt procurement practices, operates contrary to United Nations rules, and retaliates against whistleblowers. Pages S11186-89 Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair was authorized to appoint the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Leahy, Inouye, Harkin, Mikulski, Durbin, Johnson, Landrieu, Reed, Byrd, Gregg, McConnell, Specter, Bennett, Bond, Brownback, Alexander, and Cochran. Page S11206 Measures Considered: Higher Education Access Act Conference Report--Agreement: Senate began consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2669, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 601 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008. Page S11206, S11236-37 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 7, 2007, Senate continue consideration of the conference report, that there be 75 minutes equally divided for [[Page D1165]] debate between the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and that Senate vote on adoption of the conference report at 10:15 a.m. Page S11193 Migratory and Transboundary Fish Stocks--Referral Agreement: On Wednesday, September 5, 2007, a unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Committee on Foreign Relations be discharged from further consideration of S.J. Res. 17, directing the United States to initiate international discussions and take necessary steps with other Nations to negotiate an agreement for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean, and the bill then be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Stanley Thomas Anderson, of Tennessee, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee. E. Duncan Getchell, Jr., of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit. Steve A. Matthews, of South Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit. John A. Mendez, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California. 1 Army nomination in the rank of general. 1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, Navy. Pages S11238-39 Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: Mary O. Donohue, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007. Page S11239 Messages from the House: Pages S11209-10 Measures Referred: Page S11210 Executive Communications: Pages S11210-13 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S11213 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S11213-15 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S11215-19 Additional Statements: Pages S11208-09 Amendments Submitted: Pages S11219-36 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S11236 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S11236 Record Votes: Thirteen record votes were taken today. (Total--325) Pages S11140, S11141, S11142, S11144, S11190, S11191, S11191-92, S11193, S11196, S11197, S11205 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 10:17 p.m., until 8:55 a.m. on Friday, September 7, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S11206.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) IRAQI SECURITY FORCES INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT COMMISSION Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine a report on the findings of the Iraqi Security Forces Independent Assessment Commission, receiving testimony from General James L. Jones, Jr., USMC (Ret.), Chairman, General George A. Joulwan, USA (Ret.), Chief Charles H. Ramsey, John J. Hamre, General John N. Abrams, USA (Ret.), Lieutenant General Martin R. Berndt, USMC (Ret.), Admiral Gregory G. Johnson, USN (Ret.), Sergeant Major Alford L. McMichael, USMC (Ret.), and Lieutenant General James C. King, USA (Ret.), all of the Iraqi Security Forces Independent Assessment Commission. MILITARY DETAINEES Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing regarding the treatment of detainees from certain members of the intelligence community. CONFINED ANIMAL OPERATION INDUSTRY Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the potential human health, water quality, and other impacts of the confined animal feeding operation industry, after receiving testimony from Robert M. Hirsch, Associate Director for Water, United States Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water, Environmental Protection Agency; W.A. Drew Edmondson, Oklahoma Attorney General, Oklahoma City; Leonard Blackham, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Salt Lake City, on behalf of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture; Catharine Fitzsimmons, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Urbandale, on behalf of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies; Thomas P. Bonacquisti, Loudoun County Sanitation Authority, [[Page D1166]] Leesburg, Virginia, on behalf of Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies; Olin Sims, National Association of Conservation Districts, McFadden, Wyoming; Chris Chinn, American Farm Bureau Federation, Clarence, Missouri; Nicholas Nemec, Western Organization of Resource Councils, Holabird, South Dakota; Michael R. Dicks, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater; and Richard J. Dove, New Bern, North Carolina. PENSION ISSUES Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine carried interest, the right to receive a percentage of private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, or similar investment profits without an obligation to contribute capital to the fund (Part III), focusing on pensions issues, after receiving testimony from Russell Read, California Public Employees' Retirement System, Sacramento; Alan J. Auerbach, University of California Berkeley Burch Center for Tax Policy and Public Finance; and Donald B. Trone, Foundation for Fiduciary Studies, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. DHS STATUS REPORT Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine a Department of Homeland Security status report, focusing on assessing challenges and measuring progress, after receiving testimony from David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office; and Paul A. Schneider, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Management. NOMINATION Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Charles E. F. Millard, of New York, to be Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his on behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 453, to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1692, to grant a Federal charter to Korean War Veterans Association, Incorporated; S. Res. 282, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Week to raise public awareness and understanding of polycystic kidney disease and to foster understanding of the impact polycystic kidney disease has on patients and future generations of their families; S. Res. 134, designating September 2007 as ``Adopt a School Library Month''; S. Res. 288, designating September 2007 as ``National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month''; S. Res. 292, designating the week beginning September 9, 2007, as ``National Assisted Living Week''; S. Res. 301, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School, one of the most significant events in the American civil rights movement; and The nominations of Richard A. Jones, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington, Sharion Aycock, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi, Michael David Credo, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and Esteban Soto III, of Maryland, to be United States Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico. 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: 14 public bills, H.R. 3480- 3492; 1 private bill, H.R. 3493; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 205 and H. Res. 638-639, were introduced. Pages H10244-45 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H10245-46 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Conference report on H.R. 2669, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 601 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008 (H. Rept. 110-317); [[Page D1167]] H.R. 2761, to extend the Terrorism Insurance Program of the Department of the Treasury, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-318); H. Res. 636, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1908) to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform (H. Rept. 110-319); and H. Res. 637, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2669) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 601 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008 (H. Rept. 110-320). Pages H10168-81, H10244 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Holden to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H10161 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Chaplain Jonathan J. Etterbeek, 32nd Medical Brigade, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Page H10161 Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a yea-and-nay vote of 214 yeas to 176 nays, Roll No. 854. Pages H10161, H10166-67 Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 2786, to reauthorize the programs for housing assistance for Native Americans, by a yea-and- nay vote of 333 yeas to 75 nays, Roll No. 859. Pages H10182-96 Accepted: Boren amendment to the Watt amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of September 5, 2007) that adds subsections relating to Congressional findings on the status of the Cherokee Freedmen; Pages H10184-85 Watt amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of September 5, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used for the benefit of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma until the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is in full compliance with the Treaty of 1866 and fully recognizes all Cherokee Freedmen and their descendants as citizens of the Cherokee Nation; Pages H10183-85 Pearce amendment (No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record of September 5, 2007) that adds a new section titled ``Demonstration Program for Guaranteed Loans to Finance Tribal Community and Economic Development Activities'' to the bill; and Pages H10185-87 King (IA) amendment (No. 2 printed in the Congressional Record of September 5, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used to employ certain workers under the Immigration and Nationality Act (by a recorded vote of 263 ayes to 146 noes, Roll No. 857). Pages H10190-91, H10194-95 Rejected: Westmoreland amendment (No. 7 printed in the Congressional Record of September 5, 2007) that sought to strike language providing housing assistance for native Hawaiians (by a recorded vote of 112 ayes to 298 noes, Roll No. 856) and Pages H10187-90, H10193-94 Price (GA) amendment (No. 5 printed in the Congressional Record of September 5, 2007) that sought to add a new section providing for offsets of spending authorized by the bill (by a recorded vote of 184 ayes to 228 noes, Roll No. 858). Pages H10191-93, H10195 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H10196 H. Res. 633, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 221 yeas to 178 nays, Roll No. 855, after agreeing to order the previous question. Pages H10164-66, H10167-68 Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and three recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H10166- 67, H10167-68, H10193-94, H10194-95, H10195, and H10196. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:34 p.m. Committee Meetings IRAQ REPORT AND OUTLOOK Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the report of the Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq. Testimony was heard from the following members of the Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq: GEN James Jones, USMC (Ret.), Chairman; John Hamre; GEN George Joulwan, USA (Ret.) and Chief Charles H. Ramsey. SECTION 202 SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY ACT OF 2007 Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing on H.R. 2930, Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from John Garvin, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for the Office Housing/Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Multi-Family Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses. [[Page D1168]] HOMEOWNERS' DEFENSE ACT OF 2007 Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity and the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a joint hearing on H.R. 3355, Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Phillip Swagel, Assistant Secretary, Economic Policy, Department of the Treasury; Matthew Patrick, member, House of Representatives, State of Massachusetts; and public witnesses. BEYOND SEPTEMBER REPORT: WHAT'S NEXT FOR IRAQ? Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services held a joint hearing on Beyond the September Report: What's Next for Iraq? Testimony was heard from William J. Perry, former Secretary of Defense; MG John Batiste, USA, (Ret.); and GEN John M. Keane, USA, (Ret.). DOMESTIC USE OF SPY TECHNOLOGY Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``Turning Spy Satellites on the Homeland: the Privacy and Civil Liberties Implications of the National Applications Office.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Charles Allen, Chief Intelligence Officer, Office of Intelligence and Analysis; Daniel W. Sutherland, Officer, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; and Hugo Teufel, Chief Privacy Officer; and public witnesses. CHAPTER 11 FAIRNESS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held a hearing on American Workers in Crisis: Does the Chapter 11 Business Bankruptcy Law Treat Employees and Retirees Fairly? Testimony was heard from public witnesses. RESTORE HABEAS CORPUS FOR INDIVIDUALS DETAINED AT GUANTANAMO BAY Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties approved for full Committee action H.R. 2826, To amend titles 28 and 10, United States Code, to restore habeas corpus for individuals detained by the United States at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and for other purposes. CONCEALED FIREARMS CARRY AUTHORITY Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on the Implementation of the ``Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-277) and Additional Legislative Efforts Aimed at Expanding the Authority to Carry Concealed Firearms. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law held a hearing on H.R. 1645, Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Representatives Flake, Baca, LaHood, and Bilbray; Corey Stewart, Chairman At-Large, Prince William County Board of Supervisors, State of Virginia; and public witnesses. WILDLIFE PROTECTION MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1464, Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007; H.R. 1771, Crane Conservation Act of 2007; and H.R. 1913, Great Cats Conservation Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Representatives Udall of New Mexico and Baldwin; Todd Willens, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. PATENT REFORM ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 8 to 4, a structured rule providing 1 hour of general debate on H.R. 1908, Patent Reform Act of 2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary, now printed in the bill, shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. Such amendments may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by the Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The [[Page D1169]] rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule permits the Chair, during consideration of the bill in the House, to postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Chairman Conyers and Representatives Berman, Jackson-Lee of Texas, Michaud, Smith of Texas, Issa, and Manzullo. CONFERENCE REPORT--COLLEGE COST REDUCTION ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 8 to 3, a rule providing for the consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill H.R. 2669 to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 601 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008. The resolution waives all points of order against the conference report and its consideration. The resolution considers the conference report as read. Testimony was heard from Chairman Miller of California and Representative McKeon. NASA ASTRONAUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on NASA's Astronaut Health Care System-- Results of an Independent Review. Testimony was heard from COL Richard E. Backmann, Jr., USAF, Chair, NASA Astronaut Health Care System Review; and the following officials of NASA: Michael Griffin, Administrator; Richard S. Williams, M.D., Chief, Health and Medical Officer; Bryan O'Connor, Chief, Safety and Mission Assurance; and Ellen Ochoa, Director, Flight Crew Operations. SBA'S INVESTMENT AND SURETY BOND PROGRAMS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on the Small Business Administration's Investment and Surety Bond Programs. Testimony was heard from Steven C. Preston, Administrator, SBA; and public witnesses. VETERANS PREFERENCE Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on Veterans Preference. Testimony was heard from Neil A.G. McPhie, Chairman, Merit Systems Protection Board; Patricia S. Bradshaw, Deputy Under Secretary, Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy, Department of Defense; Boyd K. Rutherford, Assistant Secretary, Administration, USDA; Anita R. Hanson, Outreach Group Manager, OPM; John McWilliam, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, Department of Labor; Willie Hensley, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Human Resources Management, Department of Veterans Affairs; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. TAX CODE FAIRNESS Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on Fair and Equitable Tax Policy for American's Working Families. Testimony was heard from Peter R. Orszag, Director, CBO; Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former Director, CBO; Eugene Steuerle, former Deputy Assistant Secretary, Tax Analysis, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses. FISA Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Testimony was heard from LTG Keith B. Alexander, USA, Director, NSA, Department of Defense; and the following officials of the Department of Justice: Robert S. Mueller III, Director, FBI; and Kenneth Wainstein, Assistant Attorney General, National Security Division. FUTURE OF COAL UNDER CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing entitled ``The Future of Coal Under Carbon Capture and Storage.'' Testimony was heard from Dave Freudenthal, Governor of Wyoming; and public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine a report of the Government Accountability Office's assessment of 18 Iraq benchmarks, with the possibility of a closed session in SR-222 immediately following the open session, 9 a.m., SH-216. House Committee on Rules, to consider H.R. 811, Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007, 10:30 a.m., H-313 Capitol. 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[[Page D1170]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 8:55 a.m., Friday, September 7 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2669, College Cost Reduction Act, and after a period of debate, vote on its adoption at 10:15 a.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9 a.m., Friday, September 7 House Chamber Program for Friday: Consideration of the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 2669--College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 (Subject to a Rule) and H.R. 1908--Patent Reform Act of 2007 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue. HOUSE Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E1811, E1812 Buchanan, Vern, Fla., E1816 Butterfield, G.K., N.C., E1820 Camp, Dave, Mich., E1818 Carson, Julia, Ind., E1810, E1812 Clarke, Yvette D., N.Y., E1820 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E1821 Costa, Jim, Calif., E1821 Frank, Barney, Mass., E1814 Green, Al, Tex., E1819 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E1816, E1821 Herseth, Stephanie, S.D., E1817 Hinojosa, Ruben, Tex., E1819 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E1817 McNerney, Jerry, Calif., E1818 Manzullo, Donald A., Ill., E1818 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E1814 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1817 Myrick, Sue Wilkins, N.C., E1810, E1812 Pence, Mike, Ind., E1818 Pickering, Charles W. ``Chip'', Miss., E1817 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E1809, E1810, E1812, E1814, E1816, E1817, E1819, E1820, E1821, E1822 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1816 Sali, Bill, Idaho, E1822 Sanchez, Loretta, Calif., E1820, E1820 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E1815 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E1820 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E1813 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E1820 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E1810, E1811 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E1809, E1811, E1812, E1814, E1816, E1817, E1819 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E1809, E1811, E1813 Wilson, Heather, N.M., E1815 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E1815