Thursday, November 8, 2007 [[Page D1495]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate upon reconsideration passed H.R. 1495, Water Resources Development Act, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. Senate confirmed the nomination of Michael B. Mukasey, of New York, to be Attorney General. Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3222, Department of Defense Appropriations Act. The House agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3222, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S14105-S14234 Measures Introduced: Ten bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2324-2333, and S. Res. 371-374. Pages S14191-92 Measures Reported: Special Report entitled ``Further Revised Allocation to Subcommittees of Budget Totals From the Concurrent Resolution, Fiscal Year 2008''. (S. Rept. No. 110-226) Page S14191 Measures Passed: Targeting Veterans For Employment: Senate agreed to S. Res. 373, encouraging all employers to target veterans for recruitment and to provide preference in hiring to qualified veterans. Pages S14232-33 Veterans History Project Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 374, expressing support for designation of a National Veterans History Project Week to encourage public participation in a nationwide project that collects and preserves the stories of the men and women who served our Nation in times of war and conflict. Page S14233 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 289, expressing the sense of the Senate that a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'' should be established, and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S14233-34 Measures Considered: Farm Bill Extension Act: Senate resumed consideration of H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S14118-39 Pending: Harkin Amendment No. 3500, in the nature of a substitute. Page S14118 Reid (for Dorgan/Grassley) Amendment No. 3508 (to Amendment No. 3500), to strengthen payment limitations and direct the savings to increased funding for certain programs. Page S14118 Reid Amendment No. 3509 (to Amendment No. 3508), to change the enactment date. Page S14118 Reid Amendment No. 3510 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 3500), to change the enactment date. Page S14118 Reid Amendment No. 3511 (to Amendment No. 3510), to change the enactment date. Page S14118 Motion to commit the bill to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, with instructions to report back forthwith, with Reid Amendment No. 3512. Page S14118 Reid Amendment No. 3512 (to the instructions of the motion to commit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, with instructions), to change the enactment date. Page S14118 Reid Amendment No. 3513 (to the instructions of the motion to recommit), to change the enactment date. Page S14118 [[Page D1496]] Reid Amendment No. 3514 (to Amendment No. 3513), to change the enactment date. Page S14118 Veto Messages: Water Resources Development Act--Veto Message: By 79 yeas to 14 nays (Vote No. 406), two-thirds of the Senators voting, a quorum being present, having voted in the affirmative, H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, upon reconsideration was passed, the objections of the President of the United States to the contrary notwithstanding. Pages S14113-18 Conference Reports: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008: Senate agreed to the conference report on H.R. 3222, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S14139-47, S14182 Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act Referral--Agreement: A unanimous consent agreement was reached providing that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 767, to protect, conserve, and restore native fish, wildlife, and their natural habitats at national wildlife refuges through cooperative, incentive-based grants to control, mitigate, and eradicate harmful nonnative species, and the bill be referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Page S14234 Messages from the President: Senate received the following messages from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the continuation of the national emergency with respect to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction that was declared in Executive Order 12938 on November 14, 1994; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-32) Pages S14189-90 Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the continuation of the national emergency with respect to Iran that was declared in Executive Order 12170 on November 14, 1979; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-33) Page S14190 Dow Nomination--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that at approximately 10 a.m., on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, Senate begin consideration of the nomination of Robert M. Dow, Jr., of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, and that the nomination be debated until 10:10 a.m., with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders, or their designees; provided further, that at 10:10 a.m. Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination. Page S14234 Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination: By 53 yeas 40 nays (Vote No. EX. 407), Michael B. Mukasey, of New York, to be Attorney General. Pages S14147-82 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Patricia M. Haslach, of Oregon, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, for the rank of Ambassador during her tenure of service as United States Senior Coordinator for the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum. Mary Beth Long, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense. 1 Air Force nomination in the rank of general. Page S14234 Messages from the House: Page S14190 Measures Referred: Page S14190 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Pages S14106, S14190-91 Measures Read the First Time: Page S14191 Executive Communications: Page S14191 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S14191 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S14192-93 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S14193-S14200 Amendments Submitted: Pages S14202-16 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S14216 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S14216-17 Privileges of the Floor: Page S14217 Text of H.R. 3043, as amended on November 7, 2007: Pages S14217-32 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--407) Pages S1417, S14182 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:45 a.m. and adjourned at 11:39 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Friday, November 9, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S14234.) [[Page D1497]] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) LOCALISM, DIVERSITY, AND MEDIA OWNERSHIP Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine localism, diversity, and media ownership, after receiving testimony from Alex Nogales, National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), Los Angeles, California; Frank A. Blethen, Seattle Times, Seattle, Washington; Timothy F. Winter, Parents Television Council (PTC), Alexandria, Virginia; James F. Goodman, Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina; and John Lavine, Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Evanston, Illinois. HISTORIC LAND BILLS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks concluded a hearing to examine S. 86, to designate segments of Fossil Creek, a tributary to the Verde River in the State of Arizona, as wild and scenic rivers, S. 1365, to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with any of the management partners of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, S. 1449, to establish the Rocky Mountain Science Collections Center to assist in preserving the archeological, anthropological, paleontological, zoological, and geologic artifacts and archival documentation from the Rocky Mountain region through the construction of an on-site, secure collections facility for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Denver, Colorado, S. 1921, to amend the American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996 to extend the authorization for that Act, S. 1941, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the Wolf House, located in Norfolk, Arkansas, as a unit of the National Park System, S. 1961, to expand the boundaries of the Little River Canyon National Preserve in the State of Alabama, S. 1991, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of extending the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail to include additional sites associated with the preparation and return phases of the expedition, S. 2098, to establish the Northern Plains Heritage Area in the State of North Dakota, S. 2220, to amend the Outdoor Recreation Act of 1963 to authorize certain appropriations, and H.R. 1191, to authorize the National Park Service to pay for services rendered by subcontractors under a General Services Administration Indefinite Deliver Indefinite Quantity Contract issued for work to be completed at the Grand Canyon National Park, after receiving testimony from Katherine H. Stevenson, Acting Assistant Director, Business Services, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief for the National Forest System, United States Forest Service, Department of Agriculture; Ron Steed, R and W Excavating, Hildale, Utah; George Sparks, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver, Colorado; Charles Wichman, Jr., National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kalaheo, Hawaii; and Tracy Potter, Northern Plains Heritage Foundation, Mandan, North Dakota. AMERICA'S CLIMATE SECURITY ACT Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee held a hearing to examine S. 2191, to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, receiving testimony from Peter A. Darbee, PG&E Corporation, San Francisco, California; and Jonathan C. Pershing, World Resources Institute, Anne E. Smith, CRA International, Margo Thorning, American Council for Capital Formation, and Wiley Barbour, Environmental Resources Trust, Inc., all of Washington, D.C. Committee will meet again on Tuesday, November 13, 2007. SYRIA Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on Near East and South and Central Asian Affairs concluded a hearing to examine Syria, focusing on options and implications for Lebanon and the surrounding region, after receiving testimony from C. David Welch, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Bureau; Robert Malley, International Crisis Group, and Emile El-Hokayem, Henry L. Stimson Center, both of Washington, DC; and David W. Lesch, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas. EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine ways to protect the employment rights of those who protect the United States, after receiving testimony from Charles S. Ciccolella, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training; L. Gordon Sumner, Jr., Executive Director, National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and Lieutenant Colonel Steve Duarte, USMC, both of the Department of Defense; Scott Bloch, Special Counsel, United States Office of Special Counsel; Brenda Farrell, Director, Military and Civilian Personnel Issues in the Defense Capabilities and Management Team, Government Accountability Office; Major Ladda Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Department of [[Page D1498]] Veterans' Affairs, Springfield; Lieutenant General Dennis M. McCarthy, Reserve Officers Association, Washington, DC; and Richard Halbrook, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 2135, to prohibit the recruitment or use of child soldiers, to designate persons who recruit or use child soldiers as inadmissible aliens, to allow the deportation of persons who recruit or use child soldiers, with an amendment; and The nomination of Michael J. Sullivan, of Massachusetts, to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice. [[Page D1499]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 17 public bills, H.R. 4113- 4129; and 7 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 249-251; and H. Res. 808, 810-812 were introduced. Pages H13411-12 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H13412-13 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 3315, to provide that the great hall of the Capitol Visitor Center shall be known as Emancipation Hall (H. Rept. 110-436); H.R. 3387, to update and improve the codification of title 46, United States Code, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-437); and H. Res. 809, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3996) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions (H. Rept. 110-438). Page H13411 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Tauscher to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H13301 United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act: The House passed H.R. 3688, to implement the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, by a yea-and-nay vote of 285 yeas to 132 nays, Roll No. 1060. Consideration of the measure began on Wednesday, November 7th. Pages H13305-11 H. Res. 801, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Wednesday, November 7th. Question of Consideration: The House agreed to consider H. Res. 806, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 3222) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 220 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 1061. Pages H13312-14 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008: The House agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3222, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 400 yeas to 15 nays, Roll No. 1064. Pages H13311-29 H. Res. 806, the rule providing for consideration of the conference report, was agreed to by a recorded vote of 226 ayes to 184 noes, Roll No. 1063, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and- nay vote of 217 yeas to 196 nays, Roll No. 1062. Pages H13312-21 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008--Motion to go to Conference: The House disagreed to the Senate amendment and agreed to a conference on H.R. 3074, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Pages H13329-30 Agreed to the Knollenberg motion to instruct conferees by a recorded vote of 397 ayes to 16 noes, Roll No. 1067. Page H13330 Appointed as conferees: Representatives Olver, Pastor, Rodriguez, Kaptur, Price (NC), Cramer, Roybal-Allard, Berry, Obey, Knollenberg, Wolf, Aderholt, Walsh (NY), Goode, and Lewis (CA). Page H13337 Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 3355, to ensure the availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance coverage for catastrophic events, by a recorded vote of 258 ayes to 155 noes, Roll No. 1074. Pages H13337-70 Rejected the Capito motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Financial Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a recorded vote of 175 ayes to 239 noes, Roll No. 1073. Page H13367 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. Pages H13345-50 Accepted: Murphy (CT) amendment (No. 14 printed in the Congressional Record of November 7, 2007) that includes language which clarifies mitigation measures and encourages state and local governments to develop comprehensive land use and zoning plans that include natural hazard mitigation; Pages H13351-53 Matheson amendment (No. 4 printed in the Congressional Record of November 6, 2007) that requires annual reports to include an assessment of the costs to states and regions associated with catastrophe risk and an analysis of the costs and benefits of nonparticipation for states not participating in the consortium; Pages H13357-58 Klein (FL) amendment to the Brown-Waite amendment (No. 12 printed in the Congressional Record of November 6, 2007) that modifies the instruction prohibiting price gouging by replacing it with language discouraging price gouging; Pages H13358-59 [[Page D1500]] Brown-Waite amendment (No. 12 printed in the Congressional Record of November 6, 2007) that inserts clarifying language related to price gouging; Page H13358 Putnam amendment (No. 15 printed in the Congressional Record of November 7, 2007) that inserts language prohibiting use of Federal funds of any kind or from any Federal source (including any disaster or other financial assistance, loan proceeds, and any other assistance or subsidy) to repay a loan (agreed by unanimous consent that the House vacate the ordering of a recorded vote on adoption of the amendment to the end that the Chair may put the question on the amendment de novo); and Page H13359 Klein (FL) amendment (No. 17 printed in the Congressional Record of November 7, 2007) that makes technical and conforming changes, adds a new title which inserts new provisions on reinsurance coverage for qualified reinsurance programs, and inserts provisions requiring a study on the need for conditional coverage of commercial residential lines of insurance (by a recorded vote of 253 ayes to 159 noes, Roll No. 1068). Page H13364 Rejected: Roskam amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of November 6, 2007) that would have inserted clarifying language to the bill relating to best practices in building codes (by a recorded vote of 168 ayes to 249 noes, Roll No. 1069); Pages H13350-51, H13364-65 Roskam amendment (No. 13 printed in the Congressional Record of November 6, 2007) that would have inserted clarifying language with respect to catastrophic loans and losses covered by such loans (by a recorded vote of 172 ayes to 245 noes, Roll No. 1070); Pages H13353-54, H13365-66 Manzullo amendment (No. 1 printed in the Congressional Record of November 6, 2007) that would have inserted clarifying language relating to delinquency of loans made for assistance in connection with a natural or other major disaster (by a recorded vote of 176 ayes to 242 noes, Roll No. 1071); and Pages H13355-57, H13366 Shays amendment (No. 5 printed in the Congressional Record of November 6, 2007) that would have inserted new text (by a recorded vote of 166 ayes to 246 noes, Roll No. 1072). Pages H13359-63, H13366-67 Withdrawn: Castor amendment (No. 2 printed in the Congressional Record of November 6, 2007) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have inserted provisions which help to limit developer overbuilding in areas subject to risk of catastrophic financial loss and Pages H13354-55 Campbell (CA) amendment (No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record of November 6, 2007) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have provided for inclusion of business owners under the provisions of the bill. Pages H13363-64 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H13370 H. Res. 802, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a recorded vote of 225 ayes to 190 noes, Roll No. 1066, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 1065. Pages H13330-36 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008: The House agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3043, making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 274 yeas to 141 nays, Roll No. 1075--clearing the measure for the President. Pages H13370-87 H. Res. 794, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Tuesday, November 6th. Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008--Motion to go to Conference: The House disagreed to the Senate amendment and agreed to a conference on H.R. 3093, making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Pages H13387-88 Agreed to the Frelinghuysen motion to instruct conferees by a yea- and-nay vote of 218 yeas to 186 nays, Roll No. 1076. Page H13388 Appointed as conferees: Representatives Mollohan, Kennedy (RI), Fattah, Ruppersberger, Schiff, Honda, DeLauro, Price (NC), Obey, Frelinghuysen, Culberson, Rogers (KY), Latham, Aderholt, and Lewis (CA). Page H13388 Presidential Messages: Read a message from the President wherein he notified Congress of the continuation of the national emergency declared with respect to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction--referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-74). Page H13388 Read a message from the President wherein he notified Congress of the continuation of the national emergency declared with respect to Iran-- referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-75). Page H13389 [[Page D1501]] Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on page H13301, H13329. Senate Referrals: S. 680 was held at the desk. Page H13301 Quorum Calls--Votes: Seven yea-and-nay votes and ten recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H13311, H13313-14, H13319-20, H13320-21, H13329, H13335-36, H13336, H13336-37, H13364, H13364-65, H13365-66, H13366, H13366-67, H13368-69, H13369-70, H13386-87, H13388. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:56 p.m. Committee Meetings MRAP VEHICLE PROGRAM Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces and Air and Land Forces held a hearing on the Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Program. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: John Young, Acting Under Secretary, Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, Director, MRAP, Task Force; Bill Greenwalt, Deputy Under Secretary, Industrial Policy; and CAPT Cloyes R. Hoover, USN, Commanding Officer, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston; and public witnesses. SECURING RETIREMENT COVERAGE Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions held a hearing on Securing Retirement Coverage for Future Generations. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. SAFE DRINKING WATER FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES ACT OF 2007 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials approved for full Committee action H.R. 1747, Safe Drinking Water for Healthy Communities Act of 2007. HOUSING ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007; JUBILEE ACT FOR RESPONSIBLE LENDING AND EXPANDED DEBT CANCELLATION OF 2007 Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4051, Housing Assistance Authorization Act of H.R. 2007. The Committee also held a hearing on H.R. 2634, Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2007. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. LEBANON ON THE BRINK Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia held a hearing on Lebanon on the Brink. Testimony was heard from C. David Welch, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State. TERRORIST WATCH LIST Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``The Progress and Pitfalls of the Terrorist Watch List.'' Testimony was heard from Glenn A. Fine, Inspector General, Department of Justice; Eileen Larence, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO; Leonard C. Boyle, Director, Terrorist Screening Center; and Kathleen Kraninger, Director, Screening Coordination Office, Department of Homeland Security. OVERSIGHT--EFFECTIVENESS OF ENHANCED INTERROGATION Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held an oversight hearing on Torture and the Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment of Detainees: The Effectiveness and Consequences of ``Enhanced'' Interrogation. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. PRISON REFORM ACT REVIEW Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on Review of the Prison Reform Act: A Decade of Reform or an Increase in Prison and Abuses?; and H.R. 1889, Private Prison Information Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Representative Holden; Ryan Bounds, Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Chief of Staff, Office of Legal Policy, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. SAVE AMERICA COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION ACT OF 2007 Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law held a hearing on H.R. 750, Save America Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Representatives Kilpatrick, Lee, Reyes and Boyda of Kansas; and public witnesses. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE ACT OF 2007 Committee on Natural Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 3994, Department of the Interior Tribal Self-Governance Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Jim Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. [[Page D1502]] MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; EPA NEW POWER PLANT APPROVAL Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 3179, Local Preparedness Acquisition Act; H.R. 2414, Metropolitan Police Department and Fire Service Act of 2007; H.R. 4108, To amend, section 3328 of title 5, United States Code, relating to Selective Service registration; H.R. 3974, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 797 Sam Bass Road in Round Rock, Texas, as the ``Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office Building;'' H.R. 4009, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 567 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer, Michigan, as the ``Turrill Post Office Building;'' H. Con. Res 211, Supporting the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day;'' H. Con. Res. 215, amended, Supporting the designation of a week as ``National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator Awareness Week;'' H. Res. 695, amended, Expressing the support for designation of a ``National Fire Fighter Appreciation Day;'' to honor and celebrate the fire fighters of the United States; H. Res. 785, Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Robstown, Texas; S. Con. Res. 45, Commending the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation for its work in aiding children and families affected by child abuse, and designating November 2007 as National Courage Month; and H. Res. 808, Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. The Committee also held a hearing on EPA Approval of New Power Plants: Failure to Address Global Warming Pollutants. Testimony was heard from Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, EPA; Ron Curry, Secretary, Department of Environment, State of New Mexico; and public witnesses. TEMPORARY TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 6 to 3, a structured rule providing 1 hour of debate in the House, H.R. 3996, Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. 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 Ways and Means now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The rule makes in order a substitute amendment if offered by Rep. McCrery (R-LA) or his designee. The rule provides that the substitute amendment shall be considered as read and shall be debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule permits the Chair, during consideration of the bill, to postpone further consideration of it to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Chairman Rangel and Representatives Neal of Massachusetts; McCrery, Brady of Texas and Ryan of Wisconsin. NASA'S NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS SURVEY PROGRAM Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)--Status of the Survey Program and Review of NASA's Report to Congress. Testimony was heard from Luis G. Fortuno, Resident Commissioner, Puerto Rico; the following officials of the NASA: James Green, Director, Planetary Science Division; and Scott Pace, Associate Administrator, Program Analysis and Evaluation; and public witnesses. MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade, hearing entitled ``Medicare Reimbursement Cuts: The Potential Impact on Solo and Small Group Medical Practices.'' Testimony was heard from Representative Burgess; and public witnesses. 21ST CENTURY WATER COMMISSION Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing on Twenty-First Century Water Commission Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Representative Linder; Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, EPA; and public witnesses. VETERANS MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on the following: H.R. 3047, Veterans Claims Processing Innovation Act of 2007; H.R. 3249, Veterans Burial Benefits Improvement Act of 2007; H.R. 3286, To amend title 38, United States Code, to reduce the period of time for which a veteran must be totally disabled before the veteran's survivors are eligible for the benefits provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at time of death; H.R. [[Page D1503]] 3415, To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the placement in a national cemetery of memorial markers for the purpose of commemorating servicemembers or other persons whose remains are interred in an American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery; H.R. 1137, To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase to $2,000 the amount of the Medal of Honor special pension under that title and to provide for payment of that pension to the surviving spouse of a deceased Medal of Honor recipient; H.R. 3954, Providing Military Honors for our Nation's Heroes Act; H.R. 3286, To amend title 38, United States Code, to reduce the period of time for which a veteran must be totally disabled before the veteran's survivors are eligible for the benefits provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at time of death; and H.R. 4084, Veterans Quality of Life Study Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Representative Langevin; Bradley G. Mayes, Director, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations. Joint Meetings CURRENT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the current economic outlook, focusing on developments in financial markets, after receiving testimony from Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. HEAD START ACT Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 1429, to reauthorize the Head Start Act, to improve program quality, to expand access. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Commission concluded a hearing to examine outstanding issues relating to the 1992-1995 conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on violent ethic cleansing, and how they shape politics, society, and economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, after receiving testimony from Raffi Gregorian, Office of the High Representative, Douglas Davidson, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Adam Boys, International Commission on Missing Persons, all of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Diane Orentlicher, American University, Washington, D.C. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D1476) H.R. 1808, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. Signed on November 8, 2007. (Public Law 110-112) S. 2106, to provide nationwide subpoena authority for actions brought under the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. Signed on November 8, 2007. (Public Law 110-113) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Robert D. Jamison, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs, and W. Ross Ashley III, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, both of the Department of Homeland Security, 9 a.m., SD-342. House Committee on House Administration, Subcommittee on Elections, oversight hearing on Election Day Registration and Provisional Voting, 10 a.m., 1310 Longworth. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D1504]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Friday, November 9 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will meet in a pro forma session. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9 a.m., Friday, November 9 House Chamber Program for Friday: Consideration of H.R. 3996--Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Ackerman, Gary L., N.Y., E2373 Bilirakis, Gus M., Fla., E2358 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E2368 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E2357, E2360, E2362, E2367 Boozman, John, Ark., E2358 Boucher, Rick, Va., E2372 Cleaver, Emanuel, Mo., E2372 Cramer, Robert E. (Bud), Jr., Ala., E2373 Ellison, Kieth, Minn., E2374 Ferguson, Mike, N.J., E2364 Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E2369 Hare, Phil, Ill., E2365 Hirono, Mazie K., Hawaii, E2360 Israel, Steve, N.Y., E2374 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E2365 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E2357, E2359 Kaptur, Marcy, Ohio, E2365 Kind, Ron, Wisc., E2358 Klein, Ron, Fla., E2364 Langevin, James R., R.I., E2374 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E2366, E2373 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E2362, E2368, E2369, E2370, E2371 McKeon, Howard P. ``Buck'', Calif., E2369 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E2361 Moore, Gwen, Wisc., E2361 Moran, James P., Va., E2368 Moran, Jerry, Kans., E2371 Myrick, Sue Wilkins, N.C., E2370 Paul, Ron, Tex., E2368, E2370 Pence, Mike, Ind., E2371 Poe, Ted, Tex., E2367, E2367 Radanovich, George, Calif., E2364 Reichert, David G., Wash., E2363 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E2371 Ross, Mike, Ark., E2364 Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E2357, E2360 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E2374 Scott, David, Ga., E2366 Stearns, Cliff, Fla., E2365 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E2361 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E2358 Terry, Lee, Nebr., E2372 Udall, Mark, Colo., E2361 Walberg, Timothy, Mich., E2357, E2359, E2362 Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E2370 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E2359 Young, C.W. Bill, Fla., E2364