Wednesday, March 14, 2007 [[Page D328]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3077-S3147 Measures Introduced: Nineteen bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 869-887, S. Res. 105-106, and S. Con. Res. 19. Pages S3124-25 Measures Considered: Iraq Resolution: Senate resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S.J. Res. 9, to revise United States policy on Iraq. Pages S3077-S3117 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 89 yeas to 9 nays (Vote No. 74), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the resolution. Page S3085 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that all time during the adjournment of the Senate and morning business on Thursday, March 15, 2007, be counted against the time post-cloture under Rule XXII. Page S3147 R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse--Referral Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 399, to designate the United States Courthouse to be constructed in Jackson, Mississippi, as the ``R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse'', and the bill be referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Page S3147 Messages from the House: Pages S3122-23 Messages Referred: Page S3123 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S3123 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S3123-24 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3125-26 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3126-46 Additional Statements: Pages S3121-22 Amendments Submitted: Page S3146 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S3146 Privileges of the Floor: Pages S3146-47 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total-74) Page S3085 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10:00 a.m., and adjourned at 6:28 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3147.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: ARMY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the United States Army, after receiving testimony from Pete Geren, Acting Secretary, and General Peter Schoomaker, Chief of Staff, both of the United States Army. NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine federal funding for the No Child Left Behind Act, after receiving testimony from Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education; Deborah Jewell-Sherman, Richmond Public Schools, Richmond, Virginia; Jane Babcock, Keokuk Community School District, Keokuk, Iowa; John F. Jennings, Center on Education Policy, and Gene Wilhoit, Council of Chief State School Officers, both of Washington, D.C.; and Robert E. Slavin, Johns Hopkins University Center for Data-Driven Reform in Education, Baltimore, Maryland. 2008: BUDGET Committee on the Budget: Committee met to mark up a proposed concurrent resolution setting forth the fiscal year 2008 budget for the Federal Government, but did not complete consideration thereon, and will meet again tomorrow. [[Page D329]] HEALTH CARE REFORM Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine charting a course for health care moving toward universal coverage, after receiving testimony from James J. Mongan, Partners HealthCare, and Richard G. Frank, Citizens' Health Care Working Group, both of Boston, Massachusetts; Stuart H. Altman, Brandeis University Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Waltham, Massachusetts; and John F. Sheils, Lewin Group, Falls Church, Virginia. EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS IN THE PHILLIPPINES Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs concluded a hearing to examine strategies to end the violence relating to extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, after receiving testimony from Eric G. John, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Jonathan D. Farrar, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Bureau, both of the Department of State; T. Kumar, Amnesty International, USA, and G. Eugene Martin, United States Institute of Peace, both of Washington, D.C.; Elizer M. Pascua, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Manila; and Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights in the Philippines, Quezon City. ISLAMIC RADICALISM Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the threat of Islamic radicalism to the homeland, focusing on preventing and countering radicalization, after receiving testimony from Michael Chertoff, Secretary, Charles E. Allen, Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Chief Intelligence Officer, and Daniel W. Sutherland, Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, all of the Department of Homeland Security. PRESCRIPTION DRUG USER FEES Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine enhancing patient access and drug safety relating to Prescription Drug User Fees, including S. 484, to amend the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to improve drug safety and oversight, after receiving testimony from Andrew C. Von Eschenbach, Commissioner, Food and Drugs, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; Kim Witczak, Woodymatters, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mark McClellan, American Enterprise Institute-Brookings Joint Center for Regulatory Studies, and Diane Edquist Dorman, National Organization for Rare Disorders, both of Washington, D.C.; and D. Bruce Burlington, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Collegeville, Pennsylvania. OPEN GOVERNMENT ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine reinvigorating the Freedom of Information Act relating to open government, focusing on S. 849, to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), after receiving testimony from Katherine M. Cary, Texas Office of the Attorney General, Austin; Tom Curley, Associated Press, New York, New York, on behalf of the Sunshine in Government Initiative; Meredith Fuchs, George Washington University National Security Archive, Washington, D.C.; and Sabina Haskell, Brattleboro Reformer, Brattleboro, Vermont. SENATE CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE PARITY ACT Committee on Rules and Administration: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 223, to require Senate candidates to file designations, statements, and reports in electronic form, after receiving testimony from Senators Feingold and Cochran; Nancy Erickson, Secretary of the United States Senate; Patrina M. Clark, Staff Director, Federal Election Commission; and Thomas E. Mann, Brookings Institute, and Stephen R. Weissman, Campaign Finance Institute, both of Washington, D.C. [[Page D330]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 16 public bills, H.R. 1513- 1528; 1 private bill, H.R. 1529; and 4 resolutions, H. Res. 243-246 were introduced. Pages H2570-71 Additional Cosponsors: Page H2571 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 1362, to reform acquisition practices of the Federal Government, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-47, Pt. 2) and H. Res. 242, providing for consideration of H.R. 1362, to reform acquisition practices of the Federal Government (H. Rept. 110-49). Page H2570 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Johann Arnold, Church Communities International, Rifton, New York. Page H2489 Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a yea-and-nay vote of 265 yeas to 157 nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 147. Page H2515 House Democracy Assistance Commission--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House of Representatives to the House Democracy Assistance Commission: Representative Price (NC), Chairman; Representatives Capps, Holt, Schiff, Schwartz, Payne, Pomeroy, Farr, Salazar, Ellison, and Hirono. Page H2493 House Democracy Assistance Commission--Appointment: Read a letter from the Minority Leader wherein he appointed the following Members of the House of Representative to the House Democracy Assistance Commission: Representatives Dreier, Boozman, Fortenberry, Wilson (SC), Biggert, Gilchrest, Weller, Miller (FL), and Shuster. Page H2493 United States Capitol Preservation Commission--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House of Representatives to the United States Capitol Preservation Commission: Representatives Obey and Kaptur. Page H2493 United States Capitol Preservation Commission--Appointment: Read a letter from the Minority Leader wherein he appointed Representative Wamp to the United States Capitol Preservation Commission. Page H2493 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2007: H.R. 1254, to amend title 44, United States Code, to require information on contributors to Presidential library fundraising organizations, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 390 yeas to 34 nays, Roll No. 142; Pages H2493-96, H2507-08 Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007: H.R. 1255, amended, to amend chapter 22 of title 44, United States Code, popularly known as the Presidential Records Act, to establish procedures for the consideration of claims of constitutionally based privilege against disclosure of Presidential records, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 333 yeas to 93 nays, Roll No. 143; and Pages H2496-H2500, H2508-09 Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007: H.R. 1309, amended, to promote openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 308 yeas to 117 nays, Roll No. 144. Pages H2500-07, H2509 Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Westmoreland motion to adjourn by a recorded vote of 142 ayes to 258 noes, Roll No. 148. Pages H2516-17 Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 985, to amend title 5, United States Code, to clarify which disclosures of information are protected from prohibited personnel practices; to require a statement in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements to the effect that such policies, forms, and agreements are consistent with certain disclosure protections, by a yea-and-nay vote of 331 yeas to 94 nays, Roll No. 153. Pages H2510-15, H2517-43 Agreed to the Westmoreland motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a recorded vote of 426 ayes with none voting ``no'', Roll No. 152. Subsequently, Representative Braley reported the bill back to the House with amendments and the amendments were agreed to. Pages H2540-42 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of the bill, modified by the amendments recommended by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform now printed in the bill, shall be considered as adopted and shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of further amendment. Page H2510 Agreed by unanimous consent that the House vacate the ordering of the recorded vote on the Platts [[Page D331]] amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-48) and the previous vote by voice on that amendment to the end that the Chair may put the question on adopting the amendment de novo. On a demand for a separate vote on an amendment agreed to in the Committee of the Whole: By a yea-and-nay vote of 252 yeas to 173 nays, Roll No. 151, agreed to the Stupak amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-48) that clarifies that instances of political interference with science are to be considered ``abuses of authority'' and their disclosure therefore protected (agreed to in the Committee of the Whole by a recorded vote of 250 ayes to 178 noes, Roll No. 149) Pages H2530-32, H2537-38, H2539-40 Earlier, agreed to amendments in the Committee of the Whole: Agreed to: Platts amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-48) that requires that the Merit Systems Protection Board rely on a consistent standard for ``clear and convincing evidence''as the burden of proof that must be met to sustain an agency's affirmative defense (that it would have taken the same personnel action independent of an employee's protected conduct); Pages H2532-33 Platts amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-48) that clarifies that an otherwise-protected disclosure cannot be disqualified because of the forum in which it is communicated; and Pages H2533-34 Tierney amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 110-48) that changes the section on national security whistleblowers to limit which members of Congress can receive information about especially sensitive subjects. Pages H2536-37 Rejected: Sali amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 110-48) that sought to remove the provision that would make influencing federally funded scientific research a prohibited personnel practice (by a recorded vote of 159 ayes to 271 noes, Roll No. 150). Pages H2534-36, H2538-39 H. Res. 239, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 193 nays, Roll No. 146, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 224 yeas to 197 nays, Roll No. 145. Pages H2510-15 Committee Elections: The House agreed to H. Res. 244, electing the following Members to serve on certain joint committees: Joint Committee on Printing: Representatives Brady (PA), Capuano, Ehlers, and McCarthy (CA), to serve with the Chair of the Committee on House Administration; Joint Committee of Congress on the Library: Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Ehlers, and Daniel E. Lungren, to serve with the chair of the Committee on House Administration. Page H2543 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appear on page H2489. Quorum Calls--Votes: Eight yea-and-nay votes and four recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2507-08, H2508-09, H2509, H2513-14, H2514-15, H2515, H2516-17, H2538, H2538-39, H2539-40, H2541, H2542-43. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:14 p.m. Committee Meetings COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies continued hearings on NASA. Testimony was heard from Michael D. Griffin, Administrator, NASA. ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies held a hearing on Science Research. Testimony was heard from Raymond L. Orbach, Under Secretary, Science, Department of Energy. FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held a hearing on the National Archives and Records Administration. Testimony was heard from Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States. HOMELAND SECURITY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on Gulf Coast Rebuilding. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Donald Powell, Federal Gulf Coast Coordinator; Gil Jamieson, Deputy Director, Gulf Coast Rebuilding; FEMA; and Matt Jadacki, Deputy Inspector General. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Bureau of Land Management. Testimony was heard from James M. Hughes, Acting Director, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior. [[Page D332]] LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Education: Student Financial Aid, Higher Education, Institute of Education Sciences. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Education: Sarah Martinez Tucker, Under Secretary; and Grover J. Whitehurst, Director, Institute of Education Sciences. MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS' AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Long-Term Challenges for Military Construction and Budget Overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Tina W. Jonas, Under Secretary, (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer; Phil Grone, Deputy Secretary, Installations and Environment; and Ryan Henry, Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Policy. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on VA Research. Testimony was heard from Joel Kupersmith, Chief Research and Development Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs. TRANSPORTATION, HUD, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Secretary of Transportation. Testimony was heard from Mary Peters, Secretary of Transportation. HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on harnessing technology innovation: challenges and opportunities. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. IMPROVING HEAD START ACT OF 2007 Committee on Education and Labor: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1429, Improving Head Start Act of 2007. CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY SECURITY Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held a hearing entitled ``Climate Change and Energy Security: Perspectives From the Automobile Industry.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FCC OVERSIGHT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the FCC: Kevin J. Martin, Chairman; Michael J. Copps, Jonathan S. Adelstein, Deborah Taylor Tate and Robert M. McDowell, all Commissioners. OVERSIGHT--DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Committee on Financial Services: Held an oversight hearing of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Testimony was heard from Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. RED CROSS GOVERNANCE REFORM Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on the American Red Cross Governance Reform. Testimony was heard from Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairwoman, American Red Cross; and a public witness. GLOBAL OPINION OF THE U.S. Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight held a hearing on Global Polling Data on Opinion of American Policies, Values and People. Testimony was heard from a public witness. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS GRANTS Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Communication, Preparedness, and Response held a hearing entitled ``Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grants: Are the Departments of Homeland Security and Commerce Effectively Coordinating To Meet Our Nation's Emergency Communications Needs?'' Testimony was heard from Corey Gruber, Acting Assistant Secretary, Grants and Training, Department of Homeland Security; John M. R. Kneuer, Assistant Secretary, Communications and Information, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department of Commerce; and Deputy Chief Charles Dowd, Commanding Officer, Communications Division, New York Police Department. NUCLEAR THREAT DETECTION TECHNOLOGY Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Countering the Nuclear Threat to the Homeland: Evaluating the Procurement of Radiation Detection Technologies.'' Testimony was heard from Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, Department of [[Page D333]] Homeland Security; and Gene Aloise, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO. SECURITY INFORMATION SHARING AND CIVIL LIBERTIES Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled ``The Department of Homeland Security State and Local Fusion Center Program: Advancing Information Sharing While Safeguarding Civil Liberties.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Charles E. Allen, Chief Intelligence Officer, Office of Intelligence and Analysis; Daniel W. Sutherland, Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; and Hugo Teufel, Privacy Officer. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 2007 Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on H.R. 1433, District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT EXTENSION Committee on Natural Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 1328, To amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend that Act. Testimony was heard from Charles W. Grim, M.D., Director, Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. ACCOUNTABILITY IN CONTRACTING ACT Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing for consideration of H.R. 1362, Accountability in Contracting Act. The rule provides 80 minutes of general debate, 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Armed Services. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except for clauses 9 and 10 of Rule XXI. The rule provides that in lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Armed Services now printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part A of the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution 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 amendment in the nature of a substitute except clauses 9 and 10 of Rule XXI. The rule makes in order only those amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part B of the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. The rule provides that the amendments printed in Part B of the report may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a 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 rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report except for clauses 9 and 10 of Rule XXI. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Waxman and Representatives Tom Davis of Virginia and Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida. EPA's RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUDGET PROPOSAL FISCAL YEAR 2007 Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency Fiscal Year 2008 Research and Development Budget Proposal. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the EPA: George Gray, Assistant Administrator, Research and Development; and M. Granger Morgan, Chair, EPA's Science Advisory Board; and public witnesses. SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH INSURANCE Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Challenges and Solutions to Health Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FAA'S REAUTHORIZATION PROPOSAL Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation, held a hearing on the Administration's Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Proposal. Testimony was heard from Marion C. Blakey, Administrator, FAA, Department of Transportation. WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2007 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment approved for full Committee action H.R. 1495, Water Resources Development Act of 2007. [[Page D334]] MINIMUM WAGE BILL REVENUE INCREASES Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Revenue Increasing Measures in the Small Business and Work Opportunity Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from former Representative Kenneth E. Bensen, Jr., of Texas; and public witnesses. GENETIC NON-DISCRIMINATION Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Genetic Non-Discrimination. Testimony was heard from Francis Collins, M.D., Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine solvency and reform proposals for the Federal Housing Administration, 9:30 a.m., SD-138. Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine international food assistance, 10 a.m., SD-124. Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2 p.m., SD-138. Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of the Interior, 2:30 p.m., SD-192. Subcommittee on Defense, to hold closed hearings to examine the fiscal year 2007 intelligence community supplemental request, 5 p.m., S-407, Capitol. Committee on Armed Services: to receive testimony on the posture of the United States Army in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2008 and the future years Defense Program, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Committee on the Budget: business meeting to consider the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for the fiscal year 2008, 9:30 a.m., SD-608. Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to hold hearings to examine water resources needs and the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2008 for the Army Corps of Engineers, 10 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Zalmay Khalilzad to be a Representative to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador, and the Representative in the Security Council of the United Nations, and to be a Representative to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during his tenure of service as Representative to the United Nations, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business meeting to consider S. 624, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide waivers relating to grants for preventive health measures with respect to breast and cervical cancers, S. 657, to amend the Public Health Service Act to add requirements regarding trauma care, S. 845, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand and intensify programs with respect to research and related activities concerning elder falls, and the nomination of W. Craig Vanderwagen, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services, Time to be announced, Room to be announced. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Gregory B. Cade, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, Department of Homeland Security, 10 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider S. 236, to require reports to Congress on Federal agency use of data mining, S. 261, to amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting, S. 376, to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, S. 231, to authorize the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program at fiscal year 2006 levels through 2012, S. 368, to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to enhance the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program, S. 627, to amend the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to improve the health and well-being of maltreated infants and toddlers through the creation of a National Court Teams Resource Center, to assist local Court Teams, S. Con. Res. 14, commemorating the 85th anniversary of the founding of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, a leading association for the 1,300,000 United States citizens of Greek ancestry and Philhellenes in the United States, S. 849, to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), S. 863, to amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency funds, S.J. Res. 5, proclaiming Casimir Pulaski to be an honorary citizen of the United States posthumously, S. Res. 95, designating March 25, 2007 as ``Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy'', S. Res. 96, expressing the sense of the Senate that Harriett Woods will be remembered as a pioneer in women's politics, the nomination of John Wood, of Missouri, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, and the possibility of the issuance of certain subpoenas to former U.S. attorneys, 10 a.m., Room to be announced. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. [[Page D335]] House Committee on Appropriations, to mark up the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007, 9 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from the U.S. European Command and Joint Forces Command, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Personnel, to continue hearings on views of military advocacy and beneficiary groups, 2 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces, hearing on the Federal ship construction loan guarantee program, 1:30 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, hearing on Examining Innovative Approaches to Covering the Uninsured Through Employer-Provided Health Benefits,'' 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 251, Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007; H.R. 477, Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act; H.R. 727, Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2007; H.R. 545, Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2007; and H.R. 1132, National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2007, 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, hearing entitled ``Combating Spyware: The Spy Act,'' 11 a.m., 2322 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, hearing entitled ``Climate Change: State and Local Perspectives,'' 11 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, hearing entitled ``Legislative Proposals on GSE Reform,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, hearing on U.S. Policy Toward South Pacific Island Nations, Including Australia and New Zealand, 2 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Europe, hearing on U.S.-Turkish Relations and the Challenges Ahead, 10:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, and the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, joint hearing on Iranian Nuclear Crisis: Latest Developments and Next Steps, 1 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, hearing entitled ``Disaster Declarations: Where Is FEMA in a Time of Need?'' 1 p.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, hearing entitled ``Crossing the Border: Immigrants in Detention and Victims of Trafficking,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, Subcommittee on Elections, hearing on Election Reform ``Machines and Software,'' 2 p.m., 1539 Longworth. Committee on the Judiciary, to mark up the following: H.R. 580, To amend chapter 35 of title 28, United States Code, to provide for a 120-day limit to the term of a United States attorney appointed on an interim basis by the Attorney General; H.R. 1433, District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007; and pending Committee business, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 713, Niagara Falls National Heritage Area Act; H.R. 754, To designate the National Museum of Wildlife Art, located at 2820 Rungius Road, Jackson, Wyoming, as the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States; and H.R. 929, Land Between the Rivers Southern Illinois National Heritage Area Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Science and Technology, hearing on NASA's Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Request, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 1361, RECOVER Act; H.R. 1332, Small Business Lending Improvements Act of 2007; and H.R. 1468, Disadvantages Business Disaster Eligibility Act, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to mark up the following: H.R. 1495, Water Resources Development Act of 2007; and other pending business, 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 327, Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act; H.R. 612, Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007; H.R. 797, Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act; and H.R. 1284, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Subcommittee on Health, hearing on Traumatic Brain and Poly-trauma Centers, 2 p.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, hearing on Increasing Economic Security for American Workers, 10 a.m., B-318 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Trade, hearing on H.R. 1229, Nonmarket Economy Trade Remedy Act of 2007, 1 p.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on CIA, 9:30 a.m., and, executive, hearing on Geospatial Intelligence, 1 p.m., H-405 Capitol. 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 D336]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 15 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 90 minutes), Senate expects to continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S.J. Res. 9, Iraq Resolution. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, March 15 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 1362--Accountability in Contracting Act. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E548 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E543 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E538, E544 Boyda, Nancy E., Kans., E537, E543 Carson, Julia, Ind., E549 Clay, Wm. Lacy, Mo., E541 Cleaver, Emanuel, Mo., E549 Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E538, E544 Culberson, John Abney, Tex., E540 Fattah, Chaka, Pa., E549 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E546, E549, E550 Lewis, Ron, Ky., E548 Loebsack, David, Iowa, E544 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E538, E544 McGovern, James P., Mass., E546 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E549 Miller, George, Calif., E539 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E540 Myrick, Sue Wilkins, N.C., E547 Pelosi, Nancy, Calif., E537 Ross, Mike, Ark., E547 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E545 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E548 Sires, Albio, N.J., E545 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E539 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E546 Walberg, Timothy, Mich., E537, E544, E547 Wamp, Zach, Tenn., E543 Weller, Jerry, Ill., E545, E547