Friday, February 16, 2007 [[Page D204]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S2119-S2183 Measures Introduced: Twenty-one bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 655-675, and S. Res. 85. Pages S2164-65 Measures Reported: S. 200, to require the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Geological Survey, to conduct a study on groundwater resources in the State of Alaska. (S. Rept. No. 110-20) S. 235, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain buildings and lands of the Yakima Project, Washington, to the Yakima Tieton Irrigation District. (S. Rept. No. 110-21) S. 263, to amend the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 to reauthorize the participation of the Bureau of Reclamation in the Deschutes River Conservancy. (S. Rept. No. 110-22) S. 264, to authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in the rehabilitation of the Wallowa Lake Dam in Oregon, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-23) S. 265, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to conduct a water resource feasibility study for the Little Butte/Bear Creek Subbasins in Oregon. (S. Rept. No. 110-24) S. 266, to provide for the modification of an amendatory repayment contract between the Secretary of the Interior and the North Unit Irrigation District. (S. Rept. No. 110-25) S. 220, to authorize early repayment of obligations to the Bureau of Reclamation within the A & B Irrigation District in the State of Idaho. (S. Rept. No. 110-26) S. 275, to establish the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument in the State of New Mexico, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-27) Page S2164 Iraq Sense of Congress--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 17, 2007, Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 574, to express the sense of Congress on Iraq; that the time until 1:45 p.m. be equally divided between the Majority and Republican Leaders, or their designees; that the Republican Leader be in control of the time between 1:25-1:35 p.m., and the Majority Leader be in control of the time between 1:35 p.m.-1:45 p.m.; provided further, that at 1:45 p.m., Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Page S2182 Removal of Injunction of Secrecy: The injunction of secrecy was removed from the following treaty: Land-Based Sources Protocol to Cartegena Convention (Treaty Doc. No. 110-1). The treaty was transmitted to the Senate today, considered as having been read for the first time, and referred, with accompanying papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed. Page S2182 Appointments: National Council on the Arts: The Chair announced, on behalf of the Minority Leader, pursuant to Public Law 105-83, the reappointment of the following Senator to serve as a member of the National Council on the Arts for a term of two years: Senator Bennett. Page S2182 Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki): The Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, pursuant to Public Law 94-304, as amended by Public Law 99-7, appointed the following Senators as members of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki) during the 110th Congress: Senators Smith, Chambliss, Burr, and Brownback. Page S2182 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Eli Whitney Debevoise II, of Maryland, to be United States Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of two years. Bijan Rafiekian, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2011. [[Page D205]] Routine lists in the Army, Marine Corps. Pages S2182-83 Messages from the House: Page S2164 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S2164 Additional Cosponsors: Page S2165 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S2166-81 Additional Statements: Pages S2163-64 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Pages S2181-82 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S2182 Privileges of the Floor: Page S2182 Adjournment: Senate convened at 12 noon, and adjourned at 7:36 p.m., until 12 noon, on Saturday, February 17, 2007. Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) PAYING FOR COLLEGE Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine college affordability, focusing on higher education, higher costs and higher student debt, and the Higher Education Act and its amendments, after receiving testimony from Jon H. Oberg, former researcher, Department of Education, Rockville, Maryland; Suze Orman, CNBC, and Tamara Draut, Demos Institute, both of New York, New York; and Sandy Baum, Skidmore College, Washington, D.C., on behalf of the College Board. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 80 public bills, H.R. 1110- 1189; and 31 resolutions, H.J. Res. 37; H. Con. Res. 67-74; and H. Res. 172-193 were introduced. Pages H1891-96 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H1896-97 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 700, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the pilot program for alternative water source projects (H. Rept. 110- 15); H.R. 569, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for sewer overflow control grants, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-16); H.R. 584, to designate the headquarters building of the Department of Education in Washington, DC, as the Lyndon Baines Johnson Federal Building, with amendments (H. Rept. 110-17); H.R. 544, to designate the United States courthouse at South Federal Place in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the ``Santiago E. Campos United States Courthouse'' (H. Rept. 110-18); H.R. 478, to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 101 Barr Street in Lexington, Kentucky, as the ``Scott Reed Federal Building and United States Courthouse'' (H. Rept. 110-19); H.R. 399, to designate the United States Courthouse to be constructed in Jackson, Mississippi, as the ``R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse'' (H. Rept. 110-20); H.R. 430, to designate the United States bankruptcy courthouse located at 271 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Conrad Duberstein United States Bankruptcy Courthouse,'' with amendments (H. Rept. 110-21); and H.R. 429, to designate the United States courthouse located at 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Hugh L. Carey United States Courthouse'' (H. Rept. 110-22); and H.R. 800, to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, and to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-23). Page H1891 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative McNulty to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H1793 Disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 63, to disapprove of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq, by a yea- and-nay vote of 246 yeas to 182 nays, Roll No. 99. Pages H1793-1847 H. Res. 157, the rule providing for consideration of the resolution, was agreed to on Tuesday, February 13. [[Page D206]] Adjournment Resolution: The House agreed by unanimous consent to H. Con. Res. 67, providing for an adjournment or recess of the two Houses. Pages H1847-48 Late Report: Agreed that the Committee on Financial Services have until midnight on Friday, February 23, 2007 to file a report on H.R. 556, to ensure national security while promoting foreign investment and the creation and maintenance of jobs, to reform the process by which such investments are examined for any effect they may have on national security, and to establish the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Page H1848 Consideration of Motions to Suspend the Rules: The House agreed to H. Res. 161, to provide for consideration of motions to suspend the rules, by a Recorded vote of 220 ayes to 184 noes, Roll No. 101, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 218 yeas to 188 nays, Roll No. 100. Pages H1848-54 Suspension: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2007: H.R. 976, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief for small businesses, by a 2/3 Recorded vote of 360 ayes to 45 noes, Roll No. 102. Pages H1854-60 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, February 28. Page H1861 Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Hoyer and Representative Van Hollen to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through February 27, 2007. Page H1861 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Capps wherein she resigned from the Committee on the Budget. Page H1861 Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House of Representatives to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: Representatives Kennedy, DeLauro, and Pryce (OH). Page H1861 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H1847. Senate Referrals: S. Con. Res. 12 was referred to the Committee on Armed Services; S. 188 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary; and S. 487 was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Page H1869 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1847, H1853, H1853-54, and H1860. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 8 a.m. on Friday, February 16 and at 6:21 p.m., the House stands adjourned until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 67, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, 2007. Committee Meetings DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session to hold a hearing on Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. Testimony was heard from a public witness. ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Future of the Nation's Navigation Infrastructure. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on Implementation of U.S. VISIT Entry/Exit Program. Testimony was heard from Bob Mochny, Acting Director, U.S. VISIT, Department of Homeland Security. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Forest Service: State and Private Forestry and Research. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA, Forest Service: Abigail R. Kimball, Chief; James E. Hubbard, Deputy Chief; and Ann M. Bartuska, Deputy Chief, Research and Development. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a hearing on the Capitol Visitor Center. Testimony was heard from Stephen Ayers, Acting Architect of the Capitol; Robert Hixon, Capitol Visitor Center Project Executive; and Terrel Dorn, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO. [[Page D207]] STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, on Fiscal Year 2007 held a hearing on Emergency Supplemental Request. Testimony was heard from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State. IRS AND THE TAX GAP Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on IRS and the Tax Gap. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Mark W. Everson, Commissioner; and Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate, both with the IRS; and J. Russell George, Inspector General, Tax Administration; Michael Brostek, Director, Tax Issues, Strategic Issues Team, GAO; and a public witness. MONETARY POLICY AND THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY Committee on Financial Services: Concluded hearings on Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. TRANSPORTATION WORKFORCE SECURITY CLEARANCES Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing entitled ``Impact of Background and Security Clearances on the Transportation Workforce.'' Testimony was heard from Robert D. Jamison, Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN Committee on House Administration: Met for organizational purposes. The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 110th Congress. OVERSIGHT--INTERIOR DEPARTMENT Committee on Natural Resources: Held an oversight hearing entitled ``Reports, Audits and Investigations by the General Accountability Office (GAO) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Regarding the Department of the Interior.'' Testimony was heard from Earl E. Devaney, Inspector General, Department of the Interior; and Robin M. Nazzaro, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D175) H.R. 434, to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through July 31, 2007. Signed on February 15, 2007 (Public Law 110-4) H.J. Res. 20, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2007. Signed on February 15, 2007 (Public Law 110-5) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. 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[[Page D208]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 12 noon, Saturday, February 17 Senate Chamber Program for Saturday: Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 574, Iraq Sense of Congress and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at approximately 1:45 p.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 4 p.m., Tuesday, February 20 House Chamber Program for Tuesday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Abercrombie, Neil, Hawaii, E380 Brown, Henry E., Jr., S.C., E383 Crowley, Joseph, N.Y., E384 Donnelly, Joe, Ind., E386 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E375, E376 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E386 Giffords, Gabrielle, Ariz., E385 Graves, Sam, Mo., E373, E375, E376, E378, E378, E380, E380, E383 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E386 Langevin, James R., R.I., E383 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E380 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E374, E375 Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr., Wisc., E378 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E380 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E385 Udall, Mark, Colo., E373, E375, E376, E378, E378, E379 Velazquez, Nydia M., N.Y., E377