Wednesday, May 16, 2007 [[Page D688]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed H.R. 1495, Water Resources Development Act. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S6157-S6214 Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1405-1416, and S. Res. 203-205. Pages S6192-93 Measures Passed: Water Resources Development Act: By 91 yeas to 4 nays (Vote No. 170), Senate passed 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, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S6157-84 Adopted: McConnell (for Cochran) Amendment No. 1135 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 1065), to express the sense of the Senate that Congress must send to the President acceptable legislation to continue funds for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom by not later than May 28, 2007. Page S6158 Boxer/Inhofe Amendment No. 1145 (to Amendment No. 1065), to modify certain provisions relating to water resources development projects. Pages S6177-84 Boxer/Inhofe Amendment No. 1065, in the nature of a substitute. Page S6158 Withdrawn: Reid (for Feingold/Reid) Amendment No. 1098 (to Amendment No. 1097), to provide for a transition of the Iraq mission. Pages S6158, S6166 Reid (for Levin/Reid) Amendment No. 1097 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 1065), to provide for military readiness and benchmarks relative to Iraq. Subsequently, a unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the previously scheduled vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the amendment, be vitiated. Pages S6158, S6166 Warner/Collins Amendment No. 1134 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 1065), relative to the President's strategy in Iraq. Pages S6158, S6167 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 29 yeas to 67 nays (Vote No. 167), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on the Reid (for Feingold/ Reid) Amendment No. 1098. Page S6166 By 52 yeas to 44 nays (Vote No. 168), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on the Warner/Collins Amendment No. 1134 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 1065). Pages S6166-67 By 87 yeas to 9 nays (Vote No. 169), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed the motion to close further debate on the McConnell (for Cochran) Amendment No. 1135 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 1065). Pages S6167-68 Senate insisted on its amendment and requested a conference with the House thereon. Page S6182 Use of Capitol Grounds: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 79, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. Page S6212 Use of Capitol Grounds: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 123, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. Page S6212 National Women's Health Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 204, expressing the sense of the Senate with regard to the importance of National Women's Health Week, which promotes awareness of diseases [[Page D689]] that affect women and which encourages women to take preventive measures to ensure good health. Pages S6212-13 National Internet Safety Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 205, designating June 2007 as ``National Internet Safety Month''. Page S6213 National Children and Families Day: Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 62, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Children and Families Day, in order to encourage adults in the United States to support and listen to children and to help children throughout the Nation achieve their hopes and dreams, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S6213 U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 17, 2007, Senate resume consideration of H.R. 2206, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007; that if cloture is invoked on Reid/McConnell Amendment No.1123, that all other amendments and motions be withdrawn, the substitute amendment be agreed to, the bill be read a third time and Senate vote on final passage of the bill, and that Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House and the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees. Page S6214 The motion to invoke cloture on the bill was withdrawn. Page S6214 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report--Agreement: A unanimous- consent agreement was reached providing that upon disposition of H.R. 2206, Senate begin debate on the conference report to accompany S. Con. Res. 21, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012, notwithstanding the receipt of the papers, and that the time until 3 p.m., on Thursday, May 17, 2007 be equally divided between the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on the Budget, or their designees; that at 3 p.m., Senate vote on adoption of the conference report to accompany S. Con. Res. 21, notwithstanding the receipt of the papers, provided the House has adopted the conference report by that time; provided further, that if the House has not acted by that time, Senate vote be delayed until the House has adopted the conference report; that if the House does not act on Thursday, May 17, 2007, that there remain 1 hour each for the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on the Budget to use prior to the vote on the conference report whenever Senate does consider the conference report and that it be in order to consider it notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII. Page S6214 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Elizabeth A. Duke, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 1998. Larry Allan Klane, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 1996. Randall S. Kroszner, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of fourteen years from February 1, 2008. Ronald Spoehel, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Andrew G. Biggs, of New York, to be Deputy Commissioner of Social Security for a term expiring January 19, 2013 (Recess Appointment). Lorne W. Craner, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation for a term of three years. Alan J. Patricof, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation for a term of three years. Miguel Campaneria, of Puerto Rico, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2012. Carol Waller Pope, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term expiring July 1, 2009 (Recess Appointment). Susan E. Dudley, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (Recess Appointment). Page S6214 Messages from the House: Page S6190 Measures Referred: Page S6190 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S6190 Executive Communications: Pages S6190-92 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S6192 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S6193-94 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S6194-S6201 Additional Statements: Pages S6188-90 Amendments Submitted: Pages S6201-11 [[Page D690]] Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S6211-12 Privileges of the Floor: Page S6212 Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--170) Pages S6166, S6167, S6168, S6182 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9 a.m., and adjourned at 6:45 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S6214.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, after receiving testimony from Christopher Cox, Chairman, United States Securities and Exchange Commission. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense received testimony from sundry public witnesses requesting funding for programs in the Department of Defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: An original bill 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, to establish the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States; An original bill to make technical corrections to SAFETEA-LU and other related laws relating to transit; An original bill to amend the penalty provisions in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; H.R. 1675, to suspend the requirements of the Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding electronic filing of previous participation certificates and regarding filing of such certificates with respect to certain low-income housing investors; H.R. 1676, to reauthorize the program of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for loan guarantees for Indian housing; S. 254, to award posthumously a Congressional gold medal to Constantino Brumidi; and The nominations of David George Nason, of Rhode Island, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions, Mario Mancuso, of New York, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, Michael W. Tankersley, of Texas, to be Inspector General, Export-Import Bank, Robert M. Couch, of Alabama, to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Janis Herschkowitz, of Pennsylvania, and Nguyen Van Hanh, of California, and David George Nason, of Rhode Island, each to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Consumer Cooperative Bank. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered favorably reported the following items: S. 1300, to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2008 through 2011, to improve aviation safety and capacity, to modernize the air traffic control system, with amendments; S. 694, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to reduce the incidence of child injury and death occurring inside or outside of light motor vehicles, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and The nomination of David James Gribbin, IV, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Transportation and a promotion list in the United States Coast Guard. MERCURY Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety concluded a hearing to examine the state of mercury regulation, science, and technology, after receiving testimony from Douglas P. Scott, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Springfield; Alissa Wolfe, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton; David C. Schanbacher, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Austin; Martha Hastay Keating, Duke University Children's Environmental Health Initiative, Durham, North Carolina; Guy L. Pipitone, FirstEnergy Corporation, Akron, Ohio; David C. Foerter, Institute of Clean Air Companies, Washington, DC; and Leonard Levin, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, California. [[Page D691]] U.S. TRADE PREFERENCE PROGRAMS Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the efficacy of United States trade preference programs, after receiving testimony from Meredith Broadbent, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Industry, Market Access, and Telecommunications; Muhammad Yunus, Grameen Bank, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Eric Reinhardt, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Marcos Iberkleid, Ametex, La Paz, Bolivia; and Katrin Kuhlmann, Women's Edge Coalition, Washington, DC. INTERNET DRUG TRAFFICKING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine rogue online pharmacies, focusing on the growing problem of internet drug trafficking, including S. 980, to amend the Controlled Substances Act to address online pharmacies, and S. 399, to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians for purposes of covering physicians services under the Medicaid program, after receiving testimony from Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice; Francine Hahn Haight, Ryan's Cause, Laguna Niguel, California; Joseph A. Califano, Jr., Columbia University, New York, New York; Philip B. Heymann, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts; and A. Thomas McLellan, Treatment Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee ordered favorably reported S. 1256, to amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize loan programs under that Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. NOMINATION Committee on Veterans Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing on the nomination of Michael J. Kussman, of Massachusetts, to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Akaka, testified and answered questions in his own behalf, and after receiving testimony from Darrell G. Kirch, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Robert E. Wallace, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, both of Washington, D.C.; Frederick J. Frese III, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Arlington, Virginia; and Douglas H. Mitchell, Jr., Association of VA Social Workers, Mesa, Arizona. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the sales and marketing by Medicare health plans, including Medicare Advantage organizations and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan sponsors, after receiving testimony from Abby L. Block, Director, Center for Beneficiary Choices, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Sean Dilweg, Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner, Madison; Kim Holland, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, and Albert Sochor, Old Surety Life Insurance Company, both of Oklahoma City; Sherry Mowell, Georgia Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, Atlanta; Karen Ignagni, America's Health Insurance Plans, Washington, D.C.; Heidi Margulis, Humana Inc., Louisville, Kentucky; Peter J. Clarkson, UnitedHealth Group, Minnetonka, Minnesota; and Gary Bailey, WellCare Health Plans, Inc., Tampa, Florida. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 20 public bills, H.R. 2336- 2355; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 149; and H. Res. 410-411 were introduced. Pages H5290-91 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H5292-94 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Conference report on S. Con. Res. 21, a resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012 (H. Rept. 110-153); H.R. 811, to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require a voter-verified permanent paper ballot under title III of such Act, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-154); H.R. 698, to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to establish industrial bank holding company regulation, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-155); and [[Page D692]] H. Res. 409, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the concurrent resolution S. Con. Res. 21 setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012 (H. Rept. 110-156). Page H5290 Committee Resignations: Read a letter from Representative Calvert wherein he resigned from the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Science and Technology, and the Committee on Natural Resources due to his election to the Committee on Appropriations. Page H5060 Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Buyer motion to adjourn by a yea-and- nay vote of 161 yeas to 253 nays, Roll No. 350. Pages H5066-67 Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Davis (KY) motion to adjourn by a yea- and-nay vote of 157 yeas to 245 nays, Roll No. 353. Page H5071 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008: The House began consideration of H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense and to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2008. Further consideration is expected to resume Thursday, May 17th. Pages H5060-71, H5127-H5282 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Armed Services now printed in the bill shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of amendment. Page H5149 Rejected the Price (GA) motion that the Committee rise by a recorded vote of 177 ayes to 219 noes, Roll No. 355. Earlier, a vote was called pending the absence of a quorum, and, subsequently 397 members recorded their presence, Roll No. 354. Pages H5128-31 Rejected the Westmoreland motion that the Committee rise by a recorded vote of 184 ayes to 222 noes, Roll No. 357. Earlier, a vote was called pending the absence of a quorum, and, subsequently 393 members recorded their presence, Roll No. 356. Pages H5132-35 Rejected the Westmoreland motion that the Committee rise by a recorded vote of 186 ayes to 213 noes, with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 359. Earlier, a vote was called pending the absence of a quorum, and, subsequently 407 members recorded their presence, Roll No. 358. Pages H5135-41 Rejected the Buyer motion that the Committee rise by a recorded vote of 178 ayes to 217 noes, Roll No. 361. Earlier, a vote was called pending the absence of a quorum, and, subsequently 403 members recorded their presence, Roll No. 360. Pages H5141-43 Rejected the Buyer motion that the Committee rise by a recorded vote of 188 ayes to 221 noes, Roll No. 363. Earlier, a vote was called pending the absence of a quorum, and, subsequently 398 members recorded their presence, Roll No. 362. Page H5143 Agreed to: Schakowsky amendment (No. 33 printed in H. Rept. 110-151) that edits sections 831 and 833 of the bill by (1) limiting the number of times the President can waive restrictions on contracting should the Memorandum of Understanding regarding contracts for Iraq and Afghanistan not be completed; (2) clarifying that members of Congress on the relevant Committees can view contracts regardless of the MOU, as well as the database of contract information for work to be performed in Iraq and Afghanistan; and (3) clarifying that the Select Intelligence Committees shall be allowed to view contracts that fall under their jurisdiction; Pages H5241-43 Fossella amendment (No. 29 printed in H. Rept. 110-151) that requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the United States Postal Service, to provide vouchers for free (less than 10 lbs) parcel or letter mailing to service members serving in Iraq or Afghanistan or currently hospitalized under the care of the Armed Forces; Pages H5243-44 Skelton en bloc amendment No. 1 consisting of the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 110-151: No. 5, that increases funding for the Army National Guard military personnel account to fund the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program; No. 9, that bars courts from entering or modifying an order changing the custody of the child of a servicemember during that servicemember's period of military service; No. 10, that expands to all the uniformed services the authority for an enhanced increase in the monthly basic pay during fiscal years 2009 through 2012; No. 17, that creates a Combat Medevac Badge; No. 18, that allows the Secretary of the Navy to establish a Naval ROTC program at the University of Miami; No. 26, that requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct a survey examining the feasibility of measuring family member satisfaction with the quality of health care services provided to patients; No. 27, that allows a member of the Armed Forces to request a deferment of a deployment to a combat zone if their spouse is deployed to a combat zone and the couple has minor dependent children; No. 36, that revises DoD command policy to include membership in a criminal street gang among the list of prohibited activities by [[Page D693]] members of the Armed Forces; No. 37, that expresses the sense of Congress that an appropriate site in Arlington National Cemetery should be provided for a memorial marker to honor the memory of the 40 members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in the air crash at Bakers Creek, Australia; No. 47, that requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study on the feasibility of a pilot program on family support services for National Guard and Reserve members and the feasibility of entering into a contract with a private sector entity to enhance support services for children; No. 48, that requires the Secretary of the Defense to provide a written, voluntary authorization form to servicemembers to enable them to release their medical records to the Veterans Administration; and No. 50 that requiers the Department of Defense of study and report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees within 9 months on the participation rate of servicemembers in the federal tuition assistance program; Pages H5244-49 Israel amendment (No. 38 printed in H. Rept. 110-151) that expresses the Sense of Congress that the U.S. and the Government of Chad should upgrade the Abeche Airfield in Chad in order to support potential NATO operations, facilitate a future U.N. deployment to Chad and the Darfur region of Sudan and to support humanitarian operations; Pages H5254-55 Skelton en bloc amendment No. 2 consisting of the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 110-151: No. 2, that requires DoD to perform Federal background checks for all unescorted visitors who seek entry to a military installation or facility; No. 3, that requires the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report identifying the non- retention vessels with the highest risk for environmental damage to local waters if further deterioration continues and a plan to dispose of these vessels; No. 6, that would strike section 233, which authorizes $10 million for the Army Capital Fund demonstration; No. 12, which provides $169,000,000 of medical military construction support at Fort Belvoir and Bethesda; No. 13, which requires the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to the Congressional defense committees containing a plan for the current and future assets at the Niagra Air Reserve Base; No. 22, that requires that the transportation infrastructure necessary to accommodate the large influx of military personnel and civilian employees to be assigned to Fort Belvoir, VA be substantially completed before the relocation of these employees; No. 23, that requires the Secretary of Defense to study and report back to Congress on the financial and emotional impact of multiple deployments on the families who serve multiple tours; No. 24, that requires the Secretary of Defense to take necessary steps to ensure that Army National Guard and Reserve ROTC scholarships are available to students attending historically black colleges and universities, and Hispanic- serving institutions; No. 25, that extends by three years the authorization for the DoD to participate in the Information Technology Exchange Program; No. 39, that directs the Secretary of Defense to study commercial optimization solutions in aviation technology and make any recommendations that would best support the mission of the Department; No. 44, that restricts the use of the name or image of a member of the Armed Forces for commercial purposes without written permission from the soldier (or from the family if the soldier is deceased); No. 45, that requires the DoD to utilize lighting fixtures and bulbs that are energy efficient; and No. 46, that provides that employees covered by FMLA, whose family member is a member of the Armed Forces and has been called to active duty, may use FMLA leave to deal with exigencies arising from that call of duty; Pages H5255-62 Stupak modified amendment (No. 20 printed in H. Rept. 110-151) that requires the Department of Defense to transport remains of service members by air to the airport nearest to the intended place of burial; Pages H5262-63 Carney amendment (No. 49 printed in H. Rept. 110-151) that expresses the sense of Congress that Guard and Reserve members should have up to ten years to use their education benefits; Pages H5263-64 Sessions amendment (No. 31 printed in H. Rept. 110-151) that clarifies that nothing in this legislation would prevent the United States' missile defense capabilities from being placed on operational alert to respond to an immediate, threat posed by ballistic missiles; Pages H5271-72 Skelton en bloc amendment No. 3 consisting of the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 110-151: No. 4, that adds Mexico and the Dominican Republic to the list of countries to which the DoD may provide non-lethal equipment to support counter-narcotics operations; No. 19, that states Congress's findings that Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Technology has become an essential component of national defense and states that it is important for the DoD to study the effects of warfare and disasters on urban environments; No. 28, that requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the Department's policies on administering and evaluating multiple vaccinations within a 24-hour period to active duty members and members of the reserve components; No. 34, that mandates that the Office of the Secretary of Defense report to Congress on its plans to implement management software that can measurably reduce energy consumption [[Page D694]] of PC's; No. 35, that adds $10 million to Defense-wide research, development, test and evaluation for the X Lab battlespace laboratory; No. 40, that requires that the Moab uranium mill tailings pile be remediated; and No. 42, that requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct a thorough review of the procedures by the Department's existing classification procedures have failed to prevent the transfer of defense articles and defense services with military technology components to terrorists, state sponsors of terrorism, or other unfriendly countries or groups; Pages H5278-80 Andrews modified amendment (No. 7 printed in H. Rept. 110-151) that requires DoD to use renewable energy to meet at least 25% of its electricity needs by 2025, unless the Secretary determines a waiver is in the best interest of DoD; and Pages H5280-81 Skelton manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-151) that makes a number of technical and conforming changes. Pages H5281-82 Rejected: Andrews amendment (No. 8 printed in H. Rept. 110-151) that sought to prevent funds authorized in the bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from being obligated or expended to plan a contingency operation in Iran (by a recorded vote of 202 ayes to 216 noes, Roll No. 364); Pages H5249-50, H5264-65 DeFazio amendment (No. 14 printed in H. Rept. 110-151) that sought to clarify that no previously enacted law authorizes military action against Iran. It also prohibits funding authorized by the bill or in any other act from being used to take military action against Iran without specific authorization from Congress unless there is a ``national emergency created by an attack by Iran upon the United States, its territories or possessions or its armed forces'' (by a recorded vote of 136 ayes to 288 noes, Roll No. 365); and Pages H5251-52, H5265 Woolsey amendment (No. 21 printed in H. Rept. 110-151) that sought to require the Secretary of Defense to issue a report on the continued use, need, relevance, and cost of weapons systems designed to fight the Cold War and the former Soviet Union (by a recorded vote of 119 ayes to 303 noes, Roll No. 366). Pages H5252-53, H5266-67 H. Res. 403, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 229 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 352, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 198 nays, Roll No. 351. Pages H5060-71 Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on pages H5294-H5334 . Quorum Calls--Votes: Five quorum calls, four yea-and-nay votes and eight recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H5066-67, H5070, H5070-71, H5071, H5128-29, H5129, H5132, H5132-33, H5135-36, H5137, H5141, H5141-42, H5143, H5144, H5264, H5265, H5266. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:42 p.m. Committee Meetings MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAMS Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on Evaluating the Effectiveness of MSHA's Mine Safety and Health Programs. Testimony was heard from Representatives Rahall and Capito; Dan Bertoni, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Team, GAO; the following officials of the Department of Labor: Richard Stickler, Assistant Secretary, Mine Safety and Health; and Jonathan Snare, Acting Solicitor of Labor; and a public witness. MEDICAL DEVICE USER FEE AND MODERNIZATION REAUTHORIZATION Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Reauthorization of the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act.'' Testimony was heard from Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., Assistant Commissioner, Policy, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. BP PRUDHOE BAY SHUTDOWN Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``2006 Prudhoe Bay Shutdown: Will Recent Regulatory Changes and BP Management Reforms Prevent Future Failures.'' Testimony was heard from Stacy Gerard, Acting Assistant Administrator Chief Safety Officer, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation; Carolyn Merritt, Chair and CEO, U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; Richard Fairfax, Director, Directorate of Enforcement Programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor; Jonne Slemons, Coordinator, Petroleum Systems Integrity Office, Division of Oil and Gas, Department of Natural Resources, State of Alaska; and a public witness. PRIVATE EQUITY'S EFFECTS FROM MARKET IMPACTS Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Private Equity's Effects on Workers and Firms.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. [[Page D695]] AFRICA'S WATER CRISIS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a briefing on Africa's Water Crisis and the 2006 UNDP Human Development Report. The Subcommittee was briefed by Cecilia Ugaz, Deputy Director, Human Development Report Office, Development Program, United Nations; and Amina Salum Ali, Permanent Representative to the United States, The African Union. AFRICA'S WATER CRISIS--U.S. RESPONSE Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a hearing on Africa's Water Crisis and the U.S. Response. Testimony was heard from Representative Blumenauer; the following officials of the Department of State: Claudia McMurray, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs; and Walter North, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development; and a public witness. MIDDLE EAST AND SOUTH ASIA DIPLOMACY Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia held a hearing on Public Diplomacy in the Middle East and South Asia: Is the Message Getting Through? Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Jeremy Curtin, Coordinator, Bureau of International Information Programs; Gretchen Welch, Director, Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources; Thomas A. Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs, and Alina L. Romanowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Professional and Cultural Exchanges, both with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; and the following members of the Board of the Broadcasting Board of Governors: Joaquin F. Blaya and D. Jeffrey Hirschberg. U.S. INFRASTRUCTURE--FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN U.S. Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing entitled ``The Impact of Foreign Ownership and Foreign Investment on the Security of Our Nation's Critical Infrastructure.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OIL INDUSTRY AND RISING GAS PRICES Committee on the Judiciary: Antitrust Task Force held a hearing on Prices at the Pump: Market Failure and the Oil Industry. Testimony was heard from Representatives Stupak and Wilson of New Mexico; Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General, State of Connecticut; and public witnesses. PATENT REFORM ACT OF 2007 Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, The Internet, and Intellectual Property approved for full Committee action H.R. 1908, Patent Reform Act of 2007. IMMIGRATION REFORM Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law held a hearing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Becoming Americans--U.S. Immigration Integration. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. CONFERENCE REPORT--CONCURRENT BUDGET RESOLUTION FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Rules: Committee granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order against the conference report to accompany the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 21) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012, and against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference report shall be considered as read. The rule also provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget. Testimony was heard from Chairman Spratt and Representative Ryan of Wisconsin. CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION Committee on Science and Technology: Held a hearing on the State of Climate Change Science 2007: The Findings of the Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Working Group III: Mitigation of Climate Change. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. SBA ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on legislation affecting the SBA's Entrepreneurial Development programs, including its Small Business Development Center and Women's Business Center Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the SBA: Wilma Goldstein, Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Entrepreneurial Development; and C.E. Rowe, Associate Administrator, Congressional Legislative Affairs; and public witnesses. CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND TRANSPORTATION ISSUES Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure held [[Page D696]] a hearing on Climate Change and Energy Independence: Transportation and Infrastructure Issues. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. Joint Meetings ELDER CARE COSTS Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the economic impact of elder care costs and determine if they are hurting family finances and business competition, after receiving testimony from Richard W. Johnson, Urban Institute, Washington, D.C.; Scott A. Weisberg, General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota; Leni Wilcox, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation's Community Services for the Elderly, Saint Paul, Minnesota, on behalf of Eldercare Partners; and Virginia Morris, Sag Harbor, New York. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine the United States European Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2008 and the Future Years Defense Program, 10:15 a.m., SH-216. Full Committee, business meeting to consider pending military nomination, 3 p.m., SR-232A. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment, to hold hearings to examine consolidation of National Association of Securities Dealers and the regulatory functions of the New York Stock Exchange, focusing on working towards improved regulation, 2:30 p.m., SD-538. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine the federal government's security clearance process, focusing on evaluating progress and identifying obstacles to improvement, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine law enforcement in Indian Country, 9:30 a.m., SR-485. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider S. 1027, to prevent tobacco smuggling, to ensure the collection of all tobacco taxes, S. 221, to amend title 9, United States Code, to provide for greater fairness in the arbitration process relating to livestock and poultry contracts, 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. 1079, to establish the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, S. Res. 138, honoring the accomplishments and legacy of Cesar Estrada Chavez, S. Res. 132, recognizing the Civil Air Patrol for 65 years of service to the United States, and S. Res. 130, designating July 28, 2007, as ``National Day of the American Cowboy'', and possible authorization of subpoenas in the connection with investigation into the replacement of U.S. attorneys, 10 a.m., SD-226. Select Committee on Intelligence: closed business meeting to mark up an original bill authorizing funds for fiscal year 2008 for the intelligence community, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Agriculture: to mark up the following measures: H. Con. Res. 25, Expressing the sense of Congress that it is the goal of the United States that, not later than January 2, 2025, the agricultural, forestry, and working land of the United States should provide from renewable resources not less than 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber; H.R. 926, STOPP Act of 2007; and H. Res. 79, Recognizing the establishment of Hunters for the Hungry programs across the United States and the contributions of those programs to decrease hunger and help feed those in need, 11 a.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Marketing and Regulatory Programs, 10 a.m., 2362 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness, hearing on Preparing Teachers for the Classroom: The Role of the Higher Education Act and No Child Left Behind, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Telecommunication and the Internet, hearing on a proposed measure addressing Broadband Mapping and Data Collection, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology, hearing entitled ``Remittances: Access, Transparency, and Market Efficiency--A Progress Report,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on Russia: Rebuilding the Iron Curtain, 11 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight, hearing on Declining Approval for American Foreign Policy in Muslim Countries: Does It Make It More Difficult To Fight al Qaeda, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, hearing entitled ``Protecting Our Schools: Federal Efforts To Strengthen Community Preparedness and Response,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism and the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight, joint hearing entitled ``Deepwater: Charting a Course for Safer Waters,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 2317, Lobbying Transparency Act of 2007; H.R. 2316, Honest Leadership and Open Government [[Page D697]] Act of 2007; H.R. 2264, No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2007; and S. 1104, To increase the number of Iraqi and Afghani translators and interpreters who may be admitted to the United States as special immigrants, 10:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law, hearing on Comprehensives Immigration Reform: Impact of Immigration on States and Localities, 3 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water and Power, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 716, Santa Rosa Urban Water Reuse Plan Act; H.R. 236, North Bay Water Reuse Program Act of 2007; H.R. 1503, Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project; and H.R. 1725, Rancho California Water District Recycled Water Reclamation Facility Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, hearing on the Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, hearing on Developing Untapped Potential: Geothermal and Ocean Power Technologies, 10 a.m., 2325 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, hearing on Building and Maintaining a Healthy and Strong NASA Workforce, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, hearing to review the impact of the current legal system involving products liability on small businesses, 10:30 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, to mark up the following: H.R. 2011, To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 100 East 8th Avenue in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as the ``George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse;'' and GSA's Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Investment Program Resolutions, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, hearing on Veterans Entrepreneurship and Self Employment, 2 p.m., 334 Cannon. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. The database includes both text and graphics from the beginning of the 103d Congress, 2d session (January 1994) forward. It is available through GPO Access at www.gpo.gov/gpoaccess. Customers can also access this information with WAIS client software, via telnet at swais.access.gpo.gov, or dial-in using communications software and a modem at 202ÿ09512ÿ091661. Questions or comments regarding this database or GPO Access can be directed to the GPO Access User Support Team at: E-Mail: gpoaccess@gpo.gov; Phone 1ÿ09888ÿ09293ÿ096498 (toll-free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091530 (D.C. area); Fax: 202ÿ09512ÿ091262. The Team's hours of availability are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, except Federal holidays. The Congressional Record paper and 24x microfiche edition will be furnished by mail to subscribers, free of postage, at the following prices: paper edition, $252.00 for six months, $503.00 per year, or purchased as follows: less than 200 pages, $10.50; between 200 and 400 pages, $21.00; greater than 400 pages, $31.50, payable in advance; microfiche edition, $146.00 per year, or purchased for $3.00 per issue payable in advance. The semimonthly Congressional Record Index may be purchased for the same per issue prices. To place an order for any of these products, visit the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250ÿ097954, or phone orders to 866ÿ09512ÿ091800 (toll free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202ÿ09512ÿ092250. Remit check or money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D698]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, May 17 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 2206, U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Reid/McConnell Amendment No. 1123 at 10:30 a.m.; following the disposition of H.R. 2206, Senate will begin consideration of the conference report to accompany S. Con. Res. 21, and may vote on its adoption at 3 p.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, May 17 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Complete Consideration of H.R. 1585--National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. Consideration of H.R. 1427--Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2007 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Baca, Joe, Calif., E1066 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E1061 Bishop, Timothy H., N.Y., E1061 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E1071 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E1064, E1066 Butterfield, G.K., N.C., E1069 Crenshaw, Ander, Fla., E1062 Davis, Tom, Va., E1067, E1070 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E1065 Dicks, Norman D., Wash., E1063 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E1065 Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E1069 Fossella, Vito, N.Y., E1066 Gallegly, Elton, Calif., E1060, E1062 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E1059, E1063 Green, Al, Tex., E1068 Green, Gene, Tex., E1061 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E1071 Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E1069 Klein, Ron, Fla., E1065 Langevin, James R., R.I., E1060 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E1070 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E1060, E1064 McMorris Rodgers, Cathy, Wash., E1071 Mahoney, Tim, Fla., E1061 Markey, Edward J., Mass., E1059, E1062 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1061 Murphy, Patrick J., Pa., E1068 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E1065 Schwartz, Allyson Y., Pa., E1068 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E1072 Tanner, John S., Tenn., E1059 Turner, Michael R., Ohio, E1059, E1062 Upton, Fred, Mich., E1064 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E1067, E1070 Weldon, Dave, Fla., E1068 Wexler, Robert, Fla., E1066 Wilson, Heather, N.M., E1067