Thursday, May 17, 2007 [[Page D700]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed H.R. 2206, U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations. Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany S. Con. Res. 21, Concurrent Budget Resolution. The House agreed to the conference report on 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. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S6215-S6360 Measures Introduced: Sixteen bills and five resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1417-1432, and S. Res. 206-210. Page S6266 Measures Reported: 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. Res. 130, designating July 28, 2007, as ``National Day of the American Cowboy''. S. Res. 132, recognizing the Civil Air Patrol for 65 years of service to the United States. S. Res. 138, honoring the accomplishments and legacy of Cesar Estrada Chavez. S. 254, to award posthumously a Congressional gold medal to Constantino Brumidi, with an amendment. Page S6265 Measures Passed: U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act: Senate passed H.R. 2206, making emergency supplemental appropriations and additional supplemental appropriations for agricultural and other emergency assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S6215-20 Adopted: Reid/McConnell Amendment No. 1123, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S6215-19 Withdrawn: Pursuant to the order of the Senate of May 16, 2007, the following were withdrawn: Reid/McConnell Amendment No. 1124 (to Amendment No. 1123), expressing the sense of the Congress that no action should be taken to undermine the safety of the Armed Forces of the United States or impact their ability to complete their assigned or future missions. Pages S6215-19 Reid Amendment No. 1125 (to Amendment No. 1124), expressing the sense of the Congress that no action should be taken to undermine the safety of the Armed Forces of the United States or impact their ability to complete their assigned or future missions. Pages S6215-19 Motion to commit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations, with instructions to report back forthwith, with Reid Amendment No. 1126. Reid Amendment No. 1126 (to the instructions of the motion to commit H.R. 2206), expressing the sense of the Congress that no action should be taken to undermine the safety of the Armed Forces of the United States or impact their ability to complete their assigned or future missions. Pages S6215-19 Reid Amendment No. 1127 (to the instructions of the motion to commit (to Amendment No. 1126)), expressing the sense of the Congress that no action should be taken to undermine the safety of the [[Page D701]] Armed Forces of the United States or impact their ability to complete their assigned or future missions. Pages S6215-19 Reid Amendment No. 1128 (to Amendment No. 1127), expressing the sense of the Congress that no action should be taken to undermine the safety of the Armed Forces of the United States or impact their ability to complete their assigned or future missions. Pages S6215-16 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 94 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 171), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on Reid/McConnell Amendment No. 1123 (listed above). Pages S6218-19 Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair was authorized to appoint the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Byrd, Inouye, Reid, Cochran, and McConnell. Pages S6219, S6254 Fishing Subsidies: Senate agreed to S. Res. 208, encouraging the elimination of harmful fishing subsidies that contribute to overcapacity in the world's commercial fishing fleet and lead to the overfishing of global fish stocks. Pages S6358-59 Support for Government In Northern Ireland: Senate agreed to S. Res. 209, expressing support for the new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. Pages S6359-60 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report: By 52 yeas to 40 nays (Vote No. 172), Senate agreed to 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. Pages S6220-53 Water Resources Development Act--Conferees: Pursuant to the order of the Senate of May 16, 2007, regarding 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, the Chair announced the appointment of the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Boxer, Baucus, Lieberman, Carper, Clinton, Lautenberg, Inhofe, Warner, Voinovich, Isakson, and Vitter. Page S6254 Comprehensive Immigration Reform--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 1:00 p.m., on Monday, May 21, 2007, Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 1348, to provide for comprehensive immigration reform; that Senator Sessions be recognized to speak pursuant to the order of May 15, 2007, and that following his remarks the time until 5:30 p.m. be equally divided and controlled for debate between the Majority and Republican Leaders, or their designees; provided further, that at 5:30 p.m. Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 1348. Pages S6254-58 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: 1 Army nomination in the rank of general. 9 Coast Guard nominations in the rank of admiral. Pages S6358, S6360 Messages from the House: Page S6264 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Pages S6264, S6358 Petitions and Memorials: Page S6265 Executive Communications: Page S6265 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S6266-68 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S6268-S6313 Additional Statements: Pages S6263-64 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S6313 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S6313 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--172) Pages S6218-19, S6253 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 6:04 p.m., until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 21, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S6360.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) BUDGET: DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the United States European Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2008 and the Future Years Defense Program, after receiving testimony from General Bantz J. Craddock, USA, Commander, United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, Department of Defense. NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee began consideration of certain military nominations, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call. [[Page D702]] CONSOLIDATION OF SECURITIES MARKETS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment concluded a hearing to examine the proposal of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to consolidate their member firm regulatory functions into a single self-regulatory organization, focusing on working towards improved regulation, after receiving testimony from Erik R. Sirri, Director, Division of Market Regulation, United States Securities and Exchange Commission; Joseph P. Borg, Alabama Securities Commission, Montgomery, on behalf of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc.; Mary L. Schapiro, NASD, Richard G. Ketchum, NYSE Regulation, Inc., and John C. Coffee, Jr., Columbia University Law School, all of New York, New York; and Marc E. Lackritz, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, Washington, D.C. IMPROVING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine the federal government's security clearance process, focusing on evaluating progress and identifying obstacles to improvement, after receiving testimony from Clay Johnson III, Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget; Robert Andrews, Deputy Under Secretary for Counterintelligence and Security, and Kathleen Watson, Director, Defense Security Services, both of the Department of Defense; Kathy L. Dillaman, Associate Director, Federal Investigative Services Division, Office of Personnel Management; Derek B. Stewart, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Government Accountability Office; Timothy R. Sample, Intelligence and National Security Alliance, and Doug Wagoner, Sentrillion, on behalf of the Security Clearance Reform Coalition, both of Arlington, Virginia. LAW ENFORCEMENT IN INDIAN COUNTRY Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine law enforcement in Indian Country, after receiving testimony from W. Patrick Ragsdale, Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Christopher B. Chaney, Deputy Bureau Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, both of the Department of the Interior; Regina B. Schofield, Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, and Matthew H. Mead, United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming, both of the Department of Justice; and Scott Burns, Deputy Director for State, Local and Tribal Affairs, Office of National Drug Control Policy. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following bills: 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, with an amendment; 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''. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee began consideration of an original bill authorizing funds for fiscal year 2008 for the intelligence community, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call. [[Page D703]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 40 public bills, H.R. 2338, 2356-2394; and 7 resolutions, H.J. Res. 43; H. Con. Res. 150; and H. Res. 412-416 were introduced. Pages H5470-72 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H5472-73 Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H.R. 1100, to revise the boundary of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in the State of North Carolina, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-157). Page H5445 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Weiner to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H5335 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008: The House passed 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, by a recorded vote of 397 ayes to 27 noes, Roll No. 373. Consideration of the bill began on Wednesday, May 16th. Page H5343 Agreed to the Hunter motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Armed Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 394 ayes to 30 noes, Roll No. 372. Subsequently, Representative Skelton reported the bill back to the House with the amendment and the amendment was agreed to. Pages H5351-53 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.''. Page H5354 Agreed to: Moran (VA) amendment (No. 15 printed in H. Rept. 110-151), that was debated on May 16th, that requires the Office of the Secretary of Defense to submit a report identifying the current capacity at Department of Defense facilities in the United States to securely hold and try before a military commission the detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (by a recorded vote of 220 ayes to 208 noes, Roll No. 370). Pages H5346-47 Rejected: Tierney amendment (No. 30 printed in H. Rept. 110-151), that was debated on May 16th, that sought to reduce the $8.1 billion specified for Missile Defense Agency (MDA) activities by $1.084 billion from specified programs (by a recorded vote of 127 ayes to 299 noes, Roll No. 367); Page H5344 Franks amendment (No. 11 printed in H. Rept. 110-151), that was debated on May 16th, that sought to increase by $764 million the amount authorized for ballistic missile defense (by a recorded vote of 199 ayes to 226 noes, Roll No. 368); Pages H5344-45 King (IA) amendment (No. 41 printed in H. Rept. 110-151), that was debated on May 16th, that sought to add language to section 1222 to explain that the bill's prohibition on the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq should not be construed to prohibit the United States from establishing a temporary military base or installation by entering into basing rights agreements between the United States and Iraq and also states that Congress recognizes the United States has not established any permanent military installations inside or outside the United States (by a recorded vote of 201 ayes to 219 noes, Roll No. 369); and Pages H5345-46 Holt amendment (No. 32 printed in H. Rept. 110-151), that was debated on May 16th, that sought to require the videotaping of interrogations and other pertinent interactions between U.S. military personnel and/or contractors and detainees arrested and held, directs the Judge Advocates General of the respective military services to develop uniform guidelines for such videotaping, and provide access to detainees for representatives of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture for independent monitoring of detainee conditions and treatment (by a recorded vote of 199 ayes to 229 noes, Roll No. 371). Pages H5347-48 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House, and that the Clerk be authorized to make the additional technical corrections which are at the desk. Page H5355 H. Res. 403, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Wednesday, May 16th. Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he notified Congress of the continuation of the Burma emergency beyond May 20, 2007--referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-35). Page H5361 Budget Resolution for FY 2008: The House agreed to the conference report on S. Con. Res. 21, setting forth the congressional budget for the United [[Page D704]] States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012, by a yea- and-nay vote of 214 yeas to 209 nays, Roll No. 377. Page H5355-74 H. Res. 409, the rule providing for consideration of the conference report, was agreed to by recorded vote of 225 ayes to 194 noes, Roll No. 376, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 224 yeas to 193 nays, Roll No. 375. Pages H5355-61 Pursuant to the provisions of the conference report accompanying S. Con. Res. 21, H.J. Res. 43, increasing the statutory limit on the public debt, is considered passed by the House. Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2007: The House began consideration of H.R. 1427, to reform the regulation of certain housing-related Government-sponsored enterprises. Consideration is expected to resume Tuesday, May 22nd. Pages H5338-43, H5374-H5467 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in H. Rept. 110-152, shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered by title rather than by section. Pages H5338-39 Agreed to: Kanjorski amendment (first No. 22 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that clarifies that both the Federal Housing Enterprise Board and the Federal Home Loan Bank may recommend individuals for selection as independent directors at the Federal Home Loan Bank; Pages H5421-22 Hinojosa amendment (No. 21 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that permits the director, at the request of a State, to waive the requirement that homebuyers attend in-person financial management counseling before receiving affordable housing grants, and allows the homebuyers to receive the counseling through alternate forms such as online, or over the phone; Page H5424 Neugebauer amendment (No. 4 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that gives the regulator the authority to limit the size of growth of a GSEs portfolio only to specifically address the safety and soundness concerns with respect to the institution; Pages H5424-27 Frank en bloc amendment consisting of the following amendments: Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) modified amendment (No. 2 printed in the Congressional Record of May 15th) that relates to a program of financial literacy and education to promote an understanding of consumer, economic, and personal finance issues and concepts; Boozman amendment (No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that requires any homebuyer who purchases a house assisted with amounts under the affordable housing fund or who gets down payment or other assistance from amounts from the fund be ``lawfully present in the United States''; Terry amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to give the Board of Directors of an FHLB the authority to increase the minimum number of directors from each state; Donnelly amendment (No. 7 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that prohibits financial counseling entities from discriminating against any particular form of housing; Blunt amendment (No. 11 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that adds a new section relating to funding accountability and transparency; McCaul (TX) amendment (No. 20 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that clarifies that monies going into any successor trust fund will be subject to the same prohibited uses as the fund created in the bill; and Baker amendment (No. 31 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that reduces the number of members of the Board of the Federal Housing Enterprise from 5 to 3; and Pages H5427-29 Garrett (NJ) modified amendment (second No. 22 printed the Congressional Record of May 16th) that prohibits GSEs from redirecting the costs of making allocations to the affordable housing fund through increased fees, decreased premiums, or any other manner. Pages H5462-63 Rejected: Bachus amendment (No. 12 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that sought to strike section 139 which relates to the Affordable Housing Fund (by a recorded vote of 148 ayes to 269 noes, Roll No. 378); Pages H5417-21, H5443 Hensarling amendment (No. 29 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that sought to provide that the director shall suspend allocations if it is determined that allocations are contributing to an increase in the cost of mortgage rates to homebuyers (by a recorded vote of 154 ayes to 253 noes, Roll No. 379); Pages H5422-24, H5443-44 McHenry amendment (No. 14 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that sought to require a GAO study be conducted on the effects the affordable housing fund will have on the availability and affordability of credit for homebuyers, and the extent to which the costs are passed on to the homebuyers (by a recorded vote of 176 ayes to 240 noes, Roll No. 380); Pages H5429-30, H5444-45 Kanjorski amendment (No. 15 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that sought to [[Page D705]] clarify the Director's authority to determine the appropriate size of the board of directors of the Federal National Mortgage Association between 7 and 15 members (by a recorded vote of 154 ayes to 263 noes, Roll No. 381); Pages H5431-32, H5445 Roskam amendment (No. 27 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that sought to add a new paragraph limiting contributions to the affordable housing fund when the government has an on-budget and an off-budget surplus (by a recorded vote of 173 ayes to 245 noes, Roll No. 382); and Pages H5432-36, H5445-46 Garrett (NJ) amendment (No. 17 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that sought to insert new language requiring GSEs to limit their retained portfolios to mortgages and mortgage backed securities that exclusively support affordable housing, and particularly mortgages extended to households having incomes below the median income for the area in which the property subject to the mortgage is located (by a recorded vote of 92 ayes to 322 noes, Roll No. 383). Pages H5437-42, H5446-47 Withdrawn: Blumenauer amendment (No. 26 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was offered but subsequently withdrawn that sought to add a new section providing for consideration of location and energy efficiency in enterprise underwriting guidelines; Pages H5436-37 Al Green (TX) amendment (No. 5 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was offered but subsequently withdrawn that sought to redistribute affordable housing grants for use in disaster areas to include both Alabama and Texas in addition to Louisiana and Mississippi; Page H5442 Hensarling amendment (No. 32 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was offered but subsequently withdrawn that sought to strike the High Cost Area increases in Section 133 to the Conforming Loan Limit; and Pages H5459-60 Gary G. Miller (CA) amendment (No. 33 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that was offered but subsequently withdrawn that related to conditions on conforming loan limit for high-cost areas. Page H5460 Point of Order sustained against: Doolittle amendment (No. 25 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that sought to make economically disadvantaged counties that receive payments under the Secure Rural Roads and Community Self- Determination Act eligible to receive Affordable Housing fund grants. Pages H5458-59 Proceedings Postponed: Feeney modified amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that seeks to strike low income housing grants from the affordable housing fund and inserts housing assistance provisions for the areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, strikes language outlining affordable housing grant formulas for Indian tribal members and directs funds to be allocated ``based on the formula used for the Continuum of Care competition of the Department of Housing and Urban Development'', and inserts language requiring that affordable housing grants after 2007 be reserved only for rental housing voucher assistance in accordance with the Housing act of 1937; Price (GA) amendment (No. 8 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that seeks to prevent illegal immigrants from owning or renting housing built by funds from the affordable housing fund by requiring adult occupants of that housing to establish their legal residency through the use of secure forms of identification; Pages H5448-51 Sessions amendment (No. 10 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that seeks to require the Director of the new GSE Regulator to provide information to mortgage originators about any added mortgage costs to consumers associated with the new Housing Fund; in turn, originators would have to furnish this written information to homebuyers at or before closing to qualify their mortgages for purchase, service, holding, lending on the security of or selling by the GSEs; Pages H5451-55 Brady (TX) amendment (No. 34 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that seeks to redistribute the affordable housing grants for use in disaster areas from a ratio of 75% for Louisiana and 25% for Mississippi to create 10% for Texas by taking 5% each from the allotment for Louisiana and Mississippi; Pages H5455-58 Price (GA) amendment (No. 9 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that seeks to require the director of a GSE to study and certify to Congress that its contributions to the affordable housing fund wouldn't contribute to its financial instability or impair its safety and soundness; Pages H5460-61 Doolittle amendment (No. 19 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that seeks to prohibit all three mortgage lending government- sponsored enterprises (GSE's) from obtaining primary residential mortgages being granted to any person who does not have a valid Social Security number; Pages H5461-62 Hensarling amendment (No. 30 printed in the Congressional Record of May 16th) that seeks to strike the Affordable Housing Trust Fund budgetary placeholder language in the bill; and Pages H5463-65 [[Page D706]] Neugebauer amendment (No. 1 printed in the Congressional Record of May 14th) that pertains to allocations of amounts by enterprise. Pages H5465-67 H. Res. 404, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 186 nays, Roll No. 374, after agreeing to order the previous question. Pages H5354-55 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, May 23rd. Page H5467 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 21st for Morning Hour debate. Page H5468 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on pages H5335, H5430. Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and fourteen recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H5344, H5345, H5345-46, H5346-47, H5347-48, H5352-53, H5354, H5354-55, H5360, H5360-61, H5373, H5443, H5443-44, H5444-45, H5445, H5445-46, H5446-47. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 and adjourned at 12:36 a.m. on Friday, May 18th. Committee Meetings MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported 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. AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Marketing and Regulatory Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Bruce Knight, Under Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs; Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service; W. Ron DeHaven, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; James E. Link, Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; and Dennis Kaplan, Budget Office. TEACHER PREPARATION Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness held a hearing on Preparing Teachers for the Classroom: The Role of the Higher Education Act and No Child Left Behind. Testimony was heard from George Scott, Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. BROADBAND AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunication and the Internet held a hearing on a proposed measure addressing Broadband Mapping and Data Collection. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. REMITTANCES INDUSTRY Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Remittances: Access, Transparency, and Market Efficiency--A Progress Report.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. RUSSIAN INFLUENCE ON EASTERN EUROPE Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on Russia: Rebuilding the Iron Curtain. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY MUSLIM COUNTRIES' VIEWS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight held a hearing on Declining Approval for American Foreign Policy in Muslim Countries: Does It Make It More Difficult To Fight al Qaeda. Testimony was heard from a public witness. SCHOOL SECURITY Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``Protecting Our Schools: Federal Efforts To Strengthen Community Preparedness and Response.'' Testimony was heard from Holly Kuzmich, Deputy Chief of Staff, Policy and Programs, Department of Education; Robert J. Sica, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, National Threat Assessment Center, Department of Homeland Security; Cornelia M. Ashby, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, GAO; and public witnesses. [[Page D707]] COAST GUARD DEEPWATER PROGRAM Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism and the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight held a joint hearing entitled ``Deepwater: Charting a Course for Safer Waters,'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: RADM Gary T. Blore, USCG, Program Executive Officer, Integrated Deepwater System; Richard L. Skinner, Inspector General; and CAPT Steven T. Baynes, USCG, Chief, Atlantic Area Response Enforcement Branch, U.S. Coast Guard; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 2317, Lobbying Transparency Act of 2007; H.R. 2316, amended, Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007; H.R. 2264, No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2007; and S. 1104, amended, To increase the number of Iraqi and Afghani translators and interpreters who may be admitted to the United States as special immigrants. IMMIGRATION REFORM Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law held a hearing on Comprehensives Immigration Reform: Impact of Immigration on States and Localities. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a 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. Testimony was heard from Robert Quint, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. CARBON-NEUTRAL GOVERNMENT Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement held a hearing on the Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. GEOTHERMAL/OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on Developing Untapped Potential: Geothermal and Ocean Power Technologies. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. NASA WORKFORCE Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on Building and Maintaining a Healthy and Strong NASA Workforce. Testimony was heard from the following officials of NASA: Toni Dawsey, Assistant Administrator, Human Capital Management; and John Stewart, Fellow, National Academy of Public Administration, member, Multisector Workforce Panel; and public witnesses. LIABILITY REFORM'S SMALL BUSINESS IMPACTS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing to review the impact of the current legal system involving products liability on small businesses. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE; GSA FY 2008 CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM RESOLUTIONS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management approved for full Committee action 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. VETERANS ENTREPRENEURSHIP Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on Veterans Entrepreneurship and Self Employment. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the SBA: William Elmore, Associate Administrator, Veterans Business Development; and Louis J. Celli, Jr., Chairman, Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs; Scott F. Denniston, Director, Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Department of Veterans Affairs; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to [[Page D708]] hold hearings to examine growth trends in health care premiums for active and retired federal employees, 10:30 a.m., SD-342. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, to mark up appropriations for fiscal year 2008, 10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law, hearing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform: The Future of Undocumented Immigrant Students, 9 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, hearing on Assuring the National Guard Is as Ready at Home as It Is Abroad, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of May 21 through May 26, 2007 Senate Chamber On Monday, at 1 p.m., Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 1348, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at 5:30 p.m. During the balance of the week, Senate may consider any cleared legislative and executive business. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Appropriations: May 21, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, to continue hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the National Institutes of Health: A New Vision for Medical Research, 2 p.m., SD-116. Committee on Armed Services: May 22, Subcommittee on SeaPower, closed business meeting to mark up those provisions which fall under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, 9 a.m., SR-222. May 22, Subcommittee on Personnel, closed business meeting to mark up those provisions which fall under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, 10 a.m., SR-232A. May 22, Subcommittee on Airland, closed business meeting to mark up those provisions which fall under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, 12:30 p.m., SR-222. May 22, Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, closed business meeting to mark up those provisions which fall under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, 4 p.m., SR-222. May 22, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, closed business meeting to mark up those provisions which fall under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, 5:30 p.m., SR-232A. May 23, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, closed business meeting to mark up those provisions which fall under the subcommittee's jurisdiction of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, 11:30 a.m., SR-222. May 23, Full Committee, closed business meeting to mark up the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, 2:30 p.m., SR-222. May 24, Full Committee, closed business meeting to mark up the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, 9:30 a.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: May 23, Subcommittee on Security and International Trade and Finance, to hold hearings to examine United States economic relations with China, focusing on strategies and options on exchange rates and market access, 2:30 p.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: May 22, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security, to hold hearings to examine rail safety reauthorization, 10 a.m., SR-253. May 23, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine communications, taxation and federalism, 10 a.m., SR-253. May 24, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Michael E. Baroody, of Virginia, to be Chairman and Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Charles Darwin Snelling, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: May 22, Subcommittee on Energy, to hold hearings to examine S. 645, to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide an alternate sulfur dioxide removal measurement for certain coal gasification project goals, S. 838, to authorize funding for eligible joint ventures between United States and Israeli businesses and academic persons, to establish the International Energy Advisory Board, S. 1089, to amend the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act to allow the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects to hire employees more efficiently, S. 1203, to enhance the management of electricity programs at the Department of Energy, H.R. 85, to provide for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies, and H.R. 1126, to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. May 23, Full Committee, business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 11:30 a.m., SD-366. May 24, Full Committee, to hold an oversight hearing to examine opportunities and challenges associated with [[Page D709]] coal gasification, including coal-to-liquids and industrial gasification, 9:30 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: May 22, to hold hearings to examine the case for the California waiver, 2:30 p.m., SD-406. Committee on Finance: May 22, to hold hearings to examine tax policy in the pipeline, focusing on oil and gas, 10 a.m., SD-215. May 23, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine funding Social Security's administrative costs, focusing on the budget resolution, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: May 22, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of James R. Keith, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to Malaysia, Miriam K. Hughes, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, Hans G. Klemm, of Michigan, to be Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor- Leste, and Cameron R. Hume, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, 10 a.m., SD-419. May 24, Full Committee, business meeting to consider S. 392, to ensure payment of United States assessments for United Nations peacekeeping operations for the 2005 through 2008 time period, S. Con. Res. 25, condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society, S. Res. 110, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-United States dialogue and relationship, and the nominations of Phillip Carter, III, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea, R. Niels Marquardt, of California, to be Ambassador of America to the Republic of Madagascar, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador of America to the Union of Comoros, Janet E. Garvey, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon, Dell L. Dailey, of South Dakota, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large, Mark P. Lagon, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, with the rank of Ambassador at Large, and James K. Glassman, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and a promotion list in the Foreign Service, 11:30 a.m., S-116, Capitol. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: May 22, Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, to hold hearings to examine the progress of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act (Public Law 109-236), 10 a.m., SD-628. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: May 21, to hold hearings to examine S. 1352, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 127 East Locust Street in Fairbury, Illinois, as the ``Dr. Francis Townsend Post Office Building'', H.R. 1402, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 South Lecanto Highway in Lecanto, Florida, as the ``Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building'', H.R. 414, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 60 Calle McKinley, West in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, as the ``Miguel Angel Garcia Mendez Post Office Building'', H.R. 625, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4230 Maine Avenue in Baldwin Park, California, as the ``Atanacio Haro-Marin Post Office'', H.R. 988, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside, California, as the ``Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post Office'', H.R. 437, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 West Eisenhower Street in Rio Grande City, Texas, as the ``Lino Perez, Jr. Post Office'', and the nomination of Howard Charles Weizmann, of Maryland, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel Management, 5:30 p.m., S-216, Capitol. May 22, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold joint hearings with the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia to examine Government Accountability Office Personnel reforms, focusing on expectations, 10 a.m., 2154RHOB. May 22, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine implementing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform, focusing on the preparation for the 2007 hurricane season, 3 p.m., SD-342. May 24, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine federal real property, focusing on the property management problems highlighted in a recent Government Accountability Office report, 10 a.m., SD-342. May 24, Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery, to hold hearings to examine issues relative to residents of Louisiana affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita, focusing on the goals, costs, management and impediments facing Louisiana's Road Home Program, 3 p.m., SD- 342. Committee on the Judiciary: May 22, to hold hearings to examine restoring habeas corpus, focusing on protecting American values and the Great Writ, 10 a.m., SD-226. May 23, Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, to hold hearings to examine rising crime in the United States, focusing on the federal role in helping communities prevent and respond to violent crime, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. May 23, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine S. 1257, to provide the District of Columbia a voting seat and the State of Utah an additional seat in the House of Representatives, focusing on ending taxation without representation, 1:30 p.m., SD-226. May 24, Full Committee, business meeting to consider S. 1327, to create and extend certain temporary district court judgeships, and S. 185, to restore habeas corpus for those detained by the United States, and possible authorization of subpoenas in the connection with investigation into the replacement of U.S. attorneys, 10 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: May 22, to hold hearings to examine minority entrepreneurship, focusing on the effectiveness of the Small Business Administration programs for the minority business community, 10 a.m., SR-428A. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: May 22, business meeting to mark up the nomination of Michael K. Kussman, of Massachusetts, to be Under Secretary for Health of the [[Page D710]] Department of Veterans Affairs, Time to be announced, Room to be announced. May 23, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine health legislation, 9:30 a.m., SD-562. House Committees Committee on Agriculture, May 22, Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research, to consider provisions of the 2007 Farm Bill, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth. May 24, Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, to consider provisions of the 2007 Farm Bill, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, May 24, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, on Capitol Visitors Center, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, May 22, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on training of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and employment of transition teams, 9 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. May 24, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on training of development of the Iraqi police service, 9 a.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, May 22, Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, hearing on Health Care Reform: Recommendations To Improve Coordination of Federal and State Initiatives, 2 p.m., 2175 Rayburn. May 24, Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, hearing on Workplace Safety: Why Do Millions of Workers Remain Without OSHA Coverage? 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, May 22, Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ``Programs Affecting Safety and Innovation in Pediatric Therapies,'' 10 a.m., 2322 Rayburn. May 22, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ``Gasoline Prices, Oil Company Profits, and the American Consumer,'' 1 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. May 24, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, hearing entitled ``Legislative Hearing on Discussion Drafts concerning Energy Efficiency, Smart Electricity Grid, Energy Policy Act of 2005 Title XVII Loan Guarantees, and Standby Loans for Coal-to-Liquids Projects,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, May 22, hearing entitled ``The Role and Effectiveness of the World Bank in Combating Global Poverty,'' 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, May 22, hearing on Iraq: Is Reconstruction Failing? 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. May 22, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, hearing on Vulture Funds and the Threat to Debt Relief in Africa: A Call to Action at the G8 and Beyond, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. May 23, full Committee, to mark up the following legislation: H.R. 885, International Nuclear Fuel for Peace and Nonproliferation Act 2007; Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2007; International Climate Cooperation Re-Engagement Act of 2007; S. 676, To provide that the Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank or the Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank may serve on the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation; H. Con. Res. 21, Calling on the United Nations Security Council to charge Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the United National Charter because of his calls for the destruction of the State of Israel; H. Con. Res. 80, Calling on the Government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to recommit to a political solution to the conflict in northern Uganda and to recommence vital peace talks, and urging immediate and substantial support for the ongoing peace process from the United States and the international community; H. Res. 137, Honoring the life and six decades of public service of Jacob Birnbaum and especially his commitment freeing Soviet Jews from religious, cultural and communal extinction; H. Res. 233, Recognizing over 200 years of sovereignty of the Principality of Liechtenstein, and expressing support for efforts by the United States continue to strengthen its relationship with that country; and H. Res. 295, Recognizing the strong alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States and expressing appreciation to the Republic of Korea for its efforts in the global war against terrorism, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. May 23, Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia, hearing on U.S. Assistance to the Palestinians, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. May 24, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, hearing on International Food Air Programs: Options To Enhance Effectiveness, 2:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. May 24, Subcommittee on Europe, hearing on expanding the Visa Waiver Proram, Enhancing Transatlantic Relations, 1 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. May 24, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, hearing on the Reauthorization of OPIC, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, May 22, hearing on The Role of the Department of Homeland Security in Gulf Coast Rebuilding and Recovery Efforts, 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. May 23, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing entitled ``Reducing Threats to Our Nation's Agriculture: Authorizing a Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility,'' 2 p.m., 31l Cannon. May 24, Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, hearing entitled ``Examining the Impact of Equipment Shortages on the National Guard's Readiness for Homeland Security Missions,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, May 22, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Laws, oversight hearing on the Internet Tax Freedom Act: Internet Tax Moratorium, 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. May 22, Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, oversight hearing on Substantive Due [[Page D711]] Process Violations Arising from the Environmental Protection Agency's Handling of Air Quality Issues Following the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. May 22, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1943, Stop AIDS in Prison Act of 2007; and H.R. 1199, Drug Endangered Children Act of 2007, 12 p.m., 2226 Rayburn. May 22, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law, to consider Rules of Procedure and Statement of Policy for Private Immigration Bills, and Rules of Procedure for Private Claims Bills; followed by a hearing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Perspectives from Faith-Based and Immigration Communities, 1:55 p.m., 2237 Rayburn. May 23, full Committee, hearing to continue investigation into the U.S. Attorneys Controversy and Related Matters, 10:15 a. m., 2141 Rayburn. May 24, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law, hearing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Labor Movement Perspectives, 9 a.m., 2237 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, May 23, hearing on the Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. May 24, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans and the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, joint oversight hearing on No Child Left Inside: Reconnecting Kids with the Outdoors, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. May 24, Subcommittee on Water and Power, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 31, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Wastewater and Recycled Water Facilities Act of 2007; and H.R. 1526, Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Authorization Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, May 23, hearing on Achievements and Opportunities for Climate Protection under the Montreal Protocol, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. May 23, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, hearing on Weaponizing Space: Is Current U.S. Policy Protecting Our National Security? 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. May 24, full Committee, to consider pending business; followed by a hearing on Invisible Casualties: The Incidence and Treatment of Mental Health Problems by the U.S. Military, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, May 23, to consider pending business, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, May 22, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, to mark up H.R. 2095, Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007, 3 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. May 24, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, hearing on Public- Private Partnerships: State and User Perspectives, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, May 22, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, hearing on the Challenges Facing the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, May 22, Subcommittee on Health, hearing on Medicare Advantage Private Fee-For-Service Plans, 2 p.m., 1100 Longworth. May 23, full Committee, hearing on IRS's Private Debt Collection, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. May 24, Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, hearing on Tax Incentives for Affordable Housing, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Joint Meetings Joint Hearing: May 22, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold joint hearings with the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia to examine Government Accountability Office Personnel reforms, focusing on expectations, 10 a.m., 2154RHOB. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: May 24, to hold hearings to examine Russia, focusing on the reemergence of Russia as a major political and economic power, 10 a.m., B318RHOB. 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. 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[[Page D712]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 1 p.m., Monday, May 21 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 1348, Comprehensive Immigration Reform and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at 5:30 p.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 21 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Allen, Thomas H., Me., E1080 Arcuri, Michael A., N.Y., E1078 Berman, Howard L., Calif., E1084 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E1078 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E1084, E1086, E1089, E1091 Braley, Bruce L., Iowa, E1090 Brown, Corrine, Fla., E1076 Carson, Julia, Ind., E1082 Crenshaw, Ander, Fla., E1075 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E1078 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E1087 Dingell, John D., Mich., E1082 Duncan, John J., Jr., Tenn., E1092 Ellison, Kieth, Minn., E1087 Farr, Sam, Calif., E1075, E1082 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E1086, E1088 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E1075 Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E1085 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E1092 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E1084 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1079, E1080, E1082 LaHood, Ray, Ill., E1081 Lamborn, Doug, Colo., E1087 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E1079 McGovern, James P., Mass., E1077 McNulty, Michael R., N.Y., E1079 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1077 Marshall, Jim, Ga., E1078 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1076, E1081 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E1080 Murphy, Christopher S., Conn., E1085 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E1086, E1088 Paul, Ron, Tex., E1081 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E1087 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E1083 Sestak, Joe, Pa., E1092 Sires, Albio, N.J., E1079 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E1077 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E1090 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E1086, E1089 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E1091 Udall, Mark, Colo., E1081, E1090 Udall, Tom, N.M., E1076 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E1093 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E1088 Walberg, Timothy, Mich., E1079 Walden, Greg, Ore., E1076 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E1085