Wednesday, December 19, 2007 [[Page D1653]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed H.J. Res. 72, Continuing Appropriations. Senate completed action on S. Con. Res. 61, Adjournment Resolution. The House agreed to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2764, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S15945-S16071 Measures Introduced: Fourteen bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 11, S. 2519-2531, S. Res. 417-418, and S. Con. Res. 63-64. Pages S16005-06 Measures Reported: S. 772, to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-252) S. 595, to amend the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 to strike a provision relating to modifications in reporting frequency. (S. Rept. No. 110-253) S. 1523, to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide from the Capitol power plant. (S. Rept. No. 110-254) Page S16003 Measures Passed: Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act: Senate passed S. 924, to strengthen the United States Coast Guard's Integrated Deepwater Program, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S15945-50 Reid (for Cantwell) Amendment No. 3884, of a perfecting nature. Page S15947 Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4253, to improve and expand small business assistance programs for veterans of the armed forces and military reservists, and the bill was then passed, after striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof, the text of S. 1784, Senate companion measure, as amended, after agreeing to the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S15950-52 Reid (for Kerry) Amendment No. 3885, in the nature of a substitute. Page S15952 Reid (for Coburn) Amendment No. 3886, of a perfecting nature. Page S15952 Subsequently, S. 1784 was placed on the Senate calendar. Page S15952 NICS Improvement Amendments Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2640, to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S15969-70, S15970-71 Schumer (for Leahy/Schumer) Amendment No. 3887, in the nature of a substitute. Page S15971 Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act: Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3890, to impose sanctions on officials of the State Peace and Development Council in Burma, to amend the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 to prohibit the importation of gemstones and hardwoods from Burma, to promote a coordinated international effort to restore civilian democratic rule to Burma, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendments proposed thereto: Page S15971 Schumer (for Biden/McConnell) Amendment No. 3888, in the nature of a substitute. Page S15971 [[Page D1654]] Schumer (for Biden/McConnell) Amendment No. 3889, to amend the title. Page S15971 Continuing Appropriations: Senate agreed to H.J. Res. 72, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S15980-81 Pension Protection Act Technical Correction: Senate passed S. 1974, to make technical corrections related to the Pension Protection Act of 2006, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S16048-55 Reid (for Kennedy) Amendment No. 3891, in the nature of a substitute. Page S16047 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the bill remain at the desk until such time as the Senate receives a companion measure from the House; that the Senate then proceed to its consideration, all after the enacting clause be stricken and the text of S. 1974, as amended, be inserted in lieu thereof, the bill advance to third reading, passed and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, without further intervening action or debate, and that S. 1974 be returned to the calendar. Page S16049 Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post Office: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 2478, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 59 Colby Corner in East Hampstead, New Hampshire, as the ``Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post Office'', and the bill was then passed. Pages S15958-59, S16055 John Sidney `Sid' Flowers Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3470, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 744 West Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville, Georgia, as the ``John Sidney `Sid' Flowers Post Office Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S16055 Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3569, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16731 Santa Ana Avenue in Fontana, California, as the ``Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S16055 Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3974, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 797 Sam Bass Road in Round Rock, Texas, as the ``Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S16055 Turrill Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4009, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 567 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer, Michigan, as the ``Turrill Post Office Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S16055 George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse: Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of 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 the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S16055 Neal Smith Federal Building: Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1045, to designate the Federal building located at 210 Walnut Street in Des Moines, Iowa, as the ``Neal Smith Federal Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S16055 Office of Compliance Employees: Senate passed H.R. 3571, to amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to permit individuals who have served as employees of the Office of Compliance to serve as Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, or General Counsel of the Office, and to permit individuals appointed to such positions to serve one additional term, clearing the measure for the President. Page S16055 Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3432, to establish the Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S16055-56 Reid (for Lautenberg) Amendment No. 3892, to strike the authorization of appropriations. Page S16055 United States Air Force Space Command 25th Anniversary: Committee on Armed Services was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 389, commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the United States Air Force Space Command headquartered at [[Page D1655]] Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S16056 Technical Corrections: Senate passed H.R. 4839, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make technical corrections, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S16056-60 House Messages: Adjournment Resolution: Senate concurred in the amendment of the House to S. Con. Res. 61, providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate, and a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives. Page S15980 Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act: Senate concurred in the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 3997, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief and protections for military personnel, with the following amendment: Reid (for Baucus) Amendment No. 3997, of a perfecting nature. Page S16048 Appointments: United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: The Chair, on behalf of the Minority Leader, and after consultation with the ranking members of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Finance, pursuant to Public Law 106-398, as amended by Public Law 108-7, appointed the following individual as a member of the United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: Daniel A. Blumenthal of the District of Columbia, for a term expiring December 31, 2009. Page S16069 Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act (Omnibus)--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate request the House of Representatives to return the papers relative to H.R. 2764, making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Page S15945 Authority for Committees--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, all committees be authorized to file legislative and executive reports on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. Page S16060 Authorizing Leadership to Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous- consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President Pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leader be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate. Page S16060 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments--Agreement: A unanimous- consent agreement was reached providing that at approximately 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 22, 2008, Senate begin consideration of S. 1200, to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend the Act. Page S16060 National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at a time determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, Senate begin consideration of S. 2483, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy; that the only amendments in order be five related amendments to be offered by Senator Coburn; provided further, that following disposition of all amendments, Senate vote on passage of the bill. Page S16060 Nominations--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the provisions of Rule XXXI notwithstanding, all nominations remain in status quo, with except the following: Committee on the Judiciary: Steven G. Bradbury, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General. Committee on Armed Services: Anita K. Blair, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy. The following named Army National Guard of the United States officers for appointment in the Reserve of the Army to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 12203: Col. Larry L. Arnett, Col. Otis P. Morris, and Col. Gilberto S. Pena, to be Brigadier General: The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624: Col. Marc L. Warren, to be Brigadier General: and The following named officer for appointment in the United States Air Force to the grade indicated in accordance with Article II, Section 2, Clause 2, of the Constitution: Col. Mark W. Tillman, to be Brigadier General. Page S16061 Executive Reports of Committees: Senate received the following executive report of a committee: Report to accompany United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Treaty Doc. 103-39) (Ex. Rept. 110-9). Pages S16003-05 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: [[Page D1656]] Julie L. Myers, of Kansas, to be Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security. Eric Alan Hanushek, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring November 28, 2010. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.) Carol D'Amico, of Indiana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring November 28, 2010. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.) Joseph Timothy Kelliher, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 30, 2012. Howard Radzely, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of Labor. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.) Steven H. Murdock, of Texas, to be Director of the Census. (Prior to this action, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration.) W. Ross Ashley, III, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. Scott M. Burns, of Utah, to be Deputy Director of National Drug Control Policy. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.) Benjamin Eric Sasse, of Nebraska, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services. Jeffrey William Runge, of North Carolina, to be Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, Department of Homeland Security. (Prior to this action, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration.) Cynthia Dyer, of Texas, to be Director of the Violence Against Women Office, Department of Justice. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.) Stuart Ishimaru, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2012. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.) Christopher A. Padilla, of the District of Columbia, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.) Gregory F. Jacob, of New Jersey, to be Solicitor for the Department of Labor. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.) Todd J. Zinser, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Commerce. Keith Hall, of Virginia, to be Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, for a term of four years. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.) Christina H. Pearson, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services. Douglas W. Webster, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Labor. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.) Allan I. Mendelowitz, of Connecticut, to be a Director of the Federal Housing Finance Board for a term expiring February 27, 2014. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.) James Shinn, of New Jersey, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense. John H. Gibson, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. Carl T. Johnson, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation. Mary Ann Glendon, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Holy See. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) Mary Beth Long, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense. Craig W. Duehring, of Minnesota, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. Tracy Ralph Justesen, of Utah, to be Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.) Nathan J. Hochman, of California, to be an Assistant Attorney General. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.) Joseph P. Russoniello, of California, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of California for the term of four years. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban [[Page D1657]] Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.) Francis Mulvey, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board for a term expiring December 31, 2012. Charles W. Larson, Jr., of Iowa, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) Jon Wellinghoff, of Nevada, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 30, 2013. Robert D. Jamison, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of Homeland Security. 7 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 41 Army nominations in the rank of general. 8 Coast Guard nominations in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Foreign Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Navy. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of routine lists in the Foreign Service) Pages S16070-71 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Deanna Tanner Okun, of Idaho, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador. Richard A. Boucher, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period. William J. Burns, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period. Anne Woods Patterson, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period. C. David Welch, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period. Robert D. Jamison, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of Homeland Security. Robert G. McSwain, of Maryland, to be Director of the Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, for the term of four years. Jamsheed K. Choksy, of Indiana, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014. Dawn Ho Delbanco, of New York, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014. Gary D. Glenn, of Illinois, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014. David Hertz, of Indiana, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014. Marvin Bailey Scott, of Indiana, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for the remainder of the term expiring January 26, 2010. Carol M. Swain, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014. A routine list in the Army. Page S16069 Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: Robert D. Jamison, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs, Department of Homeland Security, which was sent to the Senate on September 4, 2007. Page S16071 Messages from the House: Page S15999 Measures Referred: Page S16000 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S16000 Measures Read the First Time: Page S16000 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S16000 Executive Communications: Pages S16000-03 Petitions and Memorials: Page S16003 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S16003-05 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S16006-07 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S16007-18 Additional Statements: Pages S15997-99 Amendments Submitted: Pages S16018-47 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S16047 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S16047-48 Privileges of the Floor: Page S16048 Recess: Senate convened at 11:30 a.m. and recessed, at 9:22 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2007 for a pro forma session, and then recess automatically until 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 23, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S16069.) [[Page D1658]] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, focusing on truck driver hours-of- service (HOS) rules and truck safety, after receiving testimony from John H. Hill, Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation; Dave Osiecki, American Trucking Associations, Arlington, Virginia; Walter J. Krupski, Jr., W. Krup Trucking, Inc., Stewartsville, New Jersey, on behalf of the Owner- Operator Independent Drivers Association; Joan Claybrook, Public Citizen and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and LaMont Byrd, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, both of Washington, D.C.; and Daphne Izer, Parents Against Tired Truckers (P.A.T.T), Lisbon, Maine. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Charles W. Larson, Jr., of Iowa, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia, who was introduced by Senators Harkin and Grassley, and Mary Ann Glendon, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Holy See, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. KOSOVO Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on Kosovo, focusing on future challenges, from Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. NOMINATION Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Mark R. Filip, of Illinois, to be Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice, who was introduced by Representative Kirk, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 94 public bills, H.R. 4837- 4930; and 25 resolutions, H.J. Res. 74-74; H. Con. Res. 273-278; and H. Res. 895-911 were introduced. Pages H16945-49 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H16949-51 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H. Res. 893, providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2764) making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 72) making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008 (H. Rept. 110-498); H. Res. 894, providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3996) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions (H. Rept. 110-499); H.R. 4137, to amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-500, Pt. 1); H.R. 4040, to establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-501); H.R. 1528, to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the New England National Scenic Trail, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110- 502); H.R. 29, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct facilities to provide water for irrigation, municipal, domestic, military, and other uses from the Santa Margarita River, California (H. Rept. 110-503, Pt. 1); H.R. 135, to establish the Twenty-First Century Water Commission to study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy to address future water needs (H. Rept. 110-504, Pt. 1); H.R. 3058, to amend chapter 69 of title 31, United States Code, to provide full payments under such chapter to units of general local government in which entitlement land is located, to provide transitional payments during fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to those States and counties previously entitled to payments under the Secure Rural Schools and [[Page D1659]] Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-505, Pt. 1); and H.R. 3111, to provide for the administration of Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial as a unit of the National Park System (H. Rept. 110-506, Pt. 1). Page H16945 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007: S. 2499, to amend titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act to extend provisions under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP programs, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 411 yeas to 3 nays, Roll No. 1184--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H16842-45, H16900 Authorizing a major medical facility project to modernize inpatient wards at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia: S. 1396, to authorize a major medical facility project to modernize inpatient wards at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H16855-57 Officer Jeremy Todd Charron Post Office Designation Act: S. 1896, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11 Central Street in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, as the ``Officer Jeremy Todd Charron Post Office''--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H16857-58 Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007: S. 863, to amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency funds--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H16864-66 Correcting the enrollment of H.R. 660: S. Con. Res. 62, to correct the enrollment of H.R. 660; Pages H16866-67 Court Security Improvement Act of 2007: Agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 660, to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect judges, prosecutors, witnesses, victims, and their family members--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H16867-71 Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2007: H.R. 1216, amended, 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; Pages H16871-74 Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act: H.R. 4040, amended, to establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 407 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 1185; and Pages H16874-87, H16900-01 Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2007: Agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3996, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 352 yeas to 64 nays, Roll No. 1183--clearing the measure for the President. Pages H16858, H16889-99 Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules: The House agreed to H. Res. 876, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question. Pages H16858-60 Privileged Senate Message: The House received a privileged message from the Senate requesting that the House return to the Senate the papers accompanying H.R. 2764, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008. Page H16863 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008: The House agreed to H.J. Res. 72, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, by voice vote. Page H16887 H. Res. 893, the rule providing for consideration of the resolution, was agreed to by voice vote after agreeing to order the previous question. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 893, H. Res. 849 is laid on the table. Pages H16860, H16887-88 Adjournment Resolution: The House agreed to S. Con. Res. 61, providing for the sine die adjournment of the One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, with an amendment. Page H16901 Late Report: Agreed that the Committee on Financial Services have until noon on January 3, 2008 to file a report on H.R. 3524, HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2007. Page H16901 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008: The House agreed to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2764, making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 272 yeas to 142 nays, Roll No. 1186. Pages H16860-64, H16887-89, H16901-13 H. Res. 893, the rule providing for consideration of the amendment, was agreed to voice vote after agreeing to order the previous question. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 893, H. Res. 849 is laid on the table. Pages H16860, H16887-89 [[Page D1660]] United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission-- Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's reappointment of the following members on the part of the House of Representatives to the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission for terms to expire December 31, 2009: Ms. Carolyn Bartholomew of the District of Columbia and Mr. Jeffrey L. Fiedler of Virginia. Page H16945 Amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the term of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue: The House agreed by unanimous consent to S. 2436, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the term of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue--clearing the measure for the President. Page H16917 Amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make technical corrections: The House agreed to discharge from committee and pass H.R. 4839, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make technical corrections. Pages H16917-22 Chimp Haven is Home Act: The House agreed to discharge from committee and pass S. 1916, to amend the Public Health Service Act to modify the program for the sanctuary system for surplus chimpanzees by terminating the authority for the removal of chimpanzees from the system for research purposes--clearing the measure for the President. Pages H16922-23 NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007: The House agreed by unanimous consent to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2640, to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System--clearing the measure for the President. Pages H16923-26 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today and a message received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appear on pages H16837, H16863, H16864, H16917, H16933. Senate Referrals: S. Con. Res. 53 was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs; S. 2135 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary; and S. Con. Res. 61, S. Con. Res. 62, S. 2260, S. 2436, and S. 924 were held at the desk. Page H16940 Quorum Calls--Votes: Four yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H16899, H16900, H16900-01, H16913. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and, in accordance with the provisions of S. Con. Res. 61, the House adjourned sine die at 7:36 p.m. until Thursday, January 3, 2008 for the convening of the Second Session of the 110th Congress. Committee Meetings EXTENSION OF U.N. MANDATE FOR IRAQ Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight held a hearing on the Extension of the United Nations Mandate for Iraq: Is the Iraqi Parliament Being Ignored? Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Library of Congress: Kenneth Katzman, Specialist in Middle East Affairs; Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division, CRS; and Issam Michael Saliba, Senior Foreign Law Specialist, Middle East and North Africa, Law Library of Congress; and public witnesses. FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROTECT AMERICANS WORKING FOR U.S. CONTRACTORS IN IRAQ Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on Enforcement of Federal Criminal Law to Protect Americans Working for U.S. Contractors in Iraq. Testimony was heard from Representative Poe; Jamie Leigh Jones, former employee of Halliburton Company; and public witnesses. SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY RULES COMMITTEE Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule providing for the consideration of two measures. The first measure is a motion by the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2764, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the motion except for clause 10 of rule XXI; provides that the Senate amendment and the motion shall be considered as read; and provides one hour of debate on the motion equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The second measure is H.J. Res. 72, providing further continuing appropriations for Fiscal Year 2008. The closed rule waives all points of order against the joint resolution and against its consideration except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI; provides that the joint resolution shall be considered as read; provides one hour of general debate in the [[Page D1661]] House equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations; and allows for one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule also provides that the Chair may postpone further consideration of either measure to a time designated by the Speaker. Finally, the rule tables House Resolution 849. SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY RULES COMMITTEE-- TEMPORARY TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a rule providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 3996, the ``Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007.'' The rule provides that it is in order for the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means to make a motion that the House concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 3996. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the motion. The rule provides that the Senate amendment and the motion shall be considered as read. It further provides that the motion shall be debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the motion to a time designated by the Speaker. BRIEFINGS--HOTS SPOTS AND NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE; COMMITTEE BUSINESS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Hot Spots--Venezuela, Australia and Pakistan. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. The Committee also met in executive session to receive a briefing on National Intelligence Estimate. The Committee was briefed by Mike McConnell, Director, Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The Committee also met in executive session to consider pending Committee business. AFTER BALI-U.N. CONFERENCE AND THE IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing entitled ``After Bali--UN Conference and the Impact on International Climate Change Policy.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House Committee on the Judiciary, hearing on Applicability of Federal Criminal Laws to the Interrogation of Detainees, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, hearing entitled ``Pakistani Elections: Will They Be Free and Fair or Fundamentally Flawed?'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. 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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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 D1662]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Friday, December 21 __________ Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will meet in pro forma session. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Noon, Thursday, January 3, 2008 __________ House Chamber Program for Thursday, January 3: The House will convene the Second Session of the 110th Congress. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Baca, Joe, Calif., E2615 Bachus, Spencer, Ala., E2642 Berman, Howard L., Calif., E2606, E2658 Bilirakis, Gus M., Fla., E2630 Blunt, Roy, Mo., E2636 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E2640, E2643 Boren, Dan, Okla., E2634 Broun, Paul C., Ga., E2635 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E2648, E2651, E2655 Butterfield, G.K., N.C., E2622, E2626, E2649, E2652 Calvert, Ken, Calif., E2603, E2634 Camp, Dave, Mich., E2621, E2625, E2628, E2632 Campbell, John, Calif., E2639 Capuano, Michael E., Mass., E2640 Cardoza, Dennis A., Calif., E2662 Carter, John R., Tex., E2604 Castor, Kathy, Fla., E2607, E2609, E2661 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E2614 Coble, Howard, N.C., E2644 Conaway, K. Michael, Tex., E2603 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E2605, E2663 Costa, Jim, Calif., E2647 Cramer, Robert E. (Bud), Jr., Ala., E2605 Crowley, Joseph, N.Y., E2609 Davis, Tom, Va., E2630, E2631, E2659 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E2616 Dingell, John D., Mich., E2615 Doolittle, John T., Calif., E2648 Dreier, David, Calif., E2638 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E2650, E2654 English, Phil, Pa., E2645 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E2642 Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E2659 Farr, Sam, Calif., E2646 Gallegly, Elton, Calif., E2604 Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E2631, E2660 Graves, Sam, Mo., E2604, E2606, E2609, E2610, E2612, E2614, E2649, E2654, E2656, E2657, E2659 Green, Al, Tex., E2624, E2627, E2629 Gutierrez, Luis V., Ill., E2621, E2635 Harman, Jane, Calif., E2611 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E2614 Herseth, Stephanie, S.D., E2611 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E2658 Hobson, David L., Ohio, E2618 Hooley, Darlene, Ore., E2638 Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E2663 Inslee, Jay, Wash., E2623, E2627 Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E2605 Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E2637 Jordan, Jim, Ohio, E2632 King, Steve, Iowa, E2616 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E2622, E2625, E2628, E2632 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E2649, E2651, E2655 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E2618, E2649, E2652 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E2612, E2622, E2625, E2628, E2632, E2637, E2641, E2644 Lewis, John, Ga., E2645 Lowey, Nita M., N.Y., E2608 McCarthy, Kevin, Calif., E2621, E2625 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E2661 McHugh, John M., N.Y., E2649, E2651 McNulty, Michael R., N.Y., E2611 Mack, Connie, Fla., E2647 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E2623, E2626, E2629, E2633, E2637, E2641 Matheson, Jim, Utah, E2635 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E2635 Mica, John L., Fla., E2646 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E2609 Moran, Jerry, Kans., E2632 Musgrave, Marilyn N., Colo., E2603, E2606 Myrick, Sue Wilkins, N.C., E2608 Neal, Richard E., Mass., E2663 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E2616 Pickering, Charles W. ``Chip'', Miss., E2650, E2655, E2656 Platts, Todd Russell, Pa., E2630 Poe, Ted, Tex., E2615, E2617 Pomeroy, Earl, N.D., E2630 Putnam, Adam H., Fla., E2610 Ramstad, Jim, Minn., E2640 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E2612, E2619, E2621, E2648, E2662 Rehberg, Dennis R., Mont., E2643 Rodriguez, Ciro D., Tex., E2640 Ross, Mike, Ark., E2612 Rothman, Steven R., N.J., E2657 Sarbanes, John P., Md., E2634, E2638 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E2603, E2618 Scott, David, Ga., E2614 Shimkus, John, Ill., E2610 Shuler, Heath, N.C., E2616 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E2622, E2625, E2628 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E2647 Smith, Adam, Wash., E2619 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E2641 Souder, Mark E., Ind., E2633, E2664 Stearns, Cliff, Fla., E2613 Tanner, John S., Tenn., E2663 Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E2657 Tiberi, Patrick J., Ohio, E2638 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E2624, E2627, E2629, E2633, E2637, E2641, E2644, E2648 Udall, Mark, Colo., E2604, E2606, E2650, E2654, E2656 Udall, Tom, N.M., E2611, E2648, E2651, E2655, E2656 Walsh, James T., N.Y., E2623, E2626, E2629 Weller, Jerry, Ill., E2645 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E2645 Wicker, Roger F., Miss., E2646 Wilson, Charles A., Ohio, E2610 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E2608, E2643 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E2642 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E2623, E2626 Wu, David, Ore., E2657, E2661 Young, Don, Alaska, E2613