Tuesday, March 20, 2007 [[Page D360]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3291-S3452 Measures Introduced: Twenty-seven bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 919-945, and S. Res. 112-113. Page S3352 Measures Passed: Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act: By 94 yeas to 2 nays (Vote No. 81), Senate passed S. 214, to amend chapter 35 of title 28, United States Code, to preserve the independence of United States attorneys, agreeing to the committee amendment, and after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3292-S3307 Rejected: By 40 yeas to 56 nays (Vote No. 79), Kyl Amendment No. 459, to ensure that United States attorneys are promptly nominated by the President, and are appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Pages S3292, S3302 By 47 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 80), Sessions Amendment No. 460, to require appropriate qualifications for interim United States attorneys. Pages S3292, S3302-04 Alliance to Save Energy: Senate agreed to S. Res. 113, commending the achievements and recognizing the importance of the Alliance to Save Energy on the 30th anniversary of the incorporation of the Alliance. Page S3452 Budget Resolution: Senate began consideration of 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, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3308-40 Pending: Sessions Amendment No. 466, to exclude the extension of tax relief provided in 2001 and 2003 from points of order provided in the resolution and other budget points of order. Pages S3332-36 Cornyn Amendment No. 477, to provide for a budget point of order against legislation that increases income taxes on taxpayers, including hard-working middle-income families, entrepreneurs, and college students. Pages S3336-40 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that Senate continue consideration of the resolution at 9:15 a.m., on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, and that there be 42 hours remaining for debate equally divided; that on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, the first amendment be offered by a Republican Senator and that the next amendment be one offered by the Majority Leader, or his designee; provided further, that no roll call votes occur prior to 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2007, and that the first vote in the sequence be the amendment offered by the Majority Leader, or his designee. Page S3452 Appointments: United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, pursuant to Public Law 106-398, as amended by Public Law 108-7, in accordance with the qualifications specified under section 1238(b)(3)(E) of Public Law 106-398, and upon the recommendation of the Republican Leader, in consultation with the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Finance, appointed the following individual to the United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: Mark Esper of Virginia, for a term expiring December 31, 2008. Page S3452 NATO Parliamentary Assembly: The Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, in accordance with 22 U.S.C. 1928a-1928d, as amended, appointed the following Senator as Chairman of the Senate Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly during the spring session, to be held in Madeira, Portugal, May 2007: Senator Cardin. Page S3452 Messages From the President: Senate received the following messages from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to Haiti meeting the conditions regarding enforcement of circumvention under section 213A(e)(1) of the Caribbean Basin Economy Recovery Act; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. (PM-10) Page S3348 [[Page D361]] Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the Supplementary Agreement on Social Security between the United States and Sweden; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. (PM-11) Pages S3348-49 Messages From the House: Page S3349 Messages Referred: Pages S3349-50 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S3350-52 Executive Communications: Page S3349 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3353-54 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3354-95 Additional Statements: Page S3348 Amendments Submitted: Pages S3395-99 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S3399-S3400 Privileges of the Floor: Page S3400 Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--81) Pages S3302, S3302-03, S3306-07 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m., and adjourned at 8:06 p.m., until 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3452.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of the Interior, after receiving testimony from Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary, and Tom Weimer, Assistant Secretary, both of the Department of the Interior. BUDGET: DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Air Force in review of the proposed Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2008 and the Future Years Defense Program, after receiving testimony from Michael W. Wynne, Secretary, and General T. Michael Moseley, USAF, Chief of Staff, both of the United States Air Force. PROMOTING TRAVEL Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism continued hearings to examine economic and safety concerns relating to promoting travel to America (Part II), after receiving testimony from Jamie Estrada, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing; Robert M. Jacksta, Executive Director, Traveler Security and Facilitation, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Alfonso Martinez- Fonts, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Private Sector Office, Policy Directorate, both of the Department of Homeland Security; Tony Edson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services; Chad Prosser, South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, Columbia; Rex Johnson, Hawai`i Tourism Authority, Honolulu, on behalf of the Western States Tourism Policy Council; Ron Peck, Alaska Travel Industry Association, Anchorage; and David Borlaug, Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation, Washburn, North Dakota. ENERGY INNOVATION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Innovation concluded a hearing to examine energy innovation, after receiving testimony from William Prindle, American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy, and Michael T. Eckhart, American Council On Renewable Energy, both of Washington, D.C.; Francis R. Preli, Jr., UTC Power, South Windsor, Connecticut; K.R. Sridhar, Bloom Energy, Sunnyvale, California; and James R. Katzer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Laboratory for Energy and the Environment, Cambridge. NOMINATION Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Stephen Jeffrey Isakowitz, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Energy, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf. NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA BILLS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks concluded a hearing to examine S. 126, to modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park, S. 257, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of establishing the Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area in the States of Washington and Oregon, S. 289, to establish the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, S. 443, to establish the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area in the State of Colorado, S. 444, to establish the South Park National Heritage Area in the State of Colorado, S. 500 and H.R. 512, bills to establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of the National Museum of the American [[Page D362]] Latino to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, DC, S. 637, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Chattahoochee Trace National Heritage Corridor in Alabama and Georgia, and S. 817, to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to provide additional authorizations for certain National Heritage Areas, after receiving testimony from Daniel N. Wenk, Deputy Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Dan Sakura, Conservation Fund, Arlington, Virginia; Jerry Ostermiller, Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria, Oregon; August R. Carlino, Steel Industry Heritage Corporation, Homestead, Pennsylvania; Dennis J. Lopez, Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, Alamosa, Colorado; Gary E. Nichols, Park County Tourism and Community Development Office, Fairplay, Colorado, on behalf of the South Park Heritage Area Partnership; and Moctesuma Esparza, Los Angeles, California. COMPETITIVE EDUCATION Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine identifying needs, partnerships, and resources relating to a competitive education, after receiving testimony from former West Virginia Governor Bob Wise, Alliance for Excellent Education, Washington, D.C.; Steven L. Paine, West Virginia Department of Education, Charleston; Jane Karas, Flathead Valley Community College, Kalispell, Montana, on behalf of the American Association of Community Colleges; William D. Green, Accenture, Boston, Massachusetts; Gregory B. Taylor, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek, Michigan; and Patty Myers, Great Falls, Montana. DARFUR CRISIS Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on African Affairs concluded a hearing to examine Chad and the Central African Republic, focusing on the regional impact of the Darfur crisis, after receiving testimony from James Swan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs; and Kenneth H. Bacon, Refugees International, and John Prendergast, International Crisis Group, both of Washington, D.C. MEDICARE DOCTORS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations resumed hearings to examine Medicare doctors who cheat on their taxes and efforts to address the problem, focusing on determining the magnitude of such debts, identifying examples of Medicare physicians and suppliers that have engaged in abusive, or potentially criminal activities, and assessing Health and Human Services efforts to prevent delinquent taxpayers from enrolling in Medicare and levying payments to pay delinquent federal taxes, after receiving testimony from Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, and John J. Ryan, Assistant Director, both of Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, and Steven J. Sebastian, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, all of the Government Accountability Office; Mark Everson, Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service, and Kenneth R. Papaj, Commissioner, Financial Management Service, both of the Department of the Treasury; and Leslie V. Norwalk, Acting Administrator, and Timothy B. Hill, Chief Financial Officer and Director, Office of Financial Management, both of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services. ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Retirement and Aging concluded a hearing to examine the state of Alzheimer's disease research 100 years later, after receiving testimony from Senator Collins; Harry Johns, Chicago, Illinois, and Sam Gandy, Thomas Jefferson University Farber Institute for Neurosciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, both of the Alzheimer's Association; Marilyn Albert, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Neurology, Baltimore, Maryland; Robert Egge, Center for Health Transformation, Washington, D.C.; and Marilyn Blum, Owings Mills, Maryland. WAR PROFITEERING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine combating war profiteering, focusing on investigating and prosecuting contracting fraud and abuse in Iraq, including S. 119, to prohibit profiteering and fraud relating to military action, relief, and reconstruction efforts, after receiving testimony from Stuart W. Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction; Thomas F. Gimble, Acting Inspector General, Department of Defense; and Barry M. Sabin, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice. XM-SIRIUS MERGER Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights concluded a hearing to examine issues of monopoly and competition from new technologies relating to the XM- Sirius merger, after receiving testimony Mel Karmazin, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, New York, New York; Mary Quass, NRG Media, LLC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on behalf of the National Association of Broadcasters; and Gigi B. Sohn, Public Knowledge, [[Page D363]] and David A. Balto, Law Office of David Balto, both of Washington, D.C. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to the call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 37 public bills, H.R. 1577- 1590, 1592-1614; and 4 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 94-95; and H. Res. 256-257, were introduced. Pages H2742-44 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2744-45 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 802, to amend the Act to Prevent Pollution from ships to implement MARPOL Annex VI, with amendments (H. Rept. 110-54); H.R. 327, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans, with amendments (H. Rept. 110-55); H.R. 1284, to increase, effective as of December 1, 2007, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans (H. Rept. 110-56); H.R. 797, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes, with amendments (H. Rept. 110-57); H.R. 580, to amend chapter 35 of title 28, United States Code, to provide for a 120-day limit to the term of a United States attorney appointed on an interim basis by the Attorney General, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-58); H.R. 1130, to amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to extend the authority to withhold from public availability a financial disclosure report filed by an individual who is a judicial officer or judicial employee, to the extent necessary to protect the safety of that individual or a family member of that individual (H. Rept. 110- 59); H.R. 1591, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007 (H. Rept. 110-60); H.R. 1433, to provide for the treatment of the District of Columbia as a Congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives (H. Rept. 110-52, Pt. 2); and Report on the Revised Suballocation of Budget Allocations for Fiscal Year 2007 (H. Rept. 110-61). Page H2742 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Maloney to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H2673 Recess: The House recessed at 10:43 a.m. and reconvened at noon. Page H2674 Discharge Petition: Representative Sam Johnson (TX) moved to discharge the Committees on Rules from the consideration of H. Res. 220, to provide for consideration of the bill (H.R. 511) to pledge the faithful support of Congress to members of the United States Armed Forces serving in harm's way (Discharge Petition No. 1). Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a yea-and-nay vote of 265 yeas to 149 nays, with 2 voting ``present'', Roll No. 163. Pages H2674, H2688-89 Suspension: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Honoring the heroic service and sacrifice of the 6,500 glider pilots of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II: H. Con. Res. 42, amended, to honor the heroic service and sacrifice of the 6,500 glider pilots of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 421 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 161. Pages H2677-80, H2687 Amend the title so as to read: ``Honoring the heroic service and sacrifice of the glider pilots of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II''. Page H2687 Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of Jack Metcalf, former Member of Congress. Page H2687 Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated on Monday, March 19th: [[Page D364]] Redesignating the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library'': H.R. 759, to redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library'', by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 420 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 162. Page H2688 Presidential Messages: Read a message from the President wherein he transmitted to Congress notification of the continuance of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Act with respect to meeting certain conditions--referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-20). Page H2689 Read a message from the President wherein he transmitted to Congress notification of the continuance of the Supplementary Agreement between the United States and the Kingdom of Sweden with respect to social security--referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-21). Page H2689 Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act of 2007: The House began consideration of H.R. 1227, to assist in the provision of affordable housing to low-income families affected by Hurricane Katrina. Further consideration is expected to continue Wednesday, March 21st. Pages H2689-H2718 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 part A of H. Rept. 110-53, shall be considered as adopted and shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of further amendment. Page H2698 Agreed to: Corinne Brown (FL) amendment (No. 1 printed in Part B of House Report 110-53) that provides additional comparable funds for utilities to those receiving housing vouchers and Pages H2703-04 Al Green (TX) amendment (No. 5 printed in Part B of House Report 110- 53) that extends FEMA housing assistance for evacuees of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma until December 31, 2007 and provides tenant- based rental assistance upon termination of FEMA housing assistance (by a recorded vote of 246 ayes to 184 noes, Roll No. 166). Pages H2710-16, H2718 Rejected: Hensarling amendment (No. 3 printed in Part B of House Report 110-53) that sought to require recipients of rental assistance under the bill to perform 20 hours per week of approved ``work activities'' (by a recorded vote of 162 ayes to 266 noes, Roll No. 164) and Pages H2705-08, H2716-17 Biggert amendment (No. 4 printed in Part B of House Report 110-53) that sought to require that, instead of replacing all pre-Katrina public housing units, only the number of public housing units occupied pre-Katrina be replaced (by a recorded vote of 198 ayes to 232 noes, Roll No. 165). Pages H2708-10, H2717-18 Withdrawn: Corinne Brown (FL) amendment (No. 2 printed in Part B of House Report 110-53) that would have provided two deadlines for residents to indicate their intent to return as well as two reoccupancy deadlines: October 1, 2007 and December 1, 2007, and would have also required HANO/HUD to assist tenants with negotiating early termination of their current leases. Pages H2704-05 H. Res. 254, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 228 yeas to 190 nays, Roll No. 160, after agreeing to order the previous question. Pages H2680-87 House of Representatives Page Board--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's and Minority Leader's joint appointment of Ms. Lynn Silversmith Klein of Maryland and Mr. Adam Jones of Michigan to the House of Representatives Page Board. Pages H2718-19 Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China-- Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House of Representatives, in addition to Representative Levin, Chairman, to the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China: Representatives Kaptur, Honda, Udall (NM), Walz (MN), Manzullo, Pitts, Royce, and Smith (NJ). Page H2719 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on pages H2689 and H2736. Quorum Calls--Votes: Four yea-and-nay votes and three recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2686-87, H2687, H2688, H2688-89, H2716-17, H2717-18, and H2718. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 10:12 p.m. [[Page D365]] Committee Meetings AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Research and Economics. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Gale Buchanan, Under Secretary; Education and Economics; Merle D. Pierson, Deputy Under Secretary, Research Education and Economics; Edward B. Knipling, Administrator, Agriculture Research Service; Colien Hefferan, Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; Katherine Smith, Acting Administrator, Economic Research Service; R. Ronald Bosecker, Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service; and W. Scott Steele, Budget Officer. COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies held a hearing on Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. Testimony was heard from Naomi C. Earp, Chair, EEOC. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on International Trade Administration/Bureau of Industry and Security. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Commerce: Franklin L. Lavin, Under Secretary, International Trade; and Mark Foulon, Acting Under Secretary, Bureau of Industry and Security. ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Energy: Energy Supply and Conservation/Fossil Energy/Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Alexander Karsner, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Kevin M. Kolevar, Director, Electricity and Energy Reliability; and Thomas D. Shope, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fossil Energy. HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on Determining Critical Infrastructure and How To Protect It. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: George Foresman, Under Secretary, National Protection and Programs Directorate; Robert Stephan, Assistant Secretary, Infrastructure Protection, and Gregory Garcia, Assistant Secretary, Cyber Security and Communications; Eileen Larence, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues; and David Powner, Director, IT Management Issues, both with GAO. INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the National Endowment for the Humanities/National Endowment for the Arts. Testimony was heard from Bruce Cole, Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities; and Dana Gioia, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts. LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on Worker Protection Agencies. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Labor: Mark Wilson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Employment Standards Administration; Bradford P. Campbell, Acting Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration; Edwin G. Foulke, Assistant Secretary, OSHA; James Carter, Deputy Under Secretary, Bureau of International Labor Affairs; and Richard E. Stickler, Assistant Secretary, Mine Safety and Health. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a hearing on Library of Congress: Future of Digital Libraries. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Library of Congress: James H, Billington, Librarian of Congress; JoAnn C. Jenkins, Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Librarian; Deanna Marcum, Associate Librarian, Library Services; Laura Campbell, Associate Librarian, Strategic Initiatives; Rubens Medina, Law Librarian; Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyrights; and Daniel P. Mulhollan, Director, CRS. MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS' AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Base Realignment and Closure. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Phil Grone, Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and Environment; Keith Eastin, Assistant Secretary, Army, for Installations and Environment; B.J. Penn, Assistant [[Page D366]] Secretary, Navy, Installations and Environment; and William C. Anderson, Assistant Secretary, Air Force, Installations, Environment and Logistics. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on VA Long-Term Health/Nursing Home Care. Testimony was heard from Michael J. Kussman, M.D., Acting Under Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans' Affairs. WOUNDED WARRIOR ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2007 Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1538, Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS--BASE CLOSURES/FACILITIES MAINTENANCE BUDGET. Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Budget Requests for military construction, family housing, base closures and facilities' operations and maintenance. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Philip Grone, Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and Environment; Keith Eastin, Assistant Secretary, Army, Installations and Environment; B.J. Penn, Assistant Secretary, Navy, Installations and Environment; and William C. Anderson, Assistant Secretary, Air Force, Installations, Environment and Logistics. SHIPYARD MODERNIZATION/SHIP COST REDUCTION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces held a hearing on U.S. shipyard modernization initiatives and ship cost reduction. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: VADM Paul Sullivan, USN, Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command; Allison Stiller, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Ship Programs; RADM Charles Goddard, USN, Program Executive Officer, Ships; RADM David Architzel, USN, Program Executive Officer, Carriers; and RADM William Hilirades, USN, Program Executive Officer, Submarines; and public witnesses. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE ACTIVITIES Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of Energy's atomic energy defense activities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Thomas P. D'Agostino, Acting Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration; James Rispoli, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management; and Glenn Podonsky, Director, Office of Health, Safety and Security. CLIMATE CHANGE--UTILITY CEO'S VIEWS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held a hearing on Climate Change: Perspectives of Utility CEOs. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTE IMPORTATION AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2007 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials approved for full Committee action H.R. 518, International Solid Waste Importation and Management Act of 2007. DARFUR ACCOUNTABILITY AND DIVESTMENT ACT Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology held a hearing on H.R. 180, Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Senator Brownback; Representatives Lee, Wolf and Payne; and public witnesses. IRAQ--PROPOSED LEGISLATION Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on proposed legislation on Iraq. Testimony was heard from the following Representatives who have introduced legislation on this subject: Bordallo, Lynch, Murtha, Jackson-Lee of Texas; Thompson of California; Blumenauer; Lee, Sires, Larson of Connecticut; Woolsey, Rogers of Alabama; Udall of Colorado; Lipinski, Schakowsky, King of Iowa, Berman, Patrick J. Murphy of Pennsylvania; Sestak, McGovern; Price of North Carolina; Tauscher, and Farr. WELCOME TO AMERICA? Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight held a hearing on Welcome to America? Testimony was heard from public witnesses. HOMELAND SECURITY BUDGET/US-VISIT REVIEW Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``Organizational and Policy Proposals for the Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Homeland Security Authorization: Positioning US-VISIT for Success and Establishing a Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Process.'' Testimony was heard from Robert A. Mocny, Acting Director, US-VISIT, Department [[Page D367]] of Homeland Security; Richard Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. BORDER CROSSINGS; IMMIGRANTS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism continued hearings entitled ``Crossing the Border: Immigrants in Detention and Victims of Trafficking, Part II.'' Testimony was heard from Gabriel Garcia, Program Manager, Human Smuggling and Trafficking Unit, Office of Investigations, Immigration and Customs Information, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. ELECTION REFORM Committee on House Administration: Subcommittee on Elections continued hearings on Election Reform: Auditing Federal Elections. Testimony was heard from Ion Sancho, Supervisor of Elections, Leon County, Florida; Matt Damschroder, Director, Franklin County, Board of Elections, Ohio; and public witnesses. FBI'S USE OF NATIONAL SECURITY LETTERS Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on the Inspector General's Independent Report on the FBI's Use of National Security Letters. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Glen A. Fine, Inspector General; and Valerie Caproni, General Counsel, FBI. SECOND CHANCE ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on the Second Chance Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE/PUBLIC LANDS ENERGY Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on the effect of global climate change on public lands and resources as a result of federal energy policies and actions. Testimony was heard from Mark Myers, Director, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; Deborah Williams, former Assistant to the Department of the Interior, Alaska; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK BISON Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Lands held an oversight hearing on Yellowstone National Park Bison. Testimony was heard from Representative Rehberg; Mike Soukup, Associate Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; John Clifford, D.V.M., Deputy Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; Robin Nazzaro, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana; and public witnesses. FEDERAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement held a hearing on Federal Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2006: Fiscal Outlook, Management Weaknesses and Consequences. Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; Linda Combs, Controller, OMB; James T. Campbell, Acting Chief Financial Officer and William Maharay, Deputy Inspector General, Audit Services, both with the Department of Energy; David Norquist, Chief Financial Officer and James L. Taylor, Deputy Inspector General, both with the Department of Homeland Security. NSF REAUTHORIZATION Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing on National Science Foundation Reauthorization, Part I. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the NSF: Arden L. Bement, Jr., Director; and Steven C. Beering, Chairman, National Science Board. OVERSIGHT--POST-KATRINA TEMPORARY HOUSING Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held an oversight hearing on Post-Katrina Temporary Housing: Dilemmas and Solutions. Testimony was heard from Representative Ross; David R. Paulison, Director, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. MOTORCOACH SAFETY Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing on Motorcoach Safety. Testimony was heard from John H. Hill, Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation; Mark V. Rosenker, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board; and public witnesses. IRS OPERATIONS AND THE TAX GAP Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on IRS Operations and the Tax Gap. Testimony was heard from Mark W. [[Page D368]] Everson, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury. U.S. KOREA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on the U.S./Korea Free Trade Agreement Negotiations. Testimony was heard from Karan K. Bhatia, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative; and public witnesses. SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Signals Intelligence. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: to hold hearings to examine the performance of the United States trade and food aid programs for the 2007 Farm Bill, 9:30 a.m., SR-328A. Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense, to hold hearings to examine the proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the United States Air Force, 10:30 a.m., SD-192. Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of Energy, 2 p.m., SD-138. Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the federal judiciary, 3 p.m., SD-192. Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, to hold hearings to examine nuclear and strategic policy options, 10:30 a.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine assessing the effectiveness of the current United States sanctions on Iran relating to minimizing potential threats from Iran, 9 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 10:30 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine Vice President Al Gore's perspective on global warming, 2:30 p.m., SD-106. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold hearings to examine a review of treatment, diagnosis, and monitoring efforts, focusing on the long-term health impacts from September 11, 10 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine an overview of the Government Accountability Office assistance to Congressional oversight, focusing on past work and future challenges and opportunities, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine the Inspector General's findings of the improper use of the National Security Letters by the Federal Bureau of Investigation relating to the misuse of the Patriot Act powers, 10 a.m., SD-226. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security, to hold hearings to examine recent developments involving the security of sensitive consumer information relating to identity theft and solutions for an evolving problem, 2:30 p.m., SD-226. House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture, hearing to review the USDA rural development programs and the agency's rural development proposal for the 2007 Farm Bill, 10 a.m., 1302 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, on NOAA, 10 a.m., 2237 Rayburn, and on Department of Justice Overview, 2 p.m., H-310 Capitol. Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, on Federal Judiciary, 10 a.m., 2220 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Enhancing Privacy and Civil Rights While Meeting Homeland Security Needs, 10 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, on Holocaust Museum/National Gallery of Art/Commission on Fine Arts/ National Capital Planning Commission/Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 9:30 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, on Public Broadcasting, 10 a.m., 2362B Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies, on Public Witnesses, 2 p.m., H-143 Capitol. Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, on International Affairs Budget, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies, on Project-Based and Tenant-Based Section 8, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from the U.S. Strategic Command, Northern Command, Transportation Command, and Southern Command, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and capabilities, hearing on Department of Defense counterproliferation, counterterrorism, and science and technology priorities, 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, to mark up the Concurrent Resoution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2008, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Education and Labor, hearing on ESEA Reauthorization: Options for Improving NCLB's Measures of Progress, 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. [[Page D369]] Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality and the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the Committee on Science and Technology, joint hearing entitled ``Perspectives on Climate Change,'' 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to consider the following: H.R. 1257, Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act; and pending Committee business, 1:30 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, briefing and hearing on the Global Threat of Drug-Resistant TB: A Call to Action for World TB Day, 3 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia, hearing on U.S. Policy Toward Pakistan, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, hearing entitled ``Securing LNG Tankers To Protect the Homeland,'' 11 a.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing entitled ``Countering the Nuclear Threat to the Homeland: Evaluating the Deployment of Radiation Detection Technologies,'' 2 p.m., 1539 Longworth. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, to consider authorizing issuance of subpoenas to the following individuals to secure testimony pursuant to the Committee's investigation concerning the recent termination of U.S. Attorneys and related subjects: Kyle Sampson; Karl Rove; Harriet Miers; William Kelley; and Scott Jennings, 10:15 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, hearing on Foreclosure, Predatory Mortgage and Payday Lending in America's Cities, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology, hearing on Federal Government Efforts in Contracting with Women-Owned Businesses, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation, hearing on the Federal Aviation Administration's Financing Proposal, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means, to mark up the following: Katrina Housing Tax Relief Act of 2007; and H.R. 493, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Subcommittee on Health, hearing on the Medicare Advantage, 2 p.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on Hot Spots, 8:45 a.m., and executive, briefing on FBI/CIA, 3:30 p.m., H-405 Capitol. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D370]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:15 a.m., Wednesday, March 21 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: Senate will continue consideration of S. Con. Res. 21, Budget Resolution, and amendments shall be offered by a Republican Senator and the Majority Leader. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 21 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Resume consideration of H.R. 1227--Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act of 2007. Consideration of the following suspensions: (1) H.R. 835--Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act of 2007; (2) H.R. 327--Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act; (3) H.R. 797--To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes; (4) H.R. 1284--Veterans' Compensation Cost- of-Living Adjustment Act of 2007; (5) H.R. 137--Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007; (6) H.R. 545--Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2007; (7) H.R. 740-- Preventing Harassment through Outbound Number Enforcement (PHONE) Act of 2007; (8) H.R. 251--Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007; and (9) H. Con. Res. 66--Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Boren, Dan, Okla., E590 Carson, Julia, Ind., E590 Davis, Tom, Va., E591 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E589 Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E591 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E587, E588, E588 Lewis, Ron, Ky., E592 Lowey, Nita M., N.Y., E590 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E587, E588 Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E588 Schmidt, Jean, Ohio, E591 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E590 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E589, E589 Udall, Mark, Colo., E590 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E587 Wynn, Albert Russell, Md., E589