Tuesday, January 30, 2007 [[Page D108]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1299-S1358 Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and six resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 427-438, and S. Res. 46-51. Pages S1326-27 Measures Reported: S. Res. 50, amending Senate Resolution 400 (94th Congress) to make amendments arising from the enactment of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and to make other amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-3) S. Res. 46, authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Environment and Public Works. S. Res. 48, authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Armed Services. S. Res. 51, authorizing expenditures by the Select Committee on Intelligence. Page S1326 Fair Minimum Wage: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 2, to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S1307-19 Withdrawn: Chambliss Amendment No. 118 (to Amendment No. 100), to provide minimum wage rates for agricultural workers. Page S1316 Pending: Reid (for Baucus) Amendment No. 100, in the nature of a substitute. Page S1307 McConnell (for Gregg) Amendment No. 101 (to Amendment No. 100), to provide Congress a second look at wasteful spending by establishing enhanced rescission authority under fast-track procedures. Page S1307 Kyl Amendment No. 115 (to Amendment No. 100), to extend through December 31, 2008, the depreciation treatment of leasehold, restaurant, and retail space improvements. Page S1307 Enzi (for Ensign/Inhofe) Amendment No. 152 (to Amendment No. 100), to reduce document fraud, prevent identity theft, and preserve the integrity of the Social Security system. Page S1307 Enzi (for Ensign) Amendment No. 153 (to Amendment No. 100), to preserve and protect Social Security benefits of American workers, including those making minimum wage, and to help ensure greater Congressional oversight of the Social Security system by requiring that both Houses of Congress approve a totalization agreement before the agreement, giving foreign workers Social Security benefits, can go into effect. Page S1307 Vitter/Voinovich Amendment No. 110 (to Amendment No. 100), to amend title 44 of the United States Code, to provide for the suspension of fines under certain circumstances for first-time paperwork violations by small business concerns. Page S1307 DeMint Amendment No. 155 (to Amendment No. 100), to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 regarding the disposition of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements and the use of health savings accounts for the payment of health insurance premiums for high deductible health plans purchased in the individual market. Page S1307 DeMint Amendment No. 156 (to Amendment No. 100), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 regarding the disposition of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements. Page S1307 DeMint Amendment No. 157 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 100), to increase the Federal minimum wage by an amount that is based on applicable State minimum wages. Page S1307 DeMint Amendment No. 159 (to Amendment No. 100), to protect individuals from having their money involuntarily collected and used for lobbying by a labor organization. Page S1307 DeMint Amendment No. 160 (to Amendment No. 100), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow certain small businesses to defer payment of tax. Page S1307 DeMint Amendment No. 161 (to Amendment No. 100), to prohibit the use of flexible schedules by Federal employees unless such flexible schedule [[Page D109]] benefits are made available to private sector employees not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. Page S1307 DeMint Amendment No. 162 (to Amendment No. 100), to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 regarding the minimum wage. Page S1307 Kennedy (for Kerry) Amendment No. 128 (to Amendment No. 100), to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a pilot program to provide regulatory compliance assistance to small business concerns. Page S1307 Martinez Amendment No. 105 (to Amendment No. 100), to clarify the house parent exemption to certain wage and hour requirements. Page S1307 Sanders Amendment No. 201 (to Amendment No. 100), to express the sense of the Senate concerning poverty. Page S1307 Gregg Amendment No. 203 (to Amendment No. 100), to enable employees to use employee option time. Page S1307 Burr Amendment No. 195 (to Amendment No. 100), to provide for an exemption to a minimum wage increase for certain employers who contribute to their employees health benefit expenses. Page S1307 Kennedy (for Feinstein) Amendment No. 167 (to Amendment No. 118), to improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for aliens in the United States. Page S1307 Enzi (for Allard) Amendment No. 169 (to Amendment No. 100), to prevent identity theft by allowing the sharing of social security data among government agencies for immigration enforcement purposes. Page S1307 Enzi (for Cornyn) Amendment No. 135 (to Amendment No. 100), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the Federal unemployment surtax. Page S1307 Enzi (for Cornyn) Amendment No. 138 (to Amendment No. 100), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand workplace health incentives by equalizing the tax consequences of employee athletic facility use. Page S1307 Sessions (for Kyl) Amendment No. 209 (to Amendment No. 100), to extend through December 31, 2012, the increased expensing for small businesses. Page S1307 Division I of Sessions (for Kyl) Amendment No. 210 (to Amendment No. 100), to provide for the permanent extension of increasing expensing for small businesses, the depreciation treatment of leasehold, restaurant, and retail space improvements, and the work opportunity tax credit. Page S1307 Division II of Sessions (for Kyl) Amendment No. 210 (to Amendment No. 100), to provide for the permanent extension of increasing expensing for small businesses, the depreciation treatment of leasehold, restaurant, and retail space improvements, and the work opportunity tax credit. Page S1307 Division III of Sessions (for Kyl) Amendment No. 210 (to Amendment No. 100), to provide for the permanent extension of increasing expensing for small businesses, the depreciation treatment of leasehold, restaurant, and retail space improvements, and the work opportunity tax credit. Page S1307 Division IV of Sessions (for Kyl) Amendment No. 210 (to Amendment No. 100), to provide for the permanent extension of increasing expensing for small businesses, the depreciation treatment of leasehold, restaurant, and retail space improvements, and the work opportunity tax credit. Page S1307 Division V of Sessions (for Kyl) Amendment No. 210 (to Amendment No. 100), to provide for the permanent extension of increasing expensing for small businesses, the depreciation treatment of leasehold, restaurant, and retail space improvements, and the work opportunity tax credit. Page S1307 Durbin Amendment No. 221 (to Amendment No. 157), to change the enactment date. Page S1307 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 87 yeas to 10 nays (Vote No. 34), 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 (for Baucus) Amendment No. 100 (listed above). Pages S1314-15 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2007; that all time during the recess on Tuesday, January 30, 2007, and during the adjournment on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 count against the 30 hours post-cloture. Page S1357 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: By unanimous vote of 97 yeas (Vote No. Ex. 35), Lisa Godbey Wood, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Georgia. Pages S1319-21, S1358 By unanimous vote of 97 yeas (Vote No. Ex. 36), Philip S. Gutierrez, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California. Pages S1319-21, S1358 Messages from the House: Page S1326 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1327-28 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1328-55 Additional Statements: Page S1326 Amendments Submitted: Pages S1355-56 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Pages S1356-57 [[Page D110]] Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S1357 Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--36) Pages S1314-15, S1320-21 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m., and adjourned at 6:49 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, January 31, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S1357-58.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) NOMINATION Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Admiral William J. Fallon, USN, for reappointment to the grade of admiral and to be Commander, United States Central Command, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported an original resolution (S. Res. 48) authorizing expenditures by the Committee. Also, committee adopted its rules of procedure for the 110th Congress and announced the following subcommittee assignments: Subcommittee on Airland: Senators Lieberman, (Chairman), Akaka, Bayh, Clinton, Pryor, Webb, McCaskill, Cornyn, Warner, Inhofe, Sessions, Ensign, and Chambliss. Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities: Reed (Chairman), Kennedy, Byrd, Nelson (FL), Nelson (NE), Bayh, Clinton, Dole, Warner, Collins, Graham, Cornyn, and Martinez. Subcommittee on Personnel: Nelson (NE) (Chairman), Kennedy, Lieberman, Webb, McCaskill, Graham, Collins, Chambliss, and Dole. Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support: Akaka (Chairman), Byrd, Bayh, Clinton, Pryor, McCaskill, Ensign, Inhofe, Sessions, Chambliss, and Dole. Subcommittee on Seapower: Kennedy (Chairman), Lieberman, Reed, Akaka, Nelson (FL), Webb, Thune, Warner, Collins, Ensign, and Martinez. Subcommittee on Strategic Forces: Nelson (FL) (Chairman), Byrd, Reed, Nelson (NE), Pryor, Sessions, Inhofe, Graham, and Thune. Senators Levin and McCain are ex officio members of each of the Subcommittees. FISCAL CHALLENGES Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a hearing to examine long- term fiscal challenges, focusing on the current budget situation and outlook, and long-run imbalance and related solutions, after receiving testimony from Robert D. Reischauer, and C. Eugene Steuerle, both of the Urban Institute, and Robert Greenstein, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, all of Washington, D.C. WILDLIFE SUPPRESSION ACTIVITIES COSTS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee held a hearing to examine the status of Federal land management agencies' efforts to contain the costs of their wildlife suppression activities and to consider recent independent reviews of and recommendations for those efforts, receiving testimony from Mark Rey, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, and Phyllis K. Fong, Inspector General, both of the Department of Agriculture; Nina Rose Hatfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Business Management and Wildland Fire; Robin M. Nazzaro, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office; James Caswell, Idaho Office of Species Conservation, Boise, on behalf of the Strategic Issues Panel on Fire Suppression Costs of the Wildland Fire Leadership Council; Kirk Rowdabaugh, Arizona State Forester, Phoenix, on behalf of sundry organizations; and Bruce D. McDowell, National Academy of Public Administration, Washington, D.C. Hearing recessed subject to the call. FUEL EFFICIENCY Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee held a hearing to examine transportation sector fuel efficiency, focusing on challenges to and incentives for increased oil savings through technological innovation including plug-in hybrid vehicles, receiving testimony from Senator Stabenow; Elizabeth Lowery, General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Michigan; John German, American Honda Motor Company, Inc., and Walter S. McManus, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, both of Ann Arbor; Menahem Anderman, Advanced Automotive Batteries, Oregon House, California; William J. Logue, FedEx Express, Memphis, Tennessee; and David L. Greene, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Knoxville, Tennessee. Hearing recessed subject to the call. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee ordered favorably reported an original resolution (S. Res. 46) authorizing expenditures by the Committee. GLOBAL WARMING Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine Senators' perspectives on global warming, focusing on Senators' [[Page D111]] views on global warming and what each Senator believes the Nation's response should be to the issue, after receiving testimony from Senators Bingaman, Feinstein, Kerry, McCain, Obama, Levin, Murkowski, Akaka, Lincoln, Durbin, and Nelson (FL). NOMINATION Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of John D. Negroponte, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of State, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senators Lieberman and Stevens, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. IRAQ Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee resumed hearings to examine securing America's interests in Iraq, focusing on the remaining options, alternative plans and the Iraq Study Group, receiving testimony from James A. Baker, III, and Lee H. Hamilton, both a Co- Chair, Iraq Study Group. Hearings to continue on Wednesday, January 31. CONSTITUTIONAL POWER Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine exercising Congress' constitutional power to end a war, after receiving testimony from Louis Fisher, Specialist in Constitutional Law, Library of Congress Law Library; David J. Barron, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Robert F. Turner, University of Virginia School of Law Center for National Security Law, Charlottesville; Bradford A. Berenson, Sidley Austin LLP, Washington, D.C.; and Walter Dellinger, Duke University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina, former Acting Solicitor General of the United States. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider pending intelligence matters and ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. Res. 50, an original resolution amending Senate Resolution 400 (94th Congress) to make amendments arising from the enactment of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and to make other amendments; and S. Res. 51, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee. Prior to this action, Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to the call. BUSINESS MEETING Special Committee on Aging: On Monday, January 29, 2007, Committee approved for reporting an original resolution (S. Res. 45) authorizing expenditures by the Committee and adopted its rules of procedure for the 110th Congress. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 20 public bills, H.R. 718- 737; 2 private bills, H.R. 738-739; and 12 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 47; and H. Res. 105-115 were introduced. Pages H1053-54 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H1054-55 Reports Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H. Res. 116, providing for consideration of H.J. Res. 20, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2007 (H. Rept. 110-6). Page H1053 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Meeks to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H989 Recess: The House recessed at 10:45 a.m. and reconvened at 12 p.m. Page H991 United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House of Representatives to the United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly: Representatives Gillmor, Regula, Boozman, and Shimkus. Page H995 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Establishing the House Democracy Assistance Commission for the One Hundred Tenth Congress: H. Res. 24, amended, to establish the House Democracy Assistance Commission for the One Hundred Tenth Congress, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 426 yeas with none voting ``nay,'' Roll No. 62; Pages H995-H1000, H1018-19 Calling on the Government of the United Kingdom to immediately establish a full, independent, [[Page D112]] and public judicial inquiry into the murder of Northern Ireland defense attorney Patrick Finucane: H. Con. Res. 20, amended, to call on the Government of the United Kingdom to immediately establish a full, independent, and public judicial inquiry into the murder of Northern Ireland defense attorney Patrick Finucane, as recommended by Judge Peter Cory as part of the Weston Park Agreement, in order to move forward on the Northern Ireland peace process, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 364 yeas to 34 nays, with 25 voting ``present,'' Roll No. 63; and Pages H1000-04, H1019-20 Congratulating Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears and Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts on becoming the first African-American head coaches of National Football League teams to qualify for the Super Bowl: H. Res. 90, to congratulate Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears and Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts on becoming the first African-American head coaches of National Football League teams to qualify for the Super Bowl, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 425 yeas with none voting ``nay,'' Roll No. 61. Pages H1014-18 Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed until Wednesday, January 31. Supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week: H. Res. 59, to support the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week; Pages H1004-07 Honoring the life of Percy Lavon Julian, a pioneer in the field of organic chemistry research and development and the first and only African American chemist to be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences: H. Con. Res. 34, to honor the life of Percy Lavon Julian, a pioneer in the field of organic chemistry research and development and the first and only African American chemist to be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences; and Pages H1007-09 Expressing support for the designation and goals of ``Hire a Veteran Week'' and encouraging the President to issue a proclamation supporting those goals: H. Con. Res. 5, to express support for the designation and goals of ``Hire a Veteran Week'' and encouraging the President to issue a proclamation supporting those goals. Pages H1010-14 Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1018, H1019 and H1019-20. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 6:49 p.m. Committee Meetings HOMELAND SECURITY GOALS Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on 5 and 10 year Homeland Security Goals: Where We Need To Be as a Nation and How We Judge Progress. Testimony was heard from the following former Senators: Warren Rudman of New Hampshire; and Gary Hart of Colorado; the following officials of the 9/11 Commission: former Representative Timothy J. Roemer of Indiana; and Jamie S. Gorelick; and public witnesses. AFGHANISTAN SECURITY AND STABILITY Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Security and Stability in Afghanistan: Challenges and Opportunities. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FORCE REQUIREMENTS DETERMINATION PROCESS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on examination of the force requirements determination process. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: MG Richard P Formica, USA, Director, Force Management, Deputy Chief of Staff, G3, Headquarters, U.S. Army; MG Stephen T. Johnson, USMC, Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; and Michael F. Applegate, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and Janet St. Laurent, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management Team, GAO. CBO'S BUDGET AND ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Congressional Budget Office's Budget and Economic Outlook. Testimony was heard from Peter R. Orszag, Director, CBO. GENETIC DISCRIMINATION OF WORKERS Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions held a hearing on Protecting Workers from Genetic Discrimination. Testimony was heard from Representatives Slaughter and Biggert; and public witnesses. LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY SECURITY Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Continuing Security Concerns at Los Alamos National Laboratory.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Gregory H. Friedman, Inspector General; Glenn S. [[Page D113]] Podonsky, Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer, Office of Health, Safety and Security; Clay Sell, Deputy Secretary, Office of the Secretary; Thomas N. Pyke, Jr., Chief Information Officer; Thomas P. D'Agostino, Acting Administrator; William J. Desmond, Associate Administrator and Chief for Defense Nuclear Security; and Linda Wilbanks, Chief Information Officer, all with the National Nuclear Security Administration; Michael R. Anastasio, Director, Los Alamos National Laboratory; and a public witness. ALLEGATIONS OF POLITICAL INTERFERENCE WITH WORK OF CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENTISTS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on allegations of political interference with the work of government climate change scientists. Testimony was heard from Drew Shindell, Goddard Institute for Space Studies, NASA; and public witnesses. FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2007 Committee on Rules. Granted, by a vote of 8 to 4, a closed rule providing one hour of debate in the House on H.J. Res. 20, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against the joint resolution and against its consideration (except for clause 9 or 10 of Rule XXI). The rule also provides that the joint resolution shall be considered as read. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit. Testimony was heard from Chairman Obey and Representatives Lewis of California, Knollenberg, Weldon of Florida, Hall of Texas, Moran of Kansas, Sessions, Walden of Oregon, Flake, Brown-Waite of Florida, Feeney, King of Iowa and Campbell of California. ADVANCE FUELS INFRASTRUCTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on H.R. 547, Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--COAST GUARD INTEGRATED DEEPWATER SYSTEM Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing of Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater System. Testimony was heard from ADM Thad W. Allen, USCG, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard; Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. FEDERAL RAILROAD SAFETY PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on Reauthorization of the Federal Rail Safety Program. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Transportation: Joseph Boardman, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration; and Calvin Scovel, Inspector General; Mark Rosenker, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board; and Katherine Siggerud, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO. Hearings continue tomorrow. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION; OVERSIGHT PLAN Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Met for organizational purposes. The Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 110th Congress. TRADE AND GLOBALIZATION Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on Trade and Globalization. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. SUBCOMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures met for organizational purposes. SUBCOMMITTEE ORGANIZATION Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade met for organizational purposes. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: organizational business meeting to consider an original resolution authorizing expenditures for committee operation; to be followed by a hearing to examine the roles of Federal food assistance programs in family economic security and nutrition, 9:45 a.m., SR-328A. Committee on Armed Services: to receive a closed briefing regarding the Iraq ``surge'' plan, 10 a.m., SR-222. Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, to resume hearings to examine abusive practices in Department of Defense contracting for services and inter-agency contracting, 2:30 p.m., SR-222. [[Page D114]] Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: organizational business meeting to consider an original resolution authorizing expenditures for committee operations, committee's rules of procedure for the 110th Congress, and subcommittee assignments; to be followed by a hearing to examine the Department of the Treasury's report to Congress on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policy (IEERP) and the U.S.-China strategic economic dialogue, 10 a.m., SD-G50. Committee on the Budget: to hold hearings to examine solutions to long-term fiscal challenges, 10 a.m., SD-608. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: business meeting to consider pending calendar business; to be followed by a hearing to examine economic and security concerns relating to promoting travel to America, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: business meeting to consider S. 202, to provide for the conveyance of certain Forest Service land to the city of Coffman Cove, Alaska, S. 216, to provide for the exchange of certain Federal land in the Santa Fe National Forest and certain non-Federal land in the Pecos National Historical Park in the State of New Mexico, S. 220, to authorize early repayment of obligations to the Bureau of Reclamation within the A & B Irrigation District in the State of Idaho, S. 232, to make permanent the authorization for watershed restoration and enhancement agreements, S. 235, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain buildings and lands of the Yakima Project, Washington, to the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District, S. 240, to reauthorize and amend the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992, S. 241, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements to protect natural resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative efforts on land inside and outside of units of the National Park System, S. 245, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to designate the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home in Hope, Arkansas, as a National Historic Site and unit of the National Park System, S. 255, to provide assistance to the State of New Mexico for the development of comprehensive State water plans, S. 260, to establish the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area, S. 262, to rename the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in the State of Idaho as the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in honor of the late Morley Nelson, an international authority on birds of prey, who was instrumental in the establishment of this National Conservation Area, S. 263, to amend the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 to reauthorize the participation of the Bureau of Reclamation in the Deschutes River Conservancy, S. 264, to authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in the rehabilitation of the Wallowa Lake Dam in Oregon, S. 265, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to conduct a water resource feasibility study for the Little Butte/Bear Creek Subbasins in Oregon, S. 266, to provide for the modification of an amendatory repayment contract between the Secretary of the Interior and the North Unit Irrigation District, S. 268, to designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, S. 275, to establish the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument in the State of New Mexico, S. 277, to modify the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park to include certain land within the GT Park Subdivision, S. 278, to establish a program and criteria for National Heritage Areas in the United States, S. 283, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, S. 320, to provide for the protection of paleontological resources on Federal lands, H.R. 57, to repeal certain sections of the Act of May 26, 1936, pertaining to the Virgin Islands, and S. 200, to require the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Geological Survey, to conduct a study on groundwater resources in the State of Alaska, 11:30 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: organizational business meeting to consider an original resolution authorizing expenditures for committee operations, subcommittee assignments, and the nominations of Michael J. Astrue, of Massachusetts, to be Commissioner of Social Security, and Dean A. Pinkert, of Virginia, and Irving A. Williamson, of New York, each to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: to continue hearings to examine securing America's interests in Iraq, focusing on the remaining options in Iraq in the strategic context, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: organizational business meeting to consider an original resolution authorizing expenditures for committee operations, committee's rules of procedure for the 110th Congress, and subcommittee assignments; committee will also consider the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine the Iraq Study Group, focusing on recommendations for improvements to Iraq's police and criminal justice system, 10 a.m., SD-226. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security, to hold hearings to examine challenges and strategies for securing the U.S. border, 2:30 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Rules and Administration: organizational business meeting to consider an original resolution authorizing expenditures for committee operations, committee's rules of procedure for the 110th Congress, and subcommittee assignments, 9:30 a.m., SR-301. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: to hold hearings to examine Federal small business assistance programs for veterans and reservists, 10 a.m., SR-428A. Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine if Medicare Part D is working for low-income seniors, 10:30 a.m., SD- 562. House Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces and the Subcommittee on Readiness, joint hearing on Army equipment reset, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, hearing on the Department of Energy's implementation of the National [[Page D115]] Nuclear Security Administration Act of 2000, 1 p.m., 2226 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on current manning, equipping and readiness challenges facing Special Operations Forces, 3 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, hearing on Strengthening America's Middle Class: Evaluating the Economic Squeeze on America's Families, 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to meet for organizational purposes, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on Understanding the Iran Crisis, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, oversight hearing entitled ``Presidential Signing Statements under the Bush Administration: A Threat to Checks and Balances and the Rule of Law?'' 10:15 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, to mark up the following measures: H.R. 547, Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act; and H. Res. 72, Recognizing the work and accomplishments of Mr. Britt ``Max'' Mayfield, Director of the National Hurricane Center's Tropical Center's Tropical Prediction Center upon his retirement, 11 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, to meet for organizational purposes, 12 p.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, to continue hearings on Reauthorization of the Federal Rail Safety Program, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, to mark up the following: the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007; H.R. 569, Water Quality Investment Act of 2007; and a measure to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the pilot program for alternative water source projects; and other pending business, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means, hearing on the Economic Challenges Facing Middle Class Families, 2 p.m., 1100 Longworth. Joint Meetings Joint Economic Committee: to hold hearings to examine ensuring the economic future by promoting middle-class prosperity, 9:30 a.m., SD- 106. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. The database includes both text and graphics from the beginning of the 103d Congress, 2d session (January 1994) forward. It is available through GPO Access at www.gpo.gov/gpoaccess. Customers can also access this information with WAIS client software, via telnet at swais.access.gpo.gov, or dial-in using communications software and a modem at 202ÿ09512ÿ091661. Questions or comments regarding this database or GPO Access can be directed to the GPO Access User Support Team at: E-Mail: gpoaccess@gpo.gov; Phone 1ÿ09888ÿ09293ÿ096498 (toll-free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091530 (D.C. area); Fax: 202ÿ09512ÿ091262. The Team's hours of availability are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, except Federal holidays. The Congressional Record paper and 24x microfiche edition will be furnished by mail to subscribers, free of postage, at the following prices: paper edition, $252.00 for six months, $503.00 per year, or purchased as follows: less than 200 pages, $10.50; between 200 and 400 pages, $21.00; greater than 400 pages, $31.50, payable in advance; microfiche edition, $146.00 per year, or purchased for $3.00 per issue payable in advance. The semimonthly Congressional Record Index may be purchased for the same per issue prices. To place an order for any of these products, visit the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250ÿ097954, or phone orders to 866ÿ09512ÿ091800 (toll free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202ÿ09512ÿ092250. Remit check or money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D116]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 31 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 2, Fair Minimum Wage. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 31 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of H.J. Res. 20, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2007. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E218 Boustany, Charles W., Jr., La., E216 Brady, Robert A., Pa., E216 Buyer, Steve, Ind., E214 Capuano, Michael E., Mass., E215 Clay, Wm. Lacy, Mo., E212 Costa, Jim, Calif., E222 Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E219 Davis, David, Tenn., E215 Davis, Tom, Va., E214 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E220 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E221 Frank, Barney, Mass., E212 Graves, Sam, Mo., E211 Herseth, Stephanie, S.D., E213 Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E221 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E222 Jordan, Jim, Ohio, E211 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E214 Larson, John B., Conn., E221 McMorris Rodgers, Cathy, Wash., E213 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E209, E210, E211, E211, E213 Manzullo, Donald A., Ill., E213 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E219 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E215 Oberstar, James L., Minn., E220 Payne, Donald M., N.J., E216 Rahall, Nick J., II., W.Va., E219 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E220 Roybal-Allard, Lucille, Calif., E209 Simpson, Michael K., Idaho, E216 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E210 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E217 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E209, E210 Walberg, Timothy, Mich., E212, E218 Walsh, James T., N.Y., E217 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E216