Tuesday, October 30, 2007 [[Page D1441]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed S. 294, Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S13531-S13588 Measures Introduced: Nine bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2258-2266, and S. Res. 360. Pages S13579-80 Measures Passed: Third Higher Education Extension Act: Senate passed S. 2258, to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, to amend the definition of an eligible not-for-profit holder. Pages S13532-33 Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act: By 70 yeas to 22 nays (Vote No. 400), Senate passed S. 294, to reauthorize Amtrak, and after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S13536-67 Adopted: Bond (for DeMint) Modified Amendment No. 3469, to clarify the level of detail to be included in the modern financial accounting and reporting system required under section 203. Page S13548 Lautenberg (for Vitter) Amendment No. 3486, to require the rail cooperative research program to include research designed to review rail crossing safety improvements, including improvements using new safety technology. Page S13548 Lautenberg (for Schumer) Modified Amendment No. 3489, to authorize a passenger rail study. Page S13548 Rejected: By 24 yeas to 67 nays (Vote No. 397), Coburn Amendment No. 3474, to require Amtrak to regularly report to Congress on the profits or losses relating to the provision of food and beverage service and to limit such service on Amtrak rail lines that incur losses. Pages S13537-41 By 27 yeas to 65 nays (Vote No. 399), Bond (for DeMint) Amendment No. 3467, to require Amtrak to disclose the Federal subsidy of every ticket sold for transportation on Amtrak. Pages S13541-48 Withdrawn: Bond (for DeMint) Amendment No. 3468, to increase competition in the American rail system by allowing any qualified rail operator or transportation company to compete for passenger rail service. Pages S13537, S13543 Bond (for DeMint) Amendment No. 3470, to require the Performance Improvement Plan to address reaching financial solvency by eliminating routes and services that do not make a profit. Pages S13537, S13543 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 79 yeas to 13 nays (Vote No. 398), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the bill. Page S13541 Condolences Regarding Tragic Fire In Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina: Senate agreed to S. Res. 360, offering condolences regarding the tragic fire in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, which killed 6 University of South Carolina students and 1 student from Clemson University on October 28, 2007. Page S13587 Essential Air Service Subsidies Extension: Senate passed S. 2265, to extend the existing provisions regarding the eligibility for essential air service subsidies through fiscal year 2008. Page S13587 The Andrew Larochelle God, Family, and Country Act: Senate passed S. 2198, to require the Architect of the Capitol to permit the acknowledgment of God on flag certificates. Page S13587 Appointments: United States Commission on Civil Rights: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore and upon the recommendation of the Republican Leader, pursuant to Section 2 (b) of Public Law 98-183, as amended by Public Law 103-419, appointed Gail [[Page D1442]] Heriot, of California, to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, for a term of six years. Page S13587 State Children's Health Insurance Program--Agreement: A unanimous- consent agreement was reached providing that at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, 2007, Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the H.R. 3963, to amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program; and that the vote on the motion to invoke on the motion to proceed to its consideration not occur prior to 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, October 31, 2007, or at a time to be determined by the two Leaders on Wednesday. Page S13588 Messages from the House: Page S13577 Measures Referred: Page S13577 Measures Read the First Time: Pages S13577, S13588 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S13577 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S13579 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S13580-81 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S13581-86 Additional Statements: Pages S13575-77 Amendments Submitted: Page S13586 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Pages S13586-87 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S13587 Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--400) Pages S13540-41, S13548, S13551 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:16 p.m., until 12 noon on Wednesday, October 31, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S13588.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported 33 nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 2045, to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 2096, to amend the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act to eliminate the automatic removal of telephone numbers registered on the Federal ``do- not-call'' registry, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1580, to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, with amendments; S. 1853, to promote competition, to preserve the ability of local governments to provide broadband capability and services, with amendments; S. 1675, to implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM service, with amendments; H. Con. Res. 225, honoring the 50th anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age, and the ensuing 50 years of productive and peaceful space activities; and The nominations of Todd J. Zinser, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Commerce, Robert Clarke Brown, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and promotion lists in the United States Coast Guard, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Daniel D. Heath, of New Hampshire, to be United States Alternate Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, Sean R. Mulvaney, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, and Patrick Francis Kennedy, of Illinois, to be an Under Secretary of State (Management), after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. ISLAMIST EXTREMISM Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the role of local law enforcement in countering violent Islamist extremism, focusing on the radicalization process, after receiving testimony from Lawrence H. Sanchez, and Mitchell D. Silber, both of the New York City Police Department, New York, New York; Michael P. Downing, Los Angeles Police Department Counter-Terrorism/Criminal Intelligence Bureau, Los Angeles, California; Michael R. Ronczkowski, Miami-Dade Police Department Homeland Security Bureau, Miami, Florida; and Thomas Dailey, Kansas City Police Department Homeland Security Division, Kansas City, Missouri. [[Page D1443]] PROTECTING THE U.S. FROM DRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine ways to protect the United States from the rising threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis, focusing on reinvesting in control and new tools research, after receiving testimony from Kenneth G. Castro, Assistant Surgeon General, and Director, Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; Thomas R. Frieden, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York; Jerald C. Sadoff, Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation, Rockville, Maryland; and Randall Reves, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Department of Preventative Medicine and Biometrics, Denver, on behalf of the National Tuberculosis Controller's Association (NTCA), and sundry organizations. 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: 21 public bills, H.R. 3992- 4012; 1 private bill, H.R. 4013; and 7 resolutions, H. Res. 777-779, 782-785, were introduced. Pages H12236-38 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H12238-39 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 2787, to amend the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to require that weather radios be installed in all manufactured homes manufactured or sold in the United States, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-415); H.R. 2830, to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2008, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-338, Pt. 3); H. Res. 780, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2262) to modify the requirements applicable to locatable minerals on public domain lands, consistent with the principles of self-initiation of mining claims (H. Rept. 110-416); and H. Res. 781, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3920) to amend the Trade Act of 1974 to reauthorize trade adjustment assistance and to extend trade adjustment assistance to service workers and firms (H. Rept. 110-417). Page H12236 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Sires to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H12157 Recess: The House recessed at 9:03 a.m. and reconvened at 10 a.m. Page H12157 Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of South Carolina students Justin Anderson, Travis Cale, Lauren Mahon, Cassidy Pendley, William Rhea, Allison Walden, and Emily Yelton who lost their lives in a house fire on Sunday, October 28, 2007. Page H12159 Suspension: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act of 2007: Concur in Senate amendment to H.R. 3678, amended, to amend the Internet Tax Freedom Act to extend the moratorium on certain taxes relating to the Internet and to electronic commerce, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 402 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 1014--clearing the measure for the President. Pages H12160-64, H12168-69 Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated on Monday, October 29th: Expressing support for designation of the month of October 2007 as ``Country Music Month'' and to honor country music for its long history of supporting America's armed forces and its tremendous impact on national patriotism: H.J. Res. 58, to express support for designation of the month of October 2007 as ``Country Music Month'' and to honor country music for its long history of supporting America's armed forces and its tremendous impact on national patriotism, by a \2/3\ yea-and- nay vote of 398 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 1015. Page H12169 Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act: The House passed H.R. 3867, to update and expand the procurement programs of the Small Business Administration, by a recorded vote of 334 ayes to 80 noes, Roll No. 1017. Pages H12170-89 [[Page D1444]] Rejected the Chabot motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Small Business with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 177 yeas to 240 nays, Roll No. 1016. Pages H12186-88 Accepted: Velazquez amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-407) that establishes that those veterans who are severely disabled shall be given special consideration as agencies implement contracting regulations; sets forth certain standards for business integrity that are required for participation in federal contracting programs; and clarifies the implementation of the women's procurement program; Pages H12178-79 Akin amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-407) that requires that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) conduct a study to determine what changes would be required to provide greater Federal contracting assistance to participants in the program created by section 8(a) of the Small Business Act that have less equity in their business concerns than other participants in the program. The study would be reported no later than six months after the date of enactment of this Act and the Administrator would report the details of the study to the Senate Small Business Committee and the House Small Business Committee; Pages H12179-80 Welch (VT) amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-407) that requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to carry out a study on the effectiveness of the HUBZone program in reaching rural areas; Pages H12180-81 Mica amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 110-407) that states that it is the sense of the House that small business set-asides should not be excluded from any acquisitions under the GSA's Federal Supply Schedule; Pages H12181-82 Moran (VA) amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 110-407) that requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to conduct a study to determine, with respect to small business contracts, whether incumbent Federal contractors are submitting frivolous protests to extend the length of current contracts before protest decisions are resolved. The Administrator also would develop recommendations to discourage frivolous protests; Pages H12182-83 Baird amendment (No. 7 printed in H. Rept. 110-407) that directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to examine the lists of groups the members of which are presumed to be socially disadvantaged under the Small Disadvantaged Business program under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act and to consider whether the list should be updated to include additional groups; Pages H12183-84 Brown-Waite (FL) amendment (No. 8 printed in H. Rept. 110-407) that creates a liaison within the Small Business Administration whose duty, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is to ensure that section 2(i) of the Small Business Act, regarding assistance to individuals not lawfully within the United States, is carried out; Page H12184 Gillibrand amendment (No. 9 printed in H. Rept. 110-407) that provides that any employer found, based on a determination by the Department of Homeland Security or the Attorney General, to have engaged in a pattern or practice of hiring, recruiting or referring for a fee, for employment in the United States, an alien knowing the person is an unauthorized alien shall be subject to debarment from the receipt of future Federal contracts; and Pages H12184-85 Lampson amendment (No. 10 printed in H. Rept. 110-407) that prohibits the use of any funds for first-class or business-class airline travel by agency employees when carrying out the provisions of H.R. 3867 and includes exceptions provided by the Code of Federal Regulations 301- 10.122 to 10.124, as applicable to federal agency employees. Pages H12185-86 Withdrawn: Mica amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 110-407) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have clarified that the small business set-aside provisions of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644) should apply to federal contracts not excluding Federal Supply Schedule and Multiple Award Schedule holders. Page H12181 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H12189 H. Res. 773, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by voice vote after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 216 yeas to 180 nays, Roll No. 1013. Pages H12164-68 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: CJ's Home Protection Act of 2007: H.R. 2787, amended, to amend the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to require that weather radios be installed in all manufactured homes manufactured or sold in the United States; Pages H12189-91 [[Page D1445]] Procedural Fairness for September 11 Victims Act of 2007: S. 2106, to provide nationwide subpoena authority for actions brought under the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund of 2001--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H12191-93 Temporarily extending the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 and amending the definition of eligible not-for-profit holder: S. 2258, to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 and to amend the definition of eligible not-for-profit holder-- clearing the measure for the President; Pages H12193-95 Making permanent the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a special postage stamp to support breast cancer research: H.R. 1236, amended, to make permanent the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a special postage stamp to support breast cancer research; Pages H12195-96 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend title 39, United States Code, to extend the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a semipostal to raise funds for breast cancer research.''. Page H12196 Dennis P. Collins Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 3307, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 570 Broadway in Bayonne, New Jersey, as the ``Dennis P. Collins Post Office Building'', by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 414 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 1018; Pages H12196-97, H12206 Michael W. Schragg Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 3446, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 202 East Michigan Avenue in Marshall, Michigan, as the ``Michael W. Schragg Post Office Building'', by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 415 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 1019; Pages H12197-98, H12206-07 Honoring the first responders and supporting the victims of the Southern California wildfires: H. Res. 778, to honor the first responders and support the victims of the Southern California wildfires, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 409 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 1020; and Pages H12198-H12203 Recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Mass Movement for Soviet Jewish Freedom and the 20th Anniversary of the Freedom Sunday Rally for Soviet Jewry on the Mall in Washington, D.C.: H. Res. 759, to recognize the 40th Anniversary of the Mass Movement for Soviet Jewish Freedom and the 20th Anniversary of the Freedom Sunday Rally for Soviet Jewry on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Pages H12203-06 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H12168. Senate Referrals: S. 2258 was held at the desk. Page H12168 Quorum Calls--Votes: Seven yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H12167- 68, H12168-69, H12169, H12187-88, H12188, H12206, H12206-07 and H12207- 08. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 9:14 p.m. Committee Meetings MEAT INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review technologies in the meat industry. Testimony was heard from Alfred V. Almanza, Administrator, Food Safety Inspection Service, USDA; and public witnesses. IRAQ EXAMINATION OF DIPLOMATIC SURGE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Assessing an Effective Diplomatic and Development Program in Iraq: An Examination of the Diplomatic Surge. Testimony was heard from Stuart Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction; and Joseph A. Christoff, Director, International Affairs and Trade, GAO. STABILIZATION AND RECONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on Stabilization and Reconstruction Operations: Learning from Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Experience. Testimony was heard from Celeste Ward, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Stability Operations Capabilities, Department of Defense; Ambassador John E. Herbst, Coordinator, Office of Reconstruction and Stabilization, Department of State; and the following officials of the GAO: Joseph A. Christoff, Director, International Affairs and Trade Team; and Janet S. Laurent, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management Team. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported as amended, the following bills: H.R. 1534, Mercury Export Ban Act of 2007; H.R. 3461, Safeguarding America's Families by Enhancing and Reorganizing New and Efficient Technologies Act of 2007; H.R. 2601, To extending the authority of the Federal [[Page D1446]] Trade Commission to collect fees to administer and enforce the provisions relating to the ``Do-not-call'' registry of the Telemarketing Sales Rule; H.R. 3541, Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007; H.R. 3526, To include all banking agencies within the existing regulatory authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act with respect to depository institutions; H.R. 3403, 911 Modernization and Safety Act of 2007; and H.R. 3919, Broadband Census of America Act of 2007. INSURANCE REGULATORY REFORM Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``Additional Perspectives on the Need for Insurance Regulatory Reform.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MINORITY BANKS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled `` Preserving and Expanding Minority Banks.'' Testimony was heard from George Scott, Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security Issues, GAO; Sandra L. Thompson, Director, Division of Supervision Consumer Protection, FDIC; the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Montrice Yakimov, Managing Director, Compliance and Consumer Protection, Office of Thrift Supervision; and John Walsh, Chief of Staff and Public Affairs, Office of Comptroller of the Currency; Sandra F. Braunstein, Director, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; and public witnesses. RUSSIAN ELECTIONS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on Russia on the Eve of National Elections. Testimony was heard from Strobe Talbott, former Deputy Secretary of State; and a public witness. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT AND RENEWAL ENERGY Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment held a hearing on Renewable Energy and the Global Environment. Testimony was heard from Reno Harnish III, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Department of State; John Mizroch, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy; John A. Simon, Executive Vice President, OPIC; Michael W. Yost, Administrator, Foreign Agriculture Service, USDA; and public witnesses. SAFE PORT ACT Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism held a hearing entitled ``The SAFE Port Act: Status of Implementation One Year Later.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Maurine Fanguy, Program Director, Transportation Worker Identification Credentials Program, Transportation Security Administration; CAPT Francis Sturm, U.S. Coast Guard; Thomas Winkowski, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection; and Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office; Stephen L. Caldwell, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. MORTGAGE MESS--STRAIGHTENING OUT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law continued hearings on Straightening Out the Mortgage Mess: How Can We Protect Home Ownership and Provide Relief to Consumers in Financial Distress?--Part II. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--VOTING CIVIL RIGHTS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties held an oversight hearing on the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Testimony was heard John K. Tanner, Chief, Voting Right Section, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. GENETIC TESTING Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, hearing on Stifling or Stimulating--Role of Gene Patents in Research and Genetic Testing. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forest and Public Lands held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 415, To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; H.R. 1143, To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park; H.R. 1286, Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act; H.R. 1545, To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a boundary study to evaluate the significance of Fort San Geronimo and other related resources in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the suitability and feasibility of [[Page D1447]] their inclusion in the National Park System as part of the San Juan National Historic Site; H.R. 1836, Weir Farm National Historic Site Amendment Act; H.R. 3022, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park Wilderness Act of 2007; H.R. 3120, Stranahan House, Trading Post and Campsite Historic Preservation Act; H.R. 3265, Harry S Truman Birthplace Study Act; H.R. 3473, Bountiful City Land Consolidation Act; H.R. 3616, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Extension Study Act of 2007; and H.R. 3821, Battle of Matewan Study Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Skelton, Frank of Massachusetts, Shays, and Emerson; Karen Taylor-Goodrich, Associate Director, Visitor and Resources Protection, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses. POSTAL RATES' EFFECT ON BUSINESS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia held a hearing on Will Increased Postal Rates Put Mailers Out of Business? Testimony was heard from the following officials of the U.S. Postal Service: James C. Miller III, Chairman; and John Potter, Postmaster General; Dan G. Blair, Chairman, Postal Regulatory Commission; and public witnesses. IRANIAN PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, and Foreign Affairs held a hearing on Iran: Reality, Options, and Consequences--Iranian People and Attitudes. Testimony was heard from Kenneth Katzman, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division, CRS, Library of Congress; and public witnesses. HARDROCK RECLAMATION ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Committee granted, by a voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 2262, Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. All points of order against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute are waived except clause 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report. The amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the Rules Committee report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against the amendments except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are waived. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Chairman Rahall and Representatives Herseth Sandlin, Pearce, and Heller. TRADE AND GLOBALIZATION ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Committee granted, by a voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 3920, Trade and Globalization Assistance Act of 2007, with 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means and 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Labor. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means, modified by the amendment printed in part A of the Rules Committee report, shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The rule makes in order the substitute amendment printed in part B of the report if offered by Rep. Jim McCrery (R-LA) or his designee. The rule provides that the substitute amendment shall be considered as read and debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. The rule waives all points of order against the substitute amendment except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule permits the Chair, during consideration of the bill, to postpone further consideration of it to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representatives McDermott, Woolsey, McCrery, and McKeon. [[Page D1448]] WATER USAGE EFFICIENCY CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES Committee on Science and Technology; Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on Research to Improve Water-Use Efficiency and Conservation: Technologies and Practices. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 3495, Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety, and Health Act of 2007; H.R. 3986, John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 3315, To provide that the great hall of the Capitol Visitor Center shall be known as Emancipation Hall; and H.R. 3712, amended, To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 1716 Spielbusch Avenue in Toledo, Ohio, as the ``James M. and Thomas W.L. Ashley Customs Building and United States Courthouse. RETIREMENT PLAN FEES Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Appropriateness of Retirement Plan Fees. Testimony was heard from Bradford P. Campbell, Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor; W. Thomas Reeder, Benefits Tax Counsel, Office of Tax Policy, Department of the Treasury; Andrew J. Donohue, Director, Division of Investment Management, SEC; Barbara D. Bovbjerg, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment, to hold hearings to examine climate disclosure, focusing on measuring financial risks and opportunities, 2:30 p.m., SD-538. Committee on the Budget: to hold hearings to examine S. 2063, to establish a Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action, to assure the economic security of the United States, and to expand future prosperity and growth for all Americans, 9 a.m., SD-608. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine the licensing process for the Yucca Mountain Repository, 10 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Foreign Relations: business meeting to consider S. Res. 334, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the degradation of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea and welcoming cooperation between the peoples of Israel, Jordan, and Palestine, united Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, with Annexes, done at Montego Bay, December 10, 1982 (the ``Convention''), and the Agreement Relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, with Annex, adopted at New York, July 28, 1994 (the ``Agreement''), and signed by the United States, subject to ratification, on July 29, 1994 (Treaty Doc. 103-39), convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and accompanying Protocol, signed on November 27, 2006, at Brussels (the ``proposed Treaty'') (Treaty Doc. 110-03), protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income signed at Copenhagen May 2, 2006 (the ``Protocol'') (Treaty Doc. 109-19), protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Finland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed at Helsinki May 31, 2006 (the ``Protocol'') (Treaty Doc. 109-18), protocol Amending the Convention Between the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital and to Certain Other Taxes, Signed on August 29, 1989, signed at Berlin June 1, 2006 (the ``Protocol''), along with a related Joint Declaration (Treaty Doc. 109-20), and the nominations of Patrick Francis Kennedy, of Illinois, to be an Under Secretary of State (Management), Sean R. Mulvaney, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, and Daniel D. Heath, of New Hampshire, to be United States Alternate Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, 11 a.m., SD-419. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery, to hold hearings to examine post- catastrophe crisis, focusing on addressing the dramatic need and scant availability of mental health care in the Gulf Coast, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) amendments, focusing on ways to protect Americans' security and privacy while preserving the rule of law and government accountability, 10 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), 9:30 a.m., SD-562. [[Page D1449]] House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, hearing on Capitol Visitor Center Oversight, 10 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, to mark up H.R. 2768, Supplemental Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and The Internet, to continue hearings entitled ``Status of the DTV Transition--Part 3,'' 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 3873, Section 515 Rural Housing Property Transfer Improvement Act of 2007; H.R. 3959, To amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to provide for the phase-in of actuarial rates for certain pre- FIRM properties; H.R. 3965, Mark-to-Mark Extension and Enhancement Act of 2007; H.R. 3703, To amend section 5112 (p)(1)(A) of title 31, United States Code, to allow an exception for the $1 coin dispensing capability requirement for certain vending machines; and H.R. 3956, Coin Modernization and Taxpayer Savings Act of 2007, 10 A.M., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on The Mexico City Policy/ Global Gag Rule: Its Impact on Family Planning and Reproductive Health, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, hearing on the Activities of the Department of State's Office of the Inspector General, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, hearing entitled ``Homeland Security: TWIC Failures: TWIC Examined,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, to mark up H.R. 2631, Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act, 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, joint hearing entitled ``Enhancing and Implementing the Cybersecurity Elements of the Sector Specific Plans,'' 2:30 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, hearing on Combating Modern Slavery: Reauthorization of Anti-Trafficking Programs, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, hearing on H.R. 2801, Izembek and Alaska Peninsula Wildlife Refuges and Wilderness Enhancement and King Cove Safe Access Act, 11 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, hearing on Oil and Gas Development: Exemptions in Health and Environmental Protections, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, hearing on Aviation Safety: Can NASA Do More To Protect the Public? 1 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, hearing on Research on Environmental and Safety Impacts of Nanotechnology: Current Status of Planning and Implementation under the National Nanotechnology Initiative, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, hearing entitled ``Competitive Bidding for Durable Medial Equipment: Will Small Suppliers Be Able To Compete? 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to consider the following: the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2007; H.R. 3495, Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety, and Health Act of 2007; the John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 2537, Beach Protection Act of 2007; the Over-the-Road Bus Transportation Accessibility Act of 2007; H.R. 3315, To provide that the great hall of the Capital Visitor Center shall be known as the Emancipation Hall; H.R. 3712, To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 1716 Spielbusch Avenue in Toledo Ohio, as the ``James M. and Thomas W. L. Ashley Customs Building and United States Courthouse; H. Res. 661, Honoring the accomplishments of Barrington Antonio Irving, the youngest pilot and first person of African descent ever to fly solo around the world; H. Res. 772, Recognizing the American Highway Users Alliance on the occasion of its 75th anniversary; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Survey Resolutions; and other pending business, 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. November 1, Subcommittee on Highway and Transit, hearing on Drug and Alcohol Testing of Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means, to mark up H.R. 3688, United State- Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on Hot Spots, 8:45 a.m., and executive, briefing on DNI Personnel, 10 a.m., and executive; a briefing on CIA, H-405 Capitol. 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 202ÿ09512ÿ092104. 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 D1450]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 12 noon, Wednesday, October 31 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 3963, Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 31 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of H.R. 2262--Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Berman, Howard L., Calif., E2279 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E2279 Butterfield, G.K., N.C., E2278 Capps, Lois, Calif., E2273 Carnahan, Russ, Mo., E2274 Christensen, Donna M., The Virgin Islands, E2274 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E2273, E2278 Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E2278 Davis, Susan A., Calif., E2271 English, Phil, Pa., E2280 Feeney, Tom, Fla., E2275 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E2275 Gordon, Bart, Tenn., E2281, E2282, E2282, E2283, E2283, E2284, E2284, E2285, E2285, E2285 Green, Gene, Tex., E2275 Harman, Jane, Calif., E2276 Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E2272 Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E2280 Kanjorski, Paul E., Pa., E2274 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E2271 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E2274 Lamborn, Doug, Colo., E2271, E2272 Lampson, Nick, Tex., E2275 Lewis, Ron, Ky., E2280 Loebsack, David, Iowa, E2283 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E2277 Markey, Edward J., Mass., E2275 Meeks, Gregory W., N.Y., E2283 Oberstar, James L., Minn., E2284 Pallone, Frank, Jr., N.J., E2276 Pence, Mike, Ind., E2273 Price, Tom, Ga., E2273 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E2273, E2280 Reyes, Silvestre, Tex., E2272 Ross, Mike, Ark., E2282, E2283 Sestak, Joe, Pa., E2273 Smith, Adrian, Nebr., E2271, E2272 Thompson, Bennie G., Miss., E2273 Udall, Mark, Colo., E2275, E2276 Walden, Greg, Ore., E2279 Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E2278 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E2281