Friday, June 22, 2007 [[Page D884]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS The House passed H.R. 2771--Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S8273-S8313 Measures Introduced: Three bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1682-1684, S. Res. 249, and S. Con. Res. 40. Pages S8301-02 Measures Reported: Report to accompany S. 535, to establish an Unsolved Crimes Section in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and an Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Investigative Office in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (S. Rept. No. 110-88) Page S8301 Measures Passed: Honoring Ruth Bell Graham: Senate agreed to S. Res. 249, honoring the life of Ruth Bell Graham. Page S8311 Burma Sanctions: Senate agreed to S. Res. 250, expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the military junta in Burma for its continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. Page S8311 Honoring Charleston Firefighters: Senate agreed to S. Res. 251, honoring the firefighters and other public servants who responded to the fire in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2007. Page S8311 National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 40, supporting the goals and ideals of observing the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness on January 11 of each year to raise awareness of and opposition to human trafficking. Pages S8311-12 Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission: Senate passed S. 1099, to amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to make individuals employed by the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission eligible to obtain Federal health insurance. Page S8312 Clean Energy Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding, the June 21, 2007 passage of H.R. 6, to move the United States towards greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers from price gouging, to increase the energy efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, that the following amendment be agreed to: Page S8273 Employee Free Choice Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 1 p.m., on Monday, June 25, 2007, Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 800, to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, and that the time until 7 p.m., be for debate with respect to the motion, with the time equally divided and controlled between Senators Kennedy and Enzi, or their designees; provided further, that at 7 p.m., Senator Sessions be recognized to speak for up to 1 hour. Page S8312 Message From the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans as declared in Executive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-19) Page S8300 [[Page D885]] Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: Marylyn Andrea Howe, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring September 17, 2008. Lonnie C. Moore, of Kansas, to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring September 17, 2008. Kerri Layne Briggs, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education. Dell L. Dailey, of South Dakota, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) Reuben Jeffery III, of the District of Columbia, to be an Under Secretary of State (Economic, Energy, and Agricultural Affairs). (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) Lorne W. Craner, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation for a term of three years. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) Alan J. Patricof, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation for a term of three years. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) Jerome F. Kever, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Railroad Retirement Board for a term expiring August 28, 2008. Michael Schwartz, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Railroad Retirement Board for a term expiring August 28, 2012. Virgil M. Speakman, Jr., of Ohio, to be a Member of the Railroad Retirement Board for a term expiring August 28, 2009. Pages S8312-13 Messages from the House: Page S8300 Measures Referred: Pages S8300-01 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Pages S8273, S8301 Executive Communications: Page S8301 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S8302-03 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S8303-10 Additional Statements: Page S8300 Amendments Submitted: Page S8310 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 2:16 p.m., until 1 p.m. on Monday, June 25, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S8312.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine a new vision for medical research relating to the fiscal year 2008 budget for the National Institutes of Health, after receiving testimony from Ruth L. Kirschstein, Acting Director, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Lawrence A. Tabak, Director, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, David Schwartz, Director, National Institute of Environmental Health and Sciences, Paul A. Sieving, Director, National Eye Institute, and Duane F. Alexander, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, all of the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 17 public bills, H.R. 2826- 2828, 2830-2843; and 4 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 174; and H. Res. 510- 512 were introduced. Pages H7010-11 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H7011-12 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Supplemental report on H.R. 2643, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-187, Pt. 2); H.R. 2829, making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year [[Page D886]] ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-207); and H.R. 2286, to amend title 18, United States Code, and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure with respect to bail bond forfeitures (H. Rept. 110-208). Page H7010 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Tauscher to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H6959 Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of Guy Vander Jagt, former Member of Congress. Page H6968 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008: The House passed H.R. 2771, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 216 yeas to 176 nays, Roll No. 548. Pages H6969-99 Rejected the Kingston motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 181 ayes to 217 noes, Roll No. 547. Pages H6997-99 Agreed to: Inglis (SC) amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-201) that prohibits funds from being used to purchase light bulbs unless the light bulbs have the ``ENERGY STAR'' or ``Federal Energy Management Program'' designation and Pages H6991-93 Flake amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-201) that reduces funding for the Government Printing Office--Congressional Printing and Binding by $3,200,000 (by a recorded vote of 218 ayes to 191 noes, Roll No. 545). Pages H6993-94, H6996 Rejected: Jordan amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-201) that reduces appropriations in the bill by 4% across the board (by a recorded vote of 177 ayes to 231 noes, Roll No. 546). Pages H6994-96, H6996-97 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to H.R. 2764 and H.R. 2771 to reflect the actions of the House. Page H7000 H. Res. 502, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a recorded vote of 222 ayes to 179 noes, Roll No. 544, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 217 yeas to 179 nays, Roll No. 543. Pages H6960-69 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 25th for Morning Hour debate. Page H7001 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, June 27th. Page H7001 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he notified Congress of the continuation of the national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans--referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-42). Pages H7001-02 Board of Trustees of Gallaudet University--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House of Representatives to the Board of Trustees of Gallaudet University: Representatives Woolsey and LaHood. Page H7002 Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House of Representatives to the Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy: Representatives Ruppersberger, Cummings, Kline (MN), and Wicker. Page H7002 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and four recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H6967-68, H6968-69, H6996, H6996-97, H6998-99, H6999. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 2:52 p.m. Committee Meetings MERCURY EXPORT BAN ACT OF 2007 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on H.R. 1534, Mercury Export Ban Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Alice C. Williams, Deputy Associate Administrator, Infrastructure and Environment, Office of Environmental Projects and Operations, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy; Cornel A. Holder, Administrator, Defense National Stockpile Center, Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Defense; James B. Gulliford, Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, EPA; C. Mark Smith, Deputy Director, Office of Research and Standards, Director, Mercury Program, Department of Environmental Protection, State of Massachusetts; and public witnesses. IMAGES KIDS SEE ON THE SCREEN Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing entitled ``Images Kids See on the Screen.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. [[Page D887]] HOMEOWNER DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing entitled ``Homeowner Downpayment Assistance Programs and Related Issues.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Housing and Urban Development: Margaret Burns, Director, Office of Single Family Housing Program, FHA; and James Heist, Assistant Inspector General, Audits; William B. Shear, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, GAO; and public witnesses. FUTURE OF NATO Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on the Future of NATO: How Valuable an Asset? Testimony was heard from Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Department of State; and GEN Bantz J. Craddock, USA, Commander, U.S. European Command, Supreme Allied Command of Europe, Department of Defense. HHS'S RESPONSE TO NATION'S EMERGENCY CARE CRISIS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on the Response of the Department of Health and Human Services to the Nation's Emergency Care Crisis. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Kevin Yeskey, M.D., Director, Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Preparedness and Response; and Walter Koroshetz, M.D., Deputy Director, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, NIH; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Science and Technology: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 2698, amended, Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2007; and H. Res. 487, Recognizing the contribution of modeling and simulation technology to the security and prosperity of the United States, and recognizing modeling and simulation as a National Critical Technology. DCIA BRIEFING Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a DCIA briefing on a recent report. The Committee was briefed by Michael V. Hayden, Director, CIA. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D856) S. 676, to provide that the Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank or the Alternate Executive Director of the Inter- American Development Bank may serve on the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation. Signed on June 21, 2007 (Public Law 110-38) S. 1537, to authorize the transfer of certain funds from the Senate Gift Shop Revolving Fund to the Senate Employee Child Care Center. Signed on June 21, 2007 (Public Law 110-39) CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of June 25 through June 30, 2007 Senate Chamber On Monday, at 1 p.m., Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 800, Employee Free Choice Act. On Tuesday, at 11:30 a.m., Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 800, Employee Free Choice Act, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon; following which, Senate may vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S. 1639, Comprehensive Immigration Reform. During the balance of the week, Senate may consider any cleared legislative and executive business. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: June 27, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Jill E. Sommers, of Kansas, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for the remainder of the term expiring April 13, 2009, and Bartholomew H. Chilton, of Delaware, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for the remainder of the term expiring April 13, 2008, 2 p.m., SR-328A. Committee on Appropriations: June 26, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, business meeting to mark up proposed legislation making appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, 2:30 p.m., SD-124. June 26, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, business meeting to mark up proposed legislation making appropriations for Energy and Water Development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, 3 p.m., SD-192. June 28, Full Committee, business meeting to mark up proposed legislation making appropriations for State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, and Energy and Water Development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, 2 p.m., SH-216. [[Page D888]] Committee on Armed Services: June 26, to receive a closed briefing from the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), 9:30 a.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: June 26, Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development, to hold hearings to examine ending mortgage abuse, focusing on safeguarding homebuyers, 2:30 p.m., SD-538. Committee on the Budget: June 26, to continue hearings to examine health care and the budget, focusing on the Healthy Americans Act and other options for reform, 9:30 a.m., SD-608. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: June 26, to hold hearings to examine the impact of media violence on children, 10 a.m., SR-253. June 27, Full Committee, business meeting to consider S. 704, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit manipulation of caller identification information, S. 950, to develop and maintain an integrated system of coastal and ocean observations for the Nation's coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes, to improve warnings of tsunami, hurricanes, El Nino events, and other natural hazards, to enhance homeland security, to support maritime operations, to improve management of coastal and marine resources, S. 1650, to establish a digital and wireless network technology program, and S. 1661, to communicate United States travel policies and improve marketing and other activities designed to increase travel in the United States from abroad, and promotion lists in the United States Coast Guard, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. June 28, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2008 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: June 26, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the preparedness of the federal land management agencies for the 2007 wildfire season and efforts to contain the costs of wildfire management activities, 10 a.m., SD- 366. June 27, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine S. 1171, to amend the Colorado River Storage Project Act and Public Law 87-483 to authorize the construction and rehabilitation of water infrastructure in Northwestern New Mexico, to authorize the use of the reclamation fund to fund the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund, to authorize the conveyance of certain Reclamation land and infrastructure, to authorize the Commissioner of Reclamation to provide for the delivery of water, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: June 27, Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality, to hold hearings to examine protecting water quality at America's beaches, 10 a.m., SD-406. June 28, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine global warming issues in the power plant sector, 10 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Finance: June 27, to hold hearings to examine the Stealth Tax, focusing on how to stop the alternative minimum tax from sneaking up on unsuspecting taxpayers, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: June 27, business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 11:15 a.m., S-116, Capitol. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: June 27, business meeting to consider S. 793, to provide for the expansion and improvement of traumatic brain injury programs, and S. 1011, to change the name of the National Institute on Drug Abuse to the National Institute on Diseases of Addiction and to change the name of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to the National Institute on Alcohol Disorders and Health, original bills entitled, ``Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act'', ``Wired for Health Care Quality Act'', and other pending calendar business, 10 a.m., SD-628. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: June 25, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to hold hearings to examine excessive speculation in the natural gas market, 11 a.m., SD-106. June 27, Full Committee, to continue hearings to examine violent Islamist extremism, focusing on the European experience, 10 a.m., SD-342. June 28, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine financial management systems modernization at the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on systems and processes needed to support the Department's mission and operations, 3 p.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: June 28, to hold hearings to examine draft legislation regarding the regulation of class III gaming, 9:30 a.m., SR-485. Committee on the Judiciary: June 27, Subcommittee on the Constitution, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the federal death penalty, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. June 28, Full Committee, business meeting to consider S. 1145, to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform, and S. 1060, to reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to improve reentry planning and implementation, 10 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Rules and Administration: June 26, to hold hearings to examine Smithsonian Institution governance reform, focusing on a report by the Smithsonian's Independent Review Committee, 10 a.m., SR-301. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: June 26, business meeting to consider original bills entitled, ``Entrepreneurial Development Act of 2007'', ``Small Business Venture Capital Act of 2007'', and other pending calendar business, 10 a.m., SR-428A. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: June 27, business meeting to mark up pending legislation; to be immediately followed by a full committee hearing to examine the nomination of Charles L. Hopkins, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Operations, Preparedness, Security and Law Enforcement), 9:30 a.m., SD-562. Select Committee on Intelligence: June 26, closed business meeting to mark up S. 1547, to authorize appropriations [[Page D889]] for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and S. 1548, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 1:30 p.m., SH-219. June 26, Full Committee, to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. June 28, Full Committee, to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. Special Committee on Aging: June 27, to hold hearings to examine the relationship between doctors and the drug industry, 10:30 a.m., SD-106. House Committee on Appropriations, June 27, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, on the Capitol Visitor Center, 9 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, June 26, hearing on structure, process and tools for improving Department of Defense Management, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. June 26, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on findings of the Independent Review Group and an in-progress review of actions at Walter Reed, 1 p.m., 2218 Rayburn. June 26, Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces, hearing on the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle Program, 4 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. June 27, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing to review the policies and procedures regarding the notification of next-of-kin of wounded and deceased service members, 10 a.m., 2218 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, June 26, hearing on Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt: Is Our Economy Vulnerable? 2 p.m., 210 Cannon. June 28, hearing on Medicare Advantage and the Federal Budget, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Education and Labor, June 28, Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness hearing on Workforce Investment Act: Recommendations to Improve the Effectiveness of Job Training, 1:30 p.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, June 26, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ``Predatory Sales Practices in Medicare Advantage,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, June 26, hearing entitled ``A Review of Investor Protection and Market Oversight with the five Commissioners of the Securities and Exchange Commission,'' 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, June 26, to markup the following measures: H.R. 176, Shirley A. Chisholm United States-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007; H.R. 1400, Iran Counter- Proliferation Act of 2007; Food Security and Agricultural Development Act of 2007; H.R. 2003, Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007; H. Res. 121, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Japan should formally acknowledge, apologize, and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner for its Imperial Armed Force's coercion of young women into sexual slavery, known to the world as ``comfort women,'' during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930s through the duration of World War II; H.R. 2798, To reauthorize the programs of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; H.R. 2293, To require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report on efforts to bring to justice the Palestinian terrorists who killed John Branchizio, Mark Parson, and John Marin Linde; the Library of Congress Public Diplomacy Collection Act of 2007; S. 377, U.S.- Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Act of 2007; H. Res. 208, Honoring Operation Smile of the 25th Anniversary year of its founding; H. Res. 287, To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first use of the name ``America,'' H. Res. 294, Commending the Kingdom of Lesotho, on the occasion of International Women's Day, for the enactment of a law to improve the status of married women and ensure the access of married women to property rights; H. Res. 378, Honoring World Red Cross Red Crescent Day; H. Res. 380, Resolution commending Idaho on winning the bid to host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games; H. Res. 426, Recognizing 2007 as the Year of the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in Colombia, and offering support for efforts to ensure that the internally displace people of Colombia receive the assistance and protection they need to rebuild their lives successfully; H. Res. 427, Urging the Government of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt; H. Res. 457, Calling on the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces, armaments, and ammunition stockpiles from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Moldova; H. Res. 467, Condemning the decision by the University and College Union of the United Kingdom to support a boycott of Israeli academia; H. Res. 482, Expressing support for the new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland; H. Res. 497, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of the People's Republic of China should immediately release from custody the children of Rebiya Kadeer and Canadian citizen Huseyin Celil and should refrain from further engaging in acts of cultural, linguistic, and religious suppression directed against the Uyghur people; H. Res. 500, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in opposition to efforts by major natural gas exporting countries to establish a cartel or other mechanism to manipulate the supply of natural gas to the world market for the purpose of setting an arbitrary and nonmarket price or as an instrument of political pressure; and H. Con. Res. 136, Expressing the sense of Congress regarding high level visits to the United States by democratically-elected officials of Taiwan; and H. Con. Res. 139, Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should address the ongoing problem of untouchability in India, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. June 26, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, hearing on Violence in Central America, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. June 27, full Committee, hearing on Iraq: Is the Escalation Working? 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. [[Page D890]] June 27, Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, joint hearing on A.Q. Khan's Nuclear Wal-Mart: Out of Business or Under New Management? 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. June 28, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, hearing entitled ``The Millennium Challenge Corporation in Africa: Promises Versus Progress,'' 2:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. June 28, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, with the Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, joint hearing entitled ``Protection and Money: U.S. Companies, Their Employees, and Violence in Columbia,'' 10 a.m, 2172 Rayburn. June 29, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight and the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness of the Committee on Education and Labor, joint hearing on International Students and Visiting Scholars: Trends, Barriers, and Implications for American Universities and U.S. Foreign Policy, 9:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, June 27, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing entitled ``A Roadmap for Security? Examining the Science and Technology Directorate's Strategic Plan,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. June 28, Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, hearing entitled ``US-VISIT Exit: Closing Gaps in Our Security,'' 1 p.m., 311 Cannon. June 28, Subcommittee, on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment, hearing entitled ``Over-Classification and Pseudo-Classification: Making DHS the Gold Standard for Designating Classified and Sensitive Homeland Security Information,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, June 27, hearing on Implementation of the U.S. Capitol Police-Library of Congress Police Merger; and to consider pending Committee business, 11:30 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on the Judiciary, June 25, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, oversight hearing on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Response to Air Quality Arising from the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001: Were There Substantive Due Process Violations? 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. June 26, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, hearing on the National Football League's System for Compensating Retired Players: An Uneven Playing Field? 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. June 26, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, oversight hearing on Habeas Corpus and Detention at Guantanamo Bay, 2 p.m., 2237 Rayburn. June 26, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, hearing on Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws--the Issues, 9:30 a.m.; 2141 Rayburn. June 28, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, oversight hearing on the Impact of Ledbetter v. Goodyear on the Effective Enforcement of Civil Rights Laws, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, June 26, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, hearing on The Bird and The Bees: How Pollinators Help Maintain Healthy Ecosystems, 1 p.m., 1324 Longworth. June 27, full Committee, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 1239, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 1388, Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Act; H.R. 1011, Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007; H.R. 189, Paterson Great Falls National Park Act of 2007; H.R. 761, To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. certain Federal land associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in Nebraska, to be used as an historical interpretive site along the trail; H.R. 1285, Snoqualimie Pass Land Conveyance Act; H.R. 1205, Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007; H.R. 2400, Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act; H.R. 50, Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 465, Asian Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 1834, National Ocean Exploration Program Act; H.R. 716, Santa Rosa Urban Water Reuse Plan Act; H.R. 31, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Wastewater and Recycled Water Facilities Act of 2007; H.R. 1503, Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project; H.R. 1526, Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Authorization Act; H.R. 1337, To provide for a feasibility study of alternatives to augment the water supplies of the Central Oklahoma master Conservancy District and cities served by the district; and 1725, Rancho California Water District Recycled Water Reclamation Facility Act of 2007, 11 a.m., 1324 Longworth. June 28, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, oversight hearing on The Minerals Management Service's Proposed Five Year Program for Oil and Gas Leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. June 28, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, oversight hearing entitled ``Management by Exclusion: The Forest Service Use of Categorical Exclusions From NEPA,'' 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, June 26, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, hearing on Adequacy of Labor Law Enforcement in New Orleans, 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. June 26, Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, hearing on 2010 Census: Improving Local Government Participation in LUCA, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. June 28, full Committee, hearing on Waste, Fraud and Abuse at the Kaiserslauten Military Community Center, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Rules, June 25, to consider H.R. 2643, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related [[Page D891]] Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008; 5 p.m., H-313 Capitol. June 26, to consider a measure Making Appropriations for Financial Services and General Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, 2 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Science and Technology, June 26, Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, hearing on SBIR and STTR--How Are the Programs Managed Today? 2 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. June 27, full Committee, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 906, Global Change Research and Data Management Act of 2007; H.R. 1933, Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 2007; H.R. 2773, Biofuels Research and Development Enhancement Act; and H.R. 2774, Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. June 28, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, hearing on NASA's Earth Science and Applications Programs: Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Request and Issues, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, June 28, hearing on Assessing the Impact of the Copyright Royalty Board Decision to Increase Royalty Rates on Recording Artists and Webcasters, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, June 26, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, hearing on Benefits of Intercity Passenger Rail, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. June 26, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 2722, Integrated Deepwater Reform Act; and H.R. 2830, Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, June 27, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on VA Internal Contracting Oversight Deficiencies, 10 a.m., 340 Cannon. June 28, Subcommittee on Health, to mark up pending business, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. June 29, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to mark up pending business, 9:30 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, June 26, Subcommittee on Health, hearing on Safe and Sensible: Ensuring Kidney Patients Receive Safe and Appropriate Anemia Management Care, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, June 26, executive, to consider Member Requests, 5:30 p.m., H-405 Capitol. June 26, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, executive, briefing on the Office of the Department of Defense Inspector General, 2:30 p.m., H-405 Capitol. June 26, Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical, executive, hearing on Technical Programs, 4 p.m., H-405 Capitol. June 27, full Committee, executive, briefing on Hot Spots, 8:45 a.m., H-405 Capitol. Joint Meetings Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: June 25, to hold hearings to examine pipeline politics, focusing on conflict prevention and the security of supply and transit of oil and natural gas, 3 p.m., SD-419. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. 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Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D892]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 1 p.m., Monday, June 25 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 800, Employee Free Choice Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 12:30 p.m., Monday, June 25 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E1386, E1398 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E1389, E1391 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1398, E1400 Calvert, Ken, Calif., E1379, E1384 Camp, Dave, Mich., E1399 Carnahan, Russ, Mo., E1397 Castor, Kathy, Fla., E1394 Clay, Wm. Lacy, Mo., E1382 Coble, Howard, N.C., E1383 Davis, Danny K., Ill., E1382 Donnelly, Joe, Ind., E1400 Ellsworth, Brad, Ind., E1386 Farr, Sam, Calif., E1379, E1382 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E1379, E1380 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E1381, E1389, E1391 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E1398 Hobson, David L., Ohio, E1384 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E1382 Jackson, Jesse L., Jr., Ill., E1399 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1389, E1390, E1392, E1394 Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E1395 Kilpatrick, Carolyn C., Mich., E1387 Kingston, Jack, Ga., E1383 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E1384, E1385 LoBiondo, Frank A., N.J., E1383 McGovern, James P., Mass., E1393 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1388, E1395, E1396 Mica, John L., Fla., E1388 Miller, Brad, N.C., E1393 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1386 Mollohan, Alan B., W.Va., E1392 Murphy, Patrick J., Pa., E1381 Napolitano, Grace F., Calif., E1390, E1390, E1391, E1393, E1395, E1396, E1397, E1398, E1399, E1400 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E1380 Pascrell, Bill, Jr., N.J., E1393 Pryce, Deborah, Ohio, E1384 Rahall, Nick J., II, W.Va., E1387 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1399 Regula, Ralph, Ohio, E1396 Rothman, Steven R., N.J., E1400 Ryan, Tim, Ohio, E1392 Sanchez, Linda T., Calif., E1387 Sanchez, Loretta, Calif., E1393 Sarbanes, John P., Md., E1380, E1388 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E1390, E1391 Shuster, Bill, Pa., E1379 Simpson, Michael K., Idaho, E1390, E1391 Sires, Albio, N.J., E1395 Smith, Adrian, Nebr., E1390 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E1397 Tiberi, Patrick J., Ohio, E1385 Udall, Tom, N.M., E1396 Weller, Jerry, Ill., E1397 Wexler, Robert, Fla., E1380 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E1398