Thursday, September 18, 2008 [[Page D1117]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S8963-S9168 Measures Introduced: Fourteen bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 3514-3527, and S. Res. 665-668. Page S9025 Measures Reported: S. 1070, to amend the Social Security Act to enhance the social security of the Nation by ensuring adequate public-private infrastructure and to resolve to prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-470) H.R. 3247, to improve the provision of disaster assistance for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-471) S. 3155, to reauthorize and improve the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-472) S. 2969, to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-473) S. Res. 540, recognizing the historical significance of the sloop-of- war USS Constellation as a reminder of the participation of the United States in the transatlantic slave trade and of the efforts of the United States to end the slave trade. S. 3136, to encourage the entry of felony warrants into the NCIC database by States and provide additional resources for extradition, with amendments. Pages S9024-25 Measures Passed: National Save for Retirement Week: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 601, designating October 19 through October 25, 2008, as ``National Save for Retirement Week'', and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S9164-65 Lander Trail 150th Anniversary: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 623, recognizing the importance of the role of the Lander Trail in the settlement of the American West on the 150th anniversary of the Lander Trail, and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S9164-65 National Neighbor Day, National Good Neighbor Day, and National Neighborhood Day: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 650, recognizing the importance of National Neighbor Day, National Good Neighbor Day, and National Neighborhood Day, and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S9164-65 National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 667, designating September 2008 as ``National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month''. Pages S9164-65 Bennett Freeze: Senate passed S. 531, to repeal section 10(f) of Public Law 93-531, commonly known as the ``Bennett Freeze''. Pages S9165-66 United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act: Senate passed S. 2606, to reauthorize the United States Fire Administration, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S9166-67 Casey (for Lieberman/Collins) Amendment No. 5631, in the nature of a substitute. Page S9167 Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent- time agreement was reached providing that on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, Senate begin consideration of H.R. 6049, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief, and that the bill be considered under the following limitations: that there be 60 minutes of general debate on the bill, equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders, or their designees; provided further, that the only first-degree amendments in order be the following, with no other amendments in order, they be subject to an affirmative 60-vote threshold, that if [[Page D1118]] the amendment achieves that threshold, then it be agreed to, that if the amendment does not achieve that threshold, then it be withdrawn, and that each amendment be subject to a debate time limitation of 60 minutes, equally divided and controlled in the usual form: Baucus- Grassley amendment in the nature of a substitute relative to energy tax extenders with offset; Reid or designee perfecting amendment relative to AMT with offset; Baucus-Grassley perfecting amendment relative to tax extenders/AMT without full offset; that it be in order for Senator Conrad to raise a budget point of order against the amendment; and that once the debate time has been used or yielded back, a motion to waive the applicable point of order be considered to have been made; provided further, that if the motion to waive is successful, then the amendment be agreed to, and that if the motion to waive is not successful, the amendment be withdrawn; that Senator Conrad control up to 10 minutes of time during the debate on this amendment; provided further, that regardless of the outcome of the vote with respect to the Baucus- Grassley amendment in the nature of a substitute, that Senate vote on or in relation to the remaining 2 amendments covered in this agreement; that the votes on or in relation to the above-listed amendments occur in the order listed after the use or yielding back of time; that upon disposition of all amendments, the bill be read a third time, and Senate vote on passage of the bill, as amended, if amended; and that the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill be withdrawn. A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 6049 be withdrawn. Page S9009, S9167 Advancing America's Priorities Act--Cloture: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 3297, to advance America's priorities, be withdrawn. Message from the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the continuation of the national emergency that was originally declared on September 23, 2001, with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-64) Pages S9022-23 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: One Army nomination in the rank of general. A routine list in the Army. Page S9168 Messages from the House: Page S9023 Measures Read the First Time: Page S9023 Executive Communications: Pages S9023-24 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S9025-27 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S9027-40 Additional Statements: Pages S9015-22 Amendments Submitted: Pages S9040-42 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S9042 Privileges of the Floor: Page S9042 Text of S. 3001, S. 3002, S. 3003, S. 3004 as Previously Passed: Page S9042-S9164 Recess: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and recessed at 8:49 p.m., until 3 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S9168.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) TRANSPARENCY IN ACCOUNTING Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment concluded a hearing to examine transparency in accounting, proposed changes to accounting for off- balance-sheet entities, after receiving testimony from Lawrence W. Smith, Member, Financial Accounting Standards Board; John W. White, Director, Division of Corporation Finance, and James L. Kroeker, Deputy Chief Accountant, both of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; Joseph R. Mason, Louisiana State University, New Orleans; Don Young, Young and Company LLC, Norwalk, Connecticut; Elizabeth F. Mooney, Capital Group Companies, San Francisco, California; and George P. Miller, American Securitization Forum, New York, New York. BUS SAFETY Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security concluded an oversight hearing to examine bus safety, including S. 2326, to improve the safety of motorcoaches, after receiving testimony from Senator Brown; John Hill, Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and David Kelly, Acting Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, both of the Department of Transportation; Mark V. Rosenker, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board; Peter J. Pantuso, American Bus Association, and Jacqueline S. Gillan, Advocates for [[Page D1119]] Highway and Auto Safety, both of Washington, D.C.; Stephen Forman, West Brook Bus Crash Families, Beaumont, Texas; and John Betts, Bryan, Ohio. FEDERAL FACILITIES CLEAN-UP Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine toxic waste clean-up efforts at federal facilities, focusing on investigative federal agencies' clean-up activities, including funding and coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and states, after receiving testimony from Susan Parker Bodine, Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Environmental Protection Agency; Wayne Arny, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment; Frank Marcinowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy for Regulatory Compliance, Office of Environmental Management; Shari T. Wilson, Maryland Department of the Environment, Baltimore; Bonnie Buthker, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Dayton; Elizabeth Limbrick, Interstate Technology Regulatory Council, Trenton, New Jersey; and Daniel Hirsch, Committee to Bridge the Gap, Ben Lomond, California. NUCLEAR COOPERATION WITH INDIA Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation with India, after receiving testimony from William J. Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, and John C. Rood, Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, both of the Department of State. HOMELAND SECURITY RISKS IN PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine the homeland security risks associated with the upcoming presidential transition, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) planning for the transition, and what remains to be done to prepare for the transition, after receiving testimony from Elaine C. Duke, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Management; John Rollins, Specialist in Terrorism and National Security, Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; Frank J. Chellino, National Academy of Public Administration, Naples, Florida; and Patricia McGinnis, Council for Excellence in Government, Washington, D.C. DECLINATION REPORTING Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine federal declinations from federal law enforcement officers and United States Attorneys' Offices to prosecute crimes in Indian country, including S. 3320, to amend the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act, the Indian Tribal Justice Act, the Indian Tribal Justice Technical and Legal Assistance Act of 2000, and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to improve the prosecution of, and response to, crimes in Indian country, after receiving testimony from Drew H. Wrigley, United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota, Department of Justice; William Patrick Ragsdale, Director, Office of Justice Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; Thomas B. Heffelfinger, former United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota, Best and Flanagan, LLP, Minneapolis, Minnesota; M. Brent Leonhard, Confederated Tribes for the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Pendleton, Oregon; Janelle F. Doughty, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ignacio, Colorado; and Thomas W. Weissmuller, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Mashantucket, Connecticut. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported S. Res. 540, recognizing the historical significance of the sloop-of-war USS Constellation as a reminder of the participation of the United States in the transatlantic slave trade and of the efforts of the United States to end the slave trade. 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. [[Page D1120]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 42 public bills, H.R. 6936- 6946, 6948-6978; 1 private bill, H.R. 6979; and 13 resolutions, H.J. Res. 98; H. Con. Res. 420-421; and H. Res. 1461-1470 were introduced. Pages H8475-77 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H8477-78 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 1650, to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-860, Pt. 1); H.R. 6159, to provide for a land exchange involving certain National Forest System lands in the Mendocino National Forest in the State of California, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-861); and H.R. 6947, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 (H. Rept. 110- 862). Pages H8462, H8475 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Tauscher to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H8399 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Chuck Coffelt, Gillett United Methodist Church, Gillett, Arkansas. Page H8399 Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 6604, to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to bring greater transparency and accountability to commodity markets, by a recorded vote of 283 ayes to 133 noes, Roll No. 608. Pages H8413-29 Rejected the Moran (KS) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Agriculture with instructions to report the bill back to the House promptly with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 196 yeas to 221 nays, Roll No. 607. Pages H8427-29 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in H. Rept. 110-859 shall be considered as adopted. Page H8416 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H8422 H. Res. 1449, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a recorded vote of 218 ayes to 190 noes, Roll No. 606, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 224 yeas to 187 nays, Roll No. 605. Pages H8406-13 Privileged Resolution: The House agreed to table H. Res. 1460, raising a question of the privileges of the House, by a yea-and-nay vote of 226 yeas to 176 nays with 11 voting ``present'', Roll No. 609. Pages H8429-30 No Child Left Inside Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 3036, to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding environmental education, by a yea-and-nay vote of 293 yeas to 109 nays, Roll No. 614. Pages H8432-35, H8435-51 Rejected the Price (GA) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Education and Labor with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a recorded vote of 172 ayes to 230 noes, Roll No. 613. Pages H8448-50 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. Pages H8443, H8448 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To reauthorize and enhance the National Environmental Education Act.''. Page H8451 Accepted: Welch (VT) amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 110-854) that allows municipalities to be eligible for the National Capacity Environmental Education Grant Program; Pages H8445-47 Courtney amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 110-854) that adds that applicants may describe on their application for federal grant funds how they have partnered, or intend to partner, with a State and local park and recreation department; and Page H8447 Sarbanes amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-854) that clarifies that funds issued under the National Capacity Environmental Education Grant Program may be used to address environmental justice issues that may arise in low income communities. The amendment also provides that funds may be used to develop and implement policy approaches to environmental education including specified topics (by a recorded vote of 383 ayes to 23 noes, Roll No. 612). Pages H8444-45, H8447-48 H. Res. 1441, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 221 yeas to 182 nays, Roll No. 611, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 227 yeas to 188 nays, Roll No. 610. Pages H8402-05, H8430-32 [[Page D1121]] Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated on Wednesday, September 17th: Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008: H.R. 6460, amended, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for the remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern, by a 2/3 recorded vote of 371 ayes to 20 noes, Roll No. 615. Pages H8451-52 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 22nd for morning hour debate. Page H8454 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, September 24th. Page H8454 Order of Procedure: The House agreed by unanimous consent that the motions to suspend the rules relating to the following measures be considered as adopted in the form considered by the House on Wednesday, September 17th: Supporting the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month: H. Res. 1432, to support the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children in foster care awaiting families, to celebrate children and families involved in adoption, to recognize current programs and efforts designed to promote adoption, and to encourage people in the United States to seek improved safety, permanency, and well-being for all children; Page H8454 Jacob M. Lowell Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6681, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 Vine Street in New Lenox, Illinois, as the ``Jacob M. Lowell Post Office Building''; Page H8454 Mayor William ``Bill'' Sandberg Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6229, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2523 7th Avenue East in North Saint Paul, Minnesota, as the ``Mayor William `Bill' Sandberg Post Office Building''; Page H8454 Army SPC Daniel Agami Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6338, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4233 West Hillsboro Boulevard in Coconut Creek, Florida, as the ``Army SPC Daniel Agami Post Office Building''; Page H8454 Mickey Mantle Post Office Building Designation Act: S. 171, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 301 Commerce Street in Commerce, Oklahoma, as the ``Mickey Mantle Post Office Building''--clearing the measure for the President; Page H8454 CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6772, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1717 Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the ``CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building''; Page H8454 Celebrating the 221st anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America: H. Res. 1356, to celebrate the 221st anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America; Page H8454 Recognizing North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town USA'': H. Con. Res. 408, to recognize North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town USA''; Page H8454 John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2008: Agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3986, to amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts--clearing the measure for the President; and Page H8454 Amending Public Law 108-331 to provide for the construction and related activities in support of the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) project in Arizona: S. J. Res. 35, to amend Public Law 108-331 to provide for the construction and related activities in support of the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) project in Arizona--clearing the measure for the President. Page H8454 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he notified Congress that the national emergency with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism is to continue in effect beyond September 23, 2008--referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-148). Page H8454 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on pages H8402, H8432. Senate Referrals: S. 3001, S. 3002, S. 3003, and S. 3004 were held at the desk. Page H8432 Quorum Calls--Votes: Six yea-and-nay votes and five recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H8412-13, H8413, H8428-29, H8429, H8430, H9431, H8431-32, H8448, H8450, H8451, and H8451-52. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 8:53 p.m. [[Page D1122]] Committee Meetings FOOD, CONSERVATION, AND ENERGY ACT Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported H.R. 6849, amended, To amend the commodity provisions for the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to permit producers to aggregate base acres and reconstitute farms to avoid the prohibition on receiving direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, or average crop revenue election payments when the sum of the base acres of a farm is 10 acres or less. LESSONS FOR COUNTERING AL QA'IDA AND THE WAY AHEAD Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on Lessons for Countering al Qa'ida and the Way Ahead. Testimony was heard from John Arquilla, Senior Fellow, Professor, Department of Defense Analysis, Naval Postgraduate School; and public witnesses. AMERICA'S NEED FOR HEALTH REFORM Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``America's Need for Health Reform. Testimony was heard from Jon S. Corzine, Governor, State of New Jersey, and public witnesses. SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AT THE EPA Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Science Under Siege: Scientific Integrity at the Environmental Protection Agency.'' Testimony was heard from John B. Stephenson, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; the following officials of EPA: Marcus Peacock, Deputy Administrator; and George Gray, Assistant Administrator, Department of Environmental Protection; and public witnesses. AUCTION RATE SECURITY MARKET--PROBLEMS AND POTENTIAL RESOLUTIONS Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Auction Rate Securities Market: A Review of Problems and Potential Resolutions.'' Testimony was heard from Linda Thomsen, Director, SEC; and public witnesses. FAMILIES TORN APART; HUMAN RIGHT--U.S. RESTRICTIONS ON CUBAN--AMERICAN TRAVEL Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight held a hearing on Families Torn Apart: Human Rights and U.S. Restrictions on Cuban-American Travel. Testimony was heard from Representatives Emerson, LaHood and McCotter; and public witnesses. MANAGEMENT MISSTEPS AND MISSED BENCHMARKS Committee on Homeland Security: Concluded hearings entitled ``Management, Missteps, and Missed Benchmarks: Why the Virtual Fence Has Not Become a Realty.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. CELL TAX FAIRNESS ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held a hearing on H.R. 5793; Cell Tax Fairness Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from Gail W. Mahoney, Commissioner, Jackson County, Michigan; and James Clayborne, State Senator, State of Illinois; and public witnesses. STATE SECRET PROTECTION ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties ordered reported H.R. 5607, amended, State Secret Protection Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Oversight. Testimony was heard from Jeffrey Sedgewick, Acting Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. INVESTIGATIONS ON FEDERAL OIL AND GAS ROYALTY COLLECTIONS Committee on Natural Resources: Held an oversight hearing on Recent Interior Department Inspector General Investigations on Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Collections. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior; and Earl Devaney, Inspector General. FEDERAL COURT OPTIONS FOR AMERICAN SAMOA Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing on the Federal Court Options for American Samoa. Testimony was heard from Stephen Sander, Acting Director, Office of Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior; William Jenkins, Jr., Director, Homeland Security and Justice, GAO; and the following officials of American Samoa: Lolo M. Moliga, President of the Senate and Savali T. Ale, Speaker of the House. [[Page D1123]] GAMING TAX CODE Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Domestic Policy held a hearing on Gaming the Tax Code: Public Subsidies, Private Profits, and Big League Sports in New York. Testimony was heard from Stephen Larson, Associate Chief Counsel, Financial Institutions and Products, IRS, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses. ROLE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing on the Role of Social Sciences in Public Health. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MAKING HEALTH CARE REFORM WORK FOR SMALL BUSINESS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``(Making Health Care Reform Work for Small Business.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing on Transportation Planning. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. EMERGING CONTAMINANTS IN U.S. WATERS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing on Emerging Contaminants in U.S. Waters. Testimony was heard from Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy; Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Water, EPA; and Matthew Larsen, Associate Director, Water, U.S. Geological Survey; and public witnesses. EFFECTIVENESS OF VA'S TRAINING PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on Examining the Effectiveness of the Veterans Benefits Administration Training, Performance Management and Accountability. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans' Affairs; Veterans Benefits Administration: Michael Walcoff, Deputy Under Secretary, Benefits; Dorothy MacKay, Director, Employee Development and Training; and Bradley Mayes, Director, Compensation and Pension Service; Daniel Bertoni, Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. POLICY OPTIONS TO PREVENT CLIMATE CHANGE Committee on Ways and Means: Continued hearings on Policy Options to Prevent Climate Change. Testimony was heard from Peter Orszag, Director, COB; Michael Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City, New York; and public witnesses. CYBER SECURITY Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Cyber Security. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. RUSSIA Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis, and Counterintelligence met in executive session to hold a hearing on Russia. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. GREEN ROADS TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing entitled ``The Green Road to Economic Recovery.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D1101) S. 2837, to designate the United States courthouse located at 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Theodore Roosevelt United States Courthouse''. Signed on September 17, 2008. (Public Law 110-319) S. 2403, to designate the United States courthouse located in the 700 block of East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, as the ``Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Merhige, Jr., United States Courthouse''. Signed on September 18, 2008. (Public Law 110-320) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No committee meetings are scheduled. [[Page D1124]] CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of September 22 through September 26, 2008 Senate Chamber To be announced. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) To be announced. House Committees Committee on Appropriations, September 24, Subcommittee on Legislative, on Capitol Visitor Center, oversight, 11 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, September 23, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on the Department of Defense's work with states, universities and students to transform the nation's foreign language capacity, 10 a.m., 2212 Rayburn. September 23, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on Sexual Assault in the Military: Victim Support and Advocacy, 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. September 24, full Committee, hearing on Consideration for an American Grand Strategy, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. September 24, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on Military Health System Governance: Health Affairs/TRICARE Management Activity Organization, 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, September 25, hearing on Budget Reform Proposals for the 111th Congress, 2 p.m., 210 Cannon. September 26, full Committee, hearing on Federal Responses to Market Turmoil: What's the Impact on the Budget, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Education and Labor, September 24, hearing on Child Labor Enforcement: Are We Adequately Protecting our Children? 11 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. September 25, full Committee, hearing on Safeguarding Retiree Benefits, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, September 24, Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, hearing on Hazardous Substance Releases and Reporting under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA), 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, September 24, hearing on The Future of Financial Services: Exploring Solutions for the Market Crisis, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. September 25, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing to Review of Continuing Security Concerns at DOE's National Labs, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. September 25, full Committee, oversight hearing to Examine Recent Treasury and FHFA Actions Regarding the Housing GSE's, 12 p.m, 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, September 23, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, hearing on the Hurricanes in Haiti: Disaster and Recovery, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, September 24, Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment, hearing on A Report Card on Homeland Security Information Sharing, 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, September 25, hearing on Ensuring the Rights of College Students to Vote, 1:30 p.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on the Judiciary, September 22, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 6713, E-fencing Enforcement Act of 2008; H.R. 6491, Organized Retail Crime Act of 2008; and S. 3434, Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2008, 4 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. September 23, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law, hearing on the Executive Office of Immigration Review, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. September 24, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and the Subcommittee on Elections of the Committee on House Administration, joint hearing on Federal, State and Local Efforts to Prepare for the 2008 General Election, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, September 23, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, oversight hearing on Identifying Labor Solutions for the Guam Military Build-Up, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. September 24, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, oversight hearing on recent trends concerning annual budgets for the National Wildlife Refuge System and implications for management activities, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. September 25, Subcommittee on Water and Power, hearing on the following legislation: H. R. 883, Oglala Sioux Tribe Angostura Irrigation Project Modernization and Development Act; H. R. 6754, White Mountain Apache Tribe Rural Water System Loan Authorization Act; H. R. 6768, To authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to develop water infrastructure in the Rio Grande Basin, and to approve the settlement of the water rights claims of the Pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Tesuque, and Taos; and legislation to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to facilitate the transfer to non-Federal ownership of appropriate reclamation projects or facilities, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, September 23, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, hearing on Necessary Reform to Pediatric Dental Care under Medicaid, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. September 24, full Committee, hearing on Implementation and Enforcement of the Clean Water Act, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. September 24, Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, hearing on Passing the Baton: Preparing for the Presidential Transition, 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. [[Page D1125]] September 24, Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives, hearing on How Information Policy Affects Competitive Viability in Minority Contracting, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. September 24, Subcommittee on National Security, and Foreign Affairs, hearing on Oversight of U.S.--Pakistan Relations: From Ad Hoc and Transactional to Strategic and Enduring, 2 p.m., 2203 Rayburn. September 25, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, hearing on Tumors and Cell Phone use: What the Science says, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, September 24, Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology, hearing on Small Business Recovery from the Midwest Disasters of 2008, 2 p.m., 1539 Longworth. September 25, full Committee, hearing on Small Business Competition Policy: Are Markets Open for Entrepreneurs? 10 a.m., 1539 Longworth. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, September 23, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, hearing on FEMA's Response to the 2008 Hurricane Season and the National Housing Strategy, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. September 24, full Committee, hearing on National Mediation Board Oversight of Elections for Union Representation, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. September 25, Subcommittee on Aviation, hearing on Runway Safety: An Update, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, September 23, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on Media Outreach to Veterans: An Update, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. September 24, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to continue oversight hearings on G.I. Bill Implementation, 1 p.m., 340 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, September 23, Subcommittee on Health, hearing on the Health of the Private Health Insurance Market, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. September 24, Subcommittee on Oversight, hearing on Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, September 24, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, executive, to meet on ongoing matters/reports, 10 a.m., H-405 Capitol. September 24, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence, executive, consideration of Reports, Preview of Future Reports, and Discussion of agenda (110th/ 111th), 3 p.m., H-405. September 25, full Committee, executive, to consider pending business, 1:30 p.m., H-405 Capitol. September 24, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence, briefing on Hot Spots, 8:45 a.m., H-405 Capitol. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, September 25, hearing on The Future of LIHEAP Funding: Will Families Get The Cold Shoulder this Winder? 9:30 a..m., room to be announced. 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. 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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 D1126]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 3 p.m., Monday, September 22 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will be in a period of morning business. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 22 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Bachmann, Michele, Minn., E1845 Bartlett, Roscoe G., Md., E1842 Bishop, Timothy H., N.Y., E1836 Boozman, John, Ark., E1848 Brady, Robert A., Pa., E1838 Buyer, Steve, Ind., E1836 Conaway, K. Michael, Tex., E1839 Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E1837 Emerson, Jo Ann, Mo., E1838 Everett, Terry, Ala., E1835 Franks, Trent, Ariz., E1846 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E1846 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E1842, E1843, E1844 Gillibrand, Kirsten E., N.Y., E1844 Graves, Sam, Mo., E1834, E1835, E1836, E1837, E1838, E1840, E1840, E1841, E1842 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E1835 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1844 Lewis, John, Ga., E1839 McCarthy, Carolyn, N.Y., E1837 McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E1848 McMorris Rodgers, Cathy, Wash., E1836 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1844 Manzullo, Donald A., Ill., E1833 Meeks, Gregory W., N.Y., E1837 Miller, Candice S., Mich., E1837 Miller, Gary G., Calif., E1838 Miller, George, Calif., E1841 Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E1848, E1849 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E1839, E1840 Murphy, Christopher S., Conn., E1845 Neal, Richard E., Mass., E1847 Nunes, Devin, Calif., E1848 Pelosi, Nancy, Calif., E1833 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1835 Regula, Ralph, Ohio, E1836 Rehberg, Dennis R., Mont., E1849 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E1844 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E1845, E1846, E1849 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E1849 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E1840 Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E1843 Tsongas, Niki, Mass., E1846 Walberg, Timothy, Mich., E1847, E1850 Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E1841 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E1838