Thursday, September 15, 2005 [[Page D920]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed H.R. 2862, Commerce/Justice/Science Appropriations. Senate passed H.R. 3768, Hurricane Katrina Tax Relief Act. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S10057-S10163 Measures Introduced: Eleven bills and six resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1706-1716, and S. Res. 239-244. Page S10119 Measures Reported: S. 360, to amend the Coastal Zone Management Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-137) Page S10119 Measures Passed: Hurricane Katrina Tax Relief Act: Committee on Finance was discharged from further consideration of S. 1696, to provide tax relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, to provide incentives for charitable giving, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S10066-67 Grassley/Baucus Amendment No. 1722, in the nature of a substitute. Page S10067 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the bill be held at the desk. Page S10067 Subsequently, the passage of the bill was vitiated and ordered placed on the Senate Calendar. Page S10147 Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Amendments Act: Senate passed H.R. 3649, to ensure funding for sportfishing and boating safety programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund through the end of fiscal year 2005, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Page S10067 Grassley (for Bond/Murray) Amendment No. 1723, to make technical corrections to Public Law 109-59. Page S10067 Commerce/Justice/Science Appropriations: By a vote of 91 yeas to 4 nays (Vote No. 235), Senate passed H.R. 2862, making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S10058, S10070-79 Adopted: By a unanimous vote of 99 yeas (Vote. 231), Grassley Modified Amendment No. 1713, to provide that funds must be used in a manner consistent with the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002. Pages S10064-65 Shelby (for Kyl) Amendment No. 1719, to provide $5,000,000 in the Southwest United States for hiring officers dedicated to the investigation of manufacturers of fraudulent Federal identity documents, Federal travel documents, or documents allowing access to Federal programs. Page S10065 Shelby (for Baucus) Amendment No. 1720, to provide funds for economic adjustment and development to areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Page S10065 Shelby (for Durbin/Coburn) Amendment No. 1721, to permit certain health professionals who are displaced by Hurricane Katrina to provide health-related services under the Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, and Indian Health Service programs in States to which such professionals relocate. Pages S10065-66 By a unanimous vote of 96 yeas (Vote No. 233), Shelby (for Snowe/ Vitter) Amendment No. 1717, to provide assistance for small businesses damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Pages S10070-71 Shelby (for Inouye) Amendment No. 1716, to extend the provisions on an expiring provision of the Universal Service Antideficiency Temporary Suspension Act. Page S10072 Shelby (for Kerry) Modified Amendment No. 1724, to reduce fees on loans to small businesses. Page S10072 [[Page D921]] Shelby (for Reid) Amendment No. 1725, to provide additional funding for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for processing of background checks for petitions and applications pending before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Page S10072 Rejected: By 39 yeas to 60 nays (Vote No. 232), Dorgan Amendment No. 1665, to prohibit weakening any law that provides safeguards from unfair foreign trade practices. Pages S10061-65 Withdrawn: Kerry/Landrieu Amendment No. 1695, to strengthen the loan, procurement assistance, and management education programs of the Small Business Administration in order to help small businesses and home owners hurt by Hurricane Katrina meet their existing obligations, finance their businesses, and maintain and create jobs, thereby providing stability to the national economy. Page S10071 Bingaman Amendment No. 1706, to provide funds for educational assistance to individuals and schools impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Pages S10060-61, S10071-72 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: Chair sustained a point of order that Kyl Amendment No. 1718, to prevent the use of certain payment instruments, credit cards, and fund transfers for unlawful Internet gambling, violates Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, which constitutes general legislation on an appropriations bill, and therefore was ruled out of order. Pages S10059-60 By 43 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 234), two-thirds of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to suspend Rule XVI, pursuant to notice previously given in writing, relative to Lieberman Amendment No. 1678, to provide financial relief for individuals and entities affected by Hurricane Katrina. Subsequently, the Chair sustained the point of order that the amendment was in violation of Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate which prohibits legislation on appropriations matters, and the amendment thus fell. Page S10073 Senate insisted on its amendments, requested a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair was authorized to appoint the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Shelby, Gregg, Stevens, Domenici, McConnell, Hutchison, Brownback, Bond, Cochran, Mikulski, Inouye, Leahy, Kohl, Murray, Harkin, Dorgan, and Byrd. Page S10079 Hurricane Katrina Tax Relief Act: Senate passed H.R. 3768, to provide emergency tax relief for persons affected by Hurricane Katrina, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Page S10147 Frist (for Grassley/Baucus) Amendment No. 1728, in the nature of a substitute. Page S10147 Supporting the Pledge of Allegiance: Senate agreed to S. Res. 243, expressing support for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pages S10147-48 Supporting the Pledge of Allegiance: Senate agreed to S. Res. 244, expressing support for the Pledge of Allegiance. Page S10148 Pell Grant Hurricane and Disaster Relief Act: Senate passed H.R. 3169, to provide the Secretary of Education with waiver authority for students who are eligible for Pell Grants who are adversely affected by a natural disaster, clearing the measure for the President. Page S10149 Student Grant Hurricane and Disaster Relief Act: Senate passed H.R. 3668, to provide the Secretary of Education with waiver authority for students who are eligible for Federal student grant assistance who are adversely affected by a major disaster, clearing the measure for the President. Page S10149 TANF Emergency Response and Recovery Act: Senate passed H.R. 3672, to provide assistance to families affected by Hurricane Katrina, through the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S10149-50 Recognizing American Academy of Pediatrics 75th Anniversary: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 204, recognizing the 75th anniversary of the American Academy of Pediatrics and supporting the mission and goals of the organization, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S10150 Opposing Anti-Semitism: Senate agreed to S. Res. 240, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding manifestations of anti-Semitism by United Nations member states and urging action against anti-Semitism by United Nations officials, United Nations member states, and the Government of the United States. Pages S10150-51 Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma Awareness Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 241, designating September 2005, as ``Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma Awareness Month''; Page S10151 Agriculture Appropriations: Senate began consideration of H.R. 2744, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, [[Page D922]] which will be considered as original text for the purpose of further amendment, and taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S10080-S10103 Pending: Bennett/Kohl Amendment No. 1726, to amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. Pages S10101-03 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for consideration of the bill at 3 p.m. on Monday, September 19, 2005. Page S10154 Messages From the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, the recommendations of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (PM-22) Page S10117 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Michael R. Arietti, of Connecticut, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda. Karan K. Bhatia, of Maryland, to be Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the Rank of Ambassador. Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., of South Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor. Richard Stickler, of West Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health. 2 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy. Pages S10155-63 Messages From the House: Pages S10117-18 Measures Referred: Page S10118 Measures Placed on Calendar: Page S10118 Measures Read First Time: Page S10118 Executive Communications: Pages S10118-19 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S10119-21 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S10121-31 Additional Statements: Pages S10115-17 Amendments Submitted: Pages S10131-45 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S10146 Authority for Committees to Meet: Page S10146 Privilege of the Floor: Page S10147 Record Votes: Five record votes were taken today. (Total--235) Pages S10064-65, S10071, S10073, S10079 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 8:39 p.m., until 2 p.m., on Monday, September 19, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S10155.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch concluded a hearing to examine the progress of Capitol Visitor Center construction, focusing on the Architect of the Capitol's progress in managing the project's schedule since the Subcommittee's last hearing on the project, estimate of a general time frame for completing the construction, and the costs and funding, including the potential impact of scheduling issues on cost, after receiving testimony from Alan Hartman, Architect of the Capitol; Bernard L. Ungar, Director, and Terrell Dorn, Assistant Director, both of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office. NOMINATIONS: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Keith E. Gottfried, of California, to be General Counsel, Kim Kendrick, of the District of Columbia, who was introduced by Senator Santorum, Keith A. Nelson, of Texas, and Darlene F. Williams, of Texas, each to be an Assistant Secretary, all of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Israel Hernandez, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, Darryl W. Jackson, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary, Franklin L. Lavin, of Ohio, to be Under Secretary for International Trade, who was introduced by Senator DeWine, and David H. McCormick, of Pennsylvania, to be Under Secretary for Export Administration, who was introduced by Senator Santorum, all of the Department of Commerce, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. U.S.-INDONESIA RELATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs concluded a hearing to examine U.S.-Indonesia relations, focusing on a bilateral relationship with Indonesia, after receiving testimony from Eric G. John, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; James R. Kunder, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia and the Near East, U.S. Agency for International Development; Hadi Soesastro, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta, Indonesia; Randolph Martin, Mercy Corps, Washington, D.C.; and Paul M. Cleveland, Arlington, Virginia. [[Page D923]] NOMINATIONS: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Stewart A. Baker, of Virginia, who was introduced by Senator McCain and former Senator Robb, and Julie L. Myers, of Kansas, who was introduced by Senator Roberts, each to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. NOMINATION Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded hearings on the nomination of John G. Roberts, Jr., of Maryland, to be Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, after the nominee further answered questions in his own behalf. Also, testimony was received from Representative John Lewis; Jennifer Cabranes Braceras and Peter Kirsanow, each a Commissioner, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; Dick Thornburgh, former Attorney General of the United States; Carol M. Browner, former Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; John Engler, former Michigan Governor, Lansing; Bruce Botelho, former Alaska Attorney General, Juneau; Judge Nathaniel Jones, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to the Sixth Circuit (Retired); Judge Denise Lindberg, Third District of the Utah State Court, Salt Lake City; Stephen L. Tober, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Tom Hayward, Chicago, Illinois, and Pamela A. Bresnahan, Washington, D.C., all on behalf of the American Bar Association; Reginald M. Turner, Jr., National Bar Association, Detroit, Michigan; Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Maureen E. Mahoney, Latham & Watkins, Catherine E. Stetson, Hogan & Hartson, Marcia Greenberger, National Women's Law Center, Peter B. Edelman, Georgetown University Law Center, and Diana Furchtgott- Roth, Hudson Institute, all of Washington, D.C.; Kathryn Webb Bradley, Duke Law School, Durham, North Carolina; Charles Fried, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Patricia L. Bellia, Notre Dame Law School, South Bend, Indiana; Judith Resnik, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut; Christopher S. Yoo, Vanderbilt University Law School, Nashville, Tennessee; David Strauss, University of Chicago Law School, and Susan Thistlethwaite, Chicago Theological Seminary, both of Chicago, Illinois; Robert Reich, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts; Anne Marie Tallman, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Los Angeles, California; Rabbi Dale Polakoff, Rabbinical Council of America, Great Neck, New York; Karen Pearl, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, New York, New York; Henrietta Wright, Dallas, Texas, on behalf of the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center; Roderick Jackson, Ensley High School, Birmingham, Alabama; and Beverly Jones, Lafayette, Tennessee. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Veterans Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the following bills: S. 1182, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve health care for veterans, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, (as approved by the Committee, the substitute amendment incorporated related provisions of S. 1182, as introduced, and provisions of S. 1177, S. 1189, and S. 1190); and S. 716, to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance services provided by vet centers, to clarify and improve the provision of bereavement counseling by the Department of Veterans Affairs. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 35 public bills, H.R. 3784- 3818; 5 private bills, H.R. 3819-3823; and 8 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 244-245; and H. Res. 444-449 were introduced. Pages H8087-88 Additional Cosponsors: Page H8088 Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today. Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005: H.R. 3768, amended, to provide emergency tax relief for persons affected by Hurricane Katrina. Pages H8014-22 A resolution to establish the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina: The House passed H. Res. 437, to establish the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina. Pages H7965-H8014, H8022-31, H8056-57 [[Page D924]] H. Res. 439, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by a recorded vote of 221 ayes to 193 noes, Roll No. 472, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote 222 yea to 193 nay, Roll No. 471. Pages H8013-14 Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005: The House passed H.R. 889, to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2006, to make technical corrections to various laws administered by the Coast Guard by a yea-and-nay vote of 415 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 474. Pages H7963-65, H8031-56 Pursuant to the rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment. Page H8036 Agreed to: LoBiondo amendment (No. 11 printed in the Congressional Record) that authorizes additional funding for operation and maintenance of the Coast Guard as a result of Hurricane Katrina and to add certain other sundry provisions; Pages H8036-45 Young of Alaska amendment (No. 13 printed in the Congressional Record) that will confirm the legality of allowing foreign workers to work on U.S.-flag vessels on international voyages to conduct various non-watchstanding functions. The amendment also requires these foreign personnel to possess a transportation security card, when required by 46 U.S.C. Sec. 70105; Page H8045 Young of Alaska amendment (No. 15 printed in the Congressional Record) to include provisions regarding eligibility to participate in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program; Page H8046 Young of Alaska amendment (No. 14 printed in the Congressional Record) that adjusts the Voluntary Three-Pie Cooperative Program implementing regulations in regard to quotas for crab fisheries of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands which was implemented under Public Law 108-199; Page H8046 Souder amendment (No. 10 printed in the Congressional Record) which authorizes funding for the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to purchase or lease a maritime refueling vessel to support United States drug interdiction efforts in the Eastern Pacific maritime transit zone; Pages H8046-47 Fossella amendment (No. 4 printed in the Congressional Record) that requires ferries that carry 399 passengers or more to have voyage data recorders on board. It would also authorize funding for the program; and Pages H8050-52 Sanchez of California amendment, as modified (No. 2 printed in the Congressional Record) would have the Commandant of the Coast Guard review the adequacy of the strength of the active duty personnel to carry out all the Coast Guard's missions. Page H8051 Rejected: Markey amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record) that sought to require the Coast Guard to perform an assessment of the security and safety of all new or expanded Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals, and provides the Commandant of the Coast Guard with the power to block construction of new terminals or expansion of existing terminals based on security or safety concerns (by a recorded vote of 106 ayes to 316 noes, Roll No. 473). Pages H8047-50, H8055 Withdrawn: Oberstar amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to make technical and conforming changes; Pages H8041-42 Markey amendment (No. 7 printed in the Congressional Record) was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to reimburse port authorities, facility operators, and State and local agencies that are required under Federal law to provide security services or funds to implement Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and facility security plans; and Pages H8052-53 Markey amendment (No. 9 printed in the Congressional Record) was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to provide that when the Coast Guard writes its Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans, it will now be required to list facilities located within the Area that could substitute safer chemicals or processes in order to reduce the consequences of a toxic release caused by a future hurricane or other natural disaster or terrorist attack. It would also require the Coast Guard to recommend special efforts or procedures for proposed new facilities that might be built near densely populated areas or in other sensitive areas that might have important economic or national security significance. Pages H8053-55 Ageed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes in the engrossment of the bill to reflect the actions of the House. Page H8057 H. Res. 440, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by voice vote after agreeing to order the previous question without objection. Pages H7963-65 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourn today, it adjourn to meet at 12 noon on Monday, September 19, and when the House adjourns on [[Page D925]] Monday, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2005, for Morning Hour debate. Page H8060 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, September 21. Page H8060 Committee Elections: The House agreed to H. Res. 445, electing the following Members and Delegates to the following standing committees: Pages H8060-61 Committee on Agriculture: Mrs. Schmidt to rank after Mr. Fortenberry. Page H8061 Committee on Government Reform: Mrs. Schmidt to rank after Ms. Foxx. Page H8061 Committee on Homeland Security: Mr. King of New York, Chairman; Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida to rank after Mr. Dent. Page H8061 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Mrs. Schmidt to rank after Mr. Boustany. Page H8061 Sense of Congress Welcoming President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to the United States on September 20, 2005: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 237, expressing the sense of Congress welcoming President Chen Shui- bian of Taiwan to the United States on September 20. Page H8061 Agreed to the Chabot amendment to the preamble of the measure. Page H8061 Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Thornberry to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through September 20, 2005. Page H8062 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he transmitted to Congress the report containing the recommendations of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission--referred to the Committee on Armed Services and ordered printed (H. Doc. 109-56). Page H8061 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on pages H7961 and H8031. Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and 2 recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H8013, H8014, H8055, H8056 and H8056-57. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Committee Meetings NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review Canada and Australia's experience with implementing national animal identification systems. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENAS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations authorized the issuance of subpoenas duces tecum to the Jockeys' Guild and to Matrix Capital Associates, Inc. KATRINA/EMERGENCY HOUSING Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing entitled ``Emergency Housing Needs in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; COMMITTEE REPORT Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Con. Res. 59, Recognizing the contributions of African- American basketball teams and players for their achievements, dedication, and contributions to the sport of basketball and to the Nation; H. Con. Res. 209, Supporting the goals and ideals of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and expressing the sense of Congress that Congress should raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating effects on families; H.J. Res. 61, Supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day; H.R. 2062, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 57 West Street in Newville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Randall D. Shughart Post Office Building;'' H.R. 2413, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1202 1st Street in Humble, Texas, as the ``Lillian McKay Post Office Building;'' H.R. 3439, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 North 3rd Street in Smithfield, North Carolina, as the ``Ava Gardner Post Office;'' H.R. 3440, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Avenida RL Rodreguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, as the ``Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa Post Office Building;'' H.R. 3667, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 South Barrington Street In Los Angeles, California, as the ``Karl Malden Station;'' H.R. 3703, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8501 Philatelic Drive in Spring Hill, Florida, as the ``Staff Sergeant Michael Schafer Post Office Building;'' S. 1275, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7172 North Tongass Highway, Ward Cove, Alaska, as the ``Alice R. Brusich Post Office Building;'' S. 1223, Information Technology for Health Care Quality Act; a Committee Report entitled ``A Citizen's Guide on Using the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974 to Request Government Records; H.R. 3508, amended, 2005 District of Columbia Omnibus Authorization Act; H.R. 3128, Clarification of Federal Employment Protections Act; H.R. 3767, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2600 Oak Street in St. Charles, Illinois, as the ``Jacob L. [[Page D926]] Frazier Post Office Building;'' H. Res. 429, Congratulating the West Oahu Little League Baseball team for winning the 2005 Little League Baseball World Series. KATRINA LESSONS LEARNED Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``Back to the Drawing Board: A First Look at Lessons Learned from Katrina.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the State of California: Constance Perett, Administrator, Office of Emergency Management, County of Los Angeles; and Ellis Stanley, General Manager, Emergency Preparedness Department, City of Los Angeles; Robert C. Bobb, City Administrator, District of Columbia; the following officials of the State of Florida: Tony Carper, Jr., Director, Emergency Management Agency, Broward County; and Chief Carlos Castillo, Director, Office of Emergency Management, Miami-Dade County; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Con. Res. 195, amended, Commemorating the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, urging the Government of the Republic of Turkey to acknowledge the culpability of its predecessor state, the Ottoman Empire, for the Armenian Genocide and engage in rapprochement with the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people, and supporting the accession of Turkey to the European Union if Turkey meets certain criteria; H. Res. 316, Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution; and H.R. 1973, amended, Water for the Poor Act of 2005. The Committee approved a motion urging the chairman to request that the following measures be considered on the Suspension Calendar: H.R. 1409, amended, Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 2005; H.R. 3184, To ensure that countries that have signed a Small Quantities Protocol also sign, ratify, and implement the Additional Protocol and provide access by IAEA inspectors to their nuclear-related facilities and to direct the United States Permanent Representative to the IAEA to make every effort to rescind and eliminate the Small Quantities Protocol and ensure compliance by all Member States of the IAEA with IAEA obligations and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations; H.R. 3269, To amend the International Organizations Immunities Act to provide for the applicability of that Act to the Bank for International Settlements; H. Res. 38, amended, Expressing support for the accession of Israel to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); H. Res. 388, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the July, 2005, measures of extreme repression on the part of the Cuban Government against members of Cuba's prodemocracy movement, calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners, the legalization of political parties and free elections in Cuba, urging the European Union to reexamine its policy toward Cuba, and calling on the representative of the United States to the 62d session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to ensure a resolution calling upon the Cuban regime to end its human rights violations; H. Res. 409, Condemning the Government of Zimbabwe's ``Operation Murambatsvina'' under which homes, businesses, religious structures, and other buildings and facilities were demolished in an effort characterized by the Government of Zimbabwe as an operation to ``restore order'' to the country; H. Con. Res. 237, amended, Expressing the sense of Congress welcoming President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to the United States on September 20, 2005; and H. Con. Res. 238, amended, Honoring the victims of the Cambodian genocide that took place from April 1975 to January 1979. PATENT ACT SUBSTITUTE Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property held a hearing entitled ``An Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 2795, `The Patent Act of 2005'.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FOREIGN NATIONALS/ESPIONAGE Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims held an oversight hearing entitled ``Sources and Methods of Foreign Nationals Engaged in Economic and Military Espionage,'' Testimony was heard from Michelle Van Cleave, National Counterintelligence Executive, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; Maynard Anderson, former Deputy Under Secretary, Security Policy, Department of Defense; and public witnesses. CYBERSECURITY/PROTECTING CRITICAL INDUSTRIES Committee on Science: Held a hearing on Cybersecurity: How Can the Government Help Address Vulnerabilities in Critical Industries? Testimony was hearing from Donald Purdy, Acting Director, National Cyber Security Division, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT IMPROVEMENTS Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Rural Enterprise, Agriculture and Technology held a hearing entitled ``The Need for Improvements and More [[Page D927]] Incentives in the Endangered Species Act.'' Testimony was heard from Representative Pombo; Mike Wells, Chief of Water Resources, Department of Natural Resources, State of Missouri; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--INSPECTOR GENERAL'S 9/11 ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a Briefing on Inspector General's 9/11 Accountability Report. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. RESOLUTION--REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT FOR DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE DISCLOSURE OF THE IDENTITY AND EMPLOYMENT OF VALERIE PLAME Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session and ordered adversely reported H. Res. 418, Requesting the President to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of the President relating to the disclosure of the identity and employment of Ms. Valerie Plame. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of September 19 through September 24, 2005 Senate Chamber On Monday, at 3 p.m., Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 2744, Agriculture Appropriations. During the balance of the week, Senate will consider any other cleared legislative and executive business, including any other appropriation bills, when available. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: September 20, business meeting to mark up S. 1582, to reauthorize the United States Grain Standards Act, to facilitate the official inspection at export port locations of grain required or authorized to be inspected under such Act, 10 a.m., SR-328A. September 21, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the status of the World Trade Organization negotiations on agriculture, 9 a.m., SR-328A. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: September 20, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Emil W. Henry, Jr., of New York, to be Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions, Terry Neese, of Oklahoma, to be Director of the Mint, and Patrick M. O'Brien, of Minnesota, to be Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, all of Department of the Treasury, 10 a.m., SD-538. September 22, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the financial services industry's responsibilities and role in preventing identity theft and protecting sensitive financial information, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: September 20, Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction, to hold hearings to examine the prediction of Hurricane Katrina and the work of the National Hurricane Center, 2:30 p.m., SD-562. September 21, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine energy prices, 9:30 a.m., SD-562. September 21, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine energy prices, 2 p.m., SD-562. September 22, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine communications in disaster, 10 a.m., SD-562. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: September 20, to hold hearings to examine climate change science and economics, focusing on the current state of climate change scientific research and the economics of strategies to manage climate change, including the relationship between energy consumption and climate change, and the potential effects on the U.S. economy of climate change and strategies to control greenhouse gas emissions, 10 a.m., SD-366. September 22, Subcommittee on National Parks, to hold hearings to examine S. 435, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Farmington River and Salmon Brook in the State of Connecticut for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, S. 1096, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate portions of the Musconetcong River in the State of New Jersey as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, S. 1310, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to allow the Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation to increase the diameter of a natural gas pipeline located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, S. 1378, to amend the National Historic Preservation Act to provide appropriation authorization and improve the operations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and S. 1627, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources study to evaluate resources along the coastal region of the State of Delaware and to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing a unit of the National Park System in Delaware, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: September 21, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water, to [[Page D928]] hold hearings to examine the Endangered Species Act and the role of States, Tribes and local governments, 9:30 a.m., SD-406. September 22, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of George M. Gray, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Administrator, and Lyons Gray, of North Carolina, to be Chief Financial Officer, both of the Environmental Protection Agency, Edward McGaffigan, Jr., of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, H. Dale Hall, of New Mexico, to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, and Santanu K. Baruah, of Oregon, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, 2:30 p.m., SD-406. Committee on Foreign Relations: September 19, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of C. Boyden Gray, of the District of Columbia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the European Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador, Francis Rooney, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Holy See, and Alfred Hoffman, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Portugal, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. September 20, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Narcotics Affairs, to hold hearings to examine China's role in Latin America, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: September 22, Subcommittee on Education and Early Childhood Development, to hold hearings to examine Hurricane Katrina's displaced school children, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: September 21, to hold hearings to examine what lessons have been learned to secure U.S. transit systems relating to the London terrorist attacks, 10 a.m., SD-342. September 22, Full Committee, to resume hearings to examine issues relating to recovering from Hurricane Katrina, focusing on the needs of those displaced, today and tomorrow, 10 a.m., SD-342. September 22, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine cost and payment plans for the Medicare Modernization Act and if the new legislation will meet the needs of seniors, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: September 21, to hold an oversight hearing to examine Indian gaming, 9:30 a.m., SR-385. Committee on the Judiciary: September 20, to hold hearings to examine the taking of homes and other private property relating to the Kelo Decision, 10 a.m., SD-226. September 21, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine able danger and intelligence information sharing, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: September 21, to hold hearings to examine the impact of Hurricane Katrina on small businesses, 10 a.m., SR-428A. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: September 20, to hold joint hearings with the House Committee on Veterans Affairs to examine the legislative presentation of the American Legion, 10 a.m., 345 CHOB. House Committees Committee on Armed Services, September 20, to mark up H. Res. 417, Directing the Secretary of Defense to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of the Secretary of Defense relating to the disclosure of the identity and employment of Ms. Valerie Plame, 7 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. September 21, Threat Panel, hearing on threats in Latin America, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. September 22, Threat Panel, hearing on threats in Eurasia, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, September 21, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, hearing entitled ``An Update on the California Electricity System and Markets,'' 1 p.m., 2322 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, September 21, Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability, hearing entitled ``Implementing Cost Accounting at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor,'' 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. Committee on House Administration, September 22, hearing entitled ``Political Speech on the Internet: Should It Be Regulated?'' 9 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on International Relations, September 21, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, hearing on The United States and Southeast Asia: Developments, Trends, and Policy Choices, 11:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. September 22, full Committee, hearing on United States Policy in Afghanistan: Establishing Democratic Governance and Security in the Wake of Parliamentary Elections, 10:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, September 22, Subcommittee on the Constitution, oversight hearing entitled ``The Supreme Court's Kelo Decision and Potential Congressional Responses,'' 11 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. September 22, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, oversight hearing entitled ``Reducing Peer- To-Peer Piracy (P2P) on University Campuses: A Progress Update,'' 9 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, September 21, hearing on the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. September 23, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans, hearing on the following bills: S. 260, and H.R. 2018, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Science, September 21, hearing on NOAA Hurricane Forecasting, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, September 21, hearing entitled ``Reforming the Tax Code to Assist Small Businesses,'' 2 p.m., 2360 Rayburn. September 22, Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight, hearing entitled ``Entrepreneur Soldiers Empowerment Act (ESEA),'' 2 p.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, September 21, Subcommittee on Railroads, oversight hearing on Amtrak Reform Proposals, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. [[Page D929]] Joint Meetings Joint Meetings: September 20, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to hold joint hearings with the House Committee on Veterans Affairs to examine the legislative presentation of the American Legion, 10 a.m., 345 CHOB. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D930]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 2 p.m., Monday, September 19 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 3 p.m.), Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 2744, Agriculture Appropriations. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 12 noon, Monday, September 19 House Chamber Program for Monday: The House will meet in pro forma session at 12 noon. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Biggert, Judy, Ill., E1872 Boehner, John A., Ohio, E1858 Boucher, Rick, Va., E1858 Brown, Sherrod, Ohio, E1871 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1866, E1869, E1876 Capps, Lois, Calif., E1877 Castle, Michael N., Del., E1865, E1867 Clay, Wm. Lacy, Mo., E1878 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E1865, E1868 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1855, E1861 Costa, Jim, Calif., E1858 Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E1870 Cramer, Robert E. (Bud), Jr., Ala., E1865, E1865, E1867 Cummings, Elijah E., Md., E1874, E1877 Davis, Tom, Va., E1864 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E1871 Edwards, Chet, Tex., E1853, E1854 Ehlers, Vernon J., Mich., E1872 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E1876 Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E1879 Filner, Bob, Calif., E1859 Green, Gene, Tex., E1854 Green, Mark, Wisc., E1853, E1854 Harman, Jane, Calif., E1880 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E1859 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E1858, E1863 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E1878 Istook, Ernest J., Jr., Okla., E1860 Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E1857, E1873 Kanjorski, Paul E., Pa., E1859 Kelly, Sue W., N.Y., E1857 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1864, E1867, E1868, E1869, E1870, E1871, E1872 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E1882 Larsen, Rick, Wash., E1860 Larson, John B., Conn., E1880 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E1880 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1869 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E1874 Miller, George, Calif., E1880 Ney, Robert W., Ohio, E1853, E1853, E1854, E1856, E1857 Paul, Ron, Tex., E1873 Platts, Todd Russell, Pa., E1860 Poe, Ted, Tex., E1873 Price, Tom, Ga., E1856 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1876 Rohrabacher, Dana, Calif., E1872 Ross, Mike, Ark., E1864, E1867, E1868, E1869, E1870, E1871 Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E1875 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E1878 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E1854 Serrano, Jose E., N.Y., E1854, E1879 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E1875 Shuster, Bill, Pa., E1860 Simpson, Michael K., Idaho, E1853 Sullivan, John, Okla., E1857 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E1863 Tiberi, Patrick J., Ohio, E1878 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E1866, E1869 Udall, Mark, Colo., E1873 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E1863 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E1874 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E1858