Wednesday, May 3, 2006 [[Page D424]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS House Committee ordered reported the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3933-S3995 Measures Introduced: Ten bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 22-23, 2701-2708, S. Res. 462-464, and S. Con. Res. 93. Pages S3984-85 Measures Reported: S. 1773, to resolve certain Native American claims in New Mexico, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 109-252) Page S3984 Measures Passed: Israel's 58th Independence Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. Res. 463, recognizing the 58th Anniversary of the Independence of the State of Israel. Pages S3993-94 National Hunger Awareness Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 464, designating June 7, 2006, as ``National Hunger Awareness Day'' and authorizing the Senate offices of Senators Gordon H. Smith, Blanche L. Lincoln, Elizabeth Dole, and Richard J. Durbin to collect donations of food during the period beginning May 8, 2006, and ending June 7, 2006, from concerned Members of Congress and staff to assist families suffering from hunger and food insecurity in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Page S3994 Honoring Murdered Victims in Mexico: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 90, conveying the sympathy of Congress to the families of the young women murdered in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, and encouraging increased United States involvement in bringing an end to these crimes. Page S3995 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 4939, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3937-73 Adopted: Menendez Modified Amendment No. 3777, to fund a United Nations Peacekeeping force in Darfur and to address the shortfall in the United States Contributions to the United Nations for international peacekeeping missions in 13 countries. Pages S3939-40 Cochran (for McConnell) Modified Amendment No. 3612, to provide a national security interest waiver on prohibitions on assistance for the Office of the President of the Palestinian Authority. Page S3940 Cochran (for Biden) Modified Amendment No. 3719, to provide that not less than $250,000 of the amount appropriated for Diplomatic and Consular Programs assistance shall be made available for the establishment and support of an office of a special envoy for Sudan. Page S3940 Cochran (for Leahy) Amendment No. 3823, to provide urgent assistance to support the demobilization process in Colombia. Pages S3940-41 Cochran (for Kennedy) Amendment No. 3798, to honor Eli Segal's contribution to AmeriCorps by providing that the national service educational awards provided, from available resources, to AmeriCorps members on completion of their terms of service shall be known as ``Segal awards.'' Page S3941 Cochran (for Lieberman) Amendment No. 3746, to make a technical amendment. Page S3941 Cornyn Amendment No. 3699, to establish a floor to ensure that States that contain areas that were adversely affected as a result of damage from the 2005 hurricane season receive at least 3.5 percent of funds set aside for the CDBG program. Pages S3938, S3941 Burr Modified Amendment No. 3713, to allocate funds to the Smithsonian Institution for research on avian influenza. Pages S3937, S3945 Cochran (for Kennedy) Modified Amendment No. 3686, to provide funds to support democracy assistance programs in Iraq that promote the long term [[Page D425]] development of civil society, political parties, election processes, the rule of law, reconciliation activities, and parliament in that country. Pages S3945-48 By 53 yeas to 46 nays (Vote No. 107), Murray (for Kennedy) Modified Amendment No. 3688, to provide funding to compensate individuals harmed by pandemic influenza vaccine. Pages S3937, S3942-43, S3948 Biden Amendment No. 3855 (to Amendment No. 3717), to provide that no funds made available by title I of this Act may be made available to establish permanent United States military bases in Iraq or to exercise control by the United States over the oil infrastructure or oil resources of Iraq. Pages S3949, S3952 Biden Amendment No. 3717, to provide that none of the funds made available by title I of this Act may be made available to establish permanent military bases in Iraq or to exercise control over the oil infrastructure or oil resources of Iraq. Pages S3948-49, S3952 Cochran (for Lott) Amendment No. 3605, to designate the Navy, acting through the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, as the agent for all matters relating to the construction of a new Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi. Page S3963 Cochran (for Leahy) Modified Amendment No. 3657, to address a shortfall in funding for international disaster and famine assistance and for hurricane relief. Pages S3963-64 By 51 yeas to 45 nays (Vote No. 110), Inouye Amendment No. 3601, to provide assistance relating to assessments and monitoring of waters in the State of Hawaii. Pages S3966-68 Rejected: By 37 yeas to 61 nays (Vote No. 108), McCain/Ensign Amendment No. 3616, to strike a provision that provides $74.5 million to states based on their production of certain types of crops, livestock and or dairy products, which was not included in the Administration's emergency supplemental request. Pages S3937, S3953-55, S3964 By 43 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 109), Inouye Amendment No. 3673, to increase funds made available for assessments of critical reservoirs and dams in the State of Hawaii. Pages S3966-67 Withdrawn: Coburn Amendment No. 3641 (Division XIX), relative to the construction of the Sacramento Riverbank Protection Project in California. Pages S3937, S3938 Coburn Amendment No. 3817, to strike a provision relating to the Office of Job Corps, Department of Labor. Pages S3938-39 McCain/Ensign Amendment No. 3618, to strike $15 million for a seafood promotion strategy that was not included in the Administration's emergency supplemental request. Pages S3937, S3952 McCain/Ensign Amendment No. 3619, to strike the limitation on the use of funds for the issuance or implementation of certain rulemaking decisions related to the interpretation of ``actual control'' of airlines. Pages S3937, S3952 Murray (for Harkin) Amendment No. 3714, to increase by $8,500,000 the amount appropriated for Economic Support Fund assistance, to provide that such funds shall be made available to the United States Institute of Peace for programs in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to provide an offset. Pages S3937, S3952 Murray (for Kennedy) Amendment No. 3716, to provide funds to promote democracy in Iraq. Pages S3937, S3952 Pending: Thune Amendment No. 3704, to provide, with an offset, $20,000,000 for the Department of Veterans Affairs for Medical Facilities. Vitter/Landrieu Modified Amendment No. 3728, to provide for flood prevention in the State of Louisiana, with an offset. Pages S4955-57 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: Chair sustained a point of order under rule XXII, that the following amendments were not germane, and the amendments thus fell: Warner Amendment No. 3620, to repeal the requirement for 12 operational aircraft carriers within the Navy. Pages S3937, S3969 Vitter Modified Amendment No. 3628, to base the allocation of hurricane disaster relief and recovery funds to States on need and physical damages. Pages S3937, S3969 Wyden Amendment No. 3665, to prohibit the use of funds to provide royalty relief for the production of oil and natural gas. Pages S3937, S3969 Santorum Modified Amendment No. 3640, to increase by $12,500,000 the amount appropriated for the Broadcasting Board of Governors, to increase by $12,500,000 the amount appropriated for the Department of State for the Democracy Fund, to provide that such funds shall be made available for democracy programs and activities in Iran, and to provide an offset. Pages S3937, S3969 Salazar/Baucus Amendment No. 3645, to provide funding for critical hazardous fuels and forest health projects to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires and mitigate the effects of widespread insect infestations. Pages S3937, S3969 [[Page D426]] Vitter Amendment No. 3668, to provide for the treatment of a certain Corps of Engineers project. Pages S3937, S3969 Coburn (for Obama/Coburn) Amendment No. 3693, to reduce wasteful spending by limiting to the reasonable industry standard the spending for administrative overhead allowable under Federal contracts and subcontracts. Pages S3937, S3969 Coburn (for Obama/Coburn) Amendment No. 3694, to improve accountability for competitive contracting in hurricane recovery by requiring the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to approve contracts awarded without competitive procedures. Pages S3937, S3969 Coburn (for Obama/Coburn) Amendment No. 3695, to improve financial transparency in hurricane recovery by requiring the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to make information about Federal contracts publicly available. Pages S3937, S3969 Coburn (for Obama/Coburn) Amendment No. 3697, to improve transparency and accountability by establishing a Chief Financial Officer to oversee hurricane relief and recovery efforts. Pages S3937, S3969 Menendez Amendment No. 3675, to provide additional appropriations for research, development, acquisition, and operations by the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, for the purchase of container inspection equipment for developing countries, for the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program, and for the training of Customs and Border Protection officials on the use of new technologies. Pages S3937, S3969 Conrad/Clinton Amendment No. 3715, to offset the costs of defense spending in the supplemental appropriation. Pages S3937, S3969 Levin Amendment No. 3710, to require reports on policy and political developments in Iraq. Pages S3937, S3969 Schumer/Reid Amendment No. 3723, to appropriate funds to address price-gouging and market manipulation and to provide for a report on oil industry mergers. Pages S3937, S3969 Schumer Amendment No. 3724, to improve maritime container security. Pages S3937, S3969 Cornyn Amendment No. 3722, to provide for immigration injunction reform. Pages S3937, S3969 Cornyn Amendment No. 3672, to require that the Secretary of Labor give priority for national emergency grants to States that assist individuals displaced by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Pages S3938, S3969 Murray (for Byrd) Amendment No. 3708, to provide additional amounts for emergency management performance grants. Pages S3938, S3969 Landrieu Amendment No. 3750, to direct the Secretary of the Army to develop a comprehensive plan for the deauthorization of deep draft navigation on the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet and address wetland losses and other issues relating to that Outlet. Pages S3943-44, S3969 Landrieu Amendment No. 3752, to direct the Secretary of Commerce to provide a grant to the Port of New Orleans to mitigate increased costs resulting from the loss of deep draft navigation access to certain facilities at the Port in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Pages S3944-45, S3969 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that when the Senate resumes consideration of the bill on Thursday, May 4, 2006, Senate proceed to consider votes on or in relation to Thune Amendment No. 3704 and Vitter Amendment No. 3728, as modified (both listed above), provided further, that the bill then be read a third time and the Senate proceed to a vote on final passage; that following passage, Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate. Page S3969 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 4, 2006. Page S3995 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Mark Myers, of Alaska, to be Director of the United States Geological Survey. Susan C. Schwab, of Maryland, to be United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador. 1 Air Force nomination in the rank of general. 1 Army nomination in the rank of general. 3 Coast Guard nominations in the rank of admiral. A routine list in the Coast Guard. Page S3995 Nominations Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: A routine list in the Coast Guard. Page S3995 Messages From the House: Page S3982 Measures Referred: Page S3982 Measures Placed on Calendar: Page S3982 Measures Read First Time: Page S3982 Executive Communications: Pages S3983-84 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3985-86 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3986-92 Additional Statements: Pages S3981-82 [[Page D427]] Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Pages S3992-93 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S3993 Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--110) Pages S3948, S3964, S3967, S3968 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 7:50 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 4, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3995.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Health and Human Services, after receiving testimony from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services. APPROPRIATIONS: DEFENSE MEDICAL HEALTH PROGRAM Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Defense Medical Health Program, after receiving testimony from Lieutenant General Kevin C. Kiley, Surgeon General, and Major General Gale S. Pollock, Chief, Nurse Corps, both of the U.S. Army; Vice Admiral Donald C. Arthur, Surgeon General, and Rear Admiral Christine M. Bruzek-Kohler, Director, Nurse Corps, both of the U.S. Navy; and Lieutenant General George Peach Taylor, Jr., Surgeon General, and Major General Melissa A. Rank, Assistant Surgeon General for Nursing Services, both of the Air Force. MARRIAGE PENALTY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine ways to eliminate penalties for marriage for low income families, focusing on the Healthy Marriage Initiative, after receiving testimony from Wade F. Horn, Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Children and Families; Kate Jesberg, District of Columbia Department of Human Services, and C. Eugene Steuerle, Urban Institute, Ron Haskins, Brookings Institution, Curtis Watkins, East Capitol Center for Change, and Winston and Saundra Graham, all of Washington, D.C. APPROPRIATIONS: OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE/GPO/CBO Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Office of Compliance, Government Printing Office and Congressional Budget Office, after receiving testimony from Susan S. Robfogel, Chair, Tamara E. Chrisler, Acting Executive Director, and Peter Eveleth, General Counsel, all of the Office of Compliance; Bruce R. James, Public Printer of the United States, Government Printing Office; and Donald B. Marron, Acting Director, Congressional Budget Office. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for Department of Commerce, after receiving testimony from Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce. AUTHORIZATION--DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower met in closed session and approved for full committee consideration, those provisions which fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee, of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2007. AUTHORIZATION--DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland met in closed session and approved for full committee consideration, those provisions which fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee, of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2007. AUTHORIZATION--DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces met in closed session and approved for full committee consideration, those provisions which fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee, of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2007. AUTHORIZATION--DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to mark up proposed legislation authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for military activities of the Department of Defense, but did not complete action thereon, and will meet again on tomorrow. [[Page D428]] POOL SAFETY Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Product Safety, and Insurance concluded a hearing to examine pool safety issues, after receiving testimony from Jacqueline Elder, Assistant Executive Director for Hazard Identification and Reduction, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; Mark Laven, Latham International, Alexandria, Virginia, on behalf of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals; Alan Korn, Safe Kids Worldwide, Washington, D.C.; and Nancy Baker, McLean, Virginia. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Robert F. Godec, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia, and Robert S. Ford, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider pending intelligence matters. Committee recessed subject to the call. SOCIAL SERVICES FOR OLDER AMERICANS Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine innovation in the aging network regarding the future of social services for older Americans, focusing on ensuring that America's communities are prepared to meet the needs of today's and tomorrow's older adults, after receiving testimony from Neal E. Lane, New York State Office for the Aging, Albany; Pamela B. Smith, San Diego County Aging and Independence Services, San Diego, California; and Gayla S. Woody, Centralina Area Agency on Aging, Charlotte, North Carolina. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 10 public bills, H.R. 5278- 5287; and 4 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 398-399; and H. Res. 794-795, were introduced. Pages H2101-02 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2102-03 Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today. Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Bonner to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H1983 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Frank M. Deerey, Jr., Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, LaBelle, Florida. Page H1983 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Congratulating charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education: H. Res. 781, to congratulate charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education, by a yea-and-nay vote of 417 yeas to 1 nay and 3 voting ``present'', Roll No. 120; Pages H1988-92, H2057-58 Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run: H. Con. Res. 359, to authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, by a yea-and-nay vote of 417 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 114; Pages H1992, H2030-31 Providing for the conditional conveyance of any interest retained by the United States in St. Joseph Memorial Hall in St. Joseph, Michigan: H.R. 4700, to provide for the conditional conveyance of any interest retained by the United States in St. Joseph Memorial Hall in St. Joseph, Michigan; Pages H1992-93 Prohibiting price gouging in the sale of gasoline, diesel fuel, crude oil, and home heating oil: H.R. 5253, to prohibit price gouging in the sale of gasoline, diesel fuel, crude oil, and home heating oil, by a yea-and-nay vote of 389 yeas to 34 nays, Roll No. 115; Pages H1993-99, H2031 Expressing the need for enhanced public awareness of traumatic brain injury and support for the designation of a National Brain Injury Awareness Month: H. Con. Res. 99, to express the need for enhanced public awareness of traumatic brain injury [[Page D429]] and support for the designation of a National Brain Injury Awareness Month; and Pages H2007-09 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week: H. Res. 245, amended, to support the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week. Pages H2009-11 Suspension--Failed: The House failed to agree to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act: H.R. 5254, to set schedules for the consideration of permits for refineries, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 237 yeas to 188 nays, Roll No. 116. Pages H1999-S2007, H2031-32 Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006: The House passed H.R. 4975, to provide greater transparency with respect to lobbying activities, by a yea-and-nay vote of 217 yeas to 213 nays, Roll No. 119. Pages H2011-30, H2032-57 Rejected the Slaughter motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Rules with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 213 yeas to 216 nays, Roll No. 118, after ordering the previous question. Pages H2046-56 Pursuant to the rule, in lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on the Judiciary, Rules, and Government Reform now printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of the Rules Committee Print dated April 21, 2006, modified by the amendment printed in part A of this report, shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole. The rule provides that the bill, as amended, shall be considered as an original bill for purpose of further amendment and shall be considered as read. Further, the rules makes in order only those amendments printed in part B of this report. Page H2032 Also pursuant to section 2 of H. Res. 783, the text of H.R. 513, as passed by the House, electing a certain Member to a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives, will be appended to the engrossment of the bill. Page H2057 Agreed to: Castle amendment (No. 2 printed in Part B of H. Rpt. 109-441) strikes the current section 106 and inserts an ascending civil penalty structure for each subsequent offense. For example, for a second offense the offender could be subject to a fine of not more than $250,000. Also adds ``corruptly and with intent to evade the law'' to the intent element of the civil penalty; Pages H2037-38 Lungren, Dan of California amendment (No. 3 printed in Part B of H. Rpt. 109-441) modifies section 301 to place a moratorium on privately- funded official travel unless the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct issues a certification that the gift of travel complies with all House rules and standards of conduct. The Committee is not permitted to issue that certification until it reports its recommendations on changes to rule XXV to the Committee on Rules, which must occur no later than June 15, 2006. The Committee is permitted to issue the certification before June 15 if 2/3 of the committee vote to do so. The Standards Committee must review public records on privately funded travel, and consider those items in the base bill. Section 302 is modified to direct the Committee on Standards to report to the Committee on Rules on recommended changes to rule XXV with respect to gifts, and consider factors similar to those in the base bill; Pages H2038-39 Sodrel amendment (No. 4 printed in Part B of H. Rpt. 109-441) amends Sec. 502 to add a voluntary ethics training program for Members within 100 days of being sworn into Congress. The status of the Members completing and not completing the course within the time frame will be posted on the website for the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and in the Congressional Record; Pages H2039-40 Gingrey amendment (No. 6 printed in Part B of H. Rpt. 109-441) extends the prohibition on converting campaign dollars for personal use currently applicable to campaign committees to Leadership PACs. Leadership PAC is defined as a political committee which is directly or indirectly established, maintained, or controlled by a candidate for Federal office or an individual holding Federal office; Pages H2040-42 Castle amendment (No. 8 printed in Part B of H. Rpt. 109-441) requires that all registered lobbyists complete a mandatory 8-hours of ethics training each Congress. Ethics training would include the code of conduct and disclosure requirements applicable to Members, officers, and employees of the House, including rules relating to acceptance of gifts (including travel and meals), and financial disclosure requirements under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. Any registered lobbyist failing to complete ethics training each Congress would be subject to penalties; and Pages H2042-44 Flake amendment (No. 9 printed in Part B of H. Rpt. 109-441) clarifies the application of criminal bribery and illegal gratuities statutes with regard to earmarks. Specifically, it prohibits a person from directly or indirectly, corruptly giving, offering, or promising anything of value to any public official with the intent to influence any official act relating to an earmark. Also prohibits a public official from corruptly demanding, seeking, receiving, accepting, [[Page D430]] or agreeing to receive or accept anything of value in return for influence in the performance of an official act relating to an earmark. Pages H2044-45 Rejected: Gohmert (No. 1 printed in Part B of H. Rpt. 109-441) which sought to strike the current section 106 and insert an ascending civil penalty structure for each subsequent offense. For example, for a second offense the offender could be subject to a fine of not more than $250,000. Also adds ``corruptly and with intent to evade the law'' to the intent element of the civil penalty (by a recorded vote of 108 ayes to 320 noes, Roll No. 117). Pages H2036-37, H2045-46 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, spelling, punctuation, and cross-references, and to make such other technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H2058 H. Res. 783, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to on Thursday, April 27, 2006, by a yea-and-nay vote of 216 yeas to 207 nays, Roll No. 110. SAFE Port Act--Rule for Consideration: The House agreed to H. Res. 789, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4954, to improve maritime and cargo security through enhanced layered defenses, by a yea-and-nay vote of 230 yeas to 196 nays, Roll No. 124, after ordering the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 226 yeas to 200 nays, Roll No. 123. Pages H2058-66, H2078-79 Tax Relief Act of 2005--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House rejected the Larson of Connecticut motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 4297, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 201(b) of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2006, by a yea-and- nay vote of 197 yeas to 224 nays, Roll No. 121. Pages H2066-71, H2076-77 Pension Security and Transparency Act of 2005--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House agreed to the George Miller of California motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2830, to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform the pension funding rules, by a yea-and-nay vote of 299 yeas to 125 nays, Roll No. 122. Pages H2071-76, H2077 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H2077. Senate Referrals: S. 1003 was referred to the Committee on Resources; S. Con. Res. 91 was referred to the Committee on Government Reform. Page H2099 Quorum Calls Votes: Ten yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2030, H2031, H2031-32, H2045-46, H2056, H2056-57, H2057-58, H2076-77, H2077, H2078, and H2078-79. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m., and adjourned at 11:59 p.m. Committee Meetings AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee action the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007. SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, The Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on State Department, Public Diplomacy. Testimony was heard from Karen Hughes, Under Secretary, Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Department of State; and Jess Ford, Director, International Affairs and Trade, GAO. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. BUILDING AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled ``Building American Competitiveness: Examining the Scope and Success of Existing Federal Math and Science Programs.'' Testimony was heard from Tom Luce, Assistant Secretary, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, Department of Education; Cornelia Ashby, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, GAO; and a public witness. PASSENGER CAR FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing on a measure to authorize the National Highway Traffic [[Page D431]] Safety Administration to set passenger car fuel economy standards. Testimony was heard from Representative Boehlert; Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary of Transportation; and public witnesses. DIGITAL CONTENT AND TECHNOLOGY Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection continued hearings entitled ``Digital Content and Enabling Technology: Satisfying the 21st Century Consumer.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. INTERNET CHILD PREDATORS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations continued hearings entitled ``Sexual Exploitation of Children Over the Internet: What Parents, Kids and Congress Need To Know About Child Predators.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Alice S. Fisher, Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division; Raul Roldan, Section Chief, Cyber Crime Section of the Cyber Division and Arnold Bell, Unit Chief, Innocent Images Unit, both with the FBI; and public witnesses. SEC INVESTOR PROTECTION Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Protecting Investors and Fostering Efficient Markets: A Review of the S.E.C. Agenda.'' Testimony was heard from Christopher Cox, Chairman, SEC. NATO TRANSFORMATION Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats held a hearing on The United States and NATO: Transformation and the Riga Summit. Testimony was heard from Kurt Volker, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Department of State; and Dan Fata, Deputy Assistant Secretary, European and NATO Affairs, Department of Defense. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 4777, Internet Gambling Prohibition Act; and H.R. 5092, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1384, Firearm Commerce Modernization Act; and H.R. 1415, NICS Improvement Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Gingrey, King of Iowa; and McCarthy. FISHERIES MANAGEMENT Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on the following bills; H.R. 5018, American Fisheries Management and Maine Life Enhancement Act; and H.R. 1431, Fisheries Science and Management Enhancement Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from William T. Hogarth, Director, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. FOREST MANAGEMENT AND ELECTRICITY SERVICE Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power and the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a joint oversight hearing on the Need for Proper Forest Management on Federal Rights of Way To Ensure Reliable Electricity Service. Testimony was heard from Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses. H-PRIZE ACT OF 2006; NSF/SCIENCE AND MATH EDUCATION Committee on Science: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5143, H-Prize Act of 2006. Prior to this action, the Committee held a hearing on the Role of the National Science Foundation in K-12 Science and Math Education. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. SARBANES-OXLEY AND SMALLER COMPANIES Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404: What Is the Proper Balance Between Investor Protection and Capital Formation for Smaller Public Companies?'' Testimony was heard from Herbert S. Wander, Chairman, SEC Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies; and public witnesses. RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS--UNIVERSAL SERVICE REFORM Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology held a hearing entitled ``The Future of Rural Telecommunications: Is Universal Service Reform Needed?'' Testimony was heard from Representative Terry; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--MISHANDLED BAGGAGE Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held an oversight hearing on Mishandled Baggage: Problems and Solutions. Testimony was heard from Samuel Podberesky, Assistant General Counsel, Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, Department of Transportation; Charlotte Bryan, Acting Assistant Administrator, Transportation Sector Network Management, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security; and a public witness. [[Page D432]] MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT IMPLEMENTATION Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Implementation of the Medicare Drug Benefit. Testimony was heard from Mark McClellan, M.D., Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Beatrice Disman, Chairman, Medicare Planning and Implementation Task Force, SSA; and public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Federal Aviation Administration, 9:30 a.m., SD-138. Committee on Armed Services: closed business meeting to mark up the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2007, 9:30 a.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: business meeting to mark up Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006, 10:30 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine, to hold hearings to examine protecting consumers from fraudulent practices in the moving industry, 10 a.m., SD-562. Subcommittee on Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development, to hold hearings to examine promoting economic development opportunities through nano commercialization, 2:30 p.m., SD-562. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Dirk Kempthorne, of Idaho, to be Secretary of the Interior, 10 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on African Affairs, to hold hearings to examine housing and urbanization issues in Africa, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider the nominations of Norman Randy Smith, of Idaho, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, Milan D. Smith, Jr., of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, Renee Marie Bumb, Noel Lawrence Hillman, Peter G. Sheridan, and Susan Davis Wigenton, each to be a United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey, S. 2453, to establish procedures for the review of electronic surveillance programs, S. 2455, to provide in statute for the conduct of electronic surveillance of suspected terrorists for the purposes of protecting the American people, the Nation, and its interests from terrorist attack while ensuring that the civil liberties of United States citizens are safeguarded, S. 2468, to provide standing for civil actions for declaratory and injunctive relief to persons who refrain from electronic communications through fear of being subject to warrantless electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes, S. 2039, to provide for loan repayment for prosecutors and public defenders, and S.J. Res. 1, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights, business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 1 p.m., SD- 226. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, to mark up the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007, 10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, to mark up the Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007, 1 p.m., H-140 Capitol. Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations, hearing entitled ``Examining the Impact of State Mandates on Employer-Provided Health Insurance,'' 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, hearing entitled ``World Crude- Oil Pricing,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ``The Critical Role of Community Health Centers in Ensuring Access to Care,'' 1 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, to consider the following: H.R. 4768, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 777 Corporation Street in Beaver, Pennsylvania, as the ``Robert Linn Memorial Post Office Building;'' H.R. 5086, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the ``Lane Evans Post Office Building;'' H.R. 5104, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1750 16th South in St. Petersburg, Florida, as the ``Morris W. Milton Postal Office;'' H.R. 5245, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Marble Street in Fair Haven, Vermont, as the ``Matthew Lyon Post Office Building;'' H. Res. 327, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Passport Month; H. Res. 626, Congratulating Albert Pujols on being named the Most Valuable Player for the National League for the 2005 Major League Baseball season; H. Res. 627, Congratulating Chris Carpenter on being named the Cy Young Award winner for the National League for the 2005 Major League Baseball season; H. Res. 729, Supporting National Tourism Week; H. Res. 753, Commending American craft brewers; H. Res. 763, Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Children and Families Day, in order to encourage adults in the United States to support and listen to children and to help children throughout the Nation achieve their hopes and [[Page D433]] dreams; H. Res. 773, Commending the American Jewish Committee for its century of leadership; a resolution Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day; and H. Res. 752, Requesting the President to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of the President relating to the receipt and consideration by the Executive Office of the President of any information concerning the variation between the version of S. 1932, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, that the House of Representatives passed on February 1, 2006, and the version of the bill that the President signed on February 8, 2006, followed by a hearing entitled ``Sifting Through Katrina's Legal Debris: Contracting in the Eye of the Storm,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, to continue hearings entitled ``BioScience and the Intelligence Community (Part II): Closing the Gap,'' 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, hearing on Germany's World Cup Brothels: 40,000 Women and Children at Risk of Exploitation through Trafficking, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, hearings on a measure to Reauthorize and Amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Part 1, 9 a.m., and Part II, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims, oversight hearing on the Energy Employee Occupation Illness Compensation Program Act, 11:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, oversight hearing on the Future of Federal Coal: Status, Availability and Impact of Technological Advances in Using Coal To Create Alternative Energy Resources, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans, hearing on H.R. 3835, National Ocean Exploration Program Act, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards, hearing on Improving Drought Monitoring and Preparedness: H.R. 5136, National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006; followed by markup of H.R. 5136, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, hearing on The Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization; and H.R. 4126, Chesapeake Bay Restoration Enhancement Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Human Resources, hearing on Unemployment Compensation Aspects of U.S. Department of Labor Fiscal Year 2007 Budget, 10 a.m., B-318 Rayburn. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, hearing on Al-Qaeda Use of Strategic Communications, 2:30 p.m., 1302 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. The database includes both text and graphics from the beginning of the 103d Congress, 2d session (January 1994) forward. It is available through GPO Access at www.gpo.gov/gpoaccess. Customers can also access this information with WAIS client software, via telnet at swais.access.gpo.gov, or dial-in using communications software and a modem at 202ÿ09512ÿ091661. Questions or comments regarding this database or GPO Access can be directed to the GPO Access User Support Team at: E-Mail: gpoaccess@gpo.gov; Phone 1ÿ09888ÿ09293ÿ096498 (toll-free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091530 (D.C. area); Fax: 202ÿ09512ÿ091262. The Team's hours of availability are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, except Federal holidays. The Congressional Record paper and 24x microfiche edition will be furnished by mail to subscribers, free of postage, at the following prices: paper edition, $252.00 for six months, $503.00 per year, or purchased as follows: less than 200 pages, $10.50; between 200 and 400 pages, $21.00; greater than 400 pages, $31.50, payable in advance; microfiche edition, $146.00 per year, or purchased for $3.00 per issue payable in advance. The semimonthly Congressional Record Index may be purchased for the same per issue prices. To place an order for any of these products, visit the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250ÿ097954, or phone orders to 866ÿ09512ÿ091800 (toll free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202ÿ09512ÿ092250. Remit check or money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D434]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, May 4 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 4939, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations, with votes on, or in relation to, Thune Amendment No. 3704 and Vitter Amendment No. 3728, followed by vote on final passage of the bill. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, May 4 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 4954--SAFE Port Act (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E709 Berman, Howard L., Calif., E702 Boustany, Charles W., Jr., La., E704, E706 Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E703 Camp, Dave, Mich., E700 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E710 Costa, Jim, Calif., E708 Davis, Danny K., Ill., E714 Dingell, John D., Mich., E701 Doyle, Michael F., Pa., E701 Forbes, J. Randy, Va., E699, E703 Frank, Barney, Mass., E705 Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E712, E713, E714 Gillmor, Paul E., Ohio, E703 Gonzalez, Charles A., Tex., E704, E706 Graves, Sam, Mo., E691, E692, E694, E696, E697, E699, E700, E701 Green, Gene, Tex., E702 Green, Mark, Wisc., E701 Gutknecht, Gil, Minn., E692, E696, E698 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E710 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E704, E706 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E714 Hooley, Darlene, Ore., E714 Jindal, Bobby, La., E711 Kanjorski, Paul E., Pa., E692, E695, E698, E699 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E700, E711 Kingston, Jack, Ga., E700 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E712 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E692, E696, E709 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E707 Lewis, Jerry, Calif., E708 Lewis, Ron, Ky., E705, E707 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E712, E713 McCarthy, Carolyn, N.Y., E703 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E692, E696 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E711 Moran, James P., Va., E702 Neal, Richard E., Mass., E693, E696 Oxley, Michael G., Ohio, E713 Payne, Donald M., N.J., E702 Poe, Ted, Tex., E694, E697 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E704, E705, E707, E711, E712 Pryce, Deborah, Ohio, E708 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E691, E694, E698, E699 Scott, David, Ga., E710 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E694, E697 Stearns, Cliff, Fla., E701 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E708 Upton, Fred, Mich., E708