Wednesday, March 8, 2006 Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1859-S1923 Measures Introduced: Nine bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2384-2392 and S. Res. 392-393. Page S1893 Measures Passed: Trademark Dilution Revision Act: Senate passed H.R. 683, to amend the Trademark Act of 1946 with respect to dilution by blurring or tarnishment, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. Pages S1921-23 Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act: Senate continued consideration of S. 2349, to provide greater transparency in the legislative process, taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: Page S1861 Adopted: Dodd/Santorum Modified Amendment No. 2942, to strike the meals and refreshments exception for lobbyists. Pages S1866, S1869-70, S1871-72 Inhofe Amendment No. 2934, to deny Members who oppose cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) the increase. Pages S1870-71 Rejected: By 44 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 35), Reid Amendment No. 2932, to provide additional transparency in the legislative process. Pages S1866-68 Pending: Wyden/Grassley Amendment No. 2944, to establish as a standing order of the Senate a requirement that a Senator publicly disclose a notice of intent to object to proceeding to any measure or matter. Pages S1872-81 Schumer Amendment No. 2959 (to Amendment No. 2944), to prohibit any foreign-government-owned or controlled company that recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan during the Taliban's rule between 1996-2001, may own, lease, operate, or manage real property or facility at a United States port. Page S1881 A motion was entered to close further debate on the bill and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture may occur on Thursday, March 9, 2006. Page S1881 Senate expects to continue consideration of the bill on Thursday, March 9, 2006. Messages From the House: Pages S1891-92 Measures Referred: Page S1892 Measures Placed on Calendar: Page S1892 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S1892 Executive Communications: Pages S1892-93 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S1893 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1893-94 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1894-S1903 Additional Statements: Pages S1890-91 Amendments Submitted: Pages S1903-20 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S1920-21 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--35) Page S1868 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 6:01 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, March 9, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1923.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING Committee on Appropriations: Committee continued hearings to examine the proposed supplemental funding request for additional resources to assist the Gulf Coast region in its recovery from hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005, receiving testimony from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security; Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and John Paul Woodley, Assistant Secretary of the Army, Civil Works. Hearings will continue tomorrow. DC FLAT TAX Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine potential effects of a flat Federal income tax in the District of Columbia, after receiving testimony from former Representative Richard K. Army, FreedomWorks, Daniel J. Mitchell, Heritage Foundation, Stephen J. Entin, Institute for Research on the Economics of Taxation, and Chris Edwards, Cato Institute, all of Washington, D.C. DOD QUADRENNIAL DEFENSE REVIEW Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded open and closed hearings to examine the Department of Defense quadrennial defense review, after receiving testimony from Gordon England, Deputy Secretary, and Christopher Ryan Henry, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Policy, both of the Department of Defense; and Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani, Jr., USN, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK REAUTHORIZATION Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance concluded a hearing to examine the proposed reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, focusing on a new claims reconsideration procedure at the Bank, and technology upgrades, after receiving testimony from James H. Lambright, Chairman and President (Acting), Export-Import Bank of the United States; Gerald F. Rama, PNC Bank, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on behalf of the Bankers' Association for Finance and Trade; Al Merritt, MD International, Inc., Miami, Florida; and John Matthews, Boeing Capital Corporation, Seattle, Washington, on behalf of sundry organizations. 2007: BUDGET Committee on the Budget: Committee met to mark up a proposed concurrent resolution setting forth the fiscal year 2007 budget for the Federal Government, but did not complete consideration thereon, and will meet again tomorrow. PIRACY AND COUNTERFEITING IN CHINA Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development concluded a hearing to examine impacts of piracy and counterfeiting of American goods and intellectual property in China, after receiving testimony from Chris Israel, Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement, Department of Commerce; Franklin J. Vargo, National Association of Manufacturers, Washington, D.C.; Andy York, Leupold and Stevens, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon; and William P. Alford, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee ordered favorably reported the following measures: S. 1131, to authorize the exchange of certain Federal land within the State of Idaho, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1288, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements to protect natural resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative efforts on land inside and outside of units of the National Park System, with amendments; S. 1346, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of maritime sites in the State of Michigan, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1378, to amend the National Historic Preservation Act to provide appropriation authorization and improve the operations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, with amendments; S. 1913, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease a portion of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center for use as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and for other purposes, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1970, to amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 2197, to improve the global competitiveness of the United States in science and energy technology, to strengthen basic research programs at the Department of Energy, and to provide support for mathematics and science education at all levels through the resources available through the Department of Energy, including at the National Laboratories, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 2253, to require the Secretary of the Interior to offer the 181 Area of the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas leasing; S. Con. Res. 60, designating the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, with amendments; S.J. Res. 28, approving the location of the commemorative work in the District of Columbia honoring former President Dwight D. Eisenhower; H.R. 318, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating Castle Nugent Farms located on St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as a unit of the National Park System; H.R. 326, to amend the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 2000 to adjust the boundary of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area; H.R. 409, to provide for the exchange of land within the Sierra National Forest, California, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; H.R. 1129, to authorize the exchange of certain land in the State of Colorado, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; H.R. 1728, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the French Colonial Heritage Area in the State of Missouri as a unit of the National Park System; and H.R. 2107, to amend Public Law 104-329 to modify authorities for the use of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund. Also, committee announced the following subcommittee assignments: Subcommittee on Energy: Senators Alexander (Chairman), Burr, Martinez, Talent, Allen, Bunning, Murkowski, Craig, Thomas, Burns, Dorgan, Akaka, Johnson, Landrieu, Feinstein, Cantwell, Salazar, and Menendez. Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests: Senators Craig (Chairman), Burns, Thomas, Talent, Smith, Alexander, Murkowski, Allen, Wyden, Akaka, Dorgan, Johnson, Landrieu, Feinstein, and Cantwell. Subcommittee on National Parks: Senators Thomas (Chairman), Alexander, Allen, Burr, Martinez, Smith, Akaka, Wyden, Landrieu, Salazar, and Menendez. Subcommittee on Water and Power: Senators Murkowski (Chairman), Smith, Craig, Burr, Martinez, Burns, Bunning, Talent, Johnson, Dorgan, Wyden, Feinstein, Cantwell, Salazar, and Menendez. HEALTH CARE TAX POLICY Committee on Finance: Committee held a hearing to examine the health care tax policy of the United States, focusing on health savings accounts, employer-provided health care, and consumer-centric health plans, receiving testimony from Paul H. O'Neill, former Secretary of the Treasury; Leonard E. Burman, Urban Institute, Washington, D.C.; and Robert W. Lane, Deere and Company, Moline, Illinois, on behalf of the Business Roundtable. Hearing recessed subject to the call. NOMINATIONS: Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Richard T. Miller, of Texas, to be U.S. Representative on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, and to be U.S. Alternate Representative to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during his tenure of service as U.S. Representative on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and John A. Simon, of Maryland, to be Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. SERVICEMEMBERS' PROTECTION ACT Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Narcotics Affairs concluded a hearing to examine the impact of the American Servicemembers' Protection Act on Latin America, after receiving testimony from Peter DeShazo, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Adam Isacson, Center for International Policy, and Ruth Wedgewood, Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced and International Studies, all of Washington, D.C. HURRICANE KATRINA Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine Hurricane Katrina response issues, focusing on recommendations for reform, after receiving testimony from Senator Mikulski; David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office; Richard L. Skinner, Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security; Bruce P. Baughman, Alabama State Emergency Management Agency, Montgomery, on behalf of the National Emergency Management Association; Frank J. Cilluffo, George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute, Washington, D.C.; and Herman B. Leonard, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. CRIME VICTIMS FUND RESCISSION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine the proposed rescission of Crime Victims Fund balances relative to the President's budget request for fiscal year 2007, after receiving testimony from Paul R. Corts, Assistant Attorney General for Administration, Department of Justice; Ed Meese, The Heritage Foundation, and Steve Derene, National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, both of Washington, D.C.; and Marsha Kimble, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. 1902, to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize funding for the establishment of a program on children and the media within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study the role and impact of electronic media in the development of children; and, The nominations of Michell C. Clark, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Management, Department of Education, Jean B. Elshtain, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., of South Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor, Allen C. Guelzo, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities, Arlene Holen, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, George Perdue, of Georgia, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation, Anne- Imelda Radice, of Vermont, to be Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Craig T. Ramey, of West Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences, Sarah M. Singleton, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation, Richard Stickler, of West Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, Kent D. Talbert, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, Department of Education, Horace A. Thompson, of Mississippi, to be a Member of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, and certain nominations in the Public Health Service. INDIAN GAMING Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 2078, to amend the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to clarify the authority of the National Indian Gaming Commission to regulate class III gaming, to limit the lands eligible for gaming, after receiving testimony from Philip N. Hogen, Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission; Paul A. Bullis, Arizona Department of Gaming, Phoenix; Ron His Horse Is Thunder, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Fort Yates, North Dakota; and Norman H. DesRosiers, Viejas Tribal Government Gaming Commission, Alpine, California. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee began markup of proposed legislative providing for comprehensive immigration reform, but did not complete action thereon, and will meet again. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 13 public bills, H.R. 4898- 4910; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 353-354; and H. Res. 714 were introduced. Page H790 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H790-91 Reports Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H. Res. 713, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2829) to reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy Act (H. Rept. 109-387). Pages H789-90 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Ricky Atkins, Pastor, Courtney Baptist Church, Yadkinville, North Carolina. Page H647 Board of Visitors of the United States Naval Academy--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of Representative Kline to the Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy. Page H651 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Redesignating the facility of the Bureau of Reclamation located at 19550 Kelso Road in Byron, California, as the ``C.W. `Bill' Jones Pumping Plant'': H.R. 2383, to redesignate the facility of the Bureau of Reclamation located at 19550 Kelso Road in Byron, California, as the ``C.W. `Bill' Jones Pumping Plant''; Page H561 San Diego Water Storage and Efficiency Act of 2005: H.R. 1190, amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study to design and construct a four reservoir intertie system for the purposes of improving the water storage opportunities, water supply reliability, and water yield of San Vicente, El Capitan, Murray, and Loveland Reservoirs in San Diego County, California in consultation and cooperation with the City of San Diego and the Sweetwater Authority; Pages H651-52 Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basin Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Reauthorization Act of 2005: S. 1578, to reauthorize the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basin endangered fish recovery implementation programs--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H652-53 Authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to designate the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home in Hope, Arkansas, as a National Historic Site and unit of the National Park System: H.R. 4192, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to designate the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home in Hope, Arkansas, as a National Historic Site and unit of the National Park System, by a yea- and-nay vote of 409 yeas to 12 nays, Roll No. 23; Pages H653-57, H736-37 Children's Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2005: H.R. 4472, amended, to protect children, to secure the safety of judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and their family members, to reduce and prevent gang violence; Pages H657-92 Authorizing the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Ukraine: H.R. 1053, amended, to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Ukraine, by a yea-and-nay vote of 417 yeas to 2 nays with 3 voting ``present'', Roll No. 24; Pages H692-99, H737-38 Expressing support for the efforts of the people of the Republic of Belarus to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and urging the Government of Belarus to conduct a free and fair presidential election on March 19, 2006: H. Res. 673, to express support for the efforts of the people of the Republic of Belarus to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and urging the Government of Belarus to conduct a free and fair presidential election on March 19, 2006, by a yea-and-nay vote of 419 yeas to 1 nay with 2 voting ``present'', Roll No. 25; and Pages H699-H702, H738 Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2005: H.R. 3505, amended, to provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions, by a yea-and-nay vote 415 yeas to 2 nays, Roll No. 26. Pages H702-22, H738-39 Pension Protection Act of 2005--Motion to go to Conference: The House disagreed to the Senate amendment to 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, and agreed to a conference. Pages H722-27, H739 Rejected the Miller of California motion to instruct conferees by a yea-and-nay vote of 265 yeas to 158 nays, Roll No. 22. Pages H722-27, H736 Later, without objection, the Chair appointed the following conferees: From the Committee on Education and the Workforce for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment thereto, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives McKeon, Sam Johnson of Texas, Kline, Tiberi, George Miller of California, Payne, and Andrews. Page H739 From the Committee on Ways and Means for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment thereto, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Thomas, Camp of Michigan, and Rangel. Page H739 For consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment thereto, and modifications committed to conference: Representative Boehner. Page H739 National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005: The House completed general debate on Thursday, March 2nd, and considered amendments to H.R. 4167 today, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for uniform food safety warning notification requirements. Agreed to by a recorded vote of 283 ayes to 139 noes, Roll No. 32. Pages H739-58 Rejected the Stupak motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Energy and Commerce with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a yea and nay vote of 170 yeas to 254 nays, Roll No. 31. Pages H755-57 Agreed to: Barton of Texas amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 109-386) that clarify when states may act to implement food adulteration standards in absence of a federal adulteration standard for a particular food. Under the amendment, if the FDA has established a federal adulteration or food tolerance standard, the state must enforce that standard. If the FDA has considered and officially rejected a federal standard, then states may not enforce requirements rejected by the Secretary. However, if the Secretary has not acted to establish a standard or rejected a standard, then a state could establish its own adulteration or tolerance standard without having to petition or seek approval from the FDA. The amendment also clarifies that uniformity in notification requirements for warnings does not apply to warnings related to dietary supplements; Pages H742-44 Rogers of Michigan amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 109-386) which states that the changes of law made by this legislation will not take effect until after the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies to the Congress, after consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, that the implementation of the legislation will pose no additional risk to the public health or safety from terrorist attacks relating to the food supply; Pages H746-47 Cardoza amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 109-386) which provides for expedited consideration of state petitions that seek adoption of national warning requirements or consideration of state petitions that seek adoption of national warning requirements or exemptions from uniformity for state warning requirements in three cases: where the requested warning relates to cancer-causing agents; where the requested warning related to reproductive effects or birth defects; and where the requested warning is intended to provide information that will allow parents or guardians to understand, monitor, or limit a child's exposure to cancer-causing agents or reproductive or developmental toxins (by a recorded vote of 417 ayes with none voting ``no'', Roll No. 27); and Pages H744-46, H752-53 Wasserman Schultz amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 109-386) that prevents the National Uniformity for Food Act from affecting any State law, regulation, proposition, or other action that establishes a notification requirement regarding the presence or potential effects of mercury in fish and shellfish (by a recorded vote of 253 ayes to 168 noes, Roll No. 30). Pages H751-52, H754-55 Rejected: Waxman amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 109-386) which sought to limit the scope of H.R. 4167 in order to preserve state authorities that help defend and respond to bioterrorism attacks. Specifically, when a Governor or State legislature certifies that a state authority is useful in establishing or maintaining a food supply that is adequately protected from bioterrorism attack, the state authority is not affected by the Act (by a recorded vote of 164 ayes to 255 noes, Roll No. 28); and Pages H747-48, H753-54 Capps amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 109-386) which sought to permit states to maintain or enact food warning laws that require notifications regarding the risks of cancer, birth defects, reproductive health issues, and allergic reactions associated with sulfiting agents in bulk foods. The amendment also permits states to maintain or enact food warning laws notifying parents of the risks of cancer, reproductive or developmental toxins, and food borne pathogens associated with certain foods, as well as laws governing food safety standards and tolerance levels related to limiting children's exposure to these risks (by a recorded vote of 161 ayes to 259 noes, Roll No. 29). Pages H748-51, H754 H. Res. 710, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 198 nays, Roll No. 21. Pages H727-36 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appear on page H758. Quorum Calls--Votes: 7 yea and nay votes and 5 recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H735, H736, H736- 37, H737-38, H738, H738-39, H753, H753-54, H754, H754-55, H756-57, and H757-58. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:55 p.m. Committee Meetings EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported an Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Related Agencies held a hearing on Food and Safety Inspection Service. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Richard A. Raymond, Under Secretary, Food Safety; Barbara J. Masters, Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service; and W. Scott Steele, Budget Officer. DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session to hold an Air Force Budget and Acquisition Overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Michael W. Wynne, Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Acquisition, and Technology; and GEN. T. Michael Moseley, USAF, Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force. LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Health and Human Services. Testimony was heard from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services. ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies held a hearing on DOE. Testimony was heard from Samuel W. Bodman, Secretary of Energy. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Bureau of Reclamation. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Gale A. Norton, Secretary; and John W. Keys, III, Director, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Indian Health Services. Testimony was heard from Charles W. Grim, Director, Indian Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services. MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Navy/ Marine Corps Budget. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: ADM Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; and GEN Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Pacific Command. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: ADM William J. Fallen, USN, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; and GEN B. B. Bell, USA, Commander, Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command, and Commander, United States Forces Korea. SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENT 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 NOAA. Testimony was heard from VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacker, Jr., USN, (Ret) Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of Commerce. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FOR EUROPEAN COMMAND Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the European Command. Testimony was heard from GEN James L. Jones, USMC, Commander, U.S. European Command, Department of Defense. NAVY MISSION EVOLUTION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing on the Evolving Missions of the U.S. Navy and the Role of Surface and Subsurface Combatants. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: VADM Lewis W. Crenshaw, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources, Requirements, and Assessments; MG Gordon C. Nash, USMC, Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division (N75), U.S. Marine Corps; RADM Bernard J. McCullough, USN, Director, Surface Warfare (N76); RADM Thomas J. Kilcline, Jr., USN, Director, Air Warfare Division (N78); and RADM Joseph A. Walsh, USN, Director, Submarine Warfare Division (N77); Ronald O'Rourke, Specialist in National Defense, CRS, Library of Congress; and a public witness. DOD HISTORIC FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on Department of Defense management of historic and historic-eligible facilities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Philip Grone, Deputy U.S. Under Secretary (Installations and Environment); William Armbruster, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Privatization and Partnerships, Department of the Army; RADM Wayne G. Shear, Jr., USN, Commander Naval Installations, Deputy Director, Ashore Readiness Division, and BGEN James F. Flock, USMC, Assistant Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics, U.S. Marine Corps, both with the Department of the Navy; and Fred W. Kuhn, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations, Department of the Air Force. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on the Special Operations Command: Transforming for the Long War. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Thomas W. O'Connell, Assistant Secretary, Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict; and GEN Bryan D. Brown, USA, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Army. PREVENTION OF FRAUDULENT ACCESS TO PHONE RECORDS ACT; ISSUANCE OF SERVICE CONTRACT TO SUPPORT ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF DATA BROKERS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, the Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act. The Committee also approved a motion authorizing issuance of a service contract to support the ongoing investigation by the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of ``data brokers'' who acquire and sell consumers' cell phone records and other confidential information. SILICOSIS STORY Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``The Silicosis Story: Mass Tort Screening and the Public Health.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT AT 25 Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs held a hearing entitled ``The Paperwork Reduction Act at 25: Opportunities To Strengthen and Improve the Law.'' Testimony was heard from James Miller, Chairman, Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service; Linda Koontz, Director, Information Management Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. FIRST RESPONDERS PREPAREDNESS Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Budget: Enhancing Preparedness for First Responders.'' Testimony was heard from George W. Foresman, Under Secretary, Preparedness, Department of Homeland Security. 9/11 REFORM ACT--HUMAN SMUGGLING AND TRAFFICKING CENTER IMPLEMENTATION Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight held a hearing entitled ``The 9/11 Reform Act: Examining the Implementation of the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center.'' Testimony was heard from John Clark, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; Chris Swecker, Acting Executive Assistant Director of Law Enforcement Services, Department of Justice; and Marc Gorelick, Acting Director, Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center, Department of State. DARFUR PEACE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; U.S. POLICY TOWARD IRAN Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3127, Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2005. The Committee also held a hearing on United States Policy Toward Iran--Next Steps. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary, Political Affairs; and Robert Joseph, Under Secretary, Arms Control and International Security; and public witnesses. U.S.-EAST ASIA RELATIONS Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held a hearing on East Asia in Transition: Opportunities and Challenges for the United States. Testimony was heard from Christopher Hill, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State. U.S.-EUROPEAN RELATIONSHIP Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats held a hearing on The U.S.-European Relationship: Opportunities and Challenges. Testimony was heard from Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Department of State. PALESTINIAN ELECTION IMPLICATIONS Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia held a hearing on Palestinian Authority Elections: Implications for Peace, Regional Security, and U.S. Assistance. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--VOTING RIGHTS ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight hearing entitled ``The Voting Rights Act: Evidence of Continued Need.'' Testimony was heard from Bill Lann Lee, former Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; former Lt. Gov., Joe Rogers, State of Colorado; and public witnesses. COPYRIGHTS/ORPHAN WORKS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property held an oversight hearing entitled ``The Report on Orphan Works by the Copyright Office.'' Testimony was heard from Jule L. Sigall, Associate Register, Policy and International Affairs, Copyright Office of the United States, Library of Congress; and public witnesses. LOS ANGELES/ALASKA WATER RESOURCES Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 4545, To amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Los Angeles County Water Supply Augmentation Demonstration project; and S. 1338, Alaska Water Resources Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Senator Murkowski; from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Robert Hirsch, Associate Director, Water, U.S. Geological Survey; and Larry Todd, Deputy Commissioner, Policy, Administration and Budget, Bureau of Reclamation; and a public witness. OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005 Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour of general debate on H.R. 2829, Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Government Reform. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying this resolution. The rule provides that the amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Souder, Terry, Latham, Graves, Boozman, Lynch, and Bean. NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD REAUTHORIZATION Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held an oversight hearing on Reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety Board. Testimony was heard from Mark V. Rosenker, Acting Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board. OVERSIGHT--EPA, NOAA, AND TVA BUDGETS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment concluded oversight hearings on Agency Budgets and Priorities for FY 2007 for the following Agencies: EPA, NOAA, and TVA. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the EPA: Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Water; and Susan Parker Bodine, Assistant Administrator, Solid Waste and Emergency Response; John H. Dunnigan, Assistant Administrator, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and Bill Baxter, Chairman, TVA. OVERSIGHT--IMPROVING VETERANS QUALITY CARE Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on improving access to quality care for our nation's veterans through collaboration with affiliated medical institutions and the Department of Defense and the operation of integrated medical facilities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., Acting Under Secretary of Health; and Michael E. Moreland, Director and Chief Executive Officer, VA Pittsburgh Health Care System; William Winkenwerder, Jr., M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs, Department of Defense; and public witnesses. DIRECTOR--NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE FISCAL YEAR 2007 BUDGET Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Director of National Intelligence Fiscal Year 2007 Budget. Testimony was heard from Ambassador John D. Negroponte, Director, Office of the Director of National Intelligence. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D 135) S. 1777, to provide relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Signed on March 6, 2006. (Public Law 109-176) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: to hold hearings to examine the United States Department of Agriculture's management and oversight of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 10:30 a.m., SR-328A. Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Agriculture, 8:30 a.m., SD-192. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the proposed supplemental funding request for additional resources to assist in ongoing military, diplomatic, and intelligence operations in the Global War on Terror; Stabilization and counter-insurgency activities in Iraq and Afghanistan, and other humanitarian assistance, 9:30 a.m., SD-106. Committee on Armed Services: to resume hearings to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine self-regulatory organizations in the securities markets, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on the Budget: business meeting to continue markup of concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2007, 9 a.m., S- 207, Capitol. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine pending nominations, 3:15 p.m., SD-562. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Raymond L. Orbach, of California, to be Under Secretary for Science, Alexander A. Karsner, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and Dennis R. Spurgeon, of Florida, to be an Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, all of the Department of Energy, and David Longly Bernhardt, of Colorado, to be Solicitor of the Department of the Interior, 10 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 9:30 a.m., SD- 628. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine agencies' progress relating to reporting improper payments, focusing on the success or failure of agencies to report and/or reduce improper payments in fiscal year 2005 performance and accountability reports, and to discuss whether or not the various ways in which agencies measure improper payments is accurately depicting the magnitude of the problem, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 9 a.m., SD-226. Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights, business meeting to consider S. J. Res. 12, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States, 1:30 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Small Business Administration, and related measures, 10 a.m., SR-428A. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the legislative presentations of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Blinded Veterans of America, The Non-Commissioned Officers Association, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Jewish War Veterans, 10 a.m., SD-G50. Select Committee on Intelligence: closed business meeting to consider certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine how to prepare Americans for long-term care financing, 10 a.m., SD-138. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, 9:30 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Defense, executive, on Army Budget and Acquisition Overview, 10:30 a.m., H-140 Capitol. Subcommittee on Department of Homeland Security, on United States Coast Guard, 2 p.m., 2360 Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, on Department of Education, 9:30 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, on DOE, Environment Management, 10 a.m., 2362B Rayburn. Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs, on HIV/AIDS Programs, 10:30 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, on Forest Service, 10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, on VA/DHP Information Technology, 9:30 a.m., H-143 Capitol. Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies, on the Secretary of State, 2 p.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Korea, 9:30 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization budget request for the Missile Defense Agency and Ballistic Missile Defense Programs, 1 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, hearing on Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Act Budget Request for the Department of Defense major rotorcraft programs, 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, hearing entitled ``Department of Energy's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, hearing entitled ``The Federal Role in Facilitating Recovery and Long-term Rebuilding Efforts in the Gulf Coast Region,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, to consider the following: H.R. 4855, to amend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999 to reauthorize for 5 additional years the public and private school tuition assistance programs established under the Act; S. 1736, To provide for the participation of employees in the judicial branch in the Federal leave transfer program for disasters and emergencies; a Committee Report on the National Drug Control Strategy for 2006 and the National Drug Control Budget for Fiscal Year 2007; H.R. 4674, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 North Chestnut Street in Olathe, Kansas, as the ``Governor John Anderson, Jr. Post Office Building;'' H.R. 4688, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Boyden Street in Badin, North Carolina, as the ``Mayor John Thompson `Tom' Garrison Memorial Post Office;'' H.R. 4786, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 535 Wood Street in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as the ``H. Gordon Payrow Post Office Building;'' H.R. 4805, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service at 105 North Quincy Street in Clinton, Illinois, as the ``Gene Vance Post Office Building;'' H.R. 85, Supporting the goals and ideals of National ``MPS Day;'' H.R. 517, Recognizing the life of Wellington Timothy Mara and his outstanding contributions to the New York Giants Football Club, the National Football League, and the United States; and H.R. 556, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week should be established to increase awareness of methamphetamine and to educate the public on ways to help prevent the use of that damaging narcotic; followed by a hearing entitled ``The Regulation of Dietary Supplements: A Review of Consumer Safeguards,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, to mark up H.R. 4439, Transportation Security Administration Reorganization Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, to mark up H.R. 1606, Online Freedom of Speech Act, 10 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, joint hearing on Afghanistan: Progress Report, 10:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on Afghanistan: Is the Aid Getting Through? 8 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, hearing on H.R. 1458, To require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, to continue oversight hearings on White Collar Enforcement (Part 2): Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans, oversight hearing on the FY '07 Budget Request of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, hearing on the following measures: H.R. 1370, Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act; H.R. 1644, Puerto Rico Karst Conservation Act; H.R. 2110, Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop Protection Study Act; H.R. 4382, Southern Nevada Readiness Center Act; H.R. 4789, To require the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain public land located wholly or partially within the boundaries of the Wells Hydroelectric Project of Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County, Washington, to the utility district; and S. 56, Rio Grand Natural Area Act, 9 a.m., 1334 Longworth. Committee on Rules, to continue hearings on lobby reform, entitled ``Lobby Reform: Reforming the Gift and Travel Rules,'' 10 a.m., H- 313 Capitol. Committee on Science, hearing on Should Congress Establish ``ARPA- E,'' The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy? 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and Exports, hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Small Business Administration's Finance Programs,'' 10:30 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, oversight hearing on Foreign Operations of U.S. Port Facilities, 9:30 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, oversight hearing on the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service contract services and its coordination with the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, hearing on Background on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) , 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). 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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. _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 9 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will be in a period of morning business. Also, Senate expects to continue consideration of S. 2349, Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, March 9 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 2829--Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E305 Baca, Joe, Calif., E304 Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E304 Berry, Marion, Ark., E308 Bilirakis, Michael, Fla., E307 Blackburn, Marsha, Tenn., E303, E303 Bono, Mary, Calif., E311 Brown, Henry E., Jr., S.C., E305 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E307 Dingell, John D., Mich., E316 Fox, Virginia, N.C., E303 Frank, Barney, Mass., E311 Herseth, Stephanie, S.D., E306 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E313 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E309, E320 Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E307 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E315, E316 Langevin, James R., R.I., E310 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E315, E316, E319 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E306, E309 Neal, Richard E., Mass., E310 Neugebauer, Randy, Tex., E309, E320 Payne, Donald M., N.J., E319 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E303, E303 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E312, E313, E315, E316 Reyes, Silvestre, Tex., E312 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E306 Shuster, Bill, Pa., E305 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E313 Weldon, Curt, Pa., E305 Weller, Jerry, Ill., E310 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E307