Monday, March 13, 2006 [[Page D223]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1987-S2051 Measures Introduced on Friday, March 10, 2006, during the adjournment: One resolution was submitted, as follows: S. Con. Res. 83. Page S2027 Measures Introduced today: Eight bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2400-2407 and S. Res. 398-401. Page S2027 Measures Reported: Reported on Friday, March 10, during the adjournment: S. Con. Res. 83, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2006 and 2008 through 2011. Page S2027 Measures Passed: Greek Independence Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 399, designating March 25, 2006, as ``Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy''. Pages S2048-49 Bosnia-Herzegovina: Senate agreed to S. Res. 400, expressing the sense of the Senate on the constitutional reform process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Page S2049 Belarus Presidential Elections: Senate agreed to S. Res. 401, urging the Republic of Belarus to conduct planned presidential elections March 19, 2006, in a free, fair, and transparent manner and with respect for human rights. Pages S2049-50 Veterans Outpatient Clinic: Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1691, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, as the ``John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S2050 Congressional Budget Resolution: Senate began consideration of S. Con. Res. 83, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2006 and 2008 through 2011, taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S1987-96, S1997-S2019 Adopted: Gregg Amendment No. 3002, to make technical and conforming amendments. Page S2000 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for the consideration of certain amendments to be proposed to the resolution on Tuesday, March 14, 2006, with votes on the amendments to occur at approximately 3 p.m., with no second-degree amendments in order prior to the votes in relation to the amendments. Page S2007 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the resolution at 9 a.m., on Tuesday, March 14, 2006, with 40 hours equally divided for debate. Page S2050 Pending: Messages From the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report of the continuation of the national emergency with respect to Iran that was declared in Executive Order 12957; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-43) Page S2026 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: By unanimous vote of 82 yeas (Vote No. EX. 37), Leo Maury Gordon, of New Jersey, to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade. Pages S2019-20, S2051 Craig T. Ramey, of West Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of two years. George Perdue, of Georgia, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation for a term expiring November 5, 2006. Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., of South Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor. Sarah M. Singleton, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2008. [[Page D224]] Jean B. Elshtain, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for the remainder of the term expiring January 26, 2010. Allen C. Guelzo, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2012. Michell C. Clark, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Management, Department of Education. Anne-Imelda Radice, of Vermont, to be Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Terrance P. Flynn, of New York, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of New York for the term of four years. Mauricio J. Tamargo, of Florida, to be Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States for a term expiring September 30, 2009. Donald J. DeGabrielle, Jr., of Texas, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas for the term of four years. John Charles Richter, of Oklahoma, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma for the term of four years. Amul R. Thapar, of Kentucky, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky for the term of four years. Routine lists in the Public Health Service. Pages S2047-48, S2051 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Robert D. McCallum, Jr., of Georgia, to be Ambassador to Australia. Jonann E. Chiles, of Arkansas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2008. J.C.A. Stagg, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation for a term expiring November 17, 2011. Kenneth L. Wainstein, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Attorney General. Routine lists in the Air Force. Pages S2050-51 Executive Communications: Pages S2026-27 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S2027-28 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S2028-43 Additional Statements: Pages S2024-26 Amendments Submitted: Pages S2043-47 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S2047 Privileges of the Floor: Page S2047 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--37) Page S2020 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m., and adjourned at 7:04 p.m., until 9 a.m., on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S2050.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: On Friday, March 10, 2006, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities concluded a hearing to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, focusing on the roles and missions of the Department of Defense regarding homeland defense and support to civil authorities, after receiving testimony from Paul McHale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense; Lieutenant General Joseph R. Inge, USA, Deputy Commander, United States Northern Command; and Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard Bureau. JIEDDO Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing from the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) from General Montgomery C. Meigs, USA (Ret.), Director, and General Daniel B. Allyn, USA, Deputy Director, both of the JIEDDO. DEFECTIVE PRODUCT ACCOUNTABILITY Committee on the Judiciary: On Friday, March 10, 2006, Committee concluded a hearing to examine proposed legislation to provide federal criminal penalties for the introduction of dangerously defective products into interstate commerce, after receiving testimony from former Michigan Governor John Engler, on behalf of the National Association of Manufacturers, and Victor Schwartz, Shook, Hardy, and Bacon, LLP, both of Washington, D.C.; Barry Maron, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Brian Panish, Panish, Shea, and Boyle, LLP, Los Angeles, California; Frank J. Vandall, Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia; Rob Steinbuch, University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law; and Donald L. Mays, Consumers Union, Yonkers, New York. NEW SUBCOMMITTEE Select Committee on Intelligence: On Tuesday, March 7, 2006, Committee announced the establishment of [[Page D225]] the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Terrorist Surveillance Program with the following membership: Senators Roberts (Chairman), Hatch, DeWine, Bond, Rockefeller, Levin, and Feinstein. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 1 public bill, H.R. 4940, and 1 resolution, H. Con. Res. 356, were introduced. Page H874 Additional Cosponsors: Page H874 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 4939, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006 (H. Rept. 109-388); and H.R. 1606, to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to exclude communications over the Internet from the definition of public communication (H. Rept. 109-389). Page H874 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Wolf to act as speaker pro tempore for today. Page H871 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he notified Congress of the continuation of the national emergency with respect to Iran--referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered printed (H. Doc. 109-95). Pages H871-72 Quorum Calls--Votes: There were no yea-and-nay votes, and there were no recorded votes. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 2 p.m. and adjourned at 2:06 p.m. Committee Meetings LEGISLATIVE ISSUES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: On March 10, the Committee held a hearing on GPO, Library of Congress, Open World Leadership Center, GAO, and CBO. Testimony was heard from Bruce R. James, Public Printer, GPO; James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress; David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; and Donald Marron, Acting Director, CBO. Joint Meetings EMPLOYMENT Joint Economic Committee: On Friday, March 10, 2006, Committee concluded hearings to examine the employment-unemployment situation for February 2006, after receiving testimony from Kathleen P. Utgoff, Commissioner, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D205) H.R. 3199, to extend and modify authorities needed to combat terrorism. Signed on March 9, 2006. (Public Law 109-177) S. 2271, to clarify that individuals who receive FISA orders can challenge nondisclosure requirements, that individuals who receive national security letters are not required to disclose the name of their attorney, that libraries are not wire or electronic communication service providers unless they provide specific services. Signed on March 9, 2006. (Public Law 109-178) S. 449, to facilitate shareholder consideration of proposals to make Settlement Common Stock under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act available to missed enrollees, eligible elders, and eligible persons born after December 18, 1971. Signed on March 13, 2006. (Public Law 109-179) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Boyd Kevin Rutherford, of Maryland, and Linda Avery Strachan, of Virginia, each to be an Assistant Secretary, Gale A. Buchanan, of Georgia, to be Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, and Marc L. Kesselman, of Tennessee, to be General Counsel, all of the Department of Agriculture, 10 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 Food and Drug Administration, 10 a.m., SD-192. Subcommittee on Energy and Water, to hold hearings to examine an overview of the proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Office of Science, the Energy [[Page D226]] Supply and Conservation account, and the Fossil Energy Research and Development account within the Department of Energy, 2:30 p.m., SD- 138. Subcommittee on District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the D.C. Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, and the D.C. Public Defender Service, 3 p.m., SD-192. Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine military strategy and operational requirements in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Subcommittee on Personnel, to hold hearings to examine health benefits and programs in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007, 2:30 p.m., SR-325. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the Joint Strike Fighter F-136 Alternate Engine Program in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, 2:30 p.m., SH-216. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of James S. Simpson, of New York, to be Federal Transit Administrator, Department of Transportation, and Robert M. Couch, of Alabama, to be President, Government National Mortgage Association, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine wireless issues relating to spectrum reform, 10 a.m., SD-106. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine Wall Street perspective on telecommunications, 2:30 p.m., SD-106. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine administrative challenges facing the Social Security Administration, 10 a.m., SD- 215. Committee on Foreign Relations: business meeting to consider Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Bangladesh for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income signed at Dhaka on September 26, 2004 with an exchange of notes enclosed (Treaty Doc. 109-05), Protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital, signed at Paris on August 31, 1994 (Treaty Doc. 109-04), Protocol Amending the Convention Between the United States of America and the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Estates, Inheritances, and Gifts signed at Washington on November 24, 1978 (Treaty Doc. 109-07), Protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Sweden for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income signed at Washington on September 30, 2005 (Treaty Doc. 109-08), Protocol of 1997 to Amend the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as Modified by the Protocol of 1978 thereto (hereinafter the ``Protocol of 1997''), The Protocol of 1997, which would add Annex VI, Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships, to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as Modified by the Protocol of 1978 (hereinafter the ``MARPOL Convention''), was signed by the United States on December 22, 1998 (Treaty Doc. 108-07), Treaty Between the United States of America and Japan on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Washington on August 5, 2003; including a related exchange of notes (Treaty Doc. 108-12), Treaty Between the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Washington on October 14, 2003, and a related exchange of notes (Treaty Doc. 108-27), and the nominations of Randall L. Tobias, of Indiana, to be Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, Mark D. Wallace, of Florida, to be Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform and to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform, with the rank of Ambassador, Richard T. Miller, of Texas, to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and to be Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, John A. Simon, of Maryland, to be Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, promotion lists in the Foreign Service, and an original bill to implement the obligations of the United States under the Protocol Additional to the Agreement Between the United States of America and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in the United States of America (Treaty Doc. 107-07), 2:15 p.m., S-116, Capitol. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to hold hearings to examine Federal contractors with unpaid tax debt, focusing on the extent to which contractors are tax delinquent and what can be done about it, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine consolidation in the oil and gas industry, 10:30 a.m., SD-226. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Michael A. Chagares, of New Jersey, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, Gray Hampton Miller, to be United States District Judge [[Page D227]] for the Southern District of Texas, and Jeffrey L. Sedgwick, of Massachusetts, to be Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and Sharee M. Freeman, of Virginia, to be Director, Community Relations Service, both of the Department of Justice, 3 p.m., SD- 226. House Committee on Appropriations, hearing on the House of Representatives, Office of Compliance and the Architect of the Capitol, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies, on the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 9:30 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies, on Central Command, 1:30 p.m., 143 Capitol. Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations, on the Attorney General, 2 p.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on the Department of Defense Quadrennial Defense Review, 2 p.m., and to mark up H. Res. 685, Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in their possession relating to any entity with which the United States has contracted for public relations purposes concerning Iraq, 5:30 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, hearing entitled ``Review of the Rudman Report on Fannie Mae, 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, hearing entitled ``Drowning in a Sea of Faux Secrets: Policies on Handling of Classified and Sensitive Information,'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, to markup the following: Office of Domestic Nuclear Detection; Annual Report to Congress on the Directorate of Science and Technology; and Project Bioshield Material Threats Act of 2006, 5:30 p.m., 1310 Longworth, Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, hearing on H.R. 3509, Workplace Goods Job Growth and Competitiveness Act of 2005, 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Rules, to consider H.R. 4939, Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, 5 p.m., H-313 Capitol. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D228]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9 a.m., Tuesday, March 14 Senate Chamber Program for Tuesday: Senate will continue consideration of S. Con. Res. 83, Congressional Budget Resolution, with votes on certain amendments to occur at approximately 3 p.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 14 House Chamber Program for Tuesday: Consideration of Suspensions: (1) H.R. 4346-- Malcolm Melville `Mac' Lawrence Post Office Designation Act; (2) H.R. __--To amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty, to make other technical amendments to the trade laws; (3) S. 1184--A bill to waive the passport fees for a relative of a deceased member of the Armed Forces proceeding abroad to visit the grave of such member or to attend a funeral or memorial service for such member; (4) H. Con. Res. 190--Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Russian Federation should fully protect the freedoms of all religious communities without distinction, whether registered and unregistered, as stipulated by the Russian Constitution and international standards; (5) H.R. 4841--To amend the Ojito Wilderness Act to make a technical correction; (6) H. Con. Res. 350-- Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust; (7) H.R. 4826--To extend through December 31, 2006, the authority of the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to expedite the processing of permits; (8) H.R. 4911--Higher Education Extension Act of 2006; (9) S. 2363--A bill to extend the educational flexibility program under section 4 of the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999; (10) H. Res. 698--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all Americans should participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces both at home and abroad; and (11) H. Con. Res. 354--Expressing the continued support of Congress for requiring an institution of higher education to provide military recruiters with access to the institution's campus and students at least equal in quality and scope to that which is provided to any other employer in order to be eligible for the receipt of certain Federal funds. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE McCollum, Betty, Minn., E345 Musgrave, Marilyn N., Colo., E345, E345, E346