Monday, February 13, 2006 [[Page D86]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1077-S1133 Measures Introduced: One and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2277, and S.J. Res. 29-30. Page S1129 Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act: Senate resumed consideration of S. 852, to create a fair and efficient system to resolve claims of victims for bodily injury caused by asbestos exposure, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S1121-22 Pending: Frist (for Specter/Leahy) Amendment No. 2746, in the nature of a substitute. Page S1121 Specter Modified Amendment No. 2747 (to Amendment No. 2746), to provide guidelines in determining which defendant participants may receive inequity adjustments the Administrator shall give preference. Page S1121 Kyl Amendment No. 2754 (to Amendment No. 2746), to reduce the impact of the trust fund on smaller companies and to expand hardship adjustments. Page S1121 Ensign point of order that the pending bill and the pending amendment in the nature of a substitute (Frist (for Specter/Leahy) Amendment No. 2746 (listed above) violate section 407 of H. Con. Res. 95, the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2006. Page S1121 Specter motion to waive the point of order (listed above). Page S1121 A motion was entered to close further debate on Frist (for Specter/ Leahy) Amendment No. 2746, in the nature of a substitute and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Wednesday, February 15, 2006. Pages S1121-22 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 will occur on Wednesday, February 15, 2006. Page S1122 Senate will continue consideration of the bill on Tuesday, February 14, 2006. Page S1122 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act Motions to Instruct Conferees: Senate began consideration of the message of the House of Representatives to accompany H.R. 4297, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 201(b) of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2006, insisting on its amendment, agreeing to the request of the House for a conference, and taking action on the following motions to instruct conferees proposed thereto: Pages S1079-S1121 Adopted: By a unanimous vote of 92 yeas (Vote No.14), Grassley Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include funding to support the health needs of America's veterans and military personnel contained in section 315 of the Senate amendment and the funding to strengthen America's military contained in title VI of the Senate amendment. Page S1121 Rejected: By 40 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 15), Dodd Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include funding to support the health needs of America's veterans and military personnel contained in section 315 of the Senate amendment instead of any extension of the tax breaks for capital gains and dividends for individuals with annual incomes greater than $1,000,000. Page S1121 Pending: Kennedy Motion to Instruct Conferees to reject the extension of the capital gains and dividends rate reduction contained in section 203 of the bill as passed by the House of Representatives. Pages S1083-90 Reed Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include funding to strengthen America's military contained in title VI of the Senate amendment instead of any extension of the tax cuts for capital gains and dividends, which does not expire until 2009, contained in section 203 of the bill as passed by the House of Representatives. Pages S1094-S1105 Wyden Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include a provision that [[Page D87]] repeals accelerated depreciation for geologic and geophysical costs for oil and gas exploration by the 5 major oil companies. Pages S1105-07 Obama Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include tax relief for the most vulnerable members of our society, including the low-income victims of Hurricane Katrina and children in families that are too poor to benefit fully from the refundable child tax credit. Pages S1107-10 Hatch Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include a permanent extension of the credit for increasing research activities (based on section 108 of the amendment passed by the Senate), in order to improve American competitiveness. Pages S1110-13 DeWine Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report accept the veterans' mortgage bonds expansion provisions contained in section 303 of the bill as passed by the House of Representatives with such revisions as are necessary to provide veterans in all 50 States with access to lower-rate mortgages. Page S1113 Reid (for Menendez) Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include the Senate passed ``hold-harmless'' relief from the individual alternative minimum tax (AMT) in 2006, and does not include the extension of lower tax rates on capital gains and dividends. Pages S1113-15 Stabenow Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include a permanent extension of the credit for increasing research activities, and to reject any extension of the tax rate for capital gains and dividends which does not expire until 2009. Pages S1115-16 Grassley Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include the ``hold-harmless'' relief from the individual alternative minimum tax in 2006 (sections 106 and 107 of the amendment passed by the Senate) to protect middle class families and includes an extension of lower tax rates on capital gains and dividends (based on section 203 of the bill passed by the House of Representatives) to protect tax cuts for middle class families. Pages S1116-17 Grassley (for Lott) Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include the repeal of the individual alternative minimum tax (based on sections 106 and 107 of the amendment passed by the Senate). Page S1117 Grassley (for Hutchison) Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include a permanent extension of the election to deduct State and local general sales taxes (based on section 105 of the amendment passed by the Senate). Page S1117 Grassley (for Santorum) Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include a permanent extension of the above- the-line deduction for tuition and fees (based on section 103 of the amendment passed by the Senate). Pages S1117-18 Grassley Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report ensure that in 2009 and 2010, the international competitiveness of the United States in attracting capital investment, and therefore job creation, is not weakened further by a higher combined corporate and individual income tax rate on corporate and capital income as a result of a higher dividend tax rate. Page S1118 Grassley (for Talent/Snow/Lincoln) Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include a permanent extension of the modifications to the child tax credit made by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Page S1118 Lautenberg Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report does not increase the national debt of the United States. Pages S1118-19 Schumer Motion to Instruct Conferees to insist that the final conference report include the Senate-passed provision to extend the above-the-line deduction for tuition and fees through December 31, 2009 (section 103), before it includes the House-passed extension of lower tax rates on capital gains and dividends (section 203), given budget constraints, noting that a conference report which maintains the tuition deduction will provide needed tax relief to more than 4,000,000 American families each year that are struggling to keep pace with rising tuition costs. Pages S1119-20 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that on Tuesday, February 14, 2006, at 9:45 a.m., Senate continue consideration of the House message to accompany H.R. 4297, that the only motions to instruct be those that are currently pending and that no other motions be in order; further, that no amendments be in order to the motions; provided further, that all remaining debate time under the statute be considered as having expired; further, that when the Senate begins to vote in relation to the motions, the Republican alternative amendments occur prior to the votes in relation to the Democratic amendments; provided further, that prior to the vote on Grassley motion and Kennedy motion on capital gains/dividend, there be 2 minutes per side for debate; further, that debate before all other votes be limited to 2 minutes equally divided and all votes after the first vote in the sequence be limited to 10 minutes each. Page S1133 [[Page D88]] Messages From the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, the Economic Report of the President dated February 2006 with the Annual Report of the Council of Economic Advisers for 2006; which was referred to the Joint Economic Committee. (PM-39). Pages S1127-28 Appointments: National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission: The Chair, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to Public Law 109-59, appointed the following individuals to serve as members of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission: Paul Weyrich of Virginia, and Patrick E. Quinn of Tennessee. Page S1133 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: James Lambright, of Missouri, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2009. Dennis R. Spurgeon, of Florida, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Nuclear Energy). Robert Irwin Cusick, Jr., of Kentucky, to be Director of the Office of Government Ethics for a term of five years. Donald J. DeGabrielle, Jr., of Texas, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas for the term of four years. Page S1133 Measures Placed on Calendar: Pages S1128, S1133 Executive Communications: Pages S1128-29 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1129-30 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1130-32 Additional Statements: Pages S1126-27 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S1132 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S1132-33 Privileges of the Floor: Page S1133 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--15). Page S1121 Adjournment: Senate convened at 12 noon, and adjourned at 9:58 p.m., until 9:45 a.m., on Tuesday, February 14, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1133.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) HURRICANE KATRINA Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee held a hearing to examine Hurricane Katrina response issues, focusing on waste, fraud, and abuse during the disaster, expedited assistance for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and oversight of sheltering initiatives, receiving testimony from Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, and John J. Ryan, Special Agent, both of Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, Government Accountability Office; Richard L. Skinner, Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security; and Alice S. Fisher, Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, and Chairman, Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, Department of Justice. Committee will meet again on Tuesday, February 14. House of Representatives Chamber Action The House was not in session today. The House is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2006. Committee Meetings No committee meetings were held. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D 62) S. 1932, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202(a) of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2006 (H. Con. Res. 95). Signed on February 8, 2006. (Public Law 109-171) [[Page D89]] COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate 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., SD-106. Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, to hold hearings to examine improving contractor incentives in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007, 2:30 p.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Randall S. Kroszner, of New Jersey, and Kevin M. Warsh, of New York, each to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Edward P. Lazear, of California, to be a Member of the Council of Economic Advisers, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on the Budget: to continue hearings to examine the President's fiscal year 2007 budget proposal, 10 a.m., SD-608. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development, to hold hearings to examine the economic impacts of the Canadian softwood lumber dispute on U.S. industries, 2:30 p.m., SD-562. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the Energy Information Administration's 2006 annual energy outlook on trends and issues affecting the United States' energy market, 10 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for foreign affairs; and, if a quorum is present, consider and vote on the nominations of Claudia A. McMurray, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Bradford R. Higgins, of Connecticut, to be Assistant Secretary for Resource Management and Chief Financial Officer, Department of State, Jackie Wolcott Sanders, of Virginia, to be U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs in 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 her tenure of service as U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, Janet Ann Sanderson, of Arizona, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti, Bernadette Mary Allen, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, Patricia Newton Moller, of Arkansas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi, Steven Alan Browning, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Uganda, Robert Weisberg, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, Michael W. Michalak, of Michigan, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Senior Official to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, Janice L. Jacobs, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Jeanine E. Jackson, of Wyoming, to be Ambassador to Burkina Faso, James D. McGee, of Florida, to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Union of Comoros; Kristie A. Kenney, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines, Gary A. Grappo, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Patricia A. Butenis, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Donald T. Bliss, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, Ben S. Bernanke, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Monetary Fund, International Monetary Fund; and 2 Foreign Service Officer promotion lists received in the Senate on December 13 and December 14, 2005, respectively, 10 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging, to hold hearings to examine the Older Americans Act, 2:30 p.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to continue hearings to examine Hurricane Katrina response issues, focusing on the Homeland Security Department's preparation and response, 10 a.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold oversight hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for Indian programs, 2:30 p.m., SD-106. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, 10 a.m., SR-418. House Committee on the Budget, hearing on Members' Day, 2 p.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, hearing entitled ``National Security Whistleblowers in the Post-9/11 Era: Lost in a Labyrinth and Facing Subtle Retaliation,'' 1 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats to mark up a resolution 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 free and fair presidential elections in 2006, 6 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on Chinese Influence on U.S. Foreign Policy through U.S. Educational Institutions, Multilateral Organizations and Corporate America, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, oversight hearing on the VA's Fiscal Year 2007 budget request for the education, vocational rehabilitation, and loan guaranty programs, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Subcommittee on Health, oversight hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2007 budget request for the Veterans Health Administration, 2 p.m., 334 Cannon. 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 D90]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:45 a.m., Tuesday, February 14 Senate Chamber Program for Tuesday: Senate will continue consideration of the message from the House of Representatives to accompany H.R. 4297, Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act, with votes on the pending motions to instruct to occur thereon. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Tuesday, February 14 House Chamber Program for Tuesday: To be announced.