Tuesday, February 28, 2006 [[Page D131]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1511-S1554 Measures Introduced: Eight bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2334-2341, S. Res. 384-385, and S. Con. Res. 82. Pages S1539-40 Measures Reported: Report to accompany S. 1614, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965. (S. Rept. No. 109-218) Page S1539 Measures Passed: National Sibling Connection Day: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 381, designating March 1, 2006, as National Sibling Connection Day, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S1553 Read Across America Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 384, designating March 2, 2006, as ``Read Across America Day''. Page S1554 USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments: Senate continued consideration of 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, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S1515-28 Pending: Frist Amendment No. 2895, to establish the enactment date of the Act. Page S1515 Frist Amendment No. 2896 (to Amendment No. 2895), of a perfecting nature. Page S1515 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 69 yeas to 30 nays (Vote No. 23), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the bill. Pages S1522-23 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2006, with a vote on final passage of the bill to occur at 10 a.m. Page S1554 LIHEAP Funding--Cloture Motion: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2320, to make available funds included in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program for fiscal year 2006. Page S1522 A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of 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 Thursday, March 2, 2006. Page S1522 Subsequently, the motion to proceed was withdrawn. Page S1522 Escort Committee Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the President of the Senate be authorized to appoint a committee on the part of the Senate to join with a like committee on the part of the House of Representatives to escort the Honorable Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy, into the House Chamber for the joint meeting on Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Page S1553 Messages From the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the continuation of the national emergency blocking property of persons undermining democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-41) Page S1538 Executive Communications: Pages S1538-39 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1540-41 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1541-52 Additional Statements: Pages S1533-38 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S1552 Authorities for Committees To Meet: Pages S1552-53 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--23) Page S1523 [[Page D132]] Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:45 a.m., and, adjourned at 7:19 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, March 1, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1554.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Homeland Security, after receiving testimony from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security. U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded open and closed hearings to examine current and future worldwide threats to the national security of the United States, after receiving testimony from John D. Negroponte, Director, and General Michael V. Hayden, USAF, Principal Deputy Director, both of the Office of National Intelligence; and Lieutenant General Michael D. Maples, USA, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency. FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION BUDGET Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, after receiving testimony from Sandra Bushue, Deputy Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation; Mayor Patrick L. McCrory, Charlotte, North Carolina, on behalf of the United States Conference of Mayors; and William Millar, American Public Transportation Association, Washington, D.C. UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND CONTRIBUTIONS Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine proposed reforms of the Universal Service Fund (USF) contribution system, including the distribution side of the universal service equation, and wireless carriers providing mobile broadband services, after receiving testimony from Glen Post, CenturyTel, Inc., Monroe, Louisiana; Tom Simmons, Midcontinent Communications, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Trent Boaldin, Epic Touch Company, Elkhart, Kansas; Bonnie Cramer, AARP, Raleigh, North Carolina; and Paul W. Garnett, CTIA--The Wireless Association, Washington, D.C. PORT SECURITY Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the security of terminal operations at U.S. ports, after receiving testimony from Michael P. Jackson, Deputy Secretary, Admiral Jayson Ahern, Assistant Commissioner, Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection, and Rear Admiral Thomas H. Gilmour, Assistant Commandant for Prevention, United States Coast Guard, all of the Department of Homeland Security; H. Edward Bilkey, DP World, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Robert Scavone, P&O Ports North America, Inc, Iselin, New Jersey; Tay Yoshitani, National Association of Waterfront Employers, and Christopher Koch, World Shipping Council, both of Washington, D.C.; and Michael Mitre, International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Los Angeles, California. FOREST SERVICE BUDGET Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Forest Service, after receiving testimony from Dale Bosworth, Chief, Forest Service, and Mark Rey, Under Secretary Natural Resources and Environment, both of the Department of Agriculture. WATER REUSE AND RECYCLING PROGRAM Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power concluded a hearing to examine the current status of the Bureau of Reclamation Reuse and Recycling Program (Title XVI of Public Law 102-575), after receiving testimony from John W. Keys, III, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; Betsy A. Cody, Specialist in Natural Resources Policy, Resources, Science, and Industry Division, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; Virginia Grebbien, Orange County Water District, Fountain Valley, California; Thomas F. Donnelly, National Water Resources Association, Arlington, Virginia; and Richard Atwater, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Chino, California, on behalf of the WateRuse Association. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE ACCESS ACT Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine S. 2060, to extend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999 and make certain improvements, [[Page D133]] S. 1838, to provide for the sale, acquisition, conveyance, and exchange of certain real property in the District of Columbia to facilitate the utilization, development, and redevelopment of such property, and H.R. 3508, to authorize improvements in the operation of the government of the District of Columbia, after receiving testimony from Mayor Anthony A. William, Washington, D.C.; Sally L. Stroup, Assistant Secretary of Education for Postsecondary Education; and Paul Hoffman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. OFF-RESERVATION GAMING Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine Indian gaming activities, focusing on land into trust and the two-part determination related to off-reservation gaming, after receiving testimony from George T. Skibine, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy and Economic Development for Indian Affairs; Ron Suppah, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, Pendleton; Cheryle A. Kennedy, Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, Grand Ronde; Carol York, Hood River County Commissioner, Hood River, Oregon; Michael Lang, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Portland, Oregon; and Cheryl Schmit, Stand Up for California, Penryn. NSA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY Committee on the Judiciary: Committee resumed hearings to examine issues relating to wartime executive power and the NSA's surveillance authority, receiving testimony from R. James Woolsey, Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Virginia, Former Director of Central Intelligence; Harold Hongju Koh, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut; Ken Gormley, Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Douglas W. Kmiec, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California; Bruce Fein, Fein and Fein, and Robert A. Levy, Cato Institute, both of Washington, D.C.; and Robert F. Turner, University of Virginia Center for National Security Law, Charlottesville. Hearings recessed subject to the call. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Rules and Administration: Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill to provide greater transparency in the legislative process. DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS Committee on Veterans Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine certain legislative recommendations and concerns of wartime service- connected disabled veterans, after receiving testimony from Paul W. Jackson, David W. Gorman, and Joseph A. Violante, all of the Disabled American Veterans, Washington, D.C. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 19 public bills, H.R. 4805- 4823; and 6 resolutions, H.J. Res. 79; H. Con. Res. 348; and H. Res. 697-700 were introduced. Pages H449-50 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H450-52 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 4167, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for uniform food safety warning notification requirements (H. Rept. 109-379); and H.R. 1071, to direct the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments to the owners or operators of qualified desalination facilities to partially offset the cost of electrical energy required to operate such facilities, with an amendment (H. Rept. 109-380, Pt. 1). Page H449 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Aderholt to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H391 Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members to the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group: Representatives Kolbe, Chairman and Representative McCaul of Texas, Vice-Chairman. Page H393 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Barrow wherein he resigned from the Committee on Education pending his appointment to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, effective immediately. Page H393 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: A bill to facilitate shareholder consideration of proposals to make Settlement Common Stock under [[Page D134]] the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act available to missed enrollees, eligible elders, and eligible persons born after December 18, 1971: 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--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H393-94 Act Commemorating the LITE: H.R. 1096, amended, to establish the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in the State of New Jersey as the successor to the Edison National Historic Site, by a yea-and-nay vote of 399 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 14; Pages H394-97, H414-15 French Colonial Heritage National Historic Site Study Act of 2005: H.R. 1728, amended, 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; Page H397 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating portions of Ste. Genevieve Country in the State of Missouri as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.''. Page H397 Recognizing the creation of the NASCAR-Historically Black Colleges and Universities Consortium: H. Res. 677, to recognize the creation of the NASCAR-Historically Black Colleges and Universities Consortium; Pages H397-H400 Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Texas Western's 1966 NCAA Basketball Championship and recognizing the groundbreaking impact of the title game victory on diversity in sports and civil rights in America: H. Res. 668, amended, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Texas Western's 1966 NCAA Basketball Championship and recognizing the groundbreaking impact of the title game victory on diversity in sports and civil rights in America, by a yea-and-nay vote of 397 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 15; Pages H400-03, H415-16 Louis Braille Bicentennial--Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act: H.R. 2872, amended, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of Louis Braille; and Pages H403-07 Authorizing the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress, collectively, to the Tuskegee Airmen in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces: H.R. 1259, amended, to authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress, collectively, to the Tuskegee Airmen in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces, by a yea and nay vote of 400 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 16. Pages H407-14, H416 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To award a congressional gold medal on behalf of the Tuskegee Airmen, collectively, in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.''. Page H416 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he notified Congress of the continuation of the national emergency blocking the property of persons undermining democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe--referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered printed (H. Doc. 109-93). Page H414 Discharge Petition: Representative Barrow moved to discharge the Committee on Rules from the consideration of H. Res. 614, providing for the consideration of H.R. 2429, to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage (Discharge Petition No. 11). Recess: The House recessed at 4:15 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m. Page H414 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appears on pages H391, H393. Senate Referral: S. 2141 was referred to the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on the Judiciary. Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea and nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H414-15, H415-16, H416. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 2 p.m. and adjourned at 11:54 p.m. Committee Meetings AIR FORCE AIR REFUELING RECAPITALIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Protection Forces held a hearing on the U.S. Air Force on Aerial Refueling Recapitalization Requirements. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Air Force: LTG Christopher Kelly, USAF, Vice Commander, Air Mobility Command; LTG Donald Hoffman, USAF, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Air Force (Acquisition); and LTG Donald J. Wetekam, USAF, [[Page D135]] Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Installations and Mission Support; and a public witness. HURRICANE RECOVERY/FAIR HOUSING Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing entitled ``Fair Housing Issues in the Gulf Coast in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.'' Testimony was heard from Kim Kendrick, Assistant Secretary, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses. PROGRESS SINCE 9/11--HEALTH RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ATTACKS Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations held a hearing entitled ``Progress Since 9/11: Protecting Public Health and Safety Against Terrorist Attacks.'' Testimony was heard from Cynthia Bascetta, Director, Health Care, GAO; John Howard, M.D., Director, National Institute for Occupational Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations approved for full Committee action the following measures: H.R. 3189, amended, Central Asia Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2005; H. Con. Res, 320, amended, Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Dr. Pham Hong Son and other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience; H. Res. 578, Concerning the Government of Romania's ban on intercountry adoptions and the welfare of orphaned or abandoned children in Romania; and H. Res. 675, Expressing disapproval of the Arab League's decision to hold its 2006 summit in Khartoum, Sudan and calling on the Arab League, the Government of Sudan, the Sudanese rebels, and the world community to do all they can to end acts of genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. OVERSIGHT--AFT GUN SHOW ENFORCEMENT Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security continued oversight hearings on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) Part 2: Gun Show Enforcement. Testimony was heard from Michael R. Bouchard, Assistant Director (Field Operations), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. DOD'S INTELLIGENCE BUDGET; ACCORDANCE WITH THE FRAMEWORK Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Held a hearing on the Department of Defense's Intelligence Budget. Testimony was heard from Stephen Cambone, Under Secretary (Intelligence), Department of Defense. The Committee also met in executive session concerning Accordance with the Framework. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D 125) S. 1989, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 57 Rolfe Square in Cranston, Rhode Island, shall be known and designated as the ``Holly A. Charette Post Office''. Signed on February 27, 2006. (Public Law 109-175) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Library of Congress, Open World Leadership Council, and Government Accountability Office, 10:30 a.m., SD-138. Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Education, 10:30 a.m., SD-124. Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Personnel, to hold hearings to examine active component, reserve component, and civilian personnel programs in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007, 9:30 a.m., SR-232A. Subcommittee on Airland, to hold hearings to examine Army Transformation and the future combat systems acquisition strategy in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, 2:30 p.m., SR-232A. Full Committee, business meeting to consider pending military nominations, 4 p.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine regulatory relief proposals, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on the Budget: to hold hearings to examine the President's budgetary proposals for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Health and Human Services, 10 a.m., SD-608. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction, to hold hearings to examine winter storms, 2:30 p.m., SD-562. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold an oversight hearing to examine the state of the economies [[Page D136]] and fiscal affairs in the Territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands, 9:30 a.m., SD-366. Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, to hold hearings to examine the role of the Forest Service and other Federal agencies in protecting the health and welfare of foreign guest workers carrying out tree planting and other service contracts on National Health System lands, and to consider related Forest Service guidance and contract modifications issued in recent weeks, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine the status of the Yucca Mountain Project, 2:30 p.m., SD-628. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Education and Early Childhood Development, to continue hearings to examine S. 2198, to ensure the United States successfully competes in the 21st century global economy, 10 a.m., SD-430. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act relating to fighting the AIDS epidemic of today, 3 p.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Homeland Security, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold joint hearings with the House Committee on Resources to examine the settlement of Cobell v. Norton, 9:30 a.m., SD-106. Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship, with the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security, to hold joint hearings to examine Federal strategies to end border violence, 9 a.m., SD-226. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Norman Randy Smith, of Idaho, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, and Patrick Joseph Schiltz, to be United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota, 2 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Eric M. Thorson, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Small Business Administration, 2 p.m., SR-428A. Select Committee on Intelligence: to receive a closed briefing to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Office of Inspector General, 9:30 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, on Secretary of the Interior, 9 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, on public witnesses, 10 a.m., H-143 Capitol. Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies, on FCC, 2 p.m., H-309 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the Air Force, 10 a.m., to hold a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the Navy, 2 p.m., and to mark up H. Res. 645, Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of Defense to transmit to the House of Representatives all information in the possession of the President or the Secretary of Defense relating to the collection of information pertaining to persons inside the United States without obtaining court-ordered warrants authorizing the collection of such information and relating to the policy of the United States with respect to the gathering of counterterrorism intelligence within the United States, 6:30 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of Energy's Atomic Energy Defense Activities, 4:30 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, hearing on the Department of Defense Budget Priorities Fiscal Year 2007, 9:30 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, hearing entitled ``Evaluating Health and Safety Regulations in the American Mining Industry,'' 12 p.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, hearing entitled ``Car Title Fraud: Issues and Approaches for Keeping Consumers Safe on the Road,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ``Medicare Part D: Implementation of the New Drug Benefit,'' 2 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology, hearing entitled ``Foreign Investment, Jobs and National Security: The CFIUS Process,'' 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Energy and Resources, hearing entitled ``Oil and Gas Royalties: The Facts, The Remedies,'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census, hearing entitled ``Apportionment in the Balance: A Look Into the Progress of the 2010 Decennial Census,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability, hearing entitled ``U.S. Fiscal Outlook and the FY 2005 Governmentwide Financial Statements,'' 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, hearing entitled ``Plain English Regulations: Helping the American Public Understand the Rules,'' 10 a.m., 2247 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, executive briefing on the acquisition of terminal operations in six United States ports by Dubai Port World, 5:30 p.m., H-405 Capitol. [[Page D137]] Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology, hearing entitled ``The State of Interoperable Communications: Perspectives From State and Local Governments,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, to mark up the following measures: H.R. 4742, To amend title 35, United States Code, to allow the Director of the Patent and Trademark Office to waive statutory provisions governing patents and trademarks in certain emergencies; and S. 1785, Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2005, 12 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims, to begin hearings entitled ``The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act--Are We Fulfilling the Promise We Made to These Veterans of the Cold War When We Created the Program,'' Part 1, 4 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Water and Power, oversight hearing entitled ``How the Federal Marketing Administrations Are Implementing the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and An Assessment of the Proposed Fiscal Year Budgets for These Agencies,'' 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Rules, to consider H.R. 4167, National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005, 2:30 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, oversight hearing on the United States Coast Guard and the Federal Maritime Commission Fiscal Year Budget Requests, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, oversight hearing on Agency Budgets and Priorities for Fiscal Year 2007 for the following Agencies: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Health, hearing on MedPAC's March Report on Medicare Payment Policies, 3 p.m., 1100 Longworth. Joint Meetings Joint Meetings: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, to hold joint hearings with the House Committee on Resources to examine the settlement of Cobell v. Norton, 9:30 a.m., SD-106. 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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 D138]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 1 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: Senate will continue consideration of S. 2271, USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act, with a vote on final passage of the bill to occur at 10 a.m. Following the joint meeting, Senate will resume consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 3199, USA PATRIOT, Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act, with votes on certain procedural matters relating to cloture. (At 10:30 a.m., Senators will meet in the Senate Chamber to proceed to the House of Representatives for a Joint Meeting of Congress, to begin at 11 a.m., to receive an address from Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of Italy.) Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 1 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: The House will convene in Joint Meeting with the Senate for the purpose of receiving the Honorable Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy. Afterwards, the House will begin consideration of the following suspensions: (1) H. Con. Res. 316--Raising awareness and encouraging prevention of stalking by establishing January 2006 as ``National Stalking Awareness Month''; (2) H. Res. 357--Honoring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor; (3) H. Con. Res. 335--Honoring and praising the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 97th anniversary; and (4) S. 2271--USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Bilirakis, Michael, Fla., E224 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E231 Boehlert, Sherwood, N.Y., E228 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E229, E230, E231, E232 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E216, E217, E219, E220, E222 Case, Ed, Hawaii, E235 Castle, Michael N., Del., E225 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E232 Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E223 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E223, E225 Dingell, John D., Mich., E226 Edwards, Chet, Tex., E212 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E204, E207 Fitzpatrick, Michael G., Pa., E215 Gibbons, Jim, Nev., E233 Gonzalez, Charles A., Tex., E233 Gordon, Bart, Tenn., E235 Green, Mark, Wisc., E229, E230 Harman, Jane, Calif., E214 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E232 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E203, E205, E207, E209 Hyde, Henry J., Ill., E222 Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E229, E230 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E227 King, Peter T., N.Y., E233 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E233 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E215, E218 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E224 Lewis, John, Ga., E228 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E219, E221 McMorris, Cathy, Wash., E235 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E226 Markey, Edward J., Mass., E225 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E217, E220 Meehan, Martin T., Mass., E211 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E223 Michaud, Michael H., Me., E219, E221 Norwood, Charlie, Ga., E227 Pence, Mike, Ind., E208 Pickering, Charles W. ``Chip'', Miss., E210 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E219, E222 Price, Tom, Ga., E213 Rahall, Nick J., II, W.Va., E231 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E217, E220 Sabo, Martin Olav, Minn., E214 Salazar, John T., Colo., E217, E220 Serrano, Jose E., N.Y., E226 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E203, E205, E208 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E227 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E225 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E223 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E217, E220 Tierney, John F., Mass., E233 Udall, Mark, Colo., E214 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E213 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E205, E207 Weldon, Curt, Pa., E210, E224 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E210 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E203, E205, E208, E209 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E213