Thursday, May 12, 2005 [[Page D473]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S5007-S5185 Measures Introduced: Twenty-six bills and seven resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1008-1033, S. Res. 136-141, and S. Con. Res. 32. Pages S5070-71 Measures Reported: S. 536, to make technical corrections to laws relating to Native Americans. (S. Rept. No. 109-67) Page S5070 Measures Passed: National Drug Court Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 136, designating the month of May 2005 as ``National Drug Court Month''. Page S5181 National Child Care Worthy Wage Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 137, designating May 1, 2005, as ``National Child Care Worthy Wage Day''. Pages S5181-82 National Day of the American Cowboy: Senate agreed to S. Res. 138, designating July 23, 2005 as ``National Day of the American Cowboy''. Page S5182 Russian Troop Withdrawal: Senate agreed to S. Res. 139, expressing support for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia. Pages S5182-83 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 86, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. Page S5183 Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 135, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. Page S5183 National Peace Officers Memorial Service: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 136, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service. Page S5183 National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 141, designating September 9, 2005, as ``National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day''. Pages S5183-84 Transportation Equity Act: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 3, to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S5014-62 Adopted: Inhofe (for Dole/Burr) Amendment No. 574 (to Amendment No. 605), to allow States to own the entire interest of a real estate investment trust without tax consequences in order to assist the State in preserving its railroad infrastructure. Page S5019 Inhofe (for Lieberman) Amendment No. 598 (to Amendment No. 605), to provide a 90 percent Federal match for bridge projects on the Interstate Highway System. Page S5019 Inhofe (for Murray) Modified Amendment No. 624 (to Amendment No. 605), to provide for a comprehensive study of the damages to the Alaska Way Viaduct from the Nisqually earthquake to determine whether to repair, retrofit, or replace the Viaduct and whether emergency relief funding should be made available for the Viaduct. Page S5019 Inhofe (for Clinton) Amendment No. 628 (to Amendment No. 605), to reestablish the University of Buffalo as an appropriate research center for research on the impact of seismic activity on the Federal-aid highway system. Page S5019 Inhofe (for Dayton) Modified Amendment No. 634 (to Amendment No. 605), to raise consumer awareness of ethanol-fueled vehicles. Pages S5019-20 Inhofe (for Conrad/Dorgan) Amendment No. 643 (to Amendment No. 605), to establish the Federal share of the cost of constructing a bridge in the State of North Dakota. Page S5020 Inhofe (for Obama) Modified Amendment No. 670 (to Amendment No. 605), to provide for Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) refueling capability at new and existing refueling station facilities to promote energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Pages S5020, S5025-28 [[Page D474]] Inhofe (for Clinton/Inhofe) Modified Amendment No. 681 (to Amendment No. 605), to modify provisions relating to the congestion and air quality improvement program. Pages S5020-21 Inhofe (for Landrieu) Amendment No. 621 (to Amendment No. 605), to provide for the conduct of a community enhancement study. Page S5021 Inhofe (for Landrieu) Amendment No. 622 (to Amendment No. 605), to provide for the development of a comprehensive coastal evacuation plan. Pages S5021-22 Inhofe (for Specter) Modified Amendment No. 666 (to Amendment No. 605), to improve the high-speed magnetic levitation system deployment program. Pages S5022-23 Inhofe (for Stevens) Amendment No. 685 (to Amendment No. 605), to increase an amount made available for the Alaska Highway System. Page S5023 Inhofe (for Salazar) Amendment No. 694 (to Amendment No. 605), to provide for an off-system bridges pilot program. Page S5023 Inhofe (for Snowe) Modified Amendment No. 705 (to Amendment No. 605), to allow the State of Maine to use certain transportations funds made available to the State to support the operation of passenger rail service between Boston, Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine. Page S5023 Inhofe (for Santorum) Modified Amendment No. 708 (to Amendment No. 605), to provide for the reobligation and use of excess project funds and funds for projects that are inactive. Page S5023 Inhofe (for Baucus) Modified Amendment No. 713 (to Amendment No. 605), to provide funds for the State of Montana for the operation of public transit activities that serve a non-attainment or maintenance area. Page S5023 Inhofe Amendment No. 737 (to Amendment No. 605), to make certain revisions relating to alternative methods to improve the accessibility of public transportation for persons with visual disabilities, tax-free transit benefits, authority to use government vehicles to transport Federal employees, and projects in Alaska and Hawaii for new fixed guideway systems and extension projects utilizing ferry boats. Pages S5023-24 Inhofe (for Santorum/Specter) Amendment No. 725 (to Amendment No. 605), to provide for the construction of improvements to streets and roads providing access to State Route 28 in the State of Pennsylvania. Page S5024 Inhofe (for Levin/Stabenow) Amendment No. 755 (to Amendment No. 725), to reprogram funds made available for Interstate Route 75 and North Down River Road, Michigan. Page S5025 Inhofe Modified Amendment No. 726 (to Amendment No. 605), to establish a program to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible recipients for the replacement or retrofit of certain existing school buses. Pages S5024-25 Nelson (FL) (for Feingold) Amendment No. 610 (to Amendment No. 605), to improve the accuracy and efficacy of identity authentication systems and ensure privacy and security. Page S5014 Inhofe (for Chambliss/Isakson) Modified Amendment No. 569 (to Amendment No. 605), to provide that certain funds shall be appropriated to the Department of Transportation to carry out studies and reports relating to projects in the State of Georgia. Pages S5045-46 Inhofe (for Cornyn) Modified Amendment No. 662 (to Amendment No. 605), to strike section 1802(c) relating to contractor suspension and debarment policy. Pages S5046-54 Pending: Inhofe Amendment No. 605, to provide a complete substitute. Page S5014 Dorgan Amendment No. 652 (to Amendment No. 605), to provide for the conduct of an investigation to determine whether market manipulation is contributing to higher gasoline prices. Page S5014 Inhofe (for Ensign) Amendment No. 636 (to Amendment No. 605), to authorize the State of Nevada to continue construction of the US-95 Project in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pages S5015-18 Allen/Ensign Amendment No. 611 (to Amendment No. 605), to modify the eligibility requirements for States to receive a grant under section 405 of title 49, United States Code. Pages S5054-59 Schumer Amendment No. 674 (to Amendment No. 605), to increase the transit pass and van pooling benefit to $200. Page S5059 Sessions Modified Amendment No. 646 (to Amendment No. 605), to reduce funding for certain programs. Page S5059 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 92 yeas to 7 nays (Vote No. 122), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on Inhofe Amendment No. 605 (listed above). Page S5026 Chair sustained a point of order that Byrd Amendment No. 635 (to Amendment No. 605), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit for rural commuters, was not germane, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S5028-45 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for a list of amendments to be the only remaining first-degree amendments, other than a managers' amendment to be cleared by both managers and both leaders; provided further, that they be subject to second-degree amendments that have been [[Page D475]] filed in accordance with Rule 22; that any amendment from the list must be offered by 4 p.m. on Monday, May 16; provided further, that when the Senate resumes consideration of the bill on Tuesday, May 17, all time be expired under Rule 22 and the Senate proceed to votes in relation to the pending amendments in the order offered; the Senate then proceed to a vote on Inhofe substitute Amendment No. 605, as amended, that the cloture vote on the underlying bill be vitiated, and the Senate then proceed to a vote on passage of the bill. Page S5055 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 13, 2005. Page S5184 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: John Paul Woodley, Jr., of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army. Page S5185 Nominations Discharged: The following nominations were discharged from further committee consideration and placed on the Executive Calendar: Thomas C. Dorr, of Iowa, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development, which was sent to the Senate on January 24, 2005, from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Thomas C. Dorr, of Iowa, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation, which was sent to the Senate on January 24, 2005, from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Page S5181 Messages From the House: Page S5069 Measures Referred: Page S5069 Executive Communications: Pages S5069-70 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S5070 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S5071-73 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S5073-S5173 Additional Statements: Pages S5067-69 Amendments Submitted: Pages S5173-80 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S5180-81 Privilege of the Floor: Page S5181 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--122) Page S5026 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 8:40 p.m. until 10 a.m., on Friday, May 13, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S5184-85.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: AMTRAK Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, The Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), after receiving testimony from David L. Gunn, President and Chief Executive Officer, and David M. Laney, Chairman of the Board of Directors, both of Amtrak; and Jeffrey A. Rosen, General Counsel, and Kenneth M. Mead, Inspector General, both of the Department of Transportation. APPROPRIATIONS: NASA Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, after receiving testimony from Michael D. Griffin, Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF STATE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of State and Foreign Operations, after receiving testimony from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State. AUTHORIZATION--NATIONAL DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the following bills: An original bill entitled ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006''; An original bill entitled ``Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006''; An original bill entitled ``Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006''; and An original bill entitled ``Department of Energy National Security Act for Fiscal Year 2006''. TRUTH IN BROADCASTING ACT Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 967, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to ensure that prepackaged news stories contain announcements that inform viewers that the information within was provided by the United States Government, after receiving testimony from Jonathan S. Adelstein, Commissioner, and Austin C. Schlick, [[Page D476]] Acting General Counsel, both of the Federal Communications Commission; Susan A. Poling, Managing Associate General Counsel, Government Accountability Office; Barbara Cochran, Radio-Television News Directors Association, Washington, D.C.; Douglas Simon, D S Simon Productions, Inc., New York, New York; and Judith T. Phair, Public Relations Society of America, Laurel, Maryland. NOMINATION Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered reported, without recommendation, the nominations of John Robert Bolton, of Maryland, to be the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador, and the U.S. Representative in the Security Council of the United Nations, and to be U.S. Representative to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during his tenure of service as U.S. Representative to the United Nations. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of William H. Pryor, Jr., of Alabama, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit. Also, Committee resumed its markup of S. 852, to create a fair and efficient system to resolve claims of victims for bodily injury caused by asbestos exposure, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call. NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Rachel Brand, of Iowa, who was introduced by Senators Grassley and Harkin, Alice S. Fisher, of Virginia, who was introduced by Senator McConnell, and Regina B. Schofield, of Virginia, who was introduced by Senators Cochran and Lott, each to be an Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. VETERANS LONG TERM CARE Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine issues relating to the planning, providing, and paying for veterans' long-term care services, after receiving testimony from Jonathan B. Perlin, Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health; Lourdes E. Alvarado-Ramos, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, Seattle, on behalf of the National Association of State Veterans Homes; and Joshua M. Wiener, RTI International, Fred Cowell, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Donald L. Mooney, The American Legion, all of Washington, D.C. HIV/AIDS Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the threat of HIV affecting people over fifty, focusing on U.S. HIV/ AIDS trends, specifically among persons 50 years and older, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention efforts for people in this age group who are at high risk for acquiring and transmitting HIV, after receiving testimony from Robert S. Janssen, Director, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; Thomas Bruner, Cascade AIDS Project, Portland, Oregon; Jeanine M. Reilly, Broadway House for Continuing Care, Newark, New Jersey; and Shirley Royster, Boston, Massachusetts. House of Representatives Measures Introduced: 43 public bills, H.R. 2317-2359; and 6 resolutions, H.J. Res. 49-50; H. Con. Res. 151; and H. Res. 275-277 were introduced. Pages H3259-62 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H3262-63 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Report on the Suballocation of Budget Allocations for Fiscal Year 2006 (H. Rept. 109-78). Page H3259 Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2005: The House passed H.R. 1544 to provide faster and smarter funding for first responders, by a recorded vote: 409-10 (Roll no. 170). Pages H3204-37 Agreed that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Homeland Security now printed in the bill be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment. Page H3236 [[Page D477]] Accepted: Berry amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 109-77 that adds the Administrator of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to the First Responder Grants Board; Pages H3228-29 Berry amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 109-77 that requires the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate with State, local, and tribal governments in establishing criteria for prioritizing applications for first responder grants; Pages H3229-30 Bass amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 109-77 that allow states to petition the Secretary of Homeland Security to use Federal homeland security funds for the cost of any activity relating to prevention of, preparation for, response to, or recovery from acts of terrorism, that would otherwise be a Federal duty performed by Federal agencies and under agreement with the State or local government and a Federal agency; and Pages H3230-31 Castle amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 109-77 that better equips and protects our communities' firefighters and encourage donations by raising the liability standard for donors of fire fighting equipment from negligence to gross negligence. Page H3234 Rejected: Weiner amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 109-77 that sought to limit the number of Urban Area Security Initiative grants during any given fiscal year to 50, by a recorded vote: 88-331 (Roll no. 169). Pages H3231-36 H. Res. 269, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by voice vote. Page H3604 Late Reports: Agreed that the Committee on Appropriations have until midnight on May 13 to file late reports on legislation making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year 2006 and on legislation making appropriations for the Department of the Interior for fiscal year 2006. Page H3237 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2005, for Morning-Hour Debates. Page H3238 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, May 18. Page H3238 Reception of Former Members of Congress: Agreed that the House will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2005, for the purpose of receiving in the Chamber Former Members of Congress, and that the Speaker may declare a recess subject to the call of the Chair for such a purpose. Page H3238 Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of Representatives Cunningham of California and Wicker of Mississippi to the Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy. Page H3239 Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation-- Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of Representatives Akin of Missouri and Skelton of Missouri to the Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation. Page H3239 Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following members to the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China: Representatives Leach (co-Chair), Dreier, Wolf, Pitts, and Aderholt. Pages H3249-50 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two recorded votes developed during the proceedings of the House today and appear on pages H3236, H3236-37. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 5:57 p.m. Committee Meetings DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Testimony was heard from Albert S. Jacquez, Administrator, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Department of Transportation. ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee action the Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies appropriations for Fiscal Year 2006. [[Page D478]] 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 approved for full Committee action the Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations for Fiscal Year 2006. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 1815, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, 9 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 1815, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical and Land Forces approved for full Committee action H.R. 1815, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAMS Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing entitled ``Examining Voluntary Compliance Programs that Improve Occupational Safety and Health. Testimony was heard from Jon Turnipseed, Safety Program Manager, Municipal Water Department, San Bernadino, California; and public witnesses. SPECIALTY HOSPITALS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Specialty Hospitals: Assessing Their Role in the Delivery of Quality Health Care.'' Testimony was heard from Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Glenn M. Hackbarth, Chairman, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and public witnesses. CONSUMER CREDIT Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing entitled ``Helping Consumers Obtain the Credit They Deserve.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. SECURING OUR BORDERS Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``Securing Our Borders: What Have We Learned From Government Initiatives and Citizen Patrols?'' Testimony was heard from Robert C. Bonner, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; Janice Kephart, former Counsel, National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States; and public witnesses. EMBASSY AND BORDER SECURITY Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations held a hearing entitled ``Foreign Relations Authorization for FY 2005-2006: Embassy and Border Security.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Gregory B. Starr, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Countermeasures, Bureau of Diplomatic Security; MG Charles E. Williams, USA, (ret.), Director, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations; and Dan Smith, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs. STATE DEPARTMENT TERRORISM REPORT Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation held a hearing entitled ``Reviewing the State Department's Annual Report on Terrorism.'' Testimony was heard from Philip D. Zelikow, Counselor, Department of State; John O. Brennan, Interim Director, National Counterterrorism Center; Raphael F. Perl, Specialist in International Terrorism Policy, CRS, Library of Congress; and a public witness. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1817, Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY PROTECTION ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims held a hearing on H.R. 98, Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Representatives Dreier and Reyes; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. [[Page D479]] 323, To redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library;'' H.R. 774, Rocky Mountain National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2005; and H.R. 1084, To authorize the establishment at Antietam National Battlefield of a memorial to the officers and enlisted men of the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiments and the First New Hampshire Light Artillery Battery who fought in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862. Testimony was heard from Representatives Bradley of New Hampshire and Engel; Sue Masica, Associate Director, Park Planning, Facilities and Lands, National Park Service, Department of the Interior. COMPUTER SCIENCE RESEARCH Committee on Science: Held a hearing on the Future of Computer Science Research in the U.S. Testimony was heard from John H. Marburger, III, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy; Anthony J. Tether, Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Department of Defense; and public witnesses. COAST GUARD AMENDMENTS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on the Coast Guard Amendments of 2005. Testimony was heard from Calvin Lederer, Deputy Judge Advocate General, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security. OVERSIGHT--VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICE Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held an oversight hearing on the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS). Testimony was heard from Sigurd R. Nilsen, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO; John M. McWilliam, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Operations and Management, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, Department of Labor; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. SOCIAL SECURITY--ALTERNATIVES TO STRENGTHEN; COMMITTEE BUSINESS Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on Alternatives to Strengthen Social Security. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. Prior to the hearing, the Committee approved pending business. BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a Briefing on Global Updates. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D 452) H.R. 1268, making Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005. Signed on May 11, 2005. (Public Law 109-13) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Armed Services: closed business meeting to continue markup of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, 9:30 a.m., SR-222. House Committee on Government Reform, hearing entitled ``Domestic Source Restrictions Threaten Free Trade: What is the Federal Government Doing to Ensure a Level Playing Field in the Global Economy?'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity, hearing entitled ``The Transportation Security Administration's Screening of Airline Pilots: Sound Security Practice or Waste of Scarce Resources?'' 9:30 a.m., 210 Cannon. 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 D480]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Friday, May 13 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 3, Transportation Equity Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 12:30 p.m., Monday, May 16 House Chamber Program for Monday: Consideration of Suspensions--to be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Baca, Joe, Calif., E952 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E953 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E950, E954, E955 Cubin, Barbara, Wyo., E954 Cummings, Elijah E., Md., E951, E953 Hall, Ralph M., Tex., E949, E950 Israel, Steve, N.Y., E950 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E951 Miller, George, Calif., E953 Rothman, Steven R., N.J., E955 Ryan, Tim, Ohio, E949, E954 Sanchez, Loretta, Calif., E954 Udall, Mark, Colo., E949, E952 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E949, E952