Thursday, June 16, 2005 [[Page D618]] Daily Digest Highlights House Committees ordered reported 14 miscellaneous measures, including the following appropriations for Fiscal Year 2006: Legislative Branch; and the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. The House passed H.R. 2862, Science, Justice, State, and Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2006. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S6669-S6784 Measures Introduced: Fourteen bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1254-1267, and S. Res. 172-175. Pages S6740-41 Measures Reported: H.R. 2360, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-83) H.R. 2419, making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-84) S. 1266, to permanently authorize certain provisions of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001, to reauthorize a provision of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, to clarify certain definitions in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, to provide additional investigative tools necessary to protect the national security. (S. Rept. No. 109-85) S. 491, to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand the definition of firefighter to include apprentices and trainees, regardless of age or duty limitations. S. 852, to create a fair and efficient system to resolve claims of victims for bodily injury caused by asbestos exposure, with amendments. Page S6740 Measures Passed: Recognizing Aung San Suu Kyi: Senate agreed to S. Res. 174, recognizing Burmese democracy activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as a symbol of the struggle for freedom in Burma. Pages S6768, S6780 Commending University of Michigan Softball Team: Senate agreed to S. Res. 175, commending the University of Michigan softball team for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Championship on June 8, 2005. Pages S6768, S6780-81 Energy Policy Act: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 6, to ensure jobs for our future with secure, affordable, and reliable energy, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S6671-S6711 Adopted: By 52 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 141), Bingaman Amendment No. 791, to establish a renewable portfolio standard. Pages S6673-90, S6692-93, S6700-02 Domenici/Bingaman Amendment No. 794, to make certain improvements to the bill relative to the institution of higher education, high performance building standards, and to provide for a study of overall employment in a hydrogen economy. Pages S6690-91, S6693-S6700, S6702-11 Rejected: By 47 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 140), Cantwell Modified Amendment No. 784, to improve the energy security of the United States and reduce United States dependence on foreign oil imports by 40 percent by 2025. Pages S6691-92 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at 2 p.m., on Monday, June 20, 2005. Page S6782 Nomination--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further [[Page D619]] consideration of the nomination of John Robert Bolton, of Maryland, to be 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, at 5 p.m., on Monday, June 20, 2005; that the time until 6 p.m. be equally divided between the Majority Leader and Democratic Leader, or their designees; and that at 6 p.m. the motion to proceed to the motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote be agreed to; the motion to reconsider be agreed to; and the Senate then vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination. Page S6782 Former Senator Exon Tributes--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the tribute statements regarding former Senator Exon be printed as a Senate document provided that Senators have until the close of business on June 30th, 2005 to submit such statements. Pages S6781-82 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: Jorge A. Plasencia, of Florida, to be a Member of the Advisory Board for Cuba Broadcasting for a term expiring October 27, 2006. Jay T. Snyder, of New York, to be a Member of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy for a term expiring July 1, 2007. Christopher J. Hanley, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation for a term expiring December 17, 2006. Craig Roberts Stapleton, of Connecticut, to be Ambassador to France. Eduardo Aguirre, Jr., of Texas, to be Ambassador to Spain, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to Andorra. Roger Dwayne Pierce, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to Republic of Cape Verde. Donald E. Booth, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia. Molly Hering Bordonaro, of Oregon, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Malta. Julie Finley, of the District of Columbia, to be U.S. Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, with the rank of Ambassador. Richard J. Griffin, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Diplomatic Security). Richard J. Griffin, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, and to have the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service. Robert Johann Dieter, of Colorado, to be Ambassador to Belize. Zalmay Khalilzad, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to Iraq. Rodolphe M. Vallee, of Vermont, to be Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. Pamela E. Bridgewater, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana. Ann Louise Wagner, of Missouri, to be Ambassador to Luxembourg. Terence Patrick McCulley, of Oregon, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Mali. Routine lists in the Foreign Service. Page S6784 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: John G. Grimes, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense. Wan J. Kim, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General. 1 Air Force nomination in the rank of general. A routine list in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Page S6784 Nominations Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: Thomas V. Skinner, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, which was sent to the Senate on January 24, 2005. Page S6784 Messages From the House: Page S6732 Measures Referred: Page S6732 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S6732-40 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S6740 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S6741-42 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S6742-68 Additional Statements: Pages S6727-32 Amendments Submitted: Pages S6768-77 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S6777-78 Privilege of the Floor: Page S6778 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--141) Pages S6700, S6700-01 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 7:35 p.m. until 2 p.m., on Monday, June 20, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S6782.) [[Page D620]] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: HOMELAND SECURITY/ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT Committee on Appropriations: Committee ordered favorably reported the following bills: H.R. 2360, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and H.R. 2419, making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. MEETING THE HOUSING AND SERVICE NEEDS OF SENIORS ACT Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 705, to establish the Interagency Council on Meeting the Housing and Service Needs of Seniors, after receiving testimony from Alphonso R. Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; David G. Wood, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Government Accountability Office; Nelda Barnett, AARP, and William T. Smith, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, both of Washington, D.C.; Dana Jo Olson, Volunteers of America, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Stephen Proctor, Presbyterian Homes, Inc., Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, on behalf of the Pennsylvania Non Profit Housing Association; Terry Allton, National Church Residences, Columbus, Ohio; and Steve Protulis, Elderly Housing Development and Operations Corporation, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. IDENTITY THEFT Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine Federal legislative solutions to data breaches and identity theft, focusing on ensuring the safety and security of consumers' personal information, after receiving testimony from Senators Feinstein and Schumer; Representative Hooley; Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairman, Orson Swindle, Thomas B. Leary, Pamela Jones Harbour, and Jon Leibowitz, all Commissioners, all of the Federal Trade Commission; and Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell, Montpelier, on behalf of the National Association of Attorneys General. NOMINATIONS Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of William Alan Jeffrey, of Virginia, to be Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce, who was introduced by Senator Allen, and Israel Hernandez, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, who was introduced by Senator Hutchison, Ashok G. Kaveeshwar, of Maryland, to be Administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Department of Transportation, and Edmund S. Hawley, of California, to be Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Transportation Security Administration, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill entitled, Energy Policy Tax Incentives Act of 2005. U.S. STABILIZATION AND RECONSTRUCTION Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine United States stabilization and reconstruction efforts to prevent or prepare for certain post-conflict situations, after receiving testimony from Carlos Pascual, Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, Department of State; Ryan Henry, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Policy, and Lieutenant General Walter Sharp, Director, Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff, both of the Department of Defense; and James R. Kunder, Assistant Administrator for Asia and the Near East, United States Agency for International Development. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing to examine tax delinquency problems with Federal contractors, focusing on civilian agency contractors involved in abusive and potentially criminal activity related to the Federal tax system, receiving testimony from Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, Steven J. Sebastian, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, and John J. Ryan, Assistant Director, Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, all of the Government Accountability Office; and Mark W. Everson, Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service, and Richard L. Gregg, Commissioner, Financial Management Service, both of the Department of the Treasury. Hearing recessed subject to call. [[Page D621]] INDIAN EDUCATION Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee held an oversight hearing to examine Indian education issues, focusing on Bureau of Indian Affairs education programs, program performance and professional development, teacher recruitment efforts, fiscal and financial management, and safe and secure schools, receiving testimony from James E. Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary, Ed Parisian, Acting Director, Office of Indian Education Programs, and Dominic Lowery, Acting Chair, National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education, all of the Department of the Interior; Victoria Vasques, Assistant Deputy Secretary of Education and Director, Office of Indian Education; David Beaulieu, National Indian Education Association, Washington, D.C.; Joe McDonald, Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, Montana, on behalf of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium; Roger Bordeaux, Tiospa Zina Tribal School, Sisseton, South Dakota, on behalf of the Association of Community Tribal Schools, Inc. Hearing recessed subject to the call. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. 491, to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand the definition of firefighter to include apprentices and trainees, regardless of age or duty limitations, and The nominations of Terrence W. Boyle, of North Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, and Rachel Brand, of Iowa, to be Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy, and Alice S. Fisher, of Virginia, to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, both of the Department of Justice. NOMINATION Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Janice B. Gardner, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Intelligence and Analysis, after the nominee testified and answered questions in her own behalf. House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced: 27 public bills, H.R. 2930-2956; and 7 resolutions, H.J. Res. 55; H. Con. Res. 179-180; and H. Res. 324-327 were introduced. Pages H4654-55 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H4655-56 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 394, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a boundary study to evaluate the significance of the Colonel James Barrett Farm in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the suitability and feasibility of its inclusion in the National Park System as part of the Minute Man National Historical Park, amended (H. Rept. 109-135); H.R. 2123, to reauthorize the Head Start Act to improve the school readiness of disadvantaged children, amended (H. Rept. 109-136); H.R. 1412, to amend the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to require notification of the Coast Guard regarding obstructions to navigation, amended (H. Rept. 109-137); and H.R. 280, to facilitate the provision of assistance by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the cleanup and economic redevelopment of brownfields (H. Rept. 109-138). Page H4654 Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2006--Rule for Consideration: H. Res. 315, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2863, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, was agreed to by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 220 nays, Roll No. 269. Pages H4567-80, H4607 Science, State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2006: The House passed H.R. 2862, making appropriations for Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, by a yea-and-nay vote of 418 yeas to 7 nays, Roll No. 268. The bill was also considered on June 14 and June 15. Pages H4580-H4606 Agreed on June 14, to limit further amendments made in order for debate and the time limit for debate on such amendments. Agreed to: Markey amendment that prohibits the use of funds in contravention of laws enacted or regulations promulgated to implement the UN Contravention [[Page D622]] Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (by a recorded vote of 415 ayes to 8 noes and 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 261); and Pages H4582-84, H4601 King of Iowa amendment (no. 28 printed in the Congressional Record of June 14) that provides funding for enforcement of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (debated yesterday, June 15 and agreed to by voice vote, a separate vote was requested today and the amendment was agreed to by a recorded vote of 218 ayes to 208 noes, Roll No. 267). Pages H4605-06 Rejected: Paul amendment (no. 11 printed in the Congressional Record of June 13) that sought to prohibit the use of funds to pay any U.S. contribution to the U.N. or any affiliated agency of the U.N. (by a recorded vote of 65 ayes to 357 noes, Roll No. 259); Pages H4580-81, H4599-H4600 Hefley amendment (no. 4 printed in the Congressional Record of June 13) that sought to reduce overall funding in the bill by 1% (by a recorded vote of 91 ayes to 336 noes, Roll No. 260); Pages H4581-82, H4600-01 Tancredo amendment (no. 19 printed in the Congressional Record of June 13) that sought to prohibit the use of funds for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program in contravention of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (by a recorded vote of 204 ayes to 222 noes, Roll No. 262); Pages H4584-86, H4601-02 Tancredo amendment (no. 18 printed in the Congressional Record of June 13) that sought to prohibit the use of funds to include in any bilateral or multilateral trade agreement any provision that would increase any limitation on the number of aliens authorized to enter the U.S. as a nonimmigrant, or as an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or to adjust such status (by a recorded vote of 106 ayes to 322 noes, Roll No. 263); Pages H4587-89, H4602-03 Jackson-Lee amendment that sought to prohibit funding under Office of Justice Programs--Justice Assistance, for a State Authorizing Agent that has not shared its improvements of criminal justice records with the Attorney General (by a recorded vote of 183 ayes to 244 noes, Roll No. 264); Pages H4589-91, H4603 Moran of Virginia amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds to pay administrative expenses or compensate an officer or employee of the U.S. in connection with licensing the export of any centerfire .50 caliber rifle to any nongovernmental entity (by a recorded vote of 149 ayes to 278 noes, Roll No. 265); and Pages H4592-93, H4603-04 Maloney amendment (no. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of June 13) that sought to prohibit the use of funds to enforce any provision of law that prohibits or restricts funding for the United Nations Population Fund (by a recorded vote of 192 ayes to 233 noes, Roll No. 266). Pages H4593-99, H4604-05 Withdrawn: Cleaver amendment (no. 2 printed in the Congressional Record of June 13) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to prohibit the use of funds to process or approve a competition under OMB regulations for services provided by the National Logistics Support Center of the NOAA in Kansas City, Missouri. Pages H4586-87 H. Res. 314, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to on June 14. Henry J. Hyde United Nations Reform Act of 2005: The House began consideration of H.R. 2745, to reform the United Nations. Further consideration will resume tomorrow, June 17. Pages H4607-15, H4615-43 Agreed to: Garrett of New Jersey amendment (no. 2 printed in subpart A of part 1 of H. Rept. 109-132) that requires the Comptroller General to submit a report to Congress describing the costs associated with the contracting for and construction of the Geneva, Switzerland, buildings of the World Meteorological Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization; Pages H4630-32 Cannon amendment (no. 3 printed in subpart A of part 1 of H. Rept. 109-132) that adds whether the U.N. or any of its specialized agencies have contracted with parties on the U.S. Government's Excluded Parties List to the report to Congress on the state of the U.N. reforms since 1990; Page H4632 McCotter amendment (no. 4 printed in subpart A of part 1 of H. Rept. 109-132) that provides that no employee of the U.N. shall be compensated while participating in a domestic election except for voting and acting on behalf of the U.N. in an authorized U.N. mission; makes other provisions regarding employees convicted of crimes involving financial misfeasance, malfeasance, fraud or perjury; and provides that any employee who has contact regarding the internal ongoing operations of the U.N. with any person not employed by the U.N. shall prepare a memorandum of such contact; Pages H4632-33 Boozman amendment (no. 1 printed in subpart B of part 1 of H. Rept. 109-132) that adds the lifting of restrictions on the secondment of military personnel to serve at the Department of Peacekeeping Operations headquarters in New York to the list of reforms which the U.S. should pursue; Pages H4634-36 [[Page D623]] Kline amendment (no. 2 printed in subpart B of part 1 of H. Rept. 109-132) that requires that nothing in the title regarding peacekeeping operations shall be construed as superseding the Uniform Code of Military Justice or operating to affect the surrender of U.S. officials to a foreign country or international tribune; Pages H4636-38 Smith of New Jersey amendment (no. 2 printed in subpart C of part 1 of H. Rept. 109-132) that calls for the International Atomic Energy Agency to rescind the Small Quantities Protocol; Pages H4639-40 Markey amendment (no. 3 printed in subpart C of part 1 of H. Rept. 109-132) that calls for the President to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the IAEA to call for penalties to any State Member that violates or withdraws for the Nonproliferation Treaty by requiring them to return any nuclear materials or technology acquired for peaceful purposes; Pages H4640-41 King of New York amendment (no. 1 printed in subpart A of part 1 of H. Rept. 109-132) that instructs the President to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the U.N. to use the voice, vote, and influence of the U.S. to ensure the Secretary General exercises the right and duty to waive immunity of any U.N. official who is under investigation for or is charged with committing a serious criminal offense (by a recorded vote of 405 ayes to 13 noes and 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 270); Pages H4630, H4641-42 Poe amendment (no. 5 printed in subpart A of part 1 of H. Rept. 109- 132) that requires the OMB to submit a report to the House International Relations Committee on the U.S. contributions to the U.N. (by a recorded vote of 402 ayes to 14 noes, Roll No. 271); and Pages H4633-34, H4642-43 Cantor amendment (no. 1 printed in subpart C of part 1 of H. Rept. 109-132) that directs the U.S. Permanent Representative to IAEA to ensure that the IAEA Board of Governors adopts a resolution making Iran ineligible to receive any nuclear material, technology, equipment, or assistance from any IAEA Members State until Iran is in full compliance with the IAEA (by a recorded vote of 411 ayes to 9 noes, Roll No. 272). Pages H4638-39, H4643 H. Res. 319, the rule providing for the consideration of the bill was agreed to by voice vote. Page H Privileged Resolution: The House agreed to table H. Res. 324, relating to a question of the privileges of the House by a recorded vote of 222 ayes to 191 noes, Roll No. 273. Pages H4644-50 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H4563. Senate Referrals: S. 1140 was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Page H4563 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and thirteen recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H4600, H4600-01, H4601, H4602, H4602-03, H4603, H4604, H4604-05, H4605-06, H4606, H4607, H4642, H4642-43, H4643, H4649-50. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 10:43 p.m. Committee Meetings REVIEW FOOD AID PROGRAMS Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture Programs held a hearing to Review Food Aid Programs. Testimony was heard from Kirk Miller, General Sales Manager Foreign Agriculture Service, USDA; William Garvelink, Acting Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, Humanitarian Affairs, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of State; and public witnesses. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the following appropriations for Fiscal Year 2006: Legislative Branch; and the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs approved for full Committee action the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs appropriations for Fiscal Year 2006. HIGHER EDUCATION MEASURES Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Select Education approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 509, International Studies in Higher Education Act of 2005; and H.R. 510, Graduate Opportunities in Higher Education Act of 2005. SMART INSURANCE REFORM Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored [[Page D624]] Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``SMART Insurance Reform.'' Testimony was heard from J. Michael Pickens, former Commissioner, Department of Insurance, State of Arkansas; Gregory V. Serio, former Superintendent, Department of Insurance, State of New York; Lee Covington, former Director, Department of Insurance, State of Ohio; Nathaniel S. Shapo, former Director, Department of Insurance, State of Illinois; and public witnesses. U.S.-EU ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology held a hearing entitled ``The US-EU Economic Relationship: What Comes Next?'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 2829, amended, Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005; H.R. 994, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums; H.R. 1283, amended, To provide that transit pass transportation fringe benefits be made available to all qualified Federal employees in the National Capital Region; to allow passenger carriers which are owned or leased by the Government to be used to transport Government employees between their place of employment and mass transit facilities; H.R. 1765, Generating Opportunity by Forgiving Educational Debt for Service Act of 2005; H.R. 2385, amended, To make permanent the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to conduct the quarterly financial report program; H. Con. Res. 71, Expressing the sense of Congress that there should be established a Caribbean-American Heritage Month; H. Con. Res. 160, Recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of Congress that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of the future; H.R. 2113, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2000 McDonough Street in Joliet, Illinois, as the ``John F. Whiteside Joliet Post Office Building;'' H.R. 2183, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 567 Tompkins Avenue in Staten Island, New York, as the ``Vincent Palladino Post Office;'' H.R. 2346; To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 105 NW Railroad Avenue in Hammond, Louisiana, as the ``John J. Hainkel Post Office Building;'' H.R. 2490, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 442 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania, as the ``Mayor Joseph S. Daddona Memorial Post Office;'' and H.R. 2630, To redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1927 Sangamon Avenue in Springfield, Illinois, as the ``J.M. Dietrich Northeast Annex.'' The Committee also approved a Report on The National Drug Control Strategy for 2005 and the National Drug Control Budget for Fiscal Year 2006. REGISTERED TRAVELER IMPLEMENTATION Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity continued hearings entitled ``The Promise of Registered Traveler, Part II.'' Testimony was heard from Thomas Blank, Acting Deputy Director, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security. BORDER SURVEILLANCE MISMANAGEMENT Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight held a hearing entitled ``Mismanagement of the Border Surveillance System and Lessons for the New America's Shield Initiative.'' Testimony was heard from Joel S. Gallay, Deputy Inspector General, GSA; and public witnesses. WILDLANDS PROJECT--IMPACTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS ON ENERGY AND MINERAL REGULATIONS Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing entitled ``Impacts of Environmental Regulations on Energy and Mineral Development: The Wildlands Project.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. NUCLEAR FUEL REPROCESSING Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing on Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing. Testimony was heard from R. Shane Johnson, Acting Director, Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, Department of Energy; Phillip J. Finck, Deputy Associate Laboratory Director, Applied Science, Technology, and National Security, Argonne National Laboratory; and public witnesses. WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 2864, Water Resources Development Act of 2005. VETERAN'S MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to consider the following: a measure to amend [[Page D625]] the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program; a measure regarding the Traumatic Injury Protection provisions of Public Law 109- 13; and H.R. 1618, Wounded Warrior Servicemembers' Group Disability Insurance Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Representative Renzi; Thomas Lastowka, Director, Regional Office and Insurance Center, Department of Veterans Affairs; Steve Jones, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs, Department of Defense; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. POST-ACUTE CARE Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Post-Acute Care. Testimony was heard from Glenn M. Hackbarth, Chairman, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; Marjorie Kanof, M.D., Managing Director, Health, GAO; Herb Kuhn, Director, Center for Medicare Management, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. SOCIAL SECURITY--PROTECTING AND STRENGTHENING Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security continued hearings on Protecting and Strengthening Social Security. Testimony was heard from Barbara Bovbjerg, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, GAO; and public witnesses. Hearings continue June 21. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No committee meetings are scheduled. 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. 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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 D626]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 2 p.m., Monday, June 20 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act. Also, at 5 p.m., Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of John Robert Bolton, of Maryland, to be 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 at 6 p.m., Senate will consider and agree to the motion to proceed to the motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination was not agreed to, agree to the motion to reconsider, and then proceed to the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9 a.m., Friday, June 17 House Chamber Program for Friday: Complete consideration of H.R. 2745, Henry J. Hyde United Nations Reform Act of 2005.