Tuesday, April 19, 2005 [[Page D361]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3865-S3957 Measures Introduced: Fifteen bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 838-852, S.J. Res. 14-15, and S. Res. 113. Pages S3897-98 Measures Reported: S. 50, to authorize and strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's tsunami detection, forecast, warning, and mitigation program, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-59) S. 361, to develop and maintain an integrated system of ocean and coastal observations for the Nation's coasts, oceans and Great Lakes, improve warnings of tsunamis and other natural hazards, enhance homeland security, support maritime operations. (S. Rept. No. 109-60) Page S3897 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 1268, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, to establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3865-S3892 Adopted: Cochran (for Bond) Amendment No. 547, to appropriate $5,000,000 for the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight to meet emergency funding needs; which are supported by fees collected from regulated Government Sponsored Enterprises. Page S3880 Cochran (for Landrieu) Amendment No. 527, to modify the provision relating to offshore oil and gas fabrication ports. Page S3880 Cochran (for Santorum) Amendment No. 441, to allow certain appropriated funds to be used to provide loan guarantees. Page S3880 Cochran (for Reid) Amendment No. 407, to provide assistance for the conduct of agricultural and natural resource conservation activities in the Walker River Basin, Nevada. Pages S3880-81 Subsequently, the amendment was modified. Pages S3883-84 Cochran (for Byrd) Amendment No. 476, to transfer funds relating to certain watershed programs of the Department of Agriculture. Page S3881 Subsequently, the amendment was modified. Page S3884 Cochran (for Leahy) Amendment No. 548, to encourage the Government of Ecuador to take urgent measures to protect the biodiversity of the Galapagos. Page S3881 Kyl Amendment No. 555 (to Amendment No. 387), to modify the criteria for excluding certain H-2B workers from the numerical limitations under section 214(g)(1)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Page S3886 By 94 yeas to 6 nays (Vote No. 102), Mikulski Amendment No. 387, to revise certain requirements for H-2B employers and require submission of information regarding H-2B nonimmigrants, as amended. Pages S3886-87 Hutchison/Schumer Modified Amendment No. 379, to make unused EB3 visas available to bring nurses to the United States through Department of State procedures. Pages S3887, S3888 Cochran (for Pryor) Amendment No. 343, to release to the State of Arkansas a reversionary interest in Camp Joseph T. Robinson. Page S3891 Durbin Modified Amendment No. 427, to require reports on Iraqi security services. Pages S3891-92 Dorgan/Durbin Amendment No. 399, to prohibit the continuation of the independent counsel investigation of Henry Cisneros past June 1, 2005 and request an accounting of costs from GAO. Page S3892 Cochran (for Shelby) Amendment No. 560, to clarify funding for judicial security enhancements. Page S3892 Cochran (for Reid) Amendment No. 561, to modify the provision relating to agricultural and natural resource conservation activities in the Walker River Basin, Nevada. Page S3892 [[Page D362]] Cochran (for Reid) Amendment No. 562, to modify the provision relating to the water lease and purchase program for the Walker River Paiute Tribe. Page S3892 Pending: Feinstein Amendment No. 395, to express the sense of the Senate that the text of the REAL ID Act of 2005 should not be included in the conference report. Page S3865 Bayh Amendment No. 406, to protect the financial condition of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are ordered to long- term active duty in support of a contingency operation. Page S3865 Salazar Amendment No. 351, to express the sense of the Senate that the earned income tax credit provides critical support to many military and civilian families. Page S3865 Reid Amendment No. 445, to achieve an acceleration and expansion of efforts to reconstruct and rehabilitate Iraq and to reduce the future risks to United States Armed Forces personnel and future costs to United States taxpayers, by ensuring that the people of Iraq and other nations do their fair share to secure and rebuild Iraq. Page S3865 Frist (for Chambliss/Kyl) Amendment No. 432, to simplify the process for admitting temporary alien agricultural workers under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, to increase access to such workers. Pages S3866-67, S3868-79 Frist (for Craig/Kennedy) Modified Amendment No. 375, to provide for the adjustment of status of certain foreign agricultural workers, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform the H-2A worker program under that Act, to provide a stable, legal agricultural workforce, to extend basic legal protections and better working conditions to more workers. Page S3866 DeWine Amendment No. 340, to increase the period of continued TRICARE coverage of children of members of the uniformed services who die while serving on active duty for a period of more than 30 days. Page S3866 DeWine Amendment No. 342, to appropriate $10,000,000 to provide assistance to Haiti using Child Survival and Health Programs funds, $21,000,000 to provide assistance to Haiti using Economic Support Fund funds, and $10,000,000 to provide assistance to Haiti using International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement funds, to be designated as an emergency requirement. Page S3866 Schumer Amendment No. 451, to lower the burden of gasoline prices on the economy of the United States and circumvent the efforts of OPEC to reap windfall oil profits. Page S3866 Reid (for Reed/Chafee) Amendment No. 452, to provide for the adjustment of status of certain nationals of Liberia to that of lawful permanent residence. Page S3866 Chambliss Further Modified Amendment No. 418, to prohibit the termination of the existing joint-service multiyear procurement contract for C/KC-130J aircraft. Pages S3866, S3887-88 Bingaman Amendment No. 483, to increase the appropriation to Federal courts by $5,000,000 to cover increased immigration-related filings in the southwestern United States. Page S3866 Bingaman (for Grassley) Amendment No. 417, to provide emergency funding to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Page S3866 Isakson Amendment No. 429, to establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, and to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence. Page S3866 Byrd Amendment No. 463, to require a quarterly report on audits conducted by the Defense Contract Audit Agency of task or delivery order contracts and other contracts related to security and reconstruction activities in Iraq and Afghanistan and to address irregularities identified in such reports. Page S3866 Warner Amendment No. 499, relative to the aircraft carriers of the Navy. Pages S3866, S3881-83 Sessions Amendment No. 456, to provide for accountability in the United Nations Headquarters renovation project. Page S3866 Boxer/Bingaman Amendment No. 444, to appropriate an additional $35,000,000 for Other Procurement, Army, and make the amount available for the fielding of Warlock systems and other field jamming systems. Page S3866 Lincoln Amendment No. 481, to modify the accumulation of leave by members of the National Guard. Page S3866 Reid (for Durbin) Amendment No. 443, to affirm that the United States may not engage in torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under any circumstances. Page S3866 Reid (for Bayh) Amendment No. 388, to appropriate an additional $742,000,000 for Other Procurement, Army, for the procurement of up to 3,300 Up Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (UAHMMVs). Page S3866 Reid (for Biden) Amendment No. 537, to provide funds for the security and stabilization of Iraq and Afghanistan and for other defense-related activities [[Page D363]] by suspending a portion of the reduction in the highest income tax rate for individual taxpayers. Page S3866 Reid (for Feingold) Amendment No. 459, to extend the termination date of Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, expand the duties of the Inspector General, and provide additional funds for the Office. Page S3866 Ensign Amendment No. 487, to provide for additional border patrol agents for the remainder of fiscal year 2005. Pages S3867-68 Byrd Amendment No. 516, to increase funding for border security. Pages S3888-90 Reid (for Biden) Amendment No. 440, to appropriate, with an offset, $6,000,000 for the Defense Health Program for force protection work and medical care at the Vaccine Health Care Centers. Pages S3890-91 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following actions: By 21 yeas to 77 nays (Vote No. 97), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on Frist (for Chambliss/ Kyl) Amendment No. 432, to simplify the process for admitting temporary alien agricultural workers under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, to increase access to such workers. Pages S3866-67, S3868-79 By 53 yeas to 45 nays (Vote No. 98), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on Frist (for Craig/ Kennedy) Modified Amendment No. 375, to provide for the adjustment of status of certain foreign agricultural workers, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform the H-2A worker program under that Act, to provide a stable, legal agricultural workforce, to extend basic legal protections and better working conditions to more workers. Page S3879 By 91 yeas to 7 nays (Vote No. 99) Senate agreed to the motion to instruct the Sergeant At Arms to request the attendance of absent Senators. Page S3884 By 56 yeas to 42 nays (Vote No. 100) Senate agreed to the modified motion to recess until 5 p.m. today. Pages S3884-85 By 83 yeas to 17 nays (Vote No. 101), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on Mikulski Amendment No. 387, to revise certain requirements for H-2B employers and require submission of information regarding H-2B nonimmigrants. Pages S3885-86 By a unanimous vote of 100 yeas (Vote No. 103), 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. Page S3888 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., and that, notwithstanding morning business, and the adjournment of the Senate, all time be counted against cloture under Rule XXII. Page S3957 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Alex Azar II, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services. 1 Army nomination in the rank of general. Page S3957 Messages From the House: Page S3896 Measures Read First Time: Page S3957 Executive Communications: Pages S3896-97 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3898-99 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3899-S3942 Additional Statements: Pages S3894-96 Amendments Submitted: Pages S3942-56 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S3956 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S3956-57 Record Votes: Seven record votes were taken today. (Total--103) Pages S3879, S3884, S3884-85, S3886, S3887, S3888 Quorum Calls: One quorum call was taken today. (Total--2) Page S3884 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:45 a.m., and adjourned at 7:42 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, April 20, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3957.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/GAO Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony in behalf of funds for their respective activities from James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Open World Leadership Center, and David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office, who were both accompanied by several of their associates. [[Page D364]] NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Gordon England, of Texas, to be Deputy Secretary of Defense, who was introduced by Senators Hutchison and Cornyn, and Admiral Michael G. Mullen, USN, for reappointment, to the grade of admiral and to be Chief of Naval Operations, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on SeaPower concluded a hearing to examine the United States Marine Corps ground and rotary wing programs and seabasing in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2006, after receiving testimony from John J. Young, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition; Vice Admiral Joseph A. Sestak, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs, United States Navy; and Lieutenant General Robert Magnus, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, and Lieutenant General James N. Mattis, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, both of the U.S. Marine Corps. HOUSING GOVERNMENT SPONSORED ENTERPRISES Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine proposals to improve the regulation of the Housing Government Sponsored Enterprises, after receiving testimony from David E. Hayes, Security Bank, Dyersburg, Tennessee, on behalf of the Independent Community Bankers of America; Al Mansell, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Midvale, Utah, on behalf of the National Association of Realtors; William A. Longbrake, The Financial Services Roundtable, and David F. Wilson, National Association of Home Builders, both of Washington, D.C.; Marc Savitt, The Mortgage Center, McLean, Virginia, on behalf of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers; Harry P. Doherty, Independence Community Bank Corporation, Brooklyn, New York, on behalf of America's Community Bankers; Michael F. Petrie, P/R Mortgage and Investment Corporation, Carmel, Indiana, on behalf of the Mortgage Bankers Association; and Nancy O. Andrews, Low Income Investment Fund, San Francisco, California. OFFSHORE ENERGY PRODUCTION Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine offshore hydrocarbon production and the future of alternate energy resources on the Outer Continental Shelf, focusing on recent technological advancements made in the offshore exploration and production of traditional forms of energy, and the future of deep shelf and deepwater production; enhancements in worker safety, and steps taken by the offshore oil and gas industry to meet environmental challenges, after receiving testimony from Admiral James D. Watkins, USN (Ret.), Chairman, United States Commission on Ocean Policy; R.M. ``Johnnie'' Burton, Director, Minerals Management Service, Department of the Interior; Robert W. Thresher, Director, National Wind Technology Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Department of Energy; Virginia State Senator Frank W. Wagner, Virginia Beach; Scott A. Angelle, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge; Charles D. Davidson, Noble Energy, Inc., Houston, Texas, on behalf of the Domestic Petroleum Council, and the Independent Petroleum Association of America; and Debbie Boger, Sierra Club, Washington, D.C. WATER AND POWER BILLS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power concluded a hearing to examine S. 166, to amend the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 to reauthorize the participation of the Bureau of Reclamation in the Deschutes River Conservancy, S. 251, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to conduct a water resource feasibility study for the Little Butte/Bear Creek Sub-basins in Oregon, S. 310, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Newlands Project Headquarters and Maintenance Yard Facility to the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District in the State of Nevada, S. 519, to amend the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2000 to authorize additional projects and activities under that Act, and S. 592, to extend the contract for the Glendo Unit of the Missouri River Basin Project in the State of Wyoming, after receiving testimony from Bill Rinne, Deputy Commissioner, Director of Operations, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; Wayne Halbert, Harlingen Irrigation District, Harlingen, Texas; Tod Heisler, Deschutes River Conservancy, Bend, Oregon; Jim Hill, City of Medford Water Reclamation Division, Medford, Oregon; and Ernie Schank, Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, Fallon, Nevada. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported the following bills: An original bill, entitled Highway Reauthorization and Excise Tax Simplification Act of 2005; and [[Page D365]] S. 661, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the modernization of the United States Tax Court, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. MIDDLE EAST EDUCATIONAL REFORM Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Near East and South Asian experience relating to combating terrorism through education, focusing on education reform in the Middle East, after receiving testimony from Elizabeth L. Cheney, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs; James Kunder, Assistant Administrator for Asia and the Near East, U.S. Agency for International Development; Bassem Awadallah, Minister of Finance, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Amman; Shahid Javed Burki, Nathan Associates, Potomac, Maryland; Samina Ahmed, International Crisis Group, Islamabad, Pakistan; and Frank J. Method, Research Triangle Institute International, Washington, D.C. NOMINATION Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee met and began consideration of the nominations of John Robert Bolton, of Maryland, to be U.S. Representative to United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador and U.S. Representative in the Security Council of the United Nations, and Representative to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, but did not take final action thereon, and recessed subject to the call. DRUG IMPORTATION Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee held a hearing to examine S. 334, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the importation of prescription drugs, receiving testimony from Senators Snowe, Vitter, Dorgan and Stabenow; Graham Satchwell, Proco Solutions, London, United Kingdom; Todd Cecil, United States Pharmacopeia, Rockville, Maryland; Thomas C. Arthur, Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia; and David A. Kessler, University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco. Hearings recessed subject to the call of the Chair. TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY MERGERS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee held a hearing to examine the SBC/ATT and Verizon/MCI mergers relating to remaking the telecommunications industry, focusing on ramifications effecting competition for local, long-distance, and wireless telephone services, and internet-based services, receiving testimony from Carl Grivner, XO Communications, Inc., Reston, Virginia; Jeffrey Citron, Vonage Holdings Corporation, Edison, New Jersey; and Scott Cleland, Precursor Group, and Gene Kimmelman, Consumers Union, both of Washington, D.C. Hearing recessed subject to the call. CIVILIAN LIFE TRANSITION Committee on Veterans Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine ``Back from the Battlefield, Part II: Seamless Transition to Civilian Life'', focusing on outreach to military service men and woman, including Reserve and National Guard members during their induction into service, during service, and when preparing to separate or retire from the military, after receiving testimony from Daniel L. Cooper, Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits; John M. Molino, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy; Frederico Juarbe, Jr., Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment and Training, Veterans Employment and Training Service; Lieutenant John Fernandez, USA (Ret.), Rocky Point, New York; and Tristan Wyatt, Washington, D.C. PATRIOT ACT Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56), after receiving testimony from Gregory T. Nojeim, American Civil Liberties Union, and James X. Dempsey, Center for Democracy and Technology, both of Washington, D.C.; and Heather MacDonald, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, New York, New York. [[Page D366]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced: 35 public bills, H.R. 1678-1712; and; 7 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 134-136, and H. Res. 218, 220-222 were introduced. Pages H2148-50 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2150-51 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 866, to make technical corrections to the United States Code (H. Rept. 109-48); and H. Res. 219, providing for consideration of H.R. 6, to ensure jobs for our future with secure, affordable, and reliable energy (H. Rept. 109-49). Page H2148 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Fortenberry to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H2107 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Rev. Timothy B. Johnson, Pastor, The Church of the Redeemer in Bowie, Maryland. Page H2111 Recess: The House recessed at 1:07 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m. Page H2111 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Sense of Congress regarding the issuance of the 500,000th design patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: H. Con. Res. 53, expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the issuance of the 500,000th design patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office; Pages H2113-14 Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005: S. 167, to provide for the protection of intellectual property rights--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H2114-20 Multidistrict Litigation Restoration Act of 2005: H.R. 1038, to amend title 28, United States Code, to allow a judge to whom a case is transferred to retain jurisdiction over certain multidistrict litigation cases for trial; Pages H2120-21 Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2005: H.R. 683, amended, to amend the Trademark Act of 1946 with respect to dilution by blurring or tarnishment, by a \2/3\ yea and nay vote of 411 yeas to 8 nays, Roll No. 109; Pages H2121-23, H2125-26 Providing for the appointment of Shirley Ann Jackson to the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution: H.J. Res. 19, providing for the appointment of Shirley Ann Jackson as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, by a \2/3\ yea and nay vote of 417 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 110; and Pages H2123-24, H2126-27 Providing for the appointment of Robert P. Kogod to the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution: H.J. Res. 20, providing for the appointment of Robert P. Kogod as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, by a \2/3\ yea and nay vote of 412 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 111. Pages H2124-25, H2127 Recess: The House recessed at 3:25 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m. Page H2125 Inspector General for the House of Representatives--Appointment: The Chair announced the joint appointment by the Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader of Mr. Steven A. McNamara of Sterling, Virginia to the position of Inspector General for the House of Representatives for the 109th Congress, effective January 4, 2005. Pages H2127-28 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate appears on page H2111. Senate Referrals: S. 289 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Page H2147 Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea and nay votes developed during the proceedings today and appear on pages H2126, H2126-27, and H2127. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 12:30 p.m. and adjourned at 11:30 p.m. Committee Meetings DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. 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 IRS. Testimony was heard from Mark W. [[Page D367]] Everson, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury. COLLEGE ACCESS Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing on College Access: Is Government Part of the Solution, or Part of the Problem? Testimony was heard from public witnesses. INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing on the State of the International Financial System. Testimony was heard from John W. Snow, Secretary of the Treasury. FEDERAL HEALTH PROGRAMS Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources held a hearing entitled ``Federal Health Programs and Those Who Cannot Care for Themselves: What Are Their Rights, and Our Responsibilities?'' Testimony was heard from Representative Weldon of Florida; Donald A. Young, M.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary, Planning and Evaluation, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. U.S. CENSUS 2010 Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census held an oversight hearing entitled ``Halfway to the 2010 Census: The Countdown and Components to a Successful Decennial Census.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Commerce: Kathleen Cooper, Under Secretary, Economic Affairs, and Charles Louis Kincannon, Director, Bureau of the Census; and public witnesses. THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN/REAL ESTATE TRUSTS Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency Organization held a hearing on H.R. 1578, Real Estate Investment Thrift Savings Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Foley and Neal; the following officials of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board: Andrew M. Saul, Chairman; and Gary A. Amelio, Executive Director; and public witnesses. FIRST RESPONDER FUNDING Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology approved for full Committee action the following: H.R. 1544, amended, Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2005; and the Department of Homeland Security Technology Development and Transfer Act of 2005. HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT NUCLEAR DETECTION Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attacks held a hearing entitled ``DHS Coordination of Nuclear Detection Efforts, Part 1.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. Hearings continue tomorrow. U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations held a hearing on the UN Commission on Human Rights: Protector or Accomplice? Testimony was heard from Mark P. Lagon, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses. The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject. Testimony was heard from Danilo Turk, Assistant Secretary-General, Department of Political Affairs, United Nations. USA PATRIOT ACT: INFORMATION SHARING Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act: Effect of Sections 203 (b) and (d) on Information Sharing. Testimony was heard from Representative McCaul of Texas; the following officials of the Department of Justice: Maureen Baginski, Executive Assistant Director, Office of Intelligence, FBI; and Barry Sabin, Chief, Counterterrorism Section for the Criminal Division; and a public witness. COASTAL OCEAN OBSERVATION SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION ACT Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 1489, Coastal Ocean Observation System Integration and Implementation Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Richard W. Spinrad, Assistant Administrator, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; Robert Winokur, Technical Director, Oceanographer of the Navy, Department of the Navy; Chris Kearney, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Policy and International Affairs, Department of the Interior; Debra Hernandez, Director, Policy and Program Development, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, Department of Health and Environmental Control, State of South Carolina; and public witnesses. ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005 Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote, a structured rule providing one hour and thirty minutes of [[Page D368]] general debate with 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairmen and ranking minority members of each of the following committees. Science, Resources, and Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution, and provides that those amendments may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment except as specified in the report, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representative Hall of Texas, Chairman Boehlert, Chairman Pombo, Representatives Calvert, Bartlett, Gilchrest, Johnson of Connecticut, Peterson of Pennsylvania, Castle, Porter, Shays, Wamp, Kirk, Dingell, Markey, Stupak, Capps, Allen, Schakowsky, Davis of Florida, Solis, Inslee, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Udall of Colorado, Carnahan, Jackson-Lee of Texas, Emanuel, Udall of New Mexico, Holt, Van Hollen, Millender-McDonald, Berkley, Bishop of New York, Ford, Slaughter, Olver, and Hastings of Florida. LONG TERM CARE Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Long Term Care. Testimony was heard from Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director, CBO; and public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the National Guard and Reserve Budget, 10 a.m., SD-192. Subcommittee on Homeland Security, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Homeland Security, 10:30 a.m., SD-124. Subcommittee on District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the government of the District of Columbia, focusing on the District of Columbia Courts, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, and the Public Defender Service, 10:30 a.m., SD-138. Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, to hold hearings to examine the readiness of military units deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2006, 2 p.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to continue hearings to examine proposals to improve the regulation of the Housing Government-Sponsored Enterprises, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Science and Space, to hold hearings to examine International Space Station research benefits, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Gregory B. Jaczko, of the District of Columbia, and Peter B. Lyons, of Virginia, each to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 9:30 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Education and Early Childhood Development, to hold hearings to examine the Federal role in helping parents of young children, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security, to hold hearings to examine a review of the material support to Terrorism Prohibition Improvements Act, 2:30 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: to hold hearings to examine the small business health care crisis, focusing on alternatives for lowering costs and covering the uninsured, 10 a.m., SR-428A. Select Committee on Intelligence: closed business meeting to consider certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, on Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), 10:15 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies, on Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration, 2:30 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs, on U.S. AID, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Science, The Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies, on NASA, 10 a.m., H-140 Capitol. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing entitled ``How Internet Protocol-Enabled Services Are Changing the Face of Communications: A Look at Video and Data Services,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. [[Page D369]] Committee on Financial Services, hearing entitled ``Generations Working Together: Financial Literacy and Social Security Reform,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, hearing entitled ``Implementation of the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act,'' 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity, hearing and mark up of H.R. 285, Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2005, 11 a.m., and 2 p.m., 210 Cannon. Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight, hearing entitled ``Management Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security,'' 10 a.m., 2261 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attacks, to continue hearings entitled ``DHS Coordination of Nuclear Detection Efforts, Part II,'' 3 p.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, hearing on Regulation of 527 Organizations, 10, a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, hearing entitled ``Focus on a Changing Japan,'' 10:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia, hearing on the Middle East and the United Nations, 1:30 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, to mark up H.R. 193, Expressing support to the organizers and participants of the historic meeting of the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba on May 20, 2005, in Havana; followed by a hearing on Gangs and Crime in Latin America, 1:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, to mark up the following measures: H.R. 1279, Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act; H.R. 800, Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; and H. Res. 210, Supporting the goals of World Intellectual Property Day, and recognizing the importance of intellectual property in the United States and Worldwide, 10 a.m., and to hold an oversight hearing on Industry Competition and Consolidation: The Telecom Marketplace Nine Years After the Telecom Act, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, oversight hearing entitled ``Committee Print Regarding Patent Quality Improvement,'' 4:30 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, hearing on H.R. 1595, To implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards, to mark up H.R. 1674, United States Tsunami Warning and Education Act, 3 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, hearing on the Future Market for Commercial Space, 9:30 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation, oversight hearing on Air Traffic Management by Foreign Countries, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, oversight hearing on Deepwater Implementation, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, oversight hearing on the National Cemetery Administration, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, oversight hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program, 2 p.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, hearing on an Overview of the Tax- Exempt Sector, 10:30 a.m., 1100 Longworth. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). 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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. ``Periodicals'' postage is paid at Washington, D.C. [[Page D370]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 20 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any routine morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 1268, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 20 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of Suspensions: H.R. 504, Ray Charles Post Office Building Designation Act; H.R. 1001, Sergeant Byron W. Norwood Post Office Building Designation Act; H. Res. 184, recognizing a National Week of Hope in commemoration of the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist bombing in Oklahoma City; H.R. 1072, Judge Emilio Vargas Post Office Building Designation Act; H. Res. 130, recognizing the contributions of environmental systems and the technicians who install and maintain them to the quality of life of all Americans and supporting the goals and ideals of National Indoor Comfort Week; and H. Con. Res. 126, expressing the condolences and deepest sympathies of the Congress in the aftermath of the recent school shooting at Red Lake High School in Red Lake, Minnesota. Consideration of H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2005 (subject to a rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E704 Brown, Corrine, Fla., E699 Cardin, Benjamin L., Md., E685, E688 Carson, Julia, Ind., E696 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E699, E699, E700, E701, E701, E702, E704, E704, E705, E706 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E685, E687, E690 Farr, Sam, Calif., E702 Forbes, J. Randy, Va., E693 Gordon, Bart, Tenn., E705 Gutierrez, Luis V., Ill., E701 Hart, Melissa A., Pa., E685, E687, E688, E689, E691, E693, E694 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E702 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E694 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E695 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E694 Kennedy, Patrick J., R.I., E696 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E701 Lowey, Nita M., N.Y., E687, E690 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E701 Marshall, Jim, Ga., E699 Miller, George, Calif., E705 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E704 Moran, James P., Va., E687, E689 Napolitano, Grace F., Calif., E693 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E686, E688 Norwood, Charlie, Ga., E691 Pombo, Richard W., Calif., E690 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E692 Ross, Mike, Ark., E700 Sanchez, Loretta, Calif., E696 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E703 Schwartz, Allyson Y., Pa., E694 Schwarz, John J.H. ``Joe'', Mich., E697 Smith, Lamar S., Tex., E694 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E705 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E686, E688 Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E702 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E700 Wilson, Heather, N.M., E697