Wednesday, September 21, 2005 [[Page D942]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S10247-S10326 Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1738-1749, and S. Res. 245-246. Pages S10294-95 Measures Reported: S. 1234, to increase, effective as of December 1, 2005, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans. (S. Rept. No. 109-138) S. 1235, to amend chapters 19 and 37 of title 38, United States Code, to extend the availability of $400,000 in coverage under the servicemembers' life insurance and veterans' group life insurance programs, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-139) Page S10294 Measures Passed: Recognizing Simon Wiesenthal: Senate agreed to S. Res. 245, recognizing the life and accomplishments of Simon Wiesenthal. Pages 10254-57 Iran Nonproliferation Amendments Act: Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of S. 1713, to make amendments to the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 related to International Space Station payments, and the bill was then passed. Pages 10257-58 Statue of Po'Pay in Statuary Hall: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 242, providing for acceptance of a statue of Po'Pay, presented by the State of New Mexico, for placement in National Statuary Hall. Pages 10319-20 Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act: Senate passed H.R. 3761, to provide special rules for disaster relief employment under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 for individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina, clearing the measure for the President. Page 10320 Coast Guard Hurricane Response: Senate agreed to S. Res. 246, to express the sense of the Senate regarding the missions and performance of the United States Coast Guard in responding to Hurricane Katrina. Pages 10325-26 Agriculture Appropriations: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 2744, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages 10264-87 Adopted: Bennett Amendment No. 1783, to permit the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board to obligate and expend funds for any activity to improve the environment and public health. Pages 10264-69 Bennett Amendment No. 1803, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act relative to nonprofit religious organizations in the United States. Page 10270 Bennett Amendment No. 1804, to prohibit funds from being used unless certain certifications are made relative to manufacturers of contact lens. Page 10270 Bennett Amendment No. 1805, to provide that the federal facility located at the South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station in Poplarville, Mississippi shall be designated as the Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory. Page 10270 Bennett (for Kyl) Amendment No. 1806, to convey title in certain real property. Page 10270 Bennett (for Leahy) Amendment No. 1807, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to submit to Congress a report on whether to restore the National Organic Program. Page 10270 Bennett (for Feingold) Amendment No. 1808, to direct the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to publish and uniform methods and rules for addressing chronic wasting disease. Page 10270 Bennett (for McConnell) Amendment No. 1809, to provide for livestock assistance. Pages 10270-71 Bennett (for Smith/Wyden) Amendment No. 1786, to allow the Secretary to authorize the use of [[Page D943]] certain funds that would otherwise be recaptured under the rural business enterprise grant program. Page 10271 Bennett (for McCain) Amendment No. 1785, to express the sense of the Senate regarding funding directives contained in H.R. 2744 or its accompanying report. Page 10272 Bennett (for Baucus) Amendment No. 1800, to express the sense of the Senate regarding public sector funding of agricultural research and development. Page 10271 Bennett (for DeWine) Amendment No. 1741, to pledge continued support for international hunger relief efforts and express the sense of the Senate that the United States Government should use resources and diplomatic leverage to secure food aid for countries that are in need of further assistance to prevent acute and chronic hunger. Pages 10272-73 Bennett (for Reid) Amendment No. 1812, to provide that funds made available for the Plant Materials Center in Fallon, Nevada, shall remain available until expended. Page 10273 Bennett (for Salazar) Amendment No. 1754, to provide for a report on the impact of increased prices of gas, natural gas, and diesel on agricultural producers, ranchers, and rural communities. Pages 10275-76 Bennett (for Salazar) Amendment No. 1755, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare a report on the conduct of activities to address bark beetle infestations. Page 10276 By 55 yeas to 39 nays (Vote No. 238), Coburn Amendment No. 1775, to require that any limitation, directive, or earmarking contained in either the House of Representatives or Senate report accompanying this bill be included in the conference report or joint statement accompanying the bill in order to be considered as having been approved by both Houses of Congress. Page 10283 By 66 yeas to 29 nays (Vote No. 239), Bingaman/Lugar Amendment No. 1797, to increase funds to implement and administer Team Nutrition programs, with an offset. Pages 10281-83, S10283-84 Harkin Amendment 1835, to limit the use of certain funds. Pages 10284-86 Kohl (for Dodd) Amendment No. 1818, to require the Food and Drug Administration to issue a monograph with respect to over-the-counter sunscreen. Page 10286 Kohl (for Dodd) Amendment No. 1849 (to Amendment No. 1818), in the nature of a substitute. Pages 10286-87 Rejected: Coburn Amendment No. 1773, to reduce spending levels, to promote more efficient use of resources, and to encourage more appropriate budget estimates. Pages 10278-80, S10280-81 Pending: Dayton Modified Amendment No. 1844, to condition the use of funds for carrying out a provision relating to prevented planting payments, with an offset. Pages 10277-78 Bingaman (for Jeffords) Amendment No. 1796, to provide funds to carry out the historic barn preservation program, with an offset. Page 10280 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: Bennett Amendment No. 1752, to establish a demonstration intermediate relending program for the construction and rehabilitation of housing for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Nation, previously agreed to on Tuesday, September 20, 2005, was modified by unanimous consent. Page 10270 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2005; with a vote to occur on or in relation to Dayton Amendment No. 1844 (listed above), followed by a vote on or in relation to Bingaman (for Jeffords) Amendment No. 1796 (listed above), with no amendments in order to these amendments prior to the vote; followed by a vote on passage of the bill; provided further, the Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair then be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate. Page 10326 Hurricane Katrina Tax Relief Act: Senate concurred in the amendment of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 3768, to provide emergency tax relief for persons affected by Hurricane Katrina, clearing the measure for the President. Pages 10320-25 Appointments: United States Commission on Civil Rights: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore and upon the recommendation of the Democratic Leader, pursuant to Public Law 98-183, as amended by Public Law 103- 419, appointed Arlan D. Melendez, of Nevada, to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Page 10319 Messages from the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the continuation of the national emergency with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism that was declared by Executive Order [[Page D944]] 13224; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-23) Page 10292 Messages From the House: Pages10292-93 Measures Referred: Page 10293 Measures Placed on Calendar: Page 10293 Measures Read First Time: Page 10293 Executive Communications: Pages 10293-94 Additional Cosponsors: Pages 10295-96 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages 10296-S10307 Additional Statements: Pages 10291-92 Amendments Submitted: Pages 10307-19 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page 10319 Authority for Committees to Meet: Page 10319 Privilege of the Floor: Page 10319 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--239) Pages S10283, S10284 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 8:36 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, September 22, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S10326.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) WTO AGRICULTURE NEGOTIATIONS Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the status of the World Trade Organization negotiations on agriculture, focusing on the Doha Round Development Agenda, and the links between agricultural policy and trade policy, after receiving testimony from Mike Johanns, Secretary of Agriculture; Robert Portman, United States Trade Representative; Audrae Erickson, Corn Refiners Association, on behalf of AgTrade, Leondard W. Condon, Altria Corporate Services, Inc., on behalf of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, and Mark Viso, World Vision United States, all of Washington, D.C.; and Allen Helms, National Cotton Council, Clarkedale, Arkansas. ENERGY PRICING Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded hearings to examine the rise of domestic energy prices, focusing on what actions can be taken to profitably lower U.S. oil consumption, after receiving testimony from John Seesel, Associate General Counsel for Energy, Federal Trade Commission; Jim Wells, Director, Energy, Resources, and Science Issues, Government Accountability Office; Guy Caruso, Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy; Robin West, PFC Energy Team, Odd-Even Bustnes, Rocky Mountain Institute, Robert Slaughter, National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, and Tyson Slocum, Public Citizen, all of Washington, D.C.; and Ronald W. Kosh, American Automobile Association-Mid Atlantic, Wilmington, Delaware. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water concluded a hearing to examine the Endangered Species Act and the role of States, Tribes and local governments, focusing on areas where the law may be strengthened or new programs created to encourage species recovery at all levels of government, after receiving testimony from Colorado State Representative Cory Gardner, Denver; Billy Frank, Jr., Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, Olympia, Washington; Michael A. Pasteris, Forest Preserve District of Will County, Joliet, Illinois, on behalf of the National Association of Counties; John Baughman, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Washington, D.C.; Bill Burnham, The Peregrine Fund, Boise, Idaho; Robert P. Davison, Wildlife Management Institute, Corvallis, Oregon; and Dwayne Shaw, Downeast Salmon Federation/Downeast Rivers Land Trust, Columbia Falls, Maine. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Charles A. Ford, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Honduras, Mark Langdale, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica, and Brenda LaGrange Johnson, of New York, to be Ambassador to Jamaica, who was introduced by Senators McCain and Collins, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. TRANSIT SYSTEM SAFETY Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the lessons that have been learned to secure United States transit systems relating to the London terrorist attacks, focusing on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operating the Washington areas subway system, increasing public awareness and security, and training the transit workforce and first- responders, after receiving testimony from Edmund S. Hawley, Assistant Secretary [[Page D945]] of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration; Polly L. Hanson, Chief, Metro Transit Police Department, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; Michael Brown, London Underground, London, England; and Rafi Ron, New Age Security Solutions, McLean, Virginia. REGULATION OF CLASS III GAMING Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee held an oversight hearing to examine Indian gaming, focusing on a decision issued by the Washington, D.C. District Court relative to the National Indian Gaming Commission's Minimum Internal Control Standards regulations as applied to Class III gaming, and tribal government efforts to regulate gaming, receiving testimony from Philip N. Hogen, Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission; Mark Van Norman, National Indian Gaming Association, Washington, D.C.; and Kevin K. Washburn, University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis. Hearing recessed subject to the call. INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION SHARING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee held a hearing to examine the operations of Able Danger, a small highly-classified United States Army intelligence unit that searched for al Qaeda terrorists, and the status of intelligence information sharing between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Defense, receiving testimony from Representative Curt Weldon; William R. Dugan, Jr., Acting Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Oversight; Gary M. Bald, Executive Assistant Director, National Security Branch, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice; Mark S. Zaid, Krieger and Zaid, PLLC, Washington, D.C.; and Erik Kleinsmith, Lockheed Martin, Newington, Virginia, former Major, USA, Chief of Intelligence, Land Information Warfare Activity. Hearing recessed subject to the call. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 15 public bills, H.R. 3841- 3855; 1 private bill, H.R. 3856; and 5 resolutions, H.J. Res. 66-67; and H. Res. 454, 456-457 were introduced. Pages H8247-48 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H8248-49 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H. Res. 418, to request the President to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of the President relating to the disclosure of the identity and employment of Ms. Valerie Plame, adversely (Rept. 109-228); and H. Res. 455. to provide for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2123) to reauthorize the Head Start Act to improve the school readiness of disadvantaged children (Rept. 109-229). Page H8247 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Miller of Michigan to act as speaker pro tempore for today. Page H8165 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Monsignor Kenneth Velo, Office of Catholic Collaboration, Depaul University, Chicago, Illinois. Page H8165 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Providing for acceptance of a statue of Po'Pay, presented by the State of New Mexico, for placement in National Statuary Hall: H. Con. Res. 242, to provide for acceptance of a statue of Po'Pay, presented by the State of New Mexico, for placement in National Statuary Hall; Pages H8169-71 United States Parole Commission Extension and Sentencing Commission Authority Act of 2005: S. 1368, to extend the existence of the Parole Commission--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H8171-72 Immigration Relief for Hurricane Katrina Victims Act of 2005: H.R. 3827, to preserve certain immigration benefits for victims of Hurricane Katrina; Pages H8172-76 Karl Malden Station Post Office Designation Act: H.R. 3667, to designate the facility of the [[Page D946]] United States Postal Service located at 200 South Barrington Street in Los Angeles, California, as the ``Karl Malden Station''; Pages H8176-77 Jacob L. Frazier Post Office Designation Act: H.R. 3767, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2600 Oak Street in St. Charles, Illinois, as the ``Jacob L. Frazier Post Office Building''; Pages H8177-78 Congratulating the West Oahu Little League Baseball team for winning the 2005 Little League Baseball World Series: H. Res. 429, to congratulate the West Oahu Little League Baseball team for winning the 2005 Little League Baseball World Series; Pages H8178-80 Supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day: H.J. Res. 61, to support the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day, by a yea- and-nay vote of 419 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 479; and Pages H8180-82, H8196-97 Providing for the concurrence by the House with an amendment of the Senate to H.R. 3768: H. Res. 454, to provide for the concurrence by the House with an amendment of the Senate to H.R. 3768, by a yea-and-nay vote of 422 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 480. Pages H8189-95, H8197-98 Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005: Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 454, the House agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3768 with a further amendment. Pages H8189-92 Recess: The House recessed at 1:03 p.m. and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. Page H8195 Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2005: The House passed H.R. 250, to establish an interagency committee to coordinate Federal manufacturing research and development efforts in manufacturing, strengthen existing programs to assist manufacturing innovation and education, and expand outreach programs for small and medium-sized manufacturers, by a yea-and-nay vote of 394 yeas to 24 nays, Roll No. 485. Pages H8182-89, H8198-H8216 Rejected the Honda motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Science with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 196 ayes to 226 noes, Roll No. 484. Pages H8214-16 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science now printed in the bill is considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. Page H8214 Agreed to: Boehlert Manager's amendment (no. 1 printed in H. Rept 109-227) that requires the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program to assist businesses affected by Hurricane Katrina, and requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to study the effects of Katrina on buildings to determine whether to recommend any changes in the building codes; Pages H8206-07 Gordon amendment (no. 2 printed in H. Rept 109-227) that requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to provide to the House Science Committee and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation a 3-year programmatic and operational plan for the MEP. It requires the plan to include comments of the MEP National Advisory Board and of the State partners; and Page H8207 Jackson-Lee of Texas amendment (no. 3 printed in H. Rept. 109-227) which make funds under the section entitled ``Scientific and Technical Research and Services'' available to the maximum extent practicable, to diverse institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other minority serving institutions for Technical Workforce Education and Development, by a recorded vote 416 ayes to 8 noes, Roll No. 481. Pages H8207-08, H8212 Rejected: Larson of Connecticut amendment (no. 4 printed in H. Rept. 109-227) which sought to re-orient the current Technology Administration (TA), the Undersecretary of Technology, and Office of Technology Policy (OTP) towards manufacturing and competitiveness issues. Also requires the Manufacturing Administration to conduct broad-based manufacturing and technology policy analysis; and to coordinate with States, local governments, and universities on manufacturing and technology activities, by a recorded vote of 210 ayes to 213 noes, Roll No. 482; and Pages H8208-10, H8212-13 Udall of Colorado amendment (no. 5 printed in H. Rept. 109-227) that increases the authorization levels of NSF's Advanced Technological Education Program for FY06, FY07, and for FY08, by a recorded vote of 210 ayes to 212 noes, Roll No. 483. Pages H8210-12, H8213-14 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in H. Rept. 109-227, was adopted. Page H8214 H. Res. 451, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 198 nays, Roll No. 478, after agreeing to order the previous question by voice vote. Page H8196 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he notified Congress of the continuation of the national emergency with respect to the terrorist attacks on the United States of September 11, 2001--referred to the Committee on [[Page D947]] International Relations and ordered printed (H. Doc. 109-57). Pages H8216-17 Quorum Calls--Votes: 4 yea-and-nay votes and 4 recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H8196, H8196-97, H8197-98, H8212, H8213, H8213-14, H8215-16, H8216. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The house met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 9:26 p.m. Committee Meetings THREATS IN LATIN AMERICA Committee on Armed Services: Threat Panel held a hearing on threats in Latin America. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. VETERANS AFFAIRS/LABOR DEPARTMENTS' COST ACCOUNTING Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability held a hearing entitled ``Implementing Cost Accounting at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor.'' Testimony was heard from Samuel Mok, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Labor; Tim S. McClain, General Counsel and Acting Chief Management Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Robert Martin, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, GAO. U.S.-SOUTHEAST ASIA POLICY Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held a hearing entitled ``The United States and Southeast Asia: Developments, Trends, and Policy Choices.'' Testimony was heard from Eric John, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State. MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia held a hearing entitled ``The Middle East Peace Process and U.S. Strategic Priorities Post-Disengagement.'' Testimony was heard from C. David Welch, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State; LTG William E. Ward, USA, Deputy Commander, U.S. Army Europe, U.S. Coordinator for Security to the Palestinians. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES RECOVERY ACT OF 2005 Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 3824, Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Craig Manson, Assistant Secretary, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. SCHOOL READINESS ACT OF 2005 Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 1 hour of general debate on H.R. 2123, School Readiness Act of 2005, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. The rule provides that the amendments printed in the report may be considered 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, 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. TAX CODE REFORM--TO ASSIST SMALL BUSINESSES Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Reforming the Tax Code to Assist Small Businesses.'' Testimony was heard from Representative Fortenberry; Thomas Sullivan, Chief Counsel, Office of Advocacy, SBA; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--AMTRAK REFORM PROPOSALS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held an oversight hearing on Amtrak Reform Proposals. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Transportation: Jeffrey Rosen, General Counsel; and Kenneth M. Mead, Inspector General; David M. Laney, Chairman, Board of Directors, AMTRAK; and public witnesses. GLOBAL MISSILE THREATS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence, and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to hold a joint hearing on Global Missile Threats. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. [[Page D948]] COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the financial services industry's responsibilities and role in preventing identity theft and protecting sensitive financial information, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine the protection of critical communications infrastructure in disaster, 10 a.m., SD-562. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, to hold hearings to examine S. 435, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Farmington River and Salmon Brook in the State of Connecticut for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, S. 1096, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate portions of the Musconetcong River in the State of New Jersey as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, S. 1310, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to allow the Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation to increase the diameter of a natural gas pipeline located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, S. 1378, to amend the National Historic Preservation Act to provide appropriation authorization and improve the operations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and S. 1627, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources study to evaluate resources along the coastal region of the State of Delaware and to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing a unit of the National Park System in Delaware, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of George M. Gray, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Administrator, and Lyons Gray, of North Carolina, to be Chief Financial Officer, both of the Environmental Protection Agency, Edward McGaffigan, Jr., of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, H. Dale Hall, of New Mexico, to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, and Santanu K. Baruah, of Oregon, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, 2:30 p.m., SD-406. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Alexander R. Vershbow, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Patricia Louise Herbold, of Washington, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore, and William Paul McCormick, of Oregon, to be Ambassador to New Zealand, and serve concurrently as Ambassador to Samoa, 9 a.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Education and Early Childhood Development, to hold hearings to examine Hurricane Katrina's displaced school children, 3 p.m., SD- 430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: business meeting to consider S. 1725, to strengthen Federal leadership, provide grants, enhance outreach and guidance, and provide other support to State and local officials to enhance emergency communications capabilities, to achieve communications interoperability, to foster improved regional collaboration and coordination, to promote more efficient utilization of funding devoted to public safety communications, to promote research and development by both the public and private sectors for first responder communications, an original bill to provide relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, a proposed bill to expand the responsibilities of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction to provide independent and objective audits and investigations relating to the Federal programs for Hurricane Katrina, S. 939, to expedite payments of certain Federal emergency assistance authorized pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to exercise certain authority provided under that Act, S. 1700, to establish an Office of the Hurricane Katrina Recovery Chief Financial Officer, a proposed bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to allow employees of the judicial branch to establish an emergency leave transfer program in the event of a major disaster or emergency, S. 572, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to give additional biosecurity responsibilities to the Department of Homeland Security, and the nominations of Stewart A. Baker, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, John R. Fisher, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, Colleen Duffy Kiko, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and Juliet JoAnn McKenna, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine cost and payment plans for the Medicare Modernization Act and if the new legislation will meet the needs of seniors, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider the nominations of John G. Roberts, Jr., of Maryland, to be Chief Justice of the United States, Timothy Elliott Flanigan, of Virginia, to be Deputy Attorney General, S. 1088, to establish streamlined procedures for collateral review of mixed petitions, amendments, and defaulted claims, proposed Personal Data Privacy and Security Act of 2005, S. 751, to require Federal agencies, and persons engaged in interstate commerce, in possession of data containing personal information, to disclose any unauthorized acquisition of such information, S. 1326, to require agencies and persons in possession of computerized data containing sensitive personal information, to disclose security breaches where such breach poses a significant risk of identity theft, S. 155, to increase and enhance law enforcement resources committed to investigation and prosecution of violent gangs, to deter and punish violent gang crime, to protect law-abiding citizens and communities from violent criminals, to revise and enhance criminal penalties for violent crimes, to reform and facilitate [[Page D949]] prosecution of juvenile gang members who commit violent crimes, to expand and improve gang prevention programs, S. 1086, to improve the national program to register and monitor individuals who commit crimes against children or sex offenses, and S. 956, to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide assured punishment for violent crimes against children, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: to hold hearings to examine the impact of Hurricane Katrina on small businesses, 10 a.m., SR-428A. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine whether Capital offenders should be buried in America's national cemeteries, 10 a.m., SR-418. Select Committee on Intelligence: closed business meeting to mark up proposed legislation authorizing funds for fiscal year 2006 for the intelligence community, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Armed Services, Threat Panel, hearing on threats in Eurasia, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, hearing entitled ``The Commerce and Consumer Protection Implications of Hurricane Katrina,'' 11 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, joint hearing entitled ``Assessing Public Health and the Delivery of Care in the Wake of Katrina,'' 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, hearing on H.R. 3505, Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, hearing entitled ``Trends in Illicit Movement of Nuclear Materials,'' 2 p.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, hearing entitled ``Political Speech on the Internet: Should it be Regulated?'' 9 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on International Relations, hearing entitled ``United States Policy in Afghanistan: Establishing Democratic Governance and Security in the Wake of Parliamentary Elections,'' 10:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, oversight hearing entitled ``The Supreme Court's Kelo Decision and Potential Congressional Responses,'' 11 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, oversight hearing entitled ``Reducing Peer-To-Peer Piracy (P2P) on University Campuses: A Progress Update,'' 9 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 3824, Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005; H.R. 1129, Pitkin County Land Exchange Act of 2005; H.R. 2383, To redesignate the facility of the Bureau of Reclamation located at 19550 Kelso Road in Byron, California, as the ``C. W. `Bill' Jones Pumping Plant;'' H.R. 2875, Public Lands Corps Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2005; H.R. 3351, Native American Technical Corrections Act of 2005; and S. 1339, Junior Duck Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, Briefing on Global Updates, 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol. Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, to meet for organizational purposes; followed by a hearing entitled ``Predicting Hurricanes: What We Knew About Katrina and When,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. 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[[Page D950]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, September 22 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 2744, Agriculture Appropriations, with a vote to occur on or in relation to Dayton Amendment No. 1844, followed by a vote on or in relation to Bingaman (for Jeffords) Amendment No. 1796, with no amendments in order to these amendments prior to the vote; followed by a vote on passage of the bill. Also, Senate expects to begin consideration of H.R. 2528, Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, September 22 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 2123, to reauthorize the Head Start Act to improve the school readiness of disadvantaged children; and H. Res. 455, the rule providing for consideration of the bill. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E1919 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E1908, E1921 Brady, Robert A., Pa., E1911 Butterfield, G.K., N.C., E1918 Capps, Lois, Calif., E1909 Case, Ed, Hawaii, E1909 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E1917 Dingell, John D., Mich., E1913, E1917 Farr, Sam, Calif., E1910 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E1920 Gibbons, Jim, Nev., E1910 Green, Gene, Tex., E1908 Hall, Ralph M., Tex., E1914 Hart, Melissa A., Pa., E1907, E1908, E1910, E1911 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E1919 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E1921 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1920 Kennedy, Mark R., Minn., E1922 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E1909 Kolbe, Jim, Ariz., E1914 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1913, E1918 McCarthy, Carolyn, N.Y., E1907 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1912 Meehan, Martin T., Mass., E1914 Menendez, Robert, N.J., E1917 Mica, John L., Fla., E1923 Myrick, Sue Wilkins, N.C., E1910 Neal, Richard E., Mass., E1919 Ney, Robert W., Ohio, E1907, E1909 Pastor, Ed, Ariz., E1911 Pelosi, Nancy, Calif., E1920 Poe, Ted, Tex., E1910 Radanovich, George, Calif., E1911 Rahall, Nick J., II, W.Va., E1921 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1912 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E1918 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E1907 Sherman, Brad, Calif., E1913, E1917 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E1918 Walden, Greg, Ore., E1921 Walsh, James T., N.Y., E1913 Whitfield, Ed, Ky., E1908 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E1909