Wednesday, May 25, 2005 [[Page D543]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS House Committees ordered reported six sundry measures, including the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations for Fiscal Year 2006. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S5859-S5943 Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1116-1127, S. Res. 154-156, and S. Con. Res. 38. Pages S5921-22 Measures Reported: S. 494, to amend chapter 23 of title 5, United States Code, to clarify the disclosures of information protected from prohibited personnel practices, require a statement in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements that such policies, forms, and agreements conform with certain disclosure protections, provide certain authority for the Special Counsel. (S. Rept. No. 109-72) S. 898, to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a demonstration grant program to provide patient navigator services to reduce barriers and improve health care outcomes, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-73) Page S5920 Measures Passed: National Hunger Awareness Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 156, designating June 7, 2005, as ``National Hunger Awareness Day'' and authorizing that the Senate offices of Senators Gordon Smith, Blanche L. Lincoln, Elizabeth Dole, and Richard J. Durbin be used to collect donations of food from May 26, 2005, until June 7, 2005, from concerned Members of Congress and staff to assist families suffering from hunger and food insecurity in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Pages S5939-40 Recognizing Kazakhstan Efforts: Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 122, recognizing the historic efforts of the Republic of Kazakhstan to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction through cooperation in the Nunn-Lugar/ Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, and celebrating the 10th anniversary of the removal of all nuclear weapons from the territory of Kazakhstan, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S5940 Nomination Considered: Senate began consideration of the nomination of John Robert Bolton, of Maryland, to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations. Pages S5876-S5914 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that if a cloture motion is filed on the nomination, notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 22, that cloture vote occur at 6 p.m., on Thursday, May 26, 2005, with the live quorum waived; provided further, that when the Senate resume debate on the nomination on Thursday, all time until 6 p.m. be equally divided; further, that if cloture is invoked on the nomination, the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination, and that during the debate on the nomination, Senator Voinovich be in control of 1 hour of debate. Page S5876 A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination and, notwithstanding the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, and pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of Wednesday, May 25, 2005, a vote on cloture will occur at 6 p.m., on Thursday, May 26, 2005. Page S5914 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the nomination at 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 26, 2005; provided that one hour of debate be under the control of Senator Voinovich, as previously ordered. Page S5940 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination: By 55 yeas 43 nays (Vote No. EX. 128), Priscilla Richman Owen, of Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit. Pages S5865-76 [[Page D544]] Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Walter Lukken, of Indiana, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for a term expiring April 13, 2010. John M. Reich, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision for a term expiring October 23, 2007. William Alan Jeffrey, of Virginia, to be Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Ashok G. Kaveeshwar, of Maryland, to be Administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Department of Transportation. Jan E. Boyer, of Texas, to be United States Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank. Kathie L. Olsen, of Oregon, to be Deputy Director of the National Science Foundation. 3 Army nominations in the rank of general. Routine lists in the Navy. Pages S5942-43 Messages From the House: Page S5919 Measures Referred: Page S5919 Measures Read First Time: Page S5920 Executive Communications: Page S5920 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S5920-21 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S5923-38 Additional Statements: Pages S5918-19 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S5938-39 Privilege of the Floor: Page S5939 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--128) Pages S5875-76 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:31 a.m. and adjourned at 7:53 p.m. until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 26, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S5940.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) GRAIN STANDARDS ACT REAUTHORIZATION Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the proposed reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act, focusing on the Federal Grain Inspection Service, and mandatory export inspection and weighing services, after receiving testimony from David R. Shipman, Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration, Department of Agriculture; Jerry D. Gibson, Bunge North America, Inc., Destrehan, Louisiana, on behalf of the National Grain and Feed Association, and the North American Export Grain Association; Thomas Dahl, American Association of Grain Inspection and Weighing Agencies, Sioux City, Iowa; and Garry Niemeyer, National Corn Growers Association, Glenarm, Illinois. NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of Kenneth J. Krieg, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, and 661 nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. NOMINATIONS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Ben S. Bernanke, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Council of Economic Advisers, and Brian D. Montgomery, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary of Housing, Federal Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and Urban Development, who was introduced by Senator Cornyn, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S.360, to reauthorize and amend the Coastal Zone Management Act, after receiving testimony from Thomas Kitsos, Associate Deputy Assistant Administrator, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce; Walter D. Cruickshank, Deputy Director, Minerals Management Service, Department of the Interior; Bill Jeffress, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Anchorage; W. Donald Hudson, Jr., Maine State Planning Office, Augusta; Sarah W. Cooksey, Delaware Coastal Programs, Dover, on behalf of the Coastal States Organization; Tom Fry, National Ocean Industries Association, Washington, D.C.; and Sarah Chasis, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York, New York. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee resumed markup of proposed comprehensive energy legislation, focusing on provisions relating to renewable energy, nuclear matters, and studies, but did not complete action thereon, and will meet again tomorrow. [[Page D545]] ENERGY PROJECT PERMITTING Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the process for issuing permits for energy projects, focusing on the White House Task Force on Energy Project Streamlining, and ensuring that energy exploration, production, and transportation projects are permitted efficiently, after receiving testimony from J. Mark Robinson, Director, Office of Energy Projects, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Dennis J. Duffy, Cape Wind Associates, LLC, Boston, Massachusetts; Sharon Buccino, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York, New York; and Ronald E. Hogan, Questar Market Resources, Pinedale, Wyoming. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of David Horton Wilkins, of South Carolina, to be Ambassador to Canada, who was introduced by Senators Allard, Graham, DeMint, and Reed; William Alan Eaton, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to Panama; James M. Derham, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to Guatemala; Robert Johann Dieter, of Colorado, to be Ambassador to Belize; Paul A. Trivelli, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to Nicaragua; and Linda Jewell, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to Ecuador, after each nominee testified and answered questions in their own behalf. COUNTERFEIT GOODS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine how counterfeit goods provide easy cash for criminals and terrorists, focusing on how intellectual property rights crime affects this country, including the possibility that proceeds from counterfeiting fund terrorism, after receiving testimony from John C. Stedman, County of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles, California; Kris Buckner, Investigative Consultants, Lawnsdale, California; and Matthew Levitt, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Washington, D.C. NOMINATIONS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Philip J. Perry, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, Department of Homeland Security, Carolyn L. Gallagher, of Texas, and Louis J. Giuliano, of New York, each to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service, and Tony Hammond, of Virginia, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Rate Commission. NOMINATION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Linda Morrison Combs, of North Carolina, to be Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget, after the nominee testified and answered questions in her own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee ordered favorably reported the following items: S. 1107, to reauthorize the Head Start Act, S. 518, to provide for the establishment of a controlled substance monitoring program in each State, and; The nominations of Charles P. Ruch, of South Dakota, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, Kim Wang, of California, to be a Member of the National Museum and Library Services Board, and Harry Robinson, Jr., of Texas, to be a Member of the National Museum Services Board. AMERICAN INDIAN POLICIES Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S.J. Res. 15, to acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the United States Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States, after receiving testimony from Senator Brownback; Tex Hall, National Congress of American Indians, Washington, D.C.; Edward K. Thomas, Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Juneau; and Negiel Bigpond, Sr., Two Rivers Native American Training Center, Bixby, Oklahoma. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee resumed markup of S. 852, to create a fair and efficient system to resolve claims of victims for bodily injury caused by asbestos exposure, but did not complete action thereon, and will meet again tomorrow. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PIRACY Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Intellectual Property concluded a hearing to examine piracy of intellectual property and counterfeiting problems, after receiving testimony from Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyrights, and Associate Librarian for Copyright Services, United States Copyright Office, Library of Congress; Stephen M. Pinkos, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property, and Deputy Director, United States Patent and [[Page D546]] Trademark Office; James E. Mendenhall, Acting General Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; Eric H. Smith, International Intellectual Property Alliance, and Robert W. Holleyman II, Business Software Alliance, both of Washington, D.C.; and Taylor Hackford, Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles, California. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced: 28 public bills, H.R. 2617-2644; and 1 private bill, H.R. 2645, were introduced. Pages H4072-73 Additional Cosponsors: Page H4073 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H. Res. 298, providing for consideration of H.R. 2528, making appropriations for military quality of life functions of the Department of Defense, military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006 (H.Rept. 109-97). Page H4072 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Miller of Michigan to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H3897 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Father Val J. Peter, Executive Director, Girls and Boys Town USA in Boys Town, Nebraska. Page H3897 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005: The House passed H.R. 1815, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2006 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2006, by a yea-and-nay vote of 390 yeas to 39 nays, Roll No. 222. Pages H3912-H4046 Rejected the Taylor of Mississippi motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Armed Services with instructions to report it back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a recorded vote of 211 ayes to 218 noes, Roll No. 221. Pages H4044-46 Agreed to the amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, recommended by the Committee on Armed Services now printed in the bill, and that the amendment be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment. Page H4044 Pursuant to the rule, Representative Hunter requested that the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 109-96 be considered out of order: Goode (#20), Davis of Virginia (#24), Davis of California (#12), Hunter (#1), Stearns (#6), Bradley (#29), and Woolsey (#26). Page H3912 Agreed to: En bloc amendment consisting of the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 109-96: Ortiz (#2) directing the Secretary to submit to the congressional defense committees a sustainment plan for the existing MHC-51 class mine countermeasures ships; Kaptur (#3) requiring the DOD to conduct a study on the use of bio-diesel and ethanol fuels by the Armed Forces and Defense Agencies; Simmons (#7) lifting the age 60 requirement for Space-A travel by National Guard and Reserve retirees; Filner (#10) requiring a study to determine if it is feasible for DOD to allow veterans with a service connected disability rating of 50% or higher access to Space-A travel; DeLauro, (#13) as modified, requiring the DOD to revise its mental health evaluations for pre- and post- deployment of servicemembers to combat theaters; Manzullo (#15) codifying the content requirements of the Buy American Act as stated in Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement; Crowley (#21) expressing the sense of Congress that recognizes the diversity of the men and women of our Armed Services killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; Spratt (#28) as modified, adding war- related reporting requirements for tracking costs, military personnel force levels, reconstitution requirements, and military construction projects associated with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and enhanced security operations at home; Simmons (#18) encouraging the DOD to buy Lithium-Ion cells and batteries, and associated manufacturing technologies that are made in America; and Israel (#25) making permanent the pilot ``Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Defense Education Program'' and include within its purview the study of foreign languages. Pages H4001-06 Goode amendment (No. 20 printed in H. Rept. 109-96) that authorizes the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the Armed Forces, under certain [[Page D547]] circumstances and subject to certain conditions, to assist the Department of Homeland Security in the performance of border protection functions (by a recorded vote of 245 ayes to 184 noes, Roll No. 214); Pages H3996-H4001, H4016 Jo Ann Davis of Virginia amendment (No. 24 printed in H. Rept. 109- 96) that clarifies federal law regarding support for youth organizations by the federal government (by a recorded vote of 413 ayes to 16 noes, Roll No. 215); Pages H4006-09, H4016-17 Hunter manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 109-96) that amends United States Code to extend veteran's preference; modifies section 574 of the bill relating to women in the Armed Forces, adds funding for supersonic cruise missile engines; and establishes a memorial to the USS Oklahoma (by a recorded vote of 428 ayes to 1 no, Roll No. 217); Pages H4013-16, H4018 Enbloc amendment consisting of the following amendments printed in H. Rept. 109-96: Stark (#4) instructing the GAO to submit a report to Congress on criminal violations in military recruiting practices; Strickland (#5) adding ``information concerning the availability of mental health services'' to what is already required to be communicated in benefit counseling sessions to those in the armed forces who are separating from active duty; Slaughter (#8) authorizing annual funding for training and resources for the DOD to better respond to incidences of sexual assault; Reichert (#9) requiring the GAO to study the difficulties faced by our National Guard and Reserve Personnel in gaining re-employment once returning from duty; Menendez (#11) requiring the GAO to prepare a report on compensation and benefits for reserve component members; Bishop (#14) requiring a study of effectiveness of self administered pre- and post-deployment exams; Andrews (#16) as modified, requiring the DOD to include a provision in their contracts with all defense contractors prohibiting them from requiring licenses and fees from businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell models and model kits; Blunt (#17) requiring DOD to establish the employment of National Guard and Reserve Personnel as an evaluation factor in the awarding of defense contracts; Matheson (#22) prohibiting the DOD from destroying historical fallout records; and Hostettler (#23) amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to admit Afghan and Iraqi nationals who serve U.S. forces as interpreters; Pages H4020-26 Weldon of Pennsylvania amendment (No. 27 printed in H. Rept. 109-96) that expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. should cooperate with Russia on missile defense; and Pages H4040-41 Stearns amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 109-96) that expresses the sense of Congress that any college or university that denies equal access or discriminate against ROTC programs or military recruiters should be denied certain Federal taxpayer support (by a recorded vote of 336 ayes to 92 noes, Roll No. 218). Pages H4018-20, H4041-42 Rejected: Davis of California amendment (No. 12 printed in H. Rept. 109-96) that sought to lift the current ban on privately funded abortions at U.S. military facilities overseas (by a recorded vote of 194 ayes to 233 noes, Roll No. 216); Pages H4009-13, H4017-18 Bradley amendment (No. 29 printed in H. Rept. 109-96) that sought to postpone the BRAC recommendations until one year after certain actions occur (by a recorded vote of 112 ayes to 316 noes, Roll No. 219); and Pages H4026-35, H4042-43 Woolsey amendment (No. 26 printed in H. Rept. 109-96) that sought to express the sense of Congress that the President should develop a plan for the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq (by a recorded vote of 128 ayes to 300 noes, Roll No. 220). Pages H4035-40, H4043 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2006 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year. Page H4046 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections and conforming changes in the engrossment of the bill. Page H4047 H. Res. 293, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by a recorded vote of 225 ayes to 198 noes, Roll No. 213, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 200 nays, Roll No. 212. Pages H3900-12 Suspension: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2005: H.R. 2566, to provide an extension of highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a law reauthorizing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Pages H4047-53 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H4047. Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and nine recorded votes developed during the proceedings today and appear on pages H3911, H3911-12, H4016, H4017, H4017-18, H4018, H4041-42, H4042-43, H4043, H4045-46, and H4046. There were no quorum calls. [[Page D548]] Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:35 p.m. Committee Meetings REVIEW--NATIONAL FOREST LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to Review National Forest Land Management Planning. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: David Tenny, Deputy Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment; and Frederick Norbury, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest Service; and public witnesses. AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations for Fiscal Year 2006. U.S. BOXING COMMISSION ACT; DRUG FREE SPORTS ACT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 1065, United States Boxing Commission Act; and H.R. 1862, Drug Free Sports Act. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing on a Review of Community Health Centers: Issues and Opportunities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Elizabeth M. Duke, Health Resources and Services Administration; and Dennis Smith, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and public witnesses. FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE REFORM ACT Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1461, Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005. TAXPAYER PAPERWORK--INCREASING BURDEN Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs held a hearing entitled ``Less is More: The Increasing Burden of Taxpayer Paperwork.'' Testimony was heard from Mark W. Everson, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury; John D. Graham, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; and public witnesses. AGRO-TERRORISM THREAT Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled ``Evaluating the Threat of Agro-Terrorism.'' Testimony was heard from Joseph W. Reardon, Food Administrator, Food and Drug Protection Division, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, State of North Carolina; and a public witness. NORTHERN IRELAND--PEACE PROCESS Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats held a hearing on Northern Ireland: Prospects for the Peace Process. Testimony was heard from Mitchell B. Reiss, Special Envoy of the President and Secretary of State for the Northern Ireland Peace Process, Department of State. LATIN AMERICA--TRANSPARENCY AND RULE OF LAW Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held a hearing on Transparency and Rule of Law in Latin America. Testimony was heard from Adolfo A. Franco, Assistant Administrator, Bureau of Latin America and the Caribbean, U. S. Agency for International Development; Jonathan D. Farrar, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Department of State; and Otto J. Reich, former Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 800, amended, Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; H.R. 420, amended, Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005; H. R. 554, amended, Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act; and H. J. Res. 10, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. MARSHALL ISLANDS--U.S. NUCLEAR LEGACY Committee on Resources, and the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the Committee on International Relations held a joint oversight hearing entitled ``The United States Nuclear Legacy in the Marshall Islands: Consideration of Issues Relating to the Changes Circumstances Petition.'' Testimony was heard from Howard Krawitz, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State; Steven V. Cary, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Health, Department of Energy; Andre Bouville, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services; the following officials of The Republic of the Marshall Islands: Gerald [[Page D549]] Zackios, Foreign Minister; and Judge James H. Plasman, Chairman, Nuclear Claims Tribunal; David Bearden, Analyst in Environmental Policy, CRS, Library of Congress; and public witnesses. MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of general debate on H.R. 2528, making appropriations for military quality of life functions of the Department of Defense, military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Under the rules of the House the bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph. The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized appropriations or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill). The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representative Walsh. U.S. JET TRANSPORT INDUSTRY Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held an oversight hearing entitled ``The U.S. Jet Transport Industry: Global Market Factors Affecting U.S. Producers.'' Testimony was heard from Joseph H. Bogosian, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Manufacturing, Department of Commerce; Ambassador Peter F. Allgeier, Deputy U. S. Trade Representative; and public witnesses. VETERANS MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 717, To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the scope of programs of education for which accelerated payments of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill may be used; H.R. 745, Veterans Self-Employment Act of 2005; and H.R. 1207, Department of Veterans Affairs Work-Study Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from. Representatives Simpson and Sodrel; Jack McCoy, Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Alexander Keenan, Director, National Training Center, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation; a representative of a veterans organization; and public witnesses. IRAN BRIEFING Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence Analysis and Counter-Intelligence met in executive session to receive a Briefing on Iran. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. BRIEFING--CIA HUMINT TRAINING NEEDS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence Analysis and Counter-Intelligence met in executive session to receive a Briefing on CIA Humint Training Needs. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings KOSOVO Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission): Committee concluded a hearing to examine human rights concerns in Kosovo, after receiving testimony from Soren Jessen-Petersen, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General and Head of United Nations Mission in Kosovo; and Charles L. English, Director, Office of South Central European Affairs, Department of State. F COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate [D25MY5-108]Committee Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Commerce, 2 p.m., S-146, Capitol. [D25MY5-109]Subcommitt Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the U.S. Agency for International Development, 2:30 p.m., SD-138. [D25MY5-110]Committee Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the report to Congress on international economic and exchange rate policies, 10 a.m., SH-216. [D25MY5-111]Committee Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Aviation, to hold hearings to examine aviation capacity and congestion challenges regarding summer 2005 and future demand, 10 a.m., SR-253. [D25MY5-112]Committee Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: business meeting to consider comprehensive energy legislation, focusing on provisions relating to oil and gas, and incentives for innovative technology, and other related issues, 9:30 a.m., SD-366. [D25MY5-113]Committee [[Page D550]] Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 9 a.m., SD-406. [D25MY5-114]Committee Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Dina Habib Powell, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, and Sean Ian McCormack, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, 10:30 a.m., SD-G50. [D25MY5-115]Full Commi Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Rodolphe M. Vallee, of Vermont, to be Ambassador to the Slovak Republic, Molly Hering Bordonaro, of Oregon, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Malta, and Ann Louise Wagner, of Missouri, to be Ambassador to Luxembourg, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. [D25MY5-116]Committee Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold hearings to examine issues relating to the 21st century workplace, 10 a.m., SD- 430. [D25MY5-117]Committee Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to hold hearings to examine the container security initiative and the customs-trade partnership against terrorism, focusing on how Customs utilizes container security initiative and customs trade partnership against terrorism in connection with its other enforcement programs and review the requirements for and challenges involved in transitioning these from promising risk management concepts to effective and sustained enforcement operations, 9:30 a.m., SD-562. [D25MY5-118]Federal Fi Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine federal funding for private research and development, focusing on effectiveness of federal financing of private research and development, and whether some of these programs result in the development of new technologies or displace private investment, 2:30 p.m., SD-562. [D25MY5-119]Committee Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider S.852, to create a fair and efficient system to resolve claims of victims for bodily injury caused by asbestos exposure, pending nominations:, and committee rules for the 109th Congress, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. [D25MY5-120]Subcommitt Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship, to hold hearings to examine the need for comprehensive immigration reform relating to the national economy, 2:30 p.m., SD-226. [D25MY5-121]Committee Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine challenges facing the VA claims adjudication and appeal process, 2 p.m., SR-418. [D25MY5-122]Select Com Select Committee on Intelligence: closed business meeting to consider certain intelligence matters, 9 a.m., SH-219. House [D25MY5-123]Committee Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, hearing on the following measures: the Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act; and H.R. 697, Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2005, 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. [D25MY5-124]Committee Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, hearing on the Administration's Clear Skies Initiative, 2 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. [D25MY5-125]Subcommitt Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ``The Threat of and Planning for Pandemic Flu,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. [D25MY5-126]Subcommitt Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing on the DTV Transition Act of 2005, 11:30 a.m., 2322 Rayburn. [D25MY5-127]Committee Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ``The First Line of Defense: The Role of Financial Institutions in Detecting Financial Crimes,'' 9:30 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. [D25MY5-128]Committee Committee on Government Reform, to mark up H.R. 2565, to reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy and to establish minimum drug testing standards for major professional sports leagues; followed by a hearing entitled ``Federal Student Loan Program: Are They Meeting the Needs of Students and Schools?'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. [D25MY5-129]Committee Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, hearing entitled ``Building a Nuclear Bomb: Identifying Early Indicators of Terrorist Activities,'' 1 p.m., 210 Cannon. [D25MY5-130]Committee Committee on House Administration, to mark up H.R. 1316, 527 Fairness Act of 2005, 2 p.m., 1310 Longworth. [D25MY5-131]Committee Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, to mark up the following measures: H.R. 2601, Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007; and H. Res. 199, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the massacre at Srebrenica in July 1995, 1 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. [D25MY5-132]Subcommitt Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, hearing on the United States and Northeast Asia, 9:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. [D25MY5-133]Committee Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, oversight hearing on the Implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act: Section 505 and 804. Section 505 of the Act Addresses National Security Letters; Section 804 of the Act Addresses Jurisdiction Over Crimes Committed at U.S. Facilities Abroad; and Material Witness Provisions of the Criminal Code, 9:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. [D25MY5-134]Committee Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans, oversight hearing on Public Access within the National Wildlife Refuge System, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. [D25MY5-135]Committee Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology and the Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and Exports, joint hearing on Does China Enact Barriers to Fair Trade? 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. [D25MY5-136]Committee [[Page D551]] Committee on Ways and Means, hearing on the Tax-Exempt Hospital Sector, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. [D25MY5-137]Subcommitt Subcommittee on Social Security, to continue hearings on Protecting and Strengthening Social Security, 2 p.m., B-318 Rayburn. [D25MY5-138]Permanent Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, Briefing on Global Updates, 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D552]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, May 26 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of the nomination of John Robert Bolton, of Maryland, to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination to occur at 6 p.m.; if cloture is invoked, Senate will then vote on confirmation of the nomination. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, May 26 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Begin consideration of H.R. 2528, Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2005 (open rule, one hour of general debate). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Akin, W. Todd, Mo., E1091 Bachus, Spencer, Ala., E1089 Berman, Howard L., Calif., E1092 Blackburn, Marsha, Tenn., E1090 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E1099 Boehlert, Sherwood, N.Y., E1090 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E1098, E1099 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E1097 Brown, Corrine, Fla., E1089 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1090 Capuano, Michael E., Mass., E1096 Engel, Eliot L., N.Y., E1091, E1092 English, Phil, Pa., E1094 Everett, Terry, Ala., E1094, E1096 Gonzalez, Charles A., Tex., E1088 Gordon, Bart, Tenn., E1097 Hunter, Duncan, Calif., E1100 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E1090 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E1101 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E1092 McDermott, Jim, Wash., E1098 Mica, John L., Fla., E1101 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E1096 Moran, James P., Va., E1093 Napolitano, Grace F., Calif., E1095 Pastor, Ed, Ariz., E1089 Pence, Mike, Ind., E1089 Pomeroy, Earl, N.D., E1097 Renzi, Rick, Ariz., E1093 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E1087, E1088 Salazar, John T., Colo., E1100 Shaw, E. Clay, Jr., Fla., E1095 Shays, Christopher, Conn., E1087, E1088 Souder, Mark E., Ind., E1087, E1087 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E1098, E1099 Thomas, William M., Calif., E1095 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E1088 Walden, Greg, Ore., E1094, E1100 Wilson, Heather, N.M., E1091 Wynn, Albert Russell, Md., E1096