Thursday, May 26, 2005 Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 167, Adjournment Resolution. The House passed H.R. 2528, Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2006. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S5945-S6073 Measures Introduced: Thirty-three bills and five resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1128-1160, S. Res. 157-159, and S. Con. Res. 39-40. Pages S6021-22 Measures Reported: S. 606, to amend the Clean Air Act to eliminate methyl tertiary butyl ether from the United States fuel supply, to increase production and use of renewable fuel, and to increase the Nation's energy independence, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 109-74) S. 302, to make improvements in the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-75) Page S6020 Measures Passed: Transportation Equity Act: Senate passed 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, clearing the measure for the President. Page S5962 Adjournment Resolution: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 167, providing for a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives and a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate. Page S6063 Robert M. La Follette, Sr. Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1760, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Madison, Wisconsin, as the ``Robert M. La Follette, Sr. Post Office Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S6064 Recognizing Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association 50th Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. Res. 159, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association and its members vital contribution to the oil and gas industry of the United States. Pages S6064-65 Transportation Equity Act: Senate insisted on its amendment to H.R.3, to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, agreed to the House request for a conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses, and the Chair was authorized to appoint the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Inhofe, Warner, Bond, Voinovich, Chafee, Murkowski, Thune, DeMint, Isakson, Vitter, Grassley, Hatch, Shelby, Allard, Stevens, Lott, Jeffords, Baucus, Lieberman, Boxer, Carper, Clinton, Lautenberg, Obama, Conrad, Inouye, Rockefeller, Sarbanes, Reed, and Johnson. Page S6060 Nomination Considered: Senate continued consideration of the nomination of John Robert Bolton, of Maryland, to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations. Pages S5946-62, S5962-98 During consideration of this nomination today, Senate also took the following action: By 56 yeas to 42 nays (Vote No. 129 ), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on the nomination. Page S5997 Subsequently, Senator Frist entered a motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination (listed above) failed. Page S5997 Nomination Considered: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Janice R. Brown, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Page S6061 A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur at 12 noon, on Tuesday, June 7, 2005. Page S6061 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the nomination at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2005. Page S6065 Nomination Considered: Senate began consideration of the nomination of William H. Pryor, Jr., of Alabama, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit. Page S6061 A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture may occur on Tuesday, June 7, 2005. Page S6061 Nomination--Referral: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the nomination of Israel Hernandez, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, received on today, be jointly- referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Page S6061 Authorizing Leadership To Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous- consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate. Page S6063 Signing Authority Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that during the adjournment of the Senate, the Majority Leader, Majority Whip and Senator Warner, be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions. Page S6063 Authority for Committees: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, all committees were authorized to file legislative and executive matters on Wednesday, June 1, 2005, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. Page S6063 Appointments: Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance: The Chair, on behalf of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate and the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, pursuant to Section 301 of Public Law 104-1, as amended by Public Law 108-349, announced the joint re-designation of the following individual, as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance: Susan S. Robfogel of New York. Page S6064 Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance: The Chair, on behalf of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate and the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, pursuant to Section 301 of Public Law 104-1, as amended by Public Law 108-349, announced the joint re-designation of the following individuals, as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance: Barbara L. Camens of the District of Columbia, and Roberta L. Holzwarth of Illinois. Page S6064 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: Harry Robinson, Jr., of Texas, to be a Member of the National Museum Services Board for a term expiring December 6, 2008. 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 for a term expiring August 11, 2010. Tony Hammond, of Virginia, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Rate Commission for a term expiring October 14, 2010. Robert Joseph, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) Kim Wang, of California, to be a Member of the National Museum and Library Services Board for a term expiring December 6, 2009. Kenneth J. Krieg, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. Sean Ian McCormack, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Public Affairs). (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) Raymond Simon, of Arkansas, to be Deputy Secretary of Education. David Horton Wilkins, of South Carolina, to be Ambassador to Canada. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) James M. Derham, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Guatemala. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) William Alan Eaton, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) Paul A. Trivelli, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Nicaragua. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) Victoria Nuland, of Connecticut, to be Permanent Representative of the United States of America on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, with the rank and status of Ambassador. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) Linda Jewell, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) John F. Tefft, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to Georgia. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration.) 4 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 30 Army nominations in the rank of general. 4 Coast Guard nominations in the rank of admiral. (Prior to this action, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration.) 2 Marine Corps nominations in the rank of general. 55 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Navy. Routine list in the Coast Guard. (Prior to this action, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration.) Routine list in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Prior to this action, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration.) Pages S6061-63, S6072-73 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: William Anderson, of Connecticut, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. Richard A. Raymond, of Nebraska, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety. Randal Quarles, of Utah, to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury. Israel Hernandez, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service. Philip D. Morrison, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. Ronald E. Neumann, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Gregory L. Schulte, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Vienna Office of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador. Gregory L. Schulte, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the rank of Ambassador. A routine list in the Air Force. Pages S6065-72 Messages From the House: Pages S6017-18 Measures Referred: Page S6018 Measures Placed on Calendar: Page S6018 Measures Read First Time: Page S6018 Executive Communications: Pages S6018-20 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S6020 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S6022-23 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S6023-59 Additional Statements: Pages S6015-17 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S6059-60 Privilege of the Floor: Page S6060 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--129) Page S5997 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and, pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 167, adjourned at 9:02 p.m., until 2 p.m., on Monday, June 6, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S6065.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Commerce, after receiving testimony from Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce. APPROPRIATIONS: USAID Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), after receiving testimony from Andrew S. Natsios, Administrator, United States Agency for International Development. INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the report to Congress on international economic and exchange rate policies, focusing on imbalances in the global economy, and China's currency regime, after receiving testimony from John W. Snow, Secretary of the Treasury. AVIATION CAPACITY AND CONGESTION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Aviation concluded a hearing to examine aviation capacity and congestion challenges regarding summer 2005 and future demand, focusing on traffic and delay trends, factors contributing to the increased system complexity, how the aviation community is responding, and the specific actions that must be pursued in order to meet the forecasted demand and maintain global leadership in aviation safety, capacity, and efficiency, after receiving testimony from Marion C. Blakey, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, and Kenneth M. Mead, Inspector General, both of the Department of Transportation; Gerald Dillingham, Director, Civil Aviation Issues, Government Accountability Office; and Amr A. ElSawy, MITRE Corporation, McLean, Virginia. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill to enhance the energy security of the United States. NRC OVERSIGHT Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), focusing on challenges facing the NRC in effectively carrying out its mission, especially in overseeing the security and safety of nuclear power plants in the United States, after receiving testimony from Nils J. Diaz, Chairman, Edward McGaffigan, Jr., Commissioner, and Gregory B. Jaczko, Commissioner, all of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Jim Wells, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office; Marilyn C. Kray, Exelon Nuclear, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, on behalf of NuStart Energy Development; and Edwin S. Lyman, Union of Concerned Scientists, Washington, D.C. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Dina Habib Powell, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, who was introduced by Senators Hutchison and Cornyn; and Sean Ian McCormack, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Rodolphe M. Vallee, of Vermont, to be Ambassador to the Slovak Republic, who was introduced by Senators Leahy and Jeffords; Molly Hering Bordonaro, of Oregon, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Malta, who was introduced by Senators Smith and Wyden; and Ann Louise Wagner, of Missouri, to be Ambassador to Luxembourg, who was introduced by Senators Bond and Talent, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. CONTAINER SECURITY INITIATIVE Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations concluded a hearing 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, after receiving testimony from Robert C. Bonner, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and C. Stewart Verdery, Jr., Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti, Inc., Washington, D.C., former Assistant Secretary of Border and Transportation Security Policy, both of the Department of Homeland Security; Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Team, Government Accountability Office; and Commander Stephen E. Flynn, USCG (Ret.), Council on Foreign Relations, New York, New York. PRIVATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine the 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, after receiving testimony from Robin M. Nazzaro, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office; Brian Riedl, The Heritage Foundation, and Charles W. Wessner, National Research Council, The National Academies, both of Washington, D.C. EMPLOYMENT TRENDS Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine issues relating to the 21st century workplace, focusing on preparing for tomorrow's employment trends today, after receiving testimony from Tamara J. Erickson, The Concours Group, Watertown, Massachusetts; and Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Hudson Institute, and Jared Bernstein, Economic Policy Institute, both of Washington, D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. 852, to create a fair and efficient system to resolve claims of victims for bodily injury caused by asbestos exposure, with amendments; and The nominations of Richard A. Griffin, of Michigan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, David W. McKeague, of Michigan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, and Paul D. Clement, of Virginia, to be Solicitor General of the United States, Anthony Jerome Jenkins, of Virgin Islands, to be United States Attorney for the District of the Virgin Islands, Stephen Joseph Murphy III, of Michigan, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Gretchen C.F. Shappert, of North Carolina, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, and Regina B. Schofield, of Virginia, to be Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs, all of the Department of Justice. IMMIGRATION REFORM Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship concluded a hearing to examine the need for comprehensive immigration reform relating to the national economy, focusing on the proposed Temporary Worker Program recognizing that the economy relies on temporary foreign workers to fill workforce shortages when there are insufficient numbers of willing or able domestic workers, after receiving testimony Steven J. Law, Deputy Secretary of Labor; Thomas J. Donahue, United States Chamber of Commerce, and Daniel Griswold, Cato Institute, both of Washington, D.C.; and Douglas S. Massey, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey. VA DISABILITY CLAIMS PROCESS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine challenges facing the VA claims adjudication and appeal process, focusing on the current state of VA's disability claims process and factors that may impede VA's ability to improve performance, after receiving testimony from Daniel L. Cooper, Under Secretary for Benefits, Ronald Garvin, Acting Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and Robert H. Epley, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Program Management, Veterans Benefits Administration, all of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Cynthia A. Bascetta, Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security, Government Accountability Office; Kenneth B. Kramer, former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; Robert Chisholm, National Organization of Veterans Advocates, Providence, Rhode Island; and Rick Surratt, Disabled American Veterans, Washington, D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider pending intelligence matters. Committee recessed subject to the call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced: 97 public bills, H.R. 2646-2742; 1 private bill, H.R. 2743; and 13 resolutions, H.J. Res. 52; H. Con. Res. 167-173; and H. Res. 299-302, were introduced. Pages H4138-42 Additional Cosponsors: Page H4142 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 1496, to return general aviation to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, amended (H. Rept. 109-98); H.R. 2293, to provide special immigrant status for aliens serving as translators with the United States Armed Forces, amended (H. Rept. 109- 99); and H.J. Res. 27, resolution withdrawing the approval of the United States from the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization, adversely (H. Rept. 109-100). Page H4138 Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2006: The House passed 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, by a yea-and-nay vote of 425 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 226. Pages H4085-H4114 Agreed to: Jones of Ohio amendment that prohibits the use of funds to close or realign any military installation approved for closure or realignment in 2005 before the Secretary of Defense makes the information available upon which the closure and realignment recommendations were based. Pages H4109-10 Rejected: Melancon amendment that sought to increase funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (by a recorded vote of 213 ayes to 214 noes, Roll No. 224); and Pages H4096-97, H4111-12 Blumenauer amendment (No. 2 printed in the Congressional Record of May 25) that sought to increase funding for Base Realignment and Closure Account 1990 (by a recorded vote of 171 ayes to 254 noes, Roll No. 225). Pages H4100-02, H4112-13 Withdrawn: Blumenauer amendment (No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record of May 25) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to increase funding for Base Realignment and Closure Account 1990; Pages H4102-03 Jones of Ohio amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to prohibit the use of funds to implement the results of the 2005 round of base closures and realignments until the completion of all environmental remediation associated with the closure of military installations approved for closure in the 1995 round; and Page H4109 Tiahrt amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to prohibit the use of funds to promulgate regulations without consideration of the effect of such regulations on the competitiveness of American businesses. Pages H4110-11 Point of Order: Obey amendment that increases funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and adds a new section to the end of the bill regarding tax reduction. Pages H4105-06 H. Res. 298, the rule providing for consideration of the measure was agreed to by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 223. Pages H4078-84 Late Report: Agreed that the Committee on Appropriations have until midnight on June 3 to file a report on a bill making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. Page H4114 Late Report: Agreed that the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence have until midnight on June 5 to file a report on H.R. 2475. Page H4114 Transportation Equity Act--Motion to go to Conference: The House disagreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3, to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and requested a conference. Pages H4114-18 Rejected the Oberstar motion to instruct conferees by a yea-and-nay vote of 189 yeas to 223 nays, Roll No. 227. Pages H4114-18 Appointed as conferees: From the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for consideration of the House bill (except title X) and the Senate amendment (except title V), and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Young of Alaska, Petri, Boehlert, Coble, Duncan, Mica, Hoekstra, LaTourette, Bachus, Baker, Gary G. Miller of California, Hayes, Simmons, Brown of South Carolina, Graves, Shuster, Boozman, Oberstar, Rahall, DeFazio, Costello, Norton, Nadler, Menendez, Corrine Brown of Florida, Filner, Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Taylor of Mississippi, Millender-McDonald, Cummings, Blumenauer, and Tauscher; Page H4136 From the Committee on the Budget, for consideration of secs. 8001- 8003 of the House bill, and Title III of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Nussle, Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, and Spratt; Page H4136 From the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for consideration of secs. 1118, 1605, 1809, 3018, and 3030 of the House bill, and secs. 1304, 1819, 6013, 6031, 6038, and 7603 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Kline, Keller, and Barrow; Page H4136 From the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for consideration of provisions in the House bill and Senate amendment relating to Clean Air Act provisions of transportation planning contained in secs. 6001 and 6006 of the House bill, and secs. 6005 and 6006 of the Senate amendment; and secs. 1210, 1824, 1833, 5203, and 6008 of the House bill, and secs. 1501, 1511, 1522, 1610-1619, 1622, 4001, 4002, 6016, 6023, 7218, 7223, 7251, 7252, 7256-7262, 7324, 7381, 7382, and 7384 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Barton of Texas, Pickering, and Dingell; Page H4136 From the Committee on Government Reform, for consideration of sec. 4205 of the House bill, and sec. 2101 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Tom Davis of Virginia, Platts, and Waxman; Page H4136 From the Committee on Homeland Security, for consideration of secs. 1834, 6027, 7324, and 7325 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Cox, Daniel E. Lungren of California, and Thompson of Mississippi; Page H4136 From the Committee on the Judiciary, for consideration of secs. 1211, 1605, 1812, 1832, 2013, 2017, 4105, 4201, 4202, 4214, 7018-7020, and 7023 of the House bill, and secs. 1410, 1512, 1513, 6006, 6029, 7108, 7113, 7115, 7338, 7340, 7343, 7345, 7362, 7363, 7406, 7407, and 7413 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Sensenbrenner, Smith of Texas, and Conyers; Page H4136 From the Committee on Resources, for consideration of secs. 1119, 3021, 6002, and 6003 of the House bill, and secs. 1501, 1502, 1505, 1511, 1514, 1601, 1603, 6040, and 7501-7518 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Pombo, Walden of Oregon, and Kind; Page H4136 From the Committee on Rules, for consideration of secs. 8004 and 8005 of the House bill, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Dreier, Capito, and McGovern; Page H4136 From the Committee on Science, for consideration of secs. 2010, 3013, 3015, 3034, 3039, 3041, 4112, and Title V of the House bill, and Title II and secs. 6014, 6015, 6036, 7118, 7212, 7214, 7361, and 7370 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Ehlers, Reichert, and Gordon; Page H4136 From the Committee on Ways and Means, for consideration of Title X of the House bill, and Title V of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives Thomas, McCrery, and Rangel; and Page H4136 For consideration of the House bill and Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Majority Leader Mr. DeLay. Page H4136 Memorial Day District Work Period: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 167 providing for a conditional adjournment of the House and a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate. Page H4118 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourn today, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday, May 30, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H. Con. Res. 167 in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Page H4118 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, June 8. Page H4119 Resignation of Inspector General: Read a letter from Steven A. McNamara, in which he announced his resignation as Inspector General for the House of Representatives, effective May 30, 2005. Page H4119 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Thornberry, or if he is not available, Representative Gilchrest to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through June 7, 2005. Page H4136 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H4125. Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes developed during the proceedings today and appear on pages H4084, H4111-12, H4112-13, H4113-14, and H4117-18. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and at 6:23 p.m., pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 167 stands adjourned until noon on Monday, May 30, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in the H. Con. Res. 167, in which case the House shall stand adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7. Committee Meetings FEDERAL WORKERS COMPENSATION IMPROVEMENT; FEDERAL FIREFIGHTERS FAIRNESS ACT Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on the following measures: H.R. 2561, To amend the Federal Employees' Compensation Act to cover services provided to injured Federal workers by physician assistants and nurse practitioners; and H.R. 697, Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Representative Jo Ann Davis of Virginia; and public witnesses. CLEAR SKIES INITIATIVE Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held a hearing on the Administration's Clear Skies Initiative. Testimony was heard from James L. Connaughton, Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality; and Jeffrey R. Holmstead, Assistant Administrator, Air and Radiation, EPA. PANDEMIC FLU THREAT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``The Threat of and Planning for Pandemic Flu.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Bruce Gellin, Director, National Vaccine Program Office, Office of Public Health and Science; Julie Louise Gerberding, M.D., Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Marcia Crosse, Director, Health Care Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. DTV TRANSITION ACT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing on the DTV Transition Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Rick Chessen, Chair, DTV Task Force, FCC; Mark L. Goldstein, Director, Physical Infrastructure Team, GAO; Steve Souder, Director, 911 Emergency Communications Center, Montgomery County, State of Maryland; and public witnesses. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DETECTING CRIMES Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``The First Line of Defense: The Role of Financial Institutions in Detecting Financial Crimes.'' Testimony was heard from William J. Fox, Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Department of the Treasury; Michael Morehart, Director, Terrorist Financing Operations Section, FBI, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. DRUG TESTING IN AMERICAN SPORTS; POSTAL SERVICE FACILITY NAMING Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 2565, to reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy Act and to establish minimum drug testing standards for major professional sports leagues; and H.R. 2326, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 614 West Old County Road in Belhaven, North Carolina, as the ``Floyd Lupton Post Office.'' FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``Federal Student Loan Program: Are They Meeting the Needs of Students and Schools?'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Education: Theresa S. Shaw, Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid Office; and John P. Higgins, Jr., Inspector General; and public witnesses. TERRORIST ACTIVITIES--NUCLEAR BOMB BUILDING Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack also held a hearing entitled ``Building a Nuclear Bomb: Identifying Early Indicators of Terrorist Activities.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT; RESOLUTION REGARDING SREBRENICA MASSACRE Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations approved for full Committee action the following measures: H.R. 2601, amended, 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. U.S. AND NORTHEAST ASIA Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held a hearing on the United States and Northeast Asia. Testimony was heard from Christopher Hill, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State; and Richard P. Lawless, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Asian and Pacific Affairs, Bureau of International Security Affairs, Department of Defense. OVERSIGHT--USA PATRIOT ACT IMPLEMENTATION Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held an 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. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Chuck Rosenberg, Chief of Staff to Deputy Attorney General; and Matthew Berry, Counselor to the Assistant Attorney General; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held an oversight hearing on Public Access within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Testimony was heard from William Hartwig, Assistant Director, Refugees, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; William S. Dudley, Immediate Past Director of Naval History, Department of the Navy; and public witnesses. FREE TRADE--DOES CHINA ENACT BARRIERS Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology and the Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and Exports held a joint hearing on Does China Enact Barriers to Fair Trade? Testimony was heard from Steve Pinkos, Office of the Under Secretary and Director, U.S. Patent and Trade Office, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. TAX-EXEMPT HOSPITAL SECTOR Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Tax-Exempt Hospital Sector. Testimony was heard from Mark W. Everson, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury; David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; Mark McClellan, M.D., Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. SOCIAL SECURITY--PROTECTING AND STRENGTHENING Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security continued hearings on Protecting and Strengthening Social Security. Testimony was heard from Representatives Rangel, Shaw, Sam Johnson of Texas, Lewis of Kentucky, Brady of Texas, Ryan of Wisconsin, Weller, Kolbe, Boyd, Solis, Thompson of Mississippi, Conaway, Spratt, Gonzalez, Wasserman Schultz, Cleaver, Matsui, Jackson-Lee of Texas, and Fossella. BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a Briefing on Global Updates. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No Committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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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. _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 2 p.m., Monday, June 6 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Janice R. Brown, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 7 House Chamber Program for Tuesday, June 7: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E1112 Bean, Melissa L., Ill., E1123, E1127 Beauprez, Bob, Colo., E1104, E1105 Biggert, Judy, Ill., E1112 Blackburn, Marsha, Tenn., E1103, E1105, E1106 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E1120 Boehner, John A., Ohio, E1123, E1127, E1128, E1130, E1132 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1119 Cardin, Benjamin L., Md., E1115, E1129 Chandler, Ben, Ky., E1108 Chocola, Chris, Ind., E1112 Clay, Wm. Lacy, Mo., E1116 Cleaver, Emanuel, Mo., E1117 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1118 Cummings, Elijah E., Md., E1133 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E1133 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E1120 Dreier, David, Calif., E1129 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E1114 Engel, Eliot L., N.Y., E1132 Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E1115 Farr, Sam, Calif., E1104, E1106 Filner, Bob, Calif., E1103, E1104, E1106, E1107, E1108, E1109 Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E1122, E1126, E1128 Gillmor, Paul E., Ohio, E1116 Green, Gene, Tex., E1113 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E1127, E1127 Hooley, Darlene, Ore., E1109 Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E1130 Hulshof, Kenny C., Mo., E1110 Israel, Steve, N.Y., E1112 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1127, E1128 Jefferson, William J., La., E1117 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E1116 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1120, E1131 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E1133 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E1118 Levin, Sander M., Mich., E1119 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E1119 Lowey, Nita M., N.Y., E1120 Manzullo, Donald A., Ill., E1109 Mica, John L., Fla., E1134 Miller, George, Calif., E1114 Moore, Gwen, Wisc., E1114 Nadler, Jerrold, N.Y., E1107, E1134 Pallone, Frank, Jr., N.J., E1112 Payne, Donald M., N.J., E1116 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E1123, E1123, E1131 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1122, E1125 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E1119 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E1103, E1104, E1106, E1107, E1108, E1109, E1110 Rothman, Steven R., N.J., E1118 Salazar, John T., Colo., E1114 Sanchez, Linda T., Calif., E1113 Serrano, Jose E., N.Y., E1111 Shays, Christopher, Conn., E1135 Shimkus, John, Ill., E1110 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E1121, E1124 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E1111, E1115 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E1110 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E1108 Turner, Michael R., Ohio, E1112 Udall, Mark, Colo., E1103, E1105, E1106 Upton, Fred, Mich., E1130 Walden, Greg, Ore., E1129, E1130 Waxman, Henry A., Calif., E1110 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E1135 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E1115