Thursday, April 28, 2005 [[Page D419]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate and House agreed to the Conference Report to accompany H. Con. Res. 95, Budget Resolution. Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 29, Adjournment Resolution. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S4445-S4609 Measures Introduced: Forty-four bills and seven resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 933-976, S. Res. 128-132, and S. Con. Res. 29-30. Pages S4546-47 Measures Reported: Report to accompany S. 907, to amend chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, to improve the Nation's public transportation and for other purposes. (S. Rept. No. 109-62) S. 136, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide supplemental funding and other services that are necessary to assist certain local school districts in the State of California in providing education services for students attending schools located within Yosemite National Park, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to adjust the boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 109-63) S. 661, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the modernization of the United States Tax Court, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-64) Page S4545 Measures Passed: Commending Judge Annice M. Wagner: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 107, commending Annice M. Wagner, Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, for her public service, and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S4445-46 Public Service Recognition Week: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 108, expressing the sense of the Senate that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 2 through 8, 2005, and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S4446-47 Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents: Committee on Rules and Administration was discharged from further consideration of H.J. Res. 19, providing for the appointment of Shirley Ann Jackson as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S4447 Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents: Committee on Rules and Administration was discharged from further consideration of H.J. Res. 20, providing for the appointment of Robert P. Kogod as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S4447 Adjournment Resolution: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 29, providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate. Page S4479 Celebrating Young Americans: Senate agreed to S. Res. 128, designating April 30, 2005, as ``Dia de los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans''. Pages S4602-04 Commending Virginia Retail Merchants Association: Senate agreed to S. Res. 129, commending the Virginia Retail Merchants Association on 100 years of service to the community. Pages S4602-04 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 130, designating the week of May 1 through May 7, 2005, as ``North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH)''. Pages S4602-04 Commemorating Law Enforcement Officers: Senate agreed to S. Res. 131, commemorating and acknowledging the dedication and sacrifice made by the men and women who have lost their lives while serving as law enforceement officers. Pages S4602-04 [[Page D420]] National Better Hearing and Speech Month: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 121, supporting May 2005 as ``National Better Hearing and Speech Month'' and commending those States that have implemented routine hearing screenings for every newborn before the newborn leaves the hospital, and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S4604-05 National Hepatitis B Awareness Week: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 117, designating the week of May 9, 2005, as ``National Hepatitis B Awareness Week'', and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S4605 Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. 382, to amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting, and the bill was then passed. Pages S4605-06 Recognizing Big Brothers and Sisters: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 41, recognizing the second century of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and supporting the mission and goals of that organization. Page S4606 Terrorist Organizations List: Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 82, urging the European Union to add Hezbollah to the European Union's wide-ranging list of terrorist organizations, and the resolution was then agreed to, after agreeing to the following amendment to the preamble: Page S4606 Frist (for Allen) Amendment No. 596, to provide a substitute to the preamble. Page S4606 Intelsat Separated Entities: Senate passed S. 976, striking the specific privatization criteria in ORBIT for Intelsat Separated Entities (New Skies) and Inmarsat and Other Technical Corrections. Page S4607 Transportation Equity Act: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 3, to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and then began consideration of the bill, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S4452-63, S4465-75 Adopted: Thune Amendment No. 593 (to Amendment No. 567), to retain current levels of State authority over matters relating to preservation, historic, scenic natural environment, and community values. Pages S4465-68, S4475 Gregg (for Isakson) Amendment No. 594 (to Amendment No. 567), to require the Secretary of Transportation to approve a certain construction project in the State of Georgia, provide for the reservation of Federal funds for the project, and clarify that the project meets certain requirements. Pages S4475 Rejected: Bond Amendment No. 592 (to Amendment No. 567), to strike the highway stormwater discharge mitigation program. (By 51 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 113), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S4453-63, S4469-75 Withdrawn: Bayh Amendment No. 568 (to Amendment No. 567), to amend title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that the provisions relating to countervailing duties apply to nonmarket economy countries. Pages S4452 Pending: Inhofe Amendment No. 567, to provide a complete substitute. Pages S4452-63, S4465-75 Salazar Amendment No. 581 (to Amendment No. 567), to modify the percentage of apportioned funds that may be used to address needs relating to off-system bridges. Pages S4468-69 During consideration of this bill today, Senate also took the following action: By 98 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 112), Senate agreed to the motion to recess until 2 p.m. Page S4463 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at 2 p.m., on Monday, May 9, 2005. Page S4607 Concurrent Budget Resolution--Conference Report: By 52 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 114), Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany H. Con. Res. 95, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006, revising appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2005, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 through 2010, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S4481-S4527 Appointments: Task Force on Slave Laborers: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, pursuant to S. Con Res. 130 (106th Congress), appointed the following individual to the Task Force on Slave Laborers: Curtis H. Sykes of Arkansas, and notes Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas will serve as the designee of the Democratic Leader. Page S4600 U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, upon the recommendation of the Democratic Leader, pursuant to Public Law 105-292, as amended by Public Law 106-55, and as further amended by Public Law 107-228, appointed the following individual to the United States Commission [[Page D421]] on International Religious Freedom: Most Reverend Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B. of New Mexico for a term of two years (May 15, 2005-May 14, 2007). Page S4600 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 S4607 Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that during this adjournment of the Senate, the Majority Leader, Assistant Majority Leader, and Senator Warner, be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions. Page S4607 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: James C. Dever III, of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Robert J. Conrad, Jr., of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina. Pages S4477-79 Jonathan Brian Perlin, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs for a term of four years. William Cobey, of North Carolina, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for a term expiring May 30, 2010. Nancy Ann Nord, of the District of Columbia, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for the remainder of the term expiring October 26, 2005. Nancy Ann Nord, of the District of Columbia, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a term of seven years from October 27, 2005. Joseph H. Boardman, of New York, to be Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. Page S4600 Stephen L. Johnson, of Maryland, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. (Prior to this action, by 61 yeas to 37 nays (Vote No. 115), Senate agreed to the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination.) Pages S4528-29 Robert J. Portman, of Ohio, to be United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador. (Prior to this action, the pending vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination was vitiated.) Pages S4529-33 Phyllis F. Scheinberg, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation. Daniel Fried, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (European Affairs). (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration). 6 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 101 Army nominations in the rank of general. 3 Marine Corps nominations in the rank of general. 3 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps. Pages S4600-02, S4607-09 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Donald E. Booth, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia. Molly Hering Bordonaro, of Oregon, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Malta. Julie Finley, of the District of Columbia, to be U.S. Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, with the rank of Ambassador. Richard J. Griffin, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Diplomatic Security). Richard J. Griffin, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, and to have the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service. Joseph A. Mussomeli, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Richard L. Skinner, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security. Kevin F. Sullivan, of New York, to be Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach, Department of Education. Catherine Lucille Hanaway, of Missouri, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri for the term of four years. Dina Habib Powell, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Educational and Cultural Affairs). Page S4607 Messages From the House: Page S4543 Measures Referred: Page S4543 Measures Read First Time: Page S4543 Executive Communications: Pages S4543-45 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S4545-46 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S4547-49 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S4549-97 Additional Statements: Pages S4541-43 [[Page D422]] Amendments Submitted: Pages S4597-99 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S4599 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S4599-S4600 Privilege of the Floor: Page S4600 Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--115) Pages S4463, S4474-75, S4527, S4529 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and, pursuant to the provisions of S. Con. Res. 29, adjourned at 1:26 a.m. on Friday, April 29, 2005, until 2 p.m., on Monday, May 9, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S4607.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) BIOTERRORISM & PROJECT BIOSHIELD Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security concluded a hearing to examine bioterrorism and Project BioShield, which is a comprehensive effort to develop and make available modern, effective drugs and vaccines to protect against attack by biological and chemical weapons or other dangerous pathogens, after receiving testimony from Penrose Albright, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Science and Technology Directorate; Stewart Simonson, Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Public Health Emergency Preparedness; David Franz, Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, Missouri; Leighton Read, Alloy Ventures, Palo Alto, California; and John Clerici, McKenna Long and Aldridge, Washington, D.C. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded open and closed hearings to examine defense intelligence in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony from Stephen A. Cambone, Under Secretary for Intelligence, and Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby, USN, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, both of the Department of Defense. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported 741 nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. PARKS BILLS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks concluded a hearing to examine S. 242, to establish 4 memorials to the Space Shuttle Columbia in the State of Texas, S. 262, to authorize appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for the restoration of the Angel Island Immigration Station in the State of California, S. 336, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a study of the feasibility of designating the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Watertrail as a national historic trail, S. 670, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of sites associated with the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement, S. 777, to designate Catoctin Mountain Park in the State of Maryland as the ``Catoctin Mountain National Recreation Area'', and H.R. 126, to amend Public Law 89-366 to allow for an adjustment in the number of free roaming horses permitted in Cape Lookout National Seashore, after receiving testimony from Senator Sarbanes; Representative Walter B. Jones; Michael Soukup, Associate Director, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Felicia Lowe, Angel Island Immigration Station Board, San Francisco, California; and Patrick F. Noonan, The Conservation Fund, Arlington, Virginia. BUILDING ASSETS AMONG LOW-INCOME FAMILIES Committee on Finance: Subcommittee on Social Security and Family Policy held a hearing to examine building assets for low-income families, including the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED), using the private pension system and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA's), and increasing savings, receiving testimony from Michelle Simmons, Norristown, Pennsylvania, and Dorothy Beale, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, both of the Women's Opportunity Resource Center; Charles M. Palmer, Institute for Social and Economic Development, Des Moines, Iowa; Victoria Gonzalez-Rubio, Delmar-Harvard Elementary School, University City, Missouri; Ric Edelman, Edelman Financial Services, Inc., Fairfax, Virginia; Bernard M. Wilson, H&R Block, Kansas City, Missouri, on behalf of the Outreach and Business Development; Michael Sherraden, Washington University Center for Social Development, St. Louis, Missouri; Trina R. Williams Shanks, University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor; Fred T. Goldberg, Jr., Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, LLP, Ray Boshara, New America Foundation, David C. John, The Heritage Foundation, and J. Mark Iwry, The Brookings Institution, all of Washington, D.C. Hearing recessed subject to the call. DEFENSE MANAGEMENT Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government [[Page D423]] Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine Department of Defense business practices, focusing on fiscal trends that prompt questions about the affordability and sustainability of the rate of growth in defense spending, business management challenges that DOD needs to address to successfully transform its business operations, and key elements for achievements of reforms, after receiving testimony from David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office; Clay Johnson III, Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget; and Bradley M. Berkson, Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness. POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine access and accountability relating to providing quality post-secondary education, focusing on the Federal government's role in making post-secondary education financially available for Americans, after receiving testimony from Kati Haycock, Education Trust, Washington, D.C.; Brian Bosworth, FutureWorks, Arlington, Massachusetts; Robert M. Shireman, The Institute for College Access and Success, Inc., Berkeley, California; Phillip F. Van Horn, Wyoming Student Loan Corporation, and Western States Learning Corporation, Cheyenne; and Trinity Thorpe, Malibu, California. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee began 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 consideration thereon, and recessed subject to call. BORDER SECURITY Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship concluded a joint hearing with the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security to examine the use of technology to strengthen border security between the Ports of Entry, focusing on the operations and law enforcement initiatives of the Office of Border Patrol, after receiving testimony from David Aguilar, Chief, Office of Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Kirk Evans, Director, Mission Support Office, Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency, Science and Technology Directorate, both of the Department of Homeland Security. 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: 90 public bills, H.R. 1950-2039; 1 private bill, H.R. 2040; and 6 resolutions, H.J. Res 46; H. Con. Res. 141, and H. Res. 249-252, were introduced. Pages H2734-38 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2738-40 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Conference report on H. Con. Res. 95, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006, revising appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2005, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 through 2010 (H. Rept. 109-62); H. Res. 248, waiving points of order against the conference report to accompany H. Con. Res. 95, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006, revising appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2005, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 through 2010 (H. Rept. 109-63); H.R. 1036, to amend title 17, United States Code, to make technical corrections relating to copyright royalty judges (H. Rept. 109-64); H.R. 1544, to provide faster and smarter funding for first responders, amended (H. Rept. 109-65), and H.R. 22, to reform the postal laws of the United States, amended (H. Rept. 109-66, Pt. I). Pages H2260-92, H2734 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Dr. Ivan N. Raley, Pastor, First Baptist Church in Byrdstown, Tennessee. Page H2651 Journal: Agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a yea-and- nay vote of 345 yeas to 75 nays, with one voting ``present'', Roll No. 148. Pages H2651, H2701 [[Page D424]] Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2006--Conference Report: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 95, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006, revising appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2005, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 through 2010, by a yea-and-nay vote of 214 yeas to 211 nays, Roll No. 149. Pages H2703-16 Agreed to H. Res. 242, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of Rule XIII with respect to the same day consideration of certain resolutions reported by the Rules Committee, by a yea-and-nay vote of 230 yeas to 199 nays, Roll No. 146. Pages H2653-59 Agreed to H. Res. 248, the rule providing for consideration of the conference report, by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 228 yeas to 196 nays, Roll No. 147. Pages H2693-H2702 Recess: The House recessed at 11:33 a.m. and reconvened at 2:46 p.m. Page H2659 Recess: The House recessed at 2:47 p.m. and reconvened at 4:51 p.m. Page H2692 Privileged Resolution: Representative Conyers announced his intention to offer a privileged resolution raising a question of the privileges of the House. Pages H2702-03 Suspension: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated yesterday, April 27: Supporting the goals of World Intellectual Property Day: H. Res. 210, supporting the goals of World Intellectual Property Day and recognizing the importance of intellectual property in the United States and worldwide, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 315 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 150. Pages H2717-18 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 2, and further that when the House adjourn on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3 for Morning Hour debate. Page H2720 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, May 4. Page H2720 Senate District Work Period: The House agreed to S. Con. Res. 29, providing for a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate. Page H2720 Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel--Appointment: Read a letter from the Minority Leader wherein she appointed Ms. Loretta Goff of New York to the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel. Page H2720 House Page Board--Appointment: Read a letter from the Minority Leader wherein she appointed Representative Kildee to the House of Representatives Page Board. Page H2720 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H2718. Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings today and appear on pages H2659, H2701, H2702, H2717, and H2717-18. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:05 p.m. Committee Meetings DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies continue appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. RETIREE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer- Employee Relations held a hearing on Challenges to Employer Efforts to Preserve Retiree Health Care Benefits. Testimony was heard from Leslie Silverman, Commissioner, EEOC; and public witnesses. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-CENTRAL AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing on Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Testimony was heard from Regina L. Vargo, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Americas; and public witnesses. COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Combating Trafficking in Persons: Status Report on Domestic and International Developments.'' Testimony was heard from John Miller, Director, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Department of State; and public witnesses. [[Page D425]] RE-EXAMINATION--FEDERAL AGENCIES' CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS PLANS Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``Who's Watching the COOP? A Re-Examination of Federal Agencies' Continuity of Operations Plans.'' Testimony was heard from Reynold N. Hoover, Director, Office of National Security Coordination, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security; Marta Brito Perez, Associate Director, OPM; Linda Koontz, Director, Information Management, GAO; and public witnesses. NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a hearing entitled ``The Role of Nuclear Power Generation in a Comprehensive National Energy Policy.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. NORTH KOREAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACT Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations held a joint hearing on The North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004: Issues and Implementation. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Joseph E. DeTrani, Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks; Arthur E. Dewey, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; and Gretchen A. Birkle, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; and public witnesses. NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION TREATY REVIEW CONFERENCE Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation held a hearing on Previewing the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference. Testimony was heard from Stephen G. Rademaker, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Arms Control, Department of State; and public witnesses. U.N. OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on The Role of BNP-Paribas SA (Banque National de Paris) in the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program, Testimony was heard from public witnesses. PATENT QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property continued oversight hearings entitled ``Committee Print Regarding Patent Quality Improvement,'' (Part 2). Testimony was heard from Jon W. Dudas, Under Secretary, Intellectual Property and Director, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--USA PATRIOT ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act: Sections of the Act that Address Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) (Part 2)--Section 206: Roving Surveillance Authority Under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978; and Section 215: Access to Records and Other Items Under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Testimony was heard from James A. Baker, Counsel, Intelligence Policy, Department of Justice; Kenneth L. Wainstein, Interim U.S. Attorney, District of Columbia; Robert S. Khuzami, former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York; and a public witness. 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 218, Foreign Intelligence Information (``The Wall''). Testimony was heard from Patrick Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Illinois, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--AMERICA'S MINING INDUSTRY Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing entitled ``Improving the Competitiveness of America's Mining Industry.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. CONFERENCE REPORT--CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order against the conference report on H. Con. Res. 95, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006, revising appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2005, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 through 2010, and against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference report shall be considered as read. The rule provides one hour of debate in the House equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget. Section 2 of the resolution establishes a separate order for the 109th Congress creating a point of order in the Committee of the Whole against a motion to rise and report a general appropriations bill if the bill, [[Page D426]] as amended, is found in breach of its 302(b) allocation. Testimony was heard from Chairman Nussle. NASA EARTH SCIENCE Committee on Science: Held a hearing on NASA Earth Science. Testimony was heard from Alphonso V. Diaz, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA; and public witnesses. REDUCE UNNECESSARY REGULATORY BURDEN ON MANUFACTURERS Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight held a hearing on the Administration's Program To Reduce Unnecessary Regulatory Burden on Manufacturers--A Promise To Be Kept? Testimony was heard from John D. Graham, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy, SBA; Stephanie Daigle, Acting Associate Administrator, Policy, Economics, and Innovation, EPA; Veronica Vargas Stidvent, Assistant Secretary, Policy, Department of Labor; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--NEW TECHNOLOGIES--RAIL SAFETY AND SECURITY Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held an oversight hearing on New Technologies for Rail Safety and Security. Testimony was heard from Jo Strang, Deputy Associate Administrator, Railroad Development, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation; Bob Chipkevich, Director, Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Investigation Department, National Transportation Safety Board; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE ACTIVITY UPDATE; BRIEFING ON GLOBAL UPDATES Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a Briefing on Oversight Subcommittee Activity Update. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. The Committee also met in executive session to receive a Briefing on Global Updates. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings MEDICAL LIABILITY REFORM Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine medical liability reform, after receiving testimony from Mark B. McClellan, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services. CONCURRENT BUDGET RESOLUTION Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H. Con. Res. 95, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006, revising appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2005, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 through 2010. SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT Conferees met to resolve the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 1268, making emergency supplemental appropriations for defense, the global war on terror, and tsunami relief, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D389) S. 167, to provide for the protection of intellectual property rights. Signed on April 27, 2005. (Public Law 109-9) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of May 2 through May 7, 2005 Senate Chamber Senate will be in recess. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) No meetings/hearings scheduled. House Committees Committee on Agriculture, May 4, Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, hearing to Review the Federal Crop Insurance Program, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, May 3, full Committee, on the Architect of the Capitol, 1 p.m., 2359 Rayburn. [[Page D427]] May 4, Subcommittee on Science, The Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies, on public witnesses, 2 p.m., H- 309 Capitol. May 4, Subcommittee on the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies, on FTA, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, May 5, hearing on the status of Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Armoring Initiatives and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Jammer Initiatives in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 9 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and the Workforce, May 5, Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness, hearing entitled ``College Credit Mobility: Can Transfer Credit Policies be Improved?'' 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, May 4, hearing entitled ``Assessing Data Security: Preventing Breaches and Protecting Sensitive Information,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. May 4, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and the Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation of the Committee on International Relations, joint hearing entitled ``Starving Terrorists of Money: The Role of Middle Eastern Financial Institutions,'' 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, May 3, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, hearing entitled ``Authorizing the President's Vision: Making Permanent The Faith- Based and Community Initiative--H.R. 1054, Tools for Community Initiatives Act,'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. May 4, Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability, hearing entitled ``Financial Management Challenges at the Department of Justice,'' 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. May 5, full Committee, to consider pending business; followed by a hearing entitled ``Risk and Responsibility: The Roles of FDA and Pharmaceutical Companies in Ensuring the Safety of Approved Drugs, Like Vioxx,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on International Relations, May 4, Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia, hearing on 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act Oversight, Part 1--Oppressors vs. Reformers in the Middle East and Central Asia, 3 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. May 5, full Committee, hearing on Promoting Democracy through Diplomacy, 9:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, May 3, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and the Committee on Homeland Security, oversight hearing on the Implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act: Sections 201, 202, 223 of the Act that Address Criminal Wiretaps, and Section 213 of the Act that Addresses Delayed Notice, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. May 4, Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims, oversight hearing New Jobs in Recession and Recovery: Who are Getting Them and Who are Not? 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. May 5, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and the Committee on Homeland Security, oversight hearing on the Implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act: Section 212--Emergency Disclosure of Electronic Communications to Life and Limb, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. May 5, Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims, oversight hearing on the New Dual Missions of the Immigration Enforcement Agencies, 2:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, May 4, Subcommittee on National Parks, oversight hearing on Personal Watercraft use in the National Park System, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth. May 4, Subcommittee on Water and Power, oversight hearing entitled ``Stabilizing Rural Electricity Service Through Common Sense Application of the Endangered Species Act,'' 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Small Business, May 4, hearing entitled ``Anticompetitive Threats from Public Utilities: Are Small Businesses Losing Out?'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, May 4, Subcommittee on Aviation, oversight hearing entitled ``Financial Condition of the Aviation Trust Fund: Are Reforms Needed?'' 10 a.m., 2167 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. 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Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D428]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 2 p.m., Monday, May 9 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Program was unavailable at the time of this publication. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Monday, May 2 House Chamber Program for Monday: The House will meet at 2 p.m. in pro forma session. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E828 Biggert, Judy, Ill., E831 Blackburn, Marsha, Tenn., E815 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E818 Brown, Corrine, Fla., E828 Cardin, Benjamin L., Md., E831 Castle, Michael N., Del., E821, E824 Costa, Jim, Calif., E817 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E818, E821, E822, E823, E824, E826, E828, E829, E831, E832 Cummings, Elijah E., Md., E830 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E816 Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E824 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E818 Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E833 Gordon, Bart, Tenn., E816 Hall, Ralph M., Tex., E827 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E813 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E819, E822, E836 Hoekstra, Peter, Mich., E826 Hooley, Darlene, Ore., E816 Hyde, Henry J., Ill., E830 Israel, Steve, N.Y., E815 Kelly, Sue W., N.Y., E813 Kennedy, Mark R., Minn., E821, E824 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E827 Langevin, James R., R.I., E824 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E819, E823 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E815 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E817 Lowey, Nita M., N.Y., E832 McCaul, Michael T., Tex., E813 McGovern, James P., Mass., E828 McKinney, Cynthia A., Ga., E834 Miller, George, Calif., E814 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E818, E822, E826 Myrick, Sue Wilkins, N.C., E826 Ney, Robert W., Ohio, E817 Owens, Major R., N.Y., E820, E823 Paul, Ron, Tex., E816 Pence, Mike, Ind., E816 Pickering, Charles W. ``Chip'', Miss., E834, E835, E836 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E833 Reichert, David G., Wash., E817 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E821, E821 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E829 Serrano, Jose E., N.Y., E817 Shuster, Bill, Pa., E831 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E814 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E829 Strickland, Ted, Ohio, E833 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E814 Tierney, John F., Mass., E832 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E818 Udall, Mark, Colo., E835 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E832 Weiner, Anthony D., N.Y., E813 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E814 Wicker, Roger F., Miss., E828 Young, Don, Alaska, E825