Tuesday, May 6, 2008 [[Page D549]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3751-S3838 Measures Introduced: Nine bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2976-2984, S. Res. 551-553, and S. Con. Res. 79. Page S3790 Measures Passed: House of Representatives Salary Schedule: Committee on Rules and Administration was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5493, to provide that the usual day for paying salaries in or under the House of Representatives may be established by regulations of the Committee on House Administration, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S3836-37 Reid/McConnell Amendment No. 4712, to propose a technical amendment relating to Senate pay periods. Page S3837 State of Minnesota 150th Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. Res. 552, recognizing the 150th anniversary of the State of Minnesota. Page S3837 Charles County, Maryland 350th Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. Res. 553, congratulating Charles County, Maryland, on the occasion of its 350th anniversary. Pages S3837-38 Measures Considered: FAA Reauthorization Act: Senate resumed consideration of H.R. 2881, to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2008 through 2011, to improve aviation safety and capacity, to provide stable funding for the national aviation system, and taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3761-77 Pending: Rockefeller Amendment No. 4627, in the nature of a substitute. Page S3761 Reid Amendment No. 4628 (to Amendment No. 4627), to change the enactment date. Page S3761 Reid Amendment No. 4629 (to Amendment No. 4628), of a perfecting nature. Page S3761 Reid Amendment No. 4630 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 4627), to change the enactment date. Page S3761 Reid Amendment No. 4631 (to Amendment No. 4630), of a perfecting nature. Page S3761 Motion to commit the bill to the Committee on Finance, with instructions to report back forthwith, with Reid Amendment No. 4636, to change the enactment date. Page S3761 Reid Amendment No. 4637 (to Amendment No. 4636), of a perfecting nature. Page S3761 Rockefeller Amendment No. 4642 (to Amendment No. 4637), of a perfecting nature. Page S3761 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 49 yeas to 42 nays (Vote No. 115), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on Rockefeller Amendment No. 4627 (listed above). Page S3777 Senator Reid entered a motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on Rockefeller Amendment No. 4627. Page S3777 Subsequently, the motion to invoke cloture on the bill was withdrawn. Page S3777 Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act: Senate resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2284, to amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, to restore the financial solvency of the flood insurance fund. Pages S3779-84 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 90 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 116), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Page S3779 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, and that all time during the adjournment, recess, or period of morning business count against cloture. Page S3838 [[Page D550]] Removal of Injunction of Secrecy: The injunction of secrecy was removed from the following treaty: Tax Convention with Iceland (Treaty Doc. No. 110-17). The treaty was transmitted to the Senate today, considered as having been read for the first time, and referred, with accompanying papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed. Page S3838 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Troy A. Paredes, of Missouri, to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission for a term expiring June 5, 2013. Cynthia L. Bauerly, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission for a term expiring April 30, 2011. Caroline C. Hunter, of Florida, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission for a term expiring April 30, 2013. Donald F. McGahn, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission for a term expiring April 30, 2009. Page S3838 Nominations Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nominations: Robert J. Battista, of Michigan, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2009, which was sent to the Senate on January 25, 2008. David M. Mason, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission for a term expiring April 30, 2009, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007. Robert D. Lenhard, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission for a term expiring April 30, 2011, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007. Page S3838 Messages from the House: Pages S3788-89 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Pages S3751, S3789 Executive Communications: Pages S3789-90 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3790-93 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3793-S3803 Additional Statements: Pages S3786-88 Amendments Submitted: Pages S3803-36 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S3836 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S3836 Privileges of the Floor: Page S3836 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--116) Pages S3777, S3779 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:12 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3838.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard concluded an oversight hearing to examine the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including H.R. 1187, to expand the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and S. 2281, to expand the boundaries of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, after receiving testimony from Senator Levin; Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.), Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Administrator, National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration; Jefferson Gray, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, Alpena, Michigan; Susan L. Williams, University of California-Davis, Bodega Bay; and Kathy Fosmark, Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries, Monterey, California. PERCHLORATE AND TCE IN WATER Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine perchlorate and trichloroethylene (TCE) in water, including S. 24, to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require a health advisory and monitoring of drinking water for perchlorate, after receiving testimony from Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water, Environmental Protection Agency; George V. Alexeeff, California Environmental Protection Agency Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Sacramento; Michael G. Baker, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Division of Drinking and Ground Waters, Columbus, on behalf of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators; Carol Rowan West, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Office of Research and Standards, Boston; New York State Representative Donna A. Lupardo, Albany; Gail Charnley, HealthRisk Strategies, and Richard Wiles, Environmental Working Group, both of Washington, D.C.; and David G. Hoel, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. [[Page D551]] HEALTH CARE REFORM Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine seizing the new opportunity for health care reform, after receiving testimony from Donna E. Shalala, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, and Tommy G. Thompson, Logistics Health, Inc., Washington, D.C., both former Secretaries of Health and Human Services. INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON HOLOCAUST ERA INSURANCE CLAIMS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC), after receiving testimony from Anna B. Rubin, New York State Banking Department Holocaust Claims Processing Office, Roman Kent, American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Their Descendants, and Thane Rosenbaum, Fordham Law School, all of New York, New York; Jack Rubin, Holocaust Survivors of West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Florida; Lawrence S. Eagleburger, former Secretary of State and former Chairman, International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims, Charlottesville,Virginia; Stuart E. Eizenstat, Covington and Burling LLP, former Special Representative of the President and Secretary of State on Holocaust Issues, Washington, D.C.; and Samuel J. Dubbin, Dubbin and Kravetz, LLP, Miami, Florida. FORECLOSURE CRISIS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts concluded a hearing to examine policing lenders and protecting homeowners, focusing on the current housing foreclosure crisis, after receiving testimony from Clifford J. White, III, Director, Executive Office for United States Trustees, Department of Justice; Steve Bailey, Countrywide Financial Corporation, Simi Valley, California; Debra Miller, Standing Chapter 13 Trustee, South Bend, Indiana; Katherine Porter, University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City; and Robin Atchley, Ballground, Georgia. NOMINATION Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Michael E. Leiter, of the District of Columbia, to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, after the nominee, who was introduced by former Senator Robb, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 12 public bills, H.R. 5970- 5981; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 342; and H. Res. 1176-1177, were introduced. Page H3108 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H3108-09 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H. Res. 1174, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5818) to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make loans to States to acquire foreclosed housing and to make grants to States for related costs (H. Rept. 110-621) and H. Res. 1175, providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 3221) moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, and modernizing our energy infrastructure, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation (H. Rept. 110- 622). Page H3108 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Pastor to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H3053 Recess: The House recessed at 10:58 a.m. and reconvened at noon. Page H3056 Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a recorded vote of 220 ayes to 182 noes, with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 246. Page H3061 Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Walsh (NY) motion to adjourn by a yea- and-nay vote of 152 yeas to 255 nays, Roll No. 245. Pages H3060-61 Oath of Office--Sixth Congressional District of Louisiana: Representative-elect Don Cazayoux presented himself in the well of the House and was administered the Oath of Office by the Speaker. Earlier, the Clerk of the House transmitted a facsimile copy of a letter from the Honorable Jay Dardenne, [[Page D552]] Secretary of State for the State of Louisiana, indicating that, according to the unofficial returns of the Special Election held on May 3, 2008, the Honorable Don Cazayoux was elected Representative to Congress for the Sixth Congressional District, State of Louisiana. Pages H3062, H3106 Whole Number of the House: The Speaker announced to the House that, in light of the administration of the oath to the gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. Don Cazayoux, the whole number of the House is adjusted to 433. Page H3062 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007--Motion to Instruct Conferees: Rejected the Ryan (WI) motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, by a yea-and-nay vote of 172 yeas to 241 nays, Roll No. 247. Consideration of the motion began on Thursday, May 1st. Pages H3062-64 Subsequently, the House agreed to the Hastings (FL) motion to table the Walsh (NY) motion to reconsider the vote by a recorded vote of 203 ayes to 176 noes, Roll No. 248. Pages H3063-64 Intent to Offer Motion to Instruct Conferees: Representative Cantor gave notice of his intent to offer a motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2419, Food and Energy Security Act of 2007. Page H3064 Suspensions: The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed: Recognizing National Nurses Week on May 6 through May 12, 2008: H. Res. 1086, to recognize National Nurses Week on May 6 through May 12, 2008; Pages H3064-67 Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008: H.R. 4279, amended, to enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws; Pages H3067-78 Exempting the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization for certain acts or events, provide relief for certain members of the African National Congress regarding admissibility: H.R. 5690, amended, to exempt the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization for certain acts or events and to provide relief for certain members of the African National Congress regarding admissibility; Pages H3078-83 Amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for compensation to States incarcerating undocumented aliens charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors: H.R. 1512, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for compensation to States incarcerating undocumented aliens charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors; Pages H3083-85 Facilitating the preservation of certain affordable housing dwelling units: H.R. 5937, to facilitate the preservation of certain affordable housing dwelling units; and Pages H3093-96 Coin Modernization and Taxpayer Savings Act of 2008: H.R. 5512, amended, to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe the weights and the compositions of circulating coins. Pages H3096-99 Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures which were debated on Monday, May 5th: Amending the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel to United States territories for members of the Foreign Service: H.R. 3658, to amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel to United States territories for members of the Foreign Service, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 416 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 249; Pages H3085-86 The House further agreed to the Hastings (FL) motion to table the Rogers (KY) motion to reconsider the vote, by a recorded vote of 226 ayes to 190 noes, Roll No. 250. Page H3086 Condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic constitution and scheduled referendum: H. Con. Res. 317, amended, to condemn the Burmese regime's undemocratic constitution and scheduled referendum, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 413 ayes to 1 no, Roll No. 251; Pages H3087-88 The House further agreed to the Hastings (FL) motion to table the Rogers (KY) motion to reconsider the vote, by a recorded vote of 225 ayes to 190 noes, Roll No. 252. Pages H3087-88 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic draft constitution and scheduled referendum.''. Page H3087 Agreed that in the engrossment of the amendment to the title of H. Con. Res. 317, the Clerk be authorized to correct any error in spelling. Page H3087 Honoring the memory of Dith Pran by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around the globe: H. Res. 1109, amended, to honor the memory of Dith Pran by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around the globe, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 413 ayes to 1 no, Roll No. 253; Pages H3088-89 [[Page D553]] The House further agreed to the Hastings (FL) motion to table the Rogers (KY) motion to reconsider the vote, by a recorded vote of 225 ayes to 186 noes, Roll No. 254. Page H3089 Temporarily extending the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965: S. 2929, amended, to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 408 ayes with none voting ``no'', Roll No. 256; Pages H3090-91 The House further agreed to the Hastings (FL) motion to table the Emerson motion to reconsider the vote, by a recorded vote of 223 ayes to 189 noes, Roll No. 257. Page H3091 Congratulating charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education: H. Res. 1168, amended, to congratulate charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 391 ayes to 2 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 263; and Pages H3100-01 The House further agreed to the Hastings (FL) motion to table the Carter motion to reconsider the vote, by a recorded vote of 215 ayes to 182 noes, Roll No. 264. Pages H3100-01 Honoring the recipients of the El Dorado Promise scholarship: H. Res. 1155, amended, to honor the recipients of the El Dorado Promise scholarship, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 390 ayes to 1 no, Roll No. 265. Pages H3101-02 The House further agreed to the Hastings (FL) motion to table the Tiahrt motion to reconsider the vote, by a recorded vote of 216 ayes to 180 noes, Roll No. 266. Page H3102 Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Simpson motion to adjourn by a recorded vote of 145 ayes to 271 noes, Roll No. 255. Pages H3089-90 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007--Motion to Instruct Conferees: Rejected the Kind motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, by a yea-and-nay vote of 140 yeas to 274 nays, Roll No. 258. Consideration of the motion began on Thursday, May 1st. Pages H3091-92 Subsequently, the House agreed to the Hastings (FL) motion to table the Latham motion to reconsider the vote by a recorded vote of 221 ayes to 192 noes, Roll No. 259. Pages H3092-93 Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Simpson motion to adjourn by a recorded vote of 149 ayes to 251 noes, Roll No. 260. Page H3093 Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Culberson motion to adjourn by a recorded vote of 138 ayes to 248 noes, Roll No. 261. Page H3096 Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Carter motion to adjourn by a yea-and- nay vote of 149 yeas to 236 nays, Roll No. 262. Pages H3099-S3100 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House began consideration of the Flake motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012. Further proceedings were postponed. Pages H3102-06 Motion to Adjourn: Agreed to the Pomeroy motion to adjourn by voice vote. Page H3106 Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes and seventeen recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H3060-61, H3061, H3063, H3063-64, H3085-86, H3086, H3087, H3087-88, H3088-89, H3089, H3089-90, H3090-91, H3091, H3091-92, H3092-93, H3093, H3096, H3099, H3100, H3100-01, H3101-02 and H3102. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 8:08 p.m. Committee Meetings FEDERAL U.S. WORKER RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on Do Federal Programs Ensure U.S. Workers Are Recruited First Before Employers Hire From Abroad? Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Labor: Leon T. Sequeira, Assistant Secretary, Policy; and Williams L. Carlson, Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, Employment and Training Administration; and public witnesses. RENEWABLE FUELS STANDARD Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held a hearing entitled ``The Renewable Fuels Standard: Issues Implementation, and Opportunities.'' Testimony was heard from Representative Herseth Sandlin; Robert J. Meyers, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office for Air and Radiation, EPA; and public witnesses. INTERNET FREEDOM PRESERVATION ACT OF 2008 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing on H.R. 5353, Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. [[Page D554]] HIGHER EDUCATION IN AFRICA Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a hearing on Higher Education in Africa: Making the Link between Intellectual Capital and Regional Development. Testimony was heard from Franklin Moore, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of State; and public witnesses. GUANTANAMO BAY AND AMERICA'S IMAGE Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight held a hearing on the City on the Hill or Prison on the Bay? The Mistakes of Guantanamo and the Decline of America's Image. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. BROADENING HOMELAND SECURITY STRATEGY Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``The Resilient Homeland--Broadening the Homeland Security Strategy.'' Testimony was heard from Stewart A. Baker, Assistant Secretary, Policy, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. RULEMAKING PROCESS/UNITARY EXECUTIVE THEORY Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held a hearing on Rulemaking Process and the Unitary Executive Theory. Testimony was heard from Susan E. Dudley, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; Curtis W. Copeland, Specialist in American National Government, CRS, Library of Congress; and public witnesses. AUTHORIZING SUBPOENA Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties approved a resolution authorizing the Chairman of the Committee to issue a subpoena to David Addington to appear before a hearing relating to the Committee's investigation concerning Bush Administration attorneys and interrogation rules and practices and related matters. EXECUTIVE BRANCH'S INTERROGATION WAR POWERS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties held a hearing on From the Department of Justice to Guantanamo Bay: Administration Lawyers and Administration Interrogation Rules, Part I. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security began markup of the following bills: H.R. 5464, A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center Act; H.R. 2352, School Safety Enhancements Act of 2007; H.R. 3480, Let Our Veterans Rest In Peace Act of 2007; S. 2135, Child Soldiers Accountability Act of 2007; H.R. 5938, Former Vice President Protection Act of 2008; H.R. 5057, Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008; H.R. 1783, Elder Justice Act; H.R. 5352, Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2008, 3 p.m., 2237 Rayburn. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Federal Prison Industries-- Examining the Effects of Section 827 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from Harley G. Lappin, Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. SENATE AMENDMENTS--AMERICAN HOUSING RESCUE AND FORECLOSURE PREVENTION ACT OF 2008 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a record vote of 9-4, a rule providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008. The rule makes in order a motion by the Chairman of the Committee on Financial Services to concur in the Senate amendment to the text with each of the three House amendments printed in the Rules Committee report. The rule waives all points of order against the motion except for clause 10 of rule XXI and provides that the Senate amendments and the motion shall be considered as read. The rule provides three hours of debate on the motion, with two hours equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services and one hour equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule also provides that the Chair shall divide the question of adoption of the motion between the three House amendments. The rule provides that upon adoption of the motion, a motion that the House concur in the Senate amendment to the title shall be considered as adopted. Finally, the rule provides that the Chair may postpone further consideration as adopted. Finally, the rule provides that the Chair may postpone further consideration of the motion to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard by Chairman Frank of Massachusetts, Representatives Neal, Bachus, and Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida. [[Page D555]] NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION ACT OF 2008 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a record vote of 9-4, a structured rule. The rule provides one hour of general debate on H.R. 5818, Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute except for clause 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report. The amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against the amendments except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are waived. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule further provides that after a motion that the Committee rise has been rejected on a legislative day, the Chair may entertain another such motion on that day only if offered by the chairman of the Committee on Financial Services or the Majority Leader or a designee and provides that after a motion to strike out the enacting words of the bill (as described in clause 9 of rule XVIII) has been rejected, the Chair may not entertain another such motion during further consideration of the bill. Finally, the rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard by Chairman Frank of Massachusetts, Representatives Capito, and McCotter. WATER MEASURES Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 3957, Water Use Efficiency and Conservation Research Act; and H.R. 2339, amended, Produced Water Utilization Act of 2007. AIRCRAFT EMISSIONS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on Aviation and the Environment: Emissions. Testimony was heard from David W. Fahey, Research Physicist, NOAA; Daniel K. Elwell, Assistant Administrator, Aviation Policy, Planning, and Environment, FAA, Department of Transportation; Gerald Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO. The Subcommittee also held a briefing on this subject. The Subcommittee was briefed by Ambassador John Bruton, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States of America. TRUCKING INDUSTRY--RISING FUEL COSTS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing on Rising Fuel Costs in the Trucking Industry. Testimony was heard from Suzanne TeBeau, Chief Counsel, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses. VETERANS' SUICIDES Committee on Veterans Affairs: Held a hearing on the Truth about Veterans' Suicides. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: James B. Peake, M.D., Secretary; and Michael Shepherd, M.D., Office of Healthcare Inspections, Office of the Inspector General; and public witnesses. MEDICARE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PAYMENTS Committee on Ways and Means:. Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medicare's DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program. Testimony was heard from Kerry Weems, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Kathleen M. King, Director, Health Care, GAO; and public witnesses. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY EQUIPMENT VERIFICATION SYSTEMS Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on Employment Eligibility Verification Systems. Testimony was heard from Representatives Calvert, Moore of Kansas, Giffords and Shuler; Richard Stana, Director of Homeland Security and Justice, GAO; and public witnesses. [[Page D556]] BRIEFING--OVERHEAD Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Overhead. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Commission concluded a hearing to examine oil and food prices relative to the link between energy and environmental security, focusing on the role that environmental technologies can play in increasing energy security while combating climate change by reducing demand on hydrocarbon resources, after receiving testimony from Richard Bradley, International Energy Agency, Paris, France; Jonathan Pershing, World Resources Institute, and Jetta Wong, Environmental and Energy Study Institute, both of Washington, D.C.; Justin M. Lee, Nexsun Energy, Inc., Los Angeles, California; and Alex Marker, SCHOTT North America, Duryea, Pennsylvania. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D540) H.R. 4286, to award a congressional gold medal to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her courageous and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and democracy in Burma. Signed on May 6, 2008. (Public Law 110-209). COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Labor, 9:45 a.m., SD-124. Subcommittee on Defense, to hold closed hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the United States intelligence community, 10:30 a.m., S-407, Capitol. Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission, 3 p.m., SD-192. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment, to hold hearings to examine United States credit markets, focusing on the regulation of investment banks by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine reauthorization of vision for space exploration, 9:30 a.m., SR-253. Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, to hold hearings to examine the state of the airline industry, focusing on the impact of the Delta/Northwest airlines merger, 2:30 p.m., SR- 253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: business meeting to consider the nominations of Jeffrey F. Kupfer, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of Energy, and Kameran L. Onley, of Washington, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior, and other pending legislation, 9:45 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight, and Children's Health Protection, to hold an oversight hearing to examine science and environmental regulatory decisions, 9:30 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, of New Jersey, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Gillian Arlette Milovanovic, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Mali, Donald Gene Teitelbaum, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, Linda Thomas- Greenfield, of Louisiana, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia, Peter William Bodde, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, Donald E. Booth, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Zambia, Marianne Matuzic Myles, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Cape Verde, and Stephen James Nolan, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana, and Patricia McMahon Hawkins, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Togolese Republic, all of the Department of State, 9:30 a.m., SD- 419. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine international Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (the ``Convention''), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on April 13, 2005, and signed on behalf of the United States of America on September 14, 2005 (Treaty Doc.110-04), amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (the ``Amendment''). A conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, adopted on October 28, 1979, adopted the Amendment on July 8, 2005, at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna (Treaty Doc.110-06), and protocol of 2005 to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (the ``2005 SUA Protocol'') and the Protocol of 2005 to the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf (the ``2005 Fixed Platforms Protocol'') (together, ``the Protocols''), adopted by the International Maritime [[Page D557]] Organization Diplomatic Conference in London on October 14, 2005, and signed by the United States of America on February 17, 2006 (Treaty Doc.110-08), 2:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine fuel subsidies relating to food supply and prices, 10 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Helene N. White, and Raymond M. Kethledge, both of Michigan, both to be United States Circuit Judges for the Sixth Circuit, and Stephen Joseph Murphy III, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, 10 a.m., SD-226. Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, to hold hearings to examine concentration in agriculture, focusing on an examination of the JBS Swift Group acquisitions, 2:30 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine pending benefits legislation, 9:30 a.m., SD-106. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, to continue appropriation hearings with public witnesses, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, to mark up H.R. 5658, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, 10:30 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Personnel, to mark up H.R. 5658, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, 11:30 a.m., 2212 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, to mark up H.R. 5658, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, 1 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 1343. Health Centers Renewal Act of 2007; H.R. 5669, Poison Center Support, Enhancement, and Awareness Act of 2008; and H.R. 1553, Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007, 11 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on U.S. Foreign Policy in Pakistan: Implications for Regional Security, Stability and Development, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, hearing entitled ``Assessing the Resiliency of the Nation's Supply Chain,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure Protection to continue mark up of the following measures: H.R. 4179, Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely Redress Act of 2007; H.R. 4749, National Bombing Prevention Act of 2008; H.R. 5909, To amend the Aviation and Transportation Security Act to prohibit advance notice to certain individuals, including security screeners, of covert testing of security screening procedures for the purpose of enhancing transportation security at airports, and for other purposes; and H. Res. 1150, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Transportation Security Administration should, in accordance with the congressional mandate provided for in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, enhance security against terrorist attack and other security threats to our Nation's rail and mass transit lines, 10:15 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, to mark up the following: H.R. 5803, To direct the Federal Assistance Commission to establish a program to make grants to participating States and units of local government which will administer the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2008 for carrying out a program to make backup paper ballots available in the case of the failure of a voting system or voting equipment in the election of some other emergency situation, and for other purposes; H.R. 5893, Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2008; and the United States Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act of 2008, 11 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on the Judiciary, Task Force on Competition Policy and Antitrust Laws, hearing on Retail Gas, Part 1 Prices: Consumer Effects, 11 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, to mark up H.R. 5889, Orphan Works Act of 2008, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, to markup H.R. 3094, National Park Centennial Fund Act, 11 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to continue hearings on the Lack of Hospital Emergency Surge Capacity: Will the Administration's Medicaid Regulations Make It Worse? 9:30 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, to mark up H.R. 5940, National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008, 11 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology, hearing on the role of small businesses in the upcoming digital television (DTV) conversion, 2 p.m., 1539 Longworth. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, to mark up the following measures: H.R. 2452, Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act; H.R. 135, Twenty-First Century Water Commission Act of 2007; H.R. 5770. To provide for a study by the National Academy of Sciences of potential impacts of climate change on water resources and water quality; and H. Res. 1137, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Works Week, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. 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 D558]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 7 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2284, Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act. (Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for their respective party conferences.) Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 7 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Berman, Howard L., Calif., E824 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E833 Boyda, Nancy E., Kans., E827 Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E825 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E821, E829 Cardoza, Dennis A., Calif., E823 Christensen, Donna M., The Virgin Islands, E826 Cohen, Steve, Tenn., E831 Culberson, John Abney, Tex., E830 Davis, Lincoln, Tenn., E830 Ellison, Kieth, Minn., E830 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E827 Frank, Barney, Mass., E822 Franks, Trent, Ariz., E834 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E829 Green, Al, Tex., E824 Heller, Dean, Nev., E821, E824, E825, E827, E829 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E833 Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E825 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E829, E831, E834 Lewis, John, Ga., E832 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E823, E828 McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E830 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E829 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E823 Moran, James P., Va., E831 Neal, Richard E., Mass., E825 Pickering, Charles W. ``Chip'', Miss., E825, E832 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E821 Radanovich, George, Calif., E826 Rahall, Nick J., II, W.Va., E828 Ramstad, Jim, Minn., E827 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E828 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E833 Schwartz, Allyson Y., Pa., E824 Sherman, Brad, Calif., E827 Smith, Lamar, Tex., E825 Terry, Lee, Nebr., E830 Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E832 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E823 Young, C.W. Bill, Fla., E821