Thursday, June 12, 2008 [[Page D734]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S5535-S5638 Measures Introduced: Seventeen bills and six resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 3119-3135, S.J. Res. 40-41, S. Res. 592-594, and S. Con. Res. 90. Page S5592 Measures Reported: H.R. 3480, To direct the United States Sentencing Commission to assure appropriate punishment enhancements for those involved in receiving stolen property where that property consists of grave markers of veterans. S. Res. 576, designating August 2008 as ``Digital Television Transition Awareness Month''. Page S5592 Measures Passed: Tennessee Valley Authority 75th Anniversary: Senate agreed to S. Res. 592, commending the Tennessee Valley Authority on its 75th anniversary. Page S5636 Honoring Detroit Red Wings: Senate agreed to S. Res. 593, honoring the Detroit Red Wings on winning the 2008 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Championship. Pages S5636-38 Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum Program 50th Anniversary: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 325, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum Program, which began on June 15, 1958, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S5638 Measures Considered: Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act: Senate resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 3101, to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to extend expiring provisions under the Medicare program, to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, to enhance low-income benefit programs, and to maintain access to care in rural areas, including pharmacy access. Pages S5539-64 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 54 yeas to 39 nays (Vote No. 149), 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 motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Page S5564 Senator Reid entered a motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill (listed above) failed. Page S5564 Subsequently, the motion to proceed was withdrawn. Page S5564 Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 6049, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief. Pages S5564-65 A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, and pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of Thursday, June 12, 2008, a vote on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2008. Pages S5564-65 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill at approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, June 16, 2008; provided that the time until 5:30 p.m. be equally divided and controlled between the Leaders, or their designees; and that the final 20 minutes divided between the Majority and Republican Leaders, with the Majority Leader controlling the final 10 minutes. Page S5636 Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senator Tester be authorized to sign the enrollment of H.R. 6124, Food, Conservation, and Energy Act. Page S5575 [[Page D735]] Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding an adjournment of the Senate on Friday, June 13, 2008, that H.R. 5749, to provide for a program of emergency unemployment compensation, be considered to have received a second reading, an objection made to further proceedings, and the bill be placed on the Senate calendar. Page S5638 Nomination Received: Senate received the following nomination: Matthew S. Petersen, of Utah, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission for a term expiring April 30, 2011. Page S5638 Messages from the House: Page S5591 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Pages S5535, S5591-92, S5638 Measures Read the First Time: Pages S5592, S5638 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S5592 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S5593-94 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S5594-S5634 Additional Statements: Pages S5590-91 Amendments Submitted: Pages S5634-35 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S5635-36 Privileges of the Floor: Page S5636 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--149) Page S5564 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:49 p.m., until 2 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S5638.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the condition of the infrastructure of the United States, focusing on local perspectives from certain cities, including S. 1926, to establish the National Infrastructure Bank to provide funding for qualified infrastructure projects, after receiving testimony from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York, New York; Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta, Georgia; Mayor John Peyton, Jacksonville, Florida; and Mayor Mark Funkhouser, Kansas City, Missouri. FREIGHT SECURITY Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security concluded a hearing to examine supply chain security, focusing on the Secure Freight Initiative and the implementation of 100 percent scanning of U.S.-bound cargo containers, after receiving testimony from Jayson Ahern, Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; David Huizenga, Assistant Deputy Administrator, Office of International Material Protection and Cooperation, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy; and Stephen L. Caldwell, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Government Accountability Office. RENEWABLE FUELS POLICY AND FOOD PRICES Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the relationship between the United States renewable fuels policy and food prices, after receiving testimony from Alexander Karsner, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Joseph Glauber, Chief Economist, Department of Agriculture; Joe L. Outlaw, Texas A&M University Agricultural and Food Policy Center, College Station; Jason Pyle, Sapphire Energy, Inc., San Diego, California; Joachim von Braun, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C.; and Jack Huttner, Genecor, Rochester, New York. U.S. TRADE PREFERENCE PROGRAMS Committee on Finance: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the United States trade preference programs, focusing on promoting economic development in poor nations by providing duty-free export opportunities in the United States, after receiving testimony from Loren Yager, Director, International Affairs and Trade, Government Accountability Office; Grant D. Aldonas, Split Rock International, Arlington, Virginia; and Edward Gresser, Progressive Policy Institute, and Andrew Small, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development, both of Washington, D.C. OIL AND NATURAL GAS PIPELINE Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the influence of energy issues on the foreign policy of the United States, focusing on the East-West oil and natural gas pipeline corridor proposed to stretch from Central Asia to European and global markets, after receiving testimony [[Page D736]] from Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Adviser, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Leon Fuerth, George Washington University Elliot School of International Affairs, and Zeyno Baran, Hudson Institute Center for Eurasian Policy, all of Washington, D.C.; and Roman Kupchinsky, AZEast Group, Mahwah, New Jersey. U.S.-PAKISTAN STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine addressing the United States-Pakistan strategic relationship, focusing on the national security of the United States, after receiving testimony from Senator Feingold; Don Camp, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs; K. Alan Kronstadt, Specialist, South Asian Affairs, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; Lisa Curtis, Heritage Foundation Asian Studies Center, and Stephen P. Cohen, Brookings Institution, both of Washington, D.C.; and Michael Krepon, University of Virginia Henry L. Stimson Center, Charlottesville. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: H.R. 3480, to direct the United States Sentencing Commission to assure appropriate punishment enhancements for those involved in receiving stolen property where that property consists of grave markers of veterans; S. Res. 576, designating August 2008 as ``Digital Television Transition Awareness Month''; and The nominations of Helene N. White, of Michigan, and Raymond M. Kethledge, of Michigan, each to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, and Stephen Joseph Murphy III, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 25 public bills, H.R. 6249- 6273; and 7 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 372; and H. Res. 1269-1274 were introduced. Pages H5406-07 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H5408-09 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 1333, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the Air Force to use Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions, with amendments (H. Rept. 110-691, Pt. 2) and H.R. 5912, to amend title 39, United States Code, to make cigarettes and certain other tobacco products nonmailable, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-711). Page H5406 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Tauscher to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H5331 Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures which were debated on Wednesday, June 11th: Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008: H.R. 1553, amended, to amend the Public Health Service Act to advance medical research and treatments into pediatric cancers, ensure patients and families have access to the current treatments and information regarding pediatric cancers, establish a population-based national childhood cancer database, and promote public awareness of pediatric cancers, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 416 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 409; and Pages H5344-45 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend the Public Health Service Act to advance medical research and treatments into pediatric cancers, ensure patients and families have access to information regarding pediatric cancers and current treatments for such cancers, establish a national childhood cancer registry, and promote public awareness of pediatric cancer.'' Page H5345 Authorizing the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept, as part of a settlement, diesel emission reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects: S. 2146, amended, to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept, as part of a settlement, diesel emission reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 406 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 413. Pages H5361-62 [[Page D737]] Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 5749, to provide for a program of emergency unemployment compensation, by a yea-and-nay vote of 274 yeas to 137 nays, Roll No. 412. Pages H5333-42, H5343-44, H5345-61 Rejected the Weller (IL) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Ways and Means with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a yea-and-nay vote of 170 yeas to 243 nays, Roll No. 411. Pages H5359-61 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in H. Rept. 110-710 shall be considered as adopted, in lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill. Page H5348 Agreed to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair on a point of order raised by Representative Weller (IL) by a yea-and-nay vote of 217 yeas to 185 nays, Roll No. 410. Pages H5347-59 H. Res. 1265, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 227 yeas to 192 nays, Roll No. 408, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 186 nays, Roll No. 407. Pages H5343-44 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, June 18th. Page H5365 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow, and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17th for morning hour debate. Page H5365 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008: The House began consideration of H.R. 6063, to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Further proceedings were postponed. Pages H5342-43, H5365-93 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science and Technology now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. Pages H5372-79 Accepted: Gordon (TN) manager's amendment (No 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that includes a provision related to coordination with the FAA on sonic boom research; replaces Secs. 305 and 306 with equivalent language from Secs. 903 and 905 respectively of the House-passed FAA Reauthorization, H.R. 2881; adds suborbital reusable launch vehicles to the list of suborbital science research platforms; includes a sense of Congress on the value of NASA's EarthKam and robotics competitions for inspiring students; includes sense of Congress language urging NASA to use entrepreneurial companies to conduct appropriate R&D and seek ways to ensure that firms that rely on fixed price proposals aren't disadvantaged; and includes NASA workforce-related provisions, including an extension of the RIF moratorium, a limit on the use of term positions in FY 2009, and a temporary continuation of coverage of health benefits; Pages H5379-81 Feeney amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. should seek to obtain cooperation from other nations in discovering and monitoring near-Earth asteroids; Page H5381 Wu amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that encourages the United States to lead confidence building measures that advance the long-term initiative for international cooperation; Pages H5381-82 Wu amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that expresses the sense of Congress that NASA should not dilute, distort, suppress, or impede scientific research or the dissemination thereof; Pages H5382-83 Arcuri amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that requires the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to examine the feasibility of contracting non-federal actors to disseminate images and multi-media records delivered from space to the public as part of NASA's participatory exploration technology plan. Additionally, the amendment requires NASA to employ a transparent bidding process to award any such contracts, pursuant to U.S. law; Page H5386 Wu amendment (No. 7 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that requires CBO to update their report from 2004 on the budgetary analysis of the NASA's Vision for the Nation's Space Exploration Program. This report is to be completed in 6 months; Pages H5386-87 Harman amendment (No. 8 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that expresses the sense of Congress that NASA should work with other government agencies and the aerospace industry to develop and implement policies to sustain and expand the aerospace industry workforce; Pages H5387-89 Gordon (TN) amendment (No. 9 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that directs NASA to prioritize any existing cooperatives with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that are related to the study of tornadoes and tornado force winds with the goal of determining the nation's ability to [[Page D738]] predict tornado events; and also requires NASA to examine if there are other areas where NASA can work with NOAA in the area of tornado research; Pages H5389-90 Yarmuth amendment (No. 11 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that requires NASA to respond to recommendations in recent reports of the Government Accountability Office and the National Academy of Sciences to ensure the public has access to correct and timely research and data on global warming; and Pages H5390-91 Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment (No. 12 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that clarifies that the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program will include small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses; also gives preference, in selection for the program, to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small business concerns. Pages H5391-93 Proceedings Postponed: Lampson amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that seeks to exempt NASA from Section 526(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 if the contract does not specifically require the contractor to provide an alternative or synthetic fuel or fuel from a nonconventional source, the purpose of the contract is not to obtain an alternative or synthetic fuel or fuel from a nonconventional petroleum source, and the contract does not provide incentives for a refinery upgrade or expansion to allow a refinery to use or increase its use of fuel from a nonconventional petroleum source and Pages H5383-86 Hodes amendment (No. 10 printed in H. Rept. 110-707) that seeks to establish a scholarship program in honor of Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from Concord, New Hampshire who died in the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. The scholarship would go to women pursuing degrees in mathematics, science, and engineering. Page H5390 H. Res. 1257, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 221 yeas to 188 nays, Roll No. 406, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 226 yeas to 183 nays, Roll No. 405. Pages H5342-43 Quorum Calls--Votes: Nine yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H5342, H5343, H5343-44, H5344, H5345, H5347-48, H5360-61, H5361, H5362. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:23 p.m. Committee Meetings COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2009 Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee action the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009. MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2009 Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee action the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009. CHEMICAL FACILITY SECURITY Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 5533, Chemical Facilities Act of 2008; and HR. 5577, Chemical Facility Anti- Terrorism Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Administrator. Office of Water, EPA; Robert B. Stephan, Assistant Secretary, Infrastructure Protection, National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. SUBPOENAS--FOOD SAFETY RECORDS; FDA'S FOOD PROTECTION PLAN Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations met and approved the issuance of subpoenas for records in connection with the Subcommittee's ongoing investigation regarding the safety of the Nation's food supply. The Subcommittee also held a hearing entitled ``American Lives Still at Risk: When Will FDA's Food Protection Plan Be Fully Funded and Implemented?'' Testimony was heard from Lisa Shames, Director, Food and Agriculture Issues, GAO: David W. K. Acheson, M.D., Assistant Commissioner, Food Protection, FDA, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. RUSSIA, IRAN AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on Russia, Iran, and Nuclear Weapons: Implications of the Proposed U.S.-Russia Agreement. Testimony was heard from Representative Markey; John C. Rood, Acting Under Secretary, Arms Control and International Security, Department of State; Robert J. [[Page D739]] Einhorn, former Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Nonproliferation, Department of State; and public witnesses. U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, hearing on U.S.-Japan Relations: An Overview. Testimony was heard from Alexander A. Arvizu, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State; and a public witness. FAIR HOUSING ACT ENFORCEMENT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held a hearing on the Enforcement of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Testimony was heard from Jessie Liu, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; Kim Kendrick, Assistant Secretary, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses. GREEN CARDS--HIGHLY-SKILLED WORKER Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigrations, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law held a hearing on the Need for Green Cards for Highly Skilled Workers. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. CARBON DIOXIDE--ENHANCES OIL RECOVERY Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on Spinning Straw Into Black Gold: Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Carbon Dioxide. Testimony was heard from Timothy Spisak, Chief, Fluid Minerals Division, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior; Scott Klara, Director, Strategic Center for Coal, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Department of Energy; and public witnesses. U.S.-PALAU FREE ASSOCIATION Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the Compact of Free Associations Between the United States and the Republic of Palau. Testimony was heard from Tom Bussanich, Director, Budget Grants Management Division, Office of Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior; Glyn T. Davies, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State; David Gootnick, Director, International Affairs and Trade, GAO; and Billy Kuartei, Chief of Staff to H. E. Tommy Remengesau, Republic of Palau. OVERSIGHT--HYDROPOWER Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight hearing on Hydropower: Providing 75% of America's Current Renewable Energy, Exploring its role as a continued source of Clean, Renewable Energy for the Future. Testimony was heard from Bob Johnson, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; Howard Gruenspecht, Deputy Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy; Bob Morton, member, Senate, State of Washington; and public witnesses. ABRAMOFF INVESTIGATION REPORT; MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Approved a Committee report entitled ``Jack Abramoff's Contacts with White House Officials.'' The Committee also ordered reported the following measures: H. Res. 984, Expressing the support for the designation of July 26, 2008, as National Day of the Cowboy; H. Res. 1002, amended, Expressing the support for the designation of April 2008 as Public Radio Recognition Month; H. Res 1029, amended, Congratulating and recognizing Mr. Juan Antonio ``Chi Chi'' Rodriguez for his continuing success on and off the golf course, for his generosity and devotion to charity, and for his exemplary dedication to the intellectual and moral growth of thousands of low-income and disadvantaged youth in our country; H. Res. 1219, Celebrating the symbol of the United States flag and supporting the goals and ideals of Flag Day; H. Res. 1237, Recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future; H. Con. Res. 195, Expressing the sense of Congress that a National Dysphagia Awareness Month should be established; H. Con. Res. 370, Expressing support for the designation of Gospel Music Heritage Month and honoring gospel music for its valuable contributions to American culture; H.R. 4010, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 West Percy Street in Mississippi, as the ``Minnie Cox Post Office Building''; H.R. 5506, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 369 Martin Luther Jr. Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the ``Bishop Ralph E. Brower Post Office Building''; H.R. 5975, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 West Main Street in Waterville, New York, as the ``Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Post Office''; H.R. 6061, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 219 East Main Street [[Page D740]] in West Frankfort, Illinois, as the ``Kenneth James Gray Post Office Building''; H.R. 6085, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 42222 Rancho Las Palmas Drive in Rancho Mirage, California, as the ``Gerald R. Ford Post Office Building''; H.R. 6092, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 Tallapoosa Street in Bremen, Georgia, as the ``Sergeant Paul Saylor Post Office Building''; H.R. 6150, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14500 Lorain Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, as the `` John P. Gallagher Post Office Building''; and S. 171, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 301 Street in Commerce, Oklahoma, as the ``Mickey Mantle Post Office Building.'' EPA'S INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Investigation and Oversight held a hearing on Toxic Communities: How EPA's IRIS Program Fails the Public. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS TAX REPORTING Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Electronic Payments Tax Reporting: Another Tax Burden for Small Businesses.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MARITIME COMMERCIAL VESSEL DISCHARGES Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing on Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of a Commercial Vessel. Testimony was heard from James Hanlon, Director, Office of Wastewater Management, EPA; Andrew Fisk, Bureau Director, Land and Water Quality, Department of Environmental Protection, State of Maine; William W. Walker, Executive Director, Department of Marine Resources, State of Mississippi; and public witnesses. VETERAN'S MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1197, Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 2007; H.R. 3008, Rural Veterans Services Outreach and Training Act; H.R. 3070, Disabled Veterans' Caregiver Compensation Act; H.R. 3795, You Were There, You Get Care Act of 2007; H.R. 4274, Gold Star Parents Annuity Act of 2007; H.R. 5155, Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act of 2008; H.R. 5448, Full Faith in Veterans Act of 2008; H.R. 5454, To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a presumption of service connection of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for purposes of the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; H.R. 5709, Veterans Disability Fairness Act; H.R. 5954, To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide veterans for presumptions of service connection for purposes of benefits under laws administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs for diseases associated with service in the Armed Forces and exposure to biological, chemical, or other toxic agents as part of Project 112, and for other purposes; H.R. 5985, Compensation for Combat Veterans Act; and H.R. 6032, To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide wartime disability compensation for certain veterans with Parkinson's Disease. Testimony was heard from Representatives Wu, Shea-Porter, Allen, Thompson of California; and Rehberg; Bradley G. Mayes, Director, Compensation Pension Services, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Sidath Viranga Panangala. Analyst, Veterans Policy, CRS, Library of Congress; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--DOD PROGRAMS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on DOD Programs. The Committee was briefed by LTG James Clapper, USAF (Ret.), Under Secretary of Defense, Intelligence. GLOBAL CHANGE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENT Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management met in executive session to receive a briefing on Global Change National Intelligence Assessment. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings IRAQ WAR FUNDING Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the future costs of funding the war in Iraq, after receiving testimony from Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, Helena; and Christine Eibner, RAND Corporation, Captain Tom Tarantino (Ret.) USA, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and William W. Beach, Heritage Foundation, all of Washington, D.C. [[Page D741]] COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of June 16 through June 21, 2008 Senate Chamber On Monday, 3 p.m., Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 6049, Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at 5:30 p.m. During the balance of the week, Senate may consider any cleared legislative and executive business. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: June 17, with the Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, to hold joint hearings to examine the role, responsibilities, and resource needs of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on oversight of futures and derivatives markets in energy and agriculture, 10:30 a.m., SD-192. Committee on Appropriations: June 17, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, with the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, to hold joint hearings to examine the role, responsibilities, and resource needs of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on oversight of futures and derivatives markets in energy and agriculture, 10:30 a.m., SD-192. Committee on Armed Services: June 17, to hold hearings to examine the origins of aggressive interrogation techniques, focusing on Part I of the Committee's inquiry into the treatment of detainees in U.S. custody, 9:30 a.m., SD-106. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: June 19, Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment, to hold hearings to examine risk management, focusing on its implications for systemic risk, 2:30 p.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: June 18, to hold hearings to examine privacy implications of online advertising, 10 a.m., SR-253. June 19, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security, to hold hearings to examine cruise ship safety, focusing on potential steps for keeping Americans safe at sea, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: June 17, to hold hearings to examine the challenges and regional solutions to developing transmission for renewable electricity resources, 10 a.m., SD-366. June 17, Subcommittee on National Parks, to hold hearings to examine S. 1774, to designate the John Krebs Wilderness in the State of California, to add certain land to the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park Wilderness, S. 2255, to amend the National Trails System Act to provide for studies of the Chisholm Trail and Great Western Trail to determine whether to add the trails to the National Trails System, S. 2359, to establish the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission, S. 2943, to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, S. 3017, to designate the Beaver Basin Wilderness at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the State of Michigan, S. 3010, to reauthorize the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, S. 3045, to establish the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Forest Heritage Area in the State of Alaska, H.R. 1143, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park, and S. 3096, to amend the National Cave and Karst Research Institute Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations for the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. June 18, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the preparedness of federal land management agencies for the 2008 wildfire season, 2 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: June 17, to hold hearings to examine the future of the United States economy, focusing on long run deficits and debt, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: June 17, Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection, to hold hearings to examine international disaster assistance, focusing on policy options, 2:15 p.m., SD-419. June 19, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine pending nominations, 2:15 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: June 19, Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, to hold hearings to examine the efficacy of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act (MINER)(Public Law 109-236), focusing on a two year review, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: June 18, to hold hearings to examine protecting personal information, focusing on steps the federal government has in place, 10 a.m., SD- 342. June 19, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine management challenges facing the Federal Protective Service, focusing on a recent report from the Government Accountability Office, 2 p.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: June 19, business meeting to consider pending calendar legislation; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine an original bill to address law and order in Indian country, 9:30 a.m., SD-562. [[Page D742]] Committee on the Judiciary: June 17, to hold hearings to examine protecting consumers by protecting intellectual property, 10 a.m., SD-226. June 17, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine ways to respond to the growing need for federal judgeships, focusing on ``The Federal Judgeship Act of 2008'', 2:30 p.m., SD-226. June 18, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, with the Special Committee on Aging, to hold joint hearings to examine S. 2838, to amend chapter 1 of title 9 of United States Code with respect to arbitration, 10:30 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Rules and Administration: June 18, to hold hearings to examine improving energy efficiency, focusing on increasing the use of renewable sources of energy, and reducing the carbon footprint of the Capitol complex, 10 a.m., SR-301. Select Committee on Intelligence: June 19, to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. Special Committee on Aging: June 18, with the Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, to hold joint hearings to examine S. 2838, to amend chapter 1 of title 9 of United States Code with respect to arbitration, 10:30 a.m., SD-226. House Committees Committee on Appropriations: June 17, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, to mark up Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, time and room to be announced. June 17, Subcommittee on Financial Services, and General Government, to mark up Financial Services and General Government Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, time and room to announced. June 18, full Committee, to mark up the following: Subcommittee Allocations 302 (b); Homeland Security Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009; and Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies for Fiscal Year 2009, time and room to be announced. June 19, to mark up the following: Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009; and the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, time and room to be announced. June 19, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, to mark up Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, time and room to be announced. June 19, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, to mark up Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, time and room to be announced. June 20, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, to mark up Legislative Branch Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, time and room to be announced. June 20, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, to mark up Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, time and room to be announced. Committee on Education and Labor: June 18, mark up the following bills: H.R. 3195, ADA Restoration Act of 2007; H.R. 2343, Education Begins at Home Act; and H.R. 3036, No Child Left Inside Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. June 19, hearing on Hidden Tragedy: Underreporting of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, 10:30 p.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce: June 19, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, hearing entitled ``Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse,'' 10 a.m., 2322 Rayburn. June 19, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, hearing entitled ``Legislative Proposals to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: An Overview,'' 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services: June 18, hearing entitled ``The 15th Replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA) and the 11th Replenishment of the African Development Fund (AfSF),'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. June 19, hearing entitled ``Affordable Housing and Preservation and Protection of Tenants,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs: June 18, hearing on The Caucasus: Frozen Conflicts and Closed Borders; followed by a markup of the following: H. Res. 937, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the emergency services provided by the American Red Cross are vital resources for military service members and their families; H. Res. 1008, Condemning the persecution of Baha'is in Iran; and H. Con. Res. 361, Commemorating Irena Sendler, a woman whose bravery saved the lives of thousands during the Holocaust and remembering her legacy of courage, selflessness, and hope, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. June 19, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight and the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness of the Committee on Education and Labor, joint hearing on Restoring America's Leadership through Scholarships for Undergraduates from Developing Countries: The Uniting Students in America (USA) Proposal, 9:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. June 19, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, hearing on Genetics and other Human Modification Technologies: Sensible International Regulation of New Kind of Arms Race, 10 a.m., 2200 Rayburn. Committee on House Administration, June 18, Subcommittee on Capitol Security, hearing on the United States Capitol Police Radio Upgrades, 2 p.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on the Judiciary: June 17, hearing on Ensuring Legal Redress for American Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. [[Page D743]] June 18, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, hearing on: From the Department of Justice to Guantanamo Bay: Administration Lawyers and Administration Interrogation Rules, Part II, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. June 19, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property and the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, joint hearing on H.R. 4854, False Claims Act Correction Act, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources: June 18, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, oversight hearing on the reauthorization of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. June 18, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands and the Subcommittee on Water and Power, joint oversight hearing on Paying to Play: Implementation of Fee Authority on Federal Lands, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. June 19, full Committee, oversight hearing on Utah Navajo Trust Fund, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: June 17, hearing on Examination of AEY Contracts with the U.S. Government, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. June 18, Subcommittee on National Security, and Foreign Affairs, hearing on Oversight of the U.S. Efforts to Train and Equip Police and Enhance the Justice Sector in Afghanistan, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. June 19, full Committee, hearing on Examining Grantmaking Practices at the Department of Justice, 9:30 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology: June 18, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, to mark up the following measures: H.R. 4174, Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2007; H.R. 5618, National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008; and the Heavy Duty Plug-in-Hybrid Vehicles Research Program, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. June 19, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, hearing on an Insecure Forecast for Continuity of Climate and Weather Data: The NPOESS Weather Satellite Program, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. June 19, Subcommittee on Investigation and Oversight, to meet to consider authorization of a subpoena for documents related to the Department of Energy's FutureGen project, 2 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business: June 18, Subcommittee on Finance and Tax, hearing entitled ``S-corps: Recommended Reforms that Promote Parity, Growth and Development for Small Businesses,'' 10 a.m., 1539 Longworth. June 19, full Committee, hearing entitled ``Small Business Exports in the Current Economic Climate,'' 10 a.m., 1539 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: June 18, Subcommittee on Aviation, hearing on Congestion Management in the New York Airspace, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. June 18, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, hearing on The Federal Protective Service: An Agency in Need of Rebuilding, 1 p.m., 2253 Rayburn. June 19, Subcommittee on Coast Guard, and Maritime Transportation, hearing on Federal Maritime Commission Management and Regulation of International Shipping, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means: June 19, Subcommittee on Oversight, and the Subcommittee on Social Security, joint hearing on Economic Stimulus Payments, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: June 17, hearing on Energy Independence and National Security Impact on Saudi-U.S. Nuke Deal, 9:30 a.m., 1310 Longworth. June 18, hearing entitled ``Planning Communities for a Changing Climate--Smart Growth, Public Demand and Private Opportunity,'' 9:30 a.m., 311 Cannon. Joint Meetings Joint Hearing: June 18, Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, with the Special Committee on Aging, to hold joint hearings to examine S. 2838, to amend chapter 1 of title 9 of United States Code with respect to arbitration, 10:30 a.m., SD-226. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: June 17, to hold hearings to examine combating sexual exploitation of children, focusing on strengthening international law enforcement cooperation, 3 p.m., B318, Rayburn Building. Joint Hearing: June 18, Senate Special Committee on Aging, with the Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, to hold joint hearings to examine S. 2838, to amend chapter 1 of title 9 of United States Code with respect to arbitration, 10:30 a.m., SD-226. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. 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[[Page D744]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 2 p.m., Monday, June 16 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond one hour), Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 6049, Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at 5:30 p.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Friday, June 13 House Chamber Program for Friday: The House will meet in pro forma session at 10:00 a.m. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue. HOUSE Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E1214 Baca, Joe, Calif., E1212 Bachmann, Michele, Minn., E1214 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E1215 Boucher, Rick, Va., E1224 Boyda, Nancy E., Kans., E1215 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1225, E1226, E1227 Campbell, John, Calif., E1212 Carson, Andre, Ind., E1225 Cohen, Steve, Tenn., E1222 Cole, Tom, Okla., E1214 Courtney, Joe, Conn., E1224 Davis, Lincoln, Tenn., E1220 DeGette, Diana, Colo., E1229 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E1225 Dingell, John D., Mich., E1211, E1215, E1223 Faleomavaega, Eni F.H., American Samoa, E1218 Giffords, Gabrielle, Ariz., E1228 Green, Al, Tex., E1218, E1225, E1226, E1226, E1227, E1228, E1228, E1229, E1229, E1230 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E1230 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E1212 Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E1223 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E1229 Klein, Ron, Fla., E1218 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1222 Lowey, Nita M., N.Y., E1227 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E1222 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1226 Manzullo, Donald A., Ill., E1224 Markey, Edward J., Mass., E1217 Michaud, Michael H., Me., E1217 Paul, Ron, Tex., E1223 Pence, Mike, Ind., E1211, E1216, E1222 Poe, Ted, Tex., E1211, E1216 Radanovich, George, Calif., E1214 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1222 Reichert, David G., Wash., E1223 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E1214 Scott, Robert C. ``Bobby'', Va., E1213 Shuler, Heath, N.C., E1228 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E1217 Speier, Jackie, Calif.,E1212 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E1213, E1220 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E1227 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E1213 Tsongas, Niki, Mass., E1220 Udall, Mark, Colo., E1220 Watson, Diane E., Calif., E1217 Young, C.W. Bill, Fla., E1211, E1216