Wednesday, April 16, 2008 [[Page D443]] Daily Digest Highlights House Committees ordered reported 12 sundry measures, including the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3039-S3103 Measures Introduced: Eight bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2868-2875, and S. Res. 517-518. Pages S3079-80 Measures Reported: S. 2087, to amend certain laws relating to Native Americans to make technical corrections. (S. Rept. No. 110-326) S. 999, to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Page S3079 Measures Passed: Week of the Young Child: Senate agreed to S. Res. 517, designating the week of April 13-19, 2008, as ``Week of the Young Child''. Page S3103 Measures Considered: Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 1195, to amend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to make technical corrections, and taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3046-67 Rejected: DeMint Motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, with instructions to report back, with an amendment striking all new earmarks and spending increases for existing earmarks. (By 78 yeas to 18 nays (Vote No. 104), Senate tabled the motion). Pages S3047-56 Pending: Boxer Amendment No. 4146, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S3046-47 Coburn Amendment No. 4538 (to Amendment No. 4146), to create a bipartisan, bicameral special committee to investigate the improper insertion of an earmark for Coconut Road into the conference report of the 2005 highway bill after both chambers of Congress had approved identical versions of the conference report. Pages S3058-60 Boxer Amendment No. 4539 (to the text of the committee substitute to be inserted), to call for a review by the Department of Justice of allegations of violations of Federal criminal law. Pages S3060-61 Coburn Amendment No. 4540 (to Amendment No. 4539), relative to the Coconut Road Investigation. Pages S3061-67 A motion was entered to close further debate on the Boxer Amendment No. 4146 (listed above) and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Friday, April 18, 2008. Page S3052 A motion was entered to close further debate on the bill and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Friday, April 18, 2008. Page S3052 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 12:45 p.m., on Thursday, April 17, 2008. Page S3103 Messages from the House: Pages S3077-78 Measures Referred: Page S3078 Executive Communications: Pages S3078-79 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3080-82 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3082-84 Additional Statements: Pages S3076-77 Amendments Submitted: Pages S3084-87 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S3087 Text of H.R. 3221, as Previously Passed: Pages S3087-S3102 [[Page D444]] Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--104) Page S3056 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 6:32 p.m., until 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3103.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MEDICAL PROGRAMS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to examine Department of Defense medical programs, after receiving testimony from Lieutenant General Eric B. Schoomaker, Surgeon General, and Major General Gale S. Pollock, Chief, Army Nurse Corps, both of the United States Army, Vice Admiral Adam M. Robinson, USN, MC, Surgeon General, and Rear Admiral Christine M. Bruzek-Kohler, USN, NC, Director, Navy Nurse Corps, both of the United States Navy, and Lieutenant General James G. Roudebush, Surgeon General, and Major General Melissa A. Rank, Assistant Surgeon General, Nursing Services and Medical Force Development, both of the United States Air Force, all of the Department of Defense. APPROPRIATIONS: SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST Committee on Appropriations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the supplemental request for war funding for fiscal year 2008, after receiving testimony from former Representative Jim Nussle, Director, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Energy, after receiving testimony from Thomas P. D'Agostino, Administrator, Thomas O. Hunter, President and Director, Sandia National Laboratories, both of the National Nuclear Security Administration, George H. Miller, Director, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Michael R. Anastasio, Director, Los Alamos National Laboratory, all of the Department of Energy. APPROPRIATIONS: IRS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Internal Revenue Service, after receiving testimony from Douglas Shulman, Commissioner, Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate, both of the Internal Revenue Service, J. Russell George, Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Paul Cherecwich, Jr., Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board, all of the Department of the Treasury. APPROPRIATIONS: FBI Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, after receiving testimony from Robert S. Mueller, III, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Personnel concluded a hearing to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2009 relative to military beneficiary organizations regarding the quality of life of Active, Reserve, and retired military personnel and their members, and the future years defense program, after receiving testimony from Colonel Steven P. Strobridge, USAF (Ret.), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), and Master Chief Joseph L. Barnes, USN (Ret.), Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), both of the Military Coalition, and Kathleen B. Moakler, National Military Family Association, and Master Sergeant Michael P. Cline, USA (Ret.), Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, all of Alexandria, Virginia; and Meredith M. Beck, Wounded Warrior Project, Arlington, Virginia. U.S. CREDIT MARKETS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine credit markets in the United States, focusing on proposals to mitigate foreclosures and restore liquidity to the mortgage markets, after receiving testimony from Brian D. Montgomery, Assistant Secretary of Housing, Federal Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Arthur J. Murton, Director, Division of Insurance and Research, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and Scott M. Polakoff, Senior Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, Office of Thrift Supervision, Department of the Treasury. AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and [[Page D445]] Community Development concluded a hearing to examine affordable housing opportunities, focusing on reforming the housing voucher program, including S. 2684, to reform the housing choice voucher program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, after receiving testimony from Shaun Donovan, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, New York, New York; Barbara Sard, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Washington, D.C.; George Moses, National Low Income Housing Coalition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; P. Curtis Hiebert, Keene Housing Authority, Keene, New Hampshire; and Jack Murray, National Affordable Housing Management Association, Silver Spring, Maryland, on behalf of the National Leased Housing Association. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure concluded a hearing to examine surface transportation challenges and the global economy, after receiving testimony from Siva Yam, United States-China Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, Illinois; John Isbell, Nike, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon; Ray Kuntz, Watkins and Shepard Trucking, Helena, Montana, on behalf of the American Trucking Associations; and Edward Wytkind, Transportation Trades Department (TTD) AFI-CIO, Washington, D.C. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Robert J. Callahan, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Nicaragua, Heather M. Hodges, of Ohio, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador, Barbara J. Stephenson, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, Peter E. Cianchette, of Maine, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica, who was introduced by Senators Collins and Snowe, Hugo Llorens, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Honduras, who was introduced by Senator Martinez, Stephen George McFarland, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Guatemala, all of the Department of State, and Samuel W. Speck, of Ohio, to be a Commissioner on the part of the United States on the International Joint Commission, United States and Canada, who was introduced by Senator Voinovich, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. CHILD PROTECTION Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs concluded a hearing to examine violence against and exploitation of youth in the 21st century, focusing on solutions for protecting children, including S. 1738, to establish a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, to improve the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, to increase resources for regional computer forensic labs, and to make other improvements to increase the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute predators, after receiving testimony from McGregor Scott, United States Attorney, Eastern District of California, Department of Justice; Flint Waters, Wyoming Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal Investigation, Cheyenne; Robert Moses, Delaware State Police, Dover; Randall I. Hillman, Alabama District Attorneys Association, Montgomery; Michelle K. Collins, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria, Virginia; and Grier Weeks, National Association to Protect Children, Asheville, North Carolina. SMALL BUSINESS AND THE CREDIT CRUNCH Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the impact of the credit market on small businesses, including S. 1256, to amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize loan programs under that Act, S. 2553, to modify certain fees applicable under the Small Business Act for 2008, to make an emergency appropriation for certain small business programs, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide increased expensing for 2008, to provide a 5-year carryback for certain net operating losses, and S. 2612, to provide economic stimulus for small business concerns, after receiving testimony from Frederic S. Mishkin, Member, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Steven C. Preston, Administrator, Small Business Administration; Daniel O'Connell, Massachusetts Secretary for the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Boston; Mayor Carolyn A. Kirk, Gloucester, Massachusetts; Marilyn D. Landis, Basic Business Concepts, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on behalf of the National Small Business Association; Robert Mitchell, Mitchell and Best Homebuilders, LLC, Rockville, Maryland, on behalf of National Association of Home Builders; Cynthia Blankenship, Bank of the West, Irving, Texas, on behalf of the Independent Community Bankers of America; and Samuel D. Bornstein, Kean University School of Business, Union, New Jersey. CARING FOR SENIORS Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine caring for the elderly, focusing on ways to support care providers, after receiving testimony from John W. Rowe, Columbia University [[Page D446]] Mailman School of Public Health Department of Health Policy and Management, and Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, both of New York, New York; Robyn I. Stone, Institute for the Future of Aging Services, Washington, D.C., on behalf of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging; Todd Semla, American Geriatrics Society, Evanston, Illinois; Mary McDermott, Wisconsin Home Care Commission, Verona; and Sally Bowman, Oregon State University College of Health and Human Sciences, Corvallis. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 15 public bills, H.R. 5813- 5827; and 9 resolutions, H.J. Res. 80; H. Con. Res. 329; and H. Res. 1110-1116 were introduced. Pages H2441-43 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2443-44 Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today. Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative DeGette to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H2357 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Dr. Charles B. Simmons, Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas. Page H2357 Suspension: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Amending Public Law 110-196 to provide for a temporary extension of programs authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 beyond April 18, 2008: H.R. 5813, to amend Public Law 110-196 to provide for a temporary extension of programs authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 beyond April 18, 2008. Pages H2361-62 Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2008: The House passed H.R. 2634, to provide for greater responsibility in lending and expanded cancellation of debts owed to the United States and the international financial institutions by low-income countries, by a recorded vote of 285 ayes to 132 noes, Roll No. 199. Pages H2367-75, H2376-94 Agreed to the Mario Diaz-Balart motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Financial Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a yea-and-nay vote of 291 yeas to 130 nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 198. Subsequently, Representative Frank (MA) reported the bill back to the House with the amendments and the amendments were agreed to. Pages H2391-93 Pursuant to the rule, 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 under the five-minute rule. Pages H2385-87 Accepted: Hastings (FL) amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-586) that adds a Sense of the Congress that, due to the current humanitarian and political instability in Haiti, including food shortages and political turmoil, the Secretary of the Treasury should use his influence to expedite the complete and immediate cancellation of Haiti's debts to all international financial institutions, or if such debt cancellation cannot be provided, to urge the institutions to immediately suspend the requirement that Haiti make further debt service payments on debts owed to the institutions; Pages H2389-90 Frank (MA) modified amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-586) that makes various technical corrections within the bill's ``Findings'' section, and adds under the eligibility criteria the requirement that a country must also be complying with minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking, must be cooperating with American efforts to stop illegal immigration to the United States, and be committed to free and fair elections (by a recorded vote of 424 ayes with none voting ``no'', Roll No. 196); and Pages H2387-88, H2390 Rohrabacher amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-586) that adds a provision to Section 1626, defining an ``eligible low-income country'' to include that the government shall have been chosen by, and permits, free elections (by a recorded vote of 382 ayes to 41 noes, with 2 voting ``present'', Roll No. 197). Pages H2388-89, H2390-91 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H2394 [[Page D447]] H. Res. 1103, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 220 yeas to 190 nays, Roll No. 193, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 217 yeas to 196 nays, Roll No. 192. Pages H2372-74 Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008: The House began consideration of H.R. 5715, to ensure continued availability of access to the Federal student loan program for students and families. Further proceedings were postponed until Thursday, April 17th. Pages H2362-67, H2374-76, H2394-99 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment printed in part A of H. Rept. 110-590 shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of further amendment under the five- minute rule. Page H2362 Agreed to the George Miller (CA) motion that the Committee rise by a recorded vote of 395 ayes to 1 no, Roll No. 200. Pages H2398-99 H. Res. 1107, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 192 nays, Roll No. 195, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 218 yeas to 198 nays, Roll No. 194. Pages H2374-75 Beach Protection Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 2537, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to beach monitoring, by voice vote. Consideration of the measure began on Thursday, April 10th. Pages H2399-H2411, H2412-24 Accepted: Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) amendment (No. 2 printed in the Congressional Record of April 8, 2008) that makes technical and clarifying changes to the bill; Pages H2412-14 Bilbray amendment (No. 13 printed in the Congressional Record of April 9, 2008) that adds a new section relating to the use of molecular diagnostics for monitoring and assessing coastal recreation waters; Pages H2414-16 Kucinich amendment (No. 5 printed in the Congressional Record of April 9, 2008) that provides that in cases where a source of pathogenic contamination is identified, the State or local government shall make information on the existence of such source available to the public on the Internet within 24 hours of the identification of such source; Pages H2416-19 Kirk modified amendment (No. 7 printed in the Congressional Record of April 9, 2008) that inserts a new section entitled ``Monitoring Protocol For Mercury''; Pages H2419-20 Richardson amendment (No. 11 printed in the Congressional Record of April 9, 2008) that adds a new section relating to the National List of Beaches; and Pages H2420-21 Inslee amendment (No. 12 printed in the Congressional Record of April 9, 2008) that requires the Administrator of the EPA to conduct a study on the long-term impact of climate change on pollution of coastal recreation waters. Pages H2421-23 Withdrawn: McCarthy (NY) amendment (No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record of April 9, 2008) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn relating to the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in coastal recreation waters. Pages H2423-24 Point of Order: Fossella amendment (No. 4 printed in the Congressional Record of April 9, 2008) that sought to add a new title to the bill entitled ``Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008'' (agreed to sustain the ruling of the chair by a recorded vote of 216 ayes to 183 noes, Roll No. 201). Pages H2399-H2411 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H2424 H. Res. 1083, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Thursday, April 10th. Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated on Monday, April 14th: Expressing support for the designation of the month of April 2008, as National Child Abuse Prevention Month: H. Res. 1097, amended, to express support for the designation of the month of April 2008, as National Child Abuse Prevention Month to provide attention to the tragic circumstances that face some of our Nation's children on a daily basis and to underscore our commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect so that all children can live in safety and security, by a \2/ 3\ yea-and-nay vote of 410 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 202. Page H2411 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H2362. Quorum Calls--Votes: Six yea-and-nay votes and five recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2373, H2374, H2374-75, H2375, H2390, H2390-91, H2392-93, H2393-94, H2398-99, H2410-11, H2411. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 9:19 p.m. [[Page D448]] Committee Meetings SEC Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held a hearing on the SEC. Testimony was heard from Christopher Cox, Chairman, SEC. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agency Agencies held a hearing on Special Operations Command. Testimony was heard from ADM Eric T. Olson, USN, Commander, Special Operations Command, Department of Defense. NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY PROGRAM Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the National Industrial Security Program: Addressing the Implications of Globalization and Foreign Ownership for the Defense Industrial Base. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense; Troy Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary, Counterintelligence and Security; Kathleen Watson, Director, Defense Security Service; and William Schneider, Chairman, Defense Science Board; and Ann Calvaresi-Barr, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO. GROUND FORCE READINESS SHORTFALLS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Air Land Forces and the Subcommittee on Readiness held a joint hearing on H. Res. 834, Regarding the readiness decline of the Army, Marine Corps, National Guard, and Reserves, and the implications for national security. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. RETIREMENT PLAN DISCLOSURE RULES Committee on Education and Labor: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3185, 401(k) Fair Disclosure for Retirement Security Act of 2007. PROTECTING THE MEDICAID SAFETY NET ACT OF 2008 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5613, Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008. REFORM INSURANCE REGULATIONS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``Examining Proposals to Reform Insurance Regulation.'' Testimony was heard from David G. Nelson, Assistant Secretary, Financial Institutions, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses. FORECLOSURE PREVENTION AND SOUND MORTGAGE SERVICING ACT OF 2008 Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing on H.R. 5679, Foreclosure Prevention and Sound Mortgage Servicing Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from Laura A. Maggiano, Deputy Director, Office of Single Family Asset Management, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Judy Caden, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Department of Veterans Affairs; and public witnesses. WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism held a hearing entitled ``Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Ensuring Successful Implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Kathleen Kraninger, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Policy Screening Coordination Office; and Robert Jacksta, Executive Director, Traveler Security and Facilitation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Derwood Staeben, Senior Advisor, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, Department of State; Liz Luce, Director, Department of Licensing, State of Washington; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--NON-AGRICULTURAL FOREIGN WORKERS PROGRAM Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law held an oversight hearing on the H-2b Program. Testimony was heard from Representatives Stupak, Bishop of New York and Gilchrest; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--DRIFTNET FISHING MORATORIUM; SHARK CONSERVATION ACT Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans held an oversight hearing on the implementation of the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing provisions of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and a hearing on H.R. 5741 Shark Conservation Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from David A. Balton, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Oceans and Fisheries, Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science, Department of State; Rebecca Lent, Director, Office of International Affairs, NOAA, Department of Commerce; CAPT Michael Giglio, USCG,. Chief, [[Page D449]] Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--INDIAN WATER RIGHTS Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight hearing on Indian Water Rights Settlements. Testimony was heard from Michael Bogert, Chairman, Working Group on Indian Water Rights, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 4791, amended, Federal Agency Data Protection Act; H.R. 5712, amended, Close the Contractor Fraud Loophole Act; H.R. 5781, Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act; H. Res. 49, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Letter Carriers Appreciation Day; H. Res. 127, Recognizing and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the entry of Alaska in the Union as the 49th State; H. Res. 1073, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 5 through 11, 2008; H. Res. 1091, amended, Honoring the life, achievements, and contributions of Charlton Heston and extending its deepest sympathies to the family of Charlton Heston for the loss of such a generous man, husband, and father; and H.R. 5477, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 South Del Mar Avenue in San Gabriel, California, as the ``Chi Mui Post Office Building.'' The Committee also held a hearing on Healthcare Associated Infections: A Preventable Epidemic. Testimony was heard from Cynthia Bascetta, Director, Health Care Issues, GAO; Don Wright, M.D., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Health, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS PRESERVATION ACT Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives held a hearing on the Electronic Communications Preservation Act. Testimony was heard from Linda Koontz, Director, Information Management, GAO; the following officials of the National Archives and Records Administration: Paul M. Webster, Jr., Director, Modern Records Program; and Sharon K. Fawcett, Assistant Archivist for Presidential Libraries; and public witnesses. BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE OVERSIGHT Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs continued hearings on What Are the Prospects, What Are the Costs?: Oversight Missile Defense (Part 11). Testimony was heard from public witnesses. NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE AMENDMENTS ACT Committee on Science and Technology: Held a hearing on the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from Floyd E. Kvamme, Co-Chair, President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology; and public witnesses. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ACT Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 5789, Science and Technology Innovation Act of 2008. SMALL BUSINESSES FEDERAL CONTRACT ACCESS Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology held a hearing on the obstacles that small businesses currently face in securing federal contracts. Testimony was heard from Fay E. Ott, Associate Administrator, Contracting, SBA; and public witnesses. CLEAN WATER RESTORATION ACT Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Held a hearing on the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from John Paul Woodley, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Army, Civil Works, Department of the Army; Arlen Lancaster, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA; Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Water, EPA; John C. Cruden, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice; Joan Card, Director, Water Quality Division, Department of Environmental Quality, Arizona; James M. Tierney, Assistant Commissioner, Water Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, New York; and public witnesses. VETERANS MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 4883, To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for a limitation on the sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property owned by a servicmember during the one-year period following the servicemember's period of military service; H.R. [[Page D450]] 4884, Helping Our Veterans to Keep Their Homes Act of 2008; H.R. 4889, Guard and Reserves Are Fighting Too Act of 2008; H.R. 4539, Department of Veterans Affairs Loan Guaranty Cost Reduction Act of 2007; H.R. 3646, To direct the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs and the Secretary of Labor to conduct a joint study on the fields of employment for which the greatest need for employees exists in various geographic areas; H.R. 5664, to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update at least once every six years the plans and specifications for specially adapted housing furnished to veterans by the Secretary; H.R. 3798, National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2007; H.R. 3681, Veterans Benefits Awareness Act of 2007; H.R. 3393, Reservist Access to Justice Act of 2007; H.R. 3889, To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a longitudinal study of the vocational rehabilitation programs administered by the Secretary; and H.R. 5684, Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from Representatives Filner, Buyer, Rodriguez, Stearns, Hayes, Davis of Alabama, Patrick J. Murphy of Pennsylvania and Yarmuth; Charles S. Ciccolella, Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, Department of Labor; the following officials of the Department of Defense Thomas L. Bush, Principal Director, Manpower and Personnel; and Curtis L. Gilroy, Director, Accession Policy, Office of the Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; Keith Pedigo, Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Policy and Program Management, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations. EMERGENCY EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION ACT OF 2008 Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5749, Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008. BRIEFING--BUDGET HUMINT Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget-HUMINT. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. BRIEFING--HOT SPOTS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis, and Counter-Intelligence met in executive session to receive a briefing on Hot Spots. The Subcommittee was briefed by GEN Michael Hayden, USAF, Director, CIA; and LTG Michael Maples, USA, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense. GREEN CAPITAL SEEDING INNOVATION AND THE FUTURE ECONOMY Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing entitled ``Green Capital: Seeding Innovation and the Future Economy.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. Joint Meetings FARM BILL EXTENSION ACT Conferees met to resolve the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call and will meet again on Thursday, April 17, 2008. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) safety and modernization performance, 10 a.m., SD-138. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power, to hold hearings to examine the United States Bureau of Reclamation, focusing on issues associated with aging water resource infrastructure, 2 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of David Gustafson, of Virginia, Richard T. Morrison, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court, and Elizabeth Crewson Paris, of the District of Columbia, all to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court, and Eric M. Thorson, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, and Edwin Eck, of Montana, to be a Member of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board, both of the Department of the Treasury, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration, to hold hearings to examine fusion centers, focusing on a recent progress report, 2 p.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the National Indian Gaming Commission, 10:30 a.m., SD-562. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on Military Resale and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) overview, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Budget [[Page D451]] Request for Missile Defense Program, 1 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, hearing on H.R. 5244, Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, joint hearing on Between Feckless and Reckless: U.S. Policy Options to Prevent a Nuclear Iran, 1 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, hearing on 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. 1783, Elder Justice Act, and H.R. 5352, Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 5541, Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act; H.R. 3522, to ratify a conveyance of a portion of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation to Rio Arriba County, State of New Mexico, pursuant to the settlement of litigation between the Jicarilla Apache Nation and Rio Arriba County, State of New Mexico, to authorize issuance of a patent for said lands, and to change the exterior boundary of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation accordingly, and for other purposes; S. 2457, To provide for extensions of leases of certain land by Mashantucket Pequot (Western Tribe); H.R. 1575, Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Reafirmation Act; and H.R. 3490, Tuolumne Me-Wuk Land Transfer Act of 2007, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, hearing on After the Beef Recall: Exploring Greater Transparency in the Meat Industry, 1 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, hearing on Maintaining Public Lands for Hunting, Fishing, Ranching and Small Businesses, 9:30 a.m., and a markup of a measure Reauthorizing the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, 1 p.m., 1539 Longworth. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, hearing on First in a Series: Greening Washington and the National Capital Region, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Joint Meetings Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: to hold hearings to examine Armenia and the United States, focusing on Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSEC) negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia's qualifications for assistance from the Millennium Challenge Account, 2 p.m., B-318, Rayburn Building. Conference: meeting of conferees on H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, Time to be announced, SH-216. 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. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. 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Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D452]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 12:45 p.m., Thursday, April 17 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 1195, Highway Technical Corrections. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 8:30 a.m., Thursday, April 17 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Complete consideration of H.R. 5715--Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E637 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E629 Boucher, Rick, Va., E630 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E628 Capuano, Michael E., Mass., E624 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E631 Davis, Tom, Va., E637 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E635 Fossella, Vito, N.Y., E624 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E627 Gohmert, Louie, Tex., E624 Gonzalez, Charles A., Tex., E629 Goode, Virgil H., Jr., Va., E630 Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E631 Hall, Ralph M., Tex., E635 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E636 Hinchey, Maurice D., N.Y., E628 Inslee, Jay, Wash., E627 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E623, E625 Jordan, Jim, Ohio, E636 Kaptur, Marcy, Ohio, E630 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E623, E624, E626 LoBiondo, Frank A., N.J., E623, E625 McCarthy, Carolyn, N.Y., E633 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E637 McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E625 Moran, James P., Va., E632 Pallone, Frank, Jr., N.J., E634 Pascrell, Bill, Jr., N.J., E629, E638 Pearce, Stevan, N.M., E637 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E623, E624, E626, E628 Reichert, David G., Wash., E635 Rothman, Steven R., N.J., E625 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E633 Salazar, John T., Colo., E637 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E629 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E634 Space, Zachary T., Ohio, E623, E624, E626, E628, E629, E630, E631, E632, E633 Thompson, Bennie G., Miss., E632 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E627 Udall, Mark, Colo., E626 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E627 Walden, Greg, Ore., E628, E631 WWittman, Robert J., Va., E633