Thursday, June 19, 2008 [[Page D772]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S5771-S5920 Measures Introduced: Fifteen bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 3158-3172, and S. Res. 596. Pages S5832-33 Measures Reported: Special Report entitled ``Allocation to Subcommittees of Budget Totals From the Concurrent Resolution, Fiscal Year 2008''. (S. Rept. No. 110-392) Special Report entitled ``Allocation to Subcommittees of Budget Totals From the Concurrent Resolution, Fiscal Year 2009''. (S. Rept. No. 110-393) Page S5832 Measures Passed: Deficit Reduction Act: Senate passed S. 2607, to make a technical correction to section 3009 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Page S5915 Dodd (for Inouye/Stevens) Amendment No. 5014, to provide for additional consumer outreach and education concerning the digital television transition. Page S5915 NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 2159, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S5915-17 Dodd/Shelby Amendment No. 5015, to extend the period during which the coins may be minted and issued. Page S5915 Measures Considered: Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act: Senate continued 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 S5772-75 New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act and the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act: Senate began consideration of the motion to concur in the amendments of the House of Representatives to the amendments of the Senate to H.R. 3221, to provide needed housing reform, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S5775-S5819 Rejected: By 11 yeas to 77 nays, and 1 voting present (Vote No. 152), Bond Modified Amendment No. 4986 (to Amendment No. 4983), to clarify that GSEs have no responsibility for funding housing entities under the Affordable Housing program. Pages S5783-85, S5807-09, S5811-12 Withdrawn: By 11 yeas to 70 nays, 5 responding present (Vote No. 154), Bunning Motion to Refer the House Message on the bill to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, with instructions. (A unanimous- consent agreement was reached providing that the motion, having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, be withdrawn.) Pages S5814-17 Pending: Reid (for Dodd/Shelby) Amendment No. 4983 (to the House Amendment striking section 1 through Title V and inserting certain language to the Senate amendment to the bill), of a perfecting nature. Pages S5776-S5817 Bond Amendment No. 4987 (to Amendment No. 4983), to enhance mortgage loan disclosure requirements with additional safeguards for adjustable rate mortgages with an initial fixed rate and loans that contain prepayment penalty. Pages S5782-83 Dole Amendment No. 4984 (to Amendment No. 4983), to improve the regulation of appraisal standards. Pages S5785-99, S5807 Sununu Amendment No. 4999 (to Amendment No. 4983), to amend the United States Housing Act of 1937 to exempt qualified public housing agencies from the requirement of preparing an annual public housing agency plan. Pages S5799-S5804 [[Page D773]] Kohl Amendment No. 4988 (to Amendment No. 4983), to protect the property and security of homeowners who are subject to foreclosure proceedings. Page S5804 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 21 yeas to 69 nays (Vote No. 153), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive section 201 of S. Con. Res. 21, FY08 Congressional Budget Resolution, with respect to Bond Amendment No. 4985 (to Amendment No. 4983), to strike provisions relating to the HOPE for Homeowners Program. Subsequently, the pay-as-you-go point of order that the amendment would cause or increase an on-budget deficit for either of the applicable time periods set out in S. Con. Res. 21, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S5781-82, S5808, S5809-11, S5812 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the motion to concur in the amendments of the House of Representatives to the amendments of the Senate to the bill at approximately 9:30 a.m., on Friday, June 20, 2008. Pages S5917-18 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Richard G. Olson, Jr., of New Mexico, to be Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Brent R. Orrell, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor. Diane Barone, of Nevada, to be a Member of the National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board for a term expiring January 30, 2011. Mary E. Curtis, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board for a term expiring November 25, 2011. J. Patrick Rowan, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General. Gregory G. Garre, of Maryland, to be Solicitor General of the United States. Michael O'Neill, of Maryland, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia. Jeffrey Adam Rosen, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Navy. Pages S5918-20 Messages from the House: Page S5829 Measures Referred: Page S5829 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S5829 Executive Communications: Pages S5829-30 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S5830-32 Additional Cosponsors: Page S5833-34 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S5834-39 Additional Statements: Pages S5827-29 Amendments Submitted: Pages S5839-S5914 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S5914-15 Privileges of the Floor: Page S5915 Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--154) Pages S5812, S5817 Recess: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and recessed at 7:04 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S5917- 18.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Appropriations: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: An original bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009; and An original bill making appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. Also, Committee approved its 302(b) subcommittee allocations of budget outlays and new budget authority allocated to the Committee in S. Con. Res. 70, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscals years 2008 and 2010 through 2013. RISK MANAGEMENT Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment concluded a hearing to examine risk management, focusing on its implications for systemic risk at large financial institutions, after receiving testimony from Donald L. Kohn, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Erik Sirri, Director, Division of Trading and Markets, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; Scott M. Polakoff, Senior Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, Office of Thrift Supervision; Richard Bookstaber, Bridgewater Associates, New York, New York; and Richard J. Herring, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, and Kevin M. Blakely, Risk Management Association, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [[Page D774]] CRUISE SHIP SAFETY Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security concluded a hearing to examine cruise ship safety, focusing on potential steps for keeping Americans safe at sea, after receiving testimony from Kendall Carver, International Cruise Victims Association, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona; Terry Dale, Cruise Lines International Association, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Evelyn Fortier, Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), Washington, D.C.; and Ross A. Klein, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's College, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of James Culbertson, of North Carolina, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who was introduced by Senators Dole and Burr, David F. Girard-diCarlo, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Austria, who was introduced by Senator Specter, Kristen Silverberg, of Texas, to be Representative of the United States of America to the European Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador, who was introduced by Senator Cornyn, John R. Beyrle, of Michigan, to be Ambassador to the Russian Federation, who was introduced by Senator Levin, Asif J. Chaudhry, of Washington, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Tina S. Kaidanow, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo, Philip Thomas Reeker, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia, and Marie L. Yovanovitch, of Connecticut, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, who was introduced by former Senator Robert J. Dole, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE MANAGEMENT Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine management challenges facing the Federal Protective Service, focusing on a recent report from the Government Accountability Office, after receiving testimony from Gary W. Schenkel, Director, Federal Protective Service, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; Mark L. Goldstein, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office; and David L. Wright, Federal Protective Service Union, AFGE, Excelsior Springs, Missouri. MINER ACT Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety concluded a hearing to examine the efficacy of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act (MINER)(Public Law 109-236), focusing on a two year review of mine safety, after receiving testimony from Senator Rockefeller; Richard E. Stickler, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration; Jeffery Kohler, Associate Director for Mine Safety and Health Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; Dennis O'Dell, United Mine Workers of America, Fairfax, Virginia; and Bruce Watzman, National Mining Association, Washington, D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 1255, to protect Indian arts and crafts through the improvement of applicable criminal proceedings, with an amendment; S. 531, to repeal section 10(f) of Public Law 93-531, commonly known as the ``Bennett Freeze''; S. 1080, to develop a program to acquire interests in land from eligible individuals within the Crow Reservation in the State of Montana; S. 2489, to enhance and provide to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Angostura Irrigation Project certain benefits of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River basin program; S. 160, to provide for compensation to the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Sioux Tribes of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by Pick- Sloan projects along the Missouri River; and S. 2494, to provide for equitable compensation to the Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation for the use of tribal land for the production of hydropower by the Grand Coulee Dam, with an amendment. LAW AND ORDER IN INDIAN COUNTRY Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine an original bill to amend the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act, the Indian Tribal Justice Act, the Indian Tribal Justice Technical and Legal Assistance Act of 2000, and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to improve the prosecution of, and response to, crimes in Indian country, after receiving testimony from Senator Thune; Gretchen C.F. Shappert, United States [[Page D775]] Attorney, Western District of North Carolina, Department of Justice; Pat Ragsdale, Director, Office of Justice Services, Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; Ron His Horse Is Thunder, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Fort Yates, North Dakota; Joe A. Garcia, National Congress of American Indians, and Walter E. Lamar, Lamar Associates, both of Washington, D.C.; and Kelly Gaines Stoner, Oklahoma City University School of Law, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to the call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 23 public bills, H.R. 6304- 6326; and 6 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 374; and H. Res. 1284, 1286-1289 were introduced. Pages H5728-29 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H5729-31 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H. Res. 1284, providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the House amendments to the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2642) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-720); H. Res. 1285, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6304) to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence (H. Rept. 110-721); H.R. 2818, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the establishment of Epilepsy Centers of Excellence in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, with amendments (H. Rept. 110-722); H.R. 2452, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to ensure that sewage treatment plants monitor for and report discharges of raw sewage, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-723); H.R. 5001, to authorize the Administrator of General Services to provide for the redevelopment of the Old Post Office Building located in the District of Columbia, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-724); and H.R. 6109, to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program (H. Rept. 110-725). Page H5728 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Tauscher to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H5583 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Thomas A. Rhodes, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Folsom, California. Page H5583 Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules: The House agreed to H. Res. 1281, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question. Page H5592 Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures which were debated on Tuesday, June 17th: Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Authorization Act: H.R. 5710, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority for the planning, design, and construction of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System, by \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 301 yeas to 124 nays, Roll No. 425; Page H5594 Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation Act of 2008: H.R. 5511, amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to remedy problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville, Colorado; and Page H5595 Congratulating and recognizing Mr. Juan Antonio ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez for his continued success on and off of 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: Res. 1029, amended, to congratulate [[Page D776]] and recognize Mr. Juan Antonio ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez for his continued success on and off of 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, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 415 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 433. Page H5705 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Congratulating and recognizing Mr. Juan Antonio `Chi-Chi' Rodriguez for his continued success on and off of the golf course.''. Page H5705 Oath of Office--Fourth Congressional District of Maryland: Representative-elect Donna Edwards presented herself 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 Ms. Linda H. Lamone, Administrator, Maryland State Board of Elections, indicating that, according to the unofficial returns of the Special Election held on June 17, 2008, the Honorable Donna Edwards was elected Representative to Congress for the Fourth Congressional District, State of Maryland. Pages H5607-08 Whole Number of the House: The Speaker announced to the House that, in light of the administration of the oath to the gentlewoman from Maryland, Ms. Donna Edwards, the whole number of the House is adjusted to 435. Page H5608 Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 5781, to provide that 8 of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal employee shall be paid leave, by a yea-and-nay vote of 278 yeas to 146 nays, Roll No. 428. Pages H5595-H5607, H5608-11 Rejected the Jordan (OH) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with instructions to report the same back to the House promptly with amendments, by a yea-and-nay vote of 206 yeas to 220 nays, Roll No. 427. Pages H5608-10 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. Page H5596 Accepted: Davis (IL) manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-718) that makes certain technical and conforming changes to the bill, strikes a requirement for a study by the Government Accountability Office, and makes section 4 not effective with respect to births or placements occurring within 6 months of the enactment of the Act (by a yea-and-nay vote of 422 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 426). Pages H5605-07 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H5622 H. Res. 1277, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a recorded vote of 230 ayes to 194 noes, Roll No. 424, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 197 nays, Roll No. 423. Pages H5587-92, H5593-94 Recess: The House recessed at 2:41 p.m. and reconvened at 5:08 p.m. Page H5611 Suspension Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and agree to the following measure which was debated on Wednesday, June 18th: Condemning postelection violence in Zimbabwe and calling for a peaceful resolution to the current political crisis: H. Res. 1230, amended, to condemn postelection violence in Zimbabwe and calling for a peaceful resolution to the current political crisis, by a \2/3\ yea- and-nay vote of 412 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 430. Pages H5621-22 Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008: The House agreed to the Senate amendments to the House amendments to the Senate amendment with an amendment, made in order by the rule and printed in H. Rept. 110-720, to H.R. 2642, making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Pages H5622-H5705 On a division of the question, the House agreed to the Senate amendment to House amendment No. 1 to the Senate amendment, by a yea- and-nay vote of 268 yeas to 155 nays, Roll No. 431. Pages H5646-H5704 On a division of the question, the House agreed to the Senate amendment to House amendment No. 2 to the Senate amendment, with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 416 ayes to 12 noes, Roll No. 432. Pages H5646-H5705 H. Res. 1284, the rule providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the House amendments to the Senate amendment to the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 342 yeas to 83 nays, Roll No. 429, after agreeing to order the previous question. Pages H5611-21 Quorum Calls--Votes: Nine yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H5593, H5593-94. H5594, H5606-07, H5609-10, H5610-11, H5621, H5621-22, H5703- 04, H5704-05, and H5705. There were no quorum calls. [[Page D777]] Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:40 p.m. Committee Meetings AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee action the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009. LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND RELATED APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2009 Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee action the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009. WORKPLACE INJURIES AND ILLNESSES--UNDERREPORTING Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on Hidden Tragedy: Underreporting of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses. Testimony was heard from: John Ruser, Assistant Commandant, Safety and Health Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor; Bob Whitmore, former Chief, OSHA Division of Recordkeeping, Department of Labor; and public witnesses. STATE OF THOROUGHBRED RACING Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled ``Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held a hearing entitled ``Legislative Proposals to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: An Overview.'' Testimony was heard from Douglas P. Scott, Director, Environmental Protection Agency, State of Illinois; and public witnesses. AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVATION Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Affordable Housing and Preservation and Protection of Tenants.'' Testimony was heard from John L. Garvin, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Multi-Family Housing Programs and Senior Advisor to the Federal Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Shaun Donovan, Commissioner, Department of Housing Preservation and Development, City of New York; Clarence Snuggs, Deputy Secretary, Department of Housing and Community Development, State of Maryland; and public witnesses. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERGRADUATES FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Committee on Foreign Affairs: 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 held a joint hearing on Restoring America's Leadership through Scholarships for Undergraduates from Developing Countries: The Uniting Students in America (USA) Proposal. Testimony was heard from George Scott, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Team, GAO; and public witnesses. INTERNATIONAL GENETICS REGULATIONS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade held a hearing on Genetics and other Human Modification Technologies: Sensible International Regulation of New Kind of Arms Race. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FALSE CLAIMS ACT CORRECTION ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property and the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held a joint hearing on H.R. 4854, False Claims Act Correction Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--UTAH NAVAJO TRUST FUND Committee on Natural Resources: Held an oversight hearing on Utah Navajo Trust Fund. Testimony was heard from Ross O. Swimmer, Special Trustee for American Indians, Department of the Interior; Tani Pack Downing, Deputy Chief of Staff and General Counsel, Office of the Governor, State of Utah; and public witnesses. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT--GRANTMAKING PRACTICES Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on Examining Grantmaking Practices at the Department of Justice. Testimony was heard from J. Robert Flores, Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice. [[Page D778]] FISA ACT AMENDMENTS OF 2008 Committee on Rules: Committee granted, by a non-record vote, a closed rule providing for consideration of H.R. 6304, the ``FISA Amendments Act of 2008.'' The rule provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided among and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary and the chairman and ranking minority member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the bill shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions of the bill. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule permits the Chair, during consideration of the bill, to postpone further consideration of it to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Chairman Reyes and Representative Jackson-Lee of Texas. SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FY 2008--PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO SENATE AMENDMENT Committee on Rules: Committee granted, by a non-record vote, a rule providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the House amendments to the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2642), the ``Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008.'' The rule would make in order a motion offered by the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations that the House (1) concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment numbered 1 and (2) concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment numbered 2 with the amendment printed in the Rules Committee report. The rule waives all points of order against the motion except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI. The motion shall be debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The Senate amendment and the motion shall be considered as read. The Chair shall divide the question between the dispositions of the two Senate amendments. Notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone consideration of the motion to a time designated by the Speaker. The rule permits the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations to insert in the Congressional Record dated June 19, 2008, such material as he may deem explanatory of the motion. The rule provides that it shall be in order to consider a concurrent resolution providing for the adjournment of the House and Senate during the month of July. Testimony was heard from Chairman Obey and Representatives Woolsey, Lee and Shays. FEDERAL WEATHER SATELLITE PROGRAM Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on an Insecure Forecast for Continuity of Climate and Weather Data: The NPOESS Weather Satellite Program. Testimony was heard from David Powner, Director, Information Technology Management Issues, GAO; VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.), Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator, NOAA, Department of Commerce. SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Small Business Exports in the Current Economic Climate.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard, and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Federal Maritime Commission Management and Regulation of International Shipping. Testimony was heard from the following Commissioners of the Federal Maritime Commission: Rebecca F. Dye; Joseph E. Brennan; and Harold J. Creel, Jr., and public witnesses. MISSISSIPPI REDEVELOPMENT Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on Moving Mississippi Forward: Ongoing Progress and Remaining Problems. Testimony was heard from Representatives Taylor, Thompson of Mississippi, and Pickering; Sidney Melton, Director, Mississippi Transitional Recovery Office, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security; Michael Womack, Director, Emergency Management Agency, States of Mississippi; and public witnesses. VETERANS MEASURES Committee on Veterans Affairs: Held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 2721, to amend title 10. United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop, and the Secretary of Defense to distribute to members of the Armed Forces upon their discharge or release from active duty, information in a compact disc read-only memory format that lists and explains the health, education, and other benefits for which veterans are eligible under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans; H.R. 2786, Servicemembers Telecom Contract Relief Act; H.R. 6070, Military Spouses Residency Relief Act; [[Page D779]] H.R. 4255, United States Olympic Committee Paralympic Program Act of 2007; H.R. 6221, Veteran-Owned Small Business Protection and Clarification Act of 2008; H.R. 6224, Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2008; H.R. 6225, Injunctive Relief for Veterans Act of 2008; and H.R. 6272, To authorize discretionary appropriations to carry out the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 1992, Testimony was heard from Representatives Filner, Zoe Lofgren of California, Cardoza, Carter, and Welch of Vermont; R. Keith Pedigo, Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Policy and Program Management, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. ECONOMIC STIMULUS PAYMENTS STATUS Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight, and the Subcommittee on Social Security held a joint hearing on Economic Stimulus Payments. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the IRS, Department of the Treasury: Douglas H. Shulman, Commissioner; and Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate; and Linda McMahon. Deputy Commissioner, Operations, SSA. BRIEFING--HOT SPOTS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to receive a briefing on Hot Spots. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings ILLEGAL DRUGS Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the drug policy of the United States, focusing on the economic impact, societal costs, and policy responses, after receiving testimony from Peter Reuter, University of Maryland School of Public Policy and Department of Criminology, College Park; John M. Walsh, Washington Office on Latin America, Washington, D.C.; and Anne J. Swern and Norma Fernandes, both of Kings County, Brooklyn, New York. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D709) H.R. 6081, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide benefits for military personnel. Signed on June 17, 2008. (Public Law 110-245) H.R. 6124, to provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012. Signed on June 18, 2008. (Public Law 110-246) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Elaine C. Duke, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for Management, Department of Homeland Security, 10 a.m., SD-342. House Committee on Appropriations, 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, 9 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, hearing on H.R. 5772, Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, hearing on Revelations by former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, 9:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to consider a resolution and report recommending to the House that Stephen L. Johnson. Administrator of EPA and Susan E. Dudley, Administrator of the Information and Regulatory Affairs in OMB, be cited for contempt of Congress. 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. 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 D780]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Friday, June 20 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of the motion to concur in the amendments of the House of Representatives to the amendments of the Senate to H.R. 3221, New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act and the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9 a.m., Friday, June 20 House Chamber Program for Friday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Berman, Howard L., Calif., E1275 Bishop, Rob, Utah, E1294 Blunt, Roy, Mo., E1283 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E1288 Brady, Robert A., Pa., E1282, E1289 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1283 Childers, Travis W., Miss., E1290 Courtney, Joe, Conn., E1284 Delahunt, William D., Mass., E1276 Dingell, John D., Mich., E1281 Drake, Thelma D., Va., E1278, E1281, E1286 Edwards, Chet, Tex., E1278 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E1278 Frank, Barney, Mass., E1280 Gallegly, Elton, Calif., E1282 Graves, Sam, Mo., E1286, E1287, E1289, E1290, E1293, E1294, E1295 Green, Gene, Tex., E1288 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E1279, E1293 Hinchey, Maurice D., N.Y., E1290 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E1291, E1295 Hooley, Darlene, Ore., E1288 Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E1279 King, Steve, Iowa, E1283 Lewis, John, Ga., E1287 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E1283 Mahoney, Tim, Fla., E1277 Markey, Edward J., Mass., E1292 Marshall, Jim, Ga., E1285 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1286 Murphy, Christopher S., Conn., E1285 Murtha, John P., Pa., E1279 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E1284 Oberstar, James L., Minn., E1283 Paul, Ron, Tex., E1281, E1291 Pelosi, Nancy, Calif., E1275 Pence, Mike, Ind., E1290 Poe, Ted, Tex., E1290 Rahall, Nick J., II, W.Va., E1287 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E1281 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E1285 Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E1277 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E1277 Sherman, Brad, Calif., E1288, E1293 Shimkus, John, Ill., E1280 Shuler, Heath, N.C., E1293 Udall, Mark, Colo., E1282, E1289 Walberg, Timothy, Mich., E1279 Wilson, Heather, N.M., E1277 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E1275, E1286