Tuesday, February 26, 2008 [[Page D174]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1149-S1216 Measures Introduced: Three bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2667-2669, and S. Res. 461. Page S1201 Measures Passed: Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments: By 83 yeas and 10 nays (Vote No. 32), Senate passed S. 1200, to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend the Act, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S1150-58 Adopted: By 52 yeas and 42 nays (Vote No. 30), Vitter Modified Amendment No. 3896 (to Amendment No. 3899), to modify a section relating to limitation on use of funds appropriated to the Service. Pages S1150-51 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding the passage of S. 1200, Vitter Amendment No. 3896 be modified. Page S1150 By 56 yeas and 38 nays (Vote No. 31), Smith Amendment No. 3897 (to Amendment No. 3899), to modify a provision relating to development of innovative approaches. Pages S1150, S1151-52 Murkowski (for DeMint) Amendment No. 4066 (to Amendment No. 3899), of a perfecting nature. Pages S1150, S1152 Dorgan Amendment No. 3899, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S1150, S1155 Withdrawn: Murkowski (for DeMint) Amendment No. 4015 (to Amendment No. 3899), to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Indian health savings account demonstration project. Pages S1150, S1152 IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act: Senate passed S. 428, to amend the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S1205-08 Nelson (FL) (for Inouye/Stevens) Amendment No. 4086, to clarify the FCC's authority to require 9-1-1 service. Page S1208 Measures Considered: Troop Redeployment: Senate continued consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2633, to provide for the safe redeployment of United States troops from Iraq. Pages S1165-94 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 70 yeas to 24 nays (Vote No. 33), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Page S1167 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 and that all time during the recess adjournment or morning business count post- cloture. Page S1208 Appointments: Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board: The Chair announced, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to Public Law 107-12, the appointment of the following individual to serve as a member of the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board: Trevor Whipple of Vermont vice David E. Demag of Vermont. Page S1208 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Sheila McNamara Greenwood, of Louisiana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Edwin Eck, of Montana, to be a Member of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board for a term expiring September 14, 2008. Kenneth E. Carfine, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board for a term expiring September 21, 2010. Peter E. Cianchette, of Maine, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica. Colm F. Connolly, of Delaware, to be United States District Judge for the District of Delaware. [[Page D175]] Paul A. Schneider, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. 2 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 1 Army nomination in the rank of general. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps. Pages S1208-16 Nominations Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nominations: Catherine G. West, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board for a term expiring September 14, 2008, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007. Peter E. Cianchette, of Maine, to be a Member of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board for a term expiring September 14, 2010, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007. Stanley C. Suboleski, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Fossil Energy), which was sent to the Senate on December 11, 2007. Page S1216 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Pages S1149, S1199 Executive Communications: Pages S1199-S1201 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1201-03 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Page S1203 Additional Statements: Pages S1198-99 Amendments Submitted: Pages S1203-04 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S1204 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S1204 Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--33) Pages S1151-52, S1155, S1167 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 8:03 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1208.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PROGRAMS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies concluded an oversight hearing to examine the oil, gas, and mineral revenue programs managed by the Department of the Interior, after receiving testimony from C. Stephen Allred, Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management, and Randall Luthi, Director, Minerals Management Service, both of the Department of the Interior. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of the Army, and the future years defense program, after receiving testimony from Preston M. Geren III, Secretary, and General George W. Casey, Jr., USA, Chief of Staff, both of the Army, Department of Defense. U.S. OIL INVENTORY POLICIES Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine United States oil inventory policies, focusing on the Department of Energy's Strategic Petroleum Reserve Project Management Office policies, after receiving testimony from Katharine Fredriksen, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy and International Affairs; Frank Rusco, Acting Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office; Frank A. Verrastro, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C.; and Melanie A. Kenderdine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative, Cambridge. ECONOMIC AND FISCAL CONDITIONS OF THE STATES Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the economic and fiscal conditions of the states, focusing on the national economic outlook, after receiving testimony from Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Phoenix. 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. [[Page D176]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 12 public bills, H.R. 5488- 5500; and 4 resolutions, H. Res. 998-1000, 1002 were introduced. Pages H1073-74 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H1074-75 Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H. Res. 1001, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5351) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation (H. Rept. 110-530). Pages H1072, H1073 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Clarke to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H1033 Recess: The House recessed at 10:41 a.m. and reconvened at 12 p.m. Page H1034 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey, Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Peekskill, New York. Page H1034 Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a yea-and-nay vote of 226 yeas to 183 nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 72. Page H1044 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Bonner, wherein he resigned from the Committees on Agriculture and Science and Technology, effective Monday, February 25, 2008. Page H1046 Committee Elections: The House agreed to H. Res. 998, electing the following Members to serve on certain standing committees of the House of Representatives: Committee on Appropriations: Representative Bonner. Committee on the Budget: Representative Jordan. Committee on Financial Services: Representative Heller (NV). Committee on Natural Resources: Representatives Smith (NE) and Wittman (VA). Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Representative Latta. Page H1046 Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 999, electing the following Member to serve on the Committee on Foreign Affairs: Representative Lee. Page H1046 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Jordan, wherein he resigned from the Committee on Small Business, effective Monday, February 25, 2008. Page H1046 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Heller (NV), wherein he resigned from the Committees on Natural Resources, Education and Labor, and Small Business, effective Monday, February 25, 2008. Page H1046 Public Housing Asset Management Improvement Act of 2007: The House began consideration of H.R. 3521, to improve the Operating Fund for public housing of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Pursuant to section 2 of H. Res. 974, further proceedings were postponed. Pages H1037-44 H1046-56 Agreed to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair on a point of order sustained against the Smith (TX) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Financial Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 218 ayes to 195 noes, Roll No. 77. Pages H1054-55 Representative Bachmann moved to recommit the bill to the Committee on Financial Services with instructions to report the same back to the House promptly with instructions. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. Pages H1055-56 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. Page H1051 Pursuant to section 3 of the rule, H. Res. 955 is laid upon the table. Accepted: Sires manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-524) that clarifies the intent of an amendment offered by Representative Velazquez and adopted by the Financial Services Committee by ensuring that public housing authorities that apply to HUD for ``stop-loss'' do not have their applications rejected on the basis that the management and related fees they establish pursuant to this bill are not reasonable as defined by HUD. Additionally, the amendment is a restatement of current law with respect to the ineligibility of illegal immigrants for assistance (by a recorded vote of 415 ayes with none voting ``no'', Roll No. 75) and Pages H1051-53 Meek (FL) amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-524) that holds HUD responsible, in the case of receivership, for performing the same responsibilities that the local housing agencies have in respect to working with tenant associations before building public housing. Additionally, in the case of receivership, before building new public housing HUD [[Page D177]] must honor any formal agreements entered into before the commencement of such receivership between the local housing authority and the tenant association (by a recorded vote of 337 ayes to 77 noes, Roll No. 76). Pages H1052-54 H. Res. 974, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a recorded vote of 218 ayes to 190 noes, Roll No. 74, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 212 yeas to 198 nays, Roll No. 73. Pages H1037, H1044-46 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, February 27th. Page H1072 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and four recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1044, H1044-45, H1045-46, H1052-53, H1053-54 and H1054-55. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 5:57 p.m. Committee Meetings COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Office of Science and Technology Policy and on International Trade Commission. Testimony was heard from John H. Marburger, III, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Daniel R. Pearson, Chairman, U.S. International Trade Commission. DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session to hold a hearing on Missile Defense Agency. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: LT Gen Henry A. (Trey) Obering, III, USAF, Director, Missile Defense Agency; and LT Gen Kevin T. Campbell, USA, Commanding General, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command and Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense; and Paul Francis, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management GAO. HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on Immigration Enforcement Issues, including Comprehensive Identification and Removal of Criminal Aliens and Students and Exchange Visitor Program fee increases-Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Testimony was heard from Julie Myers, Assistant Secretary, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, and a public witness. INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Environmental Protection Agency. Testimony was heard from Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, EPA. LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on Secretary of Education. Testimony was heard from Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education. The Subcommittee also held an overview hearing on Opportunities Lost and Costs to Society: The Social and Economic Burden of Inadequate Education, Training and Workforce Development. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies held a hearing on American Battle Commission, Arlington National Cemetery and United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, Armed Forces Retirement Income, and on United States Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims. Testimony was heard from Brig Gen John W. Nicholson, USA, (Retired), Secretary and Brig Gen. William J. Leszczynski, Jr. USA, (Retired) Executive Director, both with the American Battle Monuments Commission; John Paul Woodley, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Civil Works, Department of the Army; Timothy Cox, Chief Operating Officer, Armed Forces Retirement Home; and Chief Judge William Green, United States Court of Appeals for Veteran's Claims. STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget- Millennium Challenge Account. Testimony was heard from John Danilovich, CEO, Millennium Challenge Corporation. TRANSPORTATION, HUD APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Federal Railroad [[Page D178]] Administration and National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK). Testimony was heard from Alexander Kummant, President and CEO, AMTRAK; and Joseph Boardman, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, both with the Department of Transportation. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET--RECRUITING-RETENTION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Budget Request on Overview of Recruiting, Retention and Compensation. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: David S. C. Chu, Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; LTG Michael D. Rochelle, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, Headquarters, U.S. Army; VADM John C. Harvey, Jr., USN, Chief of Naval Personnel, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy; LTG Richard Y. Newton, III, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel, and Services, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force; and LTG Ronald S. Coleman, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. IRREGULAR WARFARE AND STABILITY OPERATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a joint hearing on Irregular Warfare and Stability Operations: Approaches to Interagency Integration. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Michael G. Vickers, Assistant Secretary, Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities; RADM Dan W. Davenport, USN, Director, Join Concept Development and Experimentation (J-9), U.S. Joint Forces Command; BG Robert H. Holmes, USAF, Deputy Director, Operations, U.S. Central Command; LTG Frank Kearney, USA, Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command; and COL Joseph E. Osborne, USA, Director, Irregular Warfare Directorate (J-10), U.S. Special Operations Command; and Ambassador John E. Herbst, Coordinator, Reconstruction and Stabilization, Department of State. PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007 Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions held a hearing on H.R. 2703, Private Security Officer Employment Authorization Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Frank Campbell, Senior Counsel, Office of Legal Policy, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. COVERING UNINSURED CHILDREN Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Covering Uninsured Kids: Reversing Progress Already Made.'' Testimony was heard from the following Governors: Deval L. Patrick, Massachusetts; Chris Gregoire, Washington; Ted Strickland, Ohio; Harley Barbour, Mississippi; and Sonny Perdue, Georgia. PRIVATE SECTOR FOOD SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITY Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Contaminated Food: Private Sector Accountability. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MONETARY POLICY AND THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing on Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. Hearings continue tomorrow. BRIEFING--IRAQI REFUGEES Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight and the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia held a joint briefing on Iraqi Refugees: Can the U.S. Do More to Help? The Subcommittee was briefed L. Craig Johnstone, Deputy High Commissioner, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and Rafiq Tschannen, Chief of Mission for Iraq and Jordan, International Organization for Migration (IOM). CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2008 Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing on the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008, Testimony was heard from Robert B. Stephen. Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. HOMELAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled ``Homeland Security Intelligence at a Crossroads: the Office of Intelligence and Analysis' Vision for 2008.'' Testimony was heard from Charles E. Allen, Under Secretary, Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security. [[Page D179]] OVERSIGHT--JUSTICE'S SPECIAL COUNSEL REGULATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the U.S. Department of Justice's Special Counsel Regulations. Testimony was heard from Patrick J. Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Illinois, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENA; VOTER SUPPRESSION Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties adopted a resolution authorizing the Chairman of the Committee to issue a subpoena to J. Kenneth Blackwell for testimony and related documents at a hearing before the Subcommittee regarding voter suppression. The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on Voter Suppression. Testimony was heard from Asheesh Agarwal, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; Tom Emmer, Deputy Minority Leader, House of Representatives, State of Minnesota; and public witnesses. COCAINE SENTENCING FAIRNESS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on Cracked Justice--Addressing the Unfairness in Cocaine Sentencing. Testimony was heard from Representatives Rangel, Jackson-Lee of Texas; and Bartlett of Maryland; Reggie B. Walton, Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia; Ricardo H. Hinojosa, Chair, U.S. Sentencing Commission; Gretchen Shappert, U.S. Attorney, Western District of North Carolina; and public witnesses. PRIVATE RELIEF MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law met to request Department of Homeland Security Departmental Reports on the beneficiaries of certain private immigration relief measures. NOAA/FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BUDGET Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans held an oversight hearing entitled ``The fiscal year 2009 budget request for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Testimony was heard from Mary Glackin, Deputy Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and Kenneth Stansell, Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. WILD MONONGAHELA ACT Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing on H.R. 5151, Wild Monongahela Act: A National Legacy for West Virginia's Special Places.'' Testimony was heard from Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest Service, USDA; John Manchester, Mayor, Lewisburg, West Virginia; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--WATER AND POWER AGENCIES BUDGET Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight hearing on the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Requests for the Bureau of Reclamation, the Water Resources Division of the United States Geological Survey, and the Federal Power Marketing Administrations. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Robert Johnson, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation; and Robert Hirsch, Associate Director, Water, Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey; the following officials of the Power Administrations, Department of Energy: Stephen J. Wright, Administrator, Bonneville Power Administration; Timothy J. Meeks, Chief Operating Officer, Western Area Power Administration; Leon Jourolmon, Acting Administrator, Southeastern Power Administration; and Jon Worthington, Acting Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration. ELECTRONIC RECORDS PRESERVATION BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on Electronic Records Preservation at the White House. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Office of Administration, The White House: Alan R. Swendiman, Director; and Theresa Payton, Chief Information Officer; and the following officials of the National Archives and Records Administration: Allen Weinstein, Archivist; Gary M. Stern, General Counsel; and Sharon Fawcett, Assistant Archivist for Presidential Libraries. The Committee approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2009 for submission to the Committee on the Budget. The Committee ordered reported the following measures: H. Con. Res. 286, Expressing the sense of Congress that Earl Lloyd should be recognized and honored for breaking the color barrier and becoming the first African American to play in the National [[Page D180]] Basketball Association League 58 years ago; H. Con. Res. 292, Honoring Margaret Truman Daniel and her lifetime of accomplishments; H. Res. 537, amended, Expressing support for the designation and goals of ``National 9-1-1 Educational Month, and for other purposes; H.R. 3196, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 Sussex Street in Port Jervis, New York, as the ``E. Arthur Gray Post Office Building;'' H.R. 4166, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 701 East Copeland Drive in Lebanon, Missouri, as the ``Steve W. Allee Carrier Annex;'' H.R. 4774, amended, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10250 John Saunders Road in San Antonio, Texas, as the ``Cyndi Taylor Krier Post Office Building;'' H.R. 5168, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 19101 Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville, Florida, as the ``Cody Crater Post Office Building;'' H.R. 5220, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3800 SW. 185th Avenue in Beaverton, Oregon, as the ``Major Arthur Chin Post Office Building;'' and H.R. 5400, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 160 East Washington Street in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, as the ``Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush Post Office Building.'' RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION TAX ACT OF 2008 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a structured rule providing for consideration of H.R. 5351, the ``Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008.'' The rule provides 90 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. 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. This waiver does not affect the point of order available under clause 9 of rule XXI (regarding earmark disclosure). The rule makes in order an amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record if offered by Rep. McCrery or his designee. The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute except those arising under clause 7 of rule XVI or clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read and separately debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. The rule provides one motion to recommit the bill with or without instructions. Notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration until a time designated by the Speaker. Finally, the rule provides that H. Res. 983 shall be laid on the table. Testimony was heard from Representatives Schwartz, English of Pennsylvania, Brady of Texas and Bilbray. NOAA BUDGET/AVIATION WEATHER SERVICE REPORT Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Proposal and GAO's Report on the Aviation Weather Service. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Commerce: Conrad C. Lautenbacker, Jr., Under Secretary; and John L. Hayes, Assistant Administrator, Weather Services and Director, National Weather Service, both with NOAA; David Powner, Director, Information Technology Management Issues, GAO; and Eugene Juba, Vice President, Finance, Air Traffic Organization, FAA, Department of Transportation. OVERSIGHT--NSF Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held an oversight hearing on the NSF. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the NSF: Arden Bement, Director, and Steven Beering, Chairman. STATE'S SMALL BUSINESS HEALTHCARE STRATEGIES Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``State Strategies to Expand Health Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses.'' Testimony was heard from Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota; and Edward G. Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania. SIMPLIFYING FEDERAL PAPERWORK LANGUAGE Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Plain Language in Paperwork--The Benefits to Small Business.'' Testimony was heard from Christopher Cox, Chairman, SEC; and public witnesses. COAST GUARD/MARITIME TRANSPORTATION BUDGET Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget: Coast Guard, Federal Maritime Commission and Maritime Administration. Testimony was heard from [[Page D181]] the following officials of the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security: VADM Robert J. Papp, Jr., USCG, Chief of Staff; and Master Chief Charles W. Bowen, USCG, Master Chief Petty Officer; and Sean Connaughton, Administrator, Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation. VA DISABILITIES RATING REVISION Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on Revising the VA Schedule of Rating Disabilities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Bradley G. Mayes, Director, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration; and the following officials of the Veterans Health Administration; Steven H. Brown, M.D., Director, Compensation and Pension Exam Program; Patrick Joyce, M.D., Chief Occupational Health Clinic; and Richard Hipolit, Assistant General Counsel; Joseph Kelley, M.D. Deputy Assistant Secretary, Clinical and Program Policy (Health Affairs), Department of Defense; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--CYBER INITIATIVE Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Cyber Initiative. The Committee was briefed by Mick McConnnell, Director, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: SUSTAINABILITY FROM COUNTER TO COMPOST Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing entitled ``Food for Thought: Sustainability from Counter to Compost.'' Testimony was heard from Pat Miller, Research Microbiologist in the Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory and Environmental Microbial Systems Laboratory, USDA; Dan Beard, Chief Administration Officer, House of Representatives; and public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the U.S. Army, Department of Defense, 10:30 a.m., SD-192. Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine the current and future worldwide threats to the national security of the United States; with the possibility of a closed session in S-407 following the open session, 9:30 a.m., SD-106. Subcommittee on Personnel, to hold hearings to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2009 for the Active component, Reserve component, civilian personnel programs, and the future years defense program, 3 p.m., SR-232A. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2009 for the National Space and Aeronautics Administration (NASA), 2:30 p.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Stanley C. Suboleski, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Fossil Energy), and J. Gregory Copeland, of Texas, to be General Counsel, both of the Department of Energy, 9:45 a.m., SD-366. Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, to hold hearings to examine S. 2229, to withdraw certain Federal land in the Wyoming Range from leasing and provide an opportunity to retire certain leases in the Wyoming Range, S. 2379, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cancel certain grazing leases on land in Cascade- Siskiyou National Monument that are voluntarily waived by the lessees, to provide for the exchange of certain Monument land in exchange for private land, to designate certain Monument land as wilderness, S. 832, to provide for the sale of approximately 25 acres of public land to the Turnabout Ranch, Escalante, Utah, at fair market value, S. 2508 and H.R. 903, bills to provide for a study of options for protecting the open space characteristics of certain lands in and adjacent to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado, S. 2601 and H.R. 1285, bills to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to King and Kittitas Counties Fire District No. 51 a certain parcel of real property for use as a site for a new Snoqualmie Pass fire and rescue station, H.R. 523, to require the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain public land located wholly or partially within the boundaries of the Wells Hydroelectric Project of Public Utility District No. 1 of DouglasCounty, Washington, to the utility district, and H.R. 838, to provide for the conveyance of the Bureau of Land Management parcels known as the White Acre and Gambel Oak properties and related real property to Park City, Utah, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2009 for the Environmental Protection Agency, 10 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business meeting to consider S. 579, to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants for the development and operation of research centers regarding environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of breast cancer, S. 1810, to amend the [[Page D182]] Public Health Service Act to increase the provision of scientifically sound information and support services to patients receiving a positive test diagnosis for Down syndrome or other prenatal and postnatal diagnosed conditions, S. 999, to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, S. 1760, to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the Healthy Start Initiative, H.R. 20, to provide for research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum depression and psychosis, and S. 1042, to amend the Public Health Service Act to make the provision of technical services for medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments safer, more accurate, and less costly, and any pending nominations, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine U.S. reliance on private security firms in overseas operations, 10 a.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold hearings to examine S. 2232, to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a demonstration program to adapt the lessons of providing foreign aid to underdeveloped economies to the provision of Federal economic development assistance to certain similarly situated individuals, 9:30 a.m., SR-485. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine S. 2041, to amend the False Claims Act, focusing on strengthening the government's most effective tool against fraud for the 21st century, 10 a.m., SD-226. Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, to hold hearings to examine supporting the front line in the fight against crime, focusing on restoring federal funding for state and local law enforcement, 2 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Rules and Administration: to hold hearings to examine protecting voters in the United States at the polls, focusing on limiting abusive robocalls and vote caging practices, 10 a.m., SR- 301. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2009 for the Small Business Administration, 10 a.m., SR-428A. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to review veterans' disability compensation, focusing on expert work on post- traumatic stress disorder and other issues, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Select Committee on Intelligence: closed business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine issues relative to surgeons, focusing on conflicts and consultant payments in the medical device industry, 10:30 a.m., SD-628. House Committee on Agriculture, to consider Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2009 for submission to the Committee on the Budget, 12 p.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Drug Safety, 10 a.m., 2362-A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, on National Science Board/National Science Foundation, 9:30 a.m., H- 309 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Defense, on Shipbuilding, 10 a.m., H-140 Capitol. Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, on Bureau of Reclamation Commission, 10 a.m., 2362-B Rayburn. Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, on Election Administration, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, on Bureau of Land Management, 10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, on Department of Health and Human Services, 10 a.m., 2358-C Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, on Office of Inspector General, 1:30 p.m., H-143 Capitol. Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies, on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget, U.S. Agency for International Development, 10 a.m., 2358-A Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from the Department of the Air Force, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces, hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Budget Request overview for the United States Marine Corps, 3 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, hearing on U.S. Strategic Posture/Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request for Strategic Programs, 2 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, hearing on Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2009 Budget, 10 a.m., and a hearing on Department of Health and Human Services Fiscal Year 2009 Budget, 2 p.m., Cannon. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, entitled ``Drugs in Sports: Compromising the Health of Athletes and Undermining the Integrity of Competition,'' 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing on Wireless Consumer Protection and Community Broadband Empowerment, 10 a.m., 2322 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to continue hearings on Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, to mark the following: GlobalHIV/ AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008; H.R. 1084, Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act of 2007; H. Res. 185, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the creation of refugee populations in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf region as a result of human rights violations; H. Res. 854, Expressing the gratitude to all member states of the International Commission of the International Tracing Service (ITS) on ratifying the May 2006 Agreement to amend the [[Page D183]] 1955 Bonn Accords granting open access to vast Holocaust and other World War II related archives located in Bad Arolsen, Germany; H. Res. 865, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the March 2007 report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development makes an important contribution to the understanding of the high levels of crime and violence in the Caribbean, and that the United States should work with Caribbean countries to address crime and violence in the region; H. Con. Res. 154, Expressing the sense of Congress that the fatal radiation poisoning of Russian dissident and writer Alexandria Litvinenko raises significant concerns about the potential involvement of elements of the Russian Government in Mr. Litvinenko's death and about the security and proliferation of radioactive materials; H. Con. Res. 255, Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United States commitment to preservation of religious and cultural sites and condemning instances where sites are desecrated; H. Con. Res. 278, Supporting Taiwan's fourth direct and democratic presidential elections in March 2008; and H. Con. Res. 290, Commemorating the 175th anniversary of the special relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand, 9:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, hearing on Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis: Assessing the U.S. Response to an Emerging Global Threat, 2:30 p.m., 2255 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, hearing and briefing on Climate Change and Vulnerable Societies: A Post-Bali Overview, 2 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism and the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight, joint hearing entitled `` Project 28: Lessons Learned and the Future of SBInet,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, oversight hearing on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 1:30 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, oversight hearing on the Department of Interior's recently released guidance on taking land into trust for Indian Tribes and its ramifications, 11 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, oversight hearing on the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Requests for the National Park Service, Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization and Procurement, hearing on Contracting Reform: Expert Recommendations and pending measures, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, hearing on One Year After Walter Reed: An Independent Assessment of the Care, Support, and Disability Evaluation for Wounded Soldiers, 2 p.m.,2154 Rayburn. Committee on Rules, to consider H. Res. 895, Establishing within the House of Representatives an Office of Congressional Ethics, and for other purposes, 12:30 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Science and Technology, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 3916, To provide for the next generation of border and maritime security technologies; H.R. 4847, U.S. Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008; and H.R. 5161, Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, to consider Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2009 for submission to the Committee on the Budget, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, hearing on VA Construction Authorization, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, hearing on Improving the Child Welfare System, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management, hearing on Security Clearances, 9:30 a.m., 340 Cannon. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence, executive, briefing on Hot Spots, 8:45 a.m., H- 405 Capitol. 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 D184]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 27 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2663, Troop Redeployment. (Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for their respective party conferences.) Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 27 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of the following suspensions: (1) H.R. 5264--To extend certain trade preference programs; (2) S. 2478-- The ``Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post Office'' Designation Act; (3) S. 2272--The ``John `Marty' Thiels Post Office'' Designation Act, in honor and memory of Thiels, a Louisiana postal worker who was killed in the line of duty on October 4, 2007; (4) H.R. 3936--The ``Sgt Jason Harkins Post Office'' Designation Act; (5) H.R. 3803--The ``John Henry Wooten, Sr. Post Office'' Designation Act; (6) H.R. 4454--The ``Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes of Louisville Memorial Post Office'' Designation Act, in honor of the servicemen and women from Louisville, Kentucky, who died in service during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom; (7) H.R. 3721--The ``Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry Post Office'' Designation Act; (8) S. Con. Res. 67--A concurrent resolution establishing the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies; and (9) S. Con. Res. 68--A concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Consideration of H.R. 5351--Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E242, E245 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E242 Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E238 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E238 Boyda, Nancy E., Kans., E238 Buchanan, Vern, Fla., E246 Capuano, Michael E., Mass., E243 Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E246 Donnelly, Joe, Ind., E245 Duncan, John J., Jr., Tenn., E240 Graves, Sam, Mo., E241 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E242 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E241 Hulshof, Kenny C., Mo., E246 Keller, Ric, Fla., E239 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E246 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E247 McIntyre, Mike, N.C., E244 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E247 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E239 Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E245 Poe, Ted, Tex., E241 Pomeroy, Earl, N.D., E243 Radanovich, George, Calif., E247 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E237, E239, E241, E243, E245 Reynolds, Thomas M., N.Y., E247 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E237, E239 Sestak, Joe, Pa., E238 Shimkus, John, Ill., E239 Udall, Mark, Colo., E244 Upton, Fred, Mich., E244