Thursday, February 28, 2008 [[Page D196]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1323-S1391 Measures Introduced: Eight bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2673-2680, and S. Res. 463. Pages S1384-85 Measures Reported: S. 2146, to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept, as part of a settlement, diesel emission reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects. (S. Rept. No. 110-266) S. 2160, to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a pain care initiative in health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (S. Rept. No. 110-267) Page S1384 Measures Passed: Andean Trade Preference Extension Act: Senate passed H.R. 5264, to extend the Andean Trade Preference Act, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S1388-90 Minting and Issuance of Certain $1 Coins: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5478, to provide for the continued minting and issuance of certain $1 coins in 2008, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S1390 Noise Compatibility Projects: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of S. 996, to amend title 49, United States Code, to expand passenger facility fee eligibility for certain noise compatibility projects, and the bill was then passed. Page S1390 Measures Considered: Global Strategic Report: Senate continued consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2634, to require a report setting forth the global strategy of the United States to combat and defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates. Pages S1334-64 The motion to proceed was withdrawn. Page S1364 New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act and the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act: Senate resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 3221, moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, and modernizing our energy infrastructure, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation. Pages S1364-76 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 48 yeas to 46 nays (Vote No. 35), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Page S1365 Senator Reid entered a motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Pages S1364-65 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill at approximately 10 a.m., on Friday, February 29, 2008. Page S1391 Appointments: Senate National Security Working Group: The Chair announced, on behalf of the Republican Leader, pursuant to the provisions of S. Res. 105 (adopted April 13, 1989), as amended by S. Res. 149 (adopted October 5, 1993), as amended by Public Law 105-275 (adopted October 21, 1998), further amended by S. Res. 75 (adopted March 25, 1999), amended by S. Res. 383 (adopted October 27, 2000), and amended by S. Res. 355 (adopted November 13, 2002), and further amended by S. Res. 480 (adopted November 21, 2004), the appointment of the following Senators as members of the Senate National Security Working Group for the 110th Congress: Senator Coleman as Co-Chairman vice Senator Lott, and Senator Voinovich vice Senator Coleman. Page S1391 [[Page D197]] National Historical Publications and Records Commission: The Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, pursuant to Public Law 81-754, as amended by Public Law 93-536 and Public Law 100-365, appointed Senator Cardin to the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, vice Senator Dodd. Page S1391 National Commission on Children and Disasters: The Chair, on behalf of the Republican Leader, pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 110- 161, appointed the following individuals to serve as members of the National Commission on Children and Disasters: Ernie Allen of Virginia and Mary Alneta Carlson of Alaska. Page S1391 Message from the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of an agreement between the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark on Social Security; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. (PM-39) Page S1383 Messages from the House: Pages S1383-84 Measures Referred: Page S1384 Executive Communications: Page S1384 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1385-86 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1386-87 Additional Statements: Pages S1382-83 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S1387 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S1387-88 Privileges of the Floor: Page S1388 Record Votes: One recorded vote was taken today. (Total--35) Page S1365 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:07 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Friday, February 29, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1391.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) HALLMARK/WESTLAND MEAT RECALL Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine the recent Hallmark/Westland Meat Company meat recall, after receiving testimony from Ed Schafer, Secretary of Agriculture; and Wayne Pacelle, Humane Society of the United States, and J. Patrick Boyle, American Meat Institute, both of Washington, D.C. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2009 for Department of the Navy, and the future years defense program, after receiving testimony from Donald C. Winter, Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Gary Roughead, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, and General James T. Conway, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps, all of the Department of Defense. SEMIANNUAL MONETARY POLICY REPORT Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the semiannual ``Monetary Policy Report to the Congress'', after receiving testimony from Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BUDGET Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Transportation, after receiving testimony from Mary E. Peters, Secretary, and Robert Sturgell, Acting Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, both of the Department of Transportation. AMERICAN SAMOA AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS ECONOMIES Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the impact of increased minimum wages on the economies of American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, after receiving testimony from Representative Faleomavaega; Jay Berman, Senior Economist, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Department of Labor; Nikolao I. Pula, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs; American Samoa Governor Togiola T.A. Tulafono, Pago Pago; and Governor Benigno R. Fitial, and Resident Representative Pedro A. Tenorio, both of Saipan, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. LAND BILLS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power concluded a hearing to examine S. 177 and H.R. 2085, bills to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the McGee [[Page D198]] Creek Authority certain facilities of the McGee Creek Project, Oklahoma, S. 1473 and H.R. 1855, bills to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Madera Irrigation District for purposes of supporting the Madera Water Supply Enhancement Project, S. 1474 and H.R. 1139, bills to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to plan, design and construct facilities to provide water for irrigation, municipal, domestic, and other uses from the Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin, Santa Ana River, California, S. 1929, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to conduct a feasibility study of water augmentation alternatives in the Sierra Vista Subwatershed, S. 2370, to clear title to certain real property in New Mexico associated with the Middle Rio Grande Project, and H.R. 2381, to promote Department of the Interior efforts to provide a scientific basis for the management of sediment and nutrient loss in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, after receiving testimony from Representative Radanovich; Robert J. Quint, Director of Operations, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; Mayor Mick Cornett, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; John Rossi, Western Municipal Water District, Riverside, California; Carl Janzen, Madera Irrigation District, Madera, California; and Charles Potucek, Upper San Pedro Partnership, Sierra Vista, Arizona. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, focusing on the security of the nuclear power plants in the United States, after receiving testimony from Senators Specter and Casey; Dale E. Klein, Chairman, and Gregory B. Jaczko, and Peter B. Lyons, both Commissioners, all of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Christopher Crane, Exelon Corporation, Warrenville, Illinois; Eric F. Wilson, G4S Regulated Security Solutions, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; David A. Lochbaum, Nuclear Safety Project, on behalf of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), and Marvin Fertel, Nuclear Energy Institute, both of Washington, D.C. REAL ESTATE MARKET Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the real estate market, focusing on building a strong economy, after receiving testimony from Lawrence B. Lindsey, Lindsey Group, and David Seiders, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), both of Washington, D.C.; Timothy H. Callahan, Callahan Capital Partners, Denver, Colorado, on behalf of the Real Estate Roundtable; and Jeffrey H. Schwartz, ProLogis, Chicago, Illinois, on behalf of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. POST-ELECTION PAKISTAN Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the policy options of the United States in post-election Pakistan, after receiving testimony from John D. Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State. VISA WAIVER PROGRAM Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security concluded a hearing to examine weaknesses in the visa waiver program, focusing on possible safeguards needed to protect the United States of America, including the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53), after receiving testimony from Paul Rosenzweig, Acting Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Department of Homeland Security; Stephen A. Tony Edson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services; Jess T. Ford, Director, International Affairs and Trade, Government Accountability Office; Susan Ginsburg, Migration Policy Institute, Washington, D.C.; and Jessica M. Vaughan, Center for Immigration Studies, Franklin, Massachusetts. 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 D199]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 10 public bills, H.R. 5509- 5518; and 7 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 305; and H. Res. 1006-1011 were introduced. Page H1183 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H1183-84 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 816, to provide for the release of certain land from the Sunrise Mountain Instant Study Area in the State of Nevada and to grant a right-of-way across the released land for the construction and maintenance of a flood control project, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-531); H.R. 1143, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-532); H.R. 1311, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Alta-Hualapai Site to the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, for the development of a cancer treatment facility, with amendments (H. Rept. 110-533); and H.R. 3473, to provide for a land exchange with the City of Bountiful, Utah, involving National Forest System land in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and to further land ownership consolidation in that national forest, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-534). Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post Office Designation Act: S. 2478, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 59 Colby Corner in East Hampstead, New Hampshire, as the ``Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post Office''--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H1159-60 John ``Marty'' Thiels Southpark Station Designation Act: S. 2272, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service known as the Southpark Station in Alexandria, Louisiana, as the John ``Marty'' Thiels Southpark Station, in honor and memory of Thiels, a Louisiana postal worker who was killed in the line of duty on October 4, 2007, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 400 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 85--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H1160-61, H1166 Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 3936, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 116 Helen Highway in Cleveland, Georgia, as the ``Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Building'', by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 400 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 86; Pages H1161-62, H1166-67 John Henry Wooten, Sr. Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 3803, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3100 Cashwell Drive in Goldsboro, North Carolina, as the ``John Henry Wooten, Sr. Post Office Building''; Pages H1162-63 Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes of Louisville Memorial Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 4454, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3050 Hunsinger Lane in Louisville, Kentucky, as the ``Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes of Louisville Memorial Post Office Building'', in honor of the service men and women from Louisville, Kentucky, who died in service during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 404 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 87; Pages H1163-64, H1167-68 Establishing the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies: S. Con. Res. 67, to establish the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies; and Pages H1164-65 Authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies: S. Con. Res. 68, to authorize the use of the rotunda of the Capitol by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Pages H1165-66 National Commission on Children and Disasters--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following members on the part of the House of Representatives to the National Commission on Children and Disasters: Dr. Irwin Redliner of New York, New York and Mr. Bruce A. Lockwood of Canton, Connecticut. Page H1168 Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House of Representatives to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies: Representatives Pelosi, Hoyer, and Boehner. Page H1168 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 3rd and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 [[Page D200]] p.m. on Tuesday, March 4th for morning hour debate. Page H1178 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H1157. Senate Referrals: S. 1200 was referred to the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means; S. 2450 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Page H1178 Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1166, H1167 and H1167-68. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Committee Meetings AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Inspector General. Testimony was heard from Phyllis K. Fong, Inspector General, USDA. DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Defense Health Program. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: S. Ward Casscells, Under Secretary, Health Affairs; LTG Eric Schoomaker, M.D., USA, Surgeon General/Commander, U.S. Army Medical Command; VADM Adam M. Robinson, Jr., USN, Chief of the Navy Medical Corps and LTG James Roudebush, M.D., USAF, Surgeon General of the Air Force. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on National Guard and Reserve issues. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: LTG Steven Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard; LTG Clyde Vaughn, USA, Vice Chief, Army National Guard; LTG Craig McKinley, USAF, Vice Chief, Air National Guard; LTG Jack Stultz, USA, Chief, Army Reserve; VADM John Cotton, USN, Chief, Navy Reserve; LTG John Bergman, USMC, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve; and LTG John Bradley, USAF, Chief, Air Force Reserve. ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Energy. Testimony was heard from Samuel Bodman, Secretary of Energy. FINANCIAL SERVICES, GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held a hearing on Consumer Protection in Financial Services. Testimony was heard from Donna Gambrell, Director, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, Department of the Treasury; and Lydia Parnes, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC. HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on Improving the Efficiency of the Aviation Security System- TSA, GAO, American Airlines, and Washington Metropolitan Airport Authority. Testimony was heard from Kip Hawley, Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration Administrator, Department of Homeland Security; Cathleen Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Mark D. Myers, Director, U.S. Geological Survey. LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on Reducing the Disability Backlog at the Social Security Administration/Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the SSA: Michael Astrue, Commissioner; and Patrick O'Carroll, Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General; and public witnesses. STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget-State Operations, Embassy Bagdad. Testimony was heard from Patrick F. Kennedy, Under Secretary, Management, Office of the Director of National Intelligence. TRANSPORTATION, HUD APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and [[Page D201]] Related Agencies held a hearing on Housing Needs of Special Populations (Elderly; Disabled; Homeless; HOPWA). Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department Housing and Urban Development: Mark Johnston, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Special Need Assistance Programs; and John Garvin, Advisor, Housing Programs. ARMY BUDGET Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from the Department of the Army. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Army: Pete Geren, Secretary; and GEN George W. Casey, Jr., USA, Chief of Staff. MILITARY BUDGET Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Budget Request on military construction. Testimony was heard from the Department of Defense: Wayne Arny, Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and Environment; Geoffrey G. Prosch, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations and Environment, Army; B.J. Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Installations and Environment; and William C. Anderson, Assistant Secretary, Air Force, Installations, Environment and Logistics. MEMBERS' DAY Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Members' Day. Testimony was heard from Representatives Murphy of California, Castor, Giffords, Poe, Loebsack, McCarthy of New York; Altmire, Braley, Ehlers, Shea-Porter, Hold Sutton, Davis of Illinois, Courtney; Hirono, Rodriguez, Honda; Welch of Vermont; Filner, Carney, Lewis of Georgia, Klein of Florida, Higgins, Kagen, Larsen of Washington, Christensen, Waltz of Minnesota, Wolf, and Fossella. HHS BUDGET Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled ``A Review of the Department of Health and Human Services Fiscal Year 2009 Budget.'' Testimony was heard from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services. BAN ASBESTOS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on S. 742, Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007 and on other proposals to Ban Asbestos in Products. Testimony was heard from the following officials of EPA: James B. Gulliford, Assistant Administrator, Office for Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances; and Aubrey Miller, Senior Medical Officer and Toxicologist; and Christopher Weis, Senior Toxicologist, Region 8; Gregory P. Meeker, Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; public witnesses. BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES Committee on Financial Services: Approved, as amended, Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2009 for submission to the Committee on the Budget. U.N. MANDATES AND FORCE AGREEMENTS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight held a hearing on Status of Forces in Agreements and U.N. Mandates: What Authorities and Protections Do They Provide to U.S. Personnel? Testimony was heard from following officials of the CRS, Library of Congress: Jennifer K. Elsea, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division; and R. Chuck Mason, Legislative Attorney; and public witnesses. CYBER INITIATIVE Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``The Cyber Initiative.'' Testimony was heard from Karen Evans, Administrator, Electronic Government and Information Technology, OMB; and following officials of the National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security: Robert Jamison, Under Secretary; and Scott Charbo, Deputy Under Secretary. ENERGY/MINERAL RESOURCES BUDGET Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2009 Budget for the Minerals Management Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Energy and Minerals programs, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the Minerals programs, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the Minerals and Geology Program of the Forest Service, and the United States Geological Survey, except for the activities and programs of the Water Resources Division. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Randall Luthi, Director, Minerals Management Service; Robert Doyle, Deputy Director, U.S. Geological Survey; Henri Bisson, Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management; and Brent Wahlquist, Director, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement; and Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, Forest Service, National Forest System, USDA. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans held a hearing on the [[Page D202]] following bills: H.R. 3223, Keep Our Waterfronts Working Act of 2007; H.R. 5451, Coastal Zone Reauthorization Act of 2009; H.R. 5452, Coastal State Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2008; and H.R. 5453, Coastal State Climate Change Planning Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from Representative Allen; David M. Kennedy, Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. OFFICE OF INSULAR AFFAIRS Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing on the fiscal Year 2009 budget request for the Department of Interior's Office of Insular Affairs. Testimony was heard from Nikolao Pula, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior. TELEWORK IMPROVEMENTS ACT; IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POSTAL ACCOUNTABLITY ENHANCEMENT ACT Committee on Oversight: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4106, Telework Improvements Act of 2007. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Implementation of the Postal Accountability Enhancement Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Katherine A. Siggerud, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; the following officials of the U.S. Postal Service: John E. Potter, Postmaster General/CEO; and James H. Bilbray, member, Board of Governors; Dan G. Blair, Chairman, Postal Regulatory Commission; and a public witness. PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT IMPROVEMENT Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Improving the Paperwork Reduction Act for Small Businesses.'' Testimony was heard from Susan E. Dudley, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; GSA RESOLUTION; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 5492, To authorize the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to construct a greenhouse facility at its museum support facility in Suitland, Maryland; H. Res. 936, amended, Honoring the 200th anniversary of the Gallatin Report on Roads and Canals, celebrating the national unity the Gallatin Report engendered, and recognizing the vast contributions that national planning efforts have provided to the United States; and H. Res. 964, amended, To promote the safe operation of 15 passenger vans. The Committee also approved the following: GSA Section 11(b) Resolution; and Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2009 for submission to the Committee on the Budget. The Committee also approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2009 for submission to the Committee on the Budget. VETERANS SUBPRIME MORTGAGES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on Subprime Mortgage Crisis and America's Veterans, Testimony was heard from Judith Caden, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Department of Veterans Affairs; and public witnesses FAMILIES' MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Mental Health Treatment for Families: Supporting Those Who Support our Veterans. Testimony was heard from Kristin Day, Chief Consultant, Care and Management and Social Work, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Linda Spoonster Schwartz, R.N., Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs, State of Connecticut; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Medicare Advantage. Testimony was heard from Kerry Weems, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; James C. Cosgrove, Acting Director, Health Care Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--FISA Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on FISA. The Committee was briefed by public witnesses. Joint Meetings ECONOMIC COSTS OF THE WAR Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the total economic costs of the Iraq war beyond the federal budget, after receiving testimony from Joesph E. Stiglitz, Columbia University, and Robert D. Hormats, Goldman Sachs (International), both of New York, New York; and Rand Beers, National Security Network, and Scott Wallsten, iGrowthGlobal, both of Washington, D.C. [[Page D203]] NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D164) H.R. 1216, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to reduce the incidence of child injury and death occurring inside or outside of light motor vehicles. Signed on February 28, 2008. (Public Law 110-189) H.R. 5270, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Signed on February 28, 2008. (Public Law 110-190) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine government-wide intelligence community management reforms, focusing on ensuring effective Congressional oversight and the role of the Government Accountability Office, 10 a.m., SD-342. House No Committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D204]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Friday, February 29 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of 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 2 p.m., Monday, March 3 House Chamber Program for Monday: The House will meet in pro forma session at 2:00 p.m. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Bachmann, Michele, Minn., E277 Bean, Melissa L., Ill., E267 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E270 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E276, E278 Calvert, Ken, Calif., E275 Cummings, Elijah E., Md., E271 DeGette, Diana, Colo., E275, E278, E279 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E265 Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E268 Dingell, John D., Mich., E266 Emerson, Jo Ann, Mo., E274 Grijalva, Raul M., Ariz., E270 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E271 Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E273, E274 Johnson, Sam, Tex., E268 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E270 Keller, Ric, Fla., E268 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E274 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E275 McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E279 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E276 Miller, Candice S., Mich., E271 Miller, George, Calif., E277 Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E276, E276, E277 Murphy, Christopher S., Conn., E266 Payne, Donald M., N.J., E274 Pearce, Stevan, N.M., E265 Poe, Ted, Tex., E269 Price, Tom, Ga., E270 Rahall, Nick J., II, W.Va., E270, E271 Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E267 Sarbanes, John P., Md., E277 Scott, David, Ga., E279 Shuler, Heath, N.C., E273 Souder, Mark E., Ind., E272, E273 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E272 Udall, Mark, Colo., E267 Udall, Tom, N.M., E272 Velazquez, Nydia M., N.Y., E265 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E268, E269 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E268 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E266, E271