Thursday, May 10, 2007 [[Page D656]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS The House passed H.R. 2206, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007. The House passed H.R. 2207, making supplemental appropriations for agricultural and other emergency assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S5881-S6002 Measures Introduced: Eighteen bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1350-1367, and S. Res. 192-193. Pages S5928-29 Measures Passed: Negro Baseball Leagues: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 29, encouraging the recognition of the Negro Baseball Leagues and their players on May 20th of each year, and the resolution was then agreed to, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S6000-01 Whitehouse (for Bunning) Amendment No. 1082, to amend the preamble. Page S6000 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 193, designating the week of May 6 through May 12, 2007, as ``North American Occupational Safety and Health Week'' and May 9, 2007 as ``Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day''. Page S6001 Honoring Gian Carlo Menotti: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 68, honoring the life and accomplishments of Gian Carlo Menotti and recognizing the success of the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, South Carolina, which he founded. Page S6001 Idaho Potato Month: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 180, recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Idaho Potato Commission and designating May 2007 as ``Idaho Potato Month'', and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S6001-02 Measures Considered: Water Resources Development Act: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States. Pages S5883-S5908 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 89 yeas to 7 nays (Vote No. 162), 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 S5896 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Mark S. Shelton, of Kansas, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2008. William S. Jasien, of Virginia, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2009. Robert Boldrey, of Michigan, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation for a term expiring May 26, 2013. Ravic Rolf Huso, of Hawaii, to be Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Ned L. Siegel, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Lezlee J. Westine, of Virginia, to be a Member of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy for a term expiring July 1, 2009. [[Page D657]] John E. Osborn, of Delaware, to be a Member of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy for a term expiring July 1, 2009. Howard Radzely, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of Labor. 2 Army nominations in the rank of general. 1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral. Page S6002 Messages from the House: Page S5927 Measures Referred: Page S5927 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Pages S5882, S5927 Executive Communications: Pages S5927-28 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S5929-30 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S5930-50 Additional Statements: Pages S5926-27 Amendments Submitted: Pages S5950-99 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S5999-S6000 Privileges of the Floor: Page S6000 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--162) Page S5896 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 4:26 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 12, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S6002.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND FOREIGN OPERATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of State and foreign operations, after receiving testimony from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State. APPROPRIATIONS: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Federal Aviation Administration, after receiving testimony from Marion C. Blakely, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, and Calvin L. Scovel III, Inspector General, both of the Department of Transportation. NOMINATIONS: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of David George Nason, of Rhode Island, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Mario Mancuso, of New York, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, Michael W. Tankersley, of Texas, to be Inspector General, Export-Import Bank, Robert M. Couch, of Alabama, to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Janis Herschkowitz, of Pennsylvania, who was introduced by Senator Casey and Representative Holden, David George Nason, of Rhode Island, and Nguyen Van Hanh, of California, each to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Consumer Cooperative Bank, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. CLIMATE CHANGE AND OCEAN ACIDIFICATION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard concluded a hearing to examine the effects of climate change and ocean acidification on living marine resources, after receiving testimony from Richard A. Feely, Supervisory Chemical Oceanographer, Pacific Environmental Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce; Scott C. Doney, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts; David O. Conover, Stony Brook University Marine Sciences Research Center, Stony Brook, New York; Lara J. Hansen, World Wildlife Fund, and Admiral James D. Watkins, (Ret.) U.S. Navy, United States Commission on Ocean Policy, both of Washington, D.C.; and Gordon H. Kruse, University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Juneau. NOMINATIONS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Joseph Timothy Kelliher, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and R. Lyle Laverty, of Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, who was introduced by Senators Allard and Salazar, after each nominee testified and answered questions in their own behalf. ECONOMIC ISSUES FOR AMERICA'S WORKING FAMILIES Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine economic issues for America's working families and middle class, after receiving testimony from Gary Burtless, Brookings Institution, and Scott [[Page D658]] A. Hodge, Tax Foundation, both of Washington, D.C.; Elizabeth Warren, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Sarah Blackburn, Billings Clinic, Billings, Montana. MANAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 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 a status report on reform efforts by the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Management, after receiving testimony from Paul A. Schneider, Under Secretary of Homeland Security; and David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office. VIOLENT EXTREMISM Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine government efforts to defeat violent Islamist extremism, after receiving testimony from Jeremy F. Curtin, Coordinator, Bureau of International Information Programs, Department of State; Chip Poncy, Director, Office of Strategic Policy, Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, Department of the Treasury; John J. Miller, Assistant Director, Office of Public Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice; and Jeffrey J. Grieco, Acting Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Public Affairs, United States Agency for International Development. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the following items: S. 1200, to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend the Act; S. 310, to express the policy of the United States regarding the United States relationship with Native Hawaiians and to provide a process for the recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing entity; H.R. 835, to reauthorize the programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing assistance for Native Hawaiians; and S.J. Res. 4, to acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the United States Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States. NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Leslie Southwick, of Mississippi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, who was introduced by Senators Cochran and Lott, Janet T. Neff, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Michigan, who was introduced by Senators Levin and Stabenow, and Liam O'Grady, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, who was introduced by Senator Warner, after each nominee testified and answered questions in their own behalf. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 29 public bills, H.R. 2260- 2288; and 7 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 147; and H. Res. 392-397 were introduced. (See next issue.) Additional Cosponsors: (See next issue.) Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H.R. 1036, to authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property to the Alaska Railroad Corporation (H. Rept. 110-145). (See next issue.) Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Ronald L. Calkins, Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Mandeville, Louisiana. Page H4755 Recess: The House recessed at 9:06 a.m. and reconvened at 10:23 p.m. Page H4755 Reception in the House Chamber to Receive Former Members of Congress: The House recessed to receive the United States Association of Former Members of Congress in the House Chamber. Later, agreed to the Yarmuth motion that the proceedings had during the recess be printed in the Record. (See next issue.) Congratulating the City of Chicago for being chosen to represent the United States in the [[Page D659]] international competition to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games: The House agreed by unanimous consent to discharge from the Committee on Foreign Affairs and pass S. Con. Res. 28, congratulating the City of Chicago for being chosen to represent the United States in the international competition to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and encouraging the International Olympic Committee to select Chicago as the site of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Page H4766 Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act: The House passed H.R. 1873, to reauthorize the programs and activities of the Small Business Administration relating to procurement, by a recorded vote of 409 ayes to 13 noes, Roll No. 323. Consideration of the bill began on Wednesday, May 9th. Pages H4766-72 Rejected the English (PA) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Small Business with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 209 ayes to 216 noes, Roll No. 322. Pages H4770-71 Agreed to: Sestak modified amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 110-137) that closes a loophole in the current bill that allows agencies to avoid doing small business impact studies by designating contracts as ``transformed'' and lowers the new dollar threshold to ensure a greater portion of contracts are reviewed for their impact on small business as well as taxpayer savings (by a recorded vote of 423 ayes with none voting ``no'', Roll No. 319); Pages H4767-68 Shuler amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-137) that extends small business contracting goals to overseas contracts (by a recorded vote of 398 ayes to 29 noes, Roll No. 320); and Page H4768 Bean amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-137) that raises the government-wide small business procurement goal from 25 percent to 30 percent (by a recorded vote of 371 ayes to 55 noes, Roll No. 321). Pages H4768-69 H. Res. 383, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Wednesday, May 9th. Motion to resolve into Secret Session: The House rejected the Flake motion that the House resolve itself into secret session, that the House be cleared of all persons except the Members, Delegates, Resident Commissioner, and officers of the House to consider certain communications, by a recorded vote of 207 ayes to 217 noes, Roll No. 328. (See next issue.) Providing for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq: The House failed to pass H.R. 2237, to provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq, by a recorded vote of 171 ayes to 255 noes, Roll No. 330. Pages H4772-79 Rejected the Saxton motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Armed Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 210 yeas to 218 nays, Roll No. 329. (See next issue.) H. Res. 387, the rule providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 2237, H.R. 2206, and H.R. 2207 was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 219 yeas to 199 nays, Roll No. 327, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 201 nays, Roll No. 326. (See next issue.) Motion to resolve into Secret Session: The House rejected the Issa motion that the House resolve itself into secret session, that the House be cleared of all persons except the Members, Delegates, Resident Commissioner, and officers of the House to consider certain communications, by a yea-and-nay vote of 198 yeas to 216 nays, Roll No. 331. (See next issue.) Making Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2007: The House passed H.R. 2206, amended, to make emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, by a yea-and-nay vote of 221 yeas to 205 nays, Roll No. 333. (See next issue.) Rejected the Lewis (CA) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 195 yeas to 229 nays, Roll No. 332. (See next issue.) Pursuant to the rule, the amendment printed in part A of H. Rept. 110-143 shall be considered as adopted. (See next issue.) H. Res. 387, the rule providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 2237, H.R. 2206, and H.R. 2207 was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 219 yeas to 199 nays, Roll No. 327, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 201 nays, Roll No. 326. (See next issue.) Motion to resolve into Secret Session: Representative Issa moved that the House resolve itself into secret session and that the House be cleared of all persons except the Members, Delegates, Resident Commissioner, and officers of the House to consider certain communications. The House agreed to table the Issa motion by a recorded vote of 219 ayes to 199 noes, Roll No. 334. (See next issue.) Committee Elections: The House agreed to H. Res. 393, electing the following Members to serve on certain standing committees of the House of Representatives: Committee on Appropriations: Representative [[Page D660]] Calvert. Committee on Armed Services: Representative Shuster, to rank after Representative Franks (AZ). Committee on Financial Services: Representative McCotter. Committee on Foreign Affairs: Representative Bilirakis. Committee on Natural Resources: Representative Fallin and Representative McCarthy (CA). Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Representative Jordan. (See next issue.) Making Supplemental Appropriations for Agricultural and Other Emergency Assistance for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2007: The House passed H.R. 2207, amended, to make supplemental appropriations for agricultural and other emergency assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, by a yea-and-nay vote of 302 yeas to 120 nays, Roll No. 336. (See next issue.) Rejected the Lewis (CA) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 184 yeas to 233 nays, Roll No. 335. (See next issue.) Pursuant to the rule, the amendment printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-143 shall be considered as adopted. (See next issue.) H. Res. 387, the rule providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 2237, H.R. 2206, and H.R. 2207 was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 219 yeas to 199 nays, Roll No. 327, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 201 nays, Roll No. 326. (See next issue.) Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008: The House passed H.R. 2082, amended, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, by a recorded vote of 225 ayes to 197 noes, Roll No. 341. Pages H4779-86 Rejected the Rogers (MI) motion to recommit the bill to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a recorded vote of 181 ayes to 241 noes, Roll No. 340. (See next issue.) Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence now printed in the bill shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of amendment. (See next issue.) Agreed to: Holt amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-144) that amends the reporting requirement in the Intelligence Identities Protection Act (codified in Sec. 603 of the National Security Act) to include a requirement that the President, based on information from the Director of National Intelligence, provide Congress with an assessment of the need for any modification to existing law to improve legal protection for covert agents; (See next issue.) Thompson (CA) amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 110-144) that requires that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence submit a report to the Congressional Intelligence committees, no later than 120 days after enactment, that provides: (1) the number of collectors and analysts, by agency, and (2) a plan to maximize the number of collectors and decrease the number of personnel authorized to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; (See next issue.) Fossella amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 110-144) that authorizes $5 million for a study conducted by DHS and the Director of National Intelligence to identify the best practices for sharing terrorist-threat information between the Federal, State, and local levels of government and authorizes $10 million to establish centers of best practices based on the study with $3 million authorized for the following five years to cover operational expenses of the centers; (See next issue.) Lee amendment (No. 7 printed in H. Rept. 110-144) that requires a report to House and Senate Intelligence committees describing any authorization granted during the past 10 years to engage in intelligence activities related to the overthrow of a democratically elected government; (See next issue.) Price (NC) amendment (No. 8 printed in H. Rept. 110-144) that requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report on the uses of contractors for personal services activities; (See next issue.) Berkley amendment (No. 9 printed in H. Rept. 110-144) that requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a report on the advisability of providing Federal retirement benefits to employees of Air America; (See next issue.) Rogers (MI) amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 110-144) that places a limit on the number of personnel in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) (by a recorded vote of 297 ayes to 122 noes, Roll No. 338); and (See next issue.) Schiff amendment (No. 10 printed in H. Rept. 110-144) that states that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) shall be the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance for the purpose of gathering foreign intelligence information may be conducted, and makes clear that this applies until specific statutory authorization for electronic surveillance, other than as an amendment [[Page D661]] to FISA, is enacted (by a recorded vote of 245 ayes to 178 noes, Roll No. 339). (See next issue.) Rejected: Hoekstra amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-144) that sought to strike section 407, which requires that a National Intelligence Estimate on global climate change be submitted to Congress (by a recorded vote of 185 ayes to 230 noes, Roll No. 337). (See next issue.) H. Res. 388, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a recorded vote of 226 ayes to 198 noes, Roll No. 325, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 199 nays, Roll No. 324. (See next issue.) Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 14th for Morning Hour debate. (See next issue.) Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, May 16th. (See next issue.) Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H4763. Senate Referral: S. 1082 was held at the desk. Page H4763 Quorum Calls--Votes: Fourteen yea-and-nay votes and nine recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H4767-68, H4768, H4768-69, H4770-71, H4771-72, remainder of votes will appear in the next issue. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9:00 a.m. and adjourned at 1:33 a.m. on Friday, May 11th. Committee Meetings AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research held a hearing to review agricultural research programs. Testimony was heard from Gale Buchanan, Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics, USDA; and public witnesses. FOOD AID/AGRICULTURE TRADE PROGRAMS Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing to review food aid and agriculture trade programs operated by the USDA and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Testimony was heard from Representatives McGovern and Emerson; Michael Yost, Administrator, Foreign Agriculture Service, USDA; William Hammink, Director, Office of Food for Peace, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of State; and public witnesses. AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Marketing and Regulatory Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Bruce Knight, Under Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs; Kenneth C. Clayton, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service; W. Ron DeHaven, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; James E. Link, Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; and W. Scott Steele, Budget Officer. DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Contracting Out. Testimony was heard from John P. Hutton, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO; Joseph T. McDermott, Assistant Inspector General, Audits, and Special Inspector General, Iraq Reconstruction, and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STUDENT LOAN AND THE READING FIRST PROGRAM Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on Accountability for the Department of Education's Oversight of Student Loans and the Reading First Program. Testimony was heard from Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education. FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY SCHOOL PROGRAMS Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities held a hearing on Using School Wellness Plans To Help Fight Childhood Obesity. Testimony was heard from Representative Woolsey; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 964, Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act; and H.R. 948, Social Security Number Protection Act of 2007. FUTURE OF VIDEO Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet continued hearings entitled ``Digital Future of the United [[Page D662]] States: Part V: The Future of Video.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FINANCIAL CRIMES LAW ENFORCEMENT Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Suspicious Activity and Currency Transaction Reports: Balancing Law Enforcement Utility and Regulatory Requirements.'' Testimony was heard from William F. Baity, Deputy Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN, Department of the Treasury; Salvador Hernandez, Deputy Assistant Director, Criminal Investigative Division, FBI, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. NUCLEAR WEAPONS NONPROLIFERATION Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on Every State a Superpower? Stopping the Spread of Nuclear Weapons in the 21st Century. Testimony was heard from former Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia; and public witnesses. GUINEA AND ETHIOPIA HUMAN RIGHTS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, and the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a joint hearing on Is There a Human Rights Double Standard? U.S. Policy Toward Equatorial Guinea and Ethiopia Testimony was heard from public witnesses. HOMELAND SECURITY INFORMATION SHARING Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled ``Fixing the Homeland Security Information Network: Finding the Way Forward for Better Information Sharing.'' Testimony was heard from Wayne Parent, Deputy Director, Office of Operations Coordination, Department of Homeland Security; David Powner, Director, Information Technology Management Issues, GAO; Barry S. Lindquist, Inspector, Office of Statewide Intelligence, Department of Law Enforcement, State of Florida; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--JUSTICE DEPARTMENT Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing on the U.S. Department of Justice. Testimony was heard from Alberto Gonzales, The Attorney General, Department of Justice. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 523, Douglas County, Washington PUD Conveyance Act; and H.R. 1011, Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Representatives Boucher and Hastings of Washington; Mike Ferguson, Assistant Director, Business and Fiscal Resources, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior; Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses. GUN PURCHASE LAWS LOOPHOLES Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Domestic Policy held a hearing entitled ``Lethal Loopholes: Deficiencies in State and Federal Gun Purchase Laws.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Rachel L. Brand, Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Policy; and Stephen R. Rubenstein, Chief Counsel, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; John Feinblatt, Criminal Justice Coordinator, City of New York; and public witnesses. DIVERSITY IN GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia held a hearing entitled ``The Lack of Diversity in the Top Levels of the Federal Government.'' Testimony was heard from George H. Stalcup, Director, Strategic Issues, GAO; Nancy Kichak, Associate Director, Strategic Human Resources Policy Division, OPM; Carlton Hadden, Director, Office of Federal Operations, EEOC; Gail Lovelace, Chief Human Capital Officer, GSA; Vickers Meadows, Chief Administrative Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce; Reginald Wells, Deputy Commissioner, SSA; Susan LaChance, Vice President, Employee Development and Diversity, U.S. Postal Service; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 364, amended, To provide for the establishment of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy; and H.R. 632, H-Prize Act of 2007. GREEN TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing on Green Transportation Infrastructure: Challenges to Access and Implementation. Testimony was heard from Gloria Shepherd, Associate Administrator, Planning, Environment, and Realty, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation; Benjamin [[Page D663]] Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, EPA; and public witnesses. IMMIGRATION POLICIES SMALL BUSINESS IMPACTS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Immigration Policies and their Impact on Small Businesses. Testimony was heard from Representative Gutierrez; and public witnesses. GSA CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND LEASING PROGRAM Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing on General Services Administration's Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Investment and Leasing Program. Testimony was heard from David L. Winstead, Commissioner, Public Building Service, GSA. KATRINA RECOVERY PROBLEMS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing on Legislative Fixes for Lingering Problems that Hinder Katrina Recovery.'' Testimony was heard from Representatives Taylor, Pickering, Baker, Boustany, Jefferson, Melancon and Jindal. FEDERAL TRANSIT PROJECTS PROGRAMS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing on FTA Implementation of the New Starts and Small Starts Programs. Testimony was heard from James S. Simpson, Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation; Katherine A. Siggerud, Director, Physical Infrastructure, GAO; and public witnesses. VETERANS MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 2199, To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide certain improvements in the treatment of individuals with traumatic brain injuries; and H.R. 1470, Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act. MEDICARE PHYSICIAN QUALITY Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Options To Improve Quality and Efficiency Among Medicare physicians. Testimony was heard from A. Bruce Steinwald, Director, Health Care, GAO; Herb Kuhn, Acting Deputy Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; Glen M. Hackbarth, Chairman, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and public witnesses. Joint Meetings CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET RESOLUTION Conferees met to resolve the differences between the Senate and House versions of S. Con. Res. 21, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House Committee on Education and Labor, hearing on ESEA Reauthorization: Boosting Quality in the Teaching Profession, 9:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, hearing on Administration Proposals on Climate Change and Energy Independence, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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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 D664]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Friday, May 11 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will be in a period of morning business. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 14 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Bilirakis, Gus M., Fla., E1014 Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E1013 Blunt, Roy, Mo., E1011 Calvert, Ken, Calif., E1011 Clarke, Yvette D., N.Y., E1017, E1018, E1019 Cole, Tom, Okla., E1014 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E1009, E1010 Dingell, John D., Mich., E1013 Frank, Barney, Mass., E1012 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E1017 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1010 Lowey, Nita M., N.Y., E1011 McDermott, Jim, Wash., E1009 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1012, E1017 Oberstar, James L., Minn., E1015 Poe, Ted, Tex., E1015 Rahall, Nick J., II, W.Va., E1012 Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr., Wisc., E1014 Smith, Adrian, Nebr., E1014 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E1012 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E1017, E1018, E1019 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E1009 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E1017, E1018, E1019 (House proceedings for today will be continued in the next issue of the Record.)