Wednesday, December 12, 2007 [[Page D1610]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S15157-S15378 Measures Introduced: Eleven bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2452-2462, and S. Res. 402-403. Pages S15233-34 Measures Reported: S. 506, to improve efficiency in the Federal Government through the use of high-performance green buildings, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-241) S. 1429, to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize the provision of technical assistance to small public water systems, with an amendment. (S. Rept. No. 110-242) Report to accompany S. 1785, to amend the Clean Air Act to establish deadlines by which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall issue a decision on whether to grant certain waivers of preemption under that Act. (S. Rept. No. 110-243) S. 781, to extend the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to collect Do-Not-Call Registry fees to fiscal years after fiscal year 2007, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-244) S. 1965, to protect children from cybercrimes, including crimes by online predators, to enhance efforts to identify and eliminate child pornography, and to help parents shield their children from material that is inappropriate for minors, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110- 245) S. 2096, to amend the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act to eliminate the automatic removal of telephone numbers registered on the Federal ``do- not-call'' registry, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-246) S. 2004, to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish epilepsy centers of excellence in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (S. Rept. No. 110-247) S. 911, to amend the Public Health Service Act to advance medical research and treatments into pediatric cancers, ensure patients and families have access to the current treatments and information regarding pediatric cancers, establish a population-based national childhood cancer database, and promote public awareness of pediatric cancers, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. S. 1916, to amend the Public Health Service Act to modify the program for the sanctuary system for surplus chimpanzees by terminating the authority for the removal of chimpanzees from the system for research purposes, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Page S15233 Measures Passed: Boys Town 90th Anniversary Celebration: Senate agreed to S. Res. 403, congratulating Boys Town on its 90th anniversary celebration. Pages S15372-73 National Capital Region Mutual Aid Agreements: Senate passed S. 1245, to reform mutual aid agreements for the National Capital Region. Page S15373 Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act: Senate passed H.R. 4343, to amend title 49, United States Code, to modify age standards for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations, clearing the measure for the President. Page S15373 Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act: Senate passed S. 2271, to authorize State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S15373-77 Harkin (for Dodd/Shelby) Amendment No. 3846, of a perfecting nature. Page S15375 Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act: Senate passed H.R. 3997, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief and protections for military personnel, after agreeing to the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S15377-78 Harkin (for Baucus/Grassley) Amendment No. 3847, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief and protections to military personnel. Page S15378 Harkin (for Baucus) Amendment No. 3848, to amend the title. Page S15378 [[Page D1611]] A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that if Senate receives from the House of Representatives a message on H.R. 3997 with an amendment that is not germane to the Senate amendment, or the underlying bill, that the bill and its amendments be referred to the Committee on Finance. Page S15378 Measures Considered: Farm Bill Extension Act: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Page S15179-S15224 Adopted: Reid (for McConnell) Amendment No. 3803 (to Amendment No. 3500), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the tax treatment of horses. Page S15218 Harkin (for Kennedy/Durbin) Amendment No. 3845 (to Amendment No. 3539), of a perfecting nature. Page S15223 Salazar (for Durbin) Amendment No. 3539 (to Amendment No. 3500), to provide a termination date for the conduct of certain inspections and the issuance of certain regulations. Pages S15223-24 Rejected: By 37 yeas to 58 nays (Vote No. 418), Thune (for Gregg) Amendment No. 3671 (to Amendment No. 3500), to strike the section requiring the establishment of a Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. Pages S15179-82 By 39 yeas to 56 nays (Vote No. 419), Thune (for Gregg) Amendment No. 3672 (to Amendment No. 3500), to strike a provision relating to market loss assistance for asparagus producers. Page S15182 By 19 yeas to 75 nays (Vote No. 420), Thune (for Alexander) Amendment No. 3551 (to Amendment No. 3500), to increase funding for the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems, with an offset. Pages S15183-89, S15216 By 14 yeas to 79 nays (Vote No. 421), Thune (for Alexander) Amendment No. 3553 (to Amendment No. 3500), to limit the tax credit for small wind energy property expenditures to property placed in service in connection with a farm or rural small business. Pages S15183-89, S15216-17 By 35 yeas to 58 nays (Vote No. 423), Thune (for Sessions) Modified Amendment No. 3596 (to Amendment No. 3500), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a pilot program under which agricultural producers may establish and contribute to tax-exempt farm savings accounts in lieu of obtaining federally subsidized crop insurance or noninsured crop assistance, to provide for contributions to such accounts by the Secretary of Agriculture, to specify the situations in which amounts may be paid to producers from such accounts, and to limit the total amount of such distributions to a producer during a taxable year. Pages S15218-20, S15222 Withdrawn: Gregg Amendment No. 3825 (to Amendment No. 3673), to change the enactment date. Pages S15211-16 By 41 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 422), Thune (for Gregg) Amendment No. 3673 (to Amendment No. 3500), to improve women's access to health care services in rural areas and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the amendment, having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, be withdrawn). Pages S15189-95, S15217-18 Chambliss (for Coburn) Amendment No. 3632 (to Amendment No. 3500), to modify a provision relating to the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. Pages S15179, S15220-22 Pending: Harkin Amendment No. 3500, in the nature of a substitute. Page S15179 Harkin (for Dorgan/Grassley) Modified Amendment No. 3695 (to Amendment No. 3500), to strengthen payment limitations and direct the savings to increase funding for certain programs. Pages S15179, S15203-11 Brown Amendment No. 3819 (to Amendment No. 3500), to increase funding for critical Farm Bill programs and improve crop insurance. Page S15179 Klobuchar Amendment No. 3810 (to Amendment No. 3500), to improve the adjusted gross income limitation and use the savings to provide additional funding for certain programs and reduce the Federal deficit. Page S15179 Chambliss (for Cornyn) Amendment No. 3687 (to Amendment No. 3500), to prevent duplicative payments for agricultural disaster assistance already covered by the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund. Page S15179 Chambliss (for Coburn) Modified Amendment No. 3807 (to Amendment No. 3500), to ensure the priority of the farm bill remains farmers by eliminating wasteful Department of Agriculture spending on golf courses, junkets, cheese centers, and aging barns. Pages S15179, S15222 Chambliss (for Coburn) Amendment No. 3530 (to Amendment No. 3500), to limit the distribution to deceased individuals, and estates of those individuals, of certain agricultural payments. Page S15179 Salazar Amendment No. 3616 (to Amendment No. 3500), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of [[Page D1612]] 1986 to provide incentives for the production of all cellulosic biofuels. Page S15179 Thune (for McConnell) Amendment No. 3821 (to Amendment No. 3500), to promote the nutritional health of school children, with an offset. Page S15179 Craig Amendment No. 3640 (to Amendment No. 3500), to prohibit the involuntary acquisition of farmland and grazing land by Federal, State, and local governments for parks, open space, or similar purposes. Page S15179 Thune (for Roberts/Brownback) Amendment No. 3549 (to Amendment No. 3500), to modify a provision relating to regulations. Page S15179 Domenici Amendment No. 3614 (to Amendment No. 3500), to reduce our Nation's dependency foreign oil by investing in clean, renewable, and alternative energy resources. Page S15179 Thune (for Gregg) Amendment No. 3674 (to Amendment No. 3500), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude charges of indebtedness on principal residences from gross income. Page S15179 Thune (for Gregg) Amendment No. 3822 (to Amendment No. 3500), to provide nearly $1,000,000,000 in critical home heating assistance to low-income families and senior citizens for the 2007-2008 winter season, and reduce the Federal deficit by eliminating wasteful farm subsidies. Pages S15179, S15195-S15203 Thune (for Grassley/Kohl) Amendment No. 3823 (to Amendment No. 3500), to provide for the review of agricultural mergers and acquisitions by the Department of Justice. Page S15179 Thune (for Stevens) Amendment No. 3569 (to Amendment No. 3500), to make commercial fishermen eligible for certain operating loans. Page S15179 Thune (for Bond) Amendment No. 3771 (to Amendment No. 3500), to amend title 7, United States Code, to include provisions relating to rulemaking. Page S15179 Tester Amendment No. 3666 (to Amendment No. 3500), to modify the provision relating to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act. Page S15179 Schumer Amendment No. 3720 (to Amendment No. 3500), to improve crop insurance and use resulting savings to increase funding for certain conservation programs. Page S15179 Sanders Amendment No. 3826 (to Amendment No. 3822), to provide for payments under subsections (a) through (e) of section 2604 of the Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and restore supplemental agricultural disaster assistance from the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund. Page S15179 Wyden Amendment No. 3736 (to Amendment No. 3500), to modify a provision relating to bioenergy crop transition assistance. Page S15179 Harkin/Kennedy Amendment 3830 (to Amendment No. 3500), relative to public safety officers. Pages S15179, S15222 Harkin/Murkowski Amendment No. 3639 (to Amendment No. 3500), to improve nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold in schools. Page S15183 Harkin Amendment No. 3844 (to Amendment No. 3830), relative to public safety officers. Page S15223 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at 8:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 13, 2007, with the time until 9:15 a.m., be equally divided and controlled for debate only between the two Leaders, or their designees, and that Senate vote on Harkin (for Dorgan/Grassley) Modified Amendment No. 3695 (to Amendment No. 3500). Page S15378 Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act--House Message: Senate resumed consideration of the House amendments to the Senate amendments to accompany H.R. 6, to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers from price gouging, to increase the energy efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Page S15218 Pending: Senator Reid motion to concur in the amendments of the House to the Senate amendments to the bill. Page S15218 Senator Reid entered a motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the Senate amendment to the text. Page S15218 Reid Amendment No. 3841 (to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the text), in the nature of a substitute. Page S15218 Reid Amendment No. 3842 (to Amendment No. 3841), to change the enactment date. Page S15218 A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the text with an amendment with reference to the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, and pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of Tuesday, December 11, 2007, a vote on cloture will occur on Thursday, December 13, 2007, upon disposition of Harkin (for Dorgan/ [[Page D1613]] Grassley) Modified Amendment No. 3695 (to Amendment No. 3500), following 2 minutes of debate. Page S15218 Appointments: Congressional Award Board: The Chair, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to Public Law 96-114, as amended, appointed the following individual to the Congressional Award Board: Patrick Murphy of Washington, D.C. And reappointed the following individual to the Congressional Award Board: Andrew Ortiz of Arizona. Page S15372 China Economic Security Review Commission: The Chair, on behalf of the Majority Leader, and after consultation with the ranking members of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Finance, pursuant to Public Law 106-398, appointed the following individual as a member of the United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: Patrick A. Mulloy of Virginia for a term beginning January 1, 2008 and expiring December 31, 2009, vice C. Richard D'Amato of Maryland, And reappointed the following individual to the United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: William A. Reinsch of Maryland for a term beginning January 1, 2008 and expiring December 31, 2009. Page S15372 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, of New Jersey, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. Robert F. Cohen, Jr., of West Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission for a term of six years expiring August 30, 2012. Harvey E. Johnson, Jr., of Virginia, to be Deputy Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. Page S15378 Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: Harvey E. Johnson, Jr., of Virginia, to be Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, which was sent to the Senate on September 7, 2007. Page S15378 Messages from the House: Pages S15231-32 Measures Referred: Page S15232 Measures Read the First Time: Pages S15232, S15378 Executive Communications: Pages S15232-33 Petitions and Memorials: Page S15233 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S15234-35 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S15235-52 Additional Statements: Pages S15228-31 Amendments Submitted: Pages S15252-S15372 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S15372 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S15372 Privileges of the Floor: Page S15372 Record Votes: Six record votes were taken today. (Total--423) Page S15182, S15216-17, S15222 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 9:39 p.m., until 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 13, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S15378.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) NORTH KOREA Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing to examine North Korea, focusing on the six-party talks, from Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. NOMINATIONS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Harvey E. Johnson, Jr., of Virginia, to be Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Jeffrey William Runge, of North Carolina, to be Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, who was introduced by Senator Burr, both of the Department of Homeland Security, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. ARBITRATION FAIRNESS ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution concluded a hearing to examine S. 1782, to amend chapter 1 of title 9 of United States Code with respect to arbitration, after receiving testimony from Tanya Solov, Office of the Secretary of State, Securities Department, Springfield, Illinois, on behalf of the North American Securities Administrators Association; Mark A. de Bernardo, Jackson Lewis, [[Page D1614]] LLP, Vienna, Virginia; Richard M. Alderman, University of Houston Law Center Consumer Law Center, Houston, Texas; Richard Naimark, American Arbitration Association (AAA), Peter B. Rutledge, Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, and F. Paul Bland, Jr., Public Justice, all of Washington, D.C.; and Fonza Luke, Birmingham, Alabama. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Committee on Rules and Administration: Committee concluded a hearing to examine a recently released Government Accountability Office report, focusing on funding challenges and facilities maintenance issues at the Smithsonian Institution, and the Smithsonian's real property management efforts and its efforts to develop and implement strategies to fund its facilities projects, after receiving testimony from Mark L. Goldstein, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office; and Cristian Samper, Acting Secretary, and Roger W. Sant, Chairman, Executive Committee, and Robert P. Kogod, Chairman, Facilities Revitalization Committee, both of the Board of Regents, all of the Smithsonian Institution. REVERSE MORTGAGES Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine reverse mortgages, focusing on the Federal Housing Administration's Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program, after receiving testimony from Meg Burns, Director, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Single Family Program Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Prescott Cole, Coalition to End Elder Financial Abuse (CEASE), San Francisco, California; Donald L. Redfoot, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Public Policy Institute, Billings, Montana; George B. Lopez, James B. Nutter and Company, Kansas City, Missouri; and Carol Anthony, King City, California. H House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 63 public bills, H.R. 4457-4519; 4 private bills, H.R. 4520-4523; and 5 resolutions, H.J. Res. 69; H. Con. Res. 269; and H. Res. 870-872, were introduced. Pages H15412-14 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H15414-15 Reports Filed: H.R. 2537, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to beach monitoring, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 110-491); and H. Res. 869, providing for consideration of (H.J. Res. 69) making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 110-492) Page H15412 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Bishop Earl J. Wright, Sr., Greater Miller Memorial Church of God in Christ, Warren, Michigan. Page H15319 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008: The House agreed to the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 1585) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, by a yea-and-nay vote of 370 yeas to 49 nays, Roll No. 1151. Pages H15341-53, H15368 Pursuant to the rule, the managers on the part of the House on H.R. 3093 are discharged and the bill is laid on the table. Page H15368 H. Res. 860, the rule providing for consideration of the conference report, was agreed to by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 226 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 1146. Pages H15323-27, H15339-40 Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to correct the enrollment of H.R. 1585: The House agreed by unanimous consent to H. Con. Res. 269, to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to correct the enrollment of H.R. 1585. Page H15353 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Hastings of Florida, wherein he resigned from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, effective today. Page H15341 Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization: The House passed H.R. 4299, to extend the Terrorism Insurance Program of the Department of [[Page D1615]] the Treasury, by a recorded vote of 303 ayes to 116 noes, Roll No. 1150. Pages H15354-68 Rejected the Baccus 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 yea-and-nay vote of 173 yeas to 246 nays, Roll No. 1149. Pages H15365-67 H. Res. 862, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 4299, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 189 nays, Roll No. 1145. Pages H15334-39 AMT Relief Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 4351, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide individuals temporary relief from the alternative minimum tax, by a yea-and-nay vote of 226 yeas to 193 nays, Roll No.1153. Pages H15368-82 Point of Order sustained against: McCrery motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Ways and Means to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment. Pages H15380-81 Agreed to table the McCrery motion to appeal the ruling of the Chair by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 1152. Page H15381 H. Res. 861, the rule providing for consideration of the conference report, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 1148, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 193 nays, Roll No. 1147. Pages H15327-34, H15340-41 Presidential Veto Message--Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007: Read a message from the President wherein he announced his veto of H.R. 3963, to amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program, and explained his reasons therefor--ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-80). Pages H15382-91 Subsequently, the House agreed to the Hoyer motion to postpone further consideration of the veto message and bill until Wednesday, January 23, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 211 yeas to 180 nays, Roll No. 1154. Pages H15383-91 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Over-the-Road Bus Transportation Accessibility Act of 2007: H.R. 3985, to amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to register a person providing transportation by an over-the- road bus as a motor carrier of passengers only if the person is willing and able to comply with certain accessibility requirements in addition to other existing requirements, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 211 yeas to 180 nays, Roll No. 1155. Pages H15391-92 Board of Trustees of the Congressional Hunger Fellows Program: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following members to the Board of Trustees of the Congressional Hunger Fellows Program: Mr. James P. McGovern, Worcester, Massachusetts and Jo Ann Emerson, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Page H15392 Senate Message: Messages received from the Senate today appear on page H15320. Senate Referrals: S. 793 was referred to Energy and Commerce. Page H15407 Quorum Calls--Votes: Ten yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H15338-39, H15339-40, H15340, H15340-41, H15366-67, H15367-68, H15368, H15381, H15382, H15391 and H15391-92. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 10:53 p.m. Committee Meetings MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported the following measures: as amended, the CFTU Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.J. Res. 15, Recognizing the contributions of the Christmas tree industry to the United States economy; H.R. 1374, To amend the Florida National Forest Land Management Act of 2003 to authorize the conveyance of an additional tract of National Forest System land under that Act, and for other purposes; and H.R. 3454, To provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of National Forest System land in the George Washington National Forest in Alleghany County, Virginia, that contains the cemetery of the Central Advent Christian Church and an adjoining tract of land located between the cemetery and road boundaries. BASE CLOSURE DECISIONS IMPLEMENTATION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on implementation of the Base Realignment and Closure 2005 decisions. Testimony was heard from Philip Grone, Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and Environment, Department of Defense; Brian Lepore, Director, Defense Capabilities [[Page D1616]] Assessment, GAO; Anthony Brown, Lt. Gov., State of Maryland; and public witnesses. ENERGY SPECULATION AND PRICE MANIPULATION Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation held a hearing entitled ``Energy Speculation: Is Greater Regulation Necessary to Stop Price Manipulation?'' Testimony was heard from Joseph T. Kelliher, Chairman, FERC; Walter Lukken, Acting Chairman, CFTC; and public witnesses. FINANCIAL CONSUMER HOTLINE Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing entitled ``The Financial Consumer Hotline Act of 2007: Providing Consumers with Easy Access to the Appropriate Banking Regulator.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: John Walsh, Chief of Staff and Public Affairs, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; and Cassandra McConnell, Director, Consumer and Community Affairs, Office of Thrift Supervision; Sandra Braunstein, Director, Consumer and Community Affairs, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; Sandra L. Thompson, Director, Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection, FDIC; Leonard Skiles, Executive Director, National Credit Union Administration; Richard Neiman, Superintendent of Banks, Banking Department, State of New York; and public witnesses. U.S. ASSISTANCE TO PALESTINIANS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia held a hearing on Connecting the Money to the Mission: The Past, Present, and Future of U.S. Assistance to the Palestinians. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Robert M. Danin, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; Charles R. Snyder, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Civilian Police and African, Asian, and European Programs, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement; and Mark Ward, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia and the Near East, U.S. Agency for International Development. CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2008 Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing on the Chemical Facility Anti- Terrorism Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from Bob Stephan, Assistant Secretary, Infrastructure Protection, Department of Homeland Security; Gary Sondermeyer, Director of Operations, Department of Environmental Protection, State of New Jersey; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 3609, Emergency Home Ownership and Mortgage Equity Protection Act of 2007; and H.R. 3753, Federal Judicial Salary Restoration Act of 2007. OVERSIGHT--FEES FOR FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY ON PUBLIC LANDS Committee on Natural Resources: Held an oversight hearing on New Fees for Filming and Photography on Public Lands. Testimony was heard from Mitch Butler, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior; Leslie Weldon, External Affairs Officer, Office of the Chief, Forest Service, USDA; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 4220, amended, Federal Food Donation Act of 2007; H.R. 3468, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1704 Weeksville Road in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, as the ``Dr. Cliford Bell Jones, Sr. Post Office;'' H.R. 3720, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 424 Clay Avenue in Waco, Texas as the ``Army PFC Juan Alonso Covarrubias Post Office Building;'' H.R. 3721, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1190 Lorena Road in Lorena, Texas, as the ``Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry Post Office Building;'' 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;'' H.R. 3911, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 95 Church Street in Jessup, Pennsylvania, as the ``Lance Corporal Dennis James Veater Post Office;'' H.R. 3988, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3701 Altamesa Boulevard in Fort Worth, Texas, as the ``Master Sergeant Kenneth N. Mack Post Office Building;'' H.R. 4210, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service [[Page D1617]] located at 401 Washington Avenue in Weldon, North Carolina, as the ``Dock M. Brown Post Office Building;'' H.R. 4211, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 725 Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, as the ``Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post Office;'' H.R. 4240, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10799 West Alameda Avenue in Lakewood, Colorado, as the ``Felix Sparks Post Office Building;'' H.R. 4342, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 824 Manatee Avenue in West Bradenton, Florida, as the ``Dan Miller Post Office Building;'' S. 2110, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 427 North Street in Taft, California, as the ``Larry S. Pierce Post Office;'' S. 2174, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 175 South Monroe Street in Tiffin, Ohio, as the ``Paul E. Gillmor Post Office Building;'' H. Con. Res. 198, amended, Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States has a moral responsibility to meet the needs of those persons, groups and communities that are impoverished, disadvantaged or otherwise in poverty; H. Con. Res. 254, Recognizing and celebrating the centennial of Oklahoma statehood; and H. Res. 816, amended, Congratulating the Colorado Rockies on winning the National League Championship and playing in the World Series. The Committee also approved a Committee report entitled ``Political Interference with Global Change Science under the Bush Administration.'' ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS OF WATER BOTTLING Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Domestic Policy held a hearing on Assessing the Environmental Risks of the Water Bottling Industry's Extraction of Groundwater. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a closed rule providing one hour of debate in the House on H.J. Res. 69, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the joint resolution (except for clause 9 or 10 of Rule XXI). The rule waives all points of order against provisions of the joint resolution. The rule also provides that the joint resolution shall be considered as read. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule provides that the Chair may postpone further consideration of the joint resolution to a time designated by the Speaker. The rule directs the Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations to insert in the Congressional Record at any time during the remainder of the first session of the 110th Congress such material as he may deem explanatory of appropriations measures for the fiscal year. Finally, the rule tables H. Res. 839 and H. Res. 850. SARBANES-OXLEY AND FINANCIAL REPORTING Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404: New Evidence on the Cost for Small Companies.'' Testimony was heard from Christopher Cox, Chairman, SEC; and public witnesses. LOCAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES NEAR NEW DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing on the New DHS Headquarters at St. Elizabeths: Local Business Opportunities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the GSA: David Winstead, Commissioner, Public Building Service; and Dawud Abdur-Rahman, Director, Portfolio Management Division--National Capital Region; RADM Earl Gay, USN, Commandant, Naval District Washington, Washington Navy Yard; Department of the Navy; and public witnesses. VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTH CARE Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on Stopping Suicides: Mental Health Challenges Within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Michael Shepherd, M.D., Physician, Office of Healthcare Inspections, Office of the Inspector General; Ira Katz, M.D., Deputy Chief, Patient Care Services, Office of Mental Health, Veterans Health Administration; and Kara Zivin, Research Investigator, Serious Mental Illness Treatment Research and Evaluation Center; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. [[Page D1618]] OUTPATIENT WAITING TIMES Committee on Veterans Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and the Subcommittee on Health held a joint hearing on Outpatient Waiting Times. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Belinda Finn, Assistant Inspector General, Audits; Gerald M. Cross, M.D., Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Health; and Paul Tibbits, M.D., Deputy Chief Information Officer, Office of Enterprise Development, Office of Information and Technology; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--CIA TAPES Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on CIA Tapes. The Committee was briefed by Michael V. Hayden, Director, CIA. F NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D1589) H.R. 1429, to reauthorize the Head Start Act, to improve program quality, to expand access. Signed on December 12, 2007. (Public Law 110-134) F COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine shopping smart and avoiding scams, focusing on financial literacy during the holiday season, 10:30 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, to hold hearings to examine forest restoration and hazardous fuels reduction efforts in the forests of Oregon and Washington, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine the Clean Water Act (Public Law 92-500), focusing on the Supreme Court decisions in Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County and Rapanos- Carabell, 9 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine the housing decline, focusing on the extent of the problem and potential remedies, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine perspectives on the next phase of the global fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, to hold joint hearings with the House Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions to examine the National Labor Relations Board, focusing on decisions and their impact on worker's rights, 10 a.m., 2175- RHOB. 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 prioritizing management, focusing on implementing chief management officers at federal agencies, 10 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine S. 344, to permit the televising of Supreme Court proceedings, S. 2402, to provide for the substitution of the United States in certain civil actions, S. 1638, to adjust the salaries of Federal justices and judges, S. 1829, to reauthorize programs under the Missing Children's Assistance Act, S. 431, to require convicted sex offenders to register online identifiers, S. 2344, to create a competitive grant program to provide for age- appropriate Internet education for children, S. 352, to provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings, S. Res. 388, designating the week of February 4 through February 8, 2008, as ``National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week'', and S. Res. 396, expressing the sense of the Senate that the hanging of nooses for the purpose of intimidation should be thoroughly investigated by Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities and that any criminal violations should be vigorously prosecuted, 10 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: business meeting to consider the nomination of James B. Peake, of the District of Columbia, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Time to be announced, Room to be announced. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 3 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Appropriations, Select Intelligence Oversight Panel, executive, hearing on CIA Interrogation Program, 1 p.m., H-140 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on global maritime strategy initiatives, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, hearing on CBO's Long-Term Budget Outlook, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Energy and Commerce, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 4040, Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act; and H.R. 1216, Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act; and to consider pending Committee business, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts, The Internet, and Intellectual Property, hearing on H.R. [[Page D1619]] 4279, Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, hearing on oversight of State-Run Juvenile Correctional Facilities known as ``Boot Camps,'' 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, hearing on Assessing Veterans' Charities, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, to mark up H.R. 4458, Small Business Regulatory Improvement Act, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, hearing on Latin America: Destabilizing Effects of the Drug Trade, 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol. Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management, hearing on Security Clearance Reform, 1 p.m., 311 Cannon. Joint Meetings Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, to hold joint hearings with the House Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions to examine the National Labor Relations Board, focusing on decisions and their impact on worker's rights, 10 a.m., 2175-RHOB. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: to hold hearings to examine freedom of the media in the Organization for Security and Co- operation in Europe (OSCE) region, 10 a.m., B318-RHOB. 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 D1620]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 8:30 a.m., Thursday, December 13 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 2419, Farm Bill Extension Act, and after a period of debate, vote on or in relation to the Harkin (for Dorgan/Grassley) Modified Amendment No. 3695 (to Amendment No. 3500); following which, Senate will vote on the motion to close further debate on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the text of H.R. 6, CLEAN Energy Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, December 13 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.J. Res. 69--making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, and the conference report on H.R. 2082--Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Barton, Joe, Tex., E2553, E2553 Berry, Marion, Ark., E2551 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E2555 Butterfield, G.K., N.C., E2549 Buyer, Steve, Ind., E2550 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E2545 Cummings, Elijah E., Md., E2546, E2548 Davis, David, Tenn., E2550 Duncan, John J., Jr., Tenn., E2554 Graves, Sam, Mo., E2550, E2557 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E2545, E2547, E2548, E2549 Hinojosa, Ruben, Tex., E2556 Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E2551 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E2546, E2547 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E2553, E2553, E2554, E2556, E2557 Lewis, Ron, Ky., E2557 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E2558 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E2552 Mack, Connie, Fla., E2558 Mahoney, Tim, Fla., E2558 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E2551 Paul, Ron, Tex., E2546, E2548 Peterson, Collin C., Minn., E2552 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E2555, E2555, E2556, E2557, E2557, E2558, E2559, E2559 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E2546, E2548 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E2552 Roskam, Peter J., Ill., E2558 Rothman, Steven R., N.J., E2551 Ryan, Paul, Wisc., E2552 Ryan, Tim, Ohio, E2554 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E2554 Serrano, Jose E., N.Y., E2549 Space, Zachary T., Ohio, E2555, E2555, E2557 Spratt, John M., Jr., S.C., E2559 Terry, Lee, Nebr., E2553 Udall, Mark, Colo., E2550 Udall, Tom, N.M., E2556 Walsh, James T., N.Y., E2551 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E2545, E2547, E2548