Friday, July 27, 2007 [[Page D1073]] Daily Digest Highlights The House passed H.R. 2419, Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007. The House agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 1, Improving America's Security Act of 2007. Senate Chamber Action The Senate was not in session today. It will next meet at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, July 30, 2007. Committee Meetings No committee meetings were held. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 18 public bills, H.R. 3202- 3219; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 195; and H. Res. 582-583 were introduced. Pages H8820-21 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H8821-22 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 2847, to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to establish an energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-262); H. Res. 579, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2831) to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice that is unlawful under such Acts occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to the discriminatory compensation decision or other practice (H. Rept. 110- 263); H. Res. 580, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 986) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (H. Rept. 110-264); H. Res. 581, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3161) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-265); H.R. 1315, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide specially adaptive housing assistance to certain disabled members of the Armed Forces residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member, with amendments (H. Rept. 110-266); H.R. 2623, to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the collection of copayments for all hospice care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-267); and H.R. 2874, to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the provision of health care to veterans, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-268). Pages H8819-20 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Altmire to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H8745 [[Page D1074]] Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, by a recorded vote of 231 ayes to 191 noes, Roll No. 756. Consideration of the measure began on Thursday, July 26th. Pages H8747-89 Rejected the Goodlatte motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Agriculture with instructions to report the same back to the House promptly with amendments, by a recorded vote of 198 ayes to 223 noes, Roll No. 755. Pages H8786-88 Agreed by unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 2419, pursuant to H. Res. 574, the amendment offered en bloc by Representative Peterson (MN) is considered as modified by striking amendment No. 9 and is considered as adopted as so modified. Further agreed that amendments No. 9 and 11 are permitted to be offered at any time. Page H8757 Agreed to: Boustany amendment (No. 6 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that states that in the case of sweet potatoes, Risk Management Agency Pilot Program data shall not be considered for purposes of determining production for the 2005-2006 Farm Service Agency Crop Disaster Program; Page H8761 Peterson (MN) en bloc amendment consisting of the following amendments printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261: Terry modified amendment (No. 20) that creates a competitive demonstration project designed to provide proof of concept in supplementing corn with sweet sorghum as an ethanol feedstock and Hall (NY) amendment (No. 29) that establishes a program to encourage environmentally responsible practices on actively farmed muck soil land; and Pages H8763-68 Jackson-Lee amendment (No. 7 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that expresses the sense of Congress that the food available to schoolchildren under the school breakfast and lunch program should be selected so as to reduce the incidence of juvenile obesity and to maximize nutritional value (by a recorded vote of 422 ayes to 3 noes, Roll No. 748). Pages H8751-53, H8774-75 Rejected: Manzullo modified amendment (No. 15 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that sought to exempt the Environmental Quality Incentives Program from the $60,000 and $125,000 payment limitations, resetting it to the $450,000 limitation that is in the current law; Pages H8757-59 Rangel amendment (No. 12 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that sought to remove certain banking restrictions related to Cuba's payment for agricultural purchases from U.S. producers and to authorize direct transfers between Cuban banks and U.S. banks and to allow visas to be issued to conduct activities related to purchasing U.S. agricultural goods (by a recorded vote of 182 ayes to 245 noes, Roll No. 749); Pages H8753-55, H8775-76 Boehner amendment (No. 13 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that sought to replace the current daily posted county prices used for determining loan deficiency payment rates and repayment rates for marketing assistance loans with a monthly PCP for each crop (by a recorded vote of 153 ayes to 271 noes, Roll No. 750); Pages H8755-57, H8776 Davis (IL) amendment (No. 19 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that sought to strike the sugar sections in the commodity title as well as the feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers, extending current programs until 2012 (by a recorded vote of 144 ayes to 282 noes, Roll No. 751); Pages H8761-63, H8776-77 Udall (CO) amendment (No. 21 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that sought to reduce the direct payment rate for cotton by 2/3 of a cent and use the resulting savings to fund enrollment of 224,000 additional acres in the Grasslands Reserve Program (by a recorded vote of 175 ayes to 251 noes, Roll No. 752); Pages H8769-70, H8777-78 Putnam amendment (No. 25 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that sought to prohibit individuals from receiving farm conservation payments if their income exceeds $1 million, unless 75% of the income comes from farm income (by a recorded vote of 175 ayes to 252 noes, Roll No. 753); and Pages H8770-71, H8778 Cooper amendment (No. 27 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that sought to comprehensively reform the federal crop insurance program, including the Administration's farm bill crop insurance proposals and to save $4 billion while adding resources to the Grassland Reserve Program (by a recorded vote of 175 ayes to 250 noes, with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 754). Pages H8771-74, H8778-79 Withdrawn: Goodlatte amendment (No. 3 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have streamlined and adopted one set of terms and conditions of easements for the Wetlands Reserve Program, Grasslands Reserve Program, Farmland and Ranchland Protection Program, and Healthy Forest Reserve Program; Pages H8747-49 Cardoza amendment (No. 5 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have required the USDA to transition Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service employees responsible for plant pest inspection duties back to the USDA from the Department of Homeland Security; Pages H8749-51 [[Page D1075]] Welch (VT) amendment (No. 11 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have added a provision to the review process for the Federal Milk Marketing Order Review Commission to include an evaluation of cost of production variables, including cost of feed and cost of fuel; Page H8759 Blumenauer amendment (No. 16 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have made conservation easements purchased through a transferable development rights program eligible for grants under the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program; and Pages H8759-60 Arcuri amendment (No. 9 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-261) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have expressed the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture should use existing authority when determining the Class I milk price mover to take into account the increased cost of production, including energy and feed. Pages H8760-61 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H8789 H. Res. 574, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Thursday, July 26th. Improving America's Security Act of 2007: The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 1, to provide for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, by a yea-and-nay vote of 371 yeas to 40 nays, Roll No. 757. Pages H8789-H8812 H. Res. 567, the rule providing for consideration of the conference report, was agreed to by voice vote. Page H8789 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative McCarthy (CA) wherein he resigned from the Committee on Homeland Security, effective today. Page H8813 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, August 1st. Page H8814 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 30th for Morning Hour debate. Page H8814 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H8745. Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote and nine recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H8774-75, H8775-76, H8776, H8776-76, H8777-78, H8778, H8778-79, H8787-88, H8788- 89, H8812. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9:00 a.m. and adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Committee Meetings IRAQ POLICY Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 3087, To require the President, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other senior military leaders, to develop and transmit to Congress a comprehensive strategy for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces in Iraq; and H.R. 3159, Ensuring Military Readiness Through Stability and Predictability Deployment Policy Act of 2007. Prior to this action, the Committee held a hearing on these measures. Testimony was heard from GEN John M. Keane, USA (ret.), former Vice Chief of Staff, Department of the Army; Lawrence J. Korb, former Assistant Secretary, Manpower, Reserve Affairs, Installations and Logistics, Department of Defense. CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND MEDICARE PROTECTION (CHAMP) ACT OF 2007 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Continued consideration of H.R. 3162, Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act of 2007. Recessed subject to call. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1119, amended, Purple Heart Family Equity Act of 2007; and H.R.1071, September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act. LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Granted, by vote of 7 to 3, a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate, H.R. 2831, Lilly Lebetter Fair Pay Act of 2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Labor. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against the provisions in [[Page D1076]] the bill, as amended. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule provides that the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Chairman George Miller of California and Representative McKeon. EIGHTMILE WILD AND SCENIC RIVER ACT Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate on H.R. 986, Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except for clauses 9 and 10 of Rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in this report, shall be considered as adopted. The rule waives all points of order against the bill, as amended, and provides that the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule provides that the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Chairman Rahall and Representative Bishop of Utah. AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 0, an open rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate on H.R. 3161, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The resolution waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in recognition on the basis of whether the Member offering an amendment has caused it to be printed in the Congressional Record. The resolution provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the resolution permits the Chair, during consideration of the bill in the House, to postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representatives DeLauro and Kingston. CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of July 30 through August 4, 2007 Senate Chamber On Monday, at 3 p.m., Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 976, Small Business Tax Relief Act, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at 5:30 p.m. During the balance of the week, Senate may consider any cleared legislative and executive business. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: July 31, to hold hearings to examine the state of the securities markets, 9:30 a.m., SD-538. August 2, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Randall S. Kroszner, of New Jersey, Larry Allan Klane, of the District of Columbia, and Elizabeth A. Duke, of Virginia, all to be Members of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 9:30 a.m., SD-538. August 2, Subcommittee on Security and International Trade and Finance, to hold hearings to examine reforming key international financial institutions for the 21st century, 2:30 p.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: July 31, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Ronald Spoehel, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, William G. Sutton, Jr., of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Thomas J. Barrett, of Alaska, to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation, and Paul R. Brubaker, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Department of Transportation, 10 a.m., SR-253. August 1, Full Committee, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Department of Justice, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. August 2, Full Committee, business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: August 1, Subcommittee on Water and Power, to hold hearings to examine S. 1054 and H.R. 122, bills to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Inland Empire regional recycling project and in the Cucamonga Valley Water District recycling project, S. 1472, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to create a Bureau of Reclamation partnership with the North Bay Water Reuse Authority and other regional partners to achieve objectives relating to water supply, water quality, and environmental restoration, S. 1475 and H.R. 1526, bills to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program, H.R. 30, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Eastern Municipal Water District Recycled Water System Pressurization and [[Page D1077]] Expansion Project, H.R. 609, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Central Texas Water Recycling and Reuse Project, and H.R. 1175, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to increase the ceiling on the Federal share of the costs of phase I of the Orange County, California, Regional Water Reclamation Project, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: July 31, to continue hearings to examine carried interest (Part II), 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: July 31, to hold hearings to examine nuclear energy and nonproliferation challenges, focusing on safeguarding the atom, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. August 1, Subcommittee on African Affairs, to hold hearings to examine the United States Africa Command, focusing on a new strategic relationship with Africa, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: August 1, business meeting to consider S.579, to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants for the development and operation of research centers regarding environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of breast cancer, S.625, to protect the public health by providing the Food and Drug Administration with certain authority to regulate tobacco products, and S.1858, to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish grant programs to provide for education and outreach on newborn screening and coordinated followup care once newborn screening has been conducted, to reauthorize programs under part A of title XI of such Act, 9:30 a.m., Room to be announced. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: August 1, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine the under-representation of Americans at the United Nations and its organizations; focusing on ways to build a stronger American diplomatic presence, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. August 2, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (Public Law 109-435), focusing on the services that are provided to customers, 10 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: July 31, to hold hearings to examine the impact of the Leegin decision, 10 a.m., SD-226. July 31, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine death and serious injury relating to oxycontin and defective products, 2:30 p.m., SD-226. August 2, Full committee, to continue hearings to examine the Department of Justice politicizing the hiring and firing of United States Attorneys, focusing on preserving prosecutorial independence, 10 a.m., SD-226. August 2, Full Committee, business meeting to consider S.1692, to grant a Federal charter to Korean War Veterans Association, Incorporated, S.1060, to reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to improve reentry planning and implementation, S.453, to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections, S.1845, to provide for limitations in certain communications between the Department of Justice and the White House Office relating to civil and criminal investigations, a bill entitled, ``School Safety and Law Enforcement Act'', and the nomination of Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Velez, to be United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, 11:30 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: July 31, to hold hearings to examine Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense education issues, 9:30 p.m., SD-562. Select Committee on Intelligence: July 31, to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. August 1, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Donald M. Kerr, of Virginia, to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. August 2, Full Committee, to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committees Committee on Appropriations, July 31, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, on Capitol Visitor Center, 9 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. August 1, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, on Capitol Power Plant Utility Tunnels, 9 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, July 31, Subcommittee on Readiness, hearing on Augmenting the Force, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. July 31, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to continue hearings on A Third Way: Alternatives for Iraq's Future, (Part 4). 1 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. August 1, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on active Army, Army Guard and Army Reserve recruiting and retention, 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. July 2, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing to follow-up on the notification of family members of next of kin of deceased and wounded process for the Marine Corps, 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, July 31, hearing on the Costs of Military Operations and Reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. August 2, hearing on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: What will be the long-term effect on the federal budget? 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Energy and Commerce, July 31, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 814, Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act; H.R. 1699, Danny Keysar Child Product Safety Notification Act; H.R. 1721, Pool and Spa Safety Act; and H.R. 2474, To provide for an increased maximum civil penalty for violations under the Consumer Product Safety Act, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. August 1, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to continue hearings on Post-Katrina Health Care [[Page D1078]] in the New Orleans Region: Progress and Continuing Concerns--Part II, 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, July 31, to continue mark up of H.R. 2895, National Affordable Housing. Trust Fund Acct of 2007, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, July 31, to markup the following measures: H.R. 1302, Global Poverty Act of 2007; H.R. 1567, Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act of 2007; H.R. 2185, To amend the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 to provide debt relief to developing countries that take action to protect forests and coral reefs and associated coastal marine ecosystems, to reauthorize such Act through fiscal year 2010; H.R. 3096, Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2007; H.R. 3062, South Pacific Economic and Educational Development Act of 2007; H. Res. 32, Denouncing the practices of female genital mutilation, domestic violence, ``honor'' killings, acid burning, dowry deaths, and other gender-based persecutions and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that participation, protection, recognition, and independence of women is crucial to achieving a just, moral, and honorable society; H. Res. 34, Recognizing the 75th birthday of Desmond Mpilo Tutu, South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, and Nobel Peace Prize recipient; H. Res. 238, Commending the first democratic elections in Aceh, a province in Sumatra, Indonesia, and expressing support for the further democratic development and implementation of the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding; H. Res. 508, Recognizing the strong security alliance between the Government of Japan and the United States and expressing appreciation to Japan for its role in enhancing stability in the Asia-Pacific region and its efforts in the Global war against terrorism; H. Res. 518, Recognizing the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence; H. Res. 548, Expressing the ongoing concern of the House of Representatives for Lebanon's democratic institutions and unwavering support for the administration of justice upon those responsible for the assassination of Lebanese public figures opposing Syrian control of Lebanon; H. Res. 557, Strongly condemning the United Nations Human Rights Council for ignoring severe human rights abuses in various countries, while choosing to unfairly target Israel by including it as the only country permanently placed on the Council's agenda; H. Res. 564, Recognizing that violence poses an increasingly serious threat to peace and stability in Central America and supporting expanded cooperation between the United States and the countries of Central America to combat crime and violence; H. Res. 575, Commending the people and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for their continued commitment to holding elections and broadening participation; and a resolution Recognizing the remarkable example of Sir Nicholas Winton who organized the rescue of 669 Jewish Czechoslovakian children from Nazi death camps prior to the outbreak of World War II, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. July 31, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, hearing on the Case of Ramos and Compean: the Across-Border Context, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. August 1, Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, hearing on the Impact of Coup-Related Sanctions on Thailand and Fiji: Helpful or Harmful to U.S. Relations? 9 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. August 1, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, hearing on Political Crises in South Asia: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. August 2, Subcommittee on Africa, and Global Health, hearing on Africa Command: Opportunity for Enhanced Engagement or the Militarization of U.S.-Africa Relations,'' 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. August 2, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia and the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight, joint hearing on Reconstruction in Iraq's Oil Sector: Running on Empty? 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, July 31, Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, hearing entitled ``Managing Risk and Increasing Efficiency: An Examination of the Implementation of the Registered Traveler Program,'' 1:30 p.m., 311 Cannon. August 1, Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, hearing entitled ``Playing by Its Own Rules: TSA's Exemption from the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and How it Impacts Partnerships with the Private Sector,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, August 1, oversight hearing on The Smithsonian in Transition, 11 a.m., 1310 Longworth. August 2, Subcommittee on Elections, oversight hearing on the Election Assistance Commission, 2 p.m., 1310 Longworth. August 3, Election Task Force, meeting to receive a GAO briefing on the status of the Investigation into the FL-13 Congressional District Contested Election, 10 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on the Judiciary, July 31, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, hearing on Ensuring Artists Fair Compensation: Updating the Performance Right and Platform Parity for the 21st Century, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, July 31, oversight hearing on Crisis of Confidence: The Political Influence of the Bush Administration on Agency Science and Decision-Making, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. August 2, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, hearing on H.R. 1769, Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth. August 2, Subcommittee on National Parks, and Public Lands, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3094, National Park Centennial Fund Act; and H.R. 2959, National Park Centennial Challenge Fund Act, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, July 31, full Committee, hearing on FEMA Preparedness in 2007 and Beyond, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. July 31, and August 2, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Services, and the District of Columbia, hearings on Federal Compensation, Part I, Pay and Part 2, Benefits, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. [[Page D1079]] August 1, full Committee, hearing on the Tillman Fratricide: What the Leadership of the Defense Department Knew, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. August 2, full Committee, to consider pending business, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, August 1, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, and the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, to continue joint hearings on the Department of Energy's Support for the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL), Part II, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, July 31, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, hearing to review the Coast Guard Administration Law System, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. August 1, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, to consider the following measures: the Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 2007; the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2007; To improve the provision of disaster assistance for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; H.R. 3068, Federal Protective Service Guard Contracting Reform Act of 2007; H.R. 2671, To designate the United States courthouse located at 301 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida, as the ``C. Clyde Atkins United States Courthouse;'' H.R. 2728, To designate the station of the United States Border Patrol located at 25762 Madison Avenue in Murrieta, California, as the ``Theodore L. Newton, Jr. and George F. Azrak Border Patrol Station,'' 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. August 2, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, hearing on Challenges Facing the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Program, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, July 31, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 674, To amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal the provision of law requiring termination of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans as of December 31, 2009; H.R.1273, To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to restore plot allowance eligibility for veterans of any war and to restore the headstone or marker allowance for eligible persons; H.R.1900, To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend eligibility for pension benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans who receive an expeditionary medal during a period of military service other than a period of war; H.R. 1901, To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend eligibility for pension benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans who served during certain periods of time in specified locations; H.R. 2346. To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a process for determining whether a geographic area is sufficiently served by the national cemeteries located in that geographic area; H.R. 2696, Veterans' Dignified Burial Assistance Act of 2007; and H.R. 2697, To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for veterans' mortgage life insurance to include members of the Armed Forces receiving specially adapted housing assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs, 2 p.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, August 1, Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, hearing on Measuring Poverty in America, 10 a.m., B-318 Rayburn. August 1, Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, hearing on Aviation Taxes, 2 p.m., 1100 Longworth. August 2, Subcommittee on Trade, hearing on Legislation Related to Trade with China, 9 a.m., 1100 Longworth Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, July 30, Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical, executive, briefing on Special Reconnaissance Program, 5:30 p.m., H-405 Capitol. July 31, Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management, hearing on DNI 100 Day Plan, 10 a.m., 2203 Rayburn August 1, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence Analysis and Counterintelligence and the Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence, executive, joint briefing on SIGINT, 1 p.m., H-405 Capitol. August 2, full Committee, executive, briefing on Intelligence Community Update on Iraq, 10 a.m., H-405 Capitol. August 2, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence, executive, briefing on CIA new Counter Terrorism Activity, 1 p.m., H-405 Capitol. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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[[Page D1080]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 2 p.m., Monday, July 30 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 3:00 p.m.), Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 976, Small Business Tax Relief Act, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at 5:30 p.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 30 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E1643 Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E1635, E1645 Campbell, John, Calif., E1642 Clarke, Yvette D., N.Y., E1643 Duncan, John J., Jr., Tenn., E1640 Ehlers, Vernon J., Mich., E1635 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E1638 Fox, Virginia, N.C., E1641 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E1645 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1637, E1644 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E1638 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E1638 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E1637 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1637 Meeks, Gregory W., N.Y., E1635 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1635, E1645 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E1644 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E1638 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1635, E1637, E1639, E1642, E1644 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E1639 Shimkus, John, Ill., E1644 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E1643 Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E1638 Udall, Mark, Colo., E1640 Young, Don, Alaska, E1637