Thursday, June 28, 2007 [[Page D925]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS The House passed H.R. 2829, making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S8641-S8730 Measures Introduced: Twenty-two bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1723-1744, and S. Res. 260-261. Pages S8691-92 Measures Reported: Report to accompany S. 845, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand and intensify programs with respect to research and related activities concerning elder falls. (S. Rept. No. 110-110) S. 175, to provide for a feasibility study of alternatives to augment the water supplies of the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District and cities served by the District, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-111) S. 324, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the State of New Mexico. (S. Rept. No. 110-112) S. 542, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies to address certain water shortages within the Snake, Boise, and Payette River systems in the State of Idaho. (S. Rept. No. 110-113) S. 1037, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to assist in the planning, design, and construction of the Tumalo Irrigation District Water Conservation Project in Deschutes County, Oregon. (S. Rept. No. 110-114) S. 1110, to amend the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to provide for the conjunctive use of surface and ground water in Juab County, Utah. (S. Rept. No. 110-115) S. 1139, to establish the National Landscape Conservation System, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-116) H.R. 235, to allow for the renegotiation of the payment schedule of contracts between the Secretary of the Interior and the Redwood Valley County Water District. (S. Rept. No. 110-117) H.R. 276, to designate the Piedras Blancas Light Station and the surrounding public land as an Outstanding Natural Area to be administered as a part of the National Landscape Conservation System, and for other purposes. (S. Rept. No. 110-118) H.R. 482, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to transfer ownership of the American River Pump Station Project. (S. Rept. No. 110-119) H.R. 839, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of enlarging the Arthur V. Watkins Dam Weber Basin Project, Utah, to provide additional water for the Weber Basin Project to fulfill the purposes for which that project was authorized. (S. Rept. No. 110-120) H.R. 886, to enhance ecosystem protection and the range of outdoor opportunities protected by statute in the Skykomish River valley of the State of Washington by designating certain lower-elevation Federal lands as wilderness. (S. Rept. No. 110-121) H.R. 902, to facilitate the use for irrigation and other purposes of water produced in connection with development of energy resources, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-122) S. 1257, to provide the District of Columbia a voting seat and the State of Utah an additional seat in the House of Representatives, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-123) H.R. 2771, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, without recommendation. H. Con. Res. 7, Calling on the League of Arab States and each Member State individually to acknowledge the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan and to step up their efforts to stop the genocide in Darfur, with an amendment and with an amended preamble. [[Page D926]] S. Res. 203, calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. S. Res. 253, expressing the sense of the Senate that the establishment of a Museum of the History of American Diplomacy through private donations is a worthy endeavor. Page S8691 Measures Passed: Adjournment Resolution: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 179, providing for a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives and a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate. Pages S8723-24 Andean Trade Preference Act Extension: Senate passed H.R. 1830, to extend the authorities of the Andean Trade Preference Act until September 30, 2009, clearing the measure for the President. Page S8724 Measures Considered: Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Senate continued consideration of S. 1639, to provide for comprehensive immigration reform, taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S8641-51 Pending: Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934, of a perfecting nature. Page S8641 Division VII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division VIII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division IX of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division X of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XI of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XIII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XIV of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XV of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XVI of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XVII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XVIII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XIX of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XX of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XXI of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XXII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XXIII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XXIV of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XXV of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XXVI of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Division XXVII of Reid (for Kennedy/Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934. Page S8641 Kennedy Amendment No. 1978 (to Division VII of Reid (for Kennedy/ Specter) Modified Amendment No. 1934), to change the enactment date. Page S8641 During consideration of this measure today, the Senate also took the following action: By 46 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 235), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on the bill. Pages S8650-51 A unanimous-consent agreement was granted permitting Senator Lugar to change his nay vote to a yea vote on Vote No. 231 changing the outcome of the vote to 57 yeas to 40 nays relative to Division III of Reid Modified Amendment No. 1934, tabled on June 27, 2007. Pages S8674-75 National Defense Authorization Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to consideration of 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, be withdrawn; that the motion to proceed be agreed to, and that Senate begin consideration of the bill, and that on Monday, July 9, 2007, following morning business, Senate resume consideration of the bill. Page S8724 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: By unanimous vote of 99 yeas (Vote No. EX. 237), Benjamin Hale Settle, of Washington, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington. By unanimous vote of 99 yeas (Vote No. EX. 238), Richard Sullivan, of New York, to be United [[Page D927]] States District Judge for the Southern District of New York. Joseph S. Van Bokkelen, of Indiana, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana. By 94 yeas 4 nays (Vote No. EX. 236), Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute U.S. Army. Pages S8662-66, S8670-73, S8720-23, S8727-30 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Donald B. Marron, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Council of Economic Advisers. Brent T. Wahlquist, of Pennsylvania, to be Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. Christopher Egan, of Massachusetts, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the rank of Ambassador. Reed Verne Hillman, of Massachusetts, to be United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts for the term of four years. Thomas M. Beck, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term expiring July 29, 2012. 1 Air Force nomination in the rank of general. 1 Marine Corps nomination in the rank of general. 1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Navy. Pages S8724-27 Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: John Ray Correll, of Indiana, to be Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007. Page S8730 Messages from the House: Page S8687 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S8687 Enrolled Bills Presented: Pages S8687-88 Executive Communications: Pages S8688-89 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S8689-91 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S8692-93 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S8693-S8715 Additional Statements: Page S8687 Amendments Submitted: Pages S8715-19 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S8719 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S8719-20 Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--238) Pages S8650-51, S8670-71, S8672, S8672-73 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:04 p.m., until 9:45 a.m. on Friday, June 29, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S8724.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Appropriations: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: H.R. 2764, making appropriations for Department of States, foreign operations, and related program, with an amendment; An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008; An original bill making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION BUDGET Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard concluded an oversight hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2008 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), after receiving testimony from Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.), Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Administrator, NOAA. GLOBAL WARMING ISSUES Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine global warming issues in the power plant sector, after receiving testimony from James E. Rogers, Duke Energy Corporation, Charlotte, North Carolina; Peter A. Darbee, Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation (PG&E), San Francisco, California; Lewis Hay, III, Florida Power and Light Company (FLP), Juno Beach; David G. Hawkins, Natural Resources Defense Council, Jason Grumet, National Commission on Energy Policy, Thomas J. Donohue, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Marlo Lewis, Competitive Enterprise Institute, all of Washington, D.C; Robert E. Murray, Murray Energy Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio; and Thomas J. Borelli, Free Enterprise Action Fund, Eastchester, New York. [[Page D928]] DHS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS MODERIZATION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine financial management systems modernization at the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on systems and processes needed to support the Department's mission and operations, after receiving testimony from McCoy Williams, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, and Keith Rhodes, Chief Technologist, Applied Research and Methods, Center for Technology and Engineering, both of the Government Accountability Office; and David Norquist, Chief Financial Officer, and Scott Charbo, Chief Information Officer, both of the Department of Homeland Security. CLASS III GAMING REGULATION Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine draft legislation regarding the regulation of class III gaming, after receiving testimony from Philip N. Hogen, Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission; Dean Shelton, California Gambling Control Commission, Sacramento, on behalf of Governor Schwarzenegger; Myra Pearson, Fort Totten, North Dakota, and Kurt Luger, Bismark, North Dakota, both of the Great Plains Indian Gaming Association; W. Ron Allen, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Sequim, Washington, on behalf of the Washington Indian Gaming Association; and Valerie Welsh-Tahbo, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Parker, Arizona. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Veterans' Affairs: On Wednesday, June 27, 2007, Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 423, to increase, effective as of December 1, 2007, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans; S. 1163, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation and specially adapted housing for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes, and to provide for the use of the National Directory of New Hires for income verification purposes; S. 479, to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans; S. 1315, to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance life insurance benefits for disabled veterans, with amendments; and S. 1233, to provide and enhance intervention, rehabilitative treatment, and services to veterans with traumatic brain injury, with amendments. NOMINATION Committee on Veterans Affairs: On Wednesday, June 28, 2007, Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Charles L. Hopkins, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Operations, Preparedness, Security and Law Enforcement). INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to the call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 58 public bills, H.R. 2894- 2951; and 9 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 178-181; and H. Res. 525-529 were introduced. Pages H7430-33 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H7433-35 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 2420, to declare United States policy on international climate cooperation, to authorize assistance to promote clean and efficient energy technologies in foreign countries, and to establish the International Clean Energy Foundation, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110- 215); H.R. 1851, to reform the housing choice voucher program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-216); and H.R. 1852, to modernize and update the National Housing Act and enable the Federal Housing Administration to use risk-based pricing to more effectively reach underserved borrowers, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-217). Pages H7429-30 [[Page D929]] Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative McCollum to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H7343 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Erin Conaway, South Main Baptist Church, Houston, Texas. Page H7343 Temporarily extending the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965: The House agreed by unanimous consent to S. 1704, to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965--clearing the measure for the President. Page H7347 Making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008: The House passed H.R. 2829, making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 240 yeas to 179 nays, Roll No. 606. Pages H7347-H7411 Rejected the Lewis (CA) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back promptly to the House with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 199 nays, Roll No. 605. Pages H7409-10 Agreed to: Moran (KS) amendment that prohibits funds from being used to administer, implement, or enforce the amendment made to section 515.533 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, that was published in the Federal Register on February 25, 2005; Pages H7347-49 DeFazio amendment (No. 9 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used by the Selective Service System to prepare for, plan, or execute the Area Office Mobilization Prototype Exercise; Page H7363 Cardoza amendment (that was debated on June 27th) that reduces funding for General Activities under the General Services Administration by $8 million and increases funding for the Office of Inspector General under the General Services Administration by $6 million (by a recorded vote of 281 ayes to 144 noes, Roll No. 584); Page H7394 Garrett (NJ) amendment (No. 1 printed in the Congressional Record of June 25, 2007 and debated on June 27th) that prohibits funds from being used by the Securities and Exchange Commission to enforce the requirements of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (by a recorded vote of 267 ayes to 154 noes, Roll No. 588); Page H7397 Flake amendment (No. 19 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used for the Mitchell County Development Foundation, Inc. for the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree project (by a recorded vote of 249 ayes to 174 noes, Roll No. 593); Pages H7354-57, H7400-01 Wicker amendment that prohibits funds from being used to implement section 5112(n)(2)(C) of title 31, United States Code (by a recorded vote of 295 ayes to 127 noes, Roll No. 598); Pages H7374-75, H7403-04 Pence amendment that prohibits funds from being used by the Federal Communications Commission to implement the Fairness Doctrine, as repealed in General Fairness Doctrine Obligations of Broadcast Licensees, or any other regulations having the same substance (by a recorded vote of 309 ayes to 115 noes, with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 599); and Pages H7375-80, H7404-05 Goode amendment (No. 32 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used to implement or enforce the Health Care Benefits Expansion Act of 1992 (by a recorded vote of 224 ayes to 200 noes, Roll No. 603). Pages H7390, H7407-08 Rejected: Flake amendment (No. 17 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Fairplex Trade and Conference Center, Pomona, California; Pages H7358-60 Flake amendment (No. 28 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Advantage West Economic Development Group, Certified Entrepreneurial Community Program; Pages H7360-61 Campbell (CA) amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Wittenberg University East Asian Study Center (agreed by unanimous consent that the House vacate the ordering of a recorded vote on adoption of the amendment to the end that the Chair may put the question on the amendment de novo); Pages H7369-70 DeFazio amendment (No. 8 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007 and debated on June 27th) that sought to increase funding, by offset, for the Small Business Administration by $10 million (by a recorded vote of 95 ayes to 320 noes, Roll No. 585); Page H7395 Price (GA) amendment (No. 15 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007 and debated on June 27th) that sought to strike section 738 entitled Requirement for Public-Private Competition (by a recorded vote of 158 ayes to 268 noes, Roll No. 586); Pages H7395-96 [[Page D930]] Tom Davis (VA) amendment (that was debated on June 27th) that sought to increase funding, by offset, for Federal Payment for Resident Tuition Support by $1 million (by a recorded vote of 146 ayes to 279 noes, Roll No. 587); Pages H7396-97 Souder amendment (that was debated on June 27th) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Prevention Works or Whitman- Walker Clinic needle exchange programs (by a recorded vote of 208 ayes to 216 noes, Roll No. 589); Pages H7397-98 Flake amendment (No. 18 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Grace Johnstown Area Regional Industries Incubator and Workforce Development program (by a recorded vote of 87 ayes to 335 noes, Roll No. 590); Pages H7349-50, H7398-99 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for a project for Barracks Row Main Street, Inc. (by a recorded vote of 60 ayes to 361 noes, Roll No. 591); Pages H7350-52, H7399 Flake amendment (No. 21 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association, SPUR Urban Center (by a recorded vote of 102 ayes to 317 noes, Roll No. 592); Pages H7353-54, H7399-H7400 Flake amendment (No. 22 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the West Virginia University Research Corporation for renovations of a small business incubator (by a recorded vote of 101 ayes to 325 noes, Roll No. 594); Pages H7361-63, H7401 Campbell (CA) amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission (by a recorded vote of 107 ayes to 318 noes, Roll No. 595); Pages H7363-65, H7401-02 Emanuel amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Office of the Vice President (by a recorded vote of 209 ayes to 217 noes, Roll No. 596); Pages H7365-69, H7402-03 Campbell (CA) amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for a list of sundry projects contained in the bill (by a recorded vote of 48 ayes to 372 noes, Roll No. 597); Pages H7370-74, H7403 Jordan amendment (No. 31 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that sought to provide that each amount appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act that is not required to be appropriated or otherwise made available by a provision of law is reduced by 8.9 percent (by a recorded vote of 149 ayes to 276 noes, Roll No. 600); Pages H7380-83, H7405-06 Price (GA) amendment that sought to reduce appropriations in the bill by $214,340,000 (by a recorded vote of 191 ayes to 233 noes, Roll No. 601); Pages H7384-87, H7406 Musgrave amendment (No. 13 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that sought to reduce each amount appropriated or otherwise made available in the bill, that is not required to be appropriated or otherwise made available by a provision of law, by 0.5 percent (by a recorded vote of 205 ayes to 220 noes, Roll No. 602); and Pages H7387-90, H7406-07 Stearns amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used by the Internal Revenue Service to implement a Spanish-language version of the ``Where's my Refund?'' service (by a recorded vote of 165 ayes to 257 noes, Roll No. 604). Pages H7391-94, H7408-09 Withdrawn: Ellsworth amendment (No. 10 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to prohibit funds from being used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than the simplified acquisition threshold unless the prospective contractor certifies in writing to the agency that the contractor owes no Federal tax debt and Page H7357 Wolf amendment (No. 14 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to establish funding for a budget and entitlement reform commission. Pages H7357-58 Point of Order sustained against: Lucas amendment (No. 34 printed in the Congressional Record of June 26, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used by the United States Government to seize, other than for value given in a sale or exchange, any coin, medal or numismatic item made or issued by the United States Government before January 1, 1933; Page H7349 Section 106 regarding qualified tax collection contracts; and Pages H7352-53 Kingston amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used to enter into a contract with an entity that does not participate in the basic pilot program described in section 403(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Page H7387 H. Res. 517, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Wednesday, June 27th. Adjournment Resolution: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 179, providing for an adjournment of the House and a recess or adjournment of the Senate. Page H7391 [[Page D931]] Late Report: Agreed that the Committee on Energy and Commerce have until midnight on July 9, 2007 to file a report to accompany H.R. 2900. Page H7411 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 2, 2007, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H. Con. Res. 179, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Pages H7391, H7411 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, July 11th. Page H7411 U.S. Capitol Preservation Commission--Appointment: Read a letter from Robert A. Brady, Vice Chairman, Joint Committee on the Library, in which he designated Representative Capuano to serve on the U.S. Capitol Preservation Commission in lieu of himself. Page H7412 Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Ruppersberger and Representative Cummings to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through July 10, 2007. Page H7412 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Gillmor wherein he resigned from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, effective immediately. Page H7412 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on pages H7343 and H7412 . Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and twenty-one recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H7394, H7395, H7395-96, H7396-97, H7397, H7398, H7398-99, H7399, H7400, H7400-01, H7401, H7402, H7402-03, H7403, H7404, H7404-05, H7405-06, H7406, H7406-07, H7407-08, H7408, H7410, and H7411. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and at 9:50 p.m., the House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Committee Meetings MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND THE FEDERAL BUDGET Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Medicare Advantage and the Federal Budget. Testimony was heard from Peter R. Orszag, Director, CBO; Mark E. Miller, Executive Director, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; Mark B. McClellan, former Commissioner, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. IMPROVING JOB TRAINING EFFECTIVENESS Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness held a hearing on Workforce Investment Act: Recommendations To Improve the Effectiveness of Job Training.'' Testimony was heard from Sigurd Nelson, Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. ENERGY MEASURES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported the following Committee Prints: amended, To promote advanced plug-in hybrid vehicles and vehicle components; amended, To enhance availability of energy information; and To promote the development of renewable fuels infrastructure. On July 27, the Committee ordered reported, as amended, the following Committee Prints To promote greater energy efficiency; To facilitate the transition to a smart electricity grid; and To clarify the amount of loans to be guaranteed under title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATIONS IN AFRICA Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a hearing entitled ``Millennium Challenge Corporation in Africa: Promises Versus Progress.'' Testimony was heard from Rodney Bent, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Millennium Challenge Corporation; David Gootnick, M.D., Director, International Affairs and Trade, GAO; and public witnesses. PROTECTING U.S. COMPANIES IN COLOMBIA Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, with the Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a joint hearing entitled ``Protection and Money: U.S. Companies, Their Employees, and Violence in Columbia.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. US-VISIT PROGRAM Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism held a hearing entitled ``US-VISIT Exit: Closing Gaps in Our Security.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Robert A. Mocny, Director, US-VISIT Program; and Robert M. Jackson, Executive Director, Travel Security and Facilitation, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and [[Page D932]] Randolph C. Hite, Director, Architecture and Systems Issues, Information Technology, GAO; and public witnesses. DESIGNATIVE CLASSIFIED AND SENSITIVE HOMELAND INFORMATION Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee, on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled ``Over-Classification and Pseudo-Classification: Making DHS the Gold Standard for Designating Classified and Sensitive Homeland Security Information.'' Testimony was heard from J. William Leonard, Director, Information Security Oversight Office, National Archives and Record Administration; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS ENFORCEMENT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held an oversight hearing on the Impact of Ledbetter v. Goodyear on the Effective Enforcement of Civil Rights Laws. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 1239, amended, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 1388, amended, Star- Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Act; H.R. 1011, amended, Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007; H.R. 189, amended, Paterson Great Falls National Park Act of 2007; H.R. 761, amended, To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. Certain Federal land associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in Nebraska, to be used as an historical interpretive site along the trail; H.R. 1285, amended, Snoqualmie Pass Land Conveyance Act; H.R. 1205, amended, Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007; H.R. 2400, amended, Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act; H.R. 50, amended, Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 465, amended, Asian Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 1834, amended, National Ocean Exploration Program Act; H.R. 716, amended, Santa Rosa Urban Water Reuse Plan Act; H.R. 31, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Wastewater and Recycled Water Facilities Act of 2007; H.R. 1503, amended, Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project; H.R. 1526, amended, Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Authorization Act; H.R. 1337, amended, To provide for a feasibility study of alternatives to augment the water supplies of the Central Oklahoma master Conservancy District and cities served by the district; and 1725, Rancho California Water District Recycled Water Reclamation Facility Act of 2007. OVERSIGHT--NATURAL RESOURCES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on The Minerals Management Service's Proposed Five Year Program for Oil and Gas Leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf. Testimony was heard from Representatives Thompson of California, Moran of Virginia and Drake; Walter Cruickshank, Acting Director, Minerals Management Service, Department of the Interior; Frank Wagner, member, Senate, State of Virginia; Albert Pollard, former Member, House of Delegates, State of Virginia; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT POLICY ACT EXCLUSIONS Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held an oversight hearing entitled ``Management by Exclusion: The Forest Service Use of Categorical Exclusions from NEPA.'' Testimony was heard from Mark Rey, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, USDA; Robin Nazzaro, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; Harrison Pollak, Deputy Attorney General, State of California; and public witnesses. WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE AT K-TOWN DOD'S LARGEST SINGLE FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on Waste, Fraud and Abuse at the K-Town: How Mismanagement Has Derailed DOD's Largest Single Facility Construction Project. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the GAO: Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special Investigations; Terrell G. Dorn, Director, Physical Infrastructure; and Bruce A. Causseaux, Senior Level Contract and Procurement Fraud Specialist Forensic Audits and Special Investigations; BG Danny K. Gardner, USAF, Director, Installations and Mission Support, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Department of Defense; and public witnesses. NASA'S EARTH SCIENCE/APPLICATIONS PROGRAMS Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on NASA's Earth Science and Applications Programs: Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Request and Issues. Testimony was heard from Michael H. Freilich, Director, Earth Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA; and public witnesses. RECORDING ARTISTS WEBCASTERS ROYALTY RATES Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Assessing the Impact of the Copyright Royalty Board Decision to Increase Royalty Rates on Recording [[Page D933]] Artists and Webcasters. Testimony was head from Representative Inslee; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 2881, amended, FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 2830, amended, Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007; H.R. 2722, Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act; H.R. 2775, amended, To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize funding for emergency management performance grants; H.R. 781, To redesignate Lock and Dam No. 5 of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System near Redfield, Arkansas, authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act approved July 24, 1946, as the ``Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock and Dam;'' and H. Res. 375, amended, Honoring United Parcel Service and its 100 years of commitment and leadership in the United States. The Committee also approved General Services Administration Lease Resolutions. VETERANS MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health approved for full Committee action, as amended, 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. MEMBER REQUESTS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to consider Member requests for documents in the possession of the Committee. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight and the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness of the Committee on Education and Labor, joint hearing on International Students and Visiting Scholars: Trends, Barriers, and Implications for American Universities and U.S. Foreign Policy, 9:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, to mark up the following bills: 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; H.R. 1750, To amend Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend from 90 days to 1 year the period after release of a member of the Armed Forces from duty during which the member is protected from mortgage foreclosure under that Act; H.R. 1240, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a scholarship program for students seeking a degree or certificate in the areas of visual impairment and orientation and mobility; and H.R. 1632, Improving Veterans' Reemployment Act of 2007, 9:30 a.m., 334 Cannon. 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 D934]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:45 a.m., Friday, June 29 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will be in a period of morning business. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 10 House Chamber Program for Tuesday, July 10th: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E1449 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E1433 Boozman, John, Ark., E1428 Boustany, Charles W., Jr., La., E1433 Brown, Henry E., Jr., S.C., E1449 Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E1447 Carson, Julia, Ind., E1428 Carter, John R., Tex., E1433, E1434 Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E1436, E1446 Crowley, Joseph, N.Y., E1428 Culberson, John Abney, Tex., E1450 Davis, Artur, Ala., E1429 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E1447 Dreier, David, Calif., E1439, E1442 Ellsworth, Brad, Ind., E1447 Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E1432 Farr, Sam, Calif., E1449 Ferguson, Mike, N.J., E1449 Graves, Sam, Mo., E1427, E1427 Green, Gene, Tex., E1429 Grijalva, Raul M., Ariz., E1427 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E1450 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E1430 Hill, Baron P., Ind., E1448 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E1436 Israel, Steve, N.Y., E1444 Jindal, Bobby, La., E1432 Johnson, Henry C. ``Hank'', Jr., Ga., E1446 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E1427 Kind, Ron, Wisc., E1428 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E1434 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E1439, E1441 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E1427 McMorris Rodgers, Cathy, Wash., E1430 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1435, E1437, E1439, E1441 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1429, E1434 Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E1428 Musgrave, Marilyn N., Colo., E1428 Oberstar, James L., Minn., E1437 Paul, Ron, Tex., E1436 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E1435 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1430, E1439, E1441, E1445 Reyes, Silvestre, Tex., E1434 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E1433 Ryan, Paul, Wisc., E1435 Sanchez, Loretta, Calif., E1429 Sarbanes, John P., Md., E1431 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E1448 Simpson, Michael K., Idaho, E1427, E1433, E1434 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E1450 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E1447 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E1438, E1440, E1443 Turner, Michael R., Ohio, E1437 Udall, Mark, Colo., E1431 Udall, Tom, N.M., E1448 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E1432 Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E1435, E1437 Waxman, Henry A., Calif., E1438, E1440, E1443 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E1432 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E1444 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E1448