Thursday, May 4, 2006 [[Page D435]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed H.R. 4939, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3997-S4092 Measures Introduced: Forty-five bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2709-2753, and S. Res. 465-468. Pages S4050-51 Measures Passed: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations: By 77 yeas to 21 nays (Vote No. 112), Senate passed H.R. 4939, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S4007-30 Adopted: Cochran (for Landrieu) Amendment No. 3753, to provide project-based housing assistance to repair housing damaged as a result of Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 hurricane season. Page S4008 Cochran (for Voinovich/DeWine) Amendment No. 3677, to make a technical correction to a project for Rickenbacker Airport, Columbus, Ohio. Page S4009 Cochran (for Vitter) Modified Amendment No. 3819, to provide hurricane assistance to certain holders of fishery finance program loans. Page S4009 Cochran (for Byrd) Amendment No. 3860, to extend the availability of certain funds appropriated in Public Law 106-554 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001). Page S4009 Cochran (for Reed) Modified Amendment No. 3592, to provide emergency funding to upgrade the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier in Providence, Rhode Island. Pages S4009-10 Cochran (for Chafee) Amendment No. 3729, to direct the Secretary of the Army to assume responsibility for the annual operation and maintenance of the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier in Providence, Rhode Island. Page S4010 Cochran (for Baucus/Burns) Amendment No. 3761, relative to contract authority. Pages S4010-11 Cochran (for Bennett) Modified Amendment No. 3805, to allow nonconforming signs damaged by an act of God to be repaired or replaced under certain conditions. Page S4011 Vitter/Landrieu Further Modified Amendment No. 3728, to provide for flood prevention in the State of Louisiana, with an offset. Pages S4007, S4011-13 Obama (for Voinovich) Modified Amendment No. 3824, to provide funds for the maintenance of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Demonstration Barrier, Illinois. Page S4014 Grassley/Baucus Amendment No. 3732, to transfer funds from the Disaster Relief fund to the Social Security Administration for necessary expenses and direct or indirect losses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season. Pages S4014-16 Landrieu Modified Amendment No. 3851, relative to charter schools damaged due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. Page S4017 Rejected: By 39 yeas to 59 nays (Vote No. 111), Thune Amendment No. 3704, to provide, with an offset, $20,000,000 for the Department of Veterans Affairs for Medical Facilities. Pages S4007, S4013-14, S4016 Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair appointed the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Cochran, Stevens, Specter, Domenici, Bond, McConnell, Burns, Shelby, Gregg, Bennett, Craig, Hutchison, DeWine, Brownback, Allard, Byrd, Inouye, Leahy, Harkin, Mikulski, Reid, Kohl, Murray, Dorgan, Feinstein, Durbin, Johnson, and Landrieu. Page S4029 Child Crime Offender Registration: Senate passed S. 1086, to improve the national program to register and monitor individuals who commit crimes against children or sex offenses, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. Pages S4079-90 [[Page D436]] National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day: Senate passed S. Res. 465, expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to childhood stroke and designating May 6, 2006, as ``National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day''. Page S4090 Negro Leaguers Recognition Day: Senate passed S. Res. 466, designating May 20, 2006, as ``Negro Leaguers Recognition Day''. Pages S4090-91 Honoring Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist: Senate passed H.J. Res. 83, to memorialize and honor the contribution of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, clearing the measure for the President. Page S4091 D.C. Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 359, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. Page S4092 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: By unanimous vote of 95 yeas (Vote No. EX. 113), Brian M. Cogan, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. Pages S4034-35, S4092 By unanimous vote of 96 yeas (Vote No. EX. 114), Thomas M. Golden, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Pages S4035-36, S4092 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Jerome A. Holmes, of Oklahoma, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit. Valerie L. Baker, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California. Charles P. Rosenberg, of Virginia, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia for the term of four years. 3 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral. Page S4092 Nominations Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: Jerome A. Holmes, of Oklahoma, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma, which was sent to the Senate on February 14, 2006. Page S4092 Messages From the House: Page S4047 Measures Referred: Page S4047 Measures Placed on Calendar: Page S4047 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S4048 Executive Communications: Pages S4048-50 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S4050 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S4051-53 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S4053-78 Additional Statements: Pages S4046-47 Amendments Submitted: Page S4078 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S4078 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S4078 Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--114) Pages S4016, S4029, S4035 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 6:32 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Friday, May 5, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S4092.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: FAA Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Federal Aviation Administration, after receiving testimony from Marion C. Blakey, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation. AUTHORIZATION--DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the following bills: An original bill entitled ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007''; An original bill entitled ``Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007''; An original bill entitled ``Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007''; and An original bill entitled ``Department of Energy National Security Act for Fiscal Year 2007''. BUSINESS MEETING: FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATORY RELIEF ACT Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill, to provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions. HOUSEHOLD GOODS MOVING FRAUD Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine concluded a hearing to examine protecting consumers from fraudulent practices in the moving industry, focusing on criminal elements that operate [[Page D437]] at the fringe of the industry and victimize the public, after receiving testimony from Todd J. Zinser, Acting Inspector General, and Warren Hoemann, Acting Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, both of the Department of Transportation; J. Joseph Curran, Jr., Maryland Attorney General, and Steven M. Sakamoto-Wengel, Maryland Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Chief, Consumer Protection Division, both of Baltimore; J.R. Kelly, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee; Kay F. Edge, Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Design, Blacksburg; and Joseph M. Harrison, American Moving and Storage Association, Alexandria, Virginia. NANO COMMERCIALIZATION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development concluded a hearing to examine promoting economic development opportunities through nano commercialization, after receiving testimony from Sean Murdock, NanoBusiness Alliance, Skokie, Illinois; Robert D. Rung, Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute, Corvallis; Philip Boudjouk, North Dakota State University, Fargo; David Rejeski, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C.; and Jerry L. Gwaltney, City of Danville, Danville, Virginia. NOMINATION Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Dirk Kempthorne, of Idaho, to be Secretary of the Interior, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senators Craig and Crapo, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. URBANIZATION IN AFRICA Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on African Affairs concluded a hearing to examine housing and urbanization issues in Africa, focusing on the East Africa Peer Exchange Program, and economic growth and poverty reduction, after receiving testimony from Darlene F. Williams, Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Policy Development and Research; James T. Smith, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade, U.S. Agency for International Development; Jonathan T.M. Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International, Americus, Georgia; and Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, UN-HABITAT, United Nations Human Settlements Programme, Nairobi, Kenya. BUSINESS MEETING: NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Norman Randy Smith, of Idaho, and Milan D. Smith, Jr., of California, each to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, and Renee Marie Bumb, Noel Lawrence Hillman, Peter G. Sheridan, and Susan Davis Wigenton, each to be a United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights approved for full committee consideration S.J. Res.12, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 23 public bills, H.R. 5288- 5310; and 7 resolutions, H.J. Res. 85 and H. Res. 796-801, were introduced. Pages H2173-74 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2174-75 Reports Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H.R. 4200, to improve the ability of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to promptly implement recovery treatments in response to catastrophic events affecting Federal lands under their jurisdiction, including the removal of dead and damaged trees and the implementation of reforestation treatments, to support the recovery of non-Federal lands damaged by catastrophic events, to revitalize Forest Service experimental forests, and for [[Page D438]] other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rpt. 109-451 Pt. 1). Page H2173 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Canon Andrew White, Anglican Vicar of Iraq. Page H2105 SAFE Port Act: The House passed H.R. 4954, to improve maritime and cargo security through enhanced layered defenses, by a recorded vote of 421 ayes to 2 noes, Roll No. 127. Pages H2107-53 Rejected Mr. Nadler's motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Homeland Security with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a yea-and-nay vote of 202 yeas to 222 nays, Roll No. 126, after ordering the previous question without objection. Pages H2150-52 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Homeland Security now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. Page H2121 Agreed to: King of New York Manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rpt. 109- 450) makes technical changes, adds several new findings on the importance of maintaining vibrant international trade, clarifies that port security grant funds can be used to address vulnerabilities in vessel and facility plans in addition to maritime security plans, and clarifies that the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office is responsible for implementing Department of Homeland Security requirements under the Global Nuclear Architecture and that any private testing performed by DNDO will be confidential. Additionally, the amendment removes two provisions accepted during full committee consideration: (1) establishing a pilot program for training Coast Guard reserve officers; and (2) funding for the acceleration of Deepwater. Finally, the manager's amendment establishes a Director of Trade policy in the DHS Office of Policy; Pages H2133-36 Ruppersberger amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) requires the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to submit to the appropriate congressional committees an assessment study of the National Targeting Center and recommendations to strengthen the center, six months after implementation of the Act; Pages H2136-37 Ruppersberger amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) requires the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to consult with the appropriate Federal, State and local entities when determining the establishment of maritime security centers. Currently the decision on where to locate the command centers resides solely with the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; Pages H2137-38 Ruppersberger amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) advises that the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security should, in consultation with appropriate federal, state and local officials including the Captain of the Port from the United States Coast Guard and representatives from the maritime industry to determine protocols. Currently stated the protocols are determined solely by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; Page H2138 Cuellar amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to study the specific challenges faced by land ports when calling for greater security; Pages H2138-39 Ryun of Kansas amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to analyze portable nuclear devices under the evaluation of emerging technologies; Pages H2139-40 Hooley amendment (No. 7 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) amends the definition of a cargo container security device in Sec. 1816 from: ``a mechanical or electronic device designed to, at a minimum, detect unauthorized intrusion of containers'', to ``a mechanical or electronic device designed to, at a minimum, positively identify containers and detect and record unauthorized intrusion of containers. Such devices shall have false alarm rates that have been demonstrated to be below one percent.'' LATE; Pages H2140-41 Thompson of Mississippi amendment (No. 8 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) ensures that communications equipment purchased, and mechanisms for sharing terrorism threat information established, under the new Port Security Grant program are interoperable with Federal, State, and local agencies; Page H2141 Shays (No. 9 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a pilot project at an overseas port similar to the Integrated Container Inspection System (ICIS) in Hong Kong; Pages H2141-42 Bass amendment (No. 10 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) allows states and local agencies to petition to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for approval to apply for grants under this section for any activity relating to prevention of, preparation for, response to, or recovery from acts of terrorism, that would otherwise be a Federal duty performed by Federal agencies and under agreement with a State or local government and a Federal agency; Pages H2142-43 Millender-McDonald amendment (No. 11 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) makes eligible the construction [[Page D439]] or enhancement of truck inspection stations in seaport communities and trade corridors by authorizing up to $20 million annually in the Port Security Grant Program. Establishes or enhances truck inspection stations for seaports, communities and trade corridors where there is a high volume of truck container traffic. These truck inspection stations will be a consolidation and coordination of seaport, community and trade corridor security needs, by providing a security check point, safety inspections and emissions control check points; Pages H2143-44 Jackson-Lee of Texas amendment (No. 12 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) provides for the community to be included in disaster awareness and preparation in the form of a ``Neighborhood Watch''; and Pages H2144-45 Weiner amendment (No. 13 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) requires each port security grant recipient to report each expenditure to the Secretary of Homeland Security, who will then publish each expenditure on a publicly available website. The revision creates an exception for national security. Pages H2145-46 Rejected: Flake amendment (No. 14 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) which sought to strike the $400 million authorization for a new Port Security Program which would block the creation of an additional federal Homeland Security grant program; and Pages H2146-48 Sanchez, Loretta of California amendment (No. 15 printed in H. Rpt. 109-450) which sought to prohibit the current Customs and Border Protection (CBP) practice of granting automated targeting risk score reductions to Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) members that have not received CBP validation of the implementation and effectiveness of their security measures, (by a recorded vote of 195 ayes to 230 noes, Roll No. 125). Pages H2148-50 H. Res. 789, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, by a yea-and-nay vote of 226 yeas to 200 nays, Roll No. 123. Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 796, electing a certain Member to a certain standing committee: Committee on Science-- Representative Matsui. Page H2155 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 8th, and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, for Morning Hour debate. Page H2155 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, May 10, 2006. Page H2155 Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House to the United States delegation of the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group: Mr. Manzullo, Chairman; Mr. McCotter, Vice Chairman; Mr. Dreier, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Peterson of Minnesota, Mr. English of Pennsylvania, Mr. Gutknecht, Mr. Souder, Mr. Tancredo, Mr. Brown of South Carolina and Mr. Lipinski. Page H2156 Clerk Designations: Read a letter from the Clerk wherein she designated Ms. Marjorie C. Kelaher, Deputy Clerk, and Mr. Jorge E. Sorensen, Deputy Clerk, to sign any and all papers and do all other acts for her under the name of the Clerk of the House which they would be authorized to do by virtue of this designation, except such as are provided by statute, in case of her temporary absence or disability. Page H2161 Investigative Subcommittees--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House to be available to serve on investigative subcommittees: Mr. English of Pennsylvania, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of Florida, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Bonner, Mr. Bachus, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Latham and Mr. Walden of Oregon. Page H2163 Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote and two recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2149-50, H2152, and H2153. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 5:08 p.m. Committee Meetings INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, approved for full Committee action the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007. MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee action the Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, [[Page D440]] and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007. STATE MANDATES ON EMPLOYER-PROVIDED HEALTH INSURANCE Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer- Employee Relations held a hearing entitled ``Examining the Impact of State Mandates on Employer-Provided Health Insurance.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. WORLD CRUDE-OIL PRICING Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled ``World Crude-Oil Pricing.'' Testimony was heard from Guy F. Caruso, Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy; Orice Williams, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment Team, GAO; and public witnesses. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``The Critical Role of Community Health Centers in Ensuring Access to Care.'' Testimony was heard from Elizabeth Handley, Division Director, Policy and Development, Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 4768, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 777 Corporation Street in Beaver, Pennsylvania, as the ``Robert Linn Memorial Post Office Building;'' H.R. 5086, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the ``Lane Evans Post Office Building;'' H.R. 5104, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1750 16th South in St. Petersburg, Florida, as the ``Morris W. Milton Postal Office;'' H.R. 5245, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Marble Street in Fair Haven, Vermont, as the ``Matthew Lyon Post Office Building;'' H. Res. 327, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Passport Month; H. Res. 626, Congratulating Albert Pujols on being named the Most Valuable Player for the National League for the 2005 Major League Baseball season; H. Res. 627, Congratulating Chris Carpenter on being named the Cy Young Award winner for the National League for the 2005 Major League Baseball season; H. Res. 729, Supporting National Tourism Week; H. Res. 753, Commending American craft brewers; H. Res. 763, Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Children and Families Day, in order to encourage adults in the United States to support and listen to children and to help children throughout the Nation achieve their hopes and dreams; H. Res. 773, Commending the American Jewish Committee for its century of leadership; H. Res. 788, Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day; and H. Con. Res. 399, Recognizing the 30th anniversary of the victory of United States winemakers at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting. The Committee also unfavorably reported H. Res. 752, Requesting the President to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of the President relating to the receipt and consideration by the Executive Office of the President of any information concerning the variation between the version of S. 1932, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, that the House of Representatives passed on February 1, 2006, and the version of the bill that the President signed on February 8, 2006. SIFTING THROUGH KATRINA'S LEGAL DEBRIS Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``Sifting Through Katrina's Legal Debris: Contracting in the Eye of the Storm.'' Testimony was heard from William Woods, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO; the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Matt Jadacki, Special Inspector General, Gulf Coast Hurricane Recovery; Elaine Duke, Chief Procurement Officer; and Deidre Lee, Deputy Director, Operations, FEMA; Emily Murphy, Chief, Acquisition Office, GSA; and MG Don Riley USA, Director, Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense. BIOSCIENCE AND THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack continued hearings entitled ``BioScience and the Intelligence Community (Part II): Closing the Gap.'' Testimony was heard from Ambassador Kenneth Brill, Director, National Counterproliferation Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; Charles Allen, Chief Intelligence Officer, Department of Homeland Security; Bruce Pease, Director, Weapons Intelligence Nonproliferation and Arms Control, CIA; and Alan MacDougall, Chief, Counterproliferation Support Office, Defense Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense. [[Page D441]] GERMANY'S WORLD CUP BROTHELS Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations held a hearing on Germany's World Cup Brothels: Women and Children at Risk of Exploitation through Trafficking. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. VOTING RIGHTS ACT AMENDMENTS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held hearings, Part 1 and 11, on H.R. 9, To amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Testimony was heard from Rena Comisac, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; J. Gerald Hebert, former Acting Chief, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--ENERGY OCCUPATION ILLNESSCOMPENSATION PROGRAM ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims, held an oversight hearing on the Energy Employee Occupation Illness Compensation Program Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Wamp, Udall of New Mexico; Hastings of Washington; and Udall of Colorado. OVERSIGHT--FUTURE OF COAL Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on the Future of Federal Coal: Status, Availability and Impact of Technological Advances in Using Coal To Create Alternative Energy Resources. Testimony was heard from Brenda Pierce, Program Coordinator, Energy Resources Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 3835, National Ocean Exploration Program Act. Testimony was heard from Richard W. Spinrade, Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. NATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM ACT Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 5136, National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006. Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on Improving Drought Monitoring and Preparedness: H.R. 5136, National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Chester Koblinsky, Director, Climate Program Office, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION ENHANCEMENT ACT Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing on The Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization and H.R. 4126, Chesapeake Bay Restoration Enhancement Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Representatives Jo Ann Davis of Virginia and Cardin; Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Water, EPA; and public witnesses. MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT IMPLEMENTATION Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health continued hearings on Implementation of the Medicare Drug Benefit. Testimony was heard from Representative Waxman; Leslie Aronovitz, Director, Healthcare, GAO; and public witnesses. LABOR DEPARTMENT BUDGET/UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on Unemployment Compensation Aspects of U.S. Department of Labor Fiscal Year 2007 Budget. Testimony was heard from Mason Bishop, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor; Sigurd Nilsen, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. AL-QAEDA USE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Held a hearing on Al-Qaeda Use of Strategic Communications. Testimony was heard from Peter W. Rodman, Assistant Secretary, International Security Affairs, Department of Defense; and a public witness. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D442]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Friday, May 5 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: The Senate will be in a period of morning business. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Monday, May 8 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue. HOUSE Bonner, Jo, Ala., E722, E727 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E722, E726 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E724, E729 Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E720 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E730 Hooley, Darlene, Ore., E725, E731 Kanjorski, Paul E., Pa., E723, E727 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E723, E729 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E721, E723, E726, E727 Moore, Gwen, Wisc., E723, E727 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E722, E727 Pastor, Ed, Ariz., E721 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E725, E731 Reichert, David G., Wash., E721, E726 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E724, E729 Shimkus, John, Ill., E724, E729 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E725, E730 Strickland, Ted, Ohio, E719 Udall, Mark, Colo., E725, E730