Tuesday, April 8, 2008 [[Page D388]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S2709-S2765 Measures Introduced: Four bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2828-2831, S. Res. 505-506, and S. Con. Res. 74. Page S2743 Measures Reported: Report to accompany 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. (S. Rept. No. 110-280) S. 2162, to improve the treatment and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-281) Page S2743 Measures Passed: Commending the University of Kansas Men's Basketball Team: Senate agreed to S. Res. 505, commending The University of Kansas men's basketball team for winning the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Basketball Championship. Pages S2764-65 Measures Considered: New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act and the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 3221, moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, and modernizing our energy infrastructure, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation, and taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S2722-38 Pending: Dodd/Shelby Amendment No. 4387, in the nature of a substitute. Page S2722 Sanders Modified Amendment No. 4401 (to Amendment No. 4387), to establish a maximum rate of interest for loans insured under title II of the National Housing Act. Pages S2722-23 Cardin/Ensign Amendment No. 4421 (to Amendment No. 4387), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against income tax for the purchase of a principal residence by a first-time homebuyer. Page S2722 Ensign Amendment No. 4419 (to Amendment No. 4387), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the limited continuation of clean energy production incentives and incentives to improve energy efficiency in order to prevent a downturn in these sectors that would result from a lapse in the tax law. Page S2722 Alexander Amendment No. 4429 (to Amendment No. 4419), to provide a longer extension of the renewable energy production tax credit and to encourage all emerging renewable sources of electricity. Page S2722 Nelson (FL)/Coleman Amendment No. 4423 (to Amendment No. 4387), to provide for the penalty-free use of retirement funds to provide foreclosure recovery relief for individuals with mortgages on their principal residences. Page S2722 Lincoln Amendment No. 4382 (to Amendment No. 4387), to provide an incentive to employers to offer group legal plans that provide a benefit for real estate and foreclosure review. Page S2722 Lincoln (for Snowe) Amendment No. 4433 (to Amendment No. 4387), to modify the increase in volume cap for housing bonds in 2008. Page S2722 Landrieu Amendment No. 4404 (to Amendment No. 4387), to amend the provisions relating to qualified mortgage bonds to include relief for persons in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Page S2722 Sanders Amendment No. 4384 (to Amendment No. 4387), to provide an increase in specially adapted housing benefits for disabled veterans. Page S2722 [[Page D389]] Murray Amendment No. 4478 (to Amendment No. 4387), to increase funding for housing counseling with an offset. Page S2722 Mikulski Amendment No. 4494 (to Amendment No. 4478), to make additional funds available to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation to increase legal assistance available to homeowners at risk of foreclosure and assistance to community organizations working to preserve homeownership and prevent foreclosure, with an offset. Page S2722 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 92 yeas to 6 nays (Vote No. 93), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the motion to close further debate on Dodd/Shelby Amendment No. 4387 (listed above). Page S2726 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, and that all time during any morning business, recess, or adjournment of the Senate count post-cloture. Page S2765 Message from the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, the legislation and supporting documents to implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. (PM-43) Pages S2740-41 Removal of Injunction of Secrecy: The injunction of secrecy was removed from the following treaty: Amendments to the Constitution and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union (Geneva, 1992) (Treaty Doc. No. 110-16). The treaty was transmitted to the Senate today, considered as having been read for the first time, and referred, with accompanying papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed. Page S2765 Executive Communications: Pages S2741-42 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S2742-43 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S2743-45 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S2745-57 Additional Statements: Pages S2739-40 Amendments Submitted: Pages S2757-63 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S2763-64 Privileges of the Floor: Page S2764 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--93) Page S2726 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:35 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S2765.) House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 20 public bills, H.R. 5714- 5733; and 10 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 323-324; and H. Res. 1082, 1085- 1091, were introduced. Pages H2068-70 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2070-71 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 1198, to amend the Public Health Service Act regarding early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-565); H.R. 1237, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide revised standards for quality assurance in screening and evaluation of gynecologic cytology preparations, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110- 566); H.R. 1418, to provide for the expansion and improvement of traumatic brain injury programs, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-567); H.R. 2464, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide a means for continued improvement in emergency medical services for children, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-568); H.R. 3701, to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to intensify programs with respect to research and related activities concerning falls among older adults, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-569); [[Page D390]] H.R. 3825, 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 and to reauthorize programs under part A of title XI of such Act, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-570); H.R. 2063, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to develop a voluntary policy for managing the risk of food allergy and anaphylaxis in schools and to establish school-based food allergy management grants, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-571, Pt. 1); H. Res. 1083, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2537) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to beach monitoring (H. Rept. 110-572); and H. Res. 1084, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2016) to establish the National Landscape Conservation System (H. Rept. 110-573). Page H2068 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Capps to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H2017 Recess: The House recessed at 12:34 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m. Page H2017 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Honoring military children during ``National Month of the Military Child'': H. Res. 265, amended, to honor military children during ``National Month of the Military Child''; Pages H2020-22 Congratulating the Army Reserve on its centennial: H.J. Res. 70, amended, to congratulate the Army Reserve on its centennial, which will be formally celebrated on April 23, 2008, and to commemorate the historic contributions of its veterans and continuing contributions of its soldiers to the vital national security interests and homeland defense missions of the United States, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 393 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 161; Pages H2022-24, H2046 Recognizing the tremendous service that members of the Armed Forces have given to the Nation, especially those who have been wounded in combat: H. Res. 1020, amended, to recognize the tremendous service that members of the Armed Forces have given to the Nation, especially those who have been wounded in combat; Pages H2024-25 Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2007: H.R. 1198, amended, to amend the Public Health Service Act regarding early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss; Pages H2025-27 Wakefield Act: H.R. 2464, amended, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide a means for continued improvement in emergency medical services for children, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 390 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 162; Pages H2027-29, H2046-47 Cytology Proficiency Improvement Act of 2007: H.R. 1237, amended, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide revised standards for quality assurance in screening and evaluation of gynecologic cytology preparations; Pages H2029-34 Safety of Seniors Act of 2007: 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--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H2034-36 Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act of 2007: H.R. 2063, amended, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to develop a voluntary policy for managing the risk of food allergy and anaphylaxis in schools and to establish school-based food allergy management grants; Pages H2036-38 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to develop a voluntary policy for managing the risk of food allergy and anaphylaxis in schools.''. Page H2038 Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007: 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 and to reauthorize programs under part A of title XI of such Act--clearing the measure for the President; and Pages H2038-41 Reauthorization of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act: S. 793, amended, to provide for the expansion and improvement of traumatic brain injury programs, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 392 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 163. Pages H2041-45, H2047-48 Recess: The House recessed at 4:22 p.m. and reconvened at 6:33 p.m. Page H2045 Suspension--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measure under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed: Calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to end its crackdown in Tibet and enter into a substantive dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to find a negotiated solution that respects the distinctive language, culture, religious identity, and fundamental freedoms of all Tibetans: H. Res. 1077, to call on the Government [[Page D391]] of the People's Republic of China to end its crackdown in Tibet and enter into a substantive dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to find a negotiated solution that respects the distinctive language, culture, religious identity, and fundamental freedoms of all Tibetans. Pages H2048-58 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he transmitted legislation and supporting documents to implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement--referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-103). Pages H2019-20 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appears on page H2019. Senate Referrals: S. Con. Res. 73 was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Page H2019 Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2046, H2046-47 and H2047-48. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 12:30 p.m. and adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Agriculture, after receiving testimony from Ed Schafer, Secretary, Chuck Conner, Deputy Secretary, Joseph Glauber, Chief Economist, and W. Scott Steele, Budget Officer, all of the Department of Agriculture. IRAQ Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the situation in Iraq and progress made by the government of Iraq in meeting benchmarks and achieving reconciliation, after receiving testimony from Ryan C. Crocker, United States Ambassador to Iraq, Department of State; and General David H. Petraeus, USA, Commanding General, Multi-National Force-Iraq, Department of Defense. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on SeaPower concluded a hearing to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2009 on Navy force structure requirements and programs to meet those requirements, and the future years defense program, after receiving testimony from Allison Stiller, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ship Programs, and Vice Admiral Barry McCullough, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources, both of the Department of the Navy, and Lieutenant General James F. Amos, Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Combat Development and Integration, all of the Department of Defense. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine legislation to reauthorize the Federal Trade Commission, after receiving testimony from William Kovacic, Chairman, and Pamela Jones Harbour, Jon Leibowitz, and J. Thomas Rosch, all Commissioners, all of the Federal Trade Commission. DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the transition to digital television, focusing on consumers, broadcasters, and converter boxes, after receiving testimony from Kevin J. Martin, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission; and Meredith A. Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, National Telecommunications and Information Administration. WATER BILLS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power concluded a hearing to examine S. 2259 and H.R. 813, bills to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Prado Basin Natural Treatment System Project, to authorize the Secretary to participate in the Lower Chino Dairy Area desalination demonstration and reclamation project, H.R. 31, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Wildomar Service Area Recycled Water Distribution Facilities and Alberhill Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility Projects, H.R. 716, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Santa Rosa Urban Water Reuse Plan, H.R. 786, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Los Angeles County Water Supply [[Page D392]] Augmentation Demonstration Project, H.R. 1140, to authorize the Secretary, in cooperation with the City of San Juan Capistrano, California, to participate in the design, planning, and construction of an advanced water treatment plant facility and recycled water system, H.R. 1503, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Avra Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project, H.R. 1725, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Rancho California Water District Southern Riverside County Recycled Non-Potable Distribution Facilities and Demineralization Desalination Recycled Water Treatment and Reclamation Facility Project, H.R. 1737, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the design, planning, and construction of permanent facilities for the GREAT project to reclaim, reuse, and treat impaired waters in the area of Oxnard, California, and H.R. 2614, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in certain water projects in California, after receiving testimony from Kris Polly, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior. IRAN COUNTER-PROLIFERATION ACT Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 970, to impose sanctions on Iran and on other countries for assisting Iran in developing a nuclear program, after receiving testimony from Philip H. Gordon, Brookings Institution, Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, and William A. Reinsch, National Foreign Trade Council and USA*Engage, all of Washington, D.C.; and Orde F. Kittrie, Arizona State University, Tempe. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Barbara McConnell Barrett, of Arizona, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Finland, Yousif Boutrous Ghafari, of Michigan, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia, Frank Charles Urbancic, Jr., of Indiana, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus, Nancy E. McEldowney, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, and Kurt Douglas Volker, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, with the rank and status of Ambassador, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. IRAQ Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine Iraq after the troop surge, after receiving testimony from Ryan C. Crocker, United States Ambassador to Iraq, Department of State; and General David H. Petraeus, USA, Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq, Department of Defense. AMERICA'S SYSTEM OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution concluded a hearing to examine the adequacy of representation in capital cases, after receiving testimony from Carolyn Engel Temin, Senior Judge, Court of Common Pleas of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Michael S. Greco, Kirkpatrick and Lockhart, Preston, Gates, Ellis, LLP, Boston, Massachusetts, on behalf of the American Bar Association; Bryan A. Stevenson, New York University School of Law, Montgomery, Alabama; and Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., Jenner and Block, LLP, Washington, D.C. 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. Committee Meetings CENTRAL ASIA: AN OVERVIEW Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment held a hearing on Central Asia: An Overview. Testimony was heard from Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary, Bureau for South and Central Asia, Department of State. CHILD SOLDIERS ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2007 Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on S. 2135, Child Soldiers Accountability Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. BEACH PROTECTION ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule with a preprinting requirement providing for consideration of H.R. 2537, the ``Beach Protection Act of 2007.'' The resolution provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. [[Page D393]] The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. The resolution waives all points of order against the committee amendment except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI. The resolution makes in order only those amendments that are preprinted in the Congressional Record before beginning consideration of the bill or are pro forma amendments for the purpose of debate. Each amendment printed in the Congressional Record may be offered only by the Member who caused it to be printed or a designee and shall be considered as read. The resolution provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representatives Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas and Boozman. NATIONAL LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION SYSTEM ACT Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2016, the National Landscape Conservation System Act, under a structured rule. The rule provides one hour of general debate 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 clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute except for clause 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. The amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against the amendments except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are waived. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representatives Grijalva and Young of Alaska. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Energy, 9:30 a.m., SD- 124. Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of State and foreign operations, 10 a.m., SD-138. Subcommittee on Defense, to hold closed hearings to examine cyber warfare programs, 10:30 a.m., S-407, Capitol. Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine the situation in Iraq, focusing on progress made by the Government of Iraq in meeting benchmarks and achieving reconciliation, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Subcommittee on Airland, to hold hearings to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2009 on Air Force and Navy aviation programs, and the future years defense program, 2 p.m., SR- 222. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Innovation, to hold hearings to examine coal gasification technologies, focusing on the need for large scale projects, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine S. 1633, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of including the battlefield and related sites of the Battle of Shepherdstown in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, as part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park or Antietam National Battlefield, S. 1993 and H.R. 2197, bills to modify the boundary of the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in the State of Ohio, S. 2207, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating Green McAdoo School in Clinton, Tennessee, as a unit of the National Park System, S. 2254, to establish the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area in the State of Mississippi, S. 2262, to authorize the Preserve America Program and Save America's Treasures Program, S. 2329 and H.R. 2627, bills to establish the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in the State of New Jersey as the successor to the Edison National Historic Site, S. 2502 and H.R. 3332, bills to provide for the establishment of [[Page D394]] a memorial within Kalaupapa National Historical Park located on the island of Molokai, in the State of Hawaii, to honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who were forcibly relocated to the Kalaupapa Peninsula from 1866 to 1969, S. 2512, to establish the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area in the State of Mississippi, and H.R. 3998, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct special resources studies of certain lands and structures to determine the appropriate means for preservation, use, and management of the resources associated with such lands and structures, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine S. 1870, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify the jurisdiction of the United States over waters of the United States, 10 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine covering uninsured children, focusing on the provisions and regulations in the current Children's Healthcare Insurance Program (CHIP) directive, 2:30 p.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Democracy and Human Rights, to hold hearings to examine closing legal loopholes, focusing on sexual assaults and other violent crimes committed overseas by American civilians in a combat environment, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Patricia M. Haslach, of Oregon, for the rank of Ambassador during her tenure of service as United States Senior Coordinator for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, Scot A. Marciel, of California, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Affairs, D. Kathleen Stephens, of Montana, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, and William E. Todd, to be Ambassador to the State of Brunei Darussalam, all of the Department of State, 3:15 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine making the Department of Veterans Affairs the workplace of choice for health care providers, 9:30 a.m., SR-418. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, on Marketing and Regulatory Programs, 10 a.m., 2362-A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, on USTR, 9:30 a.m., on ITA 11 a.m., and on Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 2 p.m., H-309 Capitol. Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, on Federal Communications Commission, 10 a.m. 2220 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, on Smithsonian Institution, 10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, on U.S. Capitol Police Budget, 1 p.m., H-144 Capitol. Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies, on Army Budget, 2 p.m., H-143 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on the status of the war and political developments in Iraq, 9 a.m., and on the current status of U.S. ground forces, 1 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, to mark up the following: H.R. 5522, Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act of 2008; and a measure Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health, to mark up H.R. 5613, Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, hearing entitled `` Using FHA for Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on Report on Iraq, 1:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, hearing entitled ``Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Ensuring FEMA's Ability to Respond and Recover in the Wake of a National Catastrophe,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, hearing entitled ``Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Solving the Department of Homeland Security's Management Challenges'', 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, hearing on the 2008 Presidential Primaries and Caucuses: ``What we've learned so far,'' 11:30 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on Natural Resources, hearing on the following: H.R. 5608, Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments Act, H.R. 3522, To ratify a conveyance of a portion of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation to Rio Arriba County, State of New Mexico, pursuant to the settlement of litigation between the Jicarilla Apache Nation and Rio Arriba County, State of New Mexico, to authorize issuance of a patent for said lands, and to change the exterior boundary of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation accordingly, H.R. 3490, Tuolumme Me-Wuk Land Transfer Act of 2007, S. 2457, to provide for extensions of leases of certain land by Mashantucket Pequot (Western) Tribe, and H.R. 5680, To amend certain laws relating to Native Americans, and for other purposes, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to consider the following bills: H.R. 5687, To amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees; H.R. 5683, Government Accountability Act of 2008; H.R. 4791, Federal Agency Data Protection Act; H.R. 752, Federal Electronic Equipment Donation Act of 2007; H.R. 1734, To designate the United States Postal Service located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue in Portland, Oregon, as the ``Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office;'' H. Res. 1073, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 5 [[Page D395]] through 11, 2008; H. Res. 1026, Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Club; H.R. 5601, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7925 West Russell Road in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the ``Sergeant Irving Joseph Schwartz Post Office Building;'' and H.R. 5631, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1155 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the ``Corporal Bradley T. Arms Post Office Building.'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Full Committee, and the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, joint hearing on 2010 Census, Progress on the Development of the Field Data Collection Automation Program, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, hearing on Federal Security: ID Cards and Background Checks, 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, hearing entitled ``The Impact of Increasing Gas Prices on Small Businesses,'' 10 a.m., 1539 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation, hearing on Aviation Delays and Consumer Issues, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, hearing on Transportation Challenges of Metropolitan Areas, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans Affairs, hearing on Ending Homelessness for our Nation's Veterans, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, to mark up the following: the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008; and the Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act of 2008, 11 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, hearing on Assessing the Fight Against al-Qaeda, 12 p.m., 210 Cannon. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, hearing entitled ``Healthy Planet, Healthy People: Global Warming and Public Health,'' 10 a.m., B-318 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. The database includes both text and graphics from the beginning of the 103d Congress, 2d session (January 1994) forward. It is available through GPO Access at www.gpo.gov/gpoaccess. Customers can also access this information with WAIS client software, via telnet at swais.access.gpo.gov, or dial-in using communications software and a modem at 202ÿ09512ÿ091661. Questions or comments regarding this database or GPO Access can be directed to the GPO Access User Support Team at: E-Mail: gpoaccess@gpo.gov; Phone 1ÿ09888ÿ09293ÿ096498 (toll-free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091530 (D.C. area); Fax: 202ÿ09512ÿ091262. The Team's hours of availability are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, except Federal holidays. The Congressional Record paper and 24x microfiche edition will be furnished by mail to subscribers, free of postage, at the following prices: paper edition, $252.00 for six months, $503.00 per year, or purchased as follows: less than 200 pages, $10.50; between 200 and 400 pages, $21.00; greater than 400 pages, $31.50, payable in advance; microfiche edition, $146.00 per year, or purchased for $3.00 per issue payable in advance. The semimonthly Congressional Record Index may be purchased for the same per issue prices. To place an order for any of these products, visit the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250ÿ097954, or phone orders to 866ÿ09512ÿ091800 (toll free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202ÿ09512ÿ092104. Remit check or money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. 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 D396]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 9 __________ Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 3221, New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 9 __________ House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of the following suspensions: (1) H. Res. 838--Welcoming His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his first apostolic visit to the United States; (2) H. Res. 865--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the March 2007 report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development makes an important contribution to the understanding of the high levels of crime and violence in the Caribbean, and that the United States should work with Caribbean countries to address crime and violence in the region; (3) H.R. 5489-- To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6892 Main Street in Gloucester, Virginia, as the ``Congresswoman Jo Ann S. Davis Post Office''; (4) H.R. 5472--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, as the ``Julia M. Carson Post Office Building''; (5) H.R. 5395--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11001 Dunklin Drive in St. Louis, Missouri, as the ``William `Bill' Clay Post Office Building''; (6) H. Res. 1038--Recognizing the fifth anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security and honoring the Department's employees for their extraordinary efforts and contributions to protect and secure our Nation; and (7) H. Res. 1082--Recognizing the plumbing industry and supporting the goals and ideas of ``National Plumbing Industry Week''. Consideration of H.R. 2016--National Landscape Conservation System Act (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Baca, Joe, Calif., E537 Berman, Howard L., Calif., E537 Bishop, Timothy H., N.Y., E538 Boehner, John A., Ohio, E533 Boswell, Leonard L., Iowa, E537 Braley, Bruce L., Iowa, E535 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E546 Costa, Jim, Calif., E542 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E542 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E541 Farr, Sam, Calif., E529, E531 Filner, Bob, Calif., E542 Franks, Trent, Ariz., E543 Hunter, Duncan, Calif., E544 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E535 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E540, E542, E544, E545 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E538 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E545 McHugh, John M., N.Y., E543 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E541 Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E534 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E532 Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E533 Moran, James P., Va., E529, E530 Murphy, Patrick J., Pa., E535 Olver, John W., Mass., E535 Pickering, Charles W. ``Chip'', Miss., E538 Poe, Ted, Tex., E545 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E528, E530, E532, E534 Radanovich, George, Calif., E536 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E531 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E527, E529 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E533 Shuler, Heath, N.C., E540, E541 Shuster, Bill, Pa., E537 Space, Zachary T., Ohio, E540, E541, E541, E542, E543, E543, E544, E546, E546 Sullivan, John, Okla., E544 Udall, Mark, Colo., E528, E530 Udall, Tom, N.M., E536 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E534 Waxman, Henry A., Calif., E532 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E533 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E546 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E539 Wynn, Albert Russell, Md., E536