Tuesday, September 9, 2008 [[Page D1050]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S8145-S8219 Measures Introduced: Six bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 3454-3459, and S. Res. 652. Page S8179 Measures Reported: S. 3023, to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe regulations relating to the notice to be provided claimants with the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the substantiation of claims, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-449) S. 2494, to provide for equitable compensation to the Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation for the use of tribal land for the production of hydropower by the Grand Coulee Dam. (S. Rept. No. 110-450) Page S8179 Measures Considered: National Defense Authorization Act: Senate began consideration of S. 3001, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 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, after agreeing to the motion to proceed thereto, and taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pending: Reid Amendment No. 5290, to change the enactment date. Page S8159 Reid Amendment No. 5291 (to Amendment No. 5290), of a perfecting nature. Page S8159 Motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Armed Services with instructions to report back forthwith, with Reid Amendment No. 5292 (to the instructions of the motion to recommit), to change the enactment date. Pages S8159-60 Reid Amendment No. 5293 (to the instructions of the motion to recommit to the bill), of a perfecting nature. Page S8160 Reid Amendment No. 5294 (to Amendment No. 5293), of a perfecting nature. Pages S8160-61 Levin (for Leahy/Byrd) Amendment No. 5323, to provide for a suspension of certain statutes of limitations when Congress has authorized the use of military force. Page S8161 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that no motion to proceed to any legislative or executive calendar item be in order during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Page S8161 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that the motion and pending amendments be set aside so that the Senate may consider the following first-degree amendments: Leahy Amendment relative to statute of limitations, Vitter Amendment relative to missile defense with 2 hours of debate, Nelson (FL) Amendment relative to SBP-DIC offset, Kyl Amendment relative to X-ban radar; that no amendments be in order to the amendments prior to a vote; that any debate time provided under the agreement be equally divided and controlled in the usual form; that if a sequence of votes is established under the provisions of a separate unanimous-consent agreement, then there be 2 minutes equally divided and controlled prior to any vote; that in any sequence, the succeeding votes be 10 minutes in limitation; provided further, that during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, the ban on motions to proceed continue to be in effect. Page S8161 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, September 10, 2008. Page S8218 House Messages: Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Herhige, Jr. Federal Courthouse: Senate concurred in the amendments of the House of Representatives to S. 2403, to designate the new Federal Courthouse located in the 700 block of East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, as the ``Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Merhige, Jr. Federal Courthouse'', clearing the measure for the President. Pages S8217-18 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: [[Page D1051]] Sean T. Connaughton, of Virginia, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for the term expiring June 30, 2012. Jerry Gayle Bridges, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Education. Pamela A. Redfield, of Nebraska, to be a Member of the National Museum and Library Services Board for a term expiring December 6, 2013. Loretta A. Preska, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit. J. Mac Davis, of Wisconsin, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin. 1 Army nomination in the rank of general. 12 Coast Guard nominations in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service. Pages S8218-19 Nominations Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nominations: Joaquin F. Blaya, of Florida, to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2008, which was sent to the Senate on October 18, 2007. Dennis M. Mulhaupt, of California, to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2008, which was sent to the Senate on October 18, 2007. Page S8219 Messages from the House: Pages S8178-79 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S8179-81 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S8181-86 Additional Statements: Pages S8176-78 Amendments Submitted: Pages S8186-S8216 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S8216 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S8216-17 Privileges of the Floor: Page S8217 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:15 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S8218.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) GEORGIA Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in open and closed hearings to examine the current situation in Georgia and implications for United States policy, after receiving testimony from Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs; and Eric S. Edelman, Under Secretary for Policy, Lieutenant General John M. Paxton, Jr., USMC, Director for Operations, J-3, and Brigadier General Michael T. Flynn, Director for Intelligence, J-2, USA, both of the Joint Staff, all of the Department of Defense. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND GAS PRICES Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine strengthening the ability of public transportation systems to reduce the dependence of the United States on foreign oil, after receiving testimony from William M. Millar, American Public Transportation Association, and Robert Puentes, Brookings Institution Metropolitan Infrastructure Initiative, both of Washington, D.C.; Andrew H. Darrell, Environmental Defense Fund, New York, New York; Dorothy W. Dugger, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, Oakland, California; Keith Parker, Charlotte Area Transit System, Charlotte, North Carolina; and David W. Kilmer, Red Rose Transit Authority, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce, after receiving testimony from Benjamin Erulkar, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, and Todd J. Zinser, Inspector General, both of the Department of Commerce; David W. Edgerley, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Baltimore; Mayor Larry Thoma, Elgin, Oklahoma; and Leanne Mazer, Tri- County Council for Western Maryland, Cumberland, on behalf of the National Association of Development Organizations. HEALTH CARE REFORM Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine improving health care quality, focusing on an integral step toward reforming the health care system, after receiving testimony from Peter V. Lee, Pacific Business Group on Health, San Francisco, California; Samuel R. Nussbaum, WellPoint, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana; Greg Schoen, Fairview Northland Medical Center, Princeton, Minnesota; Kevin Weiss, American Board of Medical Specialties, Evanston, Illinois; and William Roper, National Quality Forum, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. [[Page D1052]] NOMINATION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Ruth Y. Goldway, of California, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission, after the nominee testified, who was introduced by Senator Clinton, and answered questions in her own behalf. NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Clark Waddoups, to be United States District Judge for the District of Utah, who was introduced by Senators Hatch and Bennett, Michael M. Anello, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, Mary Stenson Scriven, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida, Gregory G. Garre, of Maryland, to be Solicitor General of the United States, and Christine M. Arguello, to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado, and Philip A. Brimmer, to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado, who were both introduced by Senators Allard and Salazar, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. 2008 GENERAL ELECTIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Department of Justice, focusing on protecting the right to vote and preparations for the 2008 general election, after receiving testimony from Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, and Barry Sabin, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, both of the Department of Justice; Bryan P. O'Leary, Crowell and Moring, LLP, Washington, D.C.; Gilda R. Daniels, University of Baltimore School of Law, Baltimore, Maryland; and Keshia Anderson, Chesterfield, Virginia. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 12 public bills, H.R. 6842- 6853; and 4 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 409; and H. Res. 1420-1422 were introduced. Page H7955 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H7955-56 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Supplemental report on H.R. 6322, to amend the District of Columbia School Reform Act of 1995 to permit the District of Columbia government to exercise authority over the Public Charter School Board in the same manner as the District government may exercise authority over other entities of the District government (H. Rept. 110-782, Pt. 2); H.R. 6608, to provide for the replacement of lost income for employees of the House of Representatives who are members of a reserve component of the armed forces who are on active duty for a period of more than 30 days (H. Rept. 110-832, Pt. 1); H.R. 6630, to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from granting authority to a motor carrier domiciled in Mexico to operate beyond United States municipalities and commercial zones on the United States- Mexico border unless expressly authorized by Congress (H. Rept. 110- 833); H. Res. 1419, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3667) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in the State of Vermont for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (H. Rept. 110-834); H.R. 6308, to ensure uniform and accurate credit rating of municipal bonds and provide for a review of the municipal bond insurance industry, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-835); and H.R. 4081, to prevent tobacco smuggling and to ensure the collection of all tobacco taxes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-836). Pages H7954-55 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Serrano to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H7857 Recess: The House recessed at 11:13 a.m. and reconvened at 12 p.m. Page H7861 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, the Most Reverend James A. Tamayo, Bishop of the Diocese of Laredo, Texas. Page H7861 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Recognizing that we are facing a global food crisis: H. Con. Res. 344, amended, to recognize that we are facing a global food crisis, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 404 yeas to 1 nay with 4 voting ``present'', Roll No. 570; Pages H7866-69, H7893-94 [[Page D1053]] Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Recognizing the disproportionate impact of the global food crisis on children in the developing world.''. Page H7894 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the emergency communications services provided by the American Red Cross are vital resources for military service members and their families: H. Res. 937, amended, to express the sense of the House of Representatives that the emergency communications services provided by the American Red Cross are vital resources for military service members and their families, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 411 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 571; Pages H7869-70, H7894-95 Condemning the use of television programming by Hamas to indoctrinate hatred, violence, and anti-Semitism toward Israel in young Palestinian children: H. Res. 1069, amended, to condemn the use of television programming by Hamas to indoctrinate hatred, violence, and anti- Semitism toward Israel in young Palestinian children, by a 2/3 yea-and- nay vote of 409 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 572; Pages H7870-74, H7895-96 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Condemning the broadcasting of incitement to violence against Americans and the United States in media based in the Middle East, calling for the designation of al-Aqsa TV as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity, and for other purposes.''. Page H7896 Recognizing the historical significance of the United States sloop- of-war Constellation as a surviving witness to the horrors of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and a leading participant in America's effort to end the practice: H. Res. 1159, to recognize the historical significance of the United States sloop-of-war Constellation as a surviving witness to the horrors of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and a leading participant in America's effort to end the practice; Pages H7874-76 Supporting the values and goals of the ``Joint Action Plan Between the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Government of the United States of America to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Discrimination and Promote Equality'', signed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Brazilian Minister of Racial Integration Edson Santos on March 13, 2008: H. Res. 1254, amended, to support the values and goals of the ``Joint Action Plan Between the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Government of the United States of America to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Discrimination and Promote Equality'', signed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Brazilian Minister of Racial Integration Edson Santos on March 13, 2008; Pages H7876-78 Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the independence of Bulgaria: H. Res. 1383, amended, to recognize the 100th anniversary of the independence of Bulgaria; Pages H7878-79 Commemorating the Kingdom of Bhutan's participation in the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival and commending the people and the Government of the Kingdom of Bhutan for their commitment to holding elections and broadening political participation: H. Res. 1307, amended, to commemorate the Kingdom of Bhutan's participation in the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival and to commend the people and the Government of the Kingdom of Bhutan for their commitment to holding elections and broadening political participation, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 395 yeas to 15 nays, Roll No. 573; Pages H7879-81, H7928 Government Accountability Office Act of 2008: Agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5683, to make certain reforms with respect to the Government Accountability Office--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H7881-84 Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6168, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building'', by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 403 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 574; Pages H7884-85, H7928-29 Over-Classification Reduction Act: H.R. 6575, amended, to require the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations to prevent the over-classification of information; and Pages H7886-88 Prohibiting the Secretary of Transportation from granting authority to a motor carrier domiciled in Mexico to operate beyond United States municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border unless expressly authorized by Congress: H.R. 6630, amended, to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from granting authority to a motor carrier domiciled in Mexico to operate beyond United States municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border unless expressly authorized by Congress, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 395 yeas to 18 nays, Roll No. 575. Pages H7913-18, H7929-30 Supplemental Report: Agreed that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be permitted to file a supplemental report on H.R. 6322, to amend the District of Columbia School Reform Act [[Page D1054]] of 1995 to permit the District of Columbia government to exercise authority over the Public Charter School Board in the same manner as the District government may exercise authority over other entities of the District government. Page H7881 Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of our brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, and all who serve in our armed forces. Page H7894 Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed: Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6169, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the ``Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building''; Pages H7885-86 Securities Act of 2008: H.R. 6513, amended, to amend the Federal securities laws to enhance the effectiveness of the Securities and Exchange Commission's enforcement, corporation finance, trading and markets, investment management, and examination programs; Pages H7888-93 Directing the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to provide individuals whose pay is disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer by electronic funds transfer with the option of receiving receipts of pay and withholdings electronically: H. Res. 1207, amended, to direct the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to provide individuals whose pay is disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer by electronic funds transfer with the option of receiving receipts of pay and withholdings electronically; Pages H7896-97 House Reservists Pay Adjustment Act of 2008: H.R. 6608, to provide for the replacement of lost income for employees of the House of Representatives who are members of a reserve component of the armed forces who are on active duty for a period of more than 30 days; Pages H7897-99 Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2008: H.R. 6475, to establish the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program; Pages H7899-H7903 Rural Veterans Access to Care Act: H.R. 1527, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to allow highly rural veterans enrolled in the health system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive covered health services through providers other than those of the Department; Pages H7903-07 Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008: S. 2617, to amend title 38, United States Code, to codify increases in 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 that were effective as of December 1, 2007 and to provide for an increase in the rates of such compensation effective December 1, 2008; Pages H7907-09 Veterans' Programs Extension and Construction Authorization Act of 2008: H.R. 6832, to authorize major medical facility projects and major medical facility leases for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2009 and to extend certain authorities of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and Pages H7909-13 Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2008: H.R. 4081, amended, to prevent tobacco smuggling and to ensure the collection of all tobacco taxes. Pages H7918-28 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he transmitted a determination concerning Presidential Declaration 2008-19 and the proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation for Cooperation in the Field of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy--referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-145). Page H7930 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H7862. Quorum Calls--Votes: Six yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H7894, H7894-95, H7895-96, H7928, H7928-29, H7929-30. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 10:01 p.m. Committee Meetings WEAKENED ECONOMY; HOW TO RESPOND? Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on a Weakened Economy: How to Respond? Testimony was heard from Lawrence Summers, former Secretary of the Treasury; and public witnesses. CHALLENGES FACING BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION SCHOOLS Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education held a hearing on Challenges Facing Bureau of Indian Education Schools in Improving Student [[Page D1055]] Achievement. Testimony was heard from Cornelia Ashby, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO; Anne Campbell Dudro, Chief of Staff, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education; Stanley R. Holder, Chief, Division of Performance and Accountability, Bureau of Indian Education, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. NIH REFORM Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``NIH Reform Act of 2006: Progress, Challenges and Next Steps.'' Testimony was heard from Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., Director, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services. U.S.-RUSSIA RELATIONS--POST GEORGIA CRISIS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on U.S.-Russia Relations in the Aftermath of the Georgia Crisis. Testimony was heard from Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses. CLEANING UP TERRORIST WATCHLISTS Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing entitled ``Ensuring America's Security: Cleaning Up the Nation's Watchlists.'' Testimony was heard from Kip Hawley, Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security; Richard S. Kopel, Principal Deputy Director, Terrorist Screening Center; Cathleen Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. COMPETITION IN THE PACKAGE DELIVERY INDUSTRY Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on Competition in the Package Delivery Industry. Testimony was heard from Senators Brown and Voinovich; Representatives Sutton, Turner and Kaptur; the following officials of the State of Ohio; David Lee Fisher, Lt. Gov., and David Razik, Mayor, Wilmington; Ohio; and public witnesses. D.C. GUN LAWS--IMPACT OF PROPOSED CHANGES Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on the Impact of Proposed Legislation on the District of Columbia's Gun Laws. Testimony was heard from Kevin C. Hay, Deputy Chief, U.S. Park Police, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Cathy Lanier, Chief, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department; Phillip D. Morse, Sr., Chief, U.S. Capitol Police; and Robert Campbell, former U.S. Secret Service Agent, Director of Security, Washington Nationals Park. MISSISQUOI AND TROUT RIVERS WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDY ACT OF 2008 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a non-record vote, a structured rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3667, the ``Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2008.'' The rule provides 1 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 pursuant to Part II of House Report 110-668 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 that 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 report. 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 Bishop of Utah. The rule tables House Resolution 1399. NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE ACT OF 2008 Committee on Rules: On September 8, the Committee heard testimony from Chairman Miller of California and Representatives Sarbanes, Welch of Vermont and Bishop of Utah, but action was deferred on H.R. 3036, No Child Left Inside Act of 2008. VETERANS' AFFAIRS LEGIONELLA SAMPLES DESTRUCTION Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Investigation and Oversight held a hearing on Biobanking: How the Lack of a Coherent Policy Allowed the Veterans Administration To Destroy an [[Page D1056]] Irreplaceable Collection of Legionella Samples. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Jim Vaught, Deputy Director, Office of Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research, National Cancer Institute; and Janet K. A. Nicholson, Senior Advisor, Laboratory Science, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Michel Moreland, Director, Veterans Integrated Services Network 4; Mona Melhem, Associate Chief of Staff and Vice President, Clinical Support Service Line Pittsburgh Healthcare System; Ali Sonel, Associate Chief of Staff (Research); Steven Graham, Director, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Centers; and Cheryl Wanzie, Chief Technologist, all with the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. TAKING RESPONSIBLE ACTION FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY ACT Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Held a hearing on H.R. 6707, Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act. Testimony was heard from the following Representatives: Visclosky, Manzullo, Biggert, Bean, Roskam and Foster; the following officials of the Surface Transportation Board, Department of Transportation: Charles D. Nottingham, Chairman; Francis P. Mulvey, Vice Chairman; and W. Douglas Buttrey, Board Member; the following officials of the State of Illinois: Elaine Nekritz, State Representative; and Tom Weisner, Mayor, Aurora; and public witnesses. VETERANS MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 3051, Heroes at Home Act of 2007; H.R. 6153, Veterans' Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act of 2008; and H.R. 6629, Veterans Health Equity Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from Representatives Salazar and Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas; Gerald M. Cross, M.D., Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Health, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations. INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS AND AL-QAEDA Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on Intelligence Operations and Al-Qaeda. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense, business meeting to mark up Department of Defense appropriations for fiscal year 2009, 10 a.m., SD-192. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine ways to improve consumer protection in the prepaid calling card market, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine improving the Federal Bridge Program, focusing on an assessment of S. 3338, to amend title 23, United States Code, to improve the safety of Federal-aid highway bridges, to strengthen bridge inspection standards and processes, to increase investment in the reconstruction of structurally deficient bridges on the National Highway System, and H.R. 3999, to amend title 23, United States Code, to improve the safety of Federal-aid highway bridges, to strengthen bridge inspection standards and processes, to increase investment in the reconstruction of structurally deficient bridges on the National Highway System, 10 a.m., SD-406. Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality, to hold hearings to examine the quality and environmental impacts of bottled water, 3 p.m., SD-406. Committee on Finance: business meeting to consider S. 3038, to amend part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to extend the adoption incentives program, to authorize States to establish a relative guardianship program, to promote the adoption of children with special needs, S. 1070, to amend the Social Security Act to enhance the social security of the Nation by ensuring adequate public-private infrastructure and to resolve to prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and S. 1577, to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require screening, including national criminal history background checks, of direct patient access employees of skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, and other long-term care facilities and providers, and to provide for nationwide expansion of the pilot program for national and State background checks on direct patient access employees of long-term care facilities or providers, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Croatia adopted at Brussels on July 9, 2008, and signed that day on behalf of the United States and the other Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty (Treaty Doc.110-20), 10:30 a.m., SD-419. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Sung Y. Kim, of California, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Special Envoy for the Six Party Talks, C. Steven McGann, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Fiji Islands, and to serve concurrently and without additional [[Page D1057]] compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Republic of Kiribati, and Carol Ann Rodley, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, 2 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine audits at the Defense Contract Audit Agency, 10 a.m., SD-342. Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine managing the challenges of the Federal Government transition, focusing on assessing the readiness and planning for the transition and identifying critical needs for the new Administration to address, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine new strategies for combating violent crime, focusing on drawing lessons from recent experience, 10 a.m., SD-562. House Committee on Armed Services, hearing on Security and Stability in Afghanistan and Iraq: Developments in U.S. Strategy and Operations and the Way Ahead, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on transforming the U.S. military's foreign language, cultural awareness, and regional expertise capabilities, 2:30 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology, hearing entitled ``Sovereign Wealth Funds: New Challenges From a Changing Landscape,'' 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, hearing entitled ``Mismanagement, Missteps and Missed Benchmarks: Why the Virtual Fence Has Not Become a Reality,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, to mark up the following: Reauthorizing Antitrust Task Force; H.R. 6598, Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008; H.R. 4780, To enact title 51, United States Code, ``National and Commercial Space Programs,'' as positive law; H.R. 6020, To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to protect the well-being of soldiers and their families, and for other purposes; H.R. 5882, To recapture employment-based immigrant visas lost to bureaucratic delays and to prevent losses of family- and employment-based immigrant visas in the future; H.R. 5924, Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act; H.R. 5950, Detainee Basic Medical Care Act of 2008; and to consider a resolution and report recommending to the House of Representatives that Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey be cited for contempt of Congress, 10:15 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, hearing and oversight hearing on H.R. 6479, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex Establishment Act, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to consider the following: the National Capital Security and Safety Act; H. Con. Res. 223, Honoring professional surveyors and recognize their contributions to society; H. Con. Res. 351, Honoring the 225th Anniversary of the Continental Congress meeting in Nassau Hall, Princeton, New Jersey in 1783; H. Con. Res. 376, Congratulating the 2007-2008 National Basketball Association World Champions, the Boston Celtics, on an outstanding and historic season; H. Con. Res. 378, Expressing support for the designation of September 6, 2008, as Louisa Swain Day; H. Con. Res. 386, Recognizing and celebrating the 232nd Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence; H. Res. 1000, To commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the naming of Pittsburgh as the culmination of the Forbes Campaign across Pennsylvania and the significance this event played in the making of America, in the settlement of the Continent, and in spreading the ideals of freedom and democracy throughout the world; H.R. 1356, Celebrating the 221st anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America, and for other purposes; a resolution to congratulate Michael Phelps, 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic champion swimmer, on winning eight gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and becoming one of the most decorated athletes in Olympic history; H.R. 6199, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 245 North Main Street in New City, New York as the ``Kenneth Peter Zebrowski Post Office Building;'' H.R. 6489, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 501 4th Street in Lake Oswego, Oregon, as the ``Judie Hammerstad Post Office Building;'' H.R. 6681, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 Vine Street in New Lenox, Illinois, as the ``Jacob M. Lowell Post Office Building;'' and H.R. 6772, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1717 Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the ``CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building,'' 1 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, an Oversight hearing on Sexual Assault in the Military--Part 2, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, hearing on the Foundation for Developing New Energy Technologies: Basic Energy Research in the DOE Office of Science, 2 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard, including Recruitment, Promotion, and Retention of Minority Personnel, hearing on Diversity in the Coast Guard, including Recruitment, Promotion, and Retention of Minority Personnel, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management, executive, briefing on DOD: Personnel Security and Research Center, 2 p.m., H-405 Capitol. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, hearing entitled ``Investing in the Future: R & D Needs To Meet America's Energy and Climate Challenges,'' 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Joint Meetings Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: to hold hearings to examine Russia, Georgia, and the return of power politics, 1:30 p.m., HROB-2325. 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 D1058]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 10 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 1 hour), Senate will continue consideration of S. 3001, National Defense Authorization Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 10 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of H.R. 3667--Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2008 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Alexander, Rodney, La., E1727 Baca, Joe, Calif., E1743 Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E1738 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E1730, E1734, E1736, E1739, E1740 Braley, Bruce L., Iowa, E1740 Coble, Howard, N.C., E1742 Costa, Jim, Calif., E1732, E1735 Duncan, John J., Jr., Tenn., E1745 Edwards, Chet, Tex., E1732 Emerson, Jo Ann, Mo., E1736 Filner, Bob, Calif., E1731 Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E1745 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E1729 Graves, Sam, Mo., E1742 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E1733, E1735 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E1727 Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie, S.D., E1739 Hill, Baron P., Ind., E1738 Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E1733 Hulshof, Kenny C., Mo., E1739 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E1738 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E1741 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E1743 McHugh, John M., N.Y., E1744 McIntyre, Mike, N.C., E1734 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1731, E1735 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1730, E1736 Pence, Mike, Ind., E1727 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E1742 Radanovich, George, Calif., E1745 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1729 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E1730, E1731, E1740 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E1737 Ross, Mike, Ark., E1743 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E1728, E1742 Ryan, Tim, Ohio, E1733 Sanchez, Linda T., Calif., E1743 Shea-Porter, Carol, N.H., E1731 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E1735 Speier, Jackie, Calif.,E1741 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E1745 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E1736 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E1729, E1734, E1740 Weller, Jerry, Ill., E1740 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E1742, E1744