Wednesday, April 30, 2008 [[Page D522]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS House Committees ordered reported 24 sundry measures. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3553-S3648 Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2939-2950, and S. Res. 542-543. Pages S3594-95 Measures Passed: Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act: Senate passed H.R. 5715, to ensure continued availability of access to the Federal student loan program for students and families, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S3642-44 Durbin (for Kennedy/Enzi) Amendment No. 4592, to improve access to student loans. Page S3644 Healthy Start Reauthorization Act: Senate passed S. 1760, to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the Healthy Start Initiative, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. Page S3644 Senator McCain: Senate agreed to S. Res. 511, recognizing that John Sidney McCain III, is a natural born citizen. Pages S3645-46 Measures Considered: FAA Reauthorization Act: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 2881, to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2008 through 2011, to improve aviation safety and capacity, to provide stable funding for the national aviation system, and taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3554-59, S3560-86 Withdrawn: Rockefeller Amendment No. 4585, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S3554-59, S3560-81 Pending: Durbin Amendment No. 4587 (to Amendment No. 4585), to strike the provision relating to required funding of new accruals under air carrier pension plans. Pages S3554-59, S3560-81 Rockefeller Amendment No. 4627, in the nature of a substitute. Page S3581 Reid Amendment No. 4628 (to Amendment No. 4627), to change the enactment date. Page S3581 Reid Amendment No. 4629 (to Amendment No. 4628), of a perfecting nature. Page S3581 Reid Amendment No. 4630 (to the language proposed to be stricken by Amendment No. 4627), to change the enactment date. Pages S3581-82 Reid Amendment No. 4631 (to Amendment No. 4630), of a perfecting nature. Page S3582 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 1, 2008. Page S3646 Appointments: Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group: The Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276d-276g, as amended, appointed the following Senators as members of the Senate Delegation to the Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group conference during the Second Session of the 110th Congress: Senators Voinovich and Murkowski. Page S3646 Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that during this adjournment of the Senate, the Majority Leader be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions. Page S3646 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Michael M. Anello, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. 3 Army nominations in the rank of general. Page S3648 Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: [[Page D523]] 1 Army nomination in the rank of general. Page S3648 Messages from the House: Pages S3591-92 Measures Referred: Page S3592 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S3592-94 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3595-96 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3596-S3600 Additional Statements: Pages S3589-91 Amendments Submitted: Pages S3600-41 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S3642 Privileges of the Floor: Page S3642 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 8:01 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3646.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and H.R. 4040, to establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission, after receiving testimony from Nancy A. Nord, Acting Chairman, and Thomas H. Moore, Commissioner, both of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Energy and nuclear weapon non-proliferation efforts of the United States, after receiving testimony from William H. Tobey, Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy; Matthew Bunn, Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Siegfried S. Hecker, Stanford University Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford, California. NRO/SPACE PROGRAMS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in closed session to examine the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)/Space Programs, after receiving testimony from Scott F. Large, Director, National Reconnaissance Office, General C. Robert Kehler, Commander, Air Force Space Command, and Gary E. Payton, Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space Programs, all of the Department of Defense. APPROPRIATIONS: ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL, CAPITOL POLICE, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, the United States Capitol Police, and the Library of Congress, after receiving testimony from Stephen T. Ayers, Acting Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Architect of the Capitol; Phillip D. Morse, Sr., Chief of Police, United States Capitol Police; and James Billington, Librarian of Congress, Library of Congress. AUTHORIZATION--DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces met in closed session and approved for full committee consideration, those provisions which fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee, of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2009. AUTHORIZATION--DEFENSE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland met in closed session and approved for full committee consideration, those provisions which fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee, of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2009. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the following bills: An original bill entitled ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009''; An original bill entitled ``Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009''; An original bill entitled ``Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009''; and An original bill entitled ``Department of Energy National Security Act for Fiscal Year 2009''. NOMINATIONS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of [[Page D524]] Kameran L. Onley, of Washington, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior, and Jeffrey F. Kupfer, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of Energy, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. SECRET LAW Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution concluded a hearing to examine secret law--certain counterterrorist measures employed since the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the threat to democratic and accountable government, after receiving testimony from John P. Elwood, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, Department of Justice; Steven Aftergood, Federation of American Scientists, Bradford A. Berenson, Sidley Austin, LLP, former Associate Counsel to the President, and David B. Rivkin, Jr., Baker Hostetler, all of Washington, D.C.; Dawn E. Johnsen, Indiana University School of Law-Bloomington, former Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel; Heidi Kitrosser, University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis; and J. William Leonard, former Director of the Information Security Oversight Office, National Archives, Leonardtown, Maryland. HIRING AND RETAINING ELDERLY WORKERS Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine establishing government as a model for hiring and retaining elderly workers, focusing on critical gaps in leadership and institutional knowledge, increasing the challenges government agencies face in maintaining a skilled workforce, after receiving testimony from Barbara D. Bovbjerg, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, and Robert N. Goldenkoff, Director, Strategic Issues, both of the Government Accountability Office; Nancy H. Kichak, Associate Director for Strategic Human Resources Policy, United States Office of Personnel Management; Thomas M. Dowd, Administrator, Office of Policy Development and Research, Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor; and Max Stier, Partnership for Public Service, and Chai R. Feldblum, Georgetown University Law Center, both of Washington, D.C. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 11 public bills, H.R. 5926- 5936; and 1 resolution, H.J. Res. 81, were introduced. Page H2947 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2947-49 Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H. Res. 1167, providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules (H. Rept. 110-614). Page H2947 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative McNulty to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H2859 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Nathan Meador, Zion Lutheran Church, Staunton, Illinois. Page H2859 Recess: The House recessed at 10:07 a.m. for the purpose of receiving His Excellency Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister of Ireland. The House reconvened at 12:15 p.m., and agreed that the proceedings had during the Joint Meeting be printed in the Record. Pages H2860, H2863 Joint Meeting to receive His Excellency Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister of Ireland: The House and Senate met in a joint session to receive His Excellency Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister of Ireland. He was escorted into the Chamber by a committee comprised of Representatives Hoyer, Clyburn, Emanuel, Larson (CT), Obey, Markey, Neal (MA), Maloney (NY), Kennedy, Crowley, Boehner, Blunt, Putnam, McCotter, Ros-Lehtinen, McCrery, Walsh (NY), King (NY), McHugh, and Ferguson; and Senators Reid, Durbin, Kennedy, Leahy, Dodd, Kerry, Casey, McConnell, Cornyn, Cochran, and Collins. Pages H2860-63 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Amending the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to make technical corrections: Agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1195, to amend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to make technical corrections, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 358 yeas to 51 nays with 11 voting ``present'', Roll No. 229--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H2867-85, H2908-09 [[Page D525]] Supporting the goals and ideals of National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, honoring the invaluable contributions of Charles Edward Taylor, regarded as the father of aviation maintenance, and recognizing the essential role of aviation maintenance technicians in ensuring the safety and security of civil and military aircraft: H. Res. 444, to support the goals and ideals of National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, to honor the invaluable contributions of Charles Edward Taylor, regarded as the father of aviation maintenance, and to recognize the essential role of aviation maintenance technicians in ensuring the safety and security of civil and military aircraft; Pages H2886-88 Promoting the safe operation of 15-passenger vans: H. Res. 964, amended, to promote the safe operation of 15-passenger vans; Pages H2888-90 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Promoting the safe operation of 15-passenger vans.''. Page H2890 Making technical corrections regarding the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007: H.R. 5919, to make technical corrections regarding the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007; Pages H2890-91 Commending the University of Kansas Jayhawks for winning the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball championship: H. Res. 1096, to commend the University of Kansas Jayhawks for winning the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball championship; Pages H2894-96 Congratulating the University of Iowa Hawkeyes Wrestling Team on Winning the 2008 NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships: H. Res. 1100, amended, to congratulate the University of Iowa Hawkeyes Wrestling Team on Winning the 2008 NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships; Pages H2896-98 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month: H. Con. Res. 330, to support the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month; Pages H2898-H2901 Recognizing the roles and contributions of America's teachers to building and enhancing our Nation's civic, cultural, and economic well being: H. Res. 1130, to recognize the roles and contributions of America's teachers to building and enhancing our Nation's civic, cultural, and economic well being. Pages H2901-03 Supporting the goals and ideals highlighted through National Volunteer Week: H. Res. 1119, to support the goals and ideals highlighted through National Volunteer Week; Pages H2903-04 Expressing support for the designation of April 2008 as National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month: H. Res. 1149, amended, to express support for the designation of April 2008 as National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, and to support efforts to devote new resources to research the causes of the disease, environmental and otherwise, along with treatments and workforce strategies to support individuals with sarcoidosis; Pages H2904-06 Supporting the mission and goals of Workers Memorial Day: H. Res. 1154, to support the mission and goals of Workers Memorial Day in order to honor and remember the workers who have been killed or injured in the workplace; and Pages H2906-07 Need-Based Educational Aid Act of 2007: H.R. 1777, amended, to amend the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 to make permanent the favorable treatment of need-based educational aid under the antitrust laws. Pages H2922-24 Suspension--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measure under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed: Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service: H. Con. Res. 308, to authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service. Pages H2885-86 Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 5522, to require the Secretary of Labor to issue interim and final occupational safety and health standards regarding worker exposure to combustible dust, by a recorded vote of 247 ayes to 165 noes, Roll No. 233. Pages H2909-22 Rejected the Walberg motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Education and Labor with instructions to report the bill back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 187 ayes to 225 noes, Roll No. 232. Pages H2919-21 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. Page H2914 Accepted: George Miller (CA) manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-613) that makes four adjustments to the bill: (1) corrects the short title; (2) provides that engineering controls required by the interim standard shall be effective 6 months after issuance of the standard (rather than 30 days); (3) [[Page D526]] maintains the provision that DOL shall include appropriate and relevant NFPA standards in the final standard but eliminates references to specific NFPA standards; and (4) clarifies that the final standard shall be conducted in accordance with usual rulemaking procedural requirements, including those that provide for small business review (by a recorded vote of 412 ayes with none voting ``no'', Roll No. 230). Pages H2914-15, H2918-19 Rejected: Wilson (SC) amendment in the nature of a substitute (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-613) that sought to direct OSHA to wait for the outcome of the Imperial Sugar investigation and findings from the combustible dust National Emphasis Program before deciding on whether to move forward with a standard (by a recorded vote of 178 ayes to 237 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 231). Pages H2915-18, H2919 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H2922 H. Res. 1157, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 193 nays, Roll No. 228, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 226 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 227. Pages H2891-94, H2907-08 Intent to Offer Motion to Instruct Conferees: Representative Ryan (WI) gave notice of his intent to offer a motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2419, Food and Energy Security Act of 2007. Page H2922 Intent to Offer Motion to Instruct Conferees: Representative Kind gave notice of his intent to offer a motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2419, Food and Energy Security Act of 2007. Page H2922 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House began consideration of the Flake motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012. Further consideration is expected to resume tomorrow, Thursday, May 1st. Pages H2924-30 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on pages H2859 and H2922. Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and four recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2907-08, H2908, H2909, H2918, H2919, H2921, and H2921-22. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 10:25 p.m. Committee Meetings DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held a hearing on the District of Columbia. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the District of Columbia: Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor; Vincent Gray, Chairman, City Council; and Natwar M. Gandhi, Chief Financial Officer. 21ST CENTURY HIGH-PERFORMANCE PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES ACT Committee on Education and Labor: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3021, 21st Century High-Performance Public School Facilities Act. FHA HOUSING STABILIZATION AND HOMEOWNERSHIP RETENTION ACT Committee on Financial Services: Continued markup of H.R. 5830, FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention Act of 2008. Will continue tomorrow. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Foreign Affairs: Ordered reported as amended, the following bills: H.R. 5916, Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Reform Act of 2008; and H.R. 5834, North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2008. The Committee also favorably considered the following measures and adopted a motion urging the chairman to request that they be considered on the Suspension calendar: H.R. 3658, To amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel to United States territories for members of the Foreign Service; 2008; H.R. 1011, Calling on the United States Government and the international community to promptly develop, fund, and implement a comprehensive regional strategy to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, contain and reduce violence, and contribute to conditions for sustainable peace and good governance in Chad, as well as in the wider region that includes the northern region of the Central African Republic and the Darfur region of Sudan; H. Res. 1063, Marking the 225th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which ended the Revolutionary War with the Kingdom of Great Britain and recognized the independence of the United States of America, and acknowledging the shared values and close friendship between the peoples and governments of the United States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; H. Res. 1109, Honoring the memory of Dith Pran by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place [[Page D527]] around the globe; H. Res. 1127, amended, Condemning the endemic restrictions on freedom of the press and media and public expression in the Middle East and the concurrent and widespread presence of anti- Semitic material, Holocaust denial, and incitement to violence in the Arab media and press; H. Res. 1166, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding provocative and dangerous statements and actions taken by the Government of the Russian Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia; H. Con. Res. 317, Condemning the Burmese regimes's undemocratic constitution and scheduled referendum; H. Con. Res. 318, amended, Supporting the goals and ideals of the International Year of Sanitation; H. Con. Res. 332, Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and H. Res. 337, Honoring the Seeds of Peace for its 15th anniversary as an organization promoting understanding, reconciliation, acceptance, coexistence, and peace in the Middle East, South Asia, and other regions of conflict. HOMELAND SECURITY/PREPAREDNESS MEASURES Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 1333, amended, Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Support Act of 2007; H.R. 4183, National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2007; and H.R. 5890, amended, Citizen and Community Preparedness Act of 2008. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 4279, amended, Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007; H.R. 5690, amended, To exempt the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization for certain acts or events, provide relief for certain members of the African National Congress regarding admissibility, and for other purposes; H.R. 1650, amended, Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007; and H.R. 5593, Congressional Review Act Improvement Act. The committee also began markup of H.R. 4044, National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008. VISA BACKLOGS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law held a hearing on Wasted Visas, Growing Backlogs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security: Michael Aytes, Acting Deputy Director; and Donald Neufeld, Acting Associate Director, Domestic Operations; and the following officials of the Department of State: Stephen A. Edson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Visa Service; and Charles Oppenheim, Chief, Visa Control and Reporting Division. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 3323, amended, Goleta Water Distribution System Conveyance Act of 2007; H.R. 2649, amended, To make amendments to the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992; H.R. 4841, amended, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Settlement Act; H.R. 5618, amended, National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008; H.R. 1464, amended, Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007; H.R. 1771, amended, Crane Conservation Act of 2007; H.R.5540, Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Continuing Authorization Act; H.R. 3667, amended, Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2007; and H.R. 3930, amended, Lesser Prairie Chicken National Habitat Preservation Area Act of 2007. MISSILE DEFENSE Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs held a hearing on Oversight of Missile Defense (Part 3): Questions for Missile Defense Agency. Testimony was heard from LTG Henry A. Obering III, USAF, Director, Missile Defense Agency, Department of Defense; and public witnesses. PROVIDING FOR MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule authorizing the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules at any time on the legislative day of May 1, 2008, relating to the following measures: (1) The bill (H.R. 5715) to ensure continued availability of access to the Federal student loan program for students and families. (2) The bill (H.R. 493) to prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment. (3) A bill to provide for a temporary extension of programs authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. ELECTRONIC REFUSE Committee on Science and Technology: Held a hearing on E-Waste: Can the Nation Handle Modern Refuse in the Digital Age? Testimony was heard from public witnesses. [[Page D528]] SMALL BUSINESS--CREDIT CRUNCH IMPACT Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``The Effect of the Credit Crunch on Small Business Access to Capital.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PROGRAM Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing on Saving Lives and Money through the Pre-disaster Mitigation Program. Testimony was heard from David I. Maurstad, Assistant Administrator and Federal Insurance Administrator Mitigation Directorate, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing on Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from Representatives Buyer and Stupak; John Paul Woodley, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Civil Works, Department of the Army; and public witnesses. VETERANS MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 2790, amended, To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the office of the Under Secretary for Veterans Affairs for Health; H.R. 3819, Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007; H.R. 5729, amended, Spina Bifida Health Care Program Expansion Act; H.R. 5554, amended, Veterans Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008; H.R. 5856, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Authorization and Lease Act; H.R. 3681, amended, Veterans Benefits Awareness Act of 2007; H.R. 3889, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a longitudinal study of the vocational rehabilitation programs administered by the Secretary; H.R. 4883, amended, To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for a limitation on the sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property owned by a servicemember during the one-year period following the servicemember's period of military service; H.R. 4884, amended, Helping Our Veterans To Keep Their Homes Act of 2008; H.R. 4889, amended, The Guard and Reserves Are Fighting Too Act of 2008; H.R. 5664, amended, To amend title 39, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update at least once every six years the plans and specifications for specially adapted housing furnished to veterans by the Secretary; H.R. 5684, amended, Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008; H.R. 5826, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008; and H.R. 5892, To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure the accurate and timely delivery of compensation to veterans and their families and survivors, and for other purposes. DNI BUDGET WRAP-UP Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on the DNI Budget Wrap-up. Testimony was heard from Mike McConnell, Director, Office of the Director of National Intelligence. BRIEFING--HOT SPOTS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to receive a briefing on Hot Spots. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies, with the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, to hold joint hearings to examine addressing the issue of homeless veterans in America, 10 a.m., SD-138. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Policy, to hold hearings to examine financial literacy for today's homebuyers, 2 p.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Lily Fu Claffee, of Illinois, to be General Counsel, and William J. Brennan, of Maine, to be Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, both of the Department of Commerce, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the adequacy of state and federal regulatory structures for governing electric utility holding companies relating to the repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, 9:30 a.m., SD-366. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the military build-up on Guam, focusing on the impact on civilian community, planning, and response, 2:15 p.m., SD-366. [[Page D529]] Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Robert Stephen Beecroft, of California, to be Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, James B. Cunningham, of New York, to be Ambassador to Israel, Richard E. Hoagland, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Joseph Evan LeBaron, of Oregon, to be Ambassador to the State of Qatar, all of the Department of State, 2:30 p.m., SD- 419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold hearings to examine preventing childhood injury, 10:30 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine Indian energy development, focusing on regaining self- determination over reservation resources, 9:30 a.m., SD-562. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of G. Steven Agee, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, William T. Lawrence, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana, and G. Murray Snow, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona, 2:15 p.m., SD-226. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters; to be immediately followed by a closed business meeting to mark up certain pending legislation, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health, hearing on the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act, focusing on Drug Safety Provisions, 10 a.m., 2322 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing on a measure Enhancing Access to Broadband Technology and Services for Persons with Disabilities, 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to continue markup of H.R. 5830, FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, and the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight, joint hearing on No Direction Home: An NGO Perspective on Iraqi Refugees and IDIs, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure Protection, to consider the following: H.R. 4179, Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely Redress Act of 2007; H.R. 4749, National Bombing Prevention Act of 2008; H.R. 5909, To amend the Aviation and Transportation Security Act to prohibit advance notice to certain individuals, including security screeners, of covert testing of security screening procedures for the purpose of enhancing transportation security at airports, and for other purposes; and H. Res. 1150, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Transportation Security Administration should, in accordance with the congressional mandate provided for in the Implementing Recommendations of the \9/11\ Commission Act of 2007, enhance security against terrorist attack and other security threats to our Nation's rail and mass transit lines, 11 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, Subcommittee on Capitol Security, hearing on the Administration and Management of the United Sates Capitol, 11:30 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, hearing on H.R. 5913, Protecting Americans from Unsafe Foreign Products Act, 9:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 4081, Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2007; and H.R. 5689, Smuggled Tobacco Prevention Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2237 Rayburn. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to consider the following measures: H.R. 5683, Government Accountability Office Act; H.R. 3774, Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act; H.R. 5787, Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement Act of 2008; a measure to make tobacco products nonmailable; H.R. 5811, Electronic Communications Preservation Act; the Thrift Savings Plan Enhancement Act; H. Res. 923, Recognizing the State of Minnesota's 150th anniversary; H. Res. 1113. Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day; H. Res. 1114, Supporting the goals and ideals of the Arbor Day Foundation and National Arbor Day; H. Res. 1122, Recognizing Armed Forces Day; and H. Res. 1132, Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day, 11 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, hearing on NASA's Aeronautics Research and Development: Status and Issues, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, hearing entitled ``Rail Transportation Access for Small Businesses and Family Farmers,'' 10 a.m., 1539 Longworth. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, hearing on Education Tax Incentives, 10 a.m., Longworth. Joint Meetings Joint Economic Committee: to hold hearings to examine how high food prices are impacting American families, 10 a.m., SH-216. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D530]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, May 1 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 2881, FAA Reauthorization Act. Next meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, May 1 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 493--Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act as Amended (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Altmire, Jason, Pa., E774 Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E772, E781 Baca, Joe, Calif., E771 Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E780 Berry, Marion, Ark., E783 Boustany, Charles W., Jr., La., E779 Boyd, Allen, Fla., E784 Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E774 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E776, E777 Carson, Andre, Ind., E779, E780 Castle, Michael N., Del., E769, E770, E771, E773, E775, E776, E776, E777, E778, E780 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E782 Courtney, Joe, Conn., E771 Davis, Susan A., Calif., E774 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E779 Ellison, Kieth, Minn., E784 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E783 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E771 Goode, Virgil H., Jr., Va., E782 Green, Gene, Tex., E769 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E776 Inglis, Bob, S.C., E779 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E784 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E782 McHugh, John M., N.Y., E770 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E772, E779 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E775 Moran, Jerry, Kans., E775 Pascrell, Bill, Jr., N.J., E777 Petri, Thomas E., Wisc., E777 Poe, Ted, Tex., E769 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E776 Radanovich, George, Calif., E782 Ross, Mike, Ark., E769 Sestak, Joe, Pa., E773 Sherman, Brad, Calif., E781 Simpson, Michael K., Idaho, E777 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E770 Udall, Tom, N.M., E779 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E772 Walden, Greg, Ore., E778 Walsh, James T., N.Y., E775 Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E773 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E774 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E780