Thursday, July 12, 2007 [[Page D963]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S9069-S9187 Measures Introduced: Fourteen bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1772-1785, and S. Res. 269-270. Page S9135 Measures Considered: National Defense Authorization Act: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S9076-S9124 Adopted: Levin (for Durbin) Amendment No. 2131 (to Amendment No. 2019), to require the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive plan for the provision to members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder the services that best meet their individual needs. Page S9102 Levin (for Graham) Amendment No. 2154 (to Amendment No. 2011), to improve the distribution of benefits under Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance. Page S9103 Levin (for Craig/Akaka) Amendment No. 2115 (to Amendment No. 2019), to require the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder collaborates to the maximum extent practicable with the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Department of Veterans Affairs, institutions of higher education, and other appropriate public and private entities. Page S9103 Levin (for Craig/Akaka) Amendment No. 2114 (to Amendment No. 2019), to require the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury collaborates to the maximum extent practicable with the Department of Veterans Affairs, institutions of higher education, and other appropriate public and private entities. Page S9103 Levin (for Lieberman) Amendment No. 2089 (to Amendment No. 2019), to require the development of a program on comprehensive pain management in the Center of Excellence in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Page S9103 Levin (for Lieberman) Amendment No. 2090 (to Amendment No. 2019), to require the development of a program on comprehensive pain management in the Center of Excellence in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury. Pages S9103-04 Levin (for Snowe) Amendment No. 2162 (to Amendment No. 2019), to prohibit upon appeal a reduction in disability rating once such rating has been assigned by an informal physical evaluation board of the Department of Defense. Page S9104 By 90 yeas to 5 nays (Vote No. 245), Sessions Modified Amendment No. 2024 (to Amendment No. 2011), to state the policy of the United States on the protection of the United States and its allies against Iranian ballistic missiles. Pages S9076-79, S9112-13 Levin (for Akaka) Amendment No. 2132, to provide and enhance rehabilitative treatment and services to veterans with traumatic brain injury and to improve health care and benefits programs for veterans. Page S9115 Levin (for Nelson (NE)/Graham) Modified Amendment No. 2160 (to Amendment No. 2019), to provide extended benefits under the TRICARE program for the primary caregivers of members of the uniformed services who incur a serious injury or illness on active duty. Page S9115 Levin (for Nelson (NE)/Graham) Modified Amendment No. 2159 (to Amendment No. 2019), to provide for the reimbursement of certain former members of the uniformed services with service-connected disabilities for follow-on specialty care and related services. Page S9115 By a unanimous vote of 94 yeas (Vote No. 246), Levin Amendment No. 2019 (to Amendment No. [[Page D964]] 2011), to provide for the care and management of wounded warriors, as amended. Pages S9086-S9102, S9107-24 Sununu Amendment No. 2184 (to Amendment No. 2135), of a perfecting nature. Pages S9113-16, S9919-24 Pending: Nelson (NE) (for Levin) Amendment No. 2011, in the nature of a substitute. Page S9076-S9124 Nelson (FL) Amendment No. 2013 (to Amendment No. 2012), to change the enactment date. Page S9076 Levin Amendment No. 2087 (to Amendment No. 2011), to provide for a reduction and transition of United States forces in Iraq. Pages S9076, S9079 Reed Amendment No. 2088 (to Amendment No. 2087), to change the enactment date. Page S9076 Cornyn Amendment No. 2100 (to Amendment No. 2011), to express the sense of the Senate that it is in the national security interest of the United States that Iraq not become a failed state and a safe haven for terrorists. Pages S9116-19 Dorgan/Conrad Amendment No. 2135, relative to bringing Osama bin Laden and other leaders of al-Qaeda to justice. Pages S9117-19 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, July 13, 2007; that the time until 9:30 a.m. be for debate on Dorgan/Conrad Amendment No. 2135 (listed above), as amended, and that Senator Dorgan and Senator Sununu each control 10 minutes; provided further, Senate vote on or in relation to Dorgan/Conrad Amendment No. 2135 at approximately 9:30 a.m. Page S9186 Appointments: National Council on the Arts: The Chair, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to Public Law 105-83, announced the appointment of the following individual to serve as a member of the National Council on the Arts: Senator Whitehouse. British-American Interparliamentary Group: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, and upon the recommendation of the Majority Leader, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2761, as amended, appointed the following Senator as a delegate of the Senate delegation to the British-American Interparliamentary Group conference during the 110th Congress: Senator Sanders. British-American Interparliamentary Group: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, and upon the recommendation of the Republican Leader, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2761, as amended, appointed the following Senators as delegates to the British-American Interparliamentary Group conference during the 110th Congress: Senators Grassley, Shelby, and Gregg. Vietnam Education Foundation: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, and upon the recommendation of the Majority Leader, pursuant to Public Law 106-554, appointed Senator Webb to the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Education Foundation. Senate National Security Working Group: The Chair announced, on behalf of the Republican Leader, pursuant to the provisions of S. Res. 105 (adopted April 13, 1989), as amended by S. Res. 149 (adopted October 5, 1993), as amended by the Public Law 105-275, further amended by S. Res. 75 (adopted March 25, 1999), as amended by S. Res. 383 (adopted October 27, 2000), and amended by S. Res. 355 (adopted November 13, 2002), and further amended by S. Res. 480 (adopted November 20, 2004), the appointment of the following Senator to serve as a member of the Senate National Security Working Group for the 110th Congress: Senator Coleman. Page S9186 Message from the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, the initial assessment report relative to the Iraqi benchmarks; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (PM-20) Page S9129 Removal of Injunction of Secrecy: The injunction of secrecy was removed from the following treaty: International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (Treaty Doc. No. 110-4). 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. Pages S9185-96 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Thomas P. O'Brien, of California, to be United States Attorney for the Central District of California for the term of four years. Edward Meacham Yarbrough, of Tennessee, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee for the term of four years vice James K. Vines, resigned. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Navy. Pages S9186-87 Executive Communications: Page S9129 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S9129-25 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S9135-38 [[Page D965]] Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S9138-54 Additional Statements: Pages S9127-28 Amendments Submitted: Pages S9154-84 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S9184 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S9184-85 Privileges of the Floor: Page S9185 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--246) Pages S9112-13, S9116 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:06 p.m., until 9 a.m. on Friday, July 13, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S9186.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) BUSINESS MEETING: Committee on Appropriations: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008; and H.R. 2829, making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. CROSS-BORDER EXCHANGE MERGERS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment concluded a hearing to examine cross-border exchange mergers, focusing on the global view, after receiving testimony from Erik Sirri, Director, Division of Market Regulation, and Ethiopis Tafara, Director, Office of International Affairs, both of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; Noreen Culhane, New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Group, and Adena Friedman, National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) Stock Market, Inc., both of New York, New York; Allen Ferrell, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Damon A. Silvers, AFL-CIO, Washington, D.C. TELEPHONE NUMBER PORTABILITY Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine telephone number portability, including S. 1769, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to facilitate number portability in order to increase consumer choice of voice service provider, after receiving testimony from Tony Clark, North Dakota Public Service Commission, Bismarck, on behalf of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners; Ted Schremp, Charter Communications, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri; Jonathan Banks, United States Telecom Association, and Christopher Guttman-McCabe, CTIA-The Wireless Association, both of Washington, D.C. NOMINATIONS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Clarence H. Albright, of South Carolina, to be Under Secretary, who was introduced by Senator DeMint, and Lisa E. Epifani, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, both of the Department of Energy, and James L. Caswell, of Idaho, to be Director of the Bureau of Land Management, who was introduced by Senators Craig and Crapo, and Brent T. Wahlquist, of Pennsylvania, to be Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, both of the Department of the Interior, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. LAND BILLS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks concluded a hearing to examine S. 488 and H.R. 1100, bills to revise the boundary of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in the State of North Carolina, S. 617, to make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available at a discount to certain veterans, S. 824 and H.R. 995, bills to amend Public Law 106-348 to extend the authorization for establishing a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, S. 955, to establish the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, S. 1148, to establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission and the Hudson- Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission, S. 1380, to designate as wilderness certain land within the Rocky Mountain National Park and to adjust the boundaries of the Indian Peaks Wilderness and the Arapaho National Recreation Area of the Arapaho National Forest in the State of Colorado, and S. 1182, to amend the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Act of 1994 to increase the authorization of appropriations and modify the date on which the authority of the Secretary of the Interior terminates under the Act, and S. 1728, to amend the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 to reauthorize the Na Hoa Pili O Kaloko-Honokohau Advisory Commission, [[Page D966]] after receiving testimony from Senators Allard, Dole, and Thune; Representatives Mark Udall and Musgrave; Katherine H. Stevenson, Acting Assistant Director, Business Services, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Mayor Judy Burke, Grand Lake, Colorado; Dennis Harmon, Water Supply and Storage Company, Fort Collins, Colorado; Dean Stoline, American Legion, Washington, D.C.; Heather Baker-Sullivan, Hudson Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial Commission, Katonah, New York; Tom Martin, Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition, Mt. Pulaski, Illinois; and Charlene Perkins Cutler, Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor, Inc., Putnam, Connecticut. AVIATION FINANCING Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Airport Airways Trust Fund, focusing on the future of aviation financing, the extent to which the current funding structure can support the Federal Aviation Administration's activities, including the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), and issues that could affect the overall cost of NextGen, the implications of selected provisions of proposals to fund aviation activities, after receiving testimony from Marion C. Blakey, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration; Peter R. Orszag, Director, Congressional Budget Office; Gerald L. Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office; and Mark M. Hansen, University of California Institute of Transportation Studies, Berkeley. DIRTY BOMB VULNERABILITIES (PART 1) Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations concluded a hearing to examine certain vulnerabilities in the government's procedures for licensing radiological materials, focusing on the effectiveness of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's materials licensing policies and procedures, and the vulnerability of those licenses to counterfeiting, after receiving testimony from Gene Aloise, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, and Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, and John W. Cooney, Assistant Director, both of Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, all of the Government Accountability Office; and Edward McGaffigan, Jr., Commissioner, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. PRIVATE SECTOR PREPAREDNESS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration concluded hearings to examine the state of public-private collaboration in preparing for and responding to national catastrophes, after receiving testimony from Colonel Robert B. Stephan, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Office of Infrastructure Protection; Eileen R. Larence, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office; and Kenneth C. Watson, Cisco Systems, Inc., San Jose, California, on behalf of the Partnership for Critical Infrastructure Security. NOMINATION Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of James W. Holsinger, Jr., of Kentucky, to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service, subject to qualifications therefor as provided by law and regulations, and to be Surgeon General of the Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senators Bunning and McConnell, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. TRANSPORTATION ISSUES IN INDIAN COUNTRY Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine transportation issues in Indian country, after receiving testimony from Jerry Gidner, Deputy Bureau Director, Office of Indian Services, Department of the Interior; John R. Baxter, Associate Administrator for Federal Lands, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation; Don Kashevaroff, Seldovia Village Tribe, Seldovia, Alaska; Pete Red Tomahawk, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Ft. Yates, North Dakota; Erin S. Forrest, Hualapai Tribe, Peach Springs, Arizona; and James Garrigan, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Red Lake, Minnesota. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee began consideration of S. 1145, to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call of the Chair. [[Page D967]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 34 public bills, H.R. 3009- 3042; and 8 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 182-184; and H. Res. 540-544, were introduced. Pages H7774-76 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H7776-78 Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today. Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Salazar to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H7659 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, Congregation B'nai Israel, Toms River, New Jersey. Page H7659 Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a yea-and-nay vote of 240 yeas to 178 nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 622. Pages H7659, H7674 Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act: The House passed H.R. 2956, to require the Secretary of Defense to commence the reduction of the number of United States Armed Forces in Iraq to a limited presence by April 1, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 201 nays, Roll No. 624. Pages H7674-H7719 Point of Order sustained against: Wilson (NM) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Armed Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment. Pages H7717-18 Agreed to table the Wilson (NM) motion to appeal the ruling of the Chair by a yea-and-nay vote of 224 yeas to 197 nays, Roll No. 623. Pages H7718-19 H. Res. 533, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 221 yeas to 196 nays, Roll No. 621, after agreeing to order the previous question by a recorded vote of 225 ayes to 197 noes, Roll No. 620. Pages H7663-74 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Sutton wherein she resigned from the Committee on the Budget, effective immediately. Page H7719 Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 540, electing Representative Sutton to the Committee on the Judiciary, to rank immediately after Representative Johnson (GA). Page H7719 Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 1851, to reform the housing choice voucher program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, by a yea-and-nay vote of 333 yeas to 83 nays, Roll No. 629. Pages H7726-60 Agreed to the Capito motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Financial Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 233 ayes to 186 noes, Roll No. 628. Subsequently, Representative Frank (MA) reported the bill back to the House with the amendment and the amendment was agreed to. Pages H7758-60 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of amendment. Page H7735 Agreed to: Waters modified manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110- 227) that includes increased rent structure flexibility while maintaining affordability requirements, an increase up to 12.5% in first year permitted housing agency voucher reserves, provisions spelling out HUD responsibilities with respect to access to HUD programs for persons with Limited English Proficiency, modifications to voucher inspection requirements, and changes to the Housing Innovation Program; Pages H7745-48 Velazquez amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-227) that requires that public housing agencies selected for participation in the Housing Innovation Program must comply with voucher and public housing domestic violence provisions from the Violence Against Women Act; and Pages H7748-49 Markey amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 110-227) that makes certain low-income tenants of the Heritage Apartments in Malden, Massachusetts eligible for enhanced housing vouchers after prepayment of a HUD mortgage and subsequent ownership transfer of the property without HUD restrictions that may jeopardize the housing affordability and allows for the transfer of Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts in Columbus, Ohio in the University District and in Cincinnati, Ohio in the Over-the-Rhine Community. Pages H7751-52 Rejected: Gary G. Miller (CA) amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-227) that sought to impose a 7-year time limit on participation in the Section 8 program, to exclude the elderly and disabled from this requirement, and provide for a hardship exception (by a recorded vote of 151 ayes to 267 noes, Roll No. 625); Pages H7749-51, H7755-56 [[Page D968]] Chabot amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 110-227) that sought to strike the authorization of appropriations for the creation of 20,000 new vouchers each year for years FY 2008 through FY 2012 (by a recorded vote of 144 ayes to 277 noes, Roll No. 626); and Pages H7752-54, H7756-57 Hensarling amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 110-227) that sought to require that all adults in a household receiving Section 8 tenant assistance for more than 7 consecutive years must perform 20 hours per week of approved ``work activities;'' exemptions are provided for senior citizens, the disabled, those already exempt from TANF work requirements, and those who cannot access child care (by a recorded vote of 197 ayes to 222 noes, Roll No. 627). Pages H7754-55, H7757 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H7760 H. Res. 534, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by voice vote. Pages H7719-26 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 4 p.m. tomorrow, and further, that when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, July 16th for Morning Hour debate. Page H7762 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, July 18th. Page H7762 Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation-- Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House of Representatives to the Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation: Representative Skelton and Representative Hulshof. Page H7762 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he transmitted the report that assesses the status of each of the 18 Iraqi benchmarks contained in Public Law 110-28--referred to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-45). Page H7762 Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes and five recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H7673, H7673-74, H7674, H7718-19, H7719, H7755-56, H7756-57, H7757, H7759, and H7760. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:59 p.m. Committee Meetings ENERGY-BASED DERIVATIVE TRADING Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a hearing to review trading of energy-based derivatives. Testimony was heard from Walter Lukken, Acting Chairman and Commissioner, CFTC; Orice M. Williams, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, GAO; and public witnesses. SUPPLEMENTAL ENERGY AND WATER, AND RELATED AGENCIES, AND COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the following appropriations for fiscal year 2008: Supplemental Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies; and, as amended, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee action the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for Fiscal Year 2008. DOD APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session and approved for full Committee action the Defense Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2008. MENTAL HEALTH Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on mental health. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: S. Ward Casscells, M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs; VADM Donald C. Arthur, USN, Co- Chair, Defense Health Board Task Force Mental Health, Surgeon General, Department of the Navy, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery; and a public witness. ALTERNATIVES FOR IRAQ'S FUTURE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on A Third Way: Alternatives for Iraq's Future, (Part 1). Testimony was heard from GEN Wesley K. Clark, USA (ret.); and a public witness. [[Page D969]] DEFENSE INSTALLATION ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing to receive testimony on emerging contaminants and environmental management at Department of Defense installations. Testimony was heard from Alex A. Beehler, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary, (Environment, Safety and Occupational Health), Department of Defense; and John B. Stephenson, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO. JUVENILE JUSTICE/DELINQUENCY PREVENTION Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities and the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security of the Committee on the Judiciary held, joint hearing on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act: Overview and Perspectives. Testimony was heard from Derrick Johnson, Vice-Chair, Juvenile Justice Commission, State of Arizona; David Freed. Cumberland County District Attorney, State of Pennsylvania; Paul Lawrence, Goffstown District Court, New Hampshire State Juvenile Justice Advisory Group; and public witnesses. AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a hearing on Beyond Oil and Gas: African Growth and Opportunity Act's Benefits to Africa. Testimony was heard from Florizelle Liser, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, Africa; and public witnesses. HUMAN RIGHTS AND U.S. FOREIGN POLICY Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight held a hearing on Ideals vs. Reality in Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Policy: The Cases of Azerbaijan, Cuba, and Egypt. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. BORDER COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response held a hearing entitled ``Challenges Facing First Responders in Border Communities.'' Testimony was heard from Leesa Morrison, Director, Department of Homeland Security, State of Arizona; and public witnesses. U.S. ATTORNEY INVESTIGATION; REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE SUBPOENA Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held a hearing on the Continuing Investigation into the U.S. Attorneys Controversy and Related Matters. The Subcommittee adopted a motion to uphold the Chair's ruling regarding Harriet Miers' failure to appear and regarding her failure to answer questions and provide relevant documents as directed. The Chair ruled that Harriet Miers' refusal to comply with the subpoena and appear at this hearing, and to answer questions and provide relevant documents regarding these concerns, cannot be properly justified on executive privilege or related immunity grounds. The Subcommittee authorized the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee to issue a subpoena to the Republican National Committee, for e-mail documents the Committee has requested pertaining to its investigation into the recent termination of United States Attorneys and the related subjects. DEA'S REGULATION OF MEDICINE Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security held a hearing on the Drug Enforcement Administration's Regulation of Medicine. Testimony was heard from Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, DEA, Department of Justice; David Murray, Director, Counter Drug Technology, Office of National Drug Control Policy; and public witnesses. NATIONAL OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE ACT Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 2010, National Offshore Aquaculture Act. Testimony was heard from VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, USN (ret.), Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator, NOAA, Department of Commerce; Sue Aspelund, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Department of Fish and Game, State of Alaska; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 105, Northern Neck National Heritage Area Study Act; H.R. 1083, To amend the Act establishing the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area in order to include Butler County, Pennsylvania, within the boundaries of that heritage area; H.R. 1145, Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area Act; H.R. 1297, Freedom's Way National Heritage Area Act; H.R. 1815, To extend the authorization for the Coastal Heritage Trail in the [[Page D970]] State of New Jersey; and H.R. 1885, Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Cramer, Olver, English of Pennsylvania and LoBiondo; Janet Snyder Matthews, Associate Director, Cultural Resources, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. FEDERAL MERIT-BASED EMPLOYMENT Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Services and the District of Columbia held a hearing on Ensuring a Merit-Based Employment System: An Examination of the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Office of Special Counsel. Testimony was heard from Scott J. Bloch, Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel; Neil A. G. McPhie, Chairman, Merit Systems Protection Board; Morton Rosenberg, Senior Analyst, CRS, Library of Congress; and public witnesses. PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN OUTLOOK Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs held a hearing on Pakistan at the Crossroads; Afghanistan in the Balance. Testimony was heard from Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Department of State. SBA'S MICROLOAN AND TRADE PROGRAMS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing SBA's Microloan and Trade Programs. Testimony was heard from Michael Hager, Associate Administrator, Capital Access, SBA; and public witnesses. TRANSPORTATION WORKER ID CARD SYSTEM Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Transportation Worker Identification Card System. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: RADM Brian Salerno, USCG, Assistant Commandant, Policy and Planning; and Maurine Fanguy, TWIC Program Manager, Transportation Security Administration; and public witnesses. BEACHES ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND COASTAL HEALTH ACT REAUTHORIZATION Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources held a hearing on Reauthorization of the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Pallone and Bilbray; Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, EPA; Anu K. Mittal, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; Lisa Jackson, Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection, State of New Jersey; Patrick Heaney, Town Supervisor, Southhampton, New York; and public witnesses. VA PROCUREMENT Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on Federal Procurement. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the SBA: William D. Elmore, Assistant Administrator; and Louis Celli, Jr., Chairman, Advisory Committee on Veterans' Business Affairs; Scott F. Denniston, Director, Center for Veterans' Enterprise, Department of Veterans Affairs; Paul A. Denett, Administrator, Office of Procurement Policy, OMB; Charles Cervantes, Special Assistant to the Director, Office of Small Business Programs, Department of Defense; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. WOMEN AND MINORITY VETERANS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a joint hearing on issues facing Women and Minority Veterans. Testimony was heard from Representative Wilson of New Mexico; the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Shirley A. Quarles, R.N., Chair, Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; COL. Reginald Malebranche, USA (ret.) Member, Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; Maureen Murdoch, M.D., VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Betty Moseley Brown, Associate Director, Center for Women Veterans; and Lucretia McClenney, Director, Center for Minority Veterans; L. Tammy Duckworth, Director, Department of Veterans Affairs, State of Illinois; representatives of veterans organizations; and public witnesses. AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support held a hearing on Children Who ``Age Out'' of the Foster Care System. Testimony was heard from Representative Cardoza; Cornelia Ashby, Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security, GAO; and public witnesses INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management [[Page D971]] met in executive session to hold a hearing on Intelligence Community Management. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses NUCLEAR TERRORISM Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence Analysis and Counterterrorism met in executive session to hold a hearing on Nuclear Terrorism. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. ENERGY INDEPENDENCE WITH 150 MPG VEHICLES Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing entitled ``Plugging into Energy Independence with 150 MPG Vehicles.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No Committee meetings are scheduled. 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. 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[[Page D972]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9 a.m., Friday, July 13 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 1585, National Defense Authorization Act, and after a period of debate, vote on or in relation to Dorgan Amendment No. 2135 at approximately 9:30 a.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 4 p.m., Friday, July 13 House Chamber Program for Friday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Altmire, Jason, Pa., E1496 Bilirakis, Gus M., Fla., E1500 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1495 Davis, Danny K., Ill., E1494 Davis, Tom, Va., E1493 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E1493 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E1494 Gillmor, Paul E., Ohio, E1497 Graves, Sam, Mo., E1493 Hall, Ralph M., Tex., E1497, E1498 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E1496 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1501 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1494, E1495 Lewis, Ron, Ky., E1494 McMorris Rodgers, Cathy, Wash., E1493 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1495 Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E1496 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E1498 Pearce, Stevan, N.M., E1494 Reichert, David G., Wash., E1495 Shuler, Heath, N.C., E1498 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E1500 Turner, Michael R., Ohio, E1498 Walden, Greg, Ore., E1499 Watson, Diane E., Calif., E1500