Thursday, February 8, 2007 [[Page D156]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1731-S1812 Measures Introduced: Eighteen bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 525-542, and S. Res. 76. Page S1781 Measures Reported: Special Report entitled ``Further Revised Allocation to Subcommittees of Budget Totals for Fiscal Year 2007''. (S. Rept. No. 110-4) S. 372, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for the intelligence and intelligence related activities of the United States Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. (S. Rept. No. 110-5) S. Res. 36, honoring women's health advocate Cynthia Boles Dailard. S. Res. 37, designating March 26, 2007 as ``National Support the Troops Day'' and encouraging the people of the United States to participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces both at home and abroad. S. 188, to revise the short title of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006, with amendments. Page S1780 Continuing Appropriations: Senate began consideration of H.J. Res. 20, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2007, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S1746-50 Pending: Reid Amendment No. 237, to change an effective date. Page S1746 Reid Amendment No. 238 (to Amendment No. 237), of a technical nature. Page S1746 Motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations, with instructions to report back forthwith, with Reid Amendment No. 239, to change an effective date. Page S1746 Reid Amendment No. 240 (to the instructions of the motion to recommit), of a technical nature. Page S1746 Reid Amendment No. 241 (to Amendment No. 240), of a technical nature. Page S1746 A motion was entered to close further debate on the resolution and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Tuesday, February 13, 2007. Pages S1746-50 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Members have until 2:30 p.m., on Monday, February 12, 2007, to file first-degree amendments to the resolution. Page S1811 Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination: By 83 yeas 14 nays (Vote No. EX. 45), Gen. George W. Casey Jr., U.S. Army Pages S1737-43 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Williamson Evers, of California, to be Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, Department of Education. Steven Jeffrey Isakowitz, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy. Page S1812 Messages from the House: Page S1780 Messages Referred: Page S1780 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S1780-81 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1781-82 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1782-S1809 Additional Statements: Pages S1778-80 Amendments Submitted: Pages S1809-10 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S1810 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S1810-11 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total-45) Page S1743 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m., and adjourned at 6:12 p.m., until 1 p.m., on Monday, February 12, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1811.) [[Page D157]] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BUDGET Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of Transportation, after receiving testimony from Mary E. Peters, Secretary of Transportation. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported S. 372, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill to provide the resources to protect public transportation from terrorism. BUDGET: FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's budget and revenue proposals for fiscal year 2008, after receiving testimony from Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the present and future of public safety communications, focusing on a need for broadband technology for America's fire and emergency services, after receiving testimony from Charles L. Werner, Charlottesville Fire Department, Fairfax, Virginia, on behalf of International Association of Fire Chiefs; Harlin R. McEwen, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Alexandria, Virginia, on behalf of Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Sheriffs' Association, and Major County Sheriffs' Association; Morgan O'Brien, Cyren Call Communications, McLean, Virginia; Steve Largent, CTIA--The Wireless Association, Washington, D.C.; David Billstrom, National Interop, Inc., Seattle, Washington; and Matthew J. Desch, Iridium Satellite LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. OIL AND GAS ROYALTY MANAGEMENT Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine issues relating to labor, immigration, law enforcement, and economic conditions in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, after receiving testimony from David B. Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, and James Benedetto, Labor Ombudsman, both of the Department of the Interior; Jeanette Franzel, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, Government Accountability Office; Lieutenant Government Timothy P. Villagomez, Lauri Bennett Ogumoro, Karidat, and Juan T. Guerrero, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Mary Stella Mangona, Sisters of the Good Shepherd, and Kayleen Entena, all of Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Pedro A. Tenorio, Resident Representative to the United States, Washington, D.C.; and F. Haydn Williams, San Francisco, California. FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUDGET Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2008 for foreign affairs, including the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), after receiving testimony from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State. NOMINATION Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of John D. Negroponte, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of State. NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the No Child Left Behind Act reauthorization, focusing on strategies that promote school improvement, after receiving testimony from Michael P. Flanagan, Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction, Lansing; Alana Dale Turner, Easton High School, Easton, Maryland; Richard Coleman, Sr., An Achievable Dream Academy, Newport News, Virginia; Kimberly Johnson, Briggs Chaney Middle School, Silver Spring, Maryland; Yvonne W. Brandon, Richmond Public Schools, Richmond, Virginia; Martha S. Barber, Alabama Reading Initiative Regional Principal Coach, Birmingham, Alabama; Hosanna Mahaley-Johnson, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, Illinois; and Paul Reville, Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy, Cambridge, Massachusetts. [[Page D158]] SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAM Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing on diabetes in Indian Country, focusing on the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, after receiving testimony from Charles W. Grim, Director, and Kelly Moore, Clinical Specialty Consultant, Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention, both of the Indian Health Service, William C. Knowler, Chief, Diabetes Epidemiology and Clinical Research Section, Division of Intramural Research, and Judith Fradkin, Director, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases, both of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, all of the Department of Health and Human Services; Buford Rolin, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Washington, D.C., on behalf of the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee, and the National Indian Health Board; James D. Brosseau, Altru Health System, Grand Forks, North Dakota; Biron Baker, Medcenter One, Bismarck, North Dakota; Sam McCracken, Nike, Beaverton, Oregon; and Donna Vandall, Winnebago Tribal Whirling Thunder Wellness Programs, Winnebago, Nebraska. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the following bills: S. 322, to establish an Indian youth telemental health demonstration project; S. 375, to waive application of the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act to a specific parcel of real property transferred by the United States to 2 Indian tribes in the State of Oregon; S. 398, to amend the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act to identify and remove barriers to reducing child abuse, to provide for examinations of certain children; and S. 481, to recruit and retain more qualified individuals to teach in Tribal Colleges or Universities. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. 188, to revise the short title of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006, with amendments; S. 214, to amend chapter 35 of title 28, United States Code, to preserve the independence of United States attorneys, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. Res. 36, honoring women's health advocate Cynthia Boles Dailard; S. Res. 37, designating March 26, 2007 as ``National Support the Troops Day'' and encouraging the people of the United States to participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces both at home and abroad; and The nominations of Marcia Morales Howard, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida, Nora Barry Fischer, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Norman Randy Smith, of Idaho, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, John Alfred Jarvey, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa, and Sara Elizabeth Lioi, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to the call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 65 public bills, H.R. 909-973; 2 private bills, H.R. 974-975; and 16 resolutions, H.J. Res. 24; H. Con. Res. 61-62; and H. Res. 139-151 were introduced. Pages H1412-16 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H1416-17 Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today. Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Capuano to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H1347 Committee Elections: The House agreed to H. Res. 139, electing the following Members to serve on certain standing committees of the House of Representatives: Committee on House Administration: Representatives Brady (PA), Zoe Lofgren (CA), Capuano, Gonzalez, and Davis (CA). Committee on Standards [[Page D159]] of Official Conduct: Representatives Gene Green (TX), Roybal-Allard, Doyle, and Delahunt. Page H1350 Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act: The House passed H.R. 547, to facilitate the development of markets for alternative fuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel through research, development, and demonstration and data collection, by a Recorded vote of 400 ayes to 3 noes, Roll No. 92. Pages H1350, H1392-93 Rejected the Shimkus motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Science and Technology with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a Recorded vote of 200 ayes to 207 noes, Roll No. 91. Pages H1391-92 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To facilitate the development of markets for biofuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel through research and development and data collection.''. Page H1393 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science and Technology now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. Page H1350 On a demand for a separate vote on certain amendments agreed to in the Committee of the Whole: By a Recorded vote of 417 ayes to 0 noes, Roll No. 87, agreed to the Hastings amendment that includes language which encourages the Assistant Administrator to utilize Land Grant Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and other minority serving institutions among other resources to undertake research for programs covered by the bill (agreed to in the Committee of the Whole by a Recorded vote of 424 ayes to 0 noes, Roll No. 82); Pages H1362, H1383-88 By a Recorded vote of 354 ayes to 58 noes, Roll No. 88, agreed to the Rogers (MI) amendment that adds a new paragraph to section 3 to include issues with respect to where in the fuel supply chain additives optimally should be added to fuels (agreed to in the Committee of the Whole by a Recorded vote of 419 ayes to 6 noes, Roll No. 85); Pages H1365, H1385, H1388-89 By a yea-and-nay vote of 385 yeas to 24 nays, Roll No. 89, agreed to the Weller amendment that adds a new paragraph to section 3 which includes issues with respect to certification by a nationally recognized testing laboratory of components for fuel dispensing devises that specifically reference compatibility with alcohol blended and biofuels that contain greater than 15 percent alcohol (agreed to in the Committee of the Whole by a Recorded vote of 424 ayes to 0 noes, Roll No. 83); and Pages H1362-63, H1383-84, H1389-90 By a yea-and-nay vote of 385 yeas to 23 nays, Roll No. 90, agreed to the Cantor amendment that adds a new section 7 entitled ``Additional Funding'' (agreed to in the Committee of the Whole by a by a Recorded vote of 422 ayes to 3 noes, Roll No. 86). Pages H1370, H1385-86, H1390-91 Earlier, agreed to amendments in the Committee of the Whole: Roskam amendment that makes authorization of appropriations subject to pay as you go provisions; Page H1365 Brown-Waite amendment that requires a report to Congress; Page H1382 Eshoo amendment to the Burgess amendment, that inserts a new paragraph (regarding strategies to minimize emissions from infrastructure) in lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the Burgess amendment to section 3 (by a Recorded vote of 242 ayes to 185 noes, Roll No. 81); Pages H1360, H1382-83 Burgess amendment (No. 2 printed in the Congressional Record of February 7, 2007) that adds a paragraph to section 3 to include provisions with respect to increased volatile emissions or increased nitrogen oxide emissions; Pages H1359-60, H1386 Dent amendment that adds provisions which allow fuel distributors and retailers to transform their businesses by dispensing hydrogen, reformed on site from various feedstocks, or delivered by pipeline or tube trucks, resulting in new storage, handling, and equipment challenges necessary beyond that carried out under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (by a Recorded vote of 226 ayes to 201 noes, Roll No. 84); and Pages H1363-65, H1384-85 Burgess amendment that adds a new section at the end of the bill providing that research and development under the Act shall address issues with respect to increased volatile emissions or increased nitrogen oxide emissions. Pages H1369-70 Withdrawn in the Committee of the Whole: Rogers (MI) amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have added a new section 7 providing for the establishment of an energy security fund and an alternative fuel grant program; and Pages H1368-69 Ferguson amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn, that would have served as a substitute to the Burgess amendment, that adds a new section at the end of the bill providing that research and development under the Act shall address issues with respect to increased volatile emissions or increased nitrogen oxide emissions, and strategies to minimize such emissions from infrastructure. Pages H1386-87 [[Page D160]] Point of Order sustained against in the Committee of the Whole: Burgess amendment that sought to to add a new section providing for an increase in per gallon rates for biodiesel credit. Page H1370 H. Res. 133, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by voice vote. Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 9; that when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, February 12 for Morning Hour debate. Page H1393 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, February 14. Page H1394 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and ten Recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1382, H1383, H1383-84, H1384-85, H1385, H1385-86, H1388, H1388-89, H1389-90. H1390-91, H1391-92, H1392-93. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Committee Meetings AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Food Safety: Shedding Light on a Broken System. Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; and public witnesses. HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on the Secretary of Homeland Security. Testimony was heard from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security. STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs held a hearing on oversight of Assistance Programs in Iraq. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Howard J. Krongard, Inspector General; and Donald Gambatesa, Inspector General, U.S. Agency for International Development; and Stuart W. Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. NAVY LITTORAL COMBAT SYSTEM OVERSIGHT Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces held a hearing on acquisition oversight of the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat System. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: Delores Etter, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Research, Development, and Acquisition; VADM Paul Sullivan, USN, Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command; RADM Charles Hamilton, USN, Program Executive Officer (Ships); and RADM Barry McCullough, USN, Director, Surface Warfare Division (N86), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; and public witnesses. STRENGTHENING THE MIDDLE CLASS Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions held a hearing on Strengthening America's Middle Class Through the Employee Free Choice Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. ENERGY DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing on the Department of Energy's Budget for Fiscal Year 2008. Testimony was heard from Samuel W. Bodman, Secretary of Energy. DARFUR CRISIS Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on The Escalating Crisis in Darfur: Are There Any Prospects for Peace? Testimony was heard from Andrew Natsios, Special Envoy to Sudan and former Administrator, United States Agency for International Development, Department of State. OVERSIGHT--HOMELAND SECURITY CONTRACTS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``Management of Massive Homeland Security Contracts: Deepwater and SBInet.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Richard Skinner, Inspector General; Elaine Duke, Chief Procurement Officer; Greg Giddens, Director, SBI Program Executive Office; and ADM Thad W. Allen, USCG, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard; David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; and public witnesses. CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE Committee on Science and Technology: Held a hearing on The State of Climate Change Science 2007: The Findings of the Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Working Group I Report. Testimony was heard [[Page D161]] from Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives; and public witnesses. SBA'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``The Small Business Administration's Budget for Fiscal Year 2008.'' Testimony was heard from Steven Preston, Administrator, SBA. TRANSPORTATION/EPA BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Held a hearing entitled ``FY 2008 President's Budget Request for Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency.'' Testimony was heard from Mary E. Peters, Secretary of Transportation; and the following officials of the EPA: Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Water; and Susan Parker Bodine, Assistant Administrator, Solid Waste and Emergency Response. VA'S BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on the VA's budget request for Fiscal Year 2008. Testimony was heard from R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations. HHS BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the President's budget proposals for the Department of Health and Human Services. Testimony was heard from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services. OVERSIGHT PLAN: NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATES ON IRAQ Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: On February 7, the Committee approved an Oversight Plan for the 110th Congress. The Committee also approved Member requests to view the National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Armed Services: to receive a briefing on the Department of Defense Inspector General's report on the activities of the Office of Special Plans prior to the war in Iraq; to be followed by a closed session in SR-232A, 9:30 a.m., SR-222. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense, on U.S. Army FY '07 Supplemental, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies, on Quality of Life, 9:30 a.m., H-143 Capitol. Committee on Homeland Security, hearing entitled ``An Examination of the President's FY 2008 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security,'' 9 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, hearing entitled ``Allegations of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Pharmaceutical Pricing: Financial Impacts on Federal Health Programs and the Federal Taxpayer,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of February 12 through February 17, 2007 Senate Chamber On Monday, at 1 p.m., Senate will be in a period of morning business. During the balance of the week, Senate may consider any cleared legislative and executive business. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: February 13, to hold hearings to examine challenges and opportunities relating to rural development, 9:45 a.m., SR-328A. Committee on Appropriations: February 13, Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies, to hold oversight hearings to examine the Outer Continental Shelf oil and natural gas royalty management by the Department of the Interior, 10 a.m., SD-124. Committee on Armed Services: February 15, to hold hearings to examine the current and future readiness of the Army and Marine Corps; there is a possibility of a closed session in SR-222 following the open session, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: February 14, to hold hearings to examine the semiannual monetary policy report to the Congress, 10 a.m., SD-106. Committee on the Budget: February 13, to hold hearings to examine the President's Fiscal Year 2008 budgetary proposals for the Department of Health and Human Services, 10 a.m., SD-608. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: February 14, Subcommittee on Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development, to hold hearings to examine overseas sweatshop abuses, focusing on their impact on U.S. workers and the need for anti-sweatshop legislation, 10 a.m., SR-253. February 14, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Coast Guard, to hold an oversight hearing to examine recent [[Page D162]] setbacks to the Coast Guard Deepwater Program, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. February 15, Subcommittee on Aviation, to hold hearings to examine the Administration's proposal to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (Part 1), 9:30 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: February 12, Subcommittee on Energy, to hold hearings to examine recommendations on policies and programs to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and to expand the role of electric and gas utilities in energy efficiency programs, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. February 13, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the ``Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change'' examining the economic impacts of climate change and stabilizing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, 10 a.m., SD-106. February 15, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of the Interior, 9:30 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: February 13, to hold hearings to review and report the recommendations of the United States Climate Action Partnership Report, 10 a.m., SD-406. February 15, Full Committee, to hold an oversight hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2008 for the Environmental Protection Agency, 10 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Finance: February 15, to hold hearings to examine the Administration trade agenda for 2007, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: February 15, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Ryan C. Crocker, of Washington, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq, and William B. Wood, of New York, to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 9:15 a.m., SD-628. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: February 13, to hold hearings to examine The Healthy Families Act, focusing on safeguarding Americans' livelihood, families and health with paid sick days, 10 a.m., SD-430. February 14, Full Committee, business meeting to consider Mental Health Parity Act of 2007, Head Start for School Readiness Act, and any pending nominations, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: February 13, to hold hearings to examine the Homeland Security Department's budget request for Fiscal Year 2008, 10 a.m., SD-342. February 14, Full Committee, business meeting to consider S. 4, to make the United States more secure by implementing unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to fight the war on terror more effectively, to improve homeland security, S. 343, to extend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999, S. 457, to extend the date on which the National Security Personnel System will first apply to certain defense laboratories, a proposed bill to preserve existing judgeships on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, S. 171, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 301 Commerce Street in Commerce, Oklahoma, as the ``Mickey Mantle Post Office Building'', S. 194 and H.R. 49, bills to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1300 North Frontage Road West in Vail, Colorado, as the ``Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Post Office Building'', S. 219 and H.R. 335, bills to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 152 North 5th Street in Laramie, Wyoming, as the ``Gale W. McGee Post Office'', S. 303, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 324 Main Street in Grambling, Louisiana, shall be known and designated as the ``Coach Eddie Robinson Post Office Building'', S. 412 and H.R. 521, bills to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the ``Lane Evans Post Office Building'', H.R. 433, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1700 Main Street in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the ``Scipio A. Jones Post Office Building'', H.R. 514, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16150 Aviation Loop Drive in Brooksville, Florida, as the ``Sergeant Lea Robert Mills Brooksville Aviation Branch Post Office'', and H.R. 577, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3903 South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, as the ``Sergeant Henry Ybarra III Post Office Building'', 10 a.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: February 15, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the President's budget request for fiscal year 2008 for tribal programs, 9:30 a.m., SR-485. Committee on the Judiciary: February 14, to hold hearings to examine judicial security and independence, 10 a.m., SH-216. February 15, Full Committee, business meeting to consider the nomination of Beryl A. Howell, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the United States Sentencing Commission, S. 316, to prohibit brand name drug companies from compensating generic drug companies to delay the entry of a generic drug into the market, S. 236, to require reports to Congress on Federal agency use of data mining, S. 378, to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect judges, prosecutors, witnesses, victims, and their family members, S. 442, to provide for loan repayment for prosecutors and public defenders, S. Res. 41, honoring and the life and recognizing the accomplishments of Tom Mooney, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, S. Res. 47, honoring the life and achievements of George C. Springer, Sr., the Northeast regional director and a former vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, S. Res. 49, recognizing and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the entry of Alaska into the Union as the 49th State, S. Res. 53, congratulating Illinois State University as it marks its sesquicentennial, and S. Res. 69, recognizing the African-American spiritual as a national treasure, 10 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: February 13, to hold hearings to examine alternatives for easing small business health care costs, 10 a.m., SR-428A. [[Page D163]] Select Committee on Intelligence: February 13, to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. February 14, Full Committee, to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. February 15, Full Committee, to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. Special Committee on Aging: February 15, to hold hearings to examine those Americans born between 1946 and 1964 (baby boomers), focusing on the federal budget and senior citizens, 10 a.m., SD-562. House Committees Committee on Agriculture, February 14, to meet for organizational purposes; followed by a hearing on the 2007 Farm bill proposals of the Department of Agriculture, 10 a.m., 1302 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, February 12, Subcommittee on Defense, on U.S. Air Force Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental Request, 10 a.m., H- 140 Capitol. February 13, Subcommittee on Defense, on U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental Request, 1:30 p.m., H-140 Capitol. February 13, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Aviation Security Challenges, 10 a.m., and on Transportation Security Challenges, 2 p.m., 2358 Rayburn. February 13, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, on Overview of National Forest Service, 10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. February 13, Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies, on Related Agencies, on 9:30 a.m., H- 143 Capitol. February 14, full Committee, on Budget Overview, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Secretary of Agriculture, 10 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Defense, on Defense Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental Request, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn, and on Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental Requests for Iraq and Afghan Security Forces Fund, 1:30 p.m., H-140 Capitol. February 15, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Coast Guard Iraq Operations, Port Security and Deepwater, 10 a.m., 2362B Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, (Panel) Overview on America's Workers and Education for the 21st Century, 9:30 a.m., 2212 Rayburn, and (Panel II) Overview on Health Care Access and the Aging of America, 2 p.m., 2359 Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies, on Long-Term Health Care Challenges, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn, and on Secretary of Veterans' Affairs, 1 p.m., 2358 Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, on Thematic-Iraq Reconstruction Strategy, 2 p.m., 2362A Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on Defense, on Outside Expert Witnesses, 10 a.m., and 1:30 p.m., H-140 Capitol. February 16, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, on Future of the Nation's Navigation Infrastructure, 10 a.m., 2362B Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Implementation of U.S. VISIT Entry/Exit Program, 10 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, on Forest Service: State and Private Forestry and Research, 9 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, on Capitol Visitor Center, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. February 16, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, on Fiscal Year 2007 Emergency Supplemental Request, 9 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, February 13, hearing on an assessment of security and stability in Afghanistan and developments in U.S. strategy and operations, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. February 13, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing to review the fiscal year 2008 military health care budget and the challenges facing the military health care system, 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. February 13, Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces and the Subcommittee on Readiness, joint hearing on U.S. Marine Crops and U.S. Navy reset requirements, 3 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. February 14, full Committee, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Budget request from the Department of the Army, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. February 14, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on the challenges for the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) posed by the global terrorist threat, 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on overview of recruiting and retention, 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, February 13, hearing on the Department of Health and Human Services Fiscal Year 2008 Budget, 2 p.m., 210 Cannon. February 14, hearing on Members Day, 2 p.m., 210 Cannon. February 15, hearing on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Priorities, 2 p.m., 210 Cannon. February 16, hearing on IRS and the Tax Gap, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Education and Labor, February 14, to consider the following: Oversight Plan for the 110th Congress; and to mark up H.R. 493, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007, 1:30 p.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, February 15 and 16, hearings on Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, February 13, hearing on the Future of the United Nations under Ban Ki-Moon, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. [[Page D164]] February 14, to mark up H. Res. 98, Honoring the life and achievements of the late Dr. John Garang de Mabior and reaffirming the continued commitment of the House of Representatives to a just and lasting peace in the Republic of Sudan, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. February 14, Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia, hearing on Next Steps in Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process, 2:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. February 15, full Committee, hearing on Afghanistan on the Brink: Where Do We Go From Here? 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, hearing on Protecting the Human Rights of Comfort Women, 1:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, February 13, Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, hearing entitled ``Border Security: Infrastructure, Technology, and the Human Element,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. February 13, Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, hearing entitled ``Rail and Mass Transit Security: Industry and Labor Perspectives,'' 3 p.m., Cannon. February 14, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, Preparedness, and Response Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing entitled ``Understanding the Budget and Strategic Agenda of the Science and Technology Directorate,'' 2:30 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. February 14, Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment, hearing entitled ``The President's Proposed FY2008 Budget for the Department of Homeland Security: The Office of Intelligence and Analysis,'' 3:30 p.m., 311 Cannon. February 15, full Committee, hearing entitled ``Lessons Learned and Grading Goals: The Department of Homeland Security of 2007,'' 9 a.m., 311 Cannon. February 16, Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, hearing entitled ``Impact of Background and Security Clearances on the Transportation Workforce,'' 10:30 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, February 13, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law and the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight of the Committee on Science and Technology, joint oversight hearing entitled ``Amending Executive Order 12866: Good Governance or Regulatory,'' 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. February 14, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law, hearing on ``The Proposed Immigration Fee Increase,'' 2:15 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property, oversight hearing on American Innovation at Risk: ``The Case for Patent Reform,'' 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, hearing entitled ``Making Communities Safer: Youth Violence and Gang Interventions that Work,'' 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, February 14, oversight hearing entitled ``Reports, Audits and Investigations by the General Accountability Office (GAO) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Regarding the Department of the Interior,'' 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, February 13 and 14, hearings on the following: the Executive Branch Reform Act of 2007; and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. February 15, hearing entitled ``Iraq Reconstruction: An Overview,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives, hearing entitled ``The State FOIA: Assessing Agency Efforts to Meet FOIA Requirements,'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, February 13, hearing on National Imperatives for Earth and Climate Science (National Academy of Sciences Decadal Survey), 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. February 14, hearing on the Administration's FY 2008 Research and Development Budget Proposal, 2318 Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, hearing on The National Institute of Standards and Technology's Role in Supporting Economic Competitiveness in the 21st Century, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, February 14, hearing entitled ``The Small Business Administration's Response to the 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes,'' 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, February 13, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, hearing entitled ``Public- Private Partnerships: Innovative Financing and Protecting the Public Interest,'' 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. February 13, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, hearing entitled ``Fatigue in the Rail Industry,'' 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. February 14, Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment, hearing entitled ``Agency Budgets and Priorities for FY 2008,'' 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, hearing entitled ``The Development of Short Sea Shipping in the United States,'' 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, February 14, Subcommittee on Health, hearing on Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2008 Health Budget, 2 p.m., 334 Cannon. February 15, full Committee, hearing on Filipino Veterans, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. February 15, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, VA Inspector General-Budget and Best Practices, 1 p.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, February 12, to mark up the Small Business Tax Relief Act, 5 p.m., 1100 Longworth. February 13, Subcommittee on Health, hearing on the Medicare portions of the President's Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Proposals, 2 p.m., 1100 Longworth. [[Page D165]] February 13, Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, to meet for organizational purposes; followed by a hearing on economic opportunity and poverty in America, 10 a.m., B-318 Rayburn. February 13, Subcommittee on Oversight, hearing on Earned Income Tax Credit Outreach, 1 p.m., B-318 Rayburn. February 14, full Committee, hearing on the direction and content of U.S. Trade Agenda, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. February 14, Subcommittee on Social Security, hearing on Social Security Administration (SSA) disability claims backlogs, 2 p.m., B- 318 Rayburn. February 15, Subcommittee on Trade, hearing on the U.S.-China trade relationship, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, February 15. Executive, hearing on Iran's Involvement in Iraq, 2:30 p.m., H-405 Capitol. 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 202ÿ09512ÿ092250. 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 D166]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 1 p.m., Monday, February 12 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will be in a period of morning business. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Friday, February 9 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Bonner, Jo, Ala., E295 Graves, Sam, Mo., E297 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E295 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E295 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E295 Smith, Adrian, Nebr., E297