Friday, December 14, 2007 [[Page D1631]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed S. 2338, FHA Modernization Act. Senate passed H.R. 2419, Farm Bill Extension Act. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S15579-S15707 Measures Introduced: Seven bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2485-2491, and S. Res. 406. Page S15651 Measures Reported: Report to accompany S. 1607, to provide for identification of misaligned currency, require action to correct the misalignment. (S. Rept. No. 110-248) Report to accompany S. 2113, to implement the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. (S. Rept. No. 110-249) Page S15651 Measures Passed: FHA Modernization Act: By 93 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 432), Senate passed S. 2338, to modernize and update the National Housing Act and enable the Federal Housing Administration to more effectively reach underserved borrowers, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S15580-98 Adopted: Schumer (for Dodd/Shelby) Amendment No. 3853, to require a 12-month moratorium on the implementation of risk-based premiums for FHA insured mortgages. Page S15583 Rejected: Coburn Amendment No. 3854, to ensure the cap on Home Equity Conversion Mortgages is not permanently eliminated before a study regarding program costs and credits is submitted to Congress. Pages S15585-92 Enrollment Correction: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 269, directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to correct the enrollment of the bill H.R. 1585. Page S15619 Farm Bill Extension Act: By 79 yeas to 14 nays (Vote No. 434), Senate passed H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S15622-41 Adopted: Harkin/Chambliss Amendment No. 3855 (to Amendment No. 3500), of a perfecting nature. Pages S15637-39 Harkin Amendment No. 3500, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S15622-39 Withdrawn: Chambliss (for Cornyn) Amendment No. 3687 (to Amendment No. 3500), to prevent duplicative payments for agricultural disaster assistance already covered by the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund. Pages S15622, S15639 Chambliss (for Coburn) Modified Amendment No. 3807 (to Amendment No. 3500), to ensure the priority of the farm bill remains farmers by eliminating wasteful Department of Agriculture spending on golf courses, junkets, cheese centers, and aging barns. Pages S15622-23, S15639 Salazar Amendment No. 3616 (to Amendment No. 3500), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for the production of all cellulosic biofuels. Pages S15623, S15639 Thune (for McConnell) Amendment No. 3821 (to Amendment No. 3500), to promote the nutritional health of school children, with an offset. Pages S15623, S15639 Thune (for Roberts/Brownback) Amendment No. 3549 (to Amendment No. 3500), to modify a provision relating to regulations. Pages S15623, S15639 Domenici Amendment No. 3614 (to Amendment No. 3500), to reduce our Nation's dependency foreign oil by investing in clean, renewable, and alternative energy resources. Pages S15623, S15639 [[Page D1632]] Thune (for Gregg) Amendment No. 3674 (to Amendment No. 3500), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude charges of indebtedness on principal residences from gross income. Pages S15623, S15639 Thune (for Gregg) Amendment No. 3822 (to Amendment No. 3500), to provide nearly $1,000,000,000 in critical home heating assistance to low-income families and senior citizens for the 2007-2008 winter season, and reduce the Federal deficit by eliminating wasteful farm subsidies. Pages S15623, S15639 Thune (for Grassley/Kohl) Amendment No. 3823 (to Amendment No. 3500), to provide for the review of agricultural mergers and acquisitions by the Department of Justice. Pages S15623, S15639 Thune (for Stevens) Amendment No. 3569 (to Amendment No. 3500), to make commercial fishermen eligible for certain operating loans. Pages S15623, S15639 Thune (for Bond) Amendment No. 3771 (to Amendment No. 3500), to amend title 7, United States Code, to include provisions relating to rulemaking. Pages S15623, S15639 Sanders Amendment No. 3826 (to Amendment No. 3822), to provide for payments under subsections (a) through (e) of section 2604 of the Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and restore supplemental agricultural disaster assistance from the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund. Pages S15623, S15639 Harkin/Murkowski Amendment No. 3639 (to Amendment No. 3500), to improve nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold in schools. Pages S15623, S15639 Reid Motion to invoke cloture on the bill. Page S15639 Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair was authorized to appoint conferees. Page S15639 Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act: Committee on Finance was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3648, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude discharges of indebtedness on principal residences from gross income, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S15642-43 Stabenow (for Baucus) Amendment No. 3856, in the nature of a substitute. Page S15642 Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National Government Act: Senate passed S. 2488, to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act). Pages S15701-04 Hanging of Nooses Sense of the Senate: Senate agreed to S. Res. 396, expressing the sense of the Senate that the hanging of nooses should be thoroughly investigated by Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities and that any criminal violations should be vigorously prosecuted, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. Pages S15704-05 Wounded Warrior Bonus Equity Act: Committee on Armed Services was discharged from further consideration of S. 2400, to amend title 37, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Defense to continue to pay to a member of the Armed Forces who is retired or separated from the Armed Forces due to a combat-related injury certain bonuses that the member was entitled to before the retirement or separation and would continue to be entitled to if the member was not retired or separated, and the bill was then passed. Pages S15705-06 Arizona Water Rights: Committee on Indian Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3739, to amend the Arizona Water Settlements Act to modify the requirements for the statement of findings, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S15706 Measures Considered: FISA Amendments Act--Agreement: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2248, to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, to modernize and streamline the provisions of that Act. Pages S15644-47 A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, and pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of Friday, December 14, 2007, a vote on cloture will occur at 12 noon, on Monday, December 17, 2007. Page S15647 Subsequently, the motion to proceed was withdrawn. Page S15647 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill at approximately 10 a.m., on Monday, December 17, 2007, with the time until 12 noon equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with Senator Dodd controlling 40 minutes and Senator Feingold controlling 15 minutes of the opponents' time; provided further, Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Page S15706 [[Page D1633]] Conference Reports: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008: By 90 yeas to 3 nays (Vote No. 433), Senate agreed to the conference report on 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 strengths for such fiscal year, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S15598-S15619 Treaties Approved: The following treaties having passed through their various parliamentary stages, up to and including the presentation of the resolution of ratification, upon division, two-thirds of the Senators present having voted in the affirmative, the resolutions of ratification were agreed to: Tax Convention with Belgium (Treaty Doc. 110-3); and Protocol Amending Tax Convention with Germany (Treaty Doc. 109-20). Page S15706 Tinder Nomination--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that when the Senate considers the nomination of John Daniel Tinder, of Indiana, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, that there be 30 minutes equally divided between the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on the Judiciary, and that at the conclusion or yielding back of time, Senate vote on confirmation thereon. Page S15701 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: Thomas D. Schroeder, of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina. Charles E. F. Millard, of New York, to be Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Joseph N. Laplante, of New Hampshire, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Hampshire. James B. Peake, of the District of Columbia, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Pages S15700-01, S15707 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: David J. Kramer, of Massachusetts, to be Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Thomas M. Beck, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years expiring July 1, 2010. Matt Michael Dummermuth, of Iowa, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of four years. Pages S15706-07 Nominations Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nominations: Wayne Cartwright Beyer, of New Hampshire, to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years expiring July 1, 2010 (Recess Appointment), which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007. Thomas M. Beck, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years expiring July 29, 2012, which was sent to the Senate on June 28, 2007. Page S15707 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S15651 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S15651-52 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S15652-53 Additional Statements: Pages S15650-51 Amendments Submitted: Pages S15653-S15700 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S15700 Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--434) Pages S15593, S15619, S15639 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 5:20 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Monday, December 17, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S15706.) Committee Meetings No committee meetings were held. House of Representatives Chamber Action The House was not in session today. The House is scheduled to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 17, 2007. Committee Meetings No committee meetings were held. [[Page D1634]] NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D1618) H.R. 4343, to amend title 49, United States Code, to modify age standards for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations. Signed on December 13, 2007. (Public Law 110-135) H.R. 4252, to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through May 23, 2008. Signed on December 14, 2007. (Public Law 110-136) H.J. Res. 69, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008. Signed on December 14, 2007. (Public Law 110-137) CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of December 17 through December 22, 2007 Senate Chamber On Monday, at 10 a.m., Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2248, FISA Amendments Act, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at approximately 12 noon. 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 Armed Services: December 18, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Mary Beth Long, of Virginia, and James Shinn, of New Jersey, both to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, and Craig W. Duehring, of Minnesota, and John H. Gibson, of Texas, both to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, all of the Department of Defense, 10 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: December 18, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Carl T. Johnson, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, Francis Mulvey, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board, and Denver Stutler, Jr., of Florida, Nancy A. Naples, of New York, and Thomas C. Carper, of Illinois, all to be a Members of the Reform Board (Amtrak), 11 a.m., SR-253. December 18, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, to hold hearings to examine oil spills from non-tank vessels, focusing on threats, risks, and vulnerabilities, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. December 19, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, focusing on truck driver hours-of-service (HOS) rules and truck safety, 10 a.m., SR-253. December 20, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Robert A. Sturgell, of Maryland, to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and Simon Charles Gros, of New Jersey, to be an Assistant Secretary, both of the Department of Transportation, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: December 18, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Jon Wellinghoff, of Nevada, to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 10:30 a.m., SD-366. December 19, Full Committee, business meeting to consider the nomination of Jon Wellinghoff, of Nevada, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 11:30 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Foreign Relations: December 19, to receive a closed briefing on Kosovo, focusing on future challenges, 11 a.m., S-407, Capitol. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: December 18, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Steven H. Murdock, of Texas, to be Director of the Census, Department of Commerce, 3:30 p.m., SD-342. December 19, Full Committee, business meeting to consider H.R. 3974, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 797 Sam Bass Road in Round Rock, Texas, as the ``Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office Building'', H.R. 3470, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 744 West Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville, Georgia, as the ``John Sidney `Sid' Flowers Post Office Building', H.R. 4009, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 567 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer, Michigan, as the ``Turrill Post Office Building'', S. 2478, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 59 Colby Corner in East Hampstead, New Hampshire, as the ``Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post Office'', H.R. 3569, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16731 Santa Ana Avenue in Fontana, California, as the ``Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building'', and the nominations of Harvey E. Johnson, Jr., of Virginia, to be Deputy Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Jeffrey William Runge, of North Carolina, to be Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, both of the Department of Homeland Security, and Steven H. Murdock, of Texas, to be Director of the Census, Department of Commerce, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: December 18, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Ondray T. Harris, of Virginia, to be Director, Community Relations Service, David W. Hagy, of Texas, to be Director of the National Institute of Justice, Cynthia Dyer, of Texas, to be Director of the Violence Against Women Office, Department of Justice, and Nathan J. Hochman, of California, to be an Assistant Attorney General, all of the Department of Justice, and Scott M. Burns, of Utah, to be Deputy Director of National Drug Control Policy, 10 a.m., SD-226. December 19, Full Committee, to hold hearings to consider the nomination of Mark R. Filip, of Illinois, to [[Page D1635]] be Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice, 10 a.m., SD-226. House Committees Committee on Energy and Commerce, December 18, to continue consideration of H.R. 4040, Consumer Product Safety and Modernization Act, and to consider H.R. 1216, Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, December 19, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, hearing on the Extension of the United Nations Mandate for Iraq: Is the Iraqi Parliament Being Ignored? 10 a.m., 2200 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, December 18, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, oversight hearing on the Legacy of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. December 18, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, hearing on H.R. 4175, Privacy and Cybercrime Enforcement Act of 2007, 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. December 19, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, hearing on Enforcement of Federal Criminal Law to Protect Americans Working for U.S. Contractors in Iraq, 10:15 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. December 20, full Committee, hearing on Applicability of Federal Criminal Laws to the Interrogation of Detainees, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, December 20, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, hearing entitled ``Pakistani Elections: Will They Be Free and Fair or Fundamentally Flawed?'' 10 a.m., Rayburn. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, December 19, hearing entitled ``After Bali--UN Conference and the Impact on International Climate Change Policy,'' 9:30 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. 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 D1636]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Monday, December 17 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2248, FISA Amendments Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 17 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E2585 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E2585 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E2585