Thursday, July 19, 2007 [[Page D1007]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed H.R. 2669, Higher Education Access Act. The House passed H.R. 3043, making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. House committees ordered reported 28 sundry measures. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S9533-S9643 Measures Introduced: Twenty four bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 1816-1839, and S. Res. 276. Pages S9612-13 Measures Passed: 21st Century Competitiveness Act: Senate passed H.R. 2272, to invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States, after striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof, the text of S. 761, Senate companion measure, and Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair was authorized to appoint the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Bingaman, Inouye, Kennedy, Lieberman, Mikulski, Kerry, Nelson (FL), Domenici, Stevens, Enzi, Alexander, Ensign, and Coleman. Page S9574 Higher Education Access Act: By 78 yeas to 18 nays (Vote No. 272), Senate passed H.R. 2669, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 601 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S9534-97 Adopted: By 73 yeas to 24 nays (Vote No. 254), Murkowski Amendment No. 2329 (to Amendment No. 2327), to increase the amount appropriated for the college access partnership grant program. Pages S9534, S9544-45 By 52 yeas to 45 nays (Vote No. 255), Kennedy Amendment No. 2330 (to Amendment No. 2327), to amend the amounts appropriated for Promise Grants for fiscal year 2014 through 2017. Pages S9534, S9595 By 94 yeas to 3 nays (Vote No. 259), McConnell Amendment No. 2351 (to Amendment No. 2327), to express the sense of the Senate on the detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Pages S9577-79 Graham Amendment No. 2360 (to Amendment No. 2327), to discourage drug use among college students. Page S9585 Coleman Amendment No. 2359 (to Amendment No. 2327), to protect innocent children. Pages S9585-86 Enzi (for Coleman/Landrieu) Amendment No. 2338 (to Amendment No. 2327), to make a technical correction to the definition of independent student in the Higher Education Act of 1965. Page S9592 Kennedy Amendment No. 2327, in the nature of a substitute. Page S9534 Rejected: By 35 yeas to 62 nays (Vote No. 256), Nelson (NE)/Burr Amendment No. 2337 (to Amendment No. 2327), to amend the special allowance payments. Pages S9541-46 By 42 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 257), Sessions Amendment No. 2333 (to Amendment No. 2327), to strike the provisions relating to loan forgiveness for public service employees. Pages S9556-76 Withdrawn: Sessions Amendment No. 2342 (to Amendment No. 2327), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1896 to allow personal exemptions under the individual alternative minimum tax. Page S9556 McConnell Amendment No. 2357 (to Amendment No. 2327), relative to former President William Jefferson Clinton. Pages S9582-83 [[Page D1008]] During consideration of this measure today, the Senate also took the following action: By 49 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 258), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Coleman Amendment No. 2334 (to Amendment No. 2327), to prevent the Federal Communications Commission from repromulgating the Fairness Doctrine. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Page S9577 By 42 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 260), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to DeMint Amendment No. 2352 (to Amendment No. 2327), to amend the National Labor Relations Act to ensure the right of employees to a secret-ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S9579-80 By 57 yeas to 39 nays (Vote No. 261), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Collins Amendment No. 2340 (to Amendment No. 2327), to provide limited immunity for reports of suspicious behavior and response. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S9580-81 Salazar Amendment No. 2356 (to Amendment No. 2327), relative to I. Lewis ``Scooter'' Libby. The yeas-and-nays were requested and there was a sufficient second. (Subsequently, a unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the action taken on Salazar Amendment No. 2356, including the vote, be vitiated). Pages S9581-82 By 53 yeas to 44 nays (Vote No. 262), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Stabenow Amendment No. 2358 (to Amendment No. 2355), relative to illegal aliens qualifying for Social Security benefits. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S9584-85 By 57 yeas to 40 nays (Vote No. 263), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Ensign Amendment No. 2355, to reduce document fraud, prevent identity theft, and preserve the integrity of the Social Security system, by ensuring that individuals are not able to receive Social Security benefits as a result of unlawful activity. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S9583-85 By 48 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 264), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Schumer Amendment No. 2361 (to Amendment No. 2341), a sense of the Senate relative to tax policy. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S9586-87 By 47 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 265), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Sununu Amendment No. 2341 (to Amendment No. 2327), to permanently extend certain education- related tax incentives. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S9586-87 By 55 yeas to 40 nays (Vote No. 266), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Cornyn Amendment No. 2339 (to Amendment No. 2327), to provide interim relief for shortages in employment-based visas for aliens with extraordinary ability and advanced degrees and for nurses. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Page S9588 By 48 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 267), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Landrieu Amendment No. 2363 (to Amendment No. 2362), a sense of the Senate relative to the adoption tax credit. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Page S9589 By 48 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 268), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion [[Page D1009]] to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to DeMint Amendment No. 2362 (to Amendment No. 2327), to repeal the sunset of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 with respect to the expansion of the adoption credit and adoption assistance programs. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S9588-90 By 42 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 269), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Dole/McConnell Amendment No. 2350 (to Amendment No. 2327), to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require individuals voting in person to present photo identification. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S9590-91 By 48 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 270), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Kerry Amendment No. 2364 (to Amendment No. 2353), a sense of the Senate relative to the Alternative Minimum Tax. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S9591-92 By 47 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 271), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Kyl Amendment No. 2353 (to Amendment No. 2327), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the individual alternative minimum tax. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment, was not germane, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Page S9592 Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair was authorized to appoint the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Kennedy, Dodd, Harkin, Mikulski, Bingaman, Murray, Reed, Clinton, Obama, Sanders, Brown, Enzi, Gregg, Alexander, Burr, Isakson, Murkowski, Hatch, Roberts, Allard, and Coburn. Page S9597 Appointments: United States Holocaust Memorial Council: The Chair, on behalf of the President pro tempore, pursuant to Public Law 96-388, as amended by Public Law 97-84 and Public Law 106-292, appointed the following Senators to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council for the 110th Congress: Senators Feingold, Lautenberg, and Sanders. Page S9643 Higher Education Amendments Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 23, 2007, Senate begin consideration of S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965; that there be 8 hours of debate on the bill and any amendments thereto with 2 hours of time equally divided and controlled between the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, or their designees; provided further, that the only amendments in order other than the committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute, be a total of twelve relevant first-degree amendments--six for the Chairman and six for the Ranking Member, relevant to the matter of S. 1642 and the substitute, and an additional manager's amendment which has been cleared by the managers or the leaders, with no other amendments in order; that the time on the first- degree amendments be limited to 30 minutes each, equally divided and controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Member; that relevant second- degree amendments be in order and must be relevant to the amendment to which offered and that an additional time of 15 minutes be available for any second-degree amendments which may be offered, equally divided and controlled, and that upon the disposition of all amendments, the substitute, as amended, if amended, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time, and Senate vote on passage of the bill. Pages S9573-74 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, upon disposition of S. 1642 (listed above), Senate begin consideration of H.R. 2638, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and that the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed be withdrawn. Pages S9598, S9643 Message from the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the continuation of the national emergency and related measures dealing with the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-22) Page S9610 [[Page D1010]] Nomination Received: Senate received the following nomination: David T. Johnson, of Georgia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs). Page S9643 Nominations Reported: The following nominations were reported and placed on the Executive Calendar: Bijan Rafiekian, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2011, which was sent to the Senate on February 16, 2007, from the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. William Herbert Heyman, of New York, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2007 vice Deborah Doyle McWhinney, term expired, which was sent to the Senate on March 12, 2007, from the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Mark S. Shelton, of Kansas, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2008, which was sent to the Senate on May 10, 2007, from the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. William S. Jasien, of Virginia, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2009, which was sent to the Senate on May 10, 2007, from the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Diane G. Farrell, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2011, which was sent to the Senate on May 24, 2007, from the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. William Herbert Heyman, of New York, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2010, which was sent to the Senate on March 12, 2007, from the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. 2 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration nominations in the rank of admiral. Page S9612 Measures Read the First Time: Page S9610 Executive Communications: Pages S9610-12 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S9612 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S9613-15 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S9615-25 Additional Statements: Pages S9609-10 Amendments Submitted: Pages S9625-41 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S9641 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S9642-43 Privileges of the Floor: Page S9643 Record Votes: Nineteen record votes were taken today. (Total--272) Page S9545-46, S9576-81, S9585-92, S9597 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2007 and adjourned at 12:52 a.m. on Friday, July 20, 2007, until 10 a.m. on the same day. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S9643.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION Committee on Appropriations: Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: The nominations of Bijan Rafiekian, of California, and Diane G. Farrell, of Connecticut, both to be Members of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and William Herbert Heyman, of New York, William S. Jasien, of Virginia, and Mark S. Shelton, of Kansas, all to be Directors of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. SEMIANNUAL MONETARY POLICY REPORT Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress, after receiving testimony from Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 1769, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to facilitate number portability in order to increase consumer choice of voice service provider; [[Page D1011]] S. 1780, to require the FCC, in enforcing its regulations concerning the broadcast of indecent programming, to maintain a policy that a single word or image may be considered indecent; S. 1582, to reauthorize and amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act, with amendments; S. 1771, to increase the safety of swimming pools and spas by requiring the use of proper anti-entrapment drain covers and pool and spa drainage systems, to educate the public about pool and spa safety, with amendments; S. 1778, to authorize certain activities of the Maritime Administration, with amendments; S. 1492, to improve the quality of federal and state data regarding the availability and quality of broadband services and to promote the deployment of affordable broadband services to all parts of the Nation, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and The nominations of Jonathan W. Bailey, and Philip M. Kenul, both to be Rear Admiral, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. MARIANA ISLANDS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 1634, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, after receiving testimony from David B. Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs; Governor Benigno R. Fitial, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Juan T. Guerrero, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, both of Saipan; and Pedro A. Tenorio, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Resident Representative to the United States, Washington, D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill entitled, ``The Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act''. AVIATION FINANCING Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine aviation financing, focusing on industry perspectives, after receiving testimony from James Whitehurst, Delta Air Lines, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, on behalf of the Air Transport Association of America, Inc.; Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corporation, Memphis, Tennessee; Vern Raburn, Eclipse Aviation Corporation, Albuquerque, New Mexico; David F. Hackett, Gulfstream International Airlines, Inc.; Richard W. Shine, Manitoba Recycling, Lancaster, New York, on behalf of the National Business Aviation Association; and Robert P. Olislagers, Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado. IRAQ UPDATE Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee continued hearings to examine the war in Iraq, focusing on an update from the field, receiving testimony from Ryan C. Crocker, Ambassador of the United States to Iraq, Department of State. Hearings recessed subject to the call. MILITARY'S ROLE IN DISASTER RESPONSE Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the military's role in disaster response, focusing on progress since Hurricane Katrina, after receiving testimony from Peter F. Verga, Acting Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs, General Victor E. Renuart, Jr., USAF, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, and Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, Chief, National Guard Bureau, United States Army, all of the Department of Defense; Vice Admiral Roger T. Rufe, Jr., USCG (Ret.), Director, Office of Operations Coordination, Department of Homeland Security; and Major General John W. Libby, USA, Maine National Guard and Maine Department of Defense, Augusta. D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine the mayoral proposal to reform the District of Columbia's public school system, focusing on assessments, assurances, and accountability, after receiving testimony from Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Michelle Rhee, Acting Chancellor of Education, Victor Reinoso, Deputy Mayor for Education, Deborah A. Gist, State Superintendent of Education, Allen Y. Lew, Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization, and Robert C. Bobb, District of Columbia State Board of Education, all of Washington, D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported S. 462, to approve the settlement of the water rights claims of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Nevada, to require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the settlement, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Also, committee approved Senator Murkowski as Committee Vice Chairman. [[Page D1012]] NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine draft legislation to amend and reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, after receiving testimony from Rodger J. Boyd, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Native American Programs, Office of Public and Indian Housing; Teri Nutter, Copper River Basin Housing Authority, Glennallen, Alaska; David Brien, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Belcourt, North Dakota; Waldo Walker, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, Gardnerville, Nevada; Aneva J. Yazzie, Navajo Housing Authority, Window Rock, Arizona; and Marty Shuravloff, National American Indian Housing Council, Washington, D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 1145, to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform, with amendments; S. Res. 248, honoring the life and achievements of Dame Lois Browne Evans, Bermuda's first female barrister and Attorney General, and the first female Opposition Leader in the British Commonwealth; S. Res. 236, supporting the goals and ideals of the National Anthem Project, which has worked to restore America's voice by re-teaching Americans to sing the national anthem; S. Res. 261, expressing appreciation for the profound public service and educational contributions of Donald Jeffry Herbert, fondly known as ``Mr. Wizard''; and The nominations of Roslynn Renee Mauskopf, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, William Lindsay Osteen, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, Martin Karl Reidinger, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, Timothy D. DeGiusti, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma, Janis Lynn Sammartino, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, and Joe W. Stecher, to be United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska. NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Sharion Aycock, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi, who was introduced by Senators Cochran and Lott, Jennifer Walker Elrod, of Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, who was introduced by Senators Hutchison and Cornyn, and Richard A. Jones, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington, who was introduced by Senator Murray, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. 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: 28 public bills, H.R. 3094- 3121; and 4 resolutions, H. Res. 559-561, were introduced. Pages H8184-86 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H8186-88 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 3093, making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-240); H.R. 2798, to reauthorize the programs of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-241); and H. Res. 558, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3074) making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-242). Page H8184 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Sires to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H8123 Recess: The House recessed at 10:15 a.m. and reconvened at 11:45 a.m. Page H8125 Recognizing the Marines of Company M (or ``Mike Company'') of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division on the occasion of [[Page D1013]] their 25th Annual Reunion: Agreed by unanimous consent to discharge from committee and agree to H. Res. 541, to recognize the Marines of Company M (or ``Mike Company'') of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division on the occasion of their 25th Annual Reunion. Page H8125 National Council on the Arts--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of Representative McCollum to the National Council on the Arts. Page H8125 Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008: The House passed H.R. 3043, to make appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 276 yeas to 140 nays, Roll No. 686. Consideration of the measure began on Tuesday, July 17th. Pages H8126-73 Rejected the Lewis (CA) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back promptly to the House with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 206 yeas to 213 nays, Roll No. 685. Pages H8170-72 Agreed to: Ryan (WI) amendment (No. 26 printed in the Congressional Record of July 17, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used to carry out the Entertainment Education Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Pages H8130-31 Upton amendment that prohibits funds from being used to purchase light bulbs unless the light bulbs have the ``ENERGY STAR'' designation; Page H8131 Garrett (NJ) amendment that prohibits funds from being used to send or otherwise pay for the attendance of more than 50 employees from a Federal department or agency at any single conference occurring outside the United States; Page H8131 Garrett (NJ) amendment regarding funding for certain autism programs; Pages H8131-32 King (IA) amendment (No. 38 printed in the Congressional Record of July 17, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used to employ workers described in section 274A(h)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act; Pages H8157-58 King (IA) amendment (No. 37 printed in the Congressional Record of July 17, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used by the Public Broadcasting Service to sponsor events at the Filmmaker Lodge at the Sundance Film Festival; Pages H8158-59 Gingrey amendment (No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record of July 16, 2007 and debated on July 18th) that prohibits funds from being used by the Social Security Administration to administer Social Security benefit payments under any agreement between the United States and Mexico establishing totalization arrangements between the two countries (by a recorded vote of 254 ayes to 168 noes, Roll No. 673); and Pages H8159-60 Lewis (GA) amendment that limits the use of funds regarding certain Medicare regulations (by a recorded vote of 412 ayes to 12 noes, Roll No. 677). Pages H8128-30, H8162-63 Rejected: Campbell (CA) amendment (No. 61 printed in the Congressional Record of July 17, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy; Pages H8132-33 Davis (KY) amendment (that was debated on July 18th) that sought to prohibit funds from being used to pay a bonus or other performance- based cash award to any employee of the Social Security Administration or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services who holds a position to which such employee was appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, or a Senior Executive Service position (by a recorded vote of 185 ayes to 238 noes, Roll No. 672); Page H8159 Souder amendment (that was debated on July 18th) that sought to prohibit funds from being used by the National Labor Relations Board to recognize as the exclusive bargaining representative of employees any labor organization that has not been certified as such by the National Labor Relations Board pursuant to section 9(c) of the National Labor Relations Act (by a recorded vote of 167 ayes to 255 noes, Roll No. 674); Pages H8160-61 Camp (MI) amendment (that was debated on July 18th) that sought to prohibit funds from being used to implement any policy prohibiting a Medicare beneficiary from electing, during a coverage election period, to receive health care benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act through enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan (by a recorded vote of 192 ayes to 228 noes, Roll No. 675); Pages H8161-62 Westmoreland amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used by the Department of Education to publish or process the Free Application for Federal Student Aid in a language other than English (by a recorded vote of 191 ayes to 233 noes, Roll No. 676); Pages H8126-28, H8162 Campbell (CA) amendment (No. 62 printed in the Congressional Record of July 17, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service, City College of New York, NY (by a recorded vote of 108 ayes to 316 noes, Roll No. 678); Pages H8133-35, H8163-64 [[Page D1014]] Flake amendment (No. 16 printed in the Congressional Record of July 17, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, for exhibits, education programs, and an archival project (by a recorded vote of 96 ayes to 327 noes, Roll No. 679); Pages H8135-36, H8164-65 Jordan amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of July 16, 2007) that sought to provide for a 4.6 percent reduction in each amount appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act that is not required to be appropriated or otherwise made available by a provision of law (by a recorded vote of 136 ayes to 288 noes, Roll No. 680); Pages H8136-41, H8165 Price (GA) amendment (No. 4 printed in the Congressional Record of July 16, 2007) that sought to reduce spending in the bill by 1 percent across the board (by a recorded vote of 165 ayes to 256 noes, Roll No. 681); Pages H8141-45, H8165-66 Musgrave amendment (No. 23 printed in the Congressional Record of July 17, 2007) that sought to reduce spending in the bill by .5 percent across the board (by a recorded vote of 177 ayes to 245 noes, Roll No. 682); Pages H8145-49, H8166-67 Campbell (CA) amendment (No. 7 printed in the Congressional Record of July 17, 2007) that sought to reduce spending in the bill by .25 percent across the board (by a recorded vote of 177 ayes to 245 noes, Roll No. 683); and Pages H8149-53, H8167 Pence amendment (No. 67 printed in the Congressional Record of July 18, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being made available to Planned Parenthood for any purpose under title X of the Public Health Services Act (by a recorded vote of 189 ayes to 231 noes, Roll No. 684). Pages H8154-57, H8167-68 H. Res. 547, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Tuesday, July 17th. Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 23rd for Morning Hour debate. Page H8174 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, July 25th. Page H8174 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he transmitted notification of the continuation of the national emergency and related measures with respect to the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor--referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-48.) Page H8174 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H8123. Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and thirteen recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H8159-68 and H8172-73. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Committee Meetings FARM BILL EXTENSION ACT Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 2419, Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007. AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FY 2008 Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported, as amended, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill, Fiscal Year 2008. MINE RESISTANT AMBUSH PROTECTED VEHICLE (MRAP) VEHICLE PROGRAM Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces and the Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces held a joint hearing on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Program. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: John Young, Director, Defense Research and Engineering, MRAP Task Force; BG Michael Brogan, USMC, Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command; LTG John Castelaw, USMC, Deputy Commander, Programs and Resources; and LTG Stephen M. Speakes, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, Army G-8. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills:1 H.R. 20, Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act; H.R. 2295, ALS Registry Act; and H.R. 507, Vision Care for Kids Act of 2007. NATIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND ACT OF 2007 Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing on H.R. 2895, National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Brian Montgomery, Assistant Secretary, Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses. [[Page D1015]] BEYOND IRAQ: ENVISIONING A NEW U.S. POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on Beyond Iraq: Envisioning a New U.S. Policy in the Middle East. Testimony was heard from a public witness. PRIVATE SECTOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response held a hearing entitled ``Leveraging the Private Sector To Strengthen Emergency Preparedness and Response.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Alfonso Martinez-Fonts, Assistant Secretary, Private Sector Office; and Marko Bourne, Director, Policy and Program Analysis, FEMA; and public witnesses. CREDIT CARD INTERCHANGE FEES Committee on the Judiciary: Antitrust Task Force held a hearing on Credit Card Interchange Fees. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. RNC DOCUMENT EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law met and rejected the Executive Privilege claims asserted by White House Counsel in response to the subpoena for the production of documents issued to Joshua Bolten, White House Chief of Staff, or appropriate custodian of records. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT PRACTICES Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security and the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held a joint oversight hearing on Law Enforcement Confidential Informant Practices. Testimony was heard from Wayne M. Murphy, Assistant Director, Directorate of Intelligence, FBI, Department of Judiciary; 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. 783, Mesa Verdi National Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2007; H.R. 1266, Butterfield Overland Trail Study Act; and H.R. 1674, Battle of Camden Study Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Spratt, Boozman and Salazar; Bill Shaddox, Acting Associate Director, Park Planning, Facilities and Lands, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; FEMA TRAILERS Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 1520, Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Act of 2007; H.R. 1389, Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act; H.R. 1664, To authorize grants for contributions toward the establishment of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library; H.R. 3034, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 127 South Elm Street in Gardner, Kansas, as the ``Private First Class Shane R. Austin Post Office''; H.R. 2654, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 202 South Dumont Avenue in Woonsocket, South Dakota, as the ``Eleanor McGovern Post Office Building''; H.R. 1384, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 118 Minner Street in Bakersfield, California, as the ``Buck Owens Post Office''; H. Res. 471, Congratulating the National Hockey League Champions, the Anaheim Ducks, on their victory in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals; H. Res. 488, Congratulating the Detroit Tigers for winning the 2006 American League Pennant and for bringing the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan their first trip to the World Series in 22 years; H. Res. 442, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Youth Sports Week should be established; H. Con. Res. 143, Honoring the 50th anniversary of Stan Hywet & Gardens; H.R. 2688, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 South Getty Street in Uvalde, Texas, as the ``Dolph S. Briscoe, Jr. Postal Office Building''; H.R. 2467, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 69 Montgomery Street in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the ``Frank J. Guarini Post Office Building''; H.R. 2765, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 44 North Main Street in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Master Sergeant Sean Michael Thomas Post Office''; H. Res. 519, Honoring the life and accomplishments of renowned artist Tom Lea on the 100th anniversary of his birth; H.R. 2825, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 326 South Main Street in Princeton, Illinois, as the ``Owen Lovejoy Princeton Post Office Building''; H.R. 954, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 365 West 125th Street in New York, New York, as the ``Percy Sutton Post Office Building''; H. Con. Res. 165, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Teen Driver Safety Week; H. Res. 490, Honoring the 2007 NBA champion San Antonio Spurs; H.R. 3052, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 954 [[Page D1016]] Wheeling Avenue in Cambridge, Ohio, as the ``John Herschel Glenn, Jr. Post Office Building''; H.R. 2587, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 555 South 3rd Street Lobby in Memphis, Tennessee, as the `` Kenneth T. Whalum, Sr. Post Office''; H. Res. 551, Acknowledging the progress made and yet to be made to rebuild the Gulf Coast region after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; H. Res. 501, Commending Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros for reaching 3,000 base hits as a Major League Baseball player and for his outstanding service to baseball and the Houston, Texas, region; H.R. 553, Mourning the passing of former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, and celebrating her life and contributions to the people of the United States; and H. Res. 345, Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of New York. The Committee also held a hearing on FEMA Trailers. Testimony was heard from R. David Paulison, Administrator, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. POSTAL SERVICE CONTRACTING Committee on Oversight and Government: Subcommittee on Federal Work Force, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia held a hearing on Inquiring Minds Want To Know: What Is the Postal Service Contracting Out? Testimony was heard from Representative Sires; from the following officials of the U.S. Postal Service: Alan C. Kessler, Vice Chairman, Board of Governors; John E. Potter, Postmaster General/CEO; and David Williams, Inspector General; and public witnesses. TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2008 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 10 to 0, an open rule providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3074) making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority recognition to Members who have printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule permits the Chair to postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representatives Olver and Knollenberg. NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER OVERSIGHT Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment and the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a joint hearing on Tracking the Storm at the National Hurricane Center. Testimony was heard from the following officials of NOAA, Department of Commerce: VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, (Ret.), Under Secretary, Administrator; Bill Proenza, Director, National Hurricane Center; and Robert M. Atlas, Director, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory; and public witnesses. SBA TRADE PROGRAMS ACT; MICROLOAN AMENDMENTS AND MODERNIZATION ACT Committee on Small Business: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 2992, SBA Trade Programs Act of 2007; and H.R. 3020, Microloan Amendments and Modernization Act. WATER POLLUTION CONTROL Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Concluded hearings on the Status of the Nation's Waters, including Wetlands, Under the Jurisdiction of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Testimony was heard from Carol M. Browner, former Administrator, EPA, and public witnesses. FEDERAL ENERGY CONSERVATION Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing on Federal Leadership by Example on Energy Conservation: No Cost Quick and Easy Steps for Immediate Results. Testimony was heard from Representative Lipinski; David L. Winstead, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, GSA; Phil Grone, Deputy Under Secretary (Installations and Environment), Department of Defense; and a public witness. VET CENTERS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Vet Centers. Testimony was heard from Alfonso R. Batres, Chief Readjustment Counseling Officer, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; representatives of veterans organizations; and a public witness. FOSTER CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support held a hearing on [[Page D1017]] Health Care for Children in Foster Care. Testimony was heard from Erin Sullivan-Sutton, Director, Chief Safety and Permanency, Department of Human Services, State of Minnesota; and public witnesses. FISA Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on FISA. Testimony was heard from Alberto Gonzales, The Attorney General, Department of Justice. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine youth violence, focusing on the efficacy of mentoring children, 9:30 a.m., SD-116. 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. 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 D1018]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Friday, July 20 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will be in a period of morning business and Senator Dorgan will be recognized to speak up to 30 minutes. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 23 House Chamber Program for Monday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Berman, Howard L., Calif., E1561 Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E1568, E1568, E1569, E1570 Butterfield, G.K., N.C., E1573 Buyer, Steve, Ind., E1571 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E1559 Costa, Jim, Calif., E1571 DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E1568, E1569 English, Phil, Pa., E1562 Graves, Sam, Mo., E1568, E1569 Green, Al, Tex., E1559, E1560 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E1570 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E1560 Hunter, Duncan, Calif., E1571 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1568, E1569 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E1562 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E1562 McHugh, John M., N.Y., E1560 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1561 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E1565 Miller, George, Calif., E1572 Pitts, Joseph R., Pa., E1570 Poe, Ted, Tex., E1564 Pomeroy, Earl, N.D., E1572 Sali, Bill, Idaho, E1559 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E1566 Shuster, Bill, Pa., E1572 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E1567 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E1563 Stupak, Bart, Mich., E1565 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E1562 Udall, Mark, Colo., E1570 Upton, Fred, Mich., E1563 Walz, Timothy J., Minn., E1565 Wynn, Albert Russell, Md., E1567