Tuesday, July 24, 2007 [[Page D1034]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate passed S. 1642, Higher Education Amendments Act. Senate passed H.J. Res. 44, Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act Renewal Approval. The House passed 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. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S9795-S9855 Measures Introduced: Ten bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1859-1868, S. Res. 278-280, and S. Con. Res. 42. Pages S9831-32 Measures Reported: Special Report entitled ``Further Revised Allocation to Subcommittees of Budget Totals from the Concurrent Resolution for Fiscal Year 2008''. (S. Rept. No. 110-133) S. 1859, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. (S. Rept. No. 110-134) S. 423, to increase, effective as of December 1, 2007, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans. (S. Rept. No. 110-135) S. 1500, to support democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe. (S. Rept. No. 110-136) S.J. Res. 16, approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. Page S9831 Measures Passed: Higher Education Amendments Act: By a unanimous vote of 95 yeas (Vote No. 275), Senate passed S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S9797-S9811 Adopted: By a unanimous vote of 93 yeas (Vote No. 274), Kennedy/Coburn Modified Amendment No. 2381 (to Amendment No 2369), to provide for a demonstration and certification regarding the use of certain Federal funds. Pages S9797-S9811 Coburn Amendment No. 2369, to certify that taxpayers' dollars and students' tuition support educational rather than lobbying activities. Pages S9797-S9811 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: A unanimous-consent request was granted permitting Senator Landrieu to change her yea vote to a nay vote on Vote No. 273 changing the outcome of the vote to 37 yeas to 54 nays relative to Brown Amendment No. 2376, rejected on July 23, 2007. Page S9811 Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act Renewal Approval: By a vote of 93 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 276), Senate passed H.J. Res. 44, approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S9819-22 Second Higher Education Extension Act: Senate passed S. 1868, to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Page S9824 Social Security Act Amendment: Committee on Finance was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2429, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide an exception to the 60-day limit on Medicare reciprocal billing arrangements between two physicians during the period in which one of the physicians is ordered to active duty as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, and the [[Page D1035]] bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Page S9852 Honoring the Life of Dame Lois Browne Evans: Senate agreed to 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. Pages S9852-53 Expressing Appreciation for Donald Jeffry Herbert: Senate agreed to S. Res. 261, expressing appreciation for the profound public service and educational contributions of Donald Jeffry Herbert, fondly known as ``Mr. Wizard''. Pages S9852-53 National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 42, recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, treatment, and eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, supporting the designation of a National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week. Pages S9853-54 Congratulating Anaheim Ducks: Senate agreed to S. Res. 280, congratulating the Anaheim Ducks for winning the 2007 Stanley Cup Championship. Page S9854 Measures Considered: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act: Senate began consideration of H.R. 2638, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S9811-19, S9823-24 Pending: Byrd/Cochran Amendment No. 2383, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S9812-17 Bingaman Amendment No. 2388 (to Amendment No. 2383), to provide financial aid to local law enforcement officials along the Nation's borders. Pages S9823-24 During consideration of this measure, Senate also took the following action: Senate sustained a point of order against Vitter Amendment No. 2384 (to Amendment No. 2383), to allow for expanded uses of funding allocated to Louisiana under the hazard mitigation program while preserving the goals of the program to reduce future damage from disasters through mitigation, as being in violation of Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate which prohibits legislation on appropriations matters, and the amendment thus fell. Page S9817 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Page S9854 Nominations Reported: The following nominations were reported and placed on the Executive Calendar: Roslynn Renee Mauskopf, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007, from the Committee on the Judiciary. William Lindsay Osteen, Jr., of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007, from the Committee on the Judiciary. Martin Karl Reidinger, of North Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007, from the Committee on the Judiciary. Timothy D. DeGiusti, of Oklahoma, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma, which was sent to the Senate on February 15, 2007, from the Committee on the Judiciary. Janis Lynn Sammartino, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, which was sent to the Senate on March 19, 2007, from the Committee on the Judiciary. Joe W. Stecher, of Nebraska, to be United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska for the term of four years, which was sent to the Senate on April 30, 2007, from the Committee on the Judiciary. Charles L. Hopkins, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Operations, Preparedness, Security and Law Enforcement), which was sent to the Senate on April 11, 2007, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Page S9831 Messages from the House: Page S9826 Measures Referred: Page S9827 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Page S9827 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S9827 Executive Communications: Pages S9827-29 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S9829-31 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S9831 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S9832-34 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S9834-39 Additional Statements: Pages S9825-26 Amendments Submitted: Pages S9839-51 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Pages S9851-52 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S9852 Privileges of the Floor: Page S9852 Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--276) Pages S9811, S9822 [[Page D1036]] Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:45 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S9854- 55.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) CHILD PROTECTION ON THE INTERNET Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the protection of children on the internet, after receiving testimony from Lan W. Neugent, Virginia Department of Education, Richmond; David Finkelhor, University of New Hampshire Horton Social Sciences Center Crimes Against Children Research Center, Durham; Ernie Allen, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria, Virginia; Christine N. Jones, Go Daddy Group, Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona; and Lauren Nelson, Linwood, New Jersey. GLOBAL WARMING POLICY Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection concluded a hearing to examine economic and international issues, focusing on global warming policy, including S. 280, to provide for a program to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by establishing a market-driven system of greenhouse gas tradeable allowances, to support the deployment of new climate change- related technologies, and to ensure benefits to consumers from the trading in such allowances, after receiving testimony from Timothy H. Profeta, Duke University Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Durham, North Carolina; Blythe Masters, JP Morgan Chase, New York, New York; Garth Edward, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company, Ltd., London, United Kingdom; and Robert C. Baugh, AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council and Energy Task Force, and Margo Thorning, American Council for Capital Formation, both of Washington, D.C. FARM COUNTRY TAX POLICY Committee on Finance: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the government tax policy in farm country, focusing on the extent to which the United States Department of Agriculture follows its regulations that are intended to provide assurance that farm program payments go only to eligible estates and prevents improper payments to deceased individuals, after receiving testimony from Alison Siskin, Specialist in Immigration Policy, Domestic Social Policy Division, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; Lisa Shames, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office; Glen Keppy, Associate Administrator, and John Johnson, Deputy Administrator, both for Farm Programs, Farm Services Agency, Department of Agriculture; Tom Buis, National Farmers Union, Washington, D.C.; and Terrance R. Fankhauser, Colorado Cattlemen's Association, Arvada, on behalf of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing on the nominations of Michael W. Michalak, of Michigan, to be Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Eric G. John, of Indiana, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. NOMINATION Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Henrietta Holsman Fore, of Nevada, to be Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Hutchison, testified and answered questions in her own behalf. GULF SECURITY Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing regarding Gulf Security dialogue from R. Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs; and Lieutenant General Jeffrey B. Kohler (USAF), Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and Major General Philip M. Breedlove, USAF, Vice Director, Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5), The Joint Staff, both of the Department of Defense. NOMINATION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Jim Nussle, of Iowa, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senators Grassley and Harkin, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Committee on the Judiciary: Committee continued oversight hearings to examine the Department of Justice, receiving testimony from Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, Department of Justice. Hearings recessed subject to the call. [[Page D1037]] BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of Charles L. Hopkins, of Massachusetts, to be Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Operations, Preparedness, Security and Law Enforcement. 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: 32 public bills, H.R. 3138- 3160, 3162-3170; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 190-191; and H.Res. 565 were introduced. Pages H8395-97 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H8397-98 Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H.R. 3161, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-258). Page H8390 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Cohen to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H8297 Recess: The House recessed at 9:03 a.m. and reconvened at 10 a.m. Page H8297 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Galen E. Hahn, Evangelical United Church of Christ, Portsmouth, Ohio. Page H8297 Authorizing printing of the brochure entitled ``How Our Laws Are Made'': Agreed by unanimous consent to H. Con. Res. 190, authorizing printing of the brochure entitled ``How Our Laws Are Made'', the document-sized, annotated version of the United States Constitution, and the pocket version of the United States Constitution. Page H8301 Suspension--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measure under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed until Wednesday, July 25th: Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the dumping of industrial waste into the Great Lakes: H. Con. Res. 187, to express the sense of Congress regarding the dumping of industrial waste into the Great Lakes. Pages H8301-07 Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008: The House passed H.R. 3074, to make appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, by a yea-and-nay vote of 268 yeas to 153 nays, Roll No. 715. Consideration of the measure began on Monday, July 23rd. Pages H8307-90 Rejected the Lewis (CA) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House promptly with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 201 ayes to 220 noes, Roll No. 714. Pages H8388-90 Agreed by unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 3074 in the Committee of the Whole pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 558, no further amendment to the bill will be in order except those provided on a list at the desk. Page H8318 Agreed to: Hastings (FL) amendment (No. 26 printed in the Congressional Record of July 23, 2007) that redirects $20 million in funding within the Public Housing Operating Fund; Pages H8308-09 Turner (OH) amendment (No. 2 printed in the Congressional Record of July 23, 2007) that increases funding, by offset, for the Home Investment Partnerships Program by $6,760,000; Pages H8314-17 DeFazio amendment that prohibits funds from being used to establish or implement a cross-border motor carrier demonstration or pilot project or program to allow Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border; Pages H8347-48 Gary G. Miller (CA) amendment (No. 16 printed in the Congressional Record of July 23, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used to take any action to issue a final rule or notice based on, or otherwise implement, all or any part of the proposed rule of the Department of Housing and Urban Development published on Friday, May 11, 2007, relating to standards for mortgagor's investment in mortgaged property; Pages H8348-49 [[Page D1038]] Hastings (FL) amendment (No. 25 printed in the Congressional Record of July 23, 2007) that prohibits funds from being used by the Federal Aviation Administration to eliminate, consolidate, de-consolidate, co- locate, execute inter-facility reorganization, or plan for the consolidation/deconsolidation, inter-facility reorganization, or co- location of any FAA air traffic control facility or service, with exception of the reversal of the transfer of the radar functions from the Palm Springs Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) to the Southern California TRACON (by a recorded vote of 268 ayes to 158 noes, Roll No. 703); Pages H8341-44, H8357-58 Harman amendment that prohibits funds from being used to purchase light bulbs unless the light bulbs have the ``ENERGY STAR'' designation; Page H8359 Peterson (PA) amendment that prohibits funds from being used to establish or collect tolls on Interstate 80 in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Page H8359 Walberg amendment that prohibits funds from being used by the Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations based on race, ethnicity, or sex; Pages H8373-75 King (IA) amendment that prohibits funds from being used to provide homeownership assistance for applicants described in section 274A(h)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act; Page H8375 King (IA) amendment that prohibits funds from being used to employ workers described in section 274A(h)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act; Page H8375 Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment that redirects $10 million in funding for ``Grants-in-Aid for Airports'' administered by the Federal Aviation Administration of the Department of Transportation; Pages H8377-78 Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment that prohibits funds from being used in violation of section 8 of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, with respect to workers on federally-funded transportation projects; and Pages H8378-79 Hunter amendment that prohibits funds from being used to participate in a working group pursuant to the Security and Prosperity Partnership (by a recorded vote of 362 ayes to 63 noes, Roll No. 707). Pages H8359-60, H8381-82 Rejected: Shays amendment that sought to increase funding, by offset, for Brownfields Redevelopment by $1 million; Pages H8313-14 Mica amendment (that was debated on July 23rd) that sought to strike language relating to the rescission of funds under the Highway Trust Fund (by a recorded vote of 201 ayes to 217 noes, Roll No. 691); Page H8321 Bachmann amendment (that was debated on July 23rd) that sought to increase funding, by offset, for Homeless Assistance Grants by $106 million (by a recorded vote of 110 ayes to 308 noes, Roll No. 692); Pages H8321-22 Flake amendment (that was debated on July 23rd) that sought to strike language relating to Operating Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (by a recorded vote of 94 ayes to 328 noes, Roll No. 693); Page H8322 Flake amendment (that was debated on July 23rd) that sought to reduce funding for Capital and Debt Service Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation by $425 million (by a recorded vote of 104 ayes to 312 noes, Roll No. 694); Page H8323 Chabot amendment (that was debated on July 23rd) that sought to reduce funding for Public and Indian Housing by $330 million (by a recorded vote of 121 ayes to 300 noes, Roll No. 695); Pages H8323-27 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser, Washington; Pages H8331-32 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Huntsville Museum of Art in Huntsville, Alabama; Pages H8336-37 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Hunting and Fishing Museum of Pennsylvania in Tionesta, Pennsylvania; Pages H8337-39 Westmoreland amendment (No. 14 printed in the Congressional Record of July 23, 2007) that sought to strike the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant program (by a recorded vote of 116 ayes to 307 noes, Roll No. 696); Pages H8309-12, H8353 Sessions amendment (No. 15 printed in the Congressional Record of July 23, 2007) that sought to prohibit the use of funds to support Amtrak's route with the highest loss, measured by passenger per mile cost as based on the National Railroad Passenger Corporation's September 2006 Financial Performance of Routes Report (by a recorded vote of 139 ayes to 283 noes, Roll No. 697); Pages H8328-30, H8353-54 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds for the Belmont Complex in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania (by a recorded vote of 87 ayes to 335 noes, Roll No. 698); Pages H8330-31, H8354-55 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds for the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission in Wausau, Wisconsin (by a recorded vote of 68 ayes to 356 noes, Roll No. 699); Pages H8332-34, H8355 [[Page D1039]] Flake amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds for the National Forest Recreation Association in Woodlake, California (by a recorded vote of 69 ayes to 352 noes, Roll No. 700); Pages H8334-36, H8355-56 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Friends of the Cheat Rails to Trails Program (by a recorded vote of 81 ayes to 342 noes, Roll No. 701); Pages H8339-40, H8356-57 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Houston Zoo in Houston, Texas (by a recorded vote of 77 ayes to 347 noes, Roll No. 702); Pages H8340-41, H8257 Frelinghuysen amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used by the Federal Aviation Administration to implement its preferred alternative of the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia Airspace Redesign project (by a recorded vote of 65 ayes to 360 noes, Roll No. 704); Pages H8344-47, H8358-59 Hensarling amendment (No. 22 printed in the Congressional Record of July 23, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for the Edmunds Center for the Arts, City of Edmunds, Washington (by a recorded vote of 97 ayes to 327 noes, Roll No. 705); Pages H8349-51, H8380-81 Hensarling amendment (No. 21 printed in the Congressional Record of July 23, 2007) that sought to prohibit funds from being used for parking facilities (by a recorded vote of 86 ayes to 338 noes, Roll No. 706); Pages H8351-52, H8381 Jordan amendment that sought to reduce the total amount appropriated in this Act by $3.2 billion (by a recorded vote of 133 ayes to 292 noes, Roll No. 708); Pages H8360-64, H8383-83 Price (GA) amendment (No. 20 printed in the Congressional Record of July 23, 2007) that sought to reduce the total amount appropriated in this Act by $507,767,000 (by a recorded vote of 177 ayes to 250 noes, Roll No. 709); Pages H8364-68, H8383 Musgrave amendment that sought to reduce the total amount appropriated in this Act by $253,690,000 (by a recorded vote of 198 ayes to 229 noes, Roll No. 710); Pages H8368-72, H8383-84 Price (GA) amendment that sought to prohibit funds made available for the mortgage insurance programs under title II of the National Housing Act from being used for any housing trust fund established under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (by a recorded vote of 142 ayes to 283 noes, Roll No. 711); Pages H8372-73, H8384-85 King (IA) amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used to implement the provisions of subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code (relating to wage rate requirements; commonly known as the Davis-Bacon Act) (by a recorded vote of 148 ayes to 278 noes, Roll No. 712); and Pages H8375-76, H8385 Frank (MA) amendment that sought to prohibit funds from being used to implement or enforce the requirement under section 12(c) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (by a recorded vote of 207 ayes to 220 noes, Roll No. 713, after agreeing by unanimous consent to vacate the voice vote taken earlier in the day). Pages H8337, H8385-86 Withdrawn: Corrine Brown (FL) amendment (No. 5 printed in the Congressional Record of July 23, 2007) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have amended the referenced statement of managers with respect to the item relating to the City of Maitland, Florida; Pages H8312-13 Al Green (TX) amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of July 23, 2007) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have increased funding, by offset, for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity by $5,820,000; Pages H8319-20 Slaughter amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have increased funding, by offset, for the Office of Lead Hazard Control by $10 million; Page H8320 Gary G. Miller (CA) amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have added a new section at the end of title II relating to Moving to Work Demonstration Agreements; Pages H8327-28 Conaway amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have stated the sense of the House that any reduction in the amount appropriated by this Act achieved as a result of amendments adopted by the House should be dedicated to deficit reduction; and Pages H8376-77 Jackson-Lee (TX) en bloc amendments that were offered and subsequently withdrawn relating to technology for temporary disaster housing and relating to funding for necessary communication equipment for transportation workers. Pages H8379-80 Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson of the United States Capitol Police who were killed in the line of duty defending the Capitol against an intruder armed with a gun on July 24, 1998. Page H8341 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on page H8297, H8359. Senate Referrals: S. 1856 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and S. 1868 was held at the desk. Page H8394 Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on pages H8398-99. [[Page D1040]] Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote and twenty-four recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H8321, H8321-22, H8322-23, H8323, H8323-24, H8353, H8353-54, H8354-55, H8355, H8355-56, H8356-57, H8357, H8357-58, H8358-59, H8380-81, H8381, H8381-82, H8382-83, H8383, H8383-84, H8384-85, H8385, H8385, H8389-90, H8390. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 11:48 p.m. Committee Meetings SURFACE COMBATANT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces held a hearing on the surface combatant construction update. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: VADM Paul Sullivan, USN, Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command; Allison Stiller, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Ship Programs; RADM Barry McCullough, USN, Director, Warfare Integration; and RADM Charles Goddard, USN, Program Executive Officer, Ships; the following officials of the CBO: Eric Labs, and J. Michael Gilmore; Ronald O'Rourke, CRS, Library of Congress; and Paul Francis, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO. WORKER MISCLASSIFICATION Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions and the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a joint hearing on the Misclassification of Workers as Independent Contractors: What Policies and Practices Best Protect Workers? Testimony was heard from Paul DeCamp, Wage and Hour Administrator, Department of Labor; David Socolow, Commissioner of Labor, State of New Jersey; and public witnesses. HELPING VULNERABLE YOUTH Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities held a hearing on Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children: Perspectives on Helping the Nation's Vulnerable Youth. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FCC OVERSIGHT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet continued hearings entitled ``Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission--Part 2.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the FCC: Kevin J. Martin, Chairman; Michael J. Copps, Jonathan S. Adelstein, Deborah Taylor Tate; and Robert McDowell, all Commissioners. TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE REVISION AND EXTENSION ACT OF 2007 Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 2761, Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act of 2007. LATIN AMERICAN/CARIBBEAN DEPORTEES Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere held a hearing on Deportees in Latin America and the Caribbean. Testimony was heard from Gary Mead, Assistant Director, Management, Office of Detention and Removal Operations, Bureau of U.S. Immigration and Customs Management, Department of Homeland Security; Charles Shapiro, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses. The Subcommittee also held a briefing this subject. The Subcommittee was briefed by public witnesses. FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN VULNERABILITIES Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Federal Efforts to Mitigate Vulnerabilities in the Food Supply Chain.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: David Acheson, Assistant Commissioner, Food Protection, FDA; and Carol Maczka, Assistant Administrator, Office of Food Defense and Emergency Response, Food Safety Inspection Service; and the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Tom McGinn, D.V.M., Chief Veterinarian and Director, Food and Agriculture Security, Office of Health Affairs; and Dan Baldwin, Assistant Commissioner, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol; Lee M. Myers, D.V.M., Assistant Commissioner, Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture, State of Georgia; and public witnesses. CHEMICAL SECURITY Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing entitled ``Chemical Security-A Rising Concern for America: Examination of the Department's Chemical Security Regulation and its Effect on the Public and Private Sector.'' Testimony was heard from Bob Stephan, Assistant Secretary, Infrastructure Protection, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. [[Page D1041]] OVERSIGHT--PRIVACY/CIVIL LIBERTIES PROTECTION Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held an oversight hearing on Privacy in the Hands of the Government: the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and the Privacy Officer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Testimony was heard from Alan Charles Raul, Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, The White House; Linda Koontz, Director, GAO; Hugo Teufel, Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security; and a public witness. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; DEATHS IN CUSTODY REPORTING ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1943, Stop AIDS in Prison Act of 2007; H.R. 1199, Drug Endangered Children Act of 2007; H.R. 400, War Profiteering Prevention Act of 2007; H.R. 2740, MEJA Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007; and H.R. 3013, Attorney-Client Privilege Protection Act of 2007. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on H.R. 2908, Deaths in Custody Reporting Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Jeffrey Sedgwick, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--U.S. MARSHALL ISLANDS FREE ASSOCIATION Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Testimony was heard from David B. Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior; Gerald M. Zackios, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Marshall Islands; and David B. Gootnick, M.D., Director, International Affairs and Trade, GAO. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on H.R. 1970, Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act; and H.R. 2515, Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Act. Testimony was heard from Robert Johnson, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. INADVERTENT PEER-TO PEER FILE SHARING Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on Inadvertent File Sharing Over Peer-to-Peer Networks. Testimony was heard from Thomas D. Sydnor, II, Attorney-Advisor, Copyright Group, Office of International Relations, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce; Mary Koelbel Engle, Associate Director, Advertising Practices, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC; Daniel G. Mintz, Chief, Information Officer, Department of Transportation; GEN Wesley K. Clark, USA (ret.), former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO; and public witnesses. SPACE SHUTTLE/INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATIONS ISSUES Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on NASA's Space Shuttle and International Space Station Programs: Status and Issues. Testimony was heard from William H. Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA; Cristina T. Chaplain, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO; and public witnesses. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITIES Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on FAA's Aging ATC Facilities: Investigating the Need to Improve Facilities and Worker Conditions. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the FAA, Department of Transportation: David B. Johnson, Vice President, Terminal Services and Steven B. Zaidman, Vice President, Technical Operations Services, both with the Air Traffic Organization; and public witnesses. IT INVENTORY MANAGEMENT Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on IT Inventory Management. Testimony was heard from McCoy Williams, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, GAO; and the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Robert T. Howard, Assistant Secretary, Information and Technology; and Robert J. Henke, Assistant Secretary, Management. OVERSIGHT--TAX-EXEMPT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held an oversight hearing on Tax-Exempt Organizations, focusing on Charities and Foundations. Testimony was heard from Steven T. Miller, Commissioner, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division, IRS, Department of the Treasury; the following officials of the GAO: Stanley J. Czerwinski, Director, Intergovernmental Relations, Strategic Issues; and Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special Investigations; and public witnesses. [[Page D1042]] BRIEFING--JULY 20TH EXECUTIVE ORDER ON DETENTION AND INTERROGATION Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on the July 20th Executive Order on Detention and Interrogation. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive session to continue hearings on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Part II. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism, to hold hearings to examine United States trade relations with China, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: business meeting to consider S. 169, to amend the National Trails System Act to clarify Federal authority relating to land acquisition from willing sellers for the majority of the trails in the System, S. 278, to establish a program and criteria for National Heritage Areas in the United States, S. 289, to establish the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, S. 443, to establish the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area in the State of Colorado, S. 444, to establish the South Park National Heritage Area in the State of Colorado, S. 471, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey to The Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. certain Federal land associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in Nebraska, to be used as a historical interpretive site along the trail, S. 637, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Chattahoochee Trace National Heritage Corridor in Alabama and Georgia, S. 645, to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide an alternate sulfur dioxide removal measurement for certain coal gasification project goals, S. 647, to designate certain land in the State of Oregon as wilderness, S. 722, to direct the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to jointly conduct a study of certain land adjacent to the Walnut Canyon National Monument in the State of Arizona, S. 800, to establish the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area in the State of New York, S. 817, to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to provide additional authorizations for certain National Heritage Areas, S. 838, to authorize funding for eligible joint ventures between United States and Israeli businesses and academic persons, to establish the International Energy Advisory Board, S. 955, to establish the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, S. 1089, to amend the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act to allow the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects to hire employees more efficiently, S. 1148, to establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission and the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission, S. 1182, to amend the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Act of 1994 to increase the authorization of appropriations and modify the date on which the authority of the Secretary of the Interior terminates under the Act, S. 1203, to enhance the management of electricity programs at the Department of Energy, S. 1281, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain rivers and streams of the headwaters of the Snake River System as additions to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, S. 1728, to amend the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 to reauthorize the Na Hoa Pili O Kaloko-Honokohau Advisory Commission, H.R. 85, to provide for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies, H.R. 247, to designate a Forest Service trail at Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest in the State of Oregon as a national recreation trail in honor of Jim Weaver, a former Member of the House of Representatives, H.R. 356, to remove certain restrictions on the Mammoth Community Water District's ability to use certain property acquired by that District from the United States, H.R. 407, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of establishing the Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area in the States of Washington and Oregon, and H.R. 995, to amend Public Law 106-348 to extend the authorization for establishing a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, and other pending calendar business, 11:30 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Justice programs, 2 p.m., SD-406. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Peter B. McCarthy, of Wisconsin, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, David H. McCormick, of Pennsylvania, to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury, Kerry N. Weems, of New Mexico, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Tevi David Troy, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Charles E. F. Millard, of New York, to be Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 10 a.m., SD- 215. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine S. 732, to empower Peace Corps volunteers, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine Pakistan's future, focusing on the challenges of building a democracy, 2:30 p.m., SD- 419. [[Page D1043]] Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business meeting to consider S. 625, to protect the public health by providing the Food and Drug Administration with certain authority to regulate tobacco products, S. 1183, to enhance and further research into paralysis and to improve rehabilitation and the quality of life for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities, S. 579, to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants for the development and operation of research centers regarding environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of breast cancer, S. 898, to amend the Public Health Service Act to fund breakthroughs in Alzheimer's disease research while providing more help to caregivers and increasing public education about prevention, a bill entitled, ``Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007'', and the nominations of Diane Auer Jones, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, David C. Geary, of Missouri, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences, and Miguel Campaneria, of Puerto Rico, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts, and other pending calendar business, 10 a.m., SD-106. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Dennis R. Schrader, of Maryland, to be Deputy Administrator for National Preparedness, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, 10 a.m., SD-342. Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine the implementation of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. (Public Law 109-435), 3 p.m., SD-342. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: to hold an oversight hearing to examine Gulf Coast disaster loans, focusing on the future of the disaster assistance program, 10 a.m., SR-428A. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine Department of Veterans Affairs health care funding, 9:30 a.m., SD-562. House Committee on Appropriations, to consider Defense Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2008, 9 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, joint hearing on Implications of the National Intelligence Estimate regarding Al-Qaeda, 1 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to continue hearings on A Third Way: Alternatives for Iraq's Future, Part 3, 10 a.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, hearing on Perspectives on Renewing Statutory PAYGO, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Energy and Commerce, to mark up the following measures: H.R. 20, Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act; H.R. 2295, ALS Registry Act; H.R. 507, Vision Car for Kids Act of 2007; and the Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act of 2007, 4 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, hearing on Improving Federal Consumer Protection in Financial Services-Consumer and Industry Perspectives, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on Rooting Out Discrimination in Mortgage Lending: Using HMDA as a Tool for Fair Lending Enforcement, 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on Central and Eastern Europe: Assessing the Democratic Transition, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, hearing on an Overview of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands: Are Changes Needed? 2 p.m., 2255 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, July 25, full Committee, hearing entitled ``An Overview of Department of Homeland Security Federal Advisory Committees,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, to consider a resolution and report recommending to the House of Representatives that former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten be coted for contempt of Congress; and to mark up the following bills: H.R. 1943, Stop AIDS In Prison Act of 2007; H.R. 1199, Drug Endangered Children Act of 2007; H.R. 400, War Profiteering Prevention Act of 2007; and H.R. 2740, MEJA Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007, 10:15 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, oversight hearing on the Surfacing Reclamation Act of 1977: A 30th Anniversary Review, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, hearing on ExxonMobil and Shell Answer Questions about Hot Fuels Double Standards, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Rules, to consider H.R. 2419, Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007, 3 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Small Business, hearing entitled ``Competitive Bidding for Clinical Lab Services: Where's it Heading and What Small Businesses Can Expect,'' 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, hearing on PTSD and Personality Disorders: Challenges for the VA, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on Hot Spots, 8:45 a.m., H-405 Capitol. Joint Meetings Joint Economic Committee: to hold hearings to examine the national foreclosure crisis, focusing on subprime mortgage fallout, 10 a.m., SH-216. 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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 D1044]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 25 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 2638, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 25 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of H.R. 3093--Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Altmire, Jason, Pa., E1603 Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E1604 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1612 Burton, Dan, Ind., E1604 Castle, Michael N., Del., E1603, E1608 Clarke, Yvette D., N.Y., E1608 Coble, Howard, N.C., E1610 Cramer, Robert E. (Bud), Jr., Ala., E1604 Davis, David, Tenn., E1606 Davis, Geoff, Ky., E1608 Dingell, John D., Mich., E1607 Ellison, Kieth, Minn., E1607 Everett, Terry, Ala., E1604 Green, Gene, Tex., E1606, E1607 Gutierrez, Luis V., Ill., E1609 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E1612 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E1609 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1611 Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E1603, E1607 Jordan, Jim, Ohio, E1611 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E1609 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E1609 McIntyre, Mike, N.C., E1606 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E1608 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E1603 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1610 Smith, Lamar, Tex., E1609 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E1608 Udall, Tom, N.M., E1607 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E1604 Walz, Timothy J., Minn., E1604 Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E1605, E1610 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E1606, E1608, E1611 Wu, David, Ore., E1611