Tuesday, March 15, 2005 [[Page D239]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S2661-S2757 Measures Introduced: Eleven bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 621-631, S.J. Res. 7-9, and S. Res. 82. Pages S2734-35 Measures Passed: Welfare Reform Extension Act: Senate passed H.R. 1160, to reauthorize the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant program through June 30, 2005, clearing the measure for the President. Page S2754 Concurrent Budget Resolution: Senate continued consideration of S. Con. Res. 18, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2005 and 2007 through 2010, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S2661-S2728 Adopted: By a unanimous vote of 100 yeas (Vote No. 46), Graham Modified Amendment No. 152, to express the sense of the Senate regarding the urgent need for legislation to ensure the long-term viability of the Social Security program. Pages S2686-92 By 56 yeas to 43 nays (Vote No. 48), DeMint Amendment No. 150, to express the sense of the Senate that failing to address the financial condition of Social Security will result in massive debt, deep benefit cuts and tax increases. Pages S2685-86, S2692-93 Rejected: By 45 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 47), Conrad Amendment No. 144, to ensure that 75-year solvency has been restored to Social Security before Congress considers new deficit-financed legislation that would increase mandatory spending or cut taxes. Pages S2668-76, S2680-85, S2692 By 50 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 49), Nelson Amendment No. 145, to express the sense of the Senate that Congress should reject any Social Security plan that requires deep benefit cuts or a massive increase in debt. Pages S2676-78, S2693 By 46 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 50), Stabenow Amendment No. 147, to protect the American people from terrorist attacks by providing the necessary resources to our firefighters, police, EMS workers and other first-responders by restoring $1,626 billion in cuts to first-responder programs. Pages S2678-80, S2693-94 Pending: Byrd Amendment No. 158, to provide adequate funding of $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2006 to preserve a national intercity passenger rail system. Pages S2694-S2706 Cantwell Amendment No. 168, to strike section 201(a)(4) relative to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Pages S2716-20 Akaka Amendment No. 149, to increase veterans medical care by $2.8 billion in 2006. Pages S2720-24 Ensign Amendment No. 171, to increase veterans medical care by $410,000,000 in fiscal year 2006. Pages S2724-28 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the resolution at 9 a.m., on Wednesday, March 16, 2005, and that Senator Feinstein be recognized for up to 20 minutes; that Senator Specter be recognized to offer an amendment relative to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), on which there will be 45 minutes for debate equally divided; that following that debate, the Senate begin 90 minutes of debate equally divided in relation to the Cantwell Amendment No. 168 (listed above); that there then be 45 minutes equally divided for debate relative to Ensign Amendment No. 171 (listed above) and Akaka Amendment No. 149 (listed above); and that at 1 p.m., the Senate vote on, or in relation to, certain amendments. Page S2755 Appointments: President's Export Council: The Chair, pursuant to Executive order 12131, as amended, appointed the following Members to the President's Export Council: Senators Baucus and Dorgan. Page S2754 National Council on the Arts: The Chair, on behalf of the Democratic Leader, pursuant to Public [[Page D240]] Law 105-63, announced the appointment of the following individual to serve as members of the National Council on the Arts: Senator Leahy, vice Senator Reid. Page S2754 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: James H. Bilbray, of Nevada, to be a Member of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Philip Coyle, of California, to be a Member of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Admiral Harold W. Gehman, Jr., United States Navy, Retired, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. James V. Hansen, of Utah, to be a Member of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. General James T. Hill, United States Army, Retired, of Florida, to be a Member of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. (Position) Claude M. Kicklighter, of Georgia, to be a Member of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Samuel Knox Skinner, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Brigadier General Sue Ellen Turner, United States Air Force, Retired, of Texas, to be a Member of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Page S2757 Messages From the House: Pages S2732-33 Measures Referred: Page S2733 Executive Communications: Pages S2733-34 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S2734 Additional Cosponsors: Page S2735 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S2735-46 Additional Statements: Pages S2730-32 Amendments Submitted: Pages S2746-53 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S2753-54 Privilege of the Floor: Page S2754 Record Votes: Five record votes were taken today. (Total--50) Pages S2691-94 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 10:06 p.m., until 9 a.m., on Wednesday, March 16, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S2755.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAMS Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a hearing to examine school nutrition programs, focusing on the elimination of reduced price meals, the Summer Food Service Program, and nutrition education and promotion, after receiving testimony from Senator Dole; Dora Rivas, Dallas Independent School District, Dallas, Texas; Annette Bomar Hopgood, Georgia Department of Education, Atlanta; Karen Johnson, Child Nutrition Programs, Yuma, Arizona, on behalf of the School Nutrition Association; and Ruth Jonen, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Illinois. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, after receiving testimony from R. James Nicholson, Secretary, Jonathan B. Perlin, Acting Under Secretary for Health, Veterans' Health Administration, Vice Admiral Daniel L. Cooper (USN Ret.), Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, Richard A. Wannemacher, Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, Tim McClain, General Counsel, and Rita A. Reed, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, all of the Department of Veterans Affairs. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Labor, after receiving testimony from Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Judiciary and Housing and Urban Development concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Transportation, after receiving testimony from Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary of Transportation. [[Page D241]] APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Office of Science, and the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology in the Department of Energy, after receiving testimony from David Garman, Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Raymond L. Orbach, Director, Office of Science, and William D. Magwood, IV, Director, Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, all of Department of Energy. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION: MILITARY STRATEGY Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine military strategy and operational requirements from combatant commanders in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony from General Bantz J. Craddock, USA, Commander, U.S. Southern Command; and Admiral Timothy J. Keating, USN, Commander, U.S. Northern Command. NOMINATION Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Anthony Joseph Principi, of California, to be a Member of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf. HERITAGE AREA BILLS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Nationals Parks concluded a hearing to examine S. 175, to establish the Bleeding Kansas and Enduring Struggle for Freedom National Heritage Area, S. 322, to establish the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership in the States of Vermont and New York, S. 323, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the French Colonial Heritage Area in the State of Missouri as a unit of the National Park System, and S. 429, to establish the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area in the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, after receiving testimony from Janet Snyder Matthews, Associate Director, Cultural Resources, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; James Baker, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, St. Genevieve; Judy Billings, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Lawrence; Ronald D. Jones, Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, Inc., Salisbury, Connecticut; Ann Cousins, Preservation Trust of Vermont, Burlington; John W. Cosgrove, Alliance of National Heritage Areas, Scranton, Pennsylvania; and J. Peyton Knight, American Policy Center, and American Land Rights Association, Warrenton, Virginia. NOMINATION Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Howard J. Krongard, of New Jersey, to be Inspector General, Department of State, after the nominee answered questions in his own behalf. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Joseph R. DeTrani, of Virginia, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Special Envoy for the Six Party Talks, John Thomas Schieffer, of Texas, to be Ambassador to Japan, who was introduced by Senator Hutchison, and Christopher R. Hill, of Rhode Island, to be an Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, after each nominee testified and answered questions in their own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Howard J. Krongard, of New Jersey, to be Inspector General, Department of State, Joseph R. DeTrani, of Virginia, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Special Envoy for the Six Party Talks, John Thomas Schieffer, of Texas, to be Ambassador to Japan, Christopher R. Hill, of Rhode Island, to be an Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, R. Nicholas Burns, of Massachusetts, to be an Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, C. David Welch, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, John B. Bellinger, of Virginia, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State, David B. Balton, of the District of Columbia, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and Fisheries, Rudolph E. Boschwitz, of Minnesota, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the Human Rights Commission of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and promotion lists in the Foreign Service. NATIONAL SECURITY PERSONNEL SYSTEM Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia concluded an oversight hearing to examine ensuring the success of the National Security [[Page D242]] Personnel System, focusing on the proposed regulations jointly published by the Department of Defense and Office of Personnel Management for the National Security Personnel System regarding management of the department and for civil service reform across the Federal government, after receiving testimony from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, Government Accountability Office; Charles S. Abell, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; George Nesterczuk, Senior Advisor to the Director on Department of Defense, Office of Personnel Management; Richard Oppedisano, Federal Managers Association, Alexandria, Virginia; and John Gage, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Washington, D.C., and Gregory J. Junemann, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, AFL-CIO and CLC, Silver Spring, Maryland, both on behalf of the United DOD Workers' Coalition. OPEN GOVERNMENT ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security concluded a hearing to examine S. 394, to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (the OPEN Government Act), and S. 589, to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays, after receiving testimony from Katherine M. ``Missy'' Cary, Office of the Texas Attorney General, Austin; Mark Tapscott, The Heritage Foundation, Lisa Graves, American Civil Liberties Union, Meredith Fuchs, George Washington University National Security Archive, and Thomas M. Susman, Ropes and Gray LLP, all of Washington, D.C.; and Walter Mears, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY MERGERS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the SBC/ATT and Verizon/MCI mergers relating to remaking the telecommunications industry, after receiving testimony from Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., SBC Communications Inc., San Antonio, Texas; Ivan G. Seidenberg, Verizon Communications, Inc., New York, New York; David Dorman, AT&T Corporation, Bedminister, New Jersey; and Michael D. Capellas, MCI, Inc., Ashburn, Virginia. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider pending intelligence matters. Committee recessed subject to the call. RETIREMENT Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the economics of retirement, focusing on the aging population, after receiving testimony from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board. House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced: 37 public bills, H.R. 1291-1327; 1 private bill, H.R. 1328; and 11 resolutions, H.J. Res. 37; H. Con. Res. 96-99, and H. Res. 153-158, were introduced. Pages H1506-09 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H1509-10 Reports Filed: Report were filed today as follows: H. Res. 154, providing for consideration of H. Con. Res. 95, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006, revising appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2005, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 through 2010 (H. Rept. 109-19). Page H1506 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Porter to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H1423 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Most Rev. Edward J. Slattery, Bishop, Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Page H1425 Recess: The House recessed at 9:17 a.m. and reconvened at 10 a.m. Page H1425 Emergency Supplemental Wartime Appropriations Act: The House began consideration of H.R. 1268, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005. Further consideration of the bill will resume tomorrow, March 16. Pages H1436-90, H1490-H1500 [[Page D243]] Agreed by unanimous consent to limit further amendments offered and the time for debate on such amendments. Page H1490 Agreed to: Moran of Virginia amendment that reduces and then increases by the same amount, the funding for Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide; Page H1458 Jackson of Illinois en bloc amendment that increases funding for International Disaster & Famine Assistance and Migration & Refugee Assistance; Page H1467 Maloney amendment that increases funding for the Tsunami Recovery and Reconstruction Fund; and Pages H1467-71 Upton of Michigan amendment that prohibits the use of funds for embassy security, construction, and maintenance (by a recorded vote of 258 ayes to 170 noes, Roll No. 73). Pages H1482-84, H1486-87 Rejected: Tancredo amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds in Title IV, Chapter 1 to provide emergency relief, rehabilitation or reconstruction aid; Pages H1479-81 Tierney amendment that sought to increase the funding for Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide (by a recorded vote of 191 ayes to 236 noes, Roll No. 72); Pages H1455-57, H1486 Weiner amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds to finance any assistance to Saudi Arabia (agreed to limit time for debate on the amendment) (by a recorded vote of 196 ayes to 231 noes, Roll No. 74); and Pages H1484-86, H1487-88 Weiner amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds for assistance to the Palestinian Authority or for programs, projects, and activities in the West Bank or Gaza. Pages H1497-H1500 Withdrawn: Woolsey amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have increased funding for reserve personnel in all branches of the Armed Forces, and for the Army and Air Force National Guard; Pages H1457-58 Garrett of New Jersey amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have inserted a new section at the end of the bill regarding Offsetting Government-Wide Rescission; Pages H1476-77 Kelly amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have prohibited the use of funds to provide assistance to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Pages H1489-90 Lantos amendment (No. 4 printed in the Congressional Record of March 14) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have added a title VII to the measure, entitled Hope at Home Act; and Pages H1491-95 Markey amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have prohibited the use of funds to implement any regulation reducing the total amount of monthly military pay for a member of the Armed Forces who is wounded or otherwise injured while assigned to duty in an area for which special pay is available. Pages H1495-96 Point of Order sustained against: Tierney amendment that sought to establish a select committee to investigate reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan; Pages H1452-55 Jackson-Lee of Texas amendment (No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record of March 14) that sought to increase funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Pages H1472-73 Filner amendment that sought to provide funding for the Veterans' Health Administration (agreed to sustain the ruling of the chair by a recorded vote of 224 ayes to 200 noes, Roll No. 71); and Pages H1477-78 Reyes en bloc amendment that sought to provide funding for veterans' health-care programs, and adds a Title VII to the bill regarding the Department of Homeland Security. Pages H1481-82 H. Res. 151, the rule, providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by voice vote. Pages H1427-35 Agreed to the Cole amendment by voice vote. Pages H1433-35 Earlier it was agreed to order the previous question on the resolution the amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 220 yeas to 195 nays, Roll No. 69. Pages H1434-35 Privileged Resolution: The House agreed to table H. Res. 153, relating to a question of privileges of the House, by a recorded vote of 223 ayes to 194 noes, Roll No. 70. Pages H1435-36 Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote and five recorded votes developed during the proceedings of the House today and appear on pages H1434-35, H1435-36, H1478, H1486, H1486-87, and H1487-88. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 7:31 p.m. Committee Meetings DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Homeland Security held a hearing on Customs and Border Protection. Testimony was [[Page D244]] heard from Robert Bonner, Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Health Resources and Services Administration. Testimony was heard from Elizabeth James Duke, Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services. ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Energy--Science, Nuclear Energy and Renewable Energy/Conservation. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Raymond L. Orbach, Director, Office of Science; William D. Magwood, IV, Director, Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology; and David K. Garman, Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006--NAVAL CRITICAL ENABLERS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request--Naval Critical Enablers. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: E. Anne Sandel, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Integrated Warfare Systems; Roger M. Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Littoral and Mine Warfare; RADM Mark J. Edwards, USN, Director, Surface Warfare Division (N76), Department of the Navy; MG Gordon C. Nash, USMC, Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division (N75), U.S. Marine Corps; RADM Joseph A. Walsh, USN, Director, Submarine Warfare Division (N77); and RADM Anthony L. Winns, USN, Deputy Director, Air Warfare Division (N78), Department of the Navy. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request for Military Construction, Family Housing, Base Closures, and Facilities Operations and Maintenance. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Philip Crone, Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and Environment; Geoffrey G. Prosch, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Army, Installations and Environment; B. J. Penn, Assistant Secretary, Navy, Installations and Environment; and Fred W. Kuhn, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Air Force, Installations. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006 MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAMS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request for Missile Defense Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: LTG Trey Obering, USAF, Director, Missile Defense Agency; LTG Larry J. Dodgen, USA, Commander, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; and David W. Duma, Acting Director, Operational Test and Evaluation. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request--Department of Defense responsibilities in homeland defense and homeland security missions. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Paul McHale, Assistant Secretary, Homeland Defense; ADM Timothy Keating, USN, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command; and LTG H. Steven Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard Bureau. WELFARE REFORM: REAUTHORIZATION OF WORK AND CHILD CARE Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness held a hearing entitled ``Welfare Reform: Reauthorization of Work and Child Care.'' Testimony was heard from Wade F. Horn, Assistant Secretary, Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. [[Page D245]] PROTECTING CONSUMERS' DATA Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled ``Protecting Consumers' Data: Policy Issues Raised by ChoicePoint.'' Testimony was heard from Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairman, FTC; and public witnesses. REGULATION NMS: THE SEC'S VIEW Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``Regulation NMS: The SEC's View.'' Testimony was heard from William H. Donaldson, Chairman, SEC. OVERSIGHT--UNITED NATIONS REFORM Committee on International Relations: Held an oversight hearing on United Nations Reform: Challenges and Prospects. Testimony was heard from the following former United States Permanent Representatives to the United Nations: Ambassador Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, and Ambassador Richard S. Williamson. PROTECTION OF LAWFUL COMMERCE ON ARMS ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held a hearing on H.R. 800, Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security held an oversight hearing on the Department of Homeland Security to Examine the Security of the Nation's Seaports and the Cargo Entering Those Ports. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Jayson P. Ahern, Assistant Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and RADM Larry Hereth, USCG, Director, Port Security; Jeff Keever, Deputy Executive Director, Port Authority, State of Virginia; and a public witness. OVERSIGHT--ELECTRICITY SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight hearing on the Power Marketing Administrations' Role in Bringing Our Nationwide Electricity Transmission System into the 21st Century. Testimony was heard from the following Administrators of the Power Administrations, Department of Energy: Charles A. Borchardt, Southeastern Power Administration; Michael A. Deihl, Southwestern Power Administration; Michael S. Hacskaylo, Western Area Power Administration; and Stephen J. Wright, Bonneville Power Administration. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FY 2006 Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 5 hours of general debate on H. Con. Res. 95, Concurrent Resolution on the Budget, FY 2006, with 4 hours equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget, and one hour on the subject of economic goals and policies equally divided and controlled by Representative Saxton of New Jersey and Representative Maloney of New York or their designees. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the concurrent resolution. The rule provides that the concurrent resolution shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule and that the concurrent resolution shall be considered as read. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution which may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House and in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report, except that the adoption of an amendment in the nature of a substitute shall constitute the conclusion of consideration of the concurrent resolution for amendment. The rule permits the chairman of the Budget Committee to offer amendments in the House to achieve mathematical consistency. The rule provides that the concurrent resolution shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question of its adoption. The rule provides that after passage of H. Con. Res. 95, it shall be in order to consider in the House S. Con. Res. 18, to move to strike all after the resolving clause of S. Con Res. 18, and to insert the provisions of H. Con. Res. 95, as passed by the House. Finally, the rule waives all points of order against S. Con. Res. 18, against its consideration, and against the motion to strike and insert. Testimony was heard from Chairman Nussle and Representatives Shays, Flake, Spratt, Cooper, Scott of Virginia, Stupak, Brown of Ohio, Harman, and Jackson-Lee of Texas. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 50, amended, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [[Page D246]] Act; H.R. 798, Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005; and H.R. 250, amended, Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2005. OVERSIGHT--LASERS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held an oversight hearing on Lasers: A Hazard to Aviation Safety and Security? Testimony was heard from Nicholas A. Sabatini, Associate Administrator, Aviation Safety, FAA, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses. MEASURING PHYSICIAN QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF CARE IN MEDICARE Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Measuring Physician Quality and Efficiency of Care in Medicare. Testimony was heard from Herb Kuhn, Director, Center for Medicare Management, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, WORK, AND FAMILY PROTECTION ACT OF 2005 Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 240, Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Protection Act of 2005. BUDGET HEARING Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on the Budget. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Navy, 10 a.m., SD-192. Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Health and Human Services, 10:30 a.m., SD-138. Subcommittee on Military Construction, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Army and Air Force, 2 p.m., SD-138. Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland, to hold hearings to examine Army Transformation and the Future Combat System in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2006, 9:30 a.m., SR-232A. Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, to hold hearings to examine national security space policy and programs in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2006, 3 p.m., SR-232A. Full Committee, to receive a closed briefing regarding Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), focusing on the evolving IED threat and the Department of Defense's approach to addressing this issue, 4:30 p.m., SR-222. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 11:30 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: business meeting to consider The Reliable Fuels Act, and The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005, 9:15 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine expiring tax provisions, 10 a.m., SD-628. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the lifting of the European Union arms embargo on China, 2:30 p.m., SD- 419. Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights, to hold hearings to examine obscenity prosecution and the constitution, 3 p.m., SD-226. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold a closed briefing on intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Agriculture, hearing to Review United States Agricultural Trade with Cuba, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agricultural, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, 2 p.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, on Department of Energy-Nuclear Waste Disposal and Environmental Management, and on Department of Energy-Fossil Energy, 2 p.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Science, The Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies, on DEA, 2 p.m., H-309 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, to continue hearings on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on Recruiting, Retention and Military Personnel Policy, and Benefits and Compensation Overview, 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request-- Future Combat Systems, Modularity, and Force Protection Initiatives, 2:30 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and the Workforce, to mark up H.R. 525, Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005, 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on Problems with the E-rate Program: GAO Review of FCC Management and Oversight, 2 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing entitled ``How Internet Protocol-Enabled [[Page D247]] Services are Changing the Face of Communications: A Look at the Voice Marketplace,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to consider the following measures: H.R. 458, Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act; H.R. 749, Expanded Access to Financial Services Act of 2005; H.R. 280, Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act; H.R. 804, To exclude from consideration as income certain payments under the national flood insurance program; H.R. 1057, True American Heroes Act; and H.R. 902, Presidential $1 Coin Act, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, to consider the following: an Oversight Plan for the 109th Congress; H. Res. 142, Supporting the goals and ideals of a ``Rotary International Day'' and celebrating and honoring Rotary International on the occasion of its centennial anniversary; and H. Res. 148, Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month; followed by a hearing entitled ``Service Oriented Streamlining: Rethinking the Way GSA Does Business,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Energy and Resources, oversight hearing entitled ``Energy Demands in the 21st Century: Are Congress and the Executive Branch Meeting the Challenge?'' 2 p.m., 2203 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability, hearing entitled ``Strengthening Travel Reimbursement Procedures for Army National Guard Soldiers,'' 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. Committee on House Administration, to continue consideration of funding requests for the Committees of the House, 1:15 p.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on International Relations, hearing on Libya: Progress on the Path Toward Cautious Reengagement, 10:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, oversight hearing on Northern Ireland Human Rights: Update on the Cory Collusion Inquiry Reports, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, to mark up the following measures: S. 256, Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005; and H. Res. 136, Directing the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of those officials relating to the security investigations and background checks relating to granting access to the White House of James D. Guckert (also known as Jeff Gannon), 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Constitution, hearing on H.R. 1151, to amend title 28, United States Code, to provide the protections of habeas corpus for certain incapacitated individuals whose life is in jeopardy, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, oversight hearing on U.S. Energy and Mineral Needs Security and Policy: Impacts of Sustained Increases in Global Energy and Mineral Consumption by Emerging Economics Such as China and India, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 410, Northern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership act of 2005; H.R. 599, Federal Lands Restoration Enhancement, Public Education, and Information Resources Act of 2005, and H.R. 975, Trail Responsibility and Accountability for the Improvement of Lands Act, 2:30 p.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, hearing on the Future of Aeronautics at NASA, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, hearing entitled ``The RFA at 25: Needed Improvements for Small Business Regulatory Relief,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, oversight hearing on Member Project Requests for the Water Resources Development Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Ways and Means, hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget for the Department of Labor, 10:30 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, hearing on the Budget, 1:30 p.m., H-405 Capitol. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). 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 at 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. 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Res. 18, Concurrent Budget Resolution, and at 1 p.m., vote on, or in relation to, certain amendments. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 16 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Complete consideration of H.R. 1268, Emergency Supplemental Wartime Appropriations Act. Consideration of H. Con. Res. 95, Budget Resolution for FY 06 (structured rule, five hours of general debate).