Wednesday, October 19, 2005 [[Page D1053]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S11503-S11599 Measures Introduced: Eleven bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1887-1897, S. Res. 280-281, and S. Con. Res. 59. Page S11559 Measures Reported: S. 206, to designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-144) S. 242, to establish 4 memorials to the Space Shuttle Columbia in the State of Texas, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-145) S. 584, to require the Secretary of the Interior to allow the continued occupancy and use of certain land and improvements within Rocky Mountain National Park, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-146) S. 652, to provide financial assistance for the rehabilitation of the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the development of an exhibit to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin. (S. Rept. No. 109-147) S. 895, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a rural water supply program in the Reclamation States to provide a clean, safe affordable, and reliable water supply to rural residents, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-148) S. 955, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of including in the National Park System certain sites in Williamson County, Tennessee, relating to the Battle of Franklin, with an amendment. (S. Rept. No. 109-149) S. 958, to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Star-Spangled Banner Trail in the States of Maryland and Virginia and the District of Columbia as a National Historic Trail, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 109-150) S. 1154, to extend the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission, to provide improved visitor services at the park, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 109-151) S. 1238, to amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to provide for the conduct of projects that protect forests, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 109-152) S. 1627, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources study to evaluate resources along the coastal region of the State of Delaware and to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing a unit of the National Park System in Delaware. (S. Rept. No. 109-153) H.R. 126, to amend Public Law 89-366 to allow for an adjustment in the number of free roaming horses permitted in Cape Lookout National Seashore. (S. Rept. No. 109-154) H.R. 539, to designate certain National Forest System land in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. (S. Rept. No. 109-155) H.R. 584, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to recruit volunteers to assist with, or facilitate, the activities of various agencies and offices of the Department of the Interior. (S. Rept. No. 109-156) H.R. 606, to authorize appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for the restoration of the Angel Island Immigration Station in the State of California. (S. Rept. No. 109-157) Page S11558 Measures Passed: Federal Leave Transfer Program: Senate passed S. 1736, to provide for the participation of employees in the judicial branch in the Federal leave transfer program for disasters and emergencies. Page S11595 Supporting Lights On Afterschool: Senate agreed to S. Res. 280, supporting ``Lights On Afterschool'', a national celebration of after school programs. Page S11595 Honoring James Patrick Rohan: Senate agreed to S. Res. 281, honoring and thanking James Patrick Rohan. Page S11596 Foster Care Maintenance Payments: Senate passed S. 1894, to amend part E of title IV of the [[Page D1054]] Social Security Act to provide for the making of foster care maintenance payments to private for-profit agencies. Pages S11596-97 State High Risk Pool Funding Extension: Senate passed H.R. 3204, to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to extend Federal funding for the establishment and operation of State high risk health insurance pools, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S11597-98 McConnell (for Enzi) Amendment No. 2142, in the nature of a substitute. Page S11598 Transportation/Treasury/HUD Appropriations: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 3058, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and independent agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S11512-55 Adopted: Bond Amendment No. 2113, to limit the availability of funds under this Act for use in paying for eminent domain activities. Pages S11512-16 Harkin Amendment No. 2076, to provide that no funds may be used to provide assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, to certain students at institutions of higher education. Pages S11549-50 Bond (for Collins) Amendment No. 2070, to repeal the increased micropurchase threshold. Page S11550 Bond (for Akaka/Bingaman) Modified Amendment No. 2101, to provide for an Internal Revenue Service report regarding tax refund procedures and practices. Page S11550 Bond (for Boxer) Amendment No. 2139, to ensure that proper precautions are taken by airports and air carriers to recognize and prevent the spread of avian flu. Page S11550 Bond (for Inhofe) Modified Amendment No. 2073, to make available funds for ARAC operation and maintenance at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Pages S11550-51 Bond (for Stabenow) Amendment No. 2140, to provide additional funds to support programs established under the LEGACY Act of 2003. Page S11551 Bond (for Craig) Modified Amendment No. 2072, to require the use of a sliding scale match ratio for certain transportation projects in the State of Idaho. Page S11551 Murray Amendment No. 2141, to require the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to conduct an assessment of guidance disseminated by agencies for grantees of homeless assistance programs. Page S11552 Pending: Reed Amendment No. 2077, to provide for appropriations for the Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Pages S11521-26 Subsequently, a point of order was raised that the emergency designation contained in Reed Amendment No. 2077 (listed above), violated Section 402 of H. Con. Res. 95, Congressional Budget for Fiscal Year 2006; and a motion to waive was then offered. Page S11525 Dorgan Amendment No. 2133, to restrict enforcement of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations with respect to travel to Cuba. Pages S11526-29 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the follow action: By 47 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 257), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive section 403(b)(1) of H. Con. Res. 95 of the 109th Congress, with respect to Kennedy Further Modified Amendment No. 2063, to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment constitutes an unfunded mandate was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S11529-45, S11547 By 42 yeas to 57 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 section 403(b)(1) of H. Con. Res. 95 of the 109th Congress, with respect to Enzi Amendment No. 2115, to promote job creation, and small business preservation in the adjustment of the Federal minimum wage. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment constitutes an unfunded mandate was sustained, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S11547-48 By 44 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 259), two-thirds of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to suspend paragraph 4, Rule XVI, pursuant to notice previously given in writing, relative to Dorgan Amendment No. 2078, to establish a special committee of the Senate on war and reconstruction contracting. Subsequently, the Chair sustained the point of order that the amendment was in violation of Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate which prohibits legislation on appropriations matters, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S11545-49 Chair sustained the point of order against Dayton Amendment No. 2123, to prevent gas and oil gouging during natural disasters; that the amendment violated Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate which prohibits legislation on an appropriation bill. Pages S11551-52 [[Page D1055]] A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2005. Page S11598 Medicare Cost Sharing and Welfare Extension: Senate concurred in the amendments of the House to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3971, to extend medicare cost-sharing for qualifying individuals through September 2007, to extend transitional medical assistance and the program for abstinence education through December 2005, to provide unemployment relief for States and individuals affected by Hurricane Katrina, clearing the measure for the President. Page S11595 Signing Authority: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that during the adjournment of the Senate, the Majority Leader and the junior Senator from Oklahoma, be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills. Page S11595 Appointments: National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission: The Chair, on behalf of the Democratic Leader, pursuant to Public Law 109-59, Sec. 1909(b)(2)(A)(vi), appointed the following individuals to serve as members of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission: Francis McArdle of New York, and Tom R. Skancke of Nevada. Page S11595 Messages From the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the continuation of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12978 with respect to significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-27) Page S11557 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Anne W. Patterson, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs). 1 Air Force nomination in the rank of general. A routine list in the Army. Page S11599 Messages From the House: Page S11557 Measures Referred: Page S11557 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S11557 Executive Communications: Pages S11557-58 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S11558-59 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S11559-61 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S11561-79 Additional Statements: Page S11556 Amendments Submitted: Pages S11579-94 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S11594 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S11594-95 Privilege of the Floor: Page S11595 Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--259) Pages S11547, S11548-49 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 6:55 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, October 20, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S11599.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee completed its review of certain spending reductions and revenue increases to meet reconciliation expenditures as imposed by 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, and agreed on recommendations which it will make to the Committee on the Budget thereon. STEM CELL RESEARCH Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine the potential of stem cell and nuclear transplantation research, focusing on related provisions of S. 471, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research, H.R. 810, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research, and S. 876, to prohibit human cloning and protect stem cell research, after receiving testimony from Judith Gasson, University of California, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles; Steven Teitelbaum, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri; John Wagner, University of Minnesota Medical School Stem Cell Institute, Minneapolis; Rudolf Jaenisch, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; and Anthony Herrera, New York, New York. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee completed its review of certain spending reductions [[Page D1056]] and revenue increases to meet reconciliation expenditures as imposed by 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, and agreed on recommendations which it will make to the Committee on the Budget thereon. U.S.-IRAQ POLICY Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine United States foreign policy relating to Iraq, focusing on United States' objectives and strategies to improve security, and advance political development and economic progress in Iraq, and to discuss the recent Constitutional referendum, and assess the enemies progress in Iraq, after receiving testimony from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State. NOMINATION Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of David M. Hale, of New Jersey, to be Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee ordered favorably reported the business items: S. 1873, to prepare and strengthen the biodefenses of the United States against deliberate, accidental, and natural outbreaks of illness, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and The nominations of Mark Hofflund, of Idaho, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts, Naomi Churchill Earp, of Virginia, and Christine M. Griffin, of Massachusetts, each to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Jan Cellucci, of Massachusetts, Sandra Frances Ashworth, of Idaho, and Diane Rivers, of Arkansas, each to be a Member of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, Bertha K. Madras, of Massachusetts, to be Deputy Director for Demand Reduction, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Mark S. Schneider, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Education Statistics, Department of Education, Bruce Cole, of Indiana, to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and John O. Agwunobi, of Florida, to be Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Health. Also, Committee completed its review of certain spending reductions and revenue increases to meet reconciliation expenditures as imposed by 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, and agreed on recommendations which it will make to the Committee on the Budget thereon. REPORTERS' PRIVILEGE Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine issues and implications regarding reporters' privilege legislation, focusing on S. 1419, to maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media, after receiving testimony from Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Department of Justice; Judith Miller, The New York Times, and David Westin, ABC News, both of New York, New York; Joseph E. diGenova, diGenova & Toensing LLP, Washington, D.C.; Anne K. Gordon, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Dale Davenport, The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Steven D. Clymer, Cornell Law School, Ithaca, New York. VIDEO COMPETITION Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition, and Business and Consumer Rights concluded a hearing to examine video competition in 2005, focusing on the impact for consumers of the acquisition of Adelphia by Comcast and Time Warner, policies to ensure new competitors in the video market, and the transformation in the cable industry including new products and more choices as cable operators compete, after receiving testimony from Glenn A. Britt, Time Warner Cable, Stamford, Connecticut; Kyle McSlarrow, National Cable and Telecommunications Association, Walter B. McCormick, Jr., United States Telecom Association, Scott Cleland, Precursor, and Mark Cooper, Consumer Federation of America, all of Washington, D.C.; Doron Gorshein, The America Channel, LLC, Heathrow, Florida; and Peter D. Aquino, RCN Corporation, Herndon, Virginia. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community. [[Page D1057]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 13 public bills, H.R. 4077- 4089; and 3 resolutions, H. Res. 501-503 were introduced. Pages H8985-86 Additional Cosponsors: Page H8986 Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today. Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Miller of Michigan to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H8921 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Rev. Joseph L. Logrip, Pastor, Immaculate Conception Church, Levittown, Pennsylvania. Page H8921 Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act of 2005: The House passed H.R. 554, to prevent legislative and regulatory functions from being usurped by civil liability actions brought or continued against food manufacturers, marketers, distributors, advertisers, sellers, and trade associations for claims of injury relating to a person's weight gain, obesity, or any health condition associated with weight gain or obesity, by a yea-and-nay vote of 306 yeas to 120 nays, Roll No. 533. Pages H8925-40 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment. Page H8930 Agreed to: Sensenbrenner Manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 109-249) which makes technical changes to the section of the bill that sets out the types of information a plaintiff must provide to a judge to allow the court to determine whether the lawsuit should proceed or be dismissed. It clarifies that the pleading provision in H.R. 554 is meant to apply to all cases seeking obesity-related damages. The amendment adds the phrase ``for each defendant and cause of action'' to clarify that a judge must apply H.R. 554's pleading requirements to each specific claim. This prevents a plaintiff from improperly using a claim that is not barred by H.R. 554 as a means of pursuing obesity- related claims that are barred by H.R. 554 against the same or other defendants. Page H8931 Rejected: Jackson-Lee of Texas amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 109-249) which sought to prohibit the food industry from initiating lawsuits against any person for damages or other relief due to injury or potential injury based on a person's consumption of a qualified food product and weight gain, obesity, or any health condition that is associated with a person's weight gain or obesity (by a recorded vote of 67 ayes to 357 noes, Roll No. 529); Pages H8931-33, H8937 Filner amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 109-249) which sought to exempt those who are age eight and under from the provisions of this Act as it relates to large chain outlets (by a recorded vote of 129 ayes to 298 noes, Roll No. 530); Pages H8933-34, H8937-38 Scott of Virginia amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 109-249) which sought to exempt State law enforcement actions from the impact of the legislation to ensure that Attorneys General and State agencies can enforce State consumer protection laws concerning mislabeling or other unfair and deceptive trade practices (by a recorded vote of 192 ayes to 234 noes, Roll No. 531); and Pages H8934-35, H8938-39 Waxman amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 109-249) which sought to exempt lawsuits involving a dietary supplement relating to a person's weight gain, obesity or any health condition associated with weight gain or obesity (by a recorded vote of 177 ayes to 247 noes, Roll No. 532). Pages H8935, H8939 The amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, was adopted. Page H8939 H. Res. 494, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to on Tuesday, October 18th. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006--Motion to go to Conference: The House disagreed to the Senate amendment and agreed to a conference on H.R. 2744, to make appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. Pages H8940-46 Further proceedings on the DeLauro motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2744, were postponed until tomorrow, Thursday, October 20th. Page H8946 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Providing for the concurrence by the House with amendments in the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 3971: H. Res. 501, to provide for the concurrence by the House with amendments in the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 3971. Pages H8946-50 Recess: The House recessed at 2:23 p.m. and reconvened at 4:15 p.m. Page H8950 [[Page D1058]] Presidential Message: Read a message from the President concerning a notice of the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Significant Narcotics Traffickers Centered in Colombia--referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered printed (H. Doc. 109- 61). Page H8951 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on pages H8933 and H8979. Senate Referrals: S. 1886 was referred to Committee on International Relations. Page H8983 Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote and four recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H8937, H8937-38, H8938-39, H8939 and H8940. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Committee Meetings DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM OVERVIEW Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on the defense health program overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: William Winkenwerder, Jr., M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs; MG Joseph G. Webb, Jr., USA, Deputy Surgeon General, Department of the Army; VADM Donald C. Arthur, USN, Surgeon General, Department of the Navy; and LTG George P. Taylor, USAF, Surgeon General, Department of the Air Force; and public witnesses. BUDGET RECONCILIATION; PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, WORK, AND FAMILY PROMOTION ACT Committee on Education and the Workforce: Began mark up of amendments to the Social Security Act, Welfare Reform regarding the Committee's Instructions pursuant to the Conference Report on 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. R. 240, Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2005. Will continue tomorrow. PROTECTING PROPERTY RIGHTS AFTER KELO Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled ``Protecting Property Rights After Kelo.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. ENERGY/WINTER FUELS OUTLOOK Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held a hearing entitled ``EIA's Report on Short-term Energy Outlook and Winter Fuels Outlook.'' Testimony was heard from Guy F. Caruso, Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy. PETROLEUM REFINERY CAPACITY INVESTMENTS Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a hearing entitled ``Petroleum Refineries: Will Record Profits Spur Investment in New Capacity?'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FEDERALISM AND DISASTER RESPONSE Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled `` Federalism and Disaster: Response: Examining the Rules and Responsibilities of Local, State, and Federal Agencies.'' Testimony was heard from the following Governors: Jeb Bush, Florida; Rick Perry, Texas; and Janet Napolitano, Arizona; and public witnesses. HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT--ROLE OF CHIEF INTELLIGENCE OFFICER Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, joint hearing entitled ``The Department of Homeland Security Second Stage Review: The Role of the Chief Intelligence Officer.'' Testimony was heard from Charles Allen, Chief Intelligence Officer, Department of Homeland Security; and a public witness. CARIBBEAN REGION POLICY REVIEW Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere held a hearing on Policy Overview of the Caribbean Region. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Adolfo A. Franco, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development; and Dan Fisk, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Con. Res. 267, amended, Expressing the sense of the Congress upholding the Makah Tribe treaty rights; H.R. 323, To redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island [[Page D1059]] in New York Harbor, as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library;'' H.R. 326, amended, To amend the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 2000 to adjust the boundary of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area and to extend the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance under that Act; H.R. 679, To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey a parcel of real property to Beaver County, Utah; H.R. 1096, amended, Act Commemorating the LITE; H.R. 1183, To require the Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to Navassa National Wildlife Refuge and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge; H.R. 1436, To remove certain use restrictions on property located in Navajo County, Arizona; H.R. 1564, Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District Conveyance Act of 2005; H.R. 1972, amended, Franklin National Battlefield Study Act; H.R. 3443, To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water distribution facilities to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District; H.R. 3818, amended, Forest Service Partnership Enhancement Act of 2005; and S. 229, Albuquerque Biological Park Title Clarification Act. STATUS--OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing entitled ``Status of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.'' Testimony was heard from former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich of Georgia; and public witnesses. HURRICANE KATRINA Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina: Continued hearings on Hurricane Katrina. Testimony was heard from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest,P. D1039) H.R. 2360, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. Signed on October 18, 2005. (Public Law 109-90) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to resume hearings to examine the implementation of the Exon-Florio provision by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Department of the Treasury, which seeks to serve U.S. investment policy through reviews that protect national security while maintaining the credibility of open investment policy, 10 a.m., SD- 538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine S. 1052, to improve transportation security, including public and private sector actions taken since September 11, 2001, and the attacks on rail systems overseas, to enhance the security of passenger and freight rail transportation, 10 a.m., SD- 562. Full Committee, business meeting to consider proposed DTV bill, S. 1753, to establish a unified national hazard alert system, S. 967, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to ensure that prepackaged news stories contain announcements that inform viewers that the information within was provided by the United States Government, and S. 1063, to promote and enhance public safety and to encourage the rapid deployment of IP-enabled voice services, 2 p.m., SR-325. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine S. 1016, to direct the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments to the owners or operators of qualified desalination facilities to partially offset the cost of electrical energy required to operate the facilities, and S. 1860, to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to improve energy production and reduce energy demand through improved use of reclaimed waters, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Benson K. Whitney, of Minnesota, to be Ambassador to Norway, Roland Arnall, of California, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Susan Rasinski McCaw, of Washington, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Austria, and Nicholas F. Taubman, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to Romania, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, to hold hearings to examine U.S. foreign policy, petroleum, and the Middle East, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold hearings to examine Federal employment programs for persons with disabilities, 2 p.m., SD-106. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights, to hold hearings to examine the constitutional amendment on marriage, 2 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine IT Management by the VA, 10 a.m., SR-418. Select Committee on Intelligence: to receive a closed briefing regarding certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. [[Page D1060]] House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, hearing on VA Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES), 10:30 a.m., H-143 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on the Army's M1114 Up-Armor High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (UAH) distribution strategy, 9 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces and the Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, joint hearing on the Aerial Common Sensor Program, 4 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and the Workforce, to continue mark up of amendments to the Social Security Act, Welfare Reform regarding the Committee's Instructions pursuant to the Conference Report on 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, and H.R. 240, Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2005 and to mark up H. Res. 467, Requesting that the President transmit to the House of Representatives information in his possession relating to contracts for services or construction related to Hurricane Katrina recovery that relate to wages and benefits to be paid to workers, 9:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, joint hearing entitled ``Comprehensively Combating Methamphetamines: Impacts on Health and the Environment,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, hearing entitled ``Management and Oversight of the National Flood Insurance Program,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, hearing entitled ``The Critical Role of the National Guard at Home and Abroad,'' 10 a.m., and to consider the following: H.R. 3256, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3038 West Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the ``Congressman James Grove Fulton Memorial Post Office Building;'' H.R. 3368, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6483 Lincoln Street in Gagetown, Michigan, as the ``Gagetown Veterans Memorial Post Office;'' H.R. 3548, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located on Franklin Avenue in Pearl River, New York, as the ``Heinz Ahlmeyer, Jr., Post Office Building;'' H.R. 3770, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 205 West Washington Street in Knox, Indiana, as the ``Grant W. Green Post Office Building;'' H.R. 3825, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 770 Trumbull Drive in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the ``Clayton J. Smithy Memorial Post Office Building;'' H.R. 3989, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 37598 Goodhue in Dennison, Minnesota, as the ``Albert Harold Quie Post Office;'' H.R. 4053, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 545 North Rimsdale Avenue in Covina, California, as the ``Lillian Kinkella Keil Post Office;'' S. 37, To extend the special postage stamp for breast cancer research for 2 years; H.R. 3134, Federal Real Property Disposal Pilot Program and Management Improvement Act of 2005; H.R. 1455, To amend titled 45 and title 3, United States Code, to include the Department of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Homeland Security in the lists of executive departments and officers; H.R. 3496, National Capital Transportation Amendments Act of 2005; and H.R. 4057, To provide that attorneys employed by the Department of Justice shall be eligible for compensatory time of for travel under section 5550b of title 5, United States Code. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity, hearing entitled ``The London Bombings: Protecting Civilian Targets from Terrorist Attacks,'' 3 p.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, hearing entitled ``Mitigating Catastrophic Events through Effective Medical Response,'' 1 p.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, hearing on African Growth and Opportunity Act: A Five-Year Assessment, 10:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, hearing on South Asia Earthquake: Impact and Humanitarian Response, 1:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, oversight hearing entitled ``An Examination of the Scope and Criteria for Coverage under the Special Provisions of the Voting Rights Act,'' 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Water and Power, oversight hearing entitled ``Water Supply Vulnerabilities in the Sacramento/ San Joaquin River System,'' 1 p.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Science, hearing on Science, Technology, and Global Economic Competitiveness, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines, oversight hearing on Rebuilding Highway and Transit Infrastructure on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, oversight hearing entitled ``Expert Views on Hurricane and Flood Protection and Water Resources Planning for a Rebuilt Gulf Coast,'' 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 3665, Veterans Housing Improvement Act of 2005; H.R. 1691, To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, as the ``John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic;'' and H.R. 4061, Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Management Improvement Act of 2005, 2 p.m., 334 Cannon. [[Page D1061]] Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, oversight hearing on variances in disability compensation claims decisions made by the VA Regional Offices, the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder claims review; and United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit decision Allen v Principi, 10:30 a.m., 340 Cannon. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, Briefing on Global Updates/Hotspots, 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol, and executive, Briefing on Aerial Common Sensor Program, 4 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Joint Meetings Joint Economic Committee: To hold hearings to examine the current economic outlook, 10 a.m., 311 CHOB. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D1062]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, October 20 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 3058, Transportation, Treasury, HUD, Judiciary, DC Appropriations. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, October 20 House Chamber Program for Thursday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E2126 Boustany, Charles W., Jr., La., E2123 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E2124, E2127 Cooper, Jim, Tenn., E2125 Culberson, John Abney, Tex., E2128 Davis, Artur, Ala., E2129 Gibbons, Jim, Nev., E2124 Israel, Steve, N.Y., E2129 Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E2127 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E2130 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E2127 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E2128 Lewis, Jerry, Calif., E2126 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E2127 Mica, John L., Fla., E2130 Ney, Robert W., Ohio, E2123, E2124, E2124, E2125, E2125, E2126, E2127, E2128, E2129, E2130 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E2126 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E2126 Payne, Donald M., N.J., E2125 Poe, Ted, Tex., E2125 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E2123 Ross, Mike, Ark., E2123, E2124 Sabo, Martin Olav, Minn., E2124 Schwartz, Allyson Y., Pa., E2128 Shaw, E. Clay, Jr., Fla., E2129 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E2126