Monday, November 5, 2007 [[Page D1473]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S13739-S13938 Measures Introduced: Five bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2304-2308, and S. Res. 366. Page S13768 Measures Passed: Omnibus Indian Advancement Act Amendment: Senate passed S. 1347, to amend the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act to modify the date as of which certain tribal land of the Lytton Rancheria of California is deemed to be held in trust and to provide for the conduct of certain activities on the land. Page S13937 Measures Considered: Farm Bill Extension Act: Senate began consideration of H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: Pending: Harkin Amendment No. 3500, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S13743-63 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing further consideration of the bill at approximately 11 a.m., on Tuesday, November 6, 2007. Page S13938 Messages from the House: Page S13768 Measures Referred: Page S13768 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S13768 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S13768-69 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S13769-74 Additional Statements: Page S13767 Amendments Submitted: Pages S13774-S13937 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S13937 Privileges of the Floor: Page S13937 Adjournment: Senate convened at 2 p.m. and adjourned at 6:58 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S13937-38.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) No committee meetings were held. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 11 public bills, H.R. 4071- 4081; 2 private bills, H. Res. 797-798; and 2 resolutions, H. Res. 795- 796 were introduced. Pages H12738-39 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H12739-40 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 3688, to implement the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (H. Rept. 110-421); H. Res. 793, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3685) to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (H. Rept. 110-422); Recommending that the House of Representatives find Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten, Chief of Staff, White House, in Contempt of Congress for Refusal to Comply with Subpoenas Duly Issued by the Committee on the Judiciary (H. Rept. 110-423); [[Page D1474]] Conference report on H.R. 3043, a bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-424); H.R. 3495, to establish a National Commission on Children and Disasters and a National Resource Center on Children and Disasters, with amendments (H. Rept. 110-425); H.R. 3997, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-426); and H. Res. 794, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 3043) making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-427). Page H12738 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Mahoney to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H12457 Recess: The House recessed at 12:37 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m. Page H12457 Presidential Veto Message--Water Resources Development Act of 2007: Read a message from the President wherein he announced his veto of H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources and to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, and explained his reasons therefor--ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-71). Pages H12458-59 Pursuant to the order of the House of November 1, 2007, further consideration of the veto message and the bill is postponed until Tuesday, November 6th. Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act of 2007: H.R. 1567, amended, to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide increased assistance for the prevention, treatment, and control of tuberculosis; Pages H12459-62 Eurasia Foundation Act: H.R. 2949, amended, to authorize grants to the Eurasia Foundation; Pages H12462-64 Expressing concern relating to the threatening behavior of the Iranian regime and its leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the activities of terrorist organizations sponsored by that regime in Latin America: H. Res. 435, amended, to express concern relating to the threatening behavior of the Iranian regime and its leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the activities of terrorist organizations sponsored by that regime in Latin America; Pages H12465-68 Congratulating the people of Ethiopia on the second millennium of Ethiopia: H. Res. 550, amended, to congratulate the people of Ethiopia on the second millennium of Ethiopia; Pages H12469-71 National Heroes Credit Protection Act: H.R. 513, amended, to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to enhance the protection of credit ratings of active duty military personnel who are activated for military service, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 349 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 1035; Pages H12471-72, H12481-82 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to enhance the protection of credit ratings of members of the reserve component who serve on active duty in support of a contingency operation, and for other purposes.''. Page H12482 Expressing support for designation of a National Veterans History Project Week to encourage public participation in a nationwide project that collects and preserves the stories of the men and women who served our nation in times of war and conflict: H. Res. 770, to express support for designation of a National Veterans History Project Week to encourage public participation in a nationwide project that collects and preserves the stories of the men and women who served our nation in times of war and conflict; Pages H12472-74 Expressing support for the goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students (VETS) Day: H. Con. Res. 60, to express support for the goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students (VETS) Day; Pages H12475-76 Recognizing the contributions of Native American veterans and calling upon the President to issue a proclamation urging the people of the United States to observe a day in honor of Native American veterans: H. Res. 744, to recognize the contributions of Native American veterans and to call upon the President to issue a proclamation urging the people of the United States to observe a day in honor of Native American veterans, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 351 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 1036; Pages H12476-77, H12482 Providing for the reappointment of Roger W. Sant as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution: S.J. Res. 7, to provide for the reappointment of Roger W. Sant as a [[Page D1475]] citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution-- clearing the measure for the President; and Pages H12477-78 Providing technical corrections to Public Law 109-116 (2 U.S.C. 2131a note) to extend the time period for the Joint Committee on the Library to enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Rosa Parks: S. 2206, to provide technical corrections to Public Law 109-116 (2 U.S.C. 2131a note) to extend the time period for the Joint Committee on the Library to enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Rosa Parks--clearing the measure for the President. Pages H12478-80 Recess: The House recessed at 4:09 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m. Page H12480 Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed: Congratulating Nicolas Sarkozy on his election to the presidency of France: H. Res. 379, amended, to congratulate Nicolas Sarkozy on his election to the presidency of France and Pages H12464-65 Recognizing the close relationship between the United States and the Republic of San Marino: H. Con. Res. 236, amended, to recognize the close relationship between the United States and the Republic of San Marino. Pages H12468-69 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008--Motion to go to Conference: The House disagreed to the Senate amendment and agreed to a conference on H.R. 3222, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Page H12480 Appointed as conferees: Representatives Murtha, Dicks, Visclosky, Moran (VA), Kaptur, Cramer, Boyd (FL), Rothman, Bishop (GA), Obey, Young (FL), Hobson, Frelinghuysen, Tiahrt, Wicker, Kingston, and Lewis (CA). Page H12480 Agreed to close portions of the conference by a yea-and-nay vote of 351 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 1034. Pages H12480-81 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appear on page H12458. Quorum Calls Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H12480-81, H12481, H12482. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 12:30 p.m. and adjourned at 11:33 p.m. Committee Meetings EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Committee granted, by a vote of 9 to 3, a structured rule providing 1 hour of general debate on H. R. 3685, Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Labor. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions of the bill are waived. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report. The amendments made in order 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, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against the amendments except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are waived. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally the rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Chairman George Miller of California, and Representatives Andrews, Frank of Massachusetts, Baldwin, and McKeon. LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS--CONFERENCE REPORT Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 8 to 3, a conference report rule waiving all points of order against the conference report and providing that the conference report shall be considered as read. The rule also provides that any motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 3688 pursuant to section 151 of the Trade Act of 1974 shall be in order only if offered by the Majority Leader or his designee. The rule provides that, upon receipt of a message from the Senate transmitting H.R. 3042, with a Senate amendment thereto, it shall be in order to take the same from the Speaker's table and to consider in the House a motion offered by the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations that the House concur in such amendment. The Senate amendment and the [[Page D1476]] motion shall be considered as read and shall be debatable for one hour. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption without intervening motion. Testimony was heard from Chairman Obey and Representative Walsh. YOUTH LEADERSHIP FOR CLEAN ENERGY AND A HEALTHY CLIMATE Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global warming: Held a hearing on Youth Leadership for Clean Energy and a Healthy Climate. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. Joint Meetings SECURITY IN THE OSCE REGION Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Commission concluded a hearing to examine the twenty-first century security in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) region, focusing on challenges among member states, protracted and unresolved conflicts, shifting political and military alliances, while still confronting the threat of terrorism, after receiving testimony from David Kramer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs; Daniel Fata, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO; Nicolae Chirtoaca, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the United States, Chisinsau, Moldova; and Vasil Sikharulidze, Ambassador of Georgia to the United States, Tbilisi, Georgia. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D1464) H.R. 327, to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. Signed on November 5, 2007. (Public Law 110-110) H.R. 1284, 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. Signed on November 5, 2007. (Public Law 110- 111) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the efficacy of the domestic energy industry, focusing on its available workforce to meet our nation's growing needs, 10 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions and Family Policy, to hold hearings to examine the Government Pension Offset (GPO), and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), focusing on policies affecting pensions from work not covered by Social Security, 2:30 p.m., SD-215. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to continue consideration of the nomination of Michael B. Mukasey, of New York, to be Attorney General, 10 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine the hiring practices and quality control in Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, 10 a.m., SD-562. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, hearing entitled ``Comprehensive Children's Product Safety and Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Legislation,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 3915, Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007; H.R. 3837, Escrow, Appraisal, and Mortgage Servicing Improvements Act; H.R. 4051, Housing Assistance Authorization Act of 2007; H.R. 4043, Preserving and Expanding Minority Depository Institutions Act; and H.R. 4050, Levee-Like Structure Consideration Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, hearing on Yahoo! Inc.'s Provision of False Information to Congress, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, hearing on Human Rights Concerns in Vietnam, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment, hearing entitled ``Using the Web as a Weapon: the Internet as a Tool for Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, oversight hearing on the Congressional Review Act, 2 p.m., 2237 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Crime, hearing and mark up of H.R. 1759, Managing Arson Through Criminal History (MATCH) Act of 2007, 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, hearing on Telework: Breaking New Ground, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on National Security, and Foreign Affairs, to continue hearings on Six Years Later: Smart Power and the U.S. Strategy for Security in a Post-9/11 World, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Rules, to consider the following: H.R. 3688, United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act; and H.R. 3355, Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007, 3 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, to continue hearings on [[Page D1477]] Globalization of R&D and Innovation, Part IV: Implications for the Science and Engineering Workforce, 2:30 p.m., 2318 Rayburn, Joint Meetings Conference: closed meeting of conferees on H.R. 3222, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, 10 a.m., HC-5, Capitol. 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 D1478]] Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Tuesday, November 6 Senate Chamber Program for Tuesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 2419, Farm Bill Extension Act. (Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for their respective party conferences.) Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9 a.m., Tuesday, November 6 House Chamber Program for Tuesday: Consideration of the following suspensions: (1) H. Con. Res. 162--Expressing the sense of Congress that Congress and the President should increase basic pay for members of the Armed Forces; (2) H.R. 3997--The ``Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2007''; (3) H. Res. 787--Expressing the support and sympathy of the House of Representatives and the people of the United States for the victims of the tragic fire that occurred in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, on October 28, 2007; (4) H. Res. 728--Expressing the support and sympathy of the House of Representatives and the people of the United States for the victims of the devastating flooding that occurred across many parts of Ohio in August 2007 and commending the communities, volunteer organizations, churches and emergency response agencies for their continuing work to restore the affected areas across the state; (5) H. Res. 782--Expressing the sense of the House with respect to the Boston Red Sox victory in the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series; (6) H.R. 1119--Purple Heart Family Equity Act of 2007; (7) H.R. 2884--Kendell Frederick Citizenship Assistance Act; (8) H.R. 3866--Small Business Programs Act of 2007; (9) H.R. 3495--Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety, and Health Act of 2007; and (10) S. 2265--A bill to extend the existing provisions regarding the eligibility for essential air service subsidies through fiscal year 2008. Vote on the President's Veto of H.R. 1495--Water Resources Development Act of 2007. Consideration of Conference Report on H.R. 3043--Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Blackburn, Marsha, Tenn., E2315, E2316, E2317, E2317 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E2315 Boyda, Nancy E., Kans., E2320 Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E2323 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E2323 Capito, Shelley Moore, W.Va., E2322 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E2319 Cummings, Elijah E., Md., E2320 Davis, David, Tenn., E2322 Davis, Tom, Va., E2323 English, Phil, Pa., E2322 Filner, Bob, Calif., E2320 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E2316 Kanjorski, Paul E., Pa., E2316 Kaptur, Marcy, Ohio, E2315, E2318 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E2320, E2321, E2322, E2323, E2323 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E2316 Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E2318 Moore, Gwen, Wisc., E2318 Murphy, Christopher S., Conn., E2324 Myrick, Sue Wilkins, N.C., E2321 Paul, Ron, Tex., E2319, E2322 Pelosi, Nancy, Calif., E2315 Radanovich, George, Calif., E2317 Rogers, Harold, Ky., E2323 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E2318 Simpson, Michael K., Idaho, E2317 Thompson, Bennie G., Miss., E2321 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E2317 Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E2322 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E2319