Tuesday, October 16, 2007 [[Page D1360]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S12885-S12946 Measures Introduced: Eight bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2165-2172, and S. Res. 347-348. Page S12936 Measures Reported: S. 1200, to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend the Act. (S. Rept. No. 110-197) Report to accompany S. Res. 89, authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the periods March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007, and October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008, and October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009. (S. Rept. No. 110-198) S. 1662, to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to reauthorize the venture capital program, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-199) Page S12936 Measures Passed: Commerce and Justice, and Science Appropriations Act: By 75 yeas to 19 nays (Vote No. 372), Senate passed H.R. 3093, making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S12894-S12925 DeMint Amendment No. 3286, to provide that none of the funds made available under the Act may be used to circumvent any statutory or administrative formula-driven or competitive awarding process to award funds to a project in response to a request from a Member of Congress. Page S12894 By a unanimous vote of 90 yeas (Vote No. 365), DeMint/Shelby Amendment No. 3289, to prevent Federal employees from purchasing unnecessary first-class or premium-class airline tickets at taxpayers' expense. Pages S12894-95, S12897-98 By a unanimous vote of 91 yeas (Vote No. 366), Ensign Amendment No. 3294, to increase funding for the United States Marshals Service to ensure full funding for the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and offset the increase by reducing funding for the Advanced Technology Program. Pages S12895-96, S12905 Leahy Modified Amendment No. 3249, to appropriate an additional $15,000,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and to provide a full offset for such amount. (Subsequent to its adoption the amendment was further modified) Pages S12907-08, S12913-14 Mikulski (for Kyl) Amendment No. 3279, to increase appropriations for personnel, equipment, and other resources to be used for the analysis of DNA samples. Pages S12913, S12914-15 Mikulski (for Sessions) Amendment No. 3283, to use $10,000,000 from the Department of Justice Working Capital Fund for the expansion of Operation Streamline, the zero tolerance prosecution policy currently in place in the Del Rio and Yuma border sectors. Page S12913 Mikulski (for Smith) Modified Amendment No. 3290, to increase appropriations for salaries and expenses for hiring 200 additional Assistant United States Attorneys for the prosecution of offenses relating to the sexual exploitation of children. Page S12913 Mikulski (for Stevens) Amendment No. 3278, to correct a technical error in Public Law 110-53 relating to emergency communications modernization. Page S12913 Mikulski (for Stevens) Modified Amendment No. 3312, to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to develop and maintain a list of vessels and vessel owners engaged in illegal, unreported, and or unregulated fishing. Page S12913 Mikulski (for Sununu) Amendment No. 3314, to make funds available for regional coastal disaster assistance, transition, and recovery programs. Pages S12913, S12916 Mikulski (for Dorgan) Amendment No. 3276, to amend the Mandatory Victims' Restitution Act to improve restitution for victims of crime. Page S12913 Mikulski (for Boxer) Modified Amendment No. 3304, to make $2,000,000 available for sampling, [[Page D1361]] analysis, and clean-up related to the disposal of obsolete vessels owned or operated by the Federal Government in Suisun Bay, California. Pages S12913, S12915-16 Mikulski (for Landrieu) Modified Amendment No. 3228, to provide funds for bycatch reduction devices for shrimpers in areas of the Gulf Coast impacted by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Page S12913 Mikulski (for Bingaman/Smith) Modified Amendment No. 3208, to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to clarify that territories and Indian tribes are eligible to receive grants for confronting the use of methamphetamine. Pages S12913-14 Mikulski Amendment No. 3311, to extend the numerical limitation exception for H-2B nonimmigrants. Pages S12913-14 Mikulski (for Bingaman) Amendment No. 3209, to make certain forestry workers eligible for legal assistance. Pages S12913-14 Rejected: Ensign Amendment No. 3295, to increase funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program and offset the increase by reducing NASA funding. (By 68 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. 367), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S12895-96, S12904-06 Thune Amendment No. 3317, to provide, in a fiscally responsible manner, additional funding for United States attorneys to prosecute violent crimes in Indian country. (By 62 yeas to 31 nays (Vote No. 368), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S12899-S12904, S12906-07 Dole Amendment No. 3313, to set aside $75,000,000 of the funds appropriated under the heading State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance for activities that support State and local law enforcement agencies in their efforts to assist the Federal Government's enforcement of immigration laws. (By 50 yeas to 42 nays (Vote No. 369), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S12908-10 Vitter Amendment No. 3277, to prohibit funds from being used in contravention of section 642(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. (By 52 yeas to 42 nays (Vote No. 370), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S12896-97, S12910-13 By 44 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 371) McConnell motion to commit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations, with instructions. Pages S12921-24 Withdrawn: Inouye Amendment No. 3214, to establish a fact-finding Commission to extend the study of a prior Commission to investigate and determine facts and circumstances surrounding the relocation, internment, and deportation to Axis countries of Latin Americans of Japanese descent from December 1941 through February 1948, and the impact of those actions by the United States, and to recommend appropriate remedies. Pages S12894, S12898 During consideration of this measure today, the Senate also took the following action: Mikulski (for Dorgan) Modified Amendment No. 3227, to provide adequate funding for the Drug Courts program, previously agreed to on Thursday, October 4, 2007, was modified by a unanimous consent. Pages S12913-14 Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair was authorized to appoint the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators: Mikulski, Inouye, Leahy, Kohl, Harkin, Dorgan, Feinstein, Reed, Lautenberg, Byrd, Shelby, Gregg, Stevens, Domenici, McConnell, Hutchison, Brownback, Alexander, and Cochran. Page S12925 National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims: Senate agreed to S. Res. 326, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. Page S12943 Recognizing Hunters Commitment to Safety: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 193, recognizing all hunters across the United States for their continued commitment to safety. Page S12943 Red Ribbon Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 348, supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week. Pages S12943-44 Labor/HHS/Education Appropriation Act--Agreement: A unanimous consent agreement was reached providing that at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday October 17, 2007, Senate begin consideration of 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. Page S12944 Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination: Williamson Evers, of California, to be Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, Department of Education. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.) Pages S12943, S12946 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Joseph J. Murin, of Pennsylvania, to be President, Government National Mortgage Association. Simon Charles Gros, of New Jersey, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation. Deborah K. Jones, of New Mexico, to be Ambassador to the State of Kuwait. [[Page D1362]] Patrick Francis Kennedy, of Illinois, to be an Under Secretary of State (Management). Gus P. Coldebella, of Massachusetts, to be General Counsel, Department of Homeland Security. Brian Stacy Miller, of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas. 1 Air Force nomination in the rank of general. 3 Army nominations in the rank of general. Routine lists in the Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Public Health Service. Pages S12944-46 Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the following nomination: Andrew R. Cochran, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Environmental Protection Agency, which was sent to the Senate on July 31, 2007. Page S12946 Messages from the House: Page S12933 Measures Referred: Page S12933 Executive Communications: Pages S12933-36 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S12936-38 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S12938-42 Additional Statements: Pages S12932-33 Amendments Submitted: Pages S12942-43 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S12943 Record Votes: Eight record votes were taken today. (Total--372) Pages S12898, S12905, S12906, S12907, S12909-10, S12913, S12924, S12925 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 8:08 p.m., until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S12944.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA) Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) efforts and progress on H.R. 1, ``Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007'', after receiving testimony from Kip Hawley, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration; and Cathleen A. Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office. PERSIAN GULF Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing to examine issues relative to security in the Persian Gulf from R. Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs; and Mary Beth Long, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs, Vice Admiral Jeffrey A. Wieringa, USN, Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and Major General Philip M. Breedlove, Vice Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff, all of the Department of Defense. SECURITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR EVERY (SAFE) PORT ACT Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Security and Accountability For Every (SAFE) Port Act (Public Law 109-347) one year after its enactment, after receiving testimony from Stewart Baker, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Policy; Reginald I. Lloyd, United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, Department of Justice; Stephen L. Caldwell, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office; and Captain Jeffrey W. Monroe, Department of Ports and Transportation, Portland, Maine. DOD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine improving financial and business management at the Department of Defense (DOD), focusing on the DOD's business transformation process, after receiving testimony from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, Government Accountability Office; Jack Dave Patterson, Principal Deputy Under Secretary, and Paul A. Brinkley, Deputy Under Secretary for Business Transformation, both of the Department of Defense; and Dov S. Zakheim, Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Virginia. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community. Committee recessed subject to call. [[Page D1363]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 26 public bills, H.R. 3837- 3862; and 9 resolutions, H.J. Res. 58; H. Con. Res. 235-237; and H. Res. 747-751 were introduced. Pages H11637-39 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H11639-40 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 1955, to prevent homegrown terrorism, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-384, Pt. 1) and H. Res. 746, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3773) to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence (H. Rept. 110-385). Page H11637 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Lincoln Davis to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H11551 Recess: The House recessed at 9:07 a.m. and reconvened at 10 a.m. Page H11552 Suspension: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act of 2007: H.R. 3678, amended, to amend the Internet Tax Freedom Act to extend the moratorium on certain taxes relating to the Internet and to electronic commerce, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 405 yeas to 2 nays, Roll No. 968. Pages H11567-73, H11575-76 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the withholding of information relating to corruption in Iraq: The House agreed to H. Res. 734, to express the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the withholding of information relating to corruption in Iraq, by a yea-and-nay vote of 395 yeas to 21 nays, Roll No. 969. Pages H11576-86 H. Res. 741, the rule providing for consideration of the resolution, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to 195 nays, Roll No. 965, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 196 nays, Roll No. 964. Pages H11555-63, H11573-74 Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures which were debated on Monday, October 15th: ALS Registry Act: H.R. 2295, amended, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Registry, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 411 yeas to 3 nays, Roll No. 970 and Page H11586 Recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, supporting the goals and ideals of National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week: H. Con. Res. 182, to recognize the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and to support the goals and ideals of National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 414 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 971. Page H11587 Free Flow of Information Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 2102, 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, by a recorded vote of 398 ayes to 21 noes, Roll No. 973. Pages H11587-H11603 Agreed to the Smith (TX) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 388 yeas to 33 nays, Roll No. 972. Subsequently, Representative Conyers reported the bill back to the House with the amendment and the amendment was agreed to. Pages H11601-02 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 adopted. Pages H11588-89 Accepted: Boucher amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-383) that provides that the shield can be pierced to prevent or identify the perpetrator of a terrorist attack or harm to national security and also provides that the disclosure of a leaker's identity can be compelled in cases involving leaks of properly classified information. The amendment also permits law enforcement to obtain an order compelling disclosure of documents and information obtained as the result of eyewitness observations of alleged criminal or tortious conduct. It also limits the Act's coverage to a person who ``regularly'' engages in the listed journalistic activities. Finally, the amendment adds three new exceptions to the definition of ``covered person:'' Specially Designated Global Terrorist, as designated by the Treasury Department; a specially designated terrorist, as defined by federal regulations; and a terrorist organization, as defined by immigration law. Pages H11599-H11601 [[Page D1364]] H. Res. 742, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 967, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 224 yeas to 196 nays, Roll No. 966. Pages H11563-67, H11574-75 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Recognizing the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act: H. Res. 725, to recognize the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act; Pages H11603-07 Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to raising awareness and enhancing the state of computer security in the United States, and supporting the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month: H. Res. 716, to express the sense of Congress with respect to raising awareness and enhancing the state of computer security in the United States, and to support the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month; Pages H11609-12 Honoring the 50th anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age, and the ensuing 50 years of productive and peaceful space activities: H. Con. Res. 225, to honor the 50th anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age, and the ensuing 50 years of productive and peaceful space activities; and Pages H11612-14 Honoring the 60th anniversary of the aeronautics research accomplishments embodied in ``the breaking of the sound barrier'': H. Res. 736, to honor the 60th anniversary of the aeronautics research accomplishments embodied in ``the breaking of the sound barrier.'' Pages H11614-16 Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed until Wednesday, October 17th: Recognizing the importance of America's Waterway Watch program: H. Res. 549, to recognize the importance of America's Waterway Watch program and Pages H11607-09 Commending NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia on the celebration of its 90th anniversary on October 26 and 27, 2007: H. Con. Res. 222, to commend NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia on the celebration of its 90th anniversary on October 26 and 27, 2007. Pages H11616-19 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H11552. Senate Referrals: S. Con. Res. 36 was held at the desk. Page H11552 Quorum Calls--Votes: Nine yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H11573, H11574, H11574-75, H11575, H11575-76, H11585-86, H11586, H11587, H11601-02, and H11602-03. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 10:14 p.m. Committee Meetings FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE COMBAT ZONE BENEFITS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on incentives, benefits, and medical care for federal civilian employees deployed to combat zone. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Ambassador Harry Thomas, Director General; and Mark Ward, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Asia and Near East Bureau, U.S. Agency for International Development; Kirk Miller, Associate Administrator, Foreign Agriculture Service, USDA; Bruce Swartz, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; and Larry McDonald, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Technical Assistance, Department of the Treasury. BREAST CANCER STAMP/PAUL WELLSTONE HEALTH AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2007 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 1236, To make permanent the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a special postage stamp to support breast cancer research; and H.R. 1424, Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007. REAUTHORIZATION OF McKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity continued hearings on reauthorization of McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Testimony was heard from Mark Johnston, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Special Needs, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Zev Yaroslavsky, member, Board of Supervisors, Los Angeles County; Mercedes Marquez, General Manager, Los Angeles Housing Department, City of Los Angeles; and public witnesses. AVIATION SECURITY Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security, and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing entitled ``Aviation Security: Are [[Page D1365]] We Truly Protected?'' Testimony was heard from Kip Hawley, Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security; Cathleen A. Berrrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO; and Franklin Hatfield, Director, System Operations Security Office, FAA, Department of Transportation. VOTING BY MAIL OR ABSENTEE--EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES Committee on House Administration: Held a hearing on Expanding and Improving Opportunities to Vote by Mail or Absentee. Testimony was heard from Representative Davis of California; Ruth Goldway, Commissioner, Postal Regulatory Commission; Deborah L. Markowitz, Secretary of State, Vermont; and public witnesses. PUBLIC SCHOOL HATE CRIMES/RACE VIOLENCE Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on Jena 6 and the Role of Federal Intervention in Hate Crimes and Race-Related Violence in Public Schools. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Donald Washington, U.S. Attorney, Western District of Louisiana; and Lisa Krigsten, Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division; and public witnesses. LEGAL TIMBER PROTECTION ACT Committee on Natural Resources; Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 1497, Legal Timber Protection Act. Testimony was heard from Representative Blumenauer; Eileen Sobeck, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 123, To authorize appropriations for the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund; H.R. 236, amended, North Bay Water Reuse Program Act of 2007; H.R. 2085, McGee Creek Project Pipeline and Associated Facilities Conveyance Act; and H.R. 2498, amended, To provide for a study regarding development of a comprehensive integrated regional water management plan that would address four general areas of regional water planning in both the San Joaquin River Hydrologic Region and the Tulare Lake Hydrologic Region, inclusive of Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties, California, and to provide that such plan be the guide by which those counties use as a mechanism to address and solve long-term water needs in a sustainable and equitable manner. DC PRISONER RE-ENTRY Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, Census and District of Columbia held a hearing on Doing Time: Are DC Prisoners Being Adequately Prepared for Re-Entry? Testimony was heard from Harley G. Lappin, Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice; Charles Jones, Director, Employment Services, Department of Employment Services, District of Columbia; and public witnesses. CENSUS 2010 BUDGET ISSUES Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives held a hearing on Critical Budget Issues Affecting the 2010 Census. Testimony was heard from Jim Nussle, Director, OMB; the following officials of the Department of Commerce: Otto J. Wolfe, Chief Financial Officer and ASA; Charles Louis Kincannon, Director; and Preston Jay Waite, Deputy Director, both with the Bureau of the Census. RESTORE ACT OF 2007 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 8 to 4, a closed rule providing for 90 minutes of debate on H.R. 3773, RESTORE Act of 2007, with 60 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary and 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. In lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the rule considers as adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of the Rules Committee report, modified by the amendment printed in part B of the report, and considers the bill, as amended, as read. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule permits the Chair, during consideration of the bill, to postpone further consideration of it to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representative Scott of Virginia, Chairman Reyes, Representatives Issa, Lungren, Forbes, Gohmert and Hoekstra. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Science and Technology: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 3776, Energy [[Page D1366]] Storage Technology Advancement Act of 2007; and H.R. 3775, Industrial Energy Efficiency Research and Development Act of 2007. RAILROAD-OWNED SOLID WASTE FACILITIES Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on Railroad-Owned Solid Waste Transload Facilities. Testimony was heard from Senator Lautenberg; Representatives Pallone, Patrick J. Murphy of Pennsylvania; and Murphy of Connecticut; the following officials of the Surface Transportation Board, Department of Transportation: Charles D. Nottingham, Chairman; W. Douglas Buttrey, Vice Chairman; and Francis P. Mulvey, Commissioner; Gregory Schmidt, Mayor, Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York; Joseph DiGirolamo, Mayor, Township of Bensalem, Pennsylvania; Kathy Chasey, Mayor, Mullica Township, New Jersey; Brian X. Foley, Town Supervisor, Brookhaven, New York; Wolfgang Skacel, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey; and public witnesses. RAW SEWAGE OVERFLOW AWARENESS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing on The Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act. Testimony was heard from Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, EPA; Robert Summers, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Environment, Maryland; and public witnesses. DISABILITY CLAIMS RATINGS AND BENEFITS WITHIN VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation held a hearing on Disability Claims Ratings and Benefits Disparities within the Veterans' Benefits Administration. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Jon A. Wooditch, Deputy Inspector General; and Ronald R. Aument, Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits; and representatives of veterans organizations. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN BIDS AUDITS Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Oversight held a joint hearing on Medicare Advantage: Required Audits of Limited Value. Testimony was heard from Jeffery Steinhoff, Managing Director, Financial Management and Assistance, GAO; Timothy B. Hill, Chief Financial Officer, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--AMERITHAX Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Amerithax. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. CIA ACTIVITY Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis, and Counterintelligence met in executive session to hold a hearing on CIA Activity. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D 1354) S. 474, to award a congressional gold medal to Michael Ellis DeBakey, M.D. Signed on October 16, 2007. (Public Law 110-95) S. 1612, to amend the penalty provisions in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Signed on October 16, 2007. (Public Law 110-96) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: business meeting to consider an original bill entitled ``Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007'', an original bill entitled ``Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007'', and an original bill entitled ``Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007'', 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine consumer wireless issues, 10 a.m., SR-253. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the digital television transition, focusing on government and industry perspectives, 2:30 p.m., SR-253. Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health, to hold oversight hearings to examine the federal Superfund Program's activities to protect public health, 9:30 a.m., SD-406. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Daniel V. Speckhard, of Wisconsin, to be Ambassador to Greece, Thomas F. Stephenson, of California, to be Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic, and Vincent Obsitnik, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Slovak Republic, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on contractors and the work of the government, 10:30 a.m., SD-342. [[Page D1367]] Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Michael B. Mukasey, of New York, to be Attorney General, 10 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense collaboration, focusing on the report of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, the report of the Veterans Disability Benefit Commission, and other related reports, 9:30 a.m., SD-562. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing entitled ``Status of the DTV Transition--Part 2,'' 9:30 a.m, 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology, hearing on U.S.-Russia Economic Relationship: Implications of the Yukos Affair, 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, hearing on The Impacts of Late Housing Payments on Tenants and Owners in the Project-Based Rental Assistance Program, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia, Pacific and the Global Environment, hearing on the Crisis in Burma: Can the U.S. Bring about a Peaceful Resolution? 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science, and Technology, hearing entitled ``The Cyber Threat To Control Systems: Stronger Regulations Are Necessary To Secure the Electric Grid,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on House Administration, oversight hearing on the Capitol Visitor Center: the Visitor Experience, 11 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on the Judiciary, hearing on Sex Crimes and the Internet, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, hearing on Disappearing Polar Bears and Permafrost: Is a Global Warming Tipping Point Embedded in the Ice? 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, hearing on Women in Academic Science and Engineering, 2 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, hearing entitled ``Small Business Energy Priorities,'' 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation, hearing on NextGen: The FAA's Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (AD-B) Contract, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, hearing on Mariner Education and Work Force, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, hearing on the Long-Term Costs of the Current Conflicts, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures and the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, joint hearing on the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on Hot Spots, 8:45 a.m., H-405 Capitol. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. The database includes both text and graphics from the beginning of the 103d Congress, 2d session (January 1994) forward. It is available through GPO Access at www.gpo.gov/gpoaccess. 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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 D1368]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 17 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will begin consideration of H.R. 3043, Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations Act. (Senate will stand in recess from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m.) Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 17 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Consideration of H.R. 2095--Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007 (Subject to a Rule) and H.R. 3773-- Responsible Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen, Reviewed, and Effective (RESTORE) Act (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Boswell, Leonard L., Iowa, E2145, E2151 Conaway, K. Michael, Tex., E2148 Courtney, Joe, Conn., E2156 Cummings, Elijah E., Md., E2155 Davis, David, Tenn., E2150 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E2153 Ellison, Kieth, Minn., E2149 Gallegly, Elton, Calif., E2150 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E2148 Graves, Sam, Mo., E2143, E2144 Heller, Dean, Nev., E2152, E2152 Hinchey, Maurice D., N.Y., E2141, E2151 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E2141 Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E2153 Jordan, Jim, Ohio, E2154 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E2147 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E2143, E2144 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E2148 Loebsack, David, Iowa, E2151, E2152 Lowey, Nita M., N.Y., E2151 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E2154 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E2154 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E2145 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E2155 Moran, Jerry, Kans., E2148 Pastor, Ed, Ariz., E2148 Poe, Ted, Tex., E2142, E2144 Radanovich, George, Calif., E2150 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E2142, E2143, E2145, E2146, E2152 Reichert, David G., Wash., E2148 Reyes, Silvestre, Tex., E2150 Roybal-Allard, Lucille, Calif., E2155 Sanchez, Linda T., Calif., E2147 Saxton, Jim, N.J., E2147 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E2145, E2149 Space, Zachary T., Ohio, E2142, E2143, E2144, E2146, E2147, E2148, E2149, E2151 Sullivan, John, Okla., E2153 Waxman, Henry A., Calif., E2152