Tuesday, February 7, 2006 [[Page D60]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S733-S780 Measures Introduced: Seven bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2248-2254, S.J. Res. 28, and S. Res. 367-369. Page S769 Measures Passed: Honoring the National Guard: Committee on Armed Services was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 355, honoring the service of the National Guard and requesting consultation by the Department of Defense with Congress and the chief executive officers of the States prior to offering proposals to change the National Guard force structure, and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S776-77 Day of Hearts, Congenital Heart Defect Day: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 69, supporting the goals and ideals of a Day of Hearts, Congenital Heart Defect Day in order to increase awareness about congenital heart defects, and the resolution was then agreed to. Pages S777-78 Congratulating the Pittsburgh Steelers: Senate agreed to S. Res. 367, congratulating the Pittsburgh Steelers for their victory in Super Bowl XL. Pages S778-79 Congratulating the American Dental Association: Senate agreed to S. Res. 369, congratulating the American Dental Association for sponsoring the 4th annual ``Give Kids a Smile'' program, which emphasizes the need to improve access to dental care for children, and thanking dentists for volunteering their time to help provide needed dental care. Page S779 Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act: Senate continued consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 852, to create a fair and efficient system to resolve claims of victims for bodily injury caused by asbestos exposure. Pages S740-43, S744-66 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at approximately 10:45 a.m., on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, Senate begin consideration of the bill for debate only. Page S780 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 98 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 12), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. Pages S765-66 Appointments: Washington's Farewell Address: The Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, pursuant to the order of the Senate on January 24, 1901, as modified by the order of February 2, 2006, appointed Senator Salazar to read Washington's Farewell Address on Friday, February 17, 2006. Page S779 Messages From the House: Page S768 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S768 Executive Communications: Pages S768-69 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S769-70 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S770-75 Additional Statements: Pages S767-68 Amendments Submitted: Pages S775-76 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S776 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S776 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--12) Pages S765-66 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:45 a.m., and adjourned at 7:20 p.m., until 9:45 a.m., on Wednesday, February 8, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S780.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the defense authorization request [[Page D61]] for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, after receiving testimony from Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense; General Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and General Peter J. Schoomaker, USA, Chief of Staff, United States Army. IRAQ CONTRACTING ISSUES Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support concluded a hearing to examine contracting issues in Iraq in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, after receiving testimony from Claude M. Bolton, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology; Major General Ronald L. Johnson, USA, Deputy Chief of Engineers and Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Stuart W. Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. 2007 BUDGET Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's fiscal year 2007 budget proposal, after receiving testimony from Joshua B. Bolten, Director, Office of Management and Budget. INTERNET NEUTRALITY Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee held a hearing to examine proposals for government regulation of the Internet, focusing on concentrations in broadband access, and efforts to protect network neutrality, receiving testimony from Vinton G. Cerf, Google, Herndon, Virginia; Walter B. McCormick, Jr., United States Telecom Association, Kyle McSlarrow, National Cable and Telecommunications Association, Earl W. Comstock, COMPTEL, Kyle Dixon, Progress and Freedom Foundation, Gary R. Bachula, Internet2, and J. Gregory Sidak, Georgetown University Law Center, all of Washington, D.C.; Jeffrey A. Citron, Vonage Holdings Corporation, Edison, New Jersey; and Lawrence Lessig, Stanford Law School, Stanford, California. Hearing recessed subject to the call. NOMINATIONS Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Robert C. Cresanti, of Texas, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, who was introduced by Senator Bennett, and Tyler D. Duvall, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary, Nicole R. Nason, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and David C. Sanborn, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Maritime Administration, who were introduced by Senator Allen, Thomas J. Barrett, of Alaska, to be Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, who was introduced by Senator Murkowski, and Roger Shane Karr, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary, all of the Department of Transportation, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. 2007 BUDGET Committee on Finance: Committee held a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007, receiving testimony from John W. Snow, Secretary of the Treasury. Hearings recessed subject to call. NATO Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine common defense to common security relating to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), focusing on the evolution of the NATO alliance and its operations in Afghanistan, and other regions outside the alliance's borders, after receiving testimony from General James L. Jones, Jr., USMC, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe Mons, Belgium. CONFERENCE SPENDING Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security held a hearing to examine Federal agencies and conference spending, focusing on the nature, extent, and benefits of their participation in events for mission-related purposes, and accountability for the use of Federal funds, receiving testimony from Charles Johnson, Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Budget, Technology and Finance; Sid Kaplan, Acting Chief Financial Officer, Department of State; James M. Martin, Acting Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Michael W.S. Ryan, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Environmental Protection Agency; Scott H. Evertz, former Director, White House Office of National AIDS Policy. Hearing recessed subject to the call. NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Timothy C. Batten, Sr., to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, Thomas E. Johnston, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia, who was introduced by Senator Rockefeller and Representative [[Page D62]] Capito, Leo Maury Gordon, of New Jersey, to be a Judge of the United States Court of International Trade, and Aida M. Delgado-Colon, to be United States District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico, who was introduced by Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Luis G. Fortuno, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 6 public bills, H.R. 4701- 4706; and 1 resolution, H. Res. 670, were introduced. Page H160 Additional Cosponsors: Page H160 Reports Filed: Reports were filed on Friday, February 3rd as follows: H.R. 1631, to provide for the financing of high-speed rail infrastructure, with an amendment (H. Rept. 109-314, Pt. 2); and H.R. 3699, to provide for the sale, acquisition, conveyance, and exchange of certain real property in the District of Columbia to facilitate the utilization, development, and redevelopment of such property, with amendments (H. Rept. 109-316, Pt. 3). Page H159 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Campbell to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H157 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Boehner wherein he resigned from the Committees on Agriculture and Education and the Workforce. Page H159 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he transmitted to Congress the Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2007--referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered printed (H. Doc. 109-79). Pages H158-59 Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative Barrett wherein he resigned from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, effective today, February 7, 2006. Page H159 Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, February 8th. Page H157 Senate Message: Messages received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appear on pages H157-58. Senate Referrals: S. 1219 was referred to the Committee on Resources and S. Con. Res. 79 was referred to the Committee on International Relations. Page H159 Quorum Calls--Votes: There were no votes or quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 2 p.m. and adjourned at 2:11 p.m. Committee Meetings BORDER INCURSIONS Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Armed and Dangerous: Confronting the Problem of Border Incursions.'' Testimony was heard from Representative Reyes; Elizabeth Whitaker, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State; David Aguilar, Chief, Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. BURMA HUMAN RIGHTS Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Humans Rights and International Operations and the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held a joint hearing on Human Rights in Burma: Where Are We Now and What Do We Do Next? Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; and Barry F. Lowenkron, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; and public witnesses. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D6) H.R. 4659, to amend the USA PATRIOT Act to extend the sunset of certain provisions of such Act. Signed on February 3, 2006. (Public Law 109-170) [[Page D63]] COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Product Safety, and Insurance, to hold hearings to examine protecting consumers' phone records, 2:30 p.m., SD-562. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine pending nominations, 9:30 a.m., SD-628. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine implementation of the new Medicare drug benefit, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine Iraq stabilization and reconstruction, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Janice L. Jacobs, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, and Jeanine E. Jackson, of Wyoming, to be Ambassador to Burkina Faso, 4:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold oversight hearings to examine Indian tribes and the Federal Election Campaign Act, 9:30 a.m., SD- 106. Committee on Rules and Administration: to hold hearings to examine procedures to bring greater transparency to the legislative process, 2 p.m., SR-301. Select Committee on Intelligence: to receive a closed briefing on intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Armed Services, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization budget request from the Department of Defense, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, hearing on the President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2007, 11 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, hearing on H.R. 3186, Build Houses for Our Military's Enlisted Servicemembers Act, 11 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology, joint hearing entitled ``Protecting the Homeland: Fighting Pandemic Flu From the Front Lines,'' 2 p.m., 2237 Rayburn. Committee on International Relations, to mark up the following measures: H. Res. 593, Directing the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Attorney General, and requesting the President, to provide certain information to the House of Representatives relating to extraordinary rendition of certain foreign persons; H. Res. 624, Requesting the President of the United States and directing the Secretary of State to provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in their possession relating to United States policies under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Geneva Conventions; and H. Res. 642, Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of State to provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in their possession relating to the Secretary of State's trip to Europe in December 2005, 3 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, hearing on The Impact of Liberia's Election on West Africa, 12 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, hearing on H.R. 1704, Second Chance Act of 2005 (Part 2): An Examination of Drug Treatment Programs Needed to Ensure Successful Re-entry, 4 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health and the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, joint oversight hearing on the Effects of High Energy Costs on Jobs and the Potential for Expanded Use of Biomass for Energy, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on Water and Power, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 4013, To amend the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to provide for conjunctive use of surface and groundwater in Juab County, Utah; H.R. 4080, Glendo Unit of the Missouri River Basin Project Contract Extension Act of 2005; H.R. 4204, American River Pump Station Project Transfer Act of 2005; and H.R. 4301, Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal Land Conveyance Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight, hearing entitled ``The Internet Sales Tax: Headaches Ahead for Small Business?'' 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation, oversight hearing entitled ``U.S.-E.U. Open Skies Agreement: with a focus on DOT's NPRM regarding 'actual control' of U.S. air carriers.'' 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, oversight hearing on the VA's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2007, 10:30 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, hearings on the President's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget proposals for the Department of Health and Human Services, with Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services 10:30 a.m., and on OMB, with Joshua Bolten, Director, OMB, 4:30 p.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, hearing on Fiscal Year 2007 Intelligence Budget, 9:30 a.m., H-405 Capitol. Joint Meetings Joint Meetings: Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: to hold hearings to examine the current situation and future prospects for human rights, civil society, and democratic governance in Russia, 3 p.m., SD-226. 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. Customers can also access this information with WAIS client software, via telnet at swais.access.gpo.gov, or dial-in using communications software and a modem at 202ÿ09512ÿ091661. Questions or comments regarding this database or GPO Access can be directed to the GPO Access User Support Team at: E-Mail: gpoaccess@gpo.gov; Phone 1ÿ09888ÿ09293ÿ096498 (toll-free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091530 (D.C. area); Fax: 202ÿ09512ÿ091262. The Team's hours of availability are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, except Federal holidays. The Congressional Record paper and 24x microfiche edition will be furnished by mail to subscribers, free of postage, at the following prices: paper edition, $252.00 for six months, $503.00 per year, or purchased as follows: less than 200 pages, $10.50; between 200 and 400 pages, $21.00; greater than 400 pages, $31.50, payable in advance; microfiche edition, $146.00 per year, or purchased for $3.00 per issue payable in advance. The semimonthly Congressional Record Index may be purchased for the same per issue prices. To place an order for any of these products, visit the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250ÿ097954, or phone orders to 866ÿ09512ÿ091800 (toll free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202ÿ09512ÿ092250. Remit check or money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. 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 D64]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:45 a.m., Wednesday, February 8 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 60 minutes), Senate will begin consideration of S. 852, Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act for debate only. (Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for the Democratic party conference.) Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Wednesday, February 8 House Chamber Program for Tuesday: Consideration of suspensions (1) H.R. 4054--Dewey F. Bartlett Post Office Designation Act; (2) H.R. 4456--Hattie Caraway Station Post Office Designation Act; (3) H. Res. 389--Supporting the goals and ideals of The Year of the Museum; (4) H. Con. Res. 331-- Honoring the sacrifice and courage of the 12 coal miners killed and the stamina and courage of the one who survived the mine disaster in Sago, West Virginia, and the sacrifice and courage of the two coal miners killed in the Aracoma Alma mine disaster, and recognizing the rescue crews for their outstanding efforts in the aftermath of the tragedies; (5) H. Res. 660--Supporting the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month; and (6) H. Res. 657--Honoring the contributions of Catholic schools. Motion to go to Conference on H.R. 4297--Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Andrews, Robert E., N.J., E75 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E80 Cardin, Benjamin L., Md., E74 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E79 Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E78 Drake, Thelma D., Va., E73 Farr, Sam, Calif., E75, E80 Harris, Katherine, Fla., E77 Herger, Wally, Calif., E80 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E75 Lewis, John, Ga., E79 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E79 Meehan, Martin T., Mass., E78 Musgrave, Marilyn N., Colo., E78 Nussle, Jim, Iowa, E73 Reynolds, Thomas M., N.Y., E73, E75 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E78 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E76 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E76 Weller, Jerry, Ill., E75 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E73, E74