Wednesday, May 24, 2006 [[Page D544]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS The House passed H.R. 5427, Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2007. House Committees ordered reported 9 sundry measures. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S5045-S5134 Measures Introduced: Forty-one bills and four resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2994-3034, S.J. Res. 37, and S. Res. 491- 493. Pages S5116-17 Measures Reported: S. Res. 301, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the National Audubon Society, and with an amended preamble. S. 801, to designate the United States courthouse located at 300 North Hogan Street, Jacksonville, Florida, as the ``John Milton Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse.'' S. 2650, to designate the Federal courthouse to be constructed in Greenville, South Carolina, as the ``Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. Federal Courthouse.'' Page S5116 Measures Passed: Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act: Senate passed S. 2803, to amend the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to improve the safety of mines and mining, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. Pages S5045-50 Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act: Senate passed H.R. 5037, to amend titles 38 and 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain demonstrations at cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration and at Arlington National Cemetery, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S5129-30 Frist (for Craig) Amendment No. 4187, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S5129-30 Pueblo de San Ildefonso Claims Settlement Act: Senate passed S. 1773, to resolve certain Native American claims in New Mexico, after agreeing to the committee amendments. Pages S5130-34 National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 357, supporting the goals and ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S5134 Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act: Senate continued consideration of S. 2611, to provide for comprehensive immigration reform, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S5050-S5107 Adopted: By 73 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. 146), Byrd Amendment No. 4127, to fund improvements in border and interior security by assessing a $500 supplemental fee under title VI. Pages S5063-66, S5091-92 By 56 yeas to 42 nays (Vote No. 147), Gregg Amendment No. 4114, to amend title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform the diversity visa program and create a program that awards visas to aliens with an advanced degree in science, mathematics, technology, or engineering. Pages S5066-72, S5092 Landrieu/DeMint Amendment No. 4025, to provide for the reform of intercountry adoption. Pages S5072-73, S5092 Burns Amendment No. 4124, to provide for a Bureau of the Census report to Congress on the impact of illegal immigration on the apportionment of Representatives in Congress. Pages S5095-96 Boxer Further Modified Amendment No. 4144, to modify provisions relating to labor certification. Pages S5094-95 [[Page D545]] Rejected: By 31 yeas to 67 nays (Vote No. 148), Hutchison/Bond Amendment No. 4101, to enhance border security by creating a pilot SAFE Visa Program to grant visas to authorized nationals of a NAFTA or CAFTA-DR country who receive employment offers in job areas in the United States that have been certified by the Secretary of Labor as having a shortage of workers. Pages S5073-75, S5092-93 Chambliss Amendment No. 4084, to modify the eligibility requirements for blue card status and to increase the fines to be paid by aliens granted such status or legal permanent resident status. (By 62 yeas to 35 nays (Vote No. 149), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S5096-S5100, S5104 By 48 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 150), Dorgan Amendment No. 4095, to sunset the H-2C visa program after the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act. Pages S5100-04, S5105 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 73 yeas to 25 nays (Vote No. 144), 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 bill. Page S5061 Chair sustained a point of order that the following amendment was not germane: McConnell Amendment No. 4085, to implement the recommendation of the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform to protect and secure the franchise of all United States citizens from ballots being cast illegally by non-United States citizens. (By 48 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 143), Senate earlier failed to table the amendment.) Pages S5050-60, S5062 By 67 yeas to 31 nays (Vote No. 145), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to waive section 407(b), which provides that it shall not be in order to consider any legislation that would cause a net increase in direct spending in excess of $5 billion in any of the four 10-year periods beginning in 2016 through 2055, of H. Con. Res. 95, Congressional Budget Resolution for fiscal year 2006. Subsequently, the point of order that the bill violates section 407(b) of H. Con. Res. 95, was not sustained. Pages S5080-91 A unanimous-consent request was granted permitting Senator Baucus to change his nay vote to a yea vote on Vote No. 141, changing the outcome of the vote to 57 yeas to 40 nays relative to the motion to table Kennedy Amendment No. 4106, to enhance the enforcement of labor protections for United States workers and guest workers, agreed to on Tuesday, May 23, 2006. Page S5092 A unanimous-consent request was granted permitting Senator Smith to change his nay vote to a yea vote on Vote No. 140, changing the outcome of the vote to 59 yeas to 39 nays relative to Grassley Amendment No. 4177, to provide a substitute to title III, Unlawful Employment of Aliens, agreed to on Tuesday, May 23, 2006. Page S5108 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for consideration of certain additional amendments, including a manager's package, on Thursday, May 25, 2006, with no second degree amendments in order, with votes to occur thereon, followed by a vote on final passage of the bill. Page S5104 Nomination--Kempthorne: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Dirk Kempthorne, of Idaho, to be Secretary of the Interior. Page S5128 A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination and, in accordance with rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a cloture vote will occur on Friday, May 26, 2006. Page S5128 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Patrick W. Dunne, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Policy and Planning). A routine list in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Page S5134 Messages From the House: Page S5116 Measures Referred: Page S5116 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S5116 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S5117-19 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S5119-26 Additional Statements: Page S5116 Amendments Submitted: Pages S5126-28 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S5128 Record Votes: Eight record votes were taken today. (Total--150) Pages S5060, S5061, S5091, S5091-92, S5092, S5093, S5104, S5105 Adjournment: Senate convened at 8:30 a.m., and adjourned at 10:15 p.m., until 9:15 a.m., on Thursday, May 25, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S5134.) [[Page D546]] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for defense-related programs, after receiving testimony from numerous public witnesses. CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch resumed hearings to examine the progress of Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) construction, focusing on the project's schedule, costs and funding, receiving testimony from Alan M. Hantman, Architect, Robert C. Hixon, Jr., Capitol Visitor Center Project Manager, Stephen Ayers, Chief Operating Officer, Susan Adams, Safety Officer, and Mark Weiss, Director, Capitol Power Plant, all of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol; and Bernard L. Ungar, Director, and Terrell Dorn, Assistant Director, both of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office; and Peter Evelyth, General Counsel, Office of Compliance. Hearings continue on Wednesday, June 21. NOMINATION Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of Michael V. Hayden for appointment in the United States Air Force to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601, to be General. NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Aviation concluded a hearing to examine National Transportation Safety Board reauthorization issues, after receiving testimony from Mark V. Rosenker, Acting Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board; and Gerald L. Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office. 2006 HURRICANE SEASON Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction concluded a hearing to examine the outlook for the 2006 hurricane season and U.S. cities most vulnerable to hurricanes, after receiving testimony from Max Mayfield, Director, Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce; Brigadier General Benjamin J. Spraggins, Harrison County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, Gulfport, Mississippi; and Major General Stanhope S. Spears, South Carolina Military Department, Columbia. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee ordered favorably reported the following bills: S. 997, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest, Montana, to Jefferson County, Montana, for use as a cemetery, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1529, to provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land in the city of Yuma, Arizona, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 1548, to provide for the conveyance of certain Forest Service land to the city of Coffman Cove, Alaska, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 2003, to make permanent the authorization for watershed restoration and enhancement agreements, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 2028, to provide for the reinstatement of a license for a certain Federal Energy Regulatory Commission project (West Virginia Hydro Extension), with amendments; S. 2035, to extend the time required for construction of a hydroelectric project in the State of Idaho, with amendments; S. 2054, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the State of Vermont, with amendments; S. 2150, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain Bureau of Land Management Land to the city of Eugene, Oregon, with amendments; S. 2373, to provide for the sale of approximately 132 acres of public land to the City of Green River, Wyoming, at fair market value, with amendments; S. 2403, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to include in the boundaries of the Grand Teton National Park land and interests in land of the GT Park Subdivision, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; S. 2568, to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, with amendments; S. Res. 468--supporting the continued administration of Channel Islands National Park, including Santa Rosa Island, in accordance with the laws (including regulations) and policies of the National Park Service; H.R. 394, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to evaluate the significance of the [[Page D547]] Colonel James Barrett Farm in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and assess the suitability and feasibility of including the farm in the National Park System as part of the Minute Man National Historical Park; H.R. 482, to provide for a land exchange involving Federal lands in the Lincoln National Forest in the State of New Mexico, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; H.R. 486, to provide for a land exchange involving private land and Bureau of Land Management land in the vicinity of Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, for the purpose of removing private land from the required safety zone surrounding munitions storage bunkers at Holloman Air Force Base, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; H.R. 1492, to provide for the preservation of the historic confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II, with amendments; and H.R. 4000, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to revise certain repayment contracts with the Bostwick Irrigation District in Nebraska, the Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District No. 2, the Frenchman- Cambridge Irrigation District, and the Webster Irrigation District No. 4, all a part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program. PUBLIC LANDS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests concluded a hearing to examine S. 2466, to authorize and direct the exchange and conveyance of certain National Forest land and other land in southeast Arizona, S. 2788, to direct the exchange of certain land in Grand, San Juan, and Uintah Counties, Utah, and S. 2567, to maintain the rural heritage of the Eastern Sierra and enhance the region's tourism economy by designating certain public lands as wilderness and certain rivers as wild and scenic rivers in the State of California, after receiving testimony from Senators Boxer, Bennett, and Kyl; Chad Calvert, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management; Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Department of Agriculture; Mayor Michael Hing, Superior, Arizona; John W. Andrews, Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, Salt Lake City; Bill Williams, Resolution Copper Company, Phoenix, Arizona; and Laura Kamala, Grand Canyon Trust, Castle Valley, Utah. NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Gaddi H. Vasquez, of California, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, who was introduced by Senator Coleman, and John Clint Williamson, of Louisiana, to be Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues, Department of State, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. NOMINATION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of R. David Paulison, of Florida, to be Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Federal Emergency Management, after the nominee, who was introduced by Representative Shaw, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. NOMINATION Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Andrew J. Guilford, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, and Frank D. Whitney, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, who was introduced by Senators Dole and Burr, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider pending intelligence matters. Committee recessed subject to the call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 13 public bills, H.R. 5464- 5476; and 7 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 415-416; and H. Res. 837-41 were introduced. Pages H3225-26 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H3226-27 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: [[Page D548]] H. Res. 835, providing for consideration of the H.R. 5429, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain of Alaska, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 109-480); and H. Res. 836, providing for consideration of the H.R. 5441, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007 (H. Rept. 109-481). Page H3225 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Emerson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H3141 Recess: The House recessed at 10:04 a.m. for the purpose of receiving His Excellency Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister of Israel. The House reconvened at 12:45 p.m., and agreed that the proceedings had during the Joint Meeting be printed in the Record. Pages H3141-45 Joint Meeting to receive His Excellency Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister of Israel: The House and Senate met in a joint session to receive His Excellency Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister of Israel. He was escorted into the Chamber by a committee comprised of Representatives Boehner, Blunt, Pryce of Ohio, Cantor, Reynolds, Shaw, DeLay, Ros-Lehtinen, Davis of Virginia, Price of Georgia, Pelosi, Hoyer, Clyburn, Lantos, Ackerman, Lowey, Waxman, Harman, Emanuel, and Berman; and Senators Frist, McConnell, Stevens, Santorum, Kyl, Specter, Coleman, Reid, Durbin, Stabenow, Leahy, Levin, Kohl, Lieberman, Feinstein, Boxer, Feingold, Wyden, Clinton, and Lautenberg. Pages H3141-45 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006: H.R. 5403, to improve protections for children and to hold States accountable for the safe and timely placement of children across State lines. Pages H3149-54 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2007: H.R. 5427, making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, by a yea-and-nay vote of 404 yeas to 20 nays, Roll No. 206. Pages H3156-H3208, H3211-15 Agreed to limit the number of amendments made in order for debate and the time limit for debate on each amendment. Pages H3166-67 Agreed to: Millender-McDonald amendment to increase Energy Efficiency Programs by $5 million; Pages H3179-82 Barton of Texas amendment (No. 4 printed in the Congressional Record of May 23rd) to insert a new section at the end of the bill to prohibit any of the funds made available by the Act for the Nuclear Waste Fund from being used to carry out the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership program; Pages H3183-84 Visclosky amendment to prohibit any of the funds made available in the Act from being used in contravention of the Federal buildings performance and reporting requirements of Executive Order 13123, part 3 of title V of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 2005 (including the amendments made thereby); Pages H3186-87 Engel amendment to prohibit any of the funds made available by the act from being used in contravention of Section 303 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1992; Pages H3191-92 Deal amendment (No. 1 printed in the Congressional Record of May 23rd) to strike section 110 from the bill. Section 110 prohibits use of funds in the bill to revise the master control plans and master manuals of the Corps of Engineers for the Alabama, Coosa, Tallapoosa River basin in Alabama and Georgia or the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, Flint River Basin in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida (by a recorded vote of 216 ayes to 201 noes with 6 voting ``Present'', Roll No. 196); Pages H3171-74, H3192 DeLauro amendment to restore the $49.5 million level for State Energy Grants programs (by offset) (by a recorded vote of 217 ayes to 204 noes, Roll No. 198); Pages H3177-79, H3193-94 Andrews amendment to increase funding for the Global Threat Reduction Initiative by $27.8 million (by a recorded vote of 227 ayes to 195 noes, Roll No. 199); Pages H3182-83, H3194-95 Inslee amendment to prohibit the use of funds from being made available by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to enforce any claim for a termination payment asserted by any regulated entity the Commission has found to have violated the terms of its market-based rate authority by engaging in manipulation of market rules or exercise of market power in the Western Interconnection during the period January 1, 2000, to June 20, 2001; Pages H3197-98 Rejected: King of Iowa amendment that sought to prohibit any of the funds made available in the Act from being used for the Corps of Engineers to implement the Spring Rise, also known as the bimodal spring pulse releases, on the Missouri River; Pages H3187-88 [[Page D549]] Markey amendment that sought to reduce the funding level for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership by $40 million (by a recorded vote of 128 ayes to 295 noes, Roll No. 197); Pages H3175-77, H3193 Berkley amendment that sought to prohibit any of the funds made available by the Act from being used by the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management to administer the ``Yucca Mountain Youth Zone'' website (by a recorded vote of 147 ayes to 271 noes, Roll No. 200); Pages H3184-85, H3195 Markey amendment that sought to prohibit any of the funds made available by the Act from being used to carry out subtitle J of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16371 et seq.) (by a recorded vote of 161 ayes to 255 noes, Roll No. 201); Pages H3185-86, H3195-96 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds from being made available for the Research and Environmental Center at Mystic Aquarium, CT; Pages H3201-02 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds from being made available for the Southwest Gas Corporation GEDAC heat pump Development, NV; Pages H3202-03 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds from being made available for Center for End-of-Life Electronics, WV; Pages H3203-04 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds from being made available for the Missouri Forest Foundation; Pages H3204-06 Bishop of New York amendment that sought to prohibit any of the funds made available in the Act from being used by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to review the application for the Broadwater Energy proposal, dockets CP06-54-000, CP06-55-000, and CP06-56-000 (by a recorded vote of 164 ayes to 258 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 202); Pages H3189-90, H3211-12 Hefley amendment (No. 2 printed in the Congressional Record of May 23rd) that sought to reduce by 1 percent each amount appropriated or otherwise made available by the Act that is not required to be appropriated or otherwise made available by a provision of law (by a recorded vote of 87 ayes to 338 noes, Roll No. 203); Pages H3198-99, H3212 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds from being made available for the Virginia Science Museum, VA (by a recorded vote of 64 ayes to 359 noes, Roll No. 204); and Pages H3199-H3201, H3213 Flake amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds from being made available for Juniata Ultra Low Emission Locomotive Demonstration, PA (by a recorded vote of 46 ayes to 372 noes, Roll No. 205). Pages H3206-08, H3213-14 Withdrawn: Stupak amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn which sought to prohibit any of the funds made available in the Act from being used to implement a policy, proposed on pages V-5 and V-6 of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Direct Program: Program Development Guidance for Fiscal Year 2007 (Circular No. 11-2-187), to use or consider the amount of tonnage of goods that pass through a harbor to determine if a harbor is high-use; Pages H3188-89 Lynch amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to direct the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to cope with potential disruptions in the worldwide oil disruptions; and Pages H3190-91 Tiahrt amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to prohibit any of the funds made available in the Act from being used to promulgate regulations without consideration of the effect of such regulations on the competitiveness of American businesses. Page H3197 Point of Order sustained against: Visclosky amendment that sought to increase funding in the bill by $1 billion for various projects. The increase would be offset by a reduction in the tax cut for taxpayers earning in excess of $1 million in calendar year 2007; and Pages H3167-70 The proviso, (Sec. 102), beginning on page 12, line 8, and ending on page 12, line 15, sought to change existing law and constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. Pages H3170-71 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H3215 H. Res. 832, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by a recorded vote of 254 ayes to 165 noes, Roll No. 195, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 224 yeas to 190 nays, Roll No. 194. Pages H3154-56 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure: Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act: H.R. 5037, as amended by the Senate, to amend titles 38 and 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain demonstrations at cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration and at Arlington National Cemetery. Pages H3208-11 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H3145. Senate Referrals: S. 2803 was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Page H3224 Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on pages H3227-28. [[Page D550]] Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and eleven recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H3155, H3155-56, H3192, H3193, H3193-94, H3194, H3195, H3195-96, H3211-12, H2312, H3213, H3213-14, and H3214-15. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 12:01 a.m. Committee Meetings BORDER SECURITY--NATIONAL GUARD MISSION Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Border Security--Mission of the National Guard. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Paul McHale, Assistant Secretary, Homeland Defense; MG Richard J. Rowe, USA, Director, Operations, U.S. Northern Command; and LTG H. Steven Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard Bureau; and David Aguilar, Chief, Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, Department of Homeland Security. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported the following bills: H. R. 5438, Public Health and Medical Emergency Coordination Act of 2006; H.R. 3997, amended, Financial Data Protection Act of 2006; and H. R. 5126, amended, Truth in Caller ID Act of 2006. VEHICLE AND FUELS TECHNOLOGY: NEXT GENERATION Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held a hearing entitled ``Vehicle and Fuels Technology: Next Generation.'' Testimony was heard from Alexander A. Karsner, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 5117, To exempt persons with disabilities from the prohibition against providing section 8 rental assistant to college students; H.R. 4127, amended, Data Accountability and Trust Act (DATA); H.R. 5341, amended, Seasoned Customer CTR Exemption Act of 2006; H.R. 3043, amended, Zero Downpayment Pilot Program Act of 2006; H.R. 5347, amended, HOPE VI Reauthorization Act of 2006; and H.R. 5121, amended, Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2006. '06 HURRICANE SEASON PREPAREDNESS Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``Getting Ready for the '06 Hurricane Season.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: George W. Foresman, Under Secretary, Preparedness; and Robert Shea, Acting Director, Operations, FEMA; MG Terry L. Scherling, USA, Director, Joint Staff, National Guard Bureau, Department of Defense; ADM W. Craig Vanderwagen, M.D., USN, Assistant Surgeon General, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported adversely, without amendment, H. Res. 809, Directing the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution documents in the Secretary's possession relating to any existing or previous agreement between the Department of Homeland Security and Shirlington Limousine and Transportation, Incorporated, of Arlington, Virginia. CFIUS REFORM Committee on Homeland Security: Committee also held a hearing entitled ``The Need for CFIUS Reform to Address Homeland Security Concerns.'' Testimony was heard from Representatives Blunt and Maloney; Clay Lowery, Assistant Secretary, International Affairs, Department of the Treasury; Stewart Baker; Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning, and International Affairs, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. CHIEF INTELLIGENCE OFFICER PROGRESS Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled ``Examining the Progress of the DHS Chief Intelligence Officer.'' Testimony was heard from Charles E. Allen, Chief Intelligence Officer, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property, approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1458, as amended, To require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce; H.R. 5440, Federal Courts Jurisdiction Clarification Act of 2006; and H.R. 5439, Orphan Works Act of 2006. [[Page D551]] AMERICAN-MADE ENERGY AND GOOD JOBS ACT Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 5429, To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain of Alaska, in the House equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Resources. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit. Testimony was heard from Chairman Pombo. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 hour of general debate on H.R. 5441, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Under the rules of the House the bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph. The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized appropriations or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill), except as specified in the resolution. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. SCIENCE POLICY/NOBEL LAUREATES Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards held a hearing on the Views of the NIST Nobel Laureates on Science Policy. Testimony was heard from the following Nobel Laureates, Physics: William Phillips, 1997; Eric Cornell, 2001; and John Hall, 2005. HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Understanding Contemporary Public Private Highway Transactions: The Future of Infrastructure Finance? Testimony was heard from the following Governors: Tim Kaine, Virginia; and Mitch Daniels, Indiana; Matthew Garret, Director, Department of Transportation, State of Oregon; and public witnesses. HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION ACT Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4157, Health Information Technology Promotion Act of 2005. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Armed Services: to hold a closed briefing on the status of on-going investigations into an incident involving Iraqi civilians on November 19, 2005, near Haditha, 11:30 a.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: business meeting to markup the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2006, and to consider the nominations of Armando J. Bucelo, Jr., and Todd S. Farha, both of Florida, each to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, Jon T. Rymer, of Tennessee, to be Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, John W. Cox, of Texas, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and William Hardiman, of Michigan, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to resume hearings to examine S. 2686, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 and for other purposes, 11:15 a.m., SD-106. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the outlook for growth of coal fired electric generation and whether sufficient supplies of coal will be available to supply electric generators on a timely basis both in the near term and in the future, 10 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the current status of United Nations reform, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Michael E. Ranneberger, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya, Eric M. Bost, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, W. Stuart Symington IV, of Missouri, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti, and Gayleatha Beatrice Brown, of New Jersey, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, 3 p.m., SD-106. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: business meeting to consider the nominations: of R. David Paulison, of Florida, to be Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management, Department of Homeland Security, and Lurita Alexis Doan, of Virginia, to be Administrator of General Services, Time to be announced, Room to be announced. Full Committee, with the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to hold joint hearings to examine VA data privacy breach, focusing on the recent theft of computer material [[Page D552]] that contained the names and Social Security numbers of 26.5 million veterans, 10 a.m., SD-342. Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine Congress' role in Federal financial management, focusing on Congress' role and effectiveness in the Federal budget process, as well as ways it can improve the management of Federal funds, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine Indian education, 9:30 a.m., SR-485. 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 consequences of legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia, 1 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, to hold joint hearings to examine VA data privacy breach, focusing on the recent theft of computer material that contained the names and Social Security numbers of 26.5 million veterans, 10 a.m., SD-342. Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine the status of preparing for a pandemic flu, 10 a.m., SD-G50. House Committee on Appropriations, to consider the following: Revised Suballocation of Budget Allocations; the Legislative Branch appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007, and the Foreign Operations appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007, 9 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on Applying Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina: How the Department of Defense is Preparing for the Upcoming Hurricane Season, 10 a.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, hearing on the Line-Item Veto, Perspectives on Applications and Effects, 9:30 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, to mark up H.R. 2048, Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to continue hearings entitled ``Protecting Investors and Fostering Efficient Markets: A Review of the S.E.C. Agenda,'' 1 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Office of Thrift Supervision,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, hearing entitled ``Enlisting Foreign Cooperation in U.S. Efforts to Prevent Nuclear Smuggling,'' 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on House Administration, hearing entitled ``Oversight Hearing on the Smithsonian Business Ventures,'' 12 p.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on International Relations, to mark up the following measures: H.R. 860, To provide for the conveyance of the reversionary interest of the United States in certain lands to the Clint Independent School District, El Paso County, Texas; H.R. 4010, Millennium Challenge Reauthorization Act of 2005; H.R. 5247, Support for the Museum of the History of the Polish Jews Act of 2006; H.R. 5333, Shoulder-fired Missile Threat Reduction Act of 2006; H. Con. Res. 338, Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the activities of Islamist terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere; H. Con Res 408, Commending the Government of Canada for its renewed commitment to the Global War on Terror; H. Con. Res. 409, Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand; H. Res. 608, Condemning the escalating levels of religious persecution in the People's Republic of China; H. Res. 784, Commending and supporting Radio Al Mahaba, Iraq's first and only radio station for women; H. Res. 792, Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the independence of Guyana and extending best wishes to Guyana for peace and further progress, development, and prosperity; H. Res. 794, Recognizing the 17th anniversary of the massacre in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, in the People's Republic of China; H. Res. 799, Congratulating the people of Ukraine for conducting free, fair, and transparent parliamentary elections on March 26, 2006, and commending their commitment to democracy and reform; H. Res. 804, Condemning the unauthorized, inappropriate, and coerced ordination of Catholic bishops by the People's Republic of China; and H. Res. 828, Commending the people of Mongolia, on the 800th anniversary of Mongolian statehood, for building strong, democratic institutions, and expressing the support of the House of Representatives for efforts by the United States to continue to strengthen its partnership with that country, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, briefing and hearing the World Hunger Crisis, 11 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation, hearing on the A.Q. Khan Network: Case Closed? 2 p.m., 2255 Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, hearing on U.S.-Canada Relations, 2 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 5417, Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006; H.R. 4777, Internet Gambling Prohibition Act; H.R. 4411, Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006; H.R. 4894, To provide for certain access to national crime information databases by schools and educational agencies for employment purposes, with respect to individuals who work with children; H.R. 5318, Cyber-Security Enhancement and Consumer Data Protection Act of 2006; and H.R. 4127, Data Accountability and Trust Act (DATA), 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on National Parks, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 4275, To amend Public Law 106-348 to extend the authorization for establishing a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States; [[Page D553]] H.R. 5057, To authorize the Marion Park Project and Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion; and S. 1627, Delaware National Coastal Special Resources Study Act, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology, hearing entitled ``Unlocking Charitable Giving,'' 9:45 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, oversight hearing on the recent theft of sensitive information belonging to as many as 26.5 million veterans and spouses from a VA employee's home, 9 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Oversight, hearing on Charities and Employment Taxes: Are Charities in the Combined Federal Campaign Meeting Their Employment Tax Responsibilities? 11 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on Global Updates/Hotspots, 9 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. 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 D554]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:15 a.m., Thursday, May 25 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of S. 2611, Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, with votes to occur on certain amendments, followed by a vote on final passage of the bill; following which, Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, with a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, May 25 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 5441--Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007 and H. Res. 836, the rule for consideration of the measure. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E956 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E946 Bradley, Jeb, N.H., E948 Brady, Robert A., Pa., E951 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E947 Butterfield, G.K., N.C., E954 Cardin, Benjamin L., Md., E950, E957 Clay, Wm. Lacy, Mo., E950 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E953, E953 Davis, Tom, Va., E947 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E961 Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E960 Dingell, John D., Mich., E949, E955 Doyle, Michael F., Pa., E961 Emerson, Jo Ann, Mo., E957 Franks, Trent, Ariz., E948 Gibbons, Jim, Nev., E957 Graves, Sam, Mo., E945, E945, E946, E947, E948, E948, E949, E950, E951, E952 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E952 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E945, E945 Hoekstra, Peter, Mich., E951 Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E959 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E947 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E959 Lewis, Ron, Ky., E945, E946 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E952, E953, E954, E955 McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E947 McMorris, Cathy, Wash., E959 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E948 Markey, Edward J., Mass., E961 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E956 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E956 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E949 Paul, Ron, Tex., E958 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E952, E953 Price, David E., N.C., E959 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E958, E960, E961 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E952 Scott, David, Ga., E960 Shaw, E. Clay, Jr., Fla., E946 Shays, Christopher, Conn., E951 Stearns, Cliff, Fla., E957 Sullivan, John, Okla., E951 Udall, Tom, N.M., E949 Waxman, Henry A., Calif., E954