Wednesday, April 26, 2006 [[Page D384]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS The House passed the H.R. 5020, Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2007. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3527-S3634 Measures Introduced: Eleven bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2652-2662, and S. Res. 446-447. Pages S3588-89 0Measures Passed: Recognizing Crop Science Society of America: Senate agreed to S. Res. 446, recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Crop Science Society of America. Pages S3631-32 Congratulating University of Wisconsin Men's Hockey Team: Senate agreed to S. Res. 447, congratulating the University of Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team for winning the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Hockey Championship. Page S3632 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 4939, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3532-68, S3632-34 Adopted: By 59 yeas to 39 nays (Vote No. 94), Gregg Modified Amendment No. 3594, to provide, with an offset, emergency funding for border security efforts. Pages S3532-43 Durbin Amendment No. 3632, to ensure that a Federal employee who takes leave without pay in order to perform service as a member of the uniformed services or member of the National Guard shall continue to receive pay in an amount which, when taken together with the pay and allowances such individual is receiving for such service, will be no less than the basic pay such individual would then be receiving if no interruption in employment had occurred. Pages S3553-55 Hutchison/Burns Amendment No. 3647 (to Amendment No. 3642), to clarify the availability of funds. Page S3563 By 84 yeas to 13 nays (Vote No. 98), Akaka Amendment No. 3642, to provide an additional $430,000,000 for the Department of Veterans Affairs for Medical Services for outpatient and inpatient care and treatment for veterans, as amended. Pages S3560-64 Rejected: By 44 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 95), Reid Amendment No. 3604, to provide, with an offset, emergency funding for border security efforts. Pages S3532-44 Thomas Amendment No. 3615, in the nature of a substitute. (By 72 yeas to 26 nays (Vote No. 96), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S3551-52 Ensign Motion to Recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations, with instructions that it be reported back with a total net spending not exceeding $94.5 billion. (By 68 yeas to 28 nays (Vote No. 97), Senate tabled the motion to recommit.) Pages S3562-63 Coburn Amendment No. 3641 (Division I), to prohibit the availability of certain funds for the Rail Line Relocation Capital Grant program. (By 49 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 99), Senate tabled Division I of the amendment.) Pages S3557-60, S3564-66 Pending: Harkin/Grassley Amendment No. 3600, to limit the compensation of employees funded through the Employment and Training Administration. Page S3532 McCain/Ensign Amendment No. 3616, to strike a provision that provides $74.5 million to States based on their production of certain types of crops, livestock and or dairy products, which was not included in the Administation's emergency supplemental request. Page S3544 McCain/Ensign Amendment No. 3617, to strike a provision providing $6 million to sugarcane growers [[Page D385]] in Hawaii, which was not included in the Administration's emergency supplemental request. Page S3544 McCain/Ensign Amendment No. 3618, to strike $15 million for a seafood promotion strategy that was not included in the Administration's emergency suplemental request. Page S3544 McCain/Ensign Amendment No. 3619, to strike the limitation on the use of funds for the issuance or implementation of certain rulemaking decisions related to the interpretation of ``actual control'' of airlines. Page S3544 Warner Amendment No. 3620, to repeal the requirement for 12 operational aircraft carriers within the Navy. Pages S3544-48 Warner Amendment No. 3621, to equalize authorities to provide allowances, benefits, and gratuities to civilian personnel of the United States Government in Iraq and Afghanistan. Page S3544 Coburn Amendment No. 3641 (Divisions II through XIX), of a perfecting nature. Pages S3557-60 Vitter Amendment No. 3627, to designate the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita as HUBZones and to waive the Small Business Competitive Demonstration Program Act of 1988 for the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. Page S3567 Vitter/Landrieu Amendment No. 3626, to increase the limits on community disaster loans. Page S3567 Vitter Amendment No. 3628, to base the allocation of hurricane disaster relief and recovery funds to States on need and physical damages. Pages S3567-68 Vitter Modified Amendment No. 3648, to expand the scope of use of amounts appropriated for hurricane disaster relief and recovery to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for Operations, Research, and Facilities. Pages S3568, S3632 Wyden Amendment No. 3665, to prohibit the use of funds to provide royalty relief. Pages S3632-34 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: Chair sustained a point of order against Stabenow Amendment No. 3633, to provide an immediate Federal income tax rebate to help taxpayers with higher fuel costs, as being in violation of rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, which prohibits legislation on appropriation matters, and the amendment thus fell. Pages S3548-50 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 10 a.m., on Thursday, April 27, 2006. Page S3632 Messages From the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, the notification of an Executive Order blocking property of additional persons in connection with the national emergency with respect to Syria; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-45) Page S3586 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination: Patrick Joseph Schiltz, of Minnesota, to be United States DistrictJudge for the District of Minnesota. Pages S3631, S3634 Messages From the House: Page S3586 Measures Referred: Pages S3586-87 Executive Communications: Pages S3587-88 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S3588 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3589-91 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3591-99 Additional Statements: Pages S3585-86 Amendments Submitted: Pages S3599-S3624 Notices of Intent: Pages S3624-30 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S3630 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S3630-31 Privileges of the Floor: Page S3631 Record Votes: Six record votes were taken today. (Total--99) Pages S3543, S3543-44, S3552, S3563, S3564, S3566 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 7:47 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, April 27, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3632.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) BIOFUELS INDUSTRY Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the state of the biofuels industry, after receiving testimony from Bob Dinneen, Renewable Fuels Association, Washington, D.C.; Joe Jobe, National Biodiesel Board, Jefferson City, Missouri; Jay Derbertin, CHS, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota; and Robert C. Brown, Iowa State University Center for Sustainable Environmental Technologies, Ames. [[Page D386]] APPROPRIATIONS: NATIONAL GUARD & RESERVE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the National Guard and Reserve, after receiving testimony from Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, Chief, National Guard Bureau; Lieutenant General Clyde A. Vaughn, Director, Army National Guard; Major General Charles Ickes, II, Acting Director, Air National Guard; Lieutenant General James R. Helmly, Chief, Army Reserve; Vice Admiral John G. Cotton, Chief, Naval Reserve; Lieutenant General John W. Bergman, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve; and Lieutenant General John A. Bradley, Chief, Air Force Reserve. APPROPRIATIONS: GAO Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Government Accountability Office, after receiving testimony from David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Gene L. Dodaro, Chief Operating Officer, Sallyanne Harper, Chief Administrator Office, and George G. Strader, Controller, all of the Government Accountability Office. APPROPRIATIONS: NASA Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, after receiving testimony from Michael D. Griffin, Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported 2,043 nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. MATH AND SCIENCE EDUCATION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness concluded a hearing to examine certain efforts to foster innovation in math and science education, after receiving testimony from Mary Ann Rankin, University of Texas at Austin; Paul Dugan, Washoe County School District, Reno, Nevada; Thomas N. McCausland, Siemens Medical Solutions, Malvern, Pennsylvania; and Ioannis Miaoulis, Museum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts. CLIMATE CHANGE Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Global Climate Change and Impacts concluded a hearing to examine projected and past effects of climate change, focusing on certain marine and terrestrial systems, after receiving testimony from Steven A. Murawski, Director, Scientific Programs and Chief Science Advisor, National Marine Fisheries Service and Ecosystem Goal Team Leader, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce; Thomas R. Armstrong, Program Coordinator, Earth Surface Dynamics Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; Syun-Ichi Akasofu, International Arctic Research Center, Fairbanks, Alaska; Robert W. Corell, American Meteorological Society, Grasonville, Maryland; and Paul Reiter, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Richard Capka, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, and James B. Gulliford, of Missouri, to be Assistant Administrator for Toxic Substances, and William Ludwig Wehrum, Jr., of Tennessee, to be an Assistant Administrator, both of the Environmental Protection Agency. Also, Committee adopted a proposal to amend Committee Rule 7(d) on the naming of public buildings and facilities. CUSTOMS AND TRADE AUTHORIZATIONS Committee on Finance: Committee held a hearing to examine authorizations for activities of the United States International Trade Commission, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Customs and Border Protection, and for an International Trade Data System, receiving testimony from Stephen Koplan, Chairman, International Trade Commission; Julie Myers, Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Jayson P. Ahern, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, United States Customs and Border Protection, both of the Department of Homeland Security; Timothy E. Skud, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy; Marian Duntley, Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., Torrance, California, on behalf of the American Association of Exporters and Importers; Peter H. Powell, C.H. Powell, Company, Westwood, Massachusetts, on behalf of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc.; Brian Monks, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, Illinois; Jerry Cook, Sara Lee Branded Apparel, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Mic Dinsmore, Port of Seattle, Seattle, Washington. Hearing recessed subject to the call. [[Page D387]] U.S.-INDIA ATOMIC ENERGY COOPERATION Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine United States-India atomic energy cooperation, focusing on strategic and nonproliferation implications, including S. 2429, to authorize the President to waive the application of certain requirements under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 with respect to India, after receiving testimony from Ashton B. Carter, Harvard University Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Cambridge, Massachusetts; William J. Perry, Stanford University Hoover Institution, Stanford, California; Robert L. Gallucci, Georgetown University Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Ashley J. Tellis, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Robert J. Einhorn, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Gary Milhollin, Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, and Stephen P. Cohen, Brookings Institution, all of Washington, D.C.; and Ronald F. Lehman, II, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California. HIV/AIDS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security held an oversight hearing to examine Federal efforts to ensure early diagnosis and access to treatment for HIV/AIDS, focusing on how federal funding is being distributed to provide AIDS drugs and HIV testing opportunities in the United States, receiving testimony from Deborah Parham Hopson, Associate Administrator, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, and Kevin Fenton, Director, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both of the Department of Health and Human Services; Marcia Crosse, Director, Health Care, Government Accountability Office; Beth Scalco, National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, Washington, D.C.; and Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Los Angeles, California. Hearing recessed subject to the call. DIGITAL RADIO REVOLUTION Committee on the Judiciary: Committee held a hearing to examine the future of the music industry in the digital radio revolution, focusing on parity, platforms, and protection issues, receiving testimony from Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Warner Music Group, New York, New York; Gary Parsons, XM Satellite Radio Inc., Washington, D.C.; Bruce T. Reese, Bonneville International Corporation, Salt Lake City, Utah, on behalf of the National Association of Broadcasters; N. Mark Lam, Live365, Inc., Foster City, California, on behalf of the Digital Media Association; Anita Baker, Grosse Point, Michigan; Todd Rundgren, Darby, Pennsylvania; and Victoria Shaw, Nashville, Tennessee. Hearings recessed subject to the call. FINANCING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the reauthorization of the Financing and Entrepreneurial Development programs administered by the Small Business Administration, after receiving testimony from Hector V. Barreto, Administrator, Small Business Administration; Harry C. Alford, National Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Washington, D.C.; Mark Morrissette, North Atlantic Capital, Portland, Maine, on behalf of the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies; James R. Baird, Bay Area Development Company, Walnut Creek, California; and James A. Maxwell, Granite State Economic Development Corporation/New England Business Finance, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 20 public bills, H.R. 5196- 5215; and 10 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 390-394; and H. Res. 778-782 were introduced. Pages H1851-53 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H1853-54 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 3496, to amend the National Capital Transportation Act of 1969 to authorize additional Federal contributions for maintaining and improving the transit system of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and for other purposes, amended (H. Rept. 109-440); and H. Res. 783, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4975) to provide greater transparency [[Page D388]] with respect to lobbying activities, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 109-441). Page H1851 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Capito to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H1745 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. John Hergenrother, Presiding Judge, Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Page H1745 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Urging the Government of China to reinstate all licenses of Gao Zhisheng and his law firm, remove all legal and political obstacles for lawyers attempting to defend criminal cases in China, including politically sensitive cases, and revise law and practice in China so that it conforms to international standards: H. Con. Res. 365, to urge the Government of China to reinstate all licenses of Gao Zhisheng and his law firm, remove all legal and political obstacles for lawyers attempting to defend criminal cases in China, including politically sensitive cases, and revise law and practice in China so that it conforms to international standards, by a yea-and-nay vote of 421 yeas with none voting ``nay'' and 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 104; and Pages H1751-54, H1785 Iran Freedom Support Act: H.R. 282, amended, to hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening behavior and to support a transition to democracy in Iran, by a yea-and-nay vote of 397 yeas to 21 nays, Roll No. 105. Pages H1754-74, H1785-86 Discharge Petition: Representative Markey moved to discharge the Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and the Workforce from the consideration of H.R. 4263, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose a temporary windfall profit tax on crude oil, to establish the Consumer Energy Assistance Trust Fund, and to provide for a rebate to energy consumers (Discharge Petition No. 12). Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 778, electing Representative Berman to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, to rank immediately ahead of Representative Jones of Ohio. Page H1786 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007: The House passed H.R. 5020, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, by a recorded vote of 327 ayes to 96 noes, Roll No. 108. Pages H1786-H1812 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. Pages H1795-H1808 Rejected Mr. Schiff motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Intelligence with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a recorded vote of 195 ayes to 230 noes, Roll No. 107, after ordering the previous question without objection. Pages H1809-11 Agreed to: Hoekstra amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 109-438) strikes a provision relating to the Freedom of Information Act in Section 421 of the Committee Amendment, relating to protection of intelligence sources and methods. The amendment clarifies that the membership of the Drug Enforcement Administration on the intelligence community is limited to the Office of National Security Intelligence of the Drug Enforcement Administration; Pages H1800-01 Fossella amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 109-438) authorizes $5 million for a study to be conducted by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to identify the problems and the successes of terrorist-threat information sharing between the Federal, State, and local levels of government. The amendment also authorizes $10 million to establish centers of best practices. $3 million is authorized for the following five years to cover operational expenses of the centers; Pages H1801-02 Lee amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 109-438) requires a report to House and Senate Intelligence committees describing any authorization granted during the past 10 years to engage in intelligence activities related to the overthrow of a democratically elected government; Pages H1803-04 Price of North Carolina amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 109-438) requires: (1) the DNI to report to Congress on regulations issued by agencies within the Intelligence Community regarding minimum standards for hiring and training of contractors, functions appropriate for private sector contractors, and procedures for preventing waste, fraud, and abuse; (2) contractors awarded Intelligence Community contracts to provide a transparent accounting of their work to their contracting officers within Intelligence Community agencies; (3) the DNI to submit an annual report to Congress on the contracts awarded by Intelligence Community agencies; and (4) the [[Page D389]] DNI to make recommendations to Congress on enhancing the Intelligence Community's ability to hire, promote, and retain highly qualified and experienced professional staff; Pages H1804-05 Andrews amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 109-438) requires the Director of National Intelligence to provide the Congress with a quarterly classified intelligence report on insurgent forces in Iraq. The report would contain intelligence on (1) the number of insurgent forces in Iraq, (2) the number of insurgent forces that are former members of the Ba'ath Party, (3) the number of insurgent forces that are members of al Qaeda or other known terrorist organizations, and (4) a description of where the insurgent forces are located, their capabilities and sources of funding; and Pages H1805-06 Renzi amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 109-438) makes findings with respect to the President's authority to protect national security information and the harm from unauthorized disclosures of classified information, and express the Sense of Congress that the President should utilize his constitutional authority to the fullest extent practicable (where warranted) to classify and protect national security information and take action against persons who commit unauthorized disclosures (by a recorded vote of 366 ayes to 56 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 106). Pages H1806-08 Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House. Page H1812 H. Res. 774, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 227 yeas to 198 nays, Roll No. 103, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 228 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 102. Pages H1774-85 Tax Relief Act of 2005--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House completed general debate on the McDermott motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 4297, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 201(b) of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2006. Further consideration will resume at a later date. Pages H1813-19 Presidential Message: Read a letter from the President wherein he transmitted notification of his issuance of an Executive Order blocking property of persons in connection with the terrorist act in Beirut, Lebanon, on February 14, 2005 and to take additional steps to a national emergency with respect to the Government of Syria--referred to the Committee on International Relations (H. Doc. 109-100). Pages H1819-20 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H1750. Senate Referrals: S. Res. 443 was held at the desk. Quorum Calls--Votes: Four yea-and-nay votes and three recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1783-84, H1784-85, H1785, H1785-86, H1808, H1810-11, and H1811-12. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 12:01 a.m. Committee Meetings FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE PROGRAM Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a hearing to review the Federal Crop Insurance Program. Testimony was heard from John Hoeven, Governor, State of North Dakota; and public witnesses. ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Oversight of Reform of the DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex. Testimony was heard from Clay Sell, Deputy Secretary, Department of Energy; Gene Aloise, Director, National Resources and Environment, GAO; David Klein, Assistant to the Secretary, Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs, Department of Defense; and a public witness. FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs held a hearing on USAID. Testimony was heard from Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, Administrator, U.S. Agency of International Development, Department of State. SCIENCE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Testimony was heard from Carl J. Truscott, Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Department of Justice. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel approved for full Committee action [[Page D390]] H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces approved for full Committee action H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. GULF COAST RECOVERY Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled ``Gulf Coast Recovery: Facing Challenges and Coming Back Stronger in Education.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. COMMUNICATIONS OPPORTUNITY, PROMOTION, AND ENHANCEMENT ACT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act. AMERICA's CAPITAL MARKETS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``America's Capital Markets: Maintaining Our Lead in the 21st Century.'' Testimony was heard from former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich of Georgia; and public witnesses. TITLE INSURANCE: COST AND COMPETITION Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing entitled ``Title Insurance: Cost and Competition.'' Testimony was heard from Orice M. Williams, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, GAO; Gary M. Cunningham, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Regulatory Affairs and Manufactured Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses. TRANSIT ZONE OPERATIONS Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources held a hearing entitled ``Transit Zone Operations: Can We Sustain Record Seizures and Declining Resources.'' Testimony was heard from James F. X. O'Gara, Deputy Director, Supply Reduction, Office of National Drug Control Policy; RADM Jeffrey Hathaway, USN, Director, Joint Interagency Task Force--South, Department of Defense; Michael Braun, Director, Operations, DEA, Department of Justice; the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: RADM Wayne Justice, USCG, Assistant Commandant, Enforcement and Incident Management, U.S. Coast Guard; and MG Michael Kostelnick, USAF (ret.), Assistant Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection; and a public witness. REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT THRIFT SAVINGS ACT; REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency Organization held a hearing ``Adding a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Index Option to the Thrift Savings Plan: Considering the Views and Advisory Role of the Employee Thrift Advisory Council (ETAC).'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board: Gary A. Amelio, Executive Director; and Thomas J. Trabucco, Director, External Affairs; and public witnesses. SAFE PORT ACT Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4954, SAFE Port Act. IRAQ: UPDATE ON U.S. POLICY Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on Iraq: Update on U.S. Policy. Testimony was heard from James Jeffrey, Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Coordinator for Iraq, Department of State; and the following officials of the Department of Defense: Peter W. Rodman, Assistant Secretary, International Security Affairs; and BG Michael D. Jones, USA, Deputy Director, Politico-Military Affairs (Middle East), J-5, The Joint Staff. ENDANGERED CHILDREN OF NORTHERN UGANDA Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations held a hearing on the Endangered Children of Northern Uganda. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Jeffrey Krilla, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; and Leonard Rogers, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development; and and public witnesses. U.S. POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia continued hearings [[Page D391]] on U.S. Policy in Central Asia: Balancing Priorities (Part II). Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary, South and Central Asian Affairs; and Drew W. Luten, Acting Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, U.S. Agency for International Development; James McDougal, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of Defense; and public witnesses. U.S.-MEXICO RELATIONS Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held a hearing on U.S.-Mexico Relations. Testimony was heard from Elizabeth A. Whitaker, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Mexico, Canada, and Public Diplomacy, Department of State; John M. Melle, Deputy Assistant Trade Representative, North America, Office of the United States Trade Representative; Audrey Adams, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held an oversight hearing on the Department of Justice: Executive Office for United States Attorneys, Civil Division, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Executive Office for United States Trustees, and Office of the Solicitor General. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Michael Battle, Director, Executive Office for United States Attorneys; Peter D. Keisler, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division; Sue Ellen Woolridge, Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division; and Clifford White, Acting Director, Executive Office for United States Trustees. MISCELLANEOUS WATER MEASURES Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1711, New Mexico Water Planning Assistance Act; H.R. 4750, Lower Republican River Basin Study Act; and S. 166, Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Larry Todd, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. LOBBYING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 2, a structured rule providing one hour of general debate on H.R. 4975, to provide greater transparency with respect to lobbying activities, and for other purposes, equally divided and controlled by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader, or their designees. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that in lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on the Judiciary, Rules, and Government Reform now printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of the Rules Committee Print dated April 21, 2006, modified by the amendment printed in part A of the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole. The rule provides that the bill, as amended, shall be considered as the original bill for purpose of further amendment, and shall be considered as read. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in part B of the Rules Committee report, which may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in part B of the Rules Committee report. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule provides that in the engrossment of H.R. 4975, the Clerk shall add the text of H.R. 513, as passed by the House, as new matter at the end of H.R. 4975 and shall make appropriate conforming changes. The rule provides that after the passage of H.R. 4975, it shall be in order to take from the Speaker's table S. 2349 and to consider the Senate bill in the House. The rule waives all points of order againt consideration of the Senate bill. The rule provides that it shall be in order to move to strike all after the enacting clause of the Senate bill and to insert in lieu thereof the provisions of H.R. 4975 as passed by the House. The rule waives all points of order against that motion. Finally, the rule provides that if that motion is adopted and the Senate bill, as amended, is passed, it then shall be in order to move that the House insist on its amendment to the Senate bill and request a conference thereon. Testimony was heard from Chairman Tom Davis of Virginia and Representatives Daniel E. Lungren of California, King of Iowa, Gohmert, Shays, Leach, Hefley, Castle, Wicker, Shadegg, Kirk, Garrett of New Jersey, Conyers, Jackson-Lee of Texas, Waters, Meehan, Van Hollen, Waxman, Obey, George Miller of California, Doggett, Sherman, Bordallo, Emanuel, and Bean. [[Page D392]] CUTTING THE TRADE DEFICIT Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Cutting Our Trade Deficit: Can the U.S. Muster Its Diverse Trade Promotion Operations to Make an Impact?'' Testimony was heard from Representative Mica; Franklin Lavin, Under Secretary, International Trade, Department of Commerce; Loren Yager, Director, International Affairs and Trade, GAO; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--U.S. RAIL CAPACITY CRUNCH Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held an oversight hearing on the U.S. Rail Capacity Crunch. Testimony was heard from Joseph Boardman, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation; Frank Busalacchi, Secretary, Department of Transportation, State of Wisconsin; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--CORPORATE COMMITMENT TO HIRING VETERANS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held an oversight hearing on Corporate Commitment to Hiring Veterans. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, 9:30 a.m., SD-138. Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, to resume hearings to examine the progress of the Capitol Visitor Center construction, 10:30 a.m., SD-124. Committee on Armed Services: to hold a closed briefing on operations and intelligence, 10 a.m., SR-222. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction, to hold hearings to examine drought issues, 10 a.m., SD-562. Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Narcotics Affairs, to hold hearings to examine the progress of implementing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, 2:30 p.m., SD-419. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider the nominations of Norman Randy Smith, of Idaho, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, Michael Ryan Barrett, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio, Brian M. Cogan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of NewYork, Thomas M. Golden, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Timothy Anthony Junker, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa, and Patrick Carroll Smith, Sr., of Maryland, to be United States Marshal for the Western District of North Carolina, S. 2557, to improve competition in the oil and gas industry, to strengthen antitrust enforcement with regard to industry mergers, S. 2453, to establish procedures for the review of electronic surveillance programs, S. 2455, to provide in statute for the conduct of electronic surveillance of suspected terrorists for the purposes of protecting the American people, the Nation, and its interests from terrorist attack while ensuring that the civil liberties of United States citizens are safeguarded, S. 2468, to provide standing for civil actions for declaratory and injunctive relief to persons who refrain from electronic communications through fear of being subject to warrantless electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes, S. 2292, to provide relief for the Federal judiciary from excessive rent charges, S. 489, to amend chapter 111 of title 28, United States Code, to limit the duration of Federal consent decrees to which State and local governments are a party, and S.J. Res. 1, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine renewing the temporary provisions of the Voting Rights Act, 2:30 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: business meeting to consider the nomination of Daniel L. Cooper, of Pennsylvania, to be Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs; to be followed by a hearing on issues relating to VA research, 10 a.m., SR-418. Select Committee on Intelligence: closed business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Agriculture, hearing to review the Futures Market and Gasoline Prices, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies, on SEC, 10 a.m., H-309 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Projection Forces, to mark up H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, 11 a.m., 2212 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Readiness, to mark up H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, 9 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, to mark up H.R. 5122, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, 1 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, hearing entitled ``Examining the Use of Non- Consensus Standards in Workplace Health and Safety,'' 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, hearing on Pipeline Safety: A Progress Report Since the Enactment of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, 10 a.m., 2322 Rayburn. [[Page D393]] Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ``Reauthorizing the Ryan White CARE Act: How to Improve the Program to Ensure Access to Care,'' 9 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology, hearing entitled ``CFIUS and the Role of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States,'' 11 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, hearing entitled ``Financial Friendly Fire: A Review of Persistent Military Pay Problems,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism, executive, briefing on the GAO report Information Sharing: The Federal Government Needs to Establish Policies and Processes for Sharing Terrorism-Related and Sensitive but Unclassified Information (GAO-06-385). 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on International Relations, hearing on United Nations Reform: Improving Internal Oversight Within the UN, 1 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, joint hearing on North Korea: Human Rights Update and International Abduction Issues, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, oversight hearing on the Constitution and Line Item Veto, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, oversight hearing on Patent Harmonization, 9 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, oversight hearing on The Report by the Administration's Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, oversight hearing on the GAO Report on Promoting Woody Biomass for Energy and Other Uses, 1 p.m., 1334 Longworth. Subcommittee on National Parks, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1796, Mississippi River Trail Study Act; H.R. 3085, to amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, and components, and campgrounds associated with that trail; and H.R. 4612 Wright Brothers-Dunbar National Historic Park Designation Act, 2:30 p.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Science, hearing on H.R. 5143, H-Prize Act of 2006, 9:30 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Workforce Empowerment and Government Programs, hearing entitled ``Healthcare and Small Business: Proposals That Will Help Lower Costs and Cover the Uninsured,'' 10:30 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, oversight hearing on Implementation of the Oil Pollution Act, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, hearing on the following: H.R. 4791, Disabled Veterans Adaptive Housing Improvement Act; the Veterans Employment State Grant Improvement Act of 2006; the GI Bill Flexibility Act of 2006; the Veterans and Credentialing Act of 2006; and a proposal to amend to H.R. 3082, Veterans-Owned Small Business Promotion Act of 2005, 1:30 p.m., 334 Cannon. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on Global Updates/Hotspots, 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol. Joint Meetings Joint Economic Committee: to hold hearings to examine the current economic outlook, 10 a.m., SH-216. 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 D394]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, April 27 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 30 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 4939, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9 a.m., Thursday, April 27 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 4975--Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Berry, Marion, Ark., E613 Bilirakis, Michael, Fla., E616 Blackburn, Marsha, Tenn., E611 Clay, Wm. Lacy, Mo., E616 Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E607 Davis, Tom, Va., E613 Dingell, John D., Mich., E610 Edwards, Chet, Tex., E626 Emerson, Jo Ann, Mo., E605 Farr, Sam, Calif., E605, E606 Gutknecht, Gil, Minn., E620, E622, E623 Harris, Katherine, Fla., E612 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E606 Hensarling, Jeb, Tex., E612 Hinojosa, Ruben, Tex., E625 Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E615 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E624 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E601, E602, E604, E605 Langevin, James R., R.I., E610 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E617 McMorris, Cathy, Wash., E609 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E615 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E606 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E626 Mica, John L., Fla., E609 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E601, E603, E604, E605 Pastor, Ed, Ariz., E617 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E618, E619, E620, E621, E623, E624, E626 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E602, E603 Rogers, Harold, Ky., E625 Schmidt, Jean, Ohio, E607 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E601, E603 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E607 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E608 Sodrel, Michael E., Ind., E624 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E621, E623 Sweeney, John E., N.Y., E601, E603 Tanner, John S., Tenn., E617 Tierney, John F., Mass., E611 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E616, E620, E622 Udall, Mark, Colo., E610 Waxman, Henry A., Calif., E619 Weiner, Anthony D., N.Y., E612