Thursday, March 19, 2009
[[Page D288]]
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
Senate passed H.R. 146, Revolutionary War and War of 1812
Battlefield Protection Act.
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S3381-S3582
Measures Introduced: Twenty-six bills and three resolutions were
introduced, as follows: S. 638-663, S. Res. 79-80, and S. Con. Res. 11.
Pages S3550-51
Measures Passed:
Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act: By 77
yeas to 20 nays (Vote No. 106), Senate passed H.R. 146, to designate
certain land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation
System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department
of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, as amended, after
taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:
Pages S3385-S3513
Adopted:
Coburn Amendment No. 682 (to Amendment No. 684), to protect
scientists and visitors to federal lands from unfair penalties for
collecting insignificant rocks.
Pages S3385, S3388-89
Bingaman Amendment No. 684, in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S3385-S3513
Bingaman Amendment No. 686, to amend the title.
Page S3513
Rejected:
Coburn Amendment No. 677 (to Amendment No. 684), to require Federal
agencies to determine on an annual basis the quantity of land that is
owned by each Federal agency and the cost to taxpayers of the ownership
of the land. (By 58 yeas to 39 nays (Vote No. 104), Senate tabled the
amendment.)
Pages S3385, S3386-87, S3388
Coburn Amendment No. 683 (to Amendment No. 684), to prohibit funding
for congressional earmarks for wasteful and parochial pork projects.
(By 70 yeas to 27 nays (Vote No. 105), Senate tabled the amendment.)
Pages S3385, S3387, S3389
National Safe Place Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 80, designating
the week beginning March 15, 2009, as ``National Safe Place Week''.
Page S3578
Measures Considered:
Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act--Cloture
Agreement: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to
consideration of H.R. 1388, to reauthorize and reform the national
service laws.
Page S3577
A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to
proceed to consideration of the bill, and, in accordance with the
provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, and
pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of Thursday, March 19,
2009, a vote on cloture will occur at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2009,
and that if cloture is invoked, then post-cloture time count as if
cloture had been invoked at 3 p.m., on Monday, March 23, 2009.
Page S3577
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate
resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the
bill at approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, March 23, 2009.
Page S3578
Appointments:
U.S.-Russia Interparliamentary Group: The Chair, on behalf of the
Majority Leader, pursuant to Section 154 of Public Law 108-199,
appointed the following Senator as Chairman of the Senate Delegation to
the U.S.-Russia Interparliamentary Group conference during the 111th
Congress: Senator E. Benjamin Nelson.
Page S3578
U.S.-Russia Interparliamentary Group: The Chair, on behalf of the
Republican Leader, pursuant to Section 154 of Public Law 108-199,
appointed the following Senator as Vice Chairman of the Senate
Delegation to the U.S.-Russia Interparliamentary Group conference
during the 111th Congress: Senator Gregg.
Page S3578
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Congressional Award Board: The Chair, on behalf of the Republican
Leader, pursuant to Public Law 96-114, as amended, appointed the
following individual to the Congressional Award Board: Wiley Dobbs of
Idaho.
Page S3578
Technology Policy Committee: The Chair, on behalf of the Republican
Leader, pursuant to Public Law 111-5, appointed the following
individual to the Health Information Technology Policy Committee:
Richard Chapman of Kentucky.
Page S3578
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
By 61 yeas 31 nays (Vote No. EX. 107), Elena Kagan, of Massachusetts,
to be Solicitor General of the United States.
Jane Lubchenco, of Oregon, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere.
John P. Holdren, of Massachusetts, to be Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy.
Routine lists in the Coast Guard.
Pages S3520-36, S3577-78, S3582
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Kathleen A. Merrigan, of Massachusetts, to be Deputy Secretary of
Agriculture.
April S. Boyd, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant
Secretary of Commerce.
Michelle DePass, of New York, to be an Assistant Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency.
Peter Cunningham, of Illinois, to be Assistant Secretary for
Communications and Outreach, Department of Education.
Brian Vincent Kennedy, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of
Labor.
4 Army nominations in the rank of general.
Page S3582
Messages from the House:
Page S3548
Measures Placed on the Calendar:
Page S3548
Measures Read the First Time:
Pages S3548, S3578
Executive Communications:
Pages S3548-49
Petitions and Memorials:
Page S3549
Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S3550
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S3551-52
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S3552-76
Additional Statements:
Page S3547
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S3576-77
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:
Page S3577
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Page S3577
Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--107)
Pages S3388, S3389, S3394, S3536
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:31 a.m. and adjourned at 6:49 p.m.,
until 2 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2009. (For Senate's program, see the
remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3578.)
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
U.S. PACIFIC COMMAND, U.S. STRATEGIC COMMAND, AND U.S. FORCES KOREA
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
United States Pacific Command, United States Strategic Command, and
United States Forces Korea, after receiving testimony from Admiral
Timothy J. Keating, USN, Commander, United States Pacific Command,
General Kevin P. Chilton, USAF, Commander, United States Strategic
Command, and General Walter L. Sharp, USA, Commander, United Nations
Command and Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command,
and Commander, United States Forces Korea, all of the Department of
Defense.
BANK SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine bank supervision and regulation, after receiving
testimony from John C. Dugan, Comptroller of the Currency, Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency, and Scott M. Polakoff, Acting
Director, Office of Thrift Supervision, both of the Department of the
Treasury; Daniel K. Tarullo, Member, Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System; Sheila C. Bair, Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation; Michael E. Fryzel, Chairman, National Credit Union
Administration; Joseph A. Smith, Jr., North Carolina Commissioner of
Banks, Raleigh, on behalf of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors;
and George Reynolds, Georgia Department of Banking and Finance,
Atlanta, on behalf of the National Association of State Credit Union
Supervisors.
DEPOSIT INSURANCE
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on
Financial Institutions concluded a hearing to examine current issues in
deposit insurance, after receiving testimony from Arthur J. Murton,
Director, Division of Insurance and Research, Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation; David M. Marquis, Executive Director, National Credit
Union Administration; William Grant, First United Bank and Trust,
Oakland, Maryland, on behalf of
[[Page D290]]
the American Bankers Association; Terry West, VyStar Credit Union,
Jacksonville, Florida, on behalf of the Credit Union National
Association; Stephen J. Verdier, Independent Community Bankers of
America, Washington, D.C.; and David J. Wright, Services Center Federal
Credit Union, Yankton, South Dakota, on behalf of the National
Association of Federal Credit Unions.
CYBERSECURITY
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded
a hearing to examine cybersecurity, focusing on assessing our
vulnerabilities and developing an effective defense, after receiving
testimony from James A. Lewis, Center for Strategic and International
Studies, Washington, D.C.; Joseph M. Weiss, Applied Control Solutions,
LLC, Cupertino, California; Edward Amoroso, AT&T Inc., Florham Park,
New Jersey; and Eugene H. Spafford, Purdue University Center for
Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security, West
Lafayette, Indiana.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered
favorably reported the nomination of Gary Locke, of Washington, to be
Secretary of Commerce.
APPLIANCE STANDARDS IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine S. 598, to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation
Act to improve appliance standards, after receiving testimony from
David Rodgers, Director for Strategic Planning and Analysis, Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy; Brian
McLean, Director, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Office of Air and
Radiation, Environmental Protection Agency; Steven Nadel, American
Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Washington, D.C.; Richard D.
Upton, American Lighting Association, Dallas, Texas; Kyle Pitsor,
National Electric Manufacturers Association, Rosslyn, Virginia; and
Mark Connelly, Consumers Union, Yonkers, New York.
U.S.-RUSSIA RELATIONS
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine prospects for engagement with Russia, after receiving testimony
from Andrew C. Kuchins, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Russia and Eurasia Program, Ariel Cohen, The Heritage Foundation, and
Stephen Sestanovich, Council on Foreign Relations, all of Washington,
D.C.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the
nomination of Dawn Elizabeth Johnsen, of Indiana, to be an Assistant
Attorney General, Department of Justice.
SMALL BUSINESS LENDING
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine perspectives from main street on small business
lending, after receiving testimony from James Chessen, American Bankers
Association, and Todd McCracken, National Small Business Association,
both of Washington, D.C.; Bob Cockerham, Car World, Inc., Albuquerque,
New Mexico; Mark Lane, Coed Sportswear, Inc., Newfields, New Hampshire;
David Rader, Wells Fargo Bank, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Guy
Williams, Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company, New Orleans, Louisiana.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on
intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the
intelligence community.
Committee recessed subject to the call.
House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 55 public bills, H.R. 1604-
1658; and 11 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 76; and H. Res. 264-273, were
introduced.
Pages H3702-06
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H3706-07
Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows:
S. 383, to amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
(division A of Public Law 110-343) to provide the Special Inspector
General with additional authorities and responsibilities (H. Rept. 111-
41, Pt. 1).
Page H3702
Privileged Resolution: The House agreed to table H. Res. 265, raising a
question of the privileges of
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the House, by a yea-and-nay vote of 226 yeas to 180 nays with 15 voting
``present'', Roll No. 141.
Pages H3653-54
Providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules: The House
agreed to H. Res. 257, providing for consideration of motions to
suspend the rules, by voice vote after agreeing to order the previous
question by a yea-and-nay vote of 242 yeas to 180 nays, Roll No. 142.
Pages H3645-53, H3654-55
Suspension: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the
following measure:
Imposing an additional tax on bonuses received from certain TARP
recipients: H.R. 1586, impose an additional tax on bonuses received
from certain TARP recipients, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 328 yeas
to 93 nays, Roll No. 143.
Pages H3655-64, H3673-74
Suspension--Failed: The House failed to agree to suspend the rules and
agree to the following measure:
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding executive and employee
bonuses paid by AIG and other companies assisted with taxpayer funds
provided under the Troubled Assets Relief Program of the Secretary of
the Treasury: H. Con. Res. 76, to express the sense of the Congress
regarding executive and employee bonuses paid by AIG and other
companies assisted with taxpayer funds provided under the Troubled
Assets Relief Program of the Secretary of the Treasury, by a \2/3\ yea-
and-nay vote of 255 yeas to 160 nays, Roll No. 144.
Pages H3665-73, H3674
Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules
and pass the following measure which was debated on Tuesday, March
17th:
Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building Designation
Act: H.R. 1216, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield,
Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office
Building''.
Page H3674
Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to
meet at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 23rd for morning hour debate.
Page H3677
Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on
pages H3643 and H3677.
Quorum Calls--Votes: Four yea-and-nay votes developed during the
proceedings of today and appear on pages H3654, H3655, H3673, and
H3674. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 5:46 p.m.
Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE AND SCIENCE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and
Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Climate Satellite
Requirements and NASA and NOAA Programs. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on
AFRICOM. Testimony was heard from GEN William E. Ward, USA, Commander,
U.S. Africa Command.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Military Personnel-Navy/
Marine Corps. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of the Navy: Barney Barnum, Acting Assistant Secretary,
Manpower and Reserve Affairs; and VADM Mark Ferguson, USN, Chief of
Naval Personnel, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (N-1), and LTG Ronald
S. Coleman, Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, U.S.
Marine Corps.
FINANCIAL SERVICES, GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services, and
General Government held a hearing on The Judiciary Fiscal Year 2010
Budget. Testimony was heard from Judge Julia Gibbons, Chair, U.S.
Judicial Conference Budget Committee; and James Duff, Director,
Administrative Office of the Courts.
HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a
hearing on Biometric Identification. Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Kathleen
Kraninger, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Policy, Screening Coordination
Office; and Bob Moeny, Director, U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status
Indicator Technology.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Council on Environmental Quality.
Testimony was heard from Nancy H. Sutley, Chair, Council on
Environmental Quality.
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MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction,
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Pacific
Command. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Defense: ADM Timothy J. Keating USN, U.S. Navy Commander,
U.S. Pacific Command; and GEN Walter Sharp, USA, Commander, Republic of
North Korea-United States Combined Forces Command, and Commander United
States Forced Korea.
TRANSPORTATION, HUD APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing
and Urban Development, and Related Agencies continued on Livable
Communities, Transit Oriented Development & Incorporating Green
Building Practices into Federal Housing and Transportation Policy.
Testimony was heard from Grace Crunican, Director, Department of
Transportation, Seattle, Washington; and public witnesses.
PROJECT ON NATIONAL SECURITY REFORM
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on the Project on National Security
Reform: Commentary and Alternative Views. Testimony was heard from
Walter Oleszek, Senior Specialist in American National Government, CRS,
Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
IMPROVING ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Elementary and Secondary Education held a hearing on Improving Early
Childhood Development Policies and Practices. Testimony was heard from
Harriet Dichter, Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development and
Early Learning, State of Pennsylvania; Lillian Lowery, Secretary,
Department of Education, State of Delaware; and public witnesses.
SALMONELLA OUTBREAK--PROTECTING THE NATION'S FOOD SUPPLY
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``The Salmonella Outbreak: The
Role of Industry in Protecting the Nation's Food Supply.'' Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
CREDIT LEGISLATION
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
and Consumer Credit held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 627,
Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009; and H.R. 1456, Consumer
Overdraft Protection Fair Practice Act of 2009. Testimony was heard
from the Sandra F. Braunstein, Director, Division of Consumer and
Community Affairs, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; Montrice
Yakimov, Managing Director, Compliance and Consumer Protection, Office
of Thrift Supervision, Department of the Treasury; Sheila Albin,
Associate General Counsel, National Credit Union Administration; and
public witnesses.
EXAMINING THE HOME AFFORDABLE PROGRAM
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity held a hearing entitled ``Examining the Home Affordable
Program.'' Testimony was heard from Vance Morris, Director, Office of
Single Family Asset Management, Department of Housing and Urban
Development; Patrick J. Lawler, Chief, Economist, Federal Housing
Finance Agency; and public witnesses.
TAIWAN RELATIONS ANNIVERSARY
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia, The Pacific and the
Global Environment approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.
Con. Res. 55, Recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations
Act.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING: RECENT TRENDS
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and
Global Counterterrorism held a hearing entitled ``Human Trafficking:
Recent Trends.'' Testimony was heard from Kumar Kibble, Deputy
Director, Office of Investigations, Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE 2008 ELECTION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil
Rights, and Civil Liberties held a hearing on Lessons Learned From the
2008 Election. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
TREATMENT OF REFUGEES DURING WWII
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship,
Refugees, Border Security and International Law held a hearing on the
Treatment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent, European Americans,
and Jewish Refugees During World War II. Testimony was heard from
Daniel Masterson,
[[Page D293]]
Professor of Latin American History, U.S. Naval Academy; and public
witnesses.
ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED FISHING ENFORCEMENT ACT
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans
and Wildlife held a hearing on H.R. 1080, Illegal, Unreported, and
Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2009. Testimony was heard from
Rebecca Lent, Director, Office of International Affairs, National
Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; William
Gibbons-Fly, Director, Office of Marine Conservation, Department of
State; RADM Sally Brice-O'Hara, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of
Homeland Security; and public witnesses.
RESTORING THE FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS WORKFORCE
Committee on the Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks,
Forests and Public Lands held an oversight hearing on Restoring the
Federal Public Lands Workforce. Testimony was heard from Hank Kashdan,
Associate Chief, Forest Service, USDA; Daniel N. Wenk, Acting Director,
National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public
witnesses.
PREVENTING STIMULUS WASTE AND FRAUD
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held an oversight hearing
on Prevention Stimulus Waste and Fraud: Who are the Watchdogs?
Testimony was heard from Earl E. Devaney, Chairman, Recovery Act
Accountability and Transparency Board; and public witnesses.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN RECOVERY ACT SCIENCE FUNDING
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Investigations and
Oversight held a hearing on Follow the Money: Accountability and
Transparency in Recovery Act Science Funding. Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the NSF: Cora Marrett, Senior Accountability
Office; and Tim Cross, Interim Inspector General; Ronald R. Spoehel,
Chief Financial Officer, NASA; the following officials of the
Department of Commerce: Ellen Herbst, Senior Official for Recovery
Implementation; and Todd Zinser, Inspector General; the following
officials of the Department of Energy: Matthew Rogers, Senior Advisor
to the Secretary; Gregory H. Friedman, Inspector General; and Patricia
Dalton, Managing Director, Natural Resources and Environment Division,
GAO; and a public witness.
EFFORTS TO ADDRESS URBAN STORMWATER RUNOFF
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water
Resources and Environment held a hearing on the Efforts to Address
Urban Stormwater Runoff. Testimony was heard from Mike Shapiro, Acting
Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, EPA; the following Mayors:
Tom Leppert, Dallas, Texas; Mark Funkhouser, Kansas City, Missouri and
Tom Barrett, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 228, To
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a scholarship
program for students seeking a degree or certificate in the areas of
visual impairment and orientation and mobility; H.R. 466, Wounded
Veteran Job Security Act; H.R. 1088, Mandatory Veteran Specialist
Training Act of 2009; H.R. 1089, as amended, Veterans Employment Rights
Realignment Act of 2009; and H.R. 1171, Homeless Veterans Reintegration
Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.
CLOSING HEALTH GAPS OF VETERANS IN RURAL AREAS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health approved for
full Commission action, as amended, H.R. 1377, To amend title 38,
United States Code, to expand veterans eligibility for reimbursement by
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in
a non-Department facility.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Closing the Health Gap of
Veterans in Rural Areas: Discussion of Funding and Resources
Coordination. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs: Adam
Darkins, M.D., Chief Consultant, Office of Care Coordination; and Kara
Hawthorne, Director, Office of Rural Health; and public witnesses.
TROUBLED ASSET RELIEF PROGRAM
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing
on Troubled Asset Relief Program (TSRP) and Oversight of Federal
Borrowing and the Use of Federal Monies. Testimony was heard from Neil
Barofsky, Special Inspector General, Office of the Special Inspector
General, Troubled Asset Relief Program; and Gene L. Dodaro, Acting
Comptroller General, GAO.
[[Page D294]]
BRIEFING--SECURITY CLEARANCES
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on
Intelligence Community Management met in executive session to receive a
briefing on Security Clearances. The Subcommittee was briefed by
departmental witnesses.
CONSTRUCTING A GREEN TRANSPORTATION POLICY
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a
hearing entitled ``Constructing a Green Transportation Policy: Transit
Modes and Infrastructure.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
Joint Meetings
No joint committee meetings were held.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009
(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
House
Committee on Financial Services, hearing entitled ``Federal and
State Enforcement of Financial Consumer and Investor Protection
Laws,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on
Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management,
hearing on the Serious Commercial Real Estate Credit Crunch and GSA:
Leasing and Building During an Economic Crisis, 10 a.m., 2167
Rayburn.
CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD
Week of March 23 through March 28, 2009
Senate Chamber
On Monday, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Senate will resume
consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 1388,
Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, and vote on
the motion to invoke cloture thereon at 6:00 p.m.
During the balance of the week, Senate may consider any cleared
legislative and executive business.
Senate Committees
(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
Committee on Appropriations: March 25, Subcommittee on Defense, to
hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for
fiscal year 2010 for National Guard and Reserve, 10 a.m., SD-192.
Committee on Armed Services: March 24, to hold hearings to examine
United States European Command and United States Joint Forces
Command; with the possibility of a closed session following in SR-
222, 9:30 a.m., SH-216.
March 25, Subcommittee on Personnel, to hold hearings to examine
reserve component programs of the Department of Defense, 2:30 p.m.,
SR-232A.
March 26, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the
nominations of Ashton B. Carter, of Massachusetts, to be Under
Secretary for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, James N.
Miller, Jr., of Virginia, to be Deputy Under Secretary for Policy,
and Alexander Vershbow, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant
Secretary for International Security Affairs, all of the Department
of Defense, 9:30 a.m., SH-215.
March 26, Subcommittee on Airland, to hold hearings to examine
current and future roles, missions, and capabilities of United
States military land power, 2 p.m., SR-222.
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: March 24, to
continue hearings to examine modernizing bank supervision and
regulation, 10 a.m., SD-538.
March 26, Full Committee, to continue hearings to examine
enhancing investor protection and the regulation of securities
markets, 9:30 a.m., SD-538.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: March 25,
Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, to hold
hearings to examine Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization,
focusing on NextGen and the benefits of modernization, 2:30 p.m.,
SR-253.
March 26, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine health
insurance industry practices, 10:30 a.m., SR-253.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: March 24, to hold
hearings to examine the nomination of Thomas L. Strickland, of
Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife,
Department of the Interior, 2:30 p.m., SD-366.
March 25, Subcommittee on Energy, to hold hearings to examine how
to improve energy market transparency and regulation, 2 p.m., SD-
366.
March 26, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine legislation
to strengthen American manufacturing through improved industrial
energy efficiency, 9:30 a.m., SD-366.
Committee on Environment and Public Works: March 24, Subcommittee
on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, to hold hearings to examine Three
Mile Island, focusing on lessons learned over the past 30 years,
10:30 a.m., SD-406.
March 25, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine
transportation investment, 10 a.m., SD-406.
March 26, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the
nominations of Jonathan Z. Cannon, of Virginia, to be Deputy
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Thomas L.
Strickland, of Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and
Wildlife, Department of the Interior, 10 a.m., SD-406.
Committee on Finance: March 25, Subcommittee on Health Care, to
hold hearings to examine the role of long-term care in health
reform, 2:30 p.m., SD-215.
March 26, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine middle
income tax relief, 10 a.m., SD-215.
[[Page D295]]
Committee on Foreign Relations: March 24, to hold hearings to
examine alleviating global hunger, focusing on challenges and
opportunities for United States leadership, 9:30 a.m., SD-419.
March 24, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the
nominations of Richard Rahul Verma, of Maryland, to be an Assistant
Secretary for Legislative Affairs, and Melanne Verveer, of the
District of Columbia, to be Ambassador at Large for Women's Global
Issues, both of the Department of State, 2:30 p.m., SD-419.
March 25, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the
nomination of Christopher R. Hill, of Rhode Island, a Career Member
of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, to be
Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Iraq,
9:30 a.m., SD-419.
March 25, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine foreign
policy and the global economic crisis, 2:30 p.m., SD-419.
March 26, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the
nomination of Karl Winfrid Eikenberry, of Florida, to be Ambassador
of the United States of America to the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan, Department of State, 9:30 a.m., SD-419.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: March 24, to
hold hearings to examine addressing insurance market reform in
national health reform, 10 a.m., SD-430.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: March 25,
to hold hearings to examine Southern border violence, focusing on
homeland security threats, vulnerabilities, and responsibilities,
9:30 a.m., SD-342.
March 26, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the
nomination of Jane Holl Lute, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of
Homeland Security, 10 a.m., SD-342.
March 26, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the
nomination of John Berry, of the District of Columbia, to be
Director of the Office of Personnel Management, 2:30 p.m., SD-342.
Committee on the Judiciary: March 24, Subcommittee on
Administrative Oversight and the Courts, to hold hearings to examine
abusive credit card practices and bankruptcy, 10 a.m., SD-226.
March 25, Full Committee, to hold oversight hearing to examine the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, 9:30 a.m., SH-216.
March 26, Full Committee, business meeting to consider S. 515, to
amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform,
and the nomination of Tony West, of California, to be an Assistant
Attorney General, Department of Justice, 10 a.m., SD-226.
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: March 25, to
hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for
fiscal year 2010 for the Small Business Administration, 10:30 a.m.,
SR-428A.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: March 25, to hold hearings to
examine State-of-the-Art information technology (IT) solutions for
Veterans Affairs benefits delivery, 9:30 a.m., SR-418.
Select Committee on Intelligence: March 24, to hold closed
hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219.
March 26, Full Committee, to hold closed hearings to examine
certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219.
Special Committee on Aging: March 25, to hold hearings to examine
an update from the Alzheimer's Study Group, 10:30 a.m., SD-106.
House Committees
Committee on Agriculture, March 25, Subcommittee on Conservation,
Credit, Energy and Research, hearing to review the USDA
administration of conservation program contracts, 10 a.m., 1300
Longworth.
March 26, Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight,
Nutrition and Forestry, hearing on the state of obesity in the
United States, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth.
Committee on Appropriations, March 24, Subcommittee on Commerce,
Justice, Science and Related Agencies, on Federal Law Enforcement
Response to U.S.-Mexico Border Violence, 2 p.m., H-309 Capitol.
March 25, Subcommittee on Defense, on Combat Aircraft Acquisition,
10 a.m., H-140 Capitol.
March 25, Subcommittee on Financial Services, and General
Government, on U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 10 a.m.,
2220 Rayburn.
March 25, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Secret Service
Protection and Inaugural Security, 2 p.m., 2359 Rayburn.
March 25 and 26, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related
Agencies, on Native--American and Alaska Natives Issues, 9:30 a.m.,
and 1:30 B-308 Rayburn.
March 25, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education and Related Agencies, on Raising Wages and Living
Standards for Families and Workers, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.
March 25, Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs,
and Related Agencies, on European Command, 10 a.m., and on
Department of Defense/Veterans Affairs Medical Transition, 2 p.m.,
H-143 Capitol.
March 25, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related
Programs, on Public Witnesses, 9:30 a.m., room to be announced.
March 25, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies, on Neighborhood Reinvestment
Corporation and HUD, 2 p.m., 2358-A Rayburn.
March 26, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Department of Health
and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, 10 a.m., 2362-A
Rayburn.
March 26, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related
Agencies, on DEA, 10 a.m., H-309 Capitol.
March 26, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on S&T Research and
Transitioning Products Into Use, 10 a.m., 2358-A Rayburn.
March 26, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education and Related Agencies, on NIH:
[[Page D296]]
Budget Overview, Implementation of ARRA and Status of the National
Children's Study, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.
March 26, Subcommittee on State, and Foreign Operations, and
Related Programs, on public witnesses, 9:30 a.m., 2362-B Rayburn.
Committee on Armed Services, March 24, hearing on security
development in the areas of responsibility of the U.S. Pacific
Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Forces Korea, 1 p.m., 2118
Rayburn.
March 24, Subcommittee on Military Personnel and the Subcommittee
on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, joint hearing
on Department of Defense Health Information Technology: AHTLA is
``Intolerable,'' Where Do We Go From Here? 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
March 25, full Committee, hearing on Effective Counterinsurgency:
How the Use and Misuse of Reconstruction Funding Affects the War
Effort in Iraq and Afghanistan, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
March 25, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on
Contingency Contracting: Has the Call for Urgent Reform Been
Answered? 4 p.m., 2212 Rayburn.
March 25, Subcommittee on Readiness, hearing on readiness and
sustainment of the Navy's surface fleet, 2 p.m., 2118 Rayburn.
March 26, Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, hearing on status
of the future combat systems program, 2 p.m., 2118 Rayburn.
March 26, Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces,
hearing on requirements for the future capabilities of the United
States maritime forces, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
March 26, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, hearing on future
roles and missions of the Missile Defense Agency, 9 a.m., 2212
Rayburn.
Committee on Education and Labor, March 24, Subcommittee on
Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, hearing on Retirement
Security: The Importance of an Independent Investment Adviser, 10:30
a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
March 25, full Committee, hearing on GAO's Undercover
Investigation: Wage Theft of America's Vulnerable Workers, 10 a.m.,
2175 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services, March 24, hearing entitled
``Oversight of the Federal Government's Intervention at American
International Group,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
March 25, hearing entitled ``Exploring the Balance between
Increased Credit Availability and Prudent Lending Standards,'' 10
a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
March 26, hearing entitled ``Addressing the Need for Comprehensive
Regulatory Reform,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Foreign Affairs, March 24, Subcommittee on the Middle
East and South Asia, hearing on Update on Lebanon, 2 p.m., 2172
Rayburn.
March 25, full Committee, to mark up H. Res. 152, Expressing the
sense of the House of Representatives that the United States remains
committed to the North Atlantic Treaty, 9:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.
Committee on Homeland Security, March 24, Subcommittee on Emerging
Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing entitled
``Security the Smart Grid from Cyber Attack,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon.
March 26, Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and
Oversight, hearing entitled ``Consolidating DHS: An Update on the
St. Elizabeth Project,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon.
Committee on House Administration, March 26, hearing on the 2008
Election: A look back on what went right and wrong, 10 a.m., 1310
Longworth.
Committee on the Judiciary, March 24, Subcommittee on Commercial
and Administrative Law, hearing on H.R. 1478, Carmelo Rodriguez
Military Medical Accountability Act of 2009, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn.
March 26, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security,
hearing on the Representation of Indigent Defendants in Criminal
Cases: A Constitutional Crisis in Michigan and Other States? 10
a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Committee on Natural Resources, March 24, Subcommittee on Energy
and Mineral Resources and the Subcommittee on Insular Affair, Oceans
and Wildlife, joint oversight hearing entitled ``Energy Development
on the Outer Continental Shelf and the Future of our Oceans, ``10
am., 1324 Longworth.
March 24, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public
Lands, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 689, To interchange the
administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal lands between the
Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management; H.R. 1078, Harriet
Tubman National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman Underground
Railroad National Historical Park Act; and H.R. 1275, Utah
Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2009, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth.
March 26, full Committee, oversight hearing entitled ``California
Drought: Actions by Federal and State agencies to address impacts on
lands, fisheries, and water users, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, March 23,
Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives,
hearing on Census 2010: Assessing the Bureau's Strategy for Reducing
the Undercount of Hard-to-Count Populations, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
March 25, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and
the District of Columbia, to mark up H.R. 626, Federal Employees
Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009, 9:30 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Committee on Science and Technology, March 24, Subcommittee on
Energy and Environment, hearing to Examine Federal Vehicle
Technology Research and Development Programs, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
March 24, Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, hearing
on Coordination of International Science Partnerships, 2 p.m., 2318
Rayburn.
March 25, full Committee, to mark up the following: the Electronic
Waste Research and Development Act; and H.R. 1145, National Water
Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009, 10 a.m., 2318
Rayburn.
[[Page D297]]
March 26, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, hearing on
Aviation and the Emerging Use of Biofuels, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Committee on Small Business, March 25, hearing entitled
``Oversight of the Small Business Administration and its Programs,''
2 p.m., 2360 Rayburn.
March 26. Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, hearing
entitled ``Expanding Equity Investment in Small Business, `` 10
a.m., 2360 Rayburn.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, March 24,
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, hearing on
Overview of Coast Guard Acquisition Policies and Programs, 10 a.m.,
2167 Rayburn.
March 26, full Committee, hearing on the Department of
Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs, 11
a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, March 24. Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, hearing on the Nexus
between Engaged in Combat with the Enemy and PTSD in an Era of
Changing Warfare Tactics, 2 p.m., 334 Cannon.
March 25, full Committee, to mark up the following bills: H.R.
1171, Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of
2009; H.R. 1377, to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand
veterans eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department
facility; and H.R. 1513, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living
Adjustment Act of 2009, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon.
Committee on Ways and Means, March 24, Subcommittee on Social
Security and the Subcommittee on Income Security ad Family Support,
joint hearing on Eliminating the Social Security Disability Backlog,
10:30 a.m., 1100 Longworth.
March 24, Subcommittee on Trade, hearing on Trade Aspects of
Climate Change Legislation, 2 p.m., 1100 Longworth.
March 26, full Committee, to continue climate change, to continue
hearings on Climate Change Legislation, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390).
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[[Page D298]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Next Meeting of the SENATE
2 p.m., Monday, March 23
Senate Chamber
Program for Monday: After the transaction of any morning business (not
to extend beyond 3 p.m.), Senate will resume consideration of the
motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 1388, Generations
Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, and vote on the motion to
invoke cloture thereon at 6 p.m.
Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
12:30 p.m., Monday, March 23
House Chamber
Program for Monday: To be announced.
_______________________________________________________________________
Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue
HOUSE
Abercrombie, Neil, Hawaii, E715, E727
Bonner, Jo, Ala., E714, E725
Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E713, E722
Castle, Michael N., Del., E721
Clyburn, James E., S.C., E727
Connolly, Gerald E., Va., E728, E728, E729, E729, E730, E730, E731,
E732
Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E720
Crowley, Joseph, N.Y., E721
Davis, Susan A., Calif., E715
DeGette, Diana, Colo., E719
Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E716
Farr, Sam, Calif., E717
Gonzalez, Charles A., Tex., E716, E719
Green, Gene, Tex., E713
Grijalva, Raul M., Ariz., E716
Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E726
Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E721
Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E725
Kennedy, Patrick J., R.I., E723
Kind, Ron, Wisc., E724
Lujan, Ben Ray, N.M., E726
Moore, Dennis, Kans., E718
Moran, James P., Va., E724
Murtha, John P., Pa., E715
Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E723
Paul, Ron, Tex., E720, E722
Pence, Mike, Ind., E727
Putnam, Adam H., Fla., E715
Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E713, E715, E725
Reyes, Silvestre, Tex., E718
Sanchez, Linda T., Calif., E726
Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E714, E716, E717, E719, E720, E721, E722,
E723, E725, E726
Schmidt, Jean, Ohio, E727
Sherman, Brad, Calif., E728
Space, Zachary T., Ohio, E719
Stupak, Bart, Mich., E723
Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E718
Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E727, E728, E729, E729, E730, E730, E730, E731,
E732