Wednesday, February 25, 2009 [[Page D171]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS The House Passed H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S2433-S2506 Measures Introduced: Seventeen bills and five resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 468-484, S.J. Res. 11, S. Res. 54-56, and S. Con. Res. 8. Pages S2473-74 Measures Reported: S. Res. 54, authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Finance. Page S2473 Measures Passed: Role of Enslaved African Americans in Construction of the Capitol Plaque: Committee on Rules and Administration was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 53, authorizing a plaque commemorating the role of enslaved African Americans in the construction of the Capitol, and the resolution was then agreed to. Page S2500 Children's Health Month and Honoring the Memory of Deamonte Driver: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 8, expressing support for Children's Dental Health Month and honoring the memory of Deamonte Driver. Page S2501 Measures Considered: District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act: Senate continued consideration of S. 160, to provide the District of Columbia a voting seat and the State of Utah an additional seat in the House of Representatives, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S2434-61 Adopted: Kyl Amendment No. 574, to provide for expedited judicial review for Members of Congress. Page S2442 Rejected: By 7 yeas to 91 nays (Vote No. 68), Coburn Amendment No. 581, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S2458, S2460 Pending: Ensign Amendment No. 575, to restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia. Pages S2442-44, S2456-60 Coburn Amendment No. 576 (to Amendment No. 575), of a perfecting nature. Pages S2444-51 Thune Amendment No. 579, to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to allow citizens who have concealed carry permits from the State or the District of Columbia in which they reside to carry concealed firearms in another State or the District of Columbia that grants concealed carry permits, if the individual complies with the laws of the State or the District of Columbia. Pages S2451-52 Kyl Amendment No. 585, to provide for the retrocession of the District of Columbia to the State of Maryland. Pages S2452-54 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 36 yeas to 62 nays (Vote No. 67), Senate did not sustain the point of order raised by Senator McCain that the bill violates Article 1, Section 2 of the United States Constitution. Page S2451 A motion was entered to close further debate on the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Friday, February 27, 2009. Page S2461 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, February 26, 2009, and that the time until 10:30 a.m., be for debate relative to Kyl Amendment No. 585 (listed above), with the time equally divided and controlled between Senators Kyl and Lieberman, or their designees; and that no amendments be in order to the amendment prior to the vote; provided further, that at 10:30 a.m., Senate vote on or in relation to Kyl Amendment No. 585 (listed above). Page S2501 [[Page D172]] Appointments: Joint Committee on Taxation: The Chair, announced on behalf of the Committee on Finance, pursuant to section 8002 of title 26, U.S. Code, the designation of the following Senators as members of the Joint Committee on Taxation: Senators Baucus, Rockefeller, Conrad, Grassley, and Hatch. Page S2500 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Jane Holl Lute, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. Tony West, of California, to be an Assistant Attorney General. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. Pages S2501-06 Messages from the House: Page S2471 Measures Referred: Page S2471 Measures Read the First Time: Pages S2471, S2501 Executive Communications: Pages S2472-73 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S2473 Additional Cosponsors: Page S2474 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S2474-89 Additional Statements: Pages S2469-71 Amendments Submitted: Pages S2489-S2500 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S2500 Privileges of the Floor: Page S2500 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--68) Pages S2451, S2460 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:25 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2009. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S2501.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) NOMINATION Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Gary Gensler, of Maryland, to be Chairman and Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senators Mikulski and Cardin and former Senator Sarbanes, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing to examine Afghanistan and Pakistan from Michele Flournoy, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; Lieutenant General John M. Paxton, Jr., USMC, Director for Operations, J3, and Vice Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr., USN, Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, J5, both of the Joint Staff; and Rear Admiral Mark D. Harnitchek, USN, Director, Strategy, Policy, Programs and Logistics Directorate, J5/4, United States Transportation Command. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Capt. Brian P. Monahan, to be Rear Admiral and Attending Physician to the Congress, and Michael A. Brown, to be Rear Admiral, both of the Navy; and routine lists in the Air Force Reserve and the Navy. LATEST GLOBAL WARMING SCIENCE Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine an update on the latest global warming science, after receiving testimony from Howard Frumkin, Director, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Department of Health and Human Services; R.K. Pachauri, United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, New Delhi, India; Christopher B. Field, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, California; and William Happer, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey. EXPANDING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine scoring health care reform, focusing on Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) budget options, including expanding health insurance coverage and making the health care system more efficient, after receiving testimony from Douglas W. Elmendorf, Director, Congressional Budget Office. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported an original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee. Also, committee announced the following subcommittee assignments for the 111th Congress: Subcommittee on Health Care: Senators Rockefeller (Chair), Bingaman, Kerry, Lincoln, Wyden, Schumer, Stabenow, Cantwell, Nelson (FL), Menendez, [[Page D173]] Carper, Hatch, Snowe, Ensign, Enzi, Cornyn, Kyl, Bunning, and Crapo. Subcommittee on Taxation, IRS Oversight, and Long-Term Growth: Senators Conrad (Chair), Baucus, Rockefeller, Wyden, Schumer, Stabenow, Cantwell, Menendez, Carper, Kyl, Hatch, Snowe, Roberts, Ensign, Enzi, and Cornyn. Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure: Senators Bingaman (Chair), Conrad, Kerry, Lincoln, Stabenow, Cantwell, Nelson (FL), Carper, Bunning, Crapo, Cornyn, Hatch, and Enzi. Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy: Senators Lincoln (Chair), Rockefeller, Conrad, Schumer, Nelson (FL), Roberts, Kyl, and Ensign. Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness: Senators Wyden (Chair), Rockefeller, Bingaman, Kerry, Stabenow, Cantwell, Menendez, Crapo, Snowe, Bunning, and Roberts. Also, Committee appointed the following Members to the Congressional Oversight Group, the Congressional Trade Advisors on Trade Policy and Negotiations, and the Joint Committee on Taxation: Senators Baucus, Rockefeller, Conrad, Grassley, and Hatch. TELEVISION IN THE DIGITAL AGE Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine ensuring television carriage in the digital age, after receiving testimony from Vermont State Senator Robert M. Hartwell, Manchester Center; Charles W. Ergen, Dish Network Corporation, Englewood, Colorado; K. James Yager, Barrington Broadcasting Group, LLC, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, on behalf of the National Association of Broadcasters; Martin D. Franks, CBS Corporation, New York, New York; and David L. Cohen, Comcast Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of David S. Kris, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General, and Dawn Elizabeth Johnsen, of Indiana, to be an Assistant Attorney General, who was introduced by Senator Bayh, both of the Department of Justice, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. SECURING RETIREMENT Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine securing retirement in a volatile economy, after receiving testimony from Dallas Salisbury, Employee Benefit Research Institute, Dean Baker, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Ignacio Salazar, SER-Jobs for Progress National, Inc., and Barbara B. Kennelly, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, all of Washington, D.C.; Deena Katz, Texas Tech University, Lubbock; and Jeanine L. Cook, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. BUSINESS MEETING Special Committee on Aging: Committee adopted its rules of procedure for the 111th Congress. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 40 public bills, H.R. 1165- 1204; and 9 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 60-63; and H. Res. 188-189, 191- 193 were introduced. Pages H2833-35 Additional Cosponsors: Page H2836 Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: H. Res. 190, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1106) to prevent mortgage foreclosures and enhance mortgage credit availability (H. Rept. 111-21). Page H2833 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Holden to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H2633 Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a yea-and-nay vote of 246 yeas and 169 nays, Roll No. 80. Pages H2633, H2641-42 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and agree to the following measures: Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day: H. Res. 47, to support the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 421 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 81 and Pages H2636-39, H2642-43 Supporting the goals and ideals of the third annual America Saves Week: H. Res. 180, to support the goals and ideals of the third annual America Saves Week, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 415 yeas to 2 nays, Roll No. 82. Pages H2639-41, H2643 [[Page D174]] Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the House of Representatives to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: Representatives Kennedy, DeLauro, and Blunt. Page H2656 Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009: The House passed H.R. 1105, making omnibus appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, by a yea-and-nay vote of 245 yeas to 178 nays, Roll No. 86. Pages H2643-H2805 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment printed in H. Rept. 111-20 shall be considered as adopted. Page H2657 H. Res. 184, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 398 yeas to 24 nays, Roll No. 85, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 393 yeas to 25 nays, Roll No. 84. Pages H2643-56 A point of order was raised against the consideration of H. Res. 184 and it was agreed to proceed with consideration of the resolution by a yea-and-nay vote of 234 yeas to 177 nays, Roll No. 83. Pages H2643-46 Pursuant to section 2 of H. Res. 184, H. Res. 158 is laid on the table. Privileged Resolution: The House agreed to table H. Res. 189, raising a question of the privileges of the House, by a recorded vote of 226 ayes to 182 noes with 12 voting ``present'', Roll No. 87. Pages H2805-06 Committee Discharge and Re-referral: The House agreed that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of H. Res. 183 and that the resolution be re-referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Page H2806 Suspension--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measure under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed: Expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407: H. Res. 183, to express condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407. Pages H2806-08 Recess: The House recessed at 8:08 p.m. and reconvened at 9:15 p.m. Page H2832 Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on page H2836. Quorum Calls--Votes: Seven yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2642, H2642-43, H2643, H2645-46, H2655-56, H2656, H2804-05 and H2805-06. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 9:16 p.m. Committee Meetings STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs held a hearing on Building a 21st Century Workforce. Testimony was heard from the following former Ambassadors: Thomas Pickering; Prudence Bushnell and Edward Perkins; and Jim Kunder, formerly with the U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of State. U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND PROGRAM Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces and the Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces held a joint hearing on U.S. Transportation Command's (USTRANSCOM) airlift, sealift, and surface lift programs. Testimony was heard from GEN Duncan J. McNabb, USAF, U.S. Transportation Command, Department of Defense. PERSONNEL BENEFICIARY/ADVOCACY OVERVIEW Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on beneficiary and advocacy overview. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISSILE DEFENSE TESTING Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on the future of missile defense testing. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Charles E. McQueary, Director, Operational Test and Evaluation; LTG Patrick O'Reilly, USA, Director, Missile Defense Agency; and MAJ Roger Nadeau, USA, Commanding General, Test and Evaluation Command, USA; Paul L. Francis, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO; Philip E. Coyle III, former Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, Department of Defense; and a public witness. IMPROVING SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on Renewing America through National Service and Volunteerism. Testimony was heard from SGM Kenneth O. Preston, U.S. Army; and public witnesses. [[Page D175]] MONETARY POLICY/STATE OF THE ECONOMY Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing on monetary policy and the state of the economy. Testimony was heard from Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System Hearings continue tomorrow. U.S.-RUSSIA RELATIONSHIP Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on From Competition to Collaboration: Strengthening the U.S.-Russia Relationship. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT OUTLOOK Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``DHS: The Path Forward.'' Testimony was heard from Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security. COMMITTEE FUNDING Committee on House Administration: Concluded hearings on Committee Funding for the 111th Congress. Testimony was heard from the following Committees: Chairman Henry A. Waxman and Ranking Member Joe Barton of the Committee on Energy and Commerce; Chairman Charles B. Rangel and Ranking Member Dave Camp of the Committee on Ways and Means; and Chairwoman Louise McIntosh Slaughter and Ranking Member David Dreier of the Committee on Rules. D.C. VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 2009; COPYRIGHT LICENSING IN A DIGITAL AGE Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 157, District of Columbia Voting Rights Act of 2009. The Committee also held a hearing on Copyright Licensing in a Digital Age: Competition, Compensation and the Need to Update the Cable and Satellite TV Licenses. Testimony was heard from Marybeth Peters, Register of Copyrights, U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress; and public witnesses. OFFSHORE DRILLING Committee on Natural Resources: Concluded oversight hearings entitled ``Offshore Drilling: Industrial Perspectives.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION; MARIANA ISLANDS SUBMERGED LANDS Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 860, Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and Enhancement Amendments of 2009; and H.R. 934, To convey certain submerged lands to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in order to give that territory the same benefits in its submerged lands as Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa in their submerged lands. Testimony was heard from Kacky Andrews, Director, Coral Reef Conservation Program, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; Nikolao Pula, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior; Felix P. Camacho, Governor, Guam; Togiola T. A. Tulafono, Governor, American Samoa; Benigno R. Fitial, Governor, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and public witnesses. HELPING FAMILIES SAVE THEIR HOMES ACT OF 2009 Committee on Rules: Granted, by a non-record vote, a rule providing for consideration of H.R. 1106, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. The rule provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services and the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 of rule XXI and provides that the bill shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the bill. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the report of the Committee on Rules. Each amendment may be offered only in the order printed, may be offered only by a Member designated, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to amendment or demand for division of the question. The rule waives all points of order against such amendments except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Frank, Chairman Conyers and Representatives Cummings, Miller (NC), Sestak, Titus, Neugebauer and King (IA). U.S. EXPORT CONTROL POLICIES IMPACT ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Committee on Science and Technology: Held a hearing on Impacts of U.S. Export Control Policies on Science and Technology and Competitiveness. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. SMALL BUSINESS RETIREMENT PLANS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Drop in Retirement Savings: The Challenges Small [[Page D176]] Businesses Face Funding and Maintaining Retirement Plans in a Struggling Economy.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FEMA GULF COAST RECOVERY; RECENT DISASTERS RESPONSE Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing on Post-Katrina Disaster Response and Recovery: Evaluating FEMA's Continuing Efforts in the Gulf Coast and Response to Recent Disasters. Testimony was heard from the following officials of FEMA, Department of Homeland Security: David Garratt, Acting Deputy Administrator; and James W. Stark, Assistant Administrator, Gulf Coast Recovery Office; and public witnesses. CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION SCIENTIFIC OBJECTIVES Committee on Ways and Means: Continued hearings on climate change, with emphasis on Scientific Objectives for Climate Change legislation. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. WORLD WIDE THREATS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on World Wide Threats. Testimony was heard from Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence. TECHNOLOGY CAN REVOLUTIONIZE EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE SOLUTIONS Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a hearing entitled ``Get Smart on the Smart Grid: How Technology Can Revolutionize Efficiency and Renewable Solutions.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. Joint Meetings No joint committee meetings were held. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2009 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine strategic options for the way ahead in Afghanistan and Pakistan, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the Administration's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine consumer protection and the credit crisis, 10 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine recommendations for reducing energy consumption in buildings through improved implementation of authorized Department of Energy (DOE) programs and through other innovative federal energy efficiency policies and programs, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine engaging with Muslim communities around the world, 2:30 p.m., SD- 419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold hearings to examine integrative care, focusing on a pathway to a healthier nation, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine protecting public and animal health, focusing on homeland security and the federal veterinarian workforce, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine youth suicide in Indian country, 10 a.m., SD-628. Committee on the Judiciary: organizational business meeting to consider committee's rules of procedure for the 111th Congress; S. 386, to improve enforcement of mortgage fraud, securities fraud, financial institution fraud, and other frauds related to Federal assistance and relief programs, for the recovery of funds lost to these frauds, S. 49, to help Federal prosecutors and investigators combat public corruption by strengthening and clarifying the law, S. 146, to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary to the public interest with respect to railroads, and the nominations of David W. Ogden, of Virginia, to be Deputy Attorney General, Elena Kagan, of Massachusetts, to be Solicitor General of the United States, and Thomas John Perrelli, of Virginia, to be Associate Attorney General, all of the Department of Justice, 10 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine caring for veterans in rural areas, 10 a.m., SR-418. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense, hearing on Outsourcing, 10 a.m., H-140 Capitol. Subcommittee on Homeland Security, hearing on Disaster Response: Is FEMA up to the Challenge? 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness, hearing on New Innovations and Best Practices Under the Workforce Investment Act, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, hearing on Revisiting the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, hearing on Renewable Energy: Complementary Policies for Climate Legislation, 9:30 a.m., 2322 Rayburn. [[Page D177]] Committee on Financial Services, to continue hearings on monetary policy and the state of the economy, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, hearing on Building a Strategic Partnership: U.S.-India Relations in the Wake of Mumbai, 11 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, hearing on Competition in the Ticketing and Promotion Industry, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, hearing on H.R. 699, Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, hearing on How Convicts and Con Artists Receive New Federal Contracts, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, hearing on Beyond the Classroom: Informal STEM Education, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, hearing on VA's Update on Short and Long-Term Strategies for Implementing New G.I. Bill Requirements, 1 p.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Oversight, hearing on IRS Assistance for Taxpayers Experiencing Economic Difficulties, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Joint Meetings Joint Economic Committee: to hold hearings to examine restoring the economy, focusing on strategy for short-term and long-term change, 10 a.m., SD-106. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D178]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, February 26 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of S. 160, District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act, and after a period of debate, vote on or in relation to Kyl Amendment No. 585 at 10:30 a.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, February 26 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 1106--Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Akin, W. Todd, Mo., E452 Bachus, Spencer, Ala., E380 Berry, Marion, Ark., E422 Bilbray, Brian P., Calif., E427 Bilirakis, Gus M., Fla., E400 Blackburn, Marsha, Tenn., E414 Blunt, Roy, Mo., E393 Bono Mack, Mary, Calif., E401 Boozman, John, Ark., E442 Brown, Corrine, Fla., E409 Buchanan, Vern, Fla., E405, E418 Buyer, Steve, Ind., E404 Calvert, Ken, Calif., E448 Carnahan, Russ, Mo., E410 Castle, Michael N., Del., E358 Castor, Kathy, Fla., E413 Childers, Travis W., Miss., E461 Cole, Tom, Okla., E377 Connolly, Gerald E., Va., E391 Costa, Jim, Calif., E400, E414 Culberson, John Abney, Tex., E383 Davis, Geoff, Ky., E410 Davis, Susan A., Calif., E401, E418 Dent, Charles W., Pa., E386 Dreier, David, Calif., E389 Emerson, Jo Ann, Mo., E439 Fallin, Mary, Okla., E373 Forbes, J. Randy, Va., E456 Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E459 Gallegly, Elton, Calif., E394 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E458 Gingrey, Phil, Ga., E410, E444, E446 Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E427 Hall, Ralph M., Tex., E451 Inglis, Bob, S.C., E376 Inslee, Jay, Wash., E386 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E411, E414 King, Peter T., N.Y., E453 King, Steve, Iowa, E371 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E349 LaTourette, Steven C., Ohio, E370 Latta, Robert E., Ohio, E454 LoBiondo, Frank A., N.J., E419 Lucas, Frank D., Okla., E379 McHugh, John M., N.Y., E428 McKeon, Howard P. ``Buck'', Calif., E405 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E396 Manzullo, Donald A., Ill., E410 Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E396 Mica, John L., Fla., E425 Miller, Jeff, Fla., E391 Moran, James P., Va., E397, E413 Moran, Jerry, Kans., E429 Murphy, Tim, Pa., E397 Myrick, Sue Wilkins, N.C., E447 Neugebauer, Randy, Tex., E354 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E423, E444 Oberstar, James L., Minn., E412 Putnam, Adam H., Fla., E408 Radanovich, George, Calif., E421 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E400, E435, E445 Reichert, David G., Wash., E435 Rogers, Harold, Ky., E436 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E366, E432 Rohrabacher, Dana, Calif., E362 Roskam, Peter J., Ill., E345 Royce, Edward R., Calif., E422 Serrano, Jose E., N.Y., E409, E445 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E375 Smith, Adrian, Nebr., E396, E413, E422, E436 Sullivan, John, Okla., E421 Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E414 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E385 Upton, Fred, Mich., E416 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E376 Wamp, Zach, Tenn., E423 Whitfield, Ed, Ky., E369 Wittman, Robert J., Va., E356 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E411