Wednesday, March 25, 2009
[[Page D315]]
Daily Digest
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S3739-S3815
Measures Introduced: Twenty-three bills and one resolution were
introduced, as follows: S. 689-711, and S. Res. 85.
Pages S3784-85
Measures Considered:
Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act--Agreement:
Senate continued consideration of H.R. 1388, to reauthorize and reform
the national service laws, taking action on the following amendments
proposed thereto:
Pages S3745-53, S3754-73, S3776
Adopted:
Baucus/Grassley Amendment No. 692 (to Amendment No. 687), to
establish a Nonprofit Capacity Building Program.
Page S3772
Johanns Modified Amendment No. 693 (to Amendment No. 687), to ensure
that organizations promoting competitive and non-competitive sporting
events involving individuals with disabilities may receive direct and
indirect assistance to carry out national service programs.
Pages S3745, S3772
Landrieu Amendment No. 717 (to Amendment No. 687), to add a foster
care program to the national service corps programs.
Pages S3764-65
Murkowski (for Dorgan) Modified Amendment No. 691 (to Amendment No.
687), to modify certain provisions relating to Native Americans.
Pages S3745-51
Shaheen/Gregg Modified Amendment No. 712 (to Amendment No. 687), to
provide that an Education Corps may carry out activities that provide
music and arts education and engagement.
Pages S3761-62
Durbin (for Burr) Modified Amendment No. 695 (to Amendment No. 687),
to provide for outreach to high schools with low graduation rates.
Page S3776
Durbin (for Burr) Modified Amendment No. 696 (to Amendment No. 687),
to clarify references to high school graduation rates.
Page S3776
Rejected:
Ensign Modified Amendment No. 715 (to Amendment No. 692), to clarify
that nonprofit organizations assisted under the Nonprofit Capacity
Building Program include certain crisis pregnancy centers, and
organizations that serve battered women or victims of rape or incest.
(By 56 yeas to 41 nays (Vote No. 111), Senate tabled the amendment).
Pages S3760-61, S3771-72
Pending:
Mikulski Amendment No. 687, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S3745
Thune Amendment No. 716 (to Amendment No. 687), to express the sense
of the Senate regarding the Federal income tax deduction for charitable
giving.
Pages S3762-64
During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the
following action:
By 48 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 110), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate
rejected the motion to waive the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with
respect to Crapo/Corker Amendment No. 688 (to Amendment No. 687), to
increase the borrowing authority of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment was in
violation of section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974,
was sustained, and the amendment thus fell.
Pages S3751-52, S3757-60
A motion was entered to close further debate on Mikulski Amendment
No. 687, and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Friday,
March 27, 2009.
Page S3772
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, March 27, 2009.
Page S3772
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further
consideration of the bill at approximately 10:30 a.m., on Thursday,
March 26, 2009.
Page S3806
Appointments:
Senate National Security Working Group for the 111th Congress: The
Chair announced, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to the
provisions of S. Res. 105 (adopted April 13, 1989), as amended by S.
Res. 149 (adopted October 5, 1993), as
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amended by Public Law 105-275 (adopted October 21, 1998), further
amended by S. Res. 75 (adopted March 25, 1999), amended by S. Res. 383
(adopted October 27, 2000), and amended by S. Res. 355 (adopted
November 13, 2002), and further amended by S. Res. 480 (adopted
November 21, 2004), the appointment of the following Senators as
members of the Senate National Security Working Group for the 111th
Congress: Senators Nelson (FL) and Lieberman.
Page S3806
National Council of the Arts: The Chair, on behalf of the Majority
Leader, pursuant to Public Law 105-83, announced the appointment of the
following individual to serve as a member of the National Council of
the Arts: Senator Whitehouse.
Page S3806
Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination:
By unanimous vote of 97 yeas (Vote No. EX. 109), David S. Kris, of
Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General.
Pages S3753-54, S3815
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Dallas P. Tonsager, of South Dakota, to be Under Secretary of
Agriculture for Rural Development.
Peter A. Kovar, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development.
Margaret A. Hamburg, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner
of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services.
1 Coast Guard nomination in the rank of admiral.
Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, and Navy.
Pages S3807-15
Executive Communications:
Pages S3782-83
Petitions and Memorials:
Pages S3783-84
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S3785-86
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S3786-S3802
Additional Statements:
Page S3781
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S3802-05
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S3805-06
Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total-111)
Pages S3754, S3760, S3771-72
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 6:29 p.m.,
until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2009. (For Senate's program, see
the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page
S3806.)
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a
hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal
year 2010 for National Guard and Reserve, after receiving testimony
from Lieutenant General Clyde A. Vaughn, USA, Director, Army National
Guard, and Lieutenant General Jack Stultz, USA, Chief, Army Reserve,
both of the United States Army, Lieutenant General Harry M. Wyatt, III,
USAF, Director, Air National Guard, and Lieutenant General Charles E.
Stenner, Jr., USAF, Chief, Air Force Reserve, both of the United States
Air Force, Vice Admiral Dirk J. Debbink, USN, Chief, Navy Reserve,
United States Navy, and Lieutenant General Jack W. Bergman, USMC,
Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, United States Marine Corps, all of
the Department of Defense.
RESERVE COMPONENT PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Personnel concluded a
hearing to examine reserve component programs of the Department of
Defense, after receiving testimony from Thomas F. Hall, Assistant
Secretary for Reserve Affairs, Lieutenant General Clyde A. Vaughn, USA,
Director, Army National Guard, and Lieutenant General Jack C. Stultz,
Chief, Army Reserve and Commanding General, United States Army Reserve
Command, both of the United States Army, Lieutenant General Harry M.
Wyatt, III, USAF, Director, Air National Guard, and Lieutenant General
Charles E. Stenner, Jr., Chief, Air Force Reserve, both of the United
States Air Force, Vice Admiral Dirk J. Debbink, USN, Chief, Navy
Reserve, United States Navy, Lieutenant General Jack W. Bergman, USMC,
Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, United States Marine Corps, and Rear
Admiral Daniel R. May, USCG, Director, Coast Guard Reserve and
Training, United States Coast Guard, all of the Department of Defense.
2010: BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Committee met to mark up a proposed concurrent
resolution setting forth the fiscal year 2010 budget for the
Federal Government, but did not complete consideration thereon, and
will meet again tomorrow.
FAA REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on
Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security concluded a hearing to
examine Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization, focusing on
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NextGen and the benefits of modernization, after receiving testimony
from Hank Krakowski, Chief Operating Officer, Air Traffic Organization,
Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation; Gerald
L. Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government
Accountability Office; Joe Kolshak, United Airlines, Chicago, Illinois,
on behalf of the Air Transport Association of America; Dale Wright,
National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Washington, D.C.; and TK
Kallenbach, Honeywell Aerospace, Phoenix, Arizona.
ENERGY MARKET TRANSPARENCY AND REGULATION IMPROVEMENT
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy
concluded a hearing to examine how to improve energy market
transparency and regulation, after receiving testimony from Howard
Gruenspecht, Acting Administrator, Energy Information Administration,
Department of Energy; Anna Cochrane, Acting Director, Office of
Enforcement, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Robert McCullough,
McCullough Research, Portland, Oregon; and Gerry Ramm, Inland Oil
Company, Ephrata, Washington, on behalf of the Petroleum Marketers
Association of America.
TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine transportation investment, after receiving testimony
from Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation; Pennsylvania Governor
Edward G. Rendell, Harrisburg; and Mayor Kathleen Novak, Northglenn,
Colorado, on behalf of the National League of Cities.
LONG-TERM CARE IN HEALTH REFORM
Committee on Finance: Subcommittee on Health Care concluded a hearing
to examine the role of long-term care in health reform, after receiving
testimony from Judith Feder, Center for American Progress Action Fund,
Ray Scheppach, National Governors Association, Dennis G. Smith, The
Heritage Foundation, and Joshua M. Wiener, RTI International, all of
Washington, D.C.
NOMINATION
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing 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 to the Republic of Iraq, after the nominee, who was
introduced by Senator Reed, testified and answered questions in his own
behalf.
GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine foreign policy and the global economic crisis, after receiving
testimony from Lawrence B. Lindsey, former Director of the National
Economic Council; Martin Wolf, Financial Times, London, United Kingdom;
and George Soros, Soros Fund Management and Open Society Institute, New
York, New York.
SOUTHERN BORDER VIOLENCE
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee
concluded a hearing to examine Southern border violence, focusing on
homeland security threats, vulnerabilities, and responsibilities, after
receiving testimony from Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland
Security; James B. Steinberg, Deputy Secretary of State; and David
Ogden, Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION OVERSIGHT
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to
examine the Federal Bureau of Investigation, after receiving testimony
from Robert S. Mueller, III, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Department of Justice.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUDGET
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal
year 2010 for Small Business Administration, after receiving testimony
from Darryl K. Hairston, Acting Administrator, Small Business
Administration.
BENEFITS DELIVERY METHODS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine State-of-the-Art information technology (IT) solutions for
Veterans' Affairs benefits delivery, after receiving testimony from
Stephen W. Warren, Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and
Technology, and Keith M. Wilson, Director, Education Service, and Kim
A. Graves, Director, Office of Business Process Integration, both of
the Veterans Benefits Administration, all of the Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Scott A. Gaydos, EDS, Washington, D.C.
ALZHEIMER'S STUDY GROUP
Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine an
update from the Alzheimer's Study Group, after receiving testimony from
former Senator Bob Kerrey, former Speaker of the House of
Representatives Newt Gingrich, and Sandra Day O'Conner, former
Associate Justice, Supreme Court
[[Page D318]]
of the United States, all of the Alzheimer's Study Group; Maria
Shriver, First Lady of California, Sacramento; and Larry Butcher,
Alzheimer's Community Care, Inc., West Palm Beach, Florida.
House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 27 public bills, H.R. 1699-
1725; and 5 resolutions, H.J. Res. 41; H. Con. Res. 81-82; and H. Res.
286-287 were introduced.
Pages H4025-26
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H4026-27
Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows:
H.R. 608, to authorize the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian
Institution to carry out certain construction projects (H. Rept. 111-
53, Pt. 1).
Page H4025
Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed
Representative Tauscher to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today.
Page H3837
Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Reverend Earl
F. Palmer, National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C.
Page H3837
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the
following measures:
Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program Act
of 2009: 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, by
a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 423 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No.
152 and
Pages H3847-51, H3853-54
Stanley J. Roszkowski United States Courthouse Designation Act: S.
520, to designate the United States Courthouse under construction at
327 South Church Street, Rockford, Illinois, as the ``Stanley J.
Roszkowski United States Courthouse''.
Pages H3995-96
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009: The House agreed to the
Senate amendments to H.R. 146, to designate certain land as components
of the National Wilderness Preservation System and to authorize certain
programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the
Department of Agriculture, by a yea-and-nay vote of 285 yeas to 140
nays, Roll No. 153.
Pages H3840-47, H3852-53, H3854-H3985
H. Res. 280, the rule providing for consideration of the Senate
amendments, was agreed to by a recorded vote of 247 ayes to 177 noes,
Roll No. 151, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-
and-nay vote of 242 yeas to 180 nays, Roll No. 150.
Pages H3852-53
Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules
and agree to the following measure which was debated on Tuesday, March
24th:
Recognizing the 188th anniversary of the independence of Greece and
celebrating Greek and American democracy: H. Res. 273, to recognize the
188th anniversary of the independence of Greece and to celebrate Greek
and American democracy, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 423 yeas with
none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 154.
Pages H3985-86
Privileged Resolution: The House agreed to table H. Res. 286, raising a
question of the privileges of the House, by a yea-and-nay vote of 223
yeas to 182 nays with 16 voting ``present'', Roll No. 155.
Pages H3990-91
Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act: The House
began consideration of H.R. 1404, to authorize a supplemental funding
source for catastrophic emergency wildland fire suppression activities
on Department of the Interior and National Forest System lands and to
require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture
to develop a cohesive wildland fire management strategy. Further
proceedings were postponed.
Pages H3986-90, H3991-95
H. Res. 281, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was
agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 248 yeas to 175 nays, Roll No. 156,
after agreeing to order the previous question without objection.
Pages H3991-92
Privileged Resolution--Intent to Offer: Representative Flake announced
his intent to offer a privileged resolution.
Pages H3990-91
Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page
H3990.
Senate Referrals: S. Con. Res. 12 was held at the desk.
Page H3990
Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H3852,
H3852-53,
[[Page D319]]
H3853-54, H3985, H3985-86, H3990-91 and H3991-92. There were no quorum
calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Committee Meetings
CONSERVATION PROGRAM CONTRACTS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy
and Research held a hearing to review the USDA administration of
conservation program contracts. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the USDA: Robert Stephenson, Acting Deputy Administrator,
Field Operations, Farm Services Agency; Dave White, Acting Chief,
Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Kathleen S. Tighe, Deputy
Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General; Lisa Shames,
Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; and John Jurich,
Committee on Agriculture, House of Representatives.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on
Combat Aircraft Acquisition. Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: LTG Mark Shackleford, USAF,
Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force; and VADM David
Archizel, USN, Principal Deputy for Research, Development and
Acquisition, Navy.
HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security and the
Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a joint hearing on Protecting
our Nation's Leaders: Challenges of 2008 Presidential Campaign and the
56th Presidential Inauguration. Testimony was heard from Mark Sullivan,
Director, U.S. Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security; and
Phillip Morse, Chief, U.S. Capitol Police.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and
Related Agencies held a hearing on Native American and Alaska Natives
Issues. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on Raising
Wages and Living Standards for Families and Workers. Testimony was
heard from Keith Hall, Commissioner, Bureau of Labor Statistics;
Department of Labor; and public witnesses.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction,
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on European
Command. Testimony was heard from GEN Bantz J. Craddock, USA, U.S.
Commander, European Command.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Medical Transition, Defense
to Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from Michael J. Kussman, M.D.,
Under Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans Affairs; and S. Ward
Casscells, M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs, Department of
Defense.
STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations
and Related Programs continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
RECONSTRUCTING FUNDING IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Effective
Counterinsurgency: How the Use and Misuse of Reconstruction Funding
Affects the War Effort in Iraq and Afghanistan. Testimony was heard
from Stuart W. Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq
Reconstruction; MAJ GEN Arnold Fields, USMC (ret.) Special Inspector
General for Afghanistan Reconstruction; and Jacquelyn L. Williams-
Bridgers, Managing Director, International Affairs and Trade, GAO.
CONTINGENCY CONTRACTING
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Contingency Contracting: Has the Call
for Urgent Reform Been Answered? Testimony was heard from the following
officials of the Department of Defense: Shay D. Assad, Director,
Defense Procurement, Acquisition Policy and Strategic Sourcing, Office
of the Under Secretary, Acquisition and Technology; and Major Gen.
Darryl A. Scott, USAF, Deputy Commander, Task Force to Support Business
Operations in Iraq, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary, Business
Transformation; the following officials of the Department of the Army:
Edward M. Harrington, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Procurement,
Department of the Army; and Jeffrey P. Parsons, Executive Director,
U.S. Army Contracting Command.
[[Page D320]]
SUSTAINING THE NAVY'S SURFACE FLEET
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing
on readiness and sustainment of the Navy's surface fleet. Testimony was
heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: RADM
(Upper Half) (Select) Philip H. Cullom, USN, Director, Fleet Readiness
Division (OPNAV N43); RADM (Upper Half) (Select) Joseph F. Campbell,
USN, Director of Staff, Fleet Maintenance Officer (USFF N43); RADM
(Lower Half) James P. McManamon, USN, Deputy Commander, Surface
Warfare, (SEA 21); and RADM (Lower Half) Thomas H. Eccles, USN, Deputy
Commander Naval Systems Engineering (SEA 05), both with Naval Sea
System Command.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2010
Committee on the Budget: Ordered reported, as amended, the Concurrent
Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2010.
WAGE THEFT OF AMERICA'S VULNERABLE WORKERS
Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on GAO's Undercover
Investigation: Wage Theft of America's Vulnerable Workers. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the GAO: Greg Kutz, Managing
Director; and Jonathan Meyer, Assistant Director.
ADAPTATION POLICIES IN CLIMATE LEGISLATION
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and
Environment held a hearing on Adaptation Policies in Climate
legislation. Testimony was heard from Tom Karl, Director, National
Climate Data Center, NOAA; John Stephenson, Director, Natural Resources
and Environment, GAO; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES: EXPLORING AVAILABILITY AND PRUDENT LENDING
STANDARDS
Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported the following
measures: To amend the executive compensation provisions of the
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, to prohibit unreasonable
and excessive compensation and compensation not based on performance
standards; and H. Res. 251, Directing the Secretary of the Treasury to
transmit to the House of Representatives all information in his
possession relating to specific communications with American
International Group, Inc, (AIG).
The Committee also held a hearing entitled ``Exploring the Balance
between Increased Credit Availability and Prudent Lending Standards.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of
the Treasury: Scott Polakoff, Acting Director, Office of Thrift
Supervision; and Timothy W. Long, Senior Deputy Comptroller, and Chief
National Bank Examiner, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency;
Martin J. Gruenberg, Vice Chairman, FDIC; Elizabeth A. Duke, Governor,
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; James Kroeker, Acting
Chief Accountant, SEC; and public witnesses.
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY; CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ARCTIC
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Ordered reported as amended the following
measures: H. Res. 76, Mourning the horrific loss of life in January
2009 caused by a landslide in Guatemala and an earthquake in Costa Rica
and expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should
assist the affected people and communities; H. Res. 152, Expressing the
sense of the House of Representatives that the United States remains
committed to the North Atlantic Treaty; H. Res. 171, Expressing the
sense of the House of Representatives on the need for constitutional
reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the importance of sustained United
States engagement in partnership with the European Union (EU); and H.
Con. Res. 36, Calling on the President and the allies of the United
States to engage with officials of the Government of Iran to raise the
case of Robert Levinson at every opportunity, urging officials of the
Government of Iran to fulfill their promises of assistance to the
family of Robert Levinson, and calling on the Government of Iran to
share the results of its investigation into the disappearance of Robert
Levinson with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Committee also held a hearing on Climate Change and the Arctic:
New Frontiers of National Security. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on House Administration: Ordered reported the following
measures: H. Res. 279, as amended, Providing for the expenses of
certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One
Hundred Eleventh Congress; Dismissing the election contest relating
to the office of Representatives from the First Congressional
District of Hawaii; H.R. 1299, Capitol Police Administrative
Technical Corrections Act of 2009; H.R. 1679, House Reservists Pay
Adjustment Act of 2009; H.R. 151, Daniel Webster Congressional
Clerkship Act of 2009; H.R. 586, Civil Rights History Project Act of
2009; H.R. 749, To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
to permit candidates for election for Federal office to designate an
individual who will be authorized to disburse funds of the
authorized campaign committees of the candidate in the event of the
death of the candidate; H.R.
[[Page D321]]
415, Fallen Heroes Flag Act of 2009; and Committee Resolution #111-
5, providing Official Mail Allowance to Committees of the House for
the 111th Congress.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills:
H.R. 1139, as amended, COPS Improvements Act of 2009; and H.R. 985,
Free Flow of Information Act of 2009.
FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PAID PARENTAL LEAVE ACT; RESTORING FINANCIAL STABILITY
OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal
Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia approved for
full committee action the following bill: H.R. 626, Federal Employees
Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Restoring the Financial
Stability of the U.S. Postal Service: What Needs to be Done? Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the U.S. Postal Service: John
E. Potter, Postmaster General and CEO; Carolyn Lewis Gallagher,
Chairwoman, Board of Governors; and David C. Williams, Inspector
General, Office of Inspector General; Dan G. Blair, Chairman, Postal
Regulatory Commission; Phillip Herr, Director, Physical Infrastructure
Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
FINANCIAL MARKETS REGULATORY AGENCIES--INSPECTORS GENERAL ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on
Government Management, Organization, and Procurement held a hearing on
Roles and Responsibilities of Inspectors General within Financial
Markets Regulatory Agencies. Testimony was heard from Representative
John B Larson; Gary L. Kepplinger, General Counsel, GAO; H. David Kotz,
Inspector General, SEC; Elizabeth A. Coleman, General Counsel, System
Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; William DeSarno, Inspector
General, National Credit Union Administration; A. Roy Lavik, Inspector
General, Commodities Future Trading Commission; Vanessa K. Burrows,
Legislative Attorney, Congressional Research Service; and public
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science and Technology: Ordered reported as amended the
following bills: H.R. 1580, Electronic Waste Research and Development
Act; and H.R. 1145, National Water Research and Development Initiative
Act of 2009.
OVERSIGHT--SBA AND ITS PROGRAMS
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the
Small Business Administration and its Programs.'' Testimony was heard
from Darryl Hairston, Acting Administrator, U.S. Small Business
Administration; the following officials of GAO: William Shear,
Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment and George Kutz,
Managing Director, Forensics Audits and Special Investigations.
VETERAN'S LEGISLATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Ordered reported the following bills:
H.R. 1171, as amended, Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
Reauthorization Act of 2009; H.R. 1377, amended, 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.
NSA BRIEFING
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
hold a briefing on NSA. Testimony was heard from departmental
witnesses.
HOT SPOTS BRIEFING
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism,
Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive
session to hold a briefing on Hot Spots. Testimony was heard from
departmental witnesses.
Joint Meetings
No joint committee meetings were held.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY,
MARCH 26, 2009
(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
Senate
Committee on Armed Services: 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.
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: to continue
hearings to examine enhancing investor protection and the regulation
of securities markets, 9:30 a.m., SD-538.
[[Page D322]]
Committee on the Budget: business meeting to continue a markup of
the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010, 10
a.m., SD-608.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold
hearings to examine health insurance industry practices, 10:30 a.m.,
SR-253.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: 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: 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 and Parks, Department of the Interior, 10 a.m.,
SD-406.
Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine middle income
tax relief, 10 a.m., SD-215.
Committee on Foreign Relations: 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.
Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of
Rose Eilene Gottemoeller, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for
Verification and Compliance, and Philip H. Gordon, of the District
of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian
Affairs, both of the Department of State, 2:30 p.m., SD-419.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: 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.
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: business meeting to consider S. 515,
to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform,
and the nominations of Tony West, of California, Lanny A. Breuer, of
the District of Columbia, and Christine Anne Varney, of the District
of Columbia, each to be an Assistant Attorney General, all of the
Department of Justice, 9:30 a.m., SD-226.
Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to
examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219.
House
Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Department Operations,
Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry, hearing on the state of obesity
in the United States, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth.
Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops,
and Foreign Agriculture, hearing to review tobacco production in the
United States, 10 a.m., 1302 Longworth.
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment
and Related Agencies, to continue on Native-American and Alaska
Natives Issues, 9:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m., B-308 Rayburn.
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.
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Relate Agencies,
on DEA, 10 a.m., H-309 Capitol.
Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on S&T Research and
Transitioning Products Into Use, 10 a.m., 2358-A Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and
Related Agencies, on NIH: Budget Overview, Implementation of ARRA
and Status of the National Children's Study, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on State, and Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs, on public witnesses, 9:30 a.m., 2362-B Rayburn.
Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces,
hearing on status of the future combat systems program, 2 p.m., 2118
Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces, hearing on
requirements for the future capabilities of the United States
maritime forces, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
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, hearing on the economic and
employment impact of the Arts and music industry, 10 a.m., 2175
Rayburn.
Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communications,
Technology and the Internet, hearing on Oversight of the Digital
Television Transition, 10 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on
Institutional Review Boards that Oversee Experimental Human Testing
for Profit, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services, hearing entitled ``Addressing the
Need for Comprehensive Regulatory Reform,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Homeland Security, 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, Subcommittee on Elections,
hearing on the 2008 Election: A look back on what went right and
wrong, 10 a.m., 1310 Longworth.
Committee on the Judiciary, 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 Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on
National Security and Foreign Affairs, hearing on Troops, Diplomats,
and Aid: Assessing Strategic Resources for Afghanistan, 10 a.m.,
2154 Rayburn.
Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Space and
Aeronautics, hearing on Aviation and the Emerging Use of Biofuels,
10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Investigations and
Oversight, hearing entitled ``Expanding Equity Investment in Small
Business,'' 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn.
[[Page D323]]
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, hearing on the
Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
Programs, 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Ways and Means, to continue hearings on Climate
Change Legislation, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on
USDI Update, 9:30 a.m., and executive, briefing on Afghanistan Roll-
Out, 1:15 p.m., 3034 HVC.
Joint Meetings
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: to hold hearings
to examine human rights in Afghanistan, 2:30 p.m., CVC Auditorium.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390).
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[[Page D324]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Next Meeting of the SENATE
9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 26
Senate Chamber
Program for Thursday: After the transaction of any morning business
(not to extend beyond one hour), Senate will continue consideration of
H.R. 1388, Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act.
Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
10 a.m., Thursday, March 26
House Chamber
Program for Thursday: Complete consideration of H.R. 1404--Federal Land
Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act (Subject to a Rule).
_______________________________________________________________________
Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue.
HOUSE
Alexander, Rodney, La., E772
Bartlett, Roscoe G., Md., E770
Boren, Dan, Okla., E763
Calvert, Ken, Calif., E765
Cardoza, Dennis A., Calif., E765
Castor, Kathy, Fla., E778
Davis, Lincoln, Tenn., E771
Doyle, Michael F., Pa., E767
Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E765
Lance, Leonard, N.J., E771
Luetkemeyer, Blaine, Mo., E763, E769
Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E769
Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E763
Miller, Candice S., Mich., E761
Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E770
Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E766
Pallone, Frank, Jr., N.J., E768
Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E763, E768
Rogers, Harold, Ky., E767
Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E761
Sarbanes, John P., Md., E761, E764
Simpson, Michael K., Idaho, E764
Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E767, E767
Sullivan, John, Okla., E767
Tanner, John S., Tenn., E769
Terry, Lee, Nebr., E766
Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E778, E779, E779, E779, E779, E780, E780, E780,
E780, E781
Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E766
Wilson, Joe, S.C., E765