Tuesday, April 28, 2009
[[Page D457]]
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
Senate passed S. 386, Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act.
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S4765-S4830
Measures Introduced: Nineteen bills and three resolutions were
introduced, as follows: S. 903-921, S. Res. 115-116, and S. Con. Res.
20.
Pages S4806-07
Measures Passed:
Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act: By 92 yeas to 4 nays (Vote No.
171), Senate passed 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, as amended.
Pages S4774-81
Budget Resolution Conference Report--Agreement: A unanimous-consent
agreement was reached providing that at approximately 10:30 a.m., on
Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Senate will begin the statutory debate time
with respect to the conference report to accompany S. Con. Res. 13,
setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government
for fiscal year 2010, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for
fiscal year 2009, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels
for fiscal years 2011 through 2014, notwithstanding the receipt of
papers from the House of Representatives; provided further, that when
the Senate receives a message from the House of Representatives
regarding S. Con. Res. 13, Senate proceed to consideration of the
conference report.
Page S4830
Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination:
By 65 yeas 31 nays (Vote No. EX. 172), Kathleen Sebelius, of Kansas,
to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Pages S4766-74, S4782-95, S4830
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Paul N. Stockton, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of
Defense.
Rebecca M. Blank, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for
Economic Affairs.
Laurie I. Mikva, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Board of
Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July
13, 2010.
Robert S. Litt, of Maryland, to be General Counsel of the Office of
the Director of National Intelligence.
Page S4830
Messages from the House:
Page S4804
Measures Referred:
Page S4804
Enrolled Bills Presented:
Page S4804
Executive Communications:
Pages S4804-06
Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S4806
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S4807-08
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S4808-29
Additional Statements:
Pages S4803-04
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:
Page S4829
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S4829-30
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S4830
Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--172)
Pages S4777, S4795
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:54 p.m.,
until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. (For Senate's program,
see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page
S4830.)
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
SWINE FLU
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to
examine public
[[Page D458]]
health response to swine flu, after receiving testimony from Rear
Admiral Anne Schuchat, Interim Deputy Director, Science and Public
Health Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Anthony
Fauci, Director, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious
Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human
Services; John R. Clifford, Deputy Administrator, National Animal
Health and Policy Program, Department of Agriculture; and Paul Jarris,
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Arlington,
Virginia.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
the nominations of Raymond Edwin Mabus, Jr., of Mississippi, to be
Secretary, who was introduced by Senators Cochran and Wicker, and
Robert O. Work, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary, both of the
Department of the Navy, Elizabeth Lee King, of the District of
Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, who was
introduced by Senator Reed, Michael Nacht, of California, to be
Assistant Secretary for Global Strategic Affairs, and Wallace C.
Gregson, of Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific
Security Affairs, who was introduced by Senator Webb, all of the
Department of Defense, Donald Michael Remy, of Virginia, to be General
Counsel, who was introduced by Senator Landrieu, and Jo-Ellen Darcy, of
Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, who was introduced
by Senator Baucus, both of the Department of the Army, and Ines R.
Triay, of New Mexico, to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for
Environmental Management, after the nominees testified and answered
questions in their own behalf.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered
favorably reported the nominations of Ronald C. Sims, of Washington, to
be Deputy Secretary, Peter A. Kovar, of Maryland, to be Assistant
Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, Helen R.
Kanovsky, of Maryland, to be General Counsel, and John D. Trasvina, of
California, to be Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity, all of the Department of Housing and Urban Development,
David S. Cohen, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
for Terrorist Financing, and Fred P. Hochberg, of New York, to be
President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
FORMALDEHYDE IN TEXTILES AND CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on
Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance concluded a hearing
to examine formaldehyde in textiles and consumer products, after
receiving testimony from Senator Casey; Ruth A. Etzel, American Academy
of Pediatrics, and Phillip Wakelyn, Wakelyn Associates, LLC, both of
Washington, D.C.; and David Brookstein, Philadelphia University School
of Engineering and Textiles, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
FUTURE OF NATIONAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on
Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and
Security concluded a hearing to examine the future of national surface
transportation policy, after receiving testimony from Ray LaHood,
Secretary of Transportation; Ned S. Holmes, Texas Transportation
Commission, Houston; Steve Heminger, National Surface Transportation
Policy and Revenue Study Commission, Oakland, California; and Anne P.
Canby, Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, and James Corless,
Transportation for America, both of Washington, D.C.
CLEAN ENERGY DEPLOYMENT
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine financing for deployment of clean energy and energy
efficiency technologies and to enhance United States' competitiveness
in this market through the creation of a Clean Energy Deployment
Administration within the Department of Energy, after receiving
testimony from Matthew Rogers, Senior Advisor for the Recovery and
Reinvestment Act, Office of the Secretary, Department of Energy; Dan W.
Reicher, Google, Mountain View, California; John Denniston, Kleiner
Perkins Caufield & Byers, Menlo Park, California; and Jeanine Hull,
Dykema Gossett, and Joseph S. Hezir, EOP Group, Inc., both of
Washington, D.C.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the nominations of Michelle DePass, of New York, and
Cynthia J. Giles, of Rhode Island, who was introduced by Senator
Whitehouse, each to be an Assistant Administrator, and Mathy
Stanislaus, of New Jersey, to be Assistant Administrator for Office of
Solid Waste, all of the Environmental Protection Agency, after the
nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
WAR POWERS IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine war powers in the 21st Century, after receiving testimony from
James A. Baker III, and Warren Christopher, both a former Secretary
[[Page D459]]
of State; and Lee H. Hamilton, Woodrow Wilson International Center,
Washington, D.C.
NOMINATION
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine the nomination of Harold Hongju Koh, of Connecticut, to be
Legal Adviser of the Department of State, after the nominee, who was
introduced by Senators Dodd and Lieberman, testified and answered
questions in his own behalf.
CYBER SECURITY
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee
concluded a hearing to examine cyber security, focusing on developing a
national strategy, after receiving testimony from Stewart A. Baker,
Steptoe and Johnson LLP, and James A. Lewis, Center for Strategic and
International Studies, both of Washington, D.C.; Alan Paller, SANS
Institute, Bethesda, Maryland; and Tom Kellerman, Core Security
Technologies, Boston, Massachusetts.
GOVERNMENT AND DIGITAL FUTURE
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee
on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal
Services, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine
advancing America into the 21st Century and a digital future, after
receiving testimony from Vivek Kundra, Federal Chief Information
Officer and Administrator, and Karen S. Evans, former Administrator,
each for Electronic Government and Information Technology, Office of
Management and Budget; David A. Powner, Director, Information
Technology Management Issues, Government Accountability Office; and
Phillip J. Bond, TechAmerica, Washington, D.C.
WORKPLACE SAFETY
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on
Employment and Workplace Safety concluded a hearing to examine
introducing meaningful incentives for safe workplaces and meaningful
roles for victims and their families, after receiving testimony from
Celeste Monforton, George Washington University School of Public Health
and Health Services, Washington, D.C.; James S. Frederick, United
Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied
Industrial and Service Workers International Union, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania; Tammy Miser, United Support and Memorial for Workplace
Fatalities, Lexington, Kentucky; and Warren K. Brown, American Society
of Safety Engineers, Des Plaines, Illinois.
NATIONAL HEALTH CARE REFORM
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee
concluded a hearing to examine individual state experiences with health
care reform coverage initiatives in the context of national reform,
after receiving testimony from Utah House of Representatives Speaker
David Clark, and Brent C. James, Intermountain Healthcare Institute for
Health Care Delivery Research, both of Salt Lake City, Utah; Jon
Kingsdale, Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, and
Eileen McAnneny, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, both of
Boston, Massachusetts; Susan Besio, Vermont Director of Health Care
Reform, and Harry Chen, both of Burlington, Vermont; and Ruth Liu,
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Oakland,
California.
VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
the Victims of Crime Act, focusing on 25 years of protecting and
supporting victims, after receiving testimony from Judith A. Rex,
Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services, Waterbury; Mary Lou Leary,
National Center for Victims of Crime, Washington, D.C.; Keith Perkins,
The Never Again Foundation, Chandler, Arizona; Steve Derene, National
Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, Madison, Wisconsin; and
Susan S. Russell, Warren, Vermont.
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.
[[Page D460]]
House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 27 public bills, H.R. 2132-
2158; and 7 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 111-113; and H. Res. 373-376,
were introduced.
Pages H4913-15
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H4915-16
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
H. Res. 371, providing for consideration of the conference report to
accompany the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 13) setting forth the
congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year
2010, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2009,
and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years
2011 through 2014 (H. Rept. 111-90) and
H. Res. 372, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1913) to
provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian
tribes to prosecute hate crimes (H. Rept. 111-91).
Page H4913
Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed
Representative Capps to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today.
Page H4843
Recess: The House recessed at 10:44 a.m. and reconvened at noon.
Page H4845
Order of Procedure: The House agreed by unanimous consent that it may
be in order at any time on Wednesday, April 29th for the Speaker, as
though pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule 18, to declare the House
resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the
Union for consideration of H.R. 627, to amend the Truth in Lending Act
to establish fair and transparent practices relating to the extension
of credit under an open end consumer credit plan, and that
consideration of the bill proceed according to the following order: the
first reading of the bill is dispensed with; all points of order
against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under
clause 9 or 10 of rule 21; general debate shall be confined to the bill
and shall not exceed 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the chair
and ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services; after
general debate, the Committee of the Whole shall rise without motion;
and, no further consideration of H.R. 627 shall be in order except
pursuant to a subsequent order of the House.
Pages H4847-48
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the
following measures:
Expressing sympathy to the victims, families, and friends of the
tragic act of violence at the American Civic Association in Binghamton,
New York: H. Res. 340, to express sympathy to the victims, families,
and friends of the tragic act of violence at the American Civic
Association in Binghamton, New York;
Pages H4848-50
Expressing heartfelt sympathy for the victims and families of the
shootings in Geneva and Coffee Counties in Alabama, on March 10, 2009:
H. Res. 341, to express heartfelt sympathy for the victims and families
of the shootings in Geneva and Coffee Counties in Alabama, on March 10,
2009;
Pages H4850-52
Brian K. Schramm Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 1595, to
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
3245 Latta Road in Rochester, New York, as the ``Brian K. Schramm Post
Office Building'', by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 420 ayes with none
voting ``no'', Roll No. 215;
Pages H4852-53, H4891
Expressing support for designation of May 2, 2009, as ``Vietnamese
Refugees Day'': H. Res. 342, to express support for designation of May
2, 2009, as ``Vietnamese Refugees Day'';
Pages H4853-55
Providing for the award of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to
Arnold Palmer: H.R. 1243, to provide for the award of a gold medal on
behalf of Congress to Arnold Palmer in recognition of his service to
the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf, by a
\2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 422 yeas to 1 nay with 1 voting ``present'',
Roll No. 210;
Pages H4857-62, H4880
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: H. Con. Res. 36, amended, to call
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, to urge officials of the Government of
Iran to fulfill their promises of assistance to the family of Robert
Levinson, and to call on the Government of Iran to share the results of
its investigation into the disappearance of Robert Levinson with the
Federal Bureau of Investigation;
Pages H4864-66
Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Calling on the President
and the allies of the United States to raise in all appropriate
bilateral and multilateral fora the case of Robert Levinson at every
opportunity, urging Iran to fulfill their promises of assistance to the
family of Robert Levinson, and calling
[[Page D461]]
on Iran to share the results of its investigation into the
disappearance of Robert Levinson with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.''.
Page H4866
Mourning the horrific loss of life in January 2009 caused by a
landslide in Guatemala and an earthquake in Costa Rica: H. Res. 76,
amended, to mourn the horrific loss of life in January 2009 caused by a
landslide in Guatemala and an earthquake in Costa Rica and to express
the sense of Congress that the United States should assist the affected
people and communities; and
Pages H4866-67
Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Mourning the horrific loss
of life in January 2009 caused by a landslide in Guatemala and an
earthquake in Costa Rica.''.
Page H4867
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness
and Prevention Month: H. Con. Res. 104, to support the goals and ideals
of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
Pages H4871-73
Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules
and pass the following measure which was debated on Monday, April 27th:
Commending the University of Connecticut Huskies: H. Res. 344, to
commend the University of Connecticut Huskies for their historic win in
the 2009 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women's
Basketball Tournament, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 425 yeas with
none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 211.
Pages H4880-81
Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following
measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were
postponed:
Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month 2009: H.
Res. 357, to support the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month
2009;
Pages H4855-57
Family Self-Sufficiency Act of 2009: H.R. 46, to provide for payment
of an administrative fee to public housing agencies to cover the costs
of administering family self-sufficiency programs in connection with
the housing choice voucher program of the Department of Housing and
Urban Development; and
Pages H4862-64
Supporting the mission and goals of 2009 National Crime Victims'
Rights: H. Res. 109, to support the mission and goals of 2009 National
Crime Victims' Rights week to increase public awareness of the rights,
needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United
States, and to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the
Victims of Crime Act of 1984.
Pages H4867-71
Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to
consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on
Rules: The House agreed to H. Res. 365, waiving a requirement of clause
6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions
reported from the Committee on Rules, by a yea-and-nay vote of 233 yeas
to 191 nays, Roll No. 212, after agreeing to order the previous
question without objection.
Paged H4873-80, H4881-82
Setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government
for fiscal year 2010, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for
fiscal year 2009, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels
for fiscal years 2011 through 2014--Conference Report: The House began
consideration of the conference report to accompany S. Con. Res. 13,
setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government
for fiscal year 2010, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for
fiscal year 2009, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels
for fiscal years 2011 through 2014. Further proceedings were postponed.
Pages H4891-97
H. Res. 371, the rule providing for consideration of the conference
report, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 234 yeas to 185 nays,
Roll No. 214.
Pages H4882-91
Agreed to the McGovern amendment to the rule by a yea-and-nay vote of
240 yeas to 179 nays, Roll No. 213, after agreeing to order the
previous question without objection.
Pages H4889-90
United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly--Appointment:
The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members
of the House of Representatives to the United States Group of the NATO
Parliamentary Assembly, in addition to Representative Tanner, Chairman,
appointed on February 13, 2009: Representative Tauscher, Vice Chairman;
Representatives Ross, Chandler, Larson (CT), Meek (FL), Scott (GA), and
Bean.
Page H4897
Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group--Appointment: The Chair
announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the
House of Representatives to the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary
Group: Representative Pastor, Chairman; Representative Giffords, Vice
Chairman; Representative Linda Sanchez (CA), Filner, Reyes, Rodriguez,
and Gene Green (TX).
Page H4897
Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy--Appointment:
The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members
of the House of Representatives to the Board of Visitors to the United
States Military Academy: Representatives Hinchey and Hall (NY).
Page H4897
[[Page D462]]
Board of Trustees of the Congressional Hunger Fellows Program--
Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the
following Member to the Board of Trustees of the Congressional Hunger
Fellows Program for a term of 4 years: Mr. James P. McGovern of
Worcester, Massachusetts.
Page H4897
Board of Trustees of Gallaudet University--Appointment: The Chair
announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Member of the
House of Representatives to the Board of Trustees of Gallaudet
University: Representative Woolsey.
Page H4897
Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation--
Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the
following Member of the House of Representatives to the Board of
Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation: Representative
Skelton.
Page H4897
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission--Appointment: The Chair
announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members of the
House of Representatives to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
Commission: Representatives Moore (KS) and Boswell.
Page H4897
National Historical Publications and Records Commission--Appointment:
The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Member
of the House of Representatives to the National Historical Publications
and Records Commission: Representative Larson (CT).
Page H4897
Japan-United States Friendship Commission--Appointment: The Chair
announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Member of the
House of Representatives to the Japan-United States Friendship
Commission: Representative McDermott.
Page H4897
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission--Appointment: The Chair
announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Member of the
House of Representatives to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial
Commission: Representative Jackson (IL).
Page H4897
Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page
H4880.
Senate Referrals: S. 386 was held at the desk.
Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H4880,
H4881, H4881-82, H4889-90, H4890-91, and H4891. There were no quorum
calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science
and Related Agencies, on the Department of Commerce. Testimony was
heard from Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce.
FINANCIAL SERVICES, GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services,
General Government and Related Agencies continued appropriations
hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and
Related Agencies continued appropriations hearings. Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a
hearing on the GAO. Testimony was heard from the following officials of
the GAO: Gene Dodaro, Acting Comptroller General; and Sallyanne Harper,
Chief Administrative Officer.
The Subcommittee held a hearing on the Office of Compliance.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Office of
Compliance: Tamara Chrisler, Executive Director; and Peter Eveleth,
General Counsel.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Public Printer of the
United States. Testimony was heard from Robert Tapella, Public Printer,
Government Printing Office.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION WORKFORCE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on the Acquisition Workforce: Merely a
Business Expense or a Force Multiplier for the Warfighter? Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense:
Shay Assad, Director, Defense Procurement Acquisition Policy and
Strategic Sourcing, Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Acquisition and
Technology; LTG Ross Thompson, USA, Military Deputy to the Assistant
Secretary, Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, Department of the
Army; James Thomsen, Principal Civilian Deputy to the Assistant
Secretary (Research, Development and Acquisition), Department of the
Navy; and LTG Mark Shackelford, USAF, Military Deputy, Office of the
Assistant Secretary, Acquisition, Department of the
[[Page D463]]
Air Force; and John K. Needham, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing
Issues, GAO.
WORKPLACE HEALTH SAFETY
Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on OSHA's Penalties
Adequate to Deter Health and Safety Violations. Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
IRAN SANCTIONS ENABLING ACT; MORTGAGE REFORM AND ANTI-PREDATORY LENDING
ACT
Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R.
1327, Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009.
The Committee began markup of H.R. 1728, Mortgage Reform and Anti-
Predatory Lending Act.
Will continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R.
1748, amended, Fight Fraud Act of 2009; H.R. 1788, False Claims Act
Correction Act of 2009; and H.R. 1676, amended, PACT Act.
RETAILING PRICE FIXING
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Competition
Policy held a hearing on Bye Bye Bargains? Retail Price Fixing, the
Leegin Decision, and Its Impact on Consumer Prices. Testimony was heard
from Pamela Jones Harbour, Commissioner, FTC; and public witnesses.
AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT--BUREAU OF RECLAMATION/WATER
RESOURCES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an
oversight hearing entitled ``American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Funds for the Bureau of Reclamation and the Water Resources Division of
the United States Geological Survey (USGS),'' Testimony was heard from
the following officials of the Department of the Interior: Bill
McDonald, Acting Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation; and Matthew C.
Larsen, Associate Director, Water, U.S. Geological Survey; and public
witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--USAID MANAGEMENT
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on
Government Management, Organization and Procurement held an oversight
hearing on U.S. Agency for International Development: Management
Challenges and Strategic Objectives. Testimony was heard from Thomas
Melito, Director, International Affairs and Trade, GAO; the following
former officials of the U.S. Agency for International Development,
Department of State: Mike Walsh, Director, Procurement; and Jim Kunder,
Deputy Administrator; and a public witness.
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT OF 2009
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a record vote of 7 to 3, a rule
providing for consideration of H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement
Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. The rule provides for one hour and
twenty minutes of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair
and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary, who may
yield control of blocks of that time.
The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill
except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule
provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended
by the Committee on the Judiciary, modified by the amendment printed in
the report of the Committee on Rules, shall be considered as adopted
and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule waives
all points of order against the bill, as amended. Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Chairman Conyers and Representative Goodlatte.
CONFERENCE REPORT--CONCURRENT BUDGET RESOLUTION FISCAL YEAR 2010
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a non-record vote, a rule providing for
consideration of the conference report to accompany S. Con. Res. 13,
the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010. The rule
provides one hour of debate on the conference report equally divided
and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the
Committee on the Budget. The rule waives all points of order against
the conference report and against its consideration. The rule also
provides that the conference report shall be considered as read.
HIGH--PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS/INDUSTRIES
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and
Environment held a hearing on Pushing the Efficiency Envelope: R&D for
High-Performance Buildings, Industries and Consumers. Testimony was
heard from Steven Chalk, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy; and public
witnesses.
SPACE ENVIRONMENT SAFETY
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Space and
Aeronautics held a hearing on Keeping the Space Environment Safe for
Civil and Commercial Users. Testimony was heard from LTG Larry D.
[[Page D464]]
James, USAF, Commander, 14th Air Force, Air Force Space Command, and
Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, U.S. Strategic
Command, Department of Defense; Nicholas Johnson, Chief Scientist,
Orbital Debris, NASA; and public witnesses.
HIGH PRIORITY PROJECT PROGRAM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure:, Subcommittee on
Highways and Transit held a hearing on High Priority Project Program.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Blumenauer, Heller, Larsen of
Washington, Posey, DeGette, McKeon, Brown of South Carolina, Boozman,
Edwards of Maryland, Dent, Carney, Davis of Kentucky, Driehaus, Foster,
Melancon, Hare, Napolitano and Schrader.
FEDERAL RECOVERY COORDINATION PROGRAM
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing on Leaving No One Behind: Is the Federal
Recovery Coordination Program Working? Testimony was heard from the
following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Karen Guice,
M.D., Executive Director, Federal Recovery Coordination Program; and
Madhulika Agarwal, M.D., Chief Officer, Office of Patient Care
Services, Veterans Health Administration; and representatives of
veterans organizations; and public witnesses.
SSA RECOVERY ACT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held an
oversight hearing on the Social Security Administration's provisions in
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Testimony was heard
from the following officials of the SSA: Mary Glenn-Croft, Deputy
Commissioner, Budget, Finance and Management; and Patrick O'Carroll,
Inspector General; Rob Hewell, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Public
Buildings Service, GSA; Valerie Melvin, Director of Information
Management and Human Capital Issues, GAO; and Sylvester J. Schieber,
Chairman, Social Security Advisory Board.
BRIEFING--FUNDING INTELLIGENCE PRIORITIES
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on Funding Intelligence Priorities. The Committee
was briefed by departmental witnesses.
Joint Meetings
BUDGET RESOLUTION
On Monday, April 27, 2009 Conferees agreed to file a conference
report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions
of S. Con. Res. 13, setting forth the congressional budget for the
United States Government for fiscal year 2010, revising the appropriate
budgetary levels for fiscal year 2009, and setting forth the
appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2011 through 2014.
GENDER PAY GAP
Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine new
evidence on the persistence of the gender pay gap, after receiving
testimony from Andrew Sherrill, Director, Education, Workforce, and
Income Security Issues, Government Accountability Office; Randy
Albelda, University of Massachusetts Boston Center for Social Policy;
and Lisa M. Maatz, American Association of University Women, and Diana
Furchtgott-Roth, Hudson Institute, both of Washington, D.C.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2009
(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
Senate
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Personnel, to hold
hearings to examine the implementation of Wounded Warrior policies
and programs, 2:30 p.m., SH-216.
Committee on Finance: to hold a closed meeting to examine
transforming the health care delivery system, focusing on proposals
to improve patient care and reduce health care costs, 10 a.m., SD-
215.
Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the
nominations of Johnnie Carson, of Illinois, to be Assistant
Secretary for African Affairs, and Luis C. de Baca, of Virginia, to
be Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, both of
the Department of State, 9:30 a.m., SD-419.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business
meeting to consider the nominations of Russlynn Ali, of California,
to be Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Carmel Martin, of
Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and
Policy Development, Charles P. Rose, of Illinois, to be General
Counsel, Peter Cunningham, of Illinois, to be Assistant Secretary
for Communications and Outreach, and Gabriella Cecilia Gomez, of
California, to be Assistant Secretary for Legislation and
Congressional Affairs, all of the Department of Education, Brian
Kennedy, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Congressional
and Intergovernmental Affairs, and T. Michael Kerr, of the District
of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary for Administration and
Management, both of the Department of Labor, and Thomasina Rogers,
of Maryland, to be a Member of the Occupational Safety and Health
Review Commission, 10 a.m., SD-430.
Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the swine flu
epidemic, focusing on the public health and medical response, 3
p.m., SD-430.
[[Page D465]]
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold
hearings to examine swine flu, focusing on coordinating the federal
response, 10 a.m., SD-342.
Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal
Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine
the federal government's role in empowering Americans to make
informed financial decisions, 2:30 p.m., SD-342.
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, to
hold hearings to examine restoring fairness to federal sentencing,
focusing on addressing the crack-powder disparity, 10 a.m., SD-226.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine
pending benefits related legislation, 9:30 a.m., SR-418.
Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine the life
settlement market, focusing on what is at stake for seniors, 2 p.m.,
SD-106.
House
Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Department Operations,
Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry, hearing on the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights,
10:30 a.m., 1300 Longworth.
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies, on NASA, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Financial Services, General Government and Related
Agencies, on the FCC, 10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, on the Library of Congress and
Open World Leadership Center, 1:30 p.m., H-144 Capitol.
Committee on Armed Services, hearing on Effective
Counterinsurgency: The Administration's Perspective on the Future of
the U.S.-Pakistan Military Partnership, 1 p.m., 2118 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on Military Health
System: Health Affairs/TRICARE Management Activity Organization, 10
a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
Committee on Education and Labor, hearing on Strengthening
America's Competitiveness through Common Academic Standards, 10
a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services, to continue markup of H.R. 1728,
Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act, 10 a.m., 2128
Rayburn.
Committee on Homeland Security, Member briefing on Transportation
Worker Identification Card,. 10 a.m., 311 Cannon.
Committee on House Administration, hearing on Library of Congress
IT Strategic Planning, 11 a.m., 1310 Longworth.
Committee on Natural Resources, to mark up the following bills:
H.R. 1018, To amend the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act
to improve the management and long-term health of wild and free-
roaming horses and burros, and for other purposes; and H.R. 689, To
interchange the administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal lands
between the Forest Services and the Bureau of Land Management, and
for other purposes, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on
Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia,
oversight hearing on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority (WMATA), 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on National Security, hearing entitled ``National
Security Implications of U.S. Policy toward Cuba,'' 2 p.m., 2154
Rayburn.
Committee on Rules to consider H.R. 627, Credit Cardholders' Bill
of Rights Act of 2009, 3 p.m., H-313 Capitol.
Committee on Science and Technology, to mark up the following
bills: H.R. 2020, Networking and Information Technology Research and
Development Act of 2009; H.R. 1736, International Science and
Technology Cooperation Act of 2009; and H.R. 1709, STEM Education
Coordination Act of 2009, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Committee on Small Business, hearing entitled ``Climate Change
Solutions for Small Businesses and Family Farmers,'' 1 p.m., 2360
Rayburn.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, hearing on
Recovery Act: 10-Week Progress Report for Transportation and
Infrastructure Programs, 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, hearing on Funding the VA of the
Future, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon.
Committee on Ways and Means, to continue hearings on Health Reform
in the 21st Century: Employer Sponsored Insurance, 10 a.m., 1100
Longworth.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, a briefing
on HUMINT/HUMINT-Enabling, 10 a.m., and, executive, a briefing on
Overhead, 3:30 p.m., 304-HVC.
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[[Page D466]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Next Meeting of the SENATE
9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 29
Senate Chamber
Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business
(not to extend beyond one hour), Senate will begin consideration of the
conference report to accompany S. Con. Res. 13, Budget Resolution.
Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
10 a.m., Wednesday, April 29
House Chamber
Program for Wednesday: Complete consideration of the conference report
to accompany S. Con. Res. 13--Setting forth the congressional budget
for the United States Government for fiscal year 2010, revising the
appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2009, and setting forth
the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2011 through 2014.
Consideration of H.R. 1913--Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes
Prevention Act of 2009 (Subject to a Rule).
_______________________________________________________________________
Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue
HOUSE
Alexander, Rodney, La., E1000
Bachmann, Michele, Minn., E1000, E1001
Berman, Howard L., Calif., E1002
Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E1001
Brady, Robert A., Pa., E1003
Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E995
Carney, Christopher P., Pa., E992
Carson, Andre, Ind., E996, E998, E1001
Engel, Eliot L., N.Y., E992
Fleming, John, La., E1000
Fortenberry, Jeff, Nebr., E991, E996
Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E995
Garrett, Scott, N.J., E994, E998
Graves, Sam, Mo., E991, E996, E997, E998, E999
Green, Al, Tex., E997
Honda, Michael M., Calif., E1004
Inslee, Jay, Wash., E1003
Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E994
Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E993
Kennedy, Patrick J., R.I., E993
Larson, John B., Conn., E1003
Latta, Robert E., Ohio, E996, E997, E998, E998, E1000, E1001, E1002,
E1004, E1004
Loebsack, David, Iowa, E994
Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E992
Miller, Candice S., Mich., E991
Moore, Dennis, Kans., E995
Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E999
Sanchez, Linda T., Calif., E997
Schrader, Kurt, Ore., E1002
Shuler, Heath, N.C., E992, E996
Shuster, Bill, Pa., E995
Space, Zachary T., Ohio, E991, E992, E993, E993, E994, E995, E995,
E996, E996
Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E994
Wexler, Robert, Fla., E993
Wittman, Robert J., Va., E991
Wolf, Frank R., Va., E993