Wednesday, March 1, 2006 [[Page D140]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS See Resume of Congressional Activity. Senate passed S. 2271, USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1555-S1592 Measures Introduced: Ten bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2342-2351, and S. Res. 386. Page S1579 Measures Reported: S. 2349, to provide greater transparency in the legislative process. Page S1579 Measures Passed: USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments: By 95 yeas to 4 nays (Vote No. 25), Senate passed S. 2271, to clarify that individuals who receive FISA orders can challenge nondisclosure requirements, that individuals who receive national security letters are not required to disclose the name of their attorney, that libraries are not wire or electronic communication service providers unless they provide specific services, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S1557-61 Adopted: Frist Amendment No. 2896 (to Amendment No. 2895), of a perfecting nature. Page S1557 By 81 yeas to 18 nays (Vote No. 24), Frist Amendment No. 2895, to establish the enactment date of the Act. Page S1557 Honoring Negro Leagues: Senate agreed to S. Res. 386, honoring the Pre-Negro Leagues and Negro Leagues baseball players and executives elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2006. Pages S1586-90 USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization--Conference Report: Senate resumed consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 3199, to extend and modify authorities needed to combat terrorism. Pages S1561-75 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 86 yeas to 13 nays (Vote No. 26), Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to consider the motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion to invoke cloture on the conference report was not agreed to on December 16, 2005 (Vote No. 358). Page S1561 By 85 yeas to 14 nays (Vote No. 27), Senate agreed to the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the conference report. Page S1561 By 84 yeas to 15 nays (Vote No. 28), upon reconsideration, three- fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the conference report. Page S1561 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the conference report at approximately 10 a.m., on Thursday, March 2, 2006, and that, notwithstanding rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, Senate vote on adoption of the conference report at 3 p.m. Page S1590 Messages From the House: Pages S1577-78 Executive Communications: Pages S1578-79 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1579-80 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1580-85 Additional Statements: Page S1577 Amendments Submitted: Pages S1583-85 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S1585-86 Record Votes: Five record votes were taken today. (Total--28) Page S1557, S1559, S1561 [[Page D141]] Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and, adjourned at 6:36 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, March 2, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1590.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies concluded hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Education, after receiving testimony from Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education. APPROPRIATIONS--LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch concluded hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Library of Congress and the Open World Leadership Center, after receiving testimony from James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress, who was accompanied by several of his associates. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland concluded hearings to examine Army Transformation and the future combat systems acquisition strategy in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, after receiving testimony from Claude M. Bolton, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology and Army Acquisition Executive; General Richard A. Cody, USA, Vice Chief of Staff, United States Army; Paul L. Francis, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, Government Accountability Office; and David R. Graham, Deputy Director, Strategy Forces and Resources Division, Institute for Defense Analyses. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Personnel concluded hearings to examine active component, reserve component, and civilian personnel programs in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007, after receiving testimony from David S. C. Chu, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; Lieutenant General Franklin L. Hagenbeck, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, United States Army; Vice Admiral John C. Harvey, Jr., USN, Chief of Naval Personnel, United States Navy; Lieutenant General H. P. Osman, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, United States Marine Corps; and Lieutenant General Roger A. Brady, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, United States Air Force. REGULATORY RELIEF PROPOSALS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine regulatory relief proposals to remove regulatory burden from the banking industry, after receiving testimony from John M. Reich, Director, Office of Thrift Supervision, and Julie L. Williams, First Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, both of the Department of the Treasury; Donald L. Kohn, Member, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Douglas H. Jones, Acting General Counsel, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; JoAnn M. Johnson, Chairman, National Credit Union Administration; Gavin Gee, Idaho Department of Finance, Boise, on behalf of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Linda Jekel, Washington Department of Financial Institutions, Olympia, on behalf of the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors; H. Greg McClellan, MAX Federal Credit Union, Montgomery, Alabama, on behalf of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions; Bradley E. Rock, Bank of Smithtown, Smithtown, New York, on behalf of the American Bankers Association; Edmund Mierzwinski, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Travis Plunkett, Consumer Federation of America, Margot Saunders, National Consumer Law Center, and Steve Bartlett, The Financial Services Roundtable, all of Washington, D.C.; F. Weller Meyer, Acacia Federal Savings Bank, Falls Church, Virginia, on behalf of America's Community Bankers; Joe McGee, Legacy Community Federal Credit Union, Birmingham, Alabama, on behalf of the Credit Union National Association; and Terry Jorde, CountryBank USA, Cando, North Dakota, on behalf of Independent Community Bankers of America. 2007 BUDGET: HHS Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Health and Human Services, after receiving testimony from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services. WINTER STORMS Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction concluded a hearing to examine the role of the National Weather Service in forecasting and warning [[Page D142]] for winter storms, after receiving testimony from Louis W. Uccellini, Director, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, and Mayor Denise Michels, Nome, Alaska, on behalf of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. U.S. TERRITORIES ECONOMIES Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the state of the economies and fiscal affairs in the Territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands, after receiving testimony from American Samoa Delegate Eni Faleomavaega, and American Samoa Governor Togiola T.A. Tulafono, both of Vailoatai; Virgin Islands Delegate Donna M. Christensen, and Virgin Islands Governor Charles W. Turnbull, both of St. Croix; Guam Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo, and Guam Governor Felix Perez Camacho, both of Hagatna; Northern Mariana Islands Resident Representative Pedro A. Tenorio, Saipan; and David B. Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs. FOREIGN GUEST WORKER TREE PLANTING CONTRACTS Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests concluded a hearing to examine the role of the Forest Service and other Federal agencies in protecting the health and welfare of foreign guest workers carrying out tree planting and other service contracts on National Forest System lands, and to consider related Forest Service guidance and contract modifications issued in recent weeks, after receiving testimony from Mark Rey, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment; Victoria A. Lipnic, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment Standards Administration; D. Michael Dale, Northwest Workers' Justice Project, Portland, Oregon; Cassandra Moseley, University of Oregon Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Eugene; Lynn Jungwirth, Watershed Research and Training Center, Hayfork, California; and Cindy Wood, Wood's Fire and Emergency Services, Inc., Portola, California, on behalf of the National Wildfire Suppression Association. YUCCA MOUNTAIN PROJECT Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the status of the Yucca Mountain Project, focusing on the proposed spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, after receiving testimony from Senators Reid and Ensign; William Wehrum, Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, Environmental Protection Agency; Paul M. Golan, Acting Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Department of Energy; Robert R. Loux, Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects, Office of the Governor, Carson City; Robert Fri, Resources for the Future, Washington, D.C., on behalf of the National Research Council; Allison M. MacFarlane, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; and Dade W. Moeller, Dade Moeller and Associates, McLean, Virginia, on behalf of the Health Physics Society. BUDGET: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Homeland Security, after receiving testimony from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security. PROTECTING AMERICA'S COMPETITIVE EDGE (PACE) ACT Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Education and Early Childhood Development held hearings to examine S. 2198, to ensure the United States successfully competes in the 21st century global economy, focusing on efforts to improve math and science and technology education, receiving testimony from Henry L. Johnson, Assistant Secretary of Education for Elementary and Secondary Education; Arden L. Bement, Jr., Director, National Science Foundation; Thomas W. Rudin, The College Board, New York, New York; James B. Hunt, Jr., Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, former Governor of North Carolina; Peter O'Donnell, Jr., O'Donnell Foundation, Dallas, Texas, on behalf of the National Academies' Committee on Prospering in the Global Economy of the 21st Century; and Joshua R. Tagore, University High School of Science and Engineering, Hartford, Connecticut. Hearing recessed subject to the call. RYAN WHITE CARE ACT Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act relating to fighting the AIDS epidemic of today, after receiving testimony from Elizabeth Duke, Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services. NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded hearings to examine the nominations of Norman Randy Smith, of Idaho, to be United States Circuit [[Page D143]] Judge for the Ninth Circuit, who was introduced by Senators Craig and Crapo, and Patrick Joseph Schiltz, to be United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota, who was introduced by Senator Coleman, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. BORDER VIOLENCE Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and Homeland Security held joint hearings with the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Citizenship to examine Federal strategies to end border violence, focusing on border-related volent crime, criminal networks that smuggle people and drugs across U.S. borders, and certain programs implemented to address these problems, receiving testimony from Paul K. Charlton, United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, Department of Justice; David Aguilar, Chief of Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, and Marcy Forman, Director of Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, both of the Department of Homeland Security; Sheriff Larry A. Dever, Cochise County, Arizona; Sheriff A. D'Wayne Jernigan, Val Verde County, Texas, on behalf of the Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition; Lavoyger Durham, El Tule Ranch, Falfurrias, Texas; and T. J. Bonner, National Border Patrol Council, American Federation of Government Employees (AFL-CIO), Campo, California. Hearing recessed subject to the call. NOMINATION Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Eric M. Thorson, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Small Business Administration, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Grassley, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 19 public bills, H.R. 4824- 4842; and 5 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 349; and H. Res. 701, 703-705 were introduced. Pages H508-09 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H509-10 Reports Filed: Report was filed today as follows: H. Res. 702, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4167) to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for uniform food safety warning notification requirements and for other purposes (H. Rept. 109-381). Page H508 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Porter to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H453 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Bishop Steven E. Wright, National Chaplain, the American Legion. Page H453 Recess: The House recessed at 10:03 a.m. for the purpose of receiving the Honorable Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy. The House reconvened at 12:45 p.m., and agreed that the proceedings had during the Joint Meeting be printed in the Record. Page H453 Joint Meeting to receive the Honorable Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy: The House and Senate met in a joint session to receive the Honorable Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy. He was escorted into the Chamber by a committee comprised of Representatives Boehner, Blunt, Fossella, Gallegly, Mica, Tiberi, Young of Florida, Pelosi, Hoyer, Larson of Connecticut, Pascrell, Doyle, Ryan of Ohio, and Thompson; and Senators Frist, McConnell, Stevens, Santorum, Domenici, Durbin, Leahy, Clinton, and Menendez. Pages H453-55 SUSPENSIONS: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Honoring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor: H. Res. 357, to honor Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, by a yea-and-nay vote of 410 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 17; and Pages H458-61, H466-67 Honoring and praising the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 97th anniversary: H. Con. Res. 335, to honor and praise the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 97th anniversary. Pages H461-66 [[Page D144]] Recess: The House recessed at 1:40 p.m. and reconvened at 3:01 p.m. Page H466 Mexico-U.S. Interparliamentary Group--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members to the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group, in addition to Chairman Kolbe and Vice-Chairman McCaul of Texas, appointed on February 16, 2006: Representatives Dreier, Manzullo, Delahunt, Fa1eomavaega, English of Pennsylvania, Weller, Reyes, Davis of California and Fortuno. Page H493 Katrina Emergency Assistance Act of 2006--Order of Business: The House agreed that it be in order at any time to consider in the House S. 1777; that the bill be considered as read; that the amendment in the nature of a substitute placed at the desk be considered as adopted; and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, to final passage without intervening motion except one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and one motion to recommit which may not contain instructions. Page H499 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page 466. Senate Referrals: S. 2271 was referred to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Financial Services. Page H506 Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote developed during the proceedings of the House today, and appear on pages H466-67. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 9:07 p.m. Committee Meetings AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Office of Inspector General. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Phyllis K. Fong, Inspector General; and Kathleen S. Tight, Deputy Inspector General. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Secretary of the Interior. Testimony was heard from Gale A. Norton, Secretary of the Interior. MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies continued Fiscal Year 2007 appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. DEPARTMENTS OF STATE, JUSTICE, AND COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies held a hearing on FCC. Testimony was heard from Kevin Martin, Chairman, FCC. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST AIR FORCE AND NAVY Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the Air Force. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Air Force: Michael W. Wynne, Secretary; and GEN T. Michael Moseley, USAF, Chief of Staff. The Committee also held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the Navy. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: Donald C. Winter, Secretary; ADM Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; and GEN Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps. RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported adversely H. Res. 645, Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of Defense to transmit to the House of Representatives all information in the possession of the President or the Secretary of Defense relating to the collection of information pertaining to persons inside the United States without obtaining court-ordered warrants authorizing the collection of such information and relating to the policy of the United States with respect to the gathering of counterterrorism intelligence within the United States. [[Page D145]] ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE ACTIVITIES BUDGET REQUEST Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of Energy's Atomic Energy Defense Activities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Ambassador Linton F. Brooks, Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration; James Rispoli, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management; and Glenn Podonsky, Director, Office of Security and Safety Performance Assurance. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BUDGET PRIORITIES Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Department of Defense Budget Priorities Fiscal Year 2007. Testimony was heard from Gordon England, Deputy Secretary, Department of Defense. AMERICAN MINING INDUSTRY--EVALUATING HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing entitled ``Evaluating Health and Safety Regulations in the American Mining Industry.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Labor: Robert Friend, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Mine Safety and Health Administration; and Ray McKinney, Administrator, Coal Mine Safety and Health, Mine Safety and Health Administration; and public witnesses. CAR TITLE FRAUD Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled ``Car Title Fraud: Issues and Approaches for Keeping Consumers Safe on the Road.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT IMPLEMENTATION Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Medicare Part D: Implementation of the New Drug Benefit.'' Testimony was heard from Mark McClellan, M.D., Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. CFIUS PROCESS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Foreign Investment, Jobs and National Security: The CFIUS Process.'' Testimony was heard from Robert M. Kimmitt, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Treasury; Michael P. Jackson, Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; Eric S. Edelman, Under Secretary, Policy, Department of Defense; C. David Welch, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses. OIL AND GAS ROYALTIES Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a hearing entitled ``Oil and Gas Royalties: The Facts, The Remedies.'' Testimony was heard from Walter Cruickshank, Deputy Director, Minerals Management Services, Department of the Interior. 2010 CENSUS/APPORTIONMENT Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census, hearing entitled ``Apportionment in the Balance: A Look Into the Progress of the 2010 Decennial Census.'' Testimony was heard from Louis Kincannon, Director, Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce; the following officials of the GAO: Brenda Farrell, Acting Director, Strategic Issues; and David Powner, Director, Information Technology Management Issues; and public witnesses. U.S. FISCAL OUTLOOK Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability held a hearing entitled ``U.S. Fiscal Outlook and the FY 2005 Governmentwide Financial Statements.'' Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; and Donald V. Hammond, Fiscal Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury. GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs held a hearing entitled ``Plain English Regulations: Helping the American Public Understand the Rules.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. BRIEFING--ACQUISITION OF TERMINAL OPERATIONS IN U.S. PORTS BY DUBAI PORT WORLD Committee on Homeland Security: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on the acquisition of terminal operations at six United States ports by Dubai Port World. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. [[Page D146]] INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS STATE AND LOCAL PERSPECTIVES Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology held a hearing entitled ``The State of Interoperable Communications: Perspectives from State and Local Governments.'' Testimony was heard from Gino Menchini, Commissioner, Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, City of New York; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property approved for full Committee action the following measures: H.R. 4742, To amend title 35, United States Code, to allow the Director of the Patent and Trademark Office to waive statutory provisions governing patents and trademarks in certain emergencies; and S. 1785, Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2005. ENERGY EMPLOYEES ILLNESS COMPENSATION Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims began hearings entitled ``The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act--Are We Fulfilling the Promise We Made to These Veterans of the Cold War When We Created the Program,'' Part I. Testimony was heard from Shelby Hallmark, Director, Office of Worker's Compensation Programs, Department of Labor; and John Howard, M.D., Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. ENERGY POLICY ACT IMPLEMENTATION Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight hearing entitled ``How the Federal Marketing Administrations Are Implementing the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and An Assessment of the Proposed Fiscal Year Budgets for These Agencies.'' Testimony was heard from the following Administrators of the Power Administrations, Department of Energy: Stephen J. Wright, Bonneville Power Administration; Michael S. Hacskaylo, Western Area Power Administration; Michael A. Deihl, Southwestern Power Administration; and Charles A. Borchardt, Southeastern Power Administration; and public witnesses. NATIONAL UNIFORMITY FOR FOOD ACT Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule providing for general debate only on H.R. 4167, National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that after general debate the Committee of the Whole shall rise without motion and no further consideration of the bill shall be in order except by a subsequent order of the House. Testimony was heard from Representatives Rogers of Michigan, Waxman, Stupak, Cardoza, and Wasserman-Schultz. OVERSIGHT--COAST GUARD BUDGET Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held an oversight hearing on the United States Coast Guard and the Federal Maritime Commission Fiscal Year Budget Requests. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the United States Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security: VADM Terry Cross, Vice Commandant; and Master Chief Petty Officer Franklin A. Welch; Steven R. Blust, Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission; and David L. Winstead, Commissioner, Public Building Service, GSA. OVERSIGHT--ENVIRONMENT/WATER RESOURCES BUDGET Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held an oversight hearing on Agency Budgets and Priorities for Fiscal Year 2007 for the following Agencies: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Army: John Paul Woodley, Jr., Assistant Secretary (Civil Works); and LTG Carl A. Strock, Chief of Engineers, Corps of Engineers; Bruce Knight, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA; and Craig H. Middlebrook, Deputy Administrator, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Department of Transportation. MEDICARE PAYMENT POLICIES Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on MedPAC's March Report on Medicare Payment Policies. Testimony was heard from Glenn M. Hackbarth, Chairman, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and public witnesses. Joint Meetings COBELL V. NORTON Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs concluded a joint oversight hearing with the House Committee on Resources to examine the settlement of Cobell v. Norton, focusing on S. 1439 and H.R. [[Page D147]] 4322, to provide for Indian trust asset management reform and resolution of historical accounting claims, after receiving testimony from Stuart E. Eizenstat, Covington and Burling, John Bickerman, Bickerman Dispute Resolution, and Joseph Garcia, National Congress of American Indians, all of Washington, D.C.; Sandra K. Johnigan, Johnigan, P.C., Dallas, Texas; Mike Marchand, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Portland, Oregon; Keller George, United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; and Harold Frazier, Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association, Eagle Butte, South Dakota. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 9:30 a.m., SD-138. Subcommittee on Energy and Water, to hold hearings to examine an outline of the Global Nuclear Energy Plan and the future of nuclear power, 2:30 p.m., SD-124. Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, to hold hearings to examine military installations, military construction, environmental programs, and base realignment and closure programs in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007, 2 p.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine implementation of the Exon-Florio Amendment, focusing on Dubai Ports World acquisition of Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, 10 a.m., SD-G50. Committee on the Budget: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2007, 10 a.m., SD-608. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine USF distribution, 10 a.m., SD-562. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of the Interior, 10 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold a closed briefing on the challenges and responses with respect to a nuclear Iran, 9 a.m., S- 407, Capitol. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the challenges and responses with respect to a nuclear Iran, 10:30 a.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold hearings to examine the state of mine safety and health, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: business meeting to consider S. 2128, to provide greater transparency with respect to lobbying activities, 10 a.m., SD-342. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine legislative presentations of the Fleet Reserve Association, the Air Force Sergeants Association, the Retired Enlisted Association, the Gold Star Wives of America, and the Military Officers Association of America, 10 a.m., SD-106. Select Committee on Intelligence: to receive a closed briefing to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Rural Development, 9:30 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Energy and Water, and Related Agencies, on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2 p.m., 2362B Rayburn. Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs, on Avian Influenza-International Response, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, on Administrator of EPA, 10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, on American Competitiveness Initiative, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, on U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, 9:30 a.m., on American Battle Monuments Commission, 10 a.m., on Arlington National Cemetery, 10:30 a.m., and on Armed Forces Retirement Home, 11 a.m., H-143 Capitol. Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies, on NSF, 10 a.m., H-309 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization budget request for the U.S. Transportation Command and Component Commands, 9 a.m., and a hearing on the National Security Implications of the Dubai Ports World Deal to Take Over Management of U.S. Ports, 1 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, hearing entitled ``Legislation to Implement the POPs, PIC, and LRTAP POPs Agreements,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment, executive, joint briefing on terrorist intentions toward U.S. aircraft, 10 a.m., H2- 176 Ford. [[Page D148]] Committee on International Relations, hearing on United States Policy Toward the Palestinians in the Aftermath of Parliamentary Elections, 10:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation, oversight hearing on Assessing Rights Under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, 2 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, oversight hearing on Western Hemisphere Energy Security, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 2829, Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005; H.R. 4709, Law Enforcement and Phone Privacy Protection Act of 2006; H.R. 4356, Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2005; H.R. 1871, Volunteer Pilot Organization Protection Act of 2005; H.R. 1176, Nonprofit Athletic Organization Protection Act of 2005; and H.R. 2955, Intellectual Property Jurisdiction Clarification Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Constitution, oversight hearing entitled ``The Scope and Myths of Roe v. Wade,'' 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims and the Subcommittee on Crime Terrorism, and Homeland Security, joint oversight hearing entitled ``Outgunned and Outmanned: Local Law Enforcement Confronts Violence Along the Southern Border,'' 12 p.m., 2237 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on National Parks, oversight hearing on the National Park Service's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth. Subcommittee on Water and Power, oversight hearing entitled ``The President's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Requests for the Bureau of Reclamation and the Water Division of the U.S. Geological Survey,'' 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Rules, hearing entitled ``Lobbying Reform: Accountability Through Transparency,'' 10 a.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Science, hearing on NASA Science Mission Directorate: Impacts of the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Workforce, Empowerment and Government Programs, oversight hearing on the SBA's Entrepreneurial Development Programs, 10:30 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines, oversight hearing on Curbside Operations: Bus Safety and ADA Regulatory Compliance, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, oversight hearing regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' Fiscal Year 2007 information technology budget, 10 a.m., 340 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security, to continue hearings on Social Security Number High-Risk Issues, 10 a.m., B-318 Rayburn. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive briefing on Global Updates/Hotspots, 9 a.m., and, executive, to mark up H. Res. 641, Requesting the President to provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in his possession relating to electronic surveillance without search warrants on individuals in the United States, 2 p.m., H-405 Capitol. *These figures include all measures reported, even if there was no accompanying report. A total of 6 reports have been filed in the Senate, a total of 16 reports have been filed in the House. [[Page D149]] Resume of Congressional Activity SECOND SESSION OF THE ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS The first table gives a comprehensive resume of all legislative business transacted by the Senate and House. The second table accounts for all nominations submitted to the Senate by the President for Senate confirmation. DATA ON LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY January 3 through February 28, 2006 Senate House Total Days in session............... 23 9 . . Time in session............... 151 hrs., 47 46 hrs., 59 . . Congressional Record: Pages of proceedings........... 1,554 452 . . Extensions of Remarks.......... . . 235 . . Public bills enacted into law. 2 4 6 Private bills enacted into law . . . . . . Bills in conference........... . . 5 . . Measures passed, total........ 44 36 80 Senate bills................... 4 3 . . House bills.................... 6 8 . . Senate joint resolutions....... . . . . . . House joint resolutions........ . . . . . . Senate concurrent resolutions.. 5 2 . . House concurrent resolutions... 5 6 . . Simple resolutions............. 24 17 . . Measures reported, total *.... 6 14 20 Senate bills................... 5 . . . . House bills.................... 1 8 . . Senate joint resolutions....... . . . . . . House joint resolutions........ . . . . . . Senate concurrent resolutions.. . . . . . . House concurrent resolutions... . . . . . . Simple resolutions............. . . 6 . . Special reports............... . . 2 . . Conference reports............ . . . . . . Measures pending on calendar.. 187 105 . . Measures introduced, total.... 215 247 462 Bills.......................... 165 170 . . Joint resolutions.............. 5 4 . . Concurrent resolutions......... 7 18 . . Simple resolutions............. 38 55 . . Quorum calls.................. . . 1 . . Yea-and-nay votes............. 23 14 . . Recorded votes................ . . 1 . . Bills vetoed.................. . . . . . . Vetoes overridden............. . . . . . . DISPOSITION OF EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS January 3 through February 28, 2006 Civilian nominations, totaling 237, (including 148 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Confirmed...........................................37... Unconfirmed........................................199... Withdrawn............................................1... Other Civilian nominations, totaling 1,326 (including 780 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Confirmed..........................................695... Unconfirmed........................................631... Air Force nominations, totaling 1,494 (including 100 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Confirmed........................................1,473... Unconfirmed.........................................21... Army nominations, totaling 2,980 (including 608 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Confirmed........................................1,088... Unconfirmed......................................1,892... Navy nominations, totaling 50 (including 21 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Confirmed...........................................22... Unconfirmed.........................................28... Marine Corps nominations, totaling 1,274 (including 2 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows: Confirmed..........................................987... Unconfirmed........................................287... Summary Total nominations carried over from the First Session1,659 Total nominations received this Session..............5,702 Total confirmed......................................4,302 Total unconfirmed....................................3,058 Total withdrawn..........................................1 Total returned to the White House........................0 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. 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[[Page D150]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 2 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 30 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 3199, USA PATRIOT, Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act, with a vote on adoption of the conference report to occur at 3 p.m.; following which, Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2320, LIHEAP Funding bill, with a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, March 2 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 4167--National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E247 Bishop, Timothy H., N.Y., E238, E239 Boswell, Leonard L., Iowa, E241 Burton, Dan, Ind., E244 Ehlers, Vernon J., Mich., E243 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E250 Frank, Barney, Mass., E241 Hoekstra, Peter, Mich., E243 Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E240 Hyde, Henry J., Ill., E245 Kennedy, Patrick J., R.I., E242 Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E245 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E243 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E237, E239 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E244 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E242 Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E243 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E250 Mica, John L., Fla., E248 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E247 Moore, Gwen, Wisc., E245 Musgrave, Marilyn N., Colo., E240 Nadler, Jerrold, N.Y., E242 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E239 Pastor, Ed, Ariz., E248 Pickering, Charles W. ``Chip'', Miss., E240 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E237, E238, E250 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E244 Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E239 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E248 Shimkus, John, Ill., E240 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E247, E248 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E250 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E242 Udall, Tom, N.M., E242 Walden, Greg, Ore., E241 Watson, Diane E., Calif., E245 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E237, E238 Young, C.W. Bill, Fla., E246