Tuesday, March 14, 2006 [[Page D230]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S2053-S2143 Measures Introduced: Seven bills were introduced, as follows: S. 2408- 2414. Page S2122 Measures Reported: S. 1608, to enhance Federal Trade Commission enforcement against illegal spam, spyware, and cross-border fraud and deception. (S. Rept. No. 109-219) S. 1110, to amend the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to require engine coolant and antifreeze to contain a bittering agent in order to render the coolant or antifreeze unpalatable, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 109-220) Pages S2121-22 Congressional Budget Resolution: Senate continued consideration of S. Con. Res. 83, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2006 and 2008 through 2011, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S2054-S2116 Adopted: Talent Amendment No. 3019, to provide $99,000,000 in COPS Hot Spots funding as authorized in the Combat Meth Act. Pages S2083-85 Talent Amendment No. 3011, to increase funding for defense. Pages S2062-66, S2092 Chafee Amendment No. 3014, to increase funding for part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Pages S2072-74, S2093-94 By a unanimous vote of 100 yeas (Vote No. 40), Burns/Chafee Amendment No. 2999, to provide increased funding for veterans health programs, and to negate the need for enrollment fees and increase in pharmacy co- payments. Pages S2074-78, S2094 Stabenow Amendment No. 3055, to ensure appropriate funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program of the Department of Commerce. Page S2100 Rejected: By 50 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 38), Conrad Amendment No. 3013, to fully reinstate the pay-as-you-go requirement through 2011. Pages S2056-62, S2091-92 By 50 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 39), Kennedy Amendment No. 3028, to support college access and job training by: (1) restoring program cuts slated for vocational education, TRIO, GEAR UP, Perkins Loans, and other student aid programs; (2) increasing investment in student aid programs, including increasing the maximum Pell Grant to $4,500; and (3) restoring cuts slated for job training programs; paid for by closing $6.3 billion in corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2066-72, S2092-93 By 46 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 41), Akaka Amendment No. 3007, to increase Veterans medical services funding by $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2007 to be paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2078-83, S2094-95 By 46 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 42), Bingaman Amendment No. 3039, to make energy more affordable and sustainable, to increase our national security through foreign oil replacement with biofuels and alternative fuels and advanced/hybrid vehicle use, to accelerate production and market penetration of clean and renewable energy technologies and generation, and to more fully utilize energy efficiency and conservation technologies and practices. Pages S2085-90, S2095-96 Pending: Specter Amendment No. 3048, to increase the advance appropriations allowance in order to fund health, education and training, and low- income programs. Pages S2096-S2100 Stabenow Amendment No. 3056, to provide $5 billion for our emergency responders so that they can field effective and reliable interoperable communications equipment to respond to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and the public safety needs of America's communities, and fully offset this by closing tax loopholes and collecting more from the tax gap. Pages S2101-03 Menendez Amendment No. 3054, to provide an additional $965 million to make our ports more secure by increasing port security grants, increasing inspections, improving existing programs, and increasing research and development, and to fully offset this additional funding by closing tax loopholes. Pages S2103-07, S2113 [[Page D231]] McConnell Amendment No. 3061, to provide funding for maritime security, including the Container Security Initiative, improved data for targeted cargo searches, and full background checks and security threat assessments of personnel at our nation's seaports. Page S2107 Byrd Amendment No. 3062, to provide $184 million over five years for the Mine Safety and Health Administration to hire additional mine safety inspectors, paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2107-09 Chambliss (for Dayton) Amendment No. 3018, to restore funding for the Byrne/JAG grant program to the FY 2003 level of $900 million, offset with an across the board cut to administrative expenses, travel and consulting services. Pages S2109-11 Murray Amendment No. 3063, to restore funding for the Community Development Block Grant Program to the fiscal 2004 level by closing tax loopholes previously slated for elimination in Senate-passed legislation. Pages S2111-13, S2113 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 9 a.m., on Wednesday, March 15, 2006, Senate begin consideration of certain amendments for specific periods of debate; that following the use, or yielding back of time, Senate vote on, or in relation to the amendments, with no second-degree amendments in order to the amendments prior to the votes; that the time used during the votes count equally against the resolution. Page S2096 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the resolution at 9 a.m., on Wednesday, March 15, 2006. Page S2143 Nomination Referral--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that a list of nominations in the Coast Guard (Executive Calendar No. 428) be recommitted to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Page S2143 Messages From the House: Page S2121 Executive Communications: Page S2121 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S2122 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S2122-24 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S2124-28 Additional Statements: Pages S2120-21 Amendments Submitted: Pages S2128-42 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S2142 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S2142-43 Privileges of the Floor: Page S2143 Record Votes: Five record votes were taken today. (Total--42) Pages S2091-96 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9 a.m., and adjourned at 7:59 p.m., until 9 a.m., on Wednesday, March 15, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S2143.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) NOMINATIONS Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Boyd Kevin Rutherford, of Maryland, and Linda Avery Strachan, of Virginia, each to be an Assistant Secretary, Gale A. Buchanan, of Georgia, to be Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, and Marc L. Kesselman, of Tennessee, to be General Counsel, all of the Department of Agriculture, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. APPROPRIATIONS: FDA Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Food and Drug Administration, after receiving testimony from Andrew C. von Eschenbach, Acting Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services. APPROPRIATIONS: D.C. AGENCIES Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007, after receiving testimony in behalf of funds for their respective activities from Eric T. Washington, Chief Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and Chair, Joint Committee on Judicial Administration; Rufus G. King III, Chief Judge, District of Columbia Superior Court; Paul Quander, Jr., Director, Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency; Avis E. Buchanan, Director, Public Defender Service; and Reverend Donald Isassc, East of the River Clergy- Police-Community Partnership. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, focusing on combatant commanders on their military strategy and operational requirements, after [[Page D232]] receiving testimony from General Bantz J. Craddock, USA, Commander, U.S. Southern Command; and Admiral Timothy J. Keating, USN, Commander, U.S. Northern Command. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the proposed defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, focusing on the Joint Strike Fighter F- 136 Alternate Engine Program, after receiving testimony from Lord Peter Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement, and Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of the Air Staff, both of London, England; Air Commodore John Harvey, Director General New Air Combat Capability, Canberra, Australia; Rear Admiral Raydon W. Gates AO, CSM, Head of the Australian Defence Staff, and Major General Pasquale Preziosa, Defense and Defense Cooperation Attache, Embassy of Italy, both of Washington, D.C.; and Lieutenant General Giuseppe Bernardis, Chief, Department for Armament Programs, Secretariate for Defence and National Armaments, Rome, Italy. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Personnel concluded a hearing to examine the proposed Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2007, focusing on health benefits and programs, after receiving testimony from Tanna Schmidli, National Military Family Association, and Vice Admiral Norbert R. Ryan, Jr., USN (Ret.), Military Officers Association of America, and Edgar M. Zerr, Fleet Reserve Association, on behalf of the Military Coalition, all of Alexandria, Virginia; and Lieutenant General Dennis M. McCarthy, USMC (Ret.), Reserve Officers Association of the United States, Washington, D.C. NOMINATIONS Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of James S. Simpson, of New York, to be Federal Transit Administrator, Department of Transportation, who was introduced by Senator Schumer and former Senator Cleland, and Robert M. Couch, of Alabama, to be President, Government National Mortgage Association, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. WIRELESS ISSUES AND SPECTRUM REFORM Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine wireless issues relating to spectrum reform, focusing on the Federal Communications Commission's spectrum and other regulatory policies for wireless services, including efforts to implement these policies to license and manage the non-Federal spectrum resources and wireless services, after receiving testimony from Catherine W. Seidel, Acting Bureau Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Federal Communications Commission; John M.R. Kneuer, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, National Telecommunications and Information Administration; JayEtta Z. Hecker, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office; Thomas F. Walsh, Illinois Valley Cellular, Marseilles, on behalf of Rural Cellular Association; Kevin C. Kahn, Intel Corporation, Thomas J. Sugrue, T-Mobile USA, Inc., and Jeannine Kenney, Consumers Union, all of Washington, D.C.; Robert W. Hubbard, Hubbard Television Group, St. Paul, Minnesota; and Lawrence J. White, New York University Stern School of Business, New York, New York. TELECOMMUNICATIONS Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine Wall Street perspective on telecommunications, focusing on investment sentiment and viewpoints of valuation, including key investment considerations, after receiving testimony from Luke T. Szymczak, JP Morgan Asset Management, Aryeh B. Bourkoff, UBS Investment Research, and Craig E. Moffett, Bernstein Research, all of New York, New York; and Kevin M. Moore, Wachovia Securities, Baltimore, Maryland. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BUDGET Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for National Park Service, Department of the Interior, after receiving testimony from Fran Mainella, Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Committee on Finance: Committee held a hearing to examine administrative challenges facing the Social Security Administration (SSA), focusing on the Human Capital Plan of the SSA, the Medicare Prescription Drug Program, new enumeration procedures, and the funding and productivity of the SSA, receiving testimony from Jo Anne B. Barnhart, Commissioner, and Patrick P. O'Carroll, Jr., Inspector General, both of the Social Security Administration; Richard E. Warsinskey, National Council of Social Security Management Associations, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio; Eileen P. Sweeney, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Washington, D.C., on [[Page D233]] behalf of the Social Security Task Force of the Consortium for Citizens With Disabilities; and Erwin Hathaway, Trego, Montana. Hearing recessed subject to the call. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Bangladesh for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion With Respect to Taxes on Income signed at Dhaka on September 26, 2004 with an exchange of notes enclosed (Treaty Doc. 109-5); Protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion With Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital, signed at Paris on August 31, 1994 (Treaty Doc. 109-4); Protocol Amending the Convention Between the United States of America and the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion With Respect to Taxes on Estates, Inheritances, and Gifts signed at Washington on November 24, 1978 (Treaty Doc. 109-7); Protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Sweden for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion With Respect to Taxes on Income signed at Washington on September 30, 2005 (Treaty Doc. 109-8); Protocol of 1997 to Amend the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973, as Modified by the Protocol of 1978 thereto (hereinafter the ``Protocol of 1997''), the Protocol of 1997, which would add Annex VI, Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution From Ships, to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973, as Modified by the Protocol of 1978 (hereinafter the ``MARPOL Convention''), was signed by the United States on December 22, 1998 (Treaty Doc.108-7); Treaty Between the United States of America and Japan on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Washington on August 5, 2003; including a related exchange of notes (Treaty Doc. 108-12); Treaty Between the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Washington on October 14,2003, and a related exchange of notes (Treaty Doc. 108-27); The nominations of Randall L. Tobias, of Indiana, to be Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, Mark D. Wallace, of Florida, to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform, with the rank of Ambassador, and to be Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform, Richard T. Miller, of Texas, to be Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, and to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, John A. Simon, of Maryland, to be Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, certain Foreign Service Officer promotion lists; and An original bill to implement the obligations of the United States under the Protocol Additional to the Agreement Between the United States of America and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in the United States of America (Treaty Doc. 107-7) GSA CONTRACTORS Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations concluded a hearing to examine Federal contractors with unpaid tax debt, focusing on the extent to which contractors are tax-delinquent and what can be done about it, after receiving testimony from Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, and John J. Ryan, Assistant Director, both of the Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, and Steven J. Sebastian, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, all of the Government Accountability Office; Mark Everson, Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury; and Kathleen M. Turco, Acting Deputy Administrator, General Services Administration. OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine consolidation in the oil and gas industry, and its impact on the price of gasoline, after receiving testimony from Wisconsin Attorney General Peggy A. Lautenschlager, Madison; Joseph M. Alioto, Alioto Law Firm, San Francisco, California; Thomas Greene, California Department of Justice, Sacramento; Severin Borenstein, University [[Page D234]] of California Haas School of Business, Berkeley; David Boies, Boies, Schiller and Flexner, Armonk, New York; Rex W. Tillerson, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Irving, Texas; James J. Mulva, ConocoPhillips, and John Hofmeister, Shell Oil Company, both of Houston, Texas; David J. O'Reilly, Chevron Corporation, San Ramon, California; William R. Klesse, Valero Energy Corporation, San Antonio, Texas; and Ross J. Pillari, BP America, Inc., Chicago, Illinois. NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Michael A. Chagares, of New Jersey, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, who was introduced by Senators Lautenberg and Menendez, Gray Hampton Miller, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, who was introduced by Senators Hutchison and Cornyn, and Jeffrey L. Sedgwick, of Massachusetts, to be Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, who was introduced by Senators Lautenberg and Menendez, and Sharee M. Freeman, of Virginia, to be Director, Community Relations Service, both of the Department of Justice, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider pending intelligence matters. Committee recessed subject to the call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 19 public bills, H.R. 4941- 4959; and 6 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 357, and H. Res. 722-724, 726- 727, were introduced. Pages H971-73 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H973-74 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 4057, to provide that attorneys employed by the Department of Justice shall be eligible for compensatory time off for travel under section 5550b of title 5, United States Code (H. Rept. 109-390); H. Res. 725, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4939) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 109-391); and H.R. 3127, to impose sanctions against individuals responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, to support measures for the protection of civilians and humanitarian operations, and to support peace efforts in the Darfur region of Sudan, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 109-392, Pt. 1). Page H971 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Bradley of New Hampshire to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H875 Recess: The House recessed at 12:40 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m. Page H876 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 122 South Bill Street in Francesville, Indiana, as the Malcolm Melville ``Mac'' Lawrence Post Office: S. 2064, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 122 South Bill Street in Francesville, Indiana, as the Malcolm Melville ``Mac'' Lawrence Post Office--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H878-79 Amending the Ojito Wilderness Act to make a technical correction: H.R. 4841, to amend the Ojito Wilderness Act to make a technical correction; Pages H879-80 Higher Education Extension Act of 2006: H.R. 4911, to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965; Pages H880-81 Extending the educational flexibility program under section 4 of the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999: S. 2363, to extend the educational flexibility program under section 4 of the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H881-82 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all Americans should participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces both at home and abroad: H. Res. 698, to express the sense of the House of Representatives that all Americans should participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces both at home and abroad; Pages H882-84 [[Page D235]] Expressing the continued support of Congress for requiring an institution of higher education to provide military recruiters with access to the institution's campus and students at least equal in quality and scope to that which is provided to any other employer in order to be eligible for the receipt of certain Federal funds: H. Con. Res. 354, to express the continued support of Congress for requiring an institution of higher education to provide military recruiters with access to the institution's campus and students at least equal in quality and scope to that which is provided to any other employer in order to be eligible for the receipt of certain Federal funds, by a yea-and-nay vote of 347 yeas to 65 nays with 2 voting ``present'', Roll No. 39; Pages H884-87, H940-41 Waiving the passport fees for a relative of a deceased member of the Armed Forces proceeding abroad to visit the grave of such member or to attend a funeral or memorial service for such member: S. 1184, to waive the passport fees for a relative of a deceased member of the Armed Forces proceeding abroad to visit the grave of such member or to attend a funeral or memorial service for such member--clearing the measure for the President; Pages H887-88 Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust: H. Con. Res. 350, to permit the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust; and Pages H890-92 Extending through December 31, 2006, the authority of the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to expedite the processing of permits: H.R. 4826, to extend through December 31, 2006, the authority of the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to expedite the processing of permits. Pages H892-93 Recess: The House recessed at 4:02 p.m. and reconvened at 6:10 p.m. Page H893 Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House completed debate on the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further consideration of the measures will resume tomorrow, March 15th: Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Russian Federation should fully protect the freedoms of all religious communities without distinction, whether registered and unregistered, as stipulated by the Russian Constitution and international standards: H. Con. Res. 190, to express the sense of the Congress that the Russian Federation should fully protect the freedoms of all religious communities without distinction, whether registered and unregistered, as stipulated by the Russian Constitution and international standards; and Pages H888-90 Amending the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty, to make other technical amendments to the trade laws: H.R. 4944, to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty, to make other technical amendments to the trade laws. Pages H893-H940 Recess: The House recessed at 6:18 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m. Page H940 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H878. Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on pages H974-75. Quorum Calls--Votes: 1 yea-and-nay vote developed during the proceedings today and appears on pages H940-41. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 12:30 p.m. and adjourned at midnight. Committee Meetings LEGISLATIVE ISSUES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Held a hearing on the House of Representatives, Office of Compliance and the Architect of the Capitol, Testimony was heard from James M. Eagen III, Chief Administrative Officer; Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House; Wilson J. Livingood, Sergeant at Arms; James J. Cornell, Inspector General; Geraldine Gennet, Office of the General Counsel; Peter G. LeFevre, Office of the Law Revision Counsel; M. Pope Barrow, Jr., Office of the Legislative Counsel; and John Eisold, M.D., Office of the Attending Physician; the following officials of the Office of Compliance: Robert Holzwath; and Barbara Camens, both members of the Board of Directors; William W. Thompson II, Executive Director; and Peter A. Eveleth, General Counsel; and Alan M. Hantman, Architect of the Capitol. DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and [[Page D236]] Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Testimony was heard from Alphonso R. Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. 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 held a hearing on Central Command. Testimony was heard from GEN John P. Abizaid, USA, Commander, U.S. Central Command, Department of Defense. SCIENCE, THE 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 Appropriations held a hearing on the Attorney General. Testimony was heard from Alberto Gonzales, the Attorney General, Department of Justice. RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY; DOD QUADRENNIAL DEFENSE REVIEW Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported adversely H. Res. 685, Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in their possession relating to any entity with which the United States has contracted for public relations purposes concerning Iraq. The Committee also held a hearing on the Department of Defense Quadrennial Defense Review. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Gordon England, Deputy Secretary; and ADM Edmund P. Giambastiani, USN, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and public witnesses. REVIEW RUDMAN REPORT ON FANNIE MAE Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Review of the Rudman Report on Fannie Mae.'' Testimony was heard from former Senator Warren B. Rudman of New Hampshire. HANDLING CLASSIFIED AND SENSITIVE INFORMATION Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations held a hearing entitled ``Drowning in a Sea of Faux Secrets: Policies on Handling of Classified and Sensitive Information.'' Testimony was heard from Davi M. D'Agostino, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, GAO; the following officials of the National Archives and Records Administration: Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States; and J. William Leonard, Director, Information Security Oversight Office; Robert Rogalski, Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Counterintelligence and Security, Department of Defense; and Glenn S. Podonsky, Director, Office of Security and Safety Performance Assurance, Department of Energy; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack approved for full Committee action the following measures: Office of Domestic Nuclear Detection; Annual Report to Congress on the Directorate of Science and Technology; and Project Bioshield Material Threats Act of 2006. WORKPLACE GOODS JOB GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 2005 Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held a hearing on H.R. 3509, Workplace Goods Job Growth and Competitiveness Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FY 2006 Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of general debate on H.R. 4939, Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006 equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule provides that the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that when the reading for amendment reaches Title II, such title shall be considered as read. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Lewis of California and Representatives Kirk, Burton of Indiana, Thornberry, Bradley of New Hampshire, Wilson of New Mexico, Pickering, Sabo, Millender-McDonald, Tierney, and Melancon. [[Page D237]] COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of the Navy, 10 a.m., SD-192. Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Secretary of the Senate, Architect of the Capitol, including an update on the progress of the Capitol Visitor Center, 10:30 a.m., SD-138. Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, to hold hearings to examine ground forces readiness in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007, 9:30 a.m., SR-222. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the Joint Strike Fighter F136 Alternative Engine Program in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007 and the future years defense program, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine innovation and competitiveness legislation, 1:30 p.m., SD-562. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 11:30 a.m., SD-366. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine Post- Palestinian election challenges in the Middle East, 9:30 a.m., SD- 419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business meeting to consider S. 1955, to amend title I of the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to expand health care access and reduce costs through the creation of small business health plans and through modernization of the health insurance marketplace, 9 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine the progress of the programs on the Government Accountability Office's high-risk list, including whether a proposal to create a Chief Management Officer at the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense would foster a culture of accountability necessary for improved high-risk program performance, 2:30 p.m., SD- 342. Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold hearings to examine S. 1899, to amend the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act to identify and remove barriers to reducing child abuse, to provide for examinations of certain children, 9:30 a.m., SR-485. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider the nominations of Norman Randy Smith, of Idaho, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, Patrick Joseph Schiltz, to be United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota, and Steven G. Bradbury, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General, and John F. Clark, of Virginia, to be Director of the United States Marshals Service, both of the Department of Justice, proposed comprehensive immigration reform legislation, S. 1768, to permit the televising of Supreme Court proceedings, S. 829, to allow media coverage of court proceedings, S. 489, to amend chapter 111 of title 28, United States Code, to limit the duration of Federal consent decrees to which State and local governments are a party, S. 2039, to provide for loan repayment for prosecutors and public defenders, S. 2292, to provide relief for the Federal judiciary from excessive rent charges, and S.J. Res. 1, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage, 9 a.m., SD-226. Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, to hold hearings to examine hospital group purchasing, focusing on if the industry's reforms are sufficient to ensure competition, 2:30 p.m., SD-226. Select Committee on Intelligence: to receive a closed briefing on intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine eliminating retirement income disparity for women, 10 a.m., SD-106 House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, hearing to review the Federal Crop Insurance System, 3 p.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Marketing and Regulatory Programs, 9:30 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, on DOE, Nuclear Waste Disposal, 10 a.m., 2362B Rayburn. Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, on Fish and Wildlife Service, 10 a.m., B-308 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies, on SBA, 10 a.m., H-309 Rayburn. Committee on Armed Services, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the U.S. Central Command, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee in Military Personnel, hearing on the Military Resale and Morale, Welfare Morale, Welfare and Recreation Overview, 3 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Projection Forces, hearing on evolving Navy missions and the role of surface and subsurface combatants, 3 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on Implementing the Global War on Terror Strategy: Overcoming Interagency Problems, 5 p.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, hearing entitled ``Status of the Yucca Mountain Project,'' 2 p.m., 2123 Rayburn. [[Page D238]] Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ``What's the Cost? Proposals To Provide Consumers With Better Information About Healthcare Service Costs,'' 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, to consider the following: H.R. 3997, Financial Data Protection Act of 2005; H.R. 4411, Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2005; H.R. 4916, To authorize United States participation in, and appropriations for, the United States contribution to the first replenishment of the resources of the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; H.R. 4912, Rural Health Care Capital Access Act of 2006; the Flood Insurance Modernization and Reform Act of 2006; H.R. 2990, Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act of 2005; and S. 2141, To make improvements to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Energy and Resources, hearing entitled ``Strengthening the Nation's Water Infrastructure: The Army Corps of Engineers' Planning Priorities,'' 3 p.m., 2203 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency Organization, hearing entitled ``Improving the Quality of Healthcare in the FEHBP,'' 3:15 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance and Accountability, hearing entitled ``OMB's Financial Management Line of Business Initiative: Too Much Too Soon?'' 3 p.m., 2247 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, hearing entitled ``Taking on Water: The National Park Service's Stalled Rulemaking Effort on Personal Watercraft,'' 10 a.m., 2247 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 4942, Promoting Antiterrorism Capabilities Through International Cooperation Act; and H.R. 4941, Homeland Security Science and Technology Enhancement Act of 2006, 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight, to mark up the Department of Homeland Security Management and Operations Improvement Act of 2006, 3:30 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on International Relations, to mark up the following measures: H.R. 282, Iran Freedom Support Act; H. Con. Res. 90, Conveying the sympathy of Congress to the families of the young women murdered in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, and encouraging increased United States involvement in bringing an end to these crimes; H. Con. Res. 320, Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Dr. Pham Hong Son and other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience; H. Res. 578, Concerning the Government of Romania's ban on intercountry adoptions and the welfare of orphaned or abandoned children in Romania; and H.R. 658, Supporting the goals and ideals of Work Water Day, 10:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations and the Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats, joint hearing on the Northern Ireland Peace Process: Policing Advances and Remaining Challenges, 2:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, hearing on Unrest in South Asia: Recent Developments in Nepal and Sri Lanka, 3 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, to mark up the following: H.R. 4698, Disaster Relief Volunteer Protection Act of 2006; 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 H. Con. Res. 319, Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the successful and substantial contributions of the amendments to the patent and trademark laws that were enacted in 1980 (Public Law 96-517, commonly known as the Bayh-Dole Act), on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its enactment; H.R. 3127, Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2005; a resolution Honoring Leonidas Ralph Mecham, Director, Administrative Office of the United States Courts and Secretary of the Judicial Conference of the United States; and to consider pending Committee business, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, to mark up the following: H.R. 122, Eastern Municipal Water District Recycled Water System Pressurization and Expansion Project; H.R. 4123, Bleeding Kansas National Heritage Area Act; H.R. 518, Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Improvement Act of 2005; H.R. 2563, To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies to address certain water shortages with the Snake, Boise, and Payette River systems in Idaho; H.R. 3418, Central Texas Water Recycling Act of 2005; H.R. 3418, Central Texas Waste Recycling Act of 2005, H.R. 3462, To provide for the conveyance of the Bureau of Land Management parcels known as the White Acre and Gambel Oak properties and related real property to Park City, Utah; H.R. 3682, To redesignate the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia as the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge; H.R. 4013, To amend the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to provide for conjunctive use of surface and groundwater in Juab County, Utah; H.R. 4080, Glendo Unit of the Missouri River Basin Project Contract Extension Act of 2005; H.R. 4084, To amend the Forest Service use and occupancy permit program to restore the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize the special use permit fees collected by the Secretary in connection with the establishment and operation of marinas in units of the National Forest System derived from the public domain; H.R. 4200, Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act; H.R. 4204, American River Pump Station Project Transfer Act of 2005; H.R. 4686, Multi-State and International Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 2006; H.R. 4882, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Deadline Enforcement Act; S. 584, Betty Dick Residence Protection Act; S. 1165 James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act of 2005; and S. 1869, Coastal Barrier Resources Reauthorization Act of 2005, 10 a.m.; and a hearing on H.R. [[Page D239]] 4893, To amend section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to restrict off-reservation gaming, 3 p.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Rules, to consider H.R. 1606, Online Freedom of Speech Act, 4:30 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Subcommittee on the Legislative and Budget Process, hearing on H.R. 4890, Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2006, 10 a.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Research, hearing on Undergraduate Science, Math and Engineering Education: What's Working? 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, hearing on the issues confronting the Small Business Administration in the upcoming fiscal years, 2:45 p.m., 2360 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Rural Enterprise, Agriculture and Technology, hearing entitled ``The Missouri River and Its Spring Rise: Science or Science Fiction? 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Railroads, hearing on Implementation of the Recently Expanded Rail Infrastructure Loan Program, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, oversight hearing on education benefits for the total military force, 10:30 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Health, Hearing on Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals, 3 p.m., 1100 Longworth. Subcommittee on Human Resources, hearing Regarding New Research on Unemployment Benefit Recipients, 10:30 a.m., B-318 Rayburn. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D240]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9 a.m., Wednesday, March 15 Senate Chamber Program for Wednesday: Senate will continue consideration of S. Con. Res. 83, Congressional Budget Resolution, with votes on certain amendments to occur thereon. (At 1:40 p.m., Senators will meet in the Senate Chamber to proceed to the House of Representatives for a Joint Meeting of Congress, to begin at 2 p.m., to receive an address from President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.) Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 15 House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Begin consideration of H.R. 4939--Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E360 Boustany, Charles W., Jr., La., E352 Cole, Tom, Okla., E357 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E353 Emerson, Jo Ann, Mo., E350, E351 Gonzalez, Charles A., Tex., E359 Hart, Melissa A., Pa., E355, E355 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E357 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E359 Kanjorski, Paul E., Pa., E354, E355 Kelly, Sue W., N.Y., E352 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E354, E355, E356 Lewis, Jerry, Calif., E356 Linder, John, Ga., E357 Norwood, Charlie, Ga., E352 Pelosi, Nancy, Calif., E356 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E349, E350, E351, E351 Price, David E., N.C., E359 Ramstad, Jim, Minn., E354, E355 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E360 Rohrabacher, Dana, Calif., E358 Ryan, Tim, Ohio, E358 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E349, E351 Schmidt, Jean, Ohio, E357 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E352 Sherman, Brad, Calif., E358 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E349, E350, E351 Velazquez, Nydia M., N.Y., E352 Walsh, James T., N.Y., E352