Wednesday, February 15, 2006 [[Page D101]] Daily Digest Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1321-S1373 Measures Introduced: Six bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2287-2292, and S.J. Res. 31. Page S1353 Measures Passed: Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 32, to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide criminal penalties for trafficking in counterfeit marks, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S1367-70 Frist (for Specter) Amendment No. 2889, in the nature of a substitute. Page S1369 Katrina Emergency Assistance Act: Senate passed S. 1777, to provide relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S1371-72 Frist (for Collins) Amendment No. 2890, in the nature of a substitute. Page S1371 USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act: Senate continued consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of 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. Pages S1325-44 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the cloture vote on the pending motion to proceed to consideration of the bill occur at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2006, that if cloture is invoked, notwithstanding Rule 22, Senate proceed immediately to the bill, that if a cloture motion is filed on the bill during Thursday's session, then that cloture vote occur at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2006; provided further, that if cloture is invoked on the bill, then at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, March 1, 2006, the bill be read a third time, and the Senate proceed to a vote on the bill with no intervening action or debate. Page S1344 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill at approximately 10 a.m., on Thursday, February 16, 2006, with the time equally divided until 10:30 a.m. Page S1372 Messages From the House: Page S1351 Measures Referred: Page S1351 Measures Placed on Calendar: Page S1351 Executive Communications: Page S1351 Petitions and Memorials: Pages S1351-52 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S1352-53 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S1353-54 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S1354-65 Additional Statements: Pages S1349-51 Amendments Submitted: Pages S1365-66 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S1366 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S1366-67 Privileges of the Floor: Page S1367 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 7:50 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, February 16, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S1372-73.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch resumed hearings to examine the progress of Capitol Visitor Center construction, receiving testimony from Alan M. Hantman, Architect, and Robert C. Hixon, Jr., Capitol Visitor Center Project Manager, both of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol; and Bernard L. Ungar, Director, [[Page D102]] and Terrell Dorn, Assistant Director, both of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office. Hearings will continue on Wednesday, April 26, 2006. NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Preston M. Geren, of Texas, to be Under Secretary of the Army, who was introduced by Senators Hutchison and Cornyn, Michael L. Dominguez, of Virginia, to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, who was introduced by Senator Allard, James I. Finley, of Minnesota, to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, who was introduced by Senator Dayton, and Thomas P. D'Agostino, of Maryland, to be Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. HURRICANE KATRINA REBUILDING Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine rebuilding needs in Hurricane Katrina-impacted areas, focusing on the Federal response to the hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, including ongoing efforts to assist affected families and individuals in finding both short-term and permanent housing, and the overall progress of the recovery efforts in the five affected states, after receiving testimony from Senators Landrieu and Vitter; Representative Baker; Alphonso R. Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Donald E. Powell, Federal Coordinator, Office for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and David Garratt, Acting Director of Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency, both of the Department of Homeland Security; Martin J. Gruenberg, Acting Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and Herbert Mitchell, Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance, Small Business Administration. FEDERAL TAX GAP Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the causes and solutions to addressing the Federal tax gap, focusing on making significant progress in improving tax compliance which rests on enhancing current Internal Revenue Service techniques and adopting new legislative actions, after receiving testimony from Mark W. Everson, Commissioner, and Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate, Taxpayer Advocate Service, both of the Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury; and David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office. VIDEO FRANCHISING Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine issues relating to video franchising, and competition in the video marketplace, after receiving testimony from Representative Blackburn; Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon, New York, New York; Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., AT&T, Anthony T. Riddle, Alliance For Community Media, Gene Kimmelman, Consumers Union, on behalf of Consumer Federation of America and Free Press, and Gigi B. Sohn, Public Knowledge, all of Washington, D.C.; Thomas M. Rutledge, Cablevision Systems Corporation, Bethpage, New York; Lori Panzino-Tillery, National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, San Bernardino, California, on behalf of National League of Cities, United States Conference of Mayors, National Association of Counties, Government Finance Officers Association and Telecommunity; and Brad A. Evans, Cavalier Telephone, Richmond, Virginia. NANOTECHNOLOGY Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine developments in nanotechnology, the science and technology of building electronic circuits and devices from single atoms and molecules, focusing on national priorities and agency missions, and moving closer to achieving societal goals in areas such as healthcare, energy, security, and quality of life, after receiving testimony from E. Clayton Teague, Director, National Nanotechnology Coordination Office; Richard O. Buckius, Acting Assistant Director for Engineering, National Science Foundation; Jeffery Schloss, Division of Extramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, and Co- Chair, National Institutes of Health Nanomedicine Roadmap Initiative, Department of Health and Human Services; Mark E. Davis, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, on behalf of City of Hope; J. Clarence Davies, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C.; Timothy Swager, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; Alan Gotcher, Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc., Reno, Nevada; Todd L. Hylton, Science Applications International Corporation, McLean, Virginia; and Bryant R. Linares, Apollo Diamond, Inc., Ashland, Massachusetts. PACE-ENERGY ACT Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 2197, to improve the global competitiveness of the United States in science and energy technology, to strengthen basic research programs at the Department of Energy, and [[Page D103]] to provide support for mathematics and science education at all levels through the resources available through the Department of Energy, including at the National Laboratories, after receiving testimony from Raymond L. Orbach, Director of the Office of Science, Department of Energy; Charles M. Vest, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; and Luis M. Proenza, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio. FIRE RETARDANT AIRCRAFT Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests concluded an oversight hearing to review the progress made on the development of interim and long-term plans for use of fire retardant aircraft in Federal wildfire suppression operations, after receiving testimony from Mark Rey, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment; Nina Rose Hatfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy, Management and Budget; James Hall, Hall and Associates LLC, Washington, D.C.; and James B. Hull, Texas Forest Service, College Station, Texas, on behalf of the National Association of State Foresters. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Terrence L. Bracy, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation, Dennis Bottorff, of Tennessee, Robert M. Duncan, of Kentucky, Susan Richardson Williams, of Tennessee, William B. Sansom, of Tennessee, Howard A. Thrailkill, of Alabama, and Donald R. DePriest, of Mississippi, all to be Members of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. BUDGET: EPA Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Environmental Protection Agency, after receiving testimony from Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency. BUDGET: FOREIGN AFFAIRS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for foreign affairs, after receiving testimony from Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Claudia A. McMurray, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Bradford R. Higgins, of Connecticut, to be Assistant Secretary for Resource Management and Chief Financial Officer, Department of State, Jackie Wolcott Sanders, of Virginia, to be U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, and to be U.S. Alternate Representative to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during her tenure of service as U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, Janet Ann Sanderson, of Arizona, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti, Bernadette Mary Allen, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, Patricia Newton Moller, of Arkansas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi, Steven Alan Browning, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Uganda, Robert Weisberg, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, Michael W. Michalak, of Michigan, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Senior Official to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, Janice L. Jacobs, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Jeanine E. Jackson, of Wyoming, to be Ambassador to Burkina Faso, James D. McGee, of Florida, to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Union of Comoros; Kristie A. Kenney, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines, Gary A. Grappo, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Patricia A. Butenis, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Donald T. Bliss, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as U.S. Representative on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, Ben S. Bernanke, of New Jersey, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Monetary Fund; and 2 Foreign Service Officer promotion lists. HURRICANE KATRINA Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee held a hearing to examine Hurricane Katrina response issues, focusing on the Homeland Security Department's preparation and response, boosting state capabilities, the Federal Management Agency (FEMA), debris removal, and enhancing communications between Federal and state government agencies, receiving testimony from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security. Hearing recessed subject to the call. [[Page D104]] MINE SAFETY TECHNOLOGY Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety met to discuss communication and mine safety technology issues, receiving testimony from Starnes Walker, Technical Director, Office of Naval Research, U.S. Navy; Bob Campman, Grace Industries, Fredonia, Pennsylvania; Pat Droppleman, Ocenco Corporation, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin; R. Larry Grayson, University of Missouri-Rolla Department of Mining and Nuclear Engineering, Rolla; Wes Kenneweg, Draeger Industries, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Roy Nutter, West Virginia University College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, Morgantown; Dennis O'Dell, UMWA, Fairfax, Virginia; Sam Shearer, CSE Corporation, Monroeville, Pennsylvania; Gary Zamel, Mine Site Technologies Pty. Ltd, Artarmon, NSW, Australia. NOMINATIONS Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Stephen G. Larson, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, who was introduced by Senator Feinstein, Jack Zouhary, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio, who was introduced by Senator DeWine, and John F. Clark, of Virginia, to be Director of the United States Marshals Service, Department of Justice, who was introduced by Senators Warner and Allen, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their 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: 13 public bills, H.R.4754- 4766; and 12 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 341-344; and H. Res. 678-685 were introduced. Pages H332-33 Additional Cosponsors: Page H333 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina (H. Rept. 109-377). Pages H331-32 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Expressing the sense of Congress that no United States assistance should be provided directly to the Palestinian Authority if any representative political party holding a majority of parliamentary seats within the Palestinian Authority maintains a position calling for the destruction of Israel: S. Con. Res. 79, to express the sense of Congress that no United States assistance should be provided directly to the Palestinian Authority if any representative political party holding a majority of parliamentary seats within the Palestinian Authority maintains a position calling for the destruction of Israel, by a yea-and-nay vote of 418 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 10; Pages H280-88, H297-98 Paying tribute to Shirley Horn in recognition of her many achievements and contributions to the world of jazz and American culture: H. Con. Res. 300, amended, to pay tribute to Shirley Horn in recognition of her many achievements and contributions to the world of jazz and American culture; Pages H288-90 National Flood Insurance Program Enhanced Borrowing Authority Act of 2006: S. 2275, amended, to temporarily increase the borrowing authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out the national flood insurance program; and Pages H290-93 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2006 for the Small Business Administration's disaster loans program: H.R. 4745, to make supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2006 for the Small Business Administration's disaster loans program, by a yea-and-nay vote of 410 yeas to 5 nays, Roll No. 11. Pages H293-97, H298 Condemning the Government of Iran for violating its international nuclear nonproliferation obligations and expressing support for efforts to report Iran to the United Nations Security Counsel--Order of Business: The House agreed by unanimous consent that it should be in order at any time to consider H. Con. Res. 341, to condemn the Government of Iran for violating its international nuclear nonproliferation obligations and expressing [[Page D105]] support for efforts to report Iran to the United Nations Security Counsel; that the concurrent resolution be considered as read; that the previous question be considered as ordered on the concurrent resolution and preamble to final adoption without intervening motion or demand for division of the question except one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on International Relations and one motion to recommit which may not contain instructions. Page H297 Committee Elections: The House agreed to H. Res. 678, electing the following members to the following standing committees: Page H298 Committee on International Relations: Representative Carnahan. Page H298 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Representative Barrow. Page H298 Committee on Veterans Affairs: Representative Salazar. Page H298 Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 679, electing the following member to the following standing committee: Page H300 Committee on Education and the Workforce: Representative McKeon, Chairman. Page H300 Senate Message: Messages received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appear on pages H312. Referrals: S. 1777 was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary. Page H330 Recess: The House recessed at 11:44 a.m. and reconvened at 5:46 p.m. Page H297 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H297 and H298. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:20 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 USDA. Testimony was heard from Mike Johanns, Secretary of Agriculture. HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on DHS Management and Operations. Testimony was heard from Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held an oversight hearing on Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Testimony was heard from Lee H. Hamilton, President and Director, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on DOD Budget Overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Tina W. Jonas, Under Secretary, Comptroller; and Philip W. Grone, Deputy Under Secretary, Installations and Environment. The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Quality of Life--Senior Enlisted. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: SMA Major Kenneth O. Prestion, U.S. Army; Sgt. Major John L. Estrada, U.S. Marine Corps; Master Chief Petty Officer Terry D. Scott, Submarines/Aviation Warfare, Department of the Navy; and Chief CMSgt. Gerald R. Murray, U.S. Air Force. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization budget request from the Department of the Army. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Army: Francis J. Harvey, Secretary; and GEN Peter Schoomaker, USA, Chief of Staff. ABLE DANGER PROGRAM Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a joint hearing on the Able Danger program. Testimony was heard from Stephen Cambone, Under Secretary, Intelligence, Department of Defense; and public witnesses. DOMESTIC ENTITLEMENTS AND THE FEDERAL BUDGET Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Domestic Entitlements and the Federal Budget. Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, [[Page D106]] GAO; Douglas J. Holtz-Eakin, former Director, CBO; and a public witness. HEALTH CARE PRIORITIES FISCAL YEAR 2007 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled ``The Administration's FY '07 Health Care Priorities.'' Testimony was heard from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services. INTERCHANGE FEES--LAW AND ECONOMICS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled ``The Law and Economics of Interchange Fees.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MONETARY POLICY REPORT Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing to receive the Federal Reserve Board's semiannual monetary policy report. Testimony was heard from Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System. METHYL BROMIDE EXEMPTION PROCESS Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a hearing entitled ``Methyl Bromide: Are U.S. Interests Being Served by the Critical User Exemption Process?'' Testimony was heard from William Wehrum, Acting Assistant Administrator, Air and Radiation, EPA; and public witnesses. PUBLIC HOUSING SYSTEM Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census, hearing entitled ``Living in America: Is Our Public Housing System Up to the Challenges of the 21st Century?'' Testimony was heard from David G. Wood, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investments, GAO; the following former officials of the Department of Housing and Urban Development: Henry Cisneros, Secretary; and Rod Solomon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy; and public witnesses. MARITIME BORDER SECURITY BUDGET Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity held a hearing entitled ``The President's Fiscal Year Budget: Coast Guard Programs Impacting Maritime Border Security.'' Testimony was heard from ADM Thomas H. Collins, USCG, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security. INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology held a hearing entitled ``The State of Interoperable Communications: Perspectives from the Field.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. HOMELAND SECURITY BUDGET Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled ``The President's Proposed FY07 Budget for the Department of Homeland Security: The Office of Intelligence and Analysis.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Charlie E. Allen, Chief Intelligence Officer; and Mary V. Connell, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Intelligence and Analysis. INTERNET IN CHINA Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations and the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held a joint hearing entitled ``The Internet in China: A Tool for Freedom or Suppression?'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: James Keith, Senior Advisor for China and Mongolia, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; and David Gross, Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Communications and Information Policy, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs; and public witnesses. RESOLUTIONS OF INQUIRY; FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATORY RELIEF ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Res. 643, adversely, Directing the Attorney General to submit to the House of Representatives all documents in the possession of the Attorney General relating to warrantless electronic surveillance of telephone conversations and electronic communications of persons in the United States conducted by the National Security Agency; H. Res. 644, adversely, Requesting the President and directing the Attorney General to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of those officials relating to the authorization of electronic surveillance of citizens of the United States without court approved warrants; and H.R. 3505, Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2005. SECOND CHANCE ACT; AFT GUN SHOW ENFORCEMENT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security approved for full [[Page D107]] Committee action H.R. 1704, Second Chance Act of 2005. The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) Part 1: Gun Show Enforcement. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FINANCIAL SUPPORT Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight hearing entitled ``The National Park Service 2006 Draft Management Policies and proposed changes to Director's Order 21.'' Testimony was heard from Steve Martin, Deputy Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; the following former officials of the Department of the Interior: William Horn, Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks; and Denis Galvin, Deputy Director, National Park Service; and public witnesses. FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUDGET Committee on Science: Held a hearing on An Overview of the Federal R&D Budget for Fiscal Year 2007. Testimony was heard from John Marburger III, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy; Samuel Bodman, Secretary of Energy; David Sampson, Deputy Secretary of Commerce; Arden Bement, Director, NSF; and Charles McQuearty, Under Secretary, Science and Technology, Department of Homeland Security. OVERSIGHT--COMMERCIAL JET FUEL COSTS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held an oversight hearing on Commercial Jet Fuel Supply: Impact and Cost on the U.S. Airline Industry. Testimony was heard from John D. Shages, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Petroleum Reserves, Department of Energy; Michael A. Cirillo, Vice President, Systems Operations Services, Air Traffic Organization, FAA, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--BUDGET IMPACTS ON TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on How the FY 2007 Budget Proposal Impacts SAFETEA LU. Testimony was heard from Phyllis Scheinberg, Assistant Secretary, Budget and Promotions, Department of Transportation. VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on annual legislative agenda, views and priorities for veterans organizations. Testimony was heard from representatives of veterans organizations. Hearings continue tomorrow. PRESIDENT'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2007 BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES Committee on Ways and Means: Continued hearings on President Bush's Budget proposals for fiscal year 2007. Testimony was heard from John W. Snow, Secretary of the Treasury. The Committee also approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2007 for submission to the Committee on the Budget. U.S. TRADE AGENDA Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on President Bush's trade agenda. Testimony was heard from Robert J. Portman, U.S. Trade Representative. BRIEFING--INTELLIGENCE VALUE OF INTERROGATION Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Oversight met in executive session to receive a Briefing on The Intelligence Value of Interrogation. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses. SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina: Ordered reported ``A Failure of Initiative,'' the Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine priorities and plans for the atomic energy defense activities of the Department of Energy and to review the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for atomic energy defense activities of the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, 9:30 a.m., SD-106. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the semiannual monetary policy report to the Congress, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on the Budget: to resume hearings to examine the President's fiscal year 2007 budget proposal, 10 a.m., SR-325. [[Page D108]] Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine NOAA budget, 2:30 p.m., SD-562. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine S. 2253, to require the Secretary of the Interior to offer the 181 Area of the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas leasing, 10 a.m., SD-366. Subcommittee on National Parks, to hold hearings to examine S. 1870, to clarify the authorities for the use of certain National Park Service properties within Golden Gate National Recreation Area and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, S. 1913, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease a portion of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center for use as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, S. 1970, to amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail, H.R. 562, to authorize the Government of Ukraine to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor the victims of the manmade famine that occurred in Ukraine in 1932-1933, and H.R. 318, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating Castle Nugent Farms located on St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as a unit of the National Park System, 1:30 p.m., SD-366. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the Energy Information Administration's 2006 annual energy outlook on trends and issues affecting the United States' energy market, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine the Administration's trade agenda for 2006, 10:30 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Richard A. Boucher, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, 10 a.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to resume hearings to examine the role of education in global competitiveness, 10 a.m., SD-G50. 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 the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, 10:30 a.m., SR-418. Select Committee on Intelligence: closed business meeting to consider intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Agriculture, to consider Committee Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2007 for submission to the Committee on the Budget, 9 a.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on the FDA, 9:30 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on Defense, on Fiscal Year 2007 DOD Budget overview, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, on Department of Labor Fiscal Year 2007 Budget, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Transportation Security Administration, 10 a.m., H-140 Capitol. Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies, on U.S. Trade Representative, 2 p.m., H-309 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on Combating al Qaeda and the Militant Jihadist Threat, 1 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2007 Discretionary Budget, Performance Evaluations and Spending Trends, 10:30 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Energy and Commerce, to mark up H.R. 2829, Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ``Weapons of Mass Destruction: Stopping the funding--OFAC Role,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, hearing entitled ``National Drug Control Budget for Fiscal Year 2007, 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, hearing entitled ``The President's Proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Budget for the Department of Homeland Security: Maintaining Vigilance and Improving Mission Performance in Securing the Homeland,'' 9:30 a.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity, hearing entitled ``The President's Proposed FY07 Budget: Risk-Based Spending at the Transportation Security Administration,'' 2 p.m., 2261 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight, to continue examination of the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System with a hearing entitled ``Mismanagement of the Border Surveillance System and Lessons Learned for the New Border Initiative, Part 3,'' following full Committee hearing, 311 Cannon. Committee on International Relations, hearing entitled ``The International Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2007,'' 1:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, oversight hearing on Victims and the Criminal Justice System: How to Protect, Compensate, and Vindicate the Interests of Victims, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans, hearing on H.R. 4686, Multi-State and International Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 2006, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Science, hearing on NASA's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to consider the following: Committee Budget Views and Estimates [[Page D109]] for Fiscal Year 2007 for submission to the Committee on the Budget; GSA Capital Investment and Leasing Program Resolutions; and other pending business, 12:30 p.m., followed by a hearing on Disasters and the Department of Homeland Security: Where Do We Go From Here? 1:30 p.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to continue hearings on annual legislative agenda, views and priorities for veterans organizations, 10:30 a.m., 334 Cannon. Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, oversight hearing on the VA's Fiscal Year 2007 budget request for the compensation and pension business lines, 2 p.m., 340 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security and the Subcommittee on Oversight, to hold a joint hearing on Social Security Number High-Risk Issues, 11 a.m., 1100 Longworth. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, hearing on Director of National Intelligence: Annual Assessment of Threats, 9:30 a.m., H-405 Capitol. Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence, executive, hearing on Future Imagery Architecture, 12:30 p.m., H-405 Capitol. Joint Meetings Joint Meetings: Joint Economic Committee, to hold hearings to examine the economic report of the President, 10:30 a.m., 2322 RHOB. 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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 D110]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, February 16 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 30 minutes), Senate will continue consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2271, USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendment Act, with a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill to occur at 10:30 a.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, February 16 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H. Con. Res. 341--A concurrent resolution condemning the Government of Iran for violating its international nuclear nonproliferation obligations and expressing support for efforts to report Iran to the United Nations Security Counsel. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E161, E167 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E173, E174, E174 Brady, Robert A., Pa., E163, E164, E166, E167 Burton, Dan, Ind., E169 Christensen, Donna M., The Virgin Islands, E170 Cooper, Jim, Tenn., E160 Costa, Jim, Calif., E163, E164, E170 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E157, E159 Duncan, John J., Jr., Tenn., E164, E166 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E160 Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E169 Faleomavaega, Eni F.H., American Samoa, E172 Fattah, Chaka, Pa., E173 Gibbons, Jim, Nev., E161 Green, Al, Tex., E162 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E172 Herseth, Stephanie, S.D., E157, E158, E160 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E171 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E162, E168 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E174 Levin, Sander M., Mich., E171 Lewis, Jerry, Calif., E161 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E163, E166, E172 McNulty, Michael R., N.Y., E162 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E161 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E168 Moore, Gwen, Wisc., E173 Pallone, Frank, Jr., N.J., E171 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E162 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E163, E164 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E167 Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E173 Simmons, Rob, Conn., E161 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E157, E158, E160 Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E160 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E167 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E158 Udall, Mark, Colo., E157, E158 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E161