Thursday, March 16, 2006 [[Page D253]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS: Senate passed H.J. Res. 47, Debt-Limit Extension. Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 83, Congressional Budget Resolution. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S2255-S2294 Measures Introduced: Thirty bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2426-2455, and S. Res. 403-404. (See next issue.) Measures Reported: S. 598, to reauthorize provisions in the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 relating to Native Hawaiian low-income housing and Federal loan guarantees for Native Hawaiian housing. (S. Rept. No. 109-221). S. 1057, to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend that Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-222). (See next issue.) Measures Passed: Debt-Limit Extension: By 52 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 54), Senate passed H.J. Res. 47, increasing the statutory limit on the public debt, and the Senate then began consideration of the joint resolution, after taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S2236-41 Rejected: By 44 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 53), Baucus/Lincoln Amendment No. 3131, to require a study of debt held by foreigners. Page S2236 Subsequently, the measure was cleared for the President. Congressional Budget Resolution: By 51 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 74), Senate agreed to 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, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S2225-36, S2241-93 Adopted: By 99 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 56), Burr Amendment No. 3114, to provide for the establishment of a reserve fund concerning pandemic influenza preparedness planning. Pages S2231-32, S2241 Vitter Amendment No. 3078, to establish a reserve fund to prevent catastrophic loss. Pages S2243, S2250 Gregg (for Baucus) Amendment No. 3041, to provide funding for an Internet Crimes Against Children task force in Montana. Page S2250 Gregg (for Snowe) Amendment No. 3134, to prevent an increase in interest rates paid by disaster victims, and to increase funding for the SBA's Microloans, Small Business Development Centers, HUBZones, and other small business development programs, and to offset the cost through a reduction in funds under Function 920. Page S2250 Gregg (for Lautenberg) Amendment No. 3045, to add $8 million to Function 300 (Environment and Natural Resources) for Highlands Land Acquisition. Fully offset with Function 920. Page S2250 Gregg (for Coleman) Amendment No. 3123, to increase funding to fully fund the Clean Coal Power Initiative. Page S2250 Conrad Modified Amendment No. 3136, to provide a reserve fund for bold energy legislation that is deficit-neutral. Pages S2230-31, S2249, S2250 By 51 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 57), Reed Amendment No. 3074, to increase funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program by $3,318,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, increasing the funds available to carry out that program to the fully authorized level of $5,100,000,000, to be paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2229-30, S2254 [[Page D254]] By 73 yeas to 27 nays (Vote No. 58), Specter Amendment No. 3048, to increase the advance appropriations allowance in order to fund health, education and training, and low-income programs. Pages S2225, S2254-55 Lautenberg Amendment No. 3137, to eliminate the President's proposed tax increase on American airline passengers in fiscal year 2007 and to provide adequate funding for commercial aviation security and to offset these costs by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2231, S2256 Collins Amendment No. 3066, to ensure that first responder and state and local government grant programs key to our Nation's homeland security are funded at no less than fiscal year 2006 levels and to provide increases for port security, first responder programs, rail/ transit security, and National Response Plan Training, offset by discretionary spending reductions. Pages S2246-48 Gregg (for Obama) Amendment No. 3144, to provide a $40 million increase in fiscal year 2007 for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and to improve job services for hard-to-place veterans. Pages S2261-63 Gregg (for Ensign) Amendment No. 3085, to provide funding to hire an additional 500 Border Patrol Agents; fully funding the promise Congress made to the American people to hire 2,000 new agents in fiscal year 2007 as authorized by the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 and as recommended by the 9/11 Commission. Pages S2261-63 Gregg (for Levin) Amendment No. 3140, to provide funds to establish additional Northern Border Air Wings, offset through reductions in Function 920. Pages S2261-63 Gregg (for Landrieu) Amendment No. 3139, to provide funding for maintaining a robust long range bomber force including 94 B-52 aircraft. Pages S2261-63 Gregg (for Lincoln) Amendment No. 3053, to provide for restoring funding for the portion of the COPS program devoted to countering methamphetamine, offset by a reduction to Function 920 (Allowances). Pages S2261-63 Gregg (for DeWine/Leahy) Amendment No. 3079, to increase funding for Child Survival and Maternal Health Programs. Pages S2261-63 Gregg (for DeWine) Amendment No. 3083, to increase funding for the Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program under the Public Health Service Act for fiscal year 2007. Pages S2261-63 Gregg (for DeWine) Amendment No. 3033, to increase funding for NASA aeronautics programs by $179,000,000 in fiscal year 2007, with an offset. Pages S2261-63 Gregg (for Leahy) Amendment No. 3154, to fund grants for bulletproof vests for law enforcement agencies at the full authorized level. Pages S2261-63 Gregg (for Baucus) Amendment No. 3059, to improve America's economic competitiveness. Pages S2261-63 Gregg (for Salazar) Amendment No. 3155, to fully fund the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Adds $152 million to Function 800 (General Government) for PILT. Page S2262 Gregg (for Stabenow/Levin) Amendment No. 3156, to protect the American people from terrorist attacks and threats to public health by collecting a fee for inspection exclusively of international trash shipments at the U.S. border generating $45 million in receipts. The fee will help defray the cost of increasing the number and quality of inspections of these potentially dangerous shipments at the border. The fee for inspection service will be implemented to be fully compliant with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and other applicable trade agreements. Pages S2262-63 Nelson Amendment No. 3001, to provide funds ensuring Survivor Benefit Plan annuities are not reduced by the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation that military families receive, and to provide funds for ``paid-up'' SBP, offset by closing abusive corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2265-66 Santorum Amendment No. 3052, to continue providing 33 percent of the Global Fund's revenue and to contribute an additional $566,000,000 to the Global Fund for fiscal year 2007 to support grant renewals and new proposals to support international HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria programs. Gregg (for Dodd/DeWine) Amendment No. 3111, to establish a reserve fund for the FIRE and SAFER programs. Pages S2267-69 Gregg (for Hutchison) Amendment No. 3110, to provide a reserve fund to ensure that physicians will receive an appropriate reimbursement rate under Medicare instead of a scheduled cut which would threaten the adequate provision of care for seniors and disabled citizens. Pages S2269-71 Gregg (for Kohl/Biden) Amendment No. 3057, to restore $380 million to juvenile justice programs funded by the Department of Justice, offset by a reduction to Function 920 (Allowances). Pages S2269-71 Gregg (for Feinstein/Mikulski) Amendment No. 3067, to provide $390,000,000 in fiscal year 2007 for cancer funding in the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Health Resources and Services Administration paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2269-71 [[Page D255]] Gregg (for Clinton/Mikulski) Amendment No. 3147, to restore funding for the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Contact Center (under Training, Research and Discretionary Programs), Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants, Preventive Health Services, Home-Delivered Nutrition Services, Congregate Nutrition Services, the Nutrition Services Incentive Program, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, and the Long- Term Care Ombudsmen Program in the Administration on Aging, fully offset through closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2269-71 Gregg (for Salazar) Amendment No. 3089, to restore $100 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Grant Program by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2269-71, S2273-74 Gregg (for Brownback) Amendment No. 3167, to establish a reserve fund for a Commission for Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies. Page S2271 Gregg (for Baucus) Amendment No. 3168, to expand funding for the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program, offset through reductions in Function 920; and to ensure that HIDTA funding remains in ONDCP. Page S2271 Gregg (for Graham) Amendment No. 3169, to restore funding for a pilot project in the Port of Charleston that coordinates over 50 State and local law enforcement agencies to prevent and detect acts of terrorism and criminal activity. Page S2271 By 51 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 72), Domenici Amendment No. 3128, to provide funding for implementing the Energy Policy Act of 2005 from ANWR. Page S2272 Vitter/Landrieu Amendment No. 3165, to create a Gulf Coast Protection, Reconstruction and Recovery Fund to provide assistance to coastal states for coastal conservation, mitigation, and resource protection activities. Pages S2272-73 Gregg (for Levin) Amendment No. 3031, to provide funding for the Advanced Technology Program to help ensure America's competitive advantage and fully offset with reductions in function 920. Pages S2273-74 Conrad/Gregg Amendment No. 3170, to provide an additional $500 million to enhance the ability of the Internal Revenue Service to collect taxes owed but not paid voluntarily. Pages S2273-74 Gregg (for Byrd) Amendment No. 3171, to provide $184 million over five years for the Mine Safety and Health Administration to hire additional mine safety inspectors. Pages S2273-74 Gregg (for Lott) Amendment No. 3152, to provide additional new budget authority and outlay authority for fiscal year 2007 for National Defense (050) in the amount of $3,700,000,000, the amount requested for defense for fiscal year 2007 in the budget of the President for fiscal year 2006, in order to fund principal unfunded priorities of the military departments and fund an authorized end strength of active duty members of the Army of 512,400, and an authorized end strength of active duty members of the Marine Corps of 179,000, for fiscal year 2007. Page S2275 Gregg (for Schumer) Amendment No. 3172, to add $308 million to Function 800 for GSA. Fully offset by Function 920. Page S2275 Gregg (for Salazar) Modified Amendment No. 3023, to strengthen homeland security by adding $10 million to National Defense for an interoperable and survivable mobile wireless communications network enabling clear, reliable communications among Department of Defense and first responders for the military homeland defense command. Page S2291 Rejected: By 44 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 55), Conrad Amendment No. 3133, to increase funding to combat avian flu, increase local preparedness, and create a Manhattan Project-like effort to develop a vaccine to inoculate the U.S. population against a pandemic by $5 billion in FY 2007 paid for by requiring tax withholding on government payments to contractors like Halliburton. Pages S2226-27, S2241 By 43 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 59), Lieberman/Mikulski Amendment No. 3034, to protect the American people from terrorist attacks by providing $8 billion in additional funds for homeland security government-wide, by restoring cuts to vital first responder programs in the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice, by providing an additional $1.2 billion for first responders, $1.7 billion for the Coast Guard and port security, $150 million for chemical security, $1 billion for rail and transit security, $456 million for FEMA, $1 billion for health preparedness programs, and $752 million for aviation security. Pages S2227-29, S2255-56 By 48 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 60), Sarbanes Amendment No. 3103, to restore funding for the civil works programs of the Corps of Engineers, the Federal Water Pollution Control State Revolving Fund, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal conservation programs, and other natural resource needs, through an offset achieved by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2233-34, S2256-57 By 42 yeas to 56 nays (Vote No. 61), Dorgan Amendment No. 3102, to increase funding by $1 billion for various tribal programs and provide necessary additional funding based on recommendations from Indian country, by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2235-36, S2257 [[Page D256]] By 43 yeas to 57 nays (Vote No. 62), Cornyn/Graham Amendment No. 3100, to provide for reconciliation instructions to the Committee on Finance to reduce mandatory spending. Pages S2241-42, S2257-58 By 46 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 63), Stabenow Amendment No. 3141, to provide an assured stream of funding for veteran's health care that will take into account the annual changes in the veterans' population and inflation to be paid for by restoring the pre-2001 top rate for income over $1 million, closing corporate tax loopholes and delaying tax cuts for the wealthy. Pages S2241-42, S2258-59 By 49 yeas to 51 nays (Vote No. 64), Akaka Amendment No. 3071, to increase funding for Title I grants and reduce debt by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2244-46, S2259 By 35 yeas to 62 nays (Vote No. 65), Inhofe Amendment No. 3093, to provide for discretionary spending control. Pages S2259-60 By 48 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 66), Lincoln Amendment No. 3106, to restore the discretionary budget for the Department of Agriculture with an offset achieved by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2249, S2249-50, S2260 By 46 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 67), Kerry Modified Amendment No. 3143, to prevent the imposition of excessive TRICARE fees and co-pays on military retirees. Pages S2251-52, S2260-61 By 46 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 68), DeMint Modified Amendment No. 3087, to establish a reserve fund for Social Security reform. Page S2263 Dayton Amendment No. 3097, to provide mandatory funding to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B grants to states; paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes. Page S2264 By 43 yeas to 57 nays (Vote No. 69), Boxer Amendment No. 3105, to increase funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Center program; paid for by rolling back tax cuts for those with incomes over $1 million. Pages S2264-65 By 50 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 70), Bingaman/Smith Amendment No. 3121, to strike the direct spending limitation. Page S2265 By 39 yeas to 60 nays (Vote No. 71), Stabenow Amendment No. 3164, to establish a reserve fund to allow for deficit-neutral legislation that would provide seniors with a prescription drug benefit option that is affordable, user-friendly, and administered directly by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Pages S2266-67 Akaka Amendment No. 3044, to provide $310 million over five years in mandatory funding for non-service pensions for World War II Filipino veterans, paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes. Page S2267 By 50 yeas to 50 nays (Vote No. 73), Ensign Amendment No. 3166, to deny funds in fiscal year 2007 for the United Nations Human Rights Council, which the United States just voted against because countries found complicit in sustained human rights abuses are eligible for council membership. Savings redirected to border security. Pages S2274-75 Withdrawn: Reid (for Clinton/Reid) Amendment No. 3115, to increase funding in fiscal year 2007 by $347 million to restore funding or provide increased funding over fiscal year 2006 for programs and policies that support the delivery of contraceptive services and medically accurate information in order to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, including Title X of the Public Health Service Act, and to restore funding or provide increased funding over fiscal year 2006 for programs that help women have healthy pregnancies and healthy children, including the Child Care Development Block Grant, Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, Healthy Start, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2225, S2254 Conrad Amendment No. 3148, to create a deficit-neutral reserve fund for addressing the long-term fiscal challenges facing our nation, by creating a bipartisan commission or process to consider all parts of the budget, with everything on the table for discussion. Pages S2253, S2260 Hagel Amendment No. 3127, to establish a reserve fund for a Comprehensive Entitlement Reform Commission. Pages S2252-53, S2260 Lincoln Amendment No. 3047, to provide $7.8 billion over two years to fund refundable tax credits targeted to small businesses with up to 100 employees that they may help purchase group health insurance for their low-wage workers, paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2248-49, S2260 Salazar Amendment No. 3081, to fully fund the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, by providing $152 million to Function 800 (General Government) for PILT, paid for by closing $152 million in corporate tax loopholes. Pages S2232, S2291 Honoring Members of the Armed Forces: Senate agreed to S. Res. 404, expressing the sense of the Senate that all people in the United States should participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces both at home and abroad. (See next issue.) Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area:Senate passed S. 2447, to redesignate the [[Page D257]] White Rocks National Recreation Area in the State of Vermont as the ``Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area''. (See next issue.) Permitting Use of Capitol Rotunda: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 350, 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. (See next issue.) Permit Processing: Senate passed 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, clearing the measure for the President. (See next issue.) U.S. SAFE WEB Act: Senate passed S. 1608, to enhance Federal Trade Commission enforcement against illegal spam, spyware, and cross-border fraud and deception. (See next issue.) Adjournment Resolution: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 361, providing for a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives and a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate. (See next issue.) Immigration Reform: Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2454, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for comprehensive reform. (See next issue.) A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 2454 and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Tuesday, March 28, 2006. (See next issue.) Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act Agreement: A unanimous- consent agreement was reached providing that the Senate resume consideration of S. 2349, to provide greater transparency in the legislative process, at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 27, 2006. (See next issue.) National Flood Insurance Program Enhanced Borrowing Authority Act-- House Message: Senate concurred in the amendment of the House of Representatives to the bill S. 2275, to temporarily increase the borrowing authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out the national flood insurance program, clearing the measure for the President. (See next issue.) Signing Authority Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that during this adjournment of the Senate, the Majority Leader, and Senator Domenici, be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions. (See next issue.) Authorizing Leadership To Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous- consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President Pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate. (See next issue.) Messages From the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the National Security Strategy of the United States of America; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (PM-44) (See next issue.) Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: By unanimous vote of 96 yeas (Vote No. EX. 75), Jack Zouhary, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio. Pages S2293-94 John F. Clark, of Virginia, to be Director of the United States Marshals Service. Paul J. McNulty, of Virginia, to be Deputy Attorney General. Robert C. Cresanti, of Texas, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology. Stephen G. Larson, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California. Alexander A. Karsner, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy). 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. Mark D. Wallace, of Florida, 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. John A. Simon, of Maryland, to be Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. 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. Richard T. Miller, of Texas, to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United [[Page D258]] Nations during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. David F. Kustoff, of Tennessee, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee for the term of four years. 2 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 2 Army nominations in the rank of general. 9 Coast Guard nominations in the rank of admiral. 12 Marine Corps nominations in the rank of general. 1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (See next issue.) Messages From the House: (See next issue.) Measures Referred: (See next issue.) Measures Placed on Calendar: (See next issue.) Measures Read First Time: (See next issue.) Enrolled Bills Presented: (See next issue.) Petitions and Memorials: (See next issue.) Executive Reports of Committees: (See next issue.) Additional Cosponsors: (See next issue.) Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: (See next issue.) Additional Statements: (See next issue.) Amendments Submitted: (See next issue.) Notices of Hearings/Meetings: (See next issue.) Authorities for Committees to Meet: (See next issue.) Privileges of the Floor: (See next issue.) Record Votes: Twenty-three record votes were taken today. (Total--75) Pages S2236, S2240-41, S2254-61, S2263, S2265, S2267, S2272, S2275, S2291 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9 a.m., and adjourned pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 361, at 10:04 p.m., until 1 p.m., on Monday, March 27, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in the next issue of the Record.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: FOREST SERVICE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Forest Service, after receiving testimony from Dale Bosworth, Chief, United States Forest Service, and Mark Rey, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, both of the Department of Agriculture. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the Department of Transportation and Amtrak, after receiving testimony from Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary, Joseph H. Boardman, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, and Mark Dayton, Senior Economist, Office of the Inspector General, all of the Department of Transportation; and David Hughes, President and Chief Executive Officer, and David M. Laney, Chairman of the Board, both of Amtrak. 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 military strategy and operational requirements, after receiving testimony from General John P. Abizaid, USA, Commander, United States Central Command; and General Bryan D. Brown, USA, Commander, United States Special Operations Command. NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported 2,239 nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. VOLCANIC HAZARDS IMPACTS ON AVIATION Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction concluded a hearing to examine the natural hazard threat that volcanoes pose to international aviation, after receiving testimony from James E. Quick, Program Coordinator, Volcano Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; Terry McVenes, Air Line Pilots Association, International, Washington, D.C.; and John C. Eichelberger, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: [[Page D259]] S. 1215, to authorize the acquisition of interests in underdeveloped coastal areas in order to better ensure their protection from development, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and The nominations of Roger Shane Karr, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary, Tyler D. Duvall, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary, Nicole R. Nason, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Thomas J. Barrett, of Alaska, to be Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, all of the Department of Transportation, Robert C. Cresanti, of Texas, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, Robert M. McDowell, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission, and sundry promotion lists in the Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. GREAT LAKES PROTECTION Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration's strategy to restore and protect the Great Lakes, after receiving testimony from Senators DeWine, Levin, and Stabenow; Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; Ohio Governor Bob Taft, Columbus, on behalf of the Council of Great Lakes Governors; Frank Ettawageshik, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Harbor Springs, Michigan; David Ullrich, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Chicago, Illinois; George Kuper, Council of Great Lakes Industries, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Andy Buchsbaum, National Wildlife Foundation, Reston, Virginia, on behalf of the Healing Our Waters-- Great Lakes Coalition; Diane Katz, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Midland, Michigan; and William G. Howland, Lake Champlain Basin Program, Grand Isle, Vermont. CUNO AND COMPETITIVENESS Committee on Finance: Subcommittee on International Trade held a hearing to examine the decision in the case of Cuno v. DaimlerChrysler (relating to an agreement between DaimlerChrysler with Toledo, Ohio, and two school districts to construct a new vehicle assembly plant in exchange for approximately $280 million in tax incentives), and its impact on domestic and international competitiveness, and a related measure, S. 1066, to authorize the States (and subdivisions thereof), the District of Columbia, territories, and possessions of the United States to provide certain tax incentives to any person for economic development purposes, receiving testimony from Senator Voinovich; Peter D. Enrich, Northeastern University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts; Harley T. Duncan, Federation of Tax Administrators, Washington, D.C.; Walter Hellerstein, University of Georgia School of Law, Athens; Peter Fisher, University of Iowa, Iowa City; and James H. Renzas, Location Management Services, Mission Viejo, California. Hearings recessed subject to the call. APPROPRIATIONS EARMARK REFORM Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security concluded a hearing to examine S. 1495, and related provisions of H.R. 1642, bills to prohibit Federal agencies from obligating funds for appropriations earmarks included only in congressional reports, focusing on the need for earmark reform and legislation that would be an important step toward achieving such reform, after receiving testimony from Senator McCain; Representative Flake; Thomas A. Schatz, Citizens Against Government Waste, Steve Ellis, Taxpayers for Common Sense Action, and Scott Lilly, Center for American Progress, all of Washington, D.C. PUBLIC HEALTH SECURITY AND BIOTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE ACT Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the proposed reauthorization of Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act relating to enhancing public health and medical preparedness, after receiving testimony from Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services; Leah Devlin, North Carolina Division of Public Health, Raleigh, on behalf of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials; A. Richard Melton, Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City; and Richard A. Falkenrath, Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C.; and Dan Hanfling, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of John F. Clark, of Virginia, to be Director of the United States Marshals Service, and David F. Kustoff, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, both of the Department of Justice. Also, Committee continued markup of proposed legislation providing for comprehensive immigration reform, but did not complete action thereon, and will meet again on Monday, March 27. [[Page D260]] HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAMS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the homeless programs and services administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, after receiving testimony from Peter H. Dougherty, Director, Homeless Veterans Programs, Department of Veterans Affairs; Charles S. Ciccolella, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training; Philip F. Mangano, Executive Director, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness; Michael Blecker, Swords to Plowshares, San Francisco, California, on behalf of the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans; Alan Belcher, Transitional Living Services, Woodstock, Illinois; and Thomas R. Cantwell, Jr., Cloudbreak Development, LLC, Inglewood, California, on behalf of U.S. VETS. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 40 public bills, H.R. 4972- 5011; 1 private bill, H.R. 5012; and 12 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 359- 360, 362-364; and H. Res. 729-735, were introduced. Pages H1127-30 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H1130-31 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 4709; to amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen protections for law enforcement officers and the public by providing criminal penalties for the fraudulent acquisition or unauthorized disclosure of phone records (H. Rept. 109-395); Supplementary Report and Document Annex by the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina (H. Rept. 109- 396); and H. Res. 685, requesting the President and directing the Secretary of State and 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, adversely (H. Rept. 109-397). Page H1127 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Miller of Michigan to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H1063 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006: The House passed H.R. 4939, to make emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, by a yea-and-nay vote of 348 yeas to 71 nays, Roll No. 65. The bill was also considered yesterday, March 15. Pages H1067-74, H1074-H1118 Rejected the Hinchey motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the bill back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 188 ayes to 233 noes, Roll No. 64. Pages H1116-17 Yesterday it was agreed by unanimous consent to limit further amendments offered and the time for debate on such amendments. Agreed to: Burton of Indiana amendment that designates funding to Columbia to be used for illicit drug interdiction operations (by a recorded vote of 250 ayes to 172 noes, Roll No. 45), a recorded vote was requested on yesterday after debate and rolled until today; Pages H1067-68 Capuano amendment that increases for peacekeeping and civilian protection in Darfur, Sudan (by a recorded vote of 213 ayes to 208 noes, Roll No. 46), a recorded vote was requested on yesterday after debate and rolled until today; Page H1068 Taylor of Mississippi amendment that increases funding for the Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps account, and to increase funding for the Military Construction, Air Force account (by a recorded vote of 250 ayes to 171 noes, Roll No. 54), a recorded vote was requested on yesterday after debate and rolled until today; Pages H1073-74 Jindal amendment that reduces and increases funding for VA offset from FEMA disaster relief; Page H1084 Lee amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds from being available to enter into a basing rights agreement between the United States and Iraq. Pages H1107-10 Rejected: Doggett amendment (No. 8 printed in the Congressional Record of March 14th) that sought to increase the funds for the Department of State Diplomatic and Consular Programs to be used to reinforce the federal levees on the Rio Grande (by a recorded vote of 198 ayes to 221 noes, Roll No. 47), a recorded vote was requested on yesterday after debate and rolled until today; Pages H1068-69 [[Page D261]] Garrett amendment which sought to reduce the funding for Diplomatic and Consular Programs (by a recorded vote of 75 ayes to 344 noes, Roll No. 48), a recorded vote was requested on yesterday after debate and rolled until today; Pages H1069-70 Garrett amendment which sought to strike funding for Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs (by a recorded vote of 78 ayes to 343 noes, Roll No. 49), a recorded vote was requested on yesterday after debate and rolled until today; Page H1070 Foxx amendment which sought to strike the section relating to International Broadcasting Operations, which provides funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (by a recorded vote of 88 ayes to 333 noes, Roll No. 50), a recorded vote was requested on yesterday after debate and rolled until today; Pages H1070-71 Melancon amendment which sought to increase funding for Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (by a recorded vote of 199 ayes to 215 noes, Roll No. 51), a recorded vote was requested on yesterday after debate and rolled until today; Pages H1071-72 Jefferson amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of March 14th) that sought to increase the funds for the Community Development Block Grant program. The amount appropriated by the bill for the Community Development Block Grant program is offset by reducing funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (by a recorded vote of 174 ayes to 248 noes, Roll No. 52), a recorded vote was requested on yesterday after debate and rolled until today; Pages H1072-73 Jefferson amendment (No. 7 printed in the Congressional Record of March 14th) that sought to add funding for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), thereby increasing total CDBG dollars for the states affected by the hurricanes (by a recorded vote of 210 ayes to 212 noes, Roll No. 53), a recorded vote was requested on yesterday after debate and rolled until today; Page H1073 Gingrey amendment that sought to reduce funding for the National Historical Preservation Fund; Page H1086 Sabo amendment which sought to increase funding for homeland security (by a recorded vote of 208 ayes to 210 noes, Roll No. 56); Pages H1076-79, H1094-95 Neugebauer amendment (No.12 printed in the Congressional Record of March 14th) that sought to eliminate all funding in Title II (by a recorded vote of 89 ayes to 332 noes, Roll No. 57); Pages H1079-82, H1095-96 Millender-McDonald amendment that sought to locate an additional amount for the Election Assistance Commission in the funding to remain available until expended, for grants to eligible States, for restoring and replacing supplies, materials, and equipment used in the administration of elections in the States which were damaged as a result of Hurricane Katrina or Rita (by a recorded vote of 194 ayes to 227 noes, Roll No. 58); Pages H1082-84, H1096 Conaway amendment that sought to strike section 3010, relating to LIHEAP (by a recorded vote of 76 ayes to 342 noes, Roll No. 59); Pages H1087-88, H1096-97 Waxman amendment that sought to prohibit the awarding of contracts based on data from the Defense Contract Audit Agency (by a recorded vote of 193 ayes to 225 noes, Roll No.60); Pages H1101-04, H1110-11 Velazquez amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds from being made available to enforce deadlines regarding economic injury disaster loan applications and physical loan applications (by a recorded vote of 201 ayes to 213 noes, Roll No. 61); Pages H1104-05, H1111-12 Velazquez amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds from being available to make or guarantee a loan under section 7(b) of the Small Business Act other than a loan for which the borrower is charged an interest rate in accordance with section 7(c)(5) (by a recorded vote of 200 ayes to 219 noes, Roll No. 62); and Pages H1105-06, H1112 Lee amendment that sought to prohibit the use of funds from being available to implement, administer, or enforce the termination of the hotel and motel emergency sheltering program established by FEMA for families displaced by Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season (by a recorded vote of 189 ayes to 230 noes, Roll No. 63). Pages H1106-07, H1112-13 Withdrawn: Jindal amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to increase funding for reconstruction and major projects of the Department of Veterans Affairs for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina; Pages H1084-85 Jindal amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to reduce funding under disaster relief and to increase funding for military construction projects of the Army National Guard; and Pages H1085-86 Kennedy amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn which sought to provide that none of the funds provided may be used to allow entry onto the grounds of any Department of Defense installation or cemetery or Department of Veterans Affairs cemetery for the purpose of a demonstration in connection with a funeral or memorial [[Page D262]] service or ceremony for a deceased member of the Armed Forces. Page H1089 Point of Order sustained against: Hall amendment (No. 22 printed in the Congressional Record of March 15th) that sought to provide child care subsidies to children of parents who are working or enrolled in workforce activities to States currently serving a significant number of children in families adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina, without putting the child care need of temporary residents ahead of families already on waiting lists for services funded by the Child Care and Development Fund; Pages H1074-75 Paul amendment (No. 9 printed in the Congressional Record of March 14th) that sought to provide funding in hurricane recovery assistance for Texas. The amendment divides the funding to provide funds for housing assistance under the Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development departments, funds for the costs of uncompensated health care for hurricane victims and evacuees, and other purposes; Pages H1075-76 Berry amendment that sought to provide an extension of enrollment periods for Medicare benefits; Pages H1089-92 DeLauro amendment that sought to repeal avian flu liability provisions (agreed to sustain the ruling of the chair by a recorded vote of 223 ayes to 193 noes, Roll No. 55); Pages H1092-94 Kaptur amendment (No. 26 printed in the Congressional Record of March 15th) that sought to investigate the awarding and carrying out of contracts to conduct military operations and relief and reconstruction activities related to the global war on terrorism (including all activities in Afghanistan and Iraq), and Hurricane Katrina recovery, relief, and reconstruction efforts; and Pages H1098-99 Nadler amendment (No. 10 printed in the Congressional Record of March 14th) that sought to insert a new section laying out requirements relating to entry of ocean shipping containers into the United States. Pages H1099-H1101 H. Res. 725, providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to yesterday, March 15th, by a recorded vote of 218 ayes to 200 noes, Roll No. 41, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 224 yeas to 192 nays, Roll No. 40. Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures which were debated on Wednesday, March 15th: Making available funds included in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program for fiscal year 2006: S. 2320, to make available funds included in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program for fiscal year 2006, by a yea-and-nay vote of 287 yeas to 128 nays, Roll No. 66-- clearing the measure for the President. Pages H1118-19 Tax Relief Act of 2005--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House agreed to the Tanner motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 4297, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 201(b) of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2006, which was debated yesterday, March 15th, by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 187 nays, Roll No. 67. Page H1119 Adjournment Resolution: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 361, providing for the conditional adjournment of the House and the conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate. Page H1120 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourn today, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday, March 20, 2006, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H. Con. Res. 361, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Page H1120 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, March 29, 2006. Page H1120 Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed the Honorable Robert B. Aderholt, the Honorable Michael K. Simpson, and the Honorable Wayne T. Gilchrest to act as Speaker Pro Tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through March 28, 2006. Page H1121 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he notified the Congress of his transmitting a report prepared by his Administration on the National Security Strategy of the United States-- referred to the Committee on Armed Services. Page H1121 Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and twenty recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1067, H1068, H1068-69, H1069-70, H1070, H1071, H1071-72, H1072, H1073, H1073- 74, H1094, H1094-95, H1095-96, H1096, H1096-97, H1110-11, H1111-12, H1112, H1113, H1117, H1117-18, H1118-19, and H1119. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and at 7:27 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 361, the House stands adjourned until noon on Monday, March 20, 2006, [[Page D263]] unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 361, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28th. Committee Meetings NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FOR U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the U.S. Southern Command. Testimony was heard from GEN Bantz J. Craddock, USA, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, Department of Defense. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--SPACE ACTIVITIES Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for space activities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Ronald M. Sega, Under Secretary; and LTG Frank G. Klotz, USAF, both with the Department of the Air Force; and Donald M. Kerr, Director, National Reconnaissance Office. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST NAVY AND AIR FORCE ACQUISITION PROGRAMS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the Department of the Navy and the Department of the Air Force Aviation Acquisition Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the GAO: Michael J. Sullivan, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management; and Michael J. Hazard, Assistant Director, Acquisition Sourcing Management Team; and the following officials of the Department of Defense: Kenneth J. Krieg, Under Secretary, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; VADM Lewis W. Crenshaw, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources, Requirements and Assessments; LTG John G. Castellaw, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, U.S. Marine Corps; and LTG Carrol H. Chandler, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air, Space and Information Operations, Plans and Requirements, U.S. Air Force. KEY BUDGET PROCESS REFORMS Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Key Budget Process Reforms. Testimony was heard from former Senator Don Nickles of Oklahoma; and from the following former Representatives: William E. Frenzel of Minnesota and Charles W. Stenholm of Texas. MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing entitled ``Mine Safety and Health: A Congressional Perspective.'' Testimony was heard from Representatives Capito, Murphy, Rahall, Davis of Alabama, Holt, Mollohan and Chandler. ELECTRIC HEALTH RECORDS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Legislative Proposals To Promote Electronic Health Records and a Smarter Health Information System.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 3997, Financial Data Protection Act 2005; and H.R. 4973, Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2006. LEAVE NO COMPUTER SYSTEM BEHIND Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``Leave No Computer System Behind: A Review of the 2006 Federal Computer Security Scorecards.'' Testimony was heard from Gregory C. Wilshusen, Director, Information Security Issues, GAO; Karen S. Evans, Administrator, Office of E-Government and Information Technology, OMB; Thomas P. Hughes, Chief Information Officer, SSA; Thomas Wiesner, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Department of Labor; Robert F. Lentz, Director, Information Assurance, Department of Defense; and Scott Charbo, Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security. TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REORGANIZATION ACT OF 2006 Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4439, Transportation Security Administration Reorganization Act of 2005. SAFE PORT ACT Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity held a hearing on H.R. 4954, Security and Accountability for Every Port Act. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Jayson Ahern, Assistant [[Page D264]] Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection; and CAPT. Brian Salerno, USCG, Deputy Director, Inspections and Compliance, U.S. Coast Guard; and public witnesses. GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations held a hearing on Monitoring Respect for Human Rights Around the World: A Review of the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2005. Testimony was heard from Barry Lowenkron, Assistant Secretary, Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department of State; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security held an oversight hearing on United States v. Booker: One Year Later--Chaos or Status Quo? Testimony was heard from William Mercer, Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General and U.S. Attorney General for the District of Montana, Department of Justice; Ricardo H. Hinojosa, Chairman, United States Sentencing Commission; Paul G. Cassell, Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Utah; and a public witness. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT COMPLIANCE COSTS Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 4857, To better inform consumers regarding costs associated with compliance for protecting endangered and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Greg Delwiche, Vice President, Environment, Fish and Wildlife, Bonneville Power Administration; and Michael S. Hacskaylo, Administrator, Western Area Power Administration; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--IMPACT OF HURRICANES ON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held an oversight hearing on the Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the National Wildlife Refuge System. Testimony was heard from H. Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; W. Parke Moore III, Assistant Secretary, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, State of Louisiana; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BUSINESS STRATEGIES Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight hearing entitled ``National Park Service business strategies, including the development and implementation of National Park Service business plans.'' Testimony was heard from Bruce Sheaffer, Comptroller, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and a public witness. EPA'S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUDGET PROPOSAL Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards held a hearing on EPA's Fiscal Year 2007 Science and Technology Budget Proposal. Testimony was heard from George Gray, Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development and Science Advisor, EPA; and public witnesses. SMALL BUSINESS CYBER SECURITY Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight held a hearing on the State of Small Business Security in a Cyber Economy. Testimony was heard from Cita M. Furlani, Acting Director, Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce; Larry D. Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Investigative Division, United States Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security; Lydia Parnes, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC; Steven M. Martinez, Deputy Assistant Director, Cyber Division, FBI, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. PIPELINE SAFETY Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Pipeline Safety. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Transportation: Brigham McCown, Acting Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration; and Todd J. Zinser, Acting Inspector General; Kate Siggerud, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; Robert J. Chipkevich, Director, Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety, National Transportation Safety Board; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--VA COMPENSATION/PENSION BENEFITS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held an oversight hearing on the accuracy of benefits information provided to, and the quality of service received by, individuals calling into the Veterans Benefits Administration. Testimony was heard from Jack McCoy, Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Policy and Management, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations. [[Page D265]] USE OF TAX-PREFERRED BOND FINANCING Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures held a hearing on the Use of Tax-Preferred Bond Financing. Testimony was heard from Representatives Shaw and Brady of Texas; Eric Solomon, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Tax Policy, Department of the Treasury; Donald Marron, Acting Director, CBO; and public witnesses. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HIGH-RISK ISSUES Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security continued hearings on Social Security Number High-Risk Issues. Testimony was heard from the following officials of SSA: Patrick P. O'Carroll, Inspector General; and Frederick G. Streckewald, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Disability and Income Security Programs; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--GLOBAL/UPDATES Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Global/Updates. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT AND DOCUMENT ANNEX Select Bipartisan Committee To Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina: Ordered reported the Select Committee's Supplementary Report and Document Annex. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No committee meetings are scheduled. 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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Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. 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 D266]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 1 p.m., Monday, March 27 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will resume consideration of S. 2349, Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act. Also, Senate expects to vote at 5:30 p.m. on a matter relative to the bill. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 28 House Chamber Program for Tuesday, March 28: To be announced. (Senate proceedings for today will be continued in the next issue of the Record.)