Thursday, May 18, 2006 [[Page D508]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS The House passed H.R. 5386, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S4727-S4817 Measures Introduced: Twenty-seven bills and three resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2830-2856, S. Res. 483-484, and S. Con. Res. 95. Pages S4795-96 Measures Reported: S. 1899, to amend the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act to identify and remove barriers to reducing child abuse, to provide for examinations of certain children, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-255) S. 2856, to provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions. (S. Rept. No. 109-256) S.J. Res. 1, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage. Page S4795 Measures Passed: Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of S. 193, to increase the penalties for violations by television and radio broadcasters of the prohibitions against transmission of obscene, indecent, and profane language, and the bill was then passed. Page S4816 Democracy in Burma: Senate agreed to S. Res. 484, expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the military junta in Burma for its recent campaign of terror against ethnic minorities and calling on the United Nations Security Council to adopt immediately a binding, non- punitive resolution on Burma. Pages S4816-17 Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act: Senate continued consideration of S. 2611, to provide for comprehensive immigration reform, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S4727-91 Adopted: By 56 yeas to 43 nays (Vote No. 129), Kennedy Amendment No. 4066, to modify the conditions under which an H-2C nonimmigrant may apply for adjustment of status. Pages S4730-33 Akaka/Inouye Amendment No. 4029, to grant the children of Filipino World War II veterans special immigrant status for purposes of family reunification. Pages S4747-50 Vitter/Grassley Amendment No. 3964, to modify the burden of proof requirements for purposes of adjustment of status. Pages S4750-52 By 63 yeas to 34 nays (Vote No. 131), Inhofe Further Modified Amendment No. 4064, to amend title 4 United States Code, to declare English as the national language of the United States and to promote the patriotic integration of prospective U.S. citizens. Pages S4735-39, S4752-57, S4761-70 By 58 yeas to 39 nays (Vote No. 132), Salazar/Durbin Modified Amendment No. 4073, to declare that English is the common and unifying language of the United States, and to preserve and enhance the role of the English language. Pages S4757-61, S4770 By 64 yeas to 32 nays (Vote No. 134), Cornyn Amendment No. 4038, to require aliens seeking adjustment of status under section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act or Deferred Mandatory Departure status under section 245C of such Act to pay a supplemental application fee, which shall be used to provide financial assistance to States for health and educational services for non-citizens. Pages S4772-76 Nelson Modified Amendment No. 3998, to improve the United States ability to detain illegal aliens. Page S4788 [[Page D509]] Rejected: Ensign Amendment No. 3985, to reduce document fraud, prevent identity theft, and preserve the integrity of the Social Security system, by ensuring that persons who receive an adjustment of status under this bill are not able to receive Social Security benefits as a result of unlawful activity. (By 50 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 130), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S4739-47 By 43 yeas to 52 nays (Vote No. 133), Clinton Amendment No. 4072, to establish a grant program to provide financial assistance to States and local governments for the costs of providing health care and educational services to non-citizens, and to provide additional funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. Pages S4770-72, S4775 Cornyn (for Kyl/Cornyn) Amendment No. 3969, to prohibit H-2C nonimmigrants from adjusting to lawful permanent resident status. (By 58 yeas to 35 nays (Vote No. 135), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S4776-86 Pending: Ensign/Graham Modified Amendment No. 4076, to authorize the use of the National Guard to secure the southern border of the United States. Pages S4786-88 Chambliss/Isakson Amendment No. 4009, to modify the wage requirements for employers seeking to hire H-2A and blue card agricultural workers. Pages S4788-91 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, May 22, 2006, Senate proceed to a vote in relation to Chambliss/Isakson Amendment No. 4009 (listed above); and that the time from 5 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. be equally divided between Senator Chambliss and the Democratic manager or his designee; provided further, that following that vote, Senate proceed to a vote in relation to Ensign/Graham Modified Amendment No. 4076 (listed above), and that no second degree amendments be in order to either amendment prior to the votes. Page S4791 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 19, 2006. Page S4817 Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunities Act: Senate concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1499, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow members of the Armed Forces serving in a combat zone to make contributions to their individual retirement plans even if the compensation on which such contribution is based is excluded from gross income, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S4815-16 Messages From the President: Senate received the following messages from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the continuation of the national emergency with respect to Burma; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-48) Page S4794 Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report of the continuation of the national emergency protecting the Development Fund for Iraq and certain other property in which Iraq has an interest; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-49) Page S4794 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Donald L. Kohn, of Virginia, to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of four years. Kathleen L. Casey, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission for a term expiring June 5, 2011. Bobby E. Shepherd, of Arkansas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit. Kimberly Ann Moore, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit. Martin J. Jackley, of South Dakota, to be United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota for the term of four years. Page S4817 Messages From the House: Page S4794 Measures Referred: Page S4794 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S4794 Executive Communications: Pages S4794-95 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S4795 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S4796-98 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S4798-S4808 Amendments Submitted: Pages S4808-15 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S4815 Privileges of the Floor: Page S4815 Record Votes: Seven record votes were taken today. (Total--135) Pages S4733, S4747, S4769-70, S4770, S4775, S4785 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9 a.m., and adjourned at 10:17 p.m., until 10 a.m., on Friday, May 19, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S4817.) [[Page D510]] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported 2,086 nominations in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the following bills: S. 1881, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the Old Mint at San Francisco, otherwise known as the ``Granite Lady''; S. 633, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of veterans who became disabled for life while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States; and S. 2784, to award a congressional gold medal to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in recognition of his many enduring and outstanding contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights, and religious understanding. INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND EXCHANGE RATE POLICIES Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the report to Congress on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies, after receiving testimony from John W. Snow, Secretary of the Treasury. COMMUNICATIONS CONSUMER'S CHOICE AND BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT ACT Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee held a hearing to examine S. 2686, to amend the Communications Act of 1934, receiving testimony from former Representative Steve Largent, on behalf of the CTIA--The Wireless Association; Mayor Michael A. Guido, Dearborn, Michigan, on behalf of the United States Conference of Mayors and sundry organizations; Philip McClelland, Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, Harrisburg, on behalf of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates; Kyle McSlarrow, National Cable and Telecommunications Association, Walter B. McCormick, Jr., United States Telecom Association (USTelecom), Gene Kimmelman, Consumers Union, on behalf of the Consumer Federation of America, and Free Press, and Joslyn Read, Satellite Industry Association, all of Washington, DC; Julia L. Johnson, Video Access Alliance, Tallahassee, Florida; and Shirley A. Bloomfield, National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, Arlington, Virginia, on behalf of the Coalition to Keep America Connected. Hearing continues on Thursday, May 25. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered favorably reported S. 2802, to improve American innovation and competitiveness in the global economy, with amendments. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of W. Ralph Basham, of Virginia, to be Commissioner of Customs, Department of Homeland Security. Also, Committee approved recommendations relative to proposed legislation implementing the United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement. IRAN Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded hearings to examine Iran's political and nuclear ambitions and the enrichment of uranium, focusing on the United Nations Security Council, and the prospect of direct talks with the government of Iran, after receiving testimony from Frank G. Wisner, American International Group, Inc., New York, New York; Vali R. Nasr, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California; and Julia Nanay, PFC Energy, and James A. Phillips, Heritage Foundation, Washington, D.C. NEPAL Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs concluded a hearing to examine recent political developments in Nepal, focusing on the role of the United States to support democracy, security and prosperity in Nepal, after receiving testimony from Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs; Deepak Thapa, Columbia University, and Sam Zarifi, Human Rights Watch, both of New York, New York; and John Norris, International Crisis Group, Washington, D.C. NOMINATION Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Robert Irwin Cusick, Jr., of Kentucky, to be Director of the Office of Government Ethics, Office of Personnel Management, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator McConnell, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. UNOBLIGATED BALANCES Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International [[Page D511]] Security concluded a hearing to examine unobligated balances, focusing on their treatment by Federal agencies and how they impact their budgeting and programming process, including what happens to these accounts when they expire, and how the Office of Management and Budget, Department of the Treasury, and the agencies treat them, after receiving testimony from Phyllis F. Scheinberg, Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Budget and Programs, and Chief Financial Officer; Lee J. Lofthus, Deputy Assistant Attorney General/Controller, Department of Justice; John P. Roth, Deputy Comptroller for Program Budget, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), Department of Defense; Charles E. Johnson, Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Budget, Technology and Finance; and Robert J. Henke, Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Management. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported S.J. Res. 1, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage. NOMINATION Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of General Michael V. Hayden, United States Air Force, to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR SENIORS Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine caring for seniors during a national emergency, including issues that surfaced as a result of the 2005 hurricanes, focusing on challenges faced by hospital and nursing home administrators that are related to hurricane evacuations, the Federal program that supports the evacuation of patients needing hospital care and nursing home residents, and challenges States and localities face in preparing for and carrying out the evacuation of transportation-disadvantaged populations and efforts to address evacuation needs, after receiving testimony from Daniel W. Sutherland, Officer, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and Chair, Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities, Department of Homeland Security; Cynthia Bascetta, Director, Health Care, Government Accountability Office; Amy B. Aiken, Miami-Dade Office of Emergency Management, Miami, Florida; Carmel Bitondo Dyer, Baylor College of Medicine Geriatrics Program at the Harris County Hospital District, Houston, Texas, on behalf of the American Geriatrics Society; Maurice Frisella, New Orleans, Louisiana; and Jean Cefalu, Slidell, Louisiana. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 10 public bills, H.R. 5416- 5425; and 3 resolutions, H. Res. 820-822 were introduced. Pages H2832-33 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2833-34 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Report on the Suballocation of Budget Allocations for Fiscal Year 2007 (H. Rept. 109-471); and H. Res. 821, providing for consideration H.R. 5385, making appropriations for the military quality of life functions of the Department of Defense, military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007 (H. Rept. 109-472). Page H2832 Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Bonner to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H2761 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Chaplain Blan Maurice Stout, Jr., Office of the Army Chief of Chaplains, Arlington, Virginia. Page H2761 Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure which was debated on Tuesday, May 16th: Condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Dahab and Northern Sinai, Egypt, on April 24 and 26, 2006: H. Res. 795, to condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Dahab and Northern Sinai, Egypt, on April 24 and 26, 2006, by a yea-and-nay vote of 409 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 162. Pages H2773-74 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007: The House passed H.R. 5386, to make appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September [[Page D512]] 30, 2007, by a yea-and-nay vote of yeas to nays, Roll No. 172. Pages H2765-73, H2774, continued next issue. Agreed to limit the number of amendments made in order for debate and the time limit for debate on each amendment. (See next issue.) Agreed to: Slaughter amendment that increases funding (by transfer) for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities by $5 million each; Pages H2792-96 Maloney amendment (No. 11 printed in the Congressional Record of May 17th) to increase funding (by transfer) for royalty and offshore minerals management in order to facilitate audits; Pages H2805-08 Cannon amendment (No. 10 printed in the Congressional Record of May 17th) adds $16 million to Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILT) by redirecting funds from Interior Department overhead (agreed to extend and limit the time for debate on the amendment); Pages H2808-09 Sanders amendment that redirects $1.8 million in funding to the EPA's Energy Star Programs; Pages H2809-111 Taylor of North Carolina amendment increases environmental programs and infrastructure assistance, including capitalization grants for State revolving funds and performance partnership grants by $2 million; Pages H2815-16 Rahall amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of May 17th) prohibits any funds made available by this Act to be used for the sale or slaughter of wild free-roaming horses or burros; (See next issue.) Gordon amendment to prohibit any of the funds made available by this Act from being used in contravention of the Federal buildings performance and reporting requirements of Executive Order 13123, part 3 of title V of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 8251 et seq.), or subtitle A of title I of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (including the amendments made thereby); Page H2817 Weiner amendment to increase funding (by transfer) by $1 million for the National Park Service in order to address the continued closure of the Statue of Liberty (by a recorded vote of 266 ayes to 152 noes, Roll No. 163); Pages H2798, H2802, continued next issue. Pallone amendment to insert provisions prohibiting use of funds for enforcement of EPA's Toxics Release Inventory Burden Reduction Proposed Rule published in the Federal Register, or to follow the Toxics Release Inventory 2006 Burden Reduction Proposed Rule also published in the Federal Register (by a recorded vote of 231 ayes to 187 noes, Roll No. 165); Pages H2816-17, continued next issue. Hinchey amendment to limit funds for suspension of royalty relief (by a recorded vote of 252 ayes to 165 noes, Roll No. 167); Pages H2830, H2817, continued next issue. Chabot amendment that prohibits the Forest Service from spending taxpayer dollars to build logging roads for private interests in the Tongass National Forest; Page H2817 Garrett amendment to prohibit any of the funds made available in the Act from being used to send or otherwise pay for the attendance of more than 50 employees from a Federal department or agency at any single conference occurring outside the United States; Page H2817 Miller of California amendment to prohibit any funds made available in the Act from being obligated or expended to conduct the San Gabriel Watershed and Mountains Special Resource Study; Page H2817 Jackson-Lee of Texas amendment to prohibit any funds made available in the Act from being used to eliminate or restrict programs that are for the reforestation of urban areas; Page H2817 Jackson-Lee of Texas amendment to prohibit any funds made available in the Act from being used to limit outreach programs administered by the Smithsonian Institution; Page H2817 Oberstar amendment to prohibit funds in the Act from being used by the administrator of the EPA to implement or enforce the Joint Memorandum published in the Federal Register on January 15, 2003 (68 Fed. Reg. 1995) (by a recorded vote of 222 ayes to 198 noes, Roll No. 169); and Page H2817, continued next issue. Putnam amendment prohibits use of funds in the Act to conduct activities in violation of the moratorium on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (by a recorded vote of 217 ayes to 203 noes, Roll No. 170). Page H2817, continued next issue. Rejected: Obey amendment that sought to address global climate change by modifying the amount provided for EPA Programs and Management; Page H2817 Poe en bloc amendments that sought to strike sections 104, 105, and 106 from the bill. Sections 104, 105, and 106 provide that no funds provided in this title may be expended by the Department of the Interior for the conduct of offshore oil preleasing, leasing and related activities placed under restriction in the President's moratorium statement of June 12, 1998, in the areas of northern, central, and southern California; the North Atlantic; Washington and Oregon; and the eastern Gulf of Mexico south of 26 degrees north latitude and east of 86 degrees west longitude; no funds provided in this title may be expended by the Department of the Interior to conduct [[Page D513]] offshore oil preleasing, leasing and related activities in the eastern Gulf of Mexico planning area for any lands located outside Sale 181, as identified in the final Outer Continental Shelf 5-Year Oil and Gas Leasing Program, 1997-2002; and, no funds provided in this title may be expended by the Department of the Interior to conduct oil preleasing, leasing and related activities in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic planning areas (by a recorded vote of 141 ayes to 279 noes, Roll No. 164); Pages H2812-15, continued next issue. Beauprez amendment that sought to reduce the budget for the National Endowment for the Arts by $30 million, and redirects the money to the Wildland Fire Management budget of the U.S. Forest Service (by a recorded vote of 112 ayes to 306 noes, Roll No. 166); and Pages H2818, continued next issue. Hefley amendment (No. 1 printed in the Congressional Record of May 17th) that sought to reduce funding by 1% across-the-board (by a recorded vote of 109 ayes to 312 noes, Roll No. 171). (See next issue.) Withdrawn: Putnam amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to increase funding (by transfer) by $500,000 for State and Tribal Wildlife grants in order to direct attention to alligator control programs in Florida; Pages H2796-98 Tancredo amendment (No. 8 printed in the Congressional Record of May 17th) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn which sought to strike language added in committee that would prevent the U.S. Geological Survey from consolidating four mapping centers into one central operations center; Pages H2802-05 Conaway amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn which sought to strike section 104 from the bill. Section 104 prohibits use of funds for the conduct of offshore oil preleasing, leasing and related activities placed under restriction in the President's moratorium statement of June 12, 1998 in specified areas; Pages H2811-12 Tiahrt amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn which sought to prohibit any of the funds made available in the Act from being used to promulgate regulations without consideration of the effect of such regulations on the competitiveness of American businesses; Page H2817 Conaway amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn which sought to direct attention to EPA drinking water regulations for arsenic; and Page H2817 Dent amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn which sought to prohibit any funds made available in the Act from being used to implement, administer, or enforce section 20(b)(1) of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2719(b)(1)). Page H2817 Point of Order sustained against: The Chair sustained the point of order raised against the content of the measure beginning on page 73, line 3 and ending on page 73, line 8 that constituted legislation in an appropriations bill; Page H2816 The Chair sustained the point of order raised against section 425, page 125, lines 3-25 stating that it constituted legislation in an appropriations bill in violation of clause 2 of rule XXI; Pages H2826-29 The Chair sustained the point of order raised against section 501 stating that it violated clause 2b of rule XXI; and Pages H2829-30 Obey amendment that sought to increase funding for various accounts with a tax offset. Page H2817 H. Res. 818, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was agreed to by a recorded vote of 218 ayes to 192 noes, Roll No. 161, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 218 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 160. Page H2765-73, H2773 Presidential Messages: Read a message from the President wherein he notified the Congress of the continuation of the National Emergency with respect to Burma--referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered printed (H. Doc. 109-110); and (See next issue.) Read a message from the President wherein he notified Congress of the continuation of the national emergency with respect to the Development Fund for Iraq, certain other property in which Iraq has an interest, and the Central Bank of Iraq--referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered printed (H. Doc. 109-112). (See next issue.) Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on page 2834. Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and ten recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2772-73, H2773, H2774. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at midnight. Committee Meetings NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND IMPLEMENTATION Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing on No Child Left Behind: How Innovative Educators Are Integrating Subject Matter To Improve [[Page D514]] Student Achievement. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. UNLOCKING AMERICA's ENERGY RESOURCES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held a hearing entitled ``Unlocking America's Energy Resources: Next Generation.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. STOCKHOLM AND ROTTERDAM TOXICS TREATY ACT OF 2005 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 4591, Stockholm and Rotterdam Toxics Treaty Act of 2005. TRUTH IN CALLER ID ACT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing on H.R. 5126, Truth in Caller ID Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Tom Navin, Wireline Bureau Chief, FCC; and public witnesses. REFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING CASH TRANSACTIONS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing on H.R. 5341, Seasoned Customer CTR Exemption Act of 2006. Testimony was heard from Robert W. Werner, Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Department of the Treasury; Michael F.A. Morehart, Chief, Terrorist Financing Operations Section, FBI, Department of Justice; Kevin A. Delli-Colli, Deputy Assistant Director, Financial and Trade Investigations, Office of Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses. MILITARY PERSONNEL FINANCIAL SERVICES Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Financial Services Needs of Military Personnel and Their Families.'' Testimony was heard from Valerie Melvin, Acting Director, Defense Capabilities and Management Team, GAO; and public witnesses. RESPOND ACT OF 2006; DC FAIR AND EQUAL HOUSE VOTING RIGHTS ACT Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 5316, as amended, RESPOND Act of 2006; and H.R. 5388, District of Columbia Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of 2006. The Committee failed to report H.R. 5410, No Taxation Without Representation Act of 2006. HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL AND SECURITY CLEARANCES Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight held a hearing entitled ``Retention, Security Clearances, Morale, and Other Human Capital Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: K. Gregg Prillaman, Chief Human Capital Officer; and Dwight Williams, Director, Office of Security; Kathy L. Dillaman, Associate Director, Federal Investigations Processing Center, OPM; and public witnesses. DARFUR--PROSPECTS FOR PEACE Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the Prospects for Peace in Darfur. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Jendayi E. Frazer, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs; and Lloyd O. Pierson, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development. NIGERIA'S STRUGGLE WITH CORRUPTION Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations held a hearing on Nigeria's Struggle with Corruption. Testimony was heard from Linda Thomas Greenfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses. SHOULDER-FIRED MISSILE THREAT REDUCTION ACT Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation approved for full Committee action H.R. 5333, Shoulder-fired Missile Threat Reduction Act of 2006. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; ANIMAL FIGHTING PROHIBITION ENFORCEMENT ACT Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 5005, Firearms Corrections and Improvements Act; H.R. 1384, Firearm Commerce Modernization Act; H.R. 1415, NICS Improvement Act; and H.R. 5318, Cyber-Security Enhancement and Consumer Data Protection Act of 2006. The Subcommittee also held a on H.R. 817, Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. [[Page D515]] PHYSICIANS FOR UNDERSERVED AREAS ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims held a hearing on H.R. 4997, Physicians for Underserved Areas Act. Testimony was heard from Representative Moran of Kansas; Leslie G. Aronovitz, Director, Health Care, GAO; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--ALTERNATIVE FUELS FOR TRANSPORTATION Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on the Energy and Mineral Requirements for Renewable and Alternative Fuels Used for Transportation and Other Purposes. Testimony was heard from W. David Menzi, Chief, Minerals Information Team, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Under the rules of the House the bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph. The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized appropriations or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill), except as specified in the resolution. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. OVERSIGHT--EPA GRANTS MANAGEMENT Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held an oversight hearing on EPA Grants Management 2003-2006: Progress and Challenge. Testimony was heard from John B. Stephenson, Director, National Resources and Environment, GAO; and the following officials of the EPA: Bill A. Roderick, Acting Inspector General; Luis A. Luna, Assistant Administrator, Office of Administration and Resources Management; and Donald S. Welsh, Administrator, Region III. BRIEFING--DENIAL AND DECEPTION Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Intelligence Policy met in executive session to receive a briefing on Denial and Deception. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D 486) H.R. 4297, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 201(b) of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2006. Signed on May 17, 2006. (Public Law 109-222) H.J. Res. 83, to memorialize and honor the contribution of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. Signed on May 18, 2006. (Public Law 109- 223) S. 1382, to require the Secretary of the Interior to accept the conveyance of certain land, to be held in trust for the benefit of the Puyallup Indian tribe. Signed on May 18, 2006. (Public Law 109-224) COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for the National Institutes of Health, 8:30 a.m., SD-192. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: business meeting to consider the nominations of Robert J. Portman, of Ohio, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Robert Irwin Cusick, Jr., of Kentucky, to be Director of the Office of Government Ethics, and David L. Norquist, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Homeland Security, Time to be announced, S- 207, Capitol. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs, to mark up the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007, 8 a.m., H-140 Capitol. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D516]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Friday, May 19 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of S. 2611, Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9 a.m., Friday, May 19 House Chamber Program for Friday: H.R. 5385--Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E879 Biggert, Judy, Ill., E873, E875 Castle, Michael N., Del., E873, E875 Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E879 Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E877 Graves, Sam, Mo., E870, E872, E873, E875, E875, E876, E877, E879 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E870, E873, E875 Larson, John B., Conn., E869 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E870, E874, E876 Moran, James P., Va., E879 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E878 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E870, E874 Regula, Ralph, Ohio, E876 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E878 Shays, Christopher, Conn., E869 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E869 Thomas, William M., Calif., E876 Udall, Mark, Colo., E869 Walsh, James T., N.Y., E877 Wamp, Zach, Tenn., E873, E875 (House proceedings for today will be continued in the next issue of the Record.)