Wednesday, June 21, 2006 [[Page D669]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS House Committees ordered reported 30 sundry measures. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S6189-S6322 Measures Introduced: Ten bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 3546-3555, and S. Res. 519. Page S6283 Measures Reported: S. 3549, to amend the Defense Production Act of 1950 to strengthen Government review and oversight of foreign investment in the United States, to provide for enhanced Congressional Oversight with respect thereto. (S. Rept. No. 109-264) S. 3237, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. (S. Rept. No. 109-265) S. 2321, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of Louis Braille. Page S6281 Measures Passed: Congratulating the Miami Heat: Senate agreed to S. Res. 519, congratulating the Miami Heat for winning the National Basketball Association Championship. Pages S6321-22 National Defense Authorization: Senate continued consideration of S. 2766, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Page S6191 Withdrawn: Pursuant to the order of June 20, 2006, failing to receive 60 votes in the affirmative, the following amendments were withdrawn: By 52 yeas to 46 nays (Vote No. 179), Kennedy Amendment No. 4322, to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage. Pages S6191-S6203 By 45 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 180), Enzi Amendment No. 4376, to promote job creation and small business preservation in the adjustment of the Federal minimum wage. Pages S6191, S6203-04 Pending: McCain Amendment No. 4241, to name the Act after John Warner, a Senator from Virginia. Page S6191 Levin Amendment No. 4320, to state the sense of Congress on the United States policy on Iraq. Pages S6204-39 Kerry Amendment No. 4442, to require the redeployment of United States Armed Forces from Iraq in order to further a political solution in Iraq, encourage the people of Iraq to provide for their own security, and achieve victory in the war on terror. Pages S6191, S6239-74 A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, June 22, 2006; that there be a period of 60 minutes for debate thereon; following conclusion of that debate, the Minority Leader will be recognized to speak for 15 minutes, following that period of debate, the Majority Leader will be recognized to speak for 15 minutes; following which, Senate will vote on Levin Amendment No. 4320, to be followed by a vote on Kerry Amendment No. 4442 (both listed above), to be followed by a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill; provided further, that Senators be authorized to file second-degree amendments until 10:30 a.m. Page S6322 Messages From the House: Page S6280 Measures Referred: Page S6280 Executive Communications: Pages S6280-81 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S6281-83 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S6283-85 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S6285-89 [[Page D670]] Additional Statements: Pages S6276-79 Amendments Submitted: Pages S6289-S6320 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S6320 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S6320-21 Privileges of the Floor: Page S6321 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. (Total--180) Pages S6203, S6203-04 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 11:36 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, June 22, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S6322.) Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. 3237, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. (Committee approved a written report to accompany the bill.); and A list of 3,741 nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. FREIGHT RAILROAD INDUSTRY Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine concluded a hearing to examine economics, service, and capacity in the freight railroad industry, after receiving testimony from JayEtta Z. Hecker, Director, Physical Infrastructure, Government Accountability Office; W. Douglas Buttrey, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board, Department of Transportation; Dale Schuler, National Association of Wheat Growers, Carter, Montana, on behalf of sundry organizations; Glenn English, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and John B. Ficker, National Industrial Transportation League, both of Arlington, Virginia; John L. McIntosh, Olin Corporation, Clayton, Missouri, on behalf of the American Chemistry Council; and Edward R. Hamberger, Association of American Railroads, Washington, D.C. HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness concluded a hearing to examine accelerating the adoption of health information technology, focusing on efforts to improve efficiency, reduce medical errors, increase the quality of medical care, and provide better information for patients and physicians, after receiving testimony from former Representative Newt Gingrich, on behalf of the Center for Health Transformation; Carolyn M. Clancy, Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Department of Health and Human Services; Mark Leavitt, Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology, Chicago, Illinois; John Halamka, Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel, Boston, Massachusetts; Michael Raymer, GE Healthcare, Seattle, Washington; Kevin Hutchinson, SureScripts LLC, Alexandria, Virginia; and Terry Ragon, InterSystems Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Philip D. Moeller, of Washington, and Jon Wellinghoff, of Nevada, each to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. WILDLAND FIRE SUPPRESSION Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests concluded a hearing to examine the Government Accountability Office report entitled ``Wildland Fire Suppression--Lack of Clear Guidance Raises Concerns About Cost Sharing Between Federal and Nonfederal Entities'' (GAO-06-570), after receiving testimony from Robert A. Robinson, Managing Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office; Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary of the Interior for Policy; Mark Rey, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment; and Anne Heissenbuttel, National Association of State Foresters, Washington, D.C. CHEMICAL SITE SECURITY Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine inherently safer technology in the context of chemical site security, focusing on the release of hazardous chemicals from industrial facilities and how to prevent such releases and to improve preparedness and response capabilities, after receiving testimony from Senator Biden; Lisa P. Jackson, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton; Dennis C. Hendershot, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Furlong, Pennsylvania; Philip J. Crowley, Center for American Progress, Washington, D.C.; David A. Moore, Acutech Consulting Group, Alexandria, Virginia; and Charlie Cott, Missouri Farmers [[Page D671]] Association, Columbia, on behalf of the Agricultural Retailers Association. TREATY Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (the ``Corruption Convention''), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on October 31, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 109-06), after receiving testimony from Samuel M. Witten, Deputy Legal Adviser, Department of State; Bruce C. Swartz, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; and Alan P. Larson, Transparency International-USA, and William A. Reinsch, National Foreign Trade Council, both of Washington, D.C. METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKING Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on International Economic Policy, Export and Trade Promotion and the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Narcotics Affairs concluded joint hearings to examine international methamphetamine trafficking, after receiving testimony from John P. Walters, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy; Anne W. Patterson, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; and Karen P. Tandy, Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice. FEDERAL RECOGNITION Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 480, to extend Federal recognition to the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe--Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., the Monacan Indian Nation, and the Nansemond Indian Tribe, and S. 437, to expedite review of the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians of Michigan to secure a timely and just determination of whether that group is entitled to recognition as a Federal Indian tribe, after receiving testimony from Senators Warner, Allen, and Levin; Representative James P. Moran; R. Lee Fleming, Director, Office of Federal Acknowledgment, Department of the Interior; Stephen R. Adkins, Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Charles City, Virginia; Helen C. Rountree, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia; Ron Yob, Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, Grand Rapids, Michigan; David Willerup, Westwood Reformed Church, Muskegon, Michigan; and Michael J. O'Connor, Virginia Petroleum, Convenience and Grocery Association, Richmond, Virginia. COPYRIGHT PROTECTION Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine if Congress can protect copyright and promote innovation relating to the analog hole, focusing on the technology gap known as the analog hole that creates a disconnect between the analog past and the digital future, after receiving testimony from LeVar Burton, Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles, California; Dan Glickman, Motion Picture Association of America, Gary J. Shapiro, Consumer Electronics Association and Home Recording Rights Coalition, and Gigi B. Sohn, Public Knowledge, all of Washington, D.C.; Chris Cookson, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., Burbank, California; and Matthew Zinn, TiVo Inc., Alviso, California. VOTING RIGHTS ACT REAUTHORIZATION Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights held a hearing to examine policy and perspectives and views from the field regarding reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act, receiving testimony from Gerald A. Reynolds, Chairman, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; Donald M. Wright, North Carolina State Board of Elections, Raleigh; John J. Park, Jr., Office of the Attorney General of Alabama, Montgomery; Debo P. Adegbile, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., New York, New York; David T. Canon, University of Wisconsin Department of Political Science, Madison; and Carol M. Swain, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. Hearing recessed subject to the call. NOMINATION Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senators Allard and Salazar, testified and answered questions on his own behalf. NOMINATION Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Steven C. Preston, of Illinois, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Durbin, testified and answered questions on his own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider pending intelligence matters. Committee recessed subject to the call. [[Page D672]] MANAGING RETIREMENT ASSETS Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine ways to ensure that seniors do not outlive their savings and efforts to manage retirement assets, focusing on consumer preparedness, risks in retirement, stock market volatility, and the value of annuities, after receiving testimony from Ben Stein, Los Angeles, California, on behalf of the National Retirement Planning Coalition; C. Robert Henrikson, MetLife, Inc., Long Island City, New York; Stephen P. Utkus, Vanguard Center for Retirement Research, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; and Leroy Gilbertson, AARP, Washington, D.C. House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 13 public bills, H.R. 5655- 5667; and 4 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 431; and H. Res. 882-884 were introduced. Pages H4423-24 Additional Cosponsors: Page H4424 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H. Res. 885, providing for consideration of H.R. 5638, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the unified credit against the estate tax to an exclusion equivalent of $5,000,000 and to repeal the sunset provision for the estate and generation-skipping taxes (H. Rept. 109-517); and H. Res. 886, providing for consideration of H.R. 4890, to amend the Congressional and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for the expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions of budget authority (H. Rept. 109-518). Page H4423 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Father Luke Palumbis, St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, Stockton, California. Page H4331 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Amending the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 to require data with respect to Federal financial assistance to be available for public access in a searchable and user friendly form: H.R. 5060, amended, to amend the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 to require data with respect to Federal financial assistance to be available for public access in a searchable and user friendly form; Pages H4335-38 Second Higher Education Extension Act of 2006: H.R. 5603, to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965; Pages H4338-40 Senior Independence Act of 2006: H.R. 5293, amended, to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2007 through 2011; Pages H4340-57 Recognizing the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Food and Drugs Act for the important service it provides to the Nation: H. Con. Res. 426, amended, to recognize the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Food and Drugs Act for the important service it provides to the Nation; Pages H4357-59 Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006: H.R. 5573, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide additional authorizations of appropriations for the health centers program under section 330 of such Act, by a (\2/3\) yea-and-nay vote of 424 yeas to 3 nays, Roll No. 306; and Pages H4359-65, H4371-72 Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2006: H.R. 5574, amended, to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize support for graduate medical education programs in children's hospitals, by a (\2/3\) yea-and-nay vote of 421 yeas to 4 nays, Roll No. 307. Pages H4365-68, H4372 Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House completed debate on the following measure under suspension of the rules. Further consideration of the measure is expected to resume tomorrow, Thursday, June 22nd: Supporting efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, and research: H. Res. 323, amended, to support efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, and research. Pages H4368-71 Recess: The House recessed at 1:28 p.m. and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. Page H4371 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings today and appear on [[Page D673]] pages H4371-72, H4372. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Committee Meetings TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel and the Subcommittee on Africa of the Committee on International Relations held a joint hearing on trafficking in persons. Testimony was heard from Ambassador John R. Miller, Director, Office To Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Department of State; and the following officials of the Department of Defense: Gail H. McGinn, Performing the Duties as Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; and Thomas F. Gimble, Principal Deputy Inspector General; and COL Robert K. Boyles, USAF, former Principal Assistant Responsible for Contracting--Forces, Joint Contracting Command--Iraq/Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command. SPACE AND U.S. NATIONAL POWER Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on space and U.S. national power. Testimony was heard from LTG C. Robert Kehler, USAF, Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Department of Defense; Ed Morris, Director, Office of Space Commercialization, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. INTERNET PRIVATE RECORDS ACCESS Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Internet Data Brokers and Pretexting: Who Has Access to Your Private Records?'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. In refusing to give testimony at this hearing, the following individuals: John Strange; Jay Patel, Ed Herzog; Skipp Porteous; Michele Yontef; Carlos Anderson; Laurie Misner; Tim Berndt; James Welker; Patrick Baird; and Steven Schwartz, invoked Fifth Amendment privileges. Hearing continues tomorrow. UNIVERSAL SERVICE Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing entitled ``Universal Service: What Are We Subsidizing and Why? Part 1: The High-Cost Fund.'' Testimony was heard from Donald B. Marron, Acting Director, CBO; Tom Navin, Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC; and public witnesses. COMMERCIAL INSURANCE MODERNIZATION Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``Commercial Insurance Modernization.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. BANK SECRECY ACT'S IMPACT ON MONEY SERVICES BUSINESSES Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing entitled ``Bank Secrecy Act's Impact on Money Services Businesses.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Don Carbaugh, Acting Associate Director, Regulatory Policy and Programs, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; Eileen C. Mayer, Director, Fraud/Bank Secrecy Act, Small Business/Self-Employed Division, IRS; and Ann F. Jaedicke, Deputy Comptroller, Compliance Policy; and public witnesses. ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATIONS/FEDERAL PROCUREMENT Committee on Government Reform: and the Committee on Small Business held a joint hearing entitled ``Northern Lights and Procurement Plights: The Effect of the ANC Program on Federal Procurement and Alaska Native Corporations.'' Testimony was heard from Representative Young of Alaska; David Cooper, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO; Calvin Jenkins, Deputy Associate Deputy Administrator, Office of Government Contracting and Business Development, SBA; Frank M. Ramos, Director, Small Business Programs, Office of the Under Secretary, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Department of Defense; Melodee Stith, Associate Director, Acquisition and Financial Assistance, Office of Acquisition and Property Management, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. DEEP WATER ROYALTY RELIEF Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a hearing entitled ``Deep Water Royalty Relief: Mismanagement and Cover-ups.'' Testimony was heard from the following Attorneys in the Department of the Interior: Milo Mason and Geoffrey Heath; and public witnesses. SECURITY DEPARTMENT TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``DHS Terrorism Preparedness Grants: Risk-Based or Guess-Work?'' Testimony was heard from [[Page D674]] the following officials of the City of New York: Michael Bloomberg, Mayor; and Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, Police Department; the following officials of the District of Columbia: Anthony Williams, Mayor; and Edward D. Reiskin, Deputy Mayor, Public Safety and Justice; and George Foresman, Under Secretary, Preparedness, Department of Homeland Security. RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY; DEMOCRACY IN LATIN AMERICA Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported adversely H. Res. 846, Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of State to provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in their possession relating to strategies and plans either designed to cause regime change in or for the use of military force against Iran. The Committee also held a hearing on Democracy in Latin America: Successes, Challenges and the Future. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary, Democracy and Global Affairs; and Adolfo Franco, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development; and public witnesses. U.S. ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO EGYPT Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia continued hearings to Review U.S. Assistance Programs to Egypt, Part II. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. RESOLUTIONS OF INQUIRY; AND MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Res. 819, Requesting the President and directing the Attorney General to submit to the House of Representatives all documents in the possession of the President and the Attorney General relating to requests made by the National Security Agency and other Federal agencies to telephone service providers requesting access to telephone communications records of persons in the United States and communications originating and terminating within the United States without a warrant; H. Res. 845, adversely, Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of Defense and the Attorney General to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution, documents relating to the termination of the Department of Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility's investigation of the involvement of Department of Justice personnel in the creation and administration of the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance program, including documents relating to Office of Professional Responsibility's request for and denial of security clearances; and H.R. 5520, amended, Veterans Identity Protection Act. OVERSIGHT--CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the Crime Victims' Rights Provisions of the Justice for All Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 512, To require the prompt review by the Secretary of the Interior of the longstanding petitions for Federal recognition of certain Indian tribes; H.R. 854, amended, To provide for certain lands to be held in trust for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe; H.R. 2069, Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2005; H.R. 2134, Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community in Washington, D.C.; H.R. 2925, amended, To amend the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to extend the authority for drought assistance; H.R. 3085, amended, To amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of a new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail; H.R. 3817, Valle Vidal Protection Act of 2005; H.R. 4165, To clarify the boundaries of Coastal Barrier Resources System Clam Pass Unit FL-64P; H.R. 4275, To amend Public Law 106-348 to extend the authorization for establishing a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States; H.R. 4294, amended, Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act; H.R. 4301, Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal Land Conveyance Act of 2005; H.R. 4376, amended, Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Massachusetts Act of 2005; H.R. 4612, amended, Wright Brothers-Dunbar National Historic Park Designation Act; H.R. 4761, amended, Domestic Energy Production through Offshore Exploration and Equitable Treatment of State Holdings Act of 2006; H.R. 4947, amended, Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act; H.R. 5057, amended, To authorize the Marion Park Project and Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion; H.R. 5061, Paint Bank and Wytheville National Fish Hatcheries Conveyance [[Page D675]] Act; H.R. 5079, amended, North Unit Irrigation District Act of 2006; H.R. 5094, Lake Mattamuskeet Lodge Preservation Act; H.R. 5232, Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Study Act; H.R. 5312, amended, Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2006; H.R. 5340, amended, Upper Mississippi River Basin Protection Act; H.R. 5411, To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a demonstration program to facilitate landscape restoration programs within certain units of the National Park System established by law to preserve and interpret resources associated with American history; H.R. 5622, amended, Coral Reef Conservation Legacy Act of 2006; S. 260, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act; and S. 1496, Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2005. OVERSIGHT--FOREST HEALTH: INSECTS AND DISEASES Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an oversight hearing on Addressing Forest Insects and Disease: A Growing National Problem, ``GAO Report on Invasive Forest Pests.'' Testimony was heard from Daniel Bertoni, Assistant Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, GAO; the following officials of the USDA: Paul Eggert, Associate Deputy Administrator, Plant Protection Quarantine, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; and Jim Hubbard, Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry, Forest Service; and public witnesses. PERMANENT ESTATE TAX RELIEF ACT Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a closed rule on H.R. 5638, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the unified credit against the estate tax to an exclusion equivalent of $5,000,000 and to repeal the sunset provision for the estate and generation-skipping taxes, and for other purposes, proving 1 hour of debate in the House equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Budget. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Budget now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution, shall be considered as adopted. The rule waives all points of order against the bill, as amended. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Ryan of Wisconsin, Spratt, and Thompson of California. LEGISLATIVE LINE ITEM VETO ACT Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a closed rule on H.R. 4890, to amend the Congressional and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for the expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions of budget authority, providing 1 hour of debate in the House equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution shall be considered as adopted. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Hulshof, Issa, and Pomeroy. OVERSIGHT--AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL MODERNIZATION Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held an oversight hearing on Air Traffic Control Modernization: The Present and Future. Testimony was heard from Representative Waters; the following officials of the Department of Transportation: Russell Chew, Chief Operating Officer, Air Traffic Organization and Robert Pearce, Acting Director, Joint Planning and Development Office, both with the FAA; and Todd Zinser, Acting Inspector General; Gerald Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; and a public witness. OVERSIGHT--VETERANS HEALTH RECORDS SECURITY Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held an oversight hearing on Safeguarding Veterans' Medical Information within the Veterans Health Administration. Testimony was heard from BG Michael J. Kussman, M.D., USA, (Ret.), Deputy Under Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans Affairs; and a public witness. BRIEFING--GLOBAL UPDATES/HOTSPOTS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Global Updates/Hotspots. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. [[Page D676]] COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2006 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine the local budget request for the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, 10:30 a.m., SD-138. Full Committee, business meeting to mark up H.R. 5384, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, H.R. 5521, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and to consider 302(b) subcommittee allocations of budget outlays and new budget authority for fiscal year 2007, 1 p.m., SD-106. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine reauthorization of the Iran Libya Sanctions Act, 3:30 p.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development, to hold hearings to examine the state of the U.S. tourism industry, 10 a.m., SD-562. Full Committee, business meeting to mark up S. 2686, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 and for other purposes, 2 p.m., SH-216. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to examine S. 2747, to enhance energy efficiency and conserve oil and natural gas, 10 a.m., SD-366. Subcommittee on National Parks, to hold hearings to examine S. 574, to amend the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Act of 1994 to increase the authorization of appropriations and modify the date on which the authority of the Secretary of the Interior terminates under the Act, S. 1387, to provide for an update of the Cultural Heritage and Land Management Plan for the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, to extend the authority of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, to authorize the undertaking of a special resource study of sites and landscape features within the Corridor, and to authorize additional appropriations for the Corridor, S. 1721, to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to extend the authorization for certain national heritage areas, S. 2037, to establish the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area in the State of Colorado, and S. 2645, to establish the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety, to hold oversight hearings to examine the regulatory processes for new and existing nuclear plants, 9:30 a.m., SD-628. Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine energy security in Latin America, 9:30 a.m., SD-419. Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Clifford M. Sobel, of New Jersey, to be Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil, 2 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold hearings to examine new ideas for making the medical liability system work better for patients, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine effort to assure healthy initiatives in health information technology, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. Committee on Indian Affairs: business meeting to consider the report on the Indian Lobbying Misconduct Investigation, and other pending matters, 9:30 a.m., SR-485. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, to hold hearings to examine the AT&T and BellSouth merger and its meaning for consumers, 3 p.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: business meeting to consider pending VA legislation, 10 a.m., SR-418. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold a closed briefing regarding intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Armed Services, hearing on military power of the People's Republic of China, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to continue hearings entitled ``Internet Data Brokers and Pretexting: Who Has Access to Your Private Records?'' 2 p.m., 2322 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cyber security, to mark up H.R. 5604, SAFE Truckers Act of 2006, 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, hearing entitled ``Reducing Nuclear and Biological Threats at the Source,'' 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on House Administration, hearing entitled ``You Don't Need Papers To Vote?'' Non-citizen voting and ID requirements in U.S. elections, 10 a.m., 1310 Longworth. Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, to mark up the following measures: H. Res. 860, Calling on the Government of Germany to take immediate action to combat sex trafficking in connection with the 2006 FIFA World Cup; H.R. 4319, Assistance for Small and Medium Enterprises in Sub-Saharan African Countries Act of 2005; H.R. 4780, Global Online Freedom Act of 2006; H.R. 5382, Central Asia Democracy and Human Rights Promotion Act of 2006; and H.R. 5652, African Development Foundation Act; followed by a hearing on Can Religious Pluralism Survive in the Middle East: The Plight of Religious Minorities? 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. [[Page D677]] Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, hearing on H.R. 2679, Public Expression of Religion Act of 2005, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims, oversight hearing entitled ``Is the Labor Department Doing Enough To Protect U.S. Workers?'' 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on National Parks, oversight hearing on the Reauthorization of the National Park System Advisory Board, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth. Subcommittee on Water and Power, oversight hearing on Securing the Bureau of Reclamation's Water and Power Infrastructure: A Consumer's Perspective, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, oversight hearing on the Future of the Federal Courthouse Construction Program: Results of a GAO Study on the Judiciary's Rental Obligations, 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to mark up H.R. 4843, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006, 10:15 a.m.; followed by an oversight hearing on the legal implications of the theft from a VA employee's home of personal data regarding millions of veterans, active duty military personnel, and spouses, 10:30 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, hearing on the Impact of International Tax Reform on U.S. Competitiveness, 10 a.m., B-318 Rayburn. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, hearing entitled ``Path Ahead for the CIA,'' 9 a.m., and, executive, hearing entitled ``The CIA Director as HUMINT Manager,'' 10:30 a.m., H-405 Capitol. 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. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. The database includes both text and graphics from the beginning of the 103d Congress, 2d session (January 1994) forward. It is available through GPO Access at www.gpo.gov/gpoaccess. Customers can also access this information with WAIS client software, via telnet at swais.access.gpo.gov, or dial-in using communications software and a modem at 202ÿ09512ÿ091661. Questions or comments regarding this database or GPO Access can be directed to the GPO Access User Support Team at: E-Mail: gpoaccess@gpo.gov; Phone 1ÿ09888ÿ09293ÿ096498 (toll-free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091530 (D.C. area); Fax: 202ÿ09512ÿ091262. The Team's hours of availability are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, except Federal holidays. The Congressional Record paper and 24x microfiche edition will be furnished by mail to subscribers, free of postage, at the following prices: paper edition, $252.00 for six months, $503.00 per year, or purchased as follows: less than 200 pages, $10.50; between 200 and 400 pages, $21.00; greater than 400 pages, $31.50, payable in advance; microfiche edition, $146.00 per year, or purchased for $3.00 per issue payable in advance. The semimonthly Congressional Record Index may be purchased for the same per issue prices. To place an order for any of these products, visit the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250ÿ097954, or phone orders to 866ÿ09512ÿ091800 (toll free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202ÿ09512ÿ092250. Remit check or money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. 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 D678]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, June 22 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of S. 2766, National Defense Authorization, that there be a period of 60 minutes for debate thereon; following conclusion of that debate, the Minority Leader will be recognized to speak for 15 minutes, following that period of debate, the Majority Leader will be recognized to speak for 15 minutes; following which, Senate will vote on Levin Amendment No. 4320, to be followed by a vote on Kerry Amendment No. 4442, to be followed by a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, June 22 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 4890--Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2006 (Subject to a Rule). _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Berkley, Shelley, Nev., E1244 Berman, Howard L., Calif., E1240 Boozman, John, Ark., E1224 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E1245 Brown, Corrine, Fla., E1223 Brown, Henry E., Jr., S.C., E1227 Campbell, John, Calif., E1229 Castle, Michael N., Del., E1230, E1232, E1235 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1222 Crenshaw, Ander, Fla., E1242 Davis, Susan A., Calif., E1225 DeGette, Diana, Colo., E1236 Engel, Eliot L., N.Y., E1243 Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E1244 Fattah, Chaka, Pa., E1228 Graves, Sam, Mo., E1222, E1230, E1231, E1232, E1233, E1234, E1235, E1236, E1237 Green, Gene, Tex., E1236 Gutknecht, Gil, Minn., E1219 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E1222 Honda, Michael M., Calif., E1221 Hulshof, Kenny C., Mo., E1228 Hyde, Henry J., Ill., E1232, E1234 Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1229 Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E1225, E1227 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E1240 Kennedy, Mark R., Minn., E1236 Kind, Ron, Wisc., E1221 King, Peter T., N.Y., E1235 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E1241 Lee, Barbara, Calif., E1237, E1245 Levin, Sander M., Mich., E1222 McCaul, Michael T., Tex., E1241 McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E1238 McGovern, James P., Mass., E1224, E1241 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1231, E1234 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E1223 Moore, Gwen, Wisc., E1223 Moran, Jerry, Kans., E1241 Napolitano, Grace F., Calif., E1236 Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E1239 Oxley, Michael G., Ohio, E1223 Pombo, Richard W., Calif., E1228, E1244 Rahall, Nick J., II, W.Va., E1221 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1224, E1225, E1227, E1229, E1230, E1233, E1235 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E1237 Scott, David, Ga., E1245 Serrano, Jose E., N.Y., E1242 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E1239 Simmons, Rob, Conn., E1224, E1244 Skelton, Ike, Mo., E1231, E1233 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E1242 Spratt, John M., Jr., S.C., E1246 Sweeney, John E., N.Y., E1219 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E1243 Tanner, John S., Tenn., E1223 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E1221, E1238 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E1219 Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E1246 Weiner, Anthony D., N.Y., E1237 Weldon, Curt, Pa., E1230, E1232, E1235 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E1243