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Daily Digest - Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
- Senate passed S. 3001, National Defense Authorization Act.
[Page: D1106] GPO's PDF
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S8897-S8961
Measures Introduced:
Eleven bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 3503-3513, and S. Res. 663-664.
Pages S8947-48
Measures Reported:
S. 3341, to reauthorize and improve the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999. (S. Rept. No. 110-468)
S. 2907, to establish uniform administrative and enforcement procedures and penalties for the enforcement of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and similar statutes, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-469)
Page S8947
Measures Passed:
National Defense Authorization Act:
By 88 yeas to 8 nays (Vote No. 201), Senate passed S. 3001, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, after taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:
Pages S8931-33
Withdrawn:
Reid Amendment No. 5290, to change the enactment date.
Page S8933
Reid Amendment No. 5291 (to Amendment No. 5290), of a perfecting nature.
Page S8933
Department of Defense Authorization Act: Senate passed S. 3002, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, after striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof Division A of S. 3001, National Defense Authorization, as amended.
Page S8933
Military Construction Authorization Act: Senate passed S. 3003, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military construction, after striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof Division B of S. 3001, National Defense Authorization, as amended.
Page S8933
Department of Energy National Security Act: Senate passed S. 3004, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for defense activities of the Department of Energy, after striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof Division C of S. 3001, National Defense Authorization, as amended.
Pages S8933-34
Guaranteed Student Loans: Senate passed H.R. 6889, to extend the authority of the Secretary of Education to purchase guaranteed student loans for an additional year, clearing the measure for the President.
Page S8960
Dalai Lama and the Government of China: Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 643, calling for greater dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Government of China regarding rights for the people of Tibet, and the resolution was then agreed to, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S8960-61
Sanders (for Feingold) Amendment No. 5630, to amend the preamble.
Pages S896061
Measures Considered:
Advancing America's Priorities Act--Cloture:
Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 3297, to advance America's priorities.
Page S8934
A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Friday, September 19, 2008.
Page S8934
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Subsequently, the motion to proceed was withdrawn.
Page S8934
Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act--Cloture:
Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 6049, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief.
Page S8934
A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill, and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Friday, September 19, 2008.
Page S8934
Messages from the House:
Pages S8945-46
Executive Communications:
Pages S8946-47
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S8948-51
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S8951-56
Additional Statements:
Pages S8940-45
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S8956-59
Authorities for Committees To Meet:
Pages S8959-60
Record Votes:
One record vote was taken today. (Total--201)
Page S8933
Recess:
Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and recessed at 7:46 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S8961.)
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Cheryl Feldman Halpern, of New Jersey, David H. Pryor, of Arkansas, and Elizabeth Sembler, of Florida, who were both introduced by Senator Nelson (FL), Bruce M. Ramer, of California, and Loretta Cheryl Sutliff, of Nevada, each to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Environment and Public Works:
Committee ordered favorably reported the following:
An original bill to designate a portion of the Rappahannock River in the Commonwealth of Virginia as the ``John W. Warner Rapids'';
H.R. 3999, to amend title 23, United States Code, to improve the safety of Federal-aid highway bridges, to strengthen bridge inspection standards and processes, to increase investment in the reconstruction of structurally deficient bridges on the National Highway System;
An original bill to amend the Public works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to reauthorize that Act;
S. 2080, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to ensure that sewage treatment plants monitor for and report discharges of raw sewage, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
S. 1387, to amend the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 to provide for greenhouse gases, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
S. 2970, to enhance the ability of drinking water utilities in the United States to develop and implement climate change adaptation programs and policies;
An original bill to address the health and economic development impacts of nonattainment of federally mandated air quality standards in the San Joaquin Valley, California, by designating air quality empowerment zones;
An original bill to protect pregnant women and children from dangerous lead exposures;
H.R. 1464, to assist in the conservation of rare felids and rare canids by supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation programs of nations within the range of rare felid and rare canid populations and projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of rare felid and rare canid populations, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
H.R. 1771, to assist in the conservation of cranes by supporting and providing, through projects of persons and organizations with expertise in crane conservation, financial resources for the conservation programs of countries the activities of which directly or indirectly affect cranes and the ecosystems of cranes;
H.R. 3224, to amend the National Dam Safety Program Act to establish a program to provide grant assistance to States for the rehabilitation and repair of deficient dams;
H.R. 5001, to authorize the Administrator of General Services to provide for the redevelopment of the Old Post Office Building located in the District of Columbia;
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S. 3489, to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study on black carbon emissions;
An original bill to restore the value of every American in environmental decisions;
S. 1828, to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study of the feasibility of increasing the consumption in the United States of certain ethanol-blended gasoline, with an amendment; and
An original bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in the United States.
GEORGIA
Committee on Foreign Relations:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine Russia's aggression against Georgia, focusing on the consequences and responses relative to the relationship between the United States and Russia, after receiving testimony from William J. Burns, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.
401(K) AND SAVING FOR RETIRMENT
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine 401(k) plan fee disclosure, focusing on helping workers save for retirement, after receiving testimony from Bradford P. Campbell, Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employee Benefits Security Administration; Olena Berg Lacy, Pension Rights Center, Washington, D.C.; Paul Hunt, Millennium Advisory Services, Inc., Glen Allen, Virginia, on behalf of the United States Chamber of Commerce; and R. Theodore Benna, 401(k) Association, Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania.
FBI
Committee on the Judiciary:
Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), after receiving testimony from Robert S. Mueller, III, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice.
NOMINATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Patrick W. Dunne, of New York, to be Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf.
ADVERTISING OF MEDICAL DEVICES
Special Committee on Aging:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine direct-to-consumer medical device advertising, focusing on marketing and medicine, after receiving testimony from Daniel Schulz, Director, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; Kevin J. Bozic, University of California, San Francisco Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, on behalf of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons; William E. Boden, University at Buffalo Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Buffalo, New York; George A. Diamond, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; Ruth S. Day, Duke University Medical Cognition Laboratory, Durham, North Carolina; and Ami Gadhia, Consumers Union, and Stephen J. Ubl, Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), both of Washington, D.C.
House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced:
18 public bills, H.R. 6918-6935; and 14 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 418-419; and H. Res. 1448-1459 were introduced.
Pages H8396-97
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H8397-98
Report Filed:
A report was filed today as follows:
H. Res. 1449, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6604) to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to bring greater transparency and accountability to commodity markets (H. Rept. 110-859).
Pages H8495-96
Chaplain:
The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Danny Davis, Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Danville, Virginia.
Page H8279
National Capital Security and Safety Act:
The House passed H.R. 6842, to require the District of Columbia to revise its laws regarding the use and possession of firearms as necessary to comply with the requirements of the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller, D1109in a manner that protects the security interests of the Federal government and the people who work in, reside in, or visit the District of Columbia and does not undermine the efforts of law enforcement, homeland security, and military officials to protect the Nation's capital from crime and terrorism, by a recorded vote of 266 yeas to 152 nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 601. Consideration of the measure began on Tuesday, September 16th.
Pages H8282-86
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Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia.''.
Page H8286
Accepted:
Childers amendment in the nature of a substitute (printed in H. Rept. 110-852) that was debated on Tuesday, September 16th that strikes all after the enacting clause and inserts a complete new text entitled ``Second Amendment Enforcement Act'' (by a recorded vote of 260 ayes to 160 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 600).
Pages H8283-84
H. Res. 1434, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Tuesday, September 16th.
Suspensions:
The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures:
ADA Amendments Act of 2008:
S. 3406, to restore the intent and protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990--clearing the measure for the President;
Pages H8286-98
SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act: Agreed to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2608, to amend section 402 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to provide, in fiscal years 2009 through 2011, extensions of supplemental security income for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to collect unemployment compensation debts resulting from fraud--clearing the measure for the President;
Pages H8298-H8304
Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008: H.R. 6893, to amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to connect and support relative caregivers, improve outcomes for children in foster care, provide for tribal foster care and adoption access, improve incentives for adoption;
Pages H8304-19
Amending title 49, United States Code, to expand passenger facility fee eligibility for certain noise compatibility projects: S. 996, to amend title 49, United States Code, to expand passenger facility fee eligibility for certain noise compatibility projects--clearing the measure for the President;
Pages H8336-38
Smithsonian Institution Facilities Authorization Act of 2008: H.R. 6627, to authorize the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to carry out certain construction projects;
Pages H8350-51
Expand and Preserve Home Ownership Through Counseling Act: H.R. 3019, amended, to establish an Office of Housing Counseling to carry out and coordinate the responsibilities of the Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding counseling on homeownership and rental housing issues, to make grants to entities for providing such counseling, and to launch a national housing counseling advertising campaign;
Pages H8354-58
Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008: H.R. 5772, amended, to amend section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to improve the program under such section for supportive housing for persons with disabilities;
Pages H8358-63
National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2008: H.R. 5611, amended, to reform the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers;
Pages H8363-68
Civil Rights History Project Act of 2008: H.R. 998, amended, to direct the Librarian of Congress and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to carry out a joint project at the Library of Congress and the National Museum of African American History and Culture to collect video and audio recordings of personal histories and testimonials of individuals who participated in the Civil Rights movement;
Pages H8369-71
Expressing the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take certain additional and timely measures to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents are provided with reasonable information on how to register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections: H. Con. Res. 388, amended, to express the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take certain additional and timely measures to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents are provided with reasonable information on how to register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections;
Pages H8371-73
Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To express the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take certain additional and timely measures D1110to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents and citizens living overseas are provided with reasonable information on how to register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections.''.
Page H8373
Veteran Voting Support Act: H.R. 6625, amended, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be designated as voter registration agencies;
Pages H8373-75
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States flag flown over the United States Capitol should be lowered to half-mast one day each month in honor of the brave men and women from the United States who have lost their lives in military conflicts: H. Con. Res. 61, to express the sense of the Congress that the United States flag flown over the United States Capitol should be lowered to half-mast one day each month in honor of the brave men and women from the United States who have lost their lives in military conflicts; and
Pages H8375-77
Celebrating 75 years of effective State-based alcohol regulation and recognizing State lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the public health community and industry members for creating a workable, legal, and successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution, and sale: H. Con. Res. 415, to celebrate 75 years of effective State-based alcohol regulation and to recognize State lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the public health community and industry members for creating a workable, legal, and successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution, and sale.
Pages H8377-79
Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed:
The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures which were debated on Monday, September 15th:
Celebrating the 120-year partnership between the Government and State veterans homes:
H. Res. 1335, to celebrate the 120-year partnership between the Government and State veterans homes, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 411 yeas with none voting ``nay,'' Roll No. 602;
Pages H8351-52
Lieutenant Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic Designation Act: S. 2339, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Alpena, Michigan, as the ``Lieutenant Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic,'' by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 412 yeas with none voting ``nay,'' Roll No. 603; and
Pages H8352-53
Michael A. Marzano Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic Designation Act: H.R. 1594, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, as the Michael A. Marzano Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 410 yeas with none voting ``nay,'' Roll No. 604.
Page H8353
Authorizing and directing the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire whether the House should impeach G. Thomas Porteous, a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana:
The House agreed to discharge from committee and agree to H. Res. 1448, to authorize and direct the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire whether the House should impeach G. Thomas Porteous, a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Pages H8353-54
Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed:
The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed:
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month:
H. Res. 1432, to support the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children in foster care awaiting families, to celebrate children and families involved in adoption, to recognize current programs and efforts designed to promote adoption, and to encourage people in the United States to seek improved safety, permanency, and well-being for all children;
Pages H8319-24
Jacob M. Lowell Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6681, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 Vine Street in New Lenox, Illinois, as the ``Jacob M. Lowell Post Office Building'';
Pages H8324-25
Mayor William ``Bill'' Sandberg Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6229, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2523 7th Avenue East in North Saint Paul, Minnesota, as the ``Mayor William `Bill' Sandberg Post Office Building'';
Pages H8325-28
Army SPC Daniel Agami Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6338, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4233 West Hillsboro Boulevard in Coconut Creek, Florida, as the ``Army SPC Daniel Agami Post Office Building'';
Pages H8328-29
Mickey Mantle Post Office Building Designation Act: S. 171, to designate the facility of the D1111United States Postal Service located at 301 Commerce Street in Commerce, Oklahoma, as the ``Mickey Mantle Post Office Building'';
Pages H8329-31
CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6772, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1717 Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the ``CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building'';
Pages H8331-32
Celebrating the 221st anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America: H. Res. 1356, to celebrate the 221st anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America;
Pages H8332-36
Recognizing North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town USA'': H. Con. Res. 408, to recognize North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town USA'';
Pages H8338-41
John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2008: Agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3986, to amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts;
Pages H8341-43
Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008: H.R. 6460, amended, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for the remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern; and
Pages H8343-49
Amending Public Law 108-331 to provide for the construction and related activities in support of the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) project in Arizona: S.J. Res. 35, to amend Public Law 108-331 to provide for the construction and related activities in support of the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) project in Arizona.
Pages H8349-50
Order of Procedure:
The House agreed by unanimous consent that the motions to suspend the rules relating to the following measures be considered as adopted in the form considered by the House on Monday, September 15th:
Honoring Toby Keith's commitment to members of the Armed Forces:
H. Res. 1255, to honor Toby Keith's commitment to members of the Armed Forces;
Page H8368
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and recognizing the partnership between the City of Omaha, its citizens, and the University to build a vibrant and dynamic community: H. Res. 1372, amended, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and to recognize the partnership between the City of Omaha, its citizens, and the University to build a vibrant and dynamic community;
Page H8368
Honoring the life and music of the late Isaac Hayes, a passionate humanitarian, whose music laid the foundation for many musical styles, including R&B;, disco, and rap: H. Res. 1425, to honor the life and music of the late Isaac Hayes, a passionate humanitarian, whose music laid the foundation for many musical styles, including R&B;, disco, and rap;
Page H8368
Recognizing the FBI on their 100th anniversary: H. Con. Res. 410, to recognize the FBI on their 100th anniversary;
Page H8369
School Safety Enhancements Act of 2008: H.R. 2352, amended, to enhance the safety of elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education;
Page H8369
Tule River Tribe Water Development Act: H.R. 2535, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility and suitability of constructing a storage reservoir, outlet works, and a delivery system for the Tule River Indian Tribe of California to provide a water supply for domestic, municipal, industrial, and agricultural purposes;
Page H8369
Jackson Gulch Rehabilitation Act of 2008: H.R. 3437, amended, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the Jackson Gulch rehabilitation project in the State of Colorado;
Page H8369
Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act: H.R. 5293, amended, to approve the settlement of the water rights claims of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation in Nevada and to require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the settlement;
Page H8369
Authorizing the Secretary of Commerce to sell or exchange certain National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration property located in Norfolk, Virginia: H.R. 5350, amended, to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to sell or exchange certain National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration property located in Norfolk, Virginia;
Page H8369
Colonel Ola Lee Mize Veterans Clinic Designation Act: H.R. 5736, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Gadsden, Alabama, as the Colonel Ola Lee Mize Veterans Clinic;
Page H8369
National Silver Alert Act: H.R. 6064, amended, to encourage, enhance, and integrate Silver Alert plans throughout the United States;
Page H8369
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Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To encourage, enhance, and integrate Silver Alert plans D1112throughout the United States, to authorize grants for the assistance of organizations to find missing adults, and for other purposes.''.
Page H8369
Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program Reauthorization of 2008: H.R. 6503, to amend the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to reauthorize the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program; and
Page H8369
Extending the authority for the United States Supreme Court Police to protect court officials off the Supreme Court grounds: H.R. 6855, to extend the authority for the United States Supreme Court Police to protect court officials off the Supreme Court grounds.
Page H8369
Senate Message:
Message received from the Senate today appears on page H8331.
Senate Referrals:
S. 3023 was held at the desk and S. Con. Res. 87 was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Page H8394
Quorum Calls--Votes:
Two yea-and-nay votes and three recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H8284, H8285-86, H8351-52, H8352-53, and H8353. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment:
The House met at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
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Committee Meetings
FOOD SAFETY
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Food Safety--FDA. Testimony was heard from David Acheson, Associate Commissioner, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
ACCESS TO CABLE TV
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, on Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) Access to Cable Television. Testimony was heard from Monica Shah Desai, Media Bureau, FCC; and public witnesses.
WORKPLACE HEALTH STANDARDS
Committee on Education and Labor:
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on the Secret Rule of the Department of Labor's Worker Health Risk Assessment Proposal. Testimony was heard from Leon R. Sequeira, Assistant Secretary, Policy, Department of Labor; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Ordered reported the following bills:
H. 6469,
amended, Organ Transplant Authorization; S. 1760 Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2007; H.R. 1532, Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2007; H.R. 2994, amended. National Pain Care Policy Act of 2007; H.R. 5265, amended, Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education Amendments of 2008; H.R. 6901, Meth Free Families and Communities Act; 1014, amended, Heart Disease Education, Analysis Research, and Treatment for Women Act; H.R. 6353, amended, To amend, title VII of the Public Health Service Act to establish a loan program for eligible hospitals to establish residency training programs hospitals to establish residency training programs; H.R. 1076, HIPPA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act; and H.R. 758, amended, Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Financial Services:
Began consideration of the following bills: H.R. 6694, FHA Seller-Financed Downpayment Reform and Risk-Based Pricing Authorization Act of 2008; H.R. 6890, Payments System Protection Act of 2008; H.R. 3019, Expand and Preserve Home Ownership Through Counseling Act; H.R. 6642, National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act Amendments of 2008; and H.R. 6871, Expedited Funds Availability Dollar Limits Adjustment Act of 2008.
FORECLOSURE MITIGATION EFFORTS
Committee on Financial Services:
Held a hearing entitled ``Implementation of the Hope for Homeowners Program and A Review of Foreclosure Mitigation Efforts. ``Testimony was heard from Sheila Bair, Chairman, FDIC; Elizabeth S. Duke, Governor, Federal Reserve Board of Governors; Phillip L. Swagel, Assistant Secretary, Economic Policy, Department of the Treasury; Brian D. Montgomery Assistant Secretary, Housing Commission, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Thomas J Curry, Director, FDIC; and public witnesses.
STABILITY AND DEMOCRACY FOR GEORGIA ACT 2006
Committee on Foreign Affairs:
Approved a motion that the Chairman request that H.R. 6911, amended, Stability and Democracy for Georgia Act of 2008, be placed on the suspension Calendar.
EXPORTING TOXIC TRASH
Committee on Foreign Affairs:
Subcommittee on Asia,
the Pacific and The Global Environment held a hearing on Exporting Toxic Trash: Are We Dumping D1113Our Electronic Waste on Poorer Countries? Testimony was heard from John B. Stephenson, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO.
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TRANSPORTATION WORKERS ID
Committee on Homeland Security:
Subcommittee on Border Maritime and Global Counterterrorism held a hearing entitled ``Transportation Worker Identification Credential: A Status Update.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: RADM James Watson, USCG, Director, Prevention Policy, Marine and Surface Credentialing Safety Security and Stewardship, U.S. Coast Guard; and Masurine Fanguy, Acting Director Maritime and Surface Credential Transportation; Stephen Lord, Acting Director Homeland Security ab Justice and Jusice Issues; and public witnesses.
HOMELAND SECURITY FAILED CONTRACTS
Committee on Homeland Security:
Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight, hearing entitled ``Waste, Abuse and Mismanagement: Calculating the Cost of DHS Failed Contracts.'' Testimony was heard from Richardson K. Gunderson, Deputy Chief Procurement Office; and James L. Taylor, Deputy Inspector General, both with the Department of Homeland Secretary; John P. Hutton, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO; and public witnesses.
AMENDMENTS TO IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT TO WELL-BEING OF SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES
Committee on the Judiciary:
Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 6020, To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to protect the well-being of solders and their families, and for other purposes.
Adopted a resolution establishing a task force to conduct an inquiry into whether U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Porteous should be impeached.
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES OFFICE
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform:
Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives, hearing on Implementation of the Office of Government Information Services. Testimony was heard from Allen Weinstein, Archivist, National Archives and Records Administration; and public witnesses.
BUSINESS DISASTER SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
Committee on Small Business:
Subcommittee on Finance, and Tax held a hearing entitled ``Disaster Savings Accounts: Protections for Small Businesses During a Disaster.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
FAA AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure:
Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on FAA Aircraft Certification: Alleged Regulatory Lapses in the Certification and Manufacture of the Eclipse EA-500. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Transportation: Calvin L. Scovel III, Inspector General; Dennis Wallace, Software Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service; Ford Lauer, Manager, San Antonio Manufacturing Inspector, District Office; Maryetta Broyles, Technical Program Management Specialist, Manufacturing Inspection Office; Nicholas A. Sabatini, Associate Administrator, Aviation Safety; John J. Hickey, Director, Aircraft Certification Service; Ronald Wojnar, Senior Advisor, Aircraft Maintenance Division, Aircraft Certification Service; all with the FAA; and Tom Haueter, Director, Office of Aviation Safety, National Transportation Safety Board and a public witness.
FILIPINO VETERANS EQUITY ACT
Committee on Veterans' Affairs:
Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 6897, Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2008.
THE ``COMMODITY MARKETS TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2008''
Committee on Rules:
Granted, by a non-record vote, a closed rule providing for consideration of H.R. 6604, the ``Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act of 2008.'' The rule provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Agriculture.
The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted and that the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The resolution waives all points of order against the bill, as amended.
The resolution provides one motion to recommit the bill. The resolution permits the Chair, during consideration of the bill, to postpone further consideration of it to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Chairman Peterson of Minnesota.
[Page: D1114] GPO's PDF
Joint Meetings
ROLE OF OSCE INSTITUTIONS
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe:
Commission concluded a hearing to examine the role of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) institutions in advancing human rights and democracy, focusing on the roles of each institution, their contributions to strengthening human rights, and the challenges faced as countries seek to curtail the Organization's work, after receiving testimony from Janez Lenarcic, Office for the Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Warsaw, Poland, and R. Spencer Oliver, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly, Copenhagen, Denmark, both of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs:
to hold hearings to examine transparency in accounting, proposed changes to accounting for off-balance sheet entities, 2:30 p.m., SD-538.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:
Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security, to hold an oversight hearing to examine bus safety, 2:30 p.m., SR-253.
Committee on Environment and Public Works:
to hold oversight hearings to examine clean-up efforts at federal facilities, 10 a.m., SD-406.
Committee on Foreign Relations:
to hold hearings to examine the Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation with India, 2:30 p.m., SD-419.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
business meeting to consider S. 3474, to amend title 44, United States Code, to enhance information security of the Federal Government, S. 3384, to amend section 11317 of title 40, United States Code, to require greater accountability for cost overruns on Federal IT investment projects, H.R. 2631, to strengthen efforts in the Department of Homeland Security to develop nuclear forensics capabilities to permit attribution of the source of nuclear material, H.R. 6098, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve the financial assistance provided to State, local, and tribal governments for information sharing activities, H.R. 3815, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to make full and efficient use of open source information to develop and disseminate open source homeland security information products, S. 3176, to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide mental health and substance abuse services, an original bill to establish a controlled unclassified information framework, H.R. 6073, to provide that Federal employees receiving their pay by electronic funds transfer shall be given the option of receiving their pay stubs electronically, to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for 8 weeks of paid leave for Federal employees giving birth, S. 3350, to provide that claims of the United States to certain documents relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt shall be treated as waived and relinquished in certain circumstances, S. 3477, to amend title 44, United States Code, to authorize grants for Presidential Centers of Historical Excellence, H.R. 5975 and S. 3317, bills to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 West Main Street in Waterville, New York, as the ``Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Post Office'', H.R. 6092, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 Tallapoosa Street in Bremen, Georgia, as the ``Sergeant Paul Saylor Post Office Building'', S. 3309, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2523 7th Avenue East in North Saint Paul, Minnesota, as the Mayor William ``Bill'' Sandberg Post Office Building, H.R. 6437, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 North Texas Avenue in Odessa, Texas, as the ``Corporal Alfred Mac Wilson Post Office'', and the nominations of Ruth Y. Goldway, of California, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission, and Carol Waller Pope, of the District of Columbia, and Thomas M. Beck, of Virginia, both to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Time to be announced, Room to be announced.
Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine the homeland security risks associated with the upcoming presidential transition, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) planning for the transition, and what remains to be done to prepare for the transition, 2 p.m., SD-342.
Committee on Indian Affairs:
to hold oversight hearings to examine federal declinations to prosecute crimes in Indian country, 9:30 a.m., SD-628.
Committee on the Judiciary:
business meeting to consider S. 3259, to amend title 11, United States Code, with respect to the priority of certain high cost credit debts, H.R. 3971, to encourage States to report to the Attorney General certain information regarding the deaths of individuals in the custody of law enforcement agencies, S. Res. 540, recognizing the historical significance of the sloop-of-war USS Constellation as a reminder of the participation of the United States in the transatlantic slave trade and of the efforts of the United States to end the slave trade, the nominations of Clark Waddoups, to be United States District Judge for the District of Utah, Michael M. Anello, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, Mary Stenson Scriven, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida, Christine M. Arguello, to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado, Philip A. Brimmer, to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado, and Gregory G. Garre, of Maryland, to be Solicitor General of the United States, George W. Venables, to be United States Marshal for the Southern D1115District of California, and A. Brian Albritton, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, all of the Department of Justice, and the authorization for subpoenas relating to the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel, 10 a.m., SH-216.
[Page: D1115] GPO's PDF
Select Committee on Intelligence:
to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219.
Committee on Armed Services,
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on Lessons for Countering al Qa'ida and the Way Ahead, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ``America's Need for Health Reform,'' 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ``Science Under Siege: Scientific Integrity at the Environmental Protection Agency'' 10 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services,
hearing entitled ``Auction Rate Securities Market: A Review of Problems and Potential Resolutions,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, hearing on Families Torn Apart: Human Rights and U.S. Restrictions on Cuban-American Travel, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.
Committee on Homeland Security,
to continue hearings entitled ``Management, Missteps, and Missed Benchmarks: Why the Virtual Fence Has Not Become a Realty,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon.
Committee on the Judiciary,
Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, hearing on H.R. 5793, Cell Tax Fairness Act of 2008, 1 p.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, to markup H.R. 5607, State Secret Protection Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, hearing on the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Oversight, 11:30 a.m., 2237 Rayburn.
Committee on Natural Resources,
oversight hearing on Recent Interior Department Inspector General Investigations on Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Collections, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, oversight hearing on the Federal Court Options for American Samoa, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, hearing on Gaming the Tax Code: Public Subsidies, Private Profits, and Big League Sports in New York, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Committee on Science and Technology,
Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, hearing on the Role of Social Sciences in Public Health, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Committee on Small Business,
hearing entitled ``Making Health Care Reform Work for Small Business,'' 10:30 a.m., 1539 Longworth.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, hearing on Transportation Planning, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, hearing on Emerging Contaminants in U.S. Waters, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, hearing on Examining the Effectiveness of the Veterans Benefits Administration's Training, Performance Management and Accountability, 10 a.m., 340 Cannon.
Committee on Ways and Means,
to continue hearings on Policy Options to Prevent Climate Change, 10:30 a.m., 1100 Longworth.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,
executive, hearing on Cyber Security, 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, executive, to meet on ongoing matters/reports, 1 p.m., H-405 Capitol.
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence, executive, on Russia, 2:30 p.m., H-405 Capitol.
Select Committee on Emerging Independence and Global Warming,
hearing entitled ``The Green Road to Economic Recovery,'' 1:30 p.m., 175 Rayburn.
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Program for Thursday:
Senate will be in a period of morning business.
Program for Thursday:
To be announced.
HOUSE
Allen, Thomas H., Me., E1818
Barrett, J. Gresham, S.C., E1815, E1821
Capito, Shelley Moore, W.Va., E1814
Davis, Danny K., Ill., E1828
Drake, Thelma D., Va., E1814
Ellison, Kieth, Minn., E1814
Engel, Eliot L., N.Y., E1822
Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E1828
Everett, Terry, Ala., E1818
Foster, Bill, Ill., E1826
Franks, Trent, Ariz., E1830
Graves, Sam, Mo., E1813, E1815, E1816, E1817, E1818, E1819, E1820, E1821, E1822, E1823
Green, Al, Tex., E1818
Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E1826
Hayes, Robin, N.C., E1821
Holt, Rush D., N.J., E1824, E1825
Hulshof, Kenny C., Mo., E1823
Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E1818
Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E1825, E1829
Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E1815
Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1821
Langevin, James R., R.I., E1828
Levin, Sander M., Mich., E1826
Lewis, Ron, Ky., E1820
McCarthy, Carolyn, N.Y., E1823
McCaul, Michael T., Tex., E1816
McCollum, Betty, Minn., E1827
McGovern, James P., Mass., E1827
McMorris Rodgers, Cathy, Wash., E1821
Mahoney, Tim, Fla., E1816
Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1823
Manzullo, Donald A., Ill., E1829
Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E1813
Miller, Candice S., Mich., E1818
Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1815, E1822
Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E1824, E1826, E1829
Moran, James P., Va., E1824
Nadler, Jerrold, N.Y., E1818
Neugebauer, Randy, Tex., E1822
Pascrell, Bill, Jr., N.J., E1817
Platts, Todd Russell, Pa., E1820
Poe, Ted, Tex., E1820
Pomeroy, Earl, N.D., E1820
Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E1813
Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E1823
Sarbanes, John P., Md., E1827
Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E1816
Sessions, Pete, Tex., E1813
Shimkus, John, Ill., E1819
Shuler, Heath, N.C., E1819
Skelton, Ike, Mo., E1816
Smith, Adrian, Nebr., E1819
Speier, Jackie, Calif.,E1823
Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E1814
Thompson, Mike, Calif., E1824
Udall, Mark, Colo., E1819
Walberg, Timothy, Mich., E1822
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E1816
Westmoreland, Lynn A., Mac, Ga., E1817
Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E1825
Yarmuth, John A., Ky., E1817
Young, Don, Alaska, E1818, E1820
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