Congressional Record
105th Congress (1997-1998)
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Daily Digest - Wednesday, April 16, 1997
Wednesday, April 16, 1997
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
- House Committees ordered reported 16 sundry measures.
- The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 61, Honoring the Lifetime Achievements of Jackie Robinson.
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Senate
Chamber Action
Measures Introduced: Fourteen bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 587-600 and S. Con. Res. 21.
Page S3269Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act: By a unanimous vote of 99 yeas (Vote No. 44), Senate passed H.R. 1003, to clarify Federal law with respect to restricting the use of Federal funds in support of assisted suicide, clearing the measure for the President.
Pages S3249-65Condemning Attack in Cambodia: Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 69, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the March 30, 1997, terrorist grenade attack in Cambodia, and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S3300Graduation Data Disclosures: Committee on Labor and Human Resources was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 914, to make certain technical corrections in the Higher Education Act of 1965 relating to graduation data disclosures, and the bill was then passed after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S3300-01
Frist (for Jeffords) Amendment No. 46, relating to a date extension and to make changes in the program under title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Page S3301
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Brian Dean Curran, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique.
Olivia A. Golden, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary for Family Support, Department of Health and Human Services.
Gina McDonald, of Kansas, to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring September 17, 1998.
Bonnie O'Day, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring September 17, 1998.
Page S3301
Communications:
Pages S3268-69
Statements on Introduced Bills:
Pages S3269-94
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S3294-95
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S3295-96
Notices of Hearings:
Page S3296
Authority for Committees:
Page S3296
Additional Statements:
Pages S3296-S3300
Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--44)
Page S3265
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m., and adjourned at 5:21 p.m., until 10 a.m., on Thursday, April 17, 1997. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3301.)
Committee Meetings
APPROPRIATIONS--DEFENSE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 1998 for defense programs, focusing on the Department of the Army, receiving testimony from Togo D. West, Jr., Secretary, and Gen. Dennis J. Reimer, Chief of Staff, both of the Department of the Army.
Subcommittee will meet again on Wednesday, April 23.
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APPROPRIATIONS--FCC
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary held hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 1998 for the Federal Communications Commission, receiving testimony from Reed E. Hundt, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission.
Subcommittee will meet again tomorrow.
APPROPRIATIONS--TRANSPORTATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation and Related Agencies held hearings on aviation safety and security issues, receiving testimony from Carl Vogt, White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security; James E. Hall, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board; and Barry L. Valentine, Acting Administrator, Susan Kurland, Airports, Cathal Flynn, Civil Aviation Security, Monte Belger, Deputy Administrator, George Donahue, Research and Acquisitions, and Guy Gardner, Regulation and Certification, all of the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation.
Subcommittee will meet again on Wednesday, May 7.
APPROPRIATIONS--EDUCATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education held hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 1998 for the Department of Education, receiving testimony from Richard W. Riley, Secretary of Education; Nevada Governor Bob Miller, Carson City; Ohio Governor George Voinovich, Columbus; Robert Reiner, Castle Rock Entertainment, Hollywood, California; and Bruce Perry, Baylor School of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Subcommittee recessed subject to call.
AUTHORIZATION--DEFENSE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland Forces resumed hearings on S. 450, authorizing funds for fiscal years 1998 and 1999 for military activities of the Department of Defense, and to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal years 1998 and 1999, focusing on tactical aircraft modernization plans, receiving testimony from Cindy L. Williams, Assistant Director, National Security Division, Congressional Budget Office; George R. Schneiter, Director, Strategic and Tactical Systems, and William J. Lynn III, Director, Program Analysis and Evaluation, both of the Department of Defense; Arthur L. Money, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition; and Norman R. Augustine, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, Maryland.
Subcommittee recessed subject to call.
AUTHORIZATION--DEFENSE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held open and closed hearings on S. 450, authorizing funds for fiscal years 1998 and 1999 for military activities of the Department of Defense, and to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal years 1998 and 1999, focusing on information warfare programs, policies, and issues, receiving testimony from Joan A. Dempsey, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence; Lt. Gen. Peter Pace, USMC, Director for Operations, (J-3), Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Lt. Gen. Douglas D. Buchholz, USA, Director for Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (J-6), Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Lt. Gen. Kenneth A. Minihan, USAF, Director, National Security Agency; and Maj. Gen. David J. Kelly, USA, Vice Director, Defense Information Systems Agency.
Subcommittee recessed subject to call.
FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space held hearings on the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 1998 for Federally-funded research and development projects and to examine associated trends, receiving testimony from John H. Gibbons, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy; Albert Teich, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Claude Barfield, American Enterprise Institute, both of Washington, D.C.; and Lewis M. Branscomb, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Hearings were recessed subject to call.
EDUCATION TAX REFORM
Committee on Finance: Committee held hearings to examine certain higher education tax incentives as contained in the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 1998, and related provisions of S. 1, S. 127, and S. 559, receiving testimony from Senators Coverdell, Graham, McConnell, and Biden; Lawrence H. Summers, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury; Mississippi State Treasurer Marshall G. Bennett, Jackson, on behalf of the National Association of State Treasurers; Jennifer Long, State University of New York at Buffalo, on behalf of the American Association of Dental Schools and the American Dental Association; C. Tyler Mathisen, Money Magazine, New York, New York; John S. Barry, Heritage Foundation, Washington, D.C.; David W. Breneman, University of Virginia, Charlottesville; Michael S. McPherson, Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota; and Kathleen Thompson, Tracor, Inc., Rockville, D344Maryland, on behalf of the American Electronics Association and the Society for Human Resource Management.
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Hearings were recessed subject to call.
CENSUS 2000
Committee on Governmental Affairs: Committee held hearings to examine the constitutionality of the Census Bureau's current plans for estimating the year 2000 census, receiving testimony from Stuart M. Gerson, former Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, Department of Justice; Wisconsin Attorney General James E. Doyle, Madison; Lawrence D. Brown, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; and Charles L. Schultze, Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C.
Hearings were recessed subject to call.
TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
Committee on Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, Restructuring, and the District of Columbia concluded hearings to discuss the influence of certain television programming on children's language development, reading skills, attention span, and attitudes toward violence, sexuality, and other behaviors, and the Federal Government's role in improving the content of programming, after receiving testimony from Senator DeWine; Dale Kunkel, University of California, Santa Barbara; Jeffrey I. Cole, UCLA Center for Community Policy, Los Angeles, California; Helen K. Liebowitz, National PTA Board of Directors, Chicago, Illinois; Whitney G. Vanderwerff, National Alliance for Non-violent Programming, Greensboro, North Carolina; Michael Brody, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Washington, D.C.; and David Walsh, National Institute on Media and the Family, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee held hearings on S.J. Res. 6, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims, receiving testimony from Representatives Scott and Pryce; Janet Reno, Attorney General, Department of Justice; Wisconsin Attorney General James E. Doyle, Madison; Kansas Attorney General Carla J. Stovall, Topeka; Barbara LaWall, Office of the Pima County Attorney, Tucson, Arizona; Robert J. Humphreys, Office of the Commonwealth Attorney for Virginia Beach, Virginia, on behalf of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys; Paul G. Cassell, University of Utah College of Law, Salt Lake City; Donna F. Edwards, National Network to End Domestic Violence, Washington, D.C.; John Walsh, ``America's Most Wanted'', Arlington, Virginia; Marsha A. Kight, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Lynne Henderson, Bloomington, Indiana.
Hearings were recessed subject to call.
JUVENILE CRIME
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Youth Violence concluded hearings to examine the trend in violent juvenile crime and certain issues regarding the juvenile justice system, focusing on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's role in identifying juveniles and providing criminal history record information to criminal justice agencies, after receiving testimony from Senator Ashcroft; Charles W. Archer, Assistant Director, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice; John F. Butler, Circuit Judge, Juvenile Division, Juvenile Court of Mobile County, Alabama; Melvin Brown, Jr., Montgomery County Probation Department, Montgomery County, Texas; James Wootton, Safe Streets Coalition, Washington, D.C.; Vicki L. Wright, Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, Austin; Sheriff Edmund M. Sexton, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama; and Kenneth W. Sukhia, Tallahassee, Florida.
AUTHORIZATION--HIGHER EDUCATION
Committee on Labor and Human Resources: Committee resumed hearings on proposed legislation authorizing funds for programs of the Higher Education Act, focusing on how colleges and universities are using new technologies to extend the classroom beyond their campuses (distance learning), receiving testimony from Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt, Salt Lake City, on behalf of the Western Governors University; William H. Graves, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Muriel Oaks, Washington State University, Pullman, both on behalf of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the American Council on Education, and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges; William A. Wulf, National Academy of Engineering, Washington, D.C.; and David B. House, Saint Joseph's College of Maine, Standish.
Hearings will resume on Wednesday, April 23.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the intelligence community.
Committee will meet again tomorrow.
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House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Bills Introduced: 16 public bills, H.R. 1342-1357; and 6 resolutions, H.J. Res. 72, H. Con. Res. 63, and H. Res. 114, 115, 118, and 119, were introduced.
Pages H1610-11
Reports Filed: Reports were filed as follows:
H.R. 607, to amend the Truth in Lending Act to require notice of cancellation rights with respect to private mortgage insurance which is required by a creditor as a condition for entering into a residential mortgage transaction, amended (H. Rept. 105-55);
H. Res. 116, providing for consideration of H.R. 400, to amend title 35, United States Code, with respect to patents (H. Rept. 105-56); and
H. Res. 117, providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules (H. Rept. 105-57).
Page H1610
Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he designated Representative LaTourette to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H1545
Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 114, electing Representatives Manzullo, Foley, and Jones to the Committee on Banking and Financial Services.
Page H1545
Motions to Suspend the Rules: The House agreed to H. Res. 112, the rule providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules on Wednesday, April 16. Earlier, agreed to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 199 nays, Roll No. 79.
Pages H1549-57
Suspensions: The House voted to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Private Mortgage Insurance: H.R. 607, amended, to amend the Truth in Lending Act to require notice of cancellation rights with respect to private mortgage insurance which is required by a creditor as a condition for entering into a residential mortgage transaction (agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 421 yeas to 7 nays, Roll No. 80). Agreed to amend the title;
Pages H1557-66, H1581-82Veterans Benefits Decisions: H.R. 1090, to amend title 38, United States Code, to allow revision of veterans benefits decisions based on clear and unmistakable error;
Pages H1566-68Enhanced Use Leases: H.R. 1092, to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into enhanced-use leases for Department of Veterans Affairs property, to rename the United States Court of Veterans Appeals and the National Cemetery System;
Pages H1568-71Federal Agency Travel and Transportation Reform: H.R. 930, amended, to require Federal employees to use Federal travel charge cards for all payments of expenses of official Government travel, to amend title 31, United States Code, to establish requirements for prepayment audits of Federal agency transportation expenses, to authorize reimbursement of Federal agency employees for taxes incurred on travel or transportation reimbursements, and to authorize test programs for the payment of Federal employee travel expenses and relocation expenses;
Pages H1571-75Donation of Law Enforcement Canines: H.R. 173, amended, to amend the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize donation of surplus Federal law enforcement canines to their handlers. Agreed to amend the title;
Pages H1575-76Honoring Jackie Robinson: H. Con. Res. 61, honoring the lifetime achievements of Jackie Robinson (agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 427 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 81); and
Pages H1576-80, H1582Dos Palos, California: H.R. 111, amended, to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of unused agricultural land in Dos Palos, California, to the Dos Palos Ag Boosters for use as a farm school. Agreed to amend the title.
Pages H1580-81Bipartisan Task Force on Reform of the Ethics Process: Agreed by unanimous consent that the order of the House of February 12, 1997 be extended through April 17, 1997. On February 12, in furtherance of the understanding concerning the establishment of the ethics task force, it was made in order that during the period beginning immediately and ending on April 11, 1997: (1) the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct may not receive, renew, initiate, or investigate a complaint against the official conduct of a member, officer, or employee of the House; (2) the Committee on Standard of Official Conduct may issue advisory opinions and perform other non-investigative functions; and (3) a resolution addressing the official conduct of a member, officer, or employee of the House that is proposed to be offered from the floor by a member other than the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader as a question of the privileges of the House shall D346once noticed pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, have precedence of all other questions except motions to adjourn only at a time or place designated by the chair in the legislative schedule within two legislative days after April 11, 1997.
Page H1599
Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 118, electing Representative Torres to the Committee on Banking and Financial Services.
Page H1603
Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on pages H1612-19.
Senate Messages: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H1545.
Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of the House today and appear on pages H1556-57, H1581-82, and H1582. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: Met at 11:00 a.m. and adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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Committee Meetings
COMMODITY EXCHANGE ACT AMENDMENTS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Risk Management and Specialty Crops continued hearings on reform of the Commodity Exchange Act and provisions of H.R. 467, Commodity Exchange Act Amendments of 1997. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Federal Drug Administration, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee action Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1997.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary held a hearing on the SBA, the Economic Development Administration, the Minority Business Development Agency, the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the EEOC. Testimony was heard from Aida Alvarez, Administrator, SBA; and the following officials of the Department of Commerce, Phillip A. Singerman, Assistant Secretary, Economic Development Administration; and Paul R. Weber, Assistant Director, Minority Business Development Agency; John D. Holum, Director, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; and Gilbert F. Casellas, Chairman, EEOC.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development approved for full Committee action Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1997.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior concluded appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security approved for full Committee action Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1997.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Ballistic Missile Defense. Testimony was heard from Gen. Lester Lyles, USA, Director, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, Department of Defense.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies approved for full Committee action Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1997.
The Subcommittee also concluded hearings on the EPA. Testimony was heard from Carol M. Browner, Administrator, EPA.
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Continued markup of H.R. 2, Housing Opportunity and Responsibility Act of 1997.
Will continue tomorrow.
LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND AMENDMENTS ACT
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported H.R. 688, Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Amendments of 1997.
COMMON CENTS STOCK PRICING ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials concluded hearings on H.R. 1053, the Common Cents Stock Pricing Act of D3471997. Testimony was heard from William Johnston, President, New York Stock Exchange; Tom Ryan, President, American Stock Exchange; Robert M. Greber, Chairman and CEO, Pacific Exchange; and public witnesses.
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OSHA'S METHYLENE CHLORIDE RULE
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on OSHA's Methylene Chloride rule. Testimony was heard from Emily Sheketoff, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Labor; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--NURSING HOMES HEALTH CARE
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human Resources and Intergovernmental Relations held an oversight hearing on Health Care in Nursing Homes. Testimony was heard from George Grob, Deputy Inspector General, Evaluations and Inspections, Department of Health and Human Services; Leslie Aronovitz, Associate Director, Health Financing and Systems Issues, GAO; Steven Wiggs, Assistant Attorney General, State of Arizona; Stephen M. Spahr, Deputy Attorney General, Director, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, State of New York; and public witnesses.
PARTICULAR MATTER AND OZONE--EPA'S PROPOSED STANDARDS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing on ``EPA's Proposed Standards for Particulate Matter and Ozone: Is EPA Above the Law?'' Testimony was heard from George Voinovich, Governor, Ohio; Jeffrey Schoenberg, Representative, State of Illinois; Richard Brodski, Assemblyman, State of New York; Richard Russman, Senator, State of New Hampshire; Susan Golding, Mayor, San Diego, California; Frances Monk, Mayor, Port Neches, Texas; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue April 23.
POSTAL REFORM ACT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Postal Service held a hearing on H.R. 22, Postal Reform Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
DORNAN V. SANCHEZ
Committee on House Oversight: Began consideration of motions on subpoenas issued in connection with the Contested Election in the Forty-sixth District of California.
ZAIRE
Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered and adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that H. Res. 115, amended, concerning the promotion of peace, stability, and democracy in Zaire, be considered on the Suspension Calendar.
BURMESE REFUGEES IN THAILAND
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights held a hearing on Burmese Refugees in Thailand. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--BANKRUPTCY SYSTEM
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held an oversight hearing on the operation of the bankruptcy system and a status report from the National Bankruptcy Review Commission. Testimony was heard from Brady C. Williamson, Chairman, National Bankruptcy Review Commission; George Paine, Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Middle District, Tennessee, Administrative Office of the United States Courts; and public witnesses.
QUADRENNIAL DEFENSE REVIEW AND NATIONAL DEFENSE PANEL
Committee on National Security: Held a hearing on Quadrennial Defense Review and National Defense Panel. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the National Defense Panel, Philip A. Odeen, Chairman; Adm. David Jeremiah, USN (Rtd.) and Andrew Krepinevich, both members of the Panel.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Con. Res. 8, amended, expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the significance of maintaining the health and stability of coral reef ecosystems; H.R. 39, African Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1997; H.R. 408, amended, International Dolphin Conservation Program Act; H.R. 449, amended, Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1997; and H.R. 478, amended, Flood Prevention and Family Protection Act of 1997.
21ST CENTURY PATENT SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote an open rule providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 400, 21st Century Patent System Improvement Act. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order the Committee on the Judiciary amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed in the bill and modified by section 2 D348of the rule. The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute, as modified, and provides that it shall be considered as read.
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The rule provides for priority in recognition for those amendments that are pre-printed in the Congressional Record prior to their consideration on the floor. The rule also allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to reduce votes to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Hyde, Representatives Coble, Rohrabacher, Conyers and Frank of Massachusetts.
SUSPENSIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted by voice vote a resolution providing for the consideration of motions to suspend the rules on Wednesday, April 23, 1997 and Thursday April 24, 1997. Any matter to be considered under suspension will be announced from the House floor at least one hour prior to consideration. The rule provides that the Speaker or his designee will consult with the Majority Leader or his designee on any suspension considered under this resolution.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 363, to amend section 2118 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to extend the Electric and Magnetic Fields Research and Public Information Dissemination Program; H.R. 437, amended, Marine Resources Revitalization Act; H.R. 1271, amended, FAA Research, Engineering, and Development Authorization Act of 1997; H.R. 1272, amended, Fire Administration Authorization Act of 1997; H.R. 1273, amended, National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1997; H.R. 1274, amended, National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 1997; H.R. 1275, amended, Civilian Space Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999; H.R. 1276, amended, Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1997; H.R. 1277, Department of Energy Civilian Research and Development Act of 1997; and H.R. 1278, amended, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1997.
PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS--HEALTH PROBLEMS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a joint hearing on health problems of Persian Gulf War Veterans and possible exposure to chemical warfare agents. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Bernard Rostker, Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary, Gulf War Illness; Col. Thomas P. Leavitt, USA, Chief, Inspections Division, Inspector General, Department of the Army; and Col. Joe Huber, USA, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Army, Operations; Robert D. Walpole, Chief, Persian Gulf Task Force, CIA; and public witnesses.
ADOPTION PROMOTION ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Human Resources approved for full Committee action H.R. 867, amended, Adoption Promotion Act of 1997.
ELECTRONIC FEDERAL TAX PAYMENT SYSTEM
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. Testimony was heard from Representatives Hastings of Washington and Linda Smith of Washington; the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: James E. Donelson, Chief, Taxpayer Service, IRS; and Russell D. Morris, Commissioner, Financial Management Service; and public witnesses.
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, to hold hearings on crop and revenue insurance issues, 9 a.m., SR-332. Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, to hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 1998 for the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, 9 a.m., SD-192.
Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government, to hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 1998 for the Department of the Treasury, focusing on law enforcement programs, 9:30 a.m., SD-124.
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, to hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 1998 for foreign assistance programs, focusing on Korea, Burma, and Hong Kong, 10:30 a.m., SD-138.
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary, to hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 1998 for the Supreme Court of the United States and the Judiciary, 1:30 p.m., S-146, Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Readiness, to resume hearings on S. 450, the National Defense D349Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999, focusing on the status of the operational readiness of the U.S. military forces, 10 a.m., SR-222.
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Committee on Finance, to hold hearings on certain revenue raising provisions of the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 1998, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Foreign Relations, to resume hearings on the ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (Treaty Doc. 103-21), 10 a.m., SD-419.
Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, to hold hearings to review U.S. efforts relating to the proliferation of Iran, 2 p.m., SD-419. Committee on Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, Restructuring and the District of Columbia, to hold hearings to examine opportunities for improvement in the public schools of the District of Columbia, 9:15 a.m., SD-342.
Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation and Federal Services, to resume hearings (in closed session) to examine China's proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related technology, missile delivery systems, and advanced conventional weapons, 10:30 a.m., S-407, Capitol. Committee on the Judiciary, business meeting, to consider pending calendar business, 10 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Labor and Human Resources, Subcommittee on Employment and Training, to hold hearings to examine innovations in youth training, 9:30 a.m., SD-430. Committee on Rules and Administration, business meeting, to consider the committee's course of action concerning petitions filed in connection with a contested U.S. Senate election held in Louisiana in November 1996, 9:30 a.m., SR-301. Committee on Veterans Affairs, to hold hearings to examine Persian Gulf War issues, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Select Committee on Intelligence, to hold closed hearings on intelligence matters, 2 p.m., SH-219.
For a listing of Senate committee meetings scheduled ahead, see pages E686-87 in today's Record.
Committee on Agriculture, to consider Conservation Reserve Program legislation, 1 p.m., 1300 Longworth.
Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, hearing on the status of NAFTA with Canada and Mexico, 9:30 p.m., 1302 Longworth.
Subcommittee on Risk Management and Specialty Crops, to continue hearings on reform of the Commodity Exchange Act and provisions of H.R. 467, Commodity Exchange Act Amendments of 1997, 9 a.m., 1300 Longworth. Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary, on public witnesses, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., H-309 Capitol.
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs, on Export Finance Agencies, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, on public witnesses, 10 a.m., and 2 p.m., 2358 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on National Security, on Congressional and public witnesses, 9:30 a.m., H-140 Rayburn. Committee on Banking and Financial Services, to continue mark up of H.R. 2, Housing Opportunity and Responsibility Act of 1997, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Commerce, Subcommittee on Health and Environment and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to continue joint hearings on Review of EPA's Proposed Ozone and Particulate Matter NAAQS Revisions, 11 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families, hearing on food safety in the School Lunch Program, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on International Relations, to continue hearings on ``Does U.N. Peacekeeping Serve U.S. Interests?'' (Part II), 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 874, to provide that Oregon may not tax compensation paid to a resident of Washington for services as a Federal employee at a Federal hydroelectric facility located on the Columbia River; and H.R. 865, to provide that Kentucky may not tax compensation paid to a resident of Tennessee for services as a Federal employee at Fort Campbell, KY, 10 a.m., 2237 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on the Constitution, hearing on H.R. 589, Fair Housing Reform and Freedom of Speech Act of 1997, 10 a.m., 2226 Rayburn. Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, oversight hearing on Forest Service Budget, 2:30 p.m., 1324 Longworth.
Subcommittee on Water and Power, oversight hearing on the CALFED Bay-Delta Program and the fiscal year 1998 federal funding request for the program, 9:30 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Rules, Subcommittee on Rules and Organization of the House, hearing on Civility in the House of Representatives, 10 a.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Government Programs and Oversight and Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Paperwork Reduction, to continue joint hearings on Federal Agency Compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act: Are Federal Agencies Using ``Good Science'' In Their Making?, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing on sexual harassment issues involving senior career managers within the VA, 9:30 a.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Health, hearing on Issues Relating to Medicare's Coverage Policy, 1 p.m., 1100 Longworth.
[Page: D350] GPO's PDF
Program for Thursday: After the recognition of certain Senators for speeches and the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 2 p.m.), Senate may consider S. 495, Chemical and Biological Weapons Threat Reduction Act.
Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 400, 21st Century Patent System Improvement Act (open rule, 1 hour of debate).
HOUSE
Bentsen, Ken, Tex., E679
Berman, Howard L., Calif., E677
Bilirakis, Michael, Fla., E683
Coble, Howard, N.C., E681
Dellums, Ronald V., Calif., E673
Emerson, Jo Ann, Mo., E671, E674
Filner, Bob, Calif., E675, E676, E677, E679, E680, E681
Foglietta, Thomas M., Pa., E674
Gekas, George W., Pa., E671
Gingrich, Newt, Ga., E677
Hamilton, Lee H., Ind., E672
Hill, Rick, Mont., E682
Hunter, Duncan, Calif., E681
Johnson, Nancy L., Conn., E675
Kennedy, Joseph P., II, Mass., E676
Kleczka, Gerald D., Wisc., E674
Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E680
Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E673
LaFalce, John J., N.Y., E674
Lewis, John, Ga., E682
Lipinski, William O., Ill., E682
McDermott, Jim, Wash., E673
McIntosh, David M., Ind., E681
McNulty, Michael R., N.Y., E675
Packard, Ron, Calif., E672
Pappas, Michael, N.J., E675
Radanovich, George P., Calif., E673
Sabo, Martin Olav, Minn., E676
Sanchez, Loretta, Calif., E682
Schumer, Charles E., N.Y., E676
Shaw, E. Clay, Jr., Fla., E683
Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E680
Stokes, Louis, Ohio, E683
Strickland, Ted, Ohio, E679
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