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Daily Digest - Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

[Page: D198]  GPO's PDF

Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 510-521, S.J. Res. 13, and S. Res. 62.

Page S2691 

Measures Reported:

Special Report entitled ``Report on the Activities of the Committee on Armed Services, 110th Congress, First and Second Sessions''. (S. Rept. No. 111-5)

Page S2691 

Measures Passed:

Stanley J. Roszkowski United States Courthouse: Senate passed S. 520, to designate the United States Courthouse under construction at 327 South Church Street, Rockford, Illinois, as the ``Stanley J. Roszkowski United States Courthouse''.

Page S2721 

Measures Considered:

Omnibus Appropriations Act: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 1105, making omnibus appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:

Pages S2652-58, S2659-78 

Pages S2652-58 

Pages S2659-63 

Pages S2663-64, S2673-74 

Pages S2667-68 

Pages S2668-69 

Pages S2669, S2670-73 

Pages S2669-70 

Pages S2674-76, S2678 

Pages S2676-77 

Pages S2677-78 

Page S2721 

Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Seth David Harris, of New Jersey, to be Deputy Secretary of Labor.
21 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
10 Marine Corps nominations in the rank of general.

Pages S2721-22 

Messages from the House:

Page S2691 

Measures Referred:

Page S2691 

Additional Cosponsors:

Pages S2691-92 

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:

Pages S2692-S2718 

Amendments Submitted:

Pages S2718-21 

Authorities for Committees to Meet:

Page S2721 

Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--76)

Pages S2657, S2663, S2674 

Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:24 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. (For Senate's program, see the D199remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S2721.)

[Page: D199]  GPO's PDF

DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS

Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine acquisition of major weapons systems by the Department of Defense, and S. 454, to improve the organization and procedures of the Department of Defense for the acquisition of major weapon systems, after receiving testimony from Michael J. Sullivan, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, Government Accountability Office; Jacques S. Gansler, former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, Defense Science Board Task Force on Industrial Structure for Transportation, College Park, Maryland; Paul G. Kaminski, National Research Council, Fairfax Station, Virginia; and Charles Adolph, Defense Science Board Task Force on Developmental Test and Evaluation, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine consumer protections in financial services, after receiving testimony from Steve Bartlett, Financial Services Roundtable, and Ellen Seidman, New America Foundation, both of Washington, D.C.; and Patricia A. McCoy, University of Connecticut School of Law, Hartford.

ECONOMIC AND BUDGET CHALLENGES

Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a hearing to examine economic and budget challenges for the short and long term, after receiving testimony from Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

SMART GRID TECHNOLOGIES AND INITIATIVES

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the progress on smart grid initiatives authorized in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and funded in the stimulus bill, and opportunities and impediments in installation of smart grid technologies, after receiving testimony from Suedeen G. Kelly, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Patrick D. Gallagher, Deputy Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce; Patricia Hoffman, Acting Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability; Frederick F. Butler, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Newark, on behalf of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners; Edward Lu, Google, Inc., Mountain View, California; Katherine Hamilton, The GridWise Alliance, Washington, D.C.; and Evan R. Gaddis, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Rosslyn, Virginia.

IRANIAN POLITICAL AND NUCLEAR REALITIES

Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine Iranian political and nuclear realities and United States policy options, after receiving testimony from Frank G. Wisner, former United States Ambassador to Zambia, Egypt, the Philippines, and India, and Richard N. Haass, Council on Foreign Relations, both of New York, New York; Mark Fitzpatrick, International Institute for Strategic Studies, London, United Kingdom; and Karim Sadjadpour, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, D.C.

INTELLIGENCE

Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community.

[Page: D200]  GPO's PDF

Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 37 public bills, H.R. 1253-1289; 2 private bills, H.R. 1290-1291; and 12 resolutions, H.J. Res. 27-36; and H. Res. 203-204 were introduced.

Pages H2923-25

Additional Cosponsors:

Pages H2925-26

Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today.

Recess: The House recessed at 10:55 a.m. and reconvened at 12 noon.

Page H2889

Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Lawrence L. Vollink, National Chaplain, American Legion, Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Pages H2889-90

Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and agree to the following measures:
Honoring the life and service of Dr. William Spoelhof, president emeritus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan: H. Res. 91, amended, to honor the life and service of Dr. William Spoelhof, president emeritus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and

Pages H2893-94

Pages H2894-95, H2900-01 

Recess: The House recessed at 1:05 p.m. and reconvened at 3:31 p.m.

Page H2899

Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures which were debated on Monday, March 2nd:
Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act: H.R. 146, amended, to amend the American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996 to establish a battlefield acquisition grant program for the acquisition and protection of nationally significant battlefields and associated sites of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 394 yeas to 13 nays, Roll No. 91 and

Page H2899

Page H2899

Pages H2899-H2900

Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed:
Designating March 2, 2009, as ``Read Across America Day'': H. Res. 146, to designate March 2, 2009, as ``Read Across America Day'' and

Pages H2895-97

Pages H2897-98

Privileged Resolution--Intent to Offer: Representative Flake announced his intent to offer a privileged resolution.

Page H2901

Investigative Subcommittees of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: The Chair announced that the Speaker named the following Members of the House of Representatives to be available to serve on investigative subcommittees of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct for the 111th Congress: Representatives Baldwin, Carnahan, Cleaver, Davis (CA), Ellison, Gonzalez, Hirono, and Miller (NC).

Page H2901

Investigative Subcommittees of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Read a letter from Representative Boehner, Minority Leader, in which he designated the following Members of the House of Representatives to be available for service on the investigative subcommittees of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct during the 111th Congress: Representatives Bishop (UT), Blackburn, Crenshaw, Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL), Latham, Lucas, Myrick, Simpson, and Walden.

Pages H2901-02

Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H2890. D201

Senate Referrals: S. Con. Res. 9 was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and S.J. Res. 12 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Page H2922

Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2899, H2900, H2900-01. There were no quorum calls.

Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 6:21 p.m.

[Page: D201]  GPO's PDF

COMMERCE JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Science Overview. Testimony was heard from Ralph Cicerone, President, National Academy of Sciences.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing The Place of NASA Science in the Overall Science Enterprise. Testimony was heard Leonard Fish, former Associate Administrator, Space Science and Applications; and a public witness.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Programs. Testimony was heard from Ellen Embry, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Force Heath Protection; GEN Loree Sutton, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on Health Services for Detainees in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Custody. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Dora Schirio, Special Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security; and the following officials of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Jim Hayes, Director, Office of Detention and Removal Operation; CAPT Jose Rodreguez, Director, Division of Immigrant Health Services; and Alicia Puente Cackley, Director, Health Care, GAO.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Commttee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of the Interior Oversight. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the GAO: Robin Nazzaro, Director, for Natural Resources and Environment and Frank Russo, Director for Natural Resources and Environment; and Mary Kendall, Acting Inspector General, Department of the Interior.

RECRUITING, RETENTION AND END STRENGTH OVERVIEW

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on recruiting, retention and end strength overview. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Curtis Gilroy, Director, Accessions Policy, Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness; LTG Michael D. Rochelle, USA, Deputy Chief Of Staff, Headquarters, U.S. Army; VADM Mark E. Ferguson III, USN, Chief of Navy Operations, Total Force; LTG Richard S. Coleman, USMC, Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; LTG Richard Y. Newton, III, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Personnel, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force; LTG Clyde A. Vaughn, ARNG, Director, Army National Guard; LTG Jack C. Stultz, USAR, Chief U.S. Army Reserve and Commanding General; U.S. Army Reserve Command; VADM Dirk J. Debbink, USN, Chief, Navy Reserve; LTG John W. Bergman, USMCR, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve; LTG Harry M. Wyatt, III, ANG Director, Air National Guard; Charles E. Stenner, Jr., AFR, Chief, Air Force Reserve; and RADM, Daniel R. May, USCG, Chief, Coast Guard Reserve Forces.

DOD FUEL DEMAND MANAGEMENT

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on Department of Defense fuel demand management at forward management at forward-deployed locations and operational initiatives. Testimony was heard from Alan R. Shaffer, Acting Director, Defense Research and Engineering, Department of Defense; and William M. Solis, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, GAO.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on Special Operations Forces: Challenges and Opportunities. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

PRESIDENT'S FY 2010 BUDGET

Committee on the Budget, Held a hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget. Testimony was heard from Peter Orszag, Director, OMB.

[Page: D202]  GPO's PDF

ENCOURAGING FAMILY-FRIENDLY WORKFORCE POLICIES

Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on Encouraging Family-Friendly Workplace Policies. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

U.S.-BOLIVIA RELATIONS

Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere held a hearing on U.S.-Bolivia Relations: Looking Ahead. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

FEMA's GULF COAST REBUILDING

Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response held a hearing entitled ``FEMA's Gulf Coast Rebuilding Efforts: The Path Forward.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: David Garratt, Acting Deputy Administrator, and James Walke, Acting Assistant Administrator, both with FEMA's Disaster Assistance Directorate; Stanley J. Czerwinski, Director, Strategic Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

MANAGING OUR OCEAN AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife held an oversight hearing entitled ``Managing Our Ocean and Wildlife Resources in a Dynamic Environment: Priorities for the New Administration and the 111th Congress.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

ROLE OF FEDERAL LANDS IN COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE

Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held an oversight hearing entitled ``The Role of Federal Lands in Combating Climate Change.'' Testimony was heard from Gail Kimbell, Chief, Forest Service, USDA; Thomas R. Armstrong, Senior Advisory, Global Change Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1018, To amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to improve the management and long-term health of wild free-roaming horses and burros; and H.R. 409, To provide for the conveyance of certain Bureau of Land Management land in the state of Nevada to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Testimony was heard from Ed Roberson, Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

VA HEALTH LEGISLATION

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 784, To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress quarterly reports on vacancies in mental health professional positions in Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities; H.R. 785, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide outreach and training to certain college and university mental health centers relating to the mental health of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and other draft legislation. Testimony was heard from Representatives Tsongas, Filner, and Herseth Sandlin; Gerald M. Cross, MD, Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Health, Department of Veterans Affairs, and public witnesses.

VA DOCUMENT TAMPERING/MISHANDLING

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation held a joint hearing on Document Tampering and Mishandling at the Veterans Benefits Administration. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Belinda Finn, Assistant Inspector General, Auditing, Office of Inspector General; and Michael Walcoff, Deputy Under Secretary, Benefits; Veterans Benefits Administration; and public witnesses.

PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2010 BUDGET OVERVIEW

Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Overview. Testimony was heard from Timothy F. Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury.
Hearings continue tomorrow.

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: to hold hearings to examine improving nutrition for America's children in difficult economic times, 9:30 a.m., SH-216.

[Page: D203]  GPO's PDF

Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine the President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2010, 10 a.m., SD-215.
Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold closed briefing to examine Iran status report, focusing on nuclear and political issues, 2:30 p.m., SVC-217.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold hearings to examine systemic risk and breakdown of financial governance, 9 a.m., SD-342.

Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to hold hearings to examine tax haven banks and United States tax compliance, focusing on obtaining names of United States clients with Swiss Accounts, 2:30 p.m., SH-216.
Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine getting to the truth through a nonpartisan commission of inquiry, 10 a.m., SD-106.
Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine health reform in an aging America, 10 a.m., SD-562.

Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, on the Place of NOAA Science in the Overall Science Enterprise, 10 a.m., H-309 Capitol.

Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies, on Department of Energy: Project Management Oversight, 2 p.m., 2362B Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, on EPA Oversight, 2 p.m., B-308 Rayburn.
Committee on Energy and Commerce, to mark up the following measures: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act; Dextromethorphan Distribution Act; Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act; Health Insurance Restrictions and Limitations Clarification Act; H.R. 20, Melanie Blocker Stokes Mom's Opportunity to Access Health Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act; H.R. 479, Wakefield Act; H.R. 577, Vision Care for Kids Act of 2009; H.R. 756, National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009; H.R. 914, Physician Workforce Enhancement Act of 2009; H.R. 1210, Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act, and H.R. 307, Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, hearing entitled ``TARP Oversight: Is TARP Working for Main Street?'' 2:30 p.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Homeland Security, hearing entitled ``Examining 287(g): The Role of State and Local Law Enforcement in Immigration Law,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon.
Committee on the Judiciary, hearing on H.R. 848, Performance Rights Act, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Committee on Natural Resources, hearing on H. J. Res. 18, Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, relating to interagency cooperation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, hearing on Afghanistan and Pakistan: Understanding a Complex Threat Environment, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Committee on Science and Technology, hearing on 21st Century Water Planning: the Importance of a Coordinated Federal Approach, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Committee on Small Business, hearing entitled ``The State of the Renewable Fuels Industry in the Current Economy,'' 1 p.m., 2360 Rayburn.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to mark up the following measure: ``Water Quality Investment Act of 2009'', 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, , Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, hearing on the following bills: H.R. 147, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans; H.R. 228, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a scholarship program for students seeking a degree or certificate in the areas of visual impairment and orientation and mobility; H.R. 297, Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Subsistence Allowance Improvement Act of 2009; H.R. 466, Wounded Veteran Job Security Act; H.R. 929, To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program of training to provide eligible veterans with skills relevant to the job market; H.R. 942, Veterans Self-Employment Act of 2009; H.R. 950, To amend chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, to increase educational assistance for certain veterans pursuing a program of education offered through distance learning; H.R. 1088, Mandatory Veterans Specialist Training Act of 2009; H.R. 1089, Veterans Employment Rights Realignment Act of 2009; and other draft legislation, 1 p.m., 340 Cannon.
Committee on Ways and Means, To continue hearings on the overview of the President's Budget proposals for fiscal year 2010, 2 p.m., 1100 Longworth.
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, hearing entitled ``Preparing for Copenhagen: How Developing Countries Are Fighting Climate Change'', 9:30 a.m., 210 Cannon.

[Page: D204]  GPO's PDF

Program for Wednesday: Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 1105, Omnibus Appropriations Act.
(Senate will recess from 10:40 a.m. until 12 p.m. for a Joint Meeting of Congress to receive an address from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Senators will meet in the Senate Chamber at 10:30 a.m. to proceed as a body to the House of Representatives at 10:40 a.m.)

Program for Wednesday: Joint Meeting with the Senate to receive an Address from the Right Honorable Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

HOUSE

Abercrombie, Neil, Hawaii, E525

Arcuri, Michael A., N.Y., E530

Baca, Joe, Calif., E524

Barrett, J. Gresham, S.C., E535

Braley, Bruce L., Iowa, E534

Brown, Henry E., Jr., S.C., E519

Buchanan, Vern, Fla., E529

Capuano, Michael E., Mass., E534

Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E536

Crenshaw, Ander, Fla., E520

Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E528

Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E524

Giffords, Gabrielle, Ariz., E532

Granger, Kay, Tex., E526

Graves, Sam, Mo., E534

Halvorson, Deborah L., Ill., E534

Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E527

Hirono, Mazie K., Hawaii, E532

Kanjorski, Paul E., Pa., E525, E527, E531, E533

Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E532

King, Peter T., N.Y., E532, E537

King, Steve, Iowa, E533

Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E530

Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E536

Lance, Leonard, N.J., E526

Lungren, Daniel E., Calif., E528

Mack, Connie, Fla., E526

Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E529, E532, E533

Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E535

Moran, Jerry, Kans., E531

Nadler, Jerrold, N.Y., E530

Platts, Todd Russell, Pa., E528

Roybal-Allard, Lucille, Calif., E529

Ryan, Tim, Ohio, E533

Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr., Wisc., E526

Sestak, Joe, Pa., E524, E534

Spratt, John M., Jr., S.C., E537

Tauscher, Ellen O., Calif., E528

Terry, Lee, Nebr., E525

Thompson, Bennie G., Miss., E528

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