Congressional Record
111th Congress (2009-2010)
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Daily Digest - Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
- See Resume of Congressional Activity.
[Page: D383] GPO's PDF
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S4111-S4230
Measures Introduced:
Twenty-three bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 758-780, S. Res. 97, and S. Con. Res. 16.
Pages S4171-72
Measures Passed:
Authorizing Use of Capitol Rotunda:
Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 54, permitting the use of the Rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.
Page S4226
Commemorating 90 Years of U.S.-Polish Diplomatic Relations: Senate agreed to S. Res. 9, commemorating 90 years of U.S.-Polish diplomatic relations, during which Poland has proven to be an exceptionally strong partner to the United States in advancing freedom around the world.
Page S4227
Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of NATO: Senate agreed to S. Res. 20, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Page S4227
Parliamentary Elections in Moldova: Senate agreed to S. Res. 56, urging the Government of Moldova to ensure a fair and democratic election process for the parliamentary elections on April 5, 2009.
Pages S4227-28
Measures Considered:
Budget Resolution--Agreement:
Senate continued consideration of S. Con. Res. 13, setting forth the congressional budget for the U.S. Government for fiscal year 2010, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2009, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2011 through 2014, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:
Pages S4112-64
Adopted:
Lincoln Amendment No. 775, to enhance future GI Bill benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserve by ensuring those benefits keep pace with the national average cost of tuition.
Pages S4121-22
Lincoln Amendment No. 774, to provide a deficit-neutral reserve fund for improving child welfare.
Pages S4122-23
Lieberman Amendment No. 763, to protect the American people from potential spillover violence from Mexico by providing $550 million in additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice and supporting the Administration's efforts to combat drug, gun, and cash smuggling by the cartels, by providing: $260 million for Customs and Border Protection to hire, train, equip, and deploy additional officers and canines and conduct exit inspections for weapons and cash; $130 million for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hire, train, equip and deploy additional investigators; $50 million to Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to hire, train, equip, and deploy additional agents and inspectors; $20 million for the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center; $10 million for the Office of International Affairs and the Management Directorate at DHS for oversight of the Merida Initiative; $30 million for Operation Stonegarden; $10 million to the Department of Justice for competitive grants to support local, State, and Tribal law enforcement agencies located along the southern border and in High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas to address drug-related criminal activity; $20 million to DHS for tactical radio communications; and $20 million for upgrading the Traveler Enforcement Communications System.
Pages S4112, S4144, S4145
Casey Amendment No. 783, to establish a reserve fund to fully fund the Long-Term Stability/Housing for Victims Program.
Pages S4113-14, S4146
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Kerry/Lugar Amendment No. 732, to restore full funding for the President's request for the international affairs budget, in support of development programs in Pakistan and Afghanistan, nuclear nonproliferation, foreign assistance, fighting global AIDS, promoting sustainable development, and other efforts, with an offset.
Pages S4117-19, S4146
Isakson Amendment No. 762, to provide for a deficit-neutral reserve fund for providing a nonrefundable Federal income tax credit for the purchase of a principal residence during a 1-year period.
Pages S4128-29, S4146
Shaheen Amendment No. 776, to establish a reserve fund for monitoring of FHA-insured lending.
Pages S4129-30, S4146
By a unanimous vote of 98 yeas (Vote No. 121), Ensign Amendment No. 804, to protect middle-income taxpayers from tax increases by providing a point of order against legislation that increase taxes on them, including taxes that arise, directly or indirectly, from Federal revenues derived from climate change or similar legislation.
Pages S4114-17, S4146-47
By 82 yeas to 16 nays (Vote No. 122), Cornyn Amendment No. 806, to protect small businesses from higher taxes.
Page S4119-21, S4147, S4150-51
Reed Amendment No. 836, to increase funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by $1.9 billion in FY 2010.
Pages S4135-41, S4148
By 67 yeas to 31 nays (Vote No. 126), Johanns Amendment No. 735, to prohibit the use of reconciliation in the Senate for climate change legislation involving a cap and trade system.
Pages S4112, S4141-44, S4149-50
Rejected:
By 43 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 119), Alexander Amendment No. 747, to create runaway debt point of order against consideration of a budget resolution that projects the ratio of public debt to GDP for any fiscal year in excess of 90 percent to ensure the continued viability of U.S. dollar and prevent doubling or tripling the debt burden on future generations.
Pages S4112, S4145
By 40 yeas to 58 nays (Vote No. 120), Sessions Modified Amendment No. 772, to restore the budget discipline of the Federal Government by freezing nondefense discretionary spending for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, and limiting the growth of nondefense discretionary spending to 1 percent annually for fiscal years 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Pages S4112, S4144-46
By 44 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 123), Gregg Amendment No. 835, to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to address our Nation's long term fiscal problems.
Pages S4123-25, S4129, S4147-48
By 43 yeas to 55 nays (Vote No. 124), Crapo Amendment No. 844, to protect the fiscal discipline on discretionary spending exercised by the reported budget resolution by extending the resolution's discretionary spending limits to exactly the same level as already assumed in the resolution to make sure that debt is not increased further than contemplated by this budget resolution as a result of subsequent budget resolutions or appropriation bills.
Pages S4130-35, S4148
By 44 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 127), Kyl Amendment No. 793, to protect all patients by prohibiting the use of data obtained from comparative effectiveness research to deny coverage of items or services under Federal health care programs and to ensure that comparative effectiveness research accounts for advancement in genomics and personalized medicine, the unique needs of health disparity populations, and differences in the treatment response and the treatment preferences of patients.
Pages S4125-28, S4150
Pending:
Ensign Amendment No. 805, to require certain higher-income beneficiaries enrolled in the Medicare prescription drug benefit to pay higher premiums, as is currently required for physicians' services and outpatient services, and as proposed in the budget of the U.S. Government most recently submitted by the President.
Page S4132
McCain Amendment No. 882, in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S4151-53
During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action:
By 42 yeas to 56 nays (Vote No. 125), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with respect to Whitehouse/Boxer Amendment No. 869, relative to a deficit-neutral reserve fund to invest in clean energy and preserve the environment. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment was in violation of section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell.
Pages S4148-49
A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the resolution at 10 a.m., on Thursday, April 2, 2009, and that there be 90 minutes remaining for debate, equally divided and controlled between the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on the Budget, or their designees; with 40 minutes of that time for debate relative to the McCain Amendment No. 882 (listed above), with 20 minutes deducted for each manager, with the time for debate on McCain Amendment No. 882, equally divided and controlled D385in the usual form; provided that the vote sequence of amendments be established with the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on the Budget, concurring on any order; provided that during any sequence of votes established, that there be 2 minutes of debate prior to any vote, equally divided and controlled in the usual form; provided further, that after the first vote in any sequence, the remaining votes be 10 minutes in duration.
Page S4228
Civil Access to Justice Act--Referral Agreement:
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration S. 718, to amend the Legal Services Corporation Act to meet special needs of eligible clients, provide for technology grants, improve corporate practices of the Legal Services Corporation, and the bill then be referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Page S4226
Messages from the House:
Pages S4169-70
Measures Referred:
Page S4170
Executive Reports of Committees:
Pages S4170-71
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S4172-74
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S4174-97
Additional Statements:
Pages S4168-69
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S4197-S4226
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Page S4226
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S4226
Record Votes:
Nine record votes were taken today. (Total--127)
Page S4145, S4146, S4146-47, S4147, S4148, S4149, S4149-50, S4150
Adjournment:
Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 8:56 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2009. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S4228.)
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Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Kathleen A. Merrigan, of Massachusetts, to be Deputy Secretary, who was introduced by Senator Leahy, Joe Leonard, Jr., of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, who was introduced by Representative Kilpatrick, and James W. Miller, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, who was introduced by Senator Conrad, all of the Department of Agriculture, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
CIVILIAN CASUALTIES OF WAR
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs concluded a hearing to examine assistance for civilian casualties of war, after receiving testimony from Dirk Dijkerman, Acting Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development; Ca Va Tran, Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped, McLean, VA; John W. Chromy, CHF International, Washington, DC; Erica Gaston, Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC), New Orleans, LA; and Jonathan Tracy, National Institute of Military Justice, Falls Church, VA.
U.S. POLICY TOWARD AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN
Committee on Armed Services:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine U.S. Policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan, after receiving testimony from Michele A. Flournoy, Under Secretary for Policy, General David H. Petraeus, USA, Commander, U.S. Central Command, and Admiral Eric T. Olson, USN, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, all of the Department of Defense.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Armed Services:
Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Ashton B. Carter, of Massachusetts, to be Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, and James N. Miller, Jr., of Virginia, to be Deputy Under Secretary for Policy, both of the Department of Defense.
Also, committee ordered favorably reported 3,952 nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD OVERSIGHT
Committee on Environment and Public Works:
Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's renewable fuel standard, after receiving testimony from Charles T. Drevna, National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, on behalf of National Marine Manufacturers Association and Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, A. Blakeman Early, American Lung Association, and Michael McAdams, Advanced Biofuels Association, all of Washington, DC; Kelly J. Tiller, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and Nathanael Greene, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York, NY.
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BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Environment and Public Works:
Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of Thomas L. Strickland, of Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior.
USAID IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Committee on Foreign Relations:
Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection concluded a hearing to examine United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the 21st Century, after receiving testimony from Andrew Natsios, The Walsh School of Foreign Service, and Carol Lancaster, Mortara Center for International Studies, both of Georgetown University, and Steven Radelet, Center for Global Development, all of Washington, DC.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
Committee ordered favorably reported the following items:
H.R. 35, to amend chapter 22 of title 44, U.S. Code, popularly known as the Presidential Records Act, to establish procedures for the consideration of claims of constitutionally based privilege against disclosure of Presidential records, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
S. 615, to provide additional personnel authorities for the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction;
S. 507, to provide for retirement equity for Federal employees in nonforeign areas outside the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia, with an amendment;
S. 713, to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to quickly and fairly address the abundance of surplus manufactures housing units stored by the Federal Government around the country at taxpayer expense, with an amendment;
S. 574, to enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing that Government documents issued to the public must be written clearly, with an amendment;
S. Res. 87, expressing the sense of the Senate that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 4 through 10, 2009; and
The nominations of Jane Holl Lute, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, and John Berry, of the District of Columbia, to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on the Judiciary:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of David F. Hamilton, of Indiana, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, who was introduced by Senators Lugar and Bayh, Ronald H. Weich, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, who was introduced by Senator Reid, and R. Gil Kerlikowske, of Washington, to be Director of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President, who was introduced by Senators Cantwell and Murray, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
NOMINATION
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Karen Gordon Mills, of Maine, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Snowe, testified and answered questions in her own behalf.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship:
Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of Karen Gordon Mills, of Maine, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs:
Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of W. Scott Gould, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary, who was introduced by Senator Reed, and Ladda Tammy Duckworth, of Illinois, to be Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, who was introduced by Senator Durbin, both of the Department of Veterans Affairs, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
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House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced:
32 public bills, H.R. 1833-1864; and 8 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 91-92; and H. Res. 312-315, 317-318 were introduced.
Pages H4395-97
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H4397-98
Report Filed:
A report was filed today as follows:
H. Res. 316, providing for further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 85) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2010 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2009 and 2011 through 2014 (H. Rept. 111-73).
Page H4395
Speaker:
Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Tauscher to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today.
Page H4253
Suspensions:
The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures:
Federal Retirement Reform Act of 2009:
H.R. 1804, to amend title 5, United States Code, to make certain modifications in the Thrift Savings Plan, the Civil Service Retirement System, and the Federal Employees' Retirement System and
Pages H4268-75
Congratulating the on-premise sign industry for its contributions to the success of small businesses: H. Res. 298, to congratulate the on-premise sign industry for its contributions to the success of small businesses.
Pages H4369-70
Privileged Resolution:
The House agreed to table H. Res. 312, raising a question of the privileges of the House, by a yea-and-nay vote of 217 yeas to 185 nays with 16 voting ``present'', Roll No. 175.
Pages H4283-83
Suspension--Failed:
The House failed to agree to suspend the rules and pass the following measure:
End Government Reimbursement of Excessive Executive Disbursements (End GREED) Act:
H.R. 1575, amended, to authorize the Attorney General to limit or recover excessive compensation paid or payable by entities that have received Federal financial assistance on or after September 1, 2008, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 196 nays, Roll No. 178.
Pages H4275-83, H4285-86
Moment of Silence:
The House observed a moment of silence in honor of the men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, and all who serve in the armed forces and their families.
Page H4286
Suspension--Proceedings Resumed:
The House agreed to suspend the rules and agree to the following measure which was debated on Tuesday, March 31st:
Honoring the lives, and mourning the loss, of Sergeant Mark Dunakin, Sergeant Ervin Romans, Sergeant Daniel Sakai, and Officer John Hege:
H. Res. 290, to honor the lives, and mourn the loss, of Sergeant Mark Dunakin, Sergeant Ervin Romans, Sergeant Daniel Sakai, and Officer John Hege, members of the Oakland Police Department in California who were brutally slain in the line of duty, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 417 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 179.
Pages H4286-87
Amending the executive compensation provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to prohibit unreasonable and excessive compensation and compensation not based on performance standards:
The House passed H.R. 1664, to amend the executive compensation provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to prohibit unreasonable and excessive compensation and compensation not based on performance standards, by a recorded vote of 247 ayes to 171 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 182.
Pages H4262-68, H4287-H4310
Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the 5-minute rule.
Pages H4262, H4294-95
Agreed to:
Frank (MA) amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 111-71) that further clarifies that an institution does not become subject to the limitations on compensation in this bill as a result of doing business with an institution that has received a direct capital investment under either the TARP or HERA. Exempts severance pay from coverage if the payment is made in the ordinary course to an employee who has been with the institution at least 5 years prior to dismissal, as long as that payment is not greater than the employee's annual salary or $250,000. Requires the compensation data that an institution must report annually to the Treasury to include contributions made for the benefit of an employee's immediate family members. Creates a Commission on D388Executive Compensation to study the executive compensation system for recipients of direct capital investments under the TARP and make recommendations for legislative and regulatory action;
Pages H4295-98
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Cardoza amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 111-71) that allows the Treasury Secretary to exempt financial institutions receiving TARP funds under a certain threshold;
Pages H4298-H4300
Bilirakis amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 111-71) that clarifies that an institution that is not a TARP recipient will not be subject to the requirements of the bill as a result of doing business with a TARP recipient;
Pages H4304-05
Bean amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 111-71) that allows institutions that enter into a payment schedule with Treasury on terms set by Treasury to no longer be subject to the bonus and compensation restrictions created by the Act. If an institution defaults on its payment schedule, any bonuses and compensation that exceed the regulations promulgated in accordance to the Act would be subject to clawback (by a recorded vote of 228 ayes to 198 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 180); and
Pages H4302-04, H4308-09
Dahlkemper amendment (No. 7 printed in H. Rept. 111-71) that clarifies the definition of executive compensation to include payments made before, during and after employment, and makes explicit that the definition of compensation considered under the standards to be prepared by the Secretary are to include payment of money, transfers of property or provision of services (by a recorded vote of 246 ayes to 180 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 181).
Pages H4306-08, H4309
Rejected:
Meeks (NY) amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 111-71) that sought to exempt from compensation standards any institutions that receive TARP funding or payment agreements entered into before the enactment of this bill and
Pages H4300-02
DeFazio amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 111-71) that sought to amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to make the shareholder vote on executive compensation packages binding upon the board of directors.
Pages H4305-06
H. Res. 306, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 236 yeas to 175 nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 177, after agreeing to order the previous question without objection.
Page H4285
Meeting Hour:
Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Page H4310
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act:
The House began consideration of H.R. 1256, to protect the public health by providing the Food and Drug Administration with certain authority to regulate tobacco products. Further proceedings were postponed.
Pages H4310-68
Pursuant to the rule, the amendment printed in part A of H. Rept. 111-72 shall be considered as adopted.
Page H4318
Proceedings Postponed:
Buyer amendment in the nature of a substitute (printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-72) that seeks to create a Tobacco Harm Reduction Center under the Department of HHS to regulate all tobacco products and establishes a regulatory scheme to provide for tobacco prevention, education, and cessation programs.
Page H4318
H. Res. 307, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by voice vote after agreeing to order the previous question without objection.
Page H4318
Setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2010 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2009 and 2011 through 2014:
The House began consideration of H. Con. Res. 85, to set forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2010 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2009 and 2011 through 2014. Further proceedings were postponed.
Pages H4257-62, H4370-93
H. Con. Res. 305, the rule providing for consideration of the resolution, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay of 234 yeas to 179 nays, Roll No. 176, after agreeing to order the previous question without objection.
Pages H4257, H4284-85
Commission on Wartime Contracting--Appointment:
Read a letter from Representative Boehner, Minority Leader, in which he appointed The Honorable Christopher Shays of Connecticut to the Commission on Wartime Contracting.
Page H4393
Quorum Calls--Votes:
Five yea-and-nay votes and three recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H4283-84, H4284-85, H4285, H4285-86, H4286-87, H4308, H4309, H4309-10. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment:
The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 12:30 a.m.
Committee Meetings
STATE OF THE FARM ECONOMY
Committee on Agriculture:
Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a hearing to review the state of the farm economy. D389Testimony was heard from Joe Glauber, Chief Economist, USDA; Howard K. Gruenspecht, Acting Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy; Jason R. Henderson, Vice President and Branch Executive, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City; and public witnesses.
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COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Legal Services Corporation; and on Justice Reinvestment. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Legal Services Corporation: Helaine Barnett, President; and Lillian BeVier, Vice Chair, Board of Directors; Jerry Madden, Vice-Chair, House Corrections Committee, House of Representatives, Texas; Roger Werholtz, Secretary, Department of Corrections, Kansas; and a public witness.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Shipbuilding Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: Allison Stiller, Deputy Assistant Secretary, for Ships; and VADM Barry McCullough, USN, Deputy Chief, Naval Operations for Resources.
HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on Cargo and Container Security: Keeping a Lid on Threats. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Jayson Ahern, Acting Commissioner; and Thomas Winkowski, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, both with Customs and Border Protection; and Charles Gallaway, Acting Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Wildfire Suppression. Testimony was heard from Robin M. Nazzaro, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; Hank Kashdan, Associate Chief, U.S. Forest Service, USDA; Pam Haze, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Budget and Business, Department of the Interior; and a public witness.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on Pathways to Health Reform: Implementing the National Strategy to Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Don Wright, M.D., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Health; Richard Besser, M.D., Acting Director, CDC; and Carolyn Clancy, Director, Agency for Healthcare and Quality; and public witnesses.
TRANSPORTATION, HUD APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on The Future of High Speed Rail, Intercity Passenger Rail and Amtrak. Testimony was heard from Susan Fleming, Director, Physical Infrastructure, GAO; Joe Boardman, President and CEO, Amtrak; Jolene M. Molitoris, Director, Department of Transportation, Ohio; and a public witness.
MEASURING VALUE AND EFFICIENCY
Committee on Armed Services:
Subcommittee on Defense Acquisition Reform Panel held a hearing on Measuring Value and Efficiency: How to Assess the Performance of the Defense Acquisition System. Testimony was heard from David G. Ahern, Director, Portfolio Systems Acquisition, Office of the Under Secretary, Acquisitions, Technology, and Logistics, Department of Defense; and Mike J. Sullivan, Director, Acquisitions and Sourcing Management, GAO.
COORDINATING CONTRACT SUPPORT ON THE BATTLEFIELD
Committee on Armed Services:
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on Coordinating Contract Support on the Battlefield: Defense, State and U.S. AID. Testimony was heard from Gary Motsek, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary, Program Support, Department of Defense; the following officials of the Department of State: William Moser, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Logistics Management; and Maureen A. Shauket, Senior Procurement Executive Director, Office of Acquisition and Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development; and John Hutton, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO.
NATIONAL SECURITY PERSONNEL SYSTEM--THE WAY FORWARD
Committee on Armed Services:
Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on the National Security Personnel System--the Way Forward. Testimony was heard from Brad Bunn, Program Executive Officer, National Security Personnel System, Department of D390Defense; Brenda Farrell, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, GAO; John L. Crum, Director, Office of Policy and Evaluation, U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, and a public witness.
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CREDIT CARDHOLDER'S BILL OF RIGHTS ACT
Committee on Financial Services:
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit began mark up of H.R. 627, Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009.
Will continue tomorrow.
FUTURE OF FUSION CENTERS
Committee on Homeland Security:
Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing entitled ``The Future of Fusion Centers: Potential Promise and Dangers.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Robert Riegle, Director, State and Local Program Office, Office of Intelligence and Analysis; and David Gersten, Acting Deputy Officer, Programs and Compliance; John Bateman, Assistant Commander, Bureau of Information Analysis, Department of Public Safety, State of Texas; and public witnesses.
MANAGING ASBESTOS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AT THE SMITHSONIAN
Committee on House Administration:
Held a hearing on Management of Asbestos and Hazardous Materials at the Smithsonian Institution. Testimony was heard from G. Wayne Clough, Secretary, the Smithsonian Institution.
U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION AUDIT REVIEW AND AGENCY SPENDING
Committee on House Administration:
Subcommittee on Elections held a hearing on 2008 Audit Review and Agency Spending by the Election Assistance Commission. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission: Curtis Crider, Inspector General; Gineen Beach, Chairwoman; Gracia Hillman, Vice-Chairwoman; Donetta Davidson, Commissioner; and Thomas Wilkey, Executive Director.
TAXPAYER PROTECTION LEGISLATION
Committee on the Judiciary:
Held a hearing on Proposals to Fight Fraud and Protect Taxpayers, including the following measures: H.R. 1748, Fight Fraud Act of 2009; H.R. 1292, To amend title I, of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish a National White Collar Crime Center grants program for purposes of improving the identification, investigation, and prosecution of certain criminal conspiracies and activities and terrorist conspiracies and activities; H.R. 1667, War Profiteering Prevention Act of 2009; the False Claims Corrections Act; the Financial Crimes Resources Act of 2009; the Money Laundering Correction Act of 2009; and H.R. 78, Stop Mortgage Fraud Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives Cummings, Abercrombie and Biggert; the following officials of the Department of Justice: Rita Glavin, Acting Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division; and John Pistole, Deputy Director, FBI; Jonathan Mintz, Department of Consumer Affairs, New York City; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Natural Resources:
Held an oversight hearing on Supreme Court decision Carcieri v. Salazar Ramifications to Indian Tribes. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010
Committee on Rules:
Granted, by a non-record vote, a structured rule providing for further consideration of H. Con. Res. 85, the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the report. Each amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated, and shall be considered as read. Each amendment is debatable for 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report. The adoption of any amendment in the nature of a substitute shall constitute the completion of consideration of the concurrent resolution for amendment. The rule also permits the chair of the Committee on the Budget to offer amendments to achieve mathematical consistency. Finally, the rule provides that it shall be in order, after adoption of H. Con. Res. 85, for the Speaker to take from the table S. Con. Res. 13 and to consider S. Con. Res. 13 in the House without intervention of any point of order. It shall be in order to move without intervention of any point of order to strike all after the resolving clause of S. Con. Res. 13 and insert in lieu thereof the provisions of H. Con. Res. 85 as passed by the House. If the motion and Senate concurrent resolution are adopted, it shall be in order to move that the House insist on its amendment and request a conference with the Senate. Testimony was heard from Chairman Spratt, Representatives Scott (VA), Woolsey, Lee, Watson, Ryan (WI), Jordan, Tiahrt, Kline (MN), and Cassidy.
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NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT
Committee on Science and Technology:
Held a hearing on Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2009. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
IRS OVERSIGHT
Committee on Small Business:
Held a hearing on IRS Oversight:
Are Tax Compliance Costs Slowing the Economic Recovery? Testimony was heard from Donald Shulman, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury; and a public witness.
CIVIL RIGHT SERVICES AND DIVERSITY INITIATIVES IN THE COAST GUARD
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure:
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Civil Rights Services and Diversity Initiatives in the Coast Guard. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security: Terri Dickerson, Director, Coast Guard Office of Civil Rights; and RADM Jody A. Breckenridge, USCG, Assistant Commandant, Human Resources.
HEALTH REFORM IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Committee on Ways and Means:
Held a hearing on Health Reform in the 21st Century: Reforming the Health Care Delivery System. Testimony was heard from Glenn M. Hackbarth, Chairman, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and public witnesses.
BRIEFINGS--NORTH KOREA UPDATE; AND AFGHANISTAN
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence:
Met in executive session to receive a briefing on North Korea update. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses.
The Committee also met in executive session to receive a briefing on Afghanistan. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses.
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY--MANAGEMENT ISSUES
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence:
Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management held a hearing on Management Issues in the Intelligence Community. Testimony was heard from Ed Maguire, Inspector General, Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Joint Meetings
No joint committee meetings were held.
Committee on Appropriations:
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine the role of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in addressing the housing crisis, 10 a.m., SD-138.
Committee on Armed Services:
business meeting to mark up S. 454, to improve the organization and procedures of the Department of Defense for the acquisition of major weapon systems, 9 a.m., SD-106.
Committee on Environment and Public Works:
to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, of the Environmental Protection Agency, 10 a.m., SD-406.
Committee on Finance:
to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius, of Kansas, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, 10 a.m., SD-215.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
to hold hearings to examine recovery and reinvestment spending, 10 a.m., SD-342.
Committee on Indian Affairs:
to hold hearings to examine S. 313, to resolve water rights claims of the White Mountain Apache Tribe in the State of Arizona, S. 443, to transfer certain land to the United States to be held in trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe, to place land into trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe, S. 633, to establish a program for tribal colleges and universities within the Department of Health and Human Services and to amend the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to authorize the provision of grants and cooperative agreements to tribal colleges and universities, and H.R. 326, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to take lands in Yuma County, Arizona, into trust as part of the reservation of the Cocopah Tribe of Arizona, 10 a.m., SD-628.
Committee on the Judiciary:
business meeting to consider S. 515, to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform, 10 a.m., SD-226.
Committee on Agriculture,
to review Federal food safety systems, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth.
Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, on Outside Witnesses and Members of Congress, 10 a.m., H-309 Capitol.
Subcommittee on Defense, executive, on Missile Defense Agency Overview, 10 a.m., H-140 Capitol.
Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Immigration Enforcement and Citizenship Verification, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, on Minerals Management Service Oversight, 1:30 p.m., B-308 Rayburn.
Committee on Armed Services,
hearing on the New Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan and developments in D392U.S. Central Command and Special Operations Command, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
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Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on improving recovery and full accounting of POW/MIA personnel from all past conflicts, 2 p.m., 2212 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on Terrorism and the New Age of Irregular Warfare: Challenges and Opportunities, 3:30 p.m., 2118 Rayburn.
Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, hearing on Oversight of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Broadband, 9:30 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Health, hearing on Making Health Care Work for American Families: Saving Money, Saving Lives, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services,
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, to continue mark up of H.R. 627, Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009, 2 p.m., followed by a hearing on H.R. 1214, Payday Loan Reform Act of 2009, 2:30 p.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, hearing on the South Pacific Tuna Treaty: Next Steps for Renewal, 10 a.m., 2200 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia, hearing on U.S. Strategy for Afghanistan: Achieving Peace and Stability in the Graveyard of Empires, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, hearing on Export Controls and Satellite Technology, 1 p.m., 2175 Rayburn.
Committee on Homeland Security,
hearing entitled ``Homeland Security Policymaking: HSC at a Crossroads and Presidential Study Directive 1,'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon.
Committee on the Judiciary,
Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, hearing on Consumer Debt: Are Credit Cards Bankrupting Americans? 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, to mark up the John Hope Franklin Tulsa-Greenwood Race Riot Claims Accountability Act of 2009, 9:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law, and the Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, joint hearing on the Public Safety and Civil Rights Implications of State and Local Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Committee on Natural Resources,
, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, hearing on H.R. 1612, Public Lands Services Corps Act of 2009, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
to consider the following measures: H. Res. 214, Recognizing the efforts of the countless volunteers who helped the Commonwealth of Kentucky recover from the ice storm of January 2009; H. Res. 254, Recognizing the designation of March 2009 as Irish American Heritage Month and honoring the significance of Irish Americans in the history and progress of the United States; H.R. 1516, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 37926 Church Street in Dade City, Florida, as the ``Sergeant Marcus Mathes Post Office;'' and H.R. 1595, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3245 Latta Road in Rochester, New York, as the ``Brian K. Schramm Post Office Building,'' followed by a hearing on the Collapse and Federal Rescue of AIG and What it Means for the U.S. Economy, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Committee on Small Business,
Subcommittee on Rural Development, Entrepreneurship and Trade, hearing on legislative Initiatives to Modernize the SBA's Entrepreneurial Development Programs, 10:30 a.m., 2360 Rayburn.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
to consider the following measures: H.R. 1665, Coast Guard Acquisition Reform Act of 2009; H.R. 1746, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Act of 2009; H.R. 1747, Great Lakes Icebreaker Replacement Act; H.R. 1178, To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions; a resolution Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Works Week; H. Res. 269, Supporting the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month; and other pending business, 11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, hearing on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Programs, 1 p.m., 334 Cannon.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on Signals Intelligence, 2 p.m., 304 HVC.
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis, and Counterintelligence, executive, briefing on Global Deployment, 10 a.m., 304 HVC.
April 1, 2009
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Resume of Congressional Activity
FIRST SESSION OF THE ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS
The first table gives a comprehensive resume of all legislative business transacted by the Senate and House.
The second table accounts for all nominations submitted to the Senate by the President for Senate confirmation.
- EXECUTIVE DATA ON LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY
January 6 through March 31, 2009
Senate: Days in session
House: 53
Total: 46
..
Senate: Time in session
House: 386 hrs., 5 House: K
Total: 292 hrs., 13
Total: K
..
Congressional Record:
Pages of proceedings
House: 4,109
Total: 4,252
..
Extensions of Remarks
House: ..
Total: 834
..
Senate: Public bills enacted into law
House: 4
Total: 8
..
Senate: Private bills enacted into law
House: ..
Total: ..
..
Senate: Bills in conference
House: ..
Total: ..
..
Senate: Measures passed, total
House: 88
Total: 202
290
Senate bills
House: 16
Total: 5
..
House bills
House: 8
Total: 76
..
Senate joint resolutions
House: 4
Total: 1
..
House joint resolutions
House: 1
Total: 2
..
Senate concurrent resolutions
House: 7
Total: 2
..
House concurrent resolutions
House: 7
Total: 15
..
Simple resolutions
House: 45
Total: 101
..
Senate: Measures reported, total
House: *34
Total: *70
104
Senate bills
House: 11
Total: 1
..
House bills
House: ..
Total: 35
..
Senate joint resolutions
House: ..
Total: ..
..
House joint resolutions
House: ..
Total: ..
..
Senate concurrent resolutions
House: 1
Total: ..
..
House concurrent resolutions
House: ..
Total: 4
..
Simple resolutions
House: 22
Total: 30
..
Senate: Special reports
House: 9
Total: 1
..
Senate: Conference reports
House: ..
Total: 1
..
Senate: Measures pending on calendar
House: 33
Total: 17
..
Senate: Measures introduced, total
House: 871
Total: 2,267
3,138
Bills
House: 747
Total: 1,824
..
Joint resolutions
House: 13
Total: 42
..
Concurrent resolutions
House: 15
Total: 90
..
Simple resolutions
House: 96
Total: 311
..
Senate: Quorum calls
House: 1
Total: 1
..
Senate: Yea-and-nay votes
House: 118
Total: 122
..
Senate: Recorded votes
House: ..
Total: 51
..
Senate: Bills vetoed
House: ..
Total: ..
..
Senate: Vetoes overridden
House: ..
Total: ..
..
- DISPOSITION OF EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS
January 6 through March 31, 2009
Civilian nominations, totaling 120, disposed of as follows:
Other Civilian nominations, totaling 10, disposed of as follows:
Air Force nominations, totaling 4,688, disposed of as follows:
Army nominations, totaling 1,007, disposed of as follows:
Navy nominations, totaling 128, disposed of as follows:
Marine Corps nominations, totaling 1,458, disposed of as follows:
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Program for Thursday:
Senate will continue consideration of S. Con. Res. 13, Budget Resolution.
Program for Thursday:
Complete consideration of H.R. 1256--Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Subject to a Rule). Complete consideration of H. Con. Res. 85--Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2010 (Subject to a Rule).
HOUSE
Alexander, Rodney, La., E849
Bartlett, Roscoe G., Md., E843
Calvert, Ken, Calif., E841
Cleaver, Emanuel, Mo., E837
Cole, Tom, Okla., E835
Connolly, Gerald E., Va., E848
Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E847
Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E835
Davis, Artur, Ala., E846
Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E845
Engel, Eliot L., N.Y., E836
Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E842
Filner, Bob, Calif., E844, E848
Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E847
Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E835, E841, E844
Johnson, Timothy V., Ill., E836
Larson, John B., Conn., E846
Latham, Tom, Iowa, E835, E836, E843
Markey, Betsy, Colo., E843
Moran, James P., Va., E840
Murtha, John P., Pa., E845
Nadler, Jerrold, N.Y., E839
Oberstar, James L., Minn., E840, E843
Poe, Ted, Tex., E847
Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E838, E842
Reyes, Silvestre, Tex., E845, E846, E847, E848, E848, E849, E850, E850, E850, E851
Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E837, E839
Sessions, Pete, Tex., E843
Shuster, Bill, Pa., E838
Skelton, Ike, Mo., E835, E836, E842
Terry, Lee, Nebr., E840
Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E838
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