Congressional Record
112th Congress (2011-2012)


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{title: 'THOMAS - Congressional Record - 112th Congress', link: 'http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r112:d16mr1:/' }

Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Wednesday, March 16, 2011


Daily Digest


[Page: D254]  GPO's PDF

Senate


Chamber Action


Routine Proceedings, pages S1709-S1770

Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 592-603, and S. Res. 103.

Pages S1750-51

Measures Passed:

Statue of Gerald R. Ford: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 27, providing for the acceptance of a statue of Gerald R. Ford from the people of Michigan for placement in the United States Capitol.

Page S1768

Reducing the Senate Budget: Committee on Rules and Administration was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 94, to express the sense of the Senate in support of reducing its budget by at least 5 percent, and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S1768

Joint Committee on Printing and Joint Committee of Congress on the Library Senate Membership: Senate agreed to S. Res. 103, providing for members on the part of the Senate of the Joint Committee on Printing and the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library.
Pages S1768-69

Measures Considered:

SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act--Agreement: Senate continued consideration of S. 493, to reauthorize and improve the SBIR and STTR programs, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:

Pages S1715-47

Adopted:
By 98 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 41), Nelson (NE) Amendment No. 182, of a perfecting nature.
Page S1715

By a unanimous vote of 99 yeas (Vote No. 42), Snowe Amendment No. 193, to strike the Federal authorization of the National Veterans Business Development Corporation.
Pages S1715, S1716

By a unanimous vote of 99 yeas (Vote No. 43), Landrieu (for Casey) Amendment No. 216, to require contractors to notify small business concerns that have been included in offers relating to contracts let by Federal agencies.
Pages S1716-17, S1744-46

Pending:
McConnell Amendment No. 183, to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas to address climate change.
Pages S1715, S1726-28, S1741-44

Vitter Amendment No. 178, to require the Federal Government to sell off unused Federal real property.
Page S1715

Inhofe (for Johanns) Amendment No. 161, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the expansion of information reporting requirements to payments made to corporations, payments for property and other gross proceeds, and rental property expense payments.
Page S1715

Cornyn Amendment No. 186, to establish a bipartisan commission for the purpose of improving oversight and eliminating wasteful government spending.
Pages S1717-22

Paul Amendment No. 199, to cut $200,000,000,000 in spending in fiscal year 2011.
Pages S1722-23

Sanders Amendment No. 207, to establish a point of order against any efforts to reduce benefits paid to Social Security recipients, raise the retirement age, or create private retirement accounts under title II of the Social Security Act.
Pages S1723-26

Hutchison Amendment No. 197, to delay the implementation of the health reform law in the United States until there is final resolution in pending lawsuits.
Pages S1729-30

Coburn Amendment No. 184, to provide a list of programs administered by every Federal department and agency.
Pages S1737-38

Pryor Amendment No. 229, to establish the Patriot Express Loan Program under which the Small Business Administration may make loans to members of the military community wanting to start or expand small business concerns.
Pages S1740-41

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, March 17, 2011.
Page S1769D255

Additional Continuing Appropriations--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that at 12 noon, on Thursday, March 17, 2011, Senate begin consideration of H.J. Res. 48, making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011; that there be up to three hours of debate, equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the joint resolution be read a third time and Senate vote on passage of the joint resolution; that there be no amendments in order to the joint resolution prior to the vote.

Page S1767

Jackson Nomination--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that following disposition of H.J. Res. 48, Additional Continuing Appropriations, Senate begin consideration of the nomination of Amy Berman Jackson, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia, that there be two minutes for debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form; that upon use or yielding back of time, Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination, without intervening action or debate; and that no further motions be in order.

Page S1768

Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:

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5 Army nominations in the rank of general.
2 Marine Corps nominations in the rank of general.
2 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral.
Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy.

Pages S1767-68, S1769-70

Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Mary Geiger Lewis, of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina.
Jane Margaret Triche-Milazzo, of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
1 Army nomination in the rank of general.
5 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral.
Routine lists in the Army.

Page S1769

Measures Placed on the Calendar:

Pages S1709,  S1750

Executive Reports of Committees:

Page S1750

Additional Cosponsors:

Pages S1751-52

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:

Pages S1752-58

Additional Statements:

Page S1750

Amendments Submitted:

Pages S1758-66

Notices of Hearings/Meetings:

Page S1766

Authorities for Committees to Meet:

Pages S1766-67

Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--43)

Pages S1715, S1716, S1746

Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:06 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2011. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S1769.)

Committee Meetings


(Committees not listed did not meet)

APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2012 for the Department of the Navy, after receiving testimony from Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Gary Roughead, USN, Chief, Naval Operations, and General James F. Amos, USMC, Commandant, Marine Corps, all of the Department of Defense.

APPROPRIATIONS: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2012 for the Environmental Protection Agency, after receiving testimony from Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, and Barbara J. Bennett, Chief Financial Officer, both of the Environmental Protection Agency.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE ON IRAN


Committee on Armed Services: Committee received a closed briefing on the updated National Intelligence Estimate on Iran and other related matters from Andrew M. Gibb, National Intelligence Office for Weapons of Mass Destruction and Proliferation, National Intelligence Council.

MODERNIZING GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE


Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a joint hearing with the Task Force on Government Performance to examine modernizing government performance, focusing on using the new framework, and providing opportunities to help address fiscal, performance, and management challenges, after receiving testimony from Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office; John D. Podesta, The Center for D256American Progress Action Fund, Washington, D.C.; and Robert Shea, Grant Thornton LLP, Alexandria, Virginia.

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STATE OF ONLINE CONSUMER PRIVACY


Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the state of online consumer privacy, after receiving testimony from Jon Leibowitz, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission; Lawrence E. Strickling, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, National Telecommunications and Information Administration; Erich Andersen, Microsoft Corporation, Barbara Lawler, Intuit Inc., Christopher R. Calabrese, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and Ashkan Soltani, all of Washington, D.C.; and John Montgomery, GroupM Interaction, New York, New York.

NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE BP DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL AND OFFSHORE DRILLING REPORT


Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the report to the President from the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, after receiving testimony from former Senator Bob Graham, and William Reilly, both a Co-Chair, National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

HEALTH REFORM LESSONS


Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine health reform, focusing on lessons learned during the first year, after receiving testimony from Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services; and Paul N. Van De Water, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and Douglas Holtz-Eakin, American Action Forum, both of Washington, D.C.

LIBYA


Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee received a closed briefing on Libya from Intelligence Community Briefers.

NOMINATION


Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Joseph M. Torsella, of Pennsylvania, to be Representative to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform, with the rank of Ambassador, Department of State, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf.

AFGHANISTAN PROGRESS AND EXPECTATIONS


Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee received a closed briefing on Afghanistan, focusing on progress and expectations from General David H. Petraeus, Commander, International Security Assistance Force, Afghanistan, and Michele A. Flournoy, Under Secretary for Policy, both of the Department of Defense.

BUSINESS MEETING


Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Heather A. Higginbottom, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, and Carolyn N. Lerner, of Maryland, to be Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel.

BUSINESS MEETING


Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Kelvin K. Droegemeier, of Oklahoma, to be a Member of the National Science Board, National Science Foundation, and Jonathan Andrew Hatfield, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Corporation for National and Community Service.
Also, committee announced the following subcommittee assignments for the 112th Congress:
Subcommittee on Children and Families : Senators Mikulski (Chair), Murray, Sanders, Casey, Hagan, Merkley, Franken, Bennet, Blumenthal, Burr, Alexander, Isakson, Paul, McCain, Roberts, and Kirk.
Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety : Senators Murray (Chair), Bingaman, Franken, Bennet, Whitehouse, Blumenthal, Isakson, Alexander, Hatch, and Kirk.
Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging : Senators Sanders (Chair), Mikulski, Bingaman, Casey, Hagan, Merkley, Whitehouse, Paul, Burr, Isakson, Hatch, and Murkowski.
Senators Harkin and Enzi are ex officio members of each subcommittee.

NOMINATIONS


Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Bernice Bouie Donald, of Tennessee, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, who was introduced by Senator Alexander, J. Paul Oetken, and Paul A. Engelmayer, both to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, and Ramona Villagomez Manglona, to be Judge for the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, who was introduced by Representative Sablan, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.

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VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATIONS


Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee concluded a joint hearing with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the legislative presentations from AMVETS, Jewish War Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, Gold Star Wives, Blinded Veterans Association, Non Commissioned Officers Association, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Fleet Reserve Association, after receiving testimony from Roy Kekahuna, Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), Tom Tarantino, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and Stephen R. Zeitz, Jewish War Veterans of the USA, all of Washington, D.C.; John R. Davis, Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), Robert F. Norton, Military Officers Association of America, and H. Gene Overstreet, Non Commissioned Officers Association of the United States of America (NCOA), all of Alexandria, Virginia; Vivianne Cisneros Wersel, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Arlington, Virginia; and Jerry Hotop, AMVETS, Lanham, Maryland.

SECURITIES LENDING


Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine securities lending in retirement plans, focusing on issues involving securities lending in plan investments, after receiving testimony from Charles A. Jeszeck, Acting Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Government Accountability Office; Anthony Nazzaro, A.A. Nazzaro Associates, Yardley, Pennsylvania; Ed Blount, Center for the Study of Financial Market Evolution, Washington, D.C.; Allison R. Klausner, Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, New Jersey; and Steven R. Meier, State Street Global Advisors, Boston, Massachusetts.

House of Representatives


Chamber Action


Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 35 public bills, H.R. 1109-1143; and 2 resolutions, H. Res. 173, 175, were introduced.

Pages H1904-06

Additional Cosponsors:

Pages H1907-08

Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
Supplemental report on H.R. 658, to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2011 through 2014, to streamline programs, create efficiencies, reduce waste, and improve aviation safety and capacity, to provide stable funding for the national aviation system, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 112-29, Pt. 2) and
H. Res. 174, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1076) to prohibit Federal funding of National Public Radio and the use of Federal funds to acquire radio content (H. Rept. 112-35).

Page H1904

Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Ellmers to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

Page H1845

Recess: The House recessed at 10:36 a.m. and reconvened at 12 noon.

Page H1848

Order of Business: Agreed by unanimous consent that it be in order at any time to consider H. Con. Res. 28 in the House, if called up by the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or her designee; that the concurrent resolution be considered as read; that the previous question be considered as ordered on the concurrent resolution to final adoption without intervening motion except (1) one hour of debate controlled by Representative Kucinich or his designee; and (2) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; and that section 7 of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1546) not apply to the concurrent resolution.

Page H1852

Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow, March 17th.

Page H1860

NSP Termination Act: The House passed H.R. 861, to rescind the third round of funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and to terminate the program, by a recorded vote of 242 ayes to 182 noes, Roll No. 188.

Pages H1860-96

Rejected the Braley motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Financial Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 153 ayes to 272 noes, Roll No. 187.
Pages H1893-95

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 five-minute rule.
Page H1873

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Rejected the Ellison motion that the Committee rise and report to the House with the recommendation that the enacting clause be stricken by a recorded vote of 183 ayes to 240 noes, Roll No. 182.

Pages H1874-75

Agreed to:
Ellison amendment (No. 1 printed in part B of H. Rept. 112-34) that lists state-by-state funding allocations of Neighborhood Stabilization Programs Round Three potentially at risk (agreed that the voice vote by which the amendment was rejected be vacated to the end that the Chair put the question de novo);
Pages H1875-77, H1878

Hurt amendment (No. 2 printed in part B of H. Rept. 112-34) that ensures that all unobligated balances rescinded by the bill will be retained in the Treasury's General Fund for the purpose of deficit reduction; and
Pages H1877-78

Castor en bloc amendment (consisting of No. 9 and No. 10 printed in part B of H. Rept. 112-34) that requires the GAO to conduct a study, within 90 days of the bills enactment, of the economic impact the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Round Three would have on communities around the United States and requires the GAO to conduct a study, within 90 days of the bills enactment, of the economic impact the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Rounds One and Two have had on communities around the United States.
Pages H1888-90

Rejected:
Loretta Sanchez amendment (No. 4 printed in part B of H. Rept. 112-34) that sought to add a new section with Congressional findings that if the rescinded and canceled amounts were instead made available for NSP, the Congress could have rebuilt U.S. neighborhoods;
Pages H1879-80

Richardson amendment (No. 5 printed in part B of H. Rept. 112-34) that sought to amend the effective date of H.R. 861 to the sooner of: (1) 5 years from the date of enactment; or (2) the date when the national average of underwater mortgages on 1- to 4-family residential properties is 10 percent or less and the percentage of underwater mortgages relating to such properties in the state with the highest percentage of underwater residential properties is 15 percent or less;
Pages H1880-83

Ellison amendment (No. 3 printed in part B of H. Rept. 112-34) that sought to provide findings for the need for and efficacy of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (by a recorded vote of 183 ayes to 244 noes, Roll No. 183);
Pages H1878-79, H1890-91

Waters amendment (No. 6 printed in part B of H. Rept. 112-34) that sought to require the Secretary of HUD to send a notice to NSP grantees that would have received funding under NSP that the program has been terminated (by a recorded vote of 174 ayes to 248 noes, Roll No. 184);
Pages H1883-84, H1891

Waters amendment (No. 7 printed in part B of H. Rept. 112-34) that sought to require the Secretary of HUD to study the number of homes that will not be mitigated in each Congressional district as a result of the funding rescission, and report findings to Congress (by a recorded vote of 178 ayes to 249 noes, Roll No. 185); and
Pages H1884-85, H1891-92

Maloney amendment (No. 8 printed in part B of H. Rept. 112-34) that sought to list the number of homes in each state that have been vacant for 90 days or more and which would be eligible for rehabilitation under the program, and also state that by voting to terminate this program, these units may not be able to be rehabilitated using NSP funds (by a recorded vote of 179 ayes to 246 noes, Roll No. 186).
Pages H1885-88, H1892-93

Senate Message: Message received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appears on page H1860.

Senate Referrals: S.J. Res. 7, S.J. Res. 8, and S.J. Res. 9 were referred to the Committee on House Administration.

Page H1904

Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote and seven recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1859-60, H1874-75, H1890-91, H1891, H1891-92, H1892-93, H1894-95, and H1895-96. There were no quorum calls.

Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Committee Meetings


CHESAPEAKE BAY TMDL


Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry held a hearing to review the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, agricultural conservation practices, and their implications on national watersheds. Testimony was heard from Dave White, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture; Bob Perciasepe, Deputy Administrator, EPA; Doug Domenech, Secretary of Natural Resources, Virginia; and public witnesses.

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on FY 2012 Budget Request. Testimony was heard from D259Cathie Woteki, Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, Department of Agriculture.

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COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing on FY 2012 Budget Request. Testimony was heard from Michele Leonhart, Administrator, DEA.

DEFENSE


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on FY 2012 Army Budget Overview, 10 a.m., H-140 Capitol. Testimony was heard from John M. McHugh, Secretary of the Army; and GEN George W. Casey, Jr., Chief of Staff, USA.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Energy, Science, Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request. Testimony was heard from Steven Koonin, Under Secretary for Science.

FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held a hearing on FY 2012 Budget. Testimony was heard from Timothy F. Geithner, Secretary of Treasury.

HOMELAND SECURITY


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on Southwest Border Enforcement. Testimony was heard from the following Department of Homeland Security officials: Thomas Winkoski, Assistant Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection; Michael Fisher, Chief, Border Patrol, James Dinkins, Associate Director, Homeland Security Investigations; and Paul Zukunft, Rear Admiral, USCG.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Fish and Wildlife Service FY 2012 Budget Oversight Hearing. Testimony was heard from the following Fish and Wildlife officials: Dan Ashe, Deputy Director; Rowan Gould, Acting Director; and Chris Nolin, Budget Officer.

LABOR, HEALTH, AND HUMAN SERVICES


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of Health and Human Services FY12 Budget Request. Testimony was heard from Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor.

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Veterans Affairs Budget. Testimony was heard from Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of Veteran Affairs.

DEVELOPMENTS IN AFGHANISTAN


Committee on Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing on developments in Afghanistan. Testimony was heard from GEN David Petraeus, USA, Commander, International Security Assistance Force/United States Forces--Afghanistan; and Michelle Flournoy, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy.

CYBER COMMAND


Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on the fiscal year 2012 national defense authorization budget request from the U.S. Cyber Command. Testimony was heard from GEN Keith Alexander, USA, Commander, Cyber Command; and James N. Miller, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM


Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on Military Health System Overview and Defense Health Program Cost Efficiencies: A Beneficiary Perspective. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS


Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces held a hearing on amphibious operations. Testimony was heard from Sean J. Stackley, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition; Vice Admiral John T. Blake, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources; and Lt. Gen. George J. Flynn, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command.

FY 2012 BUDGET--NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power and Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy held a joint hearing entitled ``The FY2012 Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission Budgets.'' Testimony was heard from Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy; and Gregory Jaczko, Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

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MADE IN AMERICA: INCREASING JOBS THROUGH EXPORT AND TRADE


Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held a hearing entitled ``Made in America: Increasing Jobs through Exports and Trade.'' Testimony was heard from Francisco J. Sanchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU


Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Testimony was heard from Elizabeth Warren, Special Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Department of the Treasury.

JOB CREATION, CAPITOL FORMATION, AND MARKET CERTAINTY


Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``Legislative Proposals to Promote Job Creation, Capital Formation, and Market Certainty''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

FY 2012 BUDGET--AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION


Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing on the Agency for International Development and the Millennium Challenge Corporation: Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Requests and Future Directions in Foreign Assistance. Testimony was heard from Daniel Yohannes, CEO, Millennium Challenge Corporation; and Rajiv Shah, Administrator, Agency for International Development.

CYBER THREAT TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE ECONOMY


Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies held a hearing entitled ``Examining the Cyber Threat to Critical Infrastructure and the American Economy.'' Testimony was heard from Philip Reitinger, Deputy Under Secretary, National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security; Greg Wilshusen, Director of Information Security Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION


Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a hearing on the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Testimony was heard from Robert S. Mueller III, Director, FBI.

DE FACTO MORATORIUM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO


Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee held a hearing on the Obama Administration's De Facto Moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico: Community and Economic Impacts. Testimony was heard from Scott Angelle, Secretary of Natural Resources, Louisiana; Elizabeth Ames Jones, Commissioner, Railroad Commission, Texas; and public witnesses.

TSA OVERSIGHT--WHOLE BODY IMAGING


Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations held a hearing on TSA Oversight Part I: Whole Body Imaging. Testimony was heard from Sharon Cissna, State Representative, Alaska; Robin Kane, Assistant Administrator for Security Technology, TSA; Lee Kair; Assistant Administrator for Security Operations, TSA; and public witnesses.

PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS


Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight and Government Spending held a hearing on Project Labor Agreements and the Cost of Doing Business in the Construction Industry. Testimony was heard from Robert Peck, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, GSA; Daniel Gordon, Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Executive Office of the President; David Michaels, Assistant Secretary for Occupational Health and Safety; Department of Labor; and public witnesses.

TO PROHIBIT FEDERAL FUNDING OF NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO AND THE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO ACQUIRE RADIO CONTENT


Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by a vote of 6 to 5, a closed rule providing one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the bill shall be considered as read. The rule provides that all points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit.

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INNOVATION AND JOB CREATION--THE SBIR PROGRAM


Committee on Small Business: Full Committee held a hearing on Spurring Innovation and Job Creation: The SBIR Program. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES


Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Full Committee held a markup on the following legislation: S. 307, to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 217 West King Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the ``W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and United States Courthouse'', ordered reported without amendment; H.R. 872, Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011, ordered reported with amendment; and H.R. 1079, Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, ordered reported without amendment.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES


Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee held a markup of H.R. 1034, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The bill was ordered reported without amendment.

TAX CODE TREATMENT OF ABORTION-RELATED EXPENSES


Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures held a hearing on the tax code's treatment of abortion-related expenses and the changes to such tax treatment proposed by section 2 of H.R. 3--the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Testimony was heard from Thomas A. Barthold, Chief of Staff, Joint Committee on Taxation.

SUBCOMMITTEE ORGANIZATION


Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held an organizational meeting.

Joint Meetings


NORTHERN IRELAND


Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Commission concluded a hearing to examine Northern Ireland, focusing on justice in individual cases and accountability for past abuses by security services in the region, including implementation of key provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, after receiving testimony from Michael H. Posner, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; Jane Winter, British Rights Watch, London, England; and John Finucane, John Teggart, and Ciaran McAirt, all of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY,


MARCH 17, 2011


(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)

Senate


Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2012 for the Food and Drug Administration, 2 p.m., SD-124.

Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2012 for the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Government Printing Office (GPO), and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), 2:30 p.m., SD-138.
Committee on Armed Services, to hold hearings to examine the Department of the Air Force in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2012 and the Future Years Defense Program; with the possibility of a closed session in SVC-217 following the open session, 9:30 a.m., SD-G50.

Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, to hold hearings to examine military construction, environmental, and base closure programs in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2012 and the Future Years Defense Program, 2:30 p.m., SR-323A.
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), focusing on evaluating returns on taxpayer investments, 10 a.m., SD-538.
Committee on the Budget, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Heather A. Higginbottom, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, 2 p.m., SD-608.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Science and Space, to hold hearings to examine investing in Federal research and development, 10:30 a.m., SR-253.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to hold hearings to examine current global investment trends in clean energy technologies and the impact of domestic policies on that investment, 9:30 a.m., SD-366.
Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, with the Subcommittee on Green Jobs and the New Economy, to hold joint hearings to examine the ``Clean Air Act'' and jobs, 10 a.m., SD-406.
Committee on Foreign Relations, to hold hearings to examine popular uprisings in the Middle East, focusing on the implications for U.S. policy, 10 a.m., SD-419.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, to hold hearings to examine health insurance exchanges and ongoing state implementation of the ``Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,'' 10 a.m., SD-430.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery, to hold hearings to examine recouping improperly paid Federal assistance in the aftermath of disasters, 10 a.m., SD-342.

[Page: D262]  GPO's PDF

Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine catastrophic preparedness, focusing on if FEMA is ready for the next big disaster, 2:30 p.m., SD-342.
Committee on the Judiciary, business meeting to consider S. 216, to increase criminal penalties for certain knowing and international violations relating to food that is misbranded or adulterated, S. 222, to limit investor and homeowner losses in foreclosures, S. 410, to provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings, and the nominations of James Michael Cole, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice, Edward Milton Chen, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California, John J. McConnell, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the District of Rhode Island, Goodwin Liu, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, Kevin Hunter Sharp, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee, Roy Bale Dalton, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida, and Claire C. Cecchi, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey, 10 a.m., SD-226.
Select Committee on Intelligence, closed business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 2:30 p.m., SH-219.

House


Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, hearing on FY 2012 Budget Request, 10:15 a.m., 2362-A Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, hearing on FY 2012 Budget Request, 1:30 p.m., 2359 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Defense, hearing on Afghanistan, 10 a.m., H-140 Capitol. CLOSED HEARING

Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, hearing on FY 2012 Budget, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, hearing on Geological Survey FY 2102 Budget Oversight Hearing, 9:30 a.m., B-308 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, hearing on FY 2012 Budget Oversight, 1 p.m., B-308 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, hearing on Improper Payments, 10 a.m., 2358-B Rayburn.
Committee on Armed Services, Full Committee, hearing on Law of War Detention and the President's Executive Order Establishing Periodic Review Boards for Guantanamo Detainees, 1 p.m., 2118 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on Military Personnel Overview, 11 a.m., 2212 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, hearing on soldier and marine equipment for dismounted operations, 9:30 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
Committee on the Budget, Full Committee, hearing on Fulfilling the Mission of Health Retirement Security, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon.
Committee on Education and the Workforce, Full Committee, hearing on Education Regulations: Roadblocks to Student Choice in Higher Education, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health, hearing entitled ``The Implementation and Sustainability of the New, Government-Administered Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Program.'' 9:30 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, entitled ``Oversight of DOE Recovery Act Spending.'' 1:30 p.m., 2322 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Energy and Power, hearing on The American Energy Initiative: focus on oil supplies, gasoline prices, and jobs in the Gulf of Mexico, 9 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology, hearing entitled ``The Relationship of Monetary Policy and Rising Prices'', 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Full Committee, hearing on The Global Nuclear Revival and U.S. Nonproliferation Policy, 9:45 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, hearing on the Colombia and Panama Free Trade Agreements: National Security and Foreign Policy Priorities, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.
Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, hearing entitled ``Ensuring Effective Preparedness, Response, and Recovery for Events Impacting Health Security.'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon.
Committee on House Administration, Subcommittee on Elections, hearing on Election Assistance Commission Operations and 2012 Budget Request, 10:30 a.m., 1310 Longworth.
Committee on the Judiciary, Full Committee, markup of H.R. 1021, to prevent the termination of the temporary office of bankruptcy judges in certain judicial districts; H.R. 096, to provide for American Somoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas to be treated as States for certain criminal justice programs; and H. Con. Res. 13, the ``Reaffirming `In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions,'' 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Committee on Natural Resources, Full Committee, hearing on Harnessing American Resources to Create Jobs and Address Rising Gasoline Prices: Domestic Resources and Economic Impacts, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Full Committee hearing entitled ``The Freedom of Information Act: Crowd-Sourcing Government Oversight.'' 9:30 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Full Committee, markup on H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011; and H.R. 970, the Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2011, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.

[Page: D263]  GPO's PDF

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, hearing on Federal Regulatory Overreach in the Railroad Industry: Implementing the Rail Safety Improvement Act, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, hearing on Department of Veterans Affairs FY 2012 Budget for the Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration, and Related Agencies, 1 p.m., 334 Cannon.
Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Trade, hearing on pending trade agreements with Columbia, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Full Committee, hearing on Intelligence Authorities, 10 a.m., 304 HVC.

[Page: D264]  GPO's PDF

Next Meeting of the
SENATE

9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 17

Senate Chamber

Program for Thursday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 10:30 a.m.), Senate will continue consideration of S. 493, SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act. At 12 noon, Senate will begin consideration of H.J. Res. 48, Additional Continuing Appropriations, and after a period of debate, vote on passage of the joint resolution, to be followed by a vote on confirmation of the nomination of Amy Berman Jackson, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia.

Next Meeting of the
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

9 a.m., Thursday, March 17

House Chamber

Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 1076--To prohibit Federal funding of National Public Radio and the use of Federal funds to acquire radio content (Subject to a Rule) and consideration of H. Con. Res. 28--Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.



Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue

HOUSE

Alexander, Rodney, La., E497

Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E498

Berkley, Shelley, Nev., E499

Bishop, Timothy H., N.Y., E501

Boren, Dan, Okla., E507

Cleaver, Emanuel, Mo., E508

Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E503

Fattah, Chaka, Pa., E497

Filner, Bob, Calif., E504, E506, E507, E508

Hartzler, Vicky, Mo., E497, E497, E501

Hayworth, Nan A.S., N.Y., E497, E505, E507

Hirono, Mazie K., Hawaii, E502

Holden, Tim, Pa., E504

Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E504

Huizenga, Bill, Mich., E500

Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E505

Johnson, Henry C. ``Hank'', Jr., Ga., E498, E501, E504

McCollum, Betty, Minn., E500

McMorris Rodgers, Cathy, Wash., E500

Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E500

Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E500

Miller, Candice S., Mich., E507

Moore, Gwen, Wisc., E499

Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E505, E506

Paul, Ron, Tex., E506

Rogers, Mike, Ala., E503

Ryan, Tim, Ohio, E501

Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho, Northern Mariana Islands, E502

Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E504, E505, E506, E507, E508, E508

Wilson, Joe, S.C., E501

Young, C.W. Bill, Fla., E503


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