Thursday, October 4, 2007 [[Page D1322]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 49, Adjournment Resolution. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S12695-S12828 Measures Introduced: Twenty bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2137-2156, S. Res. 344, and S. Con. Res. 49. Pages S12774-75 Measures Reported: S. 221, to amend title 9, United States Code, to provide for greater fairness in the arbitration process relating to livestock and poultry contracts. (S. Rept. No. 110-190) S. 453, to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-191) H. Con. Res. 193, recognizing all hunters across the United States for their continued commitment to safety. S. Res. 326, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. S. 1640, to amend chapter 13 of title 17, United States Code (relating to the vessel hull design protection), to clarify the definitions of a hull and a deck. S.J. Res. 17, directing the United States to initiate international discussions and take necessary steps with other Nations to negotiate an agreement for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean. S. Con. Res. 39, supporting the goals and ideals of a world day of remembrance for road crash victims. Page S12774 Measures Passed: Adjournment Resolution: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 49, providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate. Page S12702 Ban Asbestos in America Act: Senate passed S. 742, to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce the health risks posed by asbestos- containing materials and products having asbestos-containing material, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S12728-37 Murray Amendment No. 3257, of a perfecting nature. Page S12731 Murray Amendment No. 3258, to amend the title. Page S12731 Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments: Senate passed S. 1640, to amend chapter 13 of title 17, United States Code (relating to the vessel hull design protection), to clarify the definitions of a hull and a deck. Page S12826 Commending the Government of Germany: Senate agreed to S. Res. 344, commending the Government of Germany for preventing a large-scale terrorist attack in September 2007, and supporting future cooperation to prevent terrorism. Page S12826 Arctic Ocean Migratory and Transboundary Fish Stocks: Senate agreed to S.J. Res. 17, directing the United States to initiate international discussions and take necessary steps with other Nations to negotiate an agreement for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean. Pages S12826-27 Road Crash Victims Remembrance Day: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 39, supporting the goals and ideals of a world day of remembrance for road crash victims. Pages S12826-27 Measures Considered: Commerce and Justice, and Science Appropriations Act--Agreement: Senate began consideration of H.R. 3093, making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S12702-28, S12737-53 Adopted: Mikulski/Shelby Amendment No. 3211, in the nature of a substitute. (By unanimous consent, the [[Page D1323]] amendment will be considered as original text for the purpose of further amendment.) Page S12702 Mikulski Amendment No. 3216, to require certain evaluations by the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget before the satellite acquisition program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may proceed. Pages S12707-08 Mikulski Amendment No. 3215, to require reporting regarding the costs of conferences held by the Department of Justice. Pages S12706-07, S12717 Shelby/Mikulski Amendment No. 3231, to improve the working conditions for the United States Marshal's Service. Page S12711 Mikulski (for Menendez) Amendment No. 3220, to provide additional funding for juvenile mentoring programs. Pages S12711-12 Mikulski (for Dorgan) Amendment No. 3227, to provide adequate funding for the Drug Courts program. Page S12712 Mikulski Amendment No. 3233, to provide additional funding for the Office on Violence Against Women. (Subsequent to its adoption, a unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the amendment be modified). Pages S12713, S12748-49 Mikulski (for Coburn) Amendment No. 3230 (to Amendment No. 3215), to ensure Department of Justice conference spending does not fund excessive junkets, lavish meals, or organizations linked to terrorism. Page S12717 Mikulski (for Domenici) Modified Amendment No. 3213, to increase the number of Deputy United States Marshals assigned to work on immigration-related matters. Pages S12720-21 Mikulski (for Landrieu) Amendment No. 3222, to provide for hiring additional conciliators for the regional offices of the Community Relations Service of the Department of Justice. Page S12722 Mikulski (for Bingaman) Modified Amendment No. 3210, to conduct a study regarding investments in intangible assets. Pages S12722-23 Mikulski (for Murray) Modified Amendment No. 3219, to ensure FBI work force is properly allocated to meet the FBI's mission requirements and priorities. Page S12723 Landrieu Amendment No. 3223, to waive certain matching requirements for counties and parishes in which the President declared a major disaster in response to Hurricane Katrina of 2005 or Hurricane Rita of 2005. Pages S12741-42 Mikulski Amendment No. 3250, to provide necessary expenses for return to flight activities associated with the space shuttle and to provide that funding for such expenses is designated as emergency spending. Pages S12723-28, S12739-41, S12748 Mikulski (for Murray) Modified Amendment No. 3218, to provide funds for a Northern Border Prosecutor Initiative. Pages S12749-50 Mikulski (for Reid) Amendment No. 3225, to require an analysis of the methods for collecting data regarding the status of the United States economy and a determination of whether the current data results in an overstatement of United States economic growth, domestic manufacturing output, and productivity. Page S12750 Mikulski Amendment No. 3268, to provide funds for science, engineering, technology, and mathematics-related activities. Page S12750 Rejected: Coburn Amendment No. 3243, to provide $1,680,000 to investigate and prosecute unsolved civil rights crimes in a fiscally responsible manner by prioritizing spending. (By 61 yeas to 31 nays (Vote No. 363), Senate tabled the amendment). Pages S12742-47 Withdrawn: Dorgan Amendment No. 3240, to increase funding for crime control and methamphetamine abuse projects for Indians, with an offset. Pages S12747-48 Pending: Inouye Amendment No. 3214, to establish a fact-finding Commission to extend the study of a prior Commission to investigate and determine facts and circumstances surrounding the relocation, internment, and deportation to Axis countries of Latin Americans of Japanese descent from December 1941 through February 1948, and the impact of those actions by the United States, and to recommend appropriate remedies. Pages S12709-11 Casey (for Biden) Amendment No. 3256, to appropriate an additional $110,000,000 for community-oriented policing services and to provide a full offset for such amount. Page S12749 Brown Amendment No. 3260, to prohibit the use of any funds made available in this Act in a manner that is inconsistent with the trade remedy laws of the United States. Pages S12750-53 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that all first- degree amendments to the bill be filed at the desk by 2:30 p.m., on Monday, October 15, 2007. Pages S12827-28 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate resume consideration of the bill at 3 p.m., on Monday, October 15, 2007. Pages S12827-28 Authority for Committees--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, all committees be authorized to file legislative and executive reports on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 from 12 noon until 3 p.m. Page S12825 [[Page D1324]] Authorizing Leadership To Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous- consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the recess or adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President of the Senate Pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate. Page S12826 Second Reading--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that notwithstanding the pro forma session of the Senate on Friday, October 5, 2007, that S. 2152, to amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program through fiscal year 2012, and H.R. 2740, to require accountability for contractors and contract personnel under Federal contracts, be considered as having received a second reading, and placed on the Calendar. Page S12827 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations: Roslynn Renee Mauskopf, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. Patrick P. Shen, of Maryland, to be Special Counsel for Immigration- Related Unfair Employment Practices for a term of four years. Kristine Mary Miller, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development for a term expiring May 19, 2010. Brenda L Kingery, of Texas, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development for a term expiring May 19, 2012. Julie E. Kitka, of Alaska, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development for a term expiring May 19, 2012. Sonya Kelliher-Combs, of Alaska, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development for a term expiring May 19, 2008. Perry R. Eaton, of Alaska, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development for a term expiring May 19, 2012. Sharion Aycock, of Mississippi, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi. Richard A. Jones, of Washington, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington. Jennifer Walker Elrod, of Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit. James Russell Dedrick, of Tennessee, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee for the term of four years. Robert Charles Tapella, of Virginia, to be Public Printer. Paul J. Hutter, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs. Donald M. Kerr, of Virginia, to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence. Thomas P. O'Brien, of California, to be United States Attorney for the Central District of California for the term of four years. Edward Meacham Yarbrough, of Tennessee, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee for the term of four years vice James K. Vines, resigned. Pages S12753-62, S12825, H12828 Messages from the House: Page S12773 Measures Referred: Page S12773 Measures Placed on the Calendar: Pages S12695-96, S12773 Measures Read the First Time: Pages S12773, S12827 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S12773 Executive Communications: Pages S12773-74 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S12774 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S12775-76 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S12776-87 Additional Statements: Pages S12771-73 Amendments Submitted: Pages S12787-S12811 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S12811 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Pages S12811-12 Privileges of the Floor: Page S12812 Text of H.R. 3222 as Previously Passed: Pages S12812-25 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--363) Page S12747 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 7:32 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 5, 2007. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S12827-28.) [[Page D1325]] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) SUBPOENA ISSUANCE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies approved authorizing a subpoena for the testimony of Robert E. Murray, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Murray Energy, Inc., related to the Crandall Canyon Mine Disaster in Utah. NOMINATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Douglas A. Brook, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy, John J. Young, Jr., of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, who was introduced by Senators Stevens and Inouye, and Robert L. Smolen, of Pennsylvania, to be Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. INDUSTRIAL LOAN COMPANIES Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the regulation and supervision of industrial loan companies, financial institutions in the United States that lend money, and may be owned by non-financial institutions, after receiving testimony from Scott G. Alvarez, General Counsel, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; John F. Bovenzi, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy to the Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Scott M. Polakoff, Senior Deputy Director, Office of Thrift Supervision, Department of the Treasury; Erik Sirri, Director, Division of Market Regulation, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; G. Edward Leary, Utah Commissioner of Financial Institutions, Salt Lake City; Edward L. Yingling, American Bankers Association, Arthur E. Wilmarth, Jr., George Washington University Law School, and Peter J. Wallison, American Enterprise Institute, all of Washington, D.C.; Marc E. Lackritz, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, New York, New York; Brigid Kelly, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Monroe, Ohio; and Jagjit Singh, Transportation Alliance Bank, Ogden, Utah, on behalf of the Utah Association of Financial Services. NATION'S SEAPORTS Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the security of our nation's seaports, focusing on the SAFE Port Act (Public Law 109-347), after receiving testimony from Rear Admiral David Pekoske, Assistant Commandant for Operations, United States Coast Guard, Maurine Fanguy, Program Director, Transportation Security Administration, and Thomas S. Winkowski, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), all of the Department of Homeland Security; Stephen L. Caldwell, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office; and Anthony Coscia, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, New York, New York. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION REFORM Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety concluded a hearing to examine S. 2045, to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, after receiving testimony from Senator Durbin; Nancy A. Nord, Acting Chairman, and Thomas H. Moore, Commissioner, both of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; Edmund Mierzwinski, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Travis Plunkett, Consumer Federation of America, Alan Korn, Safe Kids USA, and Joseph M. McGuire, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, on behalf of the National Association of Manufacturers, all of Washington, D.C.; and Al Thompson, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Arlington, Virginia. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: An original bill entitled, ``The Heartland, Habitat, Harvest, and Horticulture Act of 2007''; and A bill to implement the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. LAW OF THE SEA TREATY Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, with Annexes, done at Montego Bay, December 10, 1982 (the ``Convention''), and the Agreement Relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, with Annex, adopted at New York, July 28, 1994 (the Agreement''), and signed by the United States, subject to ratification, on July 29, 1994 (Treaty Doc. 103-39), after receiving testimony from Admiral Vernon [[Page D1326]] Clark, USN (Ret.), former Chief of Naval Operations, Phoenix, Arizona; Bernard H. Oxman, University of Miami School of Law, Miami, Florida; Frank J. Gaffney, Jr., Center for Security Policy, Fred Smith, Competitive Enterprise Institute, and Joseph J. Cox, Chamber of Shipping of America, all of Washington, D.C.; Paul L. Kelly, Rowan Companies, Inc., Houston, Texas, on behalf of sundry organizations; and Douglas R. Burnett, North American Submarine Cable Association (NASCA), New York, New York. OVERSEAS INFECTIOUS DISEASE SURVEILLANCE Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia concluded a hearing to examine forestalling the coming pandemic, focusing on infectious disease surveillance overseas including the obligations, goals, and activities of these programs, and the United States agencies' monitoring of the programs' progress, after receiving testimony from David Gootnick, Director, International Affairs and Trade, Government Accountability Office; Ray Arthur, Director, Global Disease Detection Operations Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; Kimothy Smith, Acting Director, National Biosurveillance Integration Center, Chief Scientist, Office of Health Affairs, Department of Homeland Security; Colonel Ralph L. Erickson, USA, Director, Emerging Infectious Disease Surveillance and Response System, Department of Defense; Kent R. Hill, Assistant Administrator for Global Health, U.S. Agency for International Development; Nathan Flesness, International Species Information System, Apple Valley, Minnesota; Daniel A. Janies, The Ohio State University Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbus; and James M. Wilson, Georgetown University Imaging Science and Information Systems Center, Washington, D.C. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BACKLOGS Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the backlogs at the Department of the Interior, focusing on land into trust applications, environmental impact statements, probate, and appraisals and lease approvals, after receiving testimony from Carl J. Artman, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs; Ron His Horse Is Thunder, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Fort Yates, North Dakota; William R. Rhodes, Gila River Indian Community, Sacaton, Arizona; Frank Bigelow, Madera County, Madera, California; Douglas Nash, Seattle University School of Law Institute for Indian Estate Planning and Probate, Seattle, Washington; and Robert Chicks, Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, Bowler, Wisconsin, on behalf of the National Congress of American Indians. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following: S. 1640, to amend chapter 13 of title 17, United States Code (relating to the vessel hull design protection), to clarify the definitions of a hull and a deck; S. 2035, to maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media, with amendments; S. Res. 326, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims; H. Con. Res. 193, recognizing all hunters across the United States for their continued commitment to safety; and The nominations of Thomas P. O'Brien, to be United States Attorney for the Central District of California, Edward Meacham Yarbrough, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, and Robert M. Dow, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. HOMETOWN HEROES SURVIVORS BENEFITS ACT Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the implementation of the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act, (Public Law 108-182) and S. 459, to require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations, after receiving testimony from Domingo S. Herraiz, Director, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice; Athena Schwantes, National Fallen Firefighter's Foundation, Fayetteville, Georgia; Jo Ann Tilton, Katy, Texas; and Susan Falkouski, Rensselaer, New York. [[Page D1327]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 26 public bills, H.R. 3745- 3771; 1 private bill, H.R. 3772; and 10 resolutions, H.J. Res. 56-57; H. Con. Res. 226-228; and H. Res. 711-715 were introduced. Pages H11314-16 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H11316-17 Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today. Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed Representative Ross to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H11253 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Clay Evans, Pastor Emeritus, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois. Page H11254 MEJA Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 2740, to require accountability for contractors and contract personnel under Federal contracts, by a recorded vote of 389 ayes to 30 noes, Roll No. 940. Consideration of the measure began on Wednesday, October 3rd. Pages H11261-67 Agreed to the Forbes motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 342 yeas to 75 nays, Roll No. 939. Subsequently, Representative Conyers reported the bill back to the House with the amendment and the amendment was agreed to. Page H11266 H. Res. 702, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to on Wednesday, October 3rd. Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 3246, to amend title 40, United States Code, to provide a comprehensive regional approach to economic and infrastructure development in the most severely economically distressed regions in the Nation, by a yea-and-nay vote of 264 yeas to 154 nays, Roll No. 946. Pages H11259-61, H11267-68, H11270-87 Rejected the Jordan motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with instructions to report the same back to the House promptly with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 201 yeas to 218 nays, Roll No. 945. Page H11284 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in H. Rept. 110- 361, shall be considered as adopted. Page H11275 H. Res. 704, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 227 yeas to 188 nays, Roll No. 942, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 224 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 941. Pages H11267-68 Adjournment Resolution: The House agreed to S. Con. Res. 49, providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate. Page H11287 Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007: The House passed H.R. 3648, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude discharges of indebtedness on principal residences from gross income, by a recorded vote of 386 ayes to 27 noes, Roll No. 948. Pages H11255-59, H11268-70, H11287-98 Rejected the Cantor motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Ways and Means with instructions to report the same back to the House promptly with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 201 yeas to 212 nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 947 Pages H11296-97 Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in H. Rept. 110-360, shall be considered as adopted. Page H11288 H. Res. 703, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 193 nays, Roll No. 944, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 943. Pages H11255-59, H11269-70 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed by unanimous consent to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, October 10th. Page H11300 Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 3 p.m. tomorrow, and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9th for morning hour debate. Page H11300 Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on pages H11253-54 and H11287. Senate Referrals: S. Con. Res. 45 was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and S. 2106 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Page H11313 [[Page D1328]] Quorum Calls--Votes: Eight yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H11266, H11267, H11267-68, H11268, H11269, H11269-70, H11286, H11287, H11297 and H11297-98. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 5:43 p.m. Committee Meetings U.S. AGRICULTURE LABOR NEEDS Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review the labor needs of American agriculture. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. ROLE OF DOD IN IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on the role of the Department of Defense in Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan and Iraq. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Mitchell Shivers, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Central Asia Affairs, Office of the Secretary (Policy); MG Bobby J. Wilkes, USAF, Deputy Director, Politico-Military Affairs (Asia), Strategic Plans and Policy, The Joint Staff; Mark Kimmit, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, Office of the Secretary; and COL (Promotable) Ralph O. Baker, USA, Deputy Director, Politico-Military Affairs (Middle East), Strategic Plans and Policy, The Joint Staff. FEDERAL TAB--COMMERCIAL NUCLEAR WASTE Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Issues in Federal Government Financial Liabilities: Commercial Nuclear Waste. Testimony was heard from Kim P. Cawley, Unit Chief, Natural and Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit, CBO; Edward F. Sproat, III, Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Department of Energy; and Michael F. Hertz, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, Department of Justice. 401(k) FAIR DISCLOSURE FOR RETIREMENT SECURITY ACT OF 2007 Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on H.R. 3185, 401 (k) Fair Disclosure for Retirement Security Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Bradford P. Campbell, Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 1055, Toxic Right-to-Know Protection Act; and H.R. 1103, Environmental Justice Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the EPA: Granta Y. Nakayama, Assistant Administrator, Office of Environment and Compliance Assurance; Wade Najjum, Assistant Inspector General for Program Evaluation; and Molly O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, Office of Environmental Information; Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel, Office of Advocacy, SBA; John B. Stephenson, Director, Natural Resources and Environment; Nancy Wittenberg, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection, State of New Jersey; and public witnesses. U.S. BIO-LABORATORY SAFETY/SECURITY Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Germs, Viruses, and Secrets: The Silent Proliferation of Bio-Laboratories in the United States.'' Testimony was heard from Keith Rhodes, Chief Technologist, Center for Technology and Engineering, GAO; from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Richard Besser, M.D., Director, Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response; Robbin S. Weyant, Director, Division of Select Agents and Toxins, and Casey Chosewood, M.D., Director, Office of Health and Safety, Office of the Director, all with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Hugh Auchincloss, M.D., Deputy Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infestious Diseases, NIH; and public witnesses. REAUTHORIZATION--MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing entitled ``Reauthorization of the McKinney- Vento Homeless Assistance Act.'' Testimony was heard from Senators Reed and Allard; John McKinney, Senator, State of Connecticut; and public witnesses. AFGHAN COUNTERNARCOTICS/POLICE TRAINING Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia held a hearing on Counternarcotics Strategy and Police Training in Afghanistan. Testimony was heard from Thomas Schweich, Coordinator for Counternarcotics and Justice Reform in Afghanistan, Department of State; and a public witness. [[Page D1329]] OVERSEAS COUNTERTERRORISM COORDINATION Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism held a hearing entitled ``Homeland Security Beyond Our Borders: Examining the Status of Counterterrorism Coordination Overseas.'' Testimony was heard from Michael E. Leiter, Principal Deputy Director, National Counterterrorism Center; the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Ambassador Marisa R. Lino, Assistant Secretary, International Affairs, and Gary L. Cote, Deputy Assistant Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Edgar Moreno, Assistant Director, Domestic Operations, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Department of State; and Thomas V. Fuentes, Assistant Director, Office of International Operations, Legal Attache Program, FBI, Department of Justice. EMERGENCY HOME OWNERSHIP AND MORTGAGE EQUITY PROTECTION ACT OF 2007 Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law approved for full Committee action H.R. 3609, Emergency Home Ownership and Mortgage Equity Protection Act of 2007. ADA RESTORATION ACT OF 2007 Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held a hearing on H.R. 3195, ADA Restoration Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from Representative Hoyer; and public witnesses. IMMIGRATION DETAINEE MEDICAL CARE Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law held a hearing on Detention and Removal: Immigration Detainee Medical Care. Testimony was heard from Gary Mead, Assistant Director, Detention and Removal, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security. SPECIES CONSERVATION MEASURES Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 1464, Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007; and H.R. 1771, Crane Conservation Act of 2007. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; IRAQI CORRUPTION ASSESSMENT Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 3572, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4320 Blue Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri, as the ``Wallace S. Hartfield Post Office Building;'' H. Con. Res. 205, Supporting the goal and ideals of National Women's Friendship Day; H. Res. 588, Recognizing Martha Coffin Wright on the 200th anniversary of her birth and her induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame; H. Res. 630, Congratulating the Warner Robins Little League Baseball Team from Warner Robins, Georgia, on winning the 2007 Little League World Series Championship; H. Res. 654, Congratulating the Phoenix Mercury for winning the 2007 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Championship; H. Res. 697, Commending Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre for establishing a National Football League record for the most career touchdown passes; and H. Res. 687, amended, Celebrating the 90th birthday of Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, and honoring his contributions to higher education, the Catholic Church, and the advancement of the humanitarian mission. The Committee also held a hearing on assessing the state of Iraq corruption. Testimony was heard from David Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; Ambassador Larry Butler, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Near East Affairs, Department of State; Stuart Bowen, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction; Judge Radhi Hamza al-Radhi, Commissioner, Public Integrity in Iraq; and a public witness. R&D GLOBALIZATION AND INNOVATION Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation continued hearings on The Globalization of R&D and Innovation, Part III: How Do Companies Choose Where To Build R&D Facilities. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. SBA CONTRACTING PROGRAMS Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on SBA Contracting Programs. Testimony was heard from Steven C. Preston, Administrator, SBA; and public witnesses. VA RESEARCH PROGRAMS Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on VA Research Programs. Testimony was heard from MAJ David Rozelle, USA, Administrative Officer, Military Advanced Training Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Joel Kupersmith, M.D., Chief Research and Development Officer, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans organizations. [[Page D1330]] IMPORT SAFETY Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade and the Subcommittee on Oversight held a joint hearing on import safety. Testimony was heard from Warren H. Maruyama, General Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; Daniel Baldwin, Assistant Commissioner, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protect, Department of Homeland Security; William James, D.V.M., Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of International Affairs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA; Steven M. Solomon, D.V.D., Deputy Director, Office of Regional Operations, Office of Regulatory Affairs, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services; and Marc J. Schoem, Director, Recalls and Compliance, Consumer Product Safety Commission; and public witnesses. COMMITTEE BUSINESS Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations met in executive session to consider pending business. Joint Meetings MASS INCARCERATION COSTS Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the costs of mass incarceration in the United States, after receiving testimony from Glenn C. Loury, Brown University Department of Economics, Providence, Rhode Island; Bruce Western, Harvard University Department of Sociology, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Alphonso Albert, Second Chances, Norfolk, Virginia; Michael P. Jacobson, Vera Institute of Justice, New York, New York; and Pat Nolan, Prison Fellowship, Reston, Virginia. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2007 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of October 8 through October 13, 2007 Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) No meetings/hearings scheduled. House Committees Committee on Armed Services, October 10, hearing on security involving Pakistan and policy implications for the Department of Defense, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Committee on the Budget, October 11, hearing on the Tax Code and Health Insurance Coverage, 10 a.m., 210 Cannon. Committee on Education and Labor, October 10, hearing on Cases of Child Neglect and Abuse at Private Residential Treatment Facilities, 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Energy and Commerce, October 11, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, to continue hearings entitled ``Diminished Capacity: Can the FDA Assure the Safety and Security of the Nation's Food Supply?--Part III,'' 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Affairs, October 10, to mark up the following legislation: H. Res. 106, Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution; and a resolution Condemning the terrorist organization known as the PKK and supporting Turkey's struggle against such organization, 1:30 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. October 11, full Committee, hearing on The Mexico City Policy/ Global Gag Rule: Its Impact on Family Planning and Reproductive Health, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Homeland Security, October 10, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing on H.R. 2631, Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act, 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. October 11, Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, hearing entitled ``The SAFE Port Act: Status of Implementation One Year Later,'' 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. Committee on the Judiciary, October 11, hearing on Jena 6 and the Role of Federal Intervention in Hate Crimes and Race-Related Violence in Public Schools, 1:30 p.m., 2141 Rayburn. October 11, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security and the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, joint hearing on Allegations of Selective Prosecution: The Erosion of Public Confidence in Our Federal Justice System, 9:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn. October 11, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Refugees, Border Security, and International Law, hearing on H.R. 750, Save America Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2007, 10 a.m., 2237 Rayburn. Committee on Natural Resources, October 9, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, oversight hearing entitled ``Implementation of the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act: Has the Promise Been Fulfilled?'' 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth. October 10, full Committee, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 53, Virgin Islands National Park School Lease Act; H.R. 767, Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act; H.R. 830, Denali National Park and Alaska Railroad Land Exchange Act of 2007; H.R. 3111, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial Enhancement Act of 2007; H.R. 783, Mesa Verde National Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2007; H.R. 1528, New England National Scenic Trail Designation Act; H.R. 2094, To provide for certain administrative [[Page D1331]] and support for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission; H.R. 2197, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park Boundary Adjustment Act; H.R. 523, Douglas County, Washington, PUD Conveyance Act; H.R. 1462, Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and Pathfinder Modification Authorization Act; H.R. 29, To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct facilities to provide water for irrigation, municipal, domestic, military, and other uses from the Santa Margarita River, California; H.R. 135, Twenty-First Century Water Commission Act of 2007; and H.R. 664, Dana Point Desalination Project Authorization Act, 11 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, October 10, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, hearing on Professional Sport Stadiums: Do They Divert Taxpayer Funds From Public Infrastructure? 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. October 10, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, hearing on Six Years Later: Assessing Long-Term Threats, Risks and the U.S. Strategy for Security in a Post 9/11 World, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. October 11, full Committee, hearing on Medicare Part D: Assessing Private Insurers' Delivery of Medicare Drug Coverage, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Committee on Rules, October 9, to consider the following bills: H.R. 2895, National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007; and H.R. 3056, Tax Collection Responsibility Act of 2007, 5 p.m., H-313 Capitol. Committee on Science and Technology, October 10, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, to mark up pending business, 2 p.m., 2318 Rayburn. October 10, Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, hearing on Assessment of the National Science Board's Action Plan for STEM Education, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. October 11, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, hearing on Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)--Status of the Survey Program and Review of NASA's Report to Congress, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Committee on Small Business, October 10, hearing on Small Business Priorities in upcoming energy legislation, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. October 11, full Committee, to mark up Funding and Contracting legislation, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, October 10, Subcommittee on Aviation, hearing on The Transition from FAA to Contractor-Operated Flight Service Stations: Lessons Learned, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. October 11 Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, hearing on Railroad-Owned Solid Waste Transload Facilities, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. Committee on Veterans' Affairs, October 10, hearing on the Findings of the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. October 11, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, oversight hearing on VETS DVOP/LVER Program, 2 p.m., 334 Cannon. Committee on Ways and Means, October 11, Subcommittee on Health and Subcommittee on Oversight, joint hearing on Required Audits of Medicare Advantage Plan Bids, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). The Periodicals postage is paid at Washington, D.C. The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. The database includes both text and graphics from the beginning of the 103d Congress, 2d session (January 1994) forward. It is available through GPO Access at www.gpo.gov/gpoaccess. Customers can also access this information with WAIS client software, via telnet at swais.access.gpo.gov, or dial-in using communications software and a modem at 202ÿ09512ÿ091661. Questions or comments regarding this database or GPO Access can be directed to the GPO Access User Support Team at: E-Mail: gpoaccess@gpo.gov; Phone 1ÿ09888ÿ09293ÿ096498 (toll-free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091530 (D.C. area); Fax: 202ÿ09512ÿ091262. The Team's hours of availability are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, except Federal holidays. The Congressional Record paper and 24x microfiche edition will be furnished by mail to subscribers, free of postage, at the following prices: paper edition, $252.00 for six months, $503.00 per year, or purchased as follows: less than 200 pages, $10.50; between 200 and 400 pages, $21.00; greater than 400 pages, $31.50, payable in advance; microfiche edition, $146.00 per year, or purchased for $3.00 per issue payable in advance. The semimonthly Congressional Record Index may be purchased for the same per issue prices. To place an order for any of these products, visit the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250ÿ097954, or phone orders to 866ÿ09512ÿ091800 (toll free), 202ÿ09512ÿ091800 (D.C. area), or fax to 202ÿ09512ÿ092104. Remit check or money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. Following each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. With the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire mailing label from the last issue received. [[Page D1332]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Friday, October 5 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will meet in a pro forma session. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 3 p.m., Friday, October 5 House Chamber Program for Friday: To be announced. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue. HOUSE Akin, W. Todd, Mo., E2066, E2067, E2068 Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E2071 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E2065, E2067, E2068 Brady, Kevin, Tex., E2069 Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E2070 Courtney, Joe, Conn., E2065, E2067, E2068 Davis, Danny K., Ill., E2070 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E2071 Gingrey, Phil, Ga., E2070 Hinojosa, Ruben, Tex., E2071 Kennedy, Patrick J., R.I., E2069 Klein, Ron, Fla., E2069 Lofgren, Zoe, Calif., E2071 Miller, George, Calif., E2069 Pascrell, Bill, Jr., N.J., E2068 Ross, Mike, Ark., E2067 Ryan, Paul, Wisc., E2066, E2068 Shuster, Bill, Pa., E2070 Sires, Albio, N.J., E2069