Monday, March 9, 2009
[[Page D229]]
Daily Digest
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S2873-S2917
Measures Introduced: Eleven bills and four resolutions were introduced,
as follows: S. 544-554, S. Res. 69-71, and S. Con. Res. 10.
Page S2909-10
Measures Reported:
Special Report entitled ``Report of the Select Committee on
Intelligence for the 110th Congress''. (S. Rept. No. 111-6)
Page S2909
Measures Passed:
National Reading Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 69, designating
March 2009 as ``National Reading Month'' and authorizing the collection
of nonmonetary book donations in Senate office buildings during the
period beginning March 9, 2009 and ending March 27, 2009 from Senators
and officers and employees of the Senate to assist elementary school
students in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Page S2874
Relative to Robert Levinson: Committee on Foreign Relations was
discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 4, calling on the
President and the allies of the United States to raise the case of
Robert Levinson with officials of the Government of Iran at every level
and opportunity, and urging officials of the Government of Iran to
fulfill their promises of assistance to the family of Robert Levinson
and to share information on the investigation into the disappearance of
Robert Levinson with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the
resolution was then agreed to.
Pages S2915-16
Congratulating Sailors: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 10,
congratulating the Sailors of the United States Submarine Force upon
the completion of 1,000 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)
deterrent patrols.
Pages S2916-17
Measures Considered:
Omnibus Appropriations Act: Senate resumed consideration of H.R. 1105,
making omnibus appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2009, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:
Pages S2874-S2903
Rejected:
By 32 yeas to 63 nays (Vote No. 86) McCain Amendment No. 593, to
prohibit the use of certain funds provided in the bill.
Pages S2874, S2895-98, S2900
By 34 yeas to 61 nays (Vote No. 87) Kyl Amendment No. 630, to require
a report on counter-smuggling efforts in Gaza.
Pages S2874, S2889, S2890-92, S2900-01
By 39 yeas to 56 nays (Vote No. 88) Kyl Amendment No. 631, to require
the Secretary of State to certify that funds made available for
reconstruction efforts in Gaza will not be diverted to Hamas or
entities controlled by Hamas.
Pages S2874-81, S2892-95, S2901
By 42 yeas to 53 nays (Vote No. 89) Enzi Amendment No. 668, to
prohibit the use of funds to modify certain HIV/AIDS funding formulas.
Pages S2883, S2899-S2900, S2901-02
Barrasso (and Enzi) Amendment No. 637, to remove the new application
fee for a permit to drill.
Page S2902
Pending:
Ensign Amendment No. 615, to strike the restrictions on the District
of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program.
Pages S2874, S2878-83
Kyl Amendment No. 629, to provide that no funds may be used to
resettle Palestinians from Gaza into the United States.
Pages S2874, S2889
Bunning Amendment No. 665, to require the Secretary of State to issue
a report on investments by foreign companies in the energy sector of
Iran.
Page S2895
Sessions Amendment No. 604, to extend the pilot program for
employment eligibility confirmation established in title IV of the
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 for
6 years.
Pages S2898-99
A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing the
remaining amendments be considered and debated and that after all
debate time has been concluded on the remaining amendments, Senate vote
in relation to the amendments in a sequence established under a
subsequent order; that there be two minutes of debate, equally divided
and controlled in the usual form, prior to a vote in relation
[[Page D230]]
to each amendment; provided further, that after the first vote in the
sequence, the remaining vote times be limited to 10 minutes each;
provided further, that upon disposition of all remaining amendments,
there then be 30 minutes of debate, equally divided and controlled
between the Majority and Republican Leaders, or their designees, prior
to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill; and that upon
disposition of the amendments and the Senate having voted on the motion
to invoke cloture on the bill, and cloture having been invoked, all
post-cloture time be considered yielded back, the bill be read a third
time, and Senate vote on passage of the bill.
Page S2903
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further
consideration of the bill at approximately 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March
10, 2008.
Page S2917
Appointments:
Senate National Security Working Group: The Chair announced, on
behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to the provisions of S. Res.
105, (adopted April 13, 1989), as amended by S. Res. 149, (adopted
October 5, 1993), as amended by Public Law 105-275, (adopted October
21, 1998), further amended by S. Res. 75, (adopted March 25, 1999), and
S. Res. 383, (adopted October 27, 2000), and amended by S. Res. 355,
(adopted November 13, 2002), and further amended by S. Res. 480,
(adopted November 21, 2004), appointed the following Senators as
members of the Senate National Security Working Group for the 111th
Congress: Senator Levin, Democratic Co-Chairman, Senator Kerry,
Democratic Co-Chairman, Senator Lautenberg, Democratic Co-Chairman,
Senator Dorgan, Senator Durbin, Senator Cardin, and Senator Byrd, as
Majority Administrative Co-Chairman.
Page S2917
Nomination--Cloture Motion: Senate began consideration of the
nomination of David W. Ogden, of Virginia, to be Deputy Attorney
General.
A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination of
David W. Ogden, of Virginia, to be Deputy Attorney General and, in
accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of
the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Wednesday, March 11, 2009.
Page S2903
Nomination--Cloture Motion: Senate began consideration of the
nomination of Austan Dean Goolsbee, of Illinois, to be a Member of the
Council of Economic Advisers.
A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination of
Austan Dean Goolsbee, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Council of
Economic Advisers and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII
of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on
Wednesday, March 11, 2009.
Page S2903
Nomination--Cloture Motion: Senate began consideration of the
nomination of Cecilia Elena Rouse, of California, to be Member of the
Council of Economic Advisers.
A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination of
Cecilia Elena Rouse, of California, to be Member of the Council of
Economic Advisers and, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII
of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on
Wednesday, March 11, 2009.
Pages S2903-04
Messages from the House:
Page S2909
Measures Placed on the Calendar:
Page S2909
Executive Communications:
Page S2909
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S2910-11
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S2911-14
Additional Statements:
Pages S2908-09
Amendments Submitted:
Page S2915
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:
Page S2915
Authorities for Committees To Meet:
Page S2915
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S2915
Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--89)
Pages S2900-02
Adjournment: Senate convened at 2 p.m. and adjourned at 7:20 p.m.,
until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2009. (For Senate's program, see
the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page
S2917.)
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
NOMINATION
Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the
nomination of Ronald Kirk, of Texas, to be United States Trade
Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, after the nominee, who was
introduced by Senator Cornyn, testified and answered questions in his
own behalf.
PREVENTING WORKER EXPLOITATION
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee
concluded a hearing to examine preventing worker exploitation, focusing
on protecting individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable
populations, after receiving testimony from John L. McKeon, Deputy
Administrator for Enforcement,
[[Page D231]]
Wage and Hour Division, and James B. Leonard, former attorney, both of
the Department of Labor; Curtis Decker, National Disability Rights
Network, Washington, DC; Joyce Bender, Bender Consulting Services,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Kim Bobo, Interfaith Worker Justice,
Chicago, Illinois.
House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 22 public bills, H.R. 1382-
1403; and 7 resolutions, H.J. Res. 39; and H. Res. 222-227, were
introduced.
Pages H3103-05
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H3105-06
Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows:
H.R. 1262, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to
authorize appropriations for State water pollution control revolving
funds, with an amendment (H. Rept. 111-26).
Page H3103
Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed
Representative Edwards (MD) to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H3079
Recess: The House recessed at 12:36 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m.
Pages H3079-80
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the
following measures:
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that providing
breakfast in schools through the National School Breakfast Program has
a positive impact on classroom performance: H. Res. 210, to express the
sense of the House of Representatives that providing breakfast in
schools through the National School Breakfast Program has a positive
impact on classroom performance, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 383
yeas to 11 nays, Roll No. 110;
Pages H3081-83, H3087-88
Congratulating the National Assessment Governing Board on its 20th
Anniversary in measuring student academic achievement: H. Res. 222, to
congratulate the National Assessment Governing Board on its 20th
Anniversary in measuring student academic achievement, by a \2/3\ yea-
and-nay vote of 388 yeas to 9 nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No.
111; and
Pages H3083-85, H3088
Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act: H.R. 131, amended, to
establish the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission, by a \2/3\ recorded
vote of 371 ayes to 19 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 112.
Pages H3085-87, H3088-89
Recess: The House recessed at 2:56 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m.
Page H3087
Senate Message: Message received from the Senate by the Clerk and
subsequently presented to the House today appears on pages H3080-81.
Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H3087-88,
H3088, and H3089. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 12:30 p.m. and adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Committee Meetings
No committee meetings were held.
Joint Meetings
No joint committee meetings were held.
NEW PUBLIC LAWS
(For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D158)
H.J. Res. 38, making further continuing appropriations for fiscal
year 2009. Signed on March 6, 2009. (Public Law 111-6)
COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2009
(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
Senate
Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine current
and future threats to the national security of the United States;
with the possibility of a closed session to follow in SH-219, 9:30
a.m., SH-216.
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings
to examine enhancing investor protection and the regulation of
securities markets, 10:30 a.m., SD-538.
Committee on the Budget: to hold hearings to examine the
President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2010, 2:30 p.m., SD-608.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: to hold hearings to
examine proposed legislation to provide for the conduct of an in-
depth analysis of the impact of energy
[[Page D232]]
development and production on the water resources of the United
States, 10 a.m., SD-366.
Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine the President's
fiscal year 2010 health care proposals, 10 a.m., SD-215.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold
hearings to examine rebuilding economic security, focusing on
empowering workers to restore the middle class, 10 a.m., SD-106.
Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the next generation of
national service, 2:30 p.m., SD-430.
Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine patent
reform in the 111th Congress, focusing on legislation and recent
court decisions, 10 a.m., SD-226.
Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of
Lanny A. Breuer, of the District of Columbia, Christine Anne Varney,
of the District of Columbia, and Tony West, of California, each to
be an Assistant Attorney General, 2:30 p.m., SD-226.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to
examine budget for veterans programs for fiscal year 2010, 9:30
a.m., SR-418.
Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold hearings to examine the
nomination of David S. Kris, of Maryland, to be an Assistant
Attorney General, 2:30 p.m., SD-106.
House
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies, on Major Challenges Facing Federal
Prisons, 10 a.m., and 2 p.m., and on Offender Drug Abuse Treatment
Approaches, 3 p.m., H-309 Capitol.
Subcommittee on Defense, on Marine Corps Ground Equipment, 10
a.m., H-140 Capitol.
Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, on
Treasury Actions Relating to the Financial Crisis, 10 a.m., 2359
Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Secure Border Initiative and
Control of the Land Border, 10 a.m., and on Department of Homeland
Security Response to Violence on the Border with Mexico, 11:30 a.m.,
2358-C Rayburn.
Subcommittee on State and Operations, on The Merida Initiative, 10
a.m., 2362A Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and
Related Agencies, on Department of Transportation Inspector General
and GAO, Top Management Challenges and High Risk, 10 a.m., 2358-A
Rayburn.
Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Seapower and
Expeditionary Forces, hearing on Littoral Combat Ship program
update, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee on Health,
Employment, Labor and Pensions, hearing on Strengthening Employer-
Based Health Care, 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and
Environment, hearing on the Future of Coal under Climate
Legislation, 9:30 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Health, hearing on Making Health Care Work for
American Families with emphasis on Designing a High Performance
Healthcare System, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services, hearing entitled ``Exploring the
Balance between Increased Credit Availability and Prudent Lending
Standards,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats,
Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing entitled
``Reviewing the Federal Cybersecurity, Mission,'' 2 p.m., 311
Cannon.
Committee on the Judiciary, hearing on H.R. 848, Performance
Rights Act, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, hearing on
Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA): Barriers to
Timely Compliance by States, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water and Power,
oversight hearing on Federal Power Marketing Administration
Borrowing Authority: Defining Success, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to mark up the
following: the Electronic Message Preservation Act; H.R. 1320,
Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2009; H.R. 1323,
Reducing Information Control Designations Act; Title IV of H.R.
1256, Thrift Savings Plan Enhancement Act of 2009; H. Res. 166,
Recognizing the 450th birthday of the settlement of Pensacola,
Florida, and encouraging the people of the United States to observe
the 450th birthday of the settlement of Pensacola, Florida, and
remember how the rich history of Pensacola, Florida, has likewise
contributed to the rich history of the United States; H. Res. 178,
Expressing the need for enhanced public awareness of traumatic brain
injury and support for the designation of a National Brain Injury
Awareness Month; H. Res. 22, Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the Senate should ratify the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW);
H.R. 918, To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 300 East 3rd Street in Jamestown, New York, as
the ``Stan Lundine Post Office Building;'' H.R. 955, to designate
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10355
Northeast Valley Road in Rollingbay, Washington, as the ``John `Bud'
Hawk Post Office;'' H.R. 987, To designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 1601 8th Street in Freedom
Pennsylvania as the ``John Scott Challis, Jr., Post Office; H.R.
1216, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield, Missouri,
as the ``Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building;''
H.R. 1217, To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as
the ``Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building;'' H.R. 1218,
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, as the
``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building;'' and H.R.
1284, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Services
located at 103 West Main Street in McLain, Mississippi, as the
``Major Ed W. Freeman Post Office;'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.
[[Page D233]]
Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Technology
and Innovation, hearing on Strengthening Forensic Science in the
United States: The Role of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on
Economic Development, Public Lands and Emergency Management, hearing
on EDA Reauthorization: Rating Past Performances and Setting Goals
During an Economic Crisis, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, hearing on U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2010, 2 p.m., 334
Cannon.
Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Trade, to meet for
organizational purposes, 11:15 a.m., 1100 Longworth.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive briefing on
National Intelligence Council, 4 p.m., 304 HVC.
Joint Meetings
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: to hold hearings
to examine the impact of potential climate remediation policies on
carbon-intensive United States industries and creating climate-
friendly economic and trade polices, focusing on how the financial
crisis impacts the implementation of climate-friendly policies
within the United States and among trading partners, 10 a.m., SR-
428A.
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 D234]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Next Meeting of the SENATE
10 a.m., Tuesday, March 10
Senate Chamber
Program for Tuesday: Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 1105,
Omnibus Appropriations Act, and after a period of debate vote on
certain amendments, and then vote on the motion to invoke cloture on
the bill.
(Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for their
respective party conferences.)
Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 10
House Chamber
Program for Tuesday: Consideration of the following suspensions: (1) H.
Con. Res. 64--Urging the President to designate 2009 as the ``Year of
the Military Family''; (2) H. Con. Res. 37--Authorizing the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby; (3) H. Con.
Res. 38--Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National
Peace Officers' Memorial Service; (4) H. Con. Res. 39--Authorizing the
use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special
Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run; (5) H.R. 813--The ``J. Herbert W.
Small Federal Building and United States Courthouse'' Designation Act;
(6) H.R. 837--The ``Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United
Nations Building'' Designation Act; (7) H.R. 842--The ``R. Jess Brown
United States Courthouse'' Designation Act; (8) H.R. 869--The ``Scott
Reed Federal Building and United States Courthouse'' Designation Act;
(9) H.R. 887--The ``James A. Leach United States Courthouse''
Designation Act; (10) H. Res. 194--Supporting the goals of
International Women's Day; and (11) H. Res. Recognizing the plight of
the Tibetan people on the 50th Anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama being forced into exile, and calling for a sustained multilateral
effort to bring about a durable and peaceful solution to the Tibet
issue.
_______________________________________________________________________
Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue
HOUSE
Blackburn, Marsha, Tenn., E589
Boren, Dan, Okla., E589
Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E593, E594
Capuano, Michael E., Mass., E593
Crowley, Joseph, N.Y., E590
Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E595
Ehlers, Vernon J., Mich., E593, E597
Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E597
Frank, Barney, Mass., E589
Graves, Sam, Mo., E593, E595, E596, E596, E598
Green, Gene, Tex., E597
Grijalva, Rau M., Ariz., E595
Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E596
Jones, Walter B., N.C., E597
Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E596
McHugh, John M., N.Y., E592
Matheson, Jim, Utah, E597
Moore, Gwen, Wisc., E591
Moran, James P., Va., E594, E595, E598
Radanovich, George, Calif., E589
Rahall, Nick J., II, W.Va., E590
Rogers, Mike, Ala., E591
Stearns, Cliff, Fla., E589
Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E592
Wolf, Frank R., Va., E591, E591