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# Legislative Bulletin...........................................May 16, 2006

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.R. 586** --- Right-to-Ride Livestock on Federal Lands Act of 2005

**H.R. 2978** --- Assiniboine and Sioux water rights agreement

> **S. 1869 ---** Coastal Barrier Resources Reauthorization Act of 2005
>
> **H.R. 518 ---** Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Improvement
> Act of 2006
>
> **S. 1165 ---** James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act
> of 2005
>
> **H.R. 3682** --- To redesignate the Mason Neck National Wildlife
> Refuge in Virginia as the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National
> Wildlife Refuge
>
> **H. Res. 788** --- Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers
> Memorial Day
>
> **H. Res. 751** --- Recognizing the cultural and educational
> contributions of American Ballet Theater throughout its 65 years of
> service as "America's National Ballet Company"
>
> **H. Res. 740** --- Calling on the Government of the United Kingdom to
> immediately establish a full, independent, public judicial inquiry
> into the murder of Northern Ireland defense attorney Pat Finucane, as
> recommended by international Judge Peter Cory as part of the Weston
> Park agreement and a way forward for the Northern Ireland Peace
> Process
>
> **H. Res. 795** --- Condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist
> attacks in Dahab and Northern Sinai, Egypt, on April 24 and 26, 2006
>
> **H. Res. 499** --- Condemning the murder of American journalist Paul
> Klebnikov on July 9, 2004, in Moscow and the murders of other members
> of the media in the Russian Federation

H.R. 586 --- Right-to-Ride Livestock on Federal Lands Act of 2005 ---
*as introduced* (Radanovich, R-CA)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

An almost identical bill, H.R. 2966, passed the House during the 108^th^
Congress by a voice vote on September 21, 2004.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 586 would:

-   Direct the Interior Secretary to preserve and facilitate the
    continued use and access of pack and saddle stock animals (including
    horses, burros, and mules) on parts of National Park System lands
    where there is a historical tradition of this use.

-   Direct that -- as a general rule -- all trails, routes, and areas
    used by such animals shall remain open and accessible for this use.

-   Allow the Secretary of the Interior to implement a proposed
    reduction in the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on
    lands only after complying with the full review process required
    under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

-   Makes the same amendments to other laws regarding other public lands
    as follows:

    1.  the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, with respect
        to Bureau of Land Management lands;

    2.  the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966,
        with respect to National Wildlife Refuge System lands; and

    3.  the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of
        1974, with respect to National Forest System lands (with the
        Secretary directed to act in this case being the Secretary of
        Agriculture).

-   Require the Interior Secretary and the Agriculture Secretary to
    issue, within 120 days of enactment, final rules to define the
    meaning of a historical tradition of the use of pack and saddle
    stock animals on federal lands for the purposes of this Act.

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.R. 586 was introduced on February
2, 2005, and referred to the Committee on Resources and three
subcommittees, and also referred to Committee on Agriculture. Neither
committee took any official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO score of H.R. 586 is
unavailable, but CBO estimated that H.R. 2966 (an identical bill in the
108^th^ Congress) would cost less than \$500,000 (in the year following
enactment), subject to appropriations.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A committee report citing
constitutional authority is unavailable.

House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports
contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint
resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}:** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H.R. 2978 --- Assiniboine and Sioux water rights agreement --- *as
reported* (Rehberg, R-MT)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on May 16, 2006 under a motion to suspend the rules and
pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: The 106^th^ Congress passed the Fort Peck
Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000 to construct a rural water
project in the northeastern corner of Montana to serve the Fort Peck
Indian Reservation and parts of Valley, Daniels, Sheridan, and Roosevelt
Counties. H.R. 2978 allows the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes of the Fort
Peck Indian Reservation, with the approval of the Secretary of the
Interior, to enter into a lease agreement for water rights to the Dry
Prairie Rural Water Association, Inc.

Under the Fort Peck-Montana Compact, the tribes have rights to the water
in the Dry Prairie Rural Water System. The Montana State Water Compact
Commission has already approved the conveyance from the tribes to the
Association. The tribes will give the Association 28,000 acre-feet of
water per year at no cost since the tribes have plenty of water and are
not asking for payment for the water. Upon projected completion in 2011,
the Association should be able to serve a population of 31,000.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: A nearly identical bill, S.
1219, was passed by the Senate on February 1, 2006. According to the
committee report (109-419), the tribes "have more than enough water and
the Association does not."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 2978 was introduced on June 16,
2005, and referred to the House Committee on Resources' Subcommittee on
Water and Power on June 28, 2005. On December 7, 2005, the Subcommittee
held a hearing on the bill. The full committee marked-up the bill, and
it was reported to the House by unanimous consent on March 29, 2006.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO estimates that enacting H.R.
2978 will have no significant impact on the federal budget.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: The Committee Report, H.
Rept. 109-419, cites constitutional authority for this legislation in
Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, but fails to cite a specific
Clause.

House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports
contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint
resolution" *\[emphasis added\]*.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Marcus Kelley;
<marcus.kelley@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717

S. 1869 --- Coastal Barrier Resources Reauthorization Act of 2005 ---
*as received from the Senate ---* Sen. Inhofe (R-OK)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: S. 1869 would reauthorize at current levels
(\$2 million annually) through FY10, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act
(CBRA). The bill authorizes \$500,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and
2007, for the Department of Interior to submit to Congress a report
regarding the digital maps of the Coastal Barrier Resources System areas
and other protected areas created under a current pilot project
authorized in current law (to read more about the pilot project, please
see "Additional Information" section). S. 1869 would also **authorize
\$5 million over five years (FY06-FY10) for a new project** to create
digital versions of all the Coastal Barrier Resources Systems area maps
and maps of other protected areas not included in the current pilot
project.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According the Committee Report
109-428, the 2000 reauthorization of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act
(CBRA) directed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish a new
"digital mapping pilot study to produce digital maps of up to 75 CBRA
areas and to estimate the cost and feasibility of completing digital
maps for the entire \[John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources\]
System." The bill also reauthorized appropriations for the Coastal
Barrier Resources System at \$2 million each fiscal year through
September 30, 2005. S. 1869 extends this authorization to FY10.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: S. 1869 was passed by unanimous
consent in the Senate on December 16, 2005. The House received the bill
on December 17, 2005, and referred it to the House Committee on
Resources, which considered, held a mark-up, and reported it to the
House by unanimous consent on March 29, 2006.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO estimates that, subject to
appropriations, implementing S. 1869 will cost \$4 million in FY06, and
\$17 million from FY06-FY10.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: Yes, the bill would create a new federally
funded resources project.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: The Resources Committee, in
Committee Report 109-428, finds constitutional authority in Article I,
Section 8, but does not cite a specific clause. House Rule XIII, Section
d(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a statement citing
the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact
the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution" *\[emphasis added\].*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

H.R. 518 --- Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Improvement Act of
2006 --- *as amended --- Kind (D-WI)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill, as amended.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 518 would reauthorize appropriations for
programs funded through the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act
(NMBCA), as follows:

-   \$5 million for FY06

-   \$5 million for FY07

-   \$6 million for FY08

-   \$7 million for FY09

-   \$8 million for FY10

Under current law, NMBCA funding expired in 2005, and was authorized at
\$5 million annually. In addition, the authorization for this program
provides that at least 75% of the funding made available for NMBCA is to
be used for projects carried out outside the U.S. The bill would also
permit MNBCA funding to subsidize projects in Canada

H.R. 518 would also increase to 50% (up from 25%), the federal share for
funding of projects under NMBCA. Under current law, the federal
government is limited to covering 25% of the cost of a project, and this
bill would increase this limit to 50%, therefore increasing the amount
of federal funding permitted to be spent on each project.

The bill would "encourage" the Department of Interior to convene an
advisory group to assist in implementation of NMBCA. In addition, the
bill would increase to \$150,000 (up from \$80,000), funds available for
administrative expenses for the program. Finally, H.R. 518 would expand
the definition of Caribbean for the purposes of MNBCA, to include Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This will allow for the MNBCA funding
of projects in these countries.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According the Committee Report
109-421, "Neotropical migrants are birds that travel between the United
States, Mexico, Central America, much of the Caribbean, and the northern
part of South America. These birds include the following species: blue
birds, cranes, ducks, goldfinches, gulls, hawks, herons, robins,
hummingbirds, orioles, plovers, warblers, and woodpeckers."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 518 was introduced on February
2, 2005, and referred to the House Committee on Resources, which
considered it, held a mark-up, and reported the bill, as amended, by
unanimous consent on April 25, 2006.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO estimates that, subject to
appropriations, implementing H.R. 518 will cost \$1 million in FY06, and
\$27 million from FY06-FY10.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: Yes, the bill authorizes an increases
funding for MNBCA. Specifically, the H.R. 518 increases the federal
share of projects funded through the program, and increase
authorizations for administrative costs from \$80,000 to \$150,000.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: The Resources Committee, in
Committee Report 109-421, finds constitutional authority in Article I,
Section 8, but does not cite a specific clause. House Rule XIII, Section
d(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a statement citing
the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact
the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution" *\[emphasis added\].*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

S. 1165 --- James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act of
2005 *--- as received from the Senate --- Sen. Inouye (D-HI)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: S. 1165 would authorize such sums as
necessary in order to expand, by 750 acres, the boundary of the James
Campbell National Wildlife Refuge in Honolulu, Hawaii, making the Refuge
roughly 1,100 total acres of land. The bill authorizes the Department of
Interior to acquire the additional land and to make minor modifications
to the boundary of the Refuge.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According the bill's findings,
"the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) manages the James
Campbell National Wildlife Refuge for the purpose of promoting the
recovery of four species of endangered Hawaiian waterbirds." The bill
also states that the U.S. FWS owns and operates the Refuge for the
purposes of permanently protecting the endangered species habitat and
improving the management of the Refuge, and the additional acreage
includes several types of endangered species, which would be protected
and observed by the inclusion of this land.

At a December 6, 2005, Resources Hearing, the Administration testified
against this bill, stating the following:

> "**Two million dollars was appropriated in Fiscal Year 2005** for the
> Service to acquire the remaining acreage within the authorized
> boundary and to acquire other Estate lands outside the current refuge
> acquisition boundary upon conclusion of the planning process. ... In
> addition to the national priorities and funding constraints discussed
> above, we have already evaluated a proposal similar to H.R. 2866,
> adding this portion of the land to the approved PPP.  On September 14,
> 2004, after a careful review, the Service concluded that a 388-acre
> expansion of the refuge is all that is feasible and can be
> accomplished at this time.  The Service determined that the costs
> associated with the acquisition and management of the additional
> lands, in addition to expanded operational requirements, would
> compromise our ability to properly manage and address the needs of
> this refuge, as well as existing refuges throughout the Refuge System.
> We appreciate that Representative Abercrombie, Representative Case,
> and their constituents seek to expand James Campbell NWR.  Given that
> just over one year ago we concluded that the proposed expansion in
> this area was not feasible, **we cannot support it at this time**"
> \[emphasis added\].

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: S. 1165 was received from the Senate
on December 16, 2005, and referred to the House Committee of Resources,
which considered it, held a mark-up, and reported the bill, as amended,
by unanimous consent on April 25, 2006.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO estimates that, subject to
appropriations, implementing S. 1165 will cost \$20 million over the
FY06-FY10 period. CBO based their estimate on information provided from
the Department of Interior regarding the estimated cost of purchasing
the additional property and costs associated with maintaining the
property.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: Yes, the bill authorizes the Department of
Interior to increase federal land holdings by roughly 750 acres.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: The Resources Committee, in
Committee Report 109-191, does not cite constitutional authority. House
Rule XIII, Section d(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a
statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the
Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution"
*\[emphasis added\].*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

H.R. 3682 --- To redesignate the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in
Virginia as the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge
--- *as reported* (Davis, R-VA)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 3682 would redesignate the Mason Neck
National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia as the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason
Neck National Wildlife Refuge.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According to the committee
report, "the term 'Mason Neck' refers to George Mason who built the
Gunston Hall Plantation and was one of the richest planters in Virginia.
He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses, was the original author of
the Virginia Bill of Rights and represented the State at the
Constitutional Convention in 1787."\
\
The committee report states that Elizabeth Hartwell was a "leading
environmentalist" who successfully led a campaign against at least 21
separate "environmental threats" to Mason Neck during an 18-year period,
including stopping the following projects: a deep-water port for ocean
going vessels, an outer beltway highway plan through the Refuge, a
garbage landfill for the District of Columbia, a liquified natural gas
pipeline, and a sewer line construction project.

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.R. 3682 was introduced on
September 7, 2005, and referred to the Committee on the Resources'
Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans. The bill was marked-up on March
29, 2006, and was reported to the House by unanimous consent the same
day (H. Rept.
[109-433](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp109:FLD010:@1(hr433):)).

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO estimates that any resulting
change in federal spending would be negligible. The bill would not
affect direct spending or revenues.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: The Committee Report, H.
Rept. 3682, cites constitutional authority for this legislation in
Article 1, Section 8 (enumerated powers of Congress) of the
Constitution, but fails to cite a specific Clause. House Rule XIII,
Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a
statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the
Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution."
*\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}:** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H. Res. 788 --- Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers
Memorial Day --- *as reported* (Hefley, R-CO)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on May 15, 2006, under a motion to suspend the rules and
pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 788 resolves that Congress:

-   "supports the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day to
    honor Federal, State, and local peace officers killed or disabled in
    the line of duty; and

-   "calls upon the people of the United States to observe such a day
    with appropriate ceremonies and respect."

The resolution also states a number of findings, including the
following:

-   "more than 870,000 law enforcement personnel in the United States
    serve their fellow citizens as guardians of peace;

-   "155 peace officers across the Nation were killed in the line of
    duty during 2005, well below the decade-long average of 164 deaths
    annually, and a major drop from 2001 when 237 officers were killed,
    including 72 officers in the September 11th terrorist attacks;

-   "a law enforcement officer is killed in the United States every 53
    hours, and there are 56,000 assaults against our law enforcement
    officers each year, resulting in 16,000 injuries;

-   "section 136 of title 36, United States Code, requests that the
    President issue an annual proclamation designating May 15 as Peace
    Officers Memorial Day in honor of Federal, State, and local officers
    killed or disabled in the line of duty; and

-   "on May 15, 2006, more than 20,000 peace officers are expected to
    gather in Washington, D.C. to join with the families of their
    recently fallen comrades to honor those comrades and all others who
    have fallen before them."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: An almost identical bill, H.
Res. 266, passed the House during the 109^th^ Congress by a vote of
391 - 0 on May 16, 2005: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll172.xml

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 788 was introduced on May 2,
2006, and referred to the House Committee on Government Reform. The
resolution was considered and marked-up on May 4, 2006. It was ordered
to be reported by unanimous consent the same day.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Marcus Kelley;
<marcus.kelley@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717

H. Res. 751 --- Recognizing the cultural and educational contributions
of American Ballet Theater throughout its 65 years of service as
"America's National Ballet Company"

--- *as introduced* (*Maloney, D-NY*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on May 16, 2006, under a motion to suspend the rules and
pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 751 resolves that the House of
Representatives:

-   "recognizes and commends American Ballet Theatre for over 65 years
    of service as 'America\'s National Ballet Company', during which it
    has provided world class art to citizens in all 50 States;

-   "recognizes that American Ballet Theatre also serves as a true
    cultural ambassador for our Nation, by having performed in 42
    countries and fulfilling its reputation as one of the world\'s most
    revered and innovative dance companies; and

-   "recognizes that American Ballet Theatre\'s extensive and innovative
    education, outreach, and artistic development programs both train
    future generations of great dancers and expose students to the
    arts."

The resolution also states a number of findings, including the
following:

-   the "American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is recognized as one of the
    world\'s great dance companies;

-   "ABT is dedicated to bringing dance to America and American dance to
    the world;

-   "over its 65-year history, ABT has appeared in all 50 States of the
    United States, in a total of 126 cities, and has performed for more
    than 600,000 people annually;

-   "ABT has performed in 42 countries as perhaps the most
    representative American ballet company, with many of those
    engagements sponsored by the Department of State; and

-   "ABT has been home to the world\'s most accomplished dancers and has
    commissioned works by all of the great choreographic geniuses of the
    20th century;"

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: A nearly identical resolution
passed the Senate on April 27, 2006 (S. Res. 452, sponsored by Sen.
Schumer).

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 751 was introduced on March
30, 2006 and referred to the House Committee on Education and the
Workforce, which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO score of H. Res. 751 is
unavailable, but the bill does not authorize new expenditures.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Marcus Kelley;
<marcus.kelley@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717

H. Res. 740 --- Calling on the Government of the United Kingdom to
immediately establish a full, independent, public judicial inquiry into
the murder of Northern Ireland defense attorney Pat Finucane, as
recommended by international Judge Peter Cory as part of the Weston Park
agreement and a way forward for the Northern Ireland Peace Process ---
*as introduced* (Smith, R-NJ)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on May 16, 2006, under a motion to suspend the rules and
pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 740 resolves that Congress:

-   "commends the Finucane family\--wife Geraldine and son Michael who
    have testified before Congress\--for their courageous campaign to
    seek the truth in this case of collusion;

-   "welcomes the passage of a resolution by the Dail Eireann on March
    8, 2006, calling for the establishment of a full, independent,
    public judicial inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane as the
    Irish Government\'s most recent expression of support for the
    Finucane family;

-   "acknowledges the United States Helsinki Commission and the House of
    Representatives\' International Relations\' subcommittees charged
    with human rights monitoring for their work in highlighting this
    case through hearings and legislation;

-   "supports the efforts of The Honorable Mitchell Reiss, President
    Bush\'s special envoy for the Northern Ireland Peace Process, in
    pushing for the full implementation of the Weston Park Agreement and
    the establishment of an independent, judicial inquiry into the
    murder of Patrick Finucane; and

-   "calls on the Government of the United Kingdom to reconsider its
    position on the Finucane case to take full account of the family\'s
    objections, Judge Cory\'s objections, objections raised by officials
    of the United States Government, other governments, and
    international bodies, and amend the UK Inquiries Act of 2005; and

-   "calls on the Government of the United Kingdom to immediately
    establish a full, independent, public judicial inquiry into the
    murder of Pat Finucane, as recommended by Judge Cory, which would
    enjoy the full cooperation of the family and the wider community
    throughout Ireland and abroad."

The resolution also states a number of findings, including the
following:

-   "human rights defense attorney and solicitor Patrick Finucane was
    brutally murdered in front of his wife and children at his home in
    Belfast on February 12, 1989;

-   "numerous international bodies and non governmental human rights
    organizations have made note of serious allegations of collusion
    between loyalist paramilitaries and British security forces in the
    murder of Mr. Finucane;

-   "in July, 2001, the Irish and British Governments made new
    commitments in the Weston Park Agreement to hold public inquiries
    into high profile murders if so recommended by the Honorable Judge
    Peter Cory, with it being clearly understood that such an inquiry
    would be held under the United Kingdom Tribunals of Inquiry
    (Evidence) Act 1921;

-   "Judge Cory found sufficient evidence of collusion to warrant a
    public inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane and recommended
    that such an inquiry take place without delay;

-   "in his conclusions, Judge Cory set out the necessity and importance
    of a public inquiry into the Finucane case and that the failure to
    hold a public inquiry as quickly as reasonably possible could be
    seen as a denial of the agreement at Weston Park;

-   "on May 6, 2004, Judge Cory testified in Congress before the United
    States Helsinki Commission and presented his report which is replete
    with evidence of possible collusion relating to activities of the
    army intelligence unit and the RUC in the Finucane case;

-   "the United Kingdom adopted new legislation after the public release
    of the Cory Report, the United Kingdom Inquiries Act 2005, which
    severely limits the procedures of an independent inquiry and which
    has been rejected as inadequate by Judge Cory, the Finucane family,
    the Irish Government and human rights groups;

-   "on March 15, 2005, Judge Cory submitted written testimony to the
    House International Relations committee stating that the new
    legislation is 'unfortunate to say the least' and 'would make a
    meaningful inquiry impossible'; and

-   "the House of Representatives and Congress have passed legislation
    supporting the establishment of an independent, judicial inquiry
    into the murder of Patrick Finucane and deeply regrets the British
    Government\'s failure to honor its commitment to implement Judge
    Cory\'s recommendation in full."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 740 was introduced on March
28, 2006, and referred to the House Committee on International
Relations, which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Marcus Kelley;
<marcus.kelley@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717

H. Res. 795 --- Condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks
in Dahab and Northern Sinai, Egypt, on April 24 and 26, 2006 --- *as
introduced* (Davis, R-VA)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on May 16, 2006 under a motion to suspend the rules and
pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 795 resolves that the House of
Representatives:

-   "condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks on Dahab and
    Northern Sinai, Egypt and other terrorist attacks directed against
    Egypt;

-   "expresses its condolences to the families and friends of those
    individuals who were killed in the attacks and expresses its
    sympathies to those individuals who have been injured;

-   "joins with President George W. Bush in expressing the solidarity of
    the people and Government of the United States with the people and
    Government of Egypt as they recover from these cowardly and inhuman
    attacks; and

-   "expresses its readiness to support the Egyptian authorities in
    their efforts to bring to justice those individuals responsible for
    the recent attacks in Egypt and to pursue, disrupt, undermine, and
    dismantle the networks which plan and carry out such attacks."

The resolution also states a number of findings, including the
following:

-   "on April 24 and 26, 2006, a series of explosions at Dahab and in
    Northern Sinai, Egypt, planned and carried out by terrorists,
    resulted in the deaths of scores of civilians and the injury of many
    others;"

-   "the people of Egypt have been subjected to several other deadly
    terrorist attacks over the past years;"

-   "President George W. Bush called President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt to
    extend condolences on behalf of the American people for the loss of
    life."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 795 was introduced on May 3,
2006, and referred to the House Committee on International Relations,
which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Marcus Kelley;
<marcus.kelley@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717

H. Res. 499 --- Condemning the murder of American journalist Paul
Klebnikov on July 9, 2004, in Moscow and the murders of other members of
the media in the Russian Federation --- *as introduced* (McCotter, R-MI)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on May 16, 2006, under a motion to suspend the rules and
pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 795 resolves that the House of
Representatives:

-   "condemns the murder of American journalist Paul Klebnikov on July
    9, 2004, in Moscow and the murders of other members of the media in
    the Russian Federation;

-   "urges the Government of Russia to continue its inquiries into the
    murder of Mr. Klebnikov;

-   "urges the Government of Russia to take appropriate action to
    protect the independence and freedom of the Russian media and all
    visiting members of the media; and

-   "commends all journalists working and living in Russia for their
    courageous dedication to transparency and the truth."

The resolution also states a number of findings, including the
following:

-   "on July 9, 2004, American journalist Paul Klebnikov was murdered by
    gunmen as he exited the Moscow offices of Forbes Magazine;

-   "twelve journalists have been murdered in the Russian Federation
    since the Putin administration took office, and Mr. Klebnikov was
    the first and only United States citizen among these journalists;

-   "the Department of State\'s 2004 Country Reports on Human Rights
    Practices claims government pressure in Russia continues to weaken
    freedom of expression and the independence and freedom of the media,
    particularly among the major national television networks and
    regional media outlets;

-   "the Government of Russia claims Mr. Klebnikov's murder was ordered
    by Khozh-Akhmed Nukhayev, a fugitive Chechen warlord; and

-   "a group of United States investigative journalists who doubt the
    Russian Government\'s claim has launched its own inquiry into the
    death of Mr. Klebnikov."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: Klebnikov was the first editor
of Forbes Russia and wrote extensively on organized crime and corruption
in Russia and Iran.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 499 was introduced on
October 18, 2006 and referred to the House Committee on International
Relations. On November 16, 2005, the resolution was referred to the
Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats, a mark-up session was held,
and the resolution was referred back to the full committee by unanimous
consent. The same day, the full committee ordered the resolution to be
reported by unanimous consent.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO score of H. Res. 499 is
unavailable, but the bill does not authorize new expenditures.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Marcus Kelley;
<marcus.kelley@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717

\###