2007 Budget Resolution

Wednesday, May 17, 2006
 
 Page D497
 
 
 Daily Digest
 
 
 HIGHLIGHTS
 
 The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 376, Budget Resolution for 
 Fiscal Year 2007.
 
 
 Senate
 
 
 Chamber Action
 Routine Proceedings, pages S4647-S4726
 Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and one resolution were introduced, 
 as follows: S. 2818-2829, and S. Res. 482. 
 Pages S4695-96
 Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act: Senate continued consideration of 
 S. 2611, to provide for comprehensive immigration reform, taking action 
 on the following amendments proposed thereto: 
 Pages S4648-87
 Adopted:
 By a unanimous vote of 99 yeas (Vote No. 125), Kyl Amendment No. 
 4027, to make certain aliens ineligible for adjustment to lawful 
 permanent resident status or Deferred Mandatory Departure status. 
 Pages S4648-51
 By 83 yeas to 16 nays (Vote No. 126), Sessions Amendment No. 3979, to 
 increase the amount of fencing and improve vehicle barriers installed 
 along the southwest border of the United States. 
 Pages S4651-65, S4675
 Obama Modified Amendment No. 3971, to amend the temporary worker 
 program. 
 Pages S4674-75
 Leahy (for Stevens) Amendment No. 4018, to extend the deadline given 
 to the Secretary of Homeland Security for the implementation of a new 
 travel document plan for border crossings to June 1, 2009. 
 Pages S4675-77
 Santorum Amendment No. 4000, to allow additional countries to 
 participate in the visa waiver program under section 217 of the 
 Immigration and Nationality Act if they meet certain criteria. 
 Pages S4677-80
 By 50 yeas to 48 nays (Vote No. 128), Cornyn/Kyl Modified Amendment 
 No. 3965, to modify the conditions under which an H-2C nonimmigrant may 
 apply for an employment-based immigrant visa. 
 Pages S4680-83, S4686-87
 Rejected:
 By 33 yeas to 66 nays (Vote No. 127), Vitter Amendment No. 3963, to 
 strike the provisions related to certain undocumented individuals. 
 Pages S4665-74, S4676
 Pending:
 Inhofe Amendment No. 4064, to amend title 4 United States Code, to 
 declare English as the national language of the United States and to 
 promote the patriotic integration of prospective U.S. citizens. 
 Pages S4685-86
 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further 
 consideration of the bill at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2006; provided 
 further, that the Senate proceed to the consideration of an amendment 
 to be offered by Senator Kennedy and that there be 20 minutes for 
 debate equally divided; and that the Senate then resume consideration 
 of Inhofe Amendment No. 4064 (listed above). 
 Page S4725
 Appointments:
 NATO Parliamentary Assembly: The Chair, on behalf of the Vice 
 President, in accordance with 22 U.S.C. 1928a-1928d, as amended, 
 appointed the following Senators as members of the Senate Delegation to 
 the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, during the 109th Congress: Senators 
 Leahy and Wyden. 
 Page S4725
 NATO Parliamentary Assembly: The Chair, on behalf of the Vice 
 President, in accordance with 22 U.S.C. 1928a-1928d, as amended, 
 appointed the following Senators to the Senate Delegation to the NATO 
 Parliamentary Assembly, during the 109th Congress: Senators Grassley, 
 Allard, Sessions, Voinovich, and Coleman. 
 Page S4725
 Messages From the House: 
 Page S4693
 Measures Referred: 
 Page S4693
 Measures Placed on Calendar: 
 Page S4693
 Executive Communications: 
 Pages S4693-95
 
 Page D498
 
 Executive Reports of Committees: 
 Page S4695
 Additional Cosponsors: 
 Pages S4696-97
 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: 
 Pages S4697-S4710
 Additional Statements: 
 Pages S4692-93
 Amendments Submitted: 
 Pages S4710-24
 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: 
 Page S4724
 Authorities for Committees to Meet: 
 Pages S4724-25
 Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--128) 
 Page S4651, S4675, S4676, S4687
 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:15 a.m., and adjourned at 7 p.m., 
 until 9 a.m., on Thursday, May 18, 2006. (For Senate's program, see the 
 remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S4725-
 26.)
 
 Committee Meetings
 (Committees not listed did not meet)
 RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE BROADBAND LOAN PROGRAM
 Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded 
 a hearing to examine the United States Department of Agriculture Rural 
 Utilities Service Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, after 
 receiving testimony from Jim Andrew, Administrator, Rural Utilities 
 Service, Department of Agriculture; Larry Sevier, Rural Telephone 
 Service Company, Lenora, Kansas; Mark Pagon, Pegasus Communications 
 Corporation, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania; and Tom Simmons, Midcontinent 
 Communications, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
 APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
 Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a 
 hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2007 for 
 the Department of Defense, after receiving testimony from Donald H. 
 Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense; and General Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman 
 of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
 NATIONAL GUARD
 Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine 
 the roles and missions of the National Guard in support of the Bureau 
 of Customs and Border Protection, after receiving testimony from Paul 
 McHale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense; Lieutenant 
 General James T. Conway, USMC, Director of Operations, J-3, The Joint 
 Staff; Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard 
 Bureau; and Chief David V. Aguilar, Office of Border Patrol, U.S. 
 Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
 NOMINATIONS
 Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a 
 hearing to examine the nominations of Dale Klein, of Texas, to be 
 Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, who was introduced by 
 Senator Hutchison, and Molly A. O'Neill, of Virginia, to be an 
 Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, after 
 the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
 PHYSICIAN-OWNED SPECIALTY HOSPITALS
 Committee on Finance: Committee held a hearing to examine the quality 
 of patient care and services at physician-owned specialty hospitals, 
 receiving testimony from Mark B. McClellan, Administrator, Centers for 
 Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human 
 Services; Michael W. Wilson, Sellwood Baptist Church, Portland, Oregon; 
 Cindy Morrison, Sioux Valley Health System, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 
 on behalf of the Coalition of Full Service Hospitals; John M. House, 
 Irving, Texas, on behalf of the American Surgical Hospital Association; 
 Dan Mulholland, Horty, Springer and Mattern, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 
 and James C. Cobey, Washington, DC.
 Hearing recessed subject to the call.
 IRAN
 Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee held a hearing to examine 
 Iran's political and nuclear ambitions and the enrichment of uranium, 
 focusing on United States policy options, the possibility of unilateral 
 sanctions targeting European and Asian corporations, and the North 
 Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), receiving testimony from Robert J. 
 Einhorn, Center for Strategic and International Studies, David 
 Albright, Institute for Science and International Security, Kenneth M. 
 Pollack, Brookings Institution, Karim Sadjadpour, International Crisis 
 Group, Patrick Clawson, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and 
 Geoffrey Kemp, Nixon Center, all of Washington, DC.
 Hearing will continue on tomorrow.
 NOMINATIONS
 Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to 
 examine the nominations of April H. Foley, of New York, to be 
 Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary, who was introduced by 
 Representative Kelly, Michael D. Kirby, of Virginia, to 
 
 Page D499
 
 be Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, John A. Cloud, Jr., of 
 Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania, Tracey Ann 
 Jacobson, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic 
 of Tajikistan, Michael Wood, of the District of Columbia, to be 
 Ambassador to Sweden, and Robert Anthony Bradtke, of Maryland, to be 
 Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, after the nominees testified and 
 answered questions in their own behalf.
 NOMINATION
 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee 
 concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Robert J. Portman, of 
 Ohio, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget, after the 
 nominee, who was introduced by Senator Voinovich, testified and 
 answered questions in his own behalf.
 SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESS
 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee 
 on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the 
 District of Columbia continued hearings to examine the Federal 
 government's security clearance process, focusing on the progress of 
 the Office of Personnel Management in implementing a plan to address 
 the longstanding backlog of security clearance investigations, 
 including the next steps by the Office of Management and Budget, and 
 the recent halt by the Defense Security Service in processing 
 government contractor security clearances, receiving testimony from 
 Clay Johnson, III, Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management 
 and Budget; Kathy L. Dillaman, Associate Director for Federal 
 Investigative Services Division, Office of Personnel Management; Robert 
 Andrews, Deputy Under Secretary for Counter-Intelligence and Security, 
 and Robert W. Rogalski, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for 
 Intelligence, both of the Department of Defense; and Derek B. Stewart, 
 Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Government 
 Accountability Office.
 Hearing recessed subject to the call.
 BUSINESS MEETING
 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee ordered 
 favorably reported the following business items:
 S. 2823, to provide life-saving care for those with HIV/AIDS;
 S. 2803, to amend the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to 
 improve the safety of mines and mining, with an amendment in the nature 
 of a substitute;
 S. 860, to amend the National Assessment of Educational Progress 
 Authorization Act to require State academic assessments of student 
 achievement in United States history and civics; and
 The nominations of Jerry Gayle Bridges, of Virginia, to be Chief 
 Financial Officer, and Vince J. Juaristi, of Virginia, to be a Member 
 of the Board of Directors, both of the Corporation for National and 
 Community Service, J.C.A. Stagg, of Virginia, to be a Member of the 
 Board of Trustees of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation, 
 Kent D. Talbert, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, Department of 
 Education, and Horace A. Thompson, of Mississippi, to be a Member of 
 the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
 SUICIDE PREVENTION
 Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee continued oversight hearings to 
 examine how suicide prevention programs and resources that exist 
 outside of Indian country might be applied to American Indians and 
 Alaska Natives, receiving testimony from Jerry Gidner, Deputy Bureau 
 Director for Tribal Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of 
 the Interior; Charles W. Grim, Director, Indian Health Service, and 
 Charles G. Curie, Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
 Services Administration, both of Department of Health and Human 
 Services; Donna Vigil, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Whiteriver, 
 Arizona; William E. Martin, Alaska State Suicide Prevention Council, 
 Juneau; R. Dale Walker, Oregon Health and Science University One Sky 
 Center, Portland; and Jo Ann Kauffman, Kauffman and Associates, Inc., 
 Spokane, Washington, on behalf of Native Aspirations Project.
 Hearing recessed subject to the call.
 VOTING RIGHTS ACT
 Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine 
 understanding the benefits and cost of Section 5 pre-clearance 
 requirements of the Voting Rights Act, after receiving testimony from 
 Fred Gray, Gray, Langford, Sapp, McGowan, Gray and Nathanson, 
 Montgomery, Alabama; Drew S. Days, III, Yale Law School, New Haven, 
 Connecticut; Abigail M. Thernstrom, Manhattan Institute, New York, New 
 York; Armand Derfner, Derfner, Altman and Wilborn, Charleston, South 
 Carolina; and Nathaniel Persily, University of Pennsylvania Law School, 
 Philadelphia.
 INTELLIGENCE
 Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to 
 receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of 
 the intelligence community. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Page D500 
 
 
 
 
 House of Representatives
 
 
 Chamber Action
 Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 15 public bills, H.R. 5399-
 5414; 1 private bill, H.R.5415; and 6 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 402-
 406; and H. Res. 819 were introduced. 
 Pages H2704-05
 Additional Cosponsors: 
 Pages H2705-06
 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
 H. Res. 817, providing for further consideration of H. Con. Res. 376, 
 establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government 
 for fiscal year 2007 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for 
 fiscal years 2008 through 2011 (H. Rept. 109-468);
 H. Res. 818, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5386) 
 making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, 
 and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007 (H. 
 Rept. 109-469); and
 H.R. 5252, to promote the deployment of broadband networks and 
 services (H. Rept. 109-470). 
 Page H2705
 Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Ted A. 
 Hartley, Pastor, Farina United Methodist Church, Farina, Illinois. 
 Page H2643
 Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act: The House passed H.R. 4200, 
 to improve the ability of the Secretary of Agriculture and the 
 Secretary of the Interior to promptly implement recovery treatments in 
 response to catastrophic events affecting Federal lands under their 
 jurisdiction, including the removal of dead and damaged trees and the 
 implementation of reforestation treatments, to support the recovery of 
 non-Federal lands damaged by catastrophic events, to revitalize Forest 
 Service experimental forests, by a recorded vote of 243 ayes to 182 
 noes, Roll No. 151. 
 Pages H2648-80, H2687-90
 Pursuant to the rule, in lieu of the amendment recommended by the 
 Committee on Resources now printed in the bill, the amendment in the 
 nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record and numbered 
 1 pursuant to clause 8 of rule XVIII, shall be considered as an 
 original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule 
 and shall be considered as read. 
 Pages H2648, H2667
 Rejected:
 Rahall amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 109-467) that sought to 
 strike all waivers of existing conservation laws by removing the bill's 
 exemptions from requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act, 
 the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National 
 Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The amendment also specifically 
 requires that the Secretary concerned comply with the NEPA in utilizing 
 the authorities under H.R. 4200 (by a recorded vote of 189 ayes to 236 
 noes, Roll No. 147); 
 Pages H2673-75, H2687-88
 Defazio amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 109-467) that sought to 
 allow the emergency procedures authorized by H.R. 4200 to be used on 
 lands managed for timber production. For all other lands, except where 
 prohibited, such as wilderness areas, the Secretary would be required 
 to amend land management plans to incorporate salvage and restoration 
 activities (by a recorded vote of 184 ayes to 240 noes, Roll No. 148); 
 Pages H2675-77, H2688
 Inslee amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 109-467) that sought to 
 exempt any provision in the underlying bill from being applicable to 
 any inventoried roadless area within the National Forest System set 
 forth in the maps contained in the Forest Service Roadless Area 
 Conservation, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 2, dated 
 November 2000 (by a recorded vote of 191 ayes to 231 noes, Roll No. 
 149); and 
 Pages H2677-79, H2688-89
 Udall of New Mexico amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 109-467) 
 that sought to add language in Sec 102(e) directing the relevant 
 Secretary to consider the effect of any pre-approved management 
 practice or catastrophic event recovery or research project on fire 
 risk and forest regeneration. It further states that the Secretary may 
 not implement the practice or carry out the recovery or research 
 project unless the Secretary is able to certify that the activity will 
 not increase fire risk or decrease forest regeneration (by a recorded 
 vote of 197 ayes to 228 noes, Roll No. 150). 
 Pages H2679-80 H2689-90
 H. Res. 816, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was 
 agreed to by voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question 
 without objection. 
 (See next issue.)
 Recess: The House recessed at 4:09 p.m. and reconvened at 5:45 p.m. 
 Page H2691
 Recess: The House recessed at 7:07 p.m. and reconvened at 8 p.m. 
 Page H2701
 Agreed by unanimous consent that during consideration of H. Con. Res. 
 376 , pursuant to H. Res. 817, the amendment that Representative Spratt 
 placed at the desk may be in order in lieu of amendment No. 3 printed 
 in part B of H. Rept 109-468. 
 (See next issue.)
 Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2007: The House agreed to H. Con. 
 Res. 376, to establish the 
 
 Page D501
 
 congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 
 2007 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 
 2 008 through 2011, by a yea-and-nay vote of 218 yeas to 210 nays, Roll 
 No. 158, after ordering the previous question. Consideration of the 
 measure began on April 6th and was concluded as unfinish business. 
 (See next issue.)
 Pursuant to the rule, the amendments printed in part A of this report 
 shall be considered as adopted. The rule provides that the concurrent 
 resolution, as amended, shall be considered as read. 
 (See next issue.)
 Rejected:
 Watt amendment in the nature of a substitute (Congressional Black 
 Caucus), (No. 1 printed in part B of H. Rept. 109-468) that sought to 
 balance the budget in FY 2011, and assumes a savings of almost $25 
 billion on interest on the national debt. Funds essential social 
 services--especially education, health care and reconstruction of the 
 Gulf Coast--and national security needs--particularly providing support 
 for the troops in Iraq, increasing the Army's active duty personnel, 
 maintaining current National Guard Strength and funding Navy 
 Shipbuilding, as well as funding port security and Veterans programs 
 and benefits (by a recorded vote of 131 ayes to 294 noes, Roll No. 
 155); 
 (See next issue.)
 Hensarling amendment in the nature of a substitute (Republican Study 
 Committee), (No. 2 printed in part B of H. Rept. 109-468) that sought 
 to balance the federal budget by FY 2011, without increasing taxes. 
 Extends the President's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts and provide AMT relief. 
 Eliminates roughly 150 federal programs, realizes a $392 billion net 
 deficit reduction over five years, while increasing defense and 
 veterans' spending and making no changes to Social Security. Calls for 
 $358 billion in reconciliation savings over five years, achieved in 
 part by block granting Medicaid, SCHIP, and most federal education and 
 job training programs, and capping the growth of Medicare at 5.4% 
 annually. Significantly restructures the Departments of Commerce, 
 Energy, and Education, reduces foreign aid by $31 billion over five 
 years, allows drilling in ANWR, repeals the Davis-Bacon, and eliminates 
 highway (SAFTEA-LU) earmarks. Repeals the Gephardt rule, includes 
 reforms to emergency spending, and creates Budget Protection Accounts 
 to divert spending to deficit reduction and further tax relief (by a 
 recorded vote of 94 ayes to 331 noes with 1 voting ``present, Roll 
 No. 156); and 
 (See next issue.)
 Spratt amendment in the nature of a substitute (Democrat), (Modified, 
 in lieu of No. 3 printed in part B of H. Rept. 109-468) that sought to 
 establish a 10-year budget through fiscal year 2016. Balances the 
 budget by 2012. Contains smaller deficits than the House Republican 
 budget for 2007 and over five years. Accumulates less debt over five 
 years than House Republican budget. Rejects cuts to important domestic 
 priorities, such as education, health, veterans, and the environment. 
 Provides more funding than the Republican budget for homeland security 
 functions, including port security. Contains no reconciliation 
 instructions. Provides middle-class tax relief. Provides for budget 
 enforcement rules to restore fiscal discipline (by a recorded vote of 
 184 ayes to 241 noes, Roll No. 157). 
 Pages H2680, H2691
 Agreed to H. Res. 815, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule 
 XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from 
 the Committee on Rules, by a yea-and-nay vote of 227 yeas to 195 nays, 
 Roll No. 152. 
 Pages H2691, H2701-02
 H. Res. 817, the rule providing for further consideration of the 
 measure was agreed to by a recorded vote of 226 ayes to 193 noes, Roll 
 No. 154, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay 
 vote of 224 yeas to 192 nays, Roll No. 153. 
 (See next issue.)
 Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules 
 and pass the following measure which were debated on Tuesday, May 16th:
 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. 740, 
 amended, to call 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, by a yea-and-nay 
 vote of 390 yeas to 5 nays with 6 voting ``present, Roll No. 159. 
 (See next issue.)
 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Calling on the Government 
 of the United Kingdom immediately to establish a full, independent, 
 public judicial inquiry into the murder of Northern Ireland defense 
 attorney Patrick Finucane, as recommended by Judge Peter Cory as part 
 of the Weston Park agreement, in order to move forward on the Northern 
 Ireland Peace Process.. 
 (See next issue.)
 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page 
 H2643.
 Senate Referrals: S. 879 was referred to the Committee on Science. 
 Page H2703 
 
 Page D502
 
 Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on 
 page H2707.
 Quorum Calls--Votes: Four yea-and-nay votes and nine recorded votes 
 developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2687-88, 
 H2688, H2688-89, H2689-90, H2690, H2691, H2701-02, H2702. There were no 
 quorum calls.
 Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 1:14 a.m. 
 
 Committee Meetings
 HOMELAND SECURITY; ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
 APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007
 Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported, as amended, the 
 following appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007: Homeland Security; and 
 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies.
 SENIOR INDEPENDENCE ACT OF 2006
 Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported, as amended, 
 H.R. 5293, Senior Independence Act of 2006.
 MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS' RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT OF 2005
 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and 
 Consumer Protection held a hearing on H.R. 2048, Motor Vehicle Owners' 
 Right to Repair Act of 2005. Testimony was heard from Deborah Platt 
 Majoras, Chairman, FTC; and public witnesses.
 PLANNING FOR LONG-TERM CARE
 Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
 on Planning for Long-Term Care. Testimony was heard from public 
 witnesses.
 INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM
 Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing on the State of the 
 International Financial System. Testimony was heard from John W. Snow, 
 Secretary of the Treasury.
 REFORM OF NATIONAL SECURITY REVIEWS OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS ACT
 Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and 
 International Policy, Trade, and Technology held a hearing on H.R. 
 5337, Reform of National Security Reviews of Foreign Direct Investments 
 Act. Testimony was heard from Clay Lowery, Assistant Secretary, 
 International Affairs, Department of the Treasury; Stewart A. Baker, 
 Assistant Secretary, Policy, Planning, and International Affairs, 
 Department of Homeland Security; Alice Fisher, Assistant Attorney 
 General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice; Peter C.W. Flory, 
 Assistant Secretary, International Security Policy, Department of 
 Defense; and public witnesses.
 DOD PRIVATE SECTOR CLEARANCES
 Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled ``Low 
 Clearance: Why Did DOD Suddenly Stop Processing Private Sector Security 
 Clearances? Testimony was heard from Clay Johnson, III, Acting 
 Director, OMB; the following officials of the Department of Defense: 
 Robert Andrews, Deputy Under Secretary, Counterintelligence and 
 Security; Robert W. Rogalski, Special Assistant, Under Secretary 
 (Intelligence); and Thomas F. Gimble, Principal Deputy Inspector 
 General; and Kathy L. Dillaman, Associate Director, Federal 
 Investigative Services Division, OPM.
 RU-486 SAFETY
 Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug 
 Policy, and Human Resources held a hearing entitled ``RU-486--
 Demonstrating a Low Standard for Women's Health? Testimony was heard 
 from Janet Woodcock, M.D., Deputy Commissioner, Operations, FDA, 
 Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
 NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REFORM AND ENHANCEMENT ACT
 Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 
 5451, National Emergency Management Reform and Enhancement Act of 2006.
 U.S. AND SOUTH ASIA AGENDA
 Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the 
 Pacific held a hearing on the United States and South Asia: An 
 Expanding Agenda. Testimony was heard from Richard Boucher, Assistant 
 Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Department of 
 State.
 U.S. ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO EGYPT
 Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East 
 and Central Asia held a hearing to review U.S. Assistance Programs to 
 Egypt. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
 Department of State: David C. Welch, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of 
 Near Eastern Affairs; James Kunder, Assistant Administrator, Asia and 
 the Near East, U.S. Agency for International Development; and Michael 
 W. Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military 
 Affairs; and public witnesses. 
 
 Page D503 
 
 
 FEDERAL AGENCY PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT; OVERSIGHT--HOMELAND SECURITY 
 AND PERSONAL PRIVACY
 Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and 
 Administrative Law approved for full Committee action H.R. 2840, 
 Federal Agency Protection of Privacy Act of 2005.
 The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on Privacy in the 
 Hands of the Government: The Privacy Officer for the Department of 
 Homeland Security and the Privacy Officer for the Department of 
 Justice. Testimony was heard from Maureen Cooney, Acting Chief Privacy 
 Officer, Department of Homeland Security; Jane C. Horvath, Chief 
 Privacy and Civil Liberties Officer, Department of Justice; Linda D. 
 Koontz, Director, Information Management Issues, GAO; and a public 
 witness.
 AMERICAN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND MARINE LIFE ENHANCEMENT ACT
 Committee on Resources: Ordered reported, amended, H.R. 5018, American 
 Fisheries Management and Marine Life Enhancement Act.
 INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES; APPROPRIATIONS FY 2007
 Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule proving 1 hour 
 of debate on H.R. 5386, making appropriations for the Department of the 
 Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
 September 30, 2007, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and 
 ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule 
 waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Under the 
 rules of the House the bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph. 
 The rule waives points of order against provisions in the bill for 
 failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized 
 appropriations or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill), 
 except as specified in the resolution. The rule authorizes the Chair to 
 accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their 
 amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule provides one motion to 
 recommit with or without instructions. Section 2 provides that upon 
 adoption of H. Con. Res. 376, and until a concurrent resolution on the 
 budget for fiscal year 2007 has been adopted by the Congress, the 
 provisions of H. Con. Res. 376 and its accompanying report shall have 
 force and effect in the House for all purposes of the Congressional 
 Budget Act of 1974 as though adopted by the Congress. The rule provides 
 that nothing in section 2 may be construed to engage rule XXVII. 
 Testimony was heard from Representative Dicks.
 MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED 
 APPROPRIATIONS FOR FY 2007
 Committee on Rules: Testimony was heard from Representative Walsh, but 
 action was deferred on H.R. 5385, making appropriations for the 
 military quality of life functions of the Department of Defense, 
 military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related 
 agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007.
 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FY 2007
 Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote of 6 to 4, a structured rule 
 providing for further consideration of H. Con. Res. 376, establishing 
 the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal 
 year 2007 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal 
 years 2008 through 2011. The rule provides that the amendments printed 
 in part A of the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution 
 shall be considered as adopted. The rule provides that the concurrent 
 resolution, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule makes in 
 order only those further amendments printed in part B of the Rules 
 Committee report accompanying the resolution.
 The rule provides that the amendments printed in part B of the report 
 accompanying the resolution may be offered only in the order printed in 
 the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, 
 shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for 40 minutes equally 
 divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not 
 be subject to amendment. The rule waives all points of order against 
 the amendments printed in part B of the report, except that the 
 adoption of an amendment in the nature of a substitute shall constitute 
 the conclusion of consideration of the concurrent resolution for 
 amendment.
 The rule provides that upon the conclusion of consideration of the 
 concurrent resolution for amendment there shall be a final period of 
 general debate, not to exceed 20 minutes equally divided and controlled 
 by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the 
 Budget. The rule permits the chairman of the Committee on the Budget to 
 offer amendments in the House to achieve mathematical consistency. The 
 rule provides that the concurrent resolution shall not be subject to a 
 demand for division of the question of its adoption.
 The rule provides that after adoption of H. Con. Res. 376, it shall 
 be in order to consider in the House S. Con. Res. 83, to move to strike 
 all after the resolving clause of S. Con. Res. 83, and to insert the 
 provisions of H. Con. Res. 376 as adopted by
 
 Page D504 
 
 the House. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of 
 S. Con. Res. 83 and against the motion to strike and insert. Finally, 
 the rule provides that if the motion is adopted and the Senate 
 concurrent resolution, as amended, is adopted, then it shall be in 
 order to move that the House insist on its amendment to the Senate 
 concurrent resolution and request a conference with the Senate thereon.
 PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES OF 2006
 Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing on Plug-in 
 Hybrid Electric Vehicles of 2006. Testimony was heard from public 
 witnesses.
 MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the 
 following bills: H.R. 5013, Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act 
 of 2006; H.R. 5187, To amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to 
 authorize additional appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for 
 the Performing Arts for fiscal year 2007; and as amended, H.R. 5316, 
 RESPOND Act of 2006.
 The Committee also approved additional lease resolutions from the GSA 
 FY 2007 Capital Investment and Leasing Program.
 
 Joint Meetings
 HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY PROGRAMS
 Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission): 
 Committee concluded a hearing to examine the role of the Office for 
 Democratic Institutions and Human Rights relating to advancing the 
 human dimension in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
 Europe (OSCE), focusing on the Office for Democratic Institutions and 
 Human Rights and its role in monitoring elections in OSCE countries, 
 after receiving testimony from Kurt Volker, Principal Deputy Assistant 
 Secretary of State, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs; Christian 
 Strohal, Director, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, 
 OSCE, Austria; and Carl Gershman, National Endowment for Democracy, 
 Jeff Fischer, International Foundation for Election Systems, Patrick 
 Merloe, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, and 
 Lorne Craner, International Republican Institute, all of Washington, 
 D.C.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY,
 
 MAY 18, 2006
 
 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
 
 
 Senate
 
 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: business meeting 
 to consider S. 1881, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to 
 mint coins in commemoration of the Old Mint at San Francisco 
 otherwise known as the ``Granite Lady, S. 633, to require the 
 Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of veterans 
 who became disabled for life while serving in the Armed Forces of 
 the United States, and S. 2784, to award a congressional gold medal 
 to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in recognition of his 
 many enduring and outstanding contributions to peace, non-violence, 
 human rights, and religious understanding; to be followed by a 
 hearing to examine the report to Congress on International Economic 
 and Exchange Rate Policies, 9:30 a.m., SD-538.
 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold 
 hearings to examine S. 2686, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 
 and for other purposes, 10 a.m., SD-106.
 Full Committee, business meeting to markup S. 2802, to improve 
 American innovation and competitiveness in the global economy, 2:30 
 p.m., SD-562.
 Committee on Finance: business meeting to consider proposed 
 legislation implementing the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement, and the 
 nomination of W. Ralph Basham, of Virginia, to be Commissioner of 
 Customs, Department of Homeland Security, 10:30 a.m., SD-215.
 Committee on Foreign Relations: to continue hearings to examine 
 Iran's political/nuclear ambitions and U.S. policy options, 9:30 
 a.m., SD-419.
 Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, to hold 
 hearings to examine transition from crisis to peaceful democracy in 
 Nepal, 2:30 p.m., SD-419.
 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: to hold 
 hearings to examine the nomination of Robert Irwin Cusick, Jr., of 
 Kentucky, to be Director of the Office of Government Ethics, Office 
 of Personnel Management, 10 a.m., SD-342.
 Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government 
 Information, and International Security, to hold hearings to examine 
 unobligated balances, focusing on their treatment and how they 
 affect agency budgeting and programming, including what happens to 
 these accounts when they expire, and how Office of Management and 
 Budget, the Treasury and the agencies treat them, 2:30 p.m., SD-342.
 Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider the 
 nominations of Sandra Segal Ikuta, of California, to be United 
 States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, and Kenneth L. 
 Wainstein, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Attorney General, S. 
 2453, to establish procedures for the review of electronic 
 surveillance programs, S. 2455, to provide in statute for the 
 conduct of electronic surveillance of suspected terrorists for the 
 purposes of protecting the American people, the Nation, and its 
 interests from terrorist attack while ensuring that the civil 
 liberties of
 
 Page D505 
 
 United States citizens are safeguarded, S. 2468, to provide standing 
 for civil actions for declaratory and injunctive relief to persons 
 who refrain from electronic communications through fear of being 
 subject to warrantless electronic surveillance for foreign 
 intelligence purposes, S. 2039, to provide for loan repayment for 
 prosecutors and public defenders, S.J. Res. 1, proposing an 
 amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to 
 marriage, and S.J. Res. 12, proposing an amendment to the 
 Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit 
 the physical desecration of the flag of the United States, Time to 
 be announced, S-216, Capitol.
 Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold hearings to examine the 
 nomination of General Michael V. Hayden, United States Air Force, to 
 be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, 9:30 a.m., SH-216.
 Special Committee on Aging: to hold hearings to examine caring for 
 seniors during a national emergency, 10 a.m., SD-628.
 
 
 House
 
 Committee on Education and the Workforce, hearing on No Child Left 
 Behind: How Innovative Educators Are Integrating Subject Matter To 
 Improve Student Achievement, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
 Committee on Energy and Commerce, to mark up H.R. 4591, Stockholm 
 and Rotterdam Toxics Treaty Act of 2005, 1:30 p.m., 2123 Rayburn.
 Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, hearing entitled 
 ``Unlocking America's Energy Resources: Next Generation, 10 a.m., 
 2322 Rayburn.
 Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing on 
 H.R. 5126, Truth in Caller ID Act of 2006, 9 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
 Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Financial 
 Institutions and Consumer Credit, hearing on H.R. 5341, Seasoned 
 Customer CTR Exemption Act of 2006, 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn.
 Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled 
 ``Financial Services Needs of Military Personnel and Their 
 Families, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
 Committee on Government Reform, to consider the following bills: 
 H.R. 5316, RESPOND Act of 2006; and H.R. 5388, District of Columbia 
 Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of 2006, 3 p.m., 2154 
 Rayburn.
 Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Management, 
 Integration and Oversight, hearing entitled ``Retention, Security 
 Clearances, Morale, and Other Human Capital Challenges Facing the 
 Department of Homeland Security, 9:30 a.m., 311 Cannon.
 Committee on International Relations, hearing on the Prospects for 
 Peace in Darfur, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.
 Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International 
 Operations, hearing on Nigeria's Struggle with Corruption, 2 p.m., 
 2172 Rayburn.
 Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation, to 
 mark up H.R. 5333, Shoulder-fired Missile Threat Reduction Act of 
 2006, 2 p.m., 2200 Rayburn.
 Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and 
 Homeland Security, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 5005, 
 Firearms Corrections and Improvements Act; H.R. 1384, Firearm 
 Commerce Modernization Act; H.R. 1415, NICS Improvement Act; and 
 H.R. 5318, Cyber-Security Enhancement and Consumer Data Protection 
 Act of 2006; followed by a hearing on H.R. 817, Animal Fighting 
 Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2005, 11:30 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
 Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims, hearing 
 on H.R. 4997, Physicians for Underserved Areas Act, 2 p.m., 2141 
 Rayburn.
 Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral 
 Resources, oversight hearing on the Energy and Mineral Requirements 
 for Renewable and Alternative Fuels Used for Transportation and 
 Other Purposes, 11 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on 
 Water Resources and Environment, oversight hearing on EPA Grants 
 Management 2003-2006: Progress and Challenge, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
 Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Subcommittee on 
 Intelligence Policy, executive, Briefing on Denial and Deception, 9 
 a.m., H-405 Capitol.
 
 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390).
 
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 Page D506 
 
 _______________________________________________________________________
 
 
 Next Meeting of the SENATE
 9 a.m., Thursday, May 18
 
 
 Senate Chamber
 Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consideration of S. 2611, 
 Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, and proceed to the consideration 
 of an amendment to be offered by Senator Kennedy with 20 minutes for 
 debate equally divided; and that the Senate then resume consideration 
 of Inhofe Amendment No. 4064.
 
 Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 10 a.m., Thursday, May 18
 
 
 House Chamber
 Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 5384--Agriculture, Rural 
 Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
 Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Subject to a Rule).
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
 Extensions remarks, as inserted in this issue
 HOUSE
 
 Bass, Charles F., N.H., E860
 Bishop, Timothy H., N.Y., E854
 Bradley, Jeb, N.H., E855
 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E847, E848, E850, E851
 Chocola, Chris, Ind., E855
 Clyburn, James E., S.C., E864
 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E861, E864
 Crowley, Joseph, N.Y., E863, E864
 Davis, Tom, Va., E853
 Drake, Thelma D., Va., E856
 Everett, Terry, Ala., E859
 Frank, Barney, Mass., E857
 Garrett, Scott, N.J., E863
 Gonzalez, Charles A., Tex., E855
 Green, Al, Tex., E860
 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E854
 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E865
 Johnson, Sam, Tex., E863
 Kanjorski, Paul E., Pa., E847, E849
 Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E858, E859
 Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E847, E848, E850, E851, E852
 LaHood, Ray, Ill., E855
 Langevin, James R., R.I., E865
 Levin, Sander M., Mich., E861
 Lewis, Ron, Ky., E865
 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E851
 McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E858, E859
 McKeon, Howard P. ``Buck, Calif., E848, E849
 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E857
 Miller, Gary G., Calif., E853
 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E854
 Neal, Richard E., Mass., E853
 Neugebauer, Randy, Tex., E852
 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E850
 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E861
 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E857, E859
 Salazar, John T., Colo., E856
 Schiff, Adam B., Calif., E852, E863
 Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr., Wisc. E861
 Shays, Christopher, Conn., E852
 Thompson, Bennie G., Miss., E855
 Upton, Fred, Mich., E856
 Weiner, Anthony D., N.Y., E863
 Wilson, Heather, N.M., E860
 Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E847, E849
 
 
 
 (House proceedings for today will be continued in the next issue of the 
 Record.)
category:AATIP
Category:Senator Obama