2007 Budget Resolution

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                                              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.

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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.)

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