Thursday, November 19, 2009
[[Page D1357]]
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
Senate passed S. 1963, Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health
Services Act.
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S11515-11824
Measures Introduced: Eight bills and three resolutions were introduced,
as follows: S. 2799-2806, and S. Res. 355-357.
Pages S11593-94
Measures Reported:
S. 2799, to expand the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, to provide for the
divestment of assets in Iran by State and local governments and other
entities, to identify locations of concern with respect to
transshipment, reexportation, or diversion of certain sensitive items
to Iran. (S. Rept. No. 111-99)
S. 1147, to prevent tobacco smuggling, to ensure the collection of
all tobacco taxes, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 1261, to repeal title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005 and amend
title II of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to better protect the
security, confidentiality, and integrity of personally identifiable
information collected by States when issuing driver's licenses and
identification documents, with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute.
Page S11593
Measures Passed:
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act: By unanimous
vote of 98 yeas (Vote No. 352), Senate passed S. 1963, to amend title
38, United States Code, to provide assistance to caregivers of
veterans, to improve the provision of health care to veterans, after
taking action on the following amendment:
Pages S11523-44, S11552-72
Rejected:
By 32 yeas to 66 nays (Vote No. 351), Coburn Amendment No. 2785, to
transfer funding for United Nations contributions to offset costs of
providing assistance to family caregivers of disabled veterans.
Pages S11523-44, S11552-53
Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran: Senate agreed to S. Res.
355, expressing the sense of the Senate that the Government of the
Islamic Republic of Iran has systematically violated its obligations to
uphold human rights provided for under its constitution and
international law.
Pages S11817-18
Measures Considered:
Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act--Agreement: Senate began
consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 3590,
to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time
homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and
certain other Federal employees.
Pages S11577-78
A motion was entered to close further debate on the motion to
proceed to consideration of the bill, and, in accordance with the
provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, and
pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of Thursday, November 19,
2009, a vote on cloture will occur at 8 p.m., on Saturday, November 21,
2009.
Page S11578
A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that at 10
a.m., on Friday, November 20, 2009, Senate continue consideration of
the motion to proceed to consideration of H.R. 3590, to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers
credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other
Federal employees, and proceed to a period of debate until 11 p.m.,
with the time controlled in alternating one hour blocks, with the
Majority controlling the first hour; that at 10 p.m., there be 30
minute blocks until 11 p.m., with the Majority controlling the first 30
minutes; provided further, that on Saturday, November 21, 2009, at 10
a.m., Senate continue consideration of the motion to proceed to
consideration of H.R. 3590, and with controlled debate in alternating
blocks until 6 p.m., with the Majority controlling the first hour
block; that at 6:00 p.m., the Majority control the time until 6:30
p.m., the Republicans then control 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., the Majority
control
[[Page D1358]]
7:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; the Republican Leader control 7:30 to 7:45
p.m., and the Majority Leader control 7:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.; that at 8
p.m., Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to
proceed to consideration of H.R. 3590; that if cloture is invoked on
the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill, then all post-
cloture time be yielded back, and the motion to proceed be agreed to;
that after the bill is reported, the Majority Leader be recognized to
call up his amendment, and that it be reported by number only.
Pages S11577-78, S11824
Appointments:
Social Security Advisory Board: The Chair, on behalf of the President
pro tempore, and in consultation with the Ranking Member of the Senate
Committee on Finance, pursuant to Public Law 103-296, appointed
Jagadeesh Gokhale, of Maryland, vice Sylvester Schieber, of Michigan,
as a member of the Social Security Advisory Board.
Page S11818
Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination:
By 59 yeas 39 nays (Vote No. EX. 350), David F. Hamilton, of Indiana,
to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit.
Pages S11544-52
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Victor H. Ashe, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Broadcasting
Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2010.
Walter Isaacson, of Louisiana, to be a Member of the Broadcasting
Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2012.
Walter Isaacson, of Louisiana, to be Chairman of the Broadcasting
Board of Governors.
Michael Lynton, of California, to be a Member of the Broadcasting
Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2012.
Susan McCue, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of
Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2011.
Michael P. Meehan, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Broadcasting
Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2010.
Dennis Mulhaupt, of California, to be a Member of the Broadcasting
Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2011.
Dana M. Perino, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the
Broadcasting Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2012.
S. Enders Wimbush, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Broadcasting
Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2010.
Page S11824
Messages from the House:
Pages S11591-92
Measures Referred:
Page S11592
Enrolled Bills Presented:
Page S11592
Executive Communications:
Pages S11592-93
Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S11593
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S11594-95
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S11595-S11607
Additional Statements:
Page S11591
Amendments Submitted:
Pages S11607-S11816
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:
Page S11816
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S11816-17
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S11817
Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--352)
Pages S11552, S11552-53, S11553
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:31 a.m. and adjourned at 7:51 p.m.,
until 9:45 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2009. (For Senate's program,
see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page
S11818.)
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
the nominations of Clifford L. Stanley, of Pennsylvania, to be Under
Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, and Erin C. Conaton, of the
District of Columbia, to be Under Secretary of the Air Force, who was
introduced by Representative Skelton, both of the Department of
Defense, and Lawrence G. Romo, of Texas, to be Director of the
Selective Service, after the nominees testified and answered questions
in their own behalf.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee began
consideration of an original bill entitled ``Restoring American
Financial Stability Act of 2009'', but did not complete action thereon,
and recessed subject to the call.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered
favorably reported the following business items:
S. 592, to implement the recommendations of the Federal
Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM
service, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
[[Page D1359]]
S. 850, to amend the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection
Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to
improve the conservation of sharks, with an amendment in the nature of
a substitute;
S. 1224, to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with an amendment in the nature
of a substitute;
S. 2764, to reauthorize the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and
Reauthorization Act of 2004, with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute; and
S. 2768, to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize
appropriations for the National Transportation Safety Board for fiscal
years 2010 through 2014, with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute.
OFFSHORE ENERGY PRODUCTION
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine environmental stewardship policies related to
offshore energy production, after receiving testimony from Walter
Cruickshank, Deputy Director, Minerals Management Service, Department
of the Interior; Marvin E. Odum, Shell Oil Company, and David Rainey,
BP America Inc., both of Houston, Texas; John F. Amos, SkyTruth,
Shepherdstown, West Virginia; and Jeffrey Short, Oceana, Juneau,
Alaska.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine the nominations of Leslie V. Rowe, of Washington, to be
Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique, Alberto M. Fernandez, of
Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Mary
Jo Wills, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Republic
of Mauritius, and to serve concurrently and without additional
compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Seychelles, and Philip S.
Goldberg, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary for
Intelligence and Research, all of the Department of State, after the
nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
FORT HOOD ATTACK
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee
concluded a hearing to examine the Fort Hood Attack, focusing on a
preliminary assessment, after receiving testimony from General John M.
Keane, USA, (Ret.), former Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army,
Department of Defense; Frances Fragos Townsend, former Assistant to
President George W. Bush, Homeland Security and Counterterrorism,
Department of Homeland Security; Mitchell D. Silber, New York City
Police Department, New York, New York; Juan C. Zarate, Center for
Strategic and International Studies, Washington, DC.; and Brian Michael
Jenkins, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California.
NOMINATION
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee
concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Alan C. Kessler, of
Pennsylvania, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service,
after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Casey, testified and
answered questions in his own behalf.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee
ordered favorably reported the nominations of Daniel I. Gordon, of the
District of Columbia, to be Administrator for Federal Procurement
Policy, and Erroll G. Southers, of California, to be Assistant
Secretary of Homeland Security.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee
concluded a hearing to examine nominations for Commissioner and for
General Counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, after
receiving testimony from P. David Lopez, Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, Phoenix District Office, Phoenix, Arizona; Jacqueline A.
Berrien, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, New York, New York;
and Chai R. Feldblum, Georgetown University Law Center, and Victoria A.
Lipnic, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP, both of Washington, DC.
DRUG AND GANG ACTIVITIES IN INDIAN COUNTRY
Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight hearing
to examine drug smuggling and gang activity in Indian country, after
receiving testimony from Arnold Moorin, National Director of the High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program, Office of National Drug
Control Policy; Ivan D. Posey, Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Ft. Washakie,
Wyoming; Nancy Dooley, Gila River Indian Community Department of
Rehabilitation and Supervision Juvenile Division, Sacaton, Arizona;
Chief Matt Haney, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Police, Nespelem, Washington; and Martina Whelshula, Healing Lodge of
the Seven Nations, Spokane, Washington.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the
following business items:
[[Page D1360]]
S. 1147, to prevent tobacco smuggling, to ensure the collection of
all tobacco taxes, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and
The nominations of Jane Branstetter Stranch, of Tennessee, to be
United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, Christina Reiss, to
be United States District Judge for the District of Vermont, Abdul K.
Kallon, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of
Alabama, Victoria Angelica Espinel, of the District of Columbia, to be
Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, and Benjamin B. Tucker,
of New York, to be Deputy Director for State, Local, and Tribal
Affairs, Office of National Drug Control Policy.
INTELLIGENCE
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee held closed hearings on
intelligence matters, receiving testimony from officials of the
intelligence community.
Committee recessed subject to call.
House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 46 public bills, H.R. 4113-
4158; and 20 resolutions, H. Con. Res.215; and H. Res. 920-938 were
introduced.
Pages H13351-54
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H13354-56
Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today.
Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed
Representative Pastor to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H13269
Committee Elections: The House agreed to H. Res. 921, electing the
following Members to certain standing committees of the House of
Representatives: Committee on Armed Services: Representative Owens (to
rank immediately after Representative Murphy (NY)). Committee on
Homeland Security: Representative Owens (to rank immediately after
Representative Lujan). Committee on Science and Technology:
Representative Garamendi (to rank immediately after Representative
Griffith). Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure:
Representative Garamendi.
Page H13279
Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules
and pass the following measure which was debated on Tuesday, November
17th:
Reserve Officers Association Modernization Act of 2009: S. 1599, to
amend title 36, United States Code, to include in the Federal charter
of the Reserve Officers Association leadership positions newly added in
its constitution and bylaws, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 425 yeas
with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 904.
Page H13281
Amending the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the
Molalla River in Oregon, as components of the National Wild and Scenic
Rivers System: The House passed H.R. 2781, to amend the Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Molalla River in Oregon,
as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for
other purposes, by a yea-and-nay vote of 292 yeas to 133 nays, Roll No.
905.
Pages H13281-88
H. Res. 908, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was
agreed to by a recorded vote of 244 ayes to 176 noes, Roll No. 903,
after the previous question was ordered by a yea-and-nay vote of 241
yeas to 176 nays, Roll No. 902.
Pages H13272-79, H13279-81
Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules
and pass the following measures which were debated on Wednesday,
November 18th:
Expressing the sense of Congress on the occasion of the 20th
anniversary of historic events in Central and Eastern Europe: H. Con.
Res. 212, amended, to express the sense of Congress on the occasion of
the 20th anniversary of historic events in Central and Eastern Europe,
particularly the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, and to reaffirm
the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and
the Slovak and Czech Republics, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 426 yeas
with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 906 and
Pages H13288-89
Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Expressing the sense of
Congress on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of historic events in
Central and Eastern Europe, particularly the Velvet Revolution in
Czechoslovakia, and reaffirming the bonds of friendship and cooperation
between the United States and the Slovak Republic and the Czech
Republic.''.
Page H13289
Native American Business Development Enhancement Act of 2009: H.R.
1834, amended, to
[[Page D1361]]
amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance
provided to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians,
by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 343 yeas to 55 nays, Roll No. 910.
Pages H13319-20
Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009: The House passed H.R.
3961, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reform the
Medicare SGR payment system for physicians, by a recorded vote of 243
ayes to 183 noes, Roll No. 909.
Pages H13289-H13319
Agreed to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair on a point of
order sustained against the Gingrey motion to recommit the bill to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce with instructions to report the same
back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of
251 yeas to 177 nays, Roll No. 907.
Pages H13308-17
Rejected the Cantor motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce with instructions to report the same back to the
House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 177 ayes to
252 noes, Roll No. 908.
Pages H13317-19
Pursuant to section 4 of the rule, in the engrossment of H.R. 3961,
the Clerk shall (1) add the text of H.R. 2920, as passed by the House,
as new matter at the end of H.R. 3961; (2) conform the title of H.R.
3961 to reflect the addition to the engrossment of the text of H.R.
2920; (3) assign appropriate designations to provisions within the
engrossment; and (4) conform provisions for short titles within the
engrossment.
H. Res. 903, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was
agreed to on November 7, 2009.
Supporting the observance of National Diabetes Month: The House agreed
to discharge and agree to H. Res. 914, to support the observance of
National Diabetes Month.
Pages H13320-21
Permitting each current member of the Board of Directors of the Office
of Compliance to serve for 3 terms: The House agreed to discharge and
agree to S. 1860, to permit each current member of the Board of
Directors of the Office of Compliance to serve for 3 terms.
Page H13321
Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to
meet at 3 p.m. on Monday, November 23, 2009, unless it sooner has
received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H.
Con. Res. 214, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant
to that concurrent resolution.
Page H13321
Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page
H13322.
Senate Referral: S. 1963 was referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
Page H13340
Quorum Calls--Votes: Six yea-and-nay votes and three recorded votes
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H13280,
H13280-81, H13281, H13288, H13289, H13316-17, H13318-19, H13319,
H13320. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
Committee Meetings
RECOVERY ACT RURAL BROADBAND PROGRAM
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Rural Development,
Biotechnology, Specialty Crops, and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing
to review rural broadband programs funded by the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. Testimony was heard from Jonathan S. Adelstein,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, USDA; and Lawrence E.
Strickling, Assistant Secretary, Communications and Information,
National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department
of Commerce.
U.S. MEXICAN BORDER SECURITY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a
hearing on Confronting the Cartels: Addressing U.S.-Mexican Border
Security. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the
Department of Homeland Security: Mariko Silver, Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Policy; Jayson P. Ahern, Acting Commissioner, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection; and John Morton, Assistant Secretary,
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
IMPROVING LITERACY SKILLS
Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Elementary and Secondary Education held a hearing on Improving the
Literacy Skills of Children and Young Adults. Testimony was heard from
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, the
following bills: H.R. 515, Radioactive Import Deterrence Act; and H.R.
1084, Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act.
ONLINE/OFFLINE CONSUMER INFORMATION COLLECTION
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection and the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology
and the Internet held a joint hearing on Exploring the
[[Page D1362]]
Offline and Online Collection and Use of Consumer Information.
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
COMMITTEE PRINT--FINANCIAL STABILITY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2009
Committee on Financial Services: Continued consideration of the
Committee Print of the Financial Stability Improvement Act of 2009.
LIFTING CUBAN TRAVEL BAN
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on Is it Time to Lift the
Ban on Travel to Cuba? Testimony was heard from GEN Barry R. McCaffrey,
USA (ret.); Ambassador James Cason, former Chief of Missions, U.S.
Interests Section, Havana, Cuba; and public witnesses.
MIDDLE EAST POLITICAL/RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Middle East and South
Asia held a hearing on the State of Political and Religious Freedom in
the Middle East. Testimony was heard from Michael H. Posner, Assistant
Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department of
State.
AL-QA'IDA THREAT ASSESSMENT
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence,
Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing
entitled ``Reassessing the Evolving al-Qa'ida Threat to the Homeland.''
Testimony was heard from LTG David W. Barno (ret.), Director, Near East
South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University,
Department of Defense; and public witnesses.
CORPORATE MONITORING TRANSPARENCY
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and
Administrative Law held a hearing on Transparency and Integrity in
Corporate Monitoring. Testimony was heard from Eileen Larence,
Director, Homeland Security and Justice, GAO; and public witnesses.
TRACKING STIMULUS DOLLARS
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing entitled
``Tracking the Money: How Recovery Act Recipients Account for the Use
of Stimulus Dollars.'' Testimony was heard from Gene L. Dodaro, Acting
Comptroller, GAO; Earl E. Devaney, Chairman, Recovery Accountability
and Transparency Board; Anthony Wilder Miller, Deputy Secretary,
Department of Education; and John D. Porcari, Deputy Secretary,
Department of Transportation.
AFGHAN ELECTIONS
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National
Security and Foreign Affairs held a hearing entitled ``Afghan
Elections: What Happened and Where Do We Go From Here?'' Testimony was
heard from J. Alexander Thier, Director, Afghanistan and Pakistan
Center for Post-Conflict Peace and Stability Operations, U.S. Institute
of Peace; Ambassador Peter W. Galbraith, former U. S. Diplomat and
former Deputy UN Special Representative for Afghanistan; and public
witnesses.
GLOBAL SPACE CAPABILITIES
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Space and
Aeronautics held a hearing on the Growth of Global Space Capabilities:
What's Happening and Why It Matters. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Technology and
Innovation held a hearing on the Research and Development Portfolio to
Support the Priorities of the Department of Transportation. Testimony
was heard from the following officials of the Department of
Transportation: Polly Trottenberg, Assistant Secretary, Transportation
Policy; and Peter Appel, Administrator, Research and Innovative
Technology Administration; and public witnesses.
SBA OVERSIGHT
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the
Small Business Administration and its Programs.'' Testimony was heard
from Karen Mills, Administrator, SBA; and Gregory Kutz, Managing
Director, Forensics Audits and Special Investigations, GAO.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ACT OF 2009
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported, as
amended, H.R. 4016, Hazardous Material Transportation Safety Act of
2009.
ADAPTIVE HOUSING GRANTS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a hearing on Adaptive Housing Grants. Testimony was heard from
Mark Bologna, Director, Loan Guarantee Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of
veterans organizations.
[[Page D1363]]
INCREASING DEMANDS ON FOOD BANKS AND CHARITIES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight, and the
Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support held a joint hearing
to review the effect of the economic downturn and increased
unemployment on the demand for hunger-relief assistance at food banks
and other charities. Testimony was heard from Representatives McGovern,
Boozman, and Moran of Kansas; and public witnesses.
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CLAIMS BACKLOGS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a
hearing on Clearing the Disability Claims Backlogs: The Social Security
Administration's Progress and New Challenges Arising From the
Recession. Testimony was heard from Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner,
SSA; Barbara B. Kennelly, Acting Chair, Social Security Advisory Board;
Patrick O'Connell, Inspector General, SSA; and public witnesses.
BRIEFING--SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on Significant Activities. The Committee was briefed
by departmental witnesses.
Joint Meetings
FINANCIAL REGULATORY REFORM
Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
financial regulatory reform, focusing on protecting taxpayers and the
economy, after receiving testimony from Timothy F. Geithner, Secretary
of the Treasury.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY,
NOVEMBER 20, 2009
(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
Senate
Committee on Finance: to hold hearings to examine the nominations
of Lael Brainard, of the District of Columbia, to be Under
Secretary, Mary John Miller, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary,
and Charles Collyns, of Maryland, to be Deputy Under Secretary, all
of the Department of the Treasury; to be immediately followed by a
business meeting to consider the nominations of Michael W. Punke, of
Montana, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the
rank of Ambassador, Islam A. Siddiqui, of Virginia, to be Chief
Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade
Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, Michael F. Mundaca, of
New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, and Jim R.
Esquea, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary, Ellen Gloninger
Murray, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary, and Bryan Hayes
Samuels, of Illinois, to be Commissioner on Children, Youth, and
Families, all of the Department of Health and Human Services, 10
a.m., SD-215.
House
No committee meetings are scheduled.
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[[Page D1364]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Next Meeting of the SENATE
9:45 a.m., Friday, November 20
Senate Chamber
Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of the motion to
proceed to consideration of H.R. 3590, Service Members Home Ownership
Tax Act, with controlled debate in alternating blocks until 11 p.m.
Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
3 p.m., Monday, November 23
House Chamber
Program for Monday: To be announced.
_______________________________________________________________________
Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue
HOUSE
Alexander, Rodney, La., E2816
Barton, Joe, Tex., E2824
Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E2829
Bilirakis, Gus M., Fla., E2816
Bishop, Rob, Utah, E2813, E2815
Bonner, Jo, Ala., E2816, E2818
Burton, Dan, Ind., E2829
Calvert, Ken, Calif., E2811, E2834
Cantor, Eric, Va., E2827
Clay, Wm. Lacy, Mo., E2833
Coffman, Mike, Colo., E2826
Connolly, Gerald E., Va., E2820, E2822, E2824, E2826, E2828
Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E2834
Courtney, Joe, Conn., E2818
Davis, Susan A., Calif., E2826
DeGette, Diana, Colo., E2810, E2828
Doyle, Michael F., Pa., E2832
Edwards, Chet, Tex., E2814
Edwards, Donna F., Md., E2836
Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E2809
Gonzalez, Charles A., Tex., E2817, E2819, E2827
Gordon, Bart, Tenn., E2829
Graves, Sam, Mo., E2822
Green, Gene, Tex., E2813
Harman, Jane, Calif., E2835
Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E2821, E2824
Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E2818
Honda, Michael M., Calif., E2809
Hunter, Duncan, Calif., E2811, E2830
Issa, Darrell E., Calif., E2809
Jackson-Lee, Sheila, Tex., E2825
Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E2820
Johnson, Sam, Tex., E2820
Kaptur, Marcy, Ohio, E2812, E2823
Kilroy, Mary Jo, Ohio, E2811, E2820
Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E2821
Langevin, James R., R.I., E2830
Lee, Barbara, Calif., E2831
Lee, Christopher John, N.Y., E2813
Lewis, John, Ga., E2819
Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E2818, E2820
McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E2814
McDermott, Jim, Wash., E2822
McMahon, Michael E., N.Y., E2811, E2814, E2826, E2834, E2836
Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E2823, E2835
Matheson, Jim, Utah, E2835
Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E2817
Meeks, Gregory W., N.Y., E2809
Miller, Jeff, Fla., E2813, E2815
Minnick, Walt., Idaho, E2836
Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E2810
Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E2832
Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E2831
Peters, Gary C., Mich., E2831, E2836
Petri, Thomas E., Wisc., E2810, E2812
Poe, Ted, Tex., E2828
Putnam, Adam H., Fla., E2827
Quigley, Mike, Ill., E2837
Rogers, Mike, Ala., E2821
Roskam, Peter J., Ill., E2809
Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E2821
Salazar, John T., Colo., E2835
Sarbanes, John P., Md., E2836
Scott, Robert C. ``Bobby'', Va., E2827, E2837
Serrano, Jose E., N.Y., E2823
Smith, Adrian, Nebr., E2817, E2819
Stupak, Bart, Mich., E2830
Thompson, Mike, Calif., E2834
Van Hollen, Chris, Md., E2833
Waters, Maxine, Calif., E2811, E2833
Watt, Melvin L., N.C., E2819
Wilson, Joe, S.C., E2817, E2829
Wolf, Frank R., Va., E2822
Yarmuth, John A., Ky., E2830