Tuesday, November 17, 2009
[[Page D1337]]
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
Senate passed H.R. 3082, Military Construction and Veterans
Affairs Appropriations Act.
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S11393-11440
Measures Introduced: Eleven bills were introduced, as follows: S. 2780-
2790.
Page S11430
Measures Passed:
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act: By
unanimous vote of 100 yeas (Vote No. 348), Senate passed H.R. 3082,
making appropriations for military construction, the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2010, as amended, after taking action on the following
amendments proposed thereto:
Pages S11403-07, S11407-11
Adopted:
Inouye Modified Amendment No. 2754 (to Amendment No. 2730), to permit
$68,500,000, as requested by the Missile Defense Agency of the
Department of Defense, to be used for the construction of a test
facility to support the Phased Adaptive Approach for missile defense in
Europe, with an offset.
Pages S11403, S11404
Johnson (for Cochran) Amendment No. 2763 (to Amendment No. 2730), to
provide for the modification of a restriction of alienation of certain
real property in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Pages S11405, 11406
By 98 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 346), Johnson Amendment No. 2733 (to
Amendment No. 2730), to increase by $50,000,000 the amount available
for the Department of Veterans Affairs for minor construction projects
for the purpose of converting unused Department of Veterans Affairs
structures into housing with supportive services for homeless veterans,
and to provide an offset.
Pages S11403, 11405
Feingold/Sanders Modified Amendment No. 2748 (to Amendment 2730), to
make available $5,000,000 for grants to community-based organizations
and State and local government entities to conduct outreach to veterans
in under-served areas.
Pages S11403, S11405-06
Johnson (for Warner) Modified Amendment No. 2775 (to Amendment No.
2730), to require a study on the capacity of the Department of Veterans
Affairs to address combat stress in women veterans.
Page S11406
Johnson (for Klobuchar) Amendment No. 2777 (to Amendment No 2730), to
require a study to identify the improvements to the information
technology infrastructure of the Department of Veterans Affairs that
are required to furnish health care services to veterans using
telehealth platforms.
Pages S11406-07
Johnson (for Boxer) Modified Amendment No. 2783 (to Amendment No.
2730), to make available from Medical Services, $1,000,000 for
education debt reduction for mental health care professionals who agree
to employment at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Pages S11406-07
Johnson/Hutchison Amendment No. 2730, in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S11403-07, S11407-11
Rejected:
DeMint (for Inhofe) Amendment No. 2774 (to Amendment No. 2730), to
prohibit the use of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by
this Act to construct or modify a facility in the United States or its
territories to permanently or temporarily hold any individual held at
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (By 57 yeas to 43 nays (Vote No. 347), Senate
tabled the amendment.)
Pages S11403, S11407-09
Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference with the
House thereon, and the Chair was authorized to appoint the following
conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Johnson, Inouye,
Landrieu, Byrd, Murray, Reed, Nelson (NE), Pryor, Leahy, Hutchison,
Brownback, McConnell, Collins, Murkowski, and Cochran.
Page S11411
Appointments:
Library of Congress Trust Fund Board: The Chair, on behalf of the
Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, pursuant
to Public
[[Page D1338]]
Law 95-277, as amended by Public Law 102-246, appointed the following
individuals as members of the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board for
five year terms: Elaine Wynn of Nevada, vice Bernard Rapoport, and Tom
Girardi of California, vice Leo Hindery.
Page S11439
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act--Agreement: A
unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that upon
disposition of the nomination of David F. Hamilton, of Indiana, to be
United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, that Senate begin
consideration of 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; and that the bill be considered under the
following limitations: that debate on the bill be limited to 30
minutes, equally divided and controlled between Senators Akaka and
Burr, or their designees; that the only amendment in order be a Coburn
amendment regarding funding priorities; that debate on the amendment be
limited to three hours, with two hours under the control of Senator
Coburn, and 60 minutes under the control of Senator Akaka, or his
designee; that upon use or yielding back of all time, Senate vote on or
in relation to the Coburn amendment; that upon disposition of the
Coburn amendment, Senate vote on passage of the bill.
Page S11422
Senator Rockefeller--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was
reached providing that at approximately 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday,
November 18, 2009, Senator Rockefeller be recognized to speak.
Page S11439
Hamilton Nomination--Agreement: Senate resumed consideration of the
nomination of David F. Hamilton, of Indiana, to be United States
Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit.
Pages S11411-25
During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the
following action:
By 70 yeas to 29 nays (Vote No. 349), three-fifths of those Senators
duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed
to the motion to close further debate on the nomination.
Pages S11421-22
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further
consideration of the nomination at approximately 11:30 a.m., on
Wednesday, November 18, 2009, and that the post-cloture time count
during any adjournment, recess, or period of morning business.
Page S11439
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Julie Simone Brill, of Vermont, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner
for the term of seven years from September 26, 2009.
Edith Ramirez, of California, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for
the term of seven years from September 26, 2008.
Earl F. Gohl, Jr., of the District of Columbia, to be Federal
Cochairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Scott H. DeLisi, of Minnesota, to be Ambassador to the Federal
Democratic Republic of Nepal.
Beatrice Wilkinson Welters, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
2 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral.
Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Foreign
Service.
Pages S11439-40
Messages from the House:
Page S11427
Measures Referred:
Page S11427
Executive Communications:
Pages S11427-28
Executive Reports of Committees:
Pages S11428-30
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S11430-31
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S11432-38
Additional Statements:
Pages S11426-27
Amendments Submitted:
Page S11438
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:
Page S11438
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S11438-39
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S11439
Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--349)
Pages S11405, S11409, S11410, S11422
Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:24 p.m.,
until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. (For Senate's program,
see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page
S11439.)
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded
a hearing to examine reauthorization of the United States child
nutrition programs, focusing on opportunities to fight hunger and
improve child health, after receiving testimony from Thomas Vilsack,
Secretary, and Margaret L. Bogle, Executive Director, Delta Obesity
Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, both of the
Department of Agriculture; Rich Huddleston, Arkansas Advocates for
Children and Families, and Rhonda Sanders, Arkansas Hunger Relief
Alliance,
[[Page D1339]]
both of Little Rock; and Jennifer Smith, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.,
Bentonville, Arkansas.
TRUTH IN LENDING ACT
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine S. 1799, to amend the Truth in Lending Act, to
establish fair and transparent practices related to the marketing and
provision of overdraft coverage programs at depository institutions,
after receiving testimony from Michael Calhoun, Center for Responsible
Lending, and Jean Ann Fox, Consumer Federation of America, both of
Washington, DC.; Frank Pollack, Pentagon Federal Credit Union,
Alexandria, Virginia; John P. Carey, Citigroup North America Consumer
Banking, New York, New York; and Mario Livieri, Brandford, Connecticut.
INTERNET SALES TACTICS
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded
a hearing to examine aggressive sales tactics on the Internet and their
impact on American consumers, after receiving testimony from Florence
Marotta-Wurgler, New York University School of Law, New York, New York;
Prentiss Cox, University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis; Robert
J. Meyer, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, Philadelphia; Ray
France, St. Cloud, Florida; and Linda Lindquist, Sussex, Wisconsin.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the international aspects of global climate change,
after receiving testimony from Michael A. Levi, Council on Foreign
Relations, New York, New York; and Nigel Purvis, Climate Advisers,
Taiya Smith, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Karen Harbert,
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Jake Colvin, National Foreign Trade
Council, all of Washington, D.C.
COUNTERTERRORISM IN AFRICA'S SAHEL REGION
Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on African Affairs
concluded a hearing to examine United States counterterrorism
priorities and strategy across Africa's Sahel region, after receiving
testimony from Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs,
and Daniel Benjamin, Coordinator for Counterterrorism, both of the
Department of State; Vicki Huddleston, Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Africa; Earl Gast, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator
for Africa, United States Agency for International Development; Lianne
Kennedy-Boudali, RAND Corporation, Arlington, Virginia; and David
Gutelius, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, San
Francisco, California.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported
the following business items:
S. 1524, to strengthen the capacity, transparency, and accountability
of United States foreign assistance programs to effectively adapt and
respond to new challenges of the 21st century, with an amendment the
nature of a substitute;
S. 2727, to provide for continued application of arrangements under
the Protocol on Inspections and Continuous Monitoring Activities
Relating to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Reduction and Limitation of
Strategic Offensive Arms in the period following the Protocol's
termination on December 5, 2009;
S. 1739, to promote freedom of the press around the world;
S. 1067, to support stabilization and lasting peace in northern
Uganda and areas affected by the Lord's Resistance Army through
development of a regional strategy to support multilateral efforts to
successfully protect civilians and eliminate the threat posed by the
Lord's Resistance Army and to authorize funds for humanitarian relief
and reconstruction, reconciliation, and transitional justice;
S. Res. 341, supporting peace, security, and innocent civilians
affected by conflict in Yemen;
S. Res. 345, deploring the rape and assault of women in Guinea and
the killing of political protesters;
H. Con. Res. 36, calling on the President and the allies of the
United States to raise in all appropriate bilateral and multilateral
for the case of Robert Levinson at every opportunity, urging Iran to
fulfill their promises of assistance to the family of Robert Levinson,
and calling on Iran to share the results of its investigation into the
disappearance of Robert Levinson with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation;
Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and
Other Forms of Family Maintenance, adopted at The Hague on November 23,
2007, and signed by the United States on that same date (Treaty Doc.
110-21);
Protocol Amending the Convention between the Government of the United
States of America and the Government of the French Republic for the
Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with
Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital, signed at Paris on August 21,
1994, as Amended by the Protocol signed on December 8, 2004, signed
January 13, 2009, at Paris, together with a related Memorandum of
Understanding, signed January 13, 2009 (Treaty Doc. 111-04); and
[[Page D1340]]
The nominations of Jose W. Fernandez, of New York, to be Assistant
Secretary for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, William E.
Kennard, of the District of Columbia, to be Representative of the
United States of America to the European Union, with the rank and
status of Ambassador, John F. Tefft, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to
Ukraine, Michael C. Polt, of Tennessee, to be Ambassador to the
Republic of Estonia, Cynthia Stroum, of Washington, to be Ambassador to
Luxembourg, David Huebner, of California, to be Ambassador to New
Zealand, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation
as Ambassador to Samoa, Robert R. King, of Virginia, to be Special
Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues, with the rank of Ambassador,
Peter Alan Prahar, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Federated
States of Micronesia, Frederick D. Barton, of Maine, to be
Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and
Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, and
to be an Alternate Representative to the Sessions of the General
Assembly of the United Nations, during his tenure of service as
Representative on the Economic and Social Council of the United
Nations, and Carmen Lomellin, of Virginia, to be Permanent
Representative of the United States of America to the Organization of
American States, with the rank of Ambassador, all of the Department of
State, James LaGarde Hudson, of the District of Columbia, to be United
States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, Gustavo Arnavat, of New York, to be United States
Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank, and Daniel
W. Yohannes, of Colorado, to be Chief Executive Officer, Millennium
Challenge Corporation; and
Routine lists in the Foreign Service.
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine the United States and the G-20, focusing on remaking the
international economic architecture, after receiving testimony from
Timothy F. Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury.
H1N1 FLU VACCINE
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee
concluded a hearing to examine H1N1 flu, focusing on getting the
vaccine to where it is most needed, after receiving testimony from Alex
Garza, Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical
Officer, Department of Homeland Security; and Nicole Lurie, Assistant
Secretary for Preparedness and Response, and Rear Admiral Anne
Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General, Director, National Center for
Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, both of the Department of Health and Human Services.
CYBERSECURITY
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland
Security concluded a hearing to examine cybersecurity, focusing on
preventing terrorist attacks and protecting privacy in cyberspace,
after receiving testimony from James A. Baker, Associate Deputy
Attorney General, and Steven R. Chabinsky, Deputy Assistant Director,
Cyber Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, both of the Department
of Justice; Philip R. Reitinger, Deputy Under Secretary of Homeland
Security for National Protection and Programs Directorate; Richard C.
Schaeffer, Jr., Information Assurance Director, National Security
Agency, Department of Defense; Gregory T. Nojeim, Center for Democracy
& Technology, and Larry M. Wortzel, U.S.-China Economic and Security
Review Commission, both of Washington, D.C.; and Larry Clinton,
Internet Security Alliance, Arlington, Virginia.
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: 16 public bills, H.R. 4083-
4098 and 2 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 213; and H. Res. 910 were
introduced.
Pages H13068-69
Additional Cosponsors:
Page H13069
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
H. Res. 908, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2781) to
amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the
Molalla River
[[Page D1341]]
in Oregon, as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
(H. Rept. 111-339) and
H. Res. 909, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3791) to
amend sections 33 and 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act
of 1974 (H. Rept. 111-340).
Page H13068
Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed
Representative Driehaus to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H13005
Recess: The House recessed at 10:51 a.m. and reconvened at noon.
Page H13009
Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a
recorded vote of 243 ayes to 177 noes with 1 voting ``present,'' Roll
No. 894.
Pages H13009, 13034-35
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the
following measures:
Clean Hull Act of 2009: H.R. 3618, amended, to provide for
implementation of the International Convention on the Control of
Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001;
Pages H13013-18
Expressing support for designation of November 29, 2009, as ``Drive
Safer Sunday'': H. Res. 841, to express support for designation of
November 29, 2009, as ``Drive Safer Sunday,'' by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay
vote of 413 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 893;
Pages H13018-20, H13033-34
Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009: H.R. 3360, amended, to
amend title 46, United States Code, to establish requirements to ensure
the security and safety of passengers and crew on cruise vessels, by a
\2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 416 yeas to 4 nays, Roll No. 892;
Pages H13020-26, H13033
Expressing the gratitude of the House of Representatives for the
service to our Nation of the Coast Guard and Marine Corps aircraft
pilots and crewmembers lost off the coast of California on October 29,
2009: H. Res. 891, amended, to express the gratitude of the House of
Representatives for the service to our Nation of the Coast Guard and
Marine Corps aircraft pilots and crewmembers lost off the coast of
California on October 29, 2009, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 419 yeas
with none voting ``nay,'' Roll No. 895;
Pages H13026-29, H13035
H. Dale Cook Federal Building and United States Courthouse
Designation Act: H.R. 3305, to designate the Federal building and
United States courthouse located at 224 South Boulder Avenue in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, as the ``H. Dale Cook Federal Building and United States
Courthouse''; and
Pages H13029-30
Recognizing and honoring the 40th anniversary of SEARCH, The National
Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics, headquartered in
Sacramento, California: H. Res. 851, to recognize and honor the 40th
anniversary of SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information
and Statistics, headquartered in Sacramento, California.
Pages H13031-33
Suspension--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following
measure under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were
postponed:
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.
Pages H13030-31
Communication from the Clerk of the House: Read a letter from the Clerk
wherein she transmitted notification that Paul J. Solis, Nathaniel
Wright, Kedric L. Payne, and Jon Steinman have signed an agreement to
not be a candidate for the office of Senator or Representative in, or
Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress for purposes of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 until at least 3 years after they
are no longer a member of the board or staff of the Office of
Congressional Ethics. Further, the Clerk notified the House that copies
of the signed agreements shall be retained by the Office of the Clerk
as part of the records of the House.
Page H13056
Quorum Calls--Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H13033,
H13033-34, H13034-35, H13035. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Committee Meetings
FINANCIAL SECURITY IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review the Financial
Stability Improvement Act discussion draft. Testimony was heard from
Gary Gensler, Chairman, CFTC; Elisse B. Walter, Commissioner, SEC; and
Leland A. Strom, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit
Administration.
U.S IRAQ-AFGHANISTAN STRATEGY
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations continued hearings on Afghanistan and Iraq: Perspectives
on U.S. Strategy, Part III. Testimony was heard from GEN. Wesley Clark,
USA (ret.), Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe; and public
witnesses.
[[Page D1342]]
PERFORMANCE BUDGETING
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Building an Executive-
Legislative Partnership for Performance Budgeting. Testimony was heard
from Jeffrey D. Zients, Deputy Director, Management and Chief
Performance Officer, OMB.
H1N1 SICK LEAVE POLICIES
Committee on Education and Labor: Held a hearing on Protecting
Employees, Employers and the Public: H1N1 and Sick Leave Policies.
Testimony was heard from Anne Schuchat, M.D., Assistant Surgeon
General, and Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory
Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of
Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
CHEMICAL SAFETY DETERMINATION
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection held a hearing on Prioritizing Chemicals for Safety
Determination. Testimony was heard from Stephen Owens, Assistant
Administrator, Officer of Pollution, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances,
EPA; Eric Sampson, Director, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National
Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; and public
witnesses.
UNIVERSAL SERVICE REFORM ACT
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Communications,
Technology and the Internet held a hearing on a discussion draft of the
Universal Service Reform Act of 2009. Testimony was heard from Ray
Baum, Commissioner, Public Utility Commission, State of Oregon; and
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.
Will continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Homeland Security: Ordered reported the following
measures: H.R. 1517, as amended, To allow certain U.S. Customs and
Border Protection employees who serve under an overseas limited
appointment for at least 2 years, and whose service is rated fully
successful or higher throughout that time, to be converted to a
permanent appointment in the competitive service; H.R. 2611, as
amended, To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the
Securing the Cities Initiative of the Department of Homeland Security,
and for other purposes; H.R. 3239, as amended, To require the Secretary
of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to
submit a report on the effects of the Merida Initiative on the border
security of the United States, and for other purposes; H.R. 3837, as
amended, Strengthening and Updating Resources and Equipment Act;
H.R.3963, Criminal Investigative Training Restoration Act; H.R. 3978,
First Responder Anti-Terrorism Training Resources Act; H.R. 3980,
Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants
Act; and H. Res. 28, as amended, Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the Transportation Security Administration should,
in accordance with the congressional mandate provided for in the
Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007,
enhance security against terrorist attack and other security threats to
our Nation's rail and mass transit lines.
JUDGE PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT
Committee on the Judiciary: Task Force on Judicial Impeachment met to
consider possible impeachment of U.S. District Judge G. Thomas
Porteous, Jr. Testimony was heard from Alan Baron, Special Impeachment
Counsel, Committee on the Judiciary; and Attorney Robert Creely.
Will continue tomorrow.
FINANCIAL REFORM--BANKRUPTCY ANTITRUST LAW
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Competition
Policy continued hearings on Too Big to Fail: The Role for Bankruptcy
and Antitrust Law in Financial Regulation Reform, Part II. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks,
Forests, and Public Lands held a hearing on the following bills: H.R.
2889, Oregon Caves National Monument Boundary Adjustment Act of 2009;
H.R. 3339, FLTFA Reauthorization Act of 2009; H.R. 3444, Pinnacles
National Park Act; H.R. 3538, Idaho Wilderness Water Resources
Protection Act; and H.R. 3726, Castle Nugent National Historic Site
Establishment Act of 2009. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Farr and Simpson; the following officials of the Department of the
Interior: Bob Abbey, Director, Bureau of Land Management; and Steven E.
Whitesell, Associate Director, Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands,
National Park Service; Lenise Lago, Deputy Regional Forester, Pacific
Northwest Region, Forest Service, USDA; Robin M. Nazzaro, Director,
Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; and public witnesses.
[[Page D1343]]
BANK OF AMERICA-MERRILL LYNCH MERGER
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: and the Subcommittee on
Domestic Policy continued joint hearings entitled ``Bank of America and
Merrill Lynch: How did a Private Deal Turn Into a Federal Bailout? Part
IV. `` Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
FIRE GRANTS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a non-record vote, a structured rule
providing for the consideration of H.R. 3791, the ``Fire Grants
Reauthorization Act of 2009''. The rule provides one hour of general
debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Science and Technology. The rule waives all
points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising
under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.
The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute
recommended by the Committee on Science and Technology modified by the
amendment printed in part A of the Rules Committee report shall be
considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall
be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against the
amendment in the nature of a substitute except those arising under
clause 10 of rule XXI.
The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in part B of
the report. The amendments made in order 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 the
time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the
proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall
not be subject to a demand for division of the question. The rule
waives all points of order against the amendments made in order except
those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides one
motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule provides that
the Chair may entertain a motion that the Committee rise only if
offered by the chair of the Committee on Science and Technology or a
designee. Finally, the rule provides that the Chair may not entertain a
motion to strike out the enacting words of the bill. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Gordon, Holden, and Smith of Nebraska.
MOLALLA RIVER PROTECTIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a non-record vote, a closed rule
providing for consideration of 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''. The rule provides one hour of general debate equally
divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Natural Resources. The rule waives all points of order
against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9
or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature
of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now
printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. The bill, as
amended, shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of
order against provisions in the bill, as amended. Finally, the rule
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony
was heard from Representatives Grijalva and Hastings of Washington.
SECURITY SCIENCE--ADVANCED RADIATION MONITORS
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Investigations and
Oversight continued hearings on The Science of Security Part II;
Technical Problems Continue to Hinder Advanced Radiation Monitors.
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the GAO: Gene
Aloise, Director, Natural Resources and Environment; and Timothy M.
Persons, Chief Scientist; the following officials of the Department of
Homeland Security: Todd Owen, Executive Director, Cargo and Conveyance
Security, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection; and William Hagan, Acting Deputy Director, Domestic Nuclear
Detection Office.
U.S. TRADE PREFERENCE PROGRAMS
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on
the Operation, Impact and Future of the U.S. Preference Programs.
Testimony was heard from Representatives McDermott, Linda T. Sanchez of
California, and Engel; Tim Reif, General Counsel, Office of the U.S.
Trade Representative; Sandra Polaski, Deputy Under Secretary, Bureau of
International Labor Affairs, Department of Labor; Mary Ott, Deputy
Assistant Administrator, Bureau of Economic Growth, U.S. Agency for
International Development, Department of State; Burnham Philbrook,
Deputy Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA;
Loren Yager, Director, International Affairs and Trade, GAO; 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.
[[Page D1344]]
Joint Meetings
No joint committee meetings were held.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY,
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
Senate
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: to hold
hearings to examine reforming the United States financial market
regulation; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the
nomination of Jill Long Thompson, of Indiana, to be a Member of the
Farm Credit Administration Board, Farm Credit Administration, 9:30
a.m., SD-106.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold
hearings to examine the nominations of Mark R. Rosekind, of
California, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety
Board, Scott Boyer Quehl, of Pennsylvania, to be Assistant
Secretary, and to be Chief Financial Officer, and Suresh Kumar, of
New Jersey, to be Assistant Secretary and Director General of the
United States and Foreign Commercial Service, both of the Department
of Commerce, Philip E. Coyle, III, of California, to be an Associate
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Anthony
R. Coscia, of New Jersey, and Albert DiClemente, of Delaware, both
to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors, 2:30 p.m., SR-
253.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public
Lands and Forests, to hold hearings to examine managing Federal
forests in response to climate change, focusing on natural resource
adaptation and carbon sequestration, 2:30 p.m., SD-366.
Committee on Environment and Public Works: business meeting to
consider S. 2778, to amend the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 to reauthorize that Act, 9:30 a.m., SD-406.
Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the
nominations of Mary Burce Warlick, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to
the Republic of Serbia, James B. Warlick, Jr., of Virginia, to be
Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, and Eleni Tsakopoulos
Kounalakis, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of
Hungary, all of the Department of State, 10:15 a.m., SD-419.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business
meeting to consider S. 510, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act with respect to the safety of the food supply, and the
nominations of David Morris Michaels, of Maryland, to be Assistant
Secretary of Labor, and Pamela S. Hyde, of New Mexico, to be
Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, any pending
nominations, and subcommittee assignments, 10 a.m., SD-430.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: business
meeting to consider the nomination of Daniel I. Gordon, of the
District of Columbia, to be Administrator for Federal Procurement
Policy, Time to be announced, S-216, Capitol.
Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight, to hold hearings to
examine accountability for foreign contractors, focusing on the
Lieutenant Colonel Dominic ``Rocky'' Baragona Justice for American
Heroes Harmed by Contractors Act, 2:30 p.m., SD-342.
Committee on the Judiciary: to hold an oversight hearing to
examine the Department of Justice, 9:30 a.m., SDG-50.
Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of
Denny Chin, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the
Second Circuit, Rosanna Malouf Peterson, to be United States
District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington, William M.
Conley, to be United States District Judge for the Western District
of Wisconsin, and Susan B. Carbon, of New Hampshire, to be Director
of the Violence Against Women Office, and John H. Laub, of the
District of Columbia, to be Director of the National Institute of
Justice, both of the Department of Justice, 2:30 p.m., SD-226.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine easing
the burdens through employment, 9:30 a.m., SR-418.
House
Committee on Armed Services, hearing on Resourcing the National
Defense Strategy: Implications of Long Term Budget Trends, 10 a.m.,
210 HVC.
Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, joint hearing on H1N1
Preparedness: An Overview of Vaccine Production and Distribution, 10
a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services, to continue consideration of the
Committee Print of the Financial Stability Improvement Act of 2009,
10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Terrorism,
Nonproliferation and Trade, hearing on Flag on the Bag?: Foreign
Assistance and the Struggle Against Terrorism, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.
Committee on Homeland Security, hearing entitled ``Federal
Protective Service: Will Continuing Challenges Weaken Transition and
Impede Progress?'' 10 a.m., 311 Cannon.
Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure
Protection, hearing entitled ``Is the Flying Public Protected? An
Assessment of Security at Foreign Repair Stations,'' 2 p.m., 311
Cannon.
Committee on the Judiciary, Task Force on Judicial Impeachment, to
continue consideration of possible impeachment of U.S. District
Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr., 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Committee on Natural Resources, to mark up the following bills:
H.R. 1672, Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative
Reauthorization Act of 2009; H.R. 2062, Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Penalty and Enforcement Act of 2009; H.R. 3644, Bay-Watershed
Education and Training (B-WET) Regional Program and National
Environmental Literacy Grant Program Act; H.R. 3940,
[[Page D1345]]
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to extend grants and
other assistance to facilitate a political status public education
program for the people of Guam; H.R. 2288, Endangered Fish Recovery
Programs Improvement Act of 2009; H.R. 3603, To rename the Ocmulgee
National Monument; H.R. 3759, BLM Contract Extension Act; H.R. 3804,
National Park Service Authorities and Corrections Act of 2009; and
H.R. 3388, Petersburg National Battlefield Boundary Modification
Act, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to mark up the
following measures: H.R. 2517, Domestic Partnership Benefits and
Obligations Act of 2009; H.R. 3892, To designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass
in Roper, North Carolina, as the ``E.C. Wilkins Post Office;'' H.R.
3951, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 2000 Louisiana Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the
``Roy Rondeno, Sr., Post Office Building;'' and H.R. 4017, To
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located
at 43 Maple Avenue in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, as the ``Ann Marie
Blute Post Office;'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District
of Columbia, hearing entitled ``Greater Autonomy for the National's
Capital,'' with discussion of the following bills: H.R. 960,
District of Columbia Legislative Autonomy Act of 2009; and H.R.
1045, District of Columbia Budget Autonomy Act of 2009, 10 a.m.,
2154 Rayburn.
Committee on Science and Technology, to mark up H.R. 4061,
Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on
Water Resources and Environment, hearing on Proposals for a Water
Resources Development Act of 2010, 2 p.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs, to mark up a draft bill, and to
consider pending business, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on
Guantanamo Update, 4 p.m., 304 HVC.
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[[Page D1346]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Next Meeting of the SENATE
9:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 18
Senate Chamber
Program for Wednesday: After the transaction of any morning business
(not to extend beyond two hours), Senate will continue consideration of
the nomination of David F. Hamilton, of Indiana, to be United States
Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, and vote on confirmation
thereon.
(At approximately 9:30 a.m., Senator Rockefeller will be recognized
to speak.)
Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
10 a.m., Wednesday, November 18
House Chamber
Program for Wednesday: Consideration of 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
(Subject to a Rule).
_______________________________________________________________________
Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue
HOUSE
Ackerman, Gary L., N.Y., E2788
Barrett, J. Gresham, S.C., E2787
Camp, Dave, Mich., E2785
Capito, Shelley Moore, W.Va., E2782, E2791
Childers, Travis W., Miss., E2779
Coffman, Mike, Colo., E2788
Cohen, Steve, Tenn., E2790
Connolly, Gerald E., Va., E2791
Costa, Jim, Calif., E2780, E2786
Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E2791
Davis, Susan A., Calif., E2788
Edwards, Donna F., Md., E2779
Farr, Sam, Calif., E2789
Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E2787
Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E2784
Halvorson, Deborah L., Ill., E2785
Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E2781, E2789
Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E2783
Kind, Ron, Wisc., E2787
Kirk, Mark Steven, Ill., E2790
Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E2779, E2781
Lungren, Daniel E., Calif., E2790
Manzullo, Donald A., Ill., E2782
Mitchell, Harry E., Ariz., E2782, E2784
Murtha, John P., Pa., E2787
Olson, Pete, Tex., E2784
Poe, Ted, Tex., E2784
Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, Fla., E2785
Ruppersberger, C.A. Dutch, Md., E2789
Sarbanes, John P., Md., E2786
Schock, Aaron, Ill., E2779, E2782, E2790
Scott, Robert C. ``Bobby'', Va., E2788
Sherman, Brad, Calif., E2784
Smith, Adam, Wash., E2787
Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E2781
Weiner, Anthony D., N.Y., E2782
Westmoreland, Lynn A., Ga., E2790
Wexler, Robert, Fla., E2780, E2786
Wilson, Joe, S.C., E2783
Wittman, Robert J., Va., E2784
Wolf, Frank R., Va., E2779, E2785
Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E2783