Wednesday, June 24, 2009
[[Page D753]]
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
Senate began consideration of the impeachment proceedings of
Samuel B. Kent, Judge of the United States District Court for the
Southern District of Texas.
The House passed H.R. 2892, Department of Homeland Security
Appropriations Act, 2010.
Senate
Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S6959-S7024
Measures Introduced: Sixteen bills and four resolutions were
introduced, as follows: S. 1332-1347, and S. Res. 202-205.
Pages S6992-93
Measures Passed:
Issuance of Summons and Related Procedures for Impeachment Against
Judge Samuel B. Kent: Senate agreed to S. Res. 202, to provide for
issuance of a summons and for related procedures concerning the
articles of impeachment against Samuel B. Kent.
Page S6961
Appointment of Committee for Impeachment Against Judge Samuel B.
Kent: Senate agreed to S. Res. 203, to provide for the appointment of a
committee to receive and to report evidence with respect to articles of
impeachment against Judge Samuel B. Kent.
Page S6961
Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act: Senate passed S. 962, to
authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to promote
an enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people, after
agreeing to the committee amendments.
Pages S7015-22
John Arthur ``Jack'' Johnson Sense of the Congress: Committee on the
Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 29,
expressing the sense of the Congress that John Arthur ``Jack'' Johnson
should receive a posthumous pardon for the racially motivated
conviction in 1913 that diminished the athletic, cultural, and historic
significance of Jack Johnson and unduly tarnished his reputation, and
the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S7022
African American Bone Marrow Awareness Month: Senate agreed to S.
Res. 205, supporting the goals and ideals of African American Bone
Marrow Awareness Month.
Page S7022
Measures Considered:
Impeachment of Judge Samuel B. Kent: Senate, sitting as a Court of
Impeachment, began consideration of the impeachment proceedings of
Samuel B. Kent, Judge of the United States District Court for the
Southern District of Texas, taking the following action:
Subsequently, the Senate received the managers appointed by the House
of Representatives who presented and exhibited Articles of Impeachment
against Samuel B. Kent, Judge of the United States District Court for
the Southern District of Texas, and the oath was administered to
Senators by the Acting President pro tempore.
Pages S6959-61
Appointments:
Impeachment Trial Committee: The Chair, upon the recommendations of
the Majority Leader, and in accordance with the resolution on the
appointment of an impeachment trial committee, appointed the following
Senators to the Impeachment Trial Committee: Senators McCaskill
(Chairman), Klobuchar, Whitehouse, Udall (NM), Shaheen, and Kaufman.
Pages S6961-62
Impeachment Trial Committee: The Chair, upon the recommendations of
the Republican Leader, and in accordance with the resolution on the
appointment of an impeachment trial committee, appointed the following
Senators to the Impeachment Trial Committee: Senators Martinez (Vice-
Chairman), DeMint, Barrasso, Wicker, Johanns, and Risch.
Pages S6961-62
[[Page D754]]
Impeachment Trial Committee and Impeachment Rule XI: The Chair, upon
the recommendations of the two Leaders, and pursuant to the resolution
on the appointment of an impeachment trial committee and Impeachment
Rule XI, appointed the following Senators to be members of the
committee to receive and report evidence in the impeachment of Judge
Samuel B. Kent: Senators McCaskill (Chair), Klobuchar, Whitehouse,
Udall (NM), Shaheen, Kaufman, Martinez (Vice-Chairman), DeMint,
Barrasso, Wicker, Johanns, and Risch.
Pages S6961-62
Message From the President: Senate received the following message from
the President of the United States:
Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the continuation of the
national emergency that was originally declared in Executive Order
13466 of June 26, 2008, with respect to the current existence and risk
of the proliferation of weapons-usable fissile material on the Korean
Peninsula; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs. (PM-26)
Page S6992
Koh Nomination--Agreement: Senate resumed consideration of the
nomination of Harold Koh, to be Legal Advisor of the Department of
State.
During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the
following action:
By 65 yeas to 31 nays (Vote No. 212), 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 S6962-87
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further
consideration of the nomination at approximately 10:30 a.m., on
Thursday, June 25, 2009, and that any time during any adjournment or
period of morning business count post-cloture.
Pages S7023-24
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
James Legarde Hudson, of the District of Columbia, to be United
States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development.
John Victor Roos, of California, to be Ambassador to Japan.
James B. Smith, of New Hampshire, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia.
Routine lists in the Air Force and Army.
Page S7024
Messages From the House:
Page S6992
Measures Referred:
Page S6992
Measures Read the First Time:
Pages S6992, S7023
Enrolled Bills Presented:
Page S6992
Executive Reports of Committees:
Page S6992
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages S6993-95
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S6995-S7014
Additional Statements:
Pages S6988-92
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:
Page S7014
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
Pages S7014-15
Privileges of the Floor:
Page S7015
Quorum Calls:
One quorum call was taken today. (Total--2)
Page S6959
Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--212)
Page S6965
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:55 a.m. and adjourned at 6:46 p.m.,
until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2009. (For Senate's program, see
the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S7023-
24.)
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
APPROPRIATIONS: COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies approved for full committee consideration
an original bill making appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science,
and Related Agencies for fiscal year 2010.
AUTHORIZATION: DEFENSE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities met in closed session and approved for full committee
consideration, those provisions which fall within the jurisdiction of
the subcommittee, of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act
for fiscal year 2010.
TRANSPARENCY IN HEALTH INSURANCE
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded
a hearing to examine consumer choices and transparency in the health
insurance industry, after receiving testimony from Nancy Metcalf,
Consumer Reports, Yonkers, New York; Karen Pollitz, Georgetown
University Health Policy Institute, Washington, DC; and Wendell Potter,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a
hearing to examine the nominations of Colin Scott Cole Fulton, of
Maryland, to be
[[Page D755]]
General Counsel, and Paul T. Anastas, of Connecticut, to be Assistant
Administrator for the Office of Research and Development, both of the
Environmental Protection Agency, after the nominees testified and
answered questions in their own behalf.
IRAN
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine issues pertaining to Iran, after receiving testimony from Karim
Sadjadpour, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Michael Singh
and Mehdi Khalaji, both of the Washington Institute for Near East
Policy, and Suzanne Maloney, Brookings Institution, all of Washington,
DC; and Hooman Majd, New York, New York.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to
examine the nominations of Capricia Penavic Marshall, of the District
of Columbia, to be Chief of Protocol, and to have the rank of
Ambassador during her tenure of service, who was introduced by Senator
Brown, and Daniel M. Rooney, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador to
Ireland, who was introduced by Senators Specter and Casey, both of the
Department of State, after the nominees testified and answered
questions in their own behalf.
DIABETES RESEARCH
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee
concluded a hearing to examine type 1 diabetes research progress, after
receiving testimony from Griffin P. Rodgers, Director, National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National
Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services; Mary
Tyler Moore, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Nick Jonas, all of the Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation, New York, New York; and Hannah Ryder,
Cumberland, Maine, J. Patrick Lacher III, South Glastonbury,
Connecticut, Asa Kelly, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Ellen Gould,
Nashville, Tennessee, all on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation Children's Congress.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee
continued consideration of Affordable Health Choices Act, but did not
complete action thereon, and will meet again on Thursday, June 25,
2009.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
the nominations of A. Thomas McLellan, of Pennsylvania, to be Deputy
Director of National Drug Control Policy, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, of
California, to be Director of the United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, and Christopher
H. Schroeder, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Attorney General,
Department of Justice, after the nominees testified and answered
questions in their own behalf.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight
hearing to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs quality
management activities, after receiving testimony from Julie A. Watrous,
Director, Combined Assessment Program, Office of Healthcare
Inspections, John Daigh, Assistant Inspector General for Healthcare,
and Victoria Coates, Director, Atlanta Regional Office, all of the
Office of Inspector General, Gerald M. Cross, FAAFP, Acting Under
Secretary for Health, William E. Duncan, MACP, Associate Deputy Under
Secretary for Health for Quality and Safety, Juan A. Morales, Director,
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Rebecca J. Wiley, Director, Charlie
Norwood Medical Center, and Mary D. Berrocal, Director, Miami Health
Care System, all of the Department of Veteran Affairs; Thomas Nolan,
Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Silver Spring, Maryland; and
Robert A. Wise, The Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR ELDERLY AND SPECIAL NEEDS
Special Committee on Aging: Committee concluded a hearing to examine
emergency preparedness, aging and special needs, after receiving
testimony from Richard Besser, Director, Coordinating Office for
Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services;
Timothy Manning, Deputy Administrator, National Preparedness Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security; E.
Douglas Beach, Florida Secretary on the Emergency Preparedness, Aging,
and Special Needs, Department of Elder Affairs, and LuMarie Polivka-
West, Florida Health Care Association, both of Tallahassee; and Sandy
Markwood, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Washington,
DC.
[[Page D756]]
House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 24 public bills, H.R. 3011-
3034 and 2 resolutions, H.J. Res. 58; and H. Res. 579 were introduced.
Pages H7248-50
Additional Cosponsors:
Pages H7250-51
Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows:
H. Res. 578, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2996)
making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment,
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 (H.
Rept. 111-184).
Page H7236
Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the Guest Chaplain, Reverend Shawn
L. Kumm, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Laramie, Wyoming.
Page H7149
Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by
voice vote.
Pages H7149, H7235-36
Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Boehner motion to adjourn by a yea-and-
nay vote of 96 yeas to 308 nays, Roll No. 424.
Pages H7153-54
Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Broun (GA) motion to adjourn by a yea-
and-nay vote of 73 yeas to 316 nays, Roll No. 425.
Page H7161
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the
following measure:
Disabled Military Retiree Relief Act of 2009: H.R. 2990, to provide
special pays and allowances to certain members of the Armed Forces and
to expand concurrent receipt of military retirement and VA disability
benefits to disabled military retirees, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of
404 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 433.
Pages H7154-61, H7162-66, H7177-78
Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Wilson (SC) motion to adjourn by a yea-
and-nay vote of 26 yeas to 361 nays, Roll No. 426.
Pages H7166-67
Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Tiberi motion to adjourn by a yea-and-
nay vote of 25 yeas to 366 nays, Roll No. 427.
Pages H7167-68
Privileged Resolution--Intent to Offer: Representative Price (GA)
announced his intent to offer a privileged resolution.
Pages H7175-76
Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Price (GA) motion to adjourn by a
recorded vote of 31 ayes to 393 noes, Roll No. 432.
Pages H7176-77
Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the King (IA) motion to adjourn by a
recorded vote of 36 ayes to 381 noes, Roll No. 434.
Page H7178
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010: The House
passed H.R. 2892, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland
Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, by a yea-and-
nay vote of 389 yeas to 37 nays, Roll No. 450.
Pages H7167, H7168-75, H7179-90, H7190-H7215, H7222-34
Agreed to the Rogers (KY) motion to recommit the bill to the
Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back
to the House forthwith with an amendment by a recorded vote of 234 ayes
to 193 noes, Roll No. 449. Subsequently, Representative Price (NC)
reported the bill back to the House with the amendment and the
amendment was agreed to.
Page H7233
Agreed to:
Price (NC) manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in part A of H. Rept.
111-183) that increases funding for the Firefighter grant program,
nonprofit security grants, the Metropolitan Medical Response System,
and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. In addition, the
amendment contains two prohibitions on funds in this bill being used:
for first class travel, with certain exceptions, and to close or
transfer operations of a FEMA recovery office. Finally, the amendment
ensures DHS employees who interact with the public can use personal
protective equipment without negative personnel action (by a recorded
vote of 345 ayes to 85 noes, Roll No. 435);
Pages H7222-23
Lewis (CA) amendment (No. 5 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-183)
that adds $34 million to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, intending
to fund 200 additional Border Patrol agents, offset by reducing funding
for the Offices of the Secretary and Executive Management; Under
Secretary for Management; Chief Financial Officer; and Chief
Information Officer (by a recorded vote of 375 ayes to 55 noes, Roll
No. 436);
Page H7223
King (NY) amendment (No. 8 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-183)
that adds $50 million in funding to the Domestic Nuclear Detection
Office, with $40 million intended for the Securing the Cities
initiative and $10 million intended for the procurement of radiation
portal monitors, offset by a reduction in the Department's Office of
the Secretary and Executive Management and the Office of the Under
Secretary for Management (by a recorded vote of 282 ayes to 148 noes,
Roll No. 437);
Pages H7223-24
[[Page D757]]
Bilirakis amendment (No. 1 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-183)
that increases funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
salaries and expenses by $1.7 million offset by reducing funding for
the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management. The funds are
intended to be used to expand the Visa Security Program, which places
ICE personnel overseas at high-risk locations to screen visa
applications (by a recorded vote of 423 ayes to 6 noes, Roll No. 438);
Pages H7224-25
King (IA) amendment (No. 3 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-183)
that reduces and then increases funding for United States Customs and
Border Protection salaries and expenses by $1 million. This funding
would go towards removing the lookout posts that have been established
along the U.S.-Mexico border (by a recorded vote of 240 ayes to 187
noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 439); and
Page H7225
King (IA) amendment (No. 4 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-183)
that prohibits any funds in the Act from being used to employ illegal
workers as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (by a
recorded vote of 349 ayes to 84 noes, Roll No. 442).
Page H7227
Rejected:
Duncan amendment (No. 2 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-183) that
sought to maintain current (FY2009) funding for the Federal Air
Marshals (by a recorded vote of 134 ayes to 294 noes, Roll No. 440);
Pages H7225-26
Poe (TX) amendment (No. 7 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-183) that
sought to increase by $32 million funds available for the National
Predisaster Mitigation Fund, offset by reducing by the same amount
funds available for FEMA Management and Administration (by a recorded
vote of 202 ayes to 230 noes, Roll No. 441);
Pages H7226-27
Neugebauer amendment (No. 6 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-183)
that sought to reduce spending in this act by $2,755,000,000 across
multiple accounts (by a recorded vote of 113 ayes to 318 noes, Roll No.
443);
Page H7228
Flake amendment (No. 7 printed in part C of H. Rept. 111-183) that
sought to strike an earmark for the City of Emeryville, CA, from FEMA's
National Predisaster Mitigation Fund (by a recorded vote of 110 ayes to
322 noes, Roll No. 444);
Pages H7228-29
Flake amendment (No. 5 printed in part C of H. Rept. 111-183) that
sought to strike an earmark for the Harris County Flood Control
District, Texas, from FEMA's National Predisaster Mitigation Fund (by a
recorded vote of 82 ayes to 348 noes, Roll No. 445);
Page H7229
Flake amendment (No. 2 printed in part C of H. Rept. 111-183) that
sought to prohibit funds in the bill from going to the National
Institute for Hometown Security, Kentucky, and would reduce the overall
cost of the bill by a commensurate amount (by a recorded vote of 114
ayes to 317 noes, Roll No. 446);
Page H7230
Flake amendment (No. 1 printed in part C of H. Rept. 111-183) that
sought to prohibit funds in the bill from going to Global Solar,
Arizona, for portable solar charging rechargeable battery systems, and
reduce the overall cost of the bill by a commensurate amount (by a
recorded vote of 110 ayes to 318 noes, Roll No. 447); and
Pages H7230-31
Flake amendment (No. 1 printed in part D of H. Rept. 111-183) that
sought to strike the $1 million earmark for SEARCH of Sacramento, CA,
for interoperable communications, technical assistance and outreach
programs (by a recorded vote of 112 ayes to 320 noes, Roll No. 448).
Page H7231
H. Res. 573, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was
agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 239 yeas to 184 nays, Roll No. 430,
and the Westmoreland motion to reconsider the vote was rejected by a
yea-and-nay vote of 169 yeas to 251 nays, Roll No. 431. Earlier, agreed
to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 238 yeas to 174
nays, Roll No. 428, and rejected the Broun (GA) motion to reconsider
the vote by a recorded vote of 172 ayes to 238 noes, Roll No. 429.
Pages H7173-75
Public Interest Declassification Board--Appointment: The Chair
announced the Speaker's appointment of the following member on the part
of the House of Representatives to the Public Interest Declassification
Board for a term of 3 years: Mr. David Skaggs of Longmont, Colorado.
Page H7221
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010: The House
began consideration of H.R. 2647, to authorize appropriations for
fiscal year 2010 for military activities of the Department of Defense
and to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2010.
Consideration is expected to resume tomorrow, June 25th.
Pages H7215-21, H7234-35, H7236-46
H. Res. 572, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was
agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 202 nays, Roll No. 452,
after agreeing to order the previous question by yea-and-nay vote of
245 yeas to 181 nays, Roll No. 451.
Pages H7234-35
Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he
notified Congress that the national emergency declared in Executive
Order 13466 of June 26, 2008 with respect to North Korea and North
Korean nationals is to continue in effect beyond June 26, 2009--
referred to the Committee on
[[Page D758]]
Foreign Affairs and ordered printed (H. Doc. 111-52).
Pages H7190, H7221-22
Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on
pages H7149, H7166.
Senate Referrals: S. Con. Res. 30 was referred to the Committee on
Education and Labor and S. Res. 202 and S. Res. 203 were held at the
desk.
Pages H7149, H7166
Quorum Calls--Votes: Eleven yea-and-nay votes and 18 recorded votes
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H7153-54,
H7161, H7166-67, H7167-68, H7173, H7173-74, H7174-75, H7175, H7176-77,
H7177-78, H7178, H7222-23, H7223, H7223-24, H7224-25, H7225, H7225-26,
H7226-27, H7227, H7228, H7228-29, H7229, H7230, H7230-31, H7231, H7233,
H7234, H7234-35, H7235. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 12 a.m. on
Thursday, June 25th.
Committee Meetings
FOOD, CONSERVATION, AND ENERGY ACT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and
Risk Management held a hearing to review implementation of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Testimony was heard from public
witnesses.
FAIR DISCLOSURE AND PENSION SECURITY ACT OF 2009
Committee on Education and Labor: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R.
2989, 401(k) Fair Disclosure and Pension Security Act of 2009.
HEALTHCARE REFORM
Committee on Energy and Commerce: and the Subcommittee on Health
continued hearings on draft health reform legislation. Testimony was
heard from Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services;
Representative Conyers; Joseph Vitale, Chairman, Committee on Health,
Human Services, and Senior Citizens, State Senate, New Jersey; Jay
Webber, State Assembly, New Jersey; Michael O. Leavitt, former
Secretary of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
Hearings continue tomorrow.
U.S.-AFRICA TRADE RELATIONS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and
Consumer Protection, and the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health
of the Committee on Foreign Affairs held a joint hearing on U.S.-Africa
Trade Relations: Creating a Platform for Economic Growth. Testimony was
heard from Florizelle Liser, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for
Africa, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; Leocadia L. Zak,
Acting Director, Trade and Development Agency; Holly Vineyard, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Department of
Commerce; and public witnesses.
REGULATOR RESTRUCTURING
Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Regulatory
Restructuring: Enhancing Consumer Financial Products Regulation.''
Testimony was heard from Representative Delahunt; William Francis
Galvin, Secretary, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and public witnesses.
U.S.-RUSSIA NUCLEAR ARMS REDUCTION
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Held a hearing on the July Summit and
Beyond: Prospects for U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Reduction. Testimony was
heard from William J. Perry, former Secretary of Defense; Thomas
Graham, Jr., former Special Representative to the President for Arms
Control, Non-Proliferation, and Disarmament, and Legal Advisor to SALT
II, START I and II; and Keith B. Payne, former Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Forces Policy.
HOMELAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS BUDGET
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence,
Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing
entitled ``FY2010 Budget for the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of
the Department of Homeland Security.'' Testimony was heard from Bart
Johnson, Acting Under Secretary, Office of Intelligence and Analysis,
Department of Homeland Security.
RESOLUTION ADVERSELY REPORTED REGARDING TRANSMISSION TO THE HOUSE
MATERIAL RELATING TO DETAINEES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported adversely H. Res. 537,
Requesting that the President and directing that the Attorney General
transmit to the House of Representative all information in their
possession relating to specific communications regarding detainees and
foreign persons suspected of terrorism.
PUERTO RICO DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2009
Committee on Natural Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 2499, Puerto
Rico Democracy Act of 2009. Testimony was heard from Representatives
Burton of Indiana and Grayson; the following officials of the
[[Page D759]]
Government of Puerto Rico; Luis G. Fortino, Governor; the following
members of the Senate: Ruben Angel Berrios Martinez; Thomas Rivera
Schatz, President, Jose L. Dalmau Santiago, Minority Leader; and
Eduardo Bhatia Gautier; the following officials of the House; Jennifer
Gonzalez Colon, Speaker; and Hector Lerrer Rios, and Carlos Romero-
Barcelo, former Governor.
AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN OVERSIGHT--NEW INTERAGENCY STRATEGY
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: and the Subcommittee on
National Security and Foreign Affairs held a joint hearing entitled
``Afghanistan and Pakistan: Oversight of a New Interagency Strategy.''
Testimony was heard from Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, U.S. Special
Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Department of State; and
GEN Wallace Gregson, Assistant Secretary, Asian and Pacific Affairs,
Department of Defense.
FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal
Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia approved for
full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 22, To amend chapter 89, title
5, United States Code, to allow the United States Postal Service to pay
its share of contributions for annuitants' health benefits out of the
Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing entitled ``FEHBP's Prescription
Drug Benefits: Deal or No Deal?'' Testimony was heard from the
following officials of OPM: Patrick McFarland, Inspector General; and
Nancy Kichak, Associate Director, Human Resources Policy Division; John
Dicken, Director, Health Care, GAO; and public witnesses.
THE ``DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2010''
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a record vote of 8-3, a structured rule
providing for consideration of H.R. 2996, the Department of the
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.
The rule provides one hour of general debate equally divided and
controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The
rule waives all points of order against provisions in the bill for
failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order
the following amendments: (1) the amendment printed in part A of the
Rules Committee report; (2) the amendments printed in part B of the
report; (3) not to exceed three of the amendments printed in part C of
the report, if offered by Representative Flake of Arizona or his
designee; (4) not to exceed one of the amendments printed in part D of
the report, if offered by Representative Campbell of California or his
designee; and (5) not to exceed one of the amendments printed in part E
of the report, if offered by Representative Hensarling of Texas or his
designee. The rule provides that each such amendment shall be
considered as read, shall be debatable for 10 minutes equally divided
and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be
subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the
Committee of the Whole. All points of order against such amendments are
waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule
also provides that the amendments printed in part B, C, D, or E of the
report may be offered only at the appropriate point in the reading. The
rule provides that for those amendments reported from the Committee of
the Whole, the question of their adoption shall be put to the House en
gros and without intervening demand for division of the question. The
rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The
rule provides that after consideration of the bill for amendment, the
chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or
their designees each may offer one pro forma amendment to the bill for
the purpose of debate, which shall be controlled by the proponent. The
rule provides that the Chair may entertain a motion that the Committee
rise only if offered by the chair of the Committee on Appropriations or
his designee and that the Chair may not entertain a motion to strike
out the enacting words of the bill (as described in clause 9 or rule
XVIII). Finally, the rule provides that during consideration of H.R.
2996, the Chair may reduce to two minutes the minimum time for
electronic voting under clause 6 of rule XVIII and clauses 8 and 9 or
rule XX. Testimony was heard from Chairman Dicks, Representatives
Kanjorski; Hinojosa; Simpson; Buyer; Conaway; Garrett of New Jersey;
King of Iowa; Nunes; McCaul of Texas; Jordan of Ohio; Lamborn and Roe
of Tennessee.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science and Technology: Ordered reported, as amended, the
following bills: H..R. 2965, Enhancing Small Business Research and
Innovation Act of 2009; H.R. 2729, To authorize the designation of
National Environmental Research Parks by the Secretary of Energy, and
for other purposes; and H.R. 1622, To provide for a program of
research, development, and demonstration on natural gas vehicles.
[[Page D760]]
SMALL GROUP HEALTHCARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Health IT
Adoption and the New Challenges Faced by Solo and Small Group
Healthcare Practices.'' Testimony was heard from David Blumenthal,
M.D., National Coordinator, Health IT, Department of Health and Human
Services; and public witnesses.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on
Highways and Transit approved for full Committee action the Surface
Transportation Authorization Act of 2009
VETERANS MEASURES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 2379,
Veterans Group Life Insurance Improvement Act of 2009; H.R. 2713,
Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act; H.R. 2968, to amend
title 38, United States Code, to eliminate the required reduction in
the amount of the accelerated death benefit payable to certain
terminally-ill persons insured under Servicemembers' Group Life
Insurance or Veterans' Group Life Insurance; H.R. 2774, Families of
Veterans Financial Security Act. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Buyer, Donnelly, Halvorson, and Kirkpatrick of Arizona;
Thomas M. Lostowka, Director, VA Regional Office and Insurance Center,
Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; a
representative of a veterans organizations; and a public witness.
HEALTH REFORM PROPOSALS
Committee on Ways and Means: Continued hearings on Health Reform in the
21st Century: Proposals to Reform the Health System. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
BRIEFING--SIGNIFICATION NOTIFICATION
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to
receive a briefing on Significant Notification. The Committee was
briefed by departmental witnesses.
Joint Meetings
No joint committee meetings were held.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY,
JUNE 25, 2009
(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
Senate
Committee on Appropriations: business meeting to mark up proposed
budget estimates for fiscal year 2010 for the Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies and Interior, Environment, and Related
Agencies, 3 p.m., SD-106.
Committee on Armed Services: closed business meeting to mark up
the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year
2010, 9:30 a.m., SR-222.
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: business meeting
to consider the nominations of Raphael William Bostic, of
California, and David H. Stevens, of Virginia, both to be an
Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, time to be
announced, room to be announced.
Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to
examine impacts of highway trust fund insolvency, 10 a.m., SD-406.
Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife, to hold hearings to examine
the impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining on water quality in
Appalachia, 3:30 p.m., SD-406.
Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the
nominations of Maria Otero, to be Under Secretary for Democracy and
Global Affairs, and Philip L. Verveer, for the rank of Ambassador
during his tenure of service as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
for International Communications and Information Policy in the
Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs and U.S.
Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy,
both of the Department of State, 11 a.m., SD-419.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: business
meeting to continue consideration of Affordable Health Choices Act,
subcommittee assignments, and any pending nominations, 10 a.m., SR-
325.
Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold hearings to examine S. 797,
to amend the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act, the Indian Tribal
Justice Act, the Indian Tribal Justice Technical and Legal
Assistance Act of 2000, and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968 to improve the prosecution of, and response to,
crimes in Indian country, 2:15 p.m., SD-628.
Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine ``The
Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act'', 10 a.m., SD-226.
Full Committee, business meeting to consider S. 257, to amend
title 11, United States Code, to disallow certain claims resulting
from high cost credit debts, H.R. 985 and S. 448, bills to maintain
the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions
for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain
persons connected with the news media, S. 417, to enact a safe,
fair, and responsible state secrets privilege Act, S. 396, for the
relief of Marcos Antonio Sanchez-Diaz, and the nominations of B.
Todd Jones, to be United States Attorney for the District of
Minnesota, and John P. Kacavas,
[[Page D761]]
to be United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, 12
noon, SD-226.
Committee on Rules and Administration: organizational meeting of
the Impeachment Trial Committee on the Articles against Judge Samuel
B. Kent, 4:30 p.m., SR-301.
House
Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities
and Risk Management, to continue hearings to review implementation
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, 10 a.m., 1300
Longworth.
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Energy and Water
Development, and Related Agencies, to mark up appropriations for
fiscal year 2010 for Energy and Water Development, and Related
Agencies, 9 a.m., 2362-B Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, to mark
up appropriations for fiscal year 2010 for Financial Services and
General Government, 2 p.m., 2358-A Rayburn.
Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations, hearing on Raising Thinking from the Tactical to the
Operational Level: JPME I and II at the Services' and Joint Command
and Staff Colleges, 9 a.m., 2212 Rayburn.
Committee on the Budget, hearing on Statutory PAYGO, 10 a.m., 210
Cannon.
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Subcommittee on Health,
to continue hearings on draft health reform legislation, 9:30 a.m.,
2123 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, to
mark up H.R. 2994, To reauthorize the Satellite Home Viewer
Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004, 10 a.m., 2322 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services, hearing entitled ``Legislative
Options for Preserving Federally- and State-Assisted Affordable
Housing and Preventing Displacement of Low-Income, Elderly and
Disabled Tenants,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions, and Consumer Credit,
hearing entitled ``Improving Consumer Financial Literacy under the
New Regulatory System,'' 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa and Global
Health, hearing on Somalia: Prospects for Lasting Peace and a
Unified Response to Extremism and Terrorism, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Asia, The Pacific and the Global Environment,
hearing on Japan's Changing Role, 10 a.m., 2200 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia, hearing on A Regional
Overview of South Asia, 9:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.
Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Commercial and
Administrative Law, hearing on Accountability, Transparency, and
Uniformity in Corporate Deferred and Non-Prosecution Agreements, 11
a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Committee on Natural Resources, hearing on H.R. 2708, Indian
Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2009, 10 a.m., 1324
Longworth.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Subcommittee
on Domestic Policy, to continue joint hearings entitled ``Bank of
America and Merrill Lynch: How Did a Private Deal Turn Into a
Federal Bailout?, Part II,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, hearing
entitled ``Sexual Assault in the Military, Part 3: Context and
Causes,'' 2 p.m., 2247 Rayburn.
Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on
Investigations and Oversight, hearing on The Science of Security:
Lessons Learned in Developing, Testing and Operating Advanced
Radiation Monitors, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, hearing on Assessing
Cybersecurity Activities at NIST and DHS, 2 p.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Committee on Small Business, to mark up H.R. 2965, Enhancing Small
Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009, 9:30 a.m., 2360
Rayburn.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, hearing on
Recovery Act: 120-Day Progress Report for Transportation Programs,
11 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity, hearing on Post-9/11 G.I. Bill: Is the VA ready for
August 1st? 1:30 p.m., 334 Cannon.
Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations and the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures,
joint hearing on Highway and Transit Investment Needs, 10 a.m., 1100
Longworth.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on
Iran, 3 p.m., 304 HVC.
Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical, executive, briefing on
Overhead, 2 p.m., 304HVC.
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[[Page D762]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Next Meeting of the SENATE
9:30 a.m., Thursday, June 25
Senate Chamber
Program for Thursday: After the transaction of any morning business
(not to extend beyond one hour), Senate will continue consideration of
the nomination of Harold Koh, to be Legal Advisor of the Department of
State.
Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
10 a.m., Thursday, June 25
House Chamber
Program for Thursday: Continue consideration of H.R. 2647--National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.
_______________________________________________________________________
Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue
HOUSE
Aderholt, Robert B., Ala., E1550
Bachmann, Michele, Minn., E1558
Bachus, Spencer, Ala., E1552
Barton, Joe, Tex., E1558
Bean, Melissa L., Ill., E1548
Biggert, Judy, Ill., E1560
Bilirakis, Gus M., Fla., E1554
Bishop, Timothy H., N.Y., E1569
Boozman, John, Ark., E1549, E1555, E1559
Brady, Kevin, Tex., E1564, E1567
Braley, Bruce L., Iowa, E1554
Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E1550
Buyer, Steve, Ind., E1553
Cao, Anh ``Joseph'', La., E1566
Carson, Andre, Ind., E1557
Carter, John R., Tex., E1567
Coble, Howard, N.C., E1549
Davis, Geoff, Ky., E1556
Delahunt, Bill, Mass., E1551
Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E1568, E1569
Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E1547, E1548, E1563
Dreier, David, Calif., E1552
Ehlers, Vernon J., Mich., E1556
Fleming, John, La., E1560
Forbes, J. Randy, Va., E1554, E1556, E1557, E1559
Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., N.J., E1561, E1564
Guthrie, Brett, Ky., E1551, E1551
Hastings, Doc, Wash., E1561
Heller, Dean, Nev., E1552, E1560
Hunter, Duncan, Calif., E1562
Inslee, Jay, Wash., E1560
King, Peter T., N.Y., E1552
Kingston, Jack, Ga., E1551
Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E1548
Lamborn, Doug, Colo., E1550
Lance, Leonard, N.J., E1547
Larson, John B., Conn., E1563
LaTourette, Steven C., Ohio, E1549
Lee, Christopher John, N.Y., E1569
LoBiondo, Frank A., N.J., E1562, E1567
McCarthy, Kevin, Calif., E1566
McHenry, Patrick T., N.C., E1564
McHugh, John M., N.Y., E1551, E1552
McKeon, Howard P. ``Buck'', Calif., E1557
Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E1555
Manzullo, Donald A., Ill., E1565
Mica, John L., Fla., E1566, E1567
Moran, James P., Va., E1554
Paul, Ron, Tex., E1569
Platts, Todd Russell, Pa., E1551
Quigley, Mike, Ill., E1555
Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E1547, E1554, E1559
Rogers, Harold, Ky., E1548
Rogers, Mike, Ala., E1552, E1560
Scalise, Steve, La., E1566
Shuler, Heath, N.C., E1556
Simpson, Michael K., Idaho, E1561, E1567
Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E1567
Tiahrt, Todd, Kans., E1555, E1557, E1564
Turner, Michael R., Ohio, E1568
Walden, Greg, Ore., E1568, E1569
Wamp, Zach, Tenn., E1568
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie, Fla., E1558
Waters, Maxine, Calif., E1558
Wexler, Robert, Fla., E1557
Wittman, Robert J., Va., E1549
Woolsey, Lynn C., Calif., E1556, E1569
Young, C.W. Bill, Fla., E1560