[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 22, 1995)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D222-D226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Bills Introduced: Eight public bills, H.R. 1010-1017; and one 
resolution, H. Con. Res. 32, were introduced.
  Page H2063
Report Filed: The following report was filed as follows: H. Res. 93, 
providing for the consideration of H.R. 450, to ensure economy and 
efficiency of Federal Government operations by establishing a 
moratorium on regulatory rulemaking actions (H. Rept. 104-45).
  Page H1984
Defense Department Supplemental Appropriation: By a yea-and-nay vote of 
262 yeas to 165 nays, Roll No. 154, the House passed H.R. 889, making 
emergency supplemental appropriations and rescissions to preserve and 
enhance the military readiness of the Department of Defense for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 1995.
  Pages H1979-84, H1985-H2010
  Rejected the Obey motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on 
Appropriations with instructions to report it back forthwith containing 
amendments so as to ensure that discretionary outlays for fiscal year 
1995 that are made pursuant to new budget authority do not cause 
discretionary outlays for fiscal year 1995 (computed without regard to 
any emergency designations) to exceed the amount currently allocated to 
the Committee on Appropriations pursuant to section 602(a) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (rejected by a recorded vote of 163 
ayes to 264 noes, Roll No. 153).
Pages H2008-10
  Agreed to the amendment in the nature of a substitute made in order 
by the rule.
Page H2008
  Rejected the Obey amendment in the nature of a substitute that sought 
to provide the $2.5 billion in supplemental defense appropriations 
requested by the Administration, rescind $2.2 billion in previously 
appropriated defense funds; and require the Secretary [[Page D223]] of 
Defense to make those cuts according to the Secretary's own 
determination of the lowest priority defense programs, while providing 
for 30 days notice by the Secretary to, but not approval of, the 
Congress for such cuts (rejected by a recorded vote of 167 ayes to 260 
noes, Roll No. 152).
Pages H1999-H2008
  H. Res. 92, the rule under which the bill was considered, was agreed 
to earlier by a year-and-nay vote of 282 yeas to 144 nays, Roll No. 
151.
Pages H1979-84
Paperwork Reduction: By a recorded vote of 418 ayes, with 6 voting 
``present'', Roll No. 157, the House passed H.R. 830, to amend chapter 
35 of title 44, United States Code, to further the goals of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act to have Federal agencies become more 
responsible and publicly accountable for reducing the burden of Federal 
paperwork on the public.
   Pages H2010-29
Agreed To:
  The committee amendments en bloc;
Page H2021
  The Meyers of Kansas amendment that provides that all provisions 
requiring information collection must include how long records on such 
information must be kept;
Pages H2024-25
  The Sanders amendment that requires that, in acting to reduce Federal 
paperwork and reporting requirements on small businesses, OMB and 
Federal agencies establish as a priority the reduction of such 
requirements on those ``smaller'' small businesses for whom Federal 
paperwork costs impose the greatest burden; and
Page H2025
  The Crapo amendment that provides that private citizens have a right 
to a complete defense or bar to an action taken by Federal agency 
information collection activities that have not been cleared by OMB, 
which do not display a current OMB control number on the information 
request form, or which fail to state that the request for information 
is not subject to clearance under provisions.
Pages H2028-29
Rejected:
  The Collins of Illinois amendment that sought to omit provisions 
amending the definition of ``collection of information'' and ``the 
disclosure to third parties or the public of information'', effectively 
preserving the 1990 Supreme Court decision regarding OMB's regulatory 
oversight authority (rejected by a recorded vote of 170 ayes to 254 
noes, Roll No. 155); and
Pages H2021-24
  The Maloney amendment that sought to ``sunset'' the measure after 
five years (rejected by a recorded vote of 156 ayes to 265 noes, Roll 
No. 156).
Pages H2025-28
  The Clerk was authorized to make such technical and conforming 
changes as may be necessary in the engrossment of the bill.
Page H2029
  H. Res. 91, the rule under which the bill was considered, was agreed 
to earlier by a voice vote.
Pages H2011-12
Committees to Sit: It was made in order that the following committees 
and their subcommittees be permitted to sit on Thursday, February 23, 
during proceedings of the House under the five-minute rule: Committees 
on Agriculture, Banking and Financial Services, Commerce, Government 
Reform and Oversight, International Relations, Judiciary, National 
Security, Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Select 
Intelligence.
  Page H2030
Presidential Message--Budget Deferrals and Rescissions: Read a message 
from the President wherein he transmits one revised deferral, totaling 
$7.3 million, and two revised rescission proposals, totaling $106.7 
million--referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered 
printed (H. Doc. 104-40).
  Page H2030
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: The Speaker appointed 
to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe the following 
Members on the part of the House: Representatives Porter, Wolf, 
Funderbunk, Salmon, Hoyer, Markey, Richardson, and Cardin.
  Page H2030
North Atlantic Assembly: The Speaker appointed to the United States 
Group of the North Atlantic Assembly the following Members on the part 
of the House: Representatives Rose, Hamilton, Coleman, and Rush.
  Page H2030
Amendments Ordered Printed: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the 
rule appear on pages H2064-67.
Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and five recorded votes 
developed during the proceedings of the House today and appear on pages 
H1984, H2008, H2009-10, H2010, H2023-24, H2027-28, and H2029. There 
were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: Met at 11 a.m. and adjourned at 10:18 p.m.
RESCISSION; AGRICULTURE, FDA, RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES 
APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
approved for full Committee action a supplemental/rescission measure 
for Fiscal Year 1995.
  The Subcommittee also continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was 
heard from Members of Congress and public witnesses. [[Page D224]] 
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State 
and the Judiciary, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Attorney 
General. Testimony was heard from Janet Reno, Attorney General.
RESCISSION; ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development approved for full Committee action a rescission measure for 
Fiscal Year 1995.
  The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Corps of Engineers: 
Southwestern Division, North Pacific Division, South Atlantic Division, 
and on Lower Mississippi Valley Division. Testimony was heard from the 
following Division Engineers, Corps of Engineers, Department of the 
Army: Col. James Paul King, USA, Southwestern Division; Maj. Gen. 
Ernest J. Harrell, USA, North Pacific Division; Brig. Gen. Ralph V. 
Locurcio, USA, South Atlantic Division; and Brig. Gen. Eugene S. 
Witherspoon, USA, Commander, Lower Mississippi Valley Division and 
President, Mississippi River Commission.
RESCISSION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export 
Financing and Related Programs approved for full Committee action a 
rescission measure for Fiscal Year 1995.
RESCISSION; INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior and Related 
Agencies approved for full Committee action a rescission measure for 
Fiscal Year 1995.
  The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Indian Education and on the 
Bureau of Mines. Testimony was heard from Thomas W. Payzant, Assistant 
Secretary, elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education; 
and Rhea L. Graham, Director, U.S. Bureau of Mines, Department of the 
Interior.
RESCISSION; LABOR, HHS AND EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, Education and Related Agencies began consideration of a 
rescission measure for Fiscal Year 1995.
  The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Secretary of Labor and on 
the Employment and Training Administration. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the Department of Labor: Robert B. Reich, 
Secretary; and Doug Ross, Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training, 
Employment and Training Administration.
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee 
on Legislative held a hearing on the Joint Committee on Printing, GPO, 
and on the Library of Congress. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Thomas and Hoyer; Michael F. DiMario, Public Printer, 
GPO; and James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, 
and General Government held a hearing on the Secret Service. Testimony 
was heard from Eljay B. Bowron, Director, U.S. Secret Service, 
Department of the Treasury.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on veterans' Affairs and 
Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies held a hearing 
on the American Battle Monuments Commission and Cemeterial Expenses, 
and on the National Credit Union Administration. Testimony was heard 
from Gen. Fred Woerner, USA (Ret), American Battle Monuments 
Commission; John Zirschky, Acting Assistant Secretary, Civil Works, 
Cemeterial Expenses, Department of the Army; and Norman E. D'Amours, 
Chairman, National Credit Union Administration.
LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD SOLUTION FOR HOUSING AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on 
Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing on ``Local 
Neighborhood solutions for Housing and Economic Opportunities.'' 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ADMINISTRATION'S HUD BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Administration's HUD 
Budget: Reform or Retrenchment? Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the GAO: Paul L. Posner, Director, Budget Issues; and 
James E. Wells, Associate Director, Housing and Community Development 
Issues.
  Hearing continue tomorrow.
COMMON SENSE PRODUCT LIABILITY REFORM ACT; OVERSIGHT PLANS
Committee on Commerce: Began consideration of H.R. 917, Common Sense 
Product Liability Reform Act.
  Will continue tomorrow.
  The Committee approved oversight plan for the 104th Congress for 
submission to the Committee on [[Page D225]] Government Reform and 
Oversight and the Committee on House Oversight.
WELFARE REFORM CONSOLIDATION ACT
Committee on Economic and Education Opportunities: Began markup of H.R. 
999, Welfare Reform Consolidation Act of 1995.
  Will continue tomorrow.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on District 
of Columbia and the Subcommittee on District of Columbia of the 
Committee on Appropriations held a joint oversight hearing to review 
the Financial Condition of the District of Columbia. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of Audit Support and Analysis, GAO: 
John W. Hill, Jr., Director; Terry L. Carnahan, Assistant Director; 
Edward H. Stephenson, Assistant Director; and Laura B. Triggs; and the 
following officials of the District of Columbia: Marion Barry, Jr., 
Mayor; David A. Clarke, Chairman, Council; and Robert Pohlman, Acting 
Chief Financial Officer.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human 
Resources and Intergovernmental Relations held an oversight hearing on 
Efforts to Reduce Costs and Increase Efficiency of HUD. Testimony was 
heard from Susan Gaffney, Inspector General, Department of Housing and 
Urban Development; Judy England-Joseph, Director, Housing and Community 
Development Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
AFRICA--HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a 
hearing on Human Rights Situation in Africa. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the Department of State: John Shattuck, 
Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; and Edward 
Brynn, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, African Affairs; and 
public witnesses.
FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International 
Operations and Human Rights held a hearing on Foreign Relations 
Authorization: Refugees. Testimony was heard from Ambassador Brunson 
McKinley, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Population, Refugees, and 
Migration, Department of State.
  Hearings continue tomorrow.
MEXICAN PESO BAILOUT
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Western 
Hemisphere and the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and 
Trade held a joint hearing on the Mexican Peso Bailout. Testimony was 
heard from Representative Kaptur; Jeffrey R. Shafer, Assistant 
Secretary, International Affairs, Department of the Treasury; and 
public witnesses.
COMMON SENSE PRODUCT LIABILITY REFORM ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Began markup of H.R. 956, Common Sense 
Product Liability Reform Act of 1995.
  Will continue tomorrow.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Continued hearings on the Fiscal Year 
1996 National Defense authorization request. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the Department of Defense: Gen. Gordon 
Sullivan, USA, Chief of Staff, Army; Adm. J. M. Boorda, USN, Chief of 
Naval Operations; Gen. Ronald R. Fogelman, USAF, Chief of Staff, Air 
Force; and Gen. Carl Mundy, Jr., USMC, Commandant, Marine Corps.
  Hearings continue tomorrow.
REGULATORY TRANSITION ACT
Committee on Rules: By a record vote of 8 to 4, granted a modified open 
rule providing 1 hour of debate of H.R. 450, Regulatory Transition Act 
of 1995. The rule makes in order the Government Report and Oversight 
Committee amendment in the nature of a substitute as an original bill 
for amendment purposes which shall be considered as read. The rule 
provides a 10-hour time limit on the amendment process. Priority in 
recognition may be accorded to Members who have pre-printed their 
amendments in the Congressional Record prior to their consideration. 
Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without 
instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Clinger and 
Representatives McIntosh, Collins of Illinois, and Slaughter.
NSF BUDGET
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Basic Research held a hearing on 
the NSF budget. Testimony was heard from Neal F. Lane, Director, NSF.
  Hearings continue March 2.
CAPITOL GAINS TAX REFORM
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on Capital Gains Tax 
Reform. Testimony was heard from Jane Gravelle, Senior Specialist in 
Economic Policy, CRS, Library of Congress; and public 
witnesses. [[Page D226]] 
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION AND APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public 
Buildings and Economic Development concluded hearings on Economic 
Development Administration and Appalachian Regional Commission. 
Testimony was heard from Casper Taylor, Speaker, House of Delegates, 
State of Maryland; and public witnesses.
DISPOSITION OF ICC'S NON-MERGER AUTHORITY
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Railroads held a hearing on the Disposition of the ICC's Non-Merger 
Rail Authority. Testimony was heard from Barry Hill, Associate 
Director, Transportation Issues, GAO; Gail McDonald, Chairman, ICC; 
Joseph Canny, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Transportation Policy, 
Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.

Joint Meetings
MINIMUM WAGE
Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded hearings to examine the 
Administration proposal to raise the minimum wage, after receiving 
testimony from Representatives Longley and Owens; Robert B. Reich, 
Secretary, and Alan Krueger, Economist, both of the Department of 
Labor; Lowell Taylor, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania; Peter Brandon, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Finis 
Welch, Texas A&M University, College Station; Bill Rogers, College of 
William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia; Herman Cain, Godfather's 
Pizza, Omaha, Nebraska; Grant Maloy, Gabrielle Growers, Oviedo, 
Florida; Charles Fuller, Off Campus Bookstore, Athens, Georgia; and 
Audrey Haynes, Frankfort, Kentucky.