[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 5, 1995)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D484-D487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
concluded appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from Dan 
Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, 
and Judiciary (and Related Agencies) held a hearing on Overview of 
International Trade Promotion and Enforcement Programs. Testimony was 
heard from Ambassador Michael Kantor, U.S. Trade Representative; the 
following officials of the Department of Commerce: Jeffrey E. Garten, 
Under Secretary, International Trade; Greg Farmer, Under Secretary, 
Travel and Tourism; William S. Reinsch, Under Secretary, Export 
Administration; and Susan Esserman, Assistant Secretary, Import 
Administration, International Trade Administration; Mary Jean Ryan, 
Associate Deputy Administrator, Economic Development, SBA; and Peter S. 
Watson, Chairman, U.S. International Trade Commission.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior (and Related 
Agencies) held a hearing on the National Endowment for the Arts. 
Testimony was heard from Jane Alexander, Chairman, National Endowment 
for the Arts, National Foundation for the Arts and the Humanities.
LABOR, HHS, AND EDUCATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education (and Related Agencies) held a hearing on 
National Mediation Board and Railroad Retirement Board, Occupational 
Safety and Health Review Commission, Physician Payment Review 
Commission, and on the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission. 
Testimony was heard from Ernest W. DuBester, Chairman, National 
Mediation Board; Glen L. Bower, Chairman, Railroad Retirement Board; 
Stuart E. Weisberg, Chairman, Occupational Safety and Health Review 
Commission; John M. Gisenberg, M.D., Chairman, Physician Payment Review 
Commission; and Stuart A. Altman, Chairman, Prospective Payment 
Assessment Commission.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in 
executive session to hold a hearing on Russian and other Submarine 
Threats and Navy Submarine Programs. Testimony was heard from Ken 
Knight, Deputy, National Intelligence Officer, General Purpose Forces, 
National Intelligence Council; and the following officials of the 
Department of the Navy: Nora Slatkin, Assistant Secretary (Research, 
Development and Acquisition); Adm. Bruce LeMars, USN, Director, Naval 
Nuclear Propulsion; and Vice Adm. T. Joseph Lopez, USN, Deputy Chief of 
Naval Operations (Resources, Warfare Requirements and Assessment).
  The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Submarine Industry 
Perspectives. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Veterans' Affairs, Housing 
and Urban Development and Independent Agencies continued appropriation 
hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress and public 
witnesses. [[Page D485]] 
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPETITIVENESS ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Concluded hearings on the 
following: H.R. 1062, Financial Services Competitiveness Act of 1995; 
Glass-Steagall Reform; and related issues. Testimony was heard from 
Paul A. Volcker, former Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve 
System; and public witnesses.
RYAN WHITE CARE ACT REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a 
hearing on the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act. Testimony 
was heard from Representatives Gunderson and Barrett of Wisconsin; 
Philip R. Lee, M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health, Department of Health 
and Human Services; William Scanlon, Associate Director, Medicaid and 
Intergovernmental Relations, Health, Education and Human Services 
Division, GAO; Diana Jones-Ritter, Deputy Director, Office of Public 
Health, Department of Health, State of New York; and public witnesses.
NULLIFY EXECUTIVE ORDER PROHIBITING FEDERAL CONTRACTS WITH COMPANIES 
HIRING PERMANENT REPLACEMENTS FOR STRIKING EMPLOYEES
Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities: Held a hearing on 
Executive Order 12954, and H.R. 1176, to nullify an Executive order 
that prohibits Federal contracts with companies that hire permanent 
replacements for striking employees. Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.
CONTRACTING OUT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Civil 
Service continued hearings on Contracting Out: Part 2. Testimony was 
heard from Delegate Norton; and public witnesses.
FRANKING REFORM
Committee on House Oversight: Held a hearing on Franking Reform. 
Testimony was heard from Representatives Upton, Davis, Hutchinson, 
Goss, Castle, Greenwood, LaHood, and Portman; and public witnesses.
SENSE OF CONGRESS RESOLUTION--VISIT BY PRESIDENT OF CHINA; 
ADMINISTRATION'S INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported amended H. Con. 
Res. 53, expressing the sense of the Congress regarding a private visit 
by President Lee Teng-hui of the Republic of China on Taiwan to the 
United States.
  The Committee also continued hearings on the Administration's 
International Affairs Budget Request. Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.
SENSE OF CONGRESS RESOLUTION--VISIT BY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF 
CHINA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the 
Pacific approved for full Committee action amended the following 
measures: H. Con. Res. 53, expressing the sense of the Congress 
regarding a private visit by President Lee Teng-hui of the Republic of 
China on Taiwan to the United States; and H.J. Res. 83, relating to the 
United States--North Korea Agreed Framework and the obligations of 
North Korea under that and previous agreements with respect to the 
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and dialog with the Republic 
of Korea.
CASES CHALLENGING CONSTITUTIONALITY OF MEASURES PASSED BY STATE 
REFERENDUM BE HEARD BY THREE-JUDGE COURT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual 
Property held a hearing on H.R. 1170, to provide that cases challenging 
the constitutionality of measures passed by State referendum be heard 
by a three-judge court. Testimony was heard from Harry T. Edwards, 
Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit; and 
public witnesses.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SECOND AMENDMENT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime continued hearings on 
Gun Laws, Part 2, the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Testimony was heard 
from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held 
an oversight hearing on the impact of illegal immigration on public 
benefit programs and the American labor force. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported amended the following bills: 
H.R. 541, Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1995; H.R. 1139, to amend 
the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act; H.R. 1141, Sikes Act 
Improvement Amendments of 1995; H.R. 1175, Marine Resources 
Revitalization Act of 1995; and H.R. 1266, Greens Creek Land Exchange 
Act of 1995.

[[Page D486]]

RONGELAP RECOVERY AND COMMUNITY SELF-RELIANCE ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Native American and Insular 
Affairs approved for full Committee action amended H.R. 1332, Rogelap 
Recovery and Community Self-Reliance Act.
DEFENSE SUPPLEMENTAL; RESCISSIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted a rule waiving all points of order against 
the conference report on 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; and against its consideration. Testimony was heard 
from Chairman Livingston and Representative Young of Florida.
MEDICARE SELECT POLICIES OFFERED IN STATES
Committee on Rules: By a recorded vote of 7 to 4, granted a modified 
closed rule providing for one hour of general debate on H.R. 483, to 
amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit Medicare Select 
policies to be offered in all States. The rule waives clause 2(l)(6) of 
rule XI (requiring three-day availability of committee reports) against 
consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order the text of H.R. 
1391 as an original bill for amendment purposes. The rule provides for 
one amendment in the nature of a substitute by Representative Dingell 
of Michigan or a designee, which is not amendable and subject to one 
hour of debate. The rule provides one motion to recommit, with or 
without instructions. The rule permits the filing of the report by the 
Committee on Commerce on H.R. 483 at any time. Testimony was heard from 
Chairman Bliley and Representatives Johnson of Connecticut, Dingell, 
Waxman, and Furse.
SBA'S SURETY BOND PROGRAM
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Procurement, Exports, and 
Business Opportunities held a hearing on the SBA's Surety Bond Program. 
Testimony was heard from Jim Wells, Associate Director, Housing and 
Community Development Issues, GAO; Dorothy D. Kleeschulte, Associate 
Director, Surety Guarantees, SBA; and public witnesses.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Met in executive session to 
consider pending business.
COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT; PIPELINE SAFETY ACT; CLEAN WATER 
AMENDMENTS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported 
amended the following bills: H.R. 1361, Coast Guard Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 1996; and H.R. 1323, Pipeline Safety Act of 1995.
  The Committee also continued markup of H.R. 961, Clean Water 
Amendments of 1995.
  Will continue tomorrow.

Joint Meetings
MINIMUM WAGE
Joint Economic Committee: Committee resumed hearings to examine issues 
relating to a proposed increase in the minimum wage, receiving 
testimony from Richard Berman, Employment Policies Institute, and Gary 
Burtless, Brookings Institution, both of Washington, D.C.; David 
Neumark, Michigan State University, East Lansing; Daniel S. Hamermesh, 
University of Texas, Austin; and Bruce Blakeman, The Wirthlin Group, 
McLean, Virginia.
  Hearings were recessed subject to call.
CRISIS IN RWANDA AND BURUNDI
Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations' Subcommittee on 
African Affairs concluded joint hearings with the House Committee on 
International Relations' Subcommittee on African Affairs to examine the 
current crisis situation in Rwanda and Burundi, after receiving 
testimony from Senator Simon; Townsend B. Friedman, Jr., Special 
Coordinator for Rwanda, and Arlene Ronder, Director, Office of Central 
African Affairs, both of the Department of State; Herman J. Cohen, 
Global Coalition for Africa, and Julia Taft, American Council for 
Voluntary International Action, both of Washington, D.C.; and Alison 
Des Forges, Human Rights Watch/Africa, New York, New York.
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between 
the Senate- and House-passed versions of 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.
F


                         COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR

                         THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1995

          (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)


                                 Senate

  Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense, to hold hearings 
on proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 1996 for the Department of 
Defense, focusing on Navy and Marine Corps programs, 9:30 a.m., SD-106.
  Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary, to hold 
hearings on proposed budget estimates for [[Page D487]] fiscal year 1996 
for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, both of the Department of 
Commerce, 10:30 a.m., S-146, Capitol.
  Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Acquisition and 
Technology, to resume hearings on proposed legislation authorizing funds 
for fiscal year 1996 for the Department of Defense and the future years 
defense program, focusing on the implementation of acquisition management 
reform, 2 p.m., SR-232A.
  Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Subcommittee on 
Securities, to hold hearings to examine securities litigation reform 
proposals, 3 p.m., SD-538.
  Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, business meeting, 
to mark up S. 565, to regulate interstate commerce by providing for a 
uniform product liability law, 9 a.m., SR-253.
  Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, to resume hearings on S. 440, to 
provide for the designation of the National Highway System, focusing on 
issues related to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the innovative financing 
of transportation facilities, 10 a.m., SD-406.
  Committee on Finance, to hold hearings to examine issues related to the 
Consumer Price Index, 9:30 a.m., SD-215.
  Committee on the Judiciary, business meeting, to continue markup of S. 
343, to reform the Federal regulatory process, 8 a.m., SD-226.
  Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the right to own property, 
10 a.m., SH-216.
  Committee on Labor and Human Resources, business meeting, to mark up S. 
454, to reform the health care liability system and improve health care 
quality through the establishment of quality assurance programs; to be 
followed by hearings to continue to examine activities of the Department 
of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration, focusing on 
the future of American biomedical and food industries, 9 a.m., SD-430.

                                 NOTICE

  For a Listing of Senate Committee Meetings Scheduled ahead, see page E793 
in today's Record.
                                  House

  Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Resource Conservation, 
Research, and Forestry, hearing on Agricultural Wetlands and Wetland 
Issues in the 1995 Farm Bill, 9:30 a.m., 1300 Longworth.
  Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, 
and Judiciary (and Related Agencies), on Staffing and Operation of 
Overseas Missions, 10 a.m., and on Department of Justice Prisons and 
Related Issues, 2 p.m., H-309 Capitol.
  Subcommittee on Interior (and Related Agencies), on Holocaust Memorial 
Council and Bureau of Land Management, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., B-308 
Rayburn.
  Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (and 
Related Agencies), on Members of Congress, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and on 
Armed Forces Retirement Home, 2 p.m., 2358 Rayburn.
  Subcommittee on National Security, on Readiness Issues, 10 a.m., H-140 
Capitol.
  Subcommittee on Veterans' Affairs and Housing, Urban Development and 
Independent Agencies, on Congressional and Public Witnesses, 9:30 a.m. 
and 2 p.m., H-143 Capitol.
  Committee on Banking and Financial Services, Subcommittee on General 
Oversight and Investigations, hearing on the Administration's Response to 
the Mexican Financial Crisis, 10 a.m., 2222 Rayburn.
  Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, hearing on HUD 
Reinvention: From Blueprint, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
  Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, Subcommittee on Human 
Resources and Intergovernmental Relations, oversight hearing on the 
Department of Education: Opportunities for Cost Savings, 10 a.m., 2247 
Rayburn.
  Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal 
Justice, hearing on the Effectiveness of the National Drug Control 
Strategy and the Status of the Current Drug War, 8 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
  Committee on International Relations, hearings on Middle East Overview 
and United States Assistance to the Palestinians, 2:30 p.m., 2172 
Rayburn.
  Subcommittee on Africa, hearing on the Threat of Islamic Extremism in 
Africa, 10 a.m., 2200 Rayburn.
  Committee on the Judiciary, hearing on International Terrorism: Threats 
and Responses, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
  Committee on National Security, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, 
executive, to receive a briefing on the Ranger training deaths, 1 p.m., 
2212 Rayburn.
  Subcommittee on Military Procurement, to continue hearings on the 
fiscal year 1996 national defense authorization request, 10 a.m., 2118 
Rayburn.
  Special Oversight Panel on the Merchant Marine, hearing on Maritime 
Security Program, 2 p.m., 2216 Rayburn.
  Special Oversight Panel on Morale, Welfare and Recreation, to continue 
hearings on the fiscal year 1996 national defense authorization request, 
10 a.m., 2212 Rayburn.
  Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Government Programs, 
hearing on the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program 10 a.m., 
2359 Rayburn.
  Committee on Transportation, to continue markup of H.R. 961, Clean 
Water Amendments of 1995, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
  Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Hospitals and Health 
Care, hearing on reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration, 9 
a.m., 334 Cannon.
                             Joint Meetings

  Joint Economic Committee, to hold hearings to examine the economic 
effects of a proposed $500-per-child expanded family tax credit, 10 a.m., 
SD-562.
  Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, to hold hearings to 
examine United Nations and NATO activities in the former Yugoslavia, 
focusing on the development of a new mandate for United Nations 
peacekeepers in Croatia and efforts to restore peace and stability in 
Bosnia and Herzegovina, 10 a.m., 2261 Rayburn Building.