[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 40 (Thursday, March 21, 1996)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D248-D251]
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, on 
Food Safety and on the Secretary of Agriculture. Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the USDA: Dan Glickman, Secretary; and 
Michael Taylor, Acting Under Secretary, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development held a hearing on the Assistant Secretary of the Army for 
Civil Works and Chief of Engineers. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of the Army: H. Martin Lancaster, 
Assistant Secretary, Civil Works; and Lt. Gen. Arthur E. Williams, USA, 
Chief of Engineers.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export 
Financing and Related Programs held a hearing on Haiti. Testimony was 
heard from Alexander Watson, Assistant Secretary, Inter-American 
Affairs, Department of State.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in 
executive session to hold a hearing on National Foreign Intelligence 
Program. Testimony was heard from John M. Deutch, Director, CIA.
  The subcommittee also held a hearing on Ballistic Missile Defense. 
Testimony was heard from Lt. Gen. Malcolm R. O'Neill, USA, Director, 
Ballistic Missile Defense, Department of Defense.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a 
hearing on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 
Testimony was heard from Ricardo Martinez, Administrator, National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation.
OVERSIGHT--BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING; AND THE U.S. MINT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic 
and International Monetary Policy oversight hearing on the Bureau of 
Engraving and Printing; and the U.S. Mint. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Larry Rolufs, 
Director, Bureau of Engraving and Printing; and Philip Diehl, Director, 
U.S. Mint.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET SUBMISSION
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Administration's fiscal 
year 1997 budget submission. Testimony was heard from Alice M. Rivlin, 
Director, OMB.
MERCURY-CONTAINING AND RECHARGEABLE BATTERY MANAGEMENT ACT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous 
Materials held a hearing on H.R. 2024 and S. 619, Mercury-Containing 
and Rechargeable Battery Management Act. Testimony was heard from 
Michael Shapiro, Director, Office of Solid Waste, EPA; and public 
witnesses.
FEDERAL MANAGEMENT OF THE RADIO SPECTRUM
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance 
held a hearing on Federal Management of the Radio Spectrum, with 
emphasis on Advanced Television Spectrum. Testimony was heard from 
Representative Frank of Massachusetts; Larry Irving, Assistant 
Secretary, Communications and Information, Department of Commerce; 
Robert M. Pepper, Chief, Office of Plans and Policy, FCC; David Moore, 
Senior Analyst, Natural Resources and Commerce Division, CBO; and 
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities: Ordered reported 
amended the following bills: H.R. 1227, to amend the Portal-to-Portal 
Act of 1947 relating to the payment of wages to employees who use 
employer-owned vehicles; and H.R. 2531, to amend the Fair Labor 
Standards Act of 1938 to clarify the exemption for houseparents from 
the minimum wage and maximum hours requirements of that Act.

[[Page D249]]


CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Committee on House Oversight: Held a hearing on Campaign-Finance 
Reform, with emphasis on Influencing Elections: Political Activity of 
Labor Unions. Testimony was heard from Tom Durbin and Paige Whitaker, 
Legislative Attorneys, American Law Division, Congressional Research 
Service, Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
IRAN OIL SANCTIONS ACT
Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported amended H.R. 
3107, Iran Oil Sanctions Act of 1996.
NICARAGUA--CURRENT ISSUES
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western 
Hemisphere held a hearing to review current issues in Nicaragua. 
Testimony was heard from Representative Diaz-Balart; John Hamilton, 
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Central America, Department of State; Mark 
L. Schneider, Assistant Administrator, Latin America and the Caribbean, 
AID, U.S. International Development Cooperation Agency; and a public 
witness.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held an 
oversight hearing on Fetal Death or Dangerous Deception? The Effects of 
Anesthesia During a Partial-Birth Abortion. Testimony was heard from 
Representative Coburn; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime approved for full 
Committee action the following bills: H.R. 2092, Private Security 
Officer Quality Assurance Act of 1995; H.R. 2137, amended, Megan's Law; 
H.R. 2453, amended, Fugitive Detention Act of 1995; H.R. 2641, amended, 
United States Marshals Service Improvement Act of 1995; H.R. 2803, 
Anti-Car Theft Improvements Act of 1995; H.R. 2974, amended, Crimes 
Against Children and Elderly Persons Punishment and Prevention Act of 
1995; H.R. 2980, amended, Interstate Stalking Punishment and Prevention 
Act of 1996; H.R. 2996, amended, Law Enforcement and Industrial 
Security Cooperation Act of 1996; and H.R. 3120, to amend title 18, 
United States Code, with respect to witness retaliation, witness 
tampering and jury tampering.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Installations 
and Facilities continued hearings on national defense authorization, 
with emphasis on the military construction budget request. Testimony 
was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: 
Robert B. Pirie, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Installations and 
Environment; RAdm. David J. Nash, USN, Commander, Facilities 
Engineering Command; RAdm. G. Dennis Vaughn, USN, Deputy Director, 
Naval Reserve; and Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Braaten, USMC, Assistant Deputy 
Chief of Staff, Installations and Logistics, Marine Corps; the 
following officials of the Department of the Air Force: Jimmy G. 
Dishner, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations; Maj. Gen. Eugene A. 
Lupia, USAF, Civil Engineer; Brig. Gen. Paul A. Weaver, USAF, Deputy 
Director, Air National Guard; and Brig. Gen. John A. Bradley, USAF, 
Deputy to the Chief, Air Force Reserve.
RESERVE FORCES REVITALIZATION ACT
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held 
a hearing on H.R. 1646, Reserve Forces Revitalization Act of 1995. 
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of 
Defense: Deborah R. Lee, Assistant Secretary, Reserve Affairs; Gen. 
Joseph W. Ralston, USAF, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen. 
Ronald H. Griffith, USA, Vice Chief of Staff, Army; Adm. Jay L. 
Johnson, USN, Vice Chief, Naval Operations; Gen. Richard D. Hearney, 
USMC, Assistant Commandant, Marine Corps; Gen. Thomas S. Moorman, Jr., 
USAF, Vice Chief of Staff, Air Force; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement 
and Subcommittee on Military Readiness held a joint hearing on national 
defense authorization, with emphasis on Department of Defense and 
Department of Energy environmental programs. Testimony was heard from 
Thomas B. Grumbly, Acting Under Secretary, Department of Energy; Sherry 
W. Goodman, Deputy Under Secretary, Environmental Security, Department 
of Defense; Victor S. Rezendes, Director, Energy, Resources, and 
Science Issues, GAO; Cindy Williams, Assistant Director, National 
Security Division, CBO; Jay C. Davis, Associate Director, Environmental 
Programs, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; and public witnesses.
  Hearings continue March 29.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Research and 
Development continued hearings on national defense authorization, with 
emphasis on ballistic missile defense. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of Defense:

[[Page D250]]

Kent Stansbury, Deputy Director, Arms Control Implementation and 
Compliance; Franklin Miller, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
International Security Police; and Lt. Gen. Malcolm O`Neill, USA, 
Director, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--ENERGY POLICY
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources 
continued oversight hearings on energy policy. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the Department of Energy: Kyle Simpson, 
Associate Deputy Secretary, Energy Programs; and David F. Morehouse, 
Senior Petroleum Geologist, Energy Information Administration; the 
following officials of the Department of the Interior: Michael Dombeck, 
Acting Director, Bureau of Land Management; David W. Houseknecht, 
Program Director for Energy, U.S. Geological Survey; and Thomas 
Readinger, Deputy Associate Director, Resources and Environmental 
Management, Minerals Management Service; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--MARINE SANCTUARIES ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans 
held an oversight hearing on Marine Sanctuaries Act. Testimony was 
heard from Representative Deutsch; Jeffrey Benoit, Director, Office of 
Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOAA, Department of Commerce; 
and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL LANDS AND REGULATION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and 
Lands held an oversight hearing on Federal lands and Federal regulation 
of private property. Testimony was heard from Barry Hill, Associate 
Director, Energy Resources and Science Issues, GAO; and public 
witnesses.
GUN CRIME ENFORCEMENT AND SECOND AMENDMENT RESTORATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a closed rule on H.R. 125, 
Gun Crime Enforcement and Second Amendment Restoration Act of 1996. The 
rule provides that the amendment printed in the report of the Committee 
on Rules is considered as adopted. The rule provides for consideration 
in the House with 1 hour of debate equally divided between Rep. Chapman 
of Texas or Rep. Barr of Georgia, and Rep. Conyers of Michigan or his 
designee. The previous question is ordered to final passage without 
intervening motion except one motion to recommit which, if containing 
instructions, may only be offered by the Minority Leader or his 
designee. Testimony was heard from Representatives Barr, Heineman, 
Shays, Horn, Christensen, Neumann, Stockman, Conyers, Schumer, Jackson-
Lee, and Chapman.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a 
hearing on the fiscal year 1997 budget requests for the following: 
Department of Energy; EPA and NOAA; and Safe Drinking Water Act 
reauthorization. Testimony was heard from Joseph F. Vivona, Chief 
Financial Officer, Department of Energy; D. James Baker, Administrator, 
NOAA and Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, Department of 
Commerce; Robert J. Huggert, Assistant Administrator, Office of 
Research and Development, EPA; and a public witness.
SBA BUDGET
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on the U.S. Small Business 
Administration Fiscal Year 1997 Budget. Testimony was heard from Philip 
Lader, Administrator, SBA; and public witnesses.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Met in executive session to 
consider pending business.
ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET--IMPACT HIGHWAY AND AVIATION TRUST FUNDS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Held a hearing to 
determine the impact of the Administration's Budget on the highway and 
aviation trust funds. Testimony was heard from a public witness.
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water 
Resources and Environment continued hearings on the Water Resources 
Development Act of 1996. Testimony was heard from Representatives 
Doolittle, Fazio, Matsui, Pombo, Norton, Moran, Hamilton, Miller of 
California, Tauzin, Hoyer, Coyne, Lipinski, Flanagan, Ortiz, Visclosky, 
Dornan, Kim, Pallone, Whitfield, Gilchrest, Pastor, Franks of New 
Jersey, Baker of California, Kingston, Farr, Woolsey, Lincoln, Stupak, 
Dickey, Seastrand, English of Pennsylvania, Riggs, Weldon of Florida, 
Bentsen, Ward, LoBiondo, Lofgren, Buyer, and Gene Green of Texas; John 
H. Zirschky, Principal Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army 
(Civil Works), Department of the Army; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Hospitals and Health 
Care held an oversight hearing on VA Medical Care and Construction 
Priorities for Fiscal Year 1997. Testimony was heard from Kenneth 
Kizer, M.D., Under Secretary, Health, Veterans

[[Page D251]]

Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported amended the following 
bills: H.R. 2754, Shipbuilding Trade Agreement Act; and H.R. 2337, 
Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2.
AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Technical 
and Tactical Intelligence met in executive session hearing on Aerial 
Reconnaissance. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.

Joint Meetings
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS
Conferees met to resolve the differences between the Senate- and House-
passed versions of H.R. 3019, making appropriations for fiscal year 
1996 to make a further downpayment toward a balanced budget, but did 
not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to call.
1996 FARM BILL
Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between 
the Senate- and House-passed versions of H.R. 2854, to modify the 
operation of certain agricultural programs.