[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 27, 1996)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D276-D280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
GOALS REVIEW--AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND EXTENSION
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Resource Conservation, 
Research, and Forestry held a hearing to review the goals and priority 
setting mechanisms of federally supported agricultural research, 
education, and extension. Testimony was heard from Karl Stauber, Under 
Secretary, Research, Education and Economics, USDA; and public 
witnesses.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a 
hearing on Natural Resources and Environment and on Farm and Foreign 
Agricultural Service. Testimony was heard from the following officials 
of the USDA: James Lyons, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and 
Environment; Paul W. Johnson, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service; Eugene Moos, Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural 
Programs; Grant B. Buntrock, Administrator, Farm Service Agency; August 
Schumacher, Jr., Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service; and 
Christopher E. Goldthwait, General Sales Manager.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, 
and Judiciary held a hearing on

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Attorney General. Testimony was heard from Janet Reno, Attorney 
General.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development held a hearing on the Secretary of the Interior, the 
Commissioner of Reclamation, the NRC, and on the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission. Testimony was heard from the following officials 
of the Department of the Interior: Bruce Babbitt, Secretary; and Eluid 
Martinez, Commissioner of Reclamation; the following officials of the 
NRC: Shirley Ann Jackson, Chairman, Kenneth Rogers and Greta J. Dicus, 
all Commissioners; and Elizabeth Moler, Chairman, Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export 
Financing and Related Programs held a hearing on Secretary of State. 
Testimony was heard from Warren M. Christopher, Secretary of State.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security held a 
hearing on fiscal year 1997 Air Force Posture and on Air Force 
Acquisition Programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials 
of the Department of the Air Force: Sheila E. Widnall, Secretary; Gen. 
Ronald R. Fogleman, USAF, Chief of Staff; Arthur L. Money, Assistant 
Secretary, Acquisition; Lt. Gen. George K. Muellner, USAF, Principal 
Deputy, Assistant Secretary, Acquisition; and Brig. Gen. Dennis G. 
Haines, USAF, Director, Supply, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, 
Logistics.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a 
hearing on Federal Transit Administration and on the Washington 
Metropolitan Transit Authority. Testimony was heard from Gordon J. 
Linton, Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Department of 
Transportation; and Bob Polk, Acting General Manager, Washington 
Metropolitan Transit Authority.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, 
and General Government held a hearing on White House Operations and on 
U.S. Postal Service. Testimony was heard from Frank Rdder, Director, 
Office of Administration, Executive Office of the President; and Marvin 
Runyon, Postmaster General, U.S. Postal Service.
VETERANS' AFFAIRS, HUD, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent 
Agencies held a hearing on Department of Housing and Urban Development. 
Testimony was heard from Representatives Lazio and Brownback; the 
following officials of the Department of Housing and Urban Development: 
Henry G. Cisneros, Secretary; and Susan Gaffney, Inspector General; and 
Judy England-Joseph, Director, Housing and Community Development 
Issues, GAO.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing on Issues 
Related to Recent Developments in Electronic Benefits Transfer. 
Testimony was heard from Russell D. Morris, Commissioner, Financial 
Management Services, Department of the Treasury; Edward DeSeve, 
Comptroller, OMB; and public witnesses.
PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Prospects for Economic 
Growth. Testimony was heard from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of 
Governors, Federal Reserve System.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY: FURLOUGHS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations 
held a hearing on the Department of Energy: Furloughs and Financial 
Management. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Energy: L. Dow Davis, Litigation Attorney, and Deborah J. 
Bullock, both with the Office of the General Counsel; Anne Troy, 
Attorney; and Joseph F. Vivona, Chief Financial Officer; and public 
witnesses.
FCC REFORM
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance 
held a hearing on FCC Reform. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the FCC: Reed E. Hundt, Chairman; James Quello, Sussan 
Ness, Andrew C. Barrett, and Rachelle B. Chong, all Commissioners.
  Hearings continue tomorrow.
FEDERAL BUDGET PROCESS REFORM
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on 
Government Management, Information, and Technology held a hearing on 
Federal

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Budget Process Reform. Testimony was heard from Representatives Barton 
of Texas, Cox of California, Smith of Michigan, Crapo, Stenholm, 
Thornton, Castle, Royce, and Smith of Texas; and public witnesses.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Continued hearings on the fiscal year 
1997 national defense authorization, with emphasis on the Department of 
Defense Joint Requirements Oversight Council. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, 
Department of Defense: Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, USAF, Vice Chairman, 
Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen Ronald H. Griffith, USA, Vice Chief of 
Staff, Army; Adm. Jay J. Johnson, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations; 
Gen. Thomas S. Moorman, Jr., USAF, Vice Chief of Staff, Air Force; and 
Gen. Richard D. Hearney, USMC, Assistant Commandant, Marine Corps.
  Hearings continue tomorrow.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Special Oversight Panel on Morale, 
Welfare and Recreation held a hearing on the fiscal year 1997 national 
defense authorization, with emphasis on morale, welfare and recreation 
issues. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Defense: Fred Pang, Assistant Secretary, Force 
Management; Maj. Gen. Richard Beale, Jr., USA, Director, Defense 
Commissary Agency; Maj. Gen. A. Doug Bunger, USAF, Commander, Army and 
Air Force Exchange Service; Capt. Bruce R. Bennett, USN, Commander, 
Navy Exchange Service Command; Brig. Gen. James R. Joy, USMC (Ret.), 
Director, MWR Support Activity, USMC; Brig. Gen. John G. Meyer, USA, 
Commander, Army Community and Family Support Center; Brig. Gen. Patrick 
O. Adams, USAF, Director of Services, USAF; and RAdm. Larry R. Marsh, 
USN, Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Readiness and Community 
Support, Bureau of Naval Personnel.
OVERSIGHT--FISCAL YEAR 1997 BUDGET REQUESTS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans 
held an oversight hearing on fiscal year 1997 budget requests from Fish 
and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and NOAA and 
on the following bills: H.R. 2909, Silvio O. Conte National Fish and 
Wildlife Refuge Eminent Domain Prevention Act, and H.R. 2982, Carbon 
Hill National Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Bevill and Bass; Robert Streeter, Assistant Director, 
Refuges and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the 
Interior; the following officials of the Department of Commerce: D. 
James Baker, Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere; and Diana 
Josephson, Deputy Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA; Robert 
W. Correll, Assistant Director, Geosciences, NSF; and public witnesses.
HEALTH COVERAGE AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY ACT; ERISA TARGETED 
HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by a voice vote, a modified 
closed rule on H.R. 3103, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the 
group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in 
health insurance and health care delivery, to promote access to long-
term care services and coverage, and to simplify the administration of 
health insurance. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of 
a substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 3160, modified by the 
amendment specified in part 1 of the report of the Committee on Rules, 
will be considered as adopted. The rule waives all points of order 
against the bill, as amended and against its consideration (except 
those arising under section 425(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974, relating to unfunded mandates). The previous question shall be 
considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further 
amendment thereto to final passage, without intervening motion except 
as specified. The rule provides for two hours of debate with 45 minutes 
equally divided between the chairman and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on Ways and Means, 45 minutes equally divided between the 
chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Commerce, and 
30 minutes equally divided between the chairman and ranking minority 
member of the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities. The 
rule provides for one amendment in the nature of a substitute to be 
offered by the Minority Leader or his designee, specified in part 2 of 
the report of the Committee on Rules, which shall be in order without 
the intervention of any point of order (except those arising under 
section 425(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) or a demand for 
a division of the question, and shall be debatable for one hour to be 
equally divided between the proponent and an opponent. The rule 
provides for one motion to recommit, which may include instructions 
only if offered by the Minority Leader or his designee. The rule 
provides that the yeas and nays are ordered on final passage and that 
the provisions of clause 5(c) of Rule XXI (requiring three-fifths vote 
on any amendment or measure containing a Federal income tax rate 
increase)

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shall not apply to the votes on the bill, amendments thereto or 
conference reports thereon. Testimony was heard from Chairmen Archer, 
Bliley and Goodling; Representatives Hastert, Johnson of Connecticut, 
Roukema, Gunderson, Fawell, Shays, Schiff, Gutknecht, Bunn of Oregon, 
Roberts, Gibbons, Dingell, Cardin, Richardson, Pallone, Furse, Eshoo, 
Peterson of Florida, Pomeroy, and Poshard.
CONTRACT WITH AMERICA ADVANCEMENT ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by a voice vote, a closed 
rule on H.R. 3136, to provide for enactment of the Senior Citizens' 
Right to Work Act of 1996, the Line-Item Veto Act, and the Small 
Business Growth and Fairness Act of 1996, and to provide for a 
permanent increase in the public debt limit; as modified by the 
amendment designated in the report of the Committee on Rules on the 
resolution. The rule waives all points of order against consideration 
of the bill except section 425(a) of the Budget Act (unfunded mandate 
point of order). The rule orders the previous question to final passage 
without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally 
divided between the chairman and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on Ways and Means; (2) one amendment to be offered by Rep. 
Archer or his designee, debatable for 10 minutes; and (3) one motion to 
recommit which, if containing instructions may only be offered by the 
Minority Leader or his designee. Finally, the rule provides that if the 
Clerk has, before March 30, 1996, received a message from the Senate 
that the Senate has adopted the conference report on S. 4, the Line-
Item Veto Act, then the Clerk shall delete title II (the Line-Item Veto 
Act) from the engrossment of the bill (unless amended), and the House 
shall be considered to have adopted the conference report. Testimony 
was heard from Chairmen Archer, Hyde, Meyers of Kansas, and Clinger; 
and Representatives Smith of Michigan, Blute, Quinn, Orton, and 
DeLauro.
CONFERENCE REPORT--FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT AND REFORM ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by a voice vote, a rule 
waiving all points of order against the conference report to accompany 
H.R. 2854, Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, and 
against its consideration. The rule further provides that S. Con. Res. 
49 is agreed to.
CONFERENCE REPORT--PRODUCT LIABILITY REFORM
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by a voice vote, a rule 
waiving all points of order against the conference report to accompany 
H.R. 956, Product Liability Reform, and against its consideration.
PAPERWORK ELIMINATION ACT
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Government Programs held a 
hearing on H.R. 2715, Paperwork Elimination Act of 1995. Testimony was 
heard from Sally Katzen, Administrator, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB; the following officials of the SBA: Jere 
Glover, Chief Counsel, Office of advocacy; and Monika Harrison, 
Associate Administrator, Office of Business Initiatives; and public 
witnesses.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Met in executive session to 
consider pending business.
UNITED STATES AVIATION RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.K. AND JAPAN
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Aviation held a hearing on Problems in the United States Aviation 
Relationship with the United Kingdom and Japan. Testimony was heard 
from Public witnesses.
  Hearings continue April 24.
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Aviation approved for full Committee action H.R. 3159, National 
Transportation Safety Board Amendments of 1996.
RAIL SAFETY OVERSIGHT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Railroads and the Subcommittee on Technology of the Committee on 
Science held a joint hearing on Rail Safety Oversight: High Technology 
Train Control Devices. Testimony was heard from Jolene Molitoris, 
Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of 
Transportation; James Arena, Director, Office of Surface Transportation 
Safety, National Transportation Safety Board; Dennis Sullivan, CEO, 
National Rail Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK); and public witnesses.
REPLACING THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX
Committee on Ways and Means: Continued hearings on Replacing the 
Federal Income Tax. Testimony was heard from Representatives Armey, 
Gephardt, Schaefer, Tauzin, and Chrysler, and public witnesses.
ANALYSIS/EXPLOITATION
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to 
hold a hearing on Analysis/Exploitation. Testimony was heard from 
departmental witnesses.

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Joint Meetings
VETERANS PROGRAMS
Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs concluded joint 
hearings with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on the 
legislative recommendations of certain veterans' organizations, after 
receiving testimony from James L. Brazee, Jr., Vietnam Veterans of 
America, Lawrence S. Moses, America Ex-Prisoners of War, and Carroll M. 
Fyffe, Military Order of the Purple Heart, all of Washington, D.C.; and 
Kenneth E. Wolford, AMVETS, Lanham, Maryland.
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS
Conferees continued 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 will meet again tomorrow.
AUTHORIZATION--RYAN WHITE CARE ACT
Conferees met to resolve the differences between the Senate- and House-
passed versions of S. 641, authorizing funds for programs of the Ryan 
White CARE Act of 1990, but did not complete action thereon, and 
recessed subject to call.
COMPREHENSIVE TERRORISM PREVENTION ACT
Conferees met to resolve the differences between the Senate- and House-
passed versions of S. 735, to prevent and punish acts of terrorism, but 
did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to call.