[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 59 (Thursday, May 2, 1996)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D413-D415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
REVIEW--MEAT AND POULTRY INSPECTION
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry 
held a hearing to review science-based meat and poultry inspection; 
emerging technologies; and the approval process for new technology. 
Testimony was heard from Tom Billy, Associate Administrator, Food 
Safety and Inspection Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND THE JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, 
and the Judiciary held a hearing on Commerce Department Statistical 
Programs, Undersecretary for Economics and Statistics, Bureau of 
Census, Bureau of Economic Analysis, the International Organizations 
and Conferences, United States Mission to United Nations, International 
Organizations and OAS. Testimony was heard from the following officials 
from the Department of Commerce: Everett Ehrlich, Undersecretary, 
Economic Affairs; Martha Riche, Director, Bureau of the Census; and 
Stephen Landefeld, Director, Bureau of Economic Analysis; and the 
following officials of the Department of State: Ambassador Madeleine K. 
Albright, Permanent Representative to the United Nations; Ambassador 
Harriet C. Babbit, Permanent Representative to the OAS; and Molly 
Williamson, Assistant Secretary, International Organizations.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education held a hearing on Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Service Administration, on Administration for Children and 
Families; and the Administration on Aging. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: 
Nelba Chavez, Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration; Mary Jo Bane, Assistant Secretary, Administration for 
Children and Families; and Fernando M. Torres-Gil, Assistant Secretary 
for Aging.
VETERANS AFFAIRS-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Veterans' Affairs, Housing 
and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the 
Corporation for National and Community Service. Testimony was heard 
from Harris Wofford, CEO, Corporation for National and Community 
Service.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION REGULATORY SYSTEM
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Continued hearings on the 
Federal financial institution regulatory system. Testimony was heard 
from James L. Bothwell, Director, Financial Institutions and Market 
Issues, General Government Division, GAO; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment, 
concluded hearings on the following bills: H.R. 3199, Drug and 
Biological Products Reform Act of 1996; H.R. 3200, Food Amendments and 
Animal Drug Availability Act of 1996; and H.R. 3201, Medical Device 
Reform Act of 1996.

[[Page D414]]

Testimony was heard from Mary Hamilton, Director, Operations, GAO; and 
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS HEALTH CARE MEASURES
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on Human 
Resources and Intergovernmental Relations and the Subcommittee on 
Government Management, Information and Technology held a joint hearing 
on H.R. 3224, Health Care Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 1996, H.R. 
1850, Health Care Fraud and Abuse Act of 1995, and H.R. 2480, Inspector 
General for Medicare and Medicaid Act of 1995. Testimony was heard from 
Representative Quinn; Michael Mangano, Deputy Inspector General, 
Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN POLICY RECORD
Committee on International Relations: Held a hearing on the 
Administration's Foreign Policy Record: An Evaluation. Testimony was 
heard from Robert B. Zoellick, former Under Secretary, Economics, 
Department of State; Richard N. Perle, former Assistant Secretary, 
International Security Policy, Department of Defense; and Charles 
William Maynes, former Assistant Secretary, International 
Organizations, Department of State.
REGULATORY FAIR WARNING ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and 
Administrative Law held a hearing on H.R. 3307, Regulatory Fair Warning 
Act. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department 
of Justice: James F. Simon, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, 
Environment and Natural Resources Division; and Edward L. Dowd, Jr., 
U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Missouri; and public witnesses.
PICK-SLOAN REPAYMENT ISSUES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power Resources held 
an oversight hearing on Pick-Sloan Repayment Issues. Testimony was 
heard from Victor S. Rezendes, Director, Energy, Resources and Science 
Issues, Resources, Community and Economic Development Division, GAO; 
J.M. Shafer, Administrator, Western Area Power Administration, 
Department of Energy; Patricia J. Beneke, Assistant Secretary, Water 
and Science, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON U.S. ROLE IN IRANIAN ARMS TRANSFERS
Committee on Rules: By a vote of 7 to 4, the Committee ordered reported 
H.Res. 416, establishing a select subcommittee of the Committee on 
International Relations to investigate the U.S. role in Iranian arms 
transfers to Croatia and Bosnia.
CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PERSONS INCREASED PUNISHMENT ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 
hour of debate on H.R. 2974, Crimes Against Children and Elderly 
Persons Increased Punishment Act. The rule waives clause 7, rule XIII 
(requiring a cost estimate in the committee report) against 
consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order as an original bill 
for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in 
the bill. The rule provides that each section of the committee 
amendment in the nature of a substitute be considered as read. The rule 
waives points of order against the amendment printed in the report of 
the Committee on Rules for failure to comply with clause 7 of rule XVI 
(germaneness). The rule provides that Members who have pre-printed 
their amendments in the Congressional Record will be given priority in 
recognition to offer their amendments if otherwise consistent with 
House rules, and said amendments will be considered as read. Finally, 
the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. 
Testimony was heard from Representatives McCollum, Fox of Pennsylvania 
and Schumer.
WITNESS RETALIATION AND TAMPERING AND JURY TAMPERING
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 
hour of debate on H.R. 3120, to amend title 18, United States Code, 
with respect to witness retaliation, witness tampering and jury 
tampering. The rule waives clause 7, rule XIII (requiring a cost 
estimate in the committee report) against consideration of the bill. 
The rule makes in order as an original bill for the purpose of 
amendment, the Judiciary Committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, which shall be considered as read. The rule provides that 
Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional 
Record will be given priority in recognition to offer their amendments 
and such amendments shall be considered as read. Testimony was heard 
from Representatives McCollum, Fox of Pennsylvania and Schumer.
U.S. PATENT LAW--IMPLICATIONS FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT R&D
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a 
hearing on Changes in U.S. Patent Law and their Implications for Energy 
and Environment Research and Development. Testimony was heard from 
Bruce A. Lehman, Assistant Secretary

[[Page D415]]

and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, Department of Commerce; 
Terry Bibbens, Entrepreneur in Residence, Office of Advocacy, SBA; and 
public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held continued 
oversight hearings on Research Laboratory Programs at the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, Part 2. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, Department of Commerce; Katharine Gebbie, Director, Physics 
Laboratory; and Hratch Semerjian, Director, Chemical Science and 
Technology Laboratory; and public witnesses.
IMPACT OF SHORT SUPPLY ON SMALL MANUFACTURERS
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Procurement, Exports, and 
Business Opportunities held a hearing on the ``Impact of `Short Supply' 
on Small Manufacturers.'' Testimony was heard from Representatives 
Crane and Levin; and public witnesses.
GSA's CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Public 
Buildings and Economic Development held a hearing on GSA's FY 1997 
Capital Investment Program. Testimony was heard from Representative 
Dooley; Robert Peck, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, GSA; and 
Norman H. Stahl, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit (New 
Hampshire) and Member, Committee on Security, Space, and Facilities, 
Judicial Conference of the United States.
ISTEA REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation: Subcommittee on Surface Transportation 
held a hearing on ISTEA Reauthorization: Federal Role for 
Transportation and National Interests. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of Transportation: Federico Pena, 
Secretary; Rodney E. Slater, Administrator, Federal Highway 
Administration; Gordon J. Linton, Administrator, Federal Transit 
Administration; Ricardo Martinez, Administrator, National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration; and Jolene M. Molitoris, Administrator, 
Federal Railroad Administration; and public witnesses.
  Hearings continue May 7.