[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1001-D1002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 
2493, amended, Forage Improvement Act of 1997; H.R. 1779, to make minor 
adjustment in the exterior boundary of the Devils Backbone Wilderness 
in the Mark Twain National Forest, MO, to exclude a small parcel of 
land containing improvements; H.R. 1789, to reauthorize the dairy 
indemnity program; and H.R. 2366, Census of Agriculture Act of 1997.
DEBIT CARDS AND UNSOLICITED LOAN CHECKS
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial 
Institutions and Consumer Credit held a hearing on issues relating to 
debit cards and unsolicited loan checks. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Lucas of Oklahoma, Hinchey and Barrett of Wisconsin; 
Laurence Meyer, member, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System; and 
public witnesses.
SOCIAL SECURITY--PROTECTING ITS FUTURE
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Protecting the Future of 
Social Security. Testimony was heard from Jose Pinera, former Minister 
of Labor and Social Security, Chile.
  Hearings continue October 1.
SECURITY AND FREEDOM THROUGH ENCRYPTION (SAFE) ACT
Committee on Commerce: Ordered reported amended H.R. 695, Security and 
Freedom Through Encryption (SAFE) Act.
ELECTRICITY COMPETITION
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing 
on Electricity Competition: Necessary Federal and State Roles. 
Testimony was heard from Jay E. Hakes, Administrator, Energy 
Information Administration, Department of Energy; Jeanne Shaheen, 
Governor, State of New Hampshire; Jeff Groscost, Representative, State 
of Arizona; Jackson E. Reasor, Jr., Senator, State of Virginia; Wayne 
Shirley, Chairman, Public Utility Commission, State of New Mexico; 
Denise Bode, Commissioner, Corporation Commission, State of Oklahoma; 
P. Gregory Conlon, President, Public Utilities Commission, State of 
California; Marsha H. Smith, Commissioner, Public Utilities Commission, 
State of Idaho; and public witnesses.
CONGRESSIONAL IMMUNITY
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Approved granting of 
Congressional immunity to certain witnesses.
DORNAN V. SANCHEZ--CONTESTED ELECTION
Committee on House Oversight: Ordered reported a resolution that the 
Office of the United States Attorney for the Central District of 
California file criminal charges against Hermandad Mexicana National 
for failure to comply with a valid subpoena under the Federal Contested 
Election Act.
FAST TRACK
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International 
Economic Policy and Trade concluded hearings on Fast Track: On Course 
or Derailed? Necessary or Not? Testimony was heard from Stuart 
Eizenstat, Under Secretary, Economic and Agricultural Affairs, 
Department of State; and Timothy Hauser, Under Secretary, International 
Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
CABLE TV INDUSTRY--COMPETITION
Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing on the State of 
Competition in the Cable Television Industry. Testimony was heard from 
Reed Hundt, Chairman, FCC; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--TEMPORARY AGRICULTURAL WORK VISA PROGRAMS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims held 
an oversight hearing on

[[Page D1002]]

temporary agricultural work visa programs. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
Committee on Resources: Approved a motion to authorize the Chairman to 
issue subpoenas for the production of records related to the 
Committee's review of the designation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante 
National Monument.
  The Committee also held a hearing on H.R. 1842, to terminate further 
development and implementation of the American Heritage Rivers 
Initiative. Testimony was heard from Representatives Johnson of 
Connecticut, Kanjorski, Herger, Stearns, Scott, Hastings of Washington, 
Reyes and Emerson; Kathleen A. McGinty, Chair, Council on Environmental 
Quality; and public witnesses.
CONFERENCE REPORT--DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points 
of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 2266, making 
appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 1998, and against its consideration. The rule provides 
that the conference report shall be considered as read. Testimony was 
heard from Repesentatives Young of Florida and Murtha.
AMERICAN LAND SOVEREIGNTY PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 
hour of debate on H.R. 901, American Land Sovereignty Protection Act. 
The rule makes in order the Committee on Resources amendment in the 
nature of a substitute as an original bill for the purpose of 
amendment. The rule provides that the substitute shall be considered as 
read. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition 
to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional 
Record. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or 
without instructions. Testimony was heard from Representatives Young of 
Alaska and Miller of California.
EDUCATION--CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
Committee on Science: Held a hearing on Science, Math, Engineering and 
Technology Education--Curriculum Development. Testimony was heard from 
Bruce Alberts, President, National Academy of Sciences; and public 
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS TRANSPORTATION MEASURES; WATER RESOURCES SURVEY 
RESOLUTIONS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported 
amended H.R. 2516, to extend the Intermodal Surface Transportation 
Efficiency Act of 1991 through March 31, l998.
  The Committee also approved the following: a Committee resolution on 
the reauthorization of surface transportation programs; and 2 Water 
Resources Survey Resolutions.
  The Committee also concluded markup of H.R. 2400, Building Efficient 
Surface Transportation and Equity Act of 1997.