[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D216-D219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
USDA'S FARM LOAN PROGRAMS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource 
Conservation, and Research held a hearing to review the status of the 
USDA's farm loan programs. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the USDA: Gus Schumacher, Jr., Under Secretary, Farm and 
Foreign Agricultural Services; and Carolyn Cooksie, Deputy 
Administrator, Farm Loan Programs, Farm Service Agency.
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 Marketing and Regulatory Programs. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the USDA: Michael V. Dunn, Assistant 
Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs; Terry L. Medley, 
Administrator, Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service; Enrique 
Figueroa, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service; and James R. 
Baker, Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, 
and Judiciary held a hearing on Supreme Court, Architect of the 
Capitol, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Patent 
and Trademark Office and the Technology Administration. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the Department of Commerce: Gary 
R. Bachula, Acting Under Secretary, Technology; Raymond Kammer, 
Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology; and Bruce A. 
Lehman, Assistant Secretary and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development held a hearing on Energy Resources. Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the Department of Energy: Martha A. 
Krebs, Director, Office of Energy Research; Dan W. Reicher, Assistant 
Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; and Terry 
R. Lash, Director, Office of Nuclear Energy.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export 
Financing and Related Programs held a hearing on the Export-Import 
Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Trade and 
Development Agency. Testimony was heard from James A. Harmon, President 
and Chairman, Export-Import Bank; George Munoz, President and CEO, 
Overseas Private Investment Corporation, U.S. International Development 
Cooperation Agency; and J. Joseph Grandmaison, Director, Trade and 
Development Agency.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on 
Fish and Wildlife Service. Testimony was heard from Donald J. Barry, 
Acting Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of 
the Interior.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education held a hearing on the National Institute of 
Environmental Health Sciences, the National Institute on Deafness and 
on Other Communication Disorders, and the National Institute of 
Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: 
Kenneth Olden, M.D., Director, National Institute of Environmental 
Health Sciences; James F. Battey, M.D., Director, National Institute on 
Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; and Phillip Gorden, M.D., 
Director, National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney 
Diseases.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security met in 
executive session to hold a

[[Page D217]]

hearing on Intelligence Programs. Testimony was heard from George J. 
Tenet, Director, CIA.
  The Subcommittee also held a hearing on FY 98 Supplemental. Testimony 
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: 
William S. Cohen, Secretary; Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, USAF, Vice 
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and William Lynn, Comptroller.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a 
hearing on Federal Railroad Administration and the National Railroad 
Passenger Corporation ( AMTRAK). Testimony was heard from Jolene 
Molitoris, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Department 
of Transportation; and George Warrington, Acting President, National 
Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK).
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent 
Agencies continued hearings on EPA. Testimony was heard from Carol M. 
Browner, Administrator, EPA.
CREDIT UNION COMMON BOND REQUIREMENT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Held a hearing to review 
the Supreme Court's decision regarding the credit union common bond 
requirement and the appropriate Congressional response to the ruling. 
Testimony was heard from Representatives Paul, LaTourette, Kanjorski, 
Cannon, Smith of Michigan, Baker, Kennedy of Massachusetts and Ehrlich; 
Richard Carnell, Assistant Secretary, Financial Institutions, 
Department of the Treasury; Norman D'Amours, Chairman, National Credit 
Union Administration; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported the 
following measures: H.R. 3246, Fairness for Small Business and 
Employees Act of 1998; H.R. 2864, amended, Occupational Safety and 
Health Administration Compliance Assistance Authorization Act of 1997; 
H.R. 2877, amended, to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 
1970; H.R. 3096, to correct a provision relating to termination of 
benefits for convicted persons; and H. Res. 267, amended, expressing 
the sense of the House of Representatives that the citizens of the 
United States must remain committed to combat the distribution, sale, 
and use of illegal drugs by the Nation's youth.
CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE OF REGULATORY ANALYSIS CREATION ACT
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National 
Economic Growth, Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs held a 
hearing on H.R. 1704, Congressional Office of Regulatory Analysis 
Creation Act. Testimony was heard from Representative Kelly; and public 
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported amended H.R. 
2870, Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998.
  The Committee ordered reported unfavorably H. Con. Res. 277, 
directing the President pursuant to section 5 (c) of the War Powers 
Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from the Republic of 
Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  The Committee favorably considered and adopted a motion urging the 
Chairman to request that the following measures be considered on the 
Suspension Calendar: H. Res. 364, amended, urging the introduction and 
passage of a resolution on the human rights situation in the People's 
Republic of China at the 54th Session of the United Nations Commission 
on Human Rights; and H. Res. 36l, amended, calling for free and 
impartial elections in Cambodia.
  The Committee also approved Fiscal Year 1999 Budget views and 
Estimates for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on H.R. 3303, Department of 
Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1999, 2000, and 
2001. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Justice: Eric H. Holder, Jr., Deputy Attorney General; 
and Stephen Colgate, Assistant Attorney General, Administration.
DEFENSE REFORM INITIATIVE
Committee on National Security: Held a hearing on the implementation of 
the November 1997 Defense Reform Initiative. Testimony was heard from 
John J. Hamre, Deputy Secretary, Department of Defense.
MISSION CAPABILITY RATES
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Readiness held 
a hearing on mission capability rates. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of Defense: Lt. Gen. Thomas 
Burnette, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Plans; and Lt. 
Gen. John Coburn, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, both with the 
Department of the Army; Vice Adm. James O. Ellis, Jr., USN,

[[Page D218]]

Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Plans, Policy and Operations; Vice 
Adm. William J. Hancock, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations; Lt. 
Gen. Martin R. Steele, USMC, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans, Policies and 
Operations; Maj. Gen. Joseph D. Stewart, USMC, Deputy Chief of Staff, 
Installations and Logistics; Lt. Gen. Terrence R. Dake, USMC, Deputy 
Chief of Staff, Aviation; and Brig. Gen. Bruce B. Byrum, USMC, 
Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Aviation, all from the Department of 
the Navy; Lt. Gen. Patrick K. Gamble, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air 
and Space Operations; and Lt. Gen. William P. Hallin, USAF, Deputy 
Chief of Staff, Installations and Logistics, both with the Department 
of the Air Force.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 
2186, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance 
to the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, WY; H.R. 
2376, amended, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act 
Amendments of 1997; H.R. 2416, amended, to provide for the transfer of 
certain rights and property to the U.S. Forest Service in exchange for 
a payment to the occupant of such property; H.R. 2574, to consolidate 
certain mineral interests in the National Grasslands in Billings 
County, ND, through the exchange of Federal and private mineral 
interests to enhance land management capabilities and environmental and 
wildlife protection; H.R. 2807, amended, Rhino and Tiger Product 
Labeling Act; H.R. 3087, amended, to require the Secretary of 
Agriculture to grant an easement to Chugach Alaska Corporation; H.R. 
3113, Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998; 
and H.R. 3164, amended, Hydrographic Service Improvement Act of 1998.
GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS; BUDGET 
VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 
hour of debate on H.R. 2883, Government Performance and Results Act 
Technical Amendments of 1997. The rule waives points of order against 
consideration of the bill for failure to comply with clause 2(1)(6) of 
rule XI (requiring a three-day layover of the committee report). The 
rule makes in order as an original bill for the purpose of amendment 
the Government Reform and Oversight Committee amendment in the nature 
of a substitute, which will be considered as read. The rule provides 
that Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional 
Record prior to their consideration will be given priority in 
recognition to offer their amendments if otherwise consistent with 
House rules. The rule allows the chairman of the Committee of the Whole 
to postpone votes during consideration of the bill, and to reduce the 
voting time to five minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows 
a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to 
recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Horn, Sessions, Kucinich and Maloney of New York.
  The Committee also approved Fiscal Year 1999 Budget views and 
estimates for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
CONFERENCE REPORT--FOREIGN AFFAIRS REFORM AND RESTRUCTURING ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points 
of order against the conference report on H.R. 1757, Foreign Affairs 
Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, and against its consideration. 
The rule provides that the conference report shall be considered as 
read.
LINE ITEM VETO
Committee on Rules: Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process held 
a hearing on the Line Item Veto After One Year, the Process and Its 
Implementation. Testimony was heard from June O'Neill, Director, CBO; 
former Representative William F. Clinger, Jr., State of Pennsylvania; 
and public witnesses.
  Hearings continue tomorrow.
OVERSIGHT--SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Committee on Science: Held an oversight hearing on Defining Successful 
Partnerships and Collaborations in Scientific Research. Testimony was 
heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--BUDGET AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held an 
oversight hearing on Fiscal Year 1999 Budget Authorization Request: 
Environmental Protection Agency Research and Development. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the EPA: Henry Longest, II, 
Acting Assistant Administrator, Research and Development; Costel 
Denson, Chairman, Executive Committee, Board of Scientific Counselors; 
Philip Hopke, member, Clean Air Science Advisory Committee, Science 
Advisory Board; Charles E. Kolb, member, Committee on Research 
Opportunities and Priorities for the EPA, National Research Council; 
and Ishwar Murarka, Vice Chairman, Research Strategies Advisory 
Committee, Science Advisory Board.

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MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported 
amended the following measures: H.R. 2843, Aviation Medical Assistance 
Act of 1997; and H. Con. Res. 238, authorizing the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for a breast cancer survivors event sponsored by the National 
Race for the Cure.
  The Committee approved 1 Public Building Resolution and 7 Corps of 
Engineers Survey Resolutions.
  The Committee also approved Fiscal Year 1999 Budget views and 
estimates for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
  The Committee also approved pending Committee business.
SUPERFUND ACCELERATION, FAIRNESS, AND EFFICIENCY ACT
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water 
Resources and Environment approved for full Committee action amended 
H.R. 2727, Superfund Acceleration, Fairness, and Efficiency Act.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Ordered reported the following bills: 
H.R. 3039, amended, Veterans' Transitional Housing Opportunities Act of 
1997; H.R. 3211, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
enact into law eligibility requirements for burial at Arlington 
National Cemetery; and H.R. 3213, to amend title 38, United States 
Code, to clarify enforcement of veterans' employment rights with 
respect to a State as an employer or a private employer, to extend 
veterans' employment and reemployment rights to members of the 
uniformed services employed abroad by United States companies.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Ways and Means: Approved Fiscal Year 1999 Budget views and 
estimates for submission to the Committee on the Budget.