[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 18, 2002)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D949-D950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE PROGRAMS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and 
Risk Management held a hearing on implementation of the Federal crop 
insurance programs. Testimony was heard from Ross J. Davidson, Jr., 
Administrator, Risk Management Agency, USDA.
U.S. POLICY TOWARDS IRAQ
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on U.S. Policy towards 
Iraq. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Defense, Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary; and Gen. Richard 
B. Myers, USAF, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
INFORMED UNION MEMBER ENFORCEMENT ACT; INFORMED UNION MEMBER ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Employer-
Employee Relations approved for full Committee action, as amended, the 
following bills: H. R. 5373, Informed Union Member Enforcement Act; and 
H.R. 5374, Informed Union Member Act.
HELP EFFICIENT, ACCESSIBLE, LOW COST, TIMELY HEALTH CARE (HEALTH) ACT
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 
4600, Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Health Care (HEALTH) 
Act of 2002.
OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing on ``Continuing 
Oversight hearings on the National Vaccine Injury Compensation 
Program.'' Testimony was heard from Paul Clinton Harris, Sr., Deputy 
Associate Attorney General, Department of Justice; William Hobson, 
Director, Office of Special Programs, Health Services Research 
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and public 
witnesses.

[[Page D950]]


E-GOVERNMENT ACT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Technology and 
Procurement Policy held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 2458, E-
Government Act of 2001; and S. 803, E-Government Act of 2002. Testimony 
was heard from Linda Koontz, Director, Information Management, GAO; the 
following officials of the OMB: Mark Forman, E-Government 
Administrator; and Mark W. Everson, Deputy Director, Management; and 
public witnesses.
NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a 
hearing on the New Partnership for Africa's Development: An African 
Initiative. Testimony was heard from Aziz Pahad, Deputy Minister, 
Foreign Affairs, Government of the Republic of South Africa; and public 
witnesses.
U.S. POLICY TOWARD SYRIA; SYRIA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East 
and South Asia held a hearing on U.S. Policy Toward Syria and H.R. 
4483, Syria Accountability Act of 2002. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Armey and Engel; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--INS'S FOREIGN STUDENT TRACKING PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border 
Security, and Claims held an oversight hearing on the INS's 
Implementation of the Foreign Student Tracking Program. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the Department of Justice: Janis 
Sposato, Assistant Deputy Executive Associate Commissioner, Immigration 
Services Division, INS; and Glenn A. Fine, Inspector General; and 
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS TRADE AND TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ACT; PATIENT SAFETY 
IMPROVEMENT ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered reported, as amended, the 
following bills: H.R. 5385, Miscellaneous Trade and Technical 
Corrections Act of 2002; and H.R. 4889, Patient Safety Improvement Act 
of 2002.

Joint Meetings
9/11 INTELLIGENCE INVESTIGATION
Joint Hearing: Senate Select Committee on Intelligence held joint 
hearings with the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to 
examine activities of the U.S. Intelligence Community in connection 
with the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, 
receiving testimony from Eleanor Hill, Staff Director, Joint Inquiry 
Staff; Stephen Push, Great Falls, Virginia, on behalf of Families of 
September 11, Inc.; and Kristen Brietweiser, Middletown, New Jersey, on 
behalf of September 11th Advocates.
  Hearings continue tomorrow.
AUTHORIZATION--STATE DEPARTMENT
Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between 
the House and Senate passed versions of H.R. 1646, to authorize 
appropriations for the Department of State for fiscal years 2002 and 
2003, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the 
call.