[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D684-D685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                           Wednesday, June 18, 2003

[[Page D684]]


                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      The House passed H.R. 8, Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S8009-S8165
Measures Introduced: Thirteen bills and two resolutions were 
introduced, as follows: S. 1276-1288, and S. Res. 174-175.   
  Page S8125
Measures Reported:
  Report to accompany S. 163, to reauthorize the United States 
Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. (S. Rept. No. 108-74)
  S. 285, to authorize the integration and consolidation of alcohol and 
substance abuse programs and services provided by Indian tribal 
governments, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. 
No. 108-75)
  S. 558, to elevate the position of Director of the Indian Health 
Service within the Department of Health and Human Services to Assistant 
Secretary for Indian Health. (S. Rept. No. 108-76)
  S. 1023, to increase the annual salaries of justices and judges of 
the United States, with amendments.                          
Page S8125
Measure Passed:
  Strengthen AmeriCorps Program Act: Senate passed S. 1276, to improve 
the manner in which the Corporation for National and Community Service 
approves, and records obligations relating to, national service 
positions.                                               
  Pages S8163-65
Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act:  Senate continued 
consideration of S. 1, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act 
to make improvements in the Medicare program, to provide prescription 
drug coverage under the Medicare program, after taking action on the 
following amendments proposed thereto:                
  Pages S8013-S8116
Rejected:
  By 37 yeas to 58 nays (Vote No. 227), Stabenow Amendment No. 931, to 
require that the Medicare plan, to be known as the Medicare Guaranteed 
Option, be available to all eligible beneficiaries in every year. 
                                            Pages S8089-S8105, S8108-09
Pending:
  Enzi/Reed Amendment No. 932, to improve disclosure requirements and 
to increase beneficiary choices.               
Pages S8105-08, S8109-11
  Bingaman Amendment No. 933, to eliminate the application of an asset 
test for purposes of eligibility for premium and cost-sharing subsidies 
for low-income beneficiaries.                            
Pages S8111-16
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further 
consideration of the bill at 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, June 19, 2003. 
                                                             Page S8165
  During consideration of this measure today, the following also 
occurred:
  The Committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was modified. 
                                                         Pages S8020-88
  Senator Nickles submitted revisions to H. Con. Res. 95 (Congressional 
Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2004), pursuant to 401, Medicare 
Reserve Fund Adjustment.                                     
Page S8118
Tax Relief, Simplification and Equity Act: Senate disagreed to House 
amendments to Senate amendments to H.R. 1308, to amend the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 to accelerate the increase in the refundability of 
the child tax credit, agreed to the House request for a conference on 
the disagreeing votes of the two Houses, and the Chair was authorized 
to appoint the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators 
Grassley, Nickels, Lott, Baucus, and Lincoln.                
  Page S8013
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
  Richard James O'Connell, of Arkansas, to be United States Marshal for 
the Western District of Arkansas for the term of four years.
  1 Army nomination in the rank of general.
  1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral.          
Pages S8163, S8165
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:

[[Page D685]]


  Roger W. Titus, of Maryland, to be United States District Judge for 
the District of Maryland.
  Alicia R. Castaneda, of the District of Columbia, to be a Director of 
the Federal Housing Finance Board for a term expiring February 27, 
2004.
  Alicia R. Castaneda, of the District of Columbia, to be a Director of 
the Federal Housing Finance Board for a term expiring February 27, 
2011. (Reappointment)
  2 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
  5 Army nominations in the rank of general.
  2 Marine Corps nominations in the rank of general.
  A routine list in the Navy.                                
Page S8165
Messages From the House:                                     
  Page S8124
Measures Referred:                                           
  Page S8124
Measures Held at Desk:                                       
  Page S8124
Executive Communications:                                
  Pages S8124-25
Executive Reports of Committees:                             
  Page S8125
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages S8125-27
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:              
  Pages S8127-60
Additional Statements:                                   
  Pages S8122-24
Amendments Submitted:                                    
  Pages S8160-62
Authority for Committees to Meet:                            
  Page S8162
Privilege of the Floor:                                  
  Pages S8162-63
Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--227) 
                                                         Pages S8108-09
Adjournment: Senate met at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 5:38 p.m., until 
9:30 a.m., on Thursday, June 19, 2003. (For Senate's program, see the 
remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S8165.)