[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 157 (Monday, November 3, 2003)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1218-D1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                           Monday, November 3, 2003

[[Page D1218]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS:

      See Resume of Congressional Activity.
      Senate agreed to conference report on H.R. 3289, Emergency 
      Supplemental Appropriations.
      Senate agreed to the conference report on H.R. 2691, Interior 
      Department Appropriations.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S13751-S13838
Measures Introduced: Three bills and two resolutions were introduced, 
as follows: S. 1812-1814, S.J. Res. 22, and S. Res. 257. 
                                                        Pages S13802-03
Measures Reported:
  S. 1279, to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to carry out a 
Program for the protection of the health and safety of residents, 
workers, volunteers, and others in a disaster area, with an amendment 
in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 108-183)
  S. 1262, to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 
2006 for certain maritime programs of the Department of Transportation, 
with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 108-184)
  S. 1248, to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 
108-185)                                                    
Page S13802
Measures Passed:
  Fallen Patriots Tax Relief Act: Senate passed H.R. 3365, to amend 
title 10, United States Code, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
increase the death gratuity payable with respect to deceased members of 
the Armed Forces and to exclude such gratuity from gross income, to 
provide additional tax relief for members of the Armed Forces and their 
families, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                        Pages S13831-33
  McConnell (for McCain) Amendment No. 2051, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                 
Page S13833
  McConnell (for McCain) Amendment No. 2052, to amend the title. 
                                                            Page S13833
  Military Tax Relief: Senate agreed to S. Res. 257, expressing the 
sense of the Senate that Congress should give priority to passing 
legislation to provide tax relief for United States military personnel 
and should offset the cost of such tax relief with legislation 
preventing individuals from avoiding taxes by renouncing United States 
citizenship.                                            
  Pages S13833-34
  Agricultural Research Service Recognition: Senate passed S.J. Res. 
22, recognizing the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of 
Agriculture for 50 years of outstanding service to the Nation through 
agricultural research.                                  
  Pages S13834-35
  National Stalking Awareness Month: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 58, 
raising awareness and encouraging prevention of stalking by urging the 
establishment of January 2004 as National Stalking Awareness Month, 
after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                 
  Page S13836
Emergency Supplemental, Iraq and Afghanistan Appropriations Act--
Conference Report: Pursuant to the order of Friday, October 31, 2003, 
Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3289, making 
emergency supplemental appropriations for defense and for the 
reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 2004, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                        Pages S13751-84
  Interior Department Appropriations--Conference Report: By 87 yeas to 
2 nays (Vote No. 433), Senate agreed to the conference report to 
accompany H.R. 2691, making appropriations for the Department of the 
Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
2004, clearing the measure for the President.

[[Page D1219]]

Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act--
Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 
a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with 
the Democratic Leader, Senate begin consideration of H.R. 1828, to halt 
Syrian support for terrorism, end its occupation of Lebanon, stop its 
development of weapons of mass destruction, cease its illegal 
importation of Iraqi oil and illegal shipments of weapons and other 
military items to Iraq, and by so doing hold Syria accountable for the 
serious international security problems it has caused in the Middle 
East, that the debate be limited to 90 minutes; provided further, that 
the Lugar/Boxer/Santorum amendment be the only amendment in order, and 
that amendment be agreed to; further, that upon disposition of the 
Lugar amendment and the use or yielding back of time, that the bill as 
amended be read a third time and a vote be scheduled at a time to be 
determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Democratic 
Leader.                                                     
  Page S13835
National Consumer Credit Reporting System Improvement Act--Agreement: A 
unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 10:30 a.m., 
on Tuesday, November 4, 2003, Senate will begin consideration of S. 
1753, to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act in order to prevent 
identity theft, to improve the use of and consumer access to consumer 
reports, to enhance the accuracy of consumer reports, to limit the 
sharing of certain consumer information, to improve financial education 
and literacy.                                               
  Page S13837
Appointments:
  National Council of the Arts: The Chair, on behalf of the Majority 
Leader, pursuant to Public Law 105-83, announced the appointment of the 
following Senators to serve as members of the National Council of the 
Arts: Senators Bennett and Sessions.                    
  Pages S13836-37
  National Council of the Arts: The Chair, on behalf of the Majority 
Leader, pursuant to Public Law 105-83, announced the appointment of the 
following Senator to serve as a member of the National Council of the 
Arts: Senator DeWine.                                   
  Pages S13836-37
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  Gene E. K. Pratter, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District 
Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
  Gordon H. Mansfield, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs.
  1 Marine Corps nomination in the rank of general.
  Routine lists in the Coast Guard, Navy.               
Pages S13837-38
Measures Placed on Calendar:                                
  Page S13802
Additional Cosponsors:                                      
  Page S13803
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:             
  Pages S13803-04
Additional Statements:                                  
  Pages S13801-02
Amendments Submitted:                                   
  Pages S13805-07
Authority for Committees to Meet:                           
  Page S13807
Privilege of the Floor:                                     
  Page S13807
Text of H.R. 2800, as Previously Passed:                
  Pages S13807-29
Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--433) 
                                                            Page S13790
Adjournment: Senate met at 11 a.m., and adjourned at 7:29 p.m., until 
9:30 a.m., on Tuesday, November 4, 2003. (For Senate's program, see the 
remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page 
S13837.)