[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 174 (Tuesday, November 25, 2003)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1339-D1342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                              Tuesday, November 25, 2003

[[Page D1339]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate agreed to the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 1, Medicare 
      Prescription Drug and Modernization Act.
      Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 339, Adjournment Resolution.
[D25NO3-B1]D1339 Senate


                                 Senate

[D25NO3-B2]D1339 Chamber Ac
Chamber Action:
[D25NO3-B3]D1339 Routine Pr
Routine Proceedings, pages S15881-S16080
Measures Introduced: Twenty nine bills and six resolutions were introduced, 
as follows: S. 1951-1979, S.J. Res. 26, S. Res. 275-278, and S. Con. Res. 
86.
  Pages S15975-76
Measures Reported:
[D25NO3-B4]D1339 Report to
  Report to accompany S. 1567, to amend title 31, United States Code, to 
improve the financial accountability requirements applicable to the 
Department of Homeland Security. (S. Rept. No. 108-211)
[D25NO3-B5]D1339 S. 1267, t
  S. 1267, to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to provide the 
District of Columbia with autonomy over its budgets, with an amendment. (S. 
Rept. No. 108-212)
[D25NO3-B6]D1339 S. 420, to
  S. 420, to provide for the acknowledgement of the Lumbee Tribe of North 
Carolina, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 
108-213)
[D25NO3-B7]D1339 H.R. 1416,
  H.R. 1416, to make technical corrections to the Homeland Security Act of 
2002, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 108-214)
[D25NO3-B8]D1339 S. 1978, t
  S. 1978, to authorize funds for highway safety programs, motor carrier 
safety programs, hazardous materials transportation safety program, boating 
safety programs. (S. Rept. No. 108-215)
[D25NO3-B9]D1339 S. 1172, t
  S. 1172, to establish grants to provide health services for improved 
nutrition, increased physical activity, obesity prevention, with an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute.
[D25NO3-B10]D1339 S. 1545, t
  S. 1545, to amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant 
Responsibility Act of 1996 to permit States to determine State residency for 
higher education purposes and to authorize the cancellation of removal and 
adjustment of status of certain alien students who are long-term United 
States residents, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
[D25NO3-B11]D1339 S. 1612, t
  S. 1612, to establish a technology, equipment, and information transfer 
within the Department of Homeland Security, with an amendment in the nature 
of a substitute.
Pages S15974-75
Measures Passed:
  Adjournment Resolution: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 339, providing for 
the sine die adjournment of the first session of the One Hundred Eighth 
Congress, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                                 Page S15927
[D25NO3-B12]D1339 Craig (for
  Craig (for Frist) Amendment No. 2217, providing for the sine die 
adjournment of the first session of the One Hundred Eighth Congress. 
                                                                 Page S15927
  One Hundred Eighth Congress 2nd Session Convening Date: Senate agreed to 
H.J. Res. 80, appointing the day for the convening of the second session of 
the One Hundred Eighth Congress, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                                 Page S16044
  Condemning Turkey Terrorist Attacks: Committee on Foreign Relations was 
discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 273, condemning the 
terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15 and 20, 2003, 
expressing condolences to the families of the individuals murdered in the 
attacks, expressing sympathies to the individuals injured in the attacks, 
and the resolution was then agreed to.
  Pages S16044-45
  Federal Law Enforcement Pay and Benefits Parity Act: Senate passed S. 
1683, to provide for a

[[Page D1340]]

report on the parity of pay and benefits among Federal law enforcement 
officers and to establish an exchange program between Federal law 
enforcement employees and State and local law enforcement employees. 
                                                                 Page S16045
  Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act: Senate passed S. 1402,to 
authorize appropriations for activities under the Federal railroad safety 
laws for fiscal years 2004 through 2008, after agreeing to the committee 
amendments.
  Pages S16045-51
  Awarding Congressional Gold Medals: Senate passed H.R. 3287, to award 
congressional gold medals posthumously on behalf of Reverend Joseph A. 
DeLaine, Harry and Eliza Briggs, and Levi Pearson in recognition of their 
contributions to the Nation as pioneers in the effort to desegregate public 
schools that led directly to the landmark desegregation case of Brown et al. 
v. the Board of Education of Topeka et al., clearing the measure for the 
President.
  Page S16051
  State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Reauthorization Act: Committee on 
the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. 460,to amend 
the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
years 2004 through 2010 to carry out the State Criminal Alien Assistance 
Program, and the bill was then passed.
  Pages S16051-52
  Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act: Committee on Foreign Relations 
was discharged from further consideration of S. 854,to authorize a 
comprehensive program of support for victims of torture, and the bill was 
then passed.
  Page S16052
  Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act: Senate passed H.R. 1813, to 
amend the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations to 
provide assistance for domestic and foreign centers and programs for the 
treatment of victims of torture, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                                 Page S16052
  Directing Senate Commission on Art: Committee on Rules and Administration 
was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 177, to direct the 
Senate Commission on Art to select an appropriate scene commemorating the 
Great Compromise of our forefathers establishing a bicameral Congress with 
equal representation in the United States Senate, to be placed in the Senate 
wing of the Capitol, and to authorize the Committees on Rules and 
Administration to obtain technical advice and assistance in carrying out its 
duties, and the resolution was then agreed to, after agreeing to the 
following amendments proposed thereto:
  Pages S16053-54
[D25NO3-B13]D1340 McConnell
  McConnell (for Lott) Amendment No. 2221, to permit the painting to be 
placed in the Senate wing at a location determined by the Committee on Rules 
and Administration.
Page S16054
[D25NO3-B14]D1340 McConnell
  McConnell (for Lott) Amendment No. 2222, to amend the preamble. 
                                                                 Page S16054
[D25NO3-B15]D1340 McConnell
  McConnell (for Lott) Amendment No. 2223, to amend the title.
Page S16054
  Printing Authority/Prayers of Rev. Lloyd John Ogilvie: Committee on Rules 
and Administration was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 157, 
to authorize the printing of the prayers of Reverend Lloyd John Ogilvie, and 
the resolution was then agreed to.
  Page S16054
  Pharmacy Education Aid Act: Senate passed S. 648, to amend the Public 
Health Service Act with respect to health professions programs regarding the 
practice of pharmacy, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the 
nature of a substitute.
  Pages S16054-57
  Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act Technical Corrections 
Amendments: Senate passed S. 1881, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act to make technical corrections relating to the amendments by the 
Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002, after agreeing to the 
committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  Pages S16057-60
  Vietnam Veterans of America Anniversary: Committee on the Judiciary was 
discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 120, commemorating the 25th 
anniversary of Vietnam Veterans of America, and the resolution was then 
agreed to.
  Pages S16060-61
  Private Relief: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further 
consideration of S. 99, for the relief of Jaya Gulab Tolani and Hitesh Gulab 
Tolani, and the bill was then passed.
  Page S16061
  Private Relief: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further 
consideration of S. 1130, for the relief of Esidronio Arreola-Saucedo, Maria 
Elena Cobian Arreola, Nayely Bibiana Arreola, and Cindy Jael Arreola, and 
the bill was then passed.
  Page S16061
  Private Relief: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further 
consideration of S. 103, for

[[Page D1341]]

the relief of Lindita Idrizi Heath and the bill was then passed. 
                                                                 Page S16061
  Private Relief: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further 
consideration of S. 848, for the relief of Daniel King Cairo, and the bill 
was then passed.
  Pages S16061-62
  Private Relief: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further 
consideration of S. 541, for the relief of Ilko Vasilev Ivanov, Anelia 
Marinova Peneva, Marina Ilkova Ivanova, and Julie Ilkova Ivanova, and the 
bill was then passed.
  Page S16062
  Thanking Senate and House Legislative Counsel: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
277, tendering the sincere thanks of the Senate to the staffs of the Offices 
of the Legislative Counsel of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
for their dedication and service to the legislative process.
  Page S16062
  Undetectable Firearms Ban: Senate passed H.R. 3348, to reauthorize the ban 
on undetectable firearms, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                                 Page S16062
  Bankruptcy Extension: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from 
further consideration of S. 1920, to extend for 6 months the period for 
which chapter 12 of title 11 of the United States Code is reenacted, and the 
bill was then passed.
  Pages S16062-63
  U.S. Code Improvement: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from 
further consideration of H.R. 1437, to improve the United States Code, and 
the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                                 Page S16063
  Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act: Senate passed S. 573, to 
amend the Public Health Service Act to promote organ donation, after 
agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                             Pages S16064-68
Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act--Conference Report: By 54 
yeas to 44 nays (Vote No. 459), Senate agreed to the conference report to 
accompany H.R. 1, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide 
for a voluntary program for prescription drug coverage under the Medicare 
Program, to modernize the Medicare Program, to amend the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 to allow a deduction to individuals for amounts contributed to 
health savings security accounts and health savings accounts, to provide for 
the disposition of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible 
spending arrangements, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                         Pages S15882-S15915
  CAN-SPAM Act: Senate concurred in the amendment of the House to S. 877, to 
regulate interstate commerce by imposing limitations and penalties on the 
transmission of unsolicited commercial electronic mail via the Internet, 
with the following amendment:
  Pages S15938-48
[D25NO3-B16]D1341 Burns Amen
  Burns Amendment No. 2219, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S15943
Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act: Senate concurred in the amendment of 
the House to S. 459, to ensure that a public safety officer who suffers a 
fatal heart attack or stroke while on duty shall be presumed to have died in 
the line of duty for purposes of public safety officer survivor benefits, 
clearing the measure for the President.
  Pages S16052-53
Signing Authority--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that during the Senate's adjournment, the Majority Leader be 
authorized to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions.
  Page S16063
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
[D25NO3-B17]D1341 Michael J.
  Michael J. Garcia, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland 
Security. (New Position)
[D25NO3-B18]D1341 James M. L
  James M. Loy, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
[D25NO3-B19]D1341 35 Air For
  35 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
[D25NO3-B20]D1341 6 Army nom
  6 Army nominations in the rank of general.
[D25NO3-B21]D1341 19 Navy no
  19 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral.
[D25NO3-B22]D1341 Routine li
  Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, 
Public Health Service.
Page S16080
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
[D25NO3-B23]D1341 Linda Morr
  Linda Morrison Combs, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
Transportation.
[D25NO3-B24]D1341 Jack Edwin
  Jack Edwin McGregor, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Advisory Board 
of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
[D25NO3-B25]D1341 Scott Kevi
  Scott Kevin Walker, of Wisconsin, to be a Member of the Advisory Board of 
the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
[D25NO3-B26]D1341 Mark J. Wa
  Mark J. Warshawsky, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of the 
Treasury.
[D25NO3-B27]D1341 Roger W. W
  Roger W. Wallace, of Texas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of 
the Inter-American Foundation for a term expiring October 6, 2008.
[D25NO3-B28]D1341 Marcia G.
  Marcia G. Cooke, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the 
Southern District of Florida.
[D25NO3-B29]D1342 Curtis V.

[[Page D1342]]

  Curtis V. Gomez, of Virgin Islands, to be Judge for the District Court of 
the Virgin Islands for a term of ten years.
[D25NO3-B30]D1342 Juan R. Sa
  Juan R. Sanchez, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for 
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
[D25NO3-B31]D1342 2 Army nom
  2 Army nominations in the rank of general.
[D25NO3-B32]D1342 Routine li
  Routine lists in the Army, Navy.
Page S16079-80
Enrolled Bills Presented:
  Page S15974
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages S15976-77
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
  Pages S15977-S16035
Additional Statements:
  Pages S15970-74
Amendments Submitted:
  Page S16035
Privilege of the Floor:
  Page S16044
Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--459) 
                                                             Pages S15914-15
Adjournment: Senate met at 8:15 a.m. and, in accordance with the provisions 
of H. Con. Res. 339, adjourned at 6:15 p.m. until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 
December 9, 2003. ( For Senate's Program, see the remarks of the Acting 
Majority Leader in today's Record on page S16079).
[D25NO3-B33]D1342 Committee