[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 25, 2004)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D114-D118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies began 
fiscal year 2005 appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of USDA: Ann M. Veneman, Secretary; James R. 
Mosley, Deputy Secretary; Keith Collins, Chief Economist; and Stephen 
B. Dewhurst, Budget Officer.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive 
session to receive a briefing on the CIA. Testimony was heard from 
George J. Tenet, Director, CIA.
INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior and Related 
Agencies began fiscal year 2005 appropriation hearings. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the Department of the Interior: 
Gale A. Norton, Secretary; P. Lynn Scarlett, Assistant Secretary, 
Policy, Management and Budget; and John D. Trezise, Director, Budget.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing on SSA. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the SSA: Jo Anne Barnhart, 
Commissioner; and James G. Huse, Jr., Inspector General.
  The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Corporation for Public 
Broadcasting. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Robert Coonrod, President and CEO; 
Pat Mitchell, President and CEO, Public

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Broadcasting Service; and Kevin Close, President and CEO, National 
Public Broadcasting.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held 
a hearing on the following: the Quality of Life; and on Quality of Life 
in the Military with Spouses. Testimony was heard from Sgt. Major 
Kenneth O. Preston, USA; Master Chief Petty Officer Terry D. Scott, 
USN; Sgt. Major John L. Estrada, USMC; and Chief Master Sgt. Gerald R. 
Murray, USAF.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent 
Agencies on the following: the Office of Science and Technology Policy; 
on Arlington Cemetery; on Consumer Product Commission; and on the 
Council on Environmental Quality. Testimony was heard from John H. 
Marburger, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and 
President's Science Advisor; John Paul Woodley, Jr., Assistant 
Secretary, Civil Works, Department of the Army; Hal Stratton, Chairman; 
Thomas H. Moore and Mary Sheila Gall, both Commissioners, Consumer 
Product Safety Commission; and James Laurence Connaughton, Chairman, 
Council on Environmental Quality.
RESOLUTION REGARDING VALERIE PLAME; NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION 
REQUEST--DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported adversely H. Res. 499, 
Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of State, the 
Secretary of Defense, and the Attorney General to transmit to the House 
of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the 
adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of the 
President and those officials relating to the disclosure of the 
identity and employment of Ms. Valerie Plame.
  The Committee also held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2005 National; 
Defense Authorization budget request of the Department of the Army. 
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of 
the Army: Les Brownlee, Acting Secretary; and Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, 
USA, Chief of Staff.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--SPACE PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a 
hearing on the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization budget 
request: Status of the Space Programs. Testimony was heard from Peter 
B. Teets, Under Secretary, Department of the Air Force.
DOD FORCE HEALTH PROTECTION AND SURVEILLANCE EFFORTS FOR SERVICE 
MEMBERS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Total Force held a hearing 
on the Department of Defense force health protection and surveillance 
efforts for service members deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom and 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the Department of Defense: William Winkenwerder, Jr., 
M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs; Lt. Gen. James J. Peake, 
M.D., USA., The Surgeon General, U.S. Army, Commander, U.S. Medical 
Command; Sgt. Major Kenneth O. Preston, Sgt. Major, USA; and CPL Victor 
Thibeault, U.S. Army, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York; the 
following officials of the Department of Veterans' Affairs: Michael J. 
Kussman, M.D., Deputy Chief, Patient Care Officer, Veterans Health 
Administration; Susan H. Mather, M.D., Chief Officer, Public Health and 
Environmental Hazards; and Laurent S. Lehmann, M.D., Chief, Mental 
Health Strategic Health Care Group; and public witnesses.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND CURRENT FISCAL ISSUES
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on The Economic Outlook and 
Current Fiscal Issues. Testimony was heard from Alan Greenspan, 
Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System.
STRENGTHENING PENSION SECURITY FOR ALL AMERICANS
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled 
``Strengthening Pension Security for All Americans: Are Workers 
Prepared for a Safe and Secure Retirement?'' Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
U.S. OLYMPIC COMMITTEE REFORM ACT; CONSUMER ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and 
Consumer Protection approved for full Committee action the following: 
the United States Olympic Committee Reform Act; and the Consumer Access 
to Information Act of 2004.
SECURITIES FRAUD DETERRENCE AND INVESTOR RESTITUTION ACT; BUDGET VIEWS 
AND ESTIMATES; COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 
2179, Securities Fraud Deterrence and Investor Restitution Act of 2003.

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  The Committee approved the following: as amended, ``Views and 
Estimates of the Committee on Financial Services on Matters to be Set 
Forth in the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 
2005;'' and other pending Committee business.
IMPROVE REGULATORY ACCOUNTING: COSTS, BENEFITS, AND IMPACTS OF FEDERAL 
REGULATIONS
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Natural 
Resources and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing entitled ``How to 
Improve Regulatory Accounting: Costs, Benefits, and Impacts of Federal 
Regulations--Part II.'' Testimony was heard from John D. Graham, 
Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB; 
Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy, SBA; and public 
witnesses.
U.S. PACIFIC ISLAND TERRITORIES--HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Human Rights and 
Wellness held a hearing on ``Investigation Into Health Care Disparities 
in the United States Pacific Island Territories.'' Testimony was heard 
from David Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Insular 
Affairs, Department of the Interior; Nathan Stinson, Jr., M.D., Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Office of Minority Health, Department of Health 
and Human Services; Felix Camacho, Governor, Territory of Guam; Juan 
Babauta, Governor, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; 
Togiola Tulafono, Governor, American Samoa; and Jefferson Benjamin, 
M.D., Secretary of Health, Department of Health, Education, and Social 
Affairs, Federated States of Micronesia.
RESOLUTION REGARDING VALERIE PLAME; MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported the following 
measures: H. Res. 499, adversely, Requesting the President and 
directing the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the 
Attorney General to transmit to the House of Representatives not later 
than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution 
documents in the possession of the President and those officials 
relating to the disclosure of the identity and employment of Ms. 
Valerie Plame; and H.R. 3818, amended, The Microenterprise Results and 
Accountability Act of 2004.
  The Committee favorably considered the following measures and adopted 
a motion urging the Chairman to request that they be considered on the 
Suspension Calendar: H.R. 3782, Counter-Terrorist and Narco-Terrorist 
Rewards Program Act; H.R. 854, amended, Belarus Democracy Act of 2003; 
H. Res. 530, Urging passage of a resolution addressing human rights 
abuses in People's Republic of China at the 60th Session of the United 
Nations Commission on Human Rights, and calling upon the Government of 
People's Republic of China to respect and protect human rights; H. Con. 
Res. 15, Commending India on its celebration of Republic Day; H. Res. 
526, Expressing the sympathy of the House of Representatives for the 
victims of the devastating earthquake that occurred on December 26, 
2003 in Bam, Iran; and H. Con. Res. 364, To recognize more than 5 
decades of strategic partnership between the United States and the 
people of the Marshall Islands in the pursuit of international peace 
and security.
RESOLUTION REGARDING VALERIE PLAME
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported adversely H. Res. 499, 
Requesting the President and directing the Secretary of State, the 
Secretary of Defense, and the Attorney General to transmit to the House 
of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the 
adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of the 
President and those officials relating to the disclosure of the 
identity and employment of Ms. Valerie Plame.
OVERSIGHT--IMMIGRATION FUNDING
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border 
Security, and Claims held an oversight hearing entitled ``Funding for 
Immigration in the President's 2005 Budget.'' Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Michael 
Dougherty, Director, Operations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement; 
Eduardo Aguirre, Deputy Director and Chief of Staff, Citizenship and 
Immigration Services; and Seth Stodder, Counselor and Senior Policy 
Advisor to Commissioner Robert C. Bonner, U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection; and Daniel Smith, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
Consular Affairs, Department of State.
OVERSIGHT--EXAMINE POTENTIAL FOR A DELEGATE FROM NORTHERN MARIANA 
ISLANDS
Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on An Examination of 
the Potential for a Delegate from the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands. Testimony was heard from David Cohen, Director, Office 
of Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior; the following officials 
of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Juan N. Babauta, 
Governor; Pete A. Tenorio, Resident Representative; and Joaquin G. 
Adriano, Senate President; and a public witness.

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OVERSIGHT--BUDGETS--BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND POWER 
MARKETING ADMINISTRATIONS
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an 
oversight hearing on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2005 Budgets for the 
Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Geological Survey and Power Marketing 
Administrations. Testimony was heard from the following officials of 
the Department of the Interior: John Keys III, Commissioner, Bureau of 
Reclamation; and Robert M. Hirsch, Associate Director, Water, U.S. 
Geological Survey; and the following officials of the Department of 
Energy: Michael S. Hacskaylo, Administrator, Western Area Power 
Administration; Stephen J. Wright, Administrator, Bonneville Power 
Administration; Michael A. Deihl, Administrator, Southwestern Power 
Administration; and Charles A. Borchardt, Administrator, Southeastern 
Power Administration.
SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE 
CONCERNING SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) 
of rule XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the 
same day it is reported from the Rules Committee) against certain 
resolutions reported from the Rules Committee. The rule applies the 
waiver to any special rule reported on the legislative day of February 
26, 2004, providing for consideration or disposition of H.R. 3783, 
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004, or any amendment thereto.
CONFLICT BETWEEN SCIENCE AND SECURITY IN VISA POLICY
Committee on Science: Held a hearing on The Conflict Between Science 
and Security in Visa Policy: Status and Next Steps. Testimony was heard 
from Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary, Border and Transportation 
Security, Department of Homeland Security; Janice Jacobs, Assistant 
Secretary, Office of Consular Affairs, Department of State; Jess Ford, 
Director, International Affairs and Trade, GAO; and Robert Garrity, 
Jr., Deputy Assistant Director, Record/Information Administration, FBI, 
Department of Justice.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Small Business: Approved Committee's Budget Views and 
Estimates for Fiscal Year 2005 for submission to the Committee on the 
Budget.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the 
following bills: H.R. 2523, to designate the United States courthouse 
located at 125 Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia, as the ``Tomochichi 
United States Courthouse;'' H.R. 2538, to designate the United States 
courthouse located at 400 North Miami Avenue in Miami, Florida, as the 
``Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., United States Courthouse;'' H.R. 3147, 
amended, to designate the Federal building located at 324 Twenty-Fifth 
Street in Ogden, Utah, as the ``James V. Hansen Federal Building;'' and 
H.R. 3713, To designate the Federal building located at 250 West Cherry 
Street in Carbondale, Illinois the ``Senator Paul Simon Federal 
Building.''
  The Committee also approved the following: Committee's Budget Views 
and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2005 for submission to the Committee on 
the Budget; U.S. Army Corps Survey Resolutions; and GSA Fiscal Year 
2004 Leasing Resolutions.
IC ANALYTICAL CAPABILITIES AND INFORMATION SHARING
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism 
and Homeland Security met in executive session to hold a hearing on IC 
Analytical Capabilities and Information Sharing. Testimony was heard 
from departmental witnesses.
HOMELAND SECURITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUDGET
Select Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, 
Science and Research Development held a hearing entitled ``Homeland 
Security Science and Technology Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2005.'' 
Testimony was heard from Charles McQueary, Under Secretary, Science and 
Technology, Department of Homeland Security.

Joint Meetings
HEALTH CARE
Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the 
performance and potential of consumer driven health care, focusing on 
new health savings account options, employee choice, and health 
insurance risks, after receiving testimony from Arnold Milstein, 
Pacific Business Group on Health, San Francisco, California, on behalf 
of Mercer Human Resource Consulting; John M. Bertko, Humana, Inc., 
Louisville, Kentucky; Howard Leach, Logan Aluminum, Inc., Russellville, 
Kentucky; and Gail Shearer, Consumers Union, Washington, D.C.

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HOMELAND SECURITY: NEW HUMAN RESOURCES SYSTEM
Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on 
Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the 
District of Columbia concluded a joint hearing with the House Committee 
on Government Reform Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency 
Reorganization to examine the new personnel system of the Department of 
Homeland Security, after receiving testimony from Admiral James M. Loy, 
Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security; Kay Coles James, Director, 
Office of Personnel Management; David M. Walker, Comptroller General, 
General Accounting Office; and John Gage, American Federation of 
Government Employees, Colleen M. Kelley, National Treasury Employees 
Union, and Mike Randall, National Association of Agriculture Employees, 
all of Washington, D.C.