[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 31 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D225-D229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Measures Introduced: 30 public bills, H.R. 3936-3965; and 9 
resolutions, H.J. Res. 89-90; H. Con. Res. 382-384, and H. Res. 557-
560, were introduced.
  Page H1070
Additional Cosponsors:
  Page H1072
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
  H.R. 3261, to prohibit the misappropriation of certain databases, 
amended adverse (H. Rept. 108-421, Pt. 2).
Page H1070
Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004: The House passed H.R. 3717, 
to increase the penalties for violations by television and radio 
broadcasters of the prohibitions against transmission of obscene, 
indecent, and profane language, by a recorded vote of 391 ayes to 22 
noes with one voting ``present'', Roll No. 55.
  Pages H1015-35
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: to increase the penalties 
for violations by television and radio broadcasters of the prohibitions 
against transmission of obscene, indecent, and profane material. 
                                                             Page H1035
  The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce now printed in the bill was considered 
as an original bill for the purpose of amendment.
Page H1034
Agreed to:
  Upton amendment that preserves a licensee's right of a license to 
appeal a forfeiture order issued by the FCC for the broadcast of 
obscene, indecent, or profane material before the existence of such an 
order can be used in a license application proceeding, renewal 
proceeding, or revocation proceeding and also requires the FCC to 
provide Congress with information related to the number of times that 
violators refuse to pay a forfeiture order and that the FCC refers such 
orders to collections; and
Pages H1033-34
  Sessions amendment that directs the GAO to study and report within 
one year the number of complaints concerning the broadcasting of 
obscene,

[[Page D226]]

indecent, and profane material to the FCC the; number of such 
complaints that result in final agency actions by the FCC; the length 
of time taken by the FCC in responding to such complaints; what 
mechanisms the Commission has established to receive, investigate, and 
respond to such complaints; and whether complainants to the FCC are 
adequately informed by the FCC of the responses to their complaints. 
                                                             Page H1034
  H. Res. 554, the rule providing for consideration of the bill was 
agreed to by voice vote.
Pages H1015-19
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the 
following measures:
  Commending India on its celebration of Republic Day: Debated on March 
10, H. Con. Res. 15, commending India on its celebration of Republic 
Day, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 418 yeas with none voting ``nay'', 
Roll No. 56; and
  Pages H1035-36
  Expressing the condolences of the House for the untimely death of 
Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski: Debated on March 10, H. Res. 
540, expressing the condolences and deepest sympathies of the House of 
Representatives for the untimely death of Macedonian President Boris 
Trajkovski, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 411 yeas to with none voting 
``nay'', Roll No. 57.
  Pages H1036-37
Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourn today, it adjourn to 
meet at noon on Friday, March 12, and further that when it adjourn to 
meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16 for Morning-Hour debate. 
                                                             Page H1069
Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday 
business of Wednesday, March 17.
  Page H1069
Senate Adjournment: Agreed to S. Con. Res. 98, providing for a 
conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate.
  Page H1057
Presidential Message: Read a letter from the President wherein he 
notified Congress of the continuation of the National Emergency with 
Respect to Iran--referred to the Committee on International Relations 
and ordered to be printed (108-173).
  Page H1045
Senate Messages: Messages from the Senate today appear on page H1013.
Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote 
developed during the proceedings today and appear on pages H1035, 
H1035-36, and H1036-37. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:18 
p.m.Committee Meetings
PEANUT PROGRAM
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Speciality Crops and Foreign 
Agriculture Programs held a hearing to review the Peanut Program. 
Testimony was heard from Floyd Gaibler, Under Secretary, Farm and 
Foreign Agricultural Services, USDA; and public witnesses.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies held a 
hearing on the FDA. Testimony was heard from the following officials of 
the FDA, Department of Health and Human Services: Lester M. Crawford, 
Acting Commissioner; Jeffrey M. Weber, Associate Commissioner, 
Management and Chief Financial Officer; and William R. Beldon, Acting 
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Budget.
COMMERCE, STATE, JUSTICE, JUDICIARY AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, State, Justice, 
Judiciary and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Federal Judiciary. 
Testimony was heard from Leonidas Ralph Mecham, Director, 
Administrative Office of the United States Courts; and Chief Judge John 
Heyburn, Chairman, Budget Committee, Judicial Conference of the United 
States.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development held a hearing on the Secretary of Energy. Testimony was 
heard from Spencer Abraham, Secretary of Energy.
HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a 
hearing on Border and Transportation Security. Testimony was heard from 
Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary, Border and Transportation Security, 
Department of Homeland Security.
  The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Acting Administrator, 
Transportation Security Administration. Testimony was heard from ADM 
David Stone, USN, (Ret.), Acting Administrator, Transportation Security 
Administration, Department of Homeland Security.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, Education and Related

[[Page D227]]

Agencies held a hearing on the Secretary of Education. Testimony was 
heard from Rodney Paige, Secretary of Education.
VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent 
Agencies continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from 
Members of Congress.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--NAVY RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Projection Forces held a 
hearing on the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization Budget 
Request--Navy Research and Development, Transformation and Future Navy 
Capabilities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of the Navy: John J. Young, Assistant Secretary (Research, 
Development and Acquisition); VADM John B. Nathan, USN, Deputy Chief of 
Naval Operations (N-7) (Warfare Requirements and Programs); VADM Cutler 
J. Dawson, Jr., Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (N-8) (Resources, 
Requirements, and Assessments); LTG Edward Hanlon, Jr., USMC, 
Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; and RADM 
Jay M. Cohen, USN, Chief of Naval Research, Director, Test and 
Evaluation and Technology Requirements.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--ASSESSING ADEQUACY TO 
MEET READINESS NEEDS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing 
on the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization Budget Request--
Assessing the Adequacy of the Fiscal Year 2005 Budget to Meet Readiness 
Needs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Defense: GEN George Casey, USA, Vice Chief of Staff, 
Army, Headquarters, Department of the Army; ADM Michael G. Mullen, USN, 
Vice Chief of Naval Operations and LTG Jan C. Huly, USMC, Deputy 
Commander, Plans, Policy and Operations, U.S. Marine Corps, both with 
the Department of the Navy; and GEN T. Michael Moseley, USAF, Vice 
Chief of Staff, Air Force, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--SPECIAL OPERATIONS 
COMMAND OVERSIGHT
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional 
Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2005 
National Defense Authorization Budget Request--Special Operations 
Command Oversight. Testimony was heard from the following officials of 
the Department of Defense: Thomas W. O'Connell, Assistant Secretary, 
Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict; GEN Bryan D. Brown, USA, 
Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command; LTG Philip Kensinger, USA, 
Commanding General, U.S. Army Special Operations Command; LTG Paul 
Hester, USAF, Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command; RADM 
Albert Calland, USN, Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command; and 
Command CMSgt Robert Martens, Jr., U.S. Air Force, Senior Enlisted 
Advisor, U.S. Special Operations Command.
BUDGET RESOLUTION
Committee on the Budget: Began markup of the Budget Resolution for 
Fiscal Year 2005.
  Committee recessed subject to call.
CHANGING NATURE OF THE ECONOMY--CRITICAL ROLES OF EDUCATION AND 
INNOVATION
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled ``The 
Changing Nature of the Economy: The Critical Roles of Education and 
Innovation in Creating Jobs & Opportunity in a Knowledge Economy.'' 
Testimony was heard from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors, 
Federal Reserve System; and public witnesses.
COLLEGE RECRUITING--ARE STUDENT ATHLETES BEING PROTECTED?
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and 
Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled ``College Recruiting: Are 
Student Athletes Being Protected?'' Testimony was heard from 
Representative Osborne; and public witnesses.
IRAQ--REBUILDING CHALLENGES
Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing on the Complex Task of 
Coordinating Contracts Amid Chaos: The Challenges of Rebuilding a 
Broken Iraq. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Defense: MG Carl A. Strock, USA, Director, Civil Works, 
Army Corps of Engineers; GEN Paul J. Kern, USA, Commanding General, 
U.S. Army Material Command; MG Wade H. McManus, Jr., USA, Commanding 
General, U.S. Army Field Support Command; Tina Ballard, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Army (Policy and Procurement); Dov S. Zakheim, 
Under Secretary, (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer; William H. 
Reed, Director, Defense Contract Audit Agency; and RADM David Nash, USN 
(Ret.), Director, Iraq Program Management Office, Coalition Provisional 
Authority; and Lewis Lucke, Deputy Assistant Administrator, AID, 
Department of State.

[[Page D228]]


``CERVICAL CANCER AND HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS''
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug 
Policy and Human Resources held a hearing entitled ``Cervical Cancer 
and Human Papillomavirus.'' Testimony was heard from Representative 
Weldon of Florida; the following officials of the Department of Health 
and Human Services: Ed. Thompson, M.D., Deputy Director, Public Health 
Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Edward L. 
Trimble, M.D., Gynecologic Oncologist, National Cancer Institute, NIH; 
and Daniel G. Schultz, M.D., Director, Office of Device Evaluation, 
Center for Devices and Radiologic Health, FDA; and public witnesses.
SUDAN: PEACE AGREEMENT AROUND THE CORNER?
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a 
hearing on Sudan: Peace Agreement Around the Corner? Testimony was 
heard from the following officials ofthe Department of State: Charles 
R. Snyder, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs; and 
Roger P. Winter, Assistant Administrator, Democracy, Conflict and 
Humanitarian Assistance, AID; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--COPYRIGHT ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and 
Intellectual Property held an oversight hearing on Section 115 of the 
Copyright Act: In Need of Update? Testimony was heard from Marybeth 
Peters, Register of Copyrights, Library of Congress; and public 
witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--IMMIGRATION FUNDING
Committee on the Judiciay: 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 
public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--BUDGET REQUESTS--NOAA AND FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, 
Wildlife and Oceans held an oversight hearing on the Administration's 
Fiscal Year 2005 budget requests for NOAA and the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service. Testimony was heard from VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, 
Jr., USN, (Ret.), Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, 
Department of Commerce; and Steven A. Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
CURRENT BUDGET PROCESS--CONSIDER NEW REFORM AND ENFORCEMENT PROPOSALS
Committee on Rules: Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process held 
a hearing to assess the effectiveness of the current budget process and 
consider new reform and enforcement proposals. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Hensarling, Ryan of Wisconsin, Chocola, Stenholm, Hill, 
Kirk, Hastings of Washington, Castle and Cox; and Josh Bolten, 
Director, OMB.
EPA BUDGET
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and 
Standards held a hearing on the Fiscal Year EPA Budget. Testimony was 
heard from Clay Johnson III, Deputy Director, Management, OMB; Paul 
Gilman, Assistant Administrator, Research and Development, EPA; Paul 
Posner, Managing Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; and 
public witnesses.
VA'S POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER PROGRAMS STATUS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
on the current status of Department of Veterans' post-traumatic stress 
disorder (PTSD) programs. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Robert H. Roswell, 
M.D., Under Secretary, Health; Thomas Horvath, M.D., Chief of Staff, 
Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Terence Keane, 
Director, National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Boston 
Health Care System; Harold Kudler, M.D., Co-Chair, Under Secretary, 
Health's Special Committee on PTSD, Durham Medical Center; Chaplain 
Robert W. Mikol, Clinical Chaplain, Lyons Campus, New Jersey Health 
Care System; and Rev. Philip G. Salois, VISN 1 Chaplain Program 
Manager, Boston Health Care System; the following officials of the 
Department of Defense: LTC Kenneth Brown, Chaplain, U.S. Army; LT 
Charles E. Hodges, Chaplain Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve; and CDR Mark 
Jumper, Staff Chaplain, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; representatives of 
veterans organizations; and public witnesses.
PRESIDENT'S TRADE AGENDA
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on President Bush's Trade 
Agenda. Testimony was heard from Robert B. Zoellick, U.S. Trade 
Representative.

[[Page D229]]


NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM BUDGET
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to 
hold a hearing on National Reconnaissance Program Budget. Testimony was 
heard from departmental witnesses.
BRIEFING--GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE UPDATE
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on 
Intelligence Policy and National Security met in executive session to 
receive a briefing on Global Intelligence Update. The Subcommittee was 
briefed by departmental witnesses.