[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 152 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1218-D1221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                       Wednesday, November 16, 2005

[[Page D1218]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate passed S. 1783, Pension Security and Transparency Act.
      Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2862, 
      Science/State/Justice/Commerce Appropriations.
      House Committees ordered reported 31 sundry measures


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S12873-S13065
Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and one resolution were introduced, 
as follows: S. 2016-2027, and S. Res. 317.
  Pages S12949-50
Measures Reported: S. 716, to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
enhance services provided by vet centers, to clarify and improve the 
provision of bereavement counseling by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. (S. Rept. No. 109-180)
  S. 363, to amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and 
Control Act of 1990 to establish vessel ballast water management 
requirements, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. 
Rept. No. 109-181)
  S. 467, to extend the applicability of the Terrorism Risk Insurance 
Act of 2002, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  S. 2020, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202(b) of 
the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2006. 
                                                            Page S12948
Measures Passed:
  Rosa Parks Statue: Committee on Rules and Administration was 
discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 62, directing the 
Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Rosa Parks for 
placement in the Capitol, after agreeing to the following amendment 
proposed thereto:
  Pages S13039-41
  Isakson (for Dodd/McConnell) Amendment No. 2585, to make a technical 
correction.
Page S13041
  Veterans Compensation: Senate passed S. 1234, to increase, effective 
as of December 1, 2005, the rates of compensation for veterans with 
service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and 
indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, 
after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                        Pages S13041-42
  Isakson (for Craig) Amendment No. 2584, in the nature of a 
substitute.
Page S13041
  Pension Security and Transparency Act: By 97 yeas to 2 nays (Vote No. 
328), Senate passed S. 1783, to amend the Employee Retirement Income 
Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform 
the pension funding rules, after taking action on the following 
amendments proposed thereto:
  Pages S12884-S12921
Adopted:
  Enzi (for Grassley) Amendment No. 2581, in the nature of a 
substitute. (The amendment will be considered as original text for the 
purpose of further amendment.)
Page S12884
  Isakson Amendment No. 2582, to modify pension funding rules related 
to airlines.
Pages S12886-92
  By 58 yeas to 41 nays (Vote No. 327), Akaka/Specter Amendment No. 
2583, to compute the actuarial value of monthly benefits in the form of 
a life annuity commencing at age 60 for certain airline pilots. 
                                             Pages S12892-97, S12905-06
  Ice Floods National Geologic Trail: Senate passed S. 206, to 
designate the Ice Floods National Geologic Trail, after agreeing to the 
committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  Pages S13042-44
  Space Shuttle Columbia Memorials: Senate passed S. 242, to direct the 
Secretary of the Interior to carry out a study to determine the 
suitability and feasibility of establishing memorials to the Space 
Shuttle Columbia on parcels of land in the State of Texas, after 
agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                            Page S13044
  Rocky Mountain National Park: Senate passed S. 584, to require the 
Secretary of the Interior to allow

[[Page D1219]]

the continued occupancy and use of certain land and improvements within 
Rocky Mountain National Park, after agreeing to the committee amendment 
in the nature of a substitute.
  Pages S13044-45
  Ben Franklin National Memorial: Senate passed S. 652, to provide 
financial assistance for the rehabilitation of the Benjamin Franklin 
National Memorial in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the development of 
an exhibit to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the birth of 
Benjamin Franklin.
  Page S13045
  Rural Water Supply Program: Senate passed S. 895, to direct the 
Secretary of the Interior to establish a rural water supply program in 
the Reclamation States to provide a clean, safe affordable, and 
reliable water supply to rural residents, after agreeing to the 
committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  Pages S13045-53
  Franklin National Battlefield Study Act: Senate passed H.R. 1972, to 
direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource 
study to determine the suitability and feasibility of including in the 
National Park System certain sites in Williamson County, Tennessee, 
relating to the Battle of Franklin, clearing the measure for the 
President.
  Page S13042
  Star-Spangled Banner Trail: Senate passed S. 958, to amend the 
National Trails System Act to designate the Star-Spangled Banner Trail 
in the States of Maryland and Virginia and the District of Columbia as 
a National Historic Trail, after agreeing to the committee amendments. 
                                                            Page S13053
  Acadia National Park Improvement Act: Senate passed S. 1154, to 
extend the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission, to provide 
improved visitor services at the park, after agreeing to the committee 
amendments.
  Pages S13053-54
  Public Land Corps Healthy Forests Restoration Act: Senate passed S. 
1238, to amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to provide for the 
conduct of projects that protect forests, after agreeing to the 
committee amendments, and the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                        Pages S13054-56
  McConnell (for Domenici/Bingaman) Amendment No. 2591, to modify the 
authorization of appropriations.
Page S13055
  Delaware National Coastal Special Resources Study Act: Senate passed 
S. 1627, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
special resources study to evaluate resources along the coastal region 
of the State of Delaware and to determine the suitability and 
feasibility of establishing a unit of the National Park System in 
Delaware.
  Page S13056
  Cape Lookout National Seashore: Senate passed H.R. 126, to amend 
Public Law 89-366 to allow for an adjustment in the number of free 
roaming horses permitted in Cape Lookout National Seashore, clearing 
the measure for the President.
  Page S13056
  Caribbean National Forest Act: Senate passed H.R. 539, to designate 
certain National Forest System land in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 
as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, clearing 
the measure for the President.
  Page S13056
  Department of the Interior Volunteer Recruitment Act: Senate passed 
H.R. 584, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to recruit 
volunteers to assist with, or facilitate, the activities of various 
agencies and offices of the Department of the Interior, clearing the 
measure for the President.
  Page S13056
  Angel Island Immigration Station Restoration and Preservation Act: 
Senate passed H.R. 606, to authorize appropriations to the Secretary of 
the Interior for the restoration of the Angel Island Immigration 
Station in the State of California, clearing the measure for the 
President.
  Page S13057
  National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act: Senate passed S. 485, 
to reauthorize and amend the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992, 
after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                            Page S13057
  McConnell (for Domenici/Bingaman) Amendment No. 2592, to extend the 
authorization of appropriations for the National Geologic Mapping Act 
of 1992.
Page S13057
  Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area 
Act: Senate passed S. 761, to rename the Snake River Birds of Prey 
National Conservation Area in the State of Idaho as the Morley Nelson 
Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in honor of the 
late Morley Nelson, an international authority on birds of prey, who 
was instrumental in the establishment of this National Conservation 
Area,
  Page S13057
  Fort Stanton-Snowy River National Cave Conservation Area Act: Senate 
passed S. 1170, to establish the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National 
Conservation Area, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the 
nature of a substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                        Pages S13058-59
  McConnell (for Domenici/Bingaman) Amendment No. 2593, in the nature 
of a substitute.
Page S13059
  McConnell (for Domenici) Amendment No. 2594, to amend the title. 
                                                            Page S13059

[[Page D1220]]

  Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act: Senate passed S. 
166, to amend the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 to 
reauthorize the participation of the Bureau of Reclamation in the 
Deschutes River Conservancy.
  Page S13060
  Little Butte/Bear Creek Subbasins Water Feasibility Act: Senate 
passed S. 251, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting 
through the Bureau of Reclamation, to conduct a water resource 
feasibility study for the Little Butte/Bear Creek Subbasins in Oregon, 
after agreeing to the committee amendments.
  Page S13060
  Rio Arriba County Land Conveyance Act: Senate passed S. 213, to 
direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain Federal land to 
Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, after agreeing to the committee 
amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  Pages S13060-61
  Glendo Unit of the Missouri River Basin Project Contract Extension 
Act: Senate passed S. 592, to extend the contract for the Glendo Unit 
of the Missouri River Basin Project in the State of Wyoming. 
                                                            Page S13061
  Pactola Reservoir Reallocation Authorization Act: Senate passed S. 
819, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to reallocate costs of 
the Pactola Dam and Reservoir, South Dakota, to reflect increased 
demands for municipal, industrial, and fish and wildlife purposes. 
                                                            Page S13061
  Nebraska Water Service Extension: Senate passed S. 891, to extend the 
water service contract for the Ainsworth Unit, Sandhills Division, 
Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, Nebraska.
  Page S13061
  Alaska Water Resources Act: Senate passed S. 1338, to require the 
Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and 
the United States Geological Survey, to conduct a study on groundwater 
resources in the State of Alaska, after agreeing to the committee 
amendment.
  Pages S13061-62
  Catoctin Mountain National Recreation Area Designation Act: Senate 
passed S. 777, to designate Catoctin Mountain Park in the State of 
Maryland as the ``Catoctin Mountain National Recreation Area'', after 
agreeing to the committee amendments.
  Page S13062
  California Public Land Order: Senate passed H.R. 1101, to revoke a 
Public Land Order with respect to certain lands erroneously included in 
the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, California.
  Page S13063
  New Shipper Review Amendment Act: Committee on Finance was discharged 
from further consideration of S. 695, to suspend temporarily new 
shipper bonding privileges, and the bill was then passed.
  Page S13063
  Subsequently, the bill was then ordered held at the desk. 
                                                            Page S12947
  Water for the Poor Act: Senate passed H.R. 1973, to make access to 
safe water and sanitation for developing countries a specific policy 
objective of the United States foreign assistance programs, clearing 
the measure for the President.
  Internet Corporation Oversight: Senate agreed to S. Res. 317, 
expressing the sense of the Senate regarding oversight of the Internet 
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
  Pages S13063-65
Tax Relief Act: Senate began consideration of S. 2020, to provide for 
reconciliation pursuant to section 202(b) of the concurrent resolution 
on the budget for fiscal year 2006, taking action on the following 
amendments proposed thereto:
  Pages S12923-40
Pending:
  Dorgan Amendment No. 2587, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
to impose a temporary windfall profit tax on crude oil and to rebate 
the tax collected back to the American consumer.
Pages S12926-38
  Durbin Amendment No. 2596, to express the sense of the Senate 
concerning the provision of health care for children before providing 
tax cuts for the wealthy.
Pages S12938-40
  A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further 
consideration of the bill at approximately 10 a.m., on Thursday, 
November 17, 2005, with 10 hours of debate remaining.
Page S13065
Science/State/Justice/Commerce Appropriations--Conference Report: By 94 
yeas to 5 nays (Vote No. 329), Senate agreed to the conference report 
to accompany H.R. 2862, making appropriations for Science, the 
Department of State, Justice, and Commerce, and related agencies for 
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, clearing the measure for the 
President.
  Pages S12921-23
China Currency--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached to 
modify the order of July 1, 2005, with respect to S. 295, to authorize 
appropriate action in the negotiations with the People's Republic of 
China regarding China's undervalued currency are not successful, 
providing that the Majority Leader, after consultation with the 
Democratic Leader, shall, no later than March 31, 2006, call up the 
bill; with all other provisos remaining.
  Page S12924

[[Page D1221]]

Executive Reports of Committees: Senate received the following 
executive report from the Committee on Foreign Relations:
  Report to accompany Convention Concerning Migratory Fish Stock in the 
Pacific Ocean (Treaty Doc. 109-1) (Ex. Rept. 109-8).
Page S12949
Messages From the President: Senate received the following message from 
the President of the United States:
  Transmitting a draft of proposed legislation entitled ``United 
States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act''; which was 
referred to the Committee on Finance. (PM-32)
Pages S12946-47
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  Marc L. Kesselman, of Tennessee, to be General Counsel of the 
Department of Agriculture.
  Richard T. Crowder, of Virginia, to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator, 
Office of the United States Trade Representative, with the rank of 
Ambassador.
  Daniel Meron, of Maryland, to be General Counsel of the Department of 
Health and Human Services.
  Claudia A. McMurray, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of State 
for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.
  Peter N. Kirsanow, of Ohio, to be a Member of the National Labor 
Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2008. 
                                                            Page S13065
Messages From the House:
  Page S12947
Measures Referred:
  Page S12947
Measures Placed on Calendar:
  Page S12947
Measures Held at Desk:
  Page S12947
Executive Communications:
  Pages S12947-48
Executive Reports of Committees:
  Pages S12948-49
Additional Cosponsors:
  Page S12950
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
  Pages S12950-60
Additional Statements:
  Pages S12945-46
Amendments Submitted:
  Pages S12960-S13038
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
  Pages S13038-39
Privileges of the Floor:
  Page S13039
Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total-329) 
                                           Pages S12906, S12921, S12923
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 7:25 p.m., 
until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, November 17, 2005. (For Senate's program, 
see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page 
S13065.)