[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 13, 2005)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1278-D1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
IMPORTED PHARMACEUTICALS SAFETY
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Safety of Imported 
Pharmaceuticals: Strengthening Efforts to Combat the Sales of 
Controlled Substances Over the Internet.'' Testimony was heard from 
Richard Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO; 
Joseph Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion 
Control, Deputy Chief, Office of Enforcement Operations, DEA, 
Department of Justice; Jayson Aherne, Assistant Commissioner, Office of 
Field Operations, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Department 
of Homeland Security; Robert Meyer, M.D., Director, Office of Drug 
Evaluation II, Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and 
Research, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services; and public 
witnesses.
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME SECURITY
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on National Security, 
Emerging Threats and International Relations and the Subcommittee on 
Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources held a joint hearing 
entitled ``International Maritime Security.'' Testimony was heard from 
Chris Swecker, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation Division, 
FBI, Department of Justice; the following officials of the United 
States Coast Guard,. Department of Homeland Security: RADM Wayne 
Justice, Director, Operations Policy; and RADM John Crowley, Judge 
Advocate General; RADM James E. McPherson, USN, The Judge Advocate 
General, Department of the Navy; and public witnesses.
STATE TAXATION OF RETIREMENT INCOME; BUSINESS ACTIVITY TAX 
SIMPLIFICATION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and 
Administrative Law approved for full Committee action the following 
bills: H.R. 4019, To amend title 4 of the United States Code to clarify 
the treatment of self-employment for purposes of the limitation on 
State taxation of retirement income; and H.R. 1956, amended, Business 
Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2005.
  Prior to this action, the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 4019. 
Testimony was heard from former Representative George W. Gekas, State 
of Pennsylvania; and public witnesses.
CONFERENCE REPORT--USA PATRIOT IMPROVEMENT AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
2005
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points 
of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 3199, USA 
Patriot Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005, and against its 
consideration. Testimony was heard from Chairman Sensenbrenner.

[[Page D1279]]


CONFERENCE REPORT--DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HHS, AND EDUCATION, AND 
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points 
of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 3010, 
Departments of Labor, Heath and Human Services, and Education, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006, and against its 
consideration. The rule provides that the conference report shall be 
considered as read. Testimony was heard from Chairman Lewis.
HURRICANE KATRINA--CHARITIES RESPONSE
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing 
to Review the Response by Charities to Hurricane Katrina. Testimony was 
heard from Representative McCrery; Cynthia M. Fagnoni, Managing 
Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security, GAO; and public 
witnesses.

Joint Meetings
APPROPRIATIONS: LABOR/HHS/EDUCATION
Conferees agreed on Monday, December 12, 2005, to file a conference 
report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions 
of H.R. 3010, making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, 
Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2006.