[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 133 (Wednesday, December 6, 2006)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1132-D1136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                        Wednesday, December 6, 2006

[[Page D1132]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS:

      Senate confirmed the nomination of Robert M. Gates, of Texas, to 
      be Secretary of Defense.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S11375-S11401
Measures Introduced: Sixteen bills and two resolutions were introduced, 
as follows: S. 4083-4098, and S. Res. 624-625.
  Page S11325
Measures Reported:
  Report to accompany S. 2803, to amend the Federal Mine Safety and 
Health Act of 1977 to improve the safety of mines and mining. (S. Rept. 
No. 109-365)
  Report to accompany S. 3570, to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 
to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2007 through 2011. (S. 
Rept. No. 109-366)
Page S11324
Measures Passed:
  HIV/AIDS Program: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 
was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 6143, to amend title 
XXVI of the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend the program 
for providing lifesaving care for those with HIV/AIDS, and the bill was 
then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment: 
                                                        Pages S11240-43
  Ensign (for Enzi/Kennedy) Amendment No. 5212, in the nature of a 
substitute.
Pages S11242-43
  Sojourner Truth Bust: Committee on Rules and Administration was 
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4510, to direct the Joint 
Committee on the Library to accept the donation of a bust depicting 
Sojourner Truth and to display the bust in a suitable location in the 
Capitol, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the 
President.
  Page S11243
  Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act: Senate passed H.R. 
864, to provide for programs and activities with respect to the 
prevention of underage drinking, after taking action on the following 
amendment proposed thereto:
  Pages S11375-76
  Frist (for Enzi) Amendment No. 5219, in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                            Page S11375
  Sgt. First Class Robert Lee `Bobby' Hollar, Jr. Post Office Building: 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged 
from further consideration of S. 4050, to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 103 East Thompson Street in 
Thomaston, Georgia, as the ``Sergeant First Class Robert Lee `Bobby' 
Hollar, Jr. Post Office Building'', and the bill was then passed. 
                                                            Page S11376
  Tito Puente Post Office Building:  Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 
1472, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 167 East 124th Street in New York, New York, as the ``Tito 
Puente Post Office Building'', and the measure was then passed, 
clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S11376
  Dr. Robert E. Price Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 4246, to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 8135 Forest Lane in Dallas, Texas, as 
the ``Dr. Robert E. Price Post Office Building'', and the bill was then 
passed, clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S11376
  Beverly J. Wilson Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 4720, to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 200 Gateway Drive in Lincoln, 
California, as the ``Beverly J. Wilson Post Office Building'', and the 
bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                            Page S11376
  Lance Corporal Robert A. Martinez Post Office Building:Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 5108, to designate the facility

[[Page D1133]]

of the United States Postal Service located at 1213 East Houston Street 
in Cleveland, Texas, as the ``Lance Corporal Robert A. Martinez Post 
Office Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure 
for the President.
  Page S11376
  Vincent J. Whibbs, Sr. Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 5736, to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 101 Palafox Place in Pensacola, 
Florida, as the ``Vincent J. Whibbs, Sr. Post Office Building'', and 
the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                            Page S11376
  Morris K. ``Mo'' Udall Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 5857, to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 1501 South Cherrybell Avenue in 
Tucson, Arizona, as the ``Morris K. `Mo' Udall Post Office Building'', 
and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                            Page S11376
  Dr. Leonard Price Stavisky Post Office:Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of 
H.R. 5923, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 29-50 Union Street in Flushing, New York, as the 
``Dr. Leonard Price Stavisky Post Office'', and the bill was then 
passed, clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S11376
  John J. Sinde Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of 
H.R. 5989, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 10240 Roosevelt Road in Westchester, Illinois, as 
the `John J. Sinde Post Office Building', and the bill was then passed, 
clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S11376
  Wallace W. Sykes Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of 
H.R. 5990, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 415 South 5th Avenue in Maywood, Illinois, as the 
``Wallace W. Sykes Post Office Building'',and the bill was then passed, 
clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S11376
  Chuck Fortenberry Post Office Building:Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of 
H.R. 6078, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 307 West Wheat Street in Woodville, Texas, as the 
``Chuck Fortenberry Post Office Building'', and the bill was then 
passed, clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S11376
  Captain Christopher Petty Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 6102, to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 200 Lawyers Road, NW in Vienna, 
Virginia, as the ``Captain Christopher Petty Post Office Building'', 
and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                            Page S11376
  Hamilton H. Judson Post Office: Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 
6151, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 216 Oak Street in Farmington, Minnesota, as the ``Hamilton 
H. Judson Post Office'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the 
measure for the President.
  Page S11376
  Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act: 
Senate passed S. 3546, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act with respect to serious adverse event reporting for dietary 
supplements and nonprescription drugs, after agreeing to the committee 
amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  Pages S11376-81
  Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe Land: Senate passed H.R. 854, to provide 
for certain lands to be held in trust for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute 
Tribe, clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S11381
  Water Resources Research Act Amendments: Senate passed H.R. 4588, to 
reauthorize grants for and require applied water supply research 
regarding the water resources research and technology institutes 
established under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, after 
agreeing to the following amendment:
  Pages S11381-82
  Frist (for Inhofe) Amendment No. 5213, to modify provisions relating 
to scope of research, other activities, and cooperation and 
coordination.
Pages S11381-82
  Jefferson County, Colorado Land Use: Senate passed S. 4092, to 
clarify certain land use in Jefferson County, Colorado.
  Page S11382
  Farm Security and Rural Investment Act Amendment: Senate passed S. 
4093, to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to 
extend a suspension of limitation on the period for which certain 
borrowers are eligible for guaranteed assistance.
  Page S11382
  Senate National Security Working Group Extension: Senate agreed to S. 
Res. 625, extending the

[[Page D1134]]

authority for the Senate National Security Working Group.
  Page S11382
  Dam Safety Act: Senate passed S. 2735, to amend the National Dam 
Safety Program Act to reauthorize the national dam safety program, 
after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                        Pages S11382-83
  Frist (for Inhofe) Amendment No. 5214, in the nature of a substitute.
                                                            Page S11383
  Pool and Spa Safety Act: Senate passed S. 3718, to increase the 
safety of swimming pools and spas by requiring the use of proper anti-
entrapment drain covers and pool and spa drainage systems, by 
establishing a swimming pool safety grant program administered by the 
Consumer Product Safety Commission to encourage States to improve their 
pool and spa safety laws and to educate the public about pool and spa 
safety, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  Pages S11383-84
  Iraq Reconstruction Accountability Act: Senate passed S. 4046, to 
extend oversight and accountability related to United States 
reconstruction funds and efforts in Iraq by extending the termination 
date of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq 
Reconstruction.
  Pages S11384-85
  Honoring William Wilberforce: Committee on the Judiciary was 
discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 613, honoring the life 
and work of William Wilberforce and commemorating the 200th anniversary 
of the abolition of the slave trade in Great Britain, and the 
resolution was then agreed to.
  Page S11385
  National Purple Heart Hall of Honor: Committee on Armed Services was 
discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 419, recognizing 
and supporting the efforts of the State of New York to develop the 
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York, and the 
resolution was then agreed to.
  Page S11385
  Recognizing American Council of Young Political Leaders: Committee on 
Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of H. Con. 
Res. 430, recognizing the accomplishments of the American Council of 
Young Political Leaders for providing 40 years of international 
exchange programs, increasing international dialogue, and enhancing 
global understanding, and commemorating its 40th anniversary, and the 
resolution was then agreed to, after agreeing to the following 
amendment proposed thereto:
  Page S11385
  Frist Amendment No. 5215, to amend the preamble.
Page S11385
  Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards 
Conforming Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was 
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4583, to amend the Wool 
Products Labeling Act of 1939 to revise the requirements for labeling 
of certain wool and cashmere products, and the bill was then passed, 
clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S11385
  Aerospace Revitalization Task Force: Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 
758, to establish an interagency aerospace revitalization task force to 
develop a national strategy for aerospace workforce recruitment, 
training, and cultivation, and the bill was then passed, clearing the 
measure for the President.
  Page S11386
  Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Reauthorization Act: Committee 
on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 
1285, to extend for 3 years changes to requirements for admission of 
non-immigrant nurses in health professional shortage areas made by the 
Nursing Relief for Disadvantage Areas Act of 1999, and the bill was 
then passed, clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S11386
  Department of Justice Attorneys Travel Time: Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of S. 1876, to provide that attorneys employed by the 
Department of Justice shall be eligible for compensatory time off for 
travel under section 5550b of title 5, United States Code, and the bill 
was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed 
thereto:
  Page S11386
  Frist (for Akaka) Amendment No. 5216, to revise the description of a 
certain citation.
Page S11386
  Department of Justice Attorneys Travel Time: Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 4057, to provide that attorneys employed by the 
Department of Justice shall be eligible for compensatory time off for 
travel under section 5550b of title 5, United States Code, and the bill 
was then passed, clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S11386
  Secure Access to Justice and Court Protection Act: Committee on the 
Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1751, to 
amend title 18, United States Code, to protect judges, prosecutors, 
witnesses, victims, and their family members, and the bill was then 
passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                        Pages S11386-87

[[Page D1135]]


  Frist (for Specter) Amendment No. 5217, to amend title 18, United 
States Code, to protect judges, prosecutors, witnesses, victims, and 
their family members.
Page S11387
  Native American Languages Preservation Act: Committee on Indian 
Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4766, to 
amend the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to provide for the 
revitalization of Native American languages through Native American 
language immersion programs, and the bill was then passed, clearing the 
measure for the President.
                                                            Page S11387
  Call Home Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was 
discharged from further consideration of S. 2653, to direct the Federal 
Communications Commission to make efforts to reduce telephone rates for 
Armed Forces personnel deployed overseas, and the bill was then passed, 
after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                            Page S11387
  Frist (for Stevens) Amendment No. 5218, to enhance public safety. 
                                                            Page S11387
  Marine Mammal Protection Act Amendments Act: Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration 
of H.R. 4075, to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 in 
order to implement the Agreement on the Conservation and Management of 
the Alaska-Chukotka Polar Bear Population, after agreeing to the 
following amendments proposed thereto:
                                                            Page S11387
  Frist (for Stevens) Amendment No. 5220, in the nature of a 
substitute.
Page S11387
  Frist (for Stevens) Amendment No. 5221, to amend the title.
  Secretary of the Army Authority Extension: Senate passed H.R. 6316, 
to extend through December 31, 2008, the authority of the Secretary of 
the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public 
entities to expedite the processing of permits, clearing the measure 
for the President.
                                                            Page S11387
  Creating Opportunities for Minor League Professional, Entertainers, 
and Teams Through Legal Entry Act: Committee on the Judiciary was 
discharged from further consideration of S. 3821, to authorize certain 
athletes to be admitted temporarily into the United States to compete 
or perform in an athletic league, competition, or performance, and the 
bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment 
proposed thereto:
                                                        Pages S11387-88
  Frist (for Collins) Amendment No. 5223, in the nature of a 
substitute.
Page S11388
  Admonishing President Hugo Chavez Statements: Committee on Foreign 
Relations was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 607, 
admonishing the statements made by President Hugo Chavez at the United 
Nations General Assembly on September 20, 2006, and the undemocratic 
actions of President Chavez, and the resolution was then agreed to. 
                                                        Pages S11388-89
  Living Resources of the High Seas Protection: Committee on Foreign 
Relations was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 610, 
expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should 
promote the adoption of, and the United Nations should adopt, a 
resolution at its October meeting to protect the living resources of 
the high seas from destructive, illegal, unreported, and unregulated 
fishing practices, and the resolution was then agreed to. 
                                                        Pages S11388-89
  Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence Act: Senate passed S. 
2322, to amend the Public Health Service Act to make the provision of 
technical services for medical imaging examinations and radiation 
therapy treatments safer, more accurate, and less costly, after 
agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                        Pages S11389-91
  National Integrated Drought Information System Act: Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 5136, to establish a National Integrated Drought 
Information System within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to improve drought monitoring and forecasting 
capabilities, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for 
the President.
                                                            Page S11391
Military Construction/VA Appropriations--Conferees: Senate insisted on 
its amendment to H.R. 5385, making appropriations for Military 
Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2007 (passed the Senate on November 14, 
2006), requested a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair was 
authorized to appoint the following conferees on the part of the 
Senate: Senators Hutchison, Burns, Craig, DeWine, Brownback, Allard, 
McConnell, Cochran, Stevens, Feinstein, Inouye, Johnson, Landrieu, 
Byrd, Murray, Leahy, and Harkin.
  Pages S11269-70
Agriculture Appropriations--Vote Change: A unanimous-consent request 
was granted permitting Senator Stevens to change his yea vote to a nay 
vote on Vote No. 271 on the motion to waive relative to Conrad 
Amendment No. 5205, rejected on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, to H.R. 
5384, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development Food

[[Page D1136]]

and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2007.
  Page S11274
Export-Import Bank Reauthorization House Message: Senate concurred in 
the amendment of the House to S. 3938, to reauthorize the Export-Import 
Bank of the United States, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                        Pages S11391-96
Nomination: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Kent A. 
Jordan, of Delaware, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third 
Circuit.
  Page S11396
  A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination, and, 
in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, a vote on cloture may occur on Friday, December 8, 2006. 
                                                            Page S11396
Nomination Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing for further consideration of the nomination of Andrew von 
Eschenbach, of Texas, to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department 
of Health and Human Services, with 60 minutes of debate equally 
divided, followed by a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the 
nomination.
  Page S11396
Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination:
  By 95 yeas 2 nays (Vote No. EX. 272), Robert M. Gates, of Texas, to 
be Secretary of Defense.
Pages S11259-93, S11401
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  Michael J. Burns, of New Mexico, to be Assistant to the Secretary of 
Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs.
  Beryl A. Howell, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the 
United States Sentencing Commission for a term expiring October 31, 
2011.
  John R. Steer, of Virginia, to be a Member of the United States 
Sentencing Commission for a term expiring October 31, 2011.
  Rosemary E. Rodriguez, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Election 
Assistance Commission for the remainder of the term expiring December 
12, 2007.
Pages S11400-01
Nominations Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of 
the following nominations:
  David H. Laufman, of Texas, to be Inspector General, Department of 
Defense, which was sent to the Senate on June 5, 2006.
  Tracy A. Henke, of Missouri, to be Executive Director of the Office 
of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness, Department 
of Homeland Security, which was sent to the Senate on September 5, 
2006.
Page S11401
Messages From the House:
  Pages S11321-22
Measures Placed on Calendar:
  Page S11322
Executive Communications:
  Pages S11322-24
Executive Reports of Committees:
  Pages S11324-25
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages S11325-26
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
  Pages S11326-49
Additional Statements:
  Pages S11320-21
Amendments Submitted:
  Pages S11349-72
Authorities for Committees to Meet:
  Pages S11372-73
Privileges of the Floor:
  Page S11372
Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--272) 
                                                        Pages S11292-93
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 9:30 p.m., 
until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 7, 2006. (For Senate's program, 
see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page 
S11396.)