[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 27, 2007)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D416-D419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
RURAL AMERICA CREDIT AVAILABILITY
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, 
and Research held a hearing to review credit availability in rural 
America. Testimony was heard from Glen L. Keppy, Associate 
Administrator, Farm Service Agency, USDA; Nancy C. Pellet, Chairman of 
the Board and CEO, Farm Credit Administration; and public witnesses.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, 
Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing on State and Local Grants, 
and on Bureau of Prisons. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the Department of Justice: Regina B. Schofield, Director, 
Office of Justice Programs; Carl R. Peed, Director, Community Oriented 
Policing Services; and Mary Beth Buchanan, Acting Director, Office of 
Violence Against Women; John F. Clark, Director United Marshals 
Service; Harley Lappin, Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons; and Stacia 
Hylton, Trustee, Office of the Federal Detention Trustee.
FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and 
General Government held a hearing on the SEC. Testimony was heard from 
Christopher Cox, Chairman, SEC
HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a 
hearing on Priorities in Enforcing Immigration Laws and Temporary 
Worker Program. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Homeland Security: Julie Myers, Assistant Secretary, 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Emilio Gonzalez, Director, U.S. 
Citizenship and Immigration Services; and Jim Taylor, Deputy Inspector 
General.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and 
Related Agencies held a hearing on National Park Service. Testimony was 
heard from Mary Bomar, Director, National Park Service, Department of 
the Interior.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, Education and Related Agencies continued appropriations 
hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
  Will continue tomorrow.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a 
hearing on Government Printing Office: Budget/Printing Technology in 
the 21st Century. Testimony was heard from the following officials of 
the GPO: William Turri, Acting Public Printer; Michael Wash, Chief 
Technology Officer; and Robert Tapella, Chief of Staff.
STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, 
and Related Programs held a hearing on International Organizations and 
International Peacekeeping Programs. Testimony was heard from Kristen 
Silverberg, Assistant Secretary, International Organization Affairs, 
Department of State.
TRANSPORTATION, HUD AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, and 
Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on 
Housing Needs of Special Populations. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of Housing and Urban Development: 
Orlando Cabrera, Assistant Secretary, Public and Indian Housing; and 
Brian Montgomery, Assistant Secretary, Housing and Federal Housing 
Commissioner.
ARMY GROUND FORCE ACQUISITION PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces held a 
hearing on Army ground force acquisition programs. Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the Department of Defense: James I. 
Finley, Deputy Under Secretary, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; 
Claude M. Bolton, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Army, Acquisition, 
Logistics and Technology; and LTG John M. Curran, USA, Deputy 
Commander, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command; and Paul L. 
Francis, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO.

[[Page D417]]


MILITARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a 
hearing on the state of the military health care system. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: MG 
Gale S. Pollock, USA, Acting Surgeon General of the Army; VADM Donald 
C. Arthur, USN, Surgeon General of the Navy, Bureau of Medicine and 
Surgery; and LTG James G. Roudebush, USAF, Surgeon General, Department 
of the Air Force; and public witnesses.
ARMY/AIR NATIONAL GUARD READINESS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing 
on the readiness of the Army and Air National Guard. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: LTG H. 
Steven Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard Bureau; LTG Clyde A. Vaughn, 
USA, Director, Army National Guard; and LTG Craig R. McKinley, USAF, 
Director, Air National Guard.
MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAMS BUDGET
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a 
hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Budget 
Request for missile defense programs. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of Defense: LTG Henry A. Obering, 
USAF, Director, Missile Defense Agency; LTG Kevin T. Campbell, USA, 
Commanding General, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army 
Forces Strategic Command; Charles E. McQueary, Director, Operational 
Test and Evaluation; Brian Green, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Strategic 
Capabilities.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR CLASSIFICATION
Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Workforce Protections 
held a hearing on Providing Fairness to Workers Who Have Been 
Misclassified as Independent Contractors. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air 
Quality held a hearing entitled ``Climate Change--International Issues, 
Engaging Developing Countries.'' Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.
CHILDREN'S DENTAL CARE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
entitled ``Insuring Bright Futures: Improving Access to Dental Care and 
Providing a Healthy Start for Children.'' Testimony was heard from 
Christine Farrell, Medicaid Policy Specialist, Department of Community 
Health, Medical Service Administration, State of Michigan; and public 
witnesses.
SUBPRIME/PREDATORY MORTGAGE LENDING
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions 
held a hearing entitled ``Subprime and Predatory Lending: New 
Regulatory Guidance, Current Market Conditions, and Effects on 
Regulated Financial Institutions.'' Testimony was heard from Sheila 
Bair, Chairman, FDIC; John Reich, Director, Office of Thrift 
Supervision; JoAnn Johnson, Chairman, National Credit Union 
Administration; E. Wayne Rushtop, Senior Deputy Comptroller, Office of 
the Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the Treasury; Sandra F. 
Braunstein, Director, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, 
Federal Reserve Board, Federal Reserve System; and public witnesses.
NATURAL DISASTER INSURANCE
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community 
Opportunity held a hearing entitled ``Perspectives on Natural Disaster 
Insurance.'' Testimony was heard from Representatives Taylor; Klein of 
Florida; Mahoney of Florida; and Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida; and 
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Ordered reported the following bills: 
H.R. 982, ADVANCE Democracy Act of 2007; H.R. 1405, amended, Wildlife 
GAINS Act of 2007; H.R. 1441, Stop Arming Iran Act; H.R. 1469, Senator 
Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007; H.R. 1681, amended, 
American Red Cross Governance Modernization Act of 2007; and H.R. 1678, 
Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2007.
  The Committee also favorably considered and adopted a motion urging 
the Chairman to request that the following measures be considered on 
the Suspension Calendar: H. Res. 100, Expressing the sympathy of the 
House of Representatives to the families of women and girls murdered in 
Guatemala and encouraging the Government of Guatemala to bring an end 
to these crimes; H. Res. 125, amended, Expressing deep concern over the 
use of civilians as ``human shields'' in violation of international 
humanitarian law and the law of war during armed conflict, including 
Hezbollah's tactic of embedding its forces among civilians to use them 
as human shields during the summer 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and 
the State of Israel; H. Res. 158, amended, Observing the 200th 
anniversary of the abolition of the

[[Page D418]]

British slave trade and encouraging the people of the United States, 
particularly the youth of the United States, to remember the life and 
legacy of William Wilberforce, a member of the British House of Commons 
who devoted his life to the suppression and abolition of the 
institution of slavery, and to work for the protection of human rights 
throughout the world; H. Res. 196, Supporting the goals and ideals of 
World Water Day; H. Res. 240, Urging all member countries of the 
International Commission of the International Tracing Service (ITS) who 
have yet to ratify the May 2006 Amendments to the 1955 Bonn Accords 
Treaty, to expedite the ratification process to allow for open access 
to the Holocaust archives located at Bad Arolsen, Germany; and H. Res. 
267, Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of British 
marines and sailors held captive by Iran; and H. Con. Res. 100, 
Condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe 
against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil 
society.
U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and 
the Global Environment held a hearing on U.S.-China Relations. 
Testimony was heard from Thomas J. Christensen, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of 
State.
IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION FUNDING
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International 
Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight and the Subcommittee on the 
Middle East and South Asia held a joint hearing on Can Iraq Pay for its 
Own Reconstruction? Testimony was heard from David Satterfield, Senior 
Adviser, Coordinator for Iraq, Department of State; and Stuart W. 
Bowen, Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction.
SECOND CHANCE ACT; CRIMINAL OFFENDERS MENTAL ILLNESS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland 
Security approved for full Committee action H.R. 1593, Second Chance 
Act of 2007.
  The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Criminal Justice Responses to 
Offenders with Mental Illness. Testimony was heard from Steven Leifman, 
Judge, Criminal Division, Miami-Dade County Court, Florida's 11th 
Judicial Circuit, Miami, Florida; Lieutenant Richard Wall, Los Angeles 
Police Department; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL LAND RECREATION
Committee on Natural Resources: Held an oversight hearing on Access 
Denied: The Growing Conflict Between Fishing, Hunting, and Energy 
Development on Federal Lands. Testimony was heard from Dan Gibbs, 
Representative, General Assembly, State of Colorado; and public 
witnesses.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE ACCESS ACT EXTENSION
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal 
Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia approved for 
full Committee action H.R. 1124, To extend the District of Columbia 
College Access Act of 1999.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 3, a structured rule. 
The rule provides four hours of general debate on H. Con. Res. 99, 
establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government 
for fiscal year 2008, with three hours to be equally divided and 
controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee 
on the Budget and one hour on the subject of economic goals and 
policies equally divided and controlled by Representative Maloney of 
New York and Representative Saxton of New Jersey or their designees. 
The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the 
concurrent resolution. The Rule provides that the concurrent resolution 
shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule and shall 
be considered as read.
  The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules 
Committee report accompanying the resolution. The rule provides that 
the amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed 
in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the 
report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time 
specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent 
and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be 
subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the 
Committee of the Whole. The rule permits the Chairman of the Budget 
Committee to offer amendments in the House to achieve mathematical 
consistency. The rule provides that the concurrent resolution shall not 
be subject to a demand for division of the question of its adoption. 
Testimony was heard from Chairman Spratt and Representatives Cooper, 
Scott of Virginia, Berkley, Ryan of Wisconsin, Porter, Kirk, Tim Murphy 
of Pennsylvania and Jordan of Ohio.

[[Page D419]]


WOUNDED WARRIOR ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2007
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a structured rule. The 
rule provides one hour and twenty minutes of general debate on H.R. 
1538, Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007, with one hour equally 
divided and controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of 
the Committee on Armed Services and twenty minutes equally divided and 
controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs. The rule waives all points of order against 
consideration of the bill except those arising under clauses 9 and 10 
of Rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute recommended by the Committee on Armed Services shall be 
considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall 
be considered as read.
  The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules 
Committee report accompanying the resolution. The rule provides that 
the amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed 
in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the 
report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time 
specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent 
and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be 
subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the 
Committee of the Whole. The rule waives all points of order against the 
amendments printed in the report except for those arising under clauses 
9 and 10 of Rule XXI. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or 
without instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Skelton and 
Representatives Sestak, Welch of Vermont, Lowey, Stupak, Kennedy, 
Pascrell, Hunter, Kline of Minnesota, Moran of Kansas, Bilirakis, 
Shays, Weller of Illinois and Pearce.
CRUISE SHIP CRIMES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Crimes Against 
Americans on Cruise Ships. Testimony was heard from Salvador Hernandez, 
Deputy Assistant Director, FBI, Department of Justice; RADM Wayne 
Justice, USCG, Assistant Commandant for Response, U.S. Coast Guard, 
Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.
FEDERAL FUEL TAX/HIGHWAY TRUST FUND
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Highways and Transit held a hearing on the Structure of the Federal 
Fuel Tax and the Long-Term Viability of the Highways Trust Fund. 
Testimony was heard from David B. Marron, Deputy Director, CBO; and 
public witnesses.
MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE ABUSE PARITY
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on 
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Kennedy and Ramstad; and public witnesses.
DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE INTEGRATION
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session 
held a hearing on Integration of Domestic Intelligence. Testimony was 
heard from departmental witnesses.