[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D519-D522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic 
Agriculture held a hearing to review the economic impacts of 
production, processing and marketing of organic agricultural products. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on 
Army Reset. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Army: LTG Stephen Speakes, G8; LTG Ann Dunwoody G4; and 
LTG William Mortensen, Army Material Command.
  The Subcommittee also held a hearing on Army/Marine Corps Personnel 
Issues. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Defense: LTG Michael D. Rochelle, USA, Deputy Chief of 
Staff, G1; and LTG Ronald S. Coleman, USMC, Deputy Commandant, Manpower 
and Reserve Power.
FINANCIAL SERVICE AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee n Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and 
General Government held a hearing on the GSA. Testimony was heard from 
Lurita A. Doan, Administrator, GSA.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and 
Related Agencies continued appropriation hearing. Testimony was heard 
from public witnesses (Native Americans).
U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND BUDGET
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 
National Defense Authorization Budget Request U.S. Central Command. 
Testimony was heard from ADM William Fallon, USN, Commander, U.S. 
Central Command, Department of Defense.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION FUELS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air 
Quality held a hearing entitled ``Alternative Transportation Fuels: An 
Overview.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MEDICARE PROGRAM EFFICIENCY AND INTEGRITY
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
entitled ``Medicare Program Efficiency and Integrity.'' Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and 
Human Services: Leslie V. Norwalk, Acting Administrator, Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Stuart E. Wright, Deputy Inspector 
General, Evaluation and Inspections; Daniel S. Fridman, Senior Counsel 
to the Deputy Attorney General and Special Counsel for Health Care 
Fraud, Department of Justice; and Mark E. Miller, Executive Director, 
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.
LEBANON'S POLITICAL SITUATION
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Middle East and South 
Asia held a hearing on the Political Situation in Lebanon. Testimony 
was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: C. 
David Welch, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; and 
Mark Ward, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia and 
the Near East, U.S. Agency for International Development.
ISOLATING PROLIFERATORS AND SPONSORS OF TERROR
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Terrorism, 
Nonproliferation and Trade, and the Subcommittee on Domestic, and 
International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology of the Committee on 
Financial Services held a joint hearing on Isolating Proliferators and 
Sponsors of Terror: The Use of Sanctions and the International 
Financial System to Change Regime Behavior. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the Department of the Treasury: Daniel 
Glaser, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Terrorist Financing and Financial 
Crimes, Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence; and Adam J. 
Szubin, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control;

[[Page D520]]

the following officials of the Department of State: Paul E. Simons, 
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business 
Affairs; and Patricia McNerney, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation; Sarah Steelman, 
Treasurer, State of Missouri; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL SECURITY AND MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, 
Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, hearing entitled ``Can 
BioShield Effectively Procure Medical Countermeasures that Safeguard 
the Nation?'' Testimony was heard from Jeffrey Runge, M.D., Assistant 
Secretary, Health Affairs (Acting) and Chief Medical Officer, Office of 
Health Affairs, Department of Homeland Security; and the following 
officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Gerry Parker, 
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary, Preparedness and Response; Anthony Fauci, M.D., Director, 
National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH; and Jesse 
Goodman, M.D., Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, 
FDA.
SUBPOENAS REGARDING RECENT TERMINATION OF U.S. ATTORNEYS
Committee on the Judiciary: Postponed consideration of the following: a 
resolution authorizing the Chairman to issue a subpoena to Monica 
Goodling for testimony and related documents at a hearing before the 
Committee regarding the circumstances surrounding recent terminations 
of U.S. Attorneys, representations to Congress regarding those 
circumstances, and related matters; and a resolution directing the 
House General Counsel to apply to a United States district court for an 
order immunizing from use in prosecutions the testimony of, and related 
information provided by, Monica Goodling under compulsion at 
proceedings before or ancillary to the Committee regarding the 
circumstances surrounding recent terminations of U.S. Attorneys, 
representations to Congress regarding those circumstances, and related 
matters.
  The Committee also considered pending Committee business.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Held a hearing on the following bills: 
H.R. 1294, Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal 
Recognition Act of 2006; and H.R. 65, Lumbee Recognition Act. Testimony 
was heard from Senator Dole; Representatives McIntryre, Moran of 
Virginia, Scott of Virginia, Wolf; Hayes, Jones of North Carolina, and 
McHenry; Carl J. Artman, Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, Bureau of 
Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL CAPITAL TRANSPORTATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2007
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Ordered reported, as 
amended, H.R. 401, National Capital Transportation Amendments Act of 
2007.
ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEMS
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on 
Information Policy, Census and National Archives held a hearing on 
Ensuring Fairness and Accuracy in Elections Involving Electronic Voting 
Systems. Testimony was heard from Gracia Hillman, Commissioner, U.S. 
Election Assistance Commission; Randolph Hite, Director, Information 
Technology Architecture and Systems, GAO; Robin Carnahan, Secretary of 
State, State of Missouri; and public witnesses.
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2007
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a structured rule. The 
rule provides for 1 hour of general debate on H.R. 1495, Water 
Resources Development Act of 2007, equally divided and controlled by 
the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure.
  The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill 
except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes 
in order the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as an original bill for 
the purpose of further amendment and shall be considered as read. The 
rule waives all points of order against the committee amendment except 
those arising under clauses 9 or 10 of rule XXI.
  The rule makes in order those amendments printed in the report and 
waives all points of order against such amendments except those arising 
under clauses 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides one motion to 
recommit with or without instructions. Finally, during consideration of 
H.R. 1495 in the House, notwithstanding the operation of the previous 
question, the Chair may postpone further consideration until a time 
designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representatives 
Eddie Bernice Johnson, Welch of Vermont, Stupak, Blumenauer and Baker.
SOWING THE SEEDS THROUGH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a structured rule. The 
rule provides for 1 hour of general

[[Page D521]]

debate on H.R. 363, Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering 
Research Act, equally divided and controlled by the Chairman and 
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Science and Technology.
  The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill 
except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes 
in order the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the 
Committee on Science and Technology as the original bill for the 
purpose of further amendment. The committee amendment in the nature of 
a substitute shall be considered as an original bill and shall be 
considered as read. All points of order against the committee amendment 
are waived except those arising under clauses 9 or 10 of rule XXI.
  The rule makes in order those amendments printed in the report and 
waives all points of order against such amendments except those arising 
under clauses 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides one motion to 
recommit with or without instructions. Finally, notwithstanding the 
operation of the previous question, during consideration of the bill 
the Chair may postpone further consideration to a time designated by 
the Speaker. Testimony was head from Chairman Gordon and Representative 
Hall of Texas.
DC HOUSE VOTING RIGHTS ACT; AMEND INTERNAL REVENUE CODE TO ADJUST 
ESTIMATED TAX PAYMENT SAFE HARBOR BASED ON INCOME FOR PRECEDING YEAR IN 
THE CASE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME GREATER THAN $5 
MILLION
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 4, a closed rule. With 
respect to H.R. 1905, the rule provides for 1 hour of debate on H.R. 
1905, District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act, equally divided and 
controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee 
on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against the bill 
and its consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 
of rule XXI. The rule provides one motion to recommit H.R. 1905 with or 
without instructions.
  With respect to H.R. 1906, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
to adjust the estimated tax payment safe harbor based on income for the 
preceding year in the case of individuals with adjusted gross income 
greater than $5 million, the rule provides for 1 hour of debate equally 
divided and controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of 
the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order 
against the bill and its consideration except those arising under 
clauses 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides one motion to recommit 
H.R. 1906 with or without instructions.
  The rule further provides that, if either bill fails of passage or 
fails to reach the question of passage by an order of recommittal, then 
both bills shall be laid upon the table. Otherwise, in the engrossment 
of H.R. 1905, the Clerk shall add the text of H.R. 1906 at the end and 
conform the resulting bill. H.R. 1906 and H.R. 1433 shall be laid upon 
the table. Finally, notwithstanding the operation of the previous 
question, during consideration of either H.R. 1905 or H.R. 1906, the 
Chair may postpone further consideration until a time designated by the 
Speaker. Testimony was heard from Representative Issa.
OVERSIGHT--FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE DOWNSIZING
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Held an oversight 
hearing on Proposals to Downsize the Federal Protective Service and 
Effects on the Protection of Federal Buildings. Testimony was heard 
from Representative Wu; Michael P. Jackson, Deputy Secretary, 
Department of Homeland Security; the following employees of the Federal 
Protective Service: Inspector Michael J. Brown; Inspector Sterling 
Proctor, Jr.; Corporal Stanley Nowak; and Officer Jim Ward; and public 
witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--COAST GUARD DEEPWATER REQUIREMENTS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Held an oversight 
hearing on Compliance with Requirements of the Coast Guard's Deepwater 
Contract. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the U.S. 
Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security: Scott Sampson, Section 
Chief, Development Section, U.S. Coast Guard Maintenance and Logistics 
Command Atlantic in the Vessel Specifications Branch; Debu Ghosh, Naval 
Architect, Branch Chief, Boat Engineering Branch; Joe Michael, 
Assistant Deputy, Systems Implementation, Nationwide Automatic 
Identification System Project; LCDR Chad Jacoby, USCG, Program Manager, 
Scaleable Composite Vessel Prototype Program Science and Technology 
Directorate; Cathy Martindale, Contracting Office Chief, Engineering 
and Logistics Center; and RADM Gary T. Blore, USCG, Program Executive 
Officer, Integrated Deepwater System; VADM Paul E. Sullivan, USN, 
Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, U.S. Navy; and public witnesses.
VA HEALTHCARE ACCESS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Ordered reported H.R. 1642, Homeless 
Veterans Housing at Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center Promotion Act.

[[Page D522]]


WWII MERCHANT MARINE BENEFITS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Held a hearing on H.R. 23, Belated 
Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007. 
Testimony was heard from Bradley G. Mayes, Director, Compensation and 
Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of 
Veterans Affairs; former Merchant Marine Combat Veterans; and 
representatives of U.S. Merchant Marine veterans organizations.
VA HEALTH CARE
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
on access to VA Health Care: How Easy is it for Veterans? Addressing 
the Gaps. Testimony was heard from Marcia Brand, M.D., Associate 
Administrator, Rural Heath Policy, Health Resources Services 
Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; Gerald Cross, 
M.D., Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Health, Veterans Health 
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and public witnesses.
ALL-SOURCE ANALYSIS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, 
Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive 
session to hold a hearing on All-Source Analysis. Testimony was heard 
from departmental witnesses.
GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONS--RISING OIL DEPENDENCE AND GLOBAL WARMING
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a 
hearing entitled ``Geopolitical Implications of Rising Oil Dependence 
and Global Warming.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

Joint Meetings
BUSINESS MEETING
Joint Committee on the Library: Committee adopted its rules of 
procedure for the 110th Congress.
BUSINESS MEETING
Joint Committee on Printing: Committee adopted its rules of procedure 
for the 110th Congress.