[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 31, 2007)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1098-D1101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held 
hearing on the Capitol Visitor Center. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol: 
Stephen T. Ayers, Acting Architect; and Bernard Ungar, Capitol Visitor 
Center Project Executive; Terrell Dorn, Director, Physical 
Infrastructure Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
AUGMENTEE FORCES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing 
on Use of In Lieu Of, Ad Hoc and Augmentee Forces in Operation Enduring 
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Testimony was heard from following 
officials of the Department of Defense: BG Jack B. Eggington, USAF, 
Deputy Director, Operations, U.S. Central Command; MG Jason K. Kamiya, 
USA, Director, Joint Training, U.S. Joint Forces Command; BG David D. 
Halverson, USA, Director, Operations, Readiness and Mobilization, 
Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7. Headquarters U.S. Army; 
RADM Timothy M. Giardina, USN, Director, Information, Plans and 
Security, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; and BG Marke F. 
Gibson, USAF, Director, Current Operations and Training, Deputy Chief 
of Staff, Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters, U.S. Air 
Force.
ALTERNATIVES FOR IRAQ's FUTURE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations continued hearings on A Third Way: Alternatives for 
Iraq's Future (Part 4). Testimony was heard from GEN Jack Keane, USA 
(ret.), former Vice Chief of Staff, Army; LTG Gregory S. Newbold, USMC 
(ret.), former Director, Operations (J-3), Joint Chiefs of Staff; 
former GEN Barry McCaffrey, USA, (ret.); and public witnesses.
IRAQ-AFGHANISTAN MILITARY COSTS
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on the Costs of Military 
Operations and Reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the of the Department of Defense: 
Gordon England, Deputy Secretary; and LTG John F. Sattler, Director, 
Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff; Robert Sunshine, Assistant 
Director, Budget Analysis, CBO; and the following officials of the 
Department of State: Joseph Saloom, Ambassador of the United States and 
Senior Transition Advisor; and John A. Gastright, Jr., Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, South and Central Asian Affairs; and Stuart W. Bowen, Jr., 
Special Inspector General, Iraq Reconstruction.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and 
Consumer Protection approved for full Committee action, as amended, the 
following bills: H.R. 814, Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act; 
H.R. 1699, Danny Keysar Child Product Safety Notification Act; H.R. 
1721, Pool and Spa Safety Act; and H.R. 2474, To provide for an 
increased maximum civil penalty for violations under the Consumer 
Product Safety Act.

[[Page D1099]]


NATIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND ACT OF 2007
Committee on Financial Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 
2895, National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007.
  Committee recessed until tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Ordered reported, as amended, the 
following bills: H.R. 1567, Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act of 2007; and 
H.R. 3096, Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2007.
  The Committee also favorably considered the following measures and 
adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that they be considered 
on the Suspension Calendar: H.R. 1302, amended, Global Poverty Act of 
2007; H.R. 2185, amended, To amend the Tropical Forest Conservation Act 
of 1998 to provide debt relief to developing countries that take action 
to protect forests and coral reefs and associated coastal marine 
ecosystems, to reauthorize such Act through fiscal year 2010; H.R. 
3062, amended, South Pacific Economic and Educational Development Act 
of 2007; H. Res. 32, amended, Denouncing the practices of female 
genital mutilation, domestic violence, ``honor'' killings, acid 
burning, dowry deaths, and other gender-based persecutions and 
expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 
participation, protection, recognition, and independence of women is 
crucial to achieving a just, moral, and honorable society; H. Res. 34, 
amended, Recognizing the 75th birthday of Desmond Mpilo Tutu, South 
African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, and Nobel Peace Prize 
recipient; H. Res. 238, Commending the first democratic elections in 
Aceh, a province in Sumatra, Indonesia, and expressing support for the 
further democratic development and implementation of the Helsinki 
Memorandum of Understanding; H. Res. 508, amended, Recognizing the 
strong security alliance between the Government of Japan and the United 
States and expressing appreciation to Japan for its role in enhancing 
stability in the Asia-Pacific region and its efforts in the Global war 
against terrorism; H. Res. 518, amended, Recognizing the 50th 
anniversary of Malaysia's independence; H. Res. 548, amended, 
Expressing the ongoing concern of the House of Representatives for 
Lebanon's democratic institutions and unwavering support for the 
administration of justice upon those responsible for the assassination 
of Lebanese public figures opposing Syrian control of Lebanon; H. Res. 
557, amended, Strongly condemning the United Nations Human Rights 
Council for ignoring severe human rights abuses in various countries, 
while choosing to unfairly target Israel by including it as the only 
country permanently placed on the Council's agenda; H. Res. 564, 
Recognizing that violence poses an increasingly serious to peace and 
stability in Central America and supporting expanded cooperation 
between the United States and the countries of Central America to 
combat crime and violence; H. Res. 575, Commending the people and the 
Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for their continued 
commitment to holding elections and broadening participation; and H. 
Res. 583, Recognizing the remarkable example of Sir Nicholas Winton who 
organized the rescue of 669 Jewish Czechoslovakian children from Nazi 
death camps prior to the outbreak of World War II.
BORDER PATROL SHOOTING CASE
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International 
Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight held a hearing on the Case 
of Ramos and Compean: the Across-Border Context. Testimony was heard 
from Charles S. Shapiro, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau 
of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State; and public 
witnesses.
REGISTERED TRAVELER PROGRAM
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security 
and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing entitled ``Managing Risk 
and Increasing Efficiency: An Examination of the Implementation of the 
Registered Traveler Program.'' Testimony was heard from Kip Hawley, 
Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration, Department 
of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.
ENSURING ARTISTS FAIR COMPENSATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and 
Intellectual Property held a hearing on Ensuring Artists Fair 
Compensation: Updating the Performance Right and Platform Parity for 
the 21st Century. Testimony was heard from Representative Hodes; 
Marybeth Peters, U.S. Register of Copyrights, U.S. Copyright Office, 
Library of Congress; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--POLITICAL INTERVENTION AT THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
Committee on Natural Resources: Held an oversight hearing on Crisis of 
Confidence: The Political Influence of the Bush Administration on 
Agency Science and Decision-Making. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Thompson of California, Walden of Oregon, Doolittle, 
and Herger; the following officials of the Department of the Interior: 
Mary Kendall, Deputy Inspector General; and H. Dale Hall, Director, 
Fish and Wildlife Service; the following officials of the Department of 
Commerce: John M. Seeba, Assistant Inspector General, Auditing; and

[[Page D1100]]

William Hogarth, Assistant Administrator, NOAA; and public witnesses.
FEMA PREPAREDNESS
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on FEMA 
Preparedness in 2007 and Beyond. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the Department of Homeland Security: R. David Paulison, 
Administrator, FEMA; and Matt Jadacki, Deputy Inspector General; MG 
Terry Scherling, USA, Director, Joint Staff, National Guard Bureau, 
Department of Defense; William Jenkins, Director, Homeland Security and 
Justice Issues, GAO; Darrell Darnell, Director, Homeland Security and 
Emergency Management Agency, GAO; and public witnesses.
FEDERAL COMPENSATION--PAY
Committee on Oversight an Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal 
Workforce, Postal Services, and the District of Columbia held a hearing 
on Federal Compensation, Part I, Pay. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Faleomavaega and Kennedy; Linda Springer, Director, 
OPM; Curtis Copeland, Congressional Research Service, Library of 
Congress; and public witnesses.
  Hearings continue August 2.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2008
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule. The rule 
provides 1 hour of general debate on H.R. 3222, Making appropriations 
for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
2008, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking 
minority member of the Committee on Appropriations.
  The rule provides that the bill shall be considered as read. 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 waives points 
of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with 
clause 2 of rule XXI. During consideration of the bill for amendment, 
the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in 
recognition on the basis of whether the Member offering an amendment 
has caused it to be printed in the Congressional Record. Amendments so 
printed shall be considered as read. The rule provides one motion to 
recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule permits the 
Chair, during consideration of the bill in the House, to postpone 
further consideration of it to a time designated by the Speaker. 
Testimony was heard from Representatives Murtha and Young of Florida.
CONFERENCE REPORT--WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2007
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a rule providing for the 
consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 1495, Water 
Resources Development Act of 2007. The rule waives all points of order 
against the conference report and its consideration. The rule also 
considers the conference report as read. Testimony was heard from 
Chairman Oberstar.
WAIVING CLAUSE 6(A) OF RULE XIII AGAINST CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED 
FROM THE RULES COMMITTEE
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 8 to 4, a resolution waiving 
clause 6(a) of rule XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a 
rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee) against 
certain resolutions reported from the Rules Committee. The rule applies 
the waiver to any resolutions reported on the legislative day of August 
1, 2007, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3161) making 
appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.
CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND MEDICARE PROTECTION ACT OF 2007
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 8 to 4, a closed rule. The 
rule provides two hours of debate in the House on H.R. 3162, Children's 
Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007, with one hour to be equally 
divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of 
the Committee on Ways & Means and one hour to be equally divided and 
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce.
  The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill 
except for clauses 9 and 10 of Rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of 
a substitute recommended by the Committee on Ways & Means now printed 
in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in the Rules Committee 
report, shall be considered as adopted. The rule waives all points of 
order against provisions in the bill as amended and provides that the 
bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule provides one 
motion to recommit with or without instructions. Finally, the rule 
provides that the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill 
to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard by 
Representatives McDermott, Pallone, Hastings of Washington, and 
Blackburn.

[[Page D1101]]


COAST GUARD ADMINISTRATION LAW SYSTEMS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing to review the Coast 
Guard Administration Law System. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security: 
RADM Brian Salerno, USCG, Director, Inspection and Compliance; and CAPT 
Thomas Sparks, USCG, Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Unit; and public 
witnesses.
VETERANS' MEASURES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance 
and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 674, 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal the provision of law 
requiring termination of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans as 
of December 31, 2009; H.R. 1273, To amend title 38, United States Code, 
to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to restore plot allowance 
eligibility for veterans of any war and to restore the headstone or 
marker allowance for eligible persons; H.R. 1900, To amend title 38, 
United States Code, to extend eligibility for pension benefits under 
laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans who 
receive an expeditionary medal during a period of military service 
other than a period of war; H.R. 1901, To amend title 38, United States 
Code, to extend eligibility for pension benefits under laws 
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans who 
served during certain periods of time in specified locations; H.R. 
2346. To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a 
process for determining whether a geographic area is sufficiently 
served by the national cemeteries located in that geographic area; H.R. 
2696, Veterans' Dignified Burial Assistance Act of 2007; and H.R. 2697, 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for 
veterans' mortgage life insurance to include members of the Armed 
Forces receiving specially adapted housing assistance from the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Rahall and Fossella; Bradley H.G. Mayes, Director, 
Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 
Department of Veterans Affairs; and representatives of veterans 
organizations.
DNI 100 DAY PLAN
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on 
Intelligence Community Management held a hearing on DNI 100 Day Plan. 
Testimony was heard from Representatives Rahall, Gutierrez, and 
Fossella; Bradley G. Mayes, Director, Compensation and Pension Service, 
Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and 
representative of veterans organizations.

Joint Meetings
21ST CENTURY COMPETITIVENESS ACT
Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between 
the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 2272, to invest in 
innovation through research and development, and to improve the 
competitiveness of the United States.