[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1653-D1658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                       Wednesday, December 19, 2007

[[Page D1653]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      Senate passed H.J. Res. 72, Continuing Appropriations.
      Senate completed action on S. Con. Res. 61, Adjournment 
      Resolution.

      The House agreed to the Senate amendment to the House amendment 
      to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2764, Consolidated Appropriations 
      Act, 2008.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S15945-S16071
Measures Introduced: Fourteen bills and four resolutions were 
introduced, as follows: S. 11, S. 2519-2531, S. Res. 417-418, and S. 
Con. Res. 63-64.                                        
  Pages S16005-06
Measures Reported:
  S. 772, to amend the Federal antitrust laws to provide expanded 
coverage and to eliminate exemptions from such laws that are contrary 
to the public interest with respect to railroads, with amendments. (S. 
Rept. No. 110-252)
  S. 595, to amend the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know 
Act of 1986 to strike a provision relating to modifications in 
reporting frequency. (S. Rept. No. 110-253)
  S. 1523, to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions of carbon 
dioxide from the Capitol power plant. (S. Rept. No. 110-254) 
                                                            Page S16003
Measures Passed:
  Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act: Senate passed S. 924, to 
strengthen the United States Coast Guard's Integrated Deepwater 
Program, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                        Pages S15945-50
  Reid (for Cantwell) Amendment No. 3884, of a perfecting nature. 
                                                            Page S15947
  Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and 
Opportunity Act: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship was 
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4253, to improve and 
expand small business assistance programs for veterans of the armed 
forces and military reservists, and the bill was then passed, after 
striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof, 
the text of S. 1784, Senate companion measure, as amended, after 
agreeing to the following amendments proposed thereto: 
                                                        Pages S15950-52
  Reid (for Kerry) Amendment No. 3885, in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                            Page S15952
  Reid (for Coburn) Amendment No. 3886, of a perfecting nature. 
                                                            Page S15952
  Subsequently, S. 1784 was placed on the Senate calendar. 
                                                            Page S15952
  NICS Improvement Amendments Act: Committee on the Judiciary was 
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2640, to improve the 
National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and the bill was 
then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed 
thereto:                                     
  Pages S15969-70, S15970-71
  Schumer (for Leahy/Schumer) Amendment No. 3887, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                 
Page S15971
  Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act: Committee 
on Foreign Relations was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 
3890, to impose sanctions on officials of the State Peace and 
Development Council in Burma, to amend the Burmese Freedom and 
Democracy Act of 2003 to prohibit the importation of gemstones and 
hardwoods from Burma, to promote a coordinated international effort to 
restore civilian democratic rule to Burma, and the bill was then 
passed, after agreeing to the following amendments proposed thereto: 
                                                            Page S15971
  Schumer (for Biden/McConnell) Amendment No. 3888, in the nature of a 
substitute.                                                 
Page S15971

[[Page D1654]]


  Schumer (for Biden/McConnell) Amendment No. 3889, to amend the title.
                                                            Page S15971
  Continuing Appropriations: Senate agreed to H.J. Res. 72, making 
further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008, clearing 
the measure for the President.                          
  Pages S15980-81
  Pension Protection Act Technical Correction: Senate passed S. 1974, 
to make technical corrections related to the Pension Protection Act of 
2006, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto: 
                                                        Pages S16048-55
  Reid (for Kennedy) Amendment No. 3891, in the nature of a substitute.
                                                            Page S16047
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the bill 
remain at the desk until such time as the Senate receives a companion 
measure from the House; that the Senate then proceed to its 
consideration, all after the enacting clause be stricken and the text 
of S. 1974, as amended, be inserted in lieu thereof, the bill advance 
to third reading, passed and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, without further intervening action or debate, and that S. 1974 
be returned to the calendar.                                
Page S16049
  Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post Office: Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of S. 2478, to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 59 Colby Corner in East Hampstead, New 
Hampshire, as the ``Captain Jonathan D. Grassbaugh Post Office'', and 
the bill was then passed.                       
  Pages S15958-59, S16055
  John Sidney `Sid' Flowers Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 3470, to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 744 West Oglethorpe Highway in 
Hinesville, Georgia, as the ``John Sidney `Sid' Flowers Post Office 
Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the 
President.                                                  
  Page S16055
  Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 3569, to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 16731 Santa Ana Avenue in Fontana, 
California, as the ``Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building'', and the 
bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                            Page S16055
  Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office Building: Committee 
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged from 
further consideration of H.R. 3974, to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 797 Sam Bass Road in Round 
Rock, Texas, as the ``Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office 
Building'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the 
President.                                                  
  Page S16055
  Turrill Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 
4009, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 567 West Nepessing Street in Lapeer, Michigan, as the 
``Turrill Post Office Building'', and the bill was then passed, 
clearing the measure for the President.                     
  Page S16055
  George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse: 
Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 2011, to designate the Federal building and 
United States courthouse located at 100 East 8th Avenue in Pine Bluff, 
Arkansas, as the ``George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United 
States Courthouse'', and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure 
for the President.                                          
  Page S16055
  Neal Smith Federal Building: Committee on Environment and Public 
Works was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1045, to 
designate the Federal building located at 210 Walnut Street in Des 
Moines, Iowa, as the ``Neal Smith Federal Building'', and the bill was 
then passed, clearing the measure for the President.        
  Page S16055
  Office of Compliance Employees: Senate passed H.R. 3571, to amend the 
Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to permit individuals who have 
served as employees of the Office of Compliance to serve as Executive 
Director, Deputy Executive Director, or General Counsel of the Office, 
and to permit individuals appointed to such positions to serve one 
additional term, clearing the measure for the President.    
  Page S16055
  Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act: 
Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of 
H.R. 3432, to establish the Commission on the Abolition of the 
Transatlantic Slave Trade, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing 
to the following amendment proposed thereto:            
  Pages S16055-56
  Reid (for Lautenberg) Amendment No. 3892, to strike the authorization 
of appropriations.                                          
Page S16055
  United States Air Force Space Command 25th Anniversary: Committee on 
Armed Services was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 
389, commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the United States Air Force 
Space Command headquartered at

[[Page D1655]]

Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, and the resolution was then agreed 
to.                                                         
  Page S16056
  Technical Corrections: Senate passed H.R. 4839, to amend the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 to make technical corrections, clearing the 
measure for the President.                              
  Pages S16056-60
House Messages:
Adjournment Resolution: Senate concurred in the amendment of the House 
to S. Con. Res. 61, providing for a conditional adjournment or recess 
of the Senate, and a conditional adjournment of the House of 
Representatives.                                            
  Page S15980
Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act: Senate concurred in the amendment 
of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 3997, to amend the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief and protections for 
military personnel, with the following amendment:
  Reid (for Baucus) Amendment No. 3997, of a perfecting nature. 
                                                            Page S16048
Appointments:
  United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: The Chair, 
on behalf of the Minority Leader, and after consultation with the 
ranking members of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the 
Senate Committee on Finance, pursuant to Public Law 106-398, as amended 
by Public Law 108-7, appointed the following individual as a member of 
the United States-China Economic Security Review Commission: Daniel A. 
Blumenthal of the District of Columbia, for a term expiring December 
31, 2009.                                                   
  Page S16069
Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs 
Appropriations Act (Omnibus)--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement 
was reached providing that Senate request the House of Representatives 
to return the papers relative to H.R. 2764, making appropriations for 
the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for 
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008.                  
  Page S15945
Authority for Committees--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was 
reached providing that, notwithstanding the adjournment of the Senate, 
all committees be authorized to file legislative and executive reports 
on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon.    
  Page S16060
Authorizing Leadership to Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the 
adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President 
Pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leader be authorized to make 
appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or 
interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action 
of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate.               
  Page S16060
Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that at approximately 11 a.m. 
Tuesday, January 22, 2008, Senate begin consideration of S. 1200, to 
amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend the 
Act.                                                        
  Page S16060
National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects 
Authorization Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that at a time determined by the Majority Leader, after 
consultation with the Republican Leader, Senate begin consideration of 
S. 2483, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest 
Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy; 
that the only amendments in order be five related amendments to be 
offered by Senator Coburn; provided further, that following disposition 
of all amendments, Senate vote on passage of the bill.      
  Page S16060
Nominations--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that the provisions of Rule XXXI notwithstanding, all 
nominations remain in status quo, with except the following:
  Committee on the Judiciary: Steven G. Bradbury, of Maryland, to be an 
Assistant Attorney General.
  Committee on Armed Services: Anita K. Blair, of Virginia, to be an 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
  The following named Army National Guard of the United States officers 
for appointment in the Reserve of the Army to the grade indicated under 
title 10, U.S.C., section 12203: Col. Larry L. Arnett, Col. Otis P. 
Morris, and Col. Gilberto S. Pena, to be Brigadier General:
  The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army 
to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624: Col. Marc 
L. Warren, to be Brigadier General: and
  The following named officer for appointment in the United States Air 
Force to the grade indicated in accordance with Article II, Section 2, 
Clause 2, of the Constitution: Col. Mark W. Tillman, to be Brigadier 
General.                                                    
Page S16061
Executive Reports of Committees: Senate received the following 
executive report of a committee:
  Report to accompany United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 
(Treaty Doc. 103-39) (Ex. Rept. 110-9).                 
Pages S16003-05
Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:

[[Page D1656]]


  Julie L. Myers, of Kansas, to be Assistant Secretary of Homeland 
Security.
  Eric Alan Hanushek, of California, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term 
expiring November 28, 2010. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further 
consideration.)
  Carol D'Amico, of Indiana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors 
of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring 
November 28, 2010. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further 
consideration.)
  Joseph Timothy Kelliher, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member 
of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 
30, 2012.
  Howard Radzely, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of Labor. (Prior 
to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was 
discharged from further consideration.)
  Steven H. Murdock, of Texas, to be Director of the Census. (Prior to 
this action, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
was discharged from further consideration.)
  W. Ross Ashley, III, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland 
Security.
  Scott M. Burns, of Utah, to be Deputy Director of National Drug 
Control Policy. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, 
and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged 
from further consideration.)
  Benjamin Eric Sasse, of Nebraska, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
Health and Human Services.
  Jeffrey William Runge, of North Carolina, to be Assistant Secretary 
for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, Department of Homeland 
Security. (Prior to this action, Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs was discharged from further consideration.)
  Cynthia Dyer, of Texas, to be Director of the Violence Against Women 
Office, Department of Justice. (Prior to this action, Committee on 
Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary 
was discharged from further consideration.)
  Stuart Ishimaru, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the 
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 
2012. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions was discharged from further consideration.)
  Christopher A. Padilla, of the District of Columbia, to be Under 
Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. (Prior to this action, 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and Committee on 
the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.)
  Gregory F. Jacob, of New Jersey, to be Solicitor for the Department 
of Labor. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions was discharged from further consideration.)
  Todd J. Zinser, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of 
Commerce.
  Keith Hall, of Virginia, to be Commissioner of Labor Statistics, 
Department of Labor, for a term of four years. (Prior to this action, 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from 
further consideration.)
  Christina H. Pearson, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of 
Health and Human Services.
  Douglas W. Webster, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, 
Department of Labor. (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further 
consideration.)
  Allan I. Mendelowitz, of Connecticut, to be a Director of the Federal 
Housing Finance Board for a term expiring February 27, 2014. (Prior to 
this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, and 
Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration.)
  James Shinn, of New Jersey, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.
  John H. Gibson, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air 
Force.
  Carl T. Johnson, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of 
Transportation.
  Mary Ann Glendon, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Holy See. 
(Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged 
from further consideration.)
  Mary Beth Long, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.
  Craig W. Duehring, of Minnesota, to be an Assistant Secretary of the 
Air Force.
  Tracy Ralph Justesen, of Utah, to be Assistant Secretary for Special 
Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. (Prior 
to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was 
discharged from further consideration.)
  Nathan J. Hochman, of California, to be an Assistant Attorney 
General. (Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from 
further consideration.)
  Joseph P. Russoniello, of California, to be United States Attorney 
for the Northern District of California for the term of four years. 
(Prior to this action, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban

[[Page D1657]]

Development, and Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further 
consideration.)
  Francis Mulvey, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Surface 
Transportation Board for a term expiring December 31, 2012.
  Charles W. Larson, Jr., of Iowa, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Latvia. (Prior to this action, Committee on Foreign Relations was 
discharged from further consideration.)
  Jon Wellinghoff, of Nevada, to be a Member of the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 30, 2013.
  Robert D. Jamison, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of Homeland 
Security.
  7 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
  41 Army nominations in the rank of general.
  8 Coast Guard nominations in the rank of admiral.
  Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Foreign Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Navy. (Prior to this 
action, Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further 
consideration of routine lists in the Foreign Service) 
                                                        Pages S16070-71
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  Deanna Tanner Okun, of Idaho, to be a Deputy United States Trade 
Representative, with the rank of Ambassador.
  Richard A. Boucher, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior 
Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of 
Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service 
over a sustained period.
  William J. Burns, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the 
Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank 
of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service 
over a sustained period.
  Anne Woods Patterson, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior 
Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of 
Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service 
over a sustained period.
  C. David Welch, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign 
Service, Class of Career Minister, for the personal rank of Career 
Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a 
sustained period.
  Robert D. Jamison, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of Homeland 
Security.
  Robert G. McSwain, of Maryland, to be Director of the Indian Health 
Service, Department of Health and Human Services, for the term of four 
years.
  Jamsheed K. Choksy, of Indiana, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014.
  Dawn Ho Delbanco, of New York, to be a Member of the National Council 
on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014.
  Gary D. Glenn, of Illinois, to be a Member of the National Council on 
the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014.
  David Hertz, of Indiana, to be a Member of the National Council on 
the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014.
  Marvin Bailey Scott, of Indiana, to be a Member of the National 
Council on the Humanities for the remainder of the term expiring 
January 26, 2010.
  Carol M. Swain, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the National Council 
on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2014.
  A routine list in the Army.                               
Page S16069
Nomination Withdrawn: Senate received notification of withdrawal of the 
following nomination:
  Robert D. Jamison, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for National 
Protection and Programs, Department of Homeland Security, which was 
sent to the Senate on September 4, 2007.                    
Page S16071
Messages from the House:                                    
  Page S15999
Measures Referred:                                          
  Page S16000
Measures Placed on the Calendar:                            
  Page S16000
Measures Read the First Time:                               
  Page S16000
Enrolled Bills Presented:                                   
  Page S16000
Executive Communications:                               
  Pages S16000-03
Petitions and Memorials:                                    
  Page S16003
Executive Reports of Committees:                        
  Pages S16003-05
Additional Cosponsors:                                  
  Pages S16006-07
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:             
  Pages S16007-18
Additional Statements:                                  
  Pages S15997-99
Amendments Submitted:                                   
  Pages S16018-47
Notices of Hearings/Meetings:                               
  Page S16047
Authorities for Committees to Meet:                     
  Pages S16047-48
Privileges of the Floor:                                    
  Page S16048
Recess: Senate convened at 11:30 a.m. and recessed, at 9:22 p.m., until 
9:30 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2007 for a pro forma session, and 
then recess automatically until 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 23, 2007. 
(For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in 
today's Record on page S16069.)

[[Page D1658]]