[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D177-D181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, 
Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Office of Science and 
Technology Policy and on International Trade Commission. Testimony was 
heard from John H. Marburger, III, Director, Office of Science and 
Technology Policy, and Daniel R. Pearson, Chairman, U.S. International 
Trade Commission.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive 
session to hold a hearing on Missile Defense Agency. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: LT Gen 
Henry A. (Trey) Obering, III, USAF, Director, Missile Defense Agency; 
and LT Gen Kevin T. Campbell, USA, Commanding General, U.S. Army Space 
and Missile Defense Command, U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command and 
Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense; and 
Paul Francis, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management GAO.
HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a 
hearing on Immigration Enforcement Issues, including Comprehensive 
Identification and Removal of Criminal Aliens and Students and Exchange 
Visitor Program fee increases-Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 
Testimony was heard from Julie Myers, Assistant Secretary, Immigration 
and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, and a public 
witness.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, 
and Related Agencies held a hearing on Environmental Protection Agency. 
Testimony was heard from Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, EPA.
LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on Secretary of 
Education. Testimony was heard from Margaret Spellings, Secretary of 
Education.
  The Subcommittee also held an overview hearing on Opportunities Lost 
and Costs to Society: The Social and Economic Burden of Inadequate 
Education, Training and Workforce Development. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, 
Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies held a hearing on American 
Battle Commission, Arlington National Cemetery and United States 
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, Armed Forces Retirement 
Income, and on United States Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims. 
Testimony was heard from Brig Gen John W. Nicholson, USA, (Retired), 
Secretary and Brig Gen. William J. Leszczynski, Jr. USA, (Retired) 
Executive Director, both with the American Battle Monuments Commission; 
John Paul Woodley, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Civil Works, Department of 
the Army; Timothy Cox, Chief Operating Officer, Armed Forces Retirement 
Home; and Chief Judge William Green, United States Court of Appeals for 
Veteran's Claims.
STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, 
and Related Programs held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget-
Millennium Challenge Account. Testimony was heard from John Danilovich, 
CEO, Millennium Challenge Corporation.
TRANSPORTATION, HUD APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing 
and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Federal 
Railroad

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Administration and National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK). 
Testimony was heard from Alexander Kummant, President and CEO, AMTRAK; 
and Joseph Boardman, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, 
both with the Department of Transportation.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET--RECRUITING-RETENTION
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a 
hearing on the Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Budget 
Request on Overview of Recruiting, Retention and Compensation. 
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of 
Defense: David S. C. Chu, Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; LTG 
Michael D. Rochelle, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, Headquarters, 
U.S. Army; VADM John C. Harvey, Jr., USN, Chief of Naval Personnel, 
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy; LTG Richard 
Y. Newton, III, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel, and 
Services, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force; and LTG Ronald S. Coleman, 
USMC, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters, 
U.S. Marine Corps.
IRREGULAR WARFARE AND STABILITY OPERATIONS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations, and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional 
Threats and Capabilities held a joint hearing on Irregular Warfare and 
Stability Operations: Approaches to Interagency Integration. Testimony 
was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: 
Michael G. Vickers, Assistant Secretary, Special Operations/Low 
Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities; RADM Dan W. 
Davenport, USN, Director, Join Concept Development and Experimentation 
(J-9), U.S. Joint Forces Command; BG Robert H. Holmes, USAF, Deputy 
Director, Operations, U.S. Central Command; LTG Frank Kearney, USA, 
Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command; and COL Joseph E. 
Osborne, USA, Director, Irregular Warfare Directorate (J-10), U.S. 
Special Operations Command; and Ambassador John E. Herbst, Coordinator, 
Reconstruction and Stabilization, Department of State.
PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007
Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Health, Employment, 
Labor and Pensions held a hearing on H.R. 2703, Private Security 
Officer Employment Authorization Act of 2007. Testimony was heard from 
Frank Campbell, Senior Counsel, Office of Legal Policy, Department of 
Justice; and public witnesses.
COVERING UNINSURED CHILDREN
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
entitled ``Covering Uninsured Kids: Reversing Progress Already Made.'' 
Testimony was heard from the following Governors: Deval L. Patrick, 
Massachusetts; Chris Gregoire, Washington; Ted Strickland, Ohio; Harley 
Barbour, Mississippi; and Sonny Perdue, Georgia.
PRIVATE SECTOR FOOD SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITY
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Contaminated Food: Private 
Sector Accountability. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MONETARY POLICY AND THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY
Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing on Monetary Policy and 
the State of the Economy. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
  Hearings continue tomorrow.
BRIEFING--IRAQI REFUGEES
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International 
Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight and the Subcommittee on 
Middle East and South Asia held a joint briefing on Iraqi Refugees: Can 
the U.S. Do More to Help? The Subcommittee was briefed L. Craig 
Johnstone, Deputy High Commissioner, United Nations High Commissioner 
for Refugees; and Rafiq Tschannen, Chief of Mission for Iraq and 
Jordan, International Organization for Migration (IOM).
CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2008
Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing on the Chemical Facility 
Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008, Testimony was heard from Robert B. Stephen. 
Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; and public 
witnesses.
HOMELAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, 
Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing 
entitled ``Homeland Security Intelligence at a Crossroads: the Office 
of Intelligence and Analysis' Vision for 2008.'' Testimony was heard 
from Charles E. Allen, Under Secretary, Intelligence and Analysis, 
Department of Homeland Security.

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OVERSIGHT--JUSTICE'S SPECIAL COUNSEL REGULATIONS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and 
Administrative Law held an oversight hearing on the Implementation of 
the U.S. Department of Justice's Special Counsel Regulations. Testimony 
was heard from Patrick J. Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney, Northern District 
of Illinois, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENA; VOTER SUPPRESSION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil 
Rights, and Civil Liberties adopted a resolution authorizing the 
Chairman of the Committee to issue a subpoena to J. Kenneth Blackwell 
for testimony and related documents at a hearing before the 
Subcommittee regarding voter suppression.
  The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on Voter Suppression. 
Testimony was heard from Asheesh Agarwal, Deputy Assistant Attorney 
General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; Tom Emmer, 
Deputy Minority Leader, House of Representatives, State of Minnesota; 
and public witnesses.
COCAINE SENTENCING FAIRNESS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and 
Homeland Security held a hearing on Cracked Justice--Addressing the 
Unfairness in Cocaine Sentencing. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives Rangel, Jackson-Lee of Texas; and Bartlett of Maryland; 
Reggie B. Walton, Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia; 
Ricardo H. Hinojosa, Chair, U.S. Sentencing Commission; Gretchen 
Shappert, U.S. Attorney, Western District of North Carolina; and public 
witnesses.
PRIVATE RELIEF MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, 
Refugees, Border Security, and International Law met to request 
Department of Homeland Security Departmental Reports on the 
beneficiaries of certain private immigration relief measures.
NOAA/FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BUDGET
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and 
Oceans held an oversight hearing entitled ``The fiscal year 2009 budget 
request for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Testimony was 
heard from Mary Glackin, Deputy Under Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, 
NOAA, Department of Commerce; and Kenneth Stansell, Deputy Director, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
WILD MONONGAHELA ACT
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests 
and Public Lands held a hearing on H.R. 5151, Wild Monongahela Act: A 
National Legacy for West Virginia's Special Places.'' Testimony was 
heard from Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System, Forest 
Service, USDA; John Manchester, Mayor, Lewisburg, West Virginia; and 
public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--WATER AND POWER AGENCIES BUDGET
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held an 
oversight hearing on the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Requests for the 
Bureau of Reclamation, the Water Resources Division of the United 
States Geological Survey, and the Federal Power Marketing 
Administrations. Testimony was heard from the following officials of 
the Department of the Interior: Robert Johnson, Commissioner, Bureau of 
Reclamation; and Robert Hirsch, Associate Director, Water, Water 
Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey; the following 
officials of the Power Administrations, Department of Energy: Stephen 
J. Wright, Administrator, Bonneville Power Administration; Timothy J. 
Meeks, Chief Operating Officer, Western Area Power Administration; Leon 
Jourolmon, Acting Administrator, Southeastern Power Administration; and 
Jon Worthington, Acting Administrator, Southwestern Power 
Administration.
ELECTRONIC RECORDS PRESERVATION BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES; 
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on 
Electronic Records Preservation at the White House. Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the Office of Administration, The White 
House: Alan R. Swendiman, Director; and Theresa Payton, Chief 
Information Officer; and the following officials of the National 
Archives and Records Administration: Allen Weinstein, Archivist; Gary 
M. Stern, General Counsel; and Sharon Fawcett, Assistant Archivist for 
Presidential Libraries.
  The Committee approved Committee Budget Views and Estimates for 
Fiscal Year 2009 for submission to the Committee on the Budget.
  The Committee ordered reported the following measures: H. Con. Res. 
286, Expressing the sense of Congress that Earl Lloyd should be 
recognized and honored for breaking the color barrier and becoming the 
first African American to play in the National

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Basketball Association League 58 years ago; H. Con. Res. 292, Honoring 
Margaret Truman Daniel and her lifetime of accomplishments; H. Res. 
537, amended, Expressing support for the designation and goals of 
``National 9-1-1 Educational Month, and for other purposes; H.R. 3196, 
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located 
at 20 Sussex Street in Port Jervis, New York, as the ``E. Arthur Gray 
Post Office Building;'' H.R. 4166, To designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 701 East Copeland Drive in 
Lebanon, Missouri, as the ``Steve W. Allee Carrier Annex;'' H.R. 4774, 
amended, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 10250 John Saunders Road in San Antonio, Texas, as the 
``Cyndi Taylor Krier Post Office Building;'' H.R. 5168, To designate 
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 19101 
Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville, Florida, as the ``Cody Crater Post 
Office Building;'' H.R. 5220, To designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 3800 SW. 185th Avenue in Beaverton, 
Oregon, as the ``Major Arthur Chin Post Office Building;'' and H.R. 
5400, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 160 East Washington Street in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, as the 
``Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush Post Office Building.''
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION TAX ACT OF 2008
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a voice vote, a structured rule 
providing for consideration of H.R. 5351, the ``Renewable Energy and 
Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008.'' The rule provides 90 minutes 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 consideration of the bill 
except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule 
provides that the bill shall be considered as read. The rule waives all 
points of order against provisions of the bill. This waiver does not 
affect the point of order available under clause 9 of rule XXI 
(regarding earmark disclosure).
  The rule makes in order an amendment in the nature of a substitute 
printed in the Congressional Record if offered by Rep. McCrery or his 
designee. The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in 
the nature of a substitute except those arising under clause 7 of rule 
XVI or clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the amendment 
in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read and 
separately debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the 
proponent and an opponent.
  The rule provides one motion to recommit the bill with or without 
instructions. Notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, 
the Chair may postpone further consideration until a time designated by 
the Speaker. Finally, the rule provides that H. Res. 983 shall be laid 
on the table. Testimony was heard from Representatives Schwartz, 
English of Pennsylvania, Brady of Texas and Bilbray.
NOAA BUDGET/AVIATION WEATHER SERVICE REPORT
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy and 
Environment held a hearing on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration's Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Proposal and GAO's Report on 
the Aviation Weather Service. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the Department of Commerce: Conrad C. Lautenbacker, Jr., 
Under Secretary; and John L. Hayes, Assistant Administrator, Weather 
Services and Director, National Weather Service, both with NOAA; David 
Powner, Director, Information Technology Management Issues, GAO; and 
Eugene Juba, Vice President, Finance, Air Traffic Organization, FAA, 
Department of Transportation.
OVERSIGHT--NSF
Committee on Science and Technology: Subcommittee on Research and 
Science Education held an oversight hearing on the NSF. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the NSF: Arden Bement, Director, 
and Steven Beering, Chairman.
STATE'S SMALL BUSINESS HEALTHCARE STRATEGIES
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``State Strategies 
to Expand Health Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses.'' Testimony 
was heard from Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota; and Edward G. 
Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania.
SIMPLIFYING FEDERAL PAPERWORK LANGUAGE
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology 
held a hearing entitled ``Plain Language in Paperwork--The Benefits to 
Small Business.'' Testimony was heard from Christopher Cox, Chairman, 
SEC; and public witnesses.
COAST GUARD/MARITIME TRANSPORTATION BUDGET
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2009 
Budget: Coast Guard, Federal Maritime Commission and Maritime 
Administration. Testimony was heard from

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the following officials of the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland 
Security: VADM Robert J. Papp, Jr., USCG, Chief of Staff; and Master 
Chief Charles W. Bowen, USCG, Master Chief Petty Officer; and Sean 
Connaughton, Administrator, Maritime Administration, Department of 
Transportation.
VA DISABILITIES RATING REVISION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance 
and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on Revising the VA Schedule of 
Rating Disabilities. Testimony was heard from the following officials 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Bradley G. Mayes, Director, 
Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration; and 
the following officials of the Veterans Health Administration; Steven 
H. Brown, M.D., Director, Compensation and Pension Exam Program; 
Patrick Joyce, M.D., Chief Occupational Health Clinic; and Richard 
Hipolit, Assistant General Counsel; Joseph Kelley, M.D. Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Clinical and Program Policy (Health Affairs), 
Department of Defense; representatives of veterans organizations; and 
public witnesses.
BRIEFING--CYBER INITIATIVE
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to 
receive a briefing on Cyber Initiative. The Committee was briefed by 
Mick McConnnell, Director, Office of the Director of National 
Intelligence; and Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: SUSTAINABILITY FROM COUNTER TO COMPOST
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a 
hearing entitled ``Food for Thought: Sustainability from Counter to 
Compost.'' Testimony was heard from Pat Miller, Research Microbiologist 
in the Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory and Environmental 
Microbial Systems Laboratory, USDA; Dan Beard, Chief Administration 
Officer, House of Representatives; and public witnesses.