[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 58 (Monday, April 14, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D428-D429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE AND NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE 
AGENCY
Committee on Appropriations: Select Intelligence Oversight Panel met in 
executive session to hold a hearing on the National Reconnaissance 
Office and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. Testimony was 
heard from Scott Large, Director, National Reconnaissance Office; and 
VADM Robert Merrett, USN, Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence 
Agency.
TAXPAYER ASSISTANCE AND SIMPLIFICATION ACT OF 2008
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 7 to 3, a rule providing for 
consideration of H.R. 5719, the ``Taxpayer Assistance and 
Simplification Act of 2008.'' The rule provides one 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 consideration of the bill except those arising under 
clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that

[[Page D429]]

the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the 
Committee on Ways and Means shall be considered as adopted and the 
bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule waives all 
points of order against provisions of the bill, as amended. This waiver 
does not affect the point of order available under clause 9 of rule XXI 
(regarding earmark disclosure). The rule provides one motion to 
recommit with or without instructions. Finally, 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 Lewis of Georgia, Brady of Texas and 
Sessions.
JUBILEE ACT FOR RESPONSIBLE LENDING AND EXPANDED DEBT CANCELLATION OF 
2007
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing 
for consideration of H.R. 2634, the ``Jubilee Act for Responsible 
Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2007.'' The rule provides one 
hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman 
and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. The 
rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill 
except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule provides that the 
amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on 
Financial Services now printed in the bill shall be considered as an 
original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as 
read. The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the 
nature of a substitute except for clause 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes 
in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report 
accompanying the resolution. 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 a division of the 
question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of 
order against the amendments except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI 
are waived. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without 
instructions. The rule provides that, notwithstanding the operation of 
the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of 
the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Testimony was heard from 
Chairman Frank and Representative Bachus.

Joint Meetings
FARM BILL EXTENSION ACT
Conferees met to resolve the differences between the Senate and House 
passed versions of H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of 
agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, but did not complete 
action thereon, and recessed subject to the call and will meet again on 
Tuesday, April 15, 2008.