[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 14, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D601-D604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009
Committee on Armed Services: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 5658, 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Education and Labor: Ordered reported, as amended, the 
following bills: H.R. 2744, Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections 
Act of 2008; and H.R. 5876, Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs 
for Teens Act of 2008.
FDA MEDICAL DEVICE AND COSMETIC SAFETY
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
entitled ``Discussion Draft of the `Food and Drug Administration 
Globalization Act' Legislation: Device and Cosmetic Safety 
Provisions.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
FDA, Department of Health and Human Services: Stephen Sundlof, D.V.M., 
Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition; and Lillian 
Gill, Senior Associate Director, Center for Devices and Radiological 
Health; Marcia Crosse, Director, Health Care, GAO; and public 
witnesses.
GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS
Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Contributing 
Factors and International Responses to the Global Food Crisis.'' 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
LEAD-SAFE HOUSING FOR KIDS ACT; HOMES FOR HEROES ACT
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community 
Opportunity approved for full Committee action, as amended, the 
following bills: H.R. 3397, Lead-Safe Housing for Kinds Act of 2007; 
and H.R. 3329, Homes for Heroes Act of 2007.
U.S.-CENTRAL AMERICA ANTI-DRUG TRAFFICKING
  Committee on Foreign Affairs: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 
6028, Merida Partnership to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce 
Violence Authorization Act of 2008.
  The Committee also approved a motion urging the Chairman to request 
that the following resolutions be considered on the Suspension 
Calendar: H. Res. 1194, Reaffirming the support of the House of 
Representatives for the legitimate democratically-elected Government of 
Lebanon under Prime Minister Fouad Siniora; and H. Res. 1195, 
Expressing the condolences and sympathy to the people of the People's 
Republic of China for the grave loss of life and vast destruction 
caused by the massive earthquake centered in Sichaun Province
VISIT WAIVER PROGRAM EXPANSION
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Europe held a hearing on 
Improving America's Security, Strengthening Transatlantic Relations: An 
Update on the Expansion of the Visa Waiver Program. Testimony was heard 
from Richard Barth, Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development, 
Department of Homeland Security; and Stephen A. Edson, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Visa Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of 
State.

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U.S.-SOUTH ASIA AID
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Middle East and South 
Asia held a hearing on U.S. Assistance to South Asia: Is there a 
strategy to go with all that money? Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of State: Richard A. Boucher, 
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs; and 
Mark Ward, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia, U.S. 
Agency for International Development.
PUBLIC ALERTS/WARNINGS SYSTEMS
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency 
Communications, Preparedness, and Response held a hearing entitled 
``Advancing Public Alert and Warning Systems to Build a More Resilient 
Nation.'' Testimony was heard from MG Martha Rainville, USAF (Ret.), 
Assistant Administrator, National Continuity Programs, FEMA. Department 
of Homeland Security; Lisa Fowlkes, Deputy Chief, Public Safety and 
Homeland Security Bureau, FCC; John R. Gibb, Director, Emergency 
Management Office, State of New York; and a public witness.
FEDERAL-PRIVATE INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security 
and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing entitled ``Partnering with 
the Private Sector to Secure Critical Infrastructure: Has the 
Department of Homeland Security Abandoned the Resilience-Based 
Approach?'' Testimony was heard from COL Bob Stephan, USAF, Assistant 
Secretary, Infrastructure Protection, Department of Homeland Security; 
Kevin Stephens, M.D., Director, Department of Health, New Orleans, 
Louisiana; and public witnesses.
ELECTION CONTINGENCY PLANS
Committee on House Administration: Subcommittee on Elections held a 
hearing on Election Contingency Plans: What Have We Learned and Is 
America Prepared? Testimony was heard from Rosemary Rodriguez, 
Chairwoman, U.S. Election Assistance Commission; Laura Beatty, Director 
of Legislative Affairs, Office of the Secretary of State, Ohio; Dawn K. 
Roberts, Assistant Secretary of State, Florida; Kevin J. Kennedy, 
Director, Government Accountability Board, Wisconsin; and Thomas 
Wilkey, former Executive Director, Board of Elections, State of New 
York.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 
5464, A Child is Missing Alert and Recovery Center Act; H.R. 3480, 
amended, Let Our Veterans Rest in Peace Act of 2007; H.R. 5938, Former 
Vice President Protection Act of 2008; H.R. 4080, amended, To amend the 
Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a separate nonimmigrant 
classification for fashion models; and private relief bills.
  The Committee began markup of the following bills: H.R. 2352, School 
Safety Enhancements Act of 2007; H.R. 1783, Elder Justice Act; H.R. 
5352, Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2008; and H.R. 5057, Debbie Smith 
Reauthorization Act of 2008.
FEDERAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SELECTIVE PROSECUTION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and 
Administrative Laws and the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and 
Homeland Security held a joint hearing on Allegations of Selective 
Prosecution Part II: The Erosion of Public Confidence in Our Federal 
Justice System. Testimony was heard from Representative Hodes; and a 
public witness.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Ordered reported, as amended, the 
following bills: H.R. 554, Paleontological Resources Preservation Act; 
H.R. 3022, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park Wilderness Act of 2007; 
H.R. 2632, Sabinoso Wilderness Act of 2007; H.R. 5680, To amend certain 
laws relating to Native Americans, and for other purposes; and H.R. 
3682, California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act.
FDA'S DRUG/DEVICE STATE LAWSUIT PRE-EXEMPTION
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Held a hearing on Should 
FDA Drug and Medical Device Regulation Bar State Liability Claims? 
Testimony was heard from David A. Kessler, M.D., former Commissioner, 
FDA, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
USDA CIVIL RIGHTS PROGRAMS
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on 
Government Management, Organization, and Procurement held a hearing on 
Management of Civil Rights Programs at USDA. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the USDA: Margo McKay, Assistant Secretary, 
Civil Rights; and Phyllis Fong, Inspector General; Lisa Shames, 
Director, Agriculture and Food Safety, GAO; and public witnesses.

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PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2642--
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a record vote of 7 to 2, a rule 
providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2642, the 
``Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008.'' The rule would make in order 
a motion offered by the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations 
that the House concur in the Senate amendment with each of the three 
amendments printed in the Rules Committee report.
  The rule waives all points of order against the motion except those 
arising under clause 10 of rule XXI. The motion shall be debatable for 
two hours equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking 
minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The Senate 
amendment and the motion shall be considered as read. The Chair shall 
divide the question among each of the three House amendments.
  Notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may 
postpone consideration of the motion to a time designated by the 
Speaker. Finally, the rule permits the chairman of the Committee on 
Appropriations to insert in the Congressional Record dated May 15, 
2008, such material as he may deem explanatory of the motion. Testimony 
was heard from Chairman Obey, Representatives Lee, Waters, Woolsey, 
Jackson-Lee of Texas, Schakowsky, Lampson, Lewis of California, 
Culberson, and Shays.
WATER SUPPLY CHALLENGES
Committee on Science and Technology: Held a hearing on Water Supply 
Challenges for the 21st Century. Testimony was heard from Roger 
Pulwarty, Director, U.S. National Integrated Drought Information System 
and Physical Scientist, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research 
Climate Program, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.
SMALL HEALTHCARE PROVIDER REGULATIONS
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care 
and Trade held a hearing on the Impact of CMS Regulations and Programs 
on Small Health Care Providers. Testimony was heard from Timothy B. 
Hill, Chief Financial Officer, Director, Office of Financial 
Management, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of 
Health and Human Services; and public witnesses,
AIRLINE CONSOLIDATION/DELTA- NORTHWEST MERGER
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Aviation held a hearing on Impact of Consolidation on the Aviation 
Industry, with a Focus on the Proposed Merger Between Delta Airlines 
and Northwest Airlines. Testimony was heard from James J. O'Connell, 
Jr., Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division, Department 
of Justice; Michael W. Reynolds, Deputy Assistant Department Assistant 
Secretary, Aviation and International Affairs, Department of 
Transportation; and public witnesses.
AMTRAK REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on Amtrak 
Reauthorization. Testimony was heard from Alexander Kummant, President 
and CEO, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK); Frank 
Busalacchi, Secretary, Department of Transportation, State of 
Wisconsin; and public witnesses.
CONSUMER DRIVEN HEALTH CARE
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on 
Health Savings Accounts and Consumer Driven Health Care: Cost 
Containment or Cost-Shift? Testimony was heard from John E. Dicken, 
Director, Health Care, GAO; and public witnesses.
BRIEFING--HOT SPOTS
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on 
Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in 
executive session to receive a briefing on Hot Spots. The Subcommittee 
was briefed by departmental witnesses.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDINGS
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: Held a 
hearing entitled ``Building Green, Saving Green: Construction 
Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Buildings.'' Testimony was heard from 
Gavin Newsom, Mayor, San Francisco, California; and public witnesses.
REGARDING ROLL CALL VOTE 814
Select Committee To Investigate the Voting Irregularities of August 2, 
2008: Concluded hearings regarding Roll Call Vote 814. Testimony was 
heard from Catlin O'Neill and Jerry Hartz, both with the Office of the 
Speaker; and Jay Pierson, Office of the Minority Leader.

Joint Meetings
CREDIT CRISIS
Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the 
credit crisis in the United States, focusing on ways the federal 
government can prevent unnecessary systemic risks in the future,

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after receiving testimony from Paul A. Volcker, former Chairman, Board 
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and Douglas W. Elmendorf, 
Brookings Institution, Ellen Seidman, New America Foundation, and Alex 
J. Pollock, American Enterprise Institute, all of Washington, D.C.