[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D643-D646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 19 public bills, H.R. 6104-
6122; and 5 resolutions, H.J. Res. 86-87; H. Con. Res. 320; and H. Res. 
1217, 1219 were introduced.
  Pages H4452-53
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages H4453-54
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
  H.R. 4106, to improve teleworking in executive agencies by developing 
a telework program that allows employees to telework at least 20 
percent of the hours worked in every 2 administrative workweeks, with 
an amendment (H. Rept. 110-663);
  H.R. 4791, to amend title 44, United States Code, to strengthen 
requirements for ensuring the effectiveness of information security 
controls over information resources that support Federal operations and 
assets, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-664);
  H.R. 5959, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for 
intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States 
Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central 
Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, with an amendment 
(H. Rept. 110-665); and
  H. Res. 1218, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5658) to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense and to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for fiscal year 2009 (H. Rept. 110-666).
Pages H4433, H4452
Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Fred 
Lucci, Director, All Saints Catholic Newman Center, Arizona State 
University.
  Page H4326
Budget Resolution for 2009--Rule for Consideration: The House agreed to 
the rule that is providing for consideration of the conference report 
to accompany S. Con. Res. 70, setting forth the congressional budget 
for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009 and including the 
appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 through 
2013, by a yea-and-nay vote of 220 yeas to

[[Page D644]]

199 nays, Roll No. 342, after agreeing to order the previous question 
by a yea-and-nay vote of 229 yeas to 186 nays, Roll No. 341. 
                                               Pages H4341-46, H4348-49
Energy and Tax Extenders Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 6049, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for 
energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring 
provisions, and to provide individual income tax relief, by a recorded 
vote of 263 ayes to 160 noes, Roll No. 344.
  Pages H4349-H4401
  Rejected the McCrery motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on 
Ways and Means with instructions to report the same back to the House 
promptly with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 201 yeas to 220 
nays, Roll No. 343.
Pages H4395-H4400
  H. Res. 1212, the rule providing for consideration of the measure, 
was agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 
339, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay 
vote of 223 yeas to 190 nays, Roll No. 338.
Pages H4330-37, H4346-47
Order of Procedure: The House agreed by unanimous consent that the 
motions to suspend the rules relating to the following measures be 
considered as adopted in the form considered by the House on Monday, 
May 19, 2008:
  Recognizing the necessity for the United States to maintain its 
significant leadership role in improving the health and promoting the 
resiliency of coral reef ecosystems: H. Con. Res. 300, to recognize the 
necessity for the United States to maintain its significant leadership 
role in improving the health and promoting the resiliency of coral reef 
ecosystems;
  Page H4402
  Directing the United States to initiate international discussions and 
take necessary steps with other Nations to negotiate an agreement for 
managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean: 
S. J. Res. 17, to direct the United States to initiate international 
discussions and take necessary steps with other Nations to negotiate an 
agreement for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the 
Arctic Ocean--clearing the measure for the President;
  Page H4402
  Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park 
Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum Program, which began on 
June 15, 1958: H. Con. Res. 325, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of 
the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and 
Museum Program, which began on June 15, 1958;
  Page H4402
  Honoring the 60th anniversary of the commencement of the carving of 
the Crazy Horse Memorial: H. Res. 1074, to honor the 60th anniversary 
of the commencement of the carving of the Crazy Horse Memorial; 
                                                             Page H4402
  Goleta Water Distribution System Conveyance Act of 2008: H.R. 3323, 
amended, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey a water 
distribution system to the Goleta Water District;
  Page H4402
  Supporting the goals and objectives of a National Military 
Appreciation Month: H. Con. Res. 334, amended, to support the goals and 
objectives of a National Military Appreciation Month;
  Page H4402
  Honoring Arnold Palmer for his distinguished career in the sport of 
golf and his commitment to excellence and sportsmanship: H. Res. 1152, 
amended, to honor Arnold Palmer for his distinguished career in the 
sport of golf and his commitment to excellence and sportsmanship; 
                                                             Page H4402
  Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day: H. 
Res. 1132, to support the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial 
Day;
  Page H4402
  Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: H. Res. 1153, 
amended, to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month; 
                                                             Page H4402
  Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the 
Congressional Club: H. Res. 1026, to recognize the 100th anniversary of 
the founding of the Congressional Club;
  Page H4402
  Federal Electronic Equipment Donation Act of 2008: H.R. 752, amended, 
to direct Federal agencies to donate excess and surplus Federal 
electronic equipment, including computers, computer components, 
printers, and fax machines, to qualifying small towns, counties, 
schools, nonprofit organizations, and libraries; and
  Page H4402
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To direct Federal agencies 
to transfer excess Federal electronic equipment, including computers, 
computer components, printers, and fax machines, to educational 
recipients.''.
  Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement Act of 2008: H.R. 5787, 
amended, to amend title 40, United States Code, to enhance authorities 
with regard to real property that has yet to be reported excess. 
                                                             Page H4402
Presidential Veto Message--Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008: 
Read a message from the President wherein he announced his veto of H.R. 
2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through 
fiscal year 2012, and explained his

[[Page D645]]

reasons therefor--ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-115).
  Pages H4402-11
  Subsequently, the House voted to override the President's veto of 
H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs 
through fiscal year 2012, by a yea-and-nay vote of 316 yeas to 108 
nays, Roll No. 346 (two-thirds of those present voting to override). 
                                                         Pages H4411-12
Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules 
and pass the following measures which were debated on Tuesday, May 
20th:
  Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2008: H.R. 3819, amended, to 
amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to reimburse veterans receiving emergency treatment in 
non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities for such treatment until 
such veterans are transferred to Department facilities, by a \2/3\ yea-
and-nay vote of 412 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 347; 
                                                             Page H4412
  Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008: H.R. 
5826, to increase, effective as of December 1, 2008, the rates of 
disability compensation for veterans with service-connected 
disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for 
survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans, by a \2/3\ 
yea-and-nay vote of 417 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 348; 
and
  Pages H4412-13
  Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Authorization and 
Lease Act of 2008: H.R. 5856, to authorize major medical facility 
projects and major medical facility leases for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2009, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 
416 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 349.
  Pages H4415-16
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009: The House 
began consideration of H.R. 5658, to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense 
and to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2009. 
Further proceedings were postponed.
  Pages H4416-32
  H. Res. 1213, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was 
agreed to by voice vote after agreeing to order the previous question 
by a yea-and-nay vote of 235 yeas to 186 nays, Roll No. 340. 
                                               Pages H4337-41, H4447-48
Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules 
and pass the following measures which were debated on Monday, May 19th:
  Crane Conservation Act of 2008: H.R. 1771, amended, to assist in the 
conservation of cranes by supporting and providing, through projects of 
persons and organizations with expertise in crane conservation, 
financial resources for the conservation programs of countries the 
activities of which directly or indirectly affect cranes and the 
ecosystems of cranes, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 304 ayes to 118 noes, 
Roll No. 345;
  Page H4401
  Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Settlement Act: H.R. 4841, amended, to 
approve, ratify, and confirm the settlement agreement entered into to 
resolve claims by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians relating to 
alleged interferences with the water resources of the Tribe and to 
authorize and direct the Secretary of the Interior to execute and 
perform the Settlement Agreement and related waivers;
  Page H4401
  Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Works Week: H. 
Res. 1137, to support the goals and ideals of National Public Works 
Week;
  Page H4432
  Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of 
Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run: H. Con. Res. 309, 
to authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of 
Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run;
  Page H4432
  Supporting the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month: H. Res. 
339, amended, to support the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness 
Month;
  Page H4432
  Recognizing the importance of bicycling in transportation and 
recreation: H. Con. Res. 305, to recognize the importance of bicycling 
in transportation and recreation;
  Pages H4432-33
  Let Our Veterans Rest in Peace Act of 2008: H.R. 3480, amended, to 
direct the United States Sentencing Commission to assure appropriate 
enhancements of those involved in receiving stolen property where that 
property consists of grave markers of veterans;
  Page H4433
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To direct the United 
States Sentencing Commission to assure appropriate punishment 
enhancements for those involved in receiving stolen property where that 
property consists of grave markers of veterans, and for other 
purposes.''.
Page H4433
  Making technical corrections to section 1244 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which provides special 
immigrant status for certain Iraqis: S. 2829, to make technical 
corrections to section 1244 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2008, which provides special immigrant status for 
certain Iraqis--clearing the measure for the President;
  Page H4433

[[Page D646]]

  Extending for 5 years the program relating to waiver of the foreign 
country residence requirement with respect to international medical 
graduates: H.R. 5571, amended, to extend for 5 years the program 
relating to waiver of the foreign country residence requirement with 
respect to international medical graduates;
  Page H4433
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To extend for 5 years the 
program relating to waiver of the foreign country residence requirement 
with respect to international medical graduates, and for other 
purposes.''.
Page H4433
  Expressing support for designation of April 2008 as ``National Autism 
Awareness Month'' and supporting efforts to devote new resources to 
research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve 
training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for 
individuals with autism: H. Res. 1106, to express support for 
designation of April 2008 as ``National Autism Awareness Month'' and 
supporting efforts to devote new resources to research into the causes 
and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for 
individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism;
                                                             Page H4433
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there 
should be established a National Brain Tumor Awareness Month: H. Res. 
1124, amended, to express the sense of the House of Representatives 
that there should be established a National Brain Tumor Awareness 
Month;
  Page H4433
  Reducing maternal mortality both at home and abroad: H. Res. 1022, 
amended, to reduce maternal mortality both at home and abroad; 
                                                             Page H4433
  Expressing the sense of the Congress that there should be established 
a Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month 
to enhance public awareness of mental illness, especially within 
minority communities: H. Con. Res. 134, amended, to express the sense 
of the Congress that there should be established a Bebe Moore Campbell 
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public 
awareness of mental illness, especially within minority communities; 
and
  Page H4433
  Supporting the goals and ideals of National Osteoporosis Awareness 
and Prevention Month: H. Res. 369, amended, to support the goals and 
ideals of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. 
                                                         Pages H4433-34
Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page 
H4326.
Senate Referrals: S. 431 was held at the desk and S. Con. Res. 79 was 
referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. 
                                                     Pages H4325, H4459
Quorum Calls--Votes: Ten yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes 
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H4346-47, 
H4347, H4347-48, H4348-49, H4349, H4399-H4400, H4400-01, H4401, H4411, 
H4412, H4412-13, and H4415-16. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 11:56 p.m.