[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 4, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D684-D687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded 
a hearing to examine the nominations of Walter Lukken, of Indiana, who 
was introduced by Senator Lugar, to be Chairman, and Bartholomew H. 
Chilton, of Delaware, and Scott O'Malia, of Michigan, who was 
introduced by Senators Domenici and Stabenow, each to be a 
Commissioner, all of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, after 
each nominee testified and answered questions in their own behalf.
APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense received testimony 
from sundry public witnesses requesting funding for programs in the 
Department of Defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2009.
VEHICLE ROOF STRENGTH
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on 
Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety concluded an 
oversight hearing to examine passenger vehicle roof strength, after 
receiving testimony from Senator Coburn; James F. Ports, Jr., Deputy 
Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
Department of Transportation; Stephen L. Oesch, Insurance Institute for 
Highway Safety, and Michael J. Stanton, Association of International 
Automobile Manufacturers, Inc., both of Arlington, Virginia; Robert 
Strassburger, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Joan Claybrook, 
Public Citizen, and Jacqueline S. Gillan, Advocates for Highway and 
Auto Safety, all of Washington, D.C.; and David A. Garcia, Endicott, 
New York.
CHINA IN AFRICA
Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on African Affairs 
concluded a hearing to examine the engagement of China and its 
expanding role in Africa, focusing on the implications for the policy 
of the United States, after receiving testimony from Thomas J. 
Christensen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific 
Affairs, and James Swan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African 
Affairs, both of the Department of State; Elizabeth C. Economy, Council 
on Foreign Relations, New York, New York; and J. Stephen Morrison, 
Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C.
TERRORISM DETAINEE POLICY
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine 
ways to improve the detainee policy, focusing on handling terrorism 
detainees within the American justice system, after receiving testimony 
from John C. Coughenour, United States District Judge for the Western 
District of Washington; James J. Benjamin, Jr., Akin, Gump, Strauss, 
Hauer and Feld, LLP, New York, New York; Amos N. Guiora, University of 
Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Salt Lake City; and Tom Malinowski, 
Human Rights Watch, and Benjamin Wittes, Brookings Institution, both of 
Washington, D.C.
SYSTEMIC INDIFFERENCE TO INVISIBLE WOUNDS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee concluded an oversight 
hearing to examine mental health care programs at Department of 
Veterans Affairs facilities, focusing on treatment for post-traumatic 
stress disorder, after receiving testimony from Norma Perez, Mental 
Health Integration Psychologist, Central Texas Veterans Health Care 
System, Michael J. Kussman, Under Secretary for Health, Ira Katz, 
Deputy Chief of Patient Care Services, Officer for Mental Health, Rear 
Admiral Patrick W. Dunne, USN (Ret.), Acting Under Secretary for 
Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, and Brad Mayes, Director, 
Compensation and Pension Service, all of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

[[Page D685]]




                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced:  16 public bills, H.R. 6175-
6190; and 8 resolutions, H.J. Res. 90; H. Con. Res. 368; and H. Res. 
1236-1241 were introduced.
  Pages H4973-74
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages H4975-76
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
  H.R. 5972, to make technical corrections to the laws affecting 
certain administrative authorities of the United States Capitol Police 
(H. Rept. 110-679);
  H.R. 1343, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide 
additional authorizations of appropriations for the health centers 
program under section 330 of such Act, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-
680);
  H.R. 5669, to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the 
poison center national toll-free number, national media campaign, and 
grant program to provide assistance for poison prevention, sustain the 
funding of poison centers, and enhance the public health of people of 
the United States (H. Rept. 110-681);
  H.R. 5940, to authorize activities for support of nanotechnology 
research and development, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-682);
  H.R. 5893, to reauthorize the sound recording and film preservation 
programs of the Library of Congress, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-
683, Pt. 1);
  H.R. 3916, to provide for the next generation of border and maritime 
security technologies, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-684, Pt. 1);
  H.R. 5770, to provide for a study by the National Academy of Sciences 
of potential impacts of climate change on water resources and water 
quality (H. Rept. 110-685, Pt. 1); and
  H.R. 135, to establish the Twenty-First Century Water Commission to 
study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy to 
address future water needs, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-504, Pt. 
2).
Page H4973
Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed 
Representative Tauscher to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. 
                                                             Page H4879
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the 
following measures:
  Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington 
Soap Box Derby: H. Con. Res. 311, to authorize the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby;
  Pages H4882-86
  Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for a celebration of the 
100th anniversary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated: H. Con. 
Res. 335, to Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for a 
celebration of the 100th anniversary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, 
Incorporated;
  Pages H4886-88
  James M. & Thomas W.L. Ashley Customs Building and United States 
Courthouse Designation Act: H.R. 3712, amended, to designate the 
Federal building and United States courthouse located at 1716 
Spielbusch Avenue in Toledo, Ohio, as the ``James M. & Thomas W.L. 
Ashley Customs Building and United States Courthouse''; 
                                                         Pages H4888-90
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To designate the United 
States courthouse located at 1716 Spielbusch Avenue in Toledo, Ohio, as 
the `James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L. Ashley United States 
Courthouse'.''.
Page H4890
  Thomas Jefferson Census Bureau Headquarters Building Designation Act: 
H.R. 5599, to designate the Federal building located at 4600 Silver 
Hill Road in Suitland, Maryland, as the ``Thomas Jefferson Census 
Bureau Headquarters Building'';
  Pages H4890-91
  Health Centers Renewal Act of 2007: H.R. 1343, amended, to amend the 
Public Health Service Act to provide additional authorizations of 
appropriations for the health centers program under section 330 of such 
Act, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 393 yeas to 24 nays, Roll No. 372; 
                                               Pages H4891-96, H4935-36
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend the Public Health 
Service Act to provide additional authorizations of appropriations for 
the health centers program under section 330 of such Act, and for other 
purposes.''.
Page H4936
  Poison Center Support, Enhancement, and Awareness Act of 2008: H.R. 
5669, to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the poison 
center national toll-free number, national media campaign, and grant 
program to provide assistance for poison prevention, sustain the 
funding of poison centers, and enhance the public health of people of 
the United States, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 405 yeas to 10 nays, 
Roll No. 373;
  Pages H4896-99, H4936-37
  Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs 
Reauthorization Act of

[[Page D686]]

2008: H.R. 5893, amended, to reauthorize the sound recording and film 
preservation programs of the Library of Congress;
  Pages H4899-H4901
  United States Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act 
of 2008:  H.R. 5972, amended, to make technical corrections to the laws 
affecting certain administrative authorities of the United States 
Capitol Police;
  Pages H4901-03
  Expressing the sense of Congress that increasing American 
capabilities in science, mathematics, and technology education should 
be a national priority: H. Con. Res. 366, to express the sense of 
Congress that increasing American capabilities in science, mathematics, 
and technology education should be a national priority; and 
                                                         Pages H4911-17
  Recognizing the efforts and contributions of outstanding women 
scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians in the United 
States and around the world on Mother's Day, 2008: H. Res. 1180, 
amended, to recognize the efforts and contributions of outstanding 
women scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians in the 
United States and around the world on Mother's Day, 2008. 
                                                         Pages H4918-19
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Recognizing the efforts 
and contributions of outstanding women scientists, technologists, 
engineers, and mathematicians in the United States and around the 
world.''
Page H4919
Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following 
measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were 
postponed:
  National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008: H.R. 5940, 
amended, to authorize activities for support of nanotechnology research 
and development and
  Pages H4903-11
  Public Land Communities Transition Act of 2007: H.R. 3058, amended, 
to amend chapter 69 of title 31, United States Code, to provide full 
payments under such chapter to units of general local government in 
which entitlement land is located, to provide transitional payments 
during fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to those States and counties 
previously entitled to payments under the Secure Rural Schools and 
Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.
  Pages H4919-27
Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of 
the men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service 
of our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, and all who 
serve in the armed forces.
  Page H4935
21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act: The 
House passed H.R. 3021, to direct the Secretary of Education to make 
grants and low-interest loans to local educational agencies for the 
construction, modernization, or repair of public kindergarten, 
elementary, and secondary educational facilities, by a yea-and-nay vote 
of 250 yeas to 164 nays, Roll No. 379.
  Pages H4927-35, H4937-61
  Rejected the McMorris Rodgers motion to recommit the bill to the 
Committee on Education and Labor with instructions to report the same 
back to the House promptly with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 187 
ayes to 230 noes, Roll No. 378.
Pages H4959-60
  Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the 
bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of 
amendment under the 5-minute rule.
Page H4946
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To direct the Secretary of 
Education to make grants to State educational agencies for the 
modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities, and 
for other purposes.''.
Page H4948
Accepted:
  Davis (VA) amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 110-678) that allows 
for priority consideration to science and technology schools once the 
funds reach their local educational agencies;
Pages H4952-53
  Visclosky amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 110-678) that requires 
a local educational agency to use American steel and iron for 
modernization, renovation, or repair projects at a public school 
facility; includes waivers if iron and steel are not produced in the 
U.S. in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and if iron and 
steel produced in the U.S. will increase the cost of the overall 
project by more than 25 percent;
Pages H4953-54
  Reichert amendment (No. 8 printed in H. Rept. 110-678) that provides 
that local education agencies may use a grant for modernization, 
renovation, or repair of public school facilities to reduce class size;
                                                         Pages H4955-56
  Kildee amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-678) that makes 
various technical changes in addition to clarifying or adding certain 
allowable uses of funds, clarifying the Act's green building 
requirements, and adding certain reporting requirements (by a recorded 
vote of 260 ayes to 151 noes, Roll No. 374);
Pages H4947, H4956
  Ehlers amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-678) that establishes 
a moratorium on using federal funds to purchase carbon offsets with the 
funding authorized in the bill (by a recorded vote of 397 ayes to 17 
noes, Roll No. 375);
Pages H4949-50, H4956-57

[[Page D687]]


  Welch (VT) amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-678) that allows 
funding authorized by the bill to be used for renewable energy 
generation and heating systems in schools (by a recorded vote of 409 
ayes to 5 noes, Roll No. 376); and
Page H4950-52, H4957-58
  Matheson amendment (No. 7 printed in H. Rept. 110-678) that provides 
that schools and local educational agencies receiving grants under this 
bill shall report, if they installed flooring, whether it was (1) low- 
or no-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) flooring, (2) made from 
sustainable materials, and (3) cost effective (by a recorded vote of 
266 ayes to 153 noes, Roll No. 377).
Pages H4954-55, H4958
  Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming 
changes to reflect the actions of the House.
Page H4961
  H. Res. 1234, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was 
agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 223 yeas to 193 nays, Roll No. 371, 
after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 
221 yeas to 196 nays, Roll No. 370.
Pages H4934-35
Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of 
the victims of the tornado that struck Iowa on May 25, 2008. 
                                                         Pages H4960-61
Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to 
meet at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, June 5th.
  Page H4961
Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page 
H4917.
Senate Referrals: S. 2162 was referred to the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs and S. 2967 was held at the desk.
  Pages H4917, H4971
Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes and five recorded votes 
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H4934-35, 
H4935, H4936, H4936-37, H4956, H4956-57, H4957-58, H4958, H4960 and 
H4961. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 10:15 p.m.