[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D935-D937]
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. 6544-6592; 
and 6 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 395; and H. Res. 1366, 1369-1372 were 
introduced.
  Pages H7057-58
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages H7058-59
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
  H. Res. 1367, providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules 
(H. Rept. 110-768) and
  H. Res. 1368, relating to the House procedures contained in section 803 of 
the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 
(H. Rept. 110-769).
Pages H7012-13, H7057
Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. James Rousakis, 
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Clearwater, Florida.
  Page H6827
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following 
measures:
  Approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese 
Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003: H. J. Res. 93, amended, to approve the 
renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and 
Democracy Act of 2003;
  Pages H6831-33
  Amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restore the Highway Trust 
Fund balance: H.R. 6532, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
restore the Highway Trust Fund balance, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 387 
yeas to 37 nays, Roll No. 518;
  Pages H6833-38, H6854
  Honoring and commemorating the selfless acts of heroism displayed by the 
late Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph 
Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police on July 24, 1998: H. Res. 1360, 
to honor and commemorate the selfless acts of heroism displayed by the late 
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut 
of the United States Capitol Police on July 24, 1998;
  Pages H6838-39
  Expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the House of Representatives 
to the professionalism and dedication of the United States Capitol Police: 
H. Res. 645, amended, to express the gratitude and appreciation of the House 
of Representatives to the professionalism and dedication of the United 
States Capitol Police;
  Pages H6839-40
  Recognizing and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the National Black 
Arts Festival: H. Res. 1286, to recognize and celebrate the 20th anniversary 
of the National Black Arts Festival;
  Pages H7037-38
  Expressing support for designation of Disability Pride Day and recognizing 
that all people, including those living with disabilities, have the right, 
responsibility, and ability to be active, contributing members of our 
society and fully engaged as citizens: H. Res. 1355, to express support for 
designation of Disability Pride Day and to recognize that all people, 
including those living with disabilities, have the right, responsibility, 
and ability to be active, contributing members of our society and fully 
engaged as citizens; and
  Pages H7038-39
  Honoring the life and accomplishments of Katherine Dunham: H. Res. 655, 
amended, to honor the life and accomplishments of Katherine Dunham. 
                                                              Pages H7039-41
Authorizing the printing of an additional number of copies of the 23rd 
edition of the pocket version of the United States Constitution: The House 
agreed to discharge from committee and agree to H. Con. Res. 395, 
authorizing the printing of an additional number of copies of the 23rd 
edition of the pocket version of the United States Constitution. 
                                                                  Page H6840
Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Sessions motion to adjourn by a yea-and-nay 
vote of 20 yeas to 400 nays, Roll No. 515.
  Page H6852
Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008: The House agreed to the Senate 
amendment to the House amendments to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3221, to 
provide needed housing reform, with the amendment printed in H. Rept. 110-
767, by a yea-and-nay vote of 272 yeas to 152 nays, Roll No. 519. 
                                                           Pages H6854-H7011
  H. Res. 1363, the rule providing for consideration of the Senate amendment 
to the House amendments to the Senate amendment to the bill, was agreed to 
by a recorded vote of 223 ayes to 201 noes, Roll No. 517, after agreeing to 
order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 226 yeas to 183 nays, 
Roll No. 516.
Pages H6840-52, H6852-54
  Pursuant to section 2 of H. Res. 1363, the House has receded from any 
remaining amendments or disagreements on H.R. 3221.
Page H7011
Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules and 
pass the following measure which was debated on Tuesday, July 22nd:
  National Energy Security Intelligence Act of 2008:  H.R. 6545, to require 
the Director of National Intelligence to conduct a national intelligence 
assessment on national security and energy security issues, by a \2/3\ yea-
and-nay vote of 414 yeas with none voting ``nay'' and 2 voting ``present'', 
Roll No. 520.
  Pages H7011-12
  The House further agreed to the Hastings (FL) motion to table the Price 
(GA) motion to reconsider the vote, by a recorded vote of 242 ayes to 179 
noes, Roll No. 521.
Page H7012

[[Page D936]]

National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2008: The House 
began consideration of H.R. 3999, to amend title 23, United States Code, to 
improve the safety of Federal-aid highway bridges, to strengthen bridge 
inspection standards and processes, and to increase investment in the 
reconstruction of structurally deficient bridges on the National Highway 
System. Further proceedings were postponed.
  Pages H7018-37
  Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed 
in part A of H. Rept. 110-760 shall be considered as an original bill for 
the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule.
Pages H7025-37
Accepted:
  Oberstar amendment (No. 1 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-760) that 
makes technical corrections to the amendment in the nature of a substitute; 
                                                                  Page H7027
  Mica amendment (No. 2 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-760) that requires 
the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the Federal 
Highway Administration's bridge rating system. The study shall specifically 
address the effectiveness of using the terms ``structurally deficient'' and 
``functionally obsolete'' in describing the condition of the highway bridge 
inventory in the United States;
Page H7028
  Mario Diaz-Balart (FL) amendment (No. 3 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-
760) that considers emergency evacuation routes in the risk-based 
prioritization for replacement or rehabilitation of deficient bridges; 
                                                              Pages H7028-29
  Walz (MN) amendment (No. 4 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-760) that 
requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to Congress, within 15 
days of issuing a critical finding that results in the closure of a bridge, 
on the economic impact and impact on regional transportation that will 
result from the bridge closure. The amendment also requires the Secretary to 
recommend solutions to mitigate such impacts;
Pages H7029-30
  Miller (MI) amendment (No. 5 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-760) that 
requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on the cost 
benefits of using carbon fiber composite materials in bridge projects 
instead of traditional construction materials;
Pages H7030-31
  Conaway amendment (No. 6 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-760) that 
expresses the sense of Congress to encourage States that receive Federal 
funding to develop corrosion mitigation and prevention plans. The plans are 
encouraged to contain expected useful life of the bridge, details of 
corrosion mitigation and prevention methods in construction and maintenance 
of the bridge, certification and approval by a corrosion expert and 
corrosion training for all bridge inspectors;
Pages H7031-32
  Shays amendment (No. 7 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-760) that 
requests the GAO to conduct a study on factors contributing to bridge 
construction and rehabilitation delays and ways to expedite construction 
projects;
Pages H7032-33
  Loebsack amendment (No. 8 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-760) that 
requires the Secretary, in consultation with the States, to study the risks 
posed by a ``500 year'' flood to bridges on federal-aid highways, bridges on 
other public roads, and bridges on Indian reservations and park bridges 
while also giving consideration to safety, serviceability, essentiality for 
public use, and public safety. The Secretary would report the results to 
Congress not later than 2 years after enactment of the legislation; 
                                                              Pages H7033-34
  Shea-Porter amendment (No. 9 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-760) that 
allows a state performance plan to provide for increased inspection of a 
historic bridge rather than rehabilitation or replacement; and 
                                                              Pages H7034-35
  Oberstar amendment (No. 11 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-760) that 
creates a National Tunnel Inspection Program that would establish national 
tunnel inspection standards and ensure uniformity among the States in the 
conduct of such inspections.
Pages H7035-36
Proceedings Postponed:
  Childers amendment (No. 10 printed in part B of H. Rept. 110-760) that 
seeks to provide that none of the funds may be used to employ workers in 
violation of section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 
                                                                  Page H7035
  H. Res. 1344, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was agreed 
to by a yea-and-nay vote of 228 yeas to 193 nays, Roll No. 523, after 
agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 228 yeas to 
192 nays, Roll No. 522.
Pages H7013-18
Suspension--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measure 
under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed:
  Supporting the designation of a National Child Awareness Month to promote 
awareness of children's charities and youth-serving organizations across the 
United States and recognizing their efforts on behalf of children and youth 
as a positive investment for the future of our Nation: H. Res. 1296, 
amended, to support the designation of a National Child Awareness Month to 
promote awareness of children's charities and youth-serving organizations 
across the United States and to recognize their efforts on behalf of 
children and youth as a positive investment for the future of our Nation. 
                                                              Pages H7041-42
Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he 
transmitted notification that the national emergency caused by the lapse of 
the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended, is to continue in effect 
for 1 year beyond August 17, 2008--referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs and ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-137).
  Page H7042

[[Page D937]]

Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page 
H6839.
Senate Referrals: S. 3295 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. 
                                                                  Page H7055
Quorum Calls--Votes: Seven yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes 
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H6852, H6852-
53, H6853-54, H6854, H7010-11, H7011-12, H7012, H7017, and H7018. There were 
no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:05 p.m.