[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 30, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D984-D988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 33 public bills, H.R. 6651-
6683; and 6 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 398-399; and H. Res. 1390-1393, 
were introduced.
  Pages H7627-29
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages H7629-30
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:

[[Page D985]]


  H.R. 2339, to encourage research, development, and demonstration of 
technologies to facilitate the utilization of water produced in 
connection with the development of domestic energy resources, with an 
amendment (H. Rept. 110-801);
  H.R. 3957, to increase research, development, education, and 
technology transfer activities related to water use efficiency and 
conservation technologies and practices at the Environmental Protection 
Agency, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-802);
  Conference report on H.R. 4137, to amend and extend the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (H. Rept. 110-803);
  H.R. 6432, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to 
revise and extend the animal drug user fee program, with an amendment 
(H. Rept. 110-804);
  H.R. 6433, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to 
establish a program of fees relating to generic new animal drugs, with 
an amendment (H. Rept. 110-805);
  H.R. 2851, to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 
1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 to ensure that dependent students who take a medically necessary 
leave of absence do not lose health insurance coverage, with an 
amendment (H. Rept. 110-806, Pt. 1);
  H. Res. 1388, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1338) to 
amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective 
remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the 
basis of sex (H. Rept. 110-807);
  H. Res. 1389, providing for consideration of the conference report to 
accompany the bill (H.R. 4137) to amend and extend the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (H. Rept. 110-808);
  H.R. 6575, to require the Archivist of the United States to 
promulgate regulations to prevent the over-classification of 
information (H. Rept. 110-809); and
  H.R. 6576, to require the Archivist of the United States to 
promulgate regulations regarding the use of information control 
designations (H. Rept. 110-810).
Pages H7353-H7517, H7626-27
Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rabbi Peter E. 
Hyman, Temple Sholom, Broomall, Pennsylvania.
  Page H7331
Discharge Petition: Representative Bachmann moved to discharge the 
Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 
and the Committee on Science and Technology from the consideration of 
H.R. 6107, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish and 
implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in 
an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and 
production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain of Alaska, 
and for other purposes (Discharge Petition No. 15).
Discharge Petition: Representative Porter moved to discharge the 
Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Science and 
Technology, and the Committee on the Judiciary from the consideration 
of H.R. 6108, to provide for exploration, development, and production 
activities for mineral resources on the outer Continental Shelf, and 
for other purposes (Discharge Petition No. 16).
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the 
following measures:
  Providing for extensions of certain authorities of the Department of 
State: H.R. 6456, amended, to provide for extensions of certain 
authorities of the Department of State;
  Page H7336
  Commemorating Irena Sendler, a woman whose bravery saved the lives of 
thousands during the Holocaust and remembering her legacy of courage, 
selflessness, and hope: H. Con. Res. 361, to commemorate Irena Sendler, 
a woman whose bravery saved the lives of thousands during the Holocaust 
and remembering her legacy of courage, selflessness, and hope; 
                                                         Pages H7336-38
  Congratulating Albania and Croatia on being invited to begin 
accession talks with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and 
expressing support for continuing to enlarge the alliance: H. Res. 
1266, amended, to congratulate Albania and Croatia on being invited to 
begin accession talks with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and 
expressing support for continuing to enlarge the alliance; 
                                                         Pages H7338-40
  Recognizing the Special Olympics' 40th anniversary: H. Res. 1279, to 
recognize the Special Olympics' 40th anniversary;
  Pages H7340-42
  Calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to 
immediately end abuses of the human rights of its citizens, to cease 
repression of Tibetan and Uighur citizens, and to end its support for 
the Governments of Sudan and Burma to ensure that the Beijing 2008 
Olympic Games take place in an atmosphere that honors the Olympic 
traditions of freedom and openness: H. Res. 1370, amended, to call on 
the Government of the People's Republic of China to immediately end 
abuses of the human rights of its citizens, to cease repression of 
Tibetan and Uighur citizens, and to end its support for the Governments 
of Sudan and Burma to ensure that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games take 
place in an atmosphere that honors the Olympic traditions of freedom 
and openness, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of

[[Page D986]]

419 yeas to 1 nay with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 539; 
                                               Pages H7342-47, H7518-19
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Calling on the Government 
of the People's Republic of China to immediately end abuses of the 
human rights of its citizens, to cease repression of Tibetan and Uighur 
people, and to end its support for the Governments of Sudan and Burma 
to ensure that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games take place in an 
atmosphere that honors the Olympic traditions of freedom and 
openness.''.
Page H7519
  Expressing support for the United Nations African Union Mission in 
Darfur (UNAMID) and calling upon United Nations Member States and the 
international community to contribute the resources necessary to ensure 
the success of UNAMID: H. Res. 1351, amended, to express support for 
the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and to call 
upon United Nations Member States and the international community to 
contribute the resources necessary to ensure the success of UNAMID; 
                                                         Pages H7347-50
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Expressing support for the 
United Nations/African Union Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and 
calling upon United Nations Member States and the international 
community to contribute the resources necessary to ensure the success 
of UNAMID, including troops and essential tactical and utility 
helicopters.''.
Page H7350
  Temporarily extending the programs under the Higher Education Act of 
1965: S. 3352, to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher 
Education Act of 1965--clearing the measure for the President; 
                                                         Pages H7352-53
  Expressing support for the designation of August 2008 as ``National 
Heat Stroke Awareness Month'' to raise awareness and encourage 
prevention of heat stroke: H. Con. Res. 296, amended, to express 
support for the designation of August 2008 as ``National Heat Stroke 
Awareness Month'' to raise awareness and encourage prevention of heat 
stroke;
  Pages H7531-33
  Recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, 
and an eventual cure for primary lateral sclerosis, supporting the 
goals and ideals of the Hardy Brown Primary Lateral Sclerosis Awareness 
Month: H. Res. 896, amended, to recognize the need to pursue research 
into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for primary lateral 
sclerosis, supporting the goals and ideals of the Hardy Brown Primary 
Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month;
  Pages H7533-34
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Recognizing the need to 
pursue research into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for 
primary lateral sclerosis, supporting the goals and ideals of Primary 
Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month, and for other purposes.''. 
                                                             Page H7534
  Animal Drug User Fee Amendments of 2008: H.R. 6432, amended, to amend 
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the 
animal drug user fee program;
  Pages H7534-41
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend the Federal Food, 
Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the animal drug user fee 
program, to establish a program of fees relating to generic new animal 
drugs, to make certain technical corrections to the Food and Drug 
Administration Amendments Act of 2007, and for other purposes.''. 
                                                             Page H7541
  Michelle's Law: H.R. 2851, amended, to amend the Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that dependent students who 
take a medically necessary leave of absence do not lose health 
insurance coverage;
  Pages H7541-46
  Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act: H.R. 1108, 
amended, to protect the public health by providing the Food and Drug 
Administration with certain authority to regulate tobacco products, by 
a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 326 yeas to 102 nays, Roll No. 542; 
                                                  Pages H7546-77, H7587
  Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008: Conference report to 
accompany H.R. 4040, to establish consumer product safety standards and 
other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize 
and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission, by a \2/3\ yea-
and-nay vote of 424 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 543. 
                                               Pages H7577-86, H7587-88
  Agreed by unanimous consent that debate on the motion to suspend the 
rules and agree to the conference report to accompany H.R. 4040 be 
extended by 20 minutes, equally divided and controlled.
  Commending the members of the Nevada Army National Guard and Air 
National Guard for their service to the State of Nevada and the United 
States: H. Con. Res. 358, amended, to commend the members of the Nevada 
Army National Guard and Air National Guard for their service to the 
State of Nevada and the United States;
  Pages H7596-99
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Commending the members of 
the Nevada Army and Air National Guard and the Nevada Reserve members 
of the Armed Forces for their dedicated, unselfish, and professional 
service, commitment, and sacrifices to the State of Nevada and the 
United States during

[[Page D987]]

more than five years of deployments to and in support of Operation 
Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.''.
Pages H7598-99
  Honoring Edward Day Cohota, Joseph L. Pierce, and other veterans of 
Asian and Pacific Islander descent who fought in the United States 
Civil War: H. Res. 415, amended, to honor Edward Day Cohota, Joseph L. 
Pierce, and other veterans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent who 
fought in the United States Civil War;
  Pages H7599-H7600
  Recognizing the service of the USS Farenholt and her men who served 
our Nation with valor and bravery in the South Pacific during World War 
II: H. Res. 1248, amended, to recognize the service of the USS 
Farenholt and her men who served our Nation with valor and bravery in 
the South Pacific during World War II;
  Pages H7600-01
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Recognizing the service of 
the USS Farenholt and her crew who served the United States with valor 
and bravery in the South Pacific during World War II.''.
Page H7601
  Water Use Efficiency and Conservation Research Act: H.R. 3957, 
amended, to increase research, development, education, and technology 
transfer activities related to water use efficiency and conservation 
technologies and practices at the Environmental Protection Agency; and 
                                                         Pages H7604-06
  Produced Water Utilization Act of 2008: H.R. 2339, amended, to 
encourage research, development, and demonstration of technologies to 
facilitate the utilization of water produced in connection with the 
development of domestic energy resources.
  Pages H7606-08
Adjournment Resolution: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 398, providing 
for a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives and a 
conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate, by a yea-and-nay vote 
of 213 yeas to 212 nays, Roll No. 537.
  Pages H7517-18
Suspension--Failed: The House failed to agree to suspend the rules and 
pass the following measure:
  Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act of 2008: H.R. 
6604, amended, to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to bring greater 
transparency and accountability to commodity markets, by a \2/3\ yea-
and-nay vote of 276 yeas to 151 nays, Roll No. 540.
  Pages H7519-30
Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules 
and pass the following measures which were debated on Tuesday, July 
29th:
  Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008: H.R. 
5892, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to modernize the disability benefits 
claims processing system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
ensure the accurate and timely delivery of compensation to veterans and 
their families and survivors, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 429 ayes with 
none voting ``no'', Roll No. 538;
  Page H7518
  Amending title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs from collecting certain copayments from veterans who 
are catastrophically disabled: H.R. 6445, amended, to amend title 38, 
United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 
collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically 
disabled, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 421 yeas with none voting 
``nay'', Roll No. 541;
  Page H7531
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend title 38, United 
States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 
collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically 
disabled, and for other purposes.''.
Page H7531
  Department of Homeland Security Component Privacy Officer Act of 
2008: H.R. 5170, amended, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to 
provide for a privacy official within each component of the Department 
of Homeland Security;
  Page H7596
  Homeland Security Network Defense and Accountability Act of 2008: 
H.R. 5983, amended, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to 
enhance the information security of the Department of Homeland 
Security;
  Page H7596
  Next Generation Radiation Screening Act of 2008: H.R. 5531, amended, 
to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to clarify criteria for 
certification relating to advanced spectroscopic portal monitors; 
                                                             Page H7596
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 to clarify criteria for certification relating to 
Advanced Spectroscopic Portal monitors, and for other purposes.''. 
                                                             Page H7596
  Improving Public Access to Documents Act of 2008: H.R. 6193, amended, 
to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer 
policies, procedures, and programs to promote the implementation of the 
Controlled Unclassified Information Framework applicable to 
unclassified information that is homeland security information, 
terrorism information, weapons of mass destruction information and 
other information within the scope of the information sharing 
environment established

[[Page D988]]

under section 1016 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention 
Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 485);
  Page H7596
  Reducing Over-Classification Act of 2008: H.R. 4806, amended, to 
require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to 
prevent the over-classification of homeland security and other 
information and to promote the sharing of unclassified homeland 
security and other information;
  Page H7596
  Homeland Security Open Source Information Enhancement Act of 2008: 
H.R. 3815, amended, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to 
require the Secretary of Homeland Security to make full and efficient 
use of open source information to develop and disseminate open source 
homeland security information products;
  Page H7596
  Reducing Information Control Designations Act: H.R. 6576, amended, to 
require the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations 
regarding the use of information control designations; and
  Page H7596
  Providing that Federal employees receiving their pay by electronic 
funds transfer shall be given the option of receiving their pay stubs 
electronically: H.R. 6073, to provide that Federal employees receiving 
their pay by electronic funds transfer shall be given the option of 
receiving their pay stubs electronically.
  Page H7596
Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following 
measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were 
postponed:
  Condemning the persecution of Baha'is in Iran: H. Res. 1008, amended, 
to condemn the persecution of Baha'is in Iran;
  Pages H7350-52
  Employee Verification Amendment Act of 2008: H.R. 6633, to evaluate 
and extend the basic pilot program for employment eligibility 
confirmation and to ensure the protection of Social Security 
beneficiaries; and
  Pages H7588-96
  Honoring the service of the Navy and Coast Guard veterans who served 
on the Landing Ship Tank (LST) amphibious landing craft during World 
War II, the Korean war, the Vietnam war, Operation Desert Storm, and 
global operations through 2002 and recognizing the essential role 
played by LST amphibious craft during these conflicts: H. Res. 1316, to 
honor the service of the Navy and Coast Guard veterans who served on 
the Landing Ship Tank (LST) amphibious landing craft during World War 
II, the Korean war, the Vietnam war, Operation Desert Storm, and global 
operations through 2002 and to recognize the essential role played by 
LST amphibious craft during these conflicts.
  Pages H7601-04
Presidential Message: Read a message from the President wherein he 
notified Congress that the national emergency and related measures 
declared with respect to Lebanon are to continue in effect beyond 
August 1, 2008--referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
ordered printed (H. Doc. 110-140).
  Page H7608
Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on 
pages H7630-31.
Quorum Calls--Votes: Six yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote 
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H7517-18, 
H7518, H7518-19, H7530, H7531, H7587, and H7587-88. There were no 
quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:15 p.m.