[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 129 (Thursday, July 31, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1000-D1004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced:  87 public bills, H.R. 6684-
6771; and 23 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 400-408; and H. Res. 1394-1398, 
1400-1408, were introduced.
  Pages H7784-88
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages H7789-90
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
  H.R. 1907, to authorize the acquisition of land and interests in land 
from willing sellers to improve the conservation of, and to enhance the 
ecological values and functions of, coastal and estuarine areas to 
benefit both the environment and the economies of coastal communities, 
with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-811);
  H.R. 2535, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study 
on the feasibility and suitability of constructing a storage reservoir, 
outlet works, and a delivery system for the Tule River Indian Tribe of 
California to provide a water supply for domestic, municipal, 
industrial, and agricultural purposes (H. Rept. 110-812);
  H.R. 3437, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry out 
the Jackson Gulch rehabilitation project in the State of Colorado, with 
an amendment (H. Rept. 110-813);
  H.R. 6041, to redesignate the Rio Grande American Canal in El Paso, 
Texas, as the ``Travis C. Johnson Canal'' (H. Rept. 110-814);
  H.R. 5293, to approve the settlement of the water rights claims of 
the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation in Nevada, to 
require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the settlement, with 
an amendment (H. Rept. 110-815); and
  H. Res. 1399, providing for proceedings during the period from August 
1, 2008, through September 4, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-816).
Pages H7783-84
Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. William H. 
Hild, Jr., First Baptist Church, Sarasota, Florida.
  Page H7633
Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by a 
recorded vote of 223 ayes to 203 noes, Roll No. 545.
  Pages H7673-74
College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008--Conference Report: 
The House agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 4137, to 
amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965, by a yea-and-nay 
vote of 380 yeas to 49 nays, Roll No. 544.
  Pages H7643-49, H7658-73
  H. Res. 1389, the rule providing for consideration of the conference 
report, was agreed to by voice vote after agreeing to order the 
previous question.
Page H7643
Point of Personal Privilege: Representative Rangel rose to a point of 
personal privilege and was recognized.
  Page H7674
Privileged Resolution: The House agreed to table H. Res. 1396, raising 
a question of the privileges of the House, by a recorded vote of 254 
ayes to 138 noes with 34 voting ``present'', Roll No. 546. 
                                                         Pages H7674-76
Order of Procedure: Agreed by unanimous consent that, during further 
proceedings today in the House and the Committee of the Whole, the 
Chair is authorized to reduce to two minutes the minimum time for 
electronic voting on any question that otherwise could be subjected to 
five-minute voting

[[Page D1001]]

under clause 8 or 9 of rule 20 or under clause 6 of rule 18. 
                                                             Page H7681
Paycheck Fairness Act: The House passed 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, 
by a recorded vote of 247 ayes to 178 noes, Roll No. 556. 
                                  Pages H7637-42, H7676-77, H7678-H7704
  Rejected the Price (GA) motion to recommit the bill to the Committee 
on Education and Labor with instructions to report the same back to the 
House promptly with amendments, by a recorded vote of 189 ayes to 236 
noes, Roll No. 555.
Pages H7701-03
  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 five-minute rule.
Page H7691
Accepted:
  Bean amendment (No. 1 printed in H. Rept. 110-807) that strikes 
Section 3(b), ``Application of Provisions,'' from the bill; 
                                                             Page H7693
  Flake amendment (No. 6 printed in H. Rept. 110-807) that prohibits 
the grant program created by the Paycheck Fairness Act from being used 
for Congressional earmarks;
Pages H7697-98
  Altmire amendment (No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 110-807) that delays the 
effective date of the bill by six months from the time of enactment. 
The amendment requires the Department of Labor to educate small 
businesses about what is required under law and assist them with 
compliance (by a recorded vote of 426 ayes to 1 no, Roll No. 552); 
                                            Pages H7695-96, H7699-H7700
  Giffords amendment (No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 110-807) that clarifies 
that a plaintiff must show intent (malice or reckless indifference) to 
recover punitive damages (by a recorded vote of 397 ayes to 29 noes, 
Roll No. 553); and
Pages H7696-97, H7700
  Cazayoux amendment (No. 5 printed in H. Rept. 110-807) that clarifies 
that nothing in the Paycheck Fairness Act would affect the obligation 
of employers and employees to fully comply with all the applicable 
immigration laws (by a recorded vote of 410 ayes to 16 noes with 1 
voting ``present'', Roll No. 554).
Pages H7697, H7700-01
Rejected:
  Price (GA) amendment (No. 2 printed in H. Rept. 110-807) that would 
have directed the Secretary of Labor to study and report back to 
Congress within 90 days the effect of the Equal Pay Act amendments 
contained in the bill (section 3) on employers' ability to recruit and 
hire employees regardless of gender; the effective date of these 
amendments would be delayed pending the Secretary's report. If the 
Secretary found that these amendments are likely to significantly 
hinder employers' ability to hire and recruit employees regardless of 
gender, they would not go into effect (by a recorded vote of 188 ayes 
to 240 noes, Roll No. 551).
Pages H7693-95, H7698-99
  Agreed that the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming 
changes to reflect the actions of the House.
Page H7705
  H. Res. 1388, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was 
agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 229 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 548, 
after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 
232 yeas to 191 nays, Roll No. 547.
Pages H7676-77
Resolving pending claims against Libya by United States nationals: The 
House agreed by unanimous consent to S. 3370, to resolve pending claims 
against Libya by United States nationals--clearing the measure for the 
President.
  Pages H7705-06
Suspension--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules 
and pass the following measure which was debated on Wednesday, July 
30th:
  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, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 407 yeas to 2 nays with 4 
voting ``present'', Roll No. 557.
  Pages H7704-05
Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules 
and pass the following measures which were debated on Tuesday, July 
29th:
  Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2008: H.R. 6309, amended, to amend 
the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to define 
environmental intervention blood lead level and establish additional 
requirements for certain lead hazard screens;
  Page H7706
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend the Residential 
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to define environmental 
intervention blood lead level, and for other purposes.''.
Page H7706
  Supporting the goals and ideals of the Apple Crunch and the Nation's 
domestic apple industry: H. Res. 1143, to support the goals and ideals 
of the Apple Crunch and the Nation's domestic apple industry; 
                                                             Page H7706
  Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building Designation 
Act: H.R. 6208, to designate

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the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Town 
and Country Commons in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal 
Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building'';
  Page H7706
  Corporal Alfred Mac Wilson Post Office Designation Act: H.R. 6437, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
200 North Texas Avenue in Odessa, Texas, as the ``Corporal Alfred Mac 
Wilson Post Office'';
  Pages H7706-07
  Recognizing the significance of the 20th anniversary of the signing 
of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 by President Ronald Reagan and the 
greatness of America in her ability to admit and remedy past mistakes: 
H. Res. 1357, amended, to recognize the significance of the 20th 
anniversary of the signing of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 by 
President Ronald Reagan and the greatness of America in her ability to 
admit and remedy past mistakes;
  Page H7707
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Recognizing the 
significance of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Civil 
Liberties Act of 1988 and the greatness of America in her ability to 
admit and remedy past mistakes and to recognize that there are other 
communities who may have suffered the mistakes of our government but 
have not received an apology and reparations.''.
Page H7707
  Authorizing funding for the National Advocacy Center: H.R. 6083, 
amended, to authorize funding for the National Advocacy Center; 
                                                             Page H7707
Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To authorize funding to 
conduct a national training program for State and local prosecutors. 
                                                             Page H7707
  Amending title 35, United States Code, and the Trademark Act of 1946 
to provide that the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the 
Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, shall 
appoint administrative patent judges and administrative trademark 
judges: S. 3295, to amend title 35, United States Code, and the 
Trademark Act of 1946 to provide that the Secretary of Commerce, in 
consultation with the Director of the United States Patent and 
Trademark Office, shall appoint administrative patent judges and 
administrative trademark judges--clearing the measure for the 
President;
  Page H7707
  Requesting that the President focus appropriate attention on 
neighborhood crime prevention and community policing, and coordinate 
certain Federal efforts to participate in National Night Out, which 
occurs the first Tuesday of August each year, including by supporting 
local efforts and community watch groups and by supporting local 
officials, to promote community safety and help provide homeland 
security: H. Res. 1324, to request that the President focus appropriate 
attention on neighborhood crime prevention and community policing, and 
coordinate certain Federal efforts to participate in National Night 
Out, which occurs the first Tuesday of August each year, including by 
supporting local efforts and community watch groups and by supporting 
local officials, to promote community safety and help provide homeland 
security;
  Page H7707
  United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2008: S. 3294, to 
provide for the continued performance of the functions of the United 
States Parole Commission--clearing the measure for the President; 
                                                             Page H7707
  United States Olympic Committee Paralympic Program Act of 2008: H.R. 
4255, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance to the Paralympic 
Program of the United States Olympic Committee;
  Page H7707
  Injunctive Relief for Veterans Act of 2008: H.R. 6225, amended, to 
amend title 38, United States Code, relating to equitable relief with 
respect to a State or private employer;
  Page H7707
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend title 38, United 
States Code, relating to equitable relief with respect to a State or 
private employer, and for other purposes.''.
Page H7707
  Veteran-Owned Small Business Protection and Clarification Act of 
2008: H.R. 6221, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in each contract 
the Secretary enters for the acquisition of goods and services a 
provision that requires the contractee to comply with the contracting 
goals and preferences for small business concerns owned or controlled 
by veterans;
  Page H7707
  Amending title 38, United States Code, to repeal the provision of law 
requiring termination of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans as 
of December 31, 2009: H.R. 674, to amend title 38, United States Code, 
to repeal the provision of law requiring termination of the Advisory 
Committee on Minority Veterans as of December 31, 2009;
  Page H7709
  Supporting the goals and ideals of National Campus Safety Awareness 
Month: H. Res. 1288, amended, to support the goals and ideals of 
National Campus Safety Awareness Month;
  Page H7709
  Congratulating the University of Tennessee women's basketball team 
for winning the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 
I

[[Page D1003]]

Women's Basketball Championship: H. Res. 1151, to congratulate the 
University of Tennessee women's basketball team for winning the 2008 
National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women's Basketball 
Championship; and
  Page H7709
  Recognizing the importance of connecting foster youth to the 
workforce through internship programs, and encouraging employers to 
increase employment of former foster youth: H. Res. 1332, to recognize 
the importance of connecting foster youth to the workforce through 
internship programs, and to encourage employers to increase employment 
of former foster youth.
  Page H7709
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009: 
The House began consideration of H.R. 6599, making appropriations for 
military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related 
agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. Further 
consideration is expected to resume tomorrow, August 1st. 
                                    Pages H7649-58, H7677-78, H7709-75.
Accepted:
  Buyer amendment (No. 28 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
30, 2008) that provides that $7,000,000 of the amount appropriated 
shall be for the installation of alternative fueling stations at 35 
medical facility campuses;
Pages H7751-52
  Hensarling amendment (No. 5 printed in the Congressional Record of 
July 29, 2008) that prohibits the use of funds to enforce section 526 
of the Energy Independence Act and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 
110-140; 42 U.S.C. 17142);
Pages H7762-63
  Taylor amendment (No. 30 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
30, 2008) that prohibits the use of funds to implement section 2703 of 
Public Law 109-234;
Pages H7763-64
  Stupak amendment (No. 16 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
29, 2008) that prohibits the use of funds to carry out section 
111(c)(5) of title 38, United States Code, during fiscal year 2009; 
                                                         Pages H7764-65
  Wamp amendment (No. 36 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
30, 2008) that prohibits the use of funds to modify the standards 
applicable to the determination of the entitlement of veterans to 
special monthly pensions;
Page H7765
  Murphy (CT) amendment (No. 37 printed in the Congressional Record of 
July 30, 2008) that prohibits the use of funds to enforce section 3, 
Policy of VHA Directive 2008-25; and
Pages H7765-76
  Gingrey amendment (No. 20 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
29, 2008) that prohibits the use of funds for the taking of private 
property for public use without just compensation.
Pages H7772-73
Withdrawn:
  Burgess amendment (No. 35 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
30, 2008) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to 
increase funding by $400,000,000, by offset, for design and 
construction of petroleum refineries for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, 
and Air Force;
Pages H7742-44
  Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment (No. 9 printed in the Congressional Record 
of July 29, 2008) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that 
sought to insert a new section under title II for the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to increase the number of medical centers specializing 
in post-traumatic stress disorder in underserved urban areas; 
                                                         Pages H7755-57
  Filner en bloc amendment (consisting of amendments No. 18 and No. 19 
printed in the Congressional Record of July 29, 2008) that was offered 
and subsequently withdrawn relating to rehabilitative services for 
veterans and servicemembers with post-traumatic stress disorder or 
traumatic brain injury;
Pages H7757-58
  Filner amendment (No. 22 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
29, 2008) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to 
insert a new section under title II for the payment to veterans who 
served in the Philippines during World War II; and
Pages H7758-61
  Terry amendment (No. 33 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
30, 2008) that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that sought to 
prohibit the use of funds to carry out the construction of any new 
national veterans' cemetery, unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
provides to Congress a list of six new locations for establishment of 
national cemeteries that includes Omaha, Nebraska.
Pages H7761-62
Point of Order sustained against:
  Bishop (UT) amendment (No. 24 printed in the Congressional Record of 
July 29, 2008) that sought to add a new Division B entitled ``American 
Energy Act'' and
Pages H7724-42
  Buyer amendment (No. 29 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
30, 2008) that sought to provide that $150,000,000 of the amount 
appropriated shall be for the installation of appropriate solar 
electric energy roof applications.
Pages H7752-55
Proceedings Postponed:
  Garrett amendment (No. 11 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
29, 2008) that seeks to increase funding, by offset, for the grants for 
construction of state extended care facilities account by $18,018,000; 
                                                         Pages H7749-51
  McCaul amendment (No. 6 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
29, 2008) that seeks to

[[Page D1004]]

prohibit the use of funds for a project or program named for an 
individual then serving as a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
or Senator of the United States Congress;
Page H7764
  Flake amendment (No. 4 printed in the Congressional Record of July 
29, 2008) that seeks to a new section at the end of the bill for the 
elimination of military construction congressional earmarks; and 
                                                         Pages H7766-72
  King (IA) amendment (No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record of 
July 29, 2008) that seeks to prohibit the use of funds to enforce 
subchapter IV of Chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code (commonly 
referred to as the Davis-Bacon Act).
Pages H7773-75
  H. Res. 1384, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was 
agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 230 yeas to 186 nays, Roll No. 550, 
after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 
243 yeas to 181 nays, Roll No. 549.
Pages H7677-78
Commission on International Religious Freedom--Reappointment: The Chair 
announced the Speaker's reappointment of Ms. Elizabeth H. Prodromou of 
Boston, Massachusetts, to the Commission on International Religious 
Freedom for a two-year term ending May 14, 2010.
  Page H7775
Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she 
appointed Representative Hoyer and Representative Van Hollen to act as 
Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions 
through September 8, 2008.
  Page H7775
Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on 
pages H7633, H7658 H7723-24 and H7749.
Senate Referrals: S. 2617 and S. 3370 were held at the desk. 
                                                     Pages H7633, H7658
Quorum Calls--Votes: Six yea-and-nay votes and eight recorded votes 
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H7673, 
H7673-74, H7675-76, H7676, H7676-77, H7677-78, H7678, H7698-99, H7699-
7700, H7700, H7700-01, H7703, H7704 and H7705. There were no quorum 
calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 1:08 a.m. on 
Friday, August 1st.