[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1009-D1013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                             Friday, August 1, 2008

[[Page D1009]]

                              Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS

      See Resume of Congressional Activity.
      The House passed H.R. 6599, Military Construction and Veterans 
      Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009.


                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S7983-S8079
Measures Introduced: Thirty-two bills and nine resolutions were 
introduced, as follows: S. 3418-3449, and S. Res. 643-651. 
                                                         Pages S8034-36
Measures Reported:
  S. 702, to authorize the Attorney General to award grants to State 
courts to develop and implement State courts interpreter programs, with 
an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-436)
  S. 789, to prevent abuse of Government credit cards, with an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-437)
  S. 2166, to provide for greater responsibility in lending and 
expanded cancellation of debts owed to the United States and the 
international financial institutions by low-income countries, with 
amendments. (S. Rept. No. 110-438)
  S. 2449, to amend chapter 111 of title 28, United States Code, 
relating to protective orders, sealing of cases, disclosures of 
discovery information in civil actions, with an amendment in the nature 
of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-439)
  S. 2840, to establish a liaison with the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation in United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to 
expedite naturalization applications filed by members of the Armed 
Forces and to establish a deadline for processing such applications, 
with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 110-440)
  S. 3169, to authorize United States participation in, and 
appropriations for the United States contribution to, the eleventh 
replenishment of the resources of the African Development Fund. (S. 
Rept. No. 110-441)
  S. 2533, to enact a safe, fair, and responsible state secrets 
privilege Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. 
Rept. No. 110-442)
  S. 3445, to impose sanctions with respect to Iran, to provide for the 
divestment of assets in Iran by State and local governments and other 
entities, to identify locations of concern with respect to 
transshipment, reexportation, or diversion of certain sensitive items 
to Iran. (S. Rept. No. 110-443)
  Report to accompany S.J. Res. 41, approving the renewal of import 
restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 
2003. (S. Rept. No. 110-444)
Page S8034
Measures Passed:
  Animal Drug User Fee Amendments: Senate passed H.R. 6432, 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, clearing the 
measure for the President.
  Page S7983
  CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building: Senate passed S. 3241, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
1717 Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the ``CeeCee Ross Lyles 
Post Office Building''.
  Page S7984
  Dock M. Brown Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 4210, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
401 Washington Avenue in Weldon, North Carolina, as the ``Dock M. Brown 
Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                             Page S7984
  Chi Mui Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 5477, to designate 
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 South 
Del Mar Avenue in San Gabriel, California, as the ``Chi Mui

[[Page D1010]]

Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                             Page S7984
  Private First Class David H. Sharrett II Post Office Building: Senate 
passed H.R. 5483, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 10449 White Granite Drive in Oakton, Virginia, as 
the ``Private First Class David H. Sharrett II Post Office Building'', 
clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S7984
  Corporal Bradley T. Arms Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 
5631, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 1155 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the 
``Corporal Bradley T. Arms Post Office Building'', clearing the measure 
for the President.
  Page S7984
  Kenneth James Gray Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 6061, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
219 East Main Street in West Frankfort, Illinois, as the ``Kenneth 
James Gray Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the 
President.
  Page S7984
  Gerald R. Ford Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 6085, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
42222 Rancho Las Palmas Drive in Rancho Mirage, California, as the 
``Gerald R. Ford Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the 
President.
  Page S7984
  John P. Gallagher Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 6150, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
14500 Lorain Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, as the ``John P. Gallagher Post 
Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S7984
  Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act: Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration 
of H.R. 2095, to amend title 49, United States Code, to prevent 
railroad fatalities, injuries, and hazardous materials releases, to 
authorize the Federal Railroad Safety Administration, and the bill was 
then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed 
thereto:
  Page S8003
  Cantwell (for Lautenberg/Smith) Amendment No. 5259, in the nature of 
a substitute.
Page S8003
  Elwood ``Bud'' Link Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic: 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 2245, to designate the Department of Veterans 
Affairs outpatient clinic in Wenatchee, Washington, as the Elwood 
``Bud'' Link Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, and the 
bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                             Page S8003
  SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act: Committee on 
Finance was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2608, to 
amend section 402 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity 
Reconciliation Act of 1996 to provide, in fiscal years 2009 through 
2011, extensions of supplemental security income for refugees, asylees, 
and certain other humanitarian immigrants, and to amend the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 to collect unemployment compensation debts 
resulting from fraud, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to 
the following amendments proposed thereto:
  Pages S8003-04
  Cantwell (for Smith) Amendment No. 5260, in the nature of a 
substitute.
Page S8004
  Cantwell (for Smith) Amendment No. 5261, to amend the title. 
                                                             Page S8004
  Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center: 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 4918, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs 
medical center in Miami, Florida, as the ``Bruce W. Carter Department 
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center'', and the bill was then passed, 
clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S8004
  Charles L. Brieant, Jr., Federal Building and United States 
Courthouse: Senate passed H.R. 6340, to designate the Federal building 
and United States courthouse located at 300 Quarropas Street in White 
Plains, New York, as the ``Charles L. Brieant, Jr., Federal Building 
and United States Courthouse'', clearing the measure for the President.
                                                             Page S8004
  Hubbard Act: Senate passed H.R. 6580, to ensure the fair treatment of 
a member of the Armed Forces who is discharged from the Armed Forces, 
at the request of the member, pursuant to the Department of Defense 
policy permitting the early discharge of a member who is the only 
surviving child in a family in which the father or mother, or one or 
more siblings, served in the Armed Forces and, because of hazards 
incident to such service, was killed, died as a result of wounds, 
accident, or disease, is in a captured or missing in action status, or 
is permanently disabled, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
repeal the dollar limitation on contributions to funeral trusts, 
clearing the measure for the President.
  Pages S8004-05
  DTV Border Fix Act: Senate passed S. 2507, to address the digital 
television transition in border states, after agreeing to the committee 
amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendment 
proposed thereto:
  Pages S8005-06
  Cantwell (for Hutchison) Amendment No. 5262, of a perfecting nature. 
                                                             Page S8005

[[Page D1011]]

  Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact: 
Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of 
S.J. Res. 45, expressing the consent and approval of Congress to an 
inter-state compact regarding water resources in the Great Lakes--St. 
Lawrence River Basin, and the resolution was then passed, after 
agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
  Pages S8006-14
  Cantwell (for Levin) Amendment No. 5263, to clarify the authority of 
Congress.
Page S8007
   Kenya and Tanzania United States Embassy Bombings 10th Anniversary: 
Senate agreed to S. Res. 618, recognizing the tenth anniversary of the 
bombings of the United States embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es 
Salaam, Tanzania, and memorializing the citizens of the United States, 
Kenya, and Tanzania whose lives were claimed as a result of the al 
Qaeda led terrorist attacks.
  Pages S8014-15
  U.S. Hostages in Colombia: Committee on Foreign Relations was 
discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 627, welcoming home 
Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves, three citizens of the 
United States who were held hostage for over five years by the 
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after their plane crashed 
on February 13, 2003, and the resolution was then agreed to. 
                                                             Page S8015
  National Truancy Prevention Month: Committee on the Judiciary was 
discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 624, designating 
August 2008 as ``National Truancy Prevention Month'', and the 
resolution was then agreed to.
  Pages S8015-16
  National Airborne Day: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from 
further consideration of S. Res. 625, designating August 16, 2008, as 
National Airborne Day, and the resolution was then agreed to. 
                                                             Page S8016
  International Year of Sanitation: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 318, 
supporting the goals and ideals of the International Year of 
Sanitation.
  Page S8016
  Government Accountability Office Act: Senate passed H.R. 5683, to 
make certain reforms with respect to the Government Accountability 
Office, after withdrawing the committee amendments, and agreeing to the 
following amendment proposed thereto:
  Pages S8070-73
  Reid (for Lieberman) Amendment No. 5264, to make certain reforms with 
respect to the Government Accountability Office.
Page S8073
Measures Considered:
National Defense Authorization Act: Senate continued consideration of 
the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 3001, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year.
  Pages S7983-87
  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 
approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, September 8, 2008, Senate resume 
consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill. 
                                                             Page S8077
Acting President Pro Tempore--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement 
was reached providing that Senator Pryor be designated as acting 
President Pro Tempore for the purpose of signing the conference report 
to accompany H.R. 4040, Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act. 
                                                             Page S7984
Authority for Committees--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was 
reached providing that during the adjournment of the Senate, that 
Senate committees may file committee-reported legislative and executive 
calendar business on Friday, August 22, 2008, from 10 a.m. until 12 
noon.
  Page S8077
Authorizing Leadership to Make Appointments--Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that, notwithstanding the 
adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate pro tempore, and 
the Majority and Minority Leaders be authorized to make appointments to 
commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary 
conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, 
or by order of the Senate.
  Page S8077
Pro Forma Sessions--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was 
reached providing that on the following days Senate convene for pro 
forma sessions with no business conducted, that following each pro 
forma session Senate recess until the next pro forma session, and that 
when Senate completes its pro forma session on Friday, September 5, 
2008, Senate be adjourned until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 8, and 
resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 
3001, National Defense Authorization Act:
  Tuesday, August 5 at 10:00 a.m.;
  Friday, August 8 at 11:00 a.m.;
  Tuesday, August 12 at 2:00 p.m.;
  Friday, August 15 at 10:00 a.m.;
  Tuesday, August 19 at 9:00 a.m.;
  Friday, August 22 at 10:00 a.m.;
  Tuesday, August 26 at 2:00 p.m.;
  Friday, August 29 at 2:00 p.m.;
  Tuesday, September 2 at 12:00 p.m.;
  Friday, September 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Page S8077

[[Page D1012]]

Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
  Anthony C. Epstein, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate 
Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of 
fifteen years.
  Carol A. Dalton, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate 
Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of 
fifteen years.
  Heidi M. Pasichow, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate 
Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of 
fifteen years.
  Eric M. Thorson, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of 
the Treasury.
  D. Kathleen Stephens, of Montana, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Korea.
  Mimi Alemayehou, of the District of Columbia, to be United States 
Director of the African Development Bank for a term of five years.
  Miguel R. San Juan, of Texas, to be United States Executive Director 
of the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of three years.
  Philip Thomas Reeker, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador 
to the Republic of Macedonia.
  Marie L. Yovanovitch, of Connecticut, to be Ambassador to the 
Republic of Armenia.
  Tatiana C. Gfoeller-Volkoff, of the District of Columbia, to be 
Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic.
  Patrick J. Durkin, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation for a term 
expiring December 17, 2009.
  W. Stuart Symington, of Missouri, to be Ambassador to the Republic of 
Rwanda.
  Alan W. Eastham, Jr., of Arkansas, to be Ambassador to the Republic 
of the Congo.
  Kenneth L. Peel, of Maryland, to be United States Director of the 
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
  John W. Leslie, Jr., of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the African Development Foundation for a term expiring 
September 22, 2013.
  John O. Agwunobi, of Florida, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the African Development Foundation for a term expiring 
February 9, 2014.
  Julius E. Coles, of Georgia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors 
of the African Development Foundation for a term expiring September 22, 
2011.
  Morgan W. Davis, of California, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the African Development Foundation for a term expiring 
November 13, 2013.
  James Christopher Swan, of California, to be Ambassador to the 
Republic of Djibouti.
  Michele Jeanne Sison, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Republic 
of Lebanon.
  Richard G. Olson, Jr., of New Mexico, to be Ambassador to the United 
Arab Emirates.
  David D. Pearce, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the People's 
Democratic Republic of Algeria.
  Holly A. Kuzmich, of Indiana, to be Assistant Secretary for 
Legislation and Congressional Affairs, Department of Education. (Prior 
to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was 
discharged from further consideration.)
  Christopher M. Marston, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for 
Management, Department of Education. (Prior to this action, Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further 
consideration.)
  In the Coast Guard:
  Coast Guard nomination of Stephen E. West, to be Lieutenant.
  (Prior to this action, Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation was discharged from further consideration.)
  Coast Guard nomination of Elisa M. Garrity, to be Lieutenant.
  (Prior to this action, Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation was discharged from further consideration.)
  Thomas J. Madison, of New York, to be Administrator of the Federal 
Highway Administration. (Prior to this action, Committee on Environment 
and Public Works was discharged from further consideration.)
  John A. Simon, of Maryland, to be Representative of the United States 
of America to the African Union, with the rank and status of 
Ambassador.
  27 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
  66 Army nominations in the rank of general.
  1 Marine Corps nomination in the rank of general.
  9 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral.
  Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy.
  Routine list in the Public Health Service.
  (Prior to this action, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions was discharged from further consideration.)
Pages S8073-79
Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  Michael W. Hager, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of 
Personnel Management for a term of four years.
  Gregori Lebedev, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United 
States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform, 
with the rank of Ambassador.

[[Page D1013]]


  Gregori Lebedev, of Virginia, to be Alternate Representative of the 
United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the 
United Nations, during his tenure of service as Representative of the 
United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and 
Reform.
Page S8077
Messages from the House:
  Pages S8032-33
Measures Referred:
  Page S8033
Measures Placed on the Calendar:
  Pages S7983, S8033
Measures Read the First Time:
  Pages S8017, S8033
Executive Communications:
  Pages S8033-34
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages S8036-37
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
  Pages S8037-51
Additional Statements:
  Pages S8025-32
Amendments Submitted:
  Pages S8051-70
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 2:49 p.m., 
until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2008. (For Senate's program, see 
the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S8077.)