[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 23, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1148-D1153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page D1148]]




                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 36 public bills, H.R. 6996-
7031; and 10 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 423-424; and H. Res. 1480-1487, 
were introduced.
  Pages H9083-85
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages H9085-86
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
  H.R. 758, to require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum 
hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection 
for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary 
consultations, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-868, Pt. 1);
  H.R. 6353, to amend the Controlled Substances Act to address online 
pharmacies, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-869, Pt. 1);
  H.R. 6908, to require that limitations and restrictions on coverage 
under group health plans be timely disclosed to group health plan 
sponsors and timely communicated to participants and beneficiaries 
under such plans in a form that is easily understandable (H. Rept. 110-
870, Pt. 1);
  H.R. 2994, to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to 
pain care, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-871);
  H.R. 2583, to amend title VII of the Public Health Service Act to 
establish a loan program for eligible hospitals to establish residency 
training programs, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-872);
  H.R. 1532, to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to 
making progress toward the goal of eliminating tuberculosis, with an 
amendment (H. Rept. 110-873);
  H.R. 1014, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the 
Public Health Service Act to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and 
treatment of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases 
in women, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-874);
  H. Res. 1488, providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to 
the bill (H.R. 2638) making appropriations for the Department of 
Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. 
Rept. 110-875); and
  H. Res. 1489, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with 
respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the 
Committee on Rules (H. Rept. 110-876).
Pages H9082-83
Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed 
Representative Stupak to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. 
                                                             Page H8581
Recess: The House recessed at 9:30 a.m. and reconvened at 10 a.m. 
                                                             Page H8584
Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules 
and pass the following measures which were debated on Monday, September 
22nd:
  Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact: S. J. 
Res. 45, to express the consent and approval of Congress to an 
interstate compact regarding water resources in the Great Lakes--St. 
Lawrence River Basin, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 390 yeas to 25 
nays, Roll No. 621;
  Pages H8597-98
  Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2008: H.R. 6897, amended, to 
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain payments to 
eligible persons who served in the Philippines during World War II, by 
a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 392 yeas to 23 nays, Roll No. 624; 
                                                         Pages H8613-14
  Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2008: H.R. 5352, amended, to protect 
seniors in the United States from elder abuse by establishing 
specialized elder abuse prosecution and research programs and 
activities to aid victims of elder abuse and to provide training to 
prosecutors and other law enforcement related to elder abuse prevention 
and protection, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 387 yeas to 28 nays, 
Roll No. 626; and
  Page H8658
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To protect seniors in the 
United States from elder abuse by establishing specialized elder abuse 
prosecution and research programs and activities to aid victims of 
elder abuse, to provide training to prosecutors and other law 
enforcement related to elder abuse prevention and protection, to 
establish programs that provide for emergency crisis response teams to 
combat elder abuse, and for other purposes.''.
Page H8658
  College Fire Prevention Act: H.R. 642, amended, to establish a 
demonstration incentive program within the Department of Education to 
promote installation of fire sprinkler systems, or other fire 
suppression or prevention technologies, in qualified student housing 
and dormitories, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 365 yeas to 51 nays, 
Roll No. 627.
  Pages H8658-59
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To establish the Honorable 
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Fire

[[Page D1149]]

Suppression Demonstration Incentive Program within the Department of 
Education to promote installation of fire sprinkler systems, or other 
fire suppression or prevention technologies, in qualified student 
housing and dormitories, and for other purposes.''.
Page H8659
Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2008: The House passed H.R. 
5244, to amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish fair and 
transparent practices relating to the extension of credit under an open 
end consumer credit plan, by a recorded vote of 312 ayes to 112 noes, 
Roll No. 623.
  Pages H8598-H8613
  Rejected the Castle motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on 
Financial Services with instructions to report the same back to the 
House promptly with an amendment, by a yea-and-nay vote of 198 yeas to 
219 nays, Roll No. 622.
Pages H8611-13
  Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the 
bill shall be considered as adopted.
Page H8600
  H. Res. 1476, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was 
agreed to by a recorded vote of 220 ayes to 194 noes, Roll No. 620, 
after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 
221 yeas to 192 nays, Roll No. 619.
Pages H8590-97
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the 
following measures:
  Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2008, Part II:  H.R. 
6984, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations 
for the airport improvement program and to amend the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the 
Airport and Airway Trust Fund;
  Pages H8588-90
  Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction 
Equity Act of 2008: H.R. 6983, amended, to amend section 712 of the 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, section 2705 of the 
Public Health Service Act, and section 9812 of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 to require equity in the provision of mental health and 
substance-related disorder benefits under group health plans, by a \2/
3\ yea-and-nay vote of 376 yeas to 47 nays, Roll No. 625; 
                                               Pages H8614-25, H8657-58
  Recognizing the 150th anniversary year of the founding of Macy's, 
Inc.: H. Res. 1473, to recognize the 150th anniversary year of the 
founding of Macy's, Inc., as an American entrepreneurial success story 
and the role Macy's, Inc., plays in supporting America's small 
businesses and vendors, including those that are minority and women 
owned; to celebrate the vision, innovativeness, and ingenuity of all of 
our Nation's small businesses that aspire to grow and prosper as 
Macy's, Inc., has over its 150-year history; and to congratulate 
Macy's, Inc., as an American entrepreneurial success story; 
                                                         Pages H8625-26
  United States-Republic of Korea Defense Cooperation Improvement Act 
of 2008: H.R. 5443, to improve defense cooperation between the Republic 
of Korea and the United States;
  Pages H8626-28
  Requiring the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary 
of Defense, to provide detailed briefings to Congress on any recent 
discussions conducted between United States Government and the 
Government of Taiwan and any potential transfer of defense articles or 
defense services to the Government of Taiwan: H.R. 6646, amended, to 
require the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Defense, to provide detailed briefings to Congress on any recent 
discussions conducted between United States Government and the 
Government of Taiwan and any potential transfer of defense articles or 
defense services to the Government of Taiwan;
  Pages H8628-30
  Condemning sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 
and calling on the international community to take immediate actions to 
respond to the violence: H. Res. 1227, amended, to condemn sexual 
violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to call on the 
international community to take immediate actions to respond to the 
violence;
  Pages H8632-33
  Remembering the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 
1932-1933 and extending the deepest sympathies of the House of 
Representatives to the victims, survivors, and families of this 
tragedy: H. Res. 1314, amended, to remember the 75th anniversary of the 
Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933 and to extend the deepest 
sympathies of the House of Representatives to the victims, survivors, 
and families of this tragedy;
  Pages H8633-35
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Remembering the 75th 
anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine (Holodomor) of 1932-1933 and 
extending the deepest sympathies of the House of Representatives to the 
victims, survivors, and families of this tragedy, and for other 
purposes.''.
Page H8635
  Supporting a transition to democracy through free, fair, credible, 
peaceful, and transparent elections in Bangladesh:  H. Res. 1402, to 
support a transition to democracy through free, fair, credible, 
peaceful, and transparent elections in Bangladesh;
  Pages H8635-37

[[Page D1150]]

  Recognizing the 70th anniversary of the 1938 occurrence of 
Kristallnacht, The Night of Broken Glass:  H. Res. 1435, to recognize 
the 70th anniversary of the 1938 occurrence of Kristallnacht, The Night 
of Broken Glass;
  Pages H8637-38
  Strongly supporting an immediate and just restitution of, or 
compensation for, property illegally confiscated during the last 
century by Nazi and Communist regimes: H. Con. Res. 371, amended, to 
strongly support an immediate and just restitution of, or compensation 
for, property illegally confiscated during the last century by Nazi and 
Communist regimes;
  Pages H8645-47
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
States should lead a high-level diplomatic effort to defeat the 
campaign by some members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference 
to divert the United Nations' Durban Review Conference from a review of 
problems in their own and other countries by attacking Israel, 
promoting anti-Semitism, and undermining the Universal Charter of Human 
Rights and to ensure that the Durban Review Conference serves as a 
forum to review commitments to combat all forms of racism: H. Res. 
1361, amended, to express the sense of the House of Representatives 
that the United States should lead a high-level diplomatic effort to 
defeat the campaign by some members of the Organization of the Islamic 
Conference to divert the United Nations' Durban Review Conference from 
a review of problems in their own and other countries by attacking 
Israel, promoting anti-Semitism, and undermining the Universal Charter 
of Human Rights and to ensure that the Durban Review Conference serves 
as a forum to review commitments to combat all forms of racism; 
                                                         Pages H8647-52
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Expressing the sense of 
the House of Representatives that the United States should lead a high-
level diplomatic effort to ensure that the Durban Review Conference 
serves as a forum to review implementation of commitments made at the 
2001 Durban Conference to combat all forms of racism by defeating the 
campaign by some members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference 
to divert the United Nation's Durban Review Conference from a review of 
problems in their own and other countries by attacking Israel, 
promoting anti-Semitism, and undermining the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights.''.
Page H8652
  Recognizing nongovernmental organizations working to bring just and 
lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians: H. Res. 1369, to 
recognize nongovernmental organizations working to bring just and 
lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians;
  Pages H8652-55
  Supporting the spirit of peace and desire for unity displayed in the 
letter from 138 leading Muslim scholars, and in the Pope's response: H. 
Con. Res. 374, amended, to support the spirit of peace and desire for 
unity displayed in the letter from 138 leading Muslim scholars, and in 
the Pope's response;
  Pages H8655-57
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Supporting Christian, 
Jewish, and Muslim interfaith dialogue that promotes peace, 
understanding, unity, and religious freedom.''.
Page H8657
  North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2008: Agreed to the 
Senate amendments to H.R. 5834, to amend the North Korean Human Rights 
Act of 2004 to promote respect for the fundamental human rights of the 
people of North Korea--clearing the measure for the President; 
                                                         Pages H8659-61
  Health Insurance Source of Injury Clarification Act of 2008: H.R. 
6908, amended, to require that limitations and restrictions on coverage 
under group health plans be timely disclosed to group health plan 
sponsors and timely communicated to participants and beneficiaries 
under such plans in a form that is easily understandable; 
                                                         Pages H8666-68
  Healthy Start Reauthorization Act: S. 1760, to amend the Public 
Health Service Act with respect to the Healthy Start Initiative--
clearing the measure for the President;
  Pages H8670-71
  Physician Workforce Enhancement Act of 2008: H.R. 2583, amended, to 
amend title VII of the Public Health Service Act to establish a loan 
program for eligible hospitals to establish residency training 
programs;
  Pages H8681-82
  Supporting the We Don't Serve Teens campaign: H. Res. 1042, amended, 
to support the We Don't Serve Teens campaign;
  Pages H8682-84
  Expressing the sense of the House that there should be an increased 
Federal commitment prioritizing prevention and public health for all 
people in the United States: H. Res. 1381, amended, to express the 
sense of the House that there should be an increased Federal commitment 
prioritizing prevention and public health for all people in the United 
States;
  Pages H8686-88
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Expressing the sense of 
the House that there should be an increased public and private 
commitment prioritizing prevention and public health for all people in 
the United States.''.
Page H8688

[[Page D1151]]

  Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008: H.R. 
6353, amended, to amend the Controlled Substances Act to address online 
pharmacies;
  Page H8691
  Defense Production Act Extension and Reauthorization of 2008: H.R. 
6894, to extend and reauthorize the Defense Production Act of 1950; and
                                                      Pages H8699-H8700
  Extending the authorization of the national flood insurance program: 
H.R. 6965, to extend the authorization of the national flood insurance 
program.
  Pages H8705-06
  Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following 
measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were 
postponed:
  Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United States 
commitment to preservation of religious and cultural sites and 
condemning instances where sites are desecrated: H. Con. Res. 255, 
amended, to express the sense of Congress regarding the United States 
commitment to preservation of religious and cultural sites and 
condemning instances where sites are desecrated;
  Pages H8630-32
  Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Establishment Resolution: H. Res. 
1451, to establish the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the House 
of Representatives;
  Pages H8638-43
  Recognizing the 10th anniversary of the terrorist bombings of the 
United States embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 
and the memorializing of the citizens and families of the United 
States, the Republic of Kenya, and the United Republic of Tanzania 
whose lives were lost and injured as a result of these attacks: H. Res. 
1461, amended, to recognize the 10th anniversary of the terrorist 
bombings of the United States embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es 
Salaam, Tanzania, and the memorializing of the citizens and families of 
the United States, the Republic of Kenya, and the United Republic of 
Tanzania whose lives were lost and injured as a result of these 
attacks;
  Pages H8643-45
  Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2008: H.R. 758, amended, to 
require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay 
for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the 
treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations; 
                                                         Pages H8661-66
  Organ Transplant Authorization Act of 2008: H.R. 6469, amended, to 
amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize increased Federal 
funding for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network; 
                                                         Pages H8668-70
  Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2008: H.R. 1532, 
amended, to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to making 
progress toward the goal of eliminating tuberculosis;
  Pages H8671-74
  National Pain Care Policy Act of 2008: H.R. 2994, amended, to amend 
the Public Health Service Act with respect to pain care; 
                                                         Pages H8674-76
  Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, 
and Education Amendments of 2008: H.R. 5265, amended, to amend the 
Public Health Service Act to provide for research with respect to 
various forms of muscular dystrophy, including Becker, congenital, 
distal, Duchenne, Emery-Dreifuss facioscapulohumeral, limb-girdle, 
myotonic, and oculopharyngeal, muscular dystrophies;
  Pages H8676-78
  Meth Free Families and Communities Act: H.R. 6901, amended, to amend 
the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of a 
drug-free workplace information clearinghouse, to support residential 
methamphetamine treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women, 
and to improve the prevention and treatment of methamphetamine 
addiction;
  Pages H8678-81
  Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Sudden Cardiac Arrest 
Awareness Month'': H. Con. Res. 393, to support the goals and ideals of 
``National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month'';
  Pages H8684-85
  Designating the month of March 2008 as ``MRSA Awareness Month'': H. 
Res. 988, amended, to designate the month of March 2008 as ``MRSA 
Awareness Month'';
  Pages H8685-86
  Heart Disease Education, Analysis Research, and Treatment for Women 
Act:  H.R. 1014, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and 
the Public Health Service Act to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and 
treatment of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases 
in women;
  Pages H8688-91
  Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008: H.R. 4544, amended, to require 
the issuance of medals to recognize the dedication and valor of Native 
American code talkers;
  Pages H8696-99
  Stephanie Tubbs Jones Gift of Life Medal Act of 2008: H.R. 6950, to 
establish the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Gift of Life Medal for organ donors 
and the family of organ donors; and
  Pages H8700-03
  Family Self-Sufficiency Act: H.R. 3018, to provide for payment of an 
administrative fee to public housing agencies to cover the costs of 
administering family self-sufficiency programs in connection with

[[Page D1152]]

the housing choice voucher program of the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development.
  Pages H8703-05
Recess: The House recessed at 11:39 p.m. and reconvened at 12:08 a.m. 
on Wednesday, September 24th.
  Page H8714
Lance Corporal Eric Paul Valdepenas Post Office Building Designation 
Act: The House agreed to discharge from committee and pass H.R. 6874, 
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located 
at 156 Taunton Avenue in Seekonk, Massachusetts, as the ``Lance 
Corporal Eric Paul Valdepenas Post Office Building''.
  Page H8715
Honoring the 225th Anniversary of the Continental Congress meeting in 
Nassau Hall, Princeton, New Jersey, in 1783: The House agreed to 
discharge from committee and agree to H. Con. Res. 351, to honor the 
225th Anniversary of the Continental Congress meeting in Nassau Hall, 
Princeton, New Jersey, in 1783.
  Page H8715
Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Naming of Pittsburgh as the 
culmination of the Forbes Campaign across Pennsylvania and the 
significance this event played in the making of America, in the 
settlement of the Continent, and in spreading the ideals of freedom and 
democracy throughout the world: The House agreed to discharge from 
committee and agree to H. Res. 1000, to commemorate the 250th 
Anniversary of the Naming of Pittsburgh as the culmination of the 
Forbes Campaign across Pennsylvania and the significance this event 
played in the making of America, in the settlement of the Continent, 
and in spreading the ideals of freedom and democracy throughout the 
world.
  Page H8715
Congratulating Michael Phelps, 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics champion 
swimmer, on winning 8 gold medals in the Games of the XXIX Olympiad and 
becoming one of the most highly decorated athletes in Olympic history: 
The House agreed to discharge from committee and agree to H. Res. 1418, 
to congratulate Michael Phelps, 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics champion 
swimmer, on winning 8 gold medals in the Games of the XXIX Olympiad and 
becoming one of the most highly decorated athletes in Olympic history. 
                                                             Page H8716
Reverend Earl Abel Post Office Building Designation Act: The House 
agreed to discharge from committee and pass H.R. 6198, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1700 Cleveland 
Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, as the ``Reverend Earl Abel Post 
Office Building''.
  Page H8716
Supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month: 
The House agreed to discharge from committee and agree to H. Res. 1453, 
to support the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
                                                         Pages H8716-17
Honoring professional surveyors and recognizing their contributions to 
society: The House agreed to discharge from committee and agree to H. 
Con. Res. 223, to honor professional surveyors and recognizing their 
contributions to society.
  Page H8717
Kenneth Peter Zebrowski Post Office Building Designation Act: The House 
agreed to discharge from committee and pass H.R. 6199, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 245 North Main 
Street in New City, New York, as the ``Kenneth Peter Zebrowski Post 
Office Building''.
  Page H8717
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness 
Month: The House agreed to discharge from committee and agree to H. 
Res. 671, to support the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer 
Awareness Month.
  Page H8717
CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building Designation Act: The House 
agreed to discharge from committee and pass 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''--clearing the measure for the President.
  Pages H8717-18
Murphy A. Tannehill Post Office Building Designation Act: The House 
agreed to discharge from committee and pass H.R. 3511, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2150 East 
Hardtner Drive in Urania, Louisiana, as the ``Murphy A. Tannehill Post 
Office Building''.
  Page H8718
Recognizing and celebrating the 232nd anniversary of the signing of the 
Declaration of Independence: The House agreed to discharge from 
committee and agree to H. Con. Res. 386, to recognize and to celebrate 
the 232nd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of 
Independence.
  Page H8718
Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page 
H8594.
Senate Referrals: S. Con. Res. 93 and S. Con. Res. 96 were held at the 
desk; S. 3341 was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform; and S. 1193 was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
                                                             Page H8718
Quorum Calls--Votes: Seven yea-and-nay votes and two recorded votes 
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H8596-97, 
H8597,

[[Page D1153]]

H8597-98, H8612-13, H8613, H8614, H8657-58, H8658, and H8659. There 
were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and adjourned at 12:16 a.m. on 
Wednesday, September 24th.