[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1164-D1168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held an 
oversight hearing on Capitol Visitor Center. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the Architect of the Capitol: Stephen T. 
Ayers, Acting Architect; Bernard Ungar, CVC Project Executive; and 
Terrie S. Rouse, CEO, Visitor Services; Phillip D. Morse, Sr., Chief, 
U.S. Capitol Police; Bill Livingood, House Sergeant at Arms; and 
Terrell Dorn, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO.
AMERICAN GRAND STRATEGY
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Consideration for an 
American Grand Strategy. Testimony was heard from GEN Jack Keane, USA 
(Ret.), former Chief of Staff, U.S. Army.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RELEASES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and 
Hazardous Materials held a hearing on Hazardous Substance Releases and 
Reporting under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 
and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and 
Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA). Testimony was heard from 
Susan P. Bodine, Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and 
Emergency Response, EPA; Mark E. Rey, Under Secretary, Natural 
Resources and Environment, USDA; Anu Mittal, Director, National 
Resources and Environment, GAO; and a public witness.

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FUTURE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES: EXPLORING SOLUTIONS FOR THE MARKET CRISIS
Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing on The Future of 
Financial Services: Exploring Solutions for the Market Crisis. 
Testimony was heard from Representatives Watt of North Carolina; Brad 
Sherman; Dennis Moore of Kansas; Al Green of Texas; Emanuel Cleaver; 
Lincoln Davis of Tennessee; Ron Klein of Florida; Ed Perlmutter; Bill 
Foster; Andre Carson; Joe Crowley; Jeb Hensarling; Scott Garrett; and 
J. Gresham Barrett; Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury; 
and Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve 
System.
REPORT CARD ON HOMELAND SECURITY INFORMATION SHARING
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Intelligence, 
Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing on A 
Report Card on Homeland Security Information Sharing. Testimony was 
heard from Charles E. Allen, Under Secretary, Intelligence and 
Analysis, Department of Homeland Security; Michael E. Leiter, Director, 
National Counterterrorism Center; Russell Porter, Director, 
Intelligence Fusion Center and Intelligence Bureau, Department of 
Public Safety, State of Iowa; Sheriff Leroy D. Baca, Los Angeles 
County, State of California; and a public witness.
GENERAL ELECTION PREPARATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil 
Rights and Civil Liberties, and the Subcommittee on Elections of the 
Committee on House Administration held a joint hearing on Federal, 
State and Local Efforts to Prepare for the 2008 General Election. 
Testimony was heard from Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney 
General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; and public 
witnesses.
OVERSIGHT
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and 
Oceans held an oversight hearing on recent trends concerning annual 
budgets for the National Wildlife Refuge System and implications for 
management activities. Testimony was heard from Robin M. Nazzaro, 
Director, Natural Resources and Environment, GAO; Jim Kurth, Acting 
Assistant Director, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
PREPARING FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on 
Government Management, Organization, and Procurement held a hearing on 
Passing the Baton: Preparing for the Presidential Transition. Testimony 
was heard from Clay Johnson, Deputy Director, Management, OMB; Gene L. 
Dodaro, Acting Comptroller General, GAO; Gail Lovelace, Chief Human 
Capital Officer, GSA; and public witnesses.
HOW INFORMATION POLICY AFFECTS COMPETITIVE VIABILITY IN MINORITY 
CONTRACTING
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on 
Information Policy, Census and National Archives held a hearing on How 
Information Policy Affects Competitive Viability in Minority 
Contracting. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--U.S.-PAKISTAN RELATIONS
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National 
Security and Foreign Affairs held a hearing on Oversight of U.S.-
Pakistan Relations: From Ad Hoc and Transactional to Strategic and 
Enduring. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
SAME-DAY CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY THE RULES 
COMMITTEE
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a non-record vote, a rule waiving 
clause 6(a) of rule XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a 
rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee) against 
certain resolutions reported from the Rules Committee. The rule applies 
the waiver to any resolution reported on any legislative day through 
September 27, 2008, providing for consideration or disposition of a 
measure to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, 
to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax 
relief, and for other purposes.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by a non-record vote, a rule 
authorizing the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the 
rules at any time on the legislative day of September 25, 2008, 
relating to the following measures:
  (1) The bill (H.R. 928) to amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to 
enhance the independence of the Inspectors General, to create a Council 
of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and for other 
purposes.
  (2) The bill (S. 2324) to amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 
U.S.C. App.) to enhance the Offices of the Inspectors General, to 
create a Council

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of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and for other 
purposes.
  (3) The bill (S. 1046) to modify pay provisions relating to certain 
senior-level positions in the Federal Government, and for other 
purposes.
  (4) The bill (H.R. 6045) to amend title I of the Omnibus Crime 
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend the authorization of the 
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program through fiscal year 2012.
  (5) The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 214) expressing the sense 
of Congress that the President should grant a posthumous pardon to John 
Arthur ``Jack'' Johnson for the 1913 racially motivated conviction of 
Johnson, which diminished his athletic, cultural, and historic 
significance, and tarnished his reputation.
  (6) The bill (H.R. 4120) to amend title 18, United States Code, to 
provide for more effective prosecution of cases involving child 
pornography, and for other purposes.
  (7) A bill relating to webcasting.
  (8) The bill (H.R. 1777) to amend the Improving America's Schools Act 
of 1994 to make permanent the favorable treatment of need-based 
educational aid under the antitrust laws.
  (9) A bill relating to India nuclear cooperation.
  (10) The bill (H.R. 176) to authorize the establishment of 
educational exchange and development programs for member countries of 
the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
  (11) The bill (H.R. 2553) to amend the State Department Basic 
Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for the establishment and 
maintenance of existing libraries and resource centers at United States 
diplomatic and consular missions to provide information about American 
culture, society, and history, and for other purposes.
  (12) The bill (H.R. 3202) to amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to 
extend comparability pay adjustments to members of the Foreign Service 
assigned to posts abroad, and to amend the provision relating to the 
death gratuity payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service 
employees who die as a result of injuries sustained in the performance 
of duty abroad.
  (13) The bill (S. 3426) to amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to 
extend comparability pay adjustments to members of the Foreign Service 
assigned to posts abroad, and to amend the provision relating to the 
death gratuity payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service 
employees who die as a result of injuries sustained in the performance 
of duty abroad.
  (14) The bill (S. 3052) to provide for the transfer of naval vessels 
to certain foreign recipients.
  (15) The bill (H.R. 2798) to reauthorize the programs of the Overseas 
Private Investment Corporation, and for other purposes.
  (16) The bill (H.R. 3887) to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
years 2008 through 2011 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 
2000, to enhance measures to combat trafficking in persons, and for 
other purposes.
  (17) The bill (H.R. 1157) to amend the Public Health Service Act to 
authorize the Director of the National Institute of Environmental 
Health Sciences to make grants for the development and operation of 
research centers regarding environmental factors that may be related to 
the etiology of breast cancer.
  (18) The bill (H.R. 6568) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services to encourage research and carry out an educational campaign 
with respect to pulmonary hypertension, and for other purposes.
  (19) The bill (H.R. 3232) to establish a non-profit corporation to 
communicate United States entry policies and otherwise promote tourist, 
business, and scholarly travel to the United States.
  (20) The bill (H.R. 3402) to require accurate and reasonable 
disclosure of the terms and conditions of prepaid telephone calling 
cards and services.
  (21) The bill (H.R. 1283) to amend the Public Health Service Act to 
provide for arthritis research and public health, and for other 
purposes.
  (22) The bill (S. 1382) to amend the Public Health Service Act to 
provide for the establishment of an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
Registry.
  (23) The bill (S. 1810) to amend the Public Health Service Act to 
increase the provision of scientifically sound information and support 
services to patients receiving a positive test diagnosis for Down 
syndrome or other prenatally and postnatally diagnosed conditions.
  (24) The bill (S. 2932) to amend the Public Health Service Act to 
reauthorize the poison center national toll-free number, national media 
campaign, and grant program to provide assistance for poison 
prevention, sustain the funding of poison centers, and enhance the 
public health of people of the United States.
  (25) The bill (H.R. 1343) to amend the Public Health Service Act to 
provide additional authorizations of appropriations for the health 
centers program under section 330 of such Act, and for other purposes.
  (26) The bill (S. 901) to amend the Public Health Service Act to 
reauthorize the Community Health Centers program, the National Health 
Service Corps, and rural health care programs.

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  (27) The bill (H.R. 477) to amend the Public Health Service Act to 
strengthen education, prevention, and treatment programs relating to 
stroke, and for other purposes.
  (28) The bill (S. 999) to amend the Public Health Service Act to 
improve stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.
  (29) The bill (H.R. 507) to establish a grant program to provide 
vision care to children, and for other purposes.
  (30) The bill (S. 1117) to establish a grant program to provide 
vision care to children, and for other purposes.
  (31) The bill (H.R. 545) to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe 
Streets Act of 1968 to clarify that territories and Indian tribes are 
eligible to receive grants for confronting the use of methamphetamine.
  (32) The bill (S. 85) to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe 
Streets Act of 1968 to clarify that territories and Indian tribes are 
eligible to receive grants for confronting the use of methamphetamine.
  (33) The bill (S. 267) to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe 
Streets Act of 1968 to clarify that territories and Indian tribes are 
eligible to receive grants for confronting the use of methamphetamine.
  (34) The bill (H.R. 970) to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act with respect to the distribution of the drug 
dextromethorphan, and for other purposes.
  (35) The bill (S. 1378) to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act with respect to the distribution of the drug dextromethorphan, and 
for other purposes.
  (36) The bill (S. 3549) to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act 
to provide additional funds for the qualifying individual (QI) program, 
and for other purposes.
  (37) The bill (S. 906) to prohibit the sale, distribution, transfer, 
and export of elemental mercury, and for other purposes.
  (38) The bill (H.R. 1534) to prohibit certain sales, distributions, 
and transfers of elemental mercury, to prohibit the export of elemental 
mercury, and for other purposes.
  (39) The resolution (H. Res. 1333) supporting the goals and ideals of 
Tay-Sachs Awareness Month.
  (40) The bill (H.R. 6460) to amend the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act to provide for the remediation of sediment contamination in 
areas of concern, and for other purposes.
  (41) The bill (S. 2080) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act to ensure that sewage treatment plants monitor for and report 
discharges of raw sewage, and for other purposes.
  (42) The bill (H.R. 2452) to amend the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act to ensure that publicly owned treatment works monitor for 
and report sewer overflows, and for other purposes.
  (43) The bill (S. 2844) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act to modify provisions relating to beach monitoring, and for other 
purposes.
  (44) The bill (H.R. 2537) to amend the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act relating to beach monitoring, and for other purposes.
SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY FROM MIDWEST DISASTERS OF 2008
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology 
held a hearing on Small Business Recovery from the Midwest Disasters of 
2008. Testimony was heard from Jovita Carranza, Deputy Administrator, 
Small Business Administration; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported, as 
amended, H.R. 6707, Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act.
  The Committee also approved the following: GSA Capital Investment and 
Leasing Program Resolutions; and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Survey 
Resolution.
NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD OVERSIGHT OF ELECTIONS FOR UNION 
REPRESENTATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Held a hearing on 
National Mediation Board Oversight of Elections for Union 
Representation. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
National Mediation Board: Read C. Van de Water, Chairman; and Harry R. 
Hoglander, Member of the Board; and a public witness.
GI BILL IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
continued oversight hearings on G.I. Bill Implementation. Testimony was 
heard from Curtis L. Gilroy, Director, Accession Policy, Office of the 
Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense; Keith 
Pedigo, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary, Office of Policy and Program 
Management, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs; representatives of veterans organizations; and public 
witnesses.

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PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing 
on Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Testimony was heard from 
Charles E. F. Millard, Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporations; 
and Barbara D. Bovbjerg, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income 
Security, GAO.
PENDING BUSINESS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Oversight 
and Investigations met in executive session to consider pending 
business.
PENDING BUSINESS COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, 
Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive 
session to consider pending business.
HOT SPOTS
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Terrorism, 
Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence met in executive 
session to receive a briefing on Hot Spots. Testimony was heard from 
departmental witnesses.

Joint Meetings
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the 
current economic outlook, after receiving testimony from Ben S. 
Bernanke, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
AGRICULTURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Joint Hearings: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ad Hoc 
Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery concluded a joint hearing to examine 
the effectiveness of agricultural disaster assistance programs in the 
wake of the 2008 midwest floods, Hurricane Gustav, and Hurricane Ike, 
after receiving testimony from Charles F. Conner, Deputy Secretary, 
Kate Houston, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer 
Services, and Arlen Lancaster, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, all of the Department of Agriculture; Mike Strain, Louisiana 
Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Baton Rouge; Lyle W. Asell, 
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines; Barbara Prather, 
Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Waterloo; Wallace Ellender IV, American Sugar 
Cane League, Bourg, Louisiana; Natalie Jayroe, Second Harvest Food 
Bank, New Orleans, Louisiana; and Jay Hardwick, National Cotton 
Council, Newellton, Louisiana.