[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1214-D1217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                        Tuesday, September 30, 2008

[[Page D1214]]

                              Daily Digest

                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S10115-S10188
Measures Introduced: Four bills and six resolutions were introduced, as 
follows: S. 3655-3658, and S. Res. 695-700.
  Page S10176
Measures Passed:
  Honor Flight Network: Senate agreed to S. Res. 695, commending the 
Honor Flight Network and its volunteers and donors for making it 
possible for World War II veterans to travel to the Nation's capital to 
visit the World War II Memorial created in their honor.
  Page S10127
  National Youth Court Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 696, designating 
September 2008 as ``National Youth Court Month''.
  Page S10127
  National Cyber Security Awareness Month: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
697, supporting the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security 
Awareness Month and raising awareness and enhancing the state of 
computer security in the United States.
  Pages S10127-28
  National Mammography Day: Senate agreed to S. Res. 698, designating 
October 17, 2008, as ``National Mammography Day''.
  Page S10128
  Fire Prevention Week: Senate agreed to S. Res. 699, supporting the 
work of firefighters to educate and protect the Nation's communities, 
and the goals and ideals of Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11, 2008, 
as designated by the National Fire Protection Association. 
                                                            Page S10128
  United States Olympic Swimming Team: Senate agreed to S. Res. 700, 
congratulating Michael Phelps and the members and coaches of the United 
States Olympic Swimming Team for their record-breaking performance at 
the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
  Pages S10128-29
  First Lieutenant Noah Harris Ellijay Post Office Building: Senate 
passed H.R. 6847, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 801 Industrial Boulevard in Ellijay, Georgia, as the 
``First Lieutenant Noah Harris Ellijay Post Office Building'', clearing 
the measure for the President.
  Page S10129
  Lance Corporal Eric Paul Valdepenas Post Office Building: Senate 
passed 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'', clearing 
the measure for the President.
  Page S10129
  Jacob M. Lowell Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 6681, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
300 Vine Street in New Lenox, Illinois, as the ``Jacob M. Lowell Post 
Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                            Page S10129
  Army SPC Daniel Agami Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 6338, 
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located 
at 4233 West Hillsboro Boulevard in Coconut Creek, Florida, as the 
``Army SPC Daniel Agami Post Office Building'', clearing the measure 
for the President.
  Page S10129
  Mayor William `Bill' Sandberg Post Office Building: Senate passed 
H.R. 6229, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 2523 7th Avenue East in North Saint Paul, Minnesota, 
as the ``Mayor William `Bill' Sandberg Post Office Building'', clearing 
the measure for the President.
  Pages S10129-30
  Kenneth Peter Zebrowski Post Office Building: Senate passed 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'', clearing the measure 
for the President.
  Page S10130
  Murphy A. Tannehill Post Office Building: Senate passed 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'', clearing the measure for the 
President.
  Page S10130

[[Page D1215]]

  Barter Theatre 75th Anniversary: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 416, 
commending Barter Theatre on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. 
                                                            Page S10130
  ``Celebrate Safe Communities'' Week: Committee on the Judiciary was 
discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 662, raising the 
awareness of the need for crime prevention in communities across the 
country and designating the week of October 2, 2008, through October 4, 
2008, as ``Celebrate Safe Communities'' week, and the resolution was 
then agreed to.
  Page S10130
  English Language Training Programs: Senate passed S. 3658, to require 
the accreditation of English language training programs. 
                                                        Pages S10181-82
  Michael A. Marzano Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic: 
Senate passed H.R. 1594, to designate the Department of Veterans 
Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, as the Michael A. 
Marzano Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, clearing the 
measure for the President.
  Page S10183
  Coastal Barrier Resources System Clam Pass Unit FL-64P: Committee on 
Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration 
of H.R. 1714, to clarify the boundaries of Coastal Barrier Resources 
System Clam Pass Unit FL-64P, and the bill was then passed, clearing 
the measure for the President.
  Page S10183
  Code Talkers Recognition Act: Senate passed H.R. 4544, to require the 
issuance of medals to recognize the dedication and valor of Native 
American code talkers, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                            Page S10183
  Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act: Senate passed 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, clearing the measure for the 
President.
  Pages S10183-84
  Federal Employees Receipt of Electronic Pay Stubs: Senate passed 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, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                            Page S10184
  State and Local Prosecutors National Training Program: Committee on 
the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 6083, 
to authorize funding to conduct a national training program for State 
and local prosecutors, and the bill was then passed, clearing the 
measure for the President.
  Page S10184
  Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act: Senate passed 
H.R. 6353, to amend the Controlled Substances Act to address online 
pharmacies, clearing the measure for the President.
  Pages S10184-85
  GSA and Parcels of Real Property: Senate passed H.R. 6524, to 
authorize the Administrator of General Services to take certain actions 
with respect to parcels of real property located in Eastlake, Ohio, and 
Koochiching County, Minnesota, clearing the measure for the President. 
                                                        Pages S10185-86
  Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments: Senate passed H.R. 6531, to 
amend chapter 13 of title 17, United States Code (relating to the 
vessel hull design protection), to clarify the definitions of a hull 
and a deck, clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S10186
  Sound Recordings By Webcasters: Senate passed H.R. 7084, to amend 
section 114 of title 17, United States Code, to provide for agreements 
for the reproduction and performance of sound recordings by webcasters, 
clearing the measure for the President.
  Page S10186
  National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act: Senate passed S. 3197, 
to amend title 11, United States Code, to exempt for a limited period, 
from the application of the means-test presumption of abuse under 
chapter 7, qualifying members of reserve components of the Armed Forces 
and members of the National Guard who, after September 11, 2001, are 
called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not 
less than 90 days, after agreeing to the committee amendment. 
                                                        Pages S10186-87
Measures Considered:
Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act: Senate continud consideration 
of the motion to concur in the amendment of the House of 
Representatives to the amendment of the Senate to 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, taking action on the following motion and 
amendments proposed thereto:
  Pages S10119-26
Pending:
  Reid Motion to Concur in the amendment of the House of 
Representatives to the amendment of the Senate to the bill. 
                                                            Page S10119
  Reid Amendment No. 5677 (to the motion to concur in the amendment of 
the House of Representatives to the amendment of the Senate to the 
bill), to establish the enactment date.
Page S10119
  Reid Amendment No. 5678 (to Amendment No. 5677), of a perfecting 
nature.
Page S10119

[[Page D1216]]


  A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 7 p.m. on 
Wednesday, October 1, 2008, the Senate continue consideration of the 
motion to concur in the amendment of the House of Representatives to 
the amendment of the Senate to the bill and that all post-cloture time 
be yielded back; provided further, that the time until 7:30 p.m. be 
equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their 
designees and that at 7:30 p.m., the motion to concur with an amendment 
be withdrawn, and Senate vote on the motion to concur provided further, 
that on Wednesday, October 1, 2008, there be 2 minutes of debate 
equally divided prior to each vote; and that after the first vote of 
any sequence, the succeeding votes be 10 minutes in duration; and that 
no motion to refer be in order during the pendency of this message. 
                                                            Page S10188
House Messages:
Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act: Senate concurred 
in the amendment of the House of Representatives to S. 431, to require 
convicted sex offenders to register online identifiers, clearing the 
measure for the President.
  Pages S10182-83
Broadband Date Improvement Act: Senate concurred in the amendments of 
the House of Representatives to S. 1492, to improve the quality of 
federal and state data regarding the availability and quality of 
broadband services and to promote the deployment of affordable 
broadband services to all parts of the Nation, clearing the measure for 
the President.
  Page S10183
Appointments:
  Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade: The 
Chair, on behalf of the Minority Leader, pursuant to Public Law 110-
183, announced the appointment of the following individual as a member 
of the Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade: 
Rainier Spencer of Nevada.
  Page S10186
  Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance: The Chair, on 
behalf of the President pro tempore, pursuant to Public Law 99-498, as 
amended by Public Law 110-315, appointed the following individual to 
the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance: Norman Bedford 
of Nevada.
  Page S10186
United States--India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation 
Enhancement Act--Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was 
reached providing that at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 
October 1, 2008, Senate begin consideration of H.R. 7081, to approve 
the United States-India Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of 
Nuclear Energy, and that there be 60 minutes of general debate on the 
bill, with the time equally divided and controlled between the Leaders, 
or their designees; that the only first-degree amendments in order be 
those listed in this agreement, with no other amendments in order, and 
debate time limited on each amendment to 60 minutes, with the time 
equally divided and controlled in the usual form; provided further, 
that an additional debate time of 15 minutes each be provided to 
Senators Feingold and Harkin: Dorgan amendment relative to clarifying 
policy in event of Indian test, Bingaman amendment relative to 
reporting requirement in event of Indian test, and that the amendments 
in this agreement be subject to an affirmative 60-vote threshold and 
that if the amendment achieves that threshold then it be agreed to; 
that if the amendment does not achieve affirmative 60-vote threshold, 
then it be withdrawn; that upon the use or yielding back of time with 
respect to each amendment, Senate vote in relation to the amendment; 
that upon disposition of all amendments, the use or yielding back of 
general debate time, the bill be read a third time, and without further 
intervening action or debate, Senate vote on passage of the bill, as 
amended, if amended; provided further that passage of the bill requires 
60 votes.
  Page S10187
Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act--Agreement: A 
unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing that on 
Wednesday, October 1, 2008, following the debate with respect to H.R. 
7081, United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and 
Nonproliferation Enhancement Act, Senate begin consideration of H.R. 
1424, to amend section 712 of the Employee Retirement Income Security 
Act of 1974, section 2705 of the Public Health Service Act, 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, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of 
genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment; 
that once the bill is reported, the amendment of the Senator Dodd be 
considered, only if both Leaders are in concurrence with the provisions 
of the Dodd amendment and have so notified the Chair; provided further, 
that there be 90 minutes of general debate on the Dodd amendment, with 
the time equally divided and controlled between the Leaders or their 
designees; that upon the use or yielding back of this time, the Dodd 
amendment be set aside; provided further, that the only other amendment 
in order be the amendment of the Senator Sanders relative to a tax on 
high income individuals; that there be 60 minutes of debate with 
respect to the Sanders

[[Page D1217]]

amendment, with the time equally divided and controlled in the usual 
form; that upon the use or yielding back of all time with respect to 
the bill and amendments, the measure be set aside to recur upon the 
disposition of H.R. 7081; provided further, that with respect to the 
disposition of the amendments to H.R. 1424, the first vote occur with 
respect to the Sanders amendment; provided, that upon the disposition 
of the Sanders amendment, Senate consider the Dodd amendment, and that 
upon the disposition of that amendment, the bill, as amended, if 
amended, and Senate vote on passage of the bill, with the above 
occurring without further intervening action or debate; provided, that 
the Dodd amendment and the bill both be subject to a affirmative 60-
vote threshold; provided further, that on Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 
there be 2 minutes of debate equally divided prior to each vote; and 
that after the first vote of any sequence, the succeeding votes be 10 
minutes in duration.
  Pages S10187-88
Nomination Received: Senate received the following nomination:
  Robert W. McGowan, of Nevada, to be a Governor of the United States 
Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2015.
Page S10188
Messages from the House:
  Pages S10174-75
Executive Communications:
  Pages S10175-76
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages S10176-77
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
  Pages S10177-81
Additional Statements:
  Pages S10169-74
Recess: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and recessed at 7:16 p.m., until 10 
a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. (For Senate's program, see the 
remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page 
S10188.)