[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D337-D340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, 
Science, and Related Agencies, on NSF FY 2011 Budget Overview. 
Testimony was heard from Arden L. Bement, Jr., Director, NSF.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on 
the Department of Defense Budget Overview. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of Defense: Robert Gates, 
Secretary; ADM Michael Mullen, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; 
and Robert Hales, Under Secretary (Comptroller).
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development, and Related Agencies, on Department of Energy Fiscal Year 
2011 Budget. Testimony was heard from Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy.
HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a 
hearing on CBP--Balancing Security with Legitimate Trade and Travel. 
Testimony was heard from David Aguilar, Acting Deputy Commissioner, 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, on FY 
2011 Budget of the U.S. Capitol Police. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the U.S. Capitol Police: Philip D. Morse, Sr., 
Chief of Police; and Gloria Jarmon, Chief Administrative Officer.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, 
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Pacific 
Command. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Defense: ADM Robert F. Willard, USN, Commander, U.S. 
Pacific Command; and GEN Walter Sharp, USA, Commander, Republic of 
Korea-United States Combined Forces Command, and Commander, U.S. Forces 
Korea.
  The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Army Budget. Testimony 
was heard from GEN George W. Casey, USA, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army.
TRANSPORTATION, HUD, AND RELATED AGENCY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing 
and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Housing 
and Transportation Challenges within Native American Communities and 
the FY 2011 Budget Request. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of

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the Department of Housing and Urban Development: Sandra B. Henriquez, 
Assistant Secretary, Public and Indian Housing; and Rodger J. Boyd, 
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Native American Programs; the following 
officials of the Department of Transportation: Gregory G. Nadeau, 
Deputy Administrator, Federal Highway Administration; and John R. 
Baxter, Associate Administrator, Federal Lands Highway Programs, and 
Jefferson Keel, President, National Congress of the American Indian.
NAVY AND AIR FORCE COMBAT AVIATION PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, and 
the Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces held a joint 
hearing on Department of the Navy and Air Force combat aviation 
programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Defense: Ashton Carter, Under Secretary, Acquisition, 
Technology and Logistics; Christine H. Fox, Director, Cost, Assessment 
and Program Evaluation; J. Michael Gilmore, Director, Operational Test 
and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary; Sean Stackley, Assistant 
Secretary of the Navy, Research, Development and Acquisition; LTG 
George Trautman, USMC, Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps, Aviation; 
RADM Deke Philman, USN, Director, Air Warfare Division, U.S. Navy; 
David Van Buren, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, 
Acquisition; and LTG Philip M. Breedlove, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, 
Operations, Plans and Requirements; and Michael J. Sullivan, Director, 
Acquisition and Sourcing, GAO.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and 
Consumer Protection approved for full Committee action, as amended, the 
following bills: H.R. 3993, Calling Card Consumer Protection Act; and 
H.R. 3655, Bereaved Consumer's Bill of Rights Act of 2009.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and 
Environment approved for full Committee action the following: as 
amended, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, as amended, the 
Grid Reliability and Infrastructure Defense (Grid) Act; and H.R. 4451, 
Collinsville Renewable Energy Promotion Act.
CREDIT SCORES, CREDIT REPORTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON CONSUMERS
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions 
and Consumer Credit held a hearing entitled ``Keeping Score on Credit 
Scores: An Overview of Credit Scores, Credit Reports and their Impact 
on Consumers.'' Testimony was heard from Sandra Braunstein, Director, 
Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Federal Reserve Board of 
Governors, Federal Reserve System; David Vladeck, Director, Bureau of 
Consumer Protection, FTC; and public witnesses.
HOUSING AND TENANT PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community 
Opportunity, hearing entitled ``H.R. 4868, Housing and Tenant 
Protection Act of 2010.'' Testimony was heard from Carol Galante, 
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Multi-Family Housing, Department of Housing 
and Urban Development; Tammye Trevino, Administrator, Rural Housing 
Service, USDA; and public witnesses.
OVERVIEW--U.S. POLICY IN AFRICA
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health 
held a hearing on An Overview of U.S. Policy in Africa. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Johnnie 
Carson, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs; and Earl Gast, 
Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau of Africa, U.S. Agency 
for International Development; Princeton N. Lyman, former U.S. 
Ambassador to South Africa and Nigeria; and public witnesses.
SHARING AND ANALYZING INFORMATION TO PREVENT TERRORISM
Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on Sharing and Analyzing 
Information to Prevent Terrorism. Testimony was heard from Russ 
Travers, Deputy Director, Information Sharing and Knowledge 
Development, National Counterterrorism Center; Timothy Healy, Director, 
Terrorism Screening Center, FBI, Department of Justice; Patrick 
Kennedy, Under Secretary, Management, Department of State; and Patricia 
Cogswell, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy, 
Department of Homeland Security.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal 
Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia approved for 
full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1722, amended, Telework 
Improvements Act of 2009; H.R. 3913, amended, To direct the Mayor of 
the District of Columbia to establish a District of Columbia National 
Guard Educational Assistance Program to encourage the enlistment and 
retention of persons in the District of Columbia National Guard by 
providing financial assistance to enable members of the National Guard 
of the District of Columbia to attend undergraduate, vocational, or 
technical courses; H.R. 4489, amended, To amend chapter 89

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of title 5, United States Code, to ensure program integrity, 
transparency, and cost savings in the pricing and contracting of 
prescription drug benefits under the Federal Employees Health Benefits 
Program; and H.R. 4865, Federal Employees and Uniformed Services 
Retirement Equity Act of 2010.
FEDERAL INFORMATION SECURITY
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on 
Government Management, Organization, and Procurement held a hearing 
entitled ``Federal Information Security: Current Challenges and Future 
Policy Considerations.'' Testimony was heard from Vivek Kundra, Chief 
Information Officer, OMB; Gary Guissanie, Acting Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Cyber, Identity, and Information Assurance, Department of 
Defense; John Streufert, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Information 
Security, Bureau of Information Resource Management, Department of 
State; Gregory Wilshusen, Director, Information Security Issues, GAO; 
and public witnesses.
SENATE AMENDMENTS TO AVIATION SAFETY AND INVESTMENT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule providing for 
consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 1586, the ``Aviation 
Safety and Investment Act of 2010''. The rule makes in order a single 
motion by the chair of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure that the House concur in the Senate amendment to the 
title and that the House concur in the Senate amendment to the text 
with the amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules. The 
previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening 
motion or demand for division of the question. The rule provides one 
hour of debate on the motion equally divided and controlled by the 
chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure. The rule waives all points of order against 
consideration of the motion except those arising under clause 10 of 
rule XXI. The rule provides that the Senate amendments and the motion 
shall be considered as read.
  The rule authorizes the Speaker to entertain motions that the House 
suspend the rules at any time through the calendar day of March 28, 
2010. The Speaker or her designee shall consult with the Minority 
Leader or his designee on the designation of any matter for 
consideration pursuant to this authority. The resolution waives 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 any 
resolution reported from the Rules Committee through the legislative 
day of March 29, 2010. The rule provides that on any legislative day 
specified, the Speaker may at any time declare the House adjourned. 
When the House adjourns on a motion pursuant to this subsection or a 
declaration of the Speaker on the legislative day of (1) Thursday, 
March 25, 2010, it shall stand adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Monday, 
March 29, 2010; (2) Monday, March 29, 2010, it shall stand adjourned 
until 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2010; (3) Thursday, April 1, 2010, 
it shall stand adjourned until 4 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2010; (4) 
Monday, April 5, 2010, it shall stand adjourned until 9 a.m. on 
Thursday, April 8, 2010; (5) Thursday, April 8, 2010, it shall stand 
adjourned until noon on Monday, April 12, 2010.
  If, during any adjournment addressed above, the House has received a 
message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in an applicable 
concurrent resolution of adjournment, the House shall stand adjourned 
pursuant to such concurrent resolution. The Speaker may appoint Members 
to perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period 
addressed. Testimony was heard from Chairman Oberstar and 
Representatives Mica and Petri.
NASA'S EXPLORATION PROGRAM
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a 
hearing on Proposed Changes to NASA's Exploration Program: What's 
Known, What's Not, and What are the Issues for Congress? Testimony was 
heard from Douglas Cooke, Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems 
Mission Directorate, NASA; and a public witness.
SUPPORTING INNOVATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a 
hearing on Supporting Innovation in the 21st Century Economy. Testimony 
was heard from Aneesh Chopra, Chief Technology Officer, Office of 
Science and Technology Policy; and public witnesses.
SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL PROCUREMENT MARKETPLACE
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Small Business 
Participation in the Federal Procurement Marketplace.'' Testimony was 
heard from public witnesses.
CAPITAL ASSETS CRISIS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, 
hearing on Capital Assets Crisis: Maintaining Federal Real Estate with 
the Dwindling Federal Building Fund. Testimony was heard from Robert 
Peck, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, GSA; and public 
witnesses.

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EXAMINATION OF VA REGIONAL OFFICE DISABILITY CLAIMS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance 
and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on Examination of VA Regional 
Office Disability Claims Quality Review Methods--Is VBA's Systematic 
Technical Accuracy Review (STAR) Making the Grade? Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs: 
Belinda J. Finn, Assistant Inspector General, Audits and Evaluations, 
Office of Inspector General; and Bradley G. Mayes, Director, 
Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration; 
Daniel Bertoni, Director, Education, Workforce, and Security Issues, 
GAO; and representatives of veterans organizations.
EXCHANGE RATE OF CHINA AND ITS IMPACT ON U.S. AND GLOBAL ECONOMIES
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the exchange rate policy 
of the Government of the People's Republic of China and its impact on 
the U.S. and global economies. Testimony was heard from C. Fred 
Bergsten, former Assistant Secretary, International Affairs, and former 
Under Secretary for Monetary Affairs, Department of the Treasury; and 
public witnesses.
FBI AND DEA INTELLIGENCE BUDGET FY2011
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to 
hold a hearing on FBI and DEA Intelligence Budgets for Fiscal Year 
2011. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Justice: Art Cummings, Executive Assistant Director, 
National Security Branch; and Anthony Placido, Assistant Administrator 
and Chief of Intelligence, Drug Enforcement Administration.

Joint Meetings
  No joint committee meetings were held.