[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 45 (Thursday, March 31, 2011)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D332-D335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
DODD-FRANK--ENTITY AND PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee held a hearing on Defining the 
Market: Entity and Product Classifications Under Title VII of the Dodd-
Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Testimony was 
heard from Gary Gensler, Chairman, Commodity Futures Trading 
Commission.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and 
Related Agencies held a hearing on Indian Health Service FY 2012 Budget 
Oversight Hearing. Testimony was heard from Yvette Robideaux, M.D., 
M.P.H., Director, Indian Health Service; and Randy Grinnell, Deputy 
Director, Indian Health Service.
DEFENSE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on 
Air Force Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Review. Testimony was heard from 
Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the Air Force; and Gen. Norton A. 
Schwartz, Chief of Staff, Air Force.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of 
Energy--Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission FY 2012 
Budget. Testimony was heard from Peter Lyons, Acting Assistant 
Secretary for Nuclear Energy; and Gregory Jaczko, Chairman, Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission.
FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and 
General Government held a hearing on Consumer Product Safety Commission 
FY 2012 Budget. Testimony was heard from Inez Moore Tenenbaum, 
Chairman; and Anne Northrup, Commissioner, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, 
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on European 
Command. Testimony was heard from ADM James G. Stravridis; and Rear 
Admiral William ``Andy'' Brown, Director of Logistics, U.S. European 
Command.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a 
hearing on USDA FY 2012 Budget Request. Testimony was heard from Dallas 
Tonsanger, USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development.
STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations 
and Related Agencies held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2012 Request for 
Global Health and HIV/AIDS Programs. Testimony was heard from 
Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. AIDS Coordinator; and Amie Batson, Deputy 
Assistant Administrator for Global Health at USAID.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Department of 
Energy--Loan Guarantee Program and ARPA-E, FY 2012 Budget. Testimony 
was heard from Arun Majumdar, Director, ARPA-E; and Jonathan Silver, 
Director, Loan Guarantee Program.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a 
hearing on Department of Homeland Security, NPPD Budget--Cybersecurity 
and Infrastructure Protection Programs and Funding.

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Testimony was heard from Rand Beers, Under Secretary of the National 
Protection and Programs Directorate; and Phil Reitinger, Deputy Under 
Secretary of National Protection and Programs Directorate. This was a 
CLASSIFIED and CLOSED hearing.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN LIBYA
Committee on Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing on Operation 
Odyssey Dawn and U.S. Military Operations in Libya. Testimony was heard 
from Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense; and ADM Michael G. Mullen, 
USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
FY 2012--MISSILE DEFENSE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a 
hearing on FY 2012 national defense authorization budget request for 
missile defense. Testimony was heard from Bradley H. Roberts, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary of Defense, Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy, 
Office of the Secretary of Defense; Lieutenant General Patrick 
O'Reilly, USA, Director, Missile Defense Agency; David G. Ahern, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary of Defense, Portfolio Systems Acquisition, Office 
of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and 
Logistics; and J. Michael Gilmore, Director, Operational Test and 
Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense.
IMPROVING THE READINESS OF U.S. FORCES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing 
on improving the readiness of U.S. forces through military jointness. 
Testimony was heard from General Ray Odierno, USA, Commander, U.S. 
Joint Forces Command, Vice Admiral William E. Gortney, USN, Director, 
Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and public witnesses.
UNION TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Health, 
Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing entitled ``The Future of 
Union Transparency and Accountability.'' Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a markup 
on the following: H.R. 1217, to repeal the Prevention and Public Health 
Fund; H.R. 1216, to amend the Public Health Service Act to convert 
funding for graduate medical education in qualified teaching health 
centers from direct appropriations to an authorization of 
appropriations; H.R. 1215, to amend title V of the Social Security Act 
to convert funding for personal responsibility education programs from 
direct appropriations to an authorization of appropriations; H.R. 1214, 
to repeal mandatory funding for school-based health center 
construction; and H.R. 1213, to repeal mandatory funding provided to 
States in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish 
American Health Benefit Exchanges. Each of the bills was forwarded to 
the full Committee without amendment.
CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM STANDARDS PROGRAM
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and the 
Economy held a hearing on H.R. 908, to extend the authority of the 
Secretary of Homeland Security to maintain the Chemical Facility Anti-
Terrorism Standards Program. Testimony was heard from Rand Beers, Under 
Secretary, Personal Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of 
Homeland Security; and public witnesses.
STEPS TO PROTECT TAXPAYERS FROM THE ONGOING BAILOUT OF FANNIE MAE AND 
FREDDIE MAC
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets and 
Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``Legislative 
Hearing on Immediate Steps to Protect Taxpayers from the Ongoing 
Bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.'' Testimony was heard from 
Edward J. DeMarco, Acting Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency; and 
public witnesses.
LIBYA: DEFINING U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing on Libya: 
Defining U.S. National Security Interests. Testimony was heard from 
James B. Steinberg, Deputy Secretary, Department of State.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; ASIA OVERVIEW
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held 
a markup on H. Res. 139, expressing condolences to the people of New 
Zealand for the terrible loss of life and property suffered as a result 
of the deadly earthquake that struck on February 22, 2011; and H. Res. 
172, expressing heartfelt condolences and support for assistance to the 
people of Japan and all those affected in the aftermath of the deadly 
earthquake and tsunamis of March 11, 2011. Both resolutions were 
forwarded to the full Committee without amendment. The markup was 
followed by a hearing on Asia Overview: Protecting American Interests 
in China and Asia. Testimony was heard from Kurt Campbell, Assistant

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Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of 
State; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; RISING OIL PRICES AND DEPENDENCE ON HOSTILE 
REGIMES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere 
held a markup on H.R. 1016, to measure the progress of relief, 
recovery, reconstruction, and development efforts in Haiti following 
the earthquake of January 12, 2010, and for other purposes. The bill 
was forwarded to the full Committee with an amendment. Following the 
markup a hearing on Rising Oil Prices and Dependence on Hostile 
Regimes: The Urgent Case of Canadian Oil took place. Testimony was 
heard from David L. Goldwyn, former Department of State Coordinator and 
Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs; Lucian Pugliaresi; 
former Department of State Coordinator and Special Envoy for 
International Energy Affairs; and public witnesses.
MEXICAN WAR AGAINST DRUG CARTELS
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Oversight, 
Investigations, and Management held a hearing entitled ``The U.S. 
Homeland Security Role in the Mexican War Against Drug Cartels.'' 
Testimony was heard from Luis Alvarez, Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
Homeland Security Investigations, Office of International Affairs, 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; 
Brian Nichols, Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Narcotics and 
Law Enforcement Affairs, Department of State; Frank Mora, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of Defense; 
and Kristin Finklea, Analyst Domestic Social Policy Division, 
Congressional Research Service.
2010 ELECTION
Committee on House Administration: Subcommittee on Elections held a 
hearing entitled ``The 2010 Election: A Look Back At What Went Right 
and Wrong.'' Testimony was heard from Scott Gessler, Secretary of 
State, Colorado; Mark Ritchie, Secretary of State, Minnesota; Susan 
Gill, Supervisor of Elections, Citrus County, Florida; and public 
witnesses.
H-1B VISAS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and 
Enforcement held a hearing entitled ``H-1B Visas: Designing a Program 
to meet the Needs of the U.S. Economy and U.S. Workers''. Testimony was 
heard from Donald Neufeld, Associate Director of Service Center 
Operations, Citizenship and Immigration Services; and public witnesses.
CREATE JOBS AND ADDRESS RISING GASOLINE PRICES
Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee held a hearing on 
Harnessing American Resources to Create Jobs and Address Rising 
Gasoline Prices: Impacts on Businesses and Families. Testimony was 
heard from public witnesses.
FY 2012 BUDGET--NOAA AND NMFS
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, 
Oceans, and Insular Affairs held a hearing on ``Spending for the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Marine 
Fisheries Service and the President's Fiscal Year 2012 budget request 
for these agencies.'' Testimony was heard from Jane Lubchenco, Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator, 
NOAA; and Eric Schwaab, Assistant Administrator, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND FOIA
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled ``Why isn't the Department of Homeland Security 
meeting the President's standard on FOIA?'' Testimony was heard from 
the following Department of Homeland Security officials: Mary Ellen 
Callahan, Chief Privacy Officer; Ivan Fong, General Counsel; Charles 
Edwards, Acting Inspector General; and public witnesses.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN PREVENTION ACT OF 2011
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by a record vote of 6 to 3, 
a closed rule providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1255) to 
prevent a shutdown of the government of the United States, and for 
other purposes. The rule provides for one hour of debate equally 
divided and controlled by the Majority Leader and Minority Leader or 
their respective designees. The rule waives all points of order against 
consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the bill shall be 
considered as read. The bill waives all points of order against 
provisions in the bill. Finally, the rule provides one motion to 
recommit. Testimony was heard from Rep. Moran; Rep. Welch; and Rep. 
Andrews.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Full Committee held a 
hearing on Climate Change: Examining the Processes Used to Create 
Science and Policy. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

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ROLE OF SMALL BUSINESS AND JOB CREATION
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Technology 
and Innovation held a hearing on the Role of Small Business in 
Innovation and Job Creation: The SBIR and STTR Programs. Testimony was 
heard from public witnesses.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, COUNSELING, AND EMPLOYMENT FOR VETERANS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
held a hearing on the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 
program budget and VRE National Counseling Contract. Testimony was 
heard from John M. McWilliam, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations 
and Management, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, Department 
of Labor; Ruth A. Fanning, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of 
Veterans Affairs; and public witnesses.
ELIMINATE CERTAIN TAX BENEFITS RELATING TO ABORTION
Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee held a markup of H.R. 1232, 
to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate certain tax 
benefits relating to abortion. The bill was ordered reported without 
amendment.
2011 TAX FILING SEASON
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing 
on the Internal Revenue Service and the 2011 Tax Return Filing Season. 
Testimony was heard from Douglas Shulman, Commissioner, IRS.

Joint Meetings
  No joint committee meetings were held.