[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 166 (Friday, December 21, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8361-S8363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

  The following communications were laid before the Senate, together 
with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as 
indicated:

        EC-8673. A communication from the Senior Procurement 
     Executive/Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, Office of 
     Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition 
     Circular 2005-63, Introduction'' (FAC 2005-63) received in 
     the Office of the President of the Senate on December 10, 
     2012; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs.
        EC-8674. A communication from the Board Members, Railroad 
     Retirement Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Railroad 
     Retirement Board's Performance and Accountability Report for 
     Fiscal Year 2012, including the Office of Inspector General's 
     Auditor's Report; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8675. A communication from the Chairman of the 
     Securities and Exchange Commission, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, the Semiannual Report of the Inspector General and a 
     Management Report for the period from April 1, 2012 through 
     September 30, 2012; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8676. A communication from the Presiding Governor of 
     the Broadcasting Board of Governors, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the Office of Inspector General's Semiannual Report 
     for the period of April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012; 
     to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs.
        EC-8677. A communication from the Director, Office of 
     Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the period 
     from April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012 and the 
     Management Response for the period ending September 30, 2012; 
     to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs.
        EC-8678. A communication from the Chairman, Federal 
     Maritime Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     Commission's Fiscal Year 2012 Performance and Accountability 
     Report; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8679. A communication from the Chairman, Occupational 
     Safety and Health Review Commission, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the Commission's Performance and Accountability 
     Report for fiscal year 2012; to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8680. A communication from the Acting Director of the 
     Peace Corps, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Office of 
     Inspector General's Semiannual Report for the period of April 
     1, 2012 through September 30, 2012; to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8681. A communication from the Chair of the Equal 
     Employment Opportunity Commission, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, the Commission's Semiannual Report of the Inspector 
     General for the period from April 1, 2012 through September 
     30, 2012; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8682. A communication from the Secretary of Education, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the Semiannual Report of the 
     Office of Inspector General for the Department of Education 
     for the period of April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012; 
     to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs.
        EC-8683. A communication from the Administrator of the 
     Small Business Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, 
     the Semiannual Report from the Office of the Inspector 
     General for the period from April 1, 2012 through September 
     30, 2012; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8684. A communication from the Chairman of the Consumer 
     Product Safety Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     Commission's Annual Performance and Accountability Report for 
     fiscal year 2012; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8685. A communication from the Chairman of the Consumer 
     Product Safety Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     Semi-Annual Report of the Inspector General for the period 
     from April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8686. A communication from the Administrator, Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the cost 
     of response and recovery efforts for FEMA-3353-EM in the 
     State of Connecticut having exceeded the $5,000,000 limit for 
     a single emergency declaration; to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8687. A communication from the Secretary of Housing and 
     Urban Development, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Office 
     of the Inspector General's Semiannual Report for the period 
     of April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012; to the Committee 
     on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8688. A communication from the Deputy Secretary of 
     Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department of 
     Defense's Semiannual Report of the Inspector General for the 
     period from April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8689. A communication from the Administrator of the 
     Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, the Semi-Annual Report of the Inspector General for the 
     period from April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012 and the 
     Compendium of Unimplemented Recommendations as of September 
     30, 2012; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8690. A communication from the Chairman and President 
     of the Export-Import Bank, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     Semi-Annual Report of the Inspector General for the period 
     from April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8691. A communication from the Senior Procurement 
     Executive/Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, Office of 
     Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Small Entity Compliance 
     Guide'' (FAC 2005-64) received in the Office of the President 
     of the Senate on December 21, 2012; to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8692. A communication from the Senior Procurement 
     Executive/Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, Office of 
     Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition 
     Circular 2005-64, Introduction'' (FAC 2005-64) received in 
     the Office of the President of the Senate on December 19, 
     2012; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs.
        EC-8693. A communication from the Senior Procurement 
     Executive/Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, Office of 
     Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Nondisplacement of 
     Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts'' ((RIN9000-AM21) 
     (FAC 2005-64)) received in the Office of the President of the 
     Senate on December 19, 2012; to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8694. A communication from the Acting Congressional 
     Review Coordinator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
     Service, Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, the report of a rule entitled ``Importation of Live 
     Swine, Swine Semen, Pork, and Pork Products; Estonia, 
     Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia'' ((RIN0579-AD20) (Docket No. 
     APHIS-2008-043)) received in the Office of the President of 
     the Senate on December 19, 2012; to the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
        EC-8695. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Pyraflufen-ethyl; Extension of Time-Limited 
     Pesticide Tolerances'' (FRL No. 9373-5) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 20, 2012; 
     to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
        EC-8696. A communication from the Acting Principal Deputy 
     (Personnel and Readiness), Department of Defense, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the 
     feasibility and advisability of terminating the military 
     technician as a distinct personnel management category of the 
     Department of Defense; to the Committee on Armed Services .
        EC-8697. A communication from the Senior Procurement 
     Executive/Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, Office of 
     Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Small Entity Compliance 
     Guide'' (FAC 2005-63) received in the Office of the President 
     of the Senate on December 21, 2012; to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8698. A communication from the Senior Procurement 
     Executive/Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, Office of 
     Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Federal Acquisition Regulation; Iran Threat Reduction'' 
     ((RIN9000-AM44) (FAC 2005-63)) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 21, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8699. A communication from the Secretary of 
     Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department 
     of Transportation's Semiannual Report of the Inspector 
     General for the period from April 1, 2012 through September 
     30, 2012; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.
        EC-8700. A communication from the Acting Principal Deputy 
     Assistant Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness), 
     transmitting a report on the approved retirement of 
     Lieutenant General Harry M. Wyatt III, Air National Guard of 
     the United States, and his advancement to the grade of 
     lieutenant general on the retired list; to the Committee on 
     Armed Services.

[[Page S8362]]

        EC-8701. A communication from the Acting Principal Deputy 
     Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs), 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the annual Equipment 
     Transparency Report (ETR); to the Committee on Armed 
     Services.
        EC-8702. A communication from the Comptroller of the 
     Currency, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the Office of the Comptroller's Annual Report to 
     Congress; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
     Affairs.
        EC-8703. A communication from the Assistant to the Board, 
     Legal Division, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
     System, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Community Reinvestment Act Regulations'' (Docket 
     No. R-1454) received on December 21, 2012; to the Committee 
     on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-8704. A communication from the Associate Director, 
     Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations'' (31 CFR 
     Part 560) received in the Office of the President of the 
     Senate on December 20, 2012; to the Committee on Banking , 
     Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-8705. A communication from the Chief Counsel, Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Final Flood Elevation Determinations'' ((44 CFR Part 67) 
     (Docket No. FEMA-2012-0003)) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 19, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
        EC-8706. A communication from the Assistant General 
     Counsel for Legislation, Regulation and Energy Efficiency, 
     Department of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to law, the 
     report of a rule entitled ``Energy Conservation Program for 
     Consumer Products: Test Procedures for Residential Water 
     Heaters, Direct Heating Equipment, and Pool Heaters (Standby 
     Mode and Off Mode)'' (RIN1904-AB95) received in the Office of 
     the President of the Senate on December 21, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
        EC-8707. A communication from the Administrator of the 
     U.S. Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``The 
     Availability and Price of Petroleum and Petroleum Products 
     Produced in Countries Other Than Iran''; to the Committee on 
     Energy and Natural Resources.
        EC-8708. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans 
     and Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; 
     Kentucky; Redesignation of the Kentucky Portion of the 
     Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH 1997 Annual Fine Particulate 
     Matter Nonattainment Area to Attainment'' (FRL No. 9763-9) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 20, 2012; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works.
        EC-8709. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans 
     and Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; 
     South Carolina; Redesignation of the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock 
     Hill, North Carolina-South Carolina 1997 8-Hour Ozone 
     Moderate Nonattainment Area to Attainment'' (FRL No. 9763-8) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 20, 2012; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works.
        EC-8710. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 
     Modifications to the Transmix Provisions Under the Diesel 
     Sulfur Program'' (FRL No. 9763-7) received in the Office of 
     the President of the Senate on December 20, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.
        EC-8711. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality 
     Implementation Plans; Idaho; Update to Materials Incorporated 
     by Reference'' (FRL No. 9726-4) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 20, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.
        EC-8712. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection 
     Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule 
     entitled ``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality 
     Implementation Plans; West Virginia; Redesignation of the 
     West Virginia Portion of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH 
     1997 Annual Fine Particulate Matter Nonattainment Area to 
     Attainment and Approval of the Associated Maintenance Plan'' 
     (FRL No. 9764-4) received in the Office of the President of 
     the Senate on December 20, 2012; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.
        EC-8713. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Appeals Settlement 
     Guidelines--Military Disability Retirement Benefits'' (UIL 
     No: 104.04-00, 122.01-00) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 21, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Finance.
        EC-8714. A communication from the Chief of the 
     Publications and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 
     Service, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant 
     to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Applicable Federal 
     Rates--January 2013'' (Rev. Rul. 2013-1) received in the 
     Office of the President of the Senate on December 21, 2012; 
     to the Committee on Finance.
        EC-8715. A communication from the Chief of the Border 
     Security Regulations Branch, Customs and Border Protection, 
     Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, the report of a rule entitled ``Closing of the Port of 
     Whitetail, MT'' (RIN1651-AA93) received in the Office of the 
     President of the Senate on December 20, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-8716. A communication from the Deputy Assistant 
     Administrator for Regulatory Programs, Office of Sustainable 
     Fisheries, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, the report of a rule entitled ``Temporary Rule to 
     Increase the Commercial Annual Catch Limit for South Atlantic 
     Yellowtail Snapper'' (RIN0648-BC59) received in the Office of 
     the President of the Senate on December 20, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-8717. A communication from the Deputy Assistant 
     Administrator for Regulatory Programs, Office of Sustainable 
     Fisheries, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the 
     Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish 
     Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 35'' (RIN0648-BB97) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 20, 2012; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.
        EC-8718. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, Office 
     of the General Counsel, Department of Transportation, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to a vacancy 
     in the position of Assistant Secretary for Budget and 
     Programs and Chief Financial Officer, received in the Office 
     of the President of the Senate on December 20, 2012; to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
        EC-8719. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, 
     Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, 
     certification of proposed issuance of an export license 
     pursuant to section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act 
     (Transmittal No. DDTC 12-139); to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations.
        EC-8720. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, 
     Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, 
     certification of proposed issuance of an export license 
     pursuant to section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act 
     (Transmittal No. DDTC 12-173); to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations.
        EC-8721. A communication from the Assistant Secretary, 
     Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, 
     certification of proposed issuance of an export license 
     pursuant to section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act 
     (Transmittal No. DDTC 12-169); to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations.
        EC-8722. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of 
     Legislative Affairs, Department of the Treasury, 
     transmitting, pursuant to law, the annual report of the 
     National Advisory Council on International Monetary and 
     Financial Policies; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
        EC-8723. A communication from the Assistant Legal Adviser 
     for Treaty Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, 
     pursuant to the Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, 
     the report of the texts and background statements of 
     international agreements, other than treaties (List 2012-
     0184--2012-0203); to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
        EC-8724. A communication from the Director of the 
     Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation Division, Wage 
     and Hour Division, Department of Labor, transmitting, 
     pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled 
     ``Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service 
     Contracts; Effective Date'' (RIN1215-AB69; RIN1235-AA02) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 21, 2012; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions.
        EC-8725. A communication from the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report 
     entitled ``Delays in Approvals of Applications Related to 
     Citizen Petitions and Petitions for Stay of Agency Action for 
     Fiscal Year 2011''; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions.
        EC-8726. A communication from the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Food and 
     Drug Administration's annual report on the performance 
     evaluation of FDA-approved mammography quality standards 
     accreditation bodies; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions.
        EC-8727. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison 
     Officer, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department 
     of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of 
     a rule entitled ``Small Brewers Bond Reduction'' (RIN1513-
     AB94) received in the Office of the President of the Senate 
     on December 20, 2012; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
        EC-8728. A communication from the Federal Liaison Officer, 
     Patent and Trademark

[[Page S8363]]

     Office, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, the report of a rule entitled ``Changes to Implement 
     Micro Entity Status for Pay Patient Fees'' (RIN0651-AC78) 
     received in the Office of the President of the Senate on 
     December 20, 2012; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
        EC-8729. A communication from the Chair of the Board of 
     Directors, Office of Compliance, transmitting, pursuant to 
     law, a report relative to recommendations for improvements to 
     the Congressional Accountability Act; to the Committee on 
     Rules and Administration.

                          ____________________