[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 58 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D382-D385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
APPROPRIATIONS--PUBLIC WITNESS DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and 
Related Agencies held a hearing on American Indian and Alaska Native 
issues. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
APPROPRIATIONS--USDA FARM AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, FDA, and Related Agencies held a hearing on USDA Farm and 
Foreign Agricultural Services. Testimony was heard from the following 
Department of Agriculture officials: Michael Scuse, Under Secretary, 
Farm and Foreign Agriculture Services; Juan Garcia, Administrator, Farm 
Service Agency; Suzanne Heinen, Foreign Agriculture Service; Brandon 
Willis, Administrator, Risk Management Agency; and Michael Young, 
Budget Officer.
APPROPRIATIONS--AFRICOM
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on 
AFRICOM. This was a closed hearing.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and 
General Government held a hearing on the Department of Treasury Budget. 
Testimony was heard from Jack Lew, Secretary, Department of Treasury.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education held a hearing on the Department of Health and 
Human Services Budget. Testimony was heard from Kathleen Sebelius, 
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
APPROPRIATIONS--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION BUDGET
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing 
and Urban Development held a hearing on the Federal Railroad 
Administration Budget. Testimony was heard from Joseph Szabo, 
Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Committee on Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from 
the Department of the Army''. Testimony was heard from John McHugh, 
Secretary of the Army; and General Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff, 
United States Army.
TRANSITIONING TO AFGHAN SECURITY LEAD: PROTECTING AFGHAN WOMEN
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Transitioning to Afghan 
Security Lead: Protecting Afghan Women?''. Testimony was heard from 
David Sedney, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghan Policy; 
Office of the Secretary of Defense; and Major General Michael Shields, 
USA, Director of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Coordination Cell, Joint 
Chiefs of Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION--NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE ACTIVITIES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a 
hearing entitled ``Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization 
Budget Request for National Security Space Activities''. Testimony was 
heard from Gil Klinger, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Space 
and Intelligence Office; Doug Loverro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of 
Defense, Space Policy; Betty Sapp, Director, National Reconnaissance 
Office; and General William Shelton, USAF, Commander, USAF Space 
Command.

[[Page D383]]


SECURING OUR NATION'S PRESCRIPTION DRUG SUPPLY CHAIN
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
entitled ``Securing Our Nation's Prescription Drug Supply Chain''. 
Testimony was heard from Janet Woodcock, M.D., Director, Center for 
Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration; and public 
witnesses.
LIFELINE FUND: MONEY WELL SPENT
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Communications and 
Technology held a hearing entitled ``The Lifeline Fund: Money Well 
Spent?''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
U.S. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PRIORITIES AND STRATEGY
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``The FY 2014 Budget Request: U.S. Foreign Assistance Priorities and 
Strategy''. Testimony was heard from Rajiv Shah, Administrator, U.S. 
Agency for International Development; and a public witness.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Foreign affairs: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held 
a markup on H.R. 419, the ``Taiwan Policy Act of 2013''. The bill was 
forwarded, as amended.
NATURAL GAS EXPORTS: ECONOMIC AND GEOPOLITICAL OPPORTUNITIES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Terrorism, 
Nonproliferation, and Trade held a hearing entitled ``Natural Gas 
Exports: Economic and Geopolitical Opportunities''. Testimony was heard 
from public witnesses.
COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS TO COMBAT A CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, 
RADIOLOGICAL, AND NUCLEAR ATTACK ON THE HOMELAND
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and 
Intelligence held a hearing entitled ``Counterterrorism Efforts to 
Combat a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Attack on the 
Homeland''. Testimony was heard from Richard Daddario, Deputy 
Commissioner, New York City Police Department; Huban Gowadia, Acting 
Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, Department of Homeland 
Security; and Scott McAllister, Deputy Under Secretary, State and Local 
Program Officer, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Department of 
Homeland Security.
STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE: PROTECTING OUR NATION'S CRITICAL 
INFRASTRUCTURE FROM CYBER ATTACK AND ENSURING PRIVACY AND CIVIL 
LIBERTIES
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, 
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies held a hearing 
entitled ``Striking the Right Balance: Protecting Our Nation's Critical 
Infrastructure from Cyber Attack and Ensuring Privacy and Civil 
Liberties''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS PRIVACY ACT (ECPA), PART 2: GEOLOCATION 
PRIVACY AND SURVEILLANCE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland 
Security and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``The Electronic 
Communications Privacy Act, Part 2: Geolocation Privacy and 
Surveillance''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Constitution and Civil 
Justice held a hearing on H.J. Res. 40, the Victims' Rights Amendment. 
Testimony was heard from William G. Montgomery, Maricopa County 
Attorney; John Gillis, Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Victim 
Services Division; and public witnesses.
EXAMINATION OF THE JUDICIAL CONDUCT AND DISABILITY SYSTEM
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual 
Property and the Internet held a hearing entitled ``An Examination of 
the Judicial Conduct and Disability System''. Testimony was heard from 
Anthony J. Scirica, Senior Judge, United States Court of Appeals for 
the Third Circuit; David B. Sentelle, Senior Judge, United States Court 
of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; and public witnesses.
FEDERAL IMPEDIMENTS TO WATER RIGHTS, JOB CREATION AND RECREATION: A 
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a 
hearing entitled ``Federal Impediments to Water Rights, Job Creation 
and Recreation: A Local Perspective''. Testimony was heard from Russell 
Boardman, Chairman, Shoshone Conservation District, Frannie, Wyoming; 
and public witnesses.

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LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, 
Oceans, and Insular Affairs held a hearing on H.R. 638, the ``National 
Wildlife Refuge Review Act of 2013''; H.R. 1300, to amend the Fish and 
Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthorize the volunteer programs and 
community partnerships for the benefit of national wildlife refuges, 
and for other purposes; and H.R. 1384, the ``Wildlife Refuge System 
Conservation Semipostal Stamp Act of 2013''. Testimony was heard from 
Representative Dingell; Jim Kurth, Chief, National Wildlife Refuge 
System, Fish and Wildlife Service; and public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURE; AND U.S.-MEXICO TRANSBOUNDARY HYDROCARBON 
AGREEMENT
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral 
Resources held a hearing on H.R. 1613, the ``Outer Continental Shelf 
Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act''; and 
legislation regarding the U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbon 
Agreement and Steps Needed for Implementation. Testimony was heard from 
Tommy Beaudreau, Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals 
Management, Department of Interior; Carlos Pascual, Special Envoy and 
Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, Department of State; and 
public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PROCUREMENT OF AMMUNITION
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National 
Security held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Federal 
Government's Procurement of Ammunition''. Testimony was heard from Nick 
Nayak, Chief Procurement Officer, Department of Homeland Security; 
Humberto Medina, Assistant Director, National Firearms and Tactical 
Training Unit, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of 
Homeland Security, Patrick P. O'Carroll, Jr., Inspector General, Office 
of the Inspector General Social Security Administration; and a public 
witness.
EXAMINING THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND CONSUMER DRIVEN MARKET FORCES IN 
U.S. HEALTH CARE
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy 
Policy, Health Care and Entitlements held a hearing entitled 
``Examining the Lack of Transparency and Consumer Driven Market Forces 
in U.S. Health Care''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
POLICY RELEVANT CLIMATE ISSUES IN CONTEXT
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on 
Environment held a hearing entitled ``Policy Relevant Climate Issues in 
Context''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
SMALL BUSINESS STEM WORKFORCE SHORTAGE AND IMMIGRATION REFORM
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce 
held a hearing entitled ``Help Wanted: The Small Business STEM 
Workforce Shortage and Immigration Reform''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
IMPLEMENTING MAP-21
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Highways and Transit held a hearing entitled ``Implementing MAP-21: The 
State and Local Perspective''. Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
held a markup of the following legislation: H.R. 357, the ``GI Bill 
Tuition Fairness Act of 2013''; H.R. 562, the ``VRAP Extension Act of 
2013''; H.R. 631, the ``Servicemembers' Choice in Transition Act of 
2013''; H.R. 844, the ``VetSuccess Enhancement Act''; H.R. 1305, to 
amend title 38, United States Code, to provide clarification regarding 
eligibility for services under the Homeless Veterans Reintegration 
Program; H.R. 1316, to amend title 38, United States Code, to specify 
the responsibilities of the Directors and Assistant Directors of 
Veterans' Employment and Training; H.R. 1402, the ``Veterans Paralympic 
Act of 2013''; H.R. 1412, the ``Improving Job Opportunities for 
Veterans Act of 2013''; and H.R. 1453, the ``Work-Study for Student 
Veterans''. The following bills were forwarded, as amended: H.R. 357; 
H.R. 631; and H.R. 1316. The following bills were forwarded, without 
amendment: H.R. 562; H.R. 844; H.R. 1305; H.R. 1402; H.R. 1412; and 
H.R. 1453.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance 
and Memorial Affairs held a markup of the following legislation: H.R. 
569, the ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 
2013''; H.R. 570, the ``American Heroes COLA Act''; H.R. 671, the 
``Ruth Moore Act of 2013''; H.R. 894, to amend title 38, United States 
Code, to improve the supervision of fiduciaries of veterans under the 
laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and H.R. 1405, 
to amend title 38,

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United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
include an appeals form in any notice of decision issued for the denial 
of a benefit sought. The following bills were forwarded, as amended: 
H.R. 671; and H.R. 1405. The following bills were forwarded, without 
amendment: H.R. 569; H.R. 570; and H.R. 894.
TAX REFORM AND RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE
Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Tax Reform and Residential Real Estate''. Testimony was heard from 
Jane Gravelle, Senior Specialist in Economic Policy, Congressional 
Research Service.
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE OPERATIONS AND THE 2013 TAX RETURN FILING 
SEASON
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing 
entitled ``Internal Revenue Service Operations and the 2013 Tax Return 
Filing Season''. Testimony was heard from Steven Miller, Acting 
Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service.
ONGOING INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled ``Ongoing Intelligence Activities''. This was a closed 
hearing.

Joint Meetings
  No joint committee meetings were held.