[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 24, 2015)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D327-D331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
EXAMINATION OF THE COSTS AND IMPACTS OF MANDATORY BIOTECHNOLOGY LAWS
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee held a hearing on examination 
of the costs and impacts of mandatory biotechnology laws. Testimony was 
heard from public witnesses.
REAUTHORIZING THE CFTC: END-USER VIEWS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, 
and Credit held a hearing on reauthorizing the CFTC: end-user views. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
APPROPRIATIONS--AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE PUBLIC AND OUTSIDE 
WITNESS DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and 
Related Agencies held a hearing for American Indian and Alaska Native 
public and outside witnesses. Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AGENCIES
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a 
hearing on Department of Agriculture Research Agencies budget. 
Testimony was heard from the following Department of Agriculture 
officials: Catherine E. Woteki, Under Secretary, Research, Education 
and Economics; Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Administrator, Agriculture 
Research Service; Sonny Ramaswamy, Director, National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture; Mary Bohman, Administrator, Economic Research Service; 
Joseph Reilly, Administrator, National Agriculture Statistics Service; 
and Michael Young, Budget Officer.
APPROPRIATIONS--MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on 
Missile Defense Agency budget. Testimony was heard from Vice Admiral 
James D. Syring, Director, Missile Defense Agency. This hearing was 
closed.
APPROPRIATIONS--NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development held a hearing on Nuclear Regulatory Commission budget. 
Testimony was

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heard from Stephen Burns, Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission; 
Kristine Svinicki, Commissioner, Nuclear Regulatory Commission; William 
Ostendorff, Commissioner, Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and Jeff 
Baran, Commissioner, Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
APPROPRIATIONS--COAST GUARD
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a 
hearing on Coast Guard budget. Testimony was heard from Paul F. 
Zukunft, Commandant, United States Coast Guard.
APPROPRIATIONS--NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education held a hearing on National Labor Relations 
Board budget. Testimony was heard from Mark Pearce, Chairman, National 
Labor Relations Board; and Richard F. Griffin Jr., General Counsel, 
National Labor Relations Board.
APPROPRIATIONS--HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing 
and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Housing 
and Urban Development Programs budget. Testimony was heard from Julian 
Castro, Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development.
APPROPRIATIONS--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and 
General Government held a hearing on Federal Communications Commission 
budget. Testimony was heard from Tom Wheeler, Chairman, Federal 
Communications Commission; and Ajit Pai, Commissioner, Federal 
Communications Commission.
APPROPRIATIONS--ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL AMERICA
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, 
and Related Programs held a hearing on Assistance to Central America 
budget. Testimony was heard from Roberta S. Jacobson, Assistant 
Secretary of State, Western Hemisphere Affairs; William R. Brownfield, 
Assistant Secretary of State, International Narcotics and Law 
Enforcement Affairs; and Elizabeth Hogan, Acting Assistant 
Administrator, Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for 
International Development.
FISCAL YEAR 2016 ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE HEARING
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a 
hearing entitled ``Fiscal Year 2016 Atomic Energy Defense Hearing''. 
Testimony was heard from Lieutenant General Frank Klotz (USAF, 
Retired), Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration; Mark 
Whitney, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environmental 
Management, Department of Energy; and Jessie Hill Roberson, Vice 
Chairman, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce 
Protections held a hearing on H.R. 548, the ``Certainty in Enforcement 
Act of 2015''; H.R. 549, the ``Litigation Oversight Act of 2015''; H.R. 
550, the ``EEOC Transparency and Accountability Act''; and H.R. 1189, 
the ``Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act''. Testimony was heard 
from public witnesses.
EXAMINING THE 340B DRUG PRICING PROGRAM
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
entitled ``Examining the 340B Drug Pricing Program''. Testimony was 
heard from Diana Espinosa, Deputy Administrator, Health Resources and 
Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; 
Debbie Draper, Director, Health Care, Government Accountability Office; 
and Ann Maxwell, Assistant Inspector General for Evaluation and 
Inspections, Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and 
Human Services.
THE INTERNET OF THINGS: EXPLORING THE NEXT TECHNOLOGY FRONTIER
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, 
Manufacturing and Trade held a hearing entitled ``The Internet of 
Things: Exploring the Next Technology Frontier''. Testimony was heard 
from public witnesses.
IMPROVING COAL COMBUSTION RESIDUALS REGULATION ACT OF 2015
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and the 
Economy concluded a hearing on the ``Improving Coal Combustion 
Residuals Regulation Act of 2015''. Testimony was heard from Mathy 
Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and 
Emergency Response, Environmental Protection Agency.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and the 
Economy began a markup on

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the ``Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015''.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, 
Manufacturing, and Trade began a markup on the ``Data Security and 
Breach Notification Act of 2015''.
EXAMINING THE SEC'S AGENDA, OPERATIONS, AND FY 2016 BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Examining the SEC's Agenda, Operations, and FY 2016 Budget Request''. 
Testimony was heard from Mary Jo White, Chair, Securities and Exchange 
Commission.
THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION'S ROLE IN OPERATION CHOKE 
POINT
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``The Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation's Role in Operation Choke Point''. Testimony was heard from 
Martin J. Gruenberg, Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
THE U.S. REBALANCE IN SOUTH ASIA: FOREIGN AID AND DEVELOPMENT 
PRIORITIES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held 
a hearing entitled ``The U.S. Rebalance in South Asia: Foreign Aid and 
Development Priorities''. Testimony was heard from Nisha Desai Biswal, 
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, 
Department of State; and Jonathan Stivers, Assistant Administrator, 
Bureau for Asia, U.S. Agency for International Development.
OVERSIGHT OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL 
DEVELOPMENT FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere 
held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the State Department and Agency 
for International Development Funding Priorities for the Western 
Hemisphere''. Testimony was heard from Roberta S. Jacobson, Assistant 
Secretary, Bureau for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State; 
and Elizabeth Hogan, Acting Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin 
America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development.
IRAN'S NONCOMPLIANCE WITH ITS INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY 
OBLIGATIONS
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Middle East and North 
Africa held a hearing entitled ``Iran's Noncompliance with Its 
International Atomic Energy Agency Obligations''. Testimony was heard 
from public witnesses.
AFTER PARIS AND COPENHAGEN: RESPONDING TO THE RISING TIDE OF ANTI-
SEMITISM
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, 
Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held a hearing 
entitled ``After Paris and Copenhagen: Responding to the Rising Tide of 
Anti-Semitism''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
A GLOBAL BATTLEGROUND: THE FIGHT AGAINST ISLAMIST EXTREMISM AT HOME AND 
ABROAD
Committee on Homeland Security: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``A Global Battleground: The Fight against Islamist Extremism at Home 
and Abroad''. Testimony was heard from Former Speaker Newt Gingrich; 
and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 348, 
the ``Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 
2015''; H.R. 712, the ``Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements 
Act of 2015''; H.R. 1155, the ``Searching for and Cutting Regulations 
that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2015''; H.R. 690, the 
``Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act of 2015''; and H.R. 
889, the ``Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity 
Clarification Act''. The following bills were ordered reported, without 
amendment: H.R. 1155, H.R. 348, H.R. 690, H.R. 712, and H.R. 889.
EXAMINING THE SPENDING PRIORITIES AND MISSIONS OF THE FOREST SERVICE 
AND THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT IN THE PRESIDENT'S FY 2016 BUDGET 
PROPOSALS
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a 
hearing entitled ``Examining the Spending Priorities and Missions of 
the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management in the President's 
FY 2016 Budget Proposals''. Testimony was heard from Neil Kornze, 
Director, Bureau of Land Management; and Thomas Tidwell, Chief, Forest 
Service, Department of Agriculture.

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EXAMINING THE SPENDING PRIORITIES AND MISSIONS OF THE BUREAU OF 
RECLAMATION, THE POWER MARKETING ADMINISTRATIONS AND USGS WATER 
DIVISION IN THE PRESIDENT'S FY 2016 BUDGET PROPOSAL
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water, Power, and 
Oceans held a hearing entitled ``Examining the Spending Priorities and 
Missions of the Bureau of Reclamation, the Power Marketing 
Administrations and USGS Water Division in the President's FY 2016 
Budget Proposal''. Testimony was heard from Estevan Lopez, 
Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation; Mark Gabriel, Administrator, 
Western Area Power Administration; Elliot Mainzer, Administrator, 
Bonneville Power Administration; Christopher Turner, Administrator, 
Southwestern Power Administration; Kenneth Legg, Administrator, 
Southeastern Power Administration; and William Werkheiser, Associate 
Director, Water, U.S. Geological Survey.
EXAMINING THE SPENDING PRIORITIES AND MISSION OF THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL 
SURVEY IN THE PRESIDENT'S FY 2016 BUDGET PROPOSAL
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral 
Resources held a hearing entitled ``Examining the Spending Priorities 
and Mission of the U.S. Geological Survey in the President's FY 2016 
Budget Proposal''. Testimony was heard from Suzette Kimball, Acting 
Director, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee began a markup on H.R. 
152, the ``Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act''; H.R. 308, the ``Keep 
the Promise Act of 2015''; H.R. 373, the ``Good Samaritan Search and 
Recovery Act''; H.R. 404, to authorize early repayment of obligations 
to the Bureau of Reclamation within the Northport Irrigation District 
in the State of Nebraska; H.R. 533, to revoke the charter of 
incorporation of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma at the request of that 
tribe, and for other purposes; H.R. 979, to designate a mountain in the 
John Muir Wilderness of the Sierra National Forest as ``Sky Point''; 
H.R. 984, to amend the National Trails System Act to direct the 
Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of 
designating the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail, and for 
other purposes; H.R. 1168, the ``Native American Children Safety Act''; 
and H.R. 1324, the ``Arapaho National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 
2015''.
USSS: HOLDING THE PROTECTORS ACCOUNTABLE
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled ``USSS: Holding the Protectors Accountable''. 
Testimony was heard from Joseph P. Clancy, Director, Secret Service.
SEARCHING FOR THE ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE: AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF 
THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Space held 
a hearing entitled ``Searching for the Origins of the Universe: An 
Update on the Progress of the James Webb Space Telescope''. Testimony 
was heard from John Grunsfeld, Associate Administrator, Science Mission 
Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Cristina 
Chaplain, Director of Acquisition and Sourcing Management, Government 
Accountability Office; John Mather, Senior Project Scientist, James 
Webb Space Telescope, Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration; and a public witness.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OVERSIGHT: OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND 
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy 
held a hearing entitled ``Department of Energy Oversight: Office of 
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy''. Testimony was heard from 
David Danielson, Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy, Department of Energy; and public witnesses.
OPTIONS FOR FAA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL REFORM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Aviation held a hearing entitled ``Options for FAA Air Traffic Control 
Reform''. Testimony was heard from Matt Hampton, Assistant Inspector 
General for Aviation Audits, Office of the Inspector General, 
Department of Transportation; Craig Fuller, Vice Chairman, Federal 
Aviation Administration Management Advisory Council; and public 
witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE HEARING
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
held a hearing on H.R. 456, the ``Reducing Barriers for Veterans 
Education Act of 2015''; H.R. 473, the ``Increasing the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Accountability to Veterans Act of 2015''; H.R. 474, 
the ``Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 
2015''; H.R. 475, the ``GI Bill Processing Improvement Act of 2015''; 
H.R. 476, the ``GI Bill Education Quality

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Enhancement Act of 2015''; H.R. 643, the ``Veterans Education Survey 
Act of 2015''; H.R. 1038, the ``Ensuring VA Employee Accountability 
Act''; H.R. 1141, to amend title 38, United States Code, to consider 
certain time spent by members of reserve components of the Armed Forces 
while receiving medical care from the Secretary of Defense as active 
duty for purposes of eligibility for Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, 
and for other purposes; H.R. 1187, to amend title 38, United States 
Code, to adjust certain limits on the guaranteed amount of a home loan 
under the home loan program of the Department of Veterans Affairs; H.R. 
1313, the ``Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Relief Act''; 
and H.R. 1382, the ``Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment 
Act''. Testimony was heard from Representative Murphy of Florida; Major 
General Robert M. Worley II USAF (Retired), Director, Education 
Service, Veterans Benefit Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs; Teresa W. Gerton, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans' 
Employment and Training Service, Department of Labor; and public 
witnesses.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S USE OF DATA ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY EMERGING TRENDS 
AND STOP MEDICARE FRAUD
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing 
on the federal government's use of data analysis--particularly the 
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Fraud Prevention System 
(FPS)--to identify emerging trends, and stop Medicare fraud. Testimony 
was heard from Shantanu Agrawal, Deputy Administrator and Director, 
Center for Program Integrity, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services; Gary Cantrell, Deputy Inspector General for Investigations, 
Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services; 
and public witnesses.
BUDGET HEARING
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Defense and 
Overhead Architecture held a budget hearing. This hearing was closed.

Joint Meetings
  No joint committee meetings were held.