[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 25, 2015)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D342-D346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
IMPLICATIONS OF POTENTIAL RETALIATORY MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST THE UNITED 
STATES IN RESPONSE TO MEAT LABELING REQUIREMENTS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign 
Agriculture held a hearing to examine the implications of potential 
retaliatory measures taken against the United States in response to 
meat labeling requirements. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
REAUTHORIZING THE CFTC: MARKET PARTICIPANT VIEWS
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy 
and Credit held a hearing on reauthorizing the CFTC: market participant 
views. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
APPROPRIATIONS--CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education held a hearing on Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention budget. Testimony was heard from Thomas Frieden, 
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Anne 
Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General, Public Health Service, Director, 
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for 
Disease Control.
APPROPRIATIONS--INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY AND GLOBAL THREAT
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on 
Intelligence Community and Global Threat budget. Testimony was heard 
from James R. Clapper, Director, National Intelligence. This hearing 
was closed.

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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--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS 
MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY 
ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing 
and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Federal 
Railroad Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration budget. 
Testimony was heard from Sarah Feinberg, Acting Administrator, Federal 
Railroad Administration; Timothy P. Butters, Acting Administrator, 
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; and T.F. Scott 
Darling, III, Acting Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration.
APPROPRIATIONS--NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, NUCLEAR 
NONPROLIFERATION AND NAVAL REACTORS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development held a hearing on National Nuclear Security Administration, 
Nuclear Nonproliferation and Naval Reactors budget. Testimony was heard 
from Frank Klotz, Administrator, National Nuclear Security 
Administration; Anne Harrington, Deputy Administrator for Defense 
Nuclear Nonproliferation, National Nuclear Security Administration; and 
Admiral John M. Richardson, Director, Naval Reactors.
APPROPRIATIONS--FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, 
Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Federal Bureau of 
Investigation budget. Testimony was heard from James B. Comey, 
Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
APPROPRIATIONS--STATE AND FOREIGN OPERATIONS PUBLIC WITNESS DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, 
and Related Programs held a hearing for public and outside witnesses. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
APPROPRIATIONS--JUDICIARY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and 
General Government held a hearing on Judiciary budget. Testimony was 
heard from Julia S. Gibbons, Chair, Committee on the Budget, Judicial 
Conference of the United States; and James C. Duff, Director, 
Administrative Office, United States Courts.
STAKEHOLDER'S VIEWS ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MILITARY COMPENSATION 
AND RETIREMENT MODERNIZATION COMMISSION
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a 
hearing entitled ``Stakeholder's Views on the Recommendations of the 
Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission''. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
COUNTERING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION STRATEGY AND THE FISCAL YEAR 
2016 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FOR THE DEFENSE 
THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY AND CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE PROGRAM
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and 
Capabilities held a hearing entitled ``Countering Weapons of Mass 
Destruction Strategy and the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense 
Authorization Budget Request for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency 
and Chemical Biological Defense Program''. Testimony was heard from 
Eric Rosenbach, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and 
Global Security; Chris Hassell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense 
for Chemical and Biological Defense; John Burnham, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of Defense for Threat Reduction and Arms Control; Kenneth 
Myers, Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency and U.S. Strategic 
Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction; and Douglas 
Bryce, Deputy, Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical and 
Biological Defense.
FISCAL YEAR 2016 NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE HEARING
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a 
hearing entitled ``Fiscal Year 2016 National Security Space Hearing''. 
Testimony was heard from General John E. Hyten, USAF, Commander, Air 
Force Space Command; Douglas L. Loverro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of 
Defense for Space Policy, Department of Defense; Dyke Weatherington, 
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary

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of Defense for Space, Strategic, and Intelligence Systems, Department 
of Defense; Betty Sapp, Director, National Reconnaissance Office; 
Robert Cardillo, Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; and 
Lieutenant General John ``Jay'' Raymond, USAF, Commander, Joint 
Functional Component Command for Space.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and the 
Economy concluded a markup on the ``Improving Coal Combustion Residuals 
Regulation Act of 2015''. The ``Improving Coal Combustion Residuals 
Regulation Act of 2015'' was forwarded to the full committee, without 
amendment.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, 
Manufacturing, and Trade concluded a markup on the ``Data Security and 
Breach Notification Act of 2015''. The ``Data Security and Breach 
Notification Act of 2015'' was forwarded to the full committee, as 
amended.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee began a markup on H.R. 
299, the ``Capital Access for Small Community Financial Institutions 
Act of 2015''; H.R. 601, the ``Eliminate Privacy Notice Confusion 
Act''; H.R. 650, the ``Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 
2015''; H.R. 685, the ``Mortgage Choice Act of 2015''; H.R. 1195, the 
``Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Advisory Boards Act''; H.R. 
1259, the ``Helping Expand Lending Practices in Rural Communities 
Act''; H.R. 1265, the ``Bureau Advisory Commission Transparency Act''; 
H.R. 1367, to amend the Expedited Funds Availability Act to clarify the 
application of that Act to American Samoa and the Northern Mariana 
Islands; H.R. 1408, the ``Mortgage Servicing Asset Capital Requirements 
Act of 2015''; H.R. 1480, the ``SAFE Act Confidentiality and Privilege 
Enhancement Act''; H.R. 1529, the ``Community Institution Mortgage 
Relief Act of 2015''; and a resolution to establish the Task Force to 
Investigate Terrorism Financing. The committee passed a resolution to 
establish the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Terrorism, 
Nonproliferation, and Trade held a markup on H.R. 237, to authorize the 
revocation or denial of passports and passport cards to individuals 
affiliated with foreign terrorist organizations, and for other 
purposes. H.R. 237 was forwarded to the full committee, as amended.
THE GOLDMAN ACT TO RETURN ABDUCTED AMERICAN CHILDREN: REVIEWING OBAMA 
ADMINISTRATION IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, 
Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held a hearing 
entitled ``The Goldman Act to Return Abducted American Children: 
Reviewing Obama Administration Implementation''. Testimony was heard 
from Susan S. Jacobs, Special Advisor for Children's Issues, Bureau of 
Consular Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses.
RISK-BASED SECURITY: ASSESSING THE PATH FORWARD FOR TSA 
PRETM.
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security 
held a hearing entitled ``Risk-Based Security: Assessing the Path 
Forward for TSA PreTM. Testimony was heard from John 
Roth, Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security; Kenneth 
Fletcher, Chief Risk Officer, Transportation Security Administration, 
Department of Homeland Security; and Jennifer Grover, Director, 
Homeland Security and Justice, Government Accountability Office.
PATENT REFORM: PROTECTING AMERICAN INNOVATORS AND JOB CREATORS FROM 
ABUSIVE PATENT LITIGATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual 
Property, and the Internet held a hearing entitled ``Patent Reform: 
Protecting American Innovators and Job Creators from Abusive Patent 
Litigation''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
WRECKING THE INTERNET TO SAVE IT? THE FCC'S NET NEUTRALITY RULE
Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Wrecking the Internet to Save It? The FCC's Net Neutrality Rule''. 
Testimony was heard from Tom Wheeler, Chairman, Federal Communications 
Commission; Ajit Pai, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission; 
Joshua D. Wright, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission; and Terrell 
McSweeny, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland 
Security, and Investigations held a hearing on H.R. 707, the 
``Restoration of America's Wire Act''. Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.

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MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee concluded 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''. The following bills were ordered 
reported, without amendment: H.R. 308, H.R. 152, H.R. 373, H.R. 404, 
H.R. 533, H.R. 979, H.R. 984, H.R. 1168, and H.R. 1324.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee held a 
markup on H.R. 653, the ``FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act of 
2015''; H.R. 901, the ``Eliminating Pornography from Agencies Act''; 
H.R. 1069, the ``Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2015''; 
H.R. 1563, the ``Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2015''; 
H.R. 1562, the ``Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2015''; H.R. 
1557, the ``Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act of 2015''; H.R. 
1531, the ``Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act''; and H.R. 651, 
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located 
at 820 Elmwood Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island, as the ``Sister Ann 
Keefe Post Office''. The following bills were ordered reported, without 
amendment: H.R. 901, H.R. 1069, H.R. 1563, H.R. 1562, H.R. 1557, H.R. 
1531, and H.R. 651. H.R. 653 was ordered reported, as amended.
MEDICARE ACCESS AND CHIP REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2015
Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 2, the 
``Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015''. The committee 
granted, by voice vote, a closed rule. The rule provides one hour of 
debate equally divided among and controlled by the chairs and ranking 
minority members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the 
Committee on Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order 
against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment 
printed in the Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted 
and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule waives 
all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The 
rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. In 
section 2, the rule provides that on any legislative day during the 
period from March 27, 2015, through April 10, 2015: the Journal of the 
proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved; and 
the Chair may at any time declare the House adjourned to meet at a date 
and time to be announced by the Chair in declaring the adjournment. In 
section 3, the rule provides that the Speaker may appoint Members to 
perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period 
addressed by section 2. In section 4, the rule provides that each day 
during the period addressed by section 2 of this resolution shall not 
constitute a calendar day for purposes of section 7 of the War Powers 
Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1546). In section 5, the rule provides that the 
Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Ways and Means 
each may, at any time before 5 p.m. on April 6, 2015, file reports to 
accompany measures. Testimony was heard from Representatives Pitts and 
Pallone.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Full Committee held a 
markup on H.R. 1561, the ``Weather Research and Forecast Innovation Act 
of 2015''. H.R. 1561 was ordered reported, as amended.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Small Business: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 1481, 
the ``Small Contractors Improve Competition Act of 2015''. H.R. 1481 
was ordered reported, as amended.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 1058, 
the ``Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2015''; H.R. 1152, to prohibit 
officers and employees of the Internal Revenue Service from using 
personal email accounts to conduct official business; H.R. 1026, the 
``Taxpayer Knowledge of IRS Investigations Act''; H.R. 1314, to amend 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations''; H.R. 1295, to amend the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 to improve the process for making determinations 
with respect to whether organizations are exempt from taxation under 
section

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501(c)(4) of such Code; H.R. 709, the ``Prevent Targeting at the IRS 
Act''; H.R. 1104, the ``Fair Treatment for All Donations''; and H.R. 
1105, the ``Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015''. The following bills were 
ordered reported, as amended: H.R. 1058, H.R. 1152, H.R. 1026, H.R. 
1314, H.R. 1295, H.R. 709, H.R. 1104, and H.R. 1105.
BUDGET HEARING
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on NSA and 
Cybersecurity held a budget hearing. This hearing was closed.

Joint Meetings
  No joint committee meetings were held.