[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D384-D387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
REAUTHORIZING THE CFTC: COMMISSIONERS' PERSPECTIVES
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy 
and Credit held a hearing entitled ``Reauthorizing the CFTC: 
Commissioners' Perspectives''. Testimony was heard from Sharon Y. 
Bowen, Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission; J. 
Christopher Giancarlo, Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading 
Commission; and Mark P. Wetjen, Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading 
Commission.
A PRESENTATION BY NATIONAL 4-H CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS CONCERNING THE 
FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, 
and Research held a hearing entitled ``A Presentation by National 4-H 
Conference Participants Concerning the Future of Agriculture in the 
United States''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
APPROPRIATIONS--EARLY EDUCATION PANEL
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education held a

[[Page D385]]

hearing on Early Education Panel budget. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on 
Defense Health Program budget. Testimony was heard from Lieutenant 
General Douglas J. Robb, Director, Defense Health Agency; Lieutenant 
General Patricia D. Horoho, Surgeon General, United States Army; Vice 
Admiral Matthew L. Nathan, Surgeon General, United States Navy; 
Lieutenant General Thomas W. Travis, Surgeon General, United States Air 
Force.
MEMBER DAY
Committee on Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Member Day''. Testimony was heard from Chairman Chabot and 
Representatives Blackburn, Wagner, Hardy, Young of Alaska, Rothfus, 
Bost, Fitzpatrick, Curbelo of Florida, Lawrence, Ross, Blumenauer, 
Gohmert, Ellmers, and Hurd of Texas.
UPDATE ON THE F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER (JSF) PROGRAM AND THE FISCAL 
YEAR 2016 BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land 
Forces held a hearing entitled ``Update on the F-35 Joint Strike 
Fighter (JSF) Program and the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request''. 
Testimony was heard from Lieutenant General Christopher C. Bogdan, 
USAF, Program Executive Officer, F-35 Lightning II Joint Program 
Office; Sean J. Stackley, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, 
Development and Acquisition; Michael Sullivan, Director, Acquisition 
and Sourcing Management Issues, Governmental Accountability Office; and 
Michael Gilmore, Director, Operational Test and Evaluation.
FIVE YEARS OF BROKEN PROMISES: HOW THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH CARE LAW IS 
AFFECTING AMERICA'S WORKPLACES
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Health, 
Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing entitled ``Five Years of 
Broken Promises: How the President's Health Care Law is Affecting 
America's Workplaces''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
EPA'S PROPOSED 111(d) RULE FOR EXISTING POWER PLANTS, AND H.R. ___, 
RATEPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held 
a hearing entitled ``EPA's Proposed 111(d) Rule for Existing Power 
Plants, and H.R. ___, Ratepayer Protection Act''. Testimony was heard 
from Janet McCabe, Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and 
Radiation, Environmental Protection Agency; Melissa A. Hoffer, Chief, 
Energy and Environment Bureau, Office of the Attorney General of 
Massachusetts; and public witnesses.
H.R. ___, THE TSCA MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2015
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and the 
Economy held a hearing entitled ``H.R. ___, the TSCA Modernization Act 
of 2015''. Testimony was heard from Jim Jones, Assistant Administrator, 
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Environmental 
Protection Agency; and public witnesses.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  April 14, 2015, on page D385, under the first two entries for 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, the text following H.R. -----, 
appeared in italic.
  
  The online version should be corrected to read in roman.


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 

                                            MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Full Committee began a markup on the 
 ``Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015''; H.R. 
906, to modify the efficiency standards for grid-enabled water heaters; 
     and the ``Data Security and Breach Notification Act of 2015''.
                     THE CRUDE OIL EXPORT BAN: HELPFUL OR HURTFUL?
       Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Terrorism, 
  Nonproliferation, and Trade held a hearing entitled ``The Crude Oil 
 Export Ban: Helpful or Hurtful?''. Testimony was heard from Chairman 
          McCaul, Representative Barton, and public witnesses.
                      YEMEN UNDER ATTACK BY IRANIAN-BACKED HOUTHIS
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Middle East and North 
 Africa held a hearing entitled ``Yemen Under Attack by Iranian-Backed 
  Houthis''. Testimony was heard from Gerald M. Feierstein, Principal 
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Department 
                               of State.
                                             MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
 Committee on Homeland Security: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 
   1731, the ``National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 
           2015''. The bill was ordered reported, as amended.
             OVERSIGHT OF U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT
  Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
 ``Oversight of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement''. Testimony 
  was heard from Sarah R. Saldana, Director, Immigration and Customs 
                              Enforcement.

[[Page D386]]


                                               LEGISLATIVE MEASURE
 Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 9, 
 the ``Innovation Act''. Testimony was heard from Michelle Lee, Under 
 Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director, United 
       States Patent and Trademark Office; and public witnesses.
                                              LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
 Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and 
    Alaska Native Affairs held a hearing on H.R. 329, the ``Indian 
Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2015''; 
  H.R. 521, to provide for the conveyance of certain property to the 
Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation located in Bethel, Alaska; and H.R. 
 812, the ``Indian Trust Asset Reform Act''. Testimony was heard from 
Nisha Patel, Director, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for 
Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services; Robert 
 McSwain, Acting Director, Indian Health Service, Department of Health 
 and Human Services; and Vincent Logan, Special Trustee, Office of the 
   Special Trustee for American Indians, Department of Interior; and 
                           public witnesses.
      PROPOSED FEDERAL WATER GRABS AND THEIR POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON 
                     STATES, WATER AND POWER USERS, AND LANDOWNERS
   Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water, Power, and 
Oceans held a hearing entitled ``Proposed Federal Water Grabs and Their 
 Potential Impacts on States, Water and Power Users, and Landowners''. 
      Leslie Weldon, Deputy Chief, Forest Service; Timothy Mauck, 
  Commissioner, District 1, Clear Creek County, Colorado; and public 
                               witnesses.
             DOJ IG: HANDLING OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND MISCONDUCT 
                                                       ALLEGATIONS
  Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled ``DOJ IG: Handling of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct 
  Allegations''. Testimony was heard from Michael Horowitz, Inspector 
    General, Department of Justice; Kevin Perkins, Associate Deputy 
     Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Michele Leonhart, 
            Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration.
          GAO'S DUPLICATION REPORT AT FIVE YEARS: RECOMMENDATIONS 
                                                REMAIN UNADDRESSED
  Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee held a 
      hearing entitled ``GAO's Duplication Report at Five Years: 
Recommendations Remain Unaddressed''. Testimony was heard from Gene L. 
     Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, Government 
Accountability Office; and Beth Cobert, Deputy Director for Management, 
                    Office of Management and Budget.
        STATE AND LOCAL SALES TAX DEDUCTION FAIRNESS ACT OF 2015; 
       DEATH TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2015; BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL 
                                    PROTECTION ADVISORY BOARDS ACT
  Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 622, the 
  ``State and Local Sales Tax Deduction Fairness Act of 2015''; H.R. 
1105, the ``Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015''; and H.R. 1195, the ``Bureau 
 of Consumer Financial Protection Advisory Boards Act''. The committee 
 granted, by record vote of 8-4, a closed rule for H.R. 622. The rule 
provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair 
  and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The 
rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The 
    rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill, 
  modified by the amendment printed in part A of the Rules Committee 
report, shall be considered as adopted. 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. Additionally, the rule grants a 
closed rule for H.R. 1105. The rule provides one hour of debate equally 
divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the 
   Committee on Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order 
against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment 
in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Ways and 
  Means now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in 
 part B of the Rules Committee report, shall be considered as adopted. 
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. Lastly, 
the rule grants a structured rule for H.R. 1195. The rule provides one 
hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and 
  ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. The 
rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The 
    rule provides that the amendment printed in part C of 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 makes in 
                  order only those further amendments

[[Page D387]]

  printed in part D of the Rules Committee report. Each such further 
 amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may 
    be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be 
 considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the 
report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, 
shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand 
   for division of the question. The rule waives all points of order 
   against the amendments printed in part D of the report. The rule 
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony 
  was heard from Chairman Hensarling, Chairman Ryan of Wisconsin, and 
             Representatives Heck of Washington and Levin.
              OVERSIGHT OF THE ONGOING RAIL, PIPELINE, AND HAZMAT 
                                                       RULEMAKINGS
    Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
 Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a hearing entitled 
 ``Oversight of the Ongoing Rail, Pipeline, and Hazmat Rulemakings''. 
Testimony was heard from Sarah Feinberg, Acting Administrator, Federal 
  Railroad Administration; Timothy P. Butters, Acting Administrator, 
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; and Christopher 
        A. Hart, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board.
                                              LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
 Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance 
   and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on H.R. 675, the ``Veterans' 
  Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015''; H.R. 677, the 
 ``American Heroes COLA Act of 2015''; H.R. 732, the ``Veterans Access 
  to Speedy Review Act''; H.R. 800, the ``Express Appeals Act''; H.R. 
  1067, the ``U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Reform Act''; 
H.R. 1331, the ``Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2015''; H.R. 
1379, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Board of 
 Veterans' Appeals to develop evidence in appeal cases, and for other 
 purposes; H.R. 1414, the ``Pay As You Rate Act''; H.R. 1569, to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to clarify that the estate of a deceased 
  veteran may receive certain accrued benefits upon the death of the 
veteran, and for other purposes; and H.R. 1607, the ``Ruth Moore Act of 
2015''. Testimony was heard from Representative Pingree of Maine; David 
R. McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance, 
 Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and 
                           public witnesses.
     ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING FOR THE 114TH CONGRESS; INDIVIDUAL AND 
     EMPLOYER MANDATES AND ASSOCIATED PENALTIES IN THE PRESIDENT'S 
                                                   HEALTH CARE LAW
      Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held an 
  organizational meeting for the 114th Congress and a hearing on the 
   individual and employer mandates and associated penalties in the 
 President's health care law. The subcommittee successfully organized. 
               Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
                                CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY BUDGET
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on the Central 
   Intelligence Agency held a hearing on Central Intelligence Agency 
                    budget. This hearing was closed.
Joint Meetings
       No joint committee meetings were held.

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