[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D164-D167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
STATE OF THE RURAL ECONOMY
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``State of the Rural Economy''. Testimony was heard from Thomas J. 
Vilsack, Secretary, Department of Agriculture.
APPROPRIATIONS--UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and 
Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the United States Forest 
Service. Testimony was heard from Tom Tidwell, Chief, United States 
Forest Service; and Tony Dixon, Budget Director, United States Forest 
Service.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a 
budget hearing on the Department of Homeland Security. Testimony was 
heard from Jeh Johnson, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND FOREIGN ASSISTANCE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, 
and Related Programs held a budget hearing on the Department of State 
and Foreign Assistance. Testimony was heard from John F. Kerry, 
Secretary, Department of State.
APPROPRIATIONS--USDA FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a 
budget hearing on USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Testimony was heard 
from Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition, and Consumer 
Services; Audrey Rowe, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service; 
Angela Tagtow, Executive Director, Center for Nutrition Policy and 
Promotion; and Michael Young, Budget Officer, Department of 
Agriculture.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, 
Science, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the Department 
of Justice. Testimony was heard from Loretta Lynch, Attorney General, 
Department of Justice.
UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held an oversight 
hearing on United States European Command. Testimony was heard from 
Philip M. Breedlove, United States Air Force, Supreme Allied Commander 
Europe, Commander, United States European Command. This hearing was 
closed.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing 
and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on 
the Department of Transportation. Testimony was heard from Anthony 
Foxx, Secretary, Department of Transportation.
APPROPRIATIONS--USDA FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a 
budget hearing on USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Testimony 
was heard from Al Almanza, Deputy Under Secretary, Food Safety; and 
Michael Young, Budget Officer, Department of Agriculture.

[[Page D165]]


THE CHALLENGE OF CONVENTIONAL AND HYBRID WARFARE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC 
REGION: THE CHANGING NATURE OF THE SECURITY ENVIRONMENT AND ITS EFFECT 
ON MILITARY PLANNING


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

  
  February 24, 2016, on page D165, the following appeared: THE 
CHALLENGE OF CONVENTIONAL AND HYBRID WARFARE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC 
REGION: THE CHANGING THE NATURE OF THE SECURITY ENVIRONMENT AND 
ITS EFFECT ON MILITARY PLANNING
  
  The online version should be corrected to read: THE CHALLENGE OF 
CONVENTIONAL AND HYBRID WARFARE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION: THE 
CHANGING NATURE OF THE SECURITY ENVIRONMENT AND ITS EFFECT ON 
MILITARY PLANNING


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

Committee on Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``The Challenge of Conventional and Hybrid Warfare in the Asia-Pacific 
Region: The Changing Nature of the Security Environment and Its Effect 
on Military Planning''. Testimony was heard from Admiral Harry B. 
Harris, Jr., USN, Commander, United States Pacific Command; and General 
Curtis M. Scaparrotti, USA, Commander, United States Forces Korea.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FISCAL YEAR 2017 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS: 
DEFENSE INNOVATION TO CREATE THE FUTURE MILITARY FORCE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and 
Capabilities held a hearing entitled ``Department of Defense Fiscal 
Year 2017 Science and Technology Programs: Defense Innovation to Create 
the Future Military Force''. Testimony was heard from Stephen Welby, 
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Office of 
the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and 
Logistics; Mary Miller, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for 
Research and Technology, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army 
for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology; Rear Admiral Mathias W. 
Winter, USN, Chief of Naval Research and Director, Innovation 
Technology Requirements, and Test and Evaluation (N84); David Walker, 
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology and 
Engineering, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for 
Acquisition; and Arati Prabhakar, Director, Defense Advanced Research 
Projects Agency.
U.S. STRATEGIC FORCES POSTURE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a 
hearing entitled ``U.S. Strategic Forces Posture''. Testimony was heard 
from Brian McKeon, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for 
Policy, Department of Defense; and Admiral Cecil Haney, Commander, U.S. 
STRATCOM.
DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY: BUDGETING AND STRUCTURE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a 
hearing entitled ``Defense Health Agency: Budgeting and Structure''. 
Testimony was heard from Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of 
Defense for Health Affairs, Department of Defense; and Vice Admiral 
Raquel C. Bono, Medical Corps, USN, Director, Defense Health Agency.
EXAMINING THE POLICIES AND PRIORITIES OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF 
EDUCATION
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Full Committee held a hearing 
entitled ``Examining the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department 
of Education''. Testimony was heard from John B. King, Acting 
Secretary, Department of Education.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2017 HHS BUDGET
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
entitled ``The Fiscal Year 2017 HHS Budget''. Testimony was heard from 
Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Secretary, Department of Health and Human 
Services.
DOE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT, AND NATIONAL SECURITY 
MISSIONS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``DOE for the 21st Century: 
Science, Environment, and National Security Missions''. Testimony was 
heard from Jared L. Cohon, Co-Chairman, Commission to Review the 
Effectiveness of the National Energy Laboratories; TJ Glauthier, Co-
Chairman, Commission to Review the Effectiveness of the National Energy 
Laboratories; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Full Committee began a markup on the 
``Small Business Broadband Deployment Act''; a bill to promote a 21st 
century energy and manufacturing workforce; H.R. 1268, the ``Energy 
Efficient Government Technology Act''; H.R. 2984, the ``Fair RATES 
Act''; H.R. 3021, the ``AIR Survey Act of 2015''; H.R. 3797, the 
``Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment (SENSE) Act''; 
H.R. 4238, to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act and the 
Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to 
modernize terms relating to minorities; H.R. 4427, to amend section 203 
of the Federal Power Act; H.R. 4444, the ``EPS Improvement Act''; H.R. 
4557, the ``Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns (BRICK) 
Act''; H.R. 2080, to extend the deadline for commencement of 
construction of a hydroelectric project involving Clark Canyon Dam; 
H.R. 2081, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a 
hydroelectric project involving the Gibson Dam; H.R. 3447, to extend 
the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric 
project involving the W. Kerr Scott Dam; H.R. 4411, to extend the 
deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project 
involving the Gathright Dam; H.R. 4416, to extend the deadline for 
commencement of

[[Page D166]]

construction of a hydroelectric project involving the Jennings Randolph 
Dam; H.R. 4412, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction 
of a hydroelectric project involving the Flannagan Dam; and H.R. 4434, 
to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a 
hydroelectric project involving the Cannonsville Dam.
THE IMPACT OF THE DOD-FRANK ACT AND BASEL III ON THE FIXED INCOME 
MARKET AND SECURITIZATIONS
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets and 
Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``The Impact 
of the Dodd-Frank Act and Basel III on the Fixed Income Market and 
Securitizations''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a markup on H. Res. 
148, calling on the government of Iran to fulfill their promises of 
assistance in this case of Robert Levinson, the longest held United 
States hostage in our Nation's history; H. Res. 551, recognizing the 
importance of the United States-Israel economic relationship and 
encouraging new areas of cooperation; H.R. 3924, the ``Global 
Development Lab of 2015''; and H.R. 4403, the ``Enhancing Overseas 
Traveler Vetting Act''. H. Res. 148 and H.R. 3924 were ordered 
reported, as amended. H. Res. 551 and H.R. 4403 were ordered reported, 
without amendment.
ESTABLISHING ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
ORGANIZATION: ILLICIT TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS, WHISTLEBLOWING, AND REFORM
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, 
Global Human Rights, and International Organizations; Subcommittee on 
the Middle East and North Africa; and Subcommittee on Asia and the 
Pacific, held a joint hearing entitled ``Establishing Accountability at 
the World Intellectual Property Organization: Illicit Technology 
Transfers, Whistleblowing, and Reform''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
BOKO HARAM: THE ISLAMIST INSURGENCY IN WEST AFRICA
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Terrorism, 
Nonproliferation, and Trade held a hearing entitled ``Boko Haram: The 
Islamist Insurgency in West Africa''. Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 3892, 
the ``Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2015''. H.R. 3892 
was ordered reported, as amended.
TRIPLE THREAT TO WORKERS AND HOUSEHOLDS: IMPACTS OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS 
ON JOBS, WAGES AND STARTUPS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, 
Commercial and Antitrust Law held a hearing entitled ``Triple Threat to 
Workers and Households: Impacts of Federal Regulations on Jobs, Wages 
and Startups''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
THE 2016 CALIFORNIA WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK DURING THE EL NINO AND THREE 
YEARS OF RESTRICTED WATER DELIVERIES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans 
held a hearing entitled ``The 2016 California Water Supply Outlook 
During the El Nino and Three Years of Restricted Water Deliveries''. 
Testimony was heard from David Murillo, Regional Director, Mid-Pacific 
Region, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; and public 
witnesses.
THE IMPOSITION OF NEW REGULATIONS THROUGH THE PRESIDENT'S MEMORANDUM ON 
MITIGATION
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``The Imposition of New 
Regulations Through the President's Memorandum on Mitigation''. 
Testimony was heard from Michael Bean, Principal Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; Brian 
Ferebee, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System, U.S. Forest 
Service, Department of Agriculture; and Christy Goldfuss, Managing 
Director, Council on Environmental Quality.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and 
Alaska Native Affairs held a hearing on H.R. 3477, the ``Native 
American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act''; and H.R. 3599, 
the ``Eastern Band Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act''. 
Testimony was heard from Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Indian Affairs for Policy and Economic Development, 
Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

[[Page D167]]


THE ZIKA VIRUS: COORDINATION OF A MULTI-AGENCY RESPONSE
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on 
Transportation and Public Assets held a hearing entitled ``The Zika 
Virus: Coordination of a Multi-Agency Response''. Testimony was heard 
from Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention; Anthony Fauci, Director, National Institute of 
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; John 
Armstrong, Surgeon General and Secretary of Health, State of Florida; 
and a public witness.
UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE: GRAVITATIONAL WAVES
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled ``Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe: Gravitational 
Waves''. Testimony was heard from Fleming Crim, Assistant Director, 
Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Science 
Foundation; and public witnesses.


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

  
  February 24, 2016, on page D167, the following appeared: 
Committee on Science, Space, And Technology: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled `Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe: 
Gravitational Waves`.
  
  The online version should be corrected to read: Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology: Full Committee held a hearing 
entitled `Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe: Gravitational 
Waves`.


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

A REVIEW OF UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS REPORTS TO CONGRESS 
ON FUTURE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND CHIEF'S REPORTS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water 
Resources and Environment held a hearing entitled ``A Review of United 
States Army Corps of Engineers Reports to Congress on Future Water 
Resources Development and Chief's Reports''. Testimony was heard from 
Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army, Civil Works; and 
Lieutenant General Thomas Bostick, Chief of Engineers, Army Corps of 
Engineers.
GLOBAL TAX ENVIRONMENT IN 2016 AND NEED TO REFORM AND MODERNIZE THE 
U.S. INTERNATIONAL TAX SYSTEM
Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee held a hearing on the 
global tax environment in 2016 and how recent developments are further 
escalating the immediate need to reform and modernize the U.S. 
international tax system. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

Joint Meetings
THE AMERICAN LEGION LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Senate Committee concluded a joint 
hearing with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the 
legislative presentation of The American Legion, after receiving 
testimony from Dale Barnett, The American Legion, Douglasville, 
Georgia.