[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 2, 2016)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D207-D210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF SNAP: EXAMINING STATE OPTIONS
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Past, Present, and Future of SNAP: Examining State Options''. 
Testimony was heard from Stephanie Muth, Deputy Executive Commissioner 
for the Office of Social Services, Texas Health and Human Services 
Commission; and public witnesses.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, 
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on 
Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from Robert A. 
McDonald, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs; David J. Shulkin, 
M.D., Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration; Danny 
G.I. Pummill, Acting Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits 
Administration; Ronald E. Walters, Interim Under Secretary for Memorial 
Affairs, National Cemetery Administration; Edward Joseph Murray, 
Interim Assistant Secretary for Management, Interim Chief Information 
Officer, Office of Management; and LaVerne H. Council, Assistant 
Secretary for Information and Technology, Chief Information Officer, 
Office of Information and Technology.
APPROPRIATIONS--AIR FORCE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a budget 
hearing on the Air Force. Testimony was heard from Deborah Lee James, 
Secretary, U.S. Air Force; and General Mark A. Welsh III, Chief of 
Staff, U.S. Air Force.
APPROPRIATIONS--SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 
ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education held a budget hearing on Substance Abuse and 
Mental Health Services Administration. Testimony was heard from Kana 
Enomoto, Acting Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, APPLIED ENERGY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development held a budget hearing on Department of Energy, Applied 
Energy. Testimony was heard from the following Department of Energy 
officials: Franklin Orr, Under Secretary for Science and Energy; John 
Kotek, Acting Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy; Christopher 
Smith, Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy; and Patricia Hoffman, 
Assistant Secretary for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and 
Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the Department of the 
Interior. Testimony was heard from Sally Jewell, Secretary, Department 
of the Interior.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, SCIENCE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development held a budget hearing on Department of Energy, Science. 
Testimony was heard from Franklin Orr, Under Secretary for Science and

[[Page D208]]

Energy, Department of Energy; and Cherry Murray, Director of the Office 
of Science, Department of Energy.
APPROPRIATIONS--HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a 
budget hearing on House of Representatives. Testimony was heard from 
Will Plaster, Chief Administrative Officer; Karen L. Haas, Clerk; and 
Paul D. Irving, Sergeant at Arms.
APPROPRIATIONS--TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a 
budget hearing on Transportation Security Administration. Testimony was 
heard from Peter Neffenger, Administrator, Transportation Security 
Administration.
APPROPRIATIONS--FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing 
and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on 
Federal Aviation Administration. Testimony was heard from Michael 
Huerta, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration.
APPROPRIATIONS--LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a 
budget hearing on the Library of Congress. Testimony was heard from 
David S. Mao, Acting Librarian; Robert R. Newlen, Chief of Staff; and 
Maria A. Pallante, Register and Director.
WORLD WIDE THREATS
Committee on Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``World Wide Threats''. Testimony was heard from Lieutenant General 
Vincent R. Stewart, USMC, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency; and 
Major General James Marrs, USAF, Director for Intelligence, J-2, Joint 
Staff.
GROUND FORCE MODERNIZATION BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land 
Forces held a hearing entitled ``Ground Force Modernization Budget 
Request''. Testimony was heard from Lieutenant General Michael E. 
Williamson, USA, Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary 
of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology; Lieutenant 
General John M. Murray, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8; Lieutenant 
General Robert S. Walsh, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat 
Development Command; Brigadier General Joe Shrader, USMC, Commander, 
Marine Corps Systems Command; and Bill Taylor, Program Executive 
Officer Land Systems, U.S. Marine Corps.
FISCAL YEAR 2017 BUDGET REQUEST FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR 
FORCES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a 
hearing entitled ``Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request for Department of 
Defense Nuclear Forces''. Testimony was heard from Robert Scher, 
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities, 
Department of Defense; Arthur Hopkins, performing the duties of the 
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological 
Defense Programs, Department of Defense; General Robin Rand, USAF, 
Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command; and Vice Admiral Terry 
Benedict, USN, Director, Navy Strategic Systems Programs.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2017 DOE BUDGET
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held 
a hearing entitled ``The Fiscal Year 2017 DOE Budget''. Testimony was 
heard from Ernest J. Moniz, Secretary, Department of Energy.
EXAMINING THE U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO THE ZIKA VIRUS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Examining the U.S. Public 
Health Response to the Zika Virus''. Testimony was heard from Luciana 
Borio, Assistant Commissioner for Counterterrorism Policy, Food and 
Drug Administration; Anthony Fauci, Director, National Institute of 
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Thomas 
R. Frieden, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 
Nicole Lurie, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, 
Department of Health and Human Services; and Timothy M. Persons, Chief 
Scientist, Government Accountability Office; and public witnesses.
BIOETHICS AND FETAL TISSUE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Select Investigative Panel of the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing entitled ``Bioethics 
and Fetal Tissue''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 
2121, the ``SAFE Transitional Licensing Act of 2015''; H.R. 2896, the 
``Taking Account of Institutions with Low Operation Risk Act

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of 2015''; H.R. 2901, the ``Flood Insurance Market Parity and 
Modernization Act''; H.R. 3798, the ``Due Process Restoration Act of 
2015''; H.R. 4096, the ``Investor Clarity and Bank Parity Act''; H.R. 
4139, the ``Fostering Innovation Act of 2015''; H.R. 4166, the 
``Expanding Proven Financing for American Employers Act''; H.R. 4498, 
the ``Helping Angels Lead Our Startups Act''; H.R. 4620, the 
``Preserving Access to CRE Capital Act of 2016''; and H.R. 4638, the 
``Main Street Growth Act''. The following bills were ordered reported, 
as amended: H.R. 2901, H.R. 2121, H.R. 4166, and H.R. 4638. The 
following bills were ordered reported, without amendment: H.R. 4096, 
H.R. 2896, H.R. 4139, H.R. 4498, H.R. 4620, and H.R. 3798.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a markup on H. Con. 
Res. 75, expressing the sense of Congress that those who commit or 
support atrocities against Christians and other ethnic and religious 
minorities, including Yezidis, Turkmen, Sabea-Mandeans, Kaka'e, and 
Kurds, and who target them specifically for ethnic or religious 
reasons, are committing, and are hereby declared to be committing, 
``war crimes'', ``crimes against humanity'', and ``genocide''; and H. 
Con. Res. 121, expressing the sense of the Congress condemning the 
gross violations of international law amounting to war crimes and 
crimes against humanity by the Government of Syria, its allies, and 
other parties to the conflict in Syria, and asking the President to 
direct his Ambassador at the United Nations to promote the 
establishment of a war crimes tribunal where these crimes could be 
addressed. H. Con. Res. 75 was ordered reported, as amended. H. Con. 
Res. 121 was ordered reported, without amendment.
THE GROWING THREAT OF CHOLERA AND OTHER DISEASES IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, 
Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held a hearing 
entitled ``The Growing Threat of Cholera and Other Diseases in the 
Middle East''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION'S FY2017 BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation Security 
held a hearing entitled ``The Transportation Security Administration's 
FY2017 Budget Request''. Testimony was heard from Peter V. Neffenger, 
Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, Department of 
Homeland Security.
THE IMPACT OF THE PRESIDENT'S FY 2017 BUDGET ON THE ENERGY AND MINERAL 
LEASING AND PRODUCTION MISSIONS OF THE BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY 
MANAGEMENT, THE BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT, AND THE 
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral 
Resources held a hearing entitled ``The Impact of the President's FY 
2017 Budget on the Energy and Mineral Leasing and Production Missions 
of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the Bureau of Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), and the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM)''. Testimony was heard from the following Department of the 
Interior officials: Abigail Hopper, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management; Neil Kornze, Director, Bureau of Land Management; and Brian 
Salerno, Director, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
GEOLOCATION TECHNOLOGY AND PRIVACY
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled ``Geolocation Technology and Privacy''. Testimony was 
heard from Richard Downing, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General, 
Criminal Division, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.
FIREARMS LOST: GSA'S ADMINISTRATION OF THE SURPLUS FIREARM DONATION 
PROGRAM
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on 
Government Operations held a hearing entitled ``Firearms Lost: GSA's 
Administration of the Surplus Firearm Donation Program''. Testimony was 
heard from Carol Ochoa, Inspector General, General Services 
Administration; William Sisk, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Office of 
General Supplies and Services, General Services Administration; and a 
public witness.
BLOCKING REGULATORY INTERFERENCE FROM CLOSING KILNS ACT OF 2016
Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 4557, the 
``Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act of 2016''. 
The committee granted, by record vote of 5-3, a closed rule for H.R. 
4557. The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided and 
controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce. The rule waives all points of order against 
consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the bill shall be 
considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against 
provisions in

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the bill. The rule provides one motion to recommit. In section 2, the 
rule provides that on any legislative day during the period from March 
4, 2016, through March 11, 2016: 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. Finally 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. Testimony was heard from Representatives Whitfield and Rush.
SMART HEALTH: EMPOWERING THE FUTURE OF MOBILE APPS
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Research 
and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Smart Health: Empowering the 
Future of Mobile Apps''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
COMMERCIALIZING ON INNOVATION: REAUTHORIZING THE SMALL BUSINESS 
INNOVATION RESEARCH AND SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAMS
Committee on Small Business: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Commercializing on Innovation: Reauthorizing the Small Business 
Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs''. 
Testimony was heard from John Williams, Director, Innovation and 
Technology, Office of Investment and Innovation, Small Business 
Administration; Barry Johnson, Division Director, Industrial Innovation 
and Partnerships, National Science Foundation; Matthew Portnoy, Overall 
HHS SBIR/STTR, Program Manager/NIH Program Manager, National Institutes 
of Health; and Robert Smith, Director, SBIR/STTR Programs, Office of 
Naval Research.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Full Committee held a 
markup on General Services Administration Capital Investment and 
Leasing Program resolutions; H.R. 4487, the ``Public Buildings Reform 
and Savings Act of 2016''; H.R. 4465, the ``Federal Assets Sale and 
Transfer Act of 2016''; H.R. 3937, to designate the building utilized 
as a United States courthouse located at 150 Reade Circle in 
Greenville, North Carolina, as the ``Judge Randy D. Doub Courthouse''; 
H.R. 4618, to designate the Federal building and United States 
courthouse located at 121 Spring Street SE in Gainesville, Georgia, as 
the ``Sidney Oslin Smith, Jr. Federal Building and United States 
Courthouse''; H. Con. Res. 119, authorizing the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby; H. Con. Res. 117, 
authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace 
Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band 
Exhibition; H. Con. Res. 120, authorizing the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for the 3rd Annual Fallen Firefighters Congressional Flag 
Presentation Ceremony; H.R. 223, the ``Great Lakes Restoration 
Initiative Act of 2015''; H.R. 1684, the ``Foreign Spill Protection Act 
of 2015''; and H.R. 3030, the ``Baudette Coast Guard Housing Conveyance 
Act''. The following legislation was ordered reported, without 
amendment: H.R. 4465, H.R. 4618, H. Con. Res. 119, H. Con. Res. 117, 
and H. Con. Res. 120. The following legislation was ordered reported, 
as amended: H.R. 4487, H.R. 3937, H.R. 223, H.R. 1684, and H.R. 3030. 
The General Services Administration Capital Investment and Leasing 
Program resolutions were approved.
PROTECTING THE FREE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing 
entitled ``Protecting the Free Exchange of Ideas on College Campuses''. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

Joint Meetings
ECONOMIC REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the 
Economic Report of the President, after receiving testimony from Jason 
Furman, Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers.
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS 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 Veterans of Foreign Wars, after 
receiving testimony from John A. Biedrzycki, Jr., Veterans of Foreign 
Wars of the United States, Robinson Township, Pennsylvania.