[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 112 (Tuesday, July 12, 2016)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D791-D794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on Appropriations: Full Committee held a markup on the State, 
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill for FY 
2017. The State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs 
Appropriations Bill for FY 2017 was ordered reported, as amended.
STRENGTHENING OUR NATIONAL TRAUMA SYSTEM
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
entitled ``Strengthening Our National Trauma System''. Testimony was 
heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Communications and 
Technology held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Federal 
Communications Commission''. Testimony was heard from the following 
Federal Communications Commission officials: Mignon Clyburn, 
Commissioner; Michael

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O'Rielly, Commissioner; Ajit Pai, Commissioner; Jessica Rosenworcel, 
Commissioner; and Tom Wheeler, Chairman.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Full Committee began a markup on H.R. 
5510, the ``FTC Process and Transparency Reform Act of 2016''; H.R. 
5111, the ``Consumer Review Fairness Act''; H.R. 5092, the 
``Reinforcing American Made Products Act''; H.R. 5104, the ``Better 
Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act''; H.R. 1301, the ``Amateur Radio Parity 
Act of 2015''; H.R. 3299, the ``Strengthening Public Health Emergency 
Response Act of 2015''; H.R. 921, the ``Sports Medicine Licensure 
Clarity Act of 2015''; and H.R. 670, the ``Special Needs Trust Fairness 
Act of 2015''.
MAKING A FINANCIAL CHOICE: MORE CAPITAL OR MORE GOVERNMENT CONTROL?
Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Making a Financial Choice: More Capital or More Government 
Control?''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
EXAMINING THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES WITH FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY: 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ONLINE MARKETPLACE LENDING
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions 
and Consumer Credit held a hearing entitled ``Examining the 
Opportunities and Challenges with Financial Technology (`FinTech'): The 
Development of Online Marketplace Lending''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER SIEGE WORLDWIDE
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Human Rights Under Siege Worldwide''. Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.
PAKISTAN: FRIEND OR FOE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM?
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Terrorism, 
Nonproliferation, and Trade; and Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, 
held a joint hearing entitled ``Pakistan: Friend or Foe in the Fight 
Against Terrorism?''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ACCOUNTABILITY OVER POLITICS: SCRUTINIZING THE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 
REPORT
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, 
Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held a hearing 
entitled ``Accountability Over Politics: Scrutinizing the Trafficking 
in Persons Report''. Testimony was heard from Susan Coppedge, 
Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, 
Department of State; and a public witness.
VALUE OF DHS' VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS IN PROTECTING OUR NATION'S 
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, 
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies held a hearing 
entitled ``Value of DHS' Vulnerability Assessments in Protecting our 
Nation's Critical Infrastructure''. Testimony was heard from Chris P. 
Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government 
Accountability Office; Andy Ozment, Assistant Secretary, Office of 
Cybersecurity and Communications, National Protection and Programs 
Directorate, Department of Homeland Security; Caitlin Durkovich, 
Assistant Secretary, Office of Infrastructure Protection, National 
Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security; 
and Marcus L. Brown, Homeland Security Advisor, Director of the Office 
of Homeland Security, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
OVERSIGHT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Oversight of the Department of Justice''. Testimony was heard from 
Loretta Lynch, Attorney General, Department of Justice.
EXECUTIVE OVERREACH IN REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Committee on the Judiciary: Task Force on Executive Overreach held a 
hearing entitled ``Executive Overreach in Regulatory Enforcement and 
Infrastructure''. Testimony was heard from Gary Ridley, Oklahoma 
Secretary of Transportation; and public witnesses.
CHANGING DEMANDS AND WATER SUPPLY UNCERTAINTY IN CALIFORNIA
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans 
held a hearing entitled ``Changing Demands and Water Supply Uncertainty 
in California''. Testimony was heard from David Murillo, Mid-Pacific 
Regional Director, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; 
and public witnesses.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPING THE MANCOS SHALE RESOURCE
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral 
Resources held a hearing entitled

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``Opportunities and Challenges of Developing the Mancos Shale 
Resource''. Testimony was heard from Walter Guidroz, Program 
Coordinator, Energy Resources Program, U.S. Geological Survey; Rose 
Pugliese, Commissioner, Mesa County, Grand Junction, Colorado; and 
public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURE
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and 
Alaska Native Affairs held a hearing on H.R. 5406, the ``Helping Ensure 
Accountability, Leadership, and Trust in Tribal Healthcare Act''. 
Testimony was heard from Representative Noem; Mary Smith, Principal 
Deputy Director, Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human 
Services; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee began a markup on H.R. 
1157, the ``Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians Land Transfer 
Act of 2015''; H.R. 2333, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
acquire certain property related to the Fort Scott National Historic 
Site in Fort Scott, Kansas; H.R. 2817, the ``National Historic 
Preservation Amendments Act of 2015''; H.R. 4576, the ``Ensuring Access 
to Pacific Fisheries Act''; H.R. 5468, to direct the Secretary of the 
Interior to allow for prepayment of repayment obligations under 
Repayment Contracts between the United States and the Weber Basin Water 
Conservancy District; H.R. 5577, the ``Innovation in Offshore Leasing 
Act''; S. 246, the ``Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission 
on Native Children Act''; and S. 1579, the ``Native American Tourism 
and Improving Visitor Experience Act''.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND H.R. 2802, THE FIRST AMENDMENT DEFENSE ACT
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled ``Religious Liberty and H.R. 2802, the First Amendment 
Defense Act (FADA)''. Testimony was heard from Senator Lee; 
Representative Labrador; Former Representative Barney Frank; and public 
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee held a 
markup on H.R. 2319, the ``Electronic Message Preservation Act of 
2015''; H.R. 5037, the ``District of Columbia Courts and Public 
Defender Service Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments Act''; H.R. 
5341, to amend title 5, United States Code, to recalculate annuity 
benefits for certain air traffic controllers, and for other purposes; 
H.R. 5714, the ``Postal Service Reform Act of 2016''; H.R. 5707, the 
``Postal Service Financial Improvement Act of 2016''; H.R. 5709, the 
``Federal Records Modernization Act''; H.R. 5690, the ``GAO Access and 
Oversight Act of 2016''; H.R. 5341, to amend title 5, United States 
Code, to recalculate annuity benefits for certain air traffic 
controllers, and for other purposes; H.R. 5687, the ``GAO Mandates 
Revision Act of 2016''; H.R. 5033, the ``Getting Results through 
Enhanced Accountability and Transparency Act of 2016''; H.R. 4419, the 
``District of Columbia Judicial Financial Transparency Act''; H.R. 
4887, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 23323 Shelby Road in Shelby, Indiana, as the ``Richard Allen 
Cable Post Office''; H.R. 5356, to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 14231 TX-150 in Coldspring, Texas, as 
the ``E. Marie Youngblood Post Office''; H.R. 5612, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2886 Sandy 
Plains Road in Marietta, Georgia, as the ``Marine Lance Corporal Squire 
`Skip' Wells Post Office Building''. The following bills were ordered 
reported, as amended: H.R. 5037, H.R. 5033, and H.R. 4419. The 
following bills were ordered reported, without amendment: H.R. 2319, 
H.R. 5341, H.R. 5714, H.R. 5707, H.R. 5709, H.R. 5690, H.R. 5341, H.R. 
5687, H.R. 4887, H.R. 5356, and H.R. 5612.
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY WHISTLEBLOWER ACT; SENATE AMENDMENT TO THE HOUSE 
AMENDMENT TO A SENATE BILL TO REAUTHORIZE AND AMEND THE NATIONAL SEA 
GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM ACT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on S. 304, the 
``Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act''; and the Senate amendment to 
the House amendment to S. 764, to reauthorize and amend the National 
Sea Grant College Program Act, and for other purposes. The committee 
granted, by voice vote, a rule that provides for the consideration of 
the Senate amendment to the House amendment to S. 764. The rule makes 
in order a motion offered by the chair of the Committee on Agriculture 
or his designee that the House concur in the Senate amendment to the 
House Amendment to S. 764. The rule waives all points of order against 
consideration of the motion. The rule provides that the Senate 
amendment and the motion shall be considered as read. The rule provides 
one hour of debate on the motion equally divided and controlled by the 
chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Agriculture. 
Additionally, the rule grants a closed rule for S. 304. The rule 
provides one hour of debate

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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 an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules 
Committee Print 114-61 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. Lastly, the rule 
waives clause 6(a) of rule XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to 
consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules 
Committee) against any resolution reported on the legislative day of 
July 14, 2016 or July 15, 2016. Testimony was heard from Chairman 
Conaway, and Representatives Pitts, Schakowsky, Black, and Peterson.
ASTRONOMY, ASTROPHYSICS, AND ASTROBIOLOGY
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Space; and 
Subcommittee on Research and Technology, held a joint hearing entitled 
``Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Astrobiology''. Testimony was heard from 
Paul Hertz, Director, Astrophysics Division, National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration; Jim Ulvestad, Director, Division of Astronomical 
Sciences, National Science Foundation; and public witnesses.
READY FOR LIFTOFF: THE IMPORTANCE OF SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE NASA 
SUPPLY CHAIN
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and 
Trade held a hearing entitled ``Ready for Liftoff: The Importance of 
Small Businesses in the NASA Supply Chain''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
COAST GUARD ARCTIC IMPLEMENTATION CAPABILITIES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast 
Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing entitled ``Coast Guard 
Arctic Implementation Capabilities''. Testimony was heard from Admiral 
Charles Michel, Vice Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard; Allison Stiller, 
Principal Civilian Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 
Research, Development and Acquisition, U.S. Navy, Department of 
Defense; Jennifer Grover, Director, Homeland Security and Justice 
Issues, Government Accountability Office; and Ronald O'Rourke, 
Specialist in Naval Affairs, Congressional Research Service; and public 
witnesses.
RISING COSTS OF HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee held a hearing on the 
rising costs of health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care 
Act. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

Joint Meetings
ENCOURAGING ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine 
encouraging entrepreneurship, focusing on growing business, not 
bureaucracy, after receiving testimony from Tim Kane, Stanford 
University Hoover Institution, Stanford, California; Tom Walker, Rev1 
Ventures, and Jamie Richardson, White Castle System, Inc., on behalf of 
the National Restaurant Association, both of Columbus, Ohio; and Carla 
Harris, Morgan Stanley, New York, New York, on behalf of the National 
Women's Business Council.