[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 127 (Thursday, July 27, 2017)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D855-D857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
CONTINUED OVERSIGHT OF THE TRANSFER OF EXCESS MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO 
CIVILIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing 
entitled ``Continued Oversight of the Transfer of Excess Military 
Equipment to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies''. Testimony was heard 
from Mike Cannon, Disposition Services, Defense Logistics Agency; Wayne 
McElrath, Director, Forensic Audits and Investigative Service, 
Government Accountability Office; Zina Merritt, Director, Defense 
Capabilities and Management, Government Accountability Office; and Mike 
Scott, Deputy Director, Logistics Operations, Defense Logistics Agency.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 
767, the ``SOAR to Health and Wellness Act of 2017''; H.R. 772, the 
``Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2017''; H.R. 880, the 
``MISSION ZERO Act''; H.R. 931, the ``Firefighter Cancer Registry Act 
of 2017''; H.R. 2422, the ``Action for Dental Health Act of 2017''; 
H.R. 3387, the ``Drinking Water System Improvement Act''; and H.R. 
3388, the ``Designating Each Car's Automation Level Act''. H.R. 767, 
H.R. 772, H.R. 880, H.R. 931, H.R. 2422, H.R. 3387, and H.R. 3388 were 
ordered reported, as amended.
THE ANNUAL TESTIMONY OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY ON THE STATE OF 
THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM
Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``The Annual Testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of 
the International Financial System''. Testimony was heard from Steven 
Mnuchin, Secretary, Department of the Treasury.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a markup on H. Res. 
259, expressing concern and condemnation over the political, economic, 
social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela; H. Res. 311, recognizing 
that for 50 years the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) 
has worked toward stability, prosperity, and peace in Southeast Asia; 
H.R. 2061, the ``North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 
2017''; H.R. 2408, the ``Protecting Girls' Access to Education in 
Vulnerable Settings Act''; H. Res. 128, supporting respect for human 
rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia; H. Res. 357, 
reaffirming the strategic partnership between the United States and 
Canada, recognizing bilateral cooperation that advances United States 
national interests, and urging increased bilateral cooperation on 
security, economic issues, and energy, and for other purposes; H. Res. 
359, urging the European Union to designate Hizballah in its entirety 
as a terrorist organization and increase pressure on it and its 
members; H. Res. 449, urging the Government of Kenya and Kenya's 
political parties to respect democratic principles and hold credible, 
peaceful, and transparent elections in August 2017; and H.R. 1918, the 
``Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act of 2017''. H. Res. 128, H. 
Res. 259, H. Res. 311, H. Res. 357, H. Res. 359, H.R. 1918, and H.R. 
2061 were ordered reported, as amended. H. Res. 449 and H.R. 2408 were 
ordered reported, without amendment.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held 
a markup on H. Res. 422, urging adherence to the ``one country, two 
systems'' policy as prescribed in the Joint Declaration between the 
Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Government of 
the People's Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong; H. Res. 
445, honoring the life and legacy of Liu Xiaobo for his steadfast 
commitment to the protection of human rights, political freedoms, free 
markets, democratic elections, government accountability, and peaceful 
change in the People's Republic of China; H.R. 2732, the ``North Korea 
Travel Control Act''; and H.R. 3320, to direct the Secretary of State 
to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World 
Health Organization, and for other purposes. H. Res. 422 and H.R. 3320 
were forwarded to the full Committee, without amendment. H. Res. 445 
and H.R. 2732 were forwarded to the full Committee, as amended.
U.S. INTERESTS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC: FY 2018 BUDGET HEARING
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held 
a hearing entitled ``U.S. Interests in the Asia-Pacific: FY 2018 Budget 
Hearing''. Testimony was heard from Susan Thornton, Acting Assistant 
Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of 
State; and Gloria Steele, Acting Assistant Administrator, Bureau for 
Asia, U.S. Agency for International Development.
EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT: HOW CAN FEMA IMPROVE THE INTEGRITY OF ITS 
WORKFORCE
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Management Efficiency held a hearing

[[Page D856]]

entitled ``Employee Misconduct: How Can FEMA Improve the Integrity of 
its Workforce''. Testimony was heard from David Grant, Acting Deputy 
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of 
Homeland Security; Chris P. Currie, Director, Homeland Security and 
Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office; and a public witness.
THE NEED FOR THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT
Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``The Need for the Balanced Budget Amendment''. Testimony was heard 
from Representatives Ratcliffe, Scott of Virginia, Buchanan, Stivers, 
Amash, Loudermilk, and Murphy of Florida; and public witnesses.
ANTITRUST CONCERNS AND THE FDA APPROVAL PROCESS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, 
Commercial and Antitrust Law held a hearing entitled ``Antitrust 
Concerns and the FDA Approval Process''. Testimony was heard from Scott 
Gottlieb, M.D., Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration; Markus 
Meier, Acting Director, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade 
Commission, and Assistant Director, Health Care Division, Federal Trade 
Commission; and public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral 
Resources held a hearing on H.R. 1778, to provide that an order by the 
Secretary of the Interior imposing a moratorium on Federal coal leasing 
shall not take effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted, 
and for other purposes; H.R. 3117, the ``Transparency and Honesty in 
Energy Regulations Act of 2017''; and legislation to require 
congressional approval of any mineral withdrawal or monument 
designation involving the National Forest System lands in the State of 
Minnesota, to provide for the renewal of certain mineral leases in such 
lands, and for other purposes. Testimony was heard from Representatives 
Cheney, Jenkins of West Virginia, and Emmer; and public witnesses.
CHALLENGES TO THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Health 
Care, Benefits, and Administrative Rules; and Subcommittee on 
Intergovernmental Affairs held a joint hearing entitled ``Challenges to 
the Freedom of Speech on College Campuses''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
COMBATTING HOMEGROWN TERRORISM
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on National 
Security held a hearing entitled ``Combatting Homegrown Terrorism''. 
Testimony was heard from Kerry Sleeper, Assistant Director, Office of 
Partner Engagement, Federal Bureau of Investigation; George Selim, 
Director of Countering Violent Extremism, Department of Homeland 
Security; and public witnesses.
INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018; DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS BONUS TRANSPARENCY ACT
Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 3180, the 
``Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018''; and S. 114, 
the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act''. The 
Committee granted, by record vote of 7-3, a closed rule for H.R. 3180. 
The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by 
the chair and ranking minority member of the Permanent Select Committee 
on Intelligence. 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 Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence now printed in the bill 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 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 through the 
legislative day of August 1, 2017. In section 3, the rule provides that 
on any legislative day during the period from July 31, 2017, through 
September 4, 2017: 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 4, 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 3. In section 5, 
the rule provides that each day during the period addressed by section 
3 of the resolution shall not constitute a calendar day for the 
purposes of section 7 of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1546). In 
section 6, the rule provides that each day during the period addressed 
by section 3 of the resolution shall not constitute a legislative day 
for purposes of clause 7 of rule XIII (resolutions of inquiry). 
Finally, section 7 of the rule provides that each day during the period 
addressed

[[Page D857]]

by section 3 of the resolution shall not constitute a calendar or 
legislative day for the purposes of clause 7(c)(1) of rule XXII. 
(motions to instruct conferees). The Committee granted, by voice vote, 
a closed rule for S. 114. The rule provides one hour of debate equally 
divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The rule waives all points of order 
against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment 
in the nature of a substitute 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. Testimony was heard from 
Chairman Roe of Tennessee and Representatives Walz, Nunes, Schiff, 
Hill, and Khanna.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Full Committee held a 
markup on H. Res. 437, of inquiry requesting the President to provide 
certain documents in the President's possession; H.R. 1735, the 
``Community Empowerment for Mitigated Properties Act of 2017''; H.R. 
3176, the ``Disaster Assistance Fairness and Accountability Act of 
2017''; H. Con. Res. 69, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for 
the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run; 
and H.R. 1758, the ``Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2017''. H. Res. 
437 and H. Con. Res 69 were ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 
1735, H.R. 3176, and H.R. 1758 were ordered reported, as amended.

Joint Meetings
  No joint committee meetings were held.


                     COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY,

                             JULY 28, 2017

        (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)


                                 Senate

  No meetings/hearings scheduled.


                                 House

  No hearings are scheduled.