[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 58 (Wednesday, April 11, 2018)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D373-D376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
RAIL SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE--STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing 
and Urban Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing entitled 
``Rail Safety and Infrastructure--Stakeholder Perspectives''. Testimony 
was heard from public witnesses.
APPROPRIATIONS--NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the 
National Institutes of Health. Testimony was heard from Francis 
Collins, Director, National Institutes of Health.
APPROPRIATIONS--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and 
General Government held a budget hearing on the Internal Revenue 
Service. Testimony was heard from David J. Kautter, Acting 
Commissioner, Department of Treasury.
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 the following Department of the 
Interior officials: Ryan Zinke, Secretary; Denise Flanagan, Director, 
Office of Budget; and Olivia Barton Ferriter, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Budget, Finance, Performance and Acquisition.
APPROPRIATIONS--U.S. STRATEGIC COMMAND
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a budget 
hearing on the U.S. Strategic Command. Testimony was heard from General 
John E. Hyten, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command. This hearing was 
closed.
APPROPRIATIONS--NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, 
Science, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Testimony was heard from RDML 
Tim Gallaudet, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans 
and Atmosphere, Department of Commerce.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, 
and Related Programs held a budget hearing on the Department of the 
Treasury International Programs. Testimony was heard from Steven 
Mnuchin, Secretary, Department of the Treasury.
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 Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary, Department of Homeland 
Security.
APPROPRIATIONS--U.S. CAPITOL POLICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a 
budget hearing on the U.S. Capitol Police. Testimony was heard from the 
following U.S. Capitol Police officials: Matthew R. Verderosa, Chief of 
Police; Steven A. Sund, Assistant Chief of Police; and Richard L. 
Braddock, Chief Administrative Officer.
CYBER OPERATIONS TODAY: PREPARING FOR 21ST CENTURY CHALLENGES IN AN 
INFORMATION-ENABLED SOCIETY
Committee On Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Cyber Operations Today: Preparing for 21st Century Challenges in an 
Information-Enabled Society''. Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.
MEMBER DAY
Committee On Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Member Day''. Testimony was heard from Chairman Chabot, and 
Representatives Velazquez, Kihuen, Donovan, Johnson of Louisiana, 
Rutherford, and Schneider.
A REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BUDGET, STRATEGY, 
POLICY, AND PROGRAMS FOR CYBER OPERATIONS AND U.S. CYBER COMMAND FOR 
FISCAL YEAR 2019
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and 
Capabilities held a hearing entitled ``A Review and Assessment of the 
Department of Defense Budget, Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Cyber 
Operations and U.S. Cyber Command for Fiscal Year 2019''. Testimony was 
heard from Kenneth P. Rapuano, Assistant Secretary of Defense for 
Homeland Defense and Global Security, Department

[[Page D374]]

of Defense; and Admiral Michael Rogers, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, 
Director, National Security Agency.
FACEBOOK: TRANSPARENCY AND USE OF CONSUMER DATA
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Full Committee held a hearing 
entitled ``Facebook: Transparency and Use of Consumer Data''. Testimony 
was heard from a public witness.
UPDATE ON THE RESTORATION OF PUERTO RICO'S ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Update on the Restoration of 
Puerto Rico's Electric Infrastructure''. Testimony was heard from 
Charles R. Alexander, Director, Contingency Operations and Homeland 
Security Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Jeffrey Byard, 
Associate Administrator, Office of Response and Recovery, Federal 
Emergency Management Agency; Bruce J. Walker, Assistant Secretary, 
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Department of 
Energy; and public witnesses.
COMBATING THE OPIOID CRISIS: IMPROVING THE ABILITY OF MEDICARE AND 
MEDICAID TO PROVIDE CARE FOR PATIENTS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health began a 
hearing entitled ``Combating the Opioid Crisis: Improving the Ability 
of Medicare and Medicaid to Provide Care for Patients''.
THE 2018 SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL 
PROTECTION
Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``The 2018 Semi-Annual Report of the Bureau of Consumer Financial 
Protection''. Testimony was heard from Mick Mulvaney, Acting Director, 
Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
FINANCING OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT: THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSAL
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Financing Overseas Development: The Administration's Proposal''. 
Testimony was heard from Ray W. Washburne, President and Chief 
Executive Officer, Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
NORTH KOREA'S DIPLOMATIC GAMBIT: WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held 
a hearing entitled ``North Korea's Diplomatic Gambit: Will History 
Repeat Itself?''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
NO ABDUCTED CHILD LEFT BEHIND: AN UPDATE ON THE GOLDMAN ACT
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, 
Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held a hearing 
entitled ``No Abducted Child Left Behind: An Update on the Goldman 
Act''. Testimony was heard from Suzanne Lawrence, Special Advisor for 
Children's Issues, Office of Children's Issues, Bureau of Consular 
Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 5283, 
to make technical amendments to update statutory references to certain 
provisions classified to title 7, title 20, and title 43, United States 
Code; H.R. 5293, to make technical amendments to update statutory 
references to certain provisions that were formerly classified to title 
50, Appendix, United States Code; H.R. 5335, to make technical 
amendments to update statutory references to provisions reclassified to 
title 34, United States Code; H.R. 5344, to make technical amendments 
to update statutory references to certain provisions which were 
formerly classified to chapters 14 and 19 of title 25, United States 
Code; and H.R. 5447, the ``Music Modernization Act''. H.R. 5283, H.R. 
5293, H.R. 5335, H.R. 5344, and H.R. 5447 were ordered reported, 
without amendment.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 
3144, to provide for operations of the Federal Columbia River Power 
System pursuant to a certain operation plan for a specified period of 
time, and for other purposes; H.R. 3392, the ``Lake Bistineau Land 
Title Stability Act''; H.R. 3997, the ``Free Veterans from Fees Act''; 
H.R. 4257, the ``Advancing Conservation and Education Act''; and H.R. 
5005, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special 
resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of 
establishing the birthplace of James Weldon Johnson in Jacksonville, 
Florida, as a unit of the National Park System. H.R. 3144 and H.R. 5005 
were ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 3392, H.R. 3997, and 
H.R. 4257 were ordered reported, as amended.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a 
hearing on H.R. 1037, to authorize the National Emergency Medical 
Services Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the 
District of Columbia and its environs, and for

[[Page D375]]

other purposes; H.R. 1791, the ``Mountains to Sound Greenway National 
Heritage Act''; H.R. 2991, the ``Susquehanna National Heritage Area 
Act''; and H.R. 3045, the ``Eastern Legacy Extension Act''. Testimony 
was heard from Representatives Reichert, Smucker, Lynch, and Messer; 
former Senator Slade Gorton; Joy Beasley, Acting Associate Director, 
Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science, National Park Service, 
Department of the Interior; Leo S. Lutz, Mayor, Borough of Columbia, 
Columbia, Pennsylvania; and public witnesses.
LOCAL RESPONSES AND RESOURCES TO CURTAIL THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on 
Healthcare, Benefits and Administrative Rules held a hearing entitled 
``Local Responses and Resources to Curtail the Opioid Epidemic''. 
Testimony was heard from Amy Haskins, Project Director, Jackson County 
Anti-Drug Coalition, West Virginia; Lisa Roberts, Coordinator, Scioto 
County Drug Action Team Alliance, Ohio; Derek Siegle, Executive 
Director, Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program; and Karen 
Ayala, Lead Staff, DuPage Heroin/Opioid Prevention and Education Task-
Force, Illinois.
SCHOLARS OR SPIES: FOREIGN PLOTS TARGETING AMERICA'S RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Oversight; 
and Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a joint hearing 
entitled ``Scholars or Spies: Foreign Plots Targeting America's 
Research and Development''. Testimony was heard from Michael Wessel, 
Commissioner, U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission; and 
public witnesses.
THE STATE OF TRADE FOR AMERICA'S SMALL BUSINESSES
Committee on Small Business: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``The State of Trade for America's Small Businesses''. Testimony was 
heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
held a markup on H.R. 1206, to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
include the cost of applying to an institution of higher learning as 
part of the benefits provided under the Post-9/11 Educational 
Assistance Program; H.R. 3023, to amend title 38, United States Code, 
to eliminate the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay 
reporting fees to educational institutions; H.R. 3940, to amend title 
38, United States Code, to provide for housing stipends and supply fee 
payments under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for 
individuals affected by extended school closures due to natural 
disasters; H.R. 4451, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide 
for a five-year extension to the homeless veterans reintegration 
programs and to provide clarification regarding eligibility for 
services under such programs; H.R. 4830, to amend title 38, United 
States Code, to provide for the disapproval of any course of education 
for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs unless the educational institution providing the 
course permits individuals to attend or participate in courses pending 
payment by Department, and for other purposes; H.R. 4835, to extend the 
pilot program on off-base transition training for veterans and spouses; 
and H.R. 5044, to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the 
treatment of certain surviving spouses under the contracting goals and 
preferences of the Department of Veterans Affairs. H.R. 4830 and H.R. 
4451 were ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 1206, H.R. 3023, H.R. 
3940, H.R. 4835, and H.R. 5044 were ordered reported, without 
amendment.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 5446, 
to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restrict the immediate 
sale of seized property by the Secretary of the Treasury to perishable 
goods; H.R. 5444, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
modernize and improve the Internal Revenue Service, and for other 
purposes; H.R. 5445, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
improve cybersecurity and taxpayer identity protection, and modernize 
the information technology of the Internal Revenue Service, and for 
other purposes; H.R. 2901, the ``Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 
Permanence Act of 2017''; H.R. 5440, to require notice from the 
Secretary of the Treasury in the case of any closure of a Taxpayer 
Assistance Center; H.R. 5438, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 to allow officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury 
to provide to taxpayers information regarding low-income taxpayer 
clinics; legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
restrict the immediate sale of seized property by Secretary of the 
Treasury to perishable goods; H.R. 5437, to require the Secretary of 
the Treasury to establish a program for the issuance of identity 
protection personal identification numbers; H.R. 5439, to provide for a 
single point of contact at the Internal Revenue Service for the 
taxpayers who are victims of tax-related identity theft; legislation to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require

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electronic filing of the annual returns of exempt organizations and 
provide for making such returns available for public inspection; H.R. 
4403, the ``Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act''; H.R. 1512, the 
``Social Security Child Protection Act of 2017''; H.R. 5192, the 
``Protecting Children from Identity Theft Act''. H.R. 5444, H.R. 5445, 
H.R. 2901, H.R. 5440, H.R. 5438, H.R. 5446, H.R. 5437, H.R. 5439, H.R. 
5443, H.R. 4403, H.R. 1512, and H.R. 5192 were ordered reported, as 
amended.

Joint Meetings
UNLEASHING AMERICA'S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine 
unleashing America's economic potential, after receiving testimony from 
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, American Action Forum, Chad Moutray, National 
Association of Manufacturers, and Mark J. Mazur, Urban-Brookings Tax 
Policy Center, all of Washington, D.C.; and Richard Hampton, Circuit 
Interruption Technology Inc., Rogers, Minnesota.