[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 160 (Thursday, September 27, 2018)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1072-D1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
UPDATE ON MILITARY REVIEW BOARD AGENCIES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a 
hearing entitled ``Update on Military Review Board Agencies''. 
Testimony was heard from Francine Blackmon, Deputy Assistant Secretary 
of the Army (Review Boards), Department of the Army; John Fedrigo, 
Director, Air Force Review Boards Agency; and Robert Woods, Principal 
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), Department 
of the Navy.
BETTER DATA AND BETTER OUTCOMES: REDUCING MATERNAL MORTALITY IN THE 
U.S.
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
entitled ``Better Data and Better Outcomes: Reducing Maternal Mortality 
in the U.S.''. Testimony was heard from Representative Herrera Beutler 
and public witnesses.
DOE MODERNIZATION: THE OFFICE OF CYBERSECURITY, ENERGY SECURITY, AND 
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing 
entitled ``DOE Modernization: The Office of Cybersecurity, Energy 
Security, and Emergency Response''. Testimony was heard from Karen 
Evans, Assistant Secretary, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, 
and Emergency Response, Department of Energy.
STATE OF THE MEDIA MARKETPLACE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Communications and 
Technology held a hearing entitled ``State of the Media Marketplace''. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT OF THE FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY'S ROLE AS CONSERVATOR 
AND REGULATOR OF THE GOVERNMENT SPONSORED ENTERPRISE
Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Oversight of the Federal Housing Finance Agency's Role as Conservator 
and Regulator of the Government Sponsored Enterprises''. Testimony was 
heard from Melvin Watt, Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency; Laura 
Wertheimer, Inspector General, Federal Housing Finance Agency; and 
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a markup on H. Res. 
931, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the 85th 
anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933, known as the 
Holodomor, should serve as a reminder of repressive Soviet policies 
against the people of Ukraine; H. Res. 1055, to affirm strong United 
States-Liberia ties and support for democratic principles, and call for 
full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 
recommendations, including the establishment of an Extraordinary 
Criminal Tribunal for Liberia; H.R. 6651, the ``PEPFAR Extension Act of 
2018''; H. Res. 1006, condemning the deteriorating situation in 
Venezuela and the regional humanitarian crisis it has caused, affirming 
support for the legitimate National Assembly and the Supreme Court, and 
urging further regional action in support of democracy in Venezuela; H. 
Res. 1052, affirming United States-Australia cooperation on space 
research, exploration, and utilization; H.R. 1567, the ``United States-
Mexico Economic Partnership Act''; H.R. 4591, the ``Preventing Iranian 
Destabilization

[[Page D1073]]

of Iraq Act of 2017''; H.R. 5273, the ``Global Fragility and Violence 
Reduction Act of 2018''; H.R. 6018, the ``Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism 
Partnership Act of 2018''; and H.R. 6413, the ``STOP Organ Trafficking 
Act''. H. Res. 931, H. Res. 1006, H. Res. 1052, H. Res. 1055, H.R. 
1567, H.R. 4591, H.R. 5273, H.R. 6018, H.R. 6413, and H.R. 6651 were 
ordered reported, as amended.
U.S. POLICY TOWARD SYRIA: PART I
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Middle East and North 
Africa held a hearing entitled ``U.S. Policy Toward Syria: Part I''. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
EUROPE AND EURASIA: ENSURING RESOURCES MATCH OBJECTIVES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and 
Emerging Threats held a hearing entitled ``Europe and Eurasia: Ensuring 
Resources Match Objectives''. Testimony was heard from Brock Bierman, 
Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, U.S. Agency for 
International Development; Janine Wynne, Acting Coordinator, Office of 
the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia, Department of 
State; Emilia Puma, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South 
and Central Asian Affairs, Department of State; and Ann Marie 
Yastishock, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia, U.S. 
Agency for International Development.
CHINA'S WAR ON CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER RELIGIOUS FAITHS
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, 
Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held a hearing 
entitled ``China's War on Christianity and Other Religious Faiths''. 
Testimony was heard from Tenzin Dorjee, Commissioner, U.S. Commission 
on International Religious Freedom; and public witnesses.
INSIDER THREATS TO AVIATION SECURITY: AIRLINE AND AIRPORT PERSPECTIVES
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Transportation and 
Protective Security held a hearing entitled ``Insider Threats to 
Aviation Security: Airline and Airport Perspectives''. Testimony was 
heard from Wendy Reiter, Director, Aviation Security, Port of Seattle; 
and public witnesses.
POST-PASPA: AN EXAMINATION OF SPORTS BETTING IN AMERICA
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland 
Security, and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Post-PASPA: An 
Examination of Sports Betting in America''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
THE STATE OF INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM IN AMERICA
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil 
Justice held a hearing entitled ``The State of Intellectual Freedom in 
America''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURE
Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 3945, 
the ``Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2017''. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee held a markup on H. Res. 
792, urging the Secretary of the Interior to recognize the historical 
significance of Roberto Clemente's place of death near Piones in Loiza, 
Puerto Rico, by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places; 
H.R. 237, the ``Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act 
Amendments of 2017''; H.R. 3608, the ``Endangered Species Transparency 
and Reasonableness Act''; H.R. 6108, the ``Preserving America's 
Battlefields Act''; H.R. 6345, the ``EMPOWERS Act of 2018''; H.R. 6346, 
the ``WHOLE Act of 2018''; H.R. 6355, the ``PETITION Act of 2018''; 
H.R. 6365, the ``Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Land Claims Act of 2018''; 
H.R. 6434, to amend section 7 of Public Law 100-515 (16 U.S.C. 1244 
note) to promote continued use of the James J. Howard Marine Sciences 
Laboratory at Gateway National Recreation Area by the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration; and S. 607, the ``Native American 
Business Incubators Program Act''. H. Res. 792, H.R. 6434, S. 607, H.R. 
3608, H.R. 6108, H.R. 6345, and H.R. 6346 were ordered reported, 
without amendment. H.R. 6355, H.R. 6365, and H.R. 237 were ordered 
reported, as amended.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee held a 
markup on H.R. 5381, the ``GRATER Act of 2018''; H.R. 6891, the 
``Antideficiency Reform and Enforcement Act of 2018''; H.R. 6893, to 
amend the Overtime Pay for Protective Services Act of 2016 to extend 
the Secret Service overtime pay exemption through 2019, and for other 
purposes; H.R. 6901, the ``Federal CIO Authorization Act of 201''; H.R. 
6777, the ``Settlement Agreement Information Database Act of 2018''; 
H.R. 3154, the ``Inspector General Access Act of 2017''; H.R. 5759, the 
``21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act''; H.R. 1272, the

[[Page D1074]]

``Cold Case Record Collections Act of 2017''; H.R 5791, to designate 
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 9609 South 
University Boulevard in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, as the ``Deputy 
Sheriff Zackari Spurlock Parrish, III, Post Office Building''; H.R 
5792, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 90 North 4th Avenue in Brighton, Colorado, as the ``Deputy 
Sheriff Heath McDonald Gumm Post Office''; H.R 6216, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3025 Woodgate 
Road in Montrose, Colorado, as the ``Sergeant David Kinterknecht Post 
Office''; H.R 6217, to designate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 241 N 4th Street in Grand Junction, Colorado, 
as the ``Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer Post Office Building''; H.R 6428, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
332 Ramapo Valley Road in Oakland, New Jersey, as the ``Frank Leone 
Post Office''; H.R 6513, to designate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 1110 West Market Street in Athens, Alabama, 
as the ``Judge James E. Horton, Jr. Post Office Building''; H.R 6591, 
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located 
at 501 South Kirkman Road in Orlando, Florida, as the ``Napoleon `Nap' 
Ford Post Office Building''; H.R 6621, to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 530 East Main Street in Johnson 
City, Tennessee, as the ``Major Homer L. Pease Post Office''; H.R 6628, 
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located 
at 4301 Northeast 4th Street in Renton, Washington, as the ``James 
Marshall `Jimi' Hendrix Post Office Building''; and H.R 6780, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
7521 Paula Drive in Tampa, Florida, as the ``Major Andreas O'Keeffe 
Post Office Building''. H.R 5792, H.R. 5381, H.R. 6893, H.R. 5759, and 
H.R. 1272 were ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 6891, H.R. 6901, H.R. 
6777, H.R. 3154, H.R. 5791, H.R. 6216, H.R. 6217, H.R. 6428, H.R. 6513, 
H.R. 6591, H.R. 6621, H.R. 6628, and H.R. 6780 were ordered reported, 
without amendment.
THE BENEFITS OF A DEREGULATORY AGENDA: EXAMPLES FROM PIONEERING 
GOVERNMENTS
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on 
Intergovernmental Affairs; and Subcommittee on Healthcare, Benefits and 
Administrative Rules held a joint hearing entitled ``The Benefits of a 
Deregulatory Agenda: Examples from Pioneering Governments''. Testimony 
was heard from Scott Brinkman, Secretary of the Executive Cabinet, 
Kentucky; and public witnesses.
RESTORING BALANCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on the 
Interior, Energy, and Environment held a hearing entitled ``Restoring 
Balance to Environmental Litigation''. Testimony was heard from 
Jonathan Brightbill, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Environment and 
Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice; and public 
witnesses.
ADVANCING NUCLEAR ENERGY: POWERING THE FUTURE
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy 
held a hearing entitled ``Advancing Nuclear Energy: Powering the 
Future''. Testimony was heard from Edward McGinnis, Principal Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Department of Energy; John 
Wagner, Associate Laboratory Director, Nuclear Science and Technology, 
Idaho National Laboratory; and public witnesses.
THE LOCAL IMPACT OF ECONOMIC GROWTH
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and 
Capital Access held a hearing entitled ``The Local Impact of Economic 
Growth''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Full Committee held a 
markup on General Services Administration Capital Investment and 
Leasing Program Resolutions; H.R. 5158, to direct the Secretary of 
Transportation to request nominations for and make determinations 
regarding roads to be designated under the national scenic byways 
program, and for other purposes; and H.R. 6622, to designate the 
Federal building located at 2110 First Street in Fort Myers, Florida, 
as the ``George W. Whitehurst Federal Building''. General Services 
Administration Capital Investment and Leasing Program Resolutions were 
adopted, without amendment. H.R. 6622 and H.R. 5158 were ordered 
reported, as amended.
VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION: MAXIMIZING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASING 
AWARENESS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Veteran Suicide Prevention: Maximizing Effectiveness and Increasing 
Awareness''. Testimony was heard from Keita Franklin, National 
Director, Suicide Prevention, Office of Mental Health and Suicide 
Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs; and public witnesses.

[[Page D1075]]


THE STATE OF SOCIAL SECURITY'S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security held a 
hearing entitled ``The State of Social Security's Information 
Technology''. Testimony was heard from Rajive Mathur, Deputy 
Commissioner of Systems and Chief Information Officer, Social Security 
Administration; Gale Stallworth Stone, Acting Inspector General, Social 
Security Administration; and Carol C. Harris, Director, Information 
Technology Management Issues, Government Accountability Office.

Joint Meetings
JUDGE VENCKIENE EXTRADITION CASE
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Commission concluded 
a hearing to examine politically-motivated injustice, focusing on the 
extradition case of Judge Venckiene, after receiving testimony from 
Vytautas Matulevicius, Member of Lithuanian Parliament, Abbe Jolles, 
Global Legal, Mary G. Leary, Catholic University of America Columbus 
School of Law, and Karolis Venkus.