[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D200-D203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
APPROPRIATIONS--U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Homeland 
Security held a budget hearing on the U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection. Testimony was heard from Mark A. Morgan, Acting 
Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Departments of Labor, 
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a 
budget hearing on the Department of Education. Testimony was heard from 
Betsy DeVos, Secretary, Department of Education.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Departments of 
Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies 
held a budget hearing on the Department of Transportation. Testimony 
was heard from Elaine L. Chao, Secretary, Department of Transportation.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held an 
oversight hearing on the Department of Health and Human Services Office 
of Inspector General. Testimony was heard from Sue Murrin, Deputy 
Inspector General for Evaluation and Inspections, Office of Inspector 
General, Department of Health and Human Services.
U.S. EUROPEAN COMMAND (EUCOM)
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing 
entitled ``U.S. European Command (EUCOM)''. Testimony was heard from 
General Tod D. Wolters, U.S. Air Force, Commander, U.S. European 
Command, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe. This hearing was 
closed.
APPROPRIATIONS--U.S. FOREST SERVICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and 
Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the U.S. Forest Service. 
Testimony was heard from Vivki Christiansen, Chief, U.S. Forest 
Service.
APPROPRIATIONS--LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a 
budget hearing on the Library of Congress. Testimony was heard from 
Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, Library of Congress.
OVERSIGHT OF VA'S ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD MODERNIZATION IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, 
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing entitled 
``Oversight of VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization 
Implementation''. Testimony was heard from the following Department of 
Veterans Affairs officials: Melissa Glynn, Assistant Secretary for 
Enterprise Integration; Richard Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans 
Health Administration; and John H. Windom, Executive Director, Office 
of Electronic Health Record Modernization.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the 
Department of Energy. Testimony was heard from Dan Brouillette, 
Secretary, Department of Energy.

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APPROPRIATIONS--GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a 
budget hearing on the Government Accountability Office. Testimony was 
heard from Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, 
Government Accountability Office.
MEMBERS DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, 
and Related Programs held a hearing entitled ``Members Day''. Testimony 
was heard from Chairman McGovern, and Representatives Espaillat, Hill, 
Jackson Lee, Spanberger, Costa, and Judy Chu of California.
WORLD-WIDE THREAT
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing 
entitled ``World-Wide Threat''. Testimony was heard from Lieutenant 
General Robert P. Ashley, Jr., Director, Defense Intelligence Agency; 
and Joseph D. Kernan, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and 
Security, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and 
Security. This hearing was closed.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FOR 
THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Committee on Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``The Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Budget Request 
for the Department of the Navy''. Testimony was heard from Thomas B. 
Modly, Acting Secretary of the Navy, U.S. Navy; Admiral Michael M. 
Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Navy; and General David H. 
Berger, Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps.
STRATEGIC FORCES POSTURE HEARING
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a 
hearing entitled ``Strategic Forces Posture Hearing''. Testimony was 
heard from James Anderson, Performing the Duties of Under Secretary of 
Defense for Policy, Department of Defense; General John Raymond, 
Commander, U.S. Space Command; and Admiral Charles Richard, Commander, 
U.S. Strategic Command.
AIR FORCE PROJECTION FORCES AVIATION PROGRAMS AND CAPABILITIES RELATED 
TO THE 2021 PRESIDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection 
Forces held a hearing entitled ``Air Force Projection Forces Aviation 
Programs and Capabilities Related to the 2021 President's Budget 
Request''. Testimony was heard from William Roper, Assistant Secretary 
of the Air Force, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, U.S. Air 
Force; and Lieutenant General David S. Nahom, Deputy Chief of Staff, 
Plans and Programs, U.S. Air Force.
BUDGET PRIORITIES: MEMBERS' DAY
Committee on the Budget: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Budget Priorities: Members' Day''. Testimony was heard from 
Representatives McCollum, Budd, Burgess, Cline, Correa, and Cloud.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 EPA BUDGET
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and 
Climate Change held a hearing entitled ``The Fiscal Year 2021 EPA 
Budget''. Testimony was heard from Andrew Wheeler, Administrator, 
Environmental Protection Agency.
STRENGTHENING COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS TO HELP AMERICANS IN CRISIS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Communications and 
Technology held a hearing entitled ``Strengthening Communications 
Networks to Help Americans in Crisis''. Testimony was heard from 
Anthony Gossner, Fire Chief, Santa Rosa, California; and public 
witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee began a markup on H.R. 
149, the ``Housing Fairness Act of 2020''; H.R. 4351, the ``Yes In My 
Backyard Act''; H.R. 5187, the ``Housing Is Infrastructure Act''; H.R. 
5929, the ``Shareholder Political Transparency Act''; H.R. 5930, the 
``Workforce Investment Disclosure Act''; H.R. 5931, the ``Improving FHA 
Support for Small Dollar Mortgages Act of 2020''; H.R. 5932, the 
``Ensuring Chinese Debt Transparency Act''; Views and Estimates of the 
Committee on Financial Services on Matters to be Set Forth in the 
Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 Budget; and a 
resolution electing minority members to the subcommittees of the 
Committee on Financial Services.
CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019: THE U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and 
Nonproliferation held a hearing entitled ``Coronavirus Disease 2019: 
The U.S. and International Response''. Testimony was heard from Ian 
Brownlee, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular 
Affairs, Department of State; Jonathan Fritz, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of 
State;

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William A. Walters, Executive Director and Managing Director for 
Operational Medicine, Bureau of Medical Services, Department of State; 
and Robert Redfield, Director, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services.
EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF THE BORDER WALL ON PRIVATE AND TRIBAL 
LANDOWNERS
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Border Security, 
Facilitation, and Operations held a hearing entitled ``Examining the 
Effect of the Border Wall on Private and Tribal Landowners''. Testimony 
was heard from public witnesses.
BUILDING A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE TO MEET THE HOMELAND 
SECURITY MISSION
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, 
and Accountability held a hearing entitled ``Building a Diverse and 
Inclusive Workforce to Meet the Homeland Security Mission''. Testimony 
was heard from Angela Bailey, Chief Human Capital Officer, Department 
of Homeland Security; and Yvonne Jones, Director, Strategic Issues, 
Government Accountability Office.
RETURNING CITIZENS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REENTRY
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and 
Homeland Security held a hearing entitled ``Returning Citizens: 
Challenges and Opportunities for Reentry''. Testimony was heard from 
Vanessa Martin, Director, Reentry Services, Office of Diversion and 
Reentry, Los Angeles County Department of Health and Human Services, 
California; and public witnesses.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship 
held a business meeting on the Request for a Department of Homeland 
Security Departmental Report on the Beneficiaries of H.R. 4225. The 
Request for a Department of Homeland Security Departmental Report on 
the Beneficiaries of H.R. 4225 passed.
THE CURRENT STATE OF THE U.S. REFUGEE PROGRAM
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship 
held a hearing entitled ``The Current State of the U.S. Refugee 
Program''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Forests, and Public Lands held a hearing on H.R. 3651, to facilitate 
the use of certain lands in Nebraska for public outdoor recreational 
opportunities, and for other purposes; H.R. 3681, the ``Green Spaces, 
Green Vehicles Act of 2019''; H.R. 4236, the ``Reducing Waste in 
National Parks Act''; and H.R. 4512, the ``Outdoors for All Act''. 
Testimony was heard from Representatives Quigley, Barragan, 
Fortenberry, and Levin of California; Lena McDowall, Deputy Director, 
Management and Administration, National Park Service, Department of the 
Interior; Allegra Haynes, Executive Director, Department of Parks and 
Recreation, City and County of Denver, Colorado; and public witnesses.
EXAMINING OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TO SEXUAL 
ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Examining Opportunities to 
Improve Prevention and Response of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment 
at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration''. Testimony was 
heard from Neil Jacobs, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Environmental Observation and Prediction, performing the duties of 
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration; and public witnesses.
THE ADMINISTRATION'S RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ASSAULT ON LGBT RIGHTS
Committee on Oversight and Reform: Full Committee held a hearing 
entitled ``The Administration's Religious Liberty Assault on LGBT 
Rights''. Testimony was heard from Chairman Takano, and Representatives 
Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, Kennedy, and Kelly of Pennsylvania; 
and public witnesses.
KARSHI-KHANABAD: HAZARDOUS EXPOSURES AND EFFECTS ON U.S. SERVICEMEMBERS
Committee on Oversight and Reform: Subcommittee on National Security 
held a hearing entitled ``Karshi-Khanabad: Hazardous Exposures and 
Effects on U.S. Servicemembers''. Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.
A REVIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled ``A Review of the Administration's Federal Research 
and Development Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2021''. Testimony

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was heard from Kelvin Droegemeier, Director, Office of Science and 
Technology Policy.
AN EXAMINATION OF FEDERAL FLOOD MAPS IN A CHANGING CLIMATE
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on 
Environment; and Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a 
joint hearing entitled ``An Examination of Federal Flood Maps in a 
Changing Climate''. Testimony was heard from Michael Grimm, Assistant 
Administrator for Risk Management, Federal Insurance and Mitigation 
Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of 
Homeland Security; Mark Osler, Senior Advisor for Coastal Inundation 
and Resilience, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.
MOVING AMERICA'S INFRASTRUCTURE FORWARD
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Contracting and 
Infrastructure held a hearing entitled ``Moving America's 
Infrastructure Forward''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
PROPOSALS FOR A WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2020: MEMBERS' DAY 
HEARING
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water 
Resources and Environment held a hearing entitled ``Proposals for a 
Water Resources Development Act of 2020: Members' Day Hearing''. 
Testimony was heard from Chairman Kilmer, and Representatives Marshall, 
Flores, Case, Steube, Keating, Jayapal, Vela, Barragan, Kaptur, 
Morelle, Schrader, Matsui, Slotkin, Gianforte, Schneider, Waltz, Scott 
of Virginia, Carter of Georgia, Schiff, Thompson of Pennsylvania, 
Comer, Keller, Foster, Higgins of New York, Sanchez, Cooper, Steil, 
Huizenga, Higgins of Louisiana, Posey, Fortenberry, Allen, Sherrill, 
Cleaver, Speier, Gottheimer, Gomez, Wittman, Johnson of Louisiana, 
Escobar, Axne, Olson, Cloud, Gonzalez of Ohio, O'Halleran, and Shalala.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 
2021''. Testimony was heard from the following Department of Veterans 
Affairs officials: Robert Wilkie, Secretary; Richard Stone, Executive 
in Charge, Veterans Health Administration; Paul Lawrence, Under 
Secretary for Benefits; Jon Rychalski, Assistant Secretary for 
Management and Chief Financial Officer; and public witnesses.
PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET WITH HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 
SECRETARY AZAR
Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Budget With Health and Human Services 
Secretary Azar''. Testimony was heard from Alex Azar, Secretary, 
Department of Health and Human Services.

Joint Meetings
  No joint committee meetings were held.