[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 4, 2020)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D234-D238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
THE STATE OF THE RURAL ECONOMY WITH AGRICULTURE SECRETARY SONNY PERDUE
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``The 
State of the Rural Economy with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue''. 
Testimony was heard from Sonny Perdue, Secretary, Department of 
Agriculture.
APPROPRIATIONS--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and 
Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the Environmental Protection 
Agency. Testimony was heard from David Bloom, Acting Chief Financial 
Officer, Environmental Protection Agency; and Andrew Wheeler, 
Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Financial Services and 
General Government held a budget hearing on the Department of the 
Treasury. Testimony was heard from Steven Mnuchin, Secretary, 
Department of the Treasury.
APPROPRIATIONS--NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Departments of Labor, 
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a 
budget hearing on the National Institutes of Health. Testimony was 
heard from the following National Institutes of Health officials: Diana 
Bianchi, Director, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child 
Health and Human Development; Francis Collins, Director; Anthony Fauci, 
Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Gary 
Gibbons, Director, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Ned 
Sharpless, Director, National Cancer Institute; and Nora Volkow, 
Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
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 Housing and Urban 
Development. Testimony was heard from Ben Carson, Secretary, Department 
of Housing and Urban Development.

[[Page D235]]


APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction, 
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from the following 
Department of Veterans Affairs officials: Paul R. Lawrence, Under 
Secretary for Benefits; Jon Rychalski, Assistant Secretary for 
Management and Chief Financial Officer; Richard A. Stone, Executive in 
Charge, Veterans Health Administration; and Robert Wilkie, Secretary.
APPROPRIATIONS--U.S. NAVY AND MARINE CORPS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a budget 
hearing on the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Testimony was heard from 
General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps; Admiral 
Michael M. Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations; and Thomas B. Modly, 
Acting Secretary of the Navy.
MEMBER DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a 
hearing entitled ``Member Day''. Testimony was heard from Chairman 
Kilmer, and Representatives Rodney Davis of Illinois, Fitzpatrick, 
Golden, and Graves of Georgia.
APPROPRIATIONS--EXPORT AND FINANCE AGENCIES
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, 
and Related Programs held a budget hearing on the Export and Finance 
Agencies. Testimony was heard from Adam Boehler, Chief Executive 
Officer, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation; Thomas 
Hardy, Acting Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency; and Kimberly 
Reed, President and Chairman, Export-Import Bank of the United States.
MEMBER DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, 
Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing entitled ``Member Day''. 
Testimony was heard from Representatives Danny K. Davis of Illinois, 
Gonzalez of Ohio, Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico, Hill, Jackson Lee, 
Kennedy, Perlmutter, Schneider, Visclosky, and Yoho.
APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY 
ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development, and Related Agencies held a budget on the Department of 
Energy National Nuclear Security Administration. Testimony was heard 
from the following National Nuclear Security Administration officials: 
Admiral James Caldwell, Deputy Administrator, Naval Reactors; Lisa E. 
Gordon-Hagerty, Administrator; Brent K. Park, Deputy Administrator, 
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation; and Charles P. Verdon, Deputy 
Administrator, Defense Programs.
PUBLIC WITNESS DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a 
hearing entitled ``Public Witness Day''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
U.S. SPACE FORCE ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing 
entitled ``U.S. Space Force Organizational Plan''. Testimony was heard 
from Major General Clinton E. Crosier, Director, Space Force Planning, 
Office of the Chief of Space Operations; and Lieutenant General David 
D. Thompson, Vice Commander, U.S. Space Force.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FOR 
THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
Committee on Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``The Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Budget Request 
for the Department of the Air Force''. Testimony was heard from Barbara 
Barrett, Secretary of the Air Force, Department of the Air Force; 
General David Goldfein, Chief of Staff, Department of the Air Force; 
and General John Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force.
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET REQUEST FOR SEAPOWER AND 
PROJECTION FORCES
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection 
Forces held a hearing entitled ``Department of the Navy Fiscal Year 
2021 Budget Request for Seapower and Projection Forces''. Testimony was 
heard from James F. Geurts, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Research 
Development and Acquisition, Department of the Navy; Vice Admiral James 
W. Kilby, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfighting Requirements 
and Capabilities (N9), Department of the Navy; and Lieutenant General 
Eric M. Smith, Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration, 
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

[[Page D236]]


THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET REQUEST FOR U.S. CYBER COMMAND AND 
OPERATIONS IN CYBERSPACE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging 
Threats and Capabilities held a hearing entitled ``The Fiscal Year 2021 
Budget Request for U.S. Cyber Command and Operations in Cyberspace''. 
Testimony was heard from Kenneth P. Rapuano, Assistant Secretary of 
Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security, and Principal Cyber 
Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Department of Defense; and General 
Paul M. Nakasone, U.S. Army, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, and 
Director, National Security Agency, Department of Defense.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FY 2021 BUDGET
Committee on the Budget: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Department of Health and Human Services FY 2021 Budget''. Testimony 
was heard from Eric D. Hargan, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health 
and Human Services.
REAUTHORIZING THE NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT: STRENGTHENING AND 
GROWING APPRENTICESHIPS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Higher Education and 
Workforce Investment held a hearing entitled ``Reauthorizing the 
National Apprenticeship Act: Strengthening and Growing Apprenticeships 
for the 21st Century''. Testimony was heard from Tiffany P. Robinson, 
Secretary, Maryland Department of Labor; and public witnesses.
BUYER BEWARE: FAKE AND UNSAFE PRODUCTS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Consumer Protection 
and Commerce held a hearing entitled ``Buyer Beware: Fake and Unsafe 
Products''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, REFORM: ADDRESSING AMERICA'S PLASTIC WASTE 
CRISIS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and 
Climate Change held a hearing entitled ``Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, 
Reform: Addressing America's Plastic Waste Crisis''. Testimony was 
heard from Enrique C. Zaldivar, General Manager, Los Angeles Sanitation 
and Environment Bureau, City of Los Angeles, California; and public 
witnesses.
THE TRAFFICKERS' ROADMAP: HOW BAD ACTORS EXPLOIT FINANCIAL SYSTEMS TO 
FACILITATE THE ILLICIT TRADE IN PEOPLE, ANIMALS, DRUGS, AND WEAPONS
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on National Security, 
International Development, and Monetary Policy held a hearing entitled 
``The Traffickers' Roadmap: How Bad Actors Exploit Financial Systems to 
Facilitate the Illicit Trade in People, Animals, Drugs, and Weapons''. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
DRIVERS OF DISCRIMINATION: AN EXAMINATION OF UNFAIR PREMIUMS, 
PRACTICES, AND POLICIES IN THE AUTO INSURANCE INDUSTRY
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing, Community 
Development, and Insurance held a hearing entitled ``Drivers of 
Discrimination: An Examination of Unfair Premiums, Practices, and 
Policies in the Auto Insurance Industry''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a markup on H. Res. 
512, calling for the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy 
laws; H.R. 5408, the ``Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act''; H. Res. 
742, recognizing the continued success of the Food for Peace Act; H.R. 
5664, the ``LIFT Act''; H. Res. 720, expressing the sense of House of 
Representatives that the International Olympic Committee should correct 
Jim Thorpe's Olympic records for his unprecedented accomplishments 
during the 1912 Olympic Games; H.R. 2166, the ``Global Health Security 
Act''; H.R. 2847, the ``No Passport Fees for Heroes' Families Act''; H. 
Res. 723, encouraging all nations to end sexual violence against girls 
through in-country data-driven reforms as demonstrated by multiple 
African nations; H. Res. 809, expressing the importance of the United 
States alliance with the Republic of Korea and the contributions of 
Korean Americans in the United States; H. Res. 458, reaffirming the 
strong partnership between Tunisia and the United States and supporting 
the people of Tunisia in their continued pursuit of democratic reforms; 
and H.R. 1611, the ``Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-
Taking Accountability Act''. H. Res. 512, H.R. 5408, H. Res. 742, H.R. 
5664, H.R. 2166, H.R. 2847, H. Res. 723, H. Res. 809, H. Res. 458, and 
H.R. 1611 were ordered reported, as amended. H. Res. 720 was ordered 
reported, without amendment.

[[Page D237]]


CONFRONTING THE CORONAVIRUS: PERSPECTIVES ON THE RESPONSE TO A PANDEMIC 
THREAT
Committee on Homeland Security: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Confronting the Coronavirus: Perspectives on the Response to a 
Pandemic Threat''. Testimony was heard from Ngozi O. Ezike, M.D., 
Director, Illinois Department of Public Health; and public witnesses.
EXAMINING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR'S SPENDING PRIORITIES AND THE 
PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET PROPOSAL
Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Examining the Department of the Interior's Spending Priorities and 
the President's Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Proposal''. Testimony was heard 
from Susan Combs, Assistant Secretary of Policy, Management and Budget, 
Department of the Interior.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Oversight and Reform: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 
4894 the ``Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act''; H.R. 
6020, a bill requiring a GAO Study on Minor League Baseball; H.R. 3870, 
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located 
at 511 West 165th Street in New York, New York, as the ``Normandia 
Maldonado Post Office Building''; H.R. 4875, to designate the facility 
of the United States Postal Service located at 2201 E. Maple Street in 
North Canton, Ohio, as the ``Lance Cpl. Stacy `Annie' Dryden Post 
Office''; H.R. 4971, to designate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 15 East Market Street in Leesburg, Virginia, 
as the ``Norman Duncan Post Office Building''; H.R. 5307, to designate 
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 115 Nicol 
Avenue in Thomasville, Alabama, as the ``Postmaster Robert Ingram Sr. 
Post Office''; H.R. 5317, to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 315 Addicks Howell Road in Houston, 
Texas, as the ``Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Office Building''; 
H.R. 5597, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 305 Northwest 5th Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 
as the ``Clara Luper Post Office Building''; H.R. 5954, to designate 
the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 108 West 
Maple Street in Holly, Michigan, as the ``Holly Veterans Memorial Post 
Office''; H.R. 5987, to designate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 909 West Holiday Drive in Fate, Texas, as the 
``Ralph Hall Post Office''; H.R. 5988, to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 2600 Wesley Street in 
Greenville, Texas, as the ``Audie Murphy Post Office Building''. H.R. 
4894, H.R. 6020, and H.R. 5307 were ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 
3870, H.R. 4875, H.R. 4971, H.R. 5317, H.R. 5597, H.R. 5954, H.R. 5987, 
and H.R. 5988 were ordered reported, without amendment.
MAKING IT A PRIORITY FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Committee on Oversight and Reform: Subcommittee on Government 
Operations held a hearing entitled ``Making IT a Priority for The 
Federal Government''. Testimony was heard from Anil Cheriyan, Director, 
Technology Transformation Services, General Services Administration; 
Carol C. Harris, Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, 
Government Accountability Office; and Bill Zielinski, Assistant 
Commissioner, Office of Information Technology Category, General 
Services Administration.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on 
Environment held a markup on H.R. 5519, the ``Atmospheric Climate 
Intervention Research Act''; H.R. 4656, the ``Background Ozone Research 
Act''; and H.R. 3297, the ``Harmful Algal Bloom Essential Forecasting 
Act''. H.R. 4656 and H.R. 3297 were forwarded to the full Committee, as 
amended. H.R. 5519 was forwarded to the full Committee, without 
amendment.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  March 4, 2020, on page D237, the following language appeared: 
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND 
TECHNOLOGY: Subcommittee on Environment held a markup on H.R. 
5519, the ``Atmospheric Climate Intervention Research Act''; H.R. 
4656, the ``Background Ozone Research Act''; and H.R. 3297, the 
``Harmful Algal Bloom Essential Forecasting Act''. H.R. 4656 and 
H.R. 3297 were ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 5519 was ordered 
reported, without amendment.
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: MISCELLANEOUS 
MEASURES COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY: Subcommittee 
on Environment held a markup on H.R. 5519, the ``Atmospheric 
Climate Intervention Research Act''; H.R. 4656, the ``Background 
Ozone Research Act''; and H.R. 3297, the ``Harmful Algal Bloom 
Essential Forecasting Act''. H.R. 4656 and H.R. 3297 were 
forwarded to the full Committee, as amended. H.R. 5519 was 
forwarded to the full Committee, without amendment.


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


                                                  BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Small Business: Full Committee held a business meeting on 
 the Committee's Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2021. The 
      Budget and Views Estimates were approved, without amendment.
            BUILDING BLOCKS OF CHANGE: THE BENEFITS OF BLOCKCHAIN 
                                   TECHNOLOGY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
  Committee on Small Business: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Building Blocks of Change: The Benefits of Blockchain Technology for 
     Small Businesses''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
               FUNDING A ROBUST FREIGHT AND PASSENGER RAIL NETWORK
    Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
 Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a hearing entitled 
``Funding a Robust Freight and Passenger Rail Network''. Testimony was 
  heard from Sandra Bury, Mayor, Village of Oak Lawn, Illinois; Kevin 
Corbett, President and Chief Operating Officer, NJ TRANSIT Corporation; 
                         and public witnesses.

[[Page D238]]


          EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF THE TAX CODE ON NATIVE AMERICAN 
                                                            TRIBES
 Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures 
   held a hearing entitled ``Examining the Impact of the Tax Code on 
  Native American Tribes''. Testimony was heard from Representatives 
      Davids of Kansas, Haaland, and Mullin; and public witnesses.

Joint Meetings
VFW LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Senate Committee concluded a joint 
hearing with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the 
legislative presentation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United 
States, after receiving testimony from William J. Schmitz, B.J. 
Lawrence, Ryan Gallucci, Carlos Fuentes, and Ronald Rusakiewicz, all of 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Washington, D.C.