[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 20, 2023)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D903-D907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVES ON DEFENSE INNOVATION AND DETERRENCE
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Cyber, Information 
Technologies, and Innovation held a hearing entitled ``Industry 
Perspectives on Defense Innovation and Deterrence''. Testimony was 
heard from public witnesses.
MERITOCRACY IN THE MILITARY SERVICES: ACCESSION, PROMOTION, AND COMMAND 
SELECTION
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a 
hearing entitled ``Meritocracy in the Military Services: Accession, 
Promotion, and Command Selection''. Testimony was heard from Lieutenant 
General Douglas Stitt, U.S. Army, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1; Vice 
Admiral Richard Cheeseman, Jr., U.S. Navy, Deputy Chief of Naval 
Operations for Personnel; Lieutenant General Caroline M. Miller, U.S. 
Air Force, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services; 
Michael Strobl, Senior Executive Service, Assistant Deputy Commandant 
for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, U.S. Marine Corps; Katharine Kelley, 
Senior Executive Service, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human 
Capital, U.S. Space Force; and public witnesses.

[[Page D904]]


MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE
Committee on the Budget: Full Committee held a markup on legislation on 
the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2024. 
Legislation on the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 
2024 was ordered reported, without amendment.
STRENGTHENING WIOA: IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR JOBSEEKERS, EMPLOYERS, AND 
TAXPAYERS
Committee on Education and Workforce: Subcommittee on Higher Education 
and Workforce Development held a hearing entitled ``Strengthening WIOA: 
Improving Outcomes for Jobseekers, Employers, and Taxpayers''. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
AMERICAN HYDROPOWER: UNLEASHING RELIABLE, RENEWABLE, CLEAN POWER ACROSS 
THE U.S.
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and 
Grid Security held a hearing entitled ``American Hydropower: Unleashing 
Reliable, Renewable, Clean Power Across the U.S.''. Testimony was heard 
from Terry Turpin, Director of the Office of Energy Projects, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission; John Hairston, Administrator, Bonneville 
Power Administration; Thomas P. Smith, Chief of Operation and 
Regulatory Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and a public 
witness.
MAPPING AMERICA'S SUPPLY CHAINS: SOLUTIONS TO UNLEASH INNOVATION, BOOST 
ECONOMIC RESILIENCE, AND BEAT CHINA
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and 
Commerce held a hearing entitled ``Mapping America's Supply Chains: 
Solutions to Unleash Innovation, Boost Economic Resilience, and Beat 
China''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
AT WHAT COST: OVERSIGHT OF HOW THE IRA'S PRICE SETTING SCHEME MEANS 
FEWER CURES FOR PATIENTS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``At What Cost: Oversight of How 
the IRA's Price Setting Scheme Means Fewer Cures for Patients''. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 
3378, the ``Agricultural Security Risk Review Act''; H.R. 5409, the 
``Safeguarding American Farms from Foreign Influence Act''; H.R. 760, 
the ``Chinese Military and Surveillance Company Sanctions Act''; H.R. 
5472, the ``FinCEN Oversight and Accountability Act of 2023''; H.R. 
5485, the ``Financial Privacy Act of 2023''; H.R. 5119, the ``Protect 
Small Business and Prevent Illicit Financial Activity Act''; H.R. 5523, 
the ``Financial Access Improvements Act''; H.R. 5512, the ``Russia and 
Belarus Financial Sanctions Act of 2023''; H.R. 5524, the ``Foreign 
Affiliates Sharing Pilot Program Extension Act''; H.R. 5403, the ``CBDC 
Anti-Surveillance State Act''; and H.R. 5557, the ``Combatting Foreign 
Surveillance Spyware Sanctions Act''. H.R. 3378, H.R. 5409, H.R. 760, 
H.R. 5472, H.R. 5485, H.R. 5119, H.R. 5523, H.R. 5512, H.R. 5524, H.R. 
5403, and H.R. 5557 were ordered reported, as amended.
THE FINANCIAL COSTS OF MAYORKAS' OPEN BORDER
Committee on Homeland Security: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``The Financial Costs of Mayorkas' Open Border''. Testimony was heard 
from Jonathan W. Lines, County Supervisor, District 2, Yuma County, 
Arizona; Joseph C. Borelli, New York City Council, New York; and a 
public witness.
OVERSIGHT OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION
Committee on House Administration: Full Committee held a hearing 
entitled ``Oversight of the Federal Election Commission''. Testimony 
was heard from the following Federal Election Commission officials: 
Shana M. Broussard, Commissioner; Sean J. Cooksey, Vice Chairman; Allen 
Dickerson, Commissioner; Dara Lindenbaum, Chair; Christopher Skinner, 
Inspector General; James E. Trainor III, Commissioner; and Ellen L. 
Weintraub, Commissioner.
OVERSIGHT OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice''. Testimony was heard 
from Merrick Garland, Attorney General, Department of Justice.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 
929, the ``Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Confirmation Act 
of 2023''; H.R. 934, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry 
out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes; H.R. 
1786, the ``GROW Act''; H.R. 3448, the ``American Battlefield 
Protection Program Enhancement Act''; H.R. 4051, the ``SHARKED Act''; 
and H.R. 4596, the ``Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins 
Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Reauthorization Act of 2023''. H.R. 
934, H.R. 4051, and H.R. 3448 were ordered reported,

[[Page D905]]

as amended. H.R. 4596, H.R. 1786, and H.R. 929 were ordered reported, 
without amendment.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Full Committee held a markup 
on H.R. 4428, the ``Guidance Clarity Act of 2023''; H.R. 4984, the 
``D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act''; 
H.R. 5040, the ``Cannabis Users' Restoration of Eligibility Act''; H.R. 
5527, to amend section 1078 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2018 to increase the effectiveness of the Technology 
Modernization Fund, and for other purposes; H.R. 5528, to evaluate the 
impact of the lowest price technically acceptable source selection 
process on national security, and for other purposes; H.R. 599, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
3500 West 6th Street, Suite 103 in Los Angeles, California, as the 
``Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Post Office''; H.R. 3865, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 South 8th 
Street in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, as the ``Lieutenant William D. Lebo 
Post Office Building''; H.R. 3947, to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 859 North State Road 21 in 
Melrose, Florida, as the ``Pamela Jane Rock Post Office Building''; and 
H.R. 5034, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 2119 Market Square in Christiansted, St. Croix, 
United States Virgin Islands, as the ``Lieutenant General Samuel E. 
Ebbesen Post Office''. H.R. 4984, H.R. 5040, H.R. 5527, H.R. 4428, H.R. 
5528, and H.R. 599 were ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 3865, H.R. 
5034, H.R. 3947 were ordered reported, without amendment.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT; UNLOCKING OUR DOMESTIC LNG 
POTENTIAL ACT OF 2023; CONDEMNING THE ACTIONS OF GOVERNOR OF NEW 
MEXICO, MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM, FOR SUBVERTING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO 
THE CONSTITUTION AND DEPRIVING THE CITIZENS OF NEW MEXICO OF THEIR 
RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS
Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 4365, the 
``Department of Defense Appropriations Act''; H.R. 1130, the 
``Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2023''; and H. Res. 684, 
condemning the actions of Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan 
Grisham, for subverting the Second Amendment to the Constitution and 
depriving the citizens of New Mexico of their right to bear arms. The 
Committee granted, by a record vote of 8-4, a rule providing for 
consideration of and H.R. 4365, the ``Department of Defense 
Appropriations Act, 2024'', H.R. 1130, the ``Unlocking our Domestic LNG 
Potential Act of 2023'', and H. Res. 684, Condemning the actions of 
Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, for subverting the 
Second Amendment to the Constitution and depriving the citizens of New 
Mexico of their right to bear arms. The rule provides for consideration 
of H.R. 4365, the ``Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024'', 
under a structured rule. The rule waives all points of order against 
consideration of the bill. The rule provides one hour of general debate 
equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member 
of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees. The 
rule provides that the bill shall be considered as read. The rule 
waives all points of order against provisions in the bill. The rule 
makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee 
report, amendments en bloc described in section 4 and pro forma 
amendments described in section 5. Each amendment shall be considered 
only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a 
Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be 
debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and 
controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to 
amendment except as provided by section 5 of the rule, and shall not be 
subject to a demand for division of the question. All points of order 
against the amendments printed in the Rules Committee report or 
amendments en bloc described in section 4 of the resolution are waived. 
The rule provides that the chair of the Committee on Appropriations or 
her designee may offer amendments en bloc consisting of amendments 
printed in the report not earlier disposed of. Amendments en bloc shall 
be considered as read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally 
divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees, shall not be 
subject to amendment except as provided by section 5 of the rule, and 
shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question. The rule 
provides that the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on 
Appropriations or their respective designees may offer up to 10 pro 
forma amendments each at any point for the purpose of debate. Finally, 
the rule provides one motion to recommit. The rule further provides for 
consideration of H.R. 1130, the ``Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential 
Act of 2023'', under a structured rule. The rule waives all points of 
order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides one hour of 
general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking 
minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their 
respective designees. The rule provides that the amendment in

[[Page D906]]

the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce 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 
further makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules 
Committee report. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order 
printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in 
the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the 
time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the 
proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall 
not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or 
in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against the 
amendments printed in the Rules Committee report are waived. The rule 
provides one motion to recommit. The rule further provides for 
consideration of H. Res. 684, Condemning the actions of Governor of New 
Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, for subverting the Second Amendment to 
the Constitution and depriving the citizens of New Mexico of their 
right to bear arms, under a closed rule. The rule provides that upon 
adoption of this resolution it shall be in order without intervention 
of any point of order to consider H. Res. 684. The rule provides that 
the resolution shall be considered as read. The rule provides one hour 
of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and 
ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their 
respective designees.
A BAR TOO HIGH: CONCERNS WITH CEQ'S PROPOSED REGULATORY HURDLE FOR 
FEDERAL CONTRACTING
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on 
Investigations and Oversight held a hearing entitled ``A Bar Too High: 
Concerns with CEQ's Proposed Regulatory Hurdle for Federal 
Contracting''. Testimony was heard from Victoria Killion, Legislative 
Attorney, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; and 
public witnesses.
ATHLETES AND INNOVATORS: ANALYZING NIL'S IMPACT ON ENTREPRENEURIAL 
COLLEGIATE ATHLETES
Committee on Small Business: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Athletes and Innovators: Analyzing NIL's Impact on Entrepreneurial 
Collegiate Athletes''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Department of Transportation's 
Policies and Programs''. Testimony was heard from Pete Buttigieg, 
Secretary, Department of Transportation.
LESS IS MORE: THE IMPACT OF BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE ON VETERANS' 
EDUCATION BENEFITS
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
held a hearing entitled ``Less is More: The Impact of Bureaucratic Red 
Tape on Veterans' Education Benefits''. Testimony was heard from Joseph 
Garcia, Executive Director, Education Service Veterans Benefits 
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; and public witnesses.
VA PROCUREMENT: MADE IN AMERICA
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``VA Procurement: Made in 
America''. Testimony was heard from Michael D. Parrish, Principal 
Executive Director and Chief Acquisition Officer, Office of 
Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
REFORMING THE GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES TO SAFEGUARD U.S. 
SUPPLY CHAINS AND COMBAT CHINA
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing 
entitled ``Reforming the Generalized System of Preferences to Safeguard 
U.S. Supply Chains and Combat China''. Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.

Joint Meetings
CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION
Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine 
growing the economy of the future, focusing on job training for the 
clean energy transition, after receiving testimony from Courtenay 
Eichhorst, United Association Local Union 412, on behalf of New Mexico 
Building Trades, and Tracy Hartzler, Central New Mexico Community 
College, both of Albuquerque; and William W. Beach, Economic Policy 
Innovation Center, and Douglas Holtz-Eakin, American Action Forum, both 
of Washington, D.C.
VLADIMIR KARA-MURZA
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Commission concluded 
a hearing to examine Putin's personal prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza, 
after receiving

[[Page D907]]

testimony from Evgenia Kara-Murza, Free Russia Foundation; and Meghan 
McCain.