[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 10, 2024)] [Daily Digest] [Pages D335-D338] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Committee Meetings APPROPRIATIONS--GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a budget hearing on the Government Accountability Office, the Government Publishing Office, and the Congressional Budget Office. Testimony was heard from Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General, Government Accountability Office; Hugh Nathanial Halpern, Director, Government Publishing Office; and Phillip L. Swagel, Director, Congressional Budget Office. 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 Carlos Del Toro, Secretary, Department of the Navy; Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy; and General Eric M. Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Department of the Navy. 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 Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security. APPROPRIATIONS--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the Department of Education. Testimony was heard from Miguel Cardona, Secretary, Department of Education. MEMBER DAY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies held a hearing entitled ``Member Day''. Testimony was heard from Representatives Ciscomani, Costa, Garamendi, Moylan, Mullin, Stanton, and Titus. 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 J. Thomas Manger, Chief, U.S. Capitol Police. APPROPRIATIONS--U.S. ARMY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a budget hearing on the U.S. Army. Testimony was heard from Christine E. Wormuth, Secretary, Department of the Army; and General Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, Department of the Army. U.S. MILITARY POSTURE AND NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES IN EUROPE Committee on Armed Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in Europe''. Testimony was heard from General Christopher Cavoli, Commander, U.S. European Command, Department of Defense; and Celeste Wallander, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Department of Defense. [[Page D336]] CYBER IN AN ERA OF PERSISTENT ENGAGEMENT: THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET REQUEST FOR U.S. CYBER COMMAND AND CYBER OPERATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation held a hearing entitled ``Cyber in an Era of Persistent Engagement: The Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for U.S. Cyber Command and Cyber Operations''. Testimony was heard from Ashley Manning, Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, Department of Defense; and General Timothy Haugh, U.S. Air Force, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, Director, National Security Agency, and Chief, Central Security Service, Department of Defense. FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID FAIL: EXAMINING THE IMPACT ON STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND SCHOOLS Committee on Education and Workforce: Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing entitled ``FAFSA Fail: Examining the Impact on Students, Families, and Schools''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS TO SUPPORT PATIENT ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH SERVICES Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Legislative Proposals to Support Patient Access to Telehealth Services''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. AMERICAN NUCLEAR ENERGY EXPANSION: SPENT FUEL POLICY AND INNOVATION Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security held a hearing entitled ``American Nuclear Energy Expansion: Spent Fuel Policy and Innovation''. Testimony was heard from John C. Wagner, Laboratory Director, Idaho National Laboratory, Department of Energy; and public witnesses. BEYOND SCOPE: HOW THE SEC'S CLIMATE RULE THREATENS AMERICAN MARKETS Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Beyond Scope: How the SEC's Climate Rule Threatens American Markets''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY'S MALIGN INFLUENCE AT THE UNITED NATIONS-- IT'S GETTING WORSE Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held a hearing entitled ``The Chinese Communist Party's Malign Influence at the United Nations--It's Getting Worse''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. USAID'S FOREIGN POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES IN THE ERA OF GREAT POWER COMPETITION Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``USAID's Foreign Policy and International Development Priorities in the Era of Great Power Competition''. Testimony was heard from Samantha Power, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Homeland Security: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 5302, the ``Michel O. Maceda Memorial Act''; H.R. 7404, the ``Subterranean Border Defense Act''; H.R. 7433, the ``Law Enforcement Support and Transnational Repression Hotline Act''; H.R. 7443, the ``Combating Transnational Repression Act of 2024''; H.R. 7439, the ``Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Combat Transnational Repression Act''; and H.R. 7832, the ``Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act''. H.R. 5302, H.R. 7404, and H.R. 7832 were ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 7433, H.R. 7439, and H.R. 7443 were ordered reported, as amended. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: PART III--IP PROTECTION FOR AI-ASSISTED INVENTIONS AND CREATIVE WORKS Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet held a hearing entitled ``Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: Part III--IP Protection for AI- Assisted Inventions and Creative Works''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. BIDEN'S BORDER CRISIS: EXAMINING THE IMPACTS OF INTERNATIONAL CARTELS TARGETING INDIAN COUNTRY Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Biden's Border Crisis: Examining the Impacts of International Cartels Targeting Indian Country''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. [[Page D337]] THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM AT RISK: IMPACTS OF THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE'S PROPOSED BIOLOGICAL INTEGRITY, DIVERSITY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RULE Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a hearing entitled ``The National Wildlife Refuge System at Risk: Impacts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Proposed BIDEH Rule''. Testimony was heard from Stephen Guertin, Deputy Director for Policy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 7109, the ``Equal Representation Act''; H.R. 7868, the ``FEHB Protection Act''; H.R. 7524, the ``GSA Technology Accountability Act''; H.R. 7867, the ``Renewing Efficiency in Government by Budgeting Act''; H.R. 272, the ``Astronaut Safe Temporary Ride Options Act''; H.R. 7869, the ``U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act''; H.R. 7887, the ``Allowing Contractors to Choose Employees for Select Skills Act''; H.R. 3019, the ``Federal Prison Oversight Act''; H.R. 1555, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2300 Sylvan Avenue in Modesto, California, as the ``Corporal Michael D. Anderson Jr. Post Office Building''; H.R. 1823, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 207 East Fort Dade Avenue in Brooksville, Florida, as the ``Specialist Justin Dean Coleman Memorial Post Office Building''; H.R. 3354, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 220 North Hatcher Avenue in Purcellville, Virginia, as the ``Secretary of State Madeleine Albright Post Office Building''; H.R. 5867, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 109 Live Oaks Boulevard in Casselberry, Florida, as the ``Colonel Joseph William Kittinger II Post Office Building''; H.R. 6633, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 9355 113th Street in Seminole, Florida, as the ``Army SSG Ryan Christian Knauss Memorial Post Office Building''; H.R. 7180, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 80 1st Street in Kingsland, Arkansas, as the ``Kingsland `Johnny Cash' Post Office''; H.R. 7199, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at S74w16860 Janesville Road, in Muskego, Wisconsin, as the ``Colonel Hans Christian Heg Post Office''; H.R. 7385, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 29 Franklin Street in Petersburg, Virginia, as the ``John Mercer Langston Post Office Building''; H.R. 7417, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 135 West Spring Street in Titusville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Edwin L. Drake Post Office Building''; H.R. 7423, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 Benedette Street in Rayville, Louisiana, as the ``Luke Letlow Post Office Building''; H.R. 7606, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1087 Route 47 South in Rio Grande, New Jersey, as the ``Carlton H. Hand Post Office Building''; and H.R. 7607, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at Block 1025, Lots 18 and 19, Northeast Corner of U.S. Route 9 South and Main Street in the Township of Middle, County of Cape May, New Jersey, as the ``George Henry White Post Office Building''. H.R. 7109, H.R. 7868, H.R. 7524, H.R. 7867, H.R. 272, H.R. 7869, H.R. 7887, and H.R. 3019 were ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 1555, H.R. 1823, H.R. 3354, H.R. 5867, H.R. 6633, H.R. 7180, H.R. 7199, H.R. 7385, H.R. 7417, H.R. 7423, H.R. 7606, and H.R. 7607 were ordered reported, without amendment. TAX DAY: EXPLORING THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF HIGH TAXES AND A COMPLEX TAX CODE Committee on Small Business: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Tax Day: Exploring the Adverse Effects of High Taxes and a Complex Tax Code''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FROM HEADQUARTERS BUILDING TO FIELD OFFICES: EXAMINING THE FBI'S REAL ESTATE NEEDS AND STRATEGY Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing entitled ``From Headquarters Building to Field Offices: Examining the FBI's Real Estate Needs and Strategy''. Testimony was heard from Elliot Doomes, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration; and Nicholas Dimos, Assistant Director, Finance and Facilities Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation. LEGISLATIVE MEASURES Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on H.R. 1083, the ``Caring for Survivors Act of 2023''; H.R. 2911, the ``Fairness for Servicemembers and Their Families Act of 2023''; H.R. 3651, the ``Love Lives On Act of 2023''; H.R. 7100, the ``Prioritizing Veterans' Survivors Act''; H.R. 7150, the ``Survivor Benefits Delivery Improvement Act of 2024''; H.R. 7777, the ``Veterans' Compensation [[Page D338]] Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2024''; H.R. 7793, the ``Veterans Appeals Options Expansion Act of 2024''; H.R. 7816, the ``Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act''; legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the duty of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide a veteran with a medical examination in connection with certain claims for disability compensation under the laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes; legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve matters relating to medical examinations for veterans disability compensation, and for other purposes; legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the efficiency of adjudications and appeals of claims for benefits under laws administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; and legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for certain revisions to the manual of the Veterans Benefits Administration and to improve the quality of the adjudication of claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Testimony was heard from Representatives Self, Duarte, and Hayes; Daniel T. Shedd, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; Jaime Areizaga-Soto, Chairman Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs; and public witnesses. Joint Meetings EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded a hearing to examine investing in early childhood education, after receiving testimony from New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez, Albuquerque; and Melissa Boteach, National Women's Law Center, Lindsey M. Burke, The Heritage Foundation Center for Education Policy, and Colleen Hroncich, Cato Institute Center for Educational Freedom, all of Washington, D.C.