[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 23, 2024)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D756-D759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
FINANCIAL CONDITIONS IN FARM COUNTRY
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Financial Conditions in Farm Country''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
MOBILITY AIRCRAFT RELEVANCE AND SURVIVABILITY IN A CONTESTED 
ENVIRONMENT
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness; and 
Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces held a joint hearing 
entitled ``Mobility Aircraft Relevance and Survivability in a Contested 
Environment''. Testimony was heard from General Mike Minihan, 
Commander, Air Mobility Command, U.S. Air Force; Lieutenant General 
David H. Tabor, Director of Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of 
Staff for Plans and Programs, U.S. Air Force; and Rear Admiral Lower 
Half Derek A. Trinque, Director, Strategic Plans, Policy, and 
Logistics, U.S. Transportation Command.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BUDGET
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and 
Grid Security held a hearing entitled ``The Fiscal Year 2025 Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission Budget''. Testimony was heard from the following 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials: Annie Caputo, 
Commissioner; Bradley R. Crowell, Commissioner; Christopher T. Hanson, 
Chair; and David A. Wright, Commissioner.
ARE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL'S PRIORITIES RESTORING PUBLIC TRUST AND 
IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
entitled ``Are CDC's Priorities Restoring Public Trust and Improving 
the Health of the American People?''. Testimony was heard from the 
following Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention officials: Henry Walke, M.D., Director, Office 
of Readiness and Response; Jennifer Layden, M.D., Director, Office of 
Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology; Daniel Jernigan, 
M.D., Director, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious 
Diseases; Karen Hacker, M.D., Director, National Center for Chronic 
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Demetre Daskalakis, M.D., 
Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; 
and Allison Arwady, M.D., Director, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION BUDGET
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and 
Commerce held a hearing entitled ``The Fiscal Year 2025 Consumer 
Product Safety Commission Budget''. Testimony was heard from the 
following Consumer Product Safety Commission officials: Alexander 
Hoehn-Saric, Chair; Peter A. Feldman, Commissioner; Richard L. Trumka, 
Jr., Commissioner; Mary T. Boyle, Commissioner; and Douglas Dziak, 
Commissioner.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INNOVATION EXPLORED: INSIGHTS INTO ARTIFICIAL 
INTELLIGENCE APPLICATIONS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING
Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``AI Innovation Explored: Insights into AI Applications in Financial 
Services and Housing''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET REQUEST FOR SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIAN AFFAIRS
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Middle East, North 
Africa, and Central Asia; and Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific held a 
joint hearing entitled ``Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for South and 
Central Asian Affairs''. Testimony was heard from Anjali Kaur, Deputy 
Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia, U.S. Agency for International 
Development; and Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and 
Central Asian Affairs, Department of State.
A LOOK AT U.S. POLICY IN GEORGIA AND MOLDOVA AHEAD OF THEIR 2024 
ELECTIONS
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Europe held a hearing 
entitled ``A Look at U.S. Policy in Georgia and Moldova Ahead of Their 
2024 Elections''. Testimony was heard from Joshua Huck, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, 
Department of State; Christopher Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Department of State; and 
Alexander Sokolowski, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe 
and Eurasia, U.S. Agency for International Development.

[[Page D757]]


EXAMINING THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT OF JULY 13
Committee on Homeland Security: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``Examining the Assassination Attempt of July 13''. Testimony was heard 
from Colonel Christopher L. Paris, Commissioner, Pennsylvania State 
Police; and a public witness.
CONGRESS IN A POST-CHEVRON WORLD
Committee on House Administration: Full Committee held a hearing 
entitled ``Congress in a Post-Chevron World''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime and Federal 
Government Surveillance held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the 
Federal Bureau of Prisons''. Testimony was heard from Colette Peters, 
Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LITIGATION AND THE U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE 
COMMISSION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual 
Property, and the Internet held a hearing entitled ``IP Litigation and 
the U.S. International Trade Commission''. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and 
Fisheries held a hearing on H.R. 1304, the ``Rio San Jose and Rio Jemez 
Water Settlements Act of 2023''; H.R. 3977, the ``Navajo-Gallup Water 
Supply Project Amendments Act of 2023''; H.R. 6599, the ``Technical 
Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, 
Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation 
Settlement Act''; H.R. 7240, the ``Fort Belknap Indian Community Water 
Rights Settlement Act of 2024''; H.R. 8685, the ``Ohkay Owingeh Rio 
Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024''; H.R. 8791, the ``Fort 
Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024''; H.R. 
8920, the ``Tule River Tribe Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 
2024''; H.R. 8940, the ``Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights 
Settlement Act of 2024''; H.R. 8945, the ``Navajo Nation Rio San Jose 
Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024''; H.R. 8949, the 
``Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024''; H.R. 
8951, the ``Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024'' and 
H.R. 8953, the ``Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 
2024''. Testimony was heard from Representatives Leger Fernandez, 
Rosendale, Zinke, Ciscomani, and Vasquez; Bryan Newland, Assistant 
Secretary for Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; David 
Palumbo, Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Bureau of Reclamation, 
Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral 
Resources held a hearing on legislation on the CORE Act; H.R. 7053, the 
``Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act of 2024''; H.R. 8665, the 
``Supercritical Geothermal Research and Development Act''; and H.R. 
8954, the ``Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2024''. 
Testimony was heard from Representatives Gosar and Hunt; Steven 
Feldgus, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals 
Management, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
INVESTIGATING HOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IGNORED CRIES FOR HELP FROM 
STUDENTS AT HASKELL INDIAN NATIONS UNIVERSITY
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations; and Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Development of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held 
a joint hearing entitled ``Investigating how the Biden Administration 
Ignored Cries for Help from Students at Haskell Indian Nations 
University''. Testimony was heard from Bryan Newland, Assistant 
Secretary for Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; Matthew 
Elliott, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, Office of 
Inspector General, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
THE ROLE OF PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG MARKETS PART 
III: TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Full Committee held a 
hearing entitled ``The Role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers in 
Prescription Drug Markets Part III: Transparency and Accountability''. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE INSPECTORS GENERAL ON INTEGRITY AND 
EFFICIENCY
Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Subcommittee on Government 
Operations and the Federal Workforce held a hearing entitled 
``Oversight of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
Efficiency''. Testimony was heard from Mark Greenblatt, Chair, Council 
of the Inspectors General

[[Page D758]]

on Integrity and Efficiency, and Inspector General, Department of the 
Interior.
STRONGLY CONDEMNING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND ITS BORDER CZAR, 
KAMALA HARRIS'S, FAILURE TO SECURE THE UNITED STATES BORDER
Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on H. Res. 1371, 
strongly condemning the Biden Administration and its Border Czar, 
Kamala Harris's, failure to secure the United States border. The 
Committee granted, by a record vote of 5-2, a rule providing for 
consideration of H. Res. 1371, Strongly condemning the Biden 
Administration and its Border Czar, Kamala Harris's, failure to secure 
the United States border, under a closed rule. The rule provides that 
upon adoption of the resolution it shall be in order without 
intervention of any point of order to consider H. Res. 1371. The rule 
provides that the amendment printed in the Rules Committee report shall 
be considered as adopted and the resolution, as amended, shall be 
considered as read. Finally, the rule provides one hour of general 
debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority 
member of the Committee on Homeland Security or their respective 
designees. Testimony was heard from Chairman Guest, and Representative 
Thompson of Mississippi.
LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD: EXAMINING THE LANDSCAPE OF VETERAN OWNED 
SMALL BUSINESSES
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Contracting and 
Infrastructure; and Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity of the House 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a joint hearing entitled ``Leveling 
the Playing Field: Examining the Landscape of Veteran Owned Small 
Businesses''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
EXAMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE: ARE 
FEDERAL BUILDINGS SECURE?
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a 
hearing entitled ``Examining the Effectiveness of the Federal 
Protective Service: Are Federal Buildings Secure?''. Testimony was 
heard from David Marroni, Director, Physical Infrastructure, Government 
Accountability Office; Richard Cline, Director, Federal Protective 
Service, Department of Homeland Security; and Elliot Doomes, Public 
Buildings Service Commissioner, General Services Administration.
EXAMINING THE STATE OF RAIL SAFETY IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE DERAILMENT 
IN EAST PALESTINE, OHIO
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a hearing entitled 
``Examining the State of Rail Safety in the Aftermath of the Derailment 
in East Palestine, Ohio''. Testimony was heard from Representative 
Rulli; Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board; 
Amit Bose, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Department 
of Transportation; Tristan Brown, Deputy Administrator, Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of 
Transportation; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance 
and Memorial Affairs held a markup on H.R. 2971, the ``Veterans Claims 
Education Act of 2023''; H.R. 6362, the ``Protecting Benefits for 
Disabled Veterans Act of 2023''; H.R. 8792, the ``Flowers for Fallen 
Heroes Act of 2024''; H.R. 8874, the ``Modernizing All Veterans and 
Survivors Claims Processing Act''; H.R. 8879, the ``Improving VA 
Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act''; H.R. 8880, the 
``Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act''; H.R. 8881, the ``Rural 
Veterans' Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2024''; H.R. 8893, the 
``Preserving Veterans' Legacy Act''; H.R. 8910, the ``Dayton National 
Cemetery Expansion Act of 2024''; H.R. 9053, the ``Veterans 2nd 
Amendment Restoration Act''; H.R. 9054, the ``Safeguarding Veterans 2nd 
Amendment Rights Act''; H.R. 9057, the ``Gulf War Survivor Benefits 
Update Act of 2024''; H.R. 9055, the ``Veterans' Burial Improvement Act 
of 2024''; and H.R. 9056, the ``VA Insurance Improvement Act''. H.R. 
2971, H.R. 6362, H.R. 8792, H.R. 8874, H.R. 8879, H.R. 8880, H.R. 8881, 
H.R. 8910, H.R. 9055, H.R. 9056, H.R. 9057, H.R. 9053, and H.R. 9054 
were ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 8893 was ordered 
reported, as amended.
IS THE VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PROPERLY PROCESSING AND 
DECIDING VETERANS' CLAIMS?
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance 
and Memorial Affairs held a hearing entitled ``Is the Veterans Benefits 
Administration Properly Processing and Deciding Veterans' Claims?''. 
Testimony was heard from Ronald S. Burke, Jr., Deputy Under Secretary, 
Office of Policy and Oversight, Veterans Benefits Administration, 
Department of Veterans Affairs; Stephen Bracci, Director, Compensation 
Programs Inspection Division,

[[Page D759]]

Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of Inspector General, 
Department of Veterans Affairs; Elizabeth Curda, Director Education, 
Workforce, and Income Security, Government Accountability Office; and a 
public witness.
FUELING CHAOS: TRACING THE FLOW OF TAX-EXEMPT DOLLARS TO ANTISEMITISM
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing 
entitled ``Fueling Chaos: Tracing the Flow of Tax-Exempt Dollars to 
Antisemitism''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
THE GREAT FIREWALL AND THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY'S EXPORT OF ITS 
TECHNO-AUTHORITARIAN SURVEILLANCE STATE
Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States 
and the Chinese Communist Party: Full Committee held a hearing entitled 
``The Great Firewall and the CCP's Export of its Techno-Authoritarian 
Surveillance State''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

Joint Meetings
RUSSIA'S ECOCIDE IN UKRAINE
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: On Tuesday, July 16, 
2024, Commission received a briefing on Russia's ecocide in Ukraine, 
focusing on environmental destruction and the need for accountability, 
from Eugene Z. Stakhiv, Johns Hopkins University; Maryna Baydyuk, 
United Help Ukraine; and Kristina Hook, Kennesaw State University 
School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding, and Development.