Congressional Record
Proceedings, Debates of the U.S. Congress
November 12, 2003
108th Congress, 1st Session
Issue: Vol. 149, No. 164 — Daily Edition
Sections in This Issue:
Daily Digest
Daily Digest Section (PDF)
Daily Digest/Highlights + Senate
[Daily Digest] [Pages D1265-D1268] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Wednesday, November 12, 2003 [[Page D1265]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS Senate agreed to the Conference Report on H.R. 1588, National Defense Authorization Act, and the Conference Report on H.R. 2559, Military Construction Appropriations Act, clearing both measures for the President. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S14463-S14921 Measures Introduced: On Wednesday, November 12, 2003, six bills were introduced, as follows: S. 1850-1855; on Thursday, November 13, 2003, three bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1856- 1858, S. Res. 266, and S. Con. Res. 81; and on Friday, November 14, 2003, nine bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 1859-1867, and S.J. Res. 24. Page S14804 Measures Reported: Special Report entitled ``Further Revised Allocation to Subcommittees of Budget Totals for Fiscal Year 2004''. (S. Rept. No. 108-195) Page S14804 Measures Passed: Basic Pilot Program Extension and Expansion Act: Senate passed S. 1685, to extend and expand the basic pilot program for employment eligibility verification, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto: Pages S14504-06 Bond (for Leahy/Brownback) Amendment No. 2170, to extend the duration of the immigrant investor regional center pilot program for 5 additional years. Pages S14505-06 Adoption Promotion Act: Committee on Finance was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3182, to reauthorize the adoption incentive payments program under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S14859-60 Overseas Private Investment Corporation Amendments Act: Senate passed S. 1824, to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to reauthorize the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Pages S14860-61 Workforce Reinvestment and Adult Education Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1261, to enhance the workforce investment system of the Nation by strengthening one-stop career centers, providing for more effective governance arrangements, promoting access to a more comprehensive array of employment, training, and related services, establishing a targeted approach to serving youth, and improving performance accountability, and the bill was then passed, after striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof, the text of S. 1627, Senate companion measure, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. Page S14861-S14919 Subsequently, S. 1627 was returned to the Senate calendar. Page S14919 VA-HUD Appropriations Act: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 2861, making appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry independent agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and offices for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S14464-81, S14496-S14504, S14506-28 Adopted: Craig (for Bond) Amendment No. 2156 (to Amendment No. 2150), to clarify the current exemption for certain nonroad agriculture and construction engines or vehicles that are smaller than 50 horsepower from an air emission regulation by California and require EPA to develop a national standard. Pages S14477-81, S14496 [[Page D1266]] Craig Modified Amendment No. 2158 (to Amendment No. 2150), to provide for the enhanced review of covered pesticide products, to authorize fees for certain pesticide products, and to extend and improve the collection of maintenance fees. Page S14496 Bond Amendment No. 2167 (to Amendment No. 2150), to remove the emergency designation on VA medical care. Page S14496 Lautenberg Amendment No. 2171 (to Amendment No. 2150), to maintain enforcement personnel for the Environmental Protection Agency at the fiscal year 2003 level. Pages S14506-07 Bond (for Graham (SC)/Hollings) Amendment No. 2172 (to Amendment No. 2150), to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into an enhanced-use lease at the Charleston Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina. Page S14507 Bond (for Mikulski/Bond) Amendment No. 2173 (to Amendment No. 2150), to require notice and comment rulemaking, and prohibit disclosure of selection information, by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Page S14507 Bond Amendment No. 2174 (to Amendment No. 2150), to increase funds for the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight to conduct audits, investigations and examinations and to provide for additional emergency funds. Pages S14510-11 Bond (for Stevens) Amendment No. 2175 (to Amendment No. 2150), to provide an allocation of funding under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 for the State of Alaska. Page S14511 Bond (for Durbin/Fitzgerald) Amendment No. 2176 (to Amendment No. 2150), to insert a provision relating to VA-Navy sharing of facilities at the North Chicago VA Medical Center. Pages S14511-12 Bond (for Murkowski) Amendment No. 2177 (to Amendment No. 2150), to provide housing for teachers, administrators, and other school staff in remote areas of Alaska since such housing is often extremely substandard, if it is even available at all, and rural school districts in Alaska are facing increased challenges, including meeting the mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act, and in recruiting and retaining employees due to a lack of housing units. Page S14512 Bond Amendment No. 2180 (to Amendment No. 2150), to require HUD to make any changes to the operating fund formula by negotiated rulemaking. Pages S14518, S14520-24 Bond (for Murkowski) Amendment No. 2181 (to Amendment No. 2150), to provide for the treatment of the Pioneer Homes in Alaska as a State home for veterans. Pages S14520-24 Bond (for Dorgan) Amendment No. 2182 (to Amendment No. 2150), to express the sense of the Senate on the access to primary health care of veterans living in rural and highly rural areas. Pages S14520-24 Bond (for Sarbanes) Amendment No. 2183 (to Amendment No. 2150), to express the sense of the Senate that housing vouchers are a critical resource and that the Department of Housing and Urban Development should ensure that all vouchers can be used by low-income families. Pages S14520-24 Bond (for Clinton) Amendment No. 2184 (to Amendment No. 2150), to provide VISTA volunteers the option of receiving a national service educational award. Pages S14520-24 Bond (for Landrieu) Amendment No. 2151 (to Amendment No. 2150), to increase the amount of funds that may be used by States for technical assistance and administrative costs under the community development block grant program. Pages S14520-24 Bond (for Levin) Amendment No. 2185 (to Amendment No. 2150), to authorize appropriations for sewer overflow control grants. Pages S14520-24 Bond (for Boxer) Amendment No. 2186 (to Amendment No. 2150), to express the sense of the Senate that human dosing studies of pesticides raises ethical and health questions. Pages S14520-24 Withdrawn: Dorgan Amendment No. 2159 (to Amendment No. 2158), to permit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to register a Canadian pesticide. Pages S14478-79 Pending: Bond/Mikulski Amendment No. 2150, in the nature of a substitute. Pages S14464-81, S14496-S14504, S14506-28 Clinton Amendment No. 2152 (to Amendment No. 2150), to permit the use of funds for the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) initiative of the Department of Veterans Affairs for purposes of enhanced services while limiting the use of funds for the initiative for purposes of the closure or reduction of services pending a modification of the initiative to take into account long-term care, domiciliary care, and mental health services and other matters. Pages S14496-S14504, S14508-10 During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action: By 44 yeas to 49 nays (Vote No. 449), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to waive section 502(c)(5) of H. Con. Res. 95, Congressional Budget Resolution, with respect to the emergency designation provision in Mikulski Amendment No. 2178 (to Amendment No. 2150), [[Page D1267]] to provide for certain capitalization grants. Subsequently, a point of order that the emergency designation provision would violate section 502(c)(5) of H. Con. Res. 95 was sustained and the provision was stricken. Also, the Chair sustained a point order that the amendment would exceed the subcommittee's 302(b) allocation and the amendment thus falls. Pages S14512-18 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at 12 noon, on Monday, November 17, 2003. Page S14920 National Defense Authorization Act--Conference Report: By 95 yeas to 3 nays (Vote No. 447), Senate agreed to the conference report on H.R. 1588, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2004 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, and to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S14481-94 Military Construction Appropriations--Conference Report: By a unanimous vote of 98 yeas (Vote No. 448), Senate agreed to the conference report on H.R. 2559, making appropriations for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, clearing the measure for the President. Pages S14494-96 Federal Aviation Administration Authorization--Conference Report: Senate began consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2115, to amend title 49, United States Code, to reauthorize programs for the Federal Aviation Administration. Page S14858 A motion was entered to close further debate on the conference report and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Monday, November 17, 2003. Page S14858 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing the further consideration of the conference report at 4:30 p.m., on Monday, November 17, 2003; that there be one hour of debate equally divided, and Senate then vote on the motion to close further debate on the conference report. Page S14858 Nomination Considered: Senate resumed consideration of the nomination of Priscilla Richman Owen, of Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit. Pages S14531-32, S14547-S14682, S14683-S14777 A fourth motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Friday, November 14, 2003. Pages S14531-32 By 53 yeas to 42 nays (Vote No. 450), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the fourth motion to close further debate on the nomination. (This action occurred on the calendar day of Friday, November 14, 2003 during the continuous session of Wednesday, November 12, 2003.) Page S14777 Nomination Considered: Senate resumed consideration of the nomination of Carolyn B. Kuhl, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. Page S14532, S14547-S14682, S14683-S14783 A second motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Friday, November 14, 2003. Page S14532 By 53 yeas to 43 nays (Vote No. 451), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the second motion to close further debate on the nomination. (This action occurred on the calendar day of Friday, November 14, 2003 during the continuous session of Wednesday, November 12, 2003.) Pages S14777-83 Nomination Considered: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Janice R. Brown, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Page S14532, S14547-S14682, S14683-S14785 A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Friday, November 14, 2003. Page S14532 By 53 yeas to 43 nays (Vote No. 452), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to close further debate on the nomination. (This action occurred on the calendar day of Friday, November 14, 2003 during the continuous session of Wednesday, November 12, 2003.) Pages S14783-85 Nomination Considered: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Thomas C. Dorr, of Iowa, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development. Pages S14858-59 A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Tuesday, November 18, 2003. Pages S14858-59 Nomination Considered: Senate began consideration of the nomination of Thomas C. Dorr, of Iowa, [[Page D1268]] to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation. Pages S14858-59 A motion was entered to close further debate on the nomination and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Tuesday, November 18, 2003. Pages S14858-59 Point of Order Raised: During Executive Session, Senator Gregg raised a point of order that a sign displayed on the minority side of the aisle violated provisions of Rule XVII of the Rules for Regulation of the Senate Wing of the United States Capitol and Senate Office Buildings. Page S14529 Nomination--Agreement: a unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at a time determined by the Majority Leader, with the concurrence of the Democratic Leader, Senate may proceed to executive session to begin consideration of the nomination of Maj. Gen. Robert T. Clark for appointment in the United States Army to the grade of Lieutenant General; that there be two hours equally divided between the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Armed Services; and that following the use or yielding back of time, Senate proceed to a vote on confirmation of the nomination; further, that following the confirmation vote, Senate proceed to the consideration of certain nominations en bloc, and the nominations then be confirmed. Page S14920 Messages From the President: Senate received the following message from the President of the United States: Transmitting, pursuant to law, a periodic report relative to the national emergency with respect to Iran which was declared in Executive Order No. 12170; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-56) Page S14802 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination (on the calendar day of Friday, November 14, 2003, during the continuous session of Wednesday, November 12, 2003): Zalmay Khalilzad, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan. Page S14921 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations (on the calendar day of Friday, November 14, 2003, during the continuous session of Wednesday, November 12, 2003): Diane S. Sykes, of Wisconsin, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit. David C. Mulford, of Illinois, to be Ambassador to India. Page S14921 Messages From the House: Page S14802 Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S14802 Executive Communications: Pages S14802-04 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S14804 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S14804-07 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S14807-19 Additional Statements: Pages S14798-S14802 Amendments Submitted: Pages S14819-48 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S14848 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S14848-49 Privilege of the Floor: Page S14849 Record Votes: Six record votes were taken today. (Total--452) Pages S14493-94, S14495-96, S14518, S14777, S14783, S14785 Adjournment: Senate met at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 3:06 p.m. until 12 noon on Monday, November 17, 200d. (For Senate's Program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S).
Daily Digest/Senate Committee Meetings
[Daily Digest] [Pages D1268-D1269] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) ONGOING MILITARY OPERATIONS Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing to examine ongoing military operations and areas of key concern around the world from Lieutenant General Norton A. Schwartz, USAF, Director for Operations, J-3, and Major General Ronald L. Burgess, Jr., USA, Director for Intelligence, J-2, both of the Joint Staff; William J. Luti, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Near East and South Asian Affairs; and Ruben Jeffrey, Representative and Executive Director of the Coalition Provisional Authority. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Subcommittee on Securities and Investment concluded a hearing on the Financial Accounting Standards Board and small business growth, focusing on establishing and improving general-purpose standards of financial accounting and reporting for both public and private enterprises, after receiving testimony from Senator Ensign; Robert H. Herz, Financial Accounting Standards Board, Norwalk, Connecticut; Peter A. Salg, QSC Restaurants, Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado, on behalf of the International Franchise Association; James K. Glassman, American Enterprise Institute, and Jeannine Kenney, National [[Page D1269]] Cooperative Business Association, both of Washington, D.C.; Richard E. Forrestel, Jr., Cold Spring Construction Company, Akron, New York, on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of America; Walter K. Moore, Genentech, Inc., San Francisco, California; and Mark Heesen, National Venture Capital Association, Arlington, Virginia. TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FUNDS Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine State use of tobacco settlement funds, focusing on the growing number of non-participating tobacco manufacturers, the prevention and control of tobacco use, and cigarette taxes, after receiving testimony from Delaware State Representative Deborah Hudson, Dover, on behalf of the National Conference of State Legislatures; Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore, Jackson; and Matthew Louis Myers, Tobacco-Free Kids, Raymond C. Scheppach, National Governors Association, and Cheryl G. Healton, American Legacy Foundation, all of Washington, D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. 1072, to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and The nomination of Rixio Enrique Medina, of Oklahoma, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Finance: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Michael O'Grady, of Maryland, and Jennifer Young, of Ohio, both to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Bradley D. Belt, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Social Security Advisory Board. NOMINATION Committee on Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Scott J. Bloch, of Kansas, to be Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Brownback, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PROTECTION OF DISCLOSURES ACT Committee on Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 1358, to amend chapter 23 of title 5, United States Code, to clarify the disclosure of information protected from prohibited personnel practices, require a statement in non-disclosure policies, forms, and agreements that such policies, forms, and agreements conform with certain disclosure protections, provide certain authority for the Special Counsel, after receiving testimony from Senator Grassley; Peter Keisler, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, Department of Justice; and Elaine Kaplan, Bernabei and Katz, PLLC, Thomas Devine, Government Accountability Project, Stephen M. Kohn, National Whistleblower Center, and William L. Bransford, Shaw, Bransford, Veilleux and Roth, P.C., on behalf of the Senior Executives Association, all of Washington, D.C. NOMINATIONS: Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Judith C. Herrera, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico, who was introduced by Senators Domenici and Bingaman, F. Dennis Saylor IV, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts, who was introduced by Senator Kennedy, Sandra L. Townes, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, who was introduced by Senator Schumer, and Domingo S. Herraiz, of Ohio, to be Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice, who was introduced by Senator DeWine, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 2989, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation and Treasury, and independent agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004.
Daily Digest/House of Representatives
[Daily Digest] [Page D1270] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [[Page D1270]] House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced: 2 public bills, H.R. 3485 and 3486; and 1 resolution, H. Con. Res. 324, were introduced. Page H11149 Additional Cosponsors: Page H11149 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 2886, to amend title 31, United States Code, to improve the financial accountability requirements applicable to the Department of Homeland Security, amended (H. Rept. 108-358, Pt. 1). Pages H11148-49 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Most Rev. Anthony Sablan Apuron, Archbishop of Agana in Guam. Page H11147 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourn today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 14, and further that when it adjourn on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, November 17 for morning-hour debate. Page H11148 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, November 19. Page H11148 Presidential Message: Read a message from the President, received by the Clerk on November 12, notifying Congress of the continuation of the national emergency with respect to Iran--referred the Committee on International Relations and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 108-141). Page H11148 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on pages H11147-48. Senate Referral: S. 1657 was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; S. 286 was ordered held at the desk. Page H11148 Adjournment: The House met at 2 p.m. and adjourned at 2:06 p.m.
Daily Digest/House Committee Meetings
[Daily Digest] [Page D1270] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] Committee Meetings No committee meetings were held.
Daily Digest/NEW PUBLIC LAWS
[Daily Digest] [Page D1271] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [[Page D1271]] NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D1259) H.R. 2691, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004. Signed on November 10, 2003. (Public Law 108-108). H.R. 1516, to provide for the establishment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of additional cemeteries in the National Cemetery Administration. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-109). H.R. 1610, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 East Ritchie Avenue in Marceline, Missouri, as the ``Walt Disney Post Office Building''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-110). H.R. 1882, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 440 South Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, Florida, as the ``Arthur `Pappy' Kennedy Post Office''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-111). H.R. 2075, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1905 West Blue Heron Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the ``Judge Edward Rodgers Post Office Building''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-112). H.R. 2254, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1101 Colorado Street in Boulder City, Nevada, as the ``Bruce Woodbury Post Office Building''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-113). H.R. 2309, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2300 Redondo Avenue in Signal Hill, California, as the ``J. Stephen Horn Post Office Building''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-114). H.R. 2328, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2001 East Willard Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the ``Robert A. Borski Post Office Building''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-115). H.R. 2396, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1210 Highland Avenue in Duarte, California, as the ``Francisco A. Martinez Flores Post Office''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-116). H.R. 2452, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 339 Hicksville Road in Bethpage, New York, as the ``Brian C. Hickey Post Office Building''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-117). H.R. 2533, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10701 Abercorn Street in Savannah, Georgia, as the ``J.C. Lewis, Jr. Post Office Building''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-118). H.R. 2746, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 141 Weston Street in Hartford, Connecticut, as the ``Barbara B. Kennelly Post Office Building''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-119). H.R. 3011, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 135 East Olive Avenue in Burbank, California, as the ``Bob Hope Post Office Building''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-120). H.R. 3365, to amend title 10, United States Code, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the death gratuity payable with respect to deceased members of the Armed Forces and to exclude such gratuity from gross income, to provide additional tax relief for members of the Armed Forces and their families. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-121). H.J. Res. 52, recognizing the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Baltimore, Maryland, as the official national museum of dentistry in the United States. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-122). S. 926, to amend section 5379 of title 5, United States Code, to increase the annual and aggregate limits on student loan repayments by Federal agencies. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-123). H.R. 1883, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1601-1 Main Street in Jacksonville, Florida, as the ``Eddie Mae Steward Post Office''. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108-124). S. 470, to extend the authority for the construction of a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr. Signed on November 11, 2003. (Public Law 108- 125).
Daily Digest/CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD
[Daily Digest] [Pages D1271-D1272] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of November 17 through 22, 2003 Senate Chamber On Monday at 12 noon, Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 2861, VA-HUD Appropriations Act. At 4:30 p.m., Senate will resume consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2115, FAA Authorization, with a vote on the motion to close further debate on the conference report to occur at 5:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Senate will resume consideration of the nominations of Thomas C. Dorr. to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development, and [[Page D1272]] to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation, with votes on the motions to invoke cloture, respectively. During the balance of the week, Senate may consider any other cleared legislative and executive business, including appropriation bills, conference reports and certain nominations, when available. Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Armed Services: November 18, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Michael W. Wynne, of Florida, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, 4 p.m., SR-222. November 19, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine current Army issues, 9 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: November 18, to hold hearings to examine current investigations and regulatory actions regarding the mutual fund industry, 10 a.m., SD-538. November 20, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine improving the corporate governance of the NYSE, 10 a.m., SD-538. November 20, Full Committee, to resume hearings to examine current investigations and regulatory actions regarding the mutual fund industry, 2 p.m., SD-538. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: November 20, to hold hearings to examine drug importation, 9:30 a.m., SR-253. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: November 18, Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, to hold hearings to examine S. 1209, to provide for the acquisition of property in Washington County, Utah, for implementation of a desert tortoise habitat conservation plan, H.R. 708, to require the conveyance of certain National Forest System lands in Mendocino National Forest, California, to provide for the use of the proceeds from such conveyance for National Forest purposes, S. 1467, to establish the Rio Grande Outstanding Natural Area in the State of Colorado, S. 1167, to resolve the boundary conflicts in Barry and Stone Counties in the State of Missouri, and S. 1848, to amend the Bend Pine Nursery Land Conveyance Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to sell the Bend Pine Nursery Administration Site in the State of Oregon, 2:30 p.m., SD-366. Committee on Finance: November 18, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Steven J. Simmons, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, 10 a.m., SD-215. November 18, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Arnold I. Havens, of Virginia, to be General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury, 10 a.m., SD-215. Committee on Governmental Affairs: November 18, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to hold hearings to examine the role of professional organizations like accounting firms, law firms, and financial institutions in developing, marketing and implementing tax shelters, 9 a.m., SH-216. November 18, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of James M. Loy, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, 2:30 p.m., SD-342. November 19, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the threat of agroterrorism, 9:30 a.m., SD-342. November 19, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, to resume hearings to examine the August 2003 Northeast blackouts and the federal role in managing the nation's electricity, 2:30 p.m., SD- 342. November 20, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to resume hearings to examine the role of professional organizations like accounting firms, law firms, and financial institutions in developing, marketing and implementing tax shelters, 9 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: November 19, to hold hearings to examine S. 741, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with regard to new animal drugs, proposed Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act, proposed Medical Device Technical Corrections Act, proposed Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act, and pending nominations, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on the Judiciary: November 18, to hold hearings to examine America after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. November 19, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine pending judicial nominations, 10 a.m., SD-226. House Committee on Government Operations, Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness, hearing entitled ``Preventing Another SV40 Tragedy: Are Today's Vaccine Safety Protocols Effective?'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn. Joint Meetings Conference: November 17, meeting of conferees on H.R. 6, to enhance energy conservation and research and development, to provide for security and diversity in the energy supply for the American people, 2 p.m., SD-106.
Daily Digest/COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR 2003-11-13
[Daily Digest] [Pages D1272-D1273] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2003 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine current Army issues, 9:30 a.m., SH-216. Committee on Indian Affairs: business meeting to consider pending calendar business, 10 a.m., SR-485. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider H.R. 1437, to improve the United States Code, S. Res. 253, to recognize the evolution and importance of motorsports, and the nominations of Henry W. Saad, of Michigan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, Michael J. Garcia, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, Claude A. Allen, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, James B. Comey, of New York, to be Deputy [[Page D1273]] Attorney General, and Federico Lawrence Rocha, of California, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of California, both of the Department of Justice, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship, to hold hearings to examine state and local authority to enforce immigration law relating to terrorism, 2:30 p.m., SD-226.
Daily Digest/COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR 2003-11-14
[Daily Digest] [Page D1273] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2003 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider H.R.1437, to improve the United States Code, S. Res. 253, to recognize the evolution and importance of motorsports, and the nominations of Henry W. Saad, of Michigan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, Michael J. Garcia, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, Claude A. Allen, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, James B. Comey, of New York, to be Deputy Attorney General, and Federico Lawrence Rocha, of California, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of California, both of the Department of Justice, 9 a.m., SD-226. House No committee meetings are scheduled.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087�09390).
[Daily Digest] [Page D1274] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087�09390). The public proceedings of each House of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when two or more unusually small consecutive issues are printed at one time. Public access to the Congressional Record is available online through GPO Access, a service of the Government Printing Office, free of charge to the user. The online database is updated each day the Congressional Record is published. The database includes both text and graphics from the beginning of the 103d Congress, 2d session (January 1994) forward. It is available through GPO Access at www.gpo.gov/gpoaccess. Customers can also access this information with WAIS client software, via telnet at swais.access.gpo.gov, or dial-in using communications software and a modem at (202) 512�091661. Questions or comments regarding this database or GPO Access can be directed to the GPO Access User Support Team at: E-Mail: [email protected]; Phone 1�09888�09293�096498 (toll-free), 202�09512�091530 (D.C. area); Fax: 202�09512�091262. The Team's hours of availability are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, except Federal holidays. �1AThe Congressional Record paper and 24x microfiche will be furnished by mail to subscribers, free of postage, at the following prices: paper edition, $217.00 for six months, $434.00 per year, or purchased for $6.00 per issue, payable in advance; microfiche edition, $141.00 per year, or purchased for $1.50 per issue payable in advance. The semimonthly Congressional Record Index may be purchased for the same per issue prices. To place an order for any of these products, visit the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at: bookstore.gpo.gov. Mail orders to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250�097954, or phone orders to (866) 512�091800 toll free, (202) 512�091800 (D.C. Area), or fax to (202) 512�092250. Remit check or money order, made payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or use VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or GPO Deposit Account. �1AFollowing each session of Congress, the daily Congressional Record is revised, printed, permanently bound and sold by the Superintendent of Documents in individual parts or by sets. �1AWith the exception of copyrighted articles, there are no restrictions on the republication of material from the Congressional Record. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Along with the entire Mailing label from the last issue received. ``Periodicals'' postage is paid at Washington, D.C. [[Page D1274]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 12 noon, Monday, November 17 Senate Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 2861, VA- HUD Appropriations Act. At 4:30 p.m., Senate will resume consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2115, FAA Authorization, with a vote on the motion to close further debate on the conference report to occur at 5:30 p.m. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Friday, November 14 House Chamber Program for Friday: The House will meet at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 14 in pro forma session. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O T I C E Effective January 1, 2004, the subscription price of the Congressional Record will be $503 per year or $252 for six months. Individual issues may be purchased at the following costs: Less than 200 pages, $10.50; Between 200 and 400 pages, $21.00; Greater than 400 pages, $31.50. Subscriptions in microfiche format will be $146 per year with single copies priced at $3.00. This price increase is necessary based upon the cost of printing and distribution. BRUCE R. JAMES, Public Printer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONGRESSIONAL RECORD United States of America American eagle (seal) PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 108th CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This ``bullet'' symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by the Member of the Senate on the floor. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (seal) recycle Printed on recycled paper. Vol. 149 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 20No. 164--Book III