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Thursday, April 1, 2004

Daily Digest

HIGHLIGHTS

See Resume of Congressional Activity.

[Page: D334]   GPO's PDF

Senate

Chamber Action

Routine Proceedings, pages S3519-S3598

Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 2268-2279, and Res. 327-328.

Pages S3566-67

Measures Passed:

Normandy Landing Anniversary: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S.J. Res. 28, recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Allied landing at Normandy during World War II, and the resolution was then passed.

Page S3595

Small Business Temporary Extension: Senate passed H.R. 4062, to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through June 4, 2004, clearing the measure for the President.

Page S3595

Welfare Reform Reauthorization: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 4, to reauthorize and improve the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, improve access to quality child care, taking action on the following amendment proposed thereto:

Pages S3529-38, S3544-57

Pending:
Boxer/Kennedy Amendment No. 2945, to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage.

Page S3529

During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action:
By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 65), 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 committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.

Page S3538

Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Otis Webb Brawley, Jr., of Georgia, to be a Member of the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences for a term expiring June 20, 2009. (Reappointment)
Vinicio E. Madrigal, of Louisiana, to be a Member of the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences for a term expiring June 20, 2009. (Reappointment)
Michael W. Marine, of Vermont, to be Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Routine lists in the Army.

Pages S3597-98

Messages From the House:

Page S3565

Measures Referred:

Page S3566

Enrolled Bills Presented:

Page S3565

Executive Communications:

Page S3566

Executive Reports of Committees:

Page S3566

Additional Cosponsors:

Pages S3567-68

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:

Pages S3568-90

Additional Statements:

Pages S3564-65

Amendments Submitted:

Pages S3590-94

Notices of Hearings/Meetings:

Page S3594

Authority for Committees to Meet:

Pages S3594-95

Privilege of the Floor:

Page S3595

Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total--65)

Page S3538

Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 6:12 p.m., until 9 a.m., on Friday, April 2, 2004. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3596.)

[Page: D335]   GPO's PDF

Committee Meetings

(Committees not listed did not meet)

APPROPRIATIONS: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies, and Education concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for the National Institutes of Health, after receiving testimony from Elias Zerhouni, Director, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, who was accompanied by several of his associates.

APPROPRIATIONS: INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for the Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, after receiving testimony from Charles W. Grim, Assistant Surgeon General, and Director, Indian Health Service, and Gary J. Hartz, Assistant Surgeon General, Acting Director, Office of Public Health, both of the Department of Health and Human Services.

APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, after receiving testimony from John Weicher, Commissioner, Federal Housing Administration, Michael Liu, Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, Roy A. Benardi, Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, all of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, and General Government held a hearing to examine future challenges facing the United States Postal Service, focusing on the Transformation Plan of both the near-term and long-term efforts that will result in a continued ability to fulfill the mission of the Postal Service--to deliver business and personal mail affordably to everyone, everywhere, receiving testimony from John E. Potter, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Postal Service.

APPROPRIATIONS: AGRICULTURE

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for certain programs under its jurisdiction, after receiving testimony from Eric M. Bost, Under Secretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Services, Elsa A. Murano, Under Secretary for Food Safety, and William T. Hawks, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, all of the Department of Agriculture; and Lester M. Crawford, Acting Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION

Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the proposed Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2005, focusing on the military strategy and operational requirements of the unified and regional commands, after receiving testimony from Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, USN, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Navy; General Leon J. LaPorte, USA, Commander, United Nations Command and Republic of Korea/United States Combined Forces Command, and Commander, U.S. Forces Korea, U.S. Army; and General James T. Hill, USA, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army.

DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support concluded a hearing to examine the proposed Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2005, focusing on military installation programs, after receiving testimony from Raymond F. DuBois, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment; Major General Larry J. Lust, USA, Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management, U.S. Army; Rear Admiral Christopher Weaver, USN, Commander, Navy Installations Command; Brigadier General Willie J. Williams, USMC, Assistant Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics (Facilities), U.S. Marine Corps; and Major General L. Dean Fox, USAF, Air Force Civil Engineer.

BUSINESS MEETING

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported S. 1508, to address regulation of secondary mortgage market enterprises, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

NASA'S BUDGET

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the D336President's proposed fiscal year 2005 budget request for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), focusing on goals set forth in the new U.S. space exploration policy, major implementation elements and associated budget details, implications for NASA's organization, and what the Nation's future in exploration and discovery will look like in the coming years, after receiving testimony from Sean O'Keefe, Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

[Page: D336]   GPO's PDF

AIR QUALITY STANDARDS

Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change and Nuclear Safety concluded an oversight hearing to examine the implementation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter and ozone, focusing on Federal and State governments meeting standards to improve air quality, after receiving testimony from Michael O. Leavitt, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; Robert A. Eckels, County Judge, Harris County, Texas; Michael Fisher, Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati, Ohio; and George D. Thurston, New York University School of Medicine, New York.

ECONOMIC TREATIES

Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and Protocol to Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment, concluded at Cape Town, South Africa, on November 16, 2001 (Treaty Doc. 108-10), Additional Protocol Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Romania Concerning the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investment of May 28, 1992, signed at Brussels on September 22, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-13), Additional Protocol Between the United States of America and the Republic of Bulgaria Amending the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Republic of Bulgaria Concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment of September 23, 1992, signed at Brussels on September 22, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-15), Protocol Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Estonia to the Treaty for the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment of April 19, 1994, signed at Brussels on October 24, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-17), Additional Protocol Between the United States of America and the Czech Republic to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic Concerning the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investment of October 22, 1991, signed at Brussels on December 10, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-18), Additional Protocol Between the United States of America and the Slovak Republic to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic Concerning the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investment of October 22, 1991, signed at Brussels on September 22, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-19), Additional Protocol Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Latvia to the Treaty for the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment of January 13, 1995, signed at Brussels on September 22, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-20), Additional Protocol Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to the Treaty for the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment of January 14, 1998, signed at Brussels on September 22, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-21), and the Additional Protocol Between the United States of America and the Republic of Poland to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Republic of Poland Concerning Business and Economic Relations of March 21, 1990, signed at Brussels on January 12, 2004 (Treaty Doc. 108-22), after receiving testimony from Shaun E. Donnelly, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs; and Jeffrey Rosen, General Counsel, Department of Transportation.

NOMINATIONS

Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of Peter W. Hall, of Vermont, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit, William Gerry Myers III, of Idaho, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, Roger T. Benitez, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, Jane J. Boyle, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, Marcia G. Cooke, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, Paul S. Diamond, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Walter D. Kelley, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Matthew G. Whitaker, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, Department of Justice.

TEMPORARY GUEST WORKER PROPOSAL

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security concluded a hearing to examine the security of this nation's borders under the proposed temporary guest worker program, after receiving testimony from Robert Bonner, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and C. D337Stewart Verdery, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Policy, Border and Transportation Security Directorate, both of the Department of Homeland Security; Donna Bucella, Director, Terrorist Screening Center, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice; Daniel Griswald, Cato Institute, Washington, D.C.; and Margaret D. Stock, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York.

[Page: D337]   GPO's PDF

NOMINATIONS

Committee on Veterans Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Robert N. Davis, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, who was introduced by Senators Cochran and Lott; and Pamela M. Iovino, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Congressional Affairs, who was introduced by Representative Murphy, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf.

House of Representatives

Chamber Action

Measures Introduced: 26 public bills, H.R. 4101-4126 and 2 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 403, and H. Res. 594, were introduced.

Pages H2018-19

Additional Cosponsors:

Page H2019

Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
Conference report on H.R. 3108, to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to temporarily replace the 30-year Treasury rate with a rate based on long-term corporate bonds for certain pension plan funding requirements and other provisions (H. Rept. 108-457).

Page H2018

Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Monsignor James C. Kidder, Pastor, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in El Dorado, California.

Page H1793

Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users: The House began consideration of H.R. 3550, to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs. Further proceedings will resume in Friday, April 2.

Pages H1796-H1997, H2021-36

The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill, modified by the amendments printed in part A of H. Rept. 108-456 was considered as adopted and that the bill as amended shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of further amendment.

Page H2034

Consideration began today on the Bradley amendment No. 20 printed in H. Rept. 108-456 that increases the allowable weight of vehicles permitted to travel on interstate highways 93 and 89, in New Hampshire, from 80,000 to 99,000 pounds and instructs the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to conduct a study to discern the economic, safety and infrastructure impact to the exemption. Further proceedings on the amendment will continue on Friday, April 2.

Pages H2034-36

Agreed to:
Young of Alaska manager's amendment No. 1 printed in part B of H. Rept. 108-456, as modified, that makes various substantive and technical changes;

Page H1983

Eddie Bernice Johnson amendment No. 2 printed in Part B of H. Rept. 108-456 that requires the Transportation Department to make its report on how federal surface transportation funds are allocated available to the public via the Internet in a user-friendly format;

Pages H1983-84

Schiff amendment No. 6 printed in part B of H. Rept. 108-456 that strikes the toll requirement placed on hybrid gasoline-electric car users regarding the use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes;

Pages H1990-91

Baird amendment No. 10 printed in part B of H. Rept. 108-456 that expresses the Sense of Congress to clarify that the Buy America Act applies to overall projects, and not their component parts;

Pages H1995-96

LoBiondo amendment No. 13 printed in H. Rept. 108-456 that provides states eligibility to receive Section 410, Alcohol-Impaired Countermeasures grant funding to cover the costs of DWI vehicle impoundment programs;

Pages H2023-24

Wu amendment No. 14 printed in part B of H. Rept. 108-456, as modified, that exempts projects, for which the Secretary of Transportation has received an application for final design, from the small start provisions of the bill and allows recommended new start projects, which have applied for final design, to move forward on their original timeline and avoid unnecessary delay;

Pages H2024-25

[Page: D338]   GPO's PDF

LaTourette amendment No. 15 printed in H. Rept 108-456, as modified, that requires that in the case of construction projects steel or iron used must be of U.S. origin; more than 60% of the cost components and subcomponents of all manufactured products shall be of U.S. origin; and in the case of manufactured components final assembly must occur in the U.S.;

Pages H2025-27

Bereuter amendment No. 18 printed in H. Rept. 108-456, as modified, that continues the farm supply and agricultural commodity exemption to the hours of service for drivers rules and clarifies the definition of ``agricultural commodities'' and ``farm supplies for agricultural purposes'' and

Pages H2030-31

Bachus amendment No. 17 printed in H. Rept. 108-456 that exempts motion picture and television production truck drivers from the new hours of service regulations that went into effect at the beginning of this year (agreed to by a recorded vote of 365 ayes to 62 noes, Roll No. 109).

Pages H2028-30, H2033-34

Rejected:
Graves amendment No. 8 printed in part B of H. Rept. 108-456 that sought to eliminate liability under state law for an owner of a motor vehicle who is engaged in the business of renting and leasing motor vehicles provided there is no negligence or criminal wrongdoing on the part of the motor vehicle owner;

Pages H1992-93

Holt amendment No. 11 printed in part B of H. Rept. 108-456, as modified, that sought to preserve the authority and right of the State of New Jersey to restrict trucks to only using interstate highways, the New Jersey Turnpike, and the Atlantic City Expressway in New Jersey unless they are traveling to a terminal or making pickups or deliveries on other roads in New Jersey;

Pages H1996-97

Waters amendment No. 12 printed in part B of H. Rept. 108-456 that sought to prohibit the use of funds for surface transportation projects that are planned or required to implement any proposal to build a remote passenger check-in facility at Los Angeles International Airport;

Pages H2022-23

Crowley amendment No. 16 printed in H. Rept. 108-456 that sought to create a pilot program that facilitates the use of natural gas buses at the nation's top 25 busiest airports;

Pages H2027-28

Flake amendment No. 3 printed in H. Rept. 108-456 that sought to subtract the amount that states receive in High Priority Program earmarks from their formula totals for the Surface Transportation Program; also prevents the Minimum Guaranty Program from backfilling for what comes out of states' Surface Transportation Program funding; and apportions to states, via formula, any funding remaining in the High Priority Program (rejected by a recorded vote of 60 ayes to 367 noes, Roll No. 106);

Pages H1984-86, H2031-32

Jackson-Lee amendment No. 4 printed in H. Rept. 108-456 that sought to allow states to receive toll credits for any local, state, or private funds contributed to a toll project that exceed the minimum nonfederal 20% threshold required for federal match (rejected by a recorded vote of 50 ayes to 376 noes, Roll No. 107); and

Pages H1986-88, H2032

Chocola amendment No. 9 printed in H. Rept. 108-456 that sought to provide for a 400-pound weight limit exclusion for any motor vehicle equipped with an idling reduction technology verified by the Environmental Protection Agency (rejected by a recorded vote of 198 ayes to 228 noes, Roll No. 108).

Pages H1993-95, H2032-33

Withdrawn:
Shadegg amendment No. 5 printed in part B of H. Rept. 108-456 that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have ensured that Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funds will be made available for areas which are not in attainment of air quality standards for either coarse particulate matter or fine particular matter;

Pages H1988-90

Vitter amendment No. 7 printed in part B of H. Rept. 108-456 that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have ensured the Interstate Route 49 Corridor is given priority consideration under the new National Corridor Infrastructure Improvement Program; and

Pages H1991-92

Kirk amendment No. 21 printed in H. Rept. 108-456 that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that would have authorized states the authority to administer requirements governing the sounding of a locomotive horn when a train approaches and enters upon public highway-rail grade crossings.

Page H2036

General debate on the bill proceeded according to a unanimous consent agreement reached on Tuesday, March 30.
Further consideration of the bill proceeded according to H. Res. 593, which was agreed to by a voice vote, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 229 yeas to 194 nays, Roll No. 105.

Page H1845

Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourn today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 2.

Page H2014

Late Report: Agreed that the Committee on Science have until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14 to file reports on H.R. 3970 and H.R. 4030.

Page H2034

Law Revision Counsel--Resignation: Read a letter from John R. Miller wherein he retired as Law Revision Counsel, effective May 3, 2004.

Page H2036 D339

Law Revision Counsel--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of Mr. Peter LeFevre as Law Revision Counsel for the House of Representatives, effective May 4, 2004.

Page H2037

Pension Funding Equity Act of 2003--Order of Business: Agreed that it be in order at any time to consider a conference report to accompany H.R. 1308, to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to temporarily replace the 30-year Treasury rate with a rate based on long-term corporate bonds for certain pension plan funding requirements and other provisions; that the conference report be considered as read; and that all points of order against the conference report and its consideration be waived.

Pages H1997-H2014

Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H1793.

Senate Referral: S. 275 was referred to the Committees on Education and the Workforce and Energy and Commerce.

Page H2014

Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote and four recorded votes developed during the proceedings today and appear on pages H1845, H2031-32, H2032, H2032-33, and H2033-34. There were no quorum calls.

Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at p.m.

[Page: D339]   GPO's PDF

Committee Meetings

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, JUDICIARY AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, Judiciary and Related Agencies held a hearing on Broadcasting Board of Governors. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Broadcasting Board of Governors: Kenneth Tomlinson, Chairman; and Norman Pattiz, member of the Board.
The Subcommittee held a hearing on Department of State International Organizations. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Ambassador John D. Negroponte, U. S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations; and Kim Holmes, Assistant Secretary.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the Legal Services Corporation. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Legal Services Corporation: Helanine Barnett; President; and Frank B. Strickland, Chairman.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on District of Columbia held a hearing on Public Defender Services, Court Services, and Offender Supervision. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the District of Columbia: Ronald S. Sullivan, Director, Public Defender Services; and Paul A. Quander, Jr., Director, Court Services and Offender Supervision.

FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs held a hearing on U.S. Agency for International Development. Testimony was heard from Andrew S. Natsios, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of State.

HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection. Testimony was heard from LTG Frank Libutti, Under Secretary, Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on the National Endowment for the Arts and on the National Endowment for the Humanities. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities: Dana Gioia, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts; and Bruce Cole, Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities.

LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on Workforce Preparation and Training. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Education: Susan K. Sclafani, Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education; and Sally Stroup, Assistant Secretary, Office of Postsecondary Education.

TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Independent Agencies held a hearing on the Executive Office of the President. Testimony was heard from Tim Campen, Assistant to the President and Director of Office of Administration.

[Page: D340]   GPO's PDF

VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the NSF. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the NSF: Arden L. Bement, Acting Director; and Warren M. Washington, Chairman.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--FUTURE COMBAT SYSTEM AND FORCE PROTECTION INITIATIVES

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization budget request--Future Combat System and Force Protection Initiatives. Testimony was heard from Paul L. Francis, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, GAO; the following officials of the Department of Defense: LTG Joseph L. Yakovac, Jr., USA, Military Deputy and Director, Army Acquisition Corps, Office of the Assistant Secretary (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), and LTG Benjamin S. Griffin, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, G8 (programming, materiel integration, and management), both with the Department of the Army; and LTG Edward Hanlon, Jr., USMC, Deputy Commandant, Combat Development, U.S. Marine Corps.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--CHEMICAL WEAPONS STOCKPILE DESTRUCTION PROGRAM

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization budget request--Destructions of the U.S. Chemical Weapons Stockpile--Program and Status. Testimony was heard from Raymond J. Decker, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, GAO; the following officials of the Department of Defense: Dale E. Klein, Assistant to the Secretary, Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs; Claude Bolton, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics); Pat Wakefield, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Chemical Demilitarization and Counterproliferation); and Mike Parker, Director, U.S. Army Chemical Material Agency; Craig Conklin, Chief, Nuclear and Chemical Hazards Branch Preparedness Division, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security; Patrick J. Meehan, M.D., Deputy Director, Program National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Department of Health and Human Services.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BUDGET PRIORITIES

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Held a hearing entitled ``FY 2005 Budget Priorities for the Department of Energy.'' Testimony was heard from Spencer Abraham, Secretary of Energy.

INTER-GOVERNMENTAL TRANSFERS

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health continued hearings entitled ``Inter-governmental Transfers: Violations of the Federal-State Medicaid Partnership or Legitimate State Budget Tool?'' Testimony was heard from Dennis G. Smith, Director, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; and Barbara Edwards, Deputy Director, Office of Medicaid, Department of Job and Family Services, State of Ohio.

SATELLITE HOME VIEWER IMPROVEMENT REAUTHORIZATION ACT

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing on the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2004. Testimony was heard from Eloise Gore, Assistant Division Chief, Media Bureau's Policy Division, FCC; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY

Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.'' Testimony was heard from John D. Hawke, Jr., Comptroller of the Currency.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following measures: H.R. 3737, amended, Administrative Law Judges Pay Reform Act of 2004; H.R. 3751, amended, to require the Office of Personnel and Management study and present options under which dental and vision benefits could be made available to Federal employees and other appropriate classes of individuals; H.R. 4012, to amend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999 to permanently authorize the public school and private school tuition assistance programs established under the Act; H.R. 1822, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3751 West 6th Street in Los Angeles, California, as the ``Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Post Office''; H.R. 3939, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14-24 Abbot Road in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, as the `` Mary Ann Collura Post Office Buidling''; H.R. 3942, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7 Commercial Boulevard in Middletown, Rhode Island, as D341the ``Rhode Island Veterans Post Office Building''; H.R. 4037, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 475 Kell Farm Drive in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, as the `` Richard G. Wilson Processing and Distribution Facility''; H. Res. 399, Honoring the life and legacy of Melvin Jones and recognizing the contributions of Lions Clubs International; H. Res. 578, Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month; and S. Con. Res. 97, Recognizing the 91st annual meeting of the Garden Club of America.

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``AFGHANISTAN: ARE THE BRITISH COUNTERNARCOTICS EFFORTS GOING WOBBLY?''

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, hearing entitled ``Afghanistan: Are the British Counternarcotics Efforts Going Wobbly?'' Testimony was heard from Robert Charles, Assistant Secretary, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Department of State.

MARIJUANA AND MEDICINE

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources held a hearing entitled ``Marijuana and Medicine: The Need for a Science-Based Approach.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: Nora D. Volkow, Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH; and Robert J. Meyer, M.D., Director, Office of Drug Evaluation II, Center for Evaluation and Research, FDA; Patricia Good, Chief, Liaison and Policy Section, Office of Diversion Control, DEA, Department of Justice; and public witnesses.

AFRICA--FIGHTING TERRORISM

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on Fighting Terrorism in Africa. Testimony was heard from Karl Wycoff, Associate Coordinator, Press, Policy and Plans, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Department of State, and public witnesses.

AL-QAEDA--THREAT TO U.S. AND ALLIES

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights held a hearing on Al-Qaeda: The Threat to the United States and Its Allies. Testimony was heard from Ambassador-at-Large J. Cofer Black, Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Department of State.

IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT--PRESCRIBE OATH OF RENUNCIATION AND ALLEGIANCE

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims held a hearing on H.R. 3191, to prescribe the oath of renunciation and allegiance for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Testimony was heard from Representative Ryun of Kansas; Alfonso Aguilar, Chief, Office of Citizenship, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security; and public witnesses.

LUMBEE RECOGNITION ACT

Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 898, Lumbee Recognition Act. Testimony was heard from Representatives McIntyre and Burr; Michael Olsen, Counselor to the Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

GREEN CHEMISTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2004

Committee on Science: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3970, Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2004.

LUNAR SCIENCE AND RESOURCES: FUTURE OPTIONS

Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Space held a hearing on Lunar Science and Resources: Future Options. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--AIRPORT DEREGULATION

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held an oversight hearing on Airport Deregulation. Testimony was heard from Jeffrey N. Shane, Under Secretary, Policy, Department of Transportation; James E. Bennett, President and CEO, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; Bonnie Allin, President and CEO, Tucson Airport Authority, Tucson, Arizona; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--REPORT VA'S VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE TASK FORCE

Committee on Veterans Affairs: Subcommittee on Benefits held an oversight hearing to receive the report of the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service Task Force. Testimony was heard from Dorcas R. Hardy, Chairman, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service Task Force, Department of Veterans Affairs.

[Page: D342]   GPO's PDF

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2004 ANNUAL REPORTS

Committee on Ways and Means: Continued hearings on the Board of Trustees 2004 Annual Reports. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services: Leslie V. Norwalk, Acting Deputy Administrator; and Jeff Flick, San Francisco Regional Administrator.

MEDICARE DISCOUNT DRUG CARD

Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on The Medicare Discount Drug Card. Testimony was heard from Representative Foley; Michael McMullan, Deputy Director, Center for Beneficiary Choices, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.

COUNTERNARCOTICS BUDGET

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on the Counternarcotics Budget. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.

INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY LANGUAGE CAPABILITIES

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Intelligence Policy and National Security met in executive session to hold a hearing on Intelligence Community Language Capabilities. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses.

Joint Meetings

PENSION FUNDING EQUITY ACT

Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 3108, to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to temporarily replace the 30-year Treasury rate with a rate based on long-term corporate bonds for certain pension plan funding requirements and other provisions.

NEW PUBLIC LAWS

(For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D264)
S. 2231, to reauthorize the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant program through June 30, 2004. Signed on March 31, 2004. (Public Law 108-210)
S. 2241, to reauthorize certain school lunch and child nutrition programs through June 30, 2004. Signed on March 31, 2004. (Public Law 108-211)

COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY,

APRIL 2, 2004

(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)

Senate

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, to hold hearings to examine the proposed Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2005, focusing on the Department of Defense Counternarcotics Program; to be followed by a closed session in SR-232A, 9:30 a.m., SR-222.

House

Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, hearing and markup of H.R. 2771, to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize the New York City Watershed Protection Program, 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, hearing on Special Programs Budget, 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol.

Joint Meetings

Joint Economic Committee: to hold hearings to examine the employment situation for March, 9:30 a.m., 1334 LHOB.
April 1, 2004

[Page: D343]   GPO's PDF

Resume of Congressional Activity

SECOND SESSION OF THE ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH CONGRESS

The first table gives a comprehensive resume of all legislative business transacted by the Senate and House.

The second table accounts for all nominations submitted to the Senate by the President for Senate confirmation.

DATA ON LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY

January 20 through March 31, 2004

Senate: Days in session
House: 39
Total: 33

..

Senate: Time in session
House: 299 hrs.
Total: 197 hrs., 47

..

Congressional Record:

Pages of proceedings

House: 3517
Total: 1791

..

Extensions of Remarks

House: ..
Total: 500

..

Senate: Public bills enacted into law
House: 6
Total: 7

13

Senate: Private bills enacted into law
House: ..
Total: ..

..

Senate: Bills in conference
House: 1
Total: 9

..

Senate: Measures passed, total
House: 68
Total: 126

194

Senate bills

House: 14
Total: 9

..

House bills

House: 12
Total: 44

..

Senate joint resolutions

House: ..
Total: ..

..

House joint resolutions

House: ..
Total: 2

..

Senate concurrent resolutions

House: 7
Total: 4

..

House concurrent resolutions

House: 9
Total: 16

..

Simple resolutions

House: 26
Total: 51

..

Senate: Measures reported, total
House: 34
Total: 48

82

Senate bills

House: 27
Total: 1

..

House bills

House: 6
Total: 26

..

Senate joint resolutions

House: ..
Total: ..

..

House joint resolutions

House: ..
Total: ..

..

Senate concurrent resolutions

House: 1
Total: ..

..

House concurrent resolutions

House: ..
Total: 2

..

Simple resolutions

House: ..
Total: 19

..

Senate: Special reports
House: ..
Total: 1

..

Senate: Conference reports
House: ..
Total: ..

..

Senate: Measures pending on calendar
House: 181
Total: 85

..

Senate: Measures introduced, total
House: 322
Total: 570

892

Bills

House: 263
Total: 400

..

Joint resolutions

House: 4
Total: 8

..

Concurrent resolutions

House: 12
Total: 54

..

Simple resolutions

House: 43
Total: 108

..

Senate: Quorum calls
House: ..
Total: 1

..

Senate: Yea-and-nay votes
House: 64
Total: 77

..

Senate: Recorded votes
House: ..
Total: 26

..

Senate: Bills vetoed
House: ..
Total: ..

..

Senate: Vetoes overridden
House: ..
Total: ..

..

DISPOSITIONOFEXECUTIVENOMINATIONS

January 20 through March 31, 2004

Civilian nominations, totaling 292 (including 195 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows:

Confirmed

Unconfirmed

242

Withdrawn

Returned to White House

Other Civilian nominations, totaling 1,027 (including 5 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows:

Confirmed

225

Unconfirmed

801

Withdrawn

Air Force nominations, totaling 7,794, (including 3,572 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows:

Confirmed

4,664

Unconfirmed

3,130
Army nominations, totaling 1,671, (including 594 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows:

Confirmed

1,439

Unconfirmed

232

Navy nominations, totaling 2,552, (including 2,444 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows:

Confirmed

2,498

Unconfirmed

Marine Corps nominations, totaling 1,160, (including 2 nominations carried over from the First Session), disposed of as follows:

Confirmed

Unconfirmed

1,100

Summary

Total nominations carried over from the First Session

6,812

Total nominations received this Session

7,684

Total confirmed

8,928

Total unconfirmed

5,559

Total withdrawn

Total returned to the White House

[Page: D344]   GPO's PDF

Next Meeting of the SENATE
9 a.m., Friday, April 2
Senate Chamber

Program for Friday: Senate will be in a period of morning business.

Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
9 a.m., Friday, April 2
House Chamber

Program for Friday: Complete consideration of H.R. 3550, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users.

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