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Wednesday, October 8, 2003


Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS 




[Page: D1102]   GPO's PDF

Senate


Chamber Action


The Senate was not in session today. It will next meet on Tuesday, October 14, 2003, at 9:30 a.m.

Committee Meetings


No committee meetings were held.

House of Representatives


Chamber Action


Measures Introduced: 28 public bills, H.R. 3259-3286; and; 8 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 296-300, and H. Res. 392-394 were introduced. 

Pages H9375-77

Additional Cosponsors: 

Pages H9377-78

Reports Filed: Reports were filed as follows:
H.R. 1598, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in projects within the San Diego Creek Watershed, California, (H. Rept. 108-306);
H.R. 3076, to amend title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure graduate opportunities in postsecondary education, amended, (H. Rept. 108-307); and
H.R. 3077, to amend title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to enhance international education programs, amended, (H. Rept. 108-308).
H.R. 135, to establish the ``Twenty-First Century Water Commission'' to study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy to address future water needs, amended, (H. Rept. 108-309, Part 1). 

Page H9375

Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Rev. Ky Weekley, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Overland Park, Kansas. 

Page H9285

Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act--Conference Report: The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 1474, to facilitate check truncation by authorizing substitute checks, to foster innovation in the check collection system without mandating receipt of checks in electronic form, and to improve the overall efficiency of the Nation's payments system, by voice vote. 

Pages H9289-93

The conference report was considered under a unanimous consent agreement reached on Tuesday, October 7. 
Page H9289

Pension Funding Equity Act of 2003: The House passed 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 by a yea-and-nay vote of 397 yeas to 2 nays, Roll No. 535. 

Pages H9293-H9302, H9332

Pursuant to the unanimous consent agreement, the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Boehner was considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and was agreed to by a voice vote. 
Page H9302

The bill was considered under a unanimous consent agreement reached on Tuesday, October 7. 
Page H9302  D1103

Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures:
Adoption Promotion Act of 2003: H.R. 3182, to reauthorize the adoption incentive payments program under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act; 

Pages H9302-05

Veterans Benefits Act of 2003: H.R. 2297, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify and improve certain benefits for veterans by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 399 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 536; 
Pages H9305-12, H9332-33  

[Page: D1103]   GPO's PDF

Agreed to amend the title so as to read ``to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.'' 

Page H9333

National Railroad Hall of Fame: H. Res. 342, supporting the National Railroad Hall of Fame, Inc., of Galesburg, Illinois, in its endeavor to erect a monument known as the National Railroad Hall of Fame; 
Pages H9312-15

Brian C. Hickey Post Office Building Designation Act: 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''; 
Pages H9315-16

Recognizing Ralph Bunche: H. Con. Res. 71, recognizing the importance of Ralph Bunche as one of the great leaders of the United States, the first African-American Nobel Peace Prize winner, an accomplished scholar, a distinguished diplomat, and a tireless campaigner of civil rights for people throughout the world; 
Pages H9316-18

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month: H. Res. 262, supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month; 
Pages H9318-19

Government Network Security Act of 2003: H.R. 3159, amended, to require Federal agencies to develop and implement plans to protect the security and privacy of government computer systems from the risks posed by peer-to-peer file sharing; 
Pages H9219-20

District of Columbia Military Retirement Equity Act of 2003: H.R. 3054, amended, to amend the Policemen and Firemen's Retirement and Disability Act to permit military service previously performed by members and former members of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, the Fire Department of the District of Columbia, the United States Park Police, and the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division to count as creditable service for purposes of calculating retirement annuities payable to such members upon payment of a contribution by such members; 
Pages H9320-22

Agreed to amend the title so as to read ``to amend the Policemen and Firemen's Retirement and Disability Act to permit military service previously performed by members and former members of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, the Fire Department of the District of Columbia, the United States Park Police, and the United States Secret Service to count as creditable service for purposes of calculating retirement annuities payable to such members upon payment of a contribution by such members, and for other purposes.'' 
Page H9322

Authorizing the President to issue posthumously a commission as major general, U.S. Army to William ``Billy'' Mitchell: H.R. 2755, to authorize the President to issue posthumously to the late William ``Billy'' Mitchell a commission as major general, United States Army; 
Pages H9322-25

Amending the U.S. Code: H.R. 2998, amended, to amend title 10, United States Code, to exempt certain members of the Armed Forces from the requirement to pay subsistence charges while hospitalized by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 399 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 537; 
Pages H9325-27, H9333-34

Agreed to amend the title so as to read, ``to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide permanent authority for the exemption for certain members of the uniformed services from an otherwise-applicable requirement for the payment of subsistence charges while hospitalized.'' 
Page H9334

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: H.R. 408, amended, to provide for expansion of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore; 
Pages H9327-30

Amending the Mineral Leasing Act: H.R. 3062, amended, to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to issue separately, for the same area, a lease for tar sand and a lease for oil and gas; and 
Pages H9330-31

Conveyance of certain lands in Mendocino National Forest, California: 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. 
Pages H9331-32

Recess: The House recessed at 1:38 p.m. and reconvened at 1:49 p.m. 

Page H9322

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Bulgaria: H. Res. 355, commemorating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States D1104and Bulgaria by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 397 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 538. 

Pages H9334-35  

[Page: D1104]   GPO's PDF

The bill was debated under suspension of the rules on Tuesday, October 7. 

Page H9334

Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives in response to the murder of Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh: H. Res. 372, expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives in response to the murder of Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 398 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 539. 

Page H9335

The bill was debated under suspension of the rules on Tuesday, October 7. 
Page H9335

Energy Policy Act of 2003--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House debated the Capps motion to instruct 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. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed until next week. 

Pages H9336-46

Tax Relief, Simplification, and Equity Act--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House debated the Crowley motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1308, Tax Relief, Simplification, and Equity Act. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed until next week. 

Pages H9346-49

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House debated the Schakowsky motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed until next week. 

Pages H9349-54

Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 10, further that when it adjourns on Friday, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, and further that when the House adjourns on Tuesday, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15. 

Page H9354

Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, October 15. 

Page H9354

Adjournment: The House met at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 9:22 p.m.

Committee Meetings


IRAQ: RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION


Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Iraq: Reconstruction and Rehabilitation. Testimony was heard from Peter W. Rodman, Assistant Secretary (International Security Affairs), Department of Defense; and a public witness.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT AMENDMENTS


Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on H.R. 1943, to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to permit certain youth to perform certain work with wood products. Testimony was heard from Representatives Pitts and Souder; and public witnesses.

MEDICAID--CHALLENGES FACING PROGRAM


Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled ``Challenges Facing the Medicaid Program in the 21st Century.'' Testimony was heard from Thomas A. Scully, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service, Department of Health and Human Services; Adelaide Eckardt, Delegate, General Assembly, State of Maryland; and a public witness.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; WINNING THE PEACE: COALITION EFFORTS TO RESTORE IRAQ


Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 3166, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 57 Old Tappan Road in Tappan, New York, as the ``John G. Dow Post Office Building;'' H.R. 3175, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2650 Cleveland Avenue, NW in Canton, Ohio, as the ``Richard D. Watkins Post Office Building;'' H.R. 3185, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 38 Spring Street in Nashua, New Hampshire, as the ``Hugh Gregg Post Office Building;'' H.R. 2744, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 514 17th Street in Moline, Illinois, as the ``David Bybee Post Office Building;'' and S. 1591, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 48 South Broadway, Nyack, New York, as the ``Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige Post Office Building.''
The Committee also held a hearing on ``Winning the Peace: Coalition Efforts to Restore Iraq.'' Testimony was heard from Lee Brownlee, Acting Secretary, U.S. Army; Tom Korologos, Senior Advisor to Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority; Maj. Gen. Carl Strock, USA, Director, Operations and Infrastructure, Coalition Provisional Authority; Bernie Kerik, former Director of the Interior, Coalition Provisional Authority; and public witnesses. 

[Page: D1105]   GPO's PDF

OVERSIGHT--INSPECTORS GENERAL ACT


Committee on Government Operations: Subcommittee on Government Efficiency and Financial Management held an oversight hearing entitled ``25th Anniversary of the Inspectors General Act--Where Do We Go From Here.'' Testimony was heard from David M. Walker, Comptroller General, GAO; Clay Johnson III, Deputy Director, Management, OMB; Gaston Gianni, Inspector General, FDIC; and Barry Snyder, Inspector General, Federal Reserve Board.

MERCURY--ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT


Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness held a hearing on ``The Environmental Impact of Mercury-Containing Dental Amalgams.'' Testimony was heard from Geoffrey Grubbs, Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA; Capt. James Ragain, Jr., Dental Corps, U.S. Navy, Department of Defense; and public witnesses.

IT ROADMAP


Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census held a hearing entitled ``The IT Roadmap: An Overview of Homeland Security's Enterprise Architecture.'' Testimony was heard from Steven I. Copper, Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security; and Karen S. Evans, Administrator of E-Government and Information Technology, OMB.

SYRIAN ACCOUNTABILITY AND LEBANESE SOVEREIGNTY RESTORATION ACT


Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 1828, Syrian Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003.

ADVANCING JUSTICE THROUGH DNA TECHNOLOGY ACT


Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3214, Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act of 2003.

OVERSIGHT--TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE ISSUES


Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on tribal self-governance issues. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES


Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 3245, Commercial Space Act of 2003; H.R. 912, Charles `Pete' Conrad Astronomy Awards Act; H.R. 1292, Remote Sensing Applications Act of 2003; and H.R. 2450, as amended, Human Space Flight Independent Investigation Commission Act of 2003.

BLACKOUT: EFFECTS ON SMALL BUSINESS


Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Tax, Finance, and Exports held a hearing on the August 14, 2003 Blackout: Effects on Small Business and Potential Solutions. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSEE RESEARCH COMPLIANCE AND ASSURANCE WITHIN VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION


Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 1585, to establish an office to oversee research compliance and assurance within the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

BRIEFING--ADMINISTRATION'S NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE PRIORITIES


Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on the Administration's National Intelligence Priorities. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT


Select Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing on H.R. 2886, Department of Homeland Security Financial Accountability Act. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Bruce Carnes, Chief Financial Officer; and Richard Berman, Assistant Inspector General, Audits, Office of Inspector General; Linda Springer, Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, OMB; and a public witness.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR


THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2003


(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)

Senate


No meetings/hearings scheduled.

House


Committee on Appropriations, to mark up the Fiscal Year 2004 Iraq/Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn. 

[Page: D1106]   GPO's PDF

Next Meeting of the
SENATE

9:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 14

Senate Chamber

Program for Tuesday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 10:30 a.m.), Senate will resume consideration of S. 1689, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act.
At 2:15 p.m., Senate will resume consideration of S. 1053, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, with a vote on final passage of the bill to occur at approximately 2:30 p.m.
(Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for their respective party conferences.)

Next Meeting of the
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

10 a.m., Friday, October 10

House Chamber

Program for Thursday: The House is not in session. The House will meet in pro forma session on Friday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m.

Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue

HOUSE

Baker, Richard H., La., E2008

Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E2013

Bass, Charles F., N.H., E2004

Bereuter, Doug, Nebr., E2008, E2021

Blumenauer, Earl, Ore., E2013

Boehlert, Sherwood, N.Y., E2006

Boozman, John, Ark., E2010, E2011

Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E2018

Brown-Waite, Ginny, Fla., E2001

Calvert, Ken, Calif., E1996, E1999

Camp, Dave, Mich., E2016

Cole, Tom, Okla., E2023

Cramer, Robert E. (Bud), Jr., Ala., E2014

Crane, Philip M., Ill., E2010

Crowley, Joseph, N.Y., E2009

Cummings, Elijah E., Md., E2022, E2023

Davis, Danny K., Ill., E2009

Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, Fla., E2001, E2020

Dingell, John D., Mich., E2021

Edwards, Chet, Tex., E2004

Farr, Sam, Calif., E1997, E2000

Frank, Barney, Mass., E2003

Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E1997, E2000, E2003

Graves, Sam, Mo., E2006

Green, Gene, Tex., E2014

Hill, Baron P., Ind., E2018

Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E2022

Johnson, Sam, Tex., E2009

Kildee, Dale E., Mich., E2012

Kleczka, Gerald D., Wisc., E1996, E1999

Kucinich, Dennis J., Ohio, E2010, E2011, E2013, E2015, E2016, E2018, E2019

Levin, Sander M., Mich., E2023

McCarthy, Karen, Mo., E2007

McInnis, Scott, Colo., E2010, E2011, E2013, E2015, E2016, E2017, E2019, E2020, E2021, E2022

Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E2014, E2015

Matsui, Robert T., Calif., E1997, E2000

Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E2021

Miller, George, Calif., E2016

Miller, Jeff, Fla., E1996, E1999

Ney, Robert W., Ohio, E1995, E1997, E2001, E2004, E2006

Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E2013

Oberstar, James L., Minn., E2017

Ortiz, Solomon P., Tex., E2022

Paul, Ron, Tex., E2007

Radanovich, George, Calif., E2001

Ryan, Tim, Ohio, E2017

Ryun, Jim, Kans., E2009, E2011, E2012

Sabo, Martin Olav, Minn., E2006

Shays, Christopher, Conn., E2009

Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E2019

Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E2015

Sullivan, John, Okla., E2006

Tanner, John S., Tenn., E2010

Tauzin, W.J. (Billy), La., E2023

Udall, Mark, Colo., E1995, E1998, E2001, E2004

Udall, Tom, N.M., E2011, E2012

Velazquez, Nydia M., N.Y., E2007

Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E2014

Whitfield, Ed, Ky., E2016

Wolf, Frank R., Va., E1996, E1998, E2002, E2005 

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