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Thursday, November 20, 2003


Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS




[Page: D1306]   GPO's PDF

Senate


Chamber Action


Routine Proceedings, pages S15211-15323

Measures Introduced: Fifteen bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1897-S. 1911, and S. Res. 269-270.

Pages S15286-87

Measures Reported:

S. 1741, to provide a site for the National Women's History Museum in the District of Columbia. (S. Rept. No. 108-204)
S. 1425, to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize the New York City Watershed Protection Program, with an amendment. (S. Rept. No. 108-205)
S. 1567, to amend title 31, United States Code, to improve the financial accountability requirements applicable to the Department of Homeland Security, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

Page S15286

Measures Passed:

Hugh Gregg Post Office Building: Senate passed 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'', clearing the measure for the President.

Page S15303

John G. Dow Post Office Building: Senate passed 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'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S15303

Health Care Safety Net Amendments Technical Corrections Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3038, to make certain technical and conforming amendments to correct the Health Care Safety Net Amendments of 2002, and the bill was then passed, clearing the measure for the President.
Page S15303

Polio Threat: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 266, expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to polio, and the resolution was then agreed to.
Page S15303

National Museum of African American History and Culture: Senate passed H.R. 3491, to establish within the Smithsonian Institution the National Museum of African American History and Culture, clearing the measure for the President.
Pages S15303-06

Congratulating John Gagliardi: Senate agreed to S. Res. 270, congratulating John Gagliardi, football coach of St. John's University, on the occasion of his becoming the all-time winningest coach in collegiate history.
Page S15306

Motorsports: Senate agreed to S. Res. 253, to recognize the evolution and importance of motorsports.
Pages S15306-07

Motorsports: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 320, expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the importance of motorsports.
Page S15307

U.S. Fire Administration Authorization: Senate passed S. 1152, to reauthorize the United States Fire Administration, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto:
Pages S15307-10

Frist (for McCain) Amendment No. 2207, in the nature of a substitute.
Page S15310

D.C. Superior Court Judgeships: Senate passed S. 1561, to preserve existing judgeships on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Page S15310D1307

Fairness to Contact Lens Consumer Act: Senate passed H.R. 3140, to provide for availability of contact lens prescriptions to patients, clearing the measure for the President.
Page S15310

Continuing Appropriations: Senate passed H.J. Res. 78, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2004, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:
Page S15310

[Page: D1307]   GPO's PDF

Frist Amendment No. 2208, to make a technical correction.

Page S15310

Energy Policy Act--Conference Report: Senate continued consideration of the conference report to accompany 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.

Pages S15212-52, S15255-72

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the conference report at 9:30 a.m., on Friday, November 21, 2003, with 60 minutes of debate prior to the vote on the motion to close further debate thereon.
Page S15252

Healthy Forests Restoration Act: Senate insisted on its amendments to H.R. 1904, to improve the capacity of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to plan and conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects on National Forest System lands and Bureau of Land Management lands aimed at protecting communities, watersheds, and certain other at-risk lands from catastrophic wildfire, to enhance efforts to protect watersheds and address threats to forest and rangeland health, including catastrophic wildfire, across the landscape, and agreed to the House request for a conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses thereon, and the Chair was authorized to appoint the following conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators Cochran, McConnell, Crapo, Domenici, Harkin, Leahy, and Daschle.

Page S15217

Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Stuart W. Holliday, of Texas, to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during his tenure of service as Alternate Representative of the United States of America for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations.
Jonathan Baron, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of three years. (New Position)
Elizabeth Ann Bryan, of Texas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of four years. (New Position)
James R. Davis, of Mississippi, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of two years. (New Position)
Robert C. Granger, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of four years. (New Position)
Frank Philip Handy, of Florida, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of three years. (New Position)
Eric Alan Hanushek, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of two years. (New Position)
Caroline M. Hoxby, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of four years. (New Position)
Gerald Lee, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of four years. (New Position)
Roberto Ibarra Lopez, of Texas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of two years. (New Position)
Richard James Milgram, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of three years. (New Position)
Sally Epstein Shaywitz, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of three years. (New Position)
Joseph K. Torgesen, of Florida, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of four years. (New Position)
Herbert John Walberg, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term of three years. (New Position)
Ronald E. Meisberg, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2008.
22 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
2 Army nominations in the rank of general.
Routine lists in the Army, Navy.

Pages S15316-23

Messages From the House:

Pages S15281-82

Measures Referred:

Page S15282

Enrolled Bills Signed:

Page S15282

Enrolled Bills Presented:

Page S15282D1308

Executive Communications:

Page S15282

Petitions and Memorials:

Pages S15283-86

Additional Cosponsors:

Pages S15287-88

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:

Pages S15288-S15301

Additional Statements:

Pages S15279-81

Amendments Submitted:

Pages S15301-02

Authority for Committees to Meet:

Page S15302

Adjournment: Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 9:38 p.m. until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, November 21, 2003. (For Senate's Program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S15316).

[Page: D1308]   GPO's PDF

Committee Meetings


(Committees not listed did not meet)

IRAQ


Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on an assessment of the current situation in Iraq from Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby, USN, Director, and Jami Miscik, Deputy Director for Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency.

NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE


Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine improving the corporate governance of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), focusing on broker-dealer self-regulation, and regulatory autonomy with market sensitivity, after receiving testimony from William H. Donaldson, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission; and John S. Reed, New York Stock Exchange, New York, New York.

MUTUAL FUND INDUSTRY


Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine current investigations and regulatory actions regarding the mutual fund industry, focusing on the Securities and Exchange Commission's examination authority, disclosure, recent enforcement efforts and Rule 2830, cash and non-cash compensation practices and arrangements, breakpoint discounts, late trading and market timing, and investor education, after receiving testimony from Stephen M. Cutler, Director, Division of Enforcement, Securities and Exchange Commission; Robert R. Glauber, National Association of Securities Dealers, New York, New York; and New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, Albany.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG REIMPORTATION


Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine prescription drug importation, focusing on public health threats posed by the importation of unapproved, adulterated and misbranded drugs, as well as counterfeit drugs from foreign and domestic sources that pose a threat to the health and safety of U.S. consumers, after receiving testimony from Senators Santorum and Stabenow; Representatives Gutknecht and Sanders; former Representative David Funderburk, on behalf of TREA Senior Citizens League, Alexandria, Virginia; Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, St. Paul; John M. Taylor III, Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; Carmen A. Catizone, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, Park Ridge, Illinois; Lewis Lubka, Fargo, North Dakota, on behalf of the Alliance for Retired Americans; and Donald MacArthur, European Association of Euro-Pharmaceutical Companies, Essex, England.

NORTHEAST BLACKOUT


Committee on Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia, concluded a hearing to examine the August 2003 Northeast blackouts and the Federal role in managing the Nation's electricity, focusing on events, actions, failures, and conditions that led to the blackout and caused it to effect such a large region, as well as questions relating to nuclear power operations and security of the grid control system, after receiving testimony from Pat Wood III, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; James W. Glotfelty, Director, Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution, Department of Energy; and Michehl R. Gent, North American Electric Reliability Council, Princeton, New Jersey.

U.S. TAX SHELTER INDUSTRY


Committee on Governmental Affairs: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations concluded a hearing to examine the role of professional organizations like accounting firms, law firms, and financial institutions in developing, marketing and implementing tax shelters, after receiving testimony from Mark Everson, Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury; Richard Spillenkothen, Director, Banking Supervision and Regulation, Federal Reserve System; William J. McDonough, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, Washington, D.C.; N. Jerold Cohen, Sutherland, Asbill, and Brennan, Atlanta, Georgia; John Larson, Presidio Advisory Services, San Francisco, California; Jeffrey D1309Greenstein, Quellos Group, LLC, Seattle, Washington; Raymond J. Ruble, and Thomas R. Smith, Jr., Sidley, Austin, Brown, and Wood, LLP, William Boyle, Deutsch Bank AG, Domenick DeGiorgio, HVB America, Inc., all of New York, New York.

[Page: D1309]   GPO's PDF

House of Representatives


Chamber Action


Measures Introduced: 28 public bills, H.R. 3540-3567; and 6 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 332-335, and H. Res. 460-461, were introduced.

Pages H11700-02

Additional Cosponsors:

Pages H11702-03

Reports Filed: Reports were filed as follows today:
H.R. 2408, to amend the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthorize volunteer programs and community partnerships for national wildlife refuges, amended (H. Rept. 108-385);
Conference report on H.R. 1904, to improve the capacity of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to plan and conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects on National Forest System lands and Bureau of Land Management lands aimed at protecting communities, watersheds, and certain other at-risk lands from catastrophic wildfire, to enhance efforts to protect watersheds and address threats to forest and rangeland health, including catastrophic wildfire, across the landscape (H. Rept. 108-386);
H. Res. 456, providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules (H. Rept. 108-387);
H. Res. 457, waiving points of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 1904, to improve the capacity of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to plan and conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects on National Forest System lands and Bureau of Land Management lands aimed at protecting communities, watersheds, and certain other at-risk lands from catastrophic wildfire, to enhance efforts to protect watersheds and address threats to forest and rangeland health, including catastrophic wildfire, across the landscape (H. Rept. 108-388);
H. Res. 458, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules (H. Rept. 108-389); and
H. Res. 459, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules (H. Rept. 108-390).
Conference report on H.R. 1, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a voluntary program for prescription drug coverage under the Medicare Program, to modernize the Medicare Program, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction to individuals for amounts contributed to health savings security accounts and health savings accounts, to provide for the disposition of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, and for other purposes, (H. Rept. 108-391).

Page H11686-98, H11700

Speaker Pro Tempore: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Bass to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

Page H11657

Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Rev. Msgr. Barry Knestout of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC.

Page H11657

Consideration of measures under suspension of the rules: The House agreed to H. Res. 449, providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules by a voice vote.

Pages H11660-61

Intelligence Authorization Act--Conference Report: The House agreed to the conference report on H.R. 2417, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2004 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, by a yea-and-nay vote of 264 yeas to 163 nays, Roll No. 649.

Pages H11661-63, H11667-78

Agreed to H. Res. 451, the rule providing for consideration of the conference report by a voice vote.
Pages H11661-63

Continuing Appropriations for fiscal year 2004: The House passed H.J. Res. 78, making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2004, by a yea-and-nay vote of 410 yeas to 10 nays, Roll No. 648.

Pages H11667-73, H11677

Agreed to H. Res. 450, the rule providing for consideration of the measure by a yea-and-nay vote of 406 yeas to 2 nays, Roll No. 645.
Pages H11663-65

Recess: The House recessed at 1 p.m. and reconvened at 1:35 p.m.

Page H11677D1310

Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House rejected the Hooley motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a voluntary prescription drug benefit under the Medicare program and to strengthen and improve the Medicare program, by a yea-and-nay vote of 201 yeas to 222 nays, Roll No. 650.

Pages H11678-79

[Page: D1310]   GPO's PDF

Later the House debated the Inslee motion to instruct conferees on the bill. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed.

Pages H11845-53

Labor/HHS Appropriations--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House agreed to the Kildee motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2660, making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, by a yea-and-nay vote of 360 yeas to 64 nays, Roll No. 651.

Pages H11679-80

Later Representative Markey announced his intention to offer a motion to instruct conferees on the bill and Representative Pomeroy announced his intention to offer a motion to instruct conferees on the bill.
Page H11845

Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures:
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Act of 2003: Debated on Wednesday, November 19, S. 286, to revise and extend the Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1998, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 415 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 646--clearing the measure for the President;

Pages H11665-66

Poison Control Center Enhancement and Awareness Act Amendments of 2003: Debated on Wednesday, November 19, S. 686, amended, to provide assistance for poison prevention and to stabilize the funding of regional poison control centers, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 420 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 647;
Pages H11666-67

21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act: S. 189, to authorize appropriations for nanoscience, nanoengineering, and nanotechnology research;
Pages H11680-85

Veterans Benefits Act of 2003: Agreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2297, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs--clearing the measure for the President;
Pages H11705-22

Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003: Agreed to the Senate amendments to H.J. Res. 63, to approve the Compact of Free Association, as amended, between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Compact of Free Association, as amended, between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and to appropriate funds to carry out the amended Compacts, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 417 yeas to 2 nays, Roll No. 652--clearing the measure for the President;
Pages H11722-57

Commending the signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter: Agreed to the Senate amendments to H. Con. Res. 209, commending the signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter, a charter of partnership among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 416 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 653--clearing the measure for the President;
Pages H11757-59, H11842-43

Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003: Agreed to the Senate amendments to H.R. 1828, to halt Syrian support for terrorism, end its occupation of Lebanon, stop its development of weapons of mass destruction, cease its illegal importation of Iraqi oil and illegal shipments of weapons and other military items to Iraq, and by so doing hold Syria accountable for the serious international security problems it has caused in the Middle East, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 408 yeas to 8 nays, with one voting ``present'', Roll No. 654--clearing the measure for the President;
Pages H11759-62, H11843-44

Tax Relief Extension Act of 2003: H.R. 3521, amended, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions; and
Pages H11762-H11833

Two Floods and You Are Out of the Taxpayers' Pocket Act of 2003: H.R. 253, amended, to amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to reduce losses to properties for which repetitive flood insurance claim payments have been made, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 352 yeas to 67 nays, Roll No. 655.
Pages H11833-42, H11844

Extending the Programs on the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act: The House agreed by unanimous consent to pass S. 1895, to temporarily extend the programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through March 15, 2004--clearing the measure for the President.

Pages H11844-45

Transportation and Treasury Appropriations--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House agreed to the Hastings of Florida motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2989, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation and Treasury, and D1311independent agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004 by voice vote.

Pages H11853-56

Senate Messages: Messages received from the Senate today appear on pages H11658 and H11677.

Senate Referral: S. 1895 was ordered held at the desk.

Page H11658

Quorum Calls--Votes: 11 yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of the House today and appear on pages H11665, H11665-66, H11666-67, H11677, H11678, H11678-79, H11679-80, H11842, H11843, H11843-44 and H11844. There were no recorded votes or quorum calls.

Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and at 12 midnight stands in recess subject to the call of the chair; the House reconvened at 1:17 a.m. and adjourned at 1:18 a.m.

[Page: D1311]   GPO's PDF

Committee Meetings


NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION EFFICIENCY ACT; REPORTS


Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported H.R. 3478, National Archives and Records Administration Efficiency Act of 2003.
The Committee also approved the following: a report ``Efforts to Rightsize the U.S. Presence Abroad Lack Urgency and Momentum;'' and a draft report entitled ``Everything Secret Degenerates: The FBI's Use of Murderers as Informants.''

PASSENGER SCREENER TRAINING REVIEW


Committee on Government Reform: Held a hearing on Knives, Box Cutters and Bleach: A Review of Passenger Screener Training, Testing and Supervision. Testimony was heard from Stephen McHale, Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security; Cathleen A. Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

AUTISM--FUTURE CHALLENGES


Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness held a hearing entitled ``The Future Challenges of Autism: A Survey of the Ongoing Initiatives in the Federal Government to Address the Epidemic.'' Testimony was heard from Peter Van Dyck, Associate Administrator, Office of Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.

AUTHORIZE AND ISSUE SUBPOENAS RELATED TO INVESTIGATION OF 527 ORGANIZATIONS


Committee on House Administration: Adopted a resolution delegating to the Chairman the power to authorize and issue subpoenas related to an investigation of 527 Organizations.

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS UNDER SADDAM HUSSEIN VICTIMS SPEAK OUT


Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia held a hearing on Human Rights Violations Under Saddam Hussein: Victims Speak Out. Testimony was heard from Representatives Pryce of Ohio and Hooley of Oregon; Maj. Alvin Schmidt, USMC, Deputy Force Protection Officer, First Marine Expeditionary Force, USMC, Department of Defense; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--HOMELAND SECURITY


Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, and Homeland Security held an oversight hearing on ``Homeland Security--the Balance Between Crisis and Consequence Management through Training and Assistance,'' including discussion of the following bills: H.R. 2512, First Responders Funding Reform Act of 2003; H.R. 3266, Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2003; and H.R. 3158, Preparing America to Respond Effectively Act of 2003. Testimony was heard from C. Suzanne Mencer, Director, Office of Domestic Preparedness, Department of Homeland Security; William Bishop, Director, Bureau of Homeland Security, State of Idaho; and Raymond W. Kelly, Police Commissioner, City of New York.

OVERSIGHT--JOHN F. CHAFEE COASTAL BARRIER RESOURCES SYSTEM


Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans held an oversight hearing on the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System. Testimony was heard from Benjamin N. Tuggle, Chief, Division of Federal Program Activities, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; Anthony S. Lowe, Director, Mitigation Division and Federal Insurance Administrator, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security; and a public witness.

MAKING IN ORDER SUSPENSION AUTHORITY


Committee on Rules: Reported, by voice vote, a resolution providing that suspensions will be in order at any time on the legislative day of Friday, November 21, 2003. The resolution provides that the Speaker D1312or his designee will consult with the Minority Leader or her designee on any suspension considered under the rule.

[Page: D1312]   GPO's PDF

CONFERENCE REPORT--HEALTHY FORESTS RESTORATION ACT OF 2003


Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order against the conference report and against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference report shall be considered as read. Testimony was heard from Chairman Goodlatte and Representative Walden of Oregon.

SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE RELATING TO APPROPRIATIONS BILLS


Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee against certain resolutions reported from the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to any special rule reported on the legislative day of November 21, 2003, providing for consideration or disposition of any of the following: (A) A bill or joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2004, or any amendment thereto; or (B) A bill or joint resolution making general appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, any amendment thereto, or any conference report thereon.

SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE RELATING TO THE CONFERENCE REPORT TO ACCOMPANY H.R. 1--MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2003


Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 7 to 3, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from the Rules Committee. The rule applies the waiver to any special rule reported on the legislative day of November 21, 2003, providing for consideration or disposition of a conference report to accompany H.R. 1, the Medicare Prescription Drug Modernization Act of 2003.

CONFERENCE REPORT--INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT


Committee on Rules: On November 19, the Committee granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 2417, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, and against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference report shall be considered as read. Testimony was heard from Chairman Goss and Representative Harman.

FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR 2004


Committee on Rules: On November 19, the Committee granted, by voice vote, a closed rule providing 1 hour of debate in the House on H.J. Res. 78, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2004, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the joint resolution. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit.

MAKING IN ORDER SUSPENSION AUTHORITY


Committee on Rules: On November 19, the Committee reported, by voice vote, a resolution providing that suspensions will be in order at any time on the legislative day of Thursday, November 20, 2003. The resolution provides that the Speaker or his designee will consult with the Minority Leader or her designee on any suspension considered under the resolution.

LOWERING BUSINESS COSTS IN U.S.--KEEP OUR COMPANIES HERE


Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing entitled ``Lowering the Cost of Doing Business in the United States: How to Keep Our Companies Here.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--FINANCING PORT INFRASTRUCTURE


Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held an oversight hearing on Financing Port Infrastructure--Who Should Pay? Testimony was heard from Representatives Rohrabacher and Ose; and public witnesses.

NON-PROFIT CREDIT COUNSELING ORGANIZATIONS


Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on Non-Profit Credit Counseling Organizations. Testimony was heard from Mark Everson, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury; J. Howard Beales III, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC; and public witnesses.

BRIEFING--GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE UPDATE


Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Subcommittee on Intelligence Policy and National Security met in executive session to receive a briefing on D1313Global Intelligence Update. The Subcommittee was briefed by departmental witnesses.

[Page: D1313]   GPO's PDF

FASTER AND SMARTER FUNDING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT


Select Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness and Response approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 3266, Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2003.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY,


NOVEMBER 21, 2003


(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)

Senate


Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of James C. Oberwetter, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and David C. Mulford, of Illinois, to be Ambassador to India, 9 a.m., SD-419.
Committee on Governmental Affairs: business meeting to consider the nominations of James M. Loy, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, and Scott J. Bloch, of Kansas, to be Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel, Time to be announced, S-214, Capitol.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Steven J. Law, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Labor, 10 a.m., SD-430.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: business meeting to consider pending nominations, time to be announced, room to be announced.

House


Committee on Rules, to consider the conference report to accompany H.R. 1 to amend Title XVIII, the Social Security Act, to provide for a voluntary program for prescription drug coverage under the Medicare Program to modernize the Medicare Program, 10 a.m., H-313 Capitol.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, briefing on Intelligence Update on Iraq, 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol.

[Page: D1314]   GPO's PDF

Next Meeting of the
SENATE

9:30 a.m., Friday, November 21

Senate Chamber

Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act, with a vote on the motion to close further debate on the conference report to occur at approximately 10:30 a.m.

Next Meeting of the
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

9 a.m., Friday, November 21

House Chamber

Program for Friday: To be announced.





N O T I C E

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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.

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xlBRUCE R. JAMES,

Public Printer.


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