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Wednesday, October 29, 2003


Daily Digest


HIGHLIGHTS



[Page: D1190]   GPO's PDF

Senate


Chamber Action


Routine Proceedings, pages S13423-S13533

Measures Introduced: Four bills and two resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 1794-1797 and S. Res. 253-254.

Page S13516

Measures Reported:

Special Report entitled ``Further Revised Allocation to Subcommittees of Budget Totals for Fiscal Year 2004''. (S. Rept. No. 108-175)
H.R. 743, to amend the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide additional safeguards for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries with representative payees, to enhance program protections, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 108-176)
S. 1066, to correct a technical error from Unit T-07 of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 108-177)
S. 1643, to exempt certain coastal barrier property from financial assistance and flood insurance limitations under the Coastal Barriers Resources Act and the National Flood Act of 1968, with amendments. (S. Rept. No. 108-178)

Page S13515

Measures Passed:

David Bybee Post Office Building: Senate passed S. 1405, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 514 17th Street Moline, Illinois, as the ``David Bybee Post Office Building''.

Page S13531

James E. Davis Post Office Building: Senate passed S. 1590, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service, located at 315 Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``James E. Davis Post Office Building''.
Page S13531

John G Dow Post Office Building: Senate passed S. 1659, 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''.
Page S13531

Senator James B. Pearson Post Office: Senate passed S. 1718, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3710 West 73rd Terrace in Prairie Village, Kansas, as the ``Senator James B. Pearson Post Office''.
Pages S13531-32

Walt Disney Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 1610, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 East Ritchie Avenue in Marceline, Missouri, as the ``Walt Disney Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532

Arthur `Pappy' Kennedy Post Office: Senate passed H.R. 1882, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 440 South Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, Florida, as the ``Arthur `Pappy' Kennedy Post Office'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532

Eddie Mae Steward Post Office: Senate passed H.R. 1883, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1601-1 Main Street in Jacksonville, Florida, as the ``Eddie Mae Steward Post Office'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532

Judge Edward Rodgers Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 2075, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1905 West Blue Heron Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the ``Judge Edward Rodgers Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532

Bruce Woodbury Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 2254, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1101 Colorado Street in Boulder City, Nevada, as the ``Bruce Woodbury Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532D1191

Stephen Horn Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 2309, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2300 Redondo Avenue in Long Beach, California, as the ``Stephen Horn Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532

Robert A. Borski Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 2328, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2001 East Willard Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the ``Robert A. Borski Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532

Francisco A. Martinez Flores Post Office: Senate passed H.R. 2396, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1210 Highland Avenue in Duarte, California, as the ``Francisco A. Martinez Flores Post Office'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532

Brian C. Hickey Post Office Building: Senate passed 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'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532

J.C. Lewis, Jr. Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 2533, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10701 Abercorn Street in Savannah, Georgia, as the ``J.C. Lewis, Jr. Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532

Barbara B. Kennelly Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 2746, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 141 Weston Street in Hartford, Connecticut, as the ``Barbara B. Kennelly Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532

Bob Hope Post Office Building: Senate passed H.R. 3011, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 135 East Olive Avenue in Burbank, California, as the ``Bob Hope Post Office Building'', clearing the measure for the President.
Page S13532

Commending Florida Marlins: Senate agreed to S. Res. 254, commending the Florida Marlins baseball team for winning the 2003 World Series.
Pages S13532-33

Foreign Operation Appropriations Act: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 2800, making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:

Pages S13431-35

Pending:

[Page: D1191]   GPO's PDF

DeWine Amendment No. 1966, to increase assistance to combat HIV/AIDS.

Page S13431

McConnell Amendment No. 1970, to express the sense of the Senate on Burma.
Page S13431

Feinstein Amendment No. 1977, to clarify the definition of HIV/AIDS prevention for purposes of providing funds for therapeutic medical care.
Page S13431

During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the follow action:
By 43 yeas to 54 nays (Vote No. 415), two-thirds of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion to suspend Rule XVI, with respect to Dorgan/Schumer Amendment No. 2800, to urge the President to release information regarding sources of foreign support for the 9-11 hijackers. Subsequently, the point of order that the amendment was not germane under Rule XVI, was sustained, and the amendment thus fell.
Page S13435

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill with certain first-degree amendments in order, subject to relevant second-degree amendments; that following the disposition of the amendments, the bill be read a third time, and the Senate vote on final passage of the bill; that following passage of the bill, Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House thereon, and the Chair be authorized to appoint Conferees on the part of the Senate, which will consist of the subcommittee membership and Senators Stevens and Byrd.
Page S13484

Healthy Forests Restoration Act: Senate began consideration of 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, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:

Pages S13435-84

Adopted:
By 97 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 416), Cochran Amendment No. 1828, of a perfecting nature.
Pages S13449-76, S13480

By 94 yeas to 3 nays (Vote No. 417), Boxer Amendment No. 2025, to enact the Firefighters Medical Monitoring Act.
Pages S13481-82

By 78 yeas to 17 nays (Vote No. 418), Boxer Amendment No. 2026, to enact the Disaster Air Quality Monitoring Act.
Pages S13482-83

[Page: D1192]   GPO's PDF

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill following disposition of S. 139, Climate Stewardship Act, on Thursday, October 30, 2003.

Pages S13483-84

Climate Stewardship Act: Pursuant to the order of July 31, 2003, Committee on Environment and Public Works was discharged from further consideration of S. 139, to provide for a program of scientific research on abrupt climate change, to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by establishing a market-driven system of greenhouse gas tradable allowances that could be used interchangeably with passenger vehicle fuel economy standard credits, to limit greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and reduce dependence upon foreign oil, and ensure benefits to consumers from the trading in such allowances, and the Senate then began consideration of the bill, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto:

Pages S13484-S13509

Pending:
Lieberman/McCain Amendment No. 2028, in the nature of a substitute.
Pages S13485-S13509

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that, if cloture is not invoked on the nomination of Charles W. Pickering, Sr., of Mississippi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, Senate will continue consideration of the bill on Thursday, October 30, 2003, with two hours of debate remaining.
Page S13533

Nomination--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the nomination of Charles W. Pickering, Sr., of Mississippi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, at 9 a.m., on Thursday, October 30, 2003; that there be 60 minutes of debate; following which, Senate will vote on the motion to close further debate on the nomination, to occur at approximately 10 a.m.

Page S13533

Messages From the President: Senate received the following messages from the President of the United States:
Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12938 with respect to weapons of mass destruction; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-53)

Pages S13512-13

Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the national emergency with respect to Sudan relative to the threat to national security and foreign policy of the United States; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM-54)
Page S13513

Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
Arnold I. Havens, of Virginia, to be General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury.
Susan K. Sclafani, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education, Department of Education.

Page S13533

Messages From the House:

Page S13513

Measures Referred:

Page S13513

Measures Placed on Calendar:

Page S13514

Executive Communications:

Pages S13514-15

Executive Reports of Committees:

Page S13515

Additional Cosponsors:

Pages S13516-17

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:

Pages S13517-21

Additional Statements:

Pages S13511-12

Amendments Submitted:

Pages S13521-30

Authority for Committees to Meet:

Pages S13530-31

Privilege of the Floor:

Page S13531

Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--418)

Pages S13435, S13480, S13482, S13483

Adjournment: Senate met at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 9:13 p.m., until 9 a.m., on Thursday, October 30, 2003. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S13533.)

Committee Meetings


(Committees not listed did not meet)

NASA


Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing on the future of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, focusing on NASA's Strategic Plan for future space research and exploration, after receiving testimony from Sean O'Keefe, Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Admiral Harold Gehman, USN (Ret.), Chairman, Columbia Accident Investigation Board; Wesley T. Huntress, Jr., Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, D.C.; Robert Zurbrin, Mars Society, Lakewood, Colorado; David Woods, Ohio State University Institute for Ergonomics, Columbus; and Rick N. Tumlinson, Space Frontier Foundation, Nyack, New York.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION


Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space concluded a hearing on the status of the International Space Station, focusing on the impact the Columbia D1193accident has had on International Space Station operations, after receiving testimony from William F. Readdy, Associate Administrator for Space Flight, and Mary Kicza, Associate Administrator for Biological and Physical Research, both of National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Allen Li, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, General Accounting Office; Robert L. Park, American Physical Society, Washington, D.C.; James A. Pawelczyk, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; and Arthur I. Zygielbaum, University of Nebraska National Center for Information Technology and Education, Lincoln.

[Page: D1193]   GPO's PDF

IRAN: SECURITY THREATS


Committee on Foreign Relations: On Tuesday, October 28, 2003, Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing to examine security threats and U.S. policy in relation to Iran from Sylvia Copeland, Director, and Nathan Tuchrello, Deputy Issue Manager for Iran and Saudi Arabia, both of the Office of Near East and South Asia Analysis, Central Intelligence Agency.

NOMINATIONS


Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Margaret DeBardeleben Tutwiler, of Alabama, to be Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, Zalmay Khalilzad, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to Afghanistan, and Louise V. Oliver, of the District of Columbia, for the rank of Ambassador during her tenure of service as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization, and to be U.S. Representative to the 32nd and General Conference of UNESCO, after each nominee testified and answered questions in their own behalf.

COLOMBIA


Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine challenges for U.S. policy toward Colombia, focusing on the Counter Narcotics Brigade (CN Brigade), engineer and infrastructure support, professionalism and human rights, and trade issues, after receiving testimony from Robert B. Charles, Assistant Secretary of State of the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; Adolfo A. Franco, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development; General James T. Hill, USA, Commander, U.S. Southern Command; and Mark L. Schneider, International Crisis Group, Julia E. Sweig, Council on Foreign Relations, and Phillip McLean, Center for Strategic and International Studies, all of Washington, D.C.

BUSINESS MEETING


Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items:
S. 423, to promote health care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational activities or legal transportation activities, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
S. 1172, to establish grants to provide health services for improved nutrition, increased physical activity, obesity prevention, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
S. 1775, to make certain technical and conforming amendments to correct the Health Care Safety Net Amendments of 2002, with an amendment;
S. 1786, to revise and extend the Community Services Block Grant Act, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and the Assets for Independence Act, with an amendment;
An original bill, to reauthorize the Head Start Act;
An original bill, to change the 30-year treasury bond rate to a composite corporate rate, and to establish a commission on defined benefit plans; and
The nominations of Robert Lerner, of Maryland, to be Commissioner of Education Statistics, Department of Education, and Leslie Silverman and Naomi Churchill Earp, both of Virginia, and Stuart Ishimaru, of the District of Columbia, each to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

INTELLECTUAL DIVERSITY ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES


Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine intellectual diversity on America's college campuses, focusing on the problem of freedom of expression, politicized instruction, and core curricula, after receiving testimony from Anne Neal, American Council of Trustees and Alumni, Washington, D.C.; Robert David Johnson, Brooklyn College and the City University of New York Graduate Center, Brooklyn, New York; Greg Lukianoff, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Anthony Dick, Charlottesville, Virginia.

BUSINESS MEETING


Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the following bills:
S. 1601, to amend the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act to provide for the reporting and reduction of child abuse and family violence incidences on Indian reservations, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;

[Page: D1194]   GPO's PDF

S. 420, to provide for the acknowledgement of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and
S. 1423, to extend Federal recognition to the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe--Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., the Monacan Indian Nation, and the Nansemond Indian Tribe, with an amendment.

INDIAN MONEY ACCOUNT CLAIMS SATISFACTION ACT


Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing on S. 1770, to establish a voluntary alternative claims resolution process to reach a settlement of pending class action litigation, after receiving testimony from James Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary of the Interior; John E. Echohawk, Native American Rights Fund, Boulder, Colorado; Tex G. Hall, National Congress of American Indians, Washington, D.C.; D. Fred Matt, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Pablo, Montana; and Jim Gray, Osage Tribal Council, Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES


Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine competitive and economic effects of the Bowl Championship series on and off the field, focusing on the impact on the academic missions of universities, student-athletes, bowl games and fans, financial contributions to higher education, increased fan attendance, media exposure, the economic impact on the host community, and charitable responsibility, after receiving testimony from Senator Bennett; Harvey S. Perlman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska; Myles Brand, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana; Scott S. Cowen, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana; Keith R. Tribble, Orange Bowl Committee, and the Football Bowl Association, Miami, Florida; LaVell Edwards, Provo, Utah, formerly with Brigham Young University.

NOMINATION


Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of James B. Comey, of New York, to be Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Schumer, testified and answered questions in his own behalf.

House of Representatives


Chamber Action


Measures Introduced: 21 public bills, H.R. 3385-3405; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 314-315 and H. Res. 423, were introduced.

Pages H10129-30

Additional Cosponsors:

Pages H10130-31

Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
Conference report on H.R. 2115, to amend title 49, United States Code, to reauthorize programs for the Federal Aviation Administration (H. Rept. 108-334);
H. Res. 421, 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. 108-335); and
H. Res. 422, waiving points of order against the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2115) to amend title 49, United States Code, to reauthorize programs for the Federal Aviation Administration (H. Rept. 108-336).

Page H10129

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

Page H9985

Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Rev. Bryce Anderson, Pastor, Church of the Living Word in Vincennes, Indiana.

Page H9985

Departments of Transportation and Treasury Appropriations Act for FY 2004--Motion to go to conference: The House disagreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2989, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation and Treasury, and independent agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, and agreed to a conference.

Pages H9988-89

The House agreed to the Olver motion to instruct conferees on the bill by a voice vote.
Page H9989

Appointed as conferees: Representatives Istook, Wolf, Lewis (CA), Rogers (KY), Tiahrt, Northup, Aderholt, Sweeney, Culberson, Young (FL), Hoyer, Olver, Pastor, Kilpatrick, Clyburn, Rothman, and Obey.
Page H9989D1195

Continuing Appropriations for FY 2004: The House agreed to H. Res. 417, the rule providing for consideration of H.J. Res. 75, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2004, by a yea-and-nay vote of 311 yeas to 112 nays, Roll No. 574.

Pages H9989-91, H9995-96

Interior Department Appropriations Act for FY 2004--Conference Report: The House agreed to H. Res. 418, the rule providing for consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2691, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, by a yea-and-nay vote of 289 yeas to 136 nays, Roll No. 575.

Pages H9991-95, H9996

Recess: The House recessed at 11:22 a.m. and reconvened at 12:05 p.m.

Page H9995

Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures:
Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act: H.R. 1720, amended, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out construction projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, establishing, and updating patient care facilities at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 417 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 576;

Pages H9996-H10008, H10079-80

[Page: D1195]   GPO's PDF

Agreed to amend the title so as to read ``a bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out construction projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, establishing, and updating patient care facilities at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, and for other purposes''.

Page H10080

National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003: Senate amendments to H.R. 1516, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in southeastern Pennsylvania, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 412 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 577;
Pages H10054-58, H10080-81

Fallen Patriots Tax Relief Act: H.R. 3365, to amend title 10, United States Code, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the death gratuity payable with respect to deceased members of the Armed Forces and to exclude such gratuity from gross income, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 413 yeas with none voting ``nay'' Roll No. 578;
Pages H10058-62, H10081

Encouraging China to fulfill its commitments to international trade rules: H. Res. 414, to encourage the People's Republic of China to fulfill its commitments under international trade agreements, support the United States manufacturing sector, and establish monetary and financial market reforms, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 411 yeas to 1 nay, Roll No. 579; and
Pages H10062-71, H10081-82

Congratulating the Florida Marlins for winning the 2003 World Series: H. Res. 415, congratulating the Florida Marlins for winning the 2003 World Series.
Pages H10071-74

Suspension Postponed: The House completed debate on the following motions to suspend the rules. Further proceedings were postponed until a later date.
Sense of Congress welcoming President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to the United States: H. Con. Res. 302, expressing the sense of Congress welcoming President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to the United States on October 31, 2003.

Pages H10074-78

Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2003: The House agreed to H. Res. 416, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2443, to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2004, to amend various laws administered by the Coast Guard, by a voice vote.

Pages H10078-79

Recess: The House recessed at 4:07 p.m. and reconvened at 5:00 p.m.

Page H10079

Labor/HHS Appropriations--Motion to Instruct Conferees: The House agreed to the Obey 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 voice vote.

Pages H10083-90

Representative DeLauro announced her intention to offer a motion to instruct conferees on the bill.
Page H10083

Tax Relief, Simplification, and Equity Act of 2003: Representative Becerra announced his intention to offer a motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1308, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to accelerate the increase in the refundability of the child tax credit.

Page H10082

Energy Policy Act of 2003: The House debated the Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas 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 a later date.

Pages H10090-H10106

Representative Filner announced his intention to offer a motion to instruct conferees on the bill.
Page H10083

Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003: The House debated the Davis of Florida motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1, to D1196amend 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. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed until a later date.

Pages H10106-12

[Page: D1196]   GPO's PDF

Representative Capps announced her intention to offer a motion to instruct conferees on the bill.

Page H10083

Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H9985.

Senate Referral: S. 247 was ordered held at the desk.

Page H9985

Presidential Messages: Read messages from the President wherein he transmitted a report concerning the National Emergency with Respect to the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered printed (H. Doc. 108-138); and a report concerning the National Emergency with Respect to Sudan--referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered printed. (H. Doc. 108-139).

Page H10112

Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on page H10131.

Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:13 p.m.

Committee Meetings


MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES


Committee on Agriculture: Ordered reported the following measures: H.J. Res. 74, recognizing the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture on the occasion of its 50th anniversary for the important service it provides for the Nation; H.R. 1367, amended, National Veterinary Medical Services Act; H.R. 2304, amended, to resolve boundary conflicts in the vicinity of the Mark Twain National Forest in Barry and Stone Counties, Missouri, that resulted from private landowner reliance on a subsequent Federal survey; H.R. 3157, amended, to provide for the designation of a Department of Agriculture disaster liaison to assist State and local employees of the Department in coordination with other disaster agencies in response to a federally declared disaster area as a result of a disaster; and H.R. 3217, to provide for the conveyance of several small parcels of National Forest System land in the Apalachicola National Forest, Florida, to resolve boundary discrepancies involving the Mt. Trial Primitive Baptist Church of Wakulla County, Florida.

IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION AND STABILITY OPERATIONS


Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on ``Irag Reconstruction and Stability Operations: The Way Forward.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

PENSION UNDERFUNDING CRISIS


Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing on ``The Pension Underfunding Crisis: How Effective Have Funding Reforms Been?'' Testimony was heard from Barbara Bovbjerg, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

WORLD BANK LENDING TO IRAN


Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology held a hearing on World Bank lending to Iran. Testimony was heard from William Schuerch, Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Development, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY--A NEW HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM


Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization held an oversight hearing entitled ``Decision Time: A New Human Resources Management System at the Department of Homeland Security.'' Testimony was heard from Ronald L. James, Chief Human Capital Officer, Department of Homeland Security; Steven R. Cohen, Senior Adviser, Homeland Security, OPM; and public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT


Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Efficiency and Financial Management held an oversight hearing entitled ``Agency Compliance with FFMIA--Private Sector Views.'' Testimony was heard from Sally Thompson, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, GAO; and public witnesses.

INTERNATIONAL SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING--ONGOING TRAGEDY


Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness held a hearing entitled ``The Ongoing Tragedy of International Slavery and Human Trafficking: An Overview.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: John Miller, Director, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons; and Kent Hill, Assistant Administrator, AID; and public witnesses.

[Page: D1197]   GPO's PDF

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC--CHALLENGE OF TERRORISM


Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and the Subcommittee on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights held a joint hearing on the Challenge of Terrorism in Asia and the Pacific. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: J. Cofer Black, Ambassador-at-Large, Coordinator for Counterterrorism; Christina B. Rocca, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South Asian Affairs; and Matthew P. Daley, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Timothy D. Hoyt, Associate Professor, Strategy and Policy, Department of Defense; and public witnesses.

U.S. AND EUROPE--IMPORTANCE OF STRONGER RELATIONS


Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe approved for full Committee action H. Res. 390, recognizing the continued importance of the transatlantic relationship and promoting stronger relations with Europe by reaffirming the need for a continued and meaningful dialogue between the United States and Europe.

CENTRAL ASIA: TERRORISM, RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM, AND REGIONAL STABILITY


Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia held a hearing on ``Central Asia: Terrorism, Religious Extremism, and Regional Stability.'' Testimony was heard from A. Elizabeth Jones, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Department of State; Stephen Blank, Professor, Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College, Department of Defense; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; AMERICAN SAMOA--PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS OF ARMED SERVICES


Committee on Resources: Ordered reported the following measures: H. Con. Res. 237, honoring the late Rick Lupe, lead forestry technician for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency, for his dedication and service to the United States and for his essential service in fighting wildfires and protecting the environment and communities of Arizona; H.R. 154, amended, to exclude certain properties from the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources; H.R. 265, amended, Mount Rainier National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2003; H.R. 280, amended, National Aviation Heritage Act; H.R. 421, Environmental Policy and Conflict Resolution Advancement Act of 2003; H.R. 506, amended, Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act; H.R. 958, amended, Hydrographic Services Amendments of 2003; H.R. 1594, amended, St. Croix National Heritage Area Study Act; H.R. 1618, amended, Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area Act; H.R. 1629, Upper Missouri River Breaks Boundary Clarification Act; H.R. 1648, Carpinteria and Montecito Water Distribution Systems Conveyance Act of 2003; H.R. 1732, Williamson County Water Recycling Act of 2003; H.R. 1862, amended, Oil Region National Heritage Area Act; H.R. 1964, amended, Highlands Stewardship Act; H.R. 2408, amended, National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Act of 2003; H.R. 2425, amended, Quinault Permanent Fisheries Fund Act; H.R. 2489, amended, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Distribution of Judgment Funds Act; H.R. 2584, to provide for the conveyance to the Utrok Atoll local government of a decommissioned National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship; H.R. 2707, amended, Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act; H.R. 2715, to provide for necessary improvements to facilities at Yosemite National Park; H.R. 2907, amended, Northern Arizona National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2003; H.R. 3209, to amend the Reclamation Project Authorization Act of 1972 to clarify the acreage for which the North Loup division is authorized to provide irrigation water under the Missouri River Basin project; S. 523, Native American Technical Corrections Act of 2003; S. 625, Tualatin River Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2003; S. 677, Black Canyon of the Gunnison Boundary Revision Act of 2003; S. 924, to authorize the exchange of lands between an Alaska Native Village Corporation and the Department of the Interior; and S. 1233, National Great Black Americans Commemoration Act of 2003.
The Committee also held a hearing on H.R. 2010, to protect the voting rights of members of the Armed Services in elections for the Delegate representing American Samoa in the United States House of Representatives. Testimony was heard from Aitofele Sunia, Lt. Governor, Pago Pago, American Samoa.

CONFERENCE REPORT--FLIGHT 100--CENTURY OF AVIATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT


Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 3, a rule waiving all points of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 2115, Flight 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act, and against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference report shall be considered as read. Testimony was heard from Representatives Mica, Oberstar and DeFazio.

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SAME-DAY CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE RELATING TO EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE REPORT


Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 3, a resolution 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 resolution applies the waiver to any special rule reported on the legislative day of October 30, 2003, providing for consideration or disposition of a conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 3289) making emergency supplemental appropriations for defense and for the reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, and for other purposes.

NASA'S ORGANIZATIONAL AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES


Committee on Science: Held a hearing on NASA's Organizational and Management Challenges in the Wake of the Columbia Disaster. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Navy: Adm. Frank L. Bowman, USN, Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion (Naval Reactors); Rear Adm. Paul Sullivan, USN, Deputy Commander, Ship Design Integration and Engineering, Naval Sea Systems Command; Adm. Harold Gehman, USN, (Ret), Chairman, Columbia Accident Investigation Board; and public witnesses.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2003


(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)

Senate


Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, to hold hearings to examine Palestinian education, 9:30 a.m., SD-192.
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the Treasury Department's report to Congress on international economic and exchange rate policy, 10 a.m., SD-106.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine the universal service, 10 a.m., SR-253.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, to hold hearings to examine S. 1241, to establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site in the State of New York, S. 1364, to amend the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to authorize the payment of expenses after the death of certain Federal employees in the State of Alaska, S. 1433, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance in implementing cultural heritage, conservation, and recreational activities in the Connecticut River watershed of the States of New Hampshire and Vermont, and S. 1462, to adjust the boundary of the Cumberland Island Wilderness, to authorize tours of the Cumberland Island National Seashore, 10 a.m., SD-366.

Subcommittee on Water and Power, to hold hearings to examine S. 1097, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to implement the Calfed Bay-Delta Program, 2:30 p.m., SD-366.
Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold a closed briefing to examine U.S. policy directions relating to Syria, 9 a.m., SH-219.

Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine U.S. policy directions relating to Syria, 10:15 a.m., SH-216.

Subcommittee on European Affairs, to hold hearings to examine combating transnational crime and corruption in Europe, 2:30 p.m., SD-419.
Subcommittee on African Affairs, with the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Subcommittee on Children and Families, to hold joint hearings to examine a report relative to HIV/AIDS Codel to Africa, 3 p.m., S-211, Capitol.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Aging, to hold hearings to examine financial abuse and exploitation of the elderly, 10 a.m., SD-430.

Subcommittee on Children and Families, with the Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on African Affairs, to hold joint hearings to examine a report relative to HIV/AIDS Codel to Africa, 3 p.m., S-211, Capitol.
Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider S. 1720, to provide for Federal court proceedings in Plano, Texas, S. 710, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that aliens who commit acts of torture, extrajudicial killings, or other specified atrocities abroad are inadmissible and removable and to establish within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice an Office of Special Investigations having responsibilities under that Act with respect to all alien participants in war crimes, genocide, and the commission of acts of torture and extrajudicial killings abroad, S. Con. Res. 58, expressing the sense of Congress with respect to raising awareness and encouraging prevention of stalking in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of National Stalking Awareness Month, a proposed resolution recognizing that November 2, 2003, shall be dedicated to ``A tribute to Survivors'' at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the nominations of Henry W. Saad, of Michigan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, Dora L. Irizarry, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, William K. Sessions III, of Vermont, to be a Member of the United States Sentencing Commission, D. Michael Fisher, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, Janice R. Brown, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, and David L. Huber, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, Department of Justice, 10 a.m., SD-226.

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Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine monopsony issues in agriculture, focusing on the buying power of processors in the nation's agricultural markets, 2 p.m., SD-226.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Cynthia R. Church, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Public and Intergovernmental Affairs), and Robert N. McFarland, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Information and Technology), 2 p.m., SR-418.
Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH-219.

House


Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on Destruction of the U.S. Chemical Weapons Stockpile--Program Status and Issues, 9 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, hearing on ``Energy Employees Workers' Compensation: Examining the Department of Labor's Role in Helping Workers with Energy-Related Occupational Illnesses and Diseases,'' 10:30 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.
Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, hearing entitled ``E-Commerce: The Case of Online Wine Sales and Direct Shipment,'' 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises, hearing entitled ``Reviewing U.S. Capital Market Structure: Promoting Competition in a Changing Trading Environment,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Government Reform, hearing entitled ``Serving the Underserved in the 21st Century: The Need for a Stronger, More Responsive Public Health Service Commissioned Corps,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims, to consider private relief bills; followed by an oversight hearing on ``The Prospects for American Workers: Immigration's Impact,'' 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans, oversight hearing on the GAO report entitled ``Opportunities to Improve the Management and Oversight of Oil and Gas Activities on Federal Lands,'' 9:30 a.m., 1324 Longworth.

Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans, oversight hearing on the upcoming 18th Regular Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth.

Subcommittee on Water and Power, hearing and markup of the following bills: H.R. 142, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Inland Empire regional water recycling project, to authorize the Secretary to carry out a program to assist agencies in projects to construct regional brine lines in California, and to authorize the Secretary to participate in the Lower Chino Dairy Area desalination demonstration and reclamation project; H.R. 1156, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to increase the ceiling on the Federal share of the costs of phase I of the Orange County, California, Regional Water Reclamation Project; H.R. 2960, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Brownsville Public Utility Board water recycling and desalinization project; and H.R. 2991, Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Initiative; the Provo River Project Transfer Act; the Riverside-Corona Feeder; and to hold a hearing on the following: H.R. 3334, Riverside-Corona Feeder Authorization Act; the Provo River Project Transfer Act; and S. 212, High Plains Aquifer Hydrogeologic Characterization, Mapping, Modeling and Monitoring Act, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth.
Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards, hearing on ``What is Space Weather and Who Should Forecast It?'' 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Research, hearing on Implementation of the Math Science Partnership Program: Views from the Field, 12 p.m., 2325 Rayburn.
Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight, hearing on the impact of unsolicited commercial e-mail (spam) on small businesses, 10:30 a.m., 2360 Rayburn.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation, oversight hearing on The Status of the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Control Modernization Programs, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Ways and Means, hearing on United States-China Economic Relations and China's Role in the Global Economy, 2 p.m., 1100 Longworth.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, hearing entitled ``Securing Freedom and the Nation: Collecting Intelligence Under the Law, Constitutional and Public Policy Consideration,'' 8:30 a.m., 1302 Longworth.
Select Committee on Homeland Security, to mark up H.R. 2886, Department of Homeland Security Financial Accountability Act, 1 p.m., 210 Cannon.

Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science, and Research and Development, hearing entitled ``Strength Through Knowledge: Homeland Security Science and Technology; Setting and Steering a Strong Course,'' 3 p.m., 210 Cannon.

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Next Meeting of the
SENATE

9 a.m., Thursday, October 30

Senate Chamber

Program for Thursday: Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Charles W. Pickering, Sr., of Mississippi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit; following 60 minutes of debate, Senate will vote on the motion to close further debate on the nomination, to occur at approximately 10 a.m. If cloture is not invoked, Senate will continue consideration of S. 139, Climate Stewardship Act, for two hours; following disposition of S. 139, Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 1904, Healthy Forests Restoration Act, and following disposition of H.R. 1904, Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 2800, Foreign Operations Appropriations Act.
Next Meeting of the

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

10 a.m., Thursday, October 30

House Chamber

Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.J. Res. 75, making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2004 (closed rule, one hour of debate).
Consideration of H. Res. 422, rule providing for consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2115, Flight 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act.
Rolled votes on suspensions:
(1) H. Con. Res. 291, expressing deep gratitude for the valor and commitment of the members of the United States Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia in 1993:
(2) H. Res. 409, repudiating the recent anti-Semitic sentiments expressed by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the outgoing prime minister of Malaysia, which makes peace in the Middle East and around the world more elusive; and
(3) H. Con. Res. 302, expressing the sense of Congress welcoming President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to the United States on October 31, 2003.
Consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2691, Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (rule waives all points of order, one hour of debate).
Consideration of H.R. 2443, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2003 (open rule, one hour of debate).
Consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2115, flight 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (rule waives all points of order, one hour of debate).
Possible consideration of H. Res. 421, rule providing for the same day consideration of the conference report on H.R. 32809, Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2004.
Possible consideration of conference report on H.R. 3289, Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Subject to a Rule).
Rolled vote on E.B. Johnson (TX) motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2003.
Rolled vote on Davis (FL) motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003.
Becerra motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1308, All-American Tax Relief Act of 2003.
Filner motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2003.
Capps motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003.
DeLauro motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2660, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2004.


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