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Wednesday, March 31, 2004

HIGHLIGHTS

House Committees ordered reported seven sundry measures.

[Page: D323]   GPO's PDF

Measures Introduced: Six bills and one resolution were introduced, as follows: S. 2262-2267, and S. Res. 326.

Pages S3455-56

Measures Passed:

Professional Boxing Amendments Act: Senate passed S. 275, to amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996, and to establish the United States Boxing Administration, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, and the following amendment proposed thereto:

Pages S3499-S3510

Frist (for McCain) Amendment No. 3006, in the nature of a substitute.

Page S3510

Budget Resolution--House Message: Senate began consideration of the House Message to accompany S. Con. Res. 95, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2005 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2006 through 2009, and took the following action:

Pages S3393-S3407

Page S3407

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

Pages S3407-48

Page S3407

Page S3515

Treaty Approved: The following treaty having passed through its various parliamentary stages, up to and including the presentation of the resolution of ratification, upon division, two-thirds of the Senators present and having voted in the affirmative, the resolution of ratification was agreed to:
The Protocol to the Agreement of the International Atomic Energy Agency Regarding Safeguards in the United States (Treaty Doc. 107-7), with 2 conditions and 8 understandings.

Pages S3511-15

Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nominations:
Alphonso R. Jackson, of Texas, to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
2 Air Force nominations in the rank of general.
28 Army nominations in the rank of general.
2 Navy nominations in the rank of admiral.
Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Navy.

Pages S3516-17

Messages From the House:

Page S3454

Measures Referred:

Page S3454

Executive Communications:

Pages S3454-55

Additional Cosponsors:

Pages S3456-57

Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:

Pages S3457-62

Additional Statements:

Pages S3453-54

Amendments Submitted:

Pages S3462-99

Authority for Committees to Meet:

Page S3499

Privilege of the Floor:

Page S3499D324

Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 7:27 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, April 1, 2004. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3515.)

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APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for the Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, and Office of Environment, Safety and Health, after receiving testimony from Jessie Hill Roberson, Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management, Margaret Chu, Director, Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, and Beverly Cook, Assistant Secretary for Environment, Safety and Health, all of the Department of Energy.

APPROPRIATIONS: INTELLIGENCE

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a closed hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for intelligence and world wide threat assessment, after receiving testimony from George Tenet, Director, Central Intelligence Agency.

APPROPRIATIONS: SAA/CAPITOL POLICE

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch concluded hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for the U.S. Capitol Police and the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, after receiving testimony from Terrance W. Gainer, Chief, United States Capitol Police; and William H. Pickle, Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper; and W. Wilson Livingood, Chairman, United States Capitol Police Board.

DEFENSE: AUTHORIZATION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Personnel concluded a hearing to examine the Defense authorization request for fiscal year 2005, focusing on active and Reserve military and civilian personnel programs, after receiving testimony from Thomas F. Hall, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs; Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, ARNG, Chief, National Guard Bureau, Army National Guard; Lieutenant General Roger C. Schultz, ARNG, Director, Army National Guard; Lieutenant General Daniel James III, ANG, Director, Air National Guard; Lieutenant General James R. Helmly, USAR, Chief, Army Reserve; Vice Admiral John G. Cotton, USNR, Chief, Naval Reserve; Lieutenant General Dennis M. McCarthy, USMCR, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve; and Lieutenant General James E. Sherrard III, USAFR, Chief, Air Force Reserve.

TANKER AIRCRAFT

Committee on Armed Services: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on the acquisition of the Boeing KC-767A tanker aircraft from Joseph E. Schmitz, Inspector General, Henry Kleinknecht, Program Director, Contract Audits, John F. Meling, Program Director, Acquisition Audits, Francis E. Reardon, Deputy Inspector General for Auditing, and David K. Steensma, Director, Contract Management Directorate, all of the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Defense.

MUTUAL FUND INDUSTRY

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee continued hearings to examine the current investigations and regulatory actions regarding the mutual fund industry, focusing on soft-dollar practices, after receiving testimony from Harold S. Bradley, American Century Investments, Kansas City, Missouri; Geoffrey I. Edelstein, Westcap Investors, Los Angeles, California, on behalf of Investment Counsel Association of America, Inc.; Howard M. Schilit, Center for Financial Research and Analysis, Rockville, Maryland; Grady G. Thomas, Jr., The Interstate Group, Division of Morgan Keegan and Company, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina; and Benn Steil, Council on Foreign Relations, and Joseph M. Velli, The Bank of New York, both of New York, New York.

MUTUAL FUND INDUSTRY

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee continued a hearing to examine the current investigations and regulatory actions regarding the mutual fund industry, focusing on fund costs and distribution practices, receiving testimony from Senators Fitzgerald, Collins, Levin, and Akaka; Paul G. Haaga, Jr., Capital Research and Management Company, Los Angeles, California, on behalf of the Investment Company Institute; Mark Treanor, Wachovia Corporation, Charlotte, North Carolina, on behalf of the Financial Services Roundtable; Chet Helck, Raymond James Financial, Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida; Thomas O. Putnam, Fenimore Asset Management, Inc., Cobleskill, New York; and Edward A.H. Siedle, Benchmark Financial Services, Inc./Benchmark Companies, Ocean Ridge, Florida.
Committee recessed subject to the call.

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NOMINATIONS

Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Stephen L. Johnson, of Maryland, to be Deputy Administrator, Ann R. Klee, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator, Charles Johnson, of Utah, to be Chief Financial Officer, who was introduced by Senator Bennett, and Benjamin Grumbles, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator, all of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Gary Lee Visscher, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, after each nominee testified and answered questions in their own behalf.

NATION'S WATER RESOURCE NEEDS

Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure concluded a hearing to examine the role of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in meeting the nation's water resource needs in the 21st century, including related provisions of the proposed Water Resources Development Act of 2004, after receiving testimony from former Representative John T. Myers, on behalf of the National Waterways Conference; John Paul Woodley, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, and Lieutenant General Robert B. Flowers, Chief of Engineers, both of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Steve Levy, Office of the Suffolk County Executive, Hauppauge, New York; Michael A. Leone, American Association of Port Authorities, Alexandria, Virginia; William G. Howland, Lake Champlain Basin Program, Grand Isle, Vermont; Michael W. Cameron, The Nature Conservancy, Reno, Nevada; Derrick Crandall, American Recreation Coalition, Dominic Izzo, American Society of Civil Engineers, Raymond J. Poupore, National Heavy and Highway Alliance, and Scott Faber Environmental Defense, all of Washington, D.C.; and Gregory A. Zlotnick, Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Jose, California.

NOMINATION

Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Paul V. Applegarth, of Connecticut, to be Chief Executive Officer, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Department of State, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Schumer, testified and answered questions in his own behalf.

MADRID TERRORIST ATTACKS

Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on European Affairs concluded a hearing to examine the effects of the Madrid terrorist attacks on U.S. European cooperation in the war on terrorism, after receiving testimony from J. Cofer Black, Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Department of State; Robert Kagan, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Robin Niblett, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Philip H. Gordon, Brookings Institution, and James Dobbins, RAND Corporation, all of Washington D.C.

BUSINESS MEETING

Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider pending intelligence matters.
Committee recessed subject to the call.

Measures Introduced: 22 public bills, H.R. 4077-4097; 4100; 2 private bills, H.R. 4098-4099; and 2 resolutions, H. Res. 590-591, were introduced.

Pages H1789-90

Additional Cosponsors:

Page H1791

Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
H.Res. 592, waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to the same day consideration of certain resolutions reported by the Rules Committee (H.Rept. 108-455); and
H.Res. 593, providing for further consideration of H.R. 3550, to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs (H.Rept. 108-456).

Page H1789

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

Page H1743

Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Rev. Cynthia O. Baskin, Rector, St. James Episcopal Church in Potomac, Maryland.

Page H1743

Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res. 590, electing Representative Chandler to the Committees on Agriculture and International Relations.

Page H1745D326

Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measure:
Providing for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through June 4, 2004: H.R. 4062, to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through June 4, 2004.

Pages H1746-50

Sense of the House regarding compensation rates for civilian employees and members of the uniformed services: The House agreed to H. Res. 581, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding rates of compensation for civilian employees and members of the uniformed services of the United States, by a yea-and-nay vote of 299 yeas to 126 nays, Roll No. 104.

Pages H1750-60

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H. Res. 585, the rule providing for consideration of the resolution was agreed to by a voice vote.

Pages H1750-51

Recess: The House recessed at 12:31 p.m. and reconvened at 7:20 p.m.

Page H1760

Recess: The House recessed at 11:04 p.m. and reconvened at 8:52 p.m. on Thursday, April 1.

Page H1787

Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote developed during the proceedings today and appear on pages H1759-60. There were no quorum calls.

Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and at 11:04 p.m. stands in recess subject to the call of the chair.

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, JUDICIARY AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, Judiciary and Related Agencies held a hearing on FCC. Testimony was heard from Michael Powell, Chairman, FCC.
The Subcommittee also held a hearing on the SEC. Testimony was heard from William H. Donaldson, Chairman, SEC.

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session to hold a hearing on Missile Defense. Testimony was heard from LTG Ronald Kadish, USAF, Director, Missile Defense Agency, Department of Defense.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development held a hearing on Contributions of the Army Corps of Engineers in the Restoration of Iraq and Afghanistan. Testimony was heard from LTG Robert B. Flowers, USA, Chief, Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army.

HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations : Subcommittee on Homeland Security held a hearing on U.S. Coast Guard. Testimony was heard from ADM Thomas H. Collins, USCG, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Testimony was heard from Julie Louise Gerberding, M.D., Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Administrator, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Department of Health and Human Services.

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held a hearing on the Pacific Command. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: ADM Thomas B. Fargo, USN, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; and GEN Leon J. LaPorte, USA, Commander, Republic of Korea-U.S. Combines Forces Command and Command Forces Korea.

VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was heard from Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--DOD

Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization budget request of the Department of Defense. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: ADM Thomas B. Fargo, USN, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; and GEN Leon J. Laporte, USA, Commander, U.S. Forces Korea.

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NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--DOD'S BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION EFFORTS

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization budget request--Department of Defense's Business Transformation Efforts. Testimony was heard from Gregory D. Kutz, Director, Financial Management and Assurance, GAO; the following officials of the Department of Defense: JoAnn Boutelle, Deputy Chief Financial Officer; Margaret E. Myers, Principal Deputy Under Secretary (Comptroller) and the Deputy Under Secretary, Management Reform; Gary L. Winkler, Director, Enterprise Integration, CIO/G6, Department of the Army; David M. Wennergren, Chief Information Officer, Department of the Navy; John M. Gilligan, Chief Information Officer, Department of the Air Force; BG John R. Thomas, USMC, Director C/4 Chief Information Officer, U.S. Marine Corps; and public witnesses.

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST--RESERVE COMPONENT TRANSFORMATION

Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Total Force held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization budget request on Reserve Component Transformation and Relieving the Stress on the Reserve Component. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Albert C. Zapanta, Chairman, Reserve Forces Policy Board; Thomas F. Hall, Assistant Secretary, Reserve Affairs; LTG H. Steven Blum, USA, Chief, National Guard Board; LTG Roger C. Schultz, USA, Director, Army National Guard and LTG James Helmly, USA, Chief, U.S. Army Reserve, all with the Department of the Army; VADM John G. Cotton, USN, Director, U.S. Naval Reserve and LTG Dennis M. McCarthy, USMC, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, both with the Department of the Navy; and LTG Daniel James III, USAF, Director, Air National Guard and LTG James E. Sherrard III, USAF, Chief, Air Force Reserve, both the Department of the Air Force.

U.S.-CHINA TRADE

Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing entitled ``U.S.-China Trade: Preparations for the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.'' Testimony was heard from Charles W. Freeman III, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative; and public witnesses.

REVIEW TARGETING PROGRAM FOR SEA CARGO

Committee on Energy Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``A Review to Assess Progress with the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection's Targeting Program for Sea Cargo.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Jayson Ahern, Assistant Commissioner; Vera Adams Port Director, Long Beach, CA., and Kevin McCabe, Chief Inspector, Newark, New Jersey, all with the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, and Clark Kent Ervin, Inspector General; and a public witness.

INCREASE INSURANCE CHOICES FOR CONSUMERS

Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``Working with State Regulators to Increase Insurance Choices for Consumers.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

OVERSIGHT--``10 YEARS OF GPRA--RESULTS DEMONSTRATED''

Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Efficiency and Financial Management held an oversight hearing entitled ``10 Years of GPRA--Results, Demonstrated.'' Testimony was heard from Patricia Dalton, Director, Strategic Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on International Relations: Ordered reported the following bills: H.R. 4019, Concerning participation of Taiwan in the World Health Organization; H.R. 4011, amended, North Korea Human Rights Act of 2004; H.R. 4060, Peace Corps Safety and Security Act of 2004; H.R. 4061, Assistance for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 2004.
The Committee also favorably considered the following measures and adopted a motion urging the Chairman to request that they be considered on the Suspension Calendar: H.R. 4053, United States International Leadership Act of 2003; H. Res. 402, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the urgent need for freedom, democratic reform, and international monitoring of elections, human rights, and religious liberty in the Lao People's Democratic Republic; H. Res. 535, amended, Expressing the concern and support of the House of Representatives for local elected officials under threat of assassination, kidnapping, forcible displacement, and coercion by terrorist organizations in the Republic of Colombia; H. Res. 563, amended, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding D328the one-year anniversary of the human rights crackdown in Cuba; H. Res. 576, amended, Urging the Government of the People's Republic of China to improve its protection of intellectual property rights; H. Con. Res. 326, Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the arbitrary detention of Dr. Wang Bingzhang by the Government of the People's Republic of China and urging his immediate release; H. Con. Res. 336, Expressing the sense of Congress that the continued participation of the Russian Federation in the Group of 8 nations should be conditioned on the Russian Government voluntarily accepting and adhering to the norms and standards of democracy; H. Con. Res. 352, Recognizing the contributions of people of Indian origin to the United States and the benefits of working together with India towards promoting peace, prosperity, and freedom among all countries of the world; H. Con. Res. 378, Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Father Thaddeus Nguyen Van Ly; and H. Con. Res. 398, Expressing the concern of Congress over Iran's development of the means to produce nuclear weapons.

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BELARUS AND ITS FUTURE

Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe held a hearing on Belarus and Its future: Democracy or Soviet-Style Dictatorship? Testimony was heard from public witnesses.

ANABOLIC STEROID CONTROL ACT

Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 3866, Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004.

OVERSIGHT--LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held an oversight hearing on the Legal Services Corporation: Inquiry into the Activities of the California Rural Legal Assistance Program and Testimony Relating to the Merits of Client Co-Pay. Testimony was heard from Helaine M. Barnett, President, Legal Services Corporation; and public witnesses.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property approved for full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 4077, Piracy Deterrence and Education Act of 2004; H.R. 3632, Anti-Counterfeiting Amendments of 2003; and H.R. 3754, Fraudulent Online Sanctions Act.

OVERSIGHT--BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS--FEDERAL RECOGNITION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT PROCESS

Committee on Resources: Held an oversight hearing on the Federal recognition and acknowledgment process by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Testimony was heard from Representatives Johnson of Connecticut; R. Lee Fleming, Director, Office of Federal Acknowledgment, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.

TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a structured rule providing for further consideration of H.R. 3550, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The rule provides for no further general debate except for the final period of ten minutes following consideration of the bill for amendment contemplated in the order of the House of March 30, 2004. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill, modified by the amendments printed in part A of the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution, shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole. The rule provides that the bill, as amended, shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of further amendment and shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in part B of the Rules Committee report which may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to amendment or demand for division of the question. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Section 2 of the resolution provides that the amendment considered as adopted under the first section of the resolution shall be considered an amendment offered under section 411 of House Concurrent Resolution 95.

SAME DAY CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS

Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving clause 6(a) of rule XIII (requiring a two-D329thirds 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 Thursday, April 1, 2004, providing for consideration or disposition of the bill (H.R. 3550) to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes.

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MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Committee on Science: Ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 3980, National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004; and H.R. 4030, Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education Act. of 2004.
The Committee also began markup of H.R. 3970, Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2004.
Will continue tomorrow.

RAILROAD ECONOMIC REGULATION STATUS

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads held a hearing on the Status of Railroad Economic Regulation. Testimony was heard from Roger Nober, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board, Department of Transportation; and public witnesses.

DOV'S EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES--PROCEDURES FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS AND CREDENTIALING

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on current Department of Veterans Affairs employment practices with regard to procedures for background checks and credentialing. Testimony was heard from Cynthia Grubbs, R.N., Director, Office of Policy and Planning, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services; Cynthia A. Bascetta, Director, Health Care--Veterans' Health and Benefits Issues, GAO; and Frances M. Murphy, M. D., Deputy Under Secretary, Health Policy Coordination, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs

BRIEFING IRAQ WMD UPDATE

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Iraq Weapons of Mass Destruction Update. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses.

COUNTERINTELLIGENCE BUDGET

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

2005 BUDGET

Conferees met to resolve the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of S. Con. Res. 95, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2005 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2006 through 2009, but did not complete action thereon, and recessed subject to the call.

Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for the National Institutes of Health, 9:30 a.m., SH-216.

Subcommittee on Interior, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for the Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, 9:30 a.m., SD- 124.

Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 10 a.m., SD-628.

Subcommittee on Transportation, to hold hearings to examine future challenges facing the United States Postal Service, 10 a.m., SD-138.

Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies, to hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for programs under its jurisdiction, 1 p.m., SD-192.
Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine the proposed Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2005, focusing on the military strategy and operational requirements of the unified and regional commands; to be followed by a possible closed session in SR-222, 9:30 a.m., SD-106.

Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, to hold hearings to examine the proposed Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2005, focusing on military installation programs, 2:30 p.m., SR-232A.
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: business meeting to mark up the proposed Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2004, 2 p.m., SD-538.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space, to hold hearings to examine NASA fiscal year 2005 budget request, 2:30 p.m., SR- 253.

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Committee on Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety, to hold an oversight hearing to examine the implementation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter and ozone, 9:30 a.m., SD-406.
Committee on Foreign Relations: to hold hearings to examine Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and Protocol to Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment, concluded at Cape Town, South Africa, on November 16, 2001 (Treaty Doc. 108-10), Additional Protocol Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Romania Concerning the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investment of May 28, 1992, signed at Brussels on September 22, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-13), Additional Protocol Between the United States of America and the Republic of Bulgaria Amending the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Republic of Bulgaria Concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment of September 23, 1992, signed at Brussels on September 22, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-15), Protocol Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Estonia to the Treaty for the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment of April 19, 1994, signed at Brussels on October 24, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-17), Additional Protocol Between the United States of America and the Czech Republic to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic Concerning the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investment of October 22, 1991, signed at Brussels on December 10, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-18), Additional Protocol Between the United States of America and the Slovak Republic to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic Concerning the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investment of October 22, 1991, signed at Brussels on September 22, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-19), Additional Protocol Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Latvia to the Treaty for the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment of January 13, 1995, signed at Brussels on September 22, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-20), Additional Protocol Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to the Treaty for the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment of January 14, 1998, signed at Brussels on September 22, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 108-21), and Additional Protocol Between the United States of America and the Republic of Poland to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Republic of Poland Concerning Business and Economic Relations of March 21, 1990, signed at Brussels on January 12, 2004 (Treaty Doc. 108-22), 9:30 a.m., SD-419.
Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider S. 1735, to increase and enhance law enforcement resources committed to investigation and prosecution of violent gangs, to deter and punish violent gang crime, to protect law abiding citizens and communities from violent criminals, to revise and enhance criminal penalties for violent crimes, to reform and facilitate prosecution of juvenile gang members who commit violent crimes, to expand and improve gang prevention programs, and the nominations of Henry W. Saad, of Michigan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, Peter W. Hall, of Vermont, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit, William Gerry Myers III, of Idaho, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, Roger T. Benitez, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, Jane J. Boyle, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, Marcia G. Cooke, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, Paul S. Diamond, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Walter D. Kelley, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Matthew G. Whitaker, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, Department of Justice, 9:30 a.m., SD-226.

Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship, to hold hearings to examine securing our borders under a temporary guest worker program, 2:30 p.m., SD-226.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Robert N. Davis, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and Pamela M. Iovino, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Congressional Affairs, 2:30 p.m., SR-418.

Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, Judiciary and Related Agencies, on Broadcasting Board of Governors, 10 a.m., and on Department of State International Organizations, 2 p.m., H-309 Capitol.

Subcommittee on District of Columbia, on Public Defender Services; Court Services, and Offender Supervision, 10 a.m., 2362A Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs, on U.S. Agency for International Development, 10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection, 10 a.m., 2362B Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Interior, on National Endowment for the Arts, 10 a.m., and on National Endowment for the Humanities, 11 a.m., B-308 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, on Workforce Preparation and Training, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Independent Agencies, on Executive Office of the President, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, on NSF, 2 p.m., 2358 Rayburn.
Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization budget request--Future Combat System and Force Protection Initiatives, 1 p.m., 2118 Rayburn.

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Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization budget request--Destructions of the U.S. Chemical Weapons Stockpile--Program and Status, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn.
Committee on Energy and Commerce, hearing entitled ``FY 2005 Budget Priorities for the Department of Energy,'' 9:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Health, to continue hearings entitled ``Inter-governmental Transfers: Violations of the Federal-State Medicaid Partnership or Legitimate State Budget Tool?'' 2 p.m., 2322 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, hearing entitled Legislative Hearing on the Reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act, 2 p.m., 2123 Rayburn.
Committee on Financial Services, hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency,'' 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn.
Committee on Government Reform, to mark up the following bills: H.R. 3737, Administrative Law Judges Pay Reform Act of 2004; H.R. 3751, to require the Office of Personnel and Management study and present options under which dental and vision benefits could be made available to Federal employees and other appropriate classes of individuals; H.R. 4012, to amend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999 to permanently authorize the public school and private school tuition assistance programs established under the Act; H.R. 1822, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3751 West 6th Street in Los Angeles, California, as the ``Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Post Office''; H.R. 3939, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14-24 Abbot Road in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, as the ``Mary Ann Collura Post Office Building''; H.R. 3942, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7 Commercial Boulevard in Middletown, Rhode Island, as the ``Rhode Island Veterans Post Office Building''; H.R. 4037, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 475 Kell Farm Drive in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, as the ``Richard G. Wilson Processing and Distribution Facility''; H. Res. 399, Honoring the life and legacy of Melvin Jones and recognizing the contributions of Lions Clubs International; H. Res. 578, Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month; and S. Con. Res. 97, Recognizing the 91st annual meeting of the Garden Club of America, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, hearing entitled ``Afghanistan: Are the British Counternarcotics Efforts Going Wobbly?'' 11:30 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, hearing entitled ``Marijuana and Medicine: The Need for a Science-Based Approach,'' 2 p.m., 2154 Rayburn.
Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Africa, hearing on Fighting Terrorism in Africa, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights, hearing on Al-Qaeda: The Threat to the United States and its Allies, 9:30 a.m., 2172 Rayburn.
Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims, hearing on H.R. 3191, to prescribe the oath of renunciation and allegiance for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn.
Committee on Resources, hearing on H.R. 898, Lumbee Recognition Act, 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.
Committee on Science, to continue markup of H.R. 3970, Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2004, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn.

Subcommittee on Space, hearing on Lunar Science and Resources: Future Options, 1 p.m., 2318 Rayburn.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation, oversight hearing on Airport Deregulation, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Benefits, oversight hearing to receive the report of the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service Task Force, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon.
Committee on Ways and Means, to continue hearings on Board of Trustees 2004 Annual Reports, 12 p.m., 1100 Longworth.

Subcommittee on Health, hearing on The Medicare Discount Drug Card, 2 p.m., 1100 Longworth.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, executive, hearing on Counternarcotics Budget, 9 a.m., H-405 Capitol.

Subcommittee on Intelligence Policy and National Security, executive, hearing on Intelligence Community Language Capabilities, 1 p.m., H-405 Capitol.

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Program for Thursday: After the transaction of any morning business (not to extend beyond 10:30 a.m.), Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 4, Welfare Reform Reauthorization; with a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, to occur at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 3550, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (structured rule).

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